Relation between databases on "Similar"

[Cassetti]

My boss thinks there is a way - I'm thinking not the way he is thinking.

Here's the situation.

We have many databases in our filemaker pro 8 system.

One of them is invetory.

We have a database in our invetory section that holds data related to our own part numbers and whatnot.

There is another database that contains the manufacturer's part numbers and info.

The manufacturer's database is used for referance regarding the compatibilty of parts in various systems.

Our invetory uses partnumbers like say X1011B and in the manufacturer database, they have many differant possible numbers for that part

they may have SK-1011B or SP-1011B or X1011B or X1011B-Retro or whatever else they may do.

the point is - is there any way to say relate something if it is say 90% similar to our PN without having to type in what the match would be? there are several hundred parts and they add more monthly.

We need them to relate - if there are multiples that is fine - we are mainly using this to pull it into a portal so that the invetory/sales departments have a clue as to the compatibilty of the parts and some additional info provided by the manufacturer.

Thanks in advance!

[Ender]

This may be possible, if we knew the specific rules of what's considered "similar". But any algorithm to show similar items is likely to show false-positives. I have to say, i don't really care for this idea for the purpose of a selecting compatible parts. I would think it would be preferable to show your users only those parts that DO match, rather than those that MIGHT match.

If you know what the alternate part numbers are, then it would be better to just store those in each Part's record, and use them in the relationship. Adding a list of alternate part numbers could be done easily with a multi-line field. Then have the relationship relate to that multi-line (or a calc that concatonate the multi-line with the main part #).

[Lee Smith]

Create a calculation field in both files using the Filter Function and use that for your relationship.

I just noticed that you don't have Advance, and I use the Tab Tool. I'll change the example and post it too.

Lee

Filter.fp7.zip

Filter.fp7_2.zip

Edited July 5, 2006 by Guest

[Cassetti]

Lee - i do have tabs - we did have fmp 7 - but then we upgraded to fmp 8 advanced

[Cassetti]

Lee - thats exactly what i was doing! hah - the problem is, my boss doesn't like that method, because the problem comes in - when there are multiple items with similar numbers like this:

X1011A is differant than X1011B and X1011C

the manu list may have

SP-1011A and SK-1011A

and then they may also have SK-1011B

and X1011C

so filtering out the letters won't work

but i'm thinking that maybe we can filter it so it allows the letters we want.

Is there any way to match them up so that we can relate if they are similar by say 90%?

I highly doubt there is a way besides what you showed.

[Lee Smith]

Are you saying you would want the trailing A, B, C. it they are there?

If so, modify the calculation like this:

Filter ( InventoryNumber ; "0123456789" ) & Right(InventoryNumber; 1)

BTW, I just noticed that the calculation was resulting in Number, they S/B Text.

HTH

Lee

Edited July 5, 2006 by Guest
BTW