Ammending part numbering convension to integrate 2nd product line - Add character to start

Hi, I am new to Visual (but worked with several other ERP systems) and I have just started at a company who are wanting to streamline their drawing processes (working with Visual ENterprise 7.0)

I am wanting to integrate a 2nd product line (2 companmys merged) into one unified naming convension.

We currently have a part numbering system which has 3 alpha characters followed by 4 numeric characters eg FAS0001

I am wanting to add a number at the start of the existing number to define if it is a customer order, or componen t piece eg 3FAS0001.

Is their a way of ammending all products within the database to have an extra part number, whilst still maintaining the links? Batch file etc?

If this is not possible/feasabile, could soeone explain the function of the "Substitute Part" under part maintanence, as I feel this might be an option, to replace old parts, as and when they are called up.

Thanks.

Ford GTL.pdf

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Comments

unknown

No, you would not be able to do this in standard Visual.
Your best bet would be to use TrueFit's Rename and Merge Utility:
www.truefitsolutions.com/.../renamemerge.aspx

Substitute part is a new feature which allows someone to issue Part 123 in place of Part 456 for whatever reason. Basically, you would identify part 123 can be substituted for part 456.

unknown

Thanks for the reply. I will look into Rename and Merge. It seems ideal. Have you any experience of using it in the workplace?

Regarding the substitute part, I assume that once a part has been set up to be substituted, all links would be updated as they are called: Eg if a BOM was on the system which referenced the old part, as it was used to create a works order, the new part would now be called up?

unknown

We use rename & merge. it's been a great product for us. We've used it to rename part ID's, Vendor ID's, customer ID's, GL's, warehouse locations, etc. We've also merged Vendors, GL's customers, warehouses. I always test what is needed to be changed on a test database and always have a backup but really haven't had any issues with the product. It was definately worth the money for us and I'd recommend using it.

unknown

I believe Alternate parts are defiened in Part Maintenance, and then on the BOM there is a check box to "allow alternate parts" on the BOM you need to check. I'm not 100% sure on the setup, I've only done some basic testing in our Sandbox DB.

unknown

Substitute Parts are for Customer Orders – you’re out of a specific part but you can offer an equivalent part as a substitute if the customer wants. What Jason is talking about is Alternate Parts which is found on the Config Mgt tab of part maintenance. You can create a hierarchy there as a standard default or you can specifically set one up on each material card on the work order. This only works if the allow alternate parts is checked on the work order header. This allows a few things: first, during material planning the netting is taken from the main part on the card. When the planner see’s there’s a shortage they can inquire about the alternate parts, a new window opens listing the possible alternates and the netting for each of those. You can then drag and drop the alternate to the work order in the material planning screen which now updates the material card on the work order as well as supply and demand. You are also able to issue the alternate parts in place of the standard part in the Inventory transaction screen. This does not work if you use the issue by exception methodology.

Rename and merge is slick and it will run through the entire database and wherever FAS0001 was 3FAS0001 will now appear. If you’re truly looking to rename all the parts to a completely different part number the rename and merge is the way to go – alternate parts won’t give you want you want

unknown

Thanks for all your responses. Been investigating the Rename and Merge option and it certainly seems the best solution. Have enquired about a price so will just have to write a justification of it.

Does anyone know if there is any other competitor products available, so I can present several options to this solution?

unknown

I am not aware of any like products. I'm sure there are companies out there wililng to try and write one for you, but Rename and Merge is well-proven. Any other option would be risky in my opinion.

unknown

I agree with Jason - any other option would be risky. It’s my understanding that Truefit and Visual go way back to the days of Lilly Software. They know the database schema inside and out. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to run a routine like rename and merge on my databases. You’ll probably looking around 3,500 total with first year maintenance and I’d say that’s a small price to help successfully facilitate a post-merger integration. Something like this should be small peanuts in the total amount of time and energy spent during the merger of two organizations. At the end of the day if you want your parts renamed there is no choice.

unknown

Also, if its just a 1-time project they do offer a 60-day version for around $1000.

unknown

Thanks for that information. We requested a quote, $3500 was what we received. Useful to know about the 60 day option.
I am certainly sold after watching a few videos. There was a webinar demonstrating exactly what I was after (mixed character length part numbers.) so that will be useful for demonstration purposed when justifying the price. Can anyone give exampled of other times when they have successfully used it? So far, I have got changing customer details (primary ID) and also changing unit of measure for material.

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