FAQ: Differentiation Between Alternates and Variants

Objective: To compare and contrast alternates and variants within Duro.

Difficulty: Expert

In this article:

1. What is the difference between alternates and variants?
2. Examples of alternates and variants

The terms “Alternates” and “Variants” are commonly used interchangeably when referring to BOM management and procurement tasks. The Duro app has specific definitions for these terms, which this article will help disambiguate. Understanding these terms will enable you to maximize the capability of each when creating assemblies and annotating manufacturer and distributor sourcing information. 

For more information, please refer to our Alternates and Variants articles.

What is the difference between alternates and variants?

Alternates manifest as different sourcing options for a single CPN and are universally interchangeable based on sourcing availability and procurement requirements. They are identical in form, fit, and function to the CPN to which they are associated. Conversely, Variants have unique CPNs and are only contextually interchangeable within an assembly based on engineering or procurement requirements. 

Variants can be swapped in assemblies to create different assembly configurations whereas Alternates are identical except for sourcing details such as manufacturer, distributor, or even packaging. Swapping one variant for another creates a visible, functional difference, while swapping alternates only changes the means to procure the component. 

The Variants icon in the toolbar enables you to see all available options in a Variant Group, allowing for customization of each assembly for buyer preferences (i.e., different color, different size).

Examples of alternates and variants

Here are a couple examples that will help you further understand the difference between variants and alternates:

Example #1 - Resistor variants

• Res 10k 5% 0402
• Res 10k 10% 0402

These two resistors are classified as variants since they are not identical but have a different tolerance specification. In some contexts, they can be interchangeable when the use case does not depend on a specific tolerance value. However, in other contexts where a specific tolerance value is required, these same two components may not be interchangeable. Because it is not universally swappable, these are considered to be variants.  

Example #2 - Resistor alternates

• Res 10k 5% 0402 from Manufacturer A
• Res 10k 5% 0402 from Manufacturer B

The same item, Res 10k 5% 0402, is provided by two different manufacturers. All functional parameters are identical; however, they are sourced from different manufacturers. Because they are identical, they serve as alternates.