Work with Internal Part Numbers (IPNs)

When you design and manufacture a new product, using Internal Part Numbers (IPNs) can help you:

• Minimize delays and errors related to new product launches

• Increase the speed of processing change orders and making design revisions

• Reduce the time and effort needed to get quotes

• Help prevent overstocking your parts inventory

• Streamline communication among design, engineering, and production personnel for faster product delivery

• Decrease project risks

Complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) with many components sometimes reference a mix of Manufacturer Part Numbers, Alternate Part Numbers, and Vendor Part Numbers, making communication about parts, assemblies, and products complicated. In such cases, each new BOM has the potential to produce errors and miscommunication and add risk to manufacturing processes. Internal Part numbers help create and maintain consistency across manufacturing processes and ensure that both designers and manufacturers are referring to the same part when product changes are being discussed.

Internal Part Numbers can help reduce complexity in situations where some of the same components and assemblies are used in multiple products. The use of Internal Part Numbers consistently across products and product lines also ensures that duplicate inventory isn't bought and held unnecessarily.