Engineering changes are a normal part of product development, but they can create confusion if each revision lives on its own part record. When your team has to choose between several part numbers that all look similar, it slows order entry, increases the chance of mistakes, and makes it harder to see which build is actually current.

Cetec ERP lets you keep multiple revisions under a single part record so engineering, production, and sales all work from the same place. Status controls and a clear current revision flag keep orders pointed at the right rev while still preserving history on older versions.

The Problem with Separate Part Records for Each Revision

Imagine you design a part called TLA1. When engineering releases a new revision, someone creates a separate part record called TLA1-Rev1. On the surface this looks clear, but once you have several revs, every order entry and quote becomes a guess. Users have to open multiple part records, read notes, and hope they remember which one is current for the next order.

If the revision changes again, those informal rules fall apart. You may have legacy orders tied to older records, internal documentation that does not match, and a higher risk of shipping the wrong version. Time spent digging through duplicate parts is time not spent on engineering, production planning, or customer communication.

Storing Multiple Revisions on a Single Part in Cetec ERP

In Cetec ERP, you keep one part record for TLA1 and maintain each engineering change as a separate revision under that record. From the part’s Revisions screen, you can see every rev in a single list instead of bouncing between different part numbers. That list is where you control status, edit details, and decide which revision should drive new orders.

Status Controls: Active, Obsolete, Locked

Each revision can be marked Active or Obsolete. Active revisions are still valid for use. Obsolete revisions are retained for history but should not be used on new work. You can also toggle each rev between Locked and Unlocked, so only authorized users can change revision data when it needs to be tightly controlled.

Choosing the Current Revision for Orders

From the same Revisions screen you designate which revision is current. Only one rev at a time can be flagged as Current. When someone enters an order for TLA1, Cetec ERP automatically applies the revision marked Current to that order. Several revs can remain Active, for example to support service work, but the Current flag removes guesswork for new demand.

Preventing Accidental Deletion of In-Use Revisions

You can delete revisions that are no longer needed, such as test revs or records created in error. If a revision is still tied to an order, Cetec ERP marks it as in use and will not let you delete it. That protection keeps historical orders and traceability intact while still giving you a way to clean up unused revs.

Managing BOMs, Labor, and Inspection by Revision

From the revisions list you can open and maintain the BOM, labor plan, and inspection plan for each specific rev. This keeps routing steps and material requirements matched to the exact version of the part that will be built. When engineering releases a new rev, you create it on this screen, copy forward the prior BOM and plans if needed, and then adjust only what changed.

Instead of hunting through separate part records or external files, your team works in one place for everything tied to that part number. That reduces misalignment between drawings, BOMs, and work instructions and gives you a clearer audit trail from one revision to the next.

Key Takeaways

• Use a single part record in Cetec ERP to hold all engineering revisions for that part.
• Control which revisions are Active or Obsolete and lock revs that should not be edited.
• Set one revision as Current so new orders automatically use the correct rev.
• Rely on in use checks to prevent deleting revisions that still appear on orders.
• Maintain BOMs, labor plans, and inspection plans directly against each revision from one screen.

Conclusion

Managing multiple revisions on a single part record in Cetec ERP keeps engineering data, BOMs, and orders aligned. By using revision statuses, a clear current flag, and rev-specific plans, your team reduces confusion, protects traceability, and makes it simpler to work with engineering change over the full life of a part.