RFID deadline hits defense industry

"The U.S. military is taking a step forward in its adoption of radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology to track supplies, and new regulations kick in for suppliers on Monday. Starting on that day, certain suppliers to the U.S. Defense Department must include in new contracts an agreement to attach RFID tags to shipments of goods to two major military distribution centers. The order, which the agency announced in September, applies specifically to packaged rations, clothing, personal-care items and weapon system repair parts shipped to supply depots in Susquehanna, Pa., and San Joaquin, Calif. The deadline is the Defense Department's latest move in its push to use RFID to streamline the delivery of supplies to military forces abroad. A previous deadline called for certain suppliers to attach RFID tags to shipping cases and palettes starting last January. This latest rule calls for case-level tagging as well as electronic advance shipment notices that correspond with data on tags." Source: cnet.com