Global Individual Asset Identifier

The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is part of the GS1 system of standards. It is a simple tool to identify an asset by type and can identify assets uniquely where required. ‘The GS1 Identification Key used to identify an individual Asset. The key is composed of a GS1 Company Prefix and Individual Asset Reference.’

GIAI is one of the two GS1 keys for asset identification. GIAI is used to identify fixed assets. This could be a computer, a desk, or a component part of an aircraft. It enables assets to be individually recorded as part of a fixed asset inventory control system. In simple terms this means any individual asset within a company of any value that needs to be identified uniquely.

The GIAI is a unique identification key that can be used globally to identify the asset. Detailed information regarding the asset will be recorded in a database and the GIAI is the key that provides the link to that information. It may be produced as a GS1-128 bar code, or held in a GS1 EPC tag or used in a database. The function of a GIAI is to provide an identification point which can be used to retrieve information held in a database associated that particular asset.