An Introductory Analysis of Auto-ID Applications in the Department of Defense Supply Chains

This article provides an introductory analysis of the applicability of the Auto-ID Centers Network Physical World EPC system within the supply chains of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The DoD is a large, complex military organization with a broad range of responsibilities to protect U.S. interests around the world. In discharging these responsibilities, the DoD must manage and transport large amounts of equipment and supplies in support of a wide range of military operations. Keeping track of this material is a difficult task involving real time inventory visibility through the supply chain. Recognizing the importance of accurate information as a prerequisite of readiness, the DoD set forth in the Joint Vision 2020 report a goal of implementing a real-time, webbased information system providing total asset visibility by FY04. This is a challenging goal given the unique characteristics of the DoD supply chain that includes 1) emphasis on readiness, 2) long span, 3) large variety of items, 4) unstable demand, 5) moving end points, 6) emphasis on reliability and maintenance and 7) concern over detection. Given this unique set of characteristics, the DoD supply chain differs in many respects as compared to the civilian supply chain. The most effective strategy in managing the DoD supply chain is to adopt a single standard for automatic identification that includes passive, semi-passive, and active tag technologies combined with an information backbone that can handle large amounts of data. The Auto-ID Center’s EPC system technology has these capabilities along with being a standard that is universally accepted within the commercial world. By some accounts, a single standard for identification would save billions of dollars annually for the