Michael, Your 'old school' system sounds good, but I have to question how it holds up in a dynamic environment (i.e. changing part numbers and items used in multiple assemblies). My company uses a parts database management system, and I find it easy to use. I don't have to worry about drawing numbers because they are all linked - as long as I have one, I can get them all. And if a PWB number used in an assembly changes, I don't have to know that it did, the system tells me. Ben -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kuczynski, Michael (MED US) Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 7:07 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] PCB Documentation Our company has begun "Corporate Initiates", where we're trying to align multiple sites in using the same practices, shared resources, blah, blah, blah. One of the many "teams" formed is addressing part numbering. Now each and site (as well as everyplace I've EVER worked), in regard to part numbering for printed circuit boards has been similar. There is a base number and all the related reference documentation contains that base number, but is unique'd by prefix and/or suffix. So there was never any doubt/guessing what the part number for a drawing was. Example: (each drawing has a separate revision) 12345-1:A (bill of materials/parts list) AW12345:A assembly drawing DR12345:A drill/fabrication drawing PA12345:A schematic drawing PC12345:A artwork/gerber files (we no longer us "smart part numbering" for components - its just random, sequential numbers) We will be transitioning/migrating to parts database management system, SAP. Because the system can not "automatically generate these part numbers" (as we're use to seeing), it wants to "auto-generate" part numbers. So it may look something like: 12345678 12345679 assembly drawing 12345683 drill/fabrication drawing 12345689 schematic drawing 12345721 artwork/gerber files I need supporting "business reasons" WHY we CAN'T use random auto-generated part numbering for our documentation. Their argument is anyone who has access to the SAP system, can find what their looking for, so the part numbers don't matter. When we send our data out to the vendors for fab and assembly, we send all the supporting documentation. So aside from thinking this is stupid and the ol' "it's ALWAYS been like that, I'm finding a hard time shooting holes in their argument. LOGICALLY, the way its always been, seems best, but unless I come up with some supporting/alternate views, this is going to be a confusing mess. So if anyone can help me out here - please help me stop the insanity. (or maybe I've been "integrated" too long) Thanks In Advance SIEMENS Michael Kuczynski Medical Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Product Eng. II CID 511 Benedict Ave. 914-524-3118 (Ph) Tarrytown, NY 914-524-3322 (Fax) Mail Stop P25-1-C [log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- This message and any included attachments are from Siemens Medical Solutions and are intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include trade secrets or privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. 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