Within BOM Insight, you can include Alternates in your original upload file or add MPNs individually to the IPNs/CPNs in your existing BOMs.
Alternates in BOM Uploads
When uploading your BOM, it will automatically recognize MPN alternates in your file by the use of repeated CPNs. When your file does not repeat the CPNs to indicate that the MPNs are alternates, then you'll need to check the box BOM includes alternates with empty CPNs.
Check this box only if your alternates within your file do not have repeated CPNs to indicate that those MPNs are alternates. The alternate part numbers will require the same quantity first CPN, and only the first quantity listed in a group (repeating) is recorded.
Alternates in BOMs
Once your list is loaded, BOM Insight will display MPN alternates through the IPN/CPN and MPN relationship by visually grouping them together under one IPN/CPN. Alternate MPNs behave the same as any other line item. The alternates can be removed, moved, or copied.
Quantities for alternates will be treated the same within the IPN/CPN group, meaning that by changing the quantity where the IPN/CPN is shown in the line, will change all other alternate quantities in the IPN/CPN group. Also, the MPNs are used in costing the BOM.
When using the Filters in your BOM, the count refers to all of your MPN parts, including the alternates. The only exception is the section of Filter by Status, which will count parts within its CPN group.
Alternates Availability
When Supplyframe finds data for alternates parts, the "Xref, Form Fit Function" option will appear under the MPN. You can click into the MPN at any time to see the specific alternates which were found.
Within the MPN's window, the tab "Xref, Form Fit Function Equivalents" will display a list of alternative parts matching the form, fit, and function of the original part (if available). There may be a tab for alternates that are "Functional Equivalents" only, but they will not be the same form or fit equivalency. You may also have a tab allowing you to make use of your "Part Master Alternates" when the repository is being utilized by your team.
Comparing Alternates in BOMs
To help with evaluating your options, you can use the compare icon to the far right in any of the alternate tabs in order to see your original part and individual alternates side by side. You can also select multiple parts and click on Compare, which will display the details of similarities and differences between them.
This will open a new tab displaying the Parts feature comparison. The default display view will show All Stats, and you can click on Differences Only to highlight those specific details.
You also have the ability to click on Export and download the comparison. To return to your list, close the tab and click to your original window tab.
You have the option to either add alternate MPNs to a CPN or replace an existing MPN completely. Click on Add when you want to include that MPN as an alternate for the CPN in your BOM. Otherwise, clicking on Replace will completely remove the existing MPN and use this alternate only instead.
Comparing Alternates in Part Intelligence
In your Part Intelligence, there's an alternates section that may display tabs for either FFF Equivalents and/or Functional Equivalents.
The FFF Equivalents are alternates that Supplyframe has determined to be the same form, fit and function of this specific part. Whereas Functional Equivalents will match the function of the part, but will not have the same form or fit. Since functionally-only matches can potentially cause costly redesigns, the FFF Equivalents are considered the gold standard.
Within this section, you'll see for any available alternates on its far right a Compare column. This functionality allows you to compare side-by-side the original part and suggested alternate.
Clicking on the link will display the details of similarities and differences between those two parts. The default display view will show All Stats, and you can click on Differences Only to highlight those specific details. Click on Export to download the comparison details.
You can read the article for more details on reviewing your Part Intelligence.
Alternates in IPN Intelligence
Within your BOM, you can also view your Part Master alternates when clicking on an Internal Part Number (IPN)'s Intelligence cube icon. On the Alternates tab, it will list all your Part Master's MPN alternates and their details, along with a checkmark icon indicating the preferred alternate.
BOM Intelligence
The BOM Intelligence in your list contains data including a risk summary of Alternates within this list. This is accessed through the action toolbar by clicking on Intelligence.
In your Alternates Coverage section of the BOM Intelligence, you can see risk determined by the number of Alternates you’ve added to your CPNs in the BOM. This shows the actual count of alternates for each CPN in your BOM, including those within your file when uploaded, as well as manually added to a part within your BOM.
However, this section does not refer to how many alternates may exist or show as a potential alternate for a part. You can read the article for more details on reviewing your BOM Intelligence.
Adding Part Master Alternates in BOMs
Alternates can be imported into your list while working your BOM through the "Group Edit" functionality. Select the specific IPNs, click on Group Edit and then +Add Part Master Alternates.
You have the capability when importing alternates to specify that those indicated "Preferred Alternates" only should be added. During the "Group Edit" in your BOM, you can enable the "Include only Preferred Alternates" option in the Add Part Master Alternates. This ensures that the systems only use the alternates designated as "Preferred" in their Part Master page.
When alternates are added in the BOM, the manufacturer assigned for the line items will be considered a "Requested Manufacturer". The alternate's "manufacturer" will get carried through to the RFQ if you use the “Req. Manufacturer” option when creating your quote.