Parts Classification in Aerospace & Defense
For Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations and aftermarket distributors in the aerospace and defense industry, classifying structured parts data into a master catalog plays a crucial role in the management, selection and usage of parts. These practices are vital for improving efficiency, accuracy, and compliance, especially when managing complex supply chains and ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft components.
Convergence Data is uniquely qualified to work with your specialized parts data through our manufacturing-tailored PIM (product information management system) and its user-friendly PLM integrations. Our team of taxonomists works diligently to enrich your parts data and set your team up for success before handing off the reins to your team. Our aerospace and defense specialization serves two main markets: aerospace, which is the production, sale, and service of commercial aircraft; and defense, which is dependent on the country’s need for military weapons and systems designed to operate on land, sea, and in the air and space.
The many benefits of working with our team to optimize your parts data into a master catalog include:
Streamlined Inventory Management & Cost Optimization
Proper parts classification allows MRO providers or distributors to accurately identify, store, and retrieve parts. When parts are findable using industry standards (e.g., ATA chapters or NSN codes), it ensures that everyone in the supply chain can easily locate the required part, reducing time spent searching for items and mitigating the creation of duplicates.
Many organizations choose to use existing standards as a method of arranging categories to build a taxonomy. However, it's not always the best organizing principle because too often the standards are not specific enough to act as categories at a detailed level that is needed. When designing a data model of categories and attributes, it's critical to work with resources that have deep expertise in taxonomy best practices. That's why we teach our clients how to build extensible taxonomies and train them in data governance methodologies - we want you to get the best out of your data.
Additionally, having structured data allows inventory management systems to automate reordering, track part movements, and predict part demand based on historical data. This helps in maintaining optimal stock levels, reducing excess inventory, and avoiding stockouts, ensuring smoother operations for inventory management.
Compliance with Aviation Standards
The aviation industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the USA, with strict standards for safety, quality, and traceability. Parts classification ensures compliance with industry regulations such as FAA, EASA, and other civil aviation authorities (CAAs). By ensuring that all parts are categorized and documented correctly, MROs and distributors can provide accurate certifications and maintain proper records of part histories (e.g., installation, maintenance, and modifications).
Enhanced parts classification also enables easier traceability of parts. This is essential for audits, ensuring that only certified parts are used in critical applications, and tracking parts’ lifecycle data, which is a requirement for many aviation authorities.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Structured data allows MROs and distributors to quickly retrieve and order preferred parts which leads to a reduction in downtime for repairs and maintenance. With classified parts, technicians and inventory managers can quickly search and identify the correct part based on part numbers, descriptions, and especially attributes like material types or similar specifications. For procurement teams, this reduces the chances of ordering incorrect parts or parts that don’t meet specific needs, which helps avoid costly mistakes and returns.
Modern systems with structured data can easily integrate into various enterprise tools (ERP, PIM, PLM, etc.), automating workflows and reducing manual data entry. This connectivity enhances information flow across the supply chain, enabling better coordination between parties and faster resolution of supply chain issues.
Use of PLM and/or PIM Systems
Product-related information can be stored in a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Product Information Management (PIM) system. Integrating an industry-specific PIM system like ours with your existing PLM system to create an overarching master product and parts catalog offers several key benefits and increases consistency across all business functions.
Centralizing all product-related information ensures that MROs and distributors have access to accurate and up-to-date information about each part's lifecycle. For MROs or distributors, this also ensures that parts information is accurately reflected in all sales and procurement platforms, ensuring consistency of classification and attribution across internal systems, partner networks, and customer-facing platforms. A master catalog also allows for flexible and scalable solutions as your company grows and experiences acquisitions.
The Need for Parts Classification in Aviation
In an MRO or parts distribution context, proper parts classification and the use of structured data are foundational for ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, cost optimization, and increased sales. PLM and PIM systems both play a critical role in centralizing and managing this data, enabling better decision-making, faster response times, and improved customer service. By leveraging these systems, organizations can streamline operations, increase efficiency, enhance collaboration, and ultimately improve the reliability and safety of aircraft operations.
With over two decades of experience with aviation and aerospace data, the team at Convergence Data is ready to handle your parts and product data project and lead your team to newfound success. Contact us today to get started.