RAPID is broken up into six centers:

• Home
• Part Requests
• Suppliers
• Obsolescence
• Contacts
• Investment Recovery

Each of these centers can be accessed by clicking the corresponding tab near the top of each page.

What are "bread crumbs"? Why do some links open in the same browser window and others open in a new window?

From the Home page, you will have access to most of the common functions on the website. You will be able to perform searches, update your registration information and password, review news and events, and other significant tasks.

You can always find your way back to the home page by:

• Clicking the "Home" tab near the top of each page
• Clicking the "Home" link at the very bottom of each page
• Clicking the "Home" link included in the "bread crumb" links located directly across from the title of each page

The search will be performed across the Surplus, Supplier, and Inventory Datapool databases, with all of the results combined into a single list.The results are returned in an order which should provide you with the most beneficial results first, using what is known about you, about your search terms, and about the information within the records.

If your search revealed items within the OIRD related to your search terms, a small box will appear at the right part of the page with a "View OIRD" button to view those results.

By placing your cursor over the part numbers in the search results, which we will frequently refer to as "mousing over", the details for that part record will appear on the page.To lock this detail information in place, or "pin" it, simply click your mouse once.Sometimes, other functionality will be available in the pinned detail, like sending an RFQ for instance.

Sometimes, other symbols will appear on the part record.The Link icon on a record implies that there is EZ-Link information attached to the current record.The camera icon on a record implies that there are images attached to the current record. Simply by mousing over these icons, you will receive that additional information.

New searches are initiated from the Home page.

When the Home page opens up, the cursor moves automatically to the search field.

Enter your search terms and press the Return key, or click the Search button next to the field.The search results will be displayed on a new page.

You may also enter a new search, or revise your existing search, by entering your search terms on the search results navigation bar and pressing the Return key, or clicking the Search button.

The last 20 searches you performed are kept within an area on the Home page called "Recent Searches".

To repeat a search you recently performed, simply click one of those searches.Only 8 of the 20 recent searches are displayed on the page at a time, so you may need to use the scrollbar immediately to the right of the search list to locate your search.

When searching the databases to identify sources for needed materials whether you are using the quick search or the advanced search option, these general search tips apply.

• It is always best to search using the terms you yourself would normally use to describe an item: Part name, part number, manufacturer name and/or the terms normally used to describe the characteristics of the item (specification terms/values).
• What You Enter is What You Find: The exact value(s) you enter for the search term(s) is what will be found if it exists in the database.
  The exception to this rule is the symbol for feet ('), inches (") and pounds (#) which are ignored if they are included with the search term.
• Using Dimensions as Search Terms: If you are looking for a specific "size" of an item, keep in mind you may have to make several search attempts using different formats before the item is located.
  The value(s) used to describe an item e.g., valve, gate, 1-1/2" may also have been entered in any one of several other formats including: valve, gate, 1.5", valve, gate, 1.50", valve, gate, 1.500", etc. Also there may be instances where the dimension may have been entered as valve, gate, 1-1/2IN, valve, gate, 1.5IN and so on.
  Be sure to include the decimal point when searching for decimal equivalent values.
• Plural Words:Do not use plural words such as VALVES, SWITCHES, BOLTS, etc.Use VALVE, SWITCH BOLT, etc.
• Use of Quotes: Do not enclose your search term(s) in quotes, e.g., "VALVE GATE 1-1/2".
• Separating Search Input Terms: Use blank spaces to separate multiple search terms.Do not use delimiters such as comma (,), semicolon (;), etc.
• Search Term Specificity: The more specific the search terms you enter, e.g. part number, the more likely you are to locate a part and locate it quickly.
  The other side of specificity is that you may be so specific that when using descriptive search terms you omit items that may qualify for your search, but not defined well by the inventory owner.
  The more general (vague) search terms you enter, the more likely you will have to browse through multiple pages of results to pick out the item of interest, and you will lengthen the time to return a result set.
  Bottom line? Strive for a balance between a vague definition and overkill.
• Searching by Part Number: This is the preferred way to search if the item you are looking for has a known manufacturer part number, model number, etc.
  The manufacturer part number is the quickest and most accurate way to locate exactly what it is you are looking for.
  When searching by part number it is not usually necessary to add a part name to the search as part numbers typically "define" the part.
  However, if using a model number to locate an item it is a good idea to also add the part name (primary noun) to the search criteria to focus the search to the item you are looking for.
  Why? Because there may be several individual parts associated with items described by the "parent" model number.
  If you enter the part number with formatting, e.g., / or -, etc., the search engine will search for both formatted (as entered) and unformatted value.
  For example, if you enter the formatted part number W07-8054B-13AA, all listings containing the value W07-8054B-13AA and W078054B13AA will be returned.

To start an advanced search, click the "Advanced Search" button either on the Home page, or on the results navigator bar if you have already performed the simple search.

Note: Since advanced searches are more complicated, they tend to take longer to run than the simple search.

Search For

• all words: return all part records that have all of these words terms anywhere in the record
• exact phrase: return all part records that have exactly these words anywhere in the record
• with at least: return all part records that have any one of these words anywhere in the record
• without: return all part records that do not have any one of these words anywhere in the record
• part name: return all part records that have this word as the part name/primary noun
  When adding a part name (primary noun) to the search:
  • Enter single words (names) only, e.g., SWITCH, not LIMIT SWITCH, VALVE, not GATE VALVE.
  • To locate all items with a specific part name e.g., SWITCH, you may enter the part name and click search. It is not necessary to add additional search criteria. However, keep in mind a part name search is very generic - it will return every record with the part name you enter. It is always best to add additional search criteria to focus the search more precisely to the exact part you are looking for.
  • When you enter a part name, it is "combined" with any other search terms you have entered using "and" logic. For example, If your search term is a part number - 123456, and you enter SWITCH for the part name, the search is conducted for part name SWITCH "and" 123456.

You may enter words in one or more of these options. For example, you might want to do a search which has all the words "VELAN GATE VALVE" AND the exact phrase "1 1/2" AND with any of the words "300 800 1500" AND without any of the words "SW FS HW" AND with a part name of "VALVE".

Include

• My Plant: The default is set to retrieve inventory listings from your plant site matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want you plant listings included in the results set.
• My Company: The default is set to retrieve inventory listings from all of your company sites matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want your company listings included in the results set.
• My Alliances: The default is set to retrieve the inventory listings of your "alliance Partners" matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want listings belonging to your alliance partners included in the results set.
• Supplier: The default is set to retrieve the Supplier catalog listings matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want supplier catalog listings included in the results set.
• Utility Surplus: The default is set to retrieve utility surplus listings matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want utility surplus listings included in the results set.
• Datapool: The default is set to retrieve inventory listings from the selected inventory datapool(s) (see Type of Inventory below) matching your search criteria. Click to remove the check mark if you do not want datapool listings included in the results set.

Type of Inventory

To target the search to a specific inventory type, simply click on the radio button for the desired type of inventory from the available choices.

• Any: All inventory types will be searched for listings matching your search criteria (this is the default setting).
• U.S. Nuclear Plant
• Canadian Nuclear Plant
• Fossil/Hydro plant
• T&D
• Combustion Turbine
• Gas Pipeline & Process Plant.

Miscellaneous Options

• Max Results: Default = 100 - This setting determines the maximum number of records that will be returned if the search is successful. Other settings include 200, 400.
• Min Qty in Stock: To return listings matching your search criteria with a desired minimum quantity in stock, enter the minimum number. For example, if you enter 10, only listings matching your search criteria that have 10 or more of the item in stock will be included in the results set.

Items on the Quick Launch provide quick access to commonly used functionality:

• Rapid Weekly Informer: access the weekly newsletter assembled by RAPID staff to keep you informed of RAPID news and events
• 2006 Conference Presentations: review the slides and other materials presented by presenters
• Update Registration Record: update your contact information
• Change Password: change your password
• Package Tracker: track packages by shipment number of popular shipping companies
• Training: request training on various aspects of RAPID
• Feedback: provide feedback to RAPID support staff

Other sections on the home page include:

• Inventory Listings Summary: graphical summary of record counts in the RAPID database.
• News and Events: keep up-to-date on RAPID and industry news.
• Industry User Groups: access project centers for NMSG, NUOG, and NSCSL. Logons are not yet setup for the project centers. We will let you know when those are available.
• Part Request Center: summary of open part requests. Clicking any one of these links will lead you to the detailed information on the Part Request Center.
• Calendar: a calendar representation of upcoming RAPID and industry events.The calendar appears on each center.
  Clicking the arrows beneath the calendar allows you to go forward and backward months/years.
  When there are events on a given day, there is a faint highlight.
  To see details of events on the calendar, single-click your mouse on any part of the calendar to pin the larger calendar in place.
  Clicking the links on the calendar will lead you to the website for the event.
• Reports: various general reports.
• Downloads: download the RAPID Gateway which uploads data from your site to RAPID. Other utilities like the Adobe Reader, Firefox, and Internet Explorer are available for download.

The Part Request Center provides information regarding emergency and routine requests that have been submitted by RAPID members.

You may view and reply to requests submitted by other members.

You may also submit requests of your own, as well as, edit or remove them.To submit a request, click the appropriate link (routine or emergency) in the Quick Launch area.Then respond to the prompts to complete the request.

The Obsolescence Center allows you to search for, add, edit, and delete information related to inventory obsolescence.

Searches of only the Obsolete Items Replacement Database (OIRD) are initiated from the Obsolescence Center.

When the Obsolescence Center page opens up, the cursor moves automatically to the search field.

Enter your search terms. If you want to limit the search, click the radio button of the option you want. The default setting will search all records. You can change the default to search only for obsolete items with a replacement solution, obsolete items without a replacement solution, or only OIRD listings that have an evaluation attached to it.

When you are done, click the search button or press enter on your keyboard.

By placing your cursor over the Obsolete Item part numbers in the search results, which we call "mousing over", the full detail of the record will appear on the page. To lock the full detail information in place, or "pin" it, simply click your mouse once.

If there is an evaluation attached to the OIRD listing, a paper clip icon will appear on the summary display. mousing over the icon will display a link to the attached evaluation. To pin the link to the page, simply click your mouse once. You can then click the link to view the evaluation.

Whether you are using the simple search or the advanced search option, these general search tips apply when searching the OIRD to identify obsolete items, and if available, the replacement for them.

• It is always best to search using the terms you yourself would normally use to describe an item: Part name, part number, manufacturer name and/or the terms normally used to describe the characteristics of the item (specification terms/values).
• What You Enter is What You Find: The exact value(s) you enter for the search term(s) is what will be found if it exists in the database.
  The exception to this rule is the symbol for feet ('), inches (") and pounds (#) which are ignored if they are included with the search term.
• Using Dimensions as Search Terms: If you are looking for a specific "size" of an item, keep in mind you may have to make several search attempts using different formats before the item is located.
  The value(s) used to describe an item e.g., valve, gate, 1-1/2" may also have been entered in any one of several other formats including: valve, gate, 1.5", valve, gate, 1.50", valve, gate, 1.500", etc. Also there may be instances where the dimension may have been entered as valve, gate, 1-1/2IN, valve, gate, 1.5IN and so on.
  Be sure to include the decimal point when searching for decimal equivalent values.
• Plural Words:Do not use plural words such as VALVES, SWITCHES, BOLTS, etc.Use VALVE, SWITCH BOLT, etc.
• Use of Quotes: Do not enclose your search term(s) in quotes, e.g., "VALVE GATE 1-1/2".
• Separating Search Input Terms: Use blank spaces to separate multiple search terms.Do not use delimiters such as comma (,), semicolon (;), etc.
• Search Term Specificity: The more specific the search terms you enter, e.g. part number, the more likely you are to locate a part and locate it quickly.
  The other side of specificity is that you may be so specific that when using descriptive search terms you omit items that may qualify for your search, but not defined well by the inventory owner.
  The more general (vague) search terms you enter, the more likely you will have to browse through multiple pages of results to pick out the item of interest, and you will lengthen the time to return a result set.
  Bottom line? Strive for a balance between a vague definition and overkill.
• Searching by Part Number: This is the preferred way to search if the item you are looking for has a known manufacturer part number, model number, etc.
  The manufacturer part number is the quickest and most accurate way to locate exactly what it is you are looking for.
  When searching by part number it is not usually necessary to add a part name to the search as part numbers typically "define" the part.
  However, if using a model number to locate an item it is a good idea to also add the part name (primary noun) to the search criteria to focus the search to the item you are looking for.
  Why? Because there may be several individual parts associated with items described by the "parent" model number.
  If you enter the part number with formatting, e.g., / or -, etc., the search engine will search for both formatted (as entered) and unformatted value.
  For example, if you enter the formatted part number W07-8054B-13AA, all listings containing the value W07-8054B-13AA and W078054B13AA will be returned.

To start an advanced search, click the "Advanced Search" button either on the Obsolescence Center page, or on the results navigator bar if you have already performed the simple search.

Note: Since advanced searches are more complicated, they tend to take longer to run than the simple search.

Search For

• all words: return all part records that have all of these words terms anywhere in the record
• exact phrase: return all part records that have exactly these words anywhere in the record
• with at least: return all part records that have any one of these words anywhere in the record
• without: return all part records that do not have any one of these words anywhere in the record
• part name: return all part records that have this word as the part name/primary noun
  When adding a part name (primary noun) to the search:
  • Enter single words (names) only, e.g., SWITCH, not LIMIT SWITCH, VALVE, not GATE VALVE.
  • To locate all items with a specific part name e.g., SWITCH, you may enter the part name and click search. It is not necessary to add additional search criteria. However, keep in mind a part name search is very generic - it will return every record with the part name you enter. It is always best to add additional search criteria to focus the search more precisely to the exact part you are looking for.
  • When you enter a part name, it is "combined" with any other search terms you have entered using "and" logic. For example, If your search term is a part number - 123456, and you enter SWITCH for the part name, the search is conducted for part name SWITCH "and" 123456.

You may enter words in one or more of these options. For example, you might want to do a search which has all the words "VELAN GATE VALVE" AND the exact phrase "1 1/2" AND with any of the words "300 800 1500" AND without any of the words "SW FS HW" AND with a part name of "VALVE".

If you want to query the OIRD for several different part numbers at the same time, simply select the "with at least" option and enter the part numbers separated by a blank space.

Identified

• With & Without Solutions: This is the default setting. All records matching your search criteria will be returned in the results set.
• With Solutions: Select this option if you want to retrieve only the listings matching your search criteria that include a replacement solution.
• Without Solutions: Select this option if you want to retrieve only the listings matching your search criteria that do not include a replacement solution.
• With Attachments: Select this option if you want to retrieve only the listings matching your search criteria that include attached documentation.

Include

• My Plant:Click the check box to retrieve only the OIRD listings of your plant site that match your search criteria.
• My Company:Click the check box to retrieve only the OIRD listings of your company that match your search criteria.
• My Alliances:Click the check box to retrieve only the OIRD listings of your "alliance Partners" that match your search criteria.

Owner

• Any: All records matching your search criteria will be returned in the results set (this is the default setting).
• Nuclear Plant: Select this option to retrieve the OIRD listings of nuclear plants sites that match your search criteria.
• Fossil Plant: Select this option to retrieve the OIRD listings of fossil plants sites that match your search criteria.
• Vendor: Select this option to retrieve the OIRD listings of vendors that match your search criteria.

Date Range

• None: This is the default setting. All records matching your search criteria will be returned in the results set.
• Created: Select this option if you want to retrieve OIRD listings matching your search criteria that were created during a specific period of time. To specify the date range, click on the calendar icons to set the "from" and "to" date.
• Update: Select this option if you want to retrieve OIRD listings matching your search criteria that were updated during a specific period of time. To specify the date range, click on the calendar icons to set the "from" and "to" date.
• Both: Select this option if you want to retrieve OIRD listings matching your search criteria that were either created or updated during a specific period of time. To specify the date range, click on the calendar icons to set the "from" and "to" date.

Safety Related

• Both: This is the default setting. All records matching your search criteria will be returned in the results set.
• Yes: Select this option if you want to retrieve OIRD listings matching your search criteria that have been identified as safety-related.
• No: Select this option if you want to retrieve OIRD listings matching your search criteria that have not been identified as safety-related.

Miscellaneous Options

• Max Results: Default = 100 - This setting determines the maximum number of records that will be returned if the search is successful. Other settings include 200, 400.