Vantage 6.1: Part Number Conventions

We have a similar issue assigning Ship-to numbers where we have a report (still RB in our case) that detemrines the highest currently used number and "suggests" the next one. Works OK where a limited number of people are entering new items and chance of two at once is slim.

For PartNum it might be a litle more tricky because it is a character field (despite the name) so with the grouping part (presumably at the beginning) you would have to strip off that part and get to the serialized part, sort that and then find the last one used.

Also, I didn't see it mentioned in other posts but because PartNum is character be sure if the first segment is numbers to pad in leading zeros on any number not using one or higher in the first position(s). It will save a LOT of grief with sorting.

-Todd C.


-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Chris Reed
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 12:02 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] Re: Vantage 6.1: Part Number Conventions



Guys

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated.

I think I'm going to advocate six digit codes with grouping, much the
same system as G/L coding. Now for the tricky bit - how to control the
raising of part numbers! Any thoughts on how to keep it in Vantage?

Chris

--- In vantage@yahoogroups <mailto:vantage%40yahoogroups.com> .com, "Chris Reed" <crreed@...> wrote:
>
> Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.

I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
really matter?

What do all you Guys use and how do you control issue of numbers
(duplication etc.,)?

If possible, I want to keep everything in Vantage (no Excel etc.,)

All suggestions gratefully received.

Chris
our example:
every customer gets a 4 digit # : 1234
Mfg parts for them are customer specific, and change as new parts are
introduced: 1234-001 then 1234-002, etc.
the 1234-001 is specific to 1 customer part number.
as you learn the system, everyone knows what work and customer you are
referring to in conversation.
we are a job shop, and tend toward repeat business.

we have a completely different system for purchased products.

-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Chris Reed
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 10:54 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] Vantage 6.1: Part Number Conventions



Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.

I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
really matter?

What do all you Guys use and how do you control issue of numbers
(duplication etc.,)?

If possible, I want to keep everything in Vantage (no Excel etc.,)

All suggestions gratefully received.

Chris






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Reed" <crreed@...> wrote:
>
> I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
> numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
> opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
> really matter?
>
My first Vantage implementation, but fourth MRP / ERP implementation.
My strong opinion - almost non-descriptive. We're implementing - at
my urging - PN's structured as LLLnnnnn where LLL is a controlled (by
an approved table) 3-character alpha for the item type...HDD=hard
drive, MBD=motherboard, etc. The nnnnn is a 5-digit sequential
number, sequenced within the LLL codes. So the first hard drive is
HDD00001, the second is HDD00002, etc.

Two additional key supporting bits: One, we are implementing revision
control on the components (previously, my company has used a tabbed
part number - so a NEW part number - for component revisions). AND,
tightly control the part descriptions' format - that is, we are
implementing a "military" style format, going from the general to the
specific. So for HDD00001, the description is "capacity, physical
size, speed, access time".

May not be perfect, but it's worked before.

Neil
Manufactured and purchased components for our standard product line have non
descriptive parts numbers. I wish we had set it up for broad product
families instead. It would be nice if I could look at a part number and
know it's a shell or spindle or bearing or screw, etc.



Standard finished items have descriptive part numbers. A 14105 and a 14905
are both 5 Morse taper live centers that use the same bearing and shells and
have different spindles. I.E. (14) shell and bearings, (10) long point
spindle, (5) 5 Morse taper = 14105. The 14905 has a tracer point spindle.



A special version of 14105 would be a 14105-A1111. Same bearings and shell
as the standard. A long point spindle with features unique to this part.
The A1111 is a unique sequential number that is stamped on the part.
Doesn't tell you anything about the customer or the part it just helps to ID
the part and drawings. The next special in line would be an A1112 followed
by A1113, A1114, etc. The front number could be any of our standard
products that we modified.



The idea of linking customer to the part number is nice if your customer
list repeats and isn't too large. Would not work for us but I never thought
of trying it either when we set up the sequential numbering system for all
specials. Most of our specials are variations on standard product so this
system works for us. If I have the complete part number I at least have a
clue what the customer has when I am on the phone. I may still have to pull
prints but it's a start. The stamp number (A1111) is permanently marked on
the part. It is short enough to fit and it's unique to that part. Helps to
ID the tool when they have had it for several years and need to replace it.





Sincerely,



Mitchell Kirby

Riten Industries, Inc.

<http://www.riten.com/> www.riten.com



740-333-8719 Direct

800-338-0027 Sales

800-338-0717 FAX

_____

From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Sherer, Rhonda
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 8:41 AM
To: 'vantage@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Vantage 6.1: Part Number Conventions



our example:
every customer gets a 4 digit # : 1234
Mfg parts for them are customer specific, and change as new parts are
introduced: 1234-001 then 1234-002, etc.
the 1234-001 is specific to 1 customer part number.
as you learn the system, everyone knows what work and customer you are
referring to in conversation.
we are a job shop, and tend toward repeat business.

we have a completely different system for purchased products.

-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups <mailto:vantage%40yahoogroups.com> .com
[mailto:vantage@yahoogroups <mailto:vantage%40yahoogroups.com> .com] On
Behalf Of
Chris Reed
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 10:54 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups <mailto:vantage%40yahoogroups.com> .com
Subject: [Vantage] Vantage 6.1: Part Number Conventions

Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.

I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
really matter?

What do all you Guys use and how do you control issue of numbers
(duplication etc.,)?

If possible, I want to keep everything in Vantage (no Excel etc.,)

All suggestions gratefully received.

Chris

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
You've already received several good responses. A lot of your
decision has to do with your manufacturing environment. I've danced
this dance several times and there are a lot of factors to consider.
How wide is your variety of raw materials? Do you have a lot of WIP
stages or is it basically a single level BOM? What impact could
a "smart" part number have with inventory control? The trick is
trying to find the right balance between detail and ease of use.
(Bear in mind that any changes are by default considered difficult by
those comfortable with the current system.) Don't reinvent the wheel
for the sake of a cooler wheel, but don't be afraid to make a real
process improvement.

If you would like to discuss your scenario in detail, feel free to
contact me off line.

Michael Randolph
mrandolph@...




--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Reed" <crreed@...> wrote:
>
> Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.
>
> I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
> numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
> opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
> really matter?
>
> What do all you Guys use and how do you control issue of numbers
> (duplication etc.,)?
>
> If possible, I want to keep everything in Vantage (no Excel etc.,)
>
> All suggestions gratefully received.
>
> Chris
>
We reserved 5 digit number blocks based on broad catagories with a 2
Character Prefix and a 2 character suffix.
XX-12345-XX. 0 to 39999 are reserved for Production Parts, with the
Prefix "XX-" identifying various pieces of tooling, and the Suffix
identifying the appropriate subcomponets unique to that part (TM-12345-00
tooling, 00-12345-00 - Production part, 00-12345-51 variation on production
part, 00-12345-01 - subcomponent. Letters or numbers in prefix or suffix
are allowed. For us this gives us enough unique combinations for 200 years
and still be able to clearly identify a part.

Shirley G
Rubber Associates Inc.

_____

From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Neil Christie
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:36 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] Re: Part Number Conventions



--- In vantage@yahoogroups <mailto:vantage%40yahoogroups.com> .com, "Chris
Reed" <crreed@...> wrote:
>
> I've seen, and been asked for descriptive and non-descriptive part
> numbering systems and used both. I'm unable to form a definitive
> opinion, I know what the wise men say about conventions, but does it
> really matter?
>
My first Vantage implementation, but fourth MRP / ERP implementation.
My strong opinion - almost non-descriptive. We're implementing - at
my urging - PN's structured as LLLnnnnn where LLL is a controlled (by
an approved table) 3-character alpha for the item type...HDD=hard
drive, MBD=motherboard, etc. The nnnnn is a 5-digit sequential
number, sequenced within the LLL codes. So the first hard drive is
HDD00001, the second is HDD00002, etc.

Two additional key supporting bits: One, we are implementing revision
control on the components (previously, my company has used a tabbed
part number - so a NEW part number - for component revisions). AND,
tightly control the part descriptions' format - that is, we are
implementing a "military" style format, going from the general to the
specific. So for HDD00001, the description is "capacity, physical
size, speed, access time".

May not be perfect, but it's worked before.

Neil






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
One thought to add to the discussion....there is a third alternative on the manufactured parts besides the Part Number and the Customer Part Number...this is the Search Word portion of the Description. If making "serial" part numbers you can also use this as an "inteligent" part number pseudo field for meaningful but quick lookups. In our case we use it for the part number for the tooling to make the part, which to our plant personnel means a lot more than any other reference. Actually our selling part numbers are almost always the customer's part number. For purchased parts like raw materials (steel and other metals) we use an inteligent scheme to divide and sub-divide materials and then code in some basic dimensional realms (not exact dimensions) with the last portion being a sort of serial assigned number.

-Todd C.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Guys

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated.

I think I'm going to advocate six digit codes with grouping, much the
same system as G/L coding. Now for the tricky bit - how to control the
raising of part numbers! Any thoughts on how to keep it in Vantage?

Chris


--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Reed" <crreed@...> wrote:
>
> Ok, this is the third company I've implemented Vantage.