SUNNYVALE, Calif., 25 August 2005. Savi Technology Australia Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of RFID supply chain solution provider Savi Technology, today announced an initial US$10.1million contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to provide a consignment management solution enhanced by RFID technologies.
ADF selected the Savi solution to improve the real-time visibility and accountability of military supply consignments both in-country and of joint-force operations. The real-time in-transit visibility network based on global RFID standards will be interoperable with networks used by the United States DOD, United Kingdom MOD, NATO, and commercial shippers.
The Savi SmartChain Consignment Management Solution (CMS), a software solution that leverages a family of Savi's RFID products, will enable ADF to enhance its In-Transit Visibility System (ITV) to more effectively and efficiently track the movement of assets throughout the supply chain. Currently, the US DOD's expanding RF-ITV network is the world's largest active RFID cargo tracking system, extending across more than 1,500 locations and 45 countries.
These RFID-based networks, which can function independently or interoperate with each other during collaborative operations, are based on the ISO's 18000-7 standards. In addition, Savi's CMS already complies with the recently agreed NATO Standardization and Agreement 2233, which provides a framework for RFID-based interoperability among NATO countries in tracking consignments and assets.
Brigadier David McGahey, ADF Director-General for Materiels Systems said; "This contract with Savi Technology is ADF's initial step in leveraging RFID and other Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) technologies, thereby enabling us to maximise material visibility and supply accountability in both ADF supply chains and those operated by a coalition partner. It is our expectation that this increased visibility will significantly reduce our overall supply costs and make our logistics more efficient and effective. Initially the ADF will implement Savi's solutions to interoperate more effectively with the US and UK defence forces in collaborative operations in Iraq."
Bruce Jacquemard, Savi's executive vice president of global sales said; "We greatly appreciate the trust that the ADF has placed in Savi Technology and we are fully committed to leveraging our experience and proven technology solutions to ensure that ADF meets it important objectives in getting the right solutions to the right place at the right time. This initial contract begins what will be a growing relationship with a critical member of the allied forces combating terrorism in the Middle East."
For more information, see www.savi.com.
