The following display shows the entire workflow between CAD, PARTsolutions, PDM/ERP, LinkDB, catalogs (standard part and supplier catalogs) and external connections.

A: During a construction and/or purchasing process, the engineer or purchaser launches the intelligent part management system from the CAD or from his own workstation.

B: After identifying user and role through the system - usually done per single sign on (one-time operation system login) and central administration of user data into a central LDAP database - he gains access to the central standard, repeated and supplied parts database.

C: Depending on user role and rights, the display of the sub-stock differs.

D: Geometric standard, common and supplier part data, such as length, width and height are connected to other company data via a referencing relational database system (LinkDB) per online access. The entire data are displayed in the interface of the part management system PARTsolutions. After selecting a part the corresponding geometry is generated and/or taken from the PDM system and placed in the CAD system.

E: With the PARTserver web technology, incorporated suppliers can access the same dataset (standard, common and supplier parts with the connected additional data from ERP/PDM) online during the construction process (possible with their own specific views and rights).

PARTsolutions is also supportive in the definition of workflows, such as during request or application of article master numbers.

F: Manufacturer catalogs are updated several times a year. Information about product changes, innovations or the maintenance of the product portfolio are available with the integrated update assistant in companies (for construction or purchasing).

The update assistant adapts the current data inventory to the most recent catalog status of the manufacturers. Changes to manufacturer catalogs are of course shown before installation and available data is automatically revised. Whether manufacturer parts have changed or are no longer deliverable is recognized by the update check and can be directly forwarded to the connected ERP system.