Part numbers and part groups

Part numbers are used to represent all the physical items on which technicians perform maintenance work, and all the items that are used during maintenance work. Part groups are associated with configuration slots and represent the set of alternate parts that can be installed in a particular configuration slot.

You create part numbers to identify the following: the parts you install, the consumables used during maintenance work, tools, kits—collections of different items that are to be used together for a specific purpose—and the assets themselves, such as engines and aircraft. Often, there are two or more part numbers that have the same form and function—for example, the same part, but made by different manufacturers—and that are valid alternates to each other. These parts are in the same part group.

Part groups are created automatically created when you create configuration slots - one part group for each slot created. You can create additional part groups on any configuration slot, including system (SYS) slots. You might want to create additional part groups for all untracked part numbers that are specific to a configuration slot. Untracked part numbers are those that have the inventory classes of serial-controlled (SER), batch-controlled (BATCH), or kit (KIT). Note that consumables that are used on many configuration slots or many assemblies should not be included in part groups on configuration slots, but rather in the common hardware assembly so that they can be added to any task.

All part numbers must be associated with a manufacturer. In Maintenix, the combination of the part number and manufacturer forms a unique identifier for a part. This allows a specific part number to exist in the system under different manufacturers.

You must create part numbers for the types of aircraft on which you will complete maintenance, the components you remove and send for repair, the parts and consumables you provide for the maintenance visits, and the parts supplied by your customers (the owners of the aircraft). Also, it is advisable to create part numbers for specialized tools you use on projects. Creating part numbers for these items allows you to do the following:

• Specify the parts you will provide in the quotes you submit to customers.
• Identify all the parts required for a maintenance visit—those you supply and those the customer supplies.
• Identify the tools required to perform some of the work—mostly specialized or expensive tools that are in limited supply, and that you track more closely than commonly used tools.
• Use the material management features of Maintenix for all inventory needed to complete projects.

When you create a new part in Maintenix, its part status is set to Build, and the use of the part number in workflows is restricted. To use the part number, it must first be approved for general use. When a part number is reviewed and approved, its status changes to Active and it is available for use in all workflows.

Usually, most of the part numbers are loaded into the database directly during the implementation of Maintenix. However, you can use Maintenix to add new part numbers, or to edit the details of part number, as needed, for example, to change the price you are charging customers for a part.