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NECESSITY OF A CODIFICATION SYSTEM
Every holder of materiel, whether a manufacturer or user, requires a system to identify an item.
| For instance: a WASHER, FLAT |
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USED ON MANY WEAPON SYSTEMS... IN MANY NATIONS
GERMANY
BOSCH, ROBERT GmbH
PN: 2000102621
DEUTZ SERVICE INTERNATIONAL GmbH
PN: 01289919EY8776-22
MERCEDES - BENZ AG
PN: 0001513052
MAN NUTZFAHRZEUGE AG
PN: 81907010687 |
FRANCE
RENAULT VEHICULES INDUSTRIELS SA
PN: 7701007414
NETHERLAND
VAN DOORNE'S BEDRIJFSWAGENFABRIEK
PN: 057343
SWEDEN
KARLSKRONAVARVET AB
PN: 23310163041 |
Manufacturers have developed particular systems to meet their specific needs. Consequently, similar types of items satisfying comparable needs, but manufactured by different companies, will be identified by a different numbering schemes. This does not satisfy the requirements of users like armed forces who manage their inventories by item type, rather than origin or use. For them, it does not matter
by whom it is used and on the system or equipment it is used; if it has the same
characteristics (form, fit and function)*, it will be assigned one NATO Stock Number (NSN). That NSN will then be used by Logisticians of all NATO nations and Armed Forces to manage that item.
* <Form, Fit and Function> means:
 | Form |
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the shape, size, dimensions, and other physical
measurable parameters that uniquely characterize a product. For
software, form denotes the language and media. |
| Fit |
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the ability of a product to interface or
interconnect with an integral part of another product. |
| Function |
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the actions that a product is designed to
perform. |
Many Part Numbers - different users - different Nations
but - the same Item and the same NSN
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