Spain's Military Deploys Savi Technology
August 9, 2006 -- The Spanish Armed Forces (SAF) now is “up and running” with an active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network and software platform that can be interoperable with similar network solutions deployed by NATO and other allied defense forces. The compatible RFID networks provided by Savi Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, now enable SAF and NATO to automatically track and manage national and multi-national, joint force consignments as they’re transported through each other’s far-reaching supply chains, extending through Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere worldwide.
The RFID platform was installed through the Savi Consignment Management Solution (CMS), which consists of Savi SmartChain Site Manager, Savi SmartChain Enterprise Platform and Savi SmartChain Consignment Management Application. The solution also includes Savi’s data-rich, active RFID tags, fixed readers and handheld reader kits based on Echopoint technology - a highly configurable system using dual frequencies for spot-level and wide-area locating of consignments and supply chain assets.
Last year, the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) initiated use of an interoperable RFID “backbone” when it upgraded to Savi CMS for its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply chain, which operates across six key nodes in the Netherlands, Germany, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
“We’re pleased that the Savi CMS solution is up and running in short order, and we’re eager to further test the system across the supply chain nodes where we have it operating, and to collaborate on tracking consignments through compatible networks such as NATO’s,” said Col. Enrique Porras, technical director of SAF’s Logistic Resources Tracking System Program. “We anticipate that the timely and accurate information from the Savi CMS solution will improve our ability to efficiently and effectively deliver supplies to our soldiers deployed in the field, and to collaborate closely with allies during more complex joint-force operations.”
Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID supply chain solutions for commercial, defense and civilian agencies, also has extended active RFID networks and support software for the U.S. Department of Defense, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, Australian Defence Forces, and the Danish Ministry of Defence. “As more defense organizations like NATO and Spain implement and upgrade RFID networks using the Savi Consignment Management Solution, there will be a multiplier effect in terms of efficiencies, economies of scale, reduced supply losses and improved service deliveries in the field for users who leverage their own and each other’s interoperable systems,” said Bruce Jacquemard, managing director of Savi’s International Public Sector.
Savi CMS is a complete, integrated solution that bridges the “visibility gaps” of consignments as they move through military supply chains. More accurate information on the location and status of consignments will reduce the chance of military supplies being misdirected, misplaced, delayed, or unnecessarily reordered. In addition, Savi CMS provides exception-based management alerts; real-time tracking of assets and their contents as well as monitoring of environmental conditions inside the container; and, support for multi-national coalition operations for shared information when appropriate. Savi CMS also leverages data stored on all types of Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) devices, including sensors, bar codes and RFID tags that are affixed to containers and other supply chain assets used to transport consignments.
Savi’s RFID solutions have been implemented in more than 2,000 locations in over 50 countries, and are the foundation for the largest interoperable RFID networks deployed worldwide. Savi has also sold over 1.5 million tags to defense forces and the combined networks track about 35,000 consignments a day. These RFID-based networks are based on the ISO 18000-7 standard operating at 433.92 MHz, which has proven to be most effective in environments where large metal ISO containers are tracked and stored.