What Is Item Revision?
Also known as: part revision, revision level, rev level, item revision control
Definition
An item revision is a label, such as A, B or 02, that identifies a specific released version of a part or assembly, so that drawings, BOMs, inventory and orders can all reference exactly which version they mean.
Item Revision Explained
The usual rule is that a change affecting form, fit or function requires a new part number if the old and new are not interchangeable, and a new revision if they are interchangeable or the old is superseded. Cosmetic or documentation-only changes may revise a drawing without changing the item revision.
ERP handling differs. Some systems carry revision on the item master, with a new revision replacing the old across the board. Others carry revision as a separate dimension on BOMs, work orders and inventory lots, so two revisions can coexist in stock. Infor LN supports item revisions and effectivity units, NetSuite supports BOM and assembly revisions with effective dates, and SyteLine often manages revision through item fields and date effectivity on the BOM.
Revision must follow the product to the customer. Aerospace and medical customers require the shipped revision on certificates, and traceability records link serial or lot to the revision built.
The main failure mode is mixed-revision stock. If inventory does not carry revision, the floor can pull rev A material onto a rev B work order with no system warning.
Why It Matters
- Shipping the wrong revision is a quality escape and may breach the customer contract.
- Interchangeability decisions decide whether stock can be consumed or scrapped.
- Service and warranty need to know what revision a unit was built to.
- Audit trails of revision history are required under AS9100 and ISO 13485.
In Practice
Revision B of a manifold changes a port thread. It is not interchangeable with A for customers with existing mating parts. Engineering therefore assigns a new part number for the new customer and a revision B only for the improved internal casting. Stock of A can still ship to service orders, so the ERP must hold both.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a part get a new revision instead of a new part number?
When the new version is interchangeable in form, fit and function with the old. If not interchangeable, a new part number is normally required.
Can ERP hold two revisions of one item in stock?
Only if revision is tracked on inventory, lots or locations. Otherwise the system treats them as the same stock.
Is revision the same as effectivity?
No. Revision names the version. Effectivity defines when or at what serial or order the version takes effect.
Related Terms
Engineering Change Order (ECO)
An engineering change order (ECO) is the formal, approved document that authorizes a change to a part, bill of materials, drawing or routing, defines when it takes effect, and says what happens to existing stock and open orders.
BOM (Bill of Materials)
A BOM (bill of materials) is the structured, hierarchical list of components, sub-assemblies, and quantities required to produce one unit of a parent item, and it is the primary input MRP explodes to calculate material requirements.
Traceability
Traceability is the ability to follow the history, location, and application of a part or material through the supply chain and production process, both backward to its sources and forward to every product and customer it reached.
PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
Product lifecycle management (PLM) is software that manages product definition data from concept through design, release and retirement: CAD models, engineering BOMs, documents, revisions and change approvals, then hands released data to ERP for production.
Go Deeper
Infor LN Engineering Change Management Guide
Manage engineering changes in Infor LN with ECO/ECN workflows, BOM effectivity, revision control, and impact analysis for controlled product change processes.
ERP-PLM Integration Guide
ERP-PLM integration guide covering Teamcenter and Windchill: how to carry lot, serial and date effectivity from ECOs into ERP BOMs, items and open orders.
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SAP Change Master and Revision Level Log
Track change numbers, validity dates, revision levels and the number of BOMs and routings each engineering change touches.
Keep exploring
Free tools
- SAP Change Master and Revision Level LogTrack change numbers, validity dates, revision levels and the number of BOMs and routings each engineering change touches.
- BOM Comparison Worksheet (Revision A vs B)Enter quantities and costs for each BOM revision and get the quantity change and cost delta per component, ready to export to Excel.
- NetSuite BOM Revision Change Request TemplateA change request for adding a BOM revision in NetSuite: what changes, effective dates, open work order impact and sign-off.
ERP fixes and how-tos
- Managing Item Revisions and Effectivity in ERPUnderstand revision versus version, date, lot and serial effectivity, and how to keep item and BOM revisions consistent between PLM and ERP without surprises.
- How to Copy a Part in Epicor, Add Revisions and Customer Cross-ReferencesHow to copy a part in Epicor Part Maintenance, add a revision to a new part, set up customer part cross-references and find fixed asset numbers in Epicor 10 and Kinetic.
- MPN in Infor LN: Manufacturer Part Numbers, Items and SuppliersHow to manage a manufacturer part number (MPN) in Infor LN: item codes, supplier item data, alternates, and how to keep MPNs clean and searchable.
Runs with your ERP
- Arena PLM and Oracle NetSuite: syncing items, BOMs and ECOsHow Arena PLM passes released items, BOMs and ECOs to Oracle NetSuite, what data flows, setup steps, common mapping pitfalls and where a private AI layer helps.
- OpenBOM and Oracle NetSuite: from CAD BOM to assembly itemsHow OpenBOM for NetSuite moves SOLIDWORKS and other CAD BOMs into NetSuite assembly items and BOMs, push and pull modes, setup steps, pitfalls and AI use.
Guides
- How to Set Up Document Control in SyteLineGuide to implementing document control in Infor SyteLine. Configure document types, revision management, approval workflows, and distribution control for ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance.
- ERP for Cable Assembly and Wire Harness Manufacturers: What to RequireWhat a cable assembly or wire harness shop needs from ERP: BOM by drawing revision, wire by the foot, lot traceability, kitting, and test records.
- Infor LN Engineering Change Order and ECN ManagementManage engineering changes in Infor LN with ECO/ECN workflows, BOM effectivity, revision control, and impact analysis for controlled product change processes.