Background
DoD STARBASE is a premier educational program sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Designed to inspire and educate fifth-grade students, the program engages them in hands-on, minds-on activities across Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design, and Mathematics (STEAM). Students interact with military personnel, gaining exposure to STEAM applications in real-world scenarios while exploring potential career opportunities.
Opportunity/Challenge
As a program funded by the Department of Defense, DoD STARBASE must track all items purchased with state funds while also maintaining an internal inventory of equipment. This includes essential classroom assets such as iPads and other teaching tools.
Director Annette Phillips sought an efficient and easy-to-use tracking system to prevent staff from spending excessive time on asset management rather than focusing on student engagement. Upon learning that another STARBASE location had successfully implemented Grey Trunk RFID software and Metalcraft Universal Mini RFID Tags, Phillips explored the solution further. “We didn’t have anything easy like Grey Trunk,” she noted. “I didn’t want to have the staff concerned with tracking equipment instead of interacting with the students.”
Grey Trunk RFID is a cloud-based asset tracking software offering features such as check-in/check-out capabilities, reporting and analysis, and accessibility via both web-based and mobile platforms. It provides an intuitive and streamlined solution to asset management challenges.
Solution
Phillips and her team opted for RFID technology due to its ease of use and efficiency. “It’s so easy to scan from a distance using their specialized on-metal RFID tags,” she said. By leveraging passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID technology, they could now scan assets more quickly and accurately compared to their previous manual tracking system.
The Grey Trunk RFID system allowed them to improve asset visibility, reduce human error, and ensure compliance with audit requirements — all while minimizing administrative burdens on staff.
Result
The implementation of Grey Trunk RFID has been a resounding success. Phillips is so impressed with the system that she now actively recommends it to other STARBASE locations. “It’s such an easy way to keep track of all the equipment,” she said.
Additionally, the availability of online tutorials made training and troubleshooting seamless, further enhancing user adoption. Combined with the excellent customer service provided by Grey Trunk, the transition to RFID has delivered a comprehensive and effective asset management solution for DoD STARBASE.