life of a material. Following the above pattern, the sphere of military Logistics can be categorised in the following domains:

Acquisition of materiel (initial purchase and reprovisioning); warehousing, management and distribution of resources; maintenance of items (repair and overhaul); disposal of obsolete or useless stock.

The aforementioned categories are directly correlated with fundamental elements of   NATO Codification, like item name, classification, identification, user and management data, characteristics and standardisation data, etc. All these appear in an encoded format within the various elements (segments) of the NCS, and as an entity represent the Total Item Record (TIR) of an IOS, i.e. all recorded information of an IOS appearing under a specific NSN.

It is therefore evident that when a Logistician searches for a material by utilising the NSN as the search key, all registered information under this particular NSN will automatically become available. At this point the achieved NCS/GS1 linkage, now infused into the TIR, is introducing a new role in the whole process: it is broadening the aspect of Logistics operations by adding further data (GTIN). Those military Logistics applications, which are now enhanced with the addition of GS1 references, can perform a cross reference operation within the NCS domain, and provide a "dual" recognition of a certain IOS in NSN and GS1 format. This "hybrid" form of identification represents a new trend with exponential growth, and is aligned with CALS mandates which envision tying the NCS with international (ISO) standards. A recent French effort to add GTIN references to all NSN-allocated IOS of their new aircraft carrier "Charles De Gaule" can be pointed out as an example where the linkage is vigorously applied. This case not only depicts an endeavor in line with the aforementioned initiatives, but introduces another tactical advantage: the enrichment and fortification of the dialogue between military Logistics and industrial suppliers.

Recent peacekeeping operations around the globe have affirmed the need for further utilisation of the NCS. The NCS has been extensively utilised in these operations, supplemented in various cases by the United Nations Common Coding System (UNCCS). The latter has proved efficient, as long as it has been used to support and manage the equipment issued by the UN to nations which only provided personnel. During the campaign in Bosnia, however, certain flaws in the Logistics process based on the UNCCS led to the buildup of unnecessary stocks based on attrition rates. The lack of a common technical language that the NCS introduces was repeatedly acknowledged, and in the Bosnian case the transfer of authority and responsibility from the UN to NATO, allowed allied forces to establish an adequate system of cross-support, specifically through the use of the NCS. Logisticians would therefore like to further exploit the advantages of the NCS with respect to future peacekeeping operations. The visualisation of the contribution of the NCS/GS1 linkage would correspond to a case where a theater level Logistician establishes a requirement for an NSN-codified item, which in turn is sent to purchasing authorities. The latter, using a cross reference, could inform the manufacturer on the specific requirement for delivery in standard commercial packaging, with standard commercial GTIN markings for identification. Following the same procedure, this time in a reversed way, the theater level Logistician will be able to decode the GTIN reference into the NSN format, and forward it to the end user.

It has been mentioned above that the NCS/UPC cross reference database screens for matches between UPCs and NSNs. Besides that it offers to procurement authorities one more means of probing for IOS from alternate sources, that is the utilisation of manufacturers descriptions. This can be considered as a major thrust towards promotion of competitiveness amongst suppliers, leading always to substantial financial savings, which actually constitute one of the ultimate aims of Logistics.

Furthermore, the outcome of the collaboration between the NCS and GS1 forums will not only avail both communities. It will enhance the technical dialogue amongst users and contractors, promote co-operation and intensify contacts, facilitate the effort of standardisation agencies, focus on environmental issues like safe handling of hazardous materiel, and promote international co-operation. NATO can exploit GS1 commercial standards and references, and profit in this way by enhancing and improving its Logistical and supply processes. On the other hand, GS1 /UCC will increase its membership base in the defence world, obtain access to data based on NCS disciplines, and share the 50-year experience of the Alliance in cataloguing materiel.