HiQ helps the Swedish Defence Material Administration with electronic tracing of materiel

HiQ has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) to provide 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 consists 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. “A test will be conducted on aspects of consignment tracking, i.e. the ability to follow the status and position changes of a consignment with a unique identity. In this case the consignment may consist of spare parts for machinery with highly technical content, for example a vehicle with several processors or embedded mini-computers. Initially this is about setting standards for and designing the test, and the aim is to go ahead to realize and implement RFID,” says Christofer Kärrdahl, Product Manager at FMV Logistics Development. “HiQ has been engaged in a very productive dialogue with FMV on the topic of logistics for quite some time. Over the past year we have been working with FMV on ILS (Integrated Logistic Support) and with the supply of defence materials for the Swedish Armed Forces. The new assignment is proof that we possess the necessary expertise in this field. Our strength lies above all in our ability to help FMV examine and prepare specifications for future logistics systems which will use the latest technology, such as RFID,” says Tomas Täuber, Key Account Manager at HiQ. FMV is currently reviewing and 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. The Swedish Defence Material Administration, FMV, is a civil government agency reporting directly to the Swedish Government. It is charged with the responsibility for the design and procurement of new defence materials, ensuring that the products are suitable for the future network-based military defence organisation. FMV is contributing to the strengthening of the total defence by carrying out assignments for the Swedish Armed Forces and other government agencies. FMV is also assigned by the Government to provide export support. For further information, please contact: Lars Stugemo, President and CEO HiQ International, tel.: +46 (0)8 588 90 000 Tomas Täuber, Key Account Manager HiQ, tel.: +46, tel.: +46 (0) 589 845 06 Annika Billberg, Head of Corporate Communications HiQ International, tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 015, +46 (0)704 200 103