In 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mandated the use of RFID tags on all of their incoming shipments, creating a new standard for managing shipments and assets. By adhering RFID tags to each incoming shipment of assets, they could easily identify the contents of each shipment.

The value-adds in having a mandated system like RFID tags on each shipment and manufacturers or retailers complying with that standard include:

• Efficiency - like any standard or process, the RFID mandate created a streamlined and efficient way to collect and report data on incoming shipments.
• Consistency - like any standard or process, the RFID mandate ensured that each shipment had the data that the DoD valued, in the same order, across all shipments.
• Asset Management Records - once shipments arrive in stock, the DoD can start to create a digital record on shipments, and individual items to prevent loss.
• Visibility - once shipments arrive in stock, the DoD can alert specific units or departments that their items have arrived.
• Speed Up Allocation - most shipments that arrive at the DoD will either be altogether re-shipped to another location or unpacked and individual assets are split up and then re-combined with other assets. A digital record can be accessed when certain assets are scanned, which can speed up re-allocation throughout this massive department.

RFID Asset Tracking is critical for any government agencies or non-profit that has to document and report on purchased or donated assets. In these cases, it is usually essential to keep detailed records on each asset and its usage in order to fulfill mandates, and ensure accountability and transparency in resource utilization.

RFID tags on these assets can not only keep track of the last known location of the asset and assigned personnel, but assist in creating a detailed digital record for each asset. Some of the most popular assets that are tracked by government entities include:

• IT Assets - Laptops, Servers, Radios, Barcode Scanners, Printers
• Government Vehicles
• Equipment & Machinery - Construction Equipment, Maintenance Equipment, Transportation Equipment
• Military/Police Equipment - Weapons, Radios, Bullet-Proof Vests
• Intelligence Equipment - Drones, Satellites, Cameras, Signal Interceptors
• Paper Assets - Zoning Documents, Permits, Licenses, Historical Records, City Plans
• Livestock Assets - Mandated livestock under the Department of Agriculture
• Library Books & Media

Learn more about RFID Asset Tracking in government from our RFID Basics for Local Government webinar! See the video below, or check it out on our YouTube Channel.

Government entities use RFID access control in a variety of ways depending on whether its vehicles or people.

RFID for access control was one of the first widespread RFID applications, and is still one of the most popular. The reasons that RFID is so successful with access control is because it's very accurate, read range is customizable (frequency range dependent), and with the right software, it can be very user-friendly. In the government sector, restricting access is incredibly important in order to maintain protocols around data, assets, and technology.

Inventory Management is another area similar to Asset Tracking, in which government entities are expected to keep detailed records. Inventory management is slightly different in that inventory items are depleted upon use, making their digital records slightly shorter than a typical long-term asset.

Because these items are bought and depleted, it's important to maintain appropriate stock levels, which cannot be done unless they are regularly inventoried and managed. Some examples of inventory items that are tracked using RFID in the government sector include:

• Emergency Supplies
• Medical Supplies (PPE)
• Vehicle & Equipment Parts
• Office Supplies
• Construction Materials
• Food & Catering Supplies
• Uniforms & Clothing
• Public Works Materials
• Public Transportation Supplies