Figure 1. Sample UID
The UID (Unique Identification) is a two-dimensional matrix barcode which is affixed to physical items in order to uniquely identify said items. This physical mark, shown in Figure 1, is machine-readable and can be thought of as the 2D version of a traditional linear barcode. Specifically, the UID is encoded using Data Matrix with ECC200 error correction.
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has made IUID (Item Unique Identification) a mandatory requirement on all solicitations issued on or after January 1st, 2004. IUID is the name of the asset identification system based on UIDs. The purpose of the program is to help the DoD track and manage its assets more effectively. In general terms, all delivered items for which the government’s unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more require a UID. Items with an acquisition cost below $5,000 may also need a UID depending on their nature and/or usage within the DoD. The UID may be marked directly on the item or printed on a label affixed to the item. In both cases, the UID must remain on the item through its useful life and not be damaged or destroyed.
The UID needs to comply with complex DoD technical and logistic specifications. Achieving IUID compliance can be a daunting and resource-consuming process which distracts businesses from their objectives. With SanSpot UID labels you can comply with all DoD guidelines and obtain UID labels for your equipment quickly and easily. This way you can avoid being sidetracked by DoD compliance worries and instead focus on the business at hand.
SanSpot offers two types of UID labels: Construct #1 and Construct #2, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 2. SanSpot UID label, Construct #1
Figure 3. SanSpot UID label, Construct #2
Construct #1 can be used only if the serial numbers of your items are unique within the enterprise that issues the UID. In other words, assets with different part numbers cannot have the same serial number. If you are unsure whether your serial numbers meet the requirements for Construct #1, you can use Construct #2 instead. For Construct #1, the information you need to provide for SanSpot to print your UID labels is:
- 1. CAGE code or DUNS number of the enterprise issuing the UID
- 2. Serial numbers
Construct #2 only requires that the serial numbers be unique within the part number. For Construct #2, the information you need to provide is:
- 1. CAGE code or DUNS number of the enterprise issuing the UID
- 2. Part numbers
- 3. Serial numbers
As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, SanSpot UID labels contain linear barcodes and human-readable characters in addition to the UID itself. SanSpot generates all of these elements based on the information you provide. The barcodes and human-readable characters are not required per IUID regulation, but are provided for the convenience of DoD staff to make asset identification and management easier.