DAYTON, Ohio, 28 Jan. 2010. The U.S. Air Force Global Logistics Support Center selected ODIN to monitor and maintain its entire network of passive RFID readers deployed in the continental U.S. (CONUS), Alaska, and Hawaii. The contract scope covers seven Air Force bases, one Navy base and nearly 150 passive RFID (radio frequency identification) readers.
ODIN will be responsible for updating firmware, determining proper configuration, and keeping performance optimized. The contract, including two option years, extends until January 2013.
Passive RFID technology use is growing within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as well as in commercial industry, Odin officials say. The reason for the growth is a decline in price and an increase in performance, especially around tough-to-tag items like metal and liquids. The Air Force is using RFID to improve business process ranging from tracking hazardous material to receiving goods from suppliers.
"As one of the largest passive RFID networks in the government, the Air Force needs to be up and running gaining value from their RFID network 24/7. Our experience from nearly 300 RFID projects, including the largest Department of Defense passive RFID deployment, and all the research we put into EasyMonitor and support best practices will really pay dividends for the warfighter," says Patrick J. Sweeney II, founder of ODIN. "Now that the Department of Defense is getting savvier around RFID, they realize that the old way of monitoring and maintaining the network would not scale. Consolidating the sustainment takes them to the next generation and opens a door to a higher level of performance."
EasyMonitor is ODIN's RFID network monitoring tool built on a peer-to-peer architecture. The system allows remote management of RFID devices from anywhere in the world. Its software agent sits on the devices and integrates seamlessly into Tivoli, OpenView, Unnicenter, and other network management systems. ODIN offers EasyMonitor as a software or together with monitoring and management service.
The seven Air Force bases and one Navy base covered under the contract with RFID networks installed include:
- Charleston AFB, S.C.;
* Dover AFB, Del.;
* McChord AFB, Wash.;
* McGuire AFB, N.J.;
* Norfolk NAT, Va.;
* Travis AFB, Calif.;
* Elmendorf AFB, Ark.; and
* Hikam AFB, Hawaii.
