What is the difference between Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Item Unique Identification (IUID)?
Within IUID, the unique item identifier (UII) is a piece of data associated with an item that uniquely identifies it throughout its life. RFID is a vehicle for holding and sharing data. IUID of tangible items deals with physical markings applied directly (or indirectly via label, data plate, etc.) on items. IUID also requires data to be captured about the item and submitted electronically to a registry database. Think of this as creating a birth certificate for the item. RFID is either a passive (unpowered) or active (powered) transmitter/receiver that stores information on the case, pallet, or packaging in which IUID’d and non-IUID’d items are placed. The RFID tag may store the unique item numbers for the items in the case/pallet/package or it may store a different unique packaging number that when accessed in a transportation or logistics database provides an inventory of the items in the case, pallet, or package. Please visit the DoD RFID website for further information on the RFID
