Vendor/Catalog Parts as Alternate Parts

[RB_10499063]

Version: Windchill 12.1

Use Case: Catalog Parts needed as Alternates/Substitutes

Description:

Is it possible to have Catalog/Manufactured Part (aka Vendor Parts) work with the Alternate/Substitute Parts feature? Or is it recommended to have them be recreated as a basic WTpart?

[TDT]

Hi @RB_10499063,

Alternate/Substitute parts serve a different purpose, they act as pre-approved replacements for original parts within the BOM.
Vendor parts, on the other hand, represent supplier-specific components.
An OEM part can be associated with multiple vendor parts, allowing supplier and sourcing information to be maintained separately.
Using vendor parts as alternates is generally not considered a best practice.

[RB_10499063]

That is fair, but can a Vendor WTPart (Catalog Part) have a list of substitutes/alternates of their own?

[avillanueva]

No, not directly. You would associated those to the OEM or base Windchill part. There is no way to link those directly to a vendor part. I checked interface and its not there. If I saw that a MFG part or OEM Windchill part had multiple vendor parts listed, that indicates the same thing, that they are alternates for each other.

[anursingh]

Hi @RB_10499063,

I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation. 

Thanks,
Anurag