HiQ has provided the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) with specialist expertise in the area of logistics, specifically solutions for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) that enables labelling of material that can be scanned via a radio antenna.
RFID is a relatively new technology that uses small electronic tags (transponders) that can be read from a distance of up to 1.5 meters with the help of a radio antenna. A simple way to explain this process is to compare it to the bar code system, which works in roughly the same way but uses light to convey the information. RFID technology can be used for numerous different applications such as sorting, anti-theft tagging, goods flow control, access control etc. HiQ’s assignment consisted of helping to set standards for a public procurement procedure to secure an RFID solution for testing, and to coordinate and manage the integration of the selected solution with the existing communication solutions and IT systems used by the Swedish Armed Forces. FMV is working on improving some of the information systems used by the Swedish Armed Forces to facilitate logistics management, for example in connection with the transportation or storage of large volumes of materials. As part of this endeavour, a test is being conducted in which RFID technology is being used in the handling of reserve materials and supplies.