In early September, when Thomas Publishing Co. relaunched ThomasNet.com, it included, for the first time, a part search capability. This new tool uses state-of-the-art semantic technology to make parametric search more efficient.
ThomasNet has evolved from a print directory into an online supplier-discovery platform. Company listings include detailed product information, such as individual part specifications and 2-D and 3-D CAD (computer-aided design) drawings. While users could find specific component parts previously, the new Product Search tool has been built from the ground up to make it incrementally easier for users to find these products.