Alternates and cross-references
Alternates say which of your parts to offer for a competitor's part number. Cross-references record a manufacturer's own numbers for your records.
How do I match a competitor's part number or a manufacturer's own number to my parts?
- On Alternates, press New. Type the competitor's brand and part number exactly as the buyer said it.
- Pick your part that replaces it and say honestly how close it is, so nobody promises a drop-in that isn't.
- Next time a buyer reads you that number, search for it here. The part itself also lists what customers buy it instead of.
- On Cross-references, record a manufacturer's own number: whose number it is, the number as it appears on their paperwork, and which of your parts it means.
Good to know
- When you load a price sheet that uses only the manufacturer's numbers, cross-references match them to your parts automatically.
Where to find it
- Catalog › Alternates — try it in the demo (opens in a new tab)
- Catalog › Cross-references — try it in the demo (opens in a new tab)
Read the video transcript
Buyers often ask for a competitor's part number. Alternates tell you which of your parts to offer instead. Each row is their brand and part number, and the part you sell in its place. Type the competitor's brand and part number exactly as the buyer said it.
Pick your part that replaces it. Start typing the number. How close is it? Be honest, so nobody promises a drop-in that isn't.
Save the alternate. Next time a buyer reads you that number, search it here. There it is: offer Cutler's CUT-1007, and note the finish difference. The part itself remembers it too.
Open CUT-1007 on the Products screen. Customers buy this instead of: the Hollis part is listed right on it. Cross-references are different. They record a manufacturer's own number for your part or customer.
Cutler prints its own item numbers on price sheets and statements. Let's teach the app one of them. Whose number is it? Cutler's.
Copy their number exactly as it appears on their paperwork. It points to one of your parts: their CF-66204 is your CUT-1007. Save the cross-reference. Now watch it work.
Cutler sends a sheet that uses only their own numbers. CF-66204 matched your CUT-1007 through the cross-reference. The number with no cross-reference is left out. We only wanted to see the match, so cancel.
Nothing changes until you put prices in. Alternates help you win the sale. Cross-references let their paperwork find your records.