LOGISTIKAMT DER BUNDESWEHR – Introduction In the interest of NATO and the allied nations, the Logistikamt der Bundeswehr executive branch of the German Ministry of Defence has been one of the first forces to begin implementing GS1 Standards, in order to comply with STANAG 2494 – NATO Asset Tracking Shipping Label and Associated Symbologies. The aim of the STANAG is to facilitate NATO Asset Tracking at the interface of national asset tracking systems by providing a guideline for application of bar code shipment labels. The agreement provides human readable data specifications as well as the format for incorporation of GS1-128 symbologies. Getting Started For the Bundeswehr, the initial focus was on their internal consignment tracking systems. “In order to initiate a pilot project, we determined that it was best to implement a tracking system which would begin at the item-pallet level. We decided to use the GS1-128 to link the information via SSCC into our internal database, allowing traceability from Depot A to the final destination” stated Jan Kaufmann, LTC for DV-Log 1.2 of the Logistikamt der Bundeswehr. The pilot project for the Bundeswehr covered the scenario of moving a pallet from the point of introduction into the German Bundeswehr to the final destination as well as the scenario of re-packaging a pallet from the warehouse to the final destination. UCC/EAN Implementation Scenario 1 – Scanning the GS1-128 from Depot A to its Final Destination

Depot A Bagram Airfield Afghanistan

Depot B Supplier

Once the manufacturer delivers the order to Depot A, a Bundeswehr storage facility, the pallet

is assigned an GS1-128 and the information is scanned in by a hand-held scanner and inputted on a web application. The information regarding the pallet contents, (please add the additional information) is then available for view throughout the supply chain. This enables senior management and those at Depot B or Bagram Airfield the ability to track and trace the pallet.

Mercedes Schulze from GS1 Germany and LTC Jan Kaufmann from the German Bundeswehr inspecting the scanner, computer where master data is kept and the barcode printer.

Scenario 2 – Re- packaging at Depot B, the collection warehouse for the Bundeswehr

Should the situation warrant, it may be necessary for Depot B to produce their own consignment. The items are collected at Depot B and grouped in a “collecting box”, depending on advanced shipment orders before being flown out to the final destination, e.g. Afghanistan. The “collecting box” is produced with the intent of adding items to complete the shipment and is comprised of incoming goods and goods already stored in the depot. In order to identify the items, which are to be inserted into the box, a

SSCC is blocked for that box and a label is applied to the collecting box. This label is an internal code (Interleaved 2/5) and represents only the last 10 digit of the SSCC. This is an interim solution and at the end of the process, the plan is to apply directly the correct SSCC in an GS1-128 barcode. The interim solution is necessary as the total weight of the collecting box is only known when the box is full. Only then a complete GS1-128 label is possible and is attached to the box. Individual items placed into the “collecting box” are labelled with a bar code containing the Application Identifiers (AI) 01, symbolizing the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and AI 401, symbolizing the Consignment Number.

The GS1-128 is not applied directly

to the box at this time as the weight of the box cannot be determined during the collection stage and needs to be recorded when the box is complete. Once the weight is calculated, the GS1-128 containing the total weight will be calculated and the label affixed to the finished box. According to STANAG 2494 and 2495, the GS1-128 will be placed over the non-GS1, proprietary bar code and it will be ready to be shipped to its final destination. This system contains a bit of the new world and old world technology as it is still in the trial stages and paper is also used as a handwritten label serves as a backup to the bar coded, GS1-128 label. A double check is done at this point when the 10 digit proprietary code is scanned from the collecting box to ensure that all of the individual products within the collecting box are scanned and added to the outer label on the collecting box. The information inputted into the scanner

Example of the GS1-128 for Pallet Identification

placed on a docking station and all of the information is then transferred to the internal system. This is the final step to ensuring the record of all items contained within the box. Once the collecting box is complete, and the exact weight of the contents of the box can be determined, the GS1-128 is then printed and attached on top of the original 10 digit internal code. All complete boxes from scenario 1 and scenario 2 are then placed into a truck and a new GS1-128 is created to reflect the total contents of the truck. This printed barcode label is given to the truck driver or placed on the inside of the truck. Benefits of using the GS1-128 The benefits of implementing the GS1-128 System include:

• Implementing NATO STANAG 2494 • Increase accuracy in labelling • Identification of product when hand written cards are lost or damaged

Contact Information Jan - Please add brief history of Logistikamt der Bundeswehr – how long in existence, who it serves, number employed…. For more information on GS1 and the services provided for the defence sector in Germany, please contact GS1 Germany at Mercedes Schulze, schulze@gs1-germany.de, www.gs1-germany.de.