#1
The old part number remains searchable.
Superseded part number workflow
Manage superseded part numbers across dealer and aftermarket catalogs.
Old part numbers do not disappear when a product changes. They stay in manuals, PDFs, exploded view diagrams, labels, invoices, and customer habits. PartGrid helps teams keep those numbers searchable while guiding users to the correct current replacement before quote or cart.
Example
Searched part number
SR-4021
Still visible in an older exploded view diagram.
Route to
Current replacement
SR-4021-R2
Preferred replacement for new quote and cart workflows.
Why it matters
Old part numbers still lead real users into your catalog.
A customer may search with a number from an old manual. A technician may read a worn label. A dealer may use a PDF that has not been updated. If the catalog does not show the right replacement, the user path becomes slower and less consistent.
old PDF catalogs and service manuals
printed exploded view diagrams
dealer portals with copied catalog data
e-commerce searches that surface unavailable parts
quote requests that include obsolete references
regional catalogs with different replacement logic
Guided replacement path
Keep old numbers searchable while showing the current replacement.
A good catalog does not hide the references people still use. It turns them into a guided path toward the part that should actually be quoted, reviewed, or ordered.
#2
The current replacement is shown in context.
#3
A preferred replacement can be highlighted when multiple options exist.
#4
Notes explain why the replacement is recommended.
#5
Quote or cart handoff keeps replacement context available.
01
Keep old references useful
Users can still search with the part numbers they know from manuals, invoices, labels, and older diagrams.
02
Guide users before quote or cart
Show the current replacement before the user commits to the next step, so outdated references do not silently move forward.
03
Support different replacement types
Separate official replacements, aftermarket alternatives, and compatible substitutes so users understand what they are selecting.
04
Give teams one answer
Keep replacement guidance consistent across customer-facing catalogs, dealer workflows, embedded viewers, and service conversations.
FAQ
Superseded part number questions
Why not just delete obsolete part numbers?
Because users still search with old numbers from manuals, labels, PDFs, invoices, and diagrams. Deleting the old number can make the catalog harder to use.
Can this reduce wrong-part orders?
It can help by showing the current replacement before quote or cart, reducing the chance that users proceed with an obsolete reference.
Can replacement guidance support aftermarket options?
Yes. Replacement guidance can distinguish official replacements from aftermarket alternatives or compatible substitutes where configured.
Can old part numbers remain searchable?
Yes. That is often the right approach, because old references remain common in service and aftermarket workflows.
Does this replace ERP substitution logic?
No. PartGrid can show replacement guidance in the catalog experience. ERP substitution, warranty, compliance, and serial-number fitment rules may require separate logic or integration.
Turn old part numbers into a guided replacement path.
Use PartGrid to help customers, dealers, and service teams move from obsolete references to the right current replacement inside your interactive parts catalog.