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Help Wanted!

M
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Hi everyone! New here and I could really use your help.
I'm writing a piece on Omega's serial numbering systems over the years, and I can't find out what 'MAPICS' stands for anywhere! The closest I can get is a system invented by IBM in 1978, which is obviously too late, as Omega started using their MAPIC system around 1962.

Does anyone know what the abbreviation stands for?! Many thanks in advance.

Andy
 
M
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
Hi Andy - some context would be good.

Where have you seen MAPICS in use?

Sorry! Omega has used several different serial numbering systems. Between 1962 and 2007, the system was called MAPICS. It consisted of two letters followed by either six or seven numbers.
That was followed by the PIC (or Product Identification Code) system started in 1988, running concurrently with MAPICS, and featured an arrangement of eight numbers in three groups (XXXX.XX.XX).

Today it is called the PIC14 structure, with 14 digits in six groups (XXX.XX.XX.XX.XX.XXX).

I was just wondering if anyone knew what MAPICS stood for, as I can't find out anywhere! I've written to Omega as well, to see if they can help.
 
tyrantlizardrex
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Ok - that’s not serial numbering, that’s product identification codes.

They show you information about the model, rather than being unique watch to watch.

And are more in depth than a reference number.

Some helpful info that Chuck compiled back in the day: http://www.chronomaddox.com/omega_pic.html
 
M
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Apologies, yes you're right! Do you know what the acronym stands for?
 
tyrantlizardrex
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M mojoe
Apologies, yes you're right! Do you know what the acronym stands for?

Nope - I’ve been collecting Omega for a long time, and have never heard it used.

I only recall PIC being referenced with mid 70s watches onwards, along with the reference number.
 
M
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No worries, literally nobody seems to know! Many thanks for replying!
 
jaegodylan
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M mojoe
Apologies, yes you're right! Do you know what the acronym stands for?

That link above states that PIC is Product Identification Code so you are 3/5ths of the way there.
 
M
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Puma_135o Puma_135o
"MAPICS is an acronym for Manufacturing, Accounting, Production, and Information Control System, the result of research and development that transformed early inventory tracking systems into material requirements planning (MRP)."

source : https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/mapics-inc

Maybe!

Hi! That was what I found, but it was invented in 1978, about 12-years after Omega supposedly started using their MAPICS thing!
 
Puma_135o
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M mojoe
Hi! That was what I found, but it was invented in 1978, about 12-years after Omega supposedly started using their MAPICS thing!

Maybe IBM copied it from Omega and the acronym is the same...
 
M
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jaegodylan jaegodylan
That link above states that PIC is Product Identification Code so you are 3/5ths of the way there.

😀😀 Maybe it's Manufacturing, Accounting and Product Information Code!
 
M
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Puma_135o Puma_135o
Maybe IBM copied it from Omega and the acronym is the same...

Actually, that's a good point! It's a pretty generic description!
 
tyrantlizardrex
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Having found a couple of references to it, MAPICS seems to refer to the format of ST 145.026.

145.026 is the reference/PIC number.

ST refers to this watch being Steel.

I wonder if the MA part is a reference to metal?
 
M
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
Having found a couple of references to it, MAPICS seems to refer to the format of ST 145.026.

145.026 is the reference/PIC number.

ST refers to this watch being Steel.

I wonder if the MA part is a reference to metal?

Metal and Product Identification Code, maybe?
 
jaegodylan
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From Moonwatch only the first use of Mapics was the 105.002 switching over from the old four digit system used on the 2998. Interestingly they don't capitalise it so maybe its not a true acronym.

Screen Shot 2021-07-14 at 11.50.26.png Screen Shot 2021-07-14 at 11.50.33.png
 
M
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jaegodylan jaegodylan
From Moonwatch only the first use of Mapics was the 105.002 switching over from the old four digit system used on the 2998. Interestingly they don't capitalise it so maybe its not a true acronym.

Screen Shot 2021-07-14 at 11.50.26.png Screen Shot 2021-07-14 at 11.50.33.png

That's awesome, thanks very much! Might keep my editor quiet!
 
Transitus
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The letters usually refer to the case material so my guess would be 'material and product information code'.
 
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