ISO Shipping Container Labeling and Data Integration for UK Ministry of Defence
A transformative solution cuts costs and boosts accountability
Project Overview: The UK MoD oversees thousands of ISO shipping containers that carry crucial assets around the world. However, under the model that existed before MoD partnered with Camcode Global, 15,000 shipping containers were recorded in a local database without a mechanism to ensure maintenance. Camcode Global created a unique identification (UID) labeling and data integration solution that revolutionised the management of these assets.
Challenges
To enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency, the MoD sought to treat these containers as critical assets themselves. However, under the existing model, lacking coherent identification that permitted automated tracking, many containers remained idle. Without accurate maintenance records, their unknown repair statuses prevented their use for shipping until remedial action was taken, resulting in high shipping and management costs for the MoD.
Camcode Global’s Role
Camcode Global’s engineers conducted a thorough assessment and determined that stainless steel UID labeling was the optimal solution for the steel containers. Collaborating with the MoD, the Camcode Global project team identified two key locations that the containers passed through—one on base in Afghanistan and the other in Bicester, England. Additionally, Camcode Global determined that duplicate labels should be applied to each container to ensure readability and scannability regardless of the container’s orientation during transit.
- Meticulous Material Assessment: The stainless steel selected for the labels proved to be highly durable in harsh conditions, and carefully chosen adhesive remained securely affixed to the containers despite the constant motion and vibration.
- Strategic Labeling Sites: Camcode Global set up label production stations in both Afghanistan and England, enabling greater efficiency and a shorter timeline in the identification and registration of each container.
- Data Reconciliation: Utilising container data provided by the MoD, Camcode Global created an IUID lookup table, facilitating data matching and label production at both stations. Additionally, data reconciliation teams were established in both locations to ensure accuracy.
Key Benefits
- Reduced Costs: The costs of losses, non-maintenance, and shipping and receiving have been slashed.
- Optimised Maintenance: Each container’s maintenance requirement is now managed in the Engineering Management System, optimising maintenance and supporting overall accountability.
- Enhanced Accountability: Costs and maintenance are easily tracked, and personnel can be confident that data for each container is accurate.
- Efficient Deployment: With easily accessible tracking data, these crucial assets can be deployed efficiently, as needed.
