Alternates

About Alternates

Using the Properties window, you can view all the information associated with a particular object. The top portion of the window contains header information, which cannot be edited. The lower part of the window contains tabs, which display various other types of information associated with the item.

The Alternates tab displays a list of other items that perform more or less the same function as the current item. Internal items, manufacturer items and suppliers items all may include alternates. The information included in the Alternates tab depends on the type of item, internal, manufacturer, or supplier, for which you are seeking alternates. Each alternate item has a specific type. These types are:  

  • Functional Equivalent: The alternate item is functionally equivalent to the original item.
  • Functional Downgrade: The alternate item does not perform all the functions that the original item performs.
  • Functional Upgrade: The alternate item performs all the functions the original item performed, plus additional functions.
  • Pin-to-pin Equivalent: The alternate item has the same pin configuration as the original.
  • Pin-to-pin Upgrade: The alternate item has pin configurations that match the original item, plus has additional functions based on your specifications.

When Viewing Alternates

  • For manufacturer items, the manufacturer classifies alternate items into the types discussed in the About Alternates section above.
  • For supplier items, the supplier classifies alternate items into the types discussed in the About Alternates section above.
  • For internal items, your organization must classify the alternate items into the types discussed in the About Alternates section above.
  • The tabs available in the Properties window can be customized based on the user group associated with the logged in user. For more information about customizing the Properties view, refer to CES Administration Guide : User Tasks : Customizing CES : Customizing the Properties Window.

How To View Alternates

This task explains how to view the Alternates tab of the Properties window.
This example assumes that you:
  • have started CATIA (How you start CATIA depends on how it is set up on your system.)
  • have logged in to ENOVIA V5 VPM and CES. For more information on logging in, refer to Logging in to ENOVIA V5 VPM in CATIA and Accessing CES Functionality.
  • have access to a database that is populated with Manufacturer, Supplier and Internal item information
  • have performed a search for one or more items.
  1. From the Search Results window, select the item for which you want to view the Properties.  Right-click and select Properties from the shortcut menu.  The Properties window appears. Click the Alternates tab.



     

  2. In this example, the item used is an internal item. If you return to your Sourcing Search window, search for a manufacturer item, and view the Alternates tab, you will see a different set of attribute information included.

     

Properties Window

The Properties window can be described as follows

Object Description

Header

This area lists the static attributes of the object that is open in the Properties window. This information remains consistent until changed. Should any of these attributes change, you must refresh the Properties window to display the updated information.

Tabs

The tabs appearing in the Properties window for Internal Items contain manufacturer information, supplier information, PLM information, pricing, alternate items and attachments, of the object. You can click the tabs to view the corresponding information.

Attributes

You can view all the fields associated with an object. This lists all the fields other than those displayed in the Header. These fields are again object-dependent, and can be masked by a company per their individual requirements and standards.


This table describes the fields displayed in the Properties window.

Fields Description

Select Item Type

Dropdown list that lets you switch from one item type to another.

This table describes the buttons displayed in the Properties window:

Button Description

More

Click this to display all the Header information in a separate Details window.

Close

Close the Properties window.

This table describes the tabs available in the Properties window:

Window Description
Detailed Specifications For more information about this tab, refer to Detailed Specifications.
Manufacturer Information For more information about this tab, refer to Manufacturer Information.
Supplier Information For more information about this tab, refer to Supplier Information.
Alternates This tab displays a list of other items that perform more or less the same function as the current item.
PLM Profile For more information about this tab, refer to PLM Profile.
PLM Properties For more information about this tab, refer to PLM Properties.
Pricing & Availability For more information about this tab, refer to Pricing and Availability.
Attachments For more information about this tab, refer to Attachments.