Find Similar

About Find Similar

The Find Similar functionality assists you in finding similar items for a selected part.  The parameters of the Find Similar search can be either Engineering Properties (PLM, Geometrical, etc.), or Sourcing Properties (Supplier, Manufacturer, etc.) that are extrapolated from the selected item.  This functionality allows you to easily locate an item that can replace another based on the identified criteria.

When Using Find Similar

  • All numeric attributes can qualify as find similar criteria.

Accessing the Find Similar Window

Within CES, there are many methods of accessing the Find Similar window. To complete the scenario below, select one of the following methods:

 
If You Are Using the... Then...

Search Results Window

  1. In the Search Results window, select the item of which you want to perform the Find Similar function.

  2. Right-click, and select Find Similar from the shortcut menu

Properties Window
  1. Within the Properties window of the item of which you want to perform the Find Similar function, click the Find Similar button located in the Properties window's horizontal toolbar.

How To Find a Similar Item

For the following scenario, the Accessing the Find Similar Window: Search Results Window method is used to access the Find Similar window. 
  1. Conduct a search for the item of which you want to find a similar item.  The Search Results window appears with the items listed based upon your search criteria.

  2. As shown above, you can access the Find Similar function by selecting the item, right-clicking, and selecting the Find Similar entry in the shortcut menu.  The Find Similar window appears.

  3. Based on the selected criteria, as shown above, your search will be conducted to find an item that matches your criteria.  Many of the fields are pre-populated based on the selected item's definition, and the percentage combo boxes are available to assist you in selecting a valid percentage deviation from the original item's value.  Complete the criteria and click the Search button to perform your search.  The Search Results window appears displaying the item that is similar to your selected item based on the search criteria.

Find Similar Window

This table describes the fields displayed in the Find Similar window.

Fields Description
Internal Item Number When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the internal item number of the Find Similar search.
Standard Part Cost When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the standard part cost of the Find Similar search.
Internal Item Organization When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the internal item organization of the Find Similar search.
Manufacturer When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the manufacturer of the Find Similar search.
Supplier Item Number When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the supplier item number of the Find Similar search.
Supplier Item Description When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the supplier item description of the Find Similar search.
Currency When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the currency of the Find Similar search.
PLM Item ID When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the PLM item ID of the Find Similar search.
Internal Item Description When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the internal item description of the Find Similar search.
Revision When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the revision of the Find Similar search.
Manufacturer Item No. When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the manufacturer item number of the Find Similar search.
Mfr Item Description When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the manufacturer item description of the Find Similar search.
Supplier When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the supplier of the Find Similar search.
List Price When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the list price of the Find Similar search.
List Price UOM When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the list price unit of measure for the Find Similar search.
PLM Revision When selected, identifies this field as a matching criteria for the PLM revision of the Find Similar search.


This table describes the buttons displayed in the Find Similar window:

Button Description
Conducts the Find Similar search for the matching internal item based on the selected criteria.
Removes all pre-selected search criteria fields.
Aborts the Find Similar search and returns you to the Search Results window.