Two new roles have been introduced in R2021x FD06 targeting component sourcing and standardization:

• Component Request Engineer (XCR)
• Supplier Item Manager (XSP)

These roles enable companies to efficiently manage the component request process and ensure compliance to the enterprise policies and strategies during the component request process, while streamlining the qualification process of a sourced component.

Both roles are supported on the cloud and on premise.

The Component Request Engineer submits a request for the sourcing of a new component:

Here are the main steps of this process:

• Define the sourcing information (Manufacturer Part number, Manufacturer, Manufacturer web site, etc.)

The manufacturer part number is the official identifier defined by the manufacturer (available in the manufacturer website or catalog).

• Add documents (specification or references)
• Add members who need a particular access to the request (not involved in the standard process)
• Define Context Items

Context items are Engineering Items and Manufacturer Equivalent Items (MEI) – see further

Once the request is live, the Component Request Engineer and Supplier Item Manager review, act upon and complete process activities.

The Supplier Item Manager reviews the component request and initiates the following actions:

• Create manufacturer equivalent items (MEI):

These items represent the Manufacturer definition of items, which will be sourced from the manufacturers.

• Create qualifications (General, Equivalent and Context)
  • General Qualification
    • A qualification of an object irrespective of where the object is used. It defines the usability of the component in enterprise activities. This qualification can be related to compliance, performance, validation, procurement or sourcing.
  • Equivalent Qualification
    • Qualifies that two independent objects are equivalent of each other in terms of engineering specification (fit, form, function). It is used to define that the Engineering Definition of a Sourced Component (MEI) is equivalent to the Engineering Item.
  • Context Qualification
    • The restriction to an Equivalent Qualification to the context of a model version, plant, project or engineering assembly.

The Supplier Item Manager is responsible for setting up Request Template.

• Define the process steps and activities of the request
• Define Acceptable Input and Answer Items
• Define Component Categories the request is dedicated to

My Engineering Assembly:

This view allows the user to have a general overview of the sourcing content:

• The Manufacturer Equivalents Item (MEI) for each Engineering Item
• The manufacturer of the MEI and Manufacturer Part Number (this association forms the unique ID of the MEI)

The General and Equivalent qualifications and their maturity states for each MEI

Watch this video for more information.

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