Definition

Specification for a manufacturer’s part in the parts catalog.

Manufacturers use the manufacturer part number (MPN) to identify their parts.

Use

To support large systems, the manufacturer supplies a catalog with illustrations and text for all replacement parts that can be ordered. The customer has to use the part ID (either the MPN or the vendor’s own number) used in the catalog.

Structure

The MPN is an attribute in the material master record (within the Basic Data view) of an inventory-managed manufacturer part.

Integration

The MPN is not necessarily unique.

Two different manufacturers might use the same MPN for two completely different parts, although this is highly improbable. The MPN only uniquely identifies a part when used together with the external manufacturer (manufacturer code) .

Other identifiers are also used for parts (for example, the item reference, the supplier reference number, or the supplier master number). In industry sectors dealing with defense, the term “part indicator” has become standard over the last few years; military standards (MIL-STD) use the part number (PART NUMBER) and the reference number (REFNO).