Solving the Parts Chaos: AI-Driven Taxonomy and Visual Classification for OEM and Aftermarket Supply Chains

In today’s parts ecosystem, confusion is everywhere. From OEMs to aftermarket distributors, everyone uses different names, product codes, and data structures. A single physical part can have multiple identifiers depending on who you buy it from. The result is frustration, inefficiency, lost sales, and expensive support issues.

We built a system to eliminate that chaos.

Our patented Parts Classification and Search System brings structure to disorganized, inconsistent, and unstructured supplier data. By standardizing classification across OEM and aftermarket catalogs and pairing it with visual and contextual matching, we are changing how the industry organizes, manages, and searches for mechanical, electronic, and technical parts.

The Problem: Too Many Systems and No Shared Language

Every supplier and distributor organizes parts differently:

• Multiple names for the same part

• Non standard categories and naming conventions

• Confusing or inconsistent diagrams

• Poorly grouped systems such as aviation and marine parts mixed together

• No intuitive way for users, especially non technical ones, to know what actually fits their machine

Even the largest marketplaces struggle with these issues. Customers are forced to guess, search endlessly, or abandon purchases altogether.

The Solution: A Unified Taxonomy and Intelligent Matching Engine

Our system solves this by introducing a universal taxonomy. This is a structured classification framework that any supplier’s parts data can map into, regardless of how it was originally formatted.

We use a four tier taxonomy structure:

• Asset ClassThe industry or category, such as Automotive, Aviation, or Lawn Care

• TypeThe machine or product type, such as Mower, Generator, or Engine

• Master SystemThe major system within the machine, such as Fuel System or Suspension

• SubsystemThe specific functional component, such as Gas Cap, Axle, or Carburetor

Each Subsystem is unique and acts as the anchor point for consistently mapping parts across vendors.

How the System Works

Here’s how our system transforms messy vendor data into clean, usable structure:

1. Build the Taxonomy

We start by creating a master taxonomy using real world language. These are terms technicians and consumers already understand, such as “Engine” instead of internal or cryptic system codes.

2. Ingest Supplier Data

Incoming supplier data is cleaned and normalized by:

• Removing irrelevant fields

• Eliminating special characters and manufacturer specific noise

• Standardizing naming and formatting

3. Match Against the Taxonomy

Our AI powered matching engine compares simplified supplier data against the master taxonomy using two logic paths:

• Exact matches

  If a field such as “Gas Cap” matches directly, the correct classification is applied

• Contains matches

  If a supplier uses a term like “Engine Left Side,” the system detects the core term “Engine” and assigns the correct system

4. Apply Structured Classification

Once a match is confirmed, the correct Asset Class, Type, Master System, and Subsystem are applied back to the original parts list. The result is a clean, accurate, and fully searchable catalog.

Visual Search: Find Parts by What You See

Text-based search is only part of the solution. We also support visual search using image pattern matching.

This allows users to:

• Search technical diagrams without typing keywords

• Match parts based on shape, location, or system context

• Identify the correct part visually, even without technical expertise

It works like reverse image search, but purpose built for mechanical systems.

Real World Impact

Our system delivers measurable improvements across the supply chain:

Challenge	Old Way	With Our System
Searching for parts	Trial-and-error browsing, poor filters	Standardized filters + visual matching
Cross-vendor consistency	None	Full normalization
Labor-intensive classification	Manual, slow, error-prone	Automated and AI-driven
Non-technical buyer confidence	Low – leads to abandoned carts	High – intuitive categories and naming
Time to deploy structured catalogs	Months	Days or weeks

System Architecture Overview

The solution is built from several core components:

• Parts Classification Server

  The engine that processes and standardizes supplier data

• Taxonomy Creation Application

  Tools for building and managing structured classifications

• Matching Engine

  AI that maps unstructured data into the taxonomy

• Supplier Data Integrations

  Connectors for OEM and aftermarket sources

• Final Classifications

  Unified, searchable, industry-standard catalogs

  
  

Designed for the Industry and Built to Scale

Whether you are a supplier trying to standardize your catalog, a marketplace integrating multiple vendors, or a service organization searching for exact-fit parts, this system brings order to a fragmented ecosystem.

We are not just improving parts data. We are rebuilding how it is organized, searched, and sold.