IUID facilitates information sharing between users at all levels within a net-centric environment. IUID establishes a unique identity for materiel (including components) that require unique item traceability or handling. IUID supports DON modernization by improving a wide range of business processes including property accountability, property valuation, serialized item management (SIM), configuration management, and product life cycle management.
There are 4 steps to fully implement IUID that are often worked in parallel. It is important to note that the IUID process requires all 4 of the steps:
- Mark Items: The process of physically labeling, assigning a UII and registering the UII to qualifying personal property items.
- Scan the Mark: In employing the mark, users scan the 2-dimensional data matrices as part of normal business. The Automated Information Technology (AIT) allows data the IUID within the matrix to be transferred into an automated information system.
- Update the Automated Information System (AIS): AISs must be updated to be able to store and/or forward the IUID information along with other relevant information about the item.
- Business Processes Reengineering (BPR) to use the data: Programs engage in BPR to determine how to make use of the data availability, item traceability and inventory management.

Scanning IUID marked items to update the AIS