Spare Parts Data Glossary

The vocabulary of spare-parts data is deceptively familiar. Everyone on the team uses “supersession” and “crosswalk,” but when you look at the actual records, the same word means different things in different systems. This glossary gives each term one plain definition, shows where it appears in your data, and links to the deeper resource where it matters most. Claro treats every one of these terms as a typed, sourced relationship or attribute — not a free-text note someone typed into a spreadsheet five years ago.

Term	Meaning	Where it shows up in your data	Read more
Supersession	A manufacturer replaces one part number with another	Price-list updates, ERP item-master status field, supplier discontinuation notices	What is supersession?
Crosswalk	A mapping between two identifier systems (old-to-new, OEM-to-aftermarket, supplier-to-internal)	Spreadsheet mapping tables, cross-reference databases, supplier portals	What is a crosswalk?
Form, fit, function (FFF)	Whether a part has the same shape, mounting and performance as another	Engineering change orders, equivalence reviews, substitution approvals	Form, fit and function
Exploded view	A diagram showing an assembly’s parts in their spatial relationships, with callout numbers	Parts books, OEM service manuals, PDF catalogs	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
Parts list	A table of part numbers, descriptions and quantities for one assembly, usually keyed by position number	Parts books, ERP BOMs, service documentation	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
BOM (bill of materials)	A structured list of every component in a product; variants include eBOM, mBOM and sBOM	ERP, PLM, MES	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
eBOM (engineering BOM)	The as-designed structure from engineering; defines what the product is	PLM, CAD, PDM	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
mBOM (manufacturing BOM)	The as-built structure; includes process steps, tooling and shop-floor sequences	MES, ERP production module	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
sBOM (service BOM)	The as-maintained structure; lists the replaceable parts a field technician needs	Service manuals, aftermarket catalogs	Exploded view, parts list and BOM
Position / callout number	The reference number on an exploded view that links a visual part to its row in the parts list	Parts-book diagrams, assembly drawings	Position number and callout number
Interchangeable	Two parts can replace each other with no modification; a strong claim requiring evidence	Engineering approvals, cross-reference databases	Interchangeable vs equivalent vs compatible
Equivalent	A part that meets the same specification from a different source, with varying degrees of evidence	Substitution lists, procurement alternatives	Interchangeable vs equivalent vs compatible
Compatible	A part that works alongside another without replacing it	Cross-sell lists, accessory tables, kit contents	Interchangeable vs equivalent vs compatible
Successor part	The new part number a manufacturer designates as the replacement for a discontinued one	Supersession tables, ERP replacement-item fields	What is supersession?
Last-time buy	A window before discontinuation during which the part can still be ordered	Manufacturer end-of-life notices, procurement alerts	Last-time buy and end-of-life
End-of-life (EOL)	The point after which a manufacturer no longer produces or supports a part	Product lifecycle notices, item-master status	Last-time buy and end-of-life
NLA (no longer available)	A status meaning the part cannot be sourced from the manufacturer	ERP status fields, distributor availability flags	NLA (no longer available)
Wear part	A component expected to degrade in normal use and be replaced on a maintenance schedule	Service BOMs, maintenance plans, wear-item lists	Wear part vs consumable vs kit
Consumable	A material used up in operation (lubricant, filter, wiper blade)	Maintenance schedules, consumable reorder lists	Wear part vs consumable vs kit
Kit	A pre-packaged set of parts sold and ordered as one unit	BOM kit structures, service-kit catalogs	Wear part vs consumable vs kit
OEM (original equipment manufacturer)	The company that designed or brands the finished equipment; usage varies by industry	Part-number prefixes, brand fields, equipment nameplates	OEM vs OES vs aftermarket parts
OES (original equipment supplier)	The supplier who manufactured a component for the OEM, sometimes selling the same part under its own brand	Supplier-origin fields, cross-reference tables	OEM vs OES vs aftermarket parts
Aftermarket	Parts made by third parties as alternatives to the OEM’s parts; evidence for equivalence varies	Aftermarket catalogs, cross-reference databases, “will-fit” lists	OEM vs OES vs aftermarket parts
Applicability	Which machines, models, serial ranges or configurations a part fits	Fitment tables, applicability databases, “fits” columns	Spare parts applicability data
Serial range	The production serial numbers between which a specific part version applies	Applicability tables, engineering change records	Spare parts applicability data

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