A parts locator or inventory locator is a software program that enables users to locate spare part

Spare part

Spare Parts may also refer to:* Spare Parts , by Status Quo* Spare Parts is a Doctor Who audio drama.* Spare Parts , by Servotron* "Spare Parts" , by Bruce Springsteen* "Spare Parts"...

s or other inventory

Inventory

Inventory means a list compiled for some formal purpose, such as the details of an estate going to probate, or the contents of a house let furnished. This remains the prime meaning in British English...

 items in a number of different storage locations, usually of different owners.

A parts locator can be used to improve spare parts management by increasing parts availability

Availability

In telecommunications and reliability theory, the term availability has the following meanings:* The degree to which a system, subsystem, or equipment is in a specified operable and committable state at the start of a mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown, i.e., a random, time...

 and decreasing obsolescence

Obsolescence

Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects. Obsolete refers to something...

.

Parts locators can be included in other (packaged) software such as Dealership Management System

Dealership Management System

A dealership management system is a bundled management information system created specifically for automotive industry car dealerships or large equipment manufactures, such as Caterpillar Inc dealerships, and also adapted for boat, RV, and power sports dealers...

s (DMS) or inventory control system

Inventory control system

An inventory control system is a process for managing and locating objects or materials. In common usage, the term may also refer to just the software components......

s; or can be offered as a separate program. Due to the purpose of the software, it becomes more valuable when it has more users, as the number of inventories that are made available increases with the number of users.

Examples of specialised suppliers of parts locators are PareX Parts Exchange (PareX) and Inventory Locator Service, LLC (ILS).