NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., Oct. 4, 2006 -- The Defense Distribution Center completed the augmentation of its existing passive RFID infrastructure Sept. 29 with the installation of more than 200 additional passive radio frequency identification portals across DDC's distribution network within the continental U.S.

"By expanding our capabilities to receive items tagged with passive RFID, DDC is in compliance with the Department of Defense policy to make DOD distribution centers capable of receiving passive RFID tags as suppliers begin tagging their products in accordance with acquisition regulations," said DDC Logistics Operations Policy Division Chief Janet Cravener.

ODIN Technologies began installing the portals at DDC's 19 distribution centers within the continental United States in July. The passive RFID augmentation project also included the installation of associated software needed to extract, interpret and transmit data gathered by the portals to DDC's warehouse and transportation management system. Psion Teklogix completed the deployment of the software, GlobeRanger's iMotion Edgeware, throughout the sites.

According to DDC information Operations Wireless Team Leader Larry Loiacono, most of the new portals were installed at receiving doors and small parcel conveyor lines. Additional portals or hand-held readers have been installed at other key processing locations.

The new portals are capable of reading both Gen 1 and Gen 2 tags, said Loiacono.

Considered a pioneer in the implementation of RFID technology, DDC began using passive RFID portals nearly two years ago and has subsequently been successfully providing electronic acceptance notifications to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service system. DDC's distribution centers in the continental U.S. are also connected to Wide Area Workflow, a DOD web-based application used to transmit contractual, financial and logistic documents and data.

"Strengthening DDC's already robust RFID framework, coupled with the use of Wide Area Workflow, provides for increased global visibility of military assets as they transit through the DOD supply chain," said Cravener.

DDC's global distribution network includes 26 distribution centers and two Theater Consolidation and Shipping Points. The installation of passive RFID portals at DDC's seven overseas locations is expected to be completed in 2007.

Defense Distribution Center, New Cumberland, Pa., is the Defense Logistics Agency's Lead Center for Distribution. DLA provides supply support and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations. More information about DLA is available at http://www.dla.mil.