The ShapeID application allows the printing of physical labels, or RFID tags, that embed the CADseek Shape Signature.  This allows the user to not only identify the part, but to also find information on similar parts.  

 

Many parts often have identical or similarly-shaped variants with a different finish, made from different material or purchased from multiple suppliers, each with their own part number.  But this information is usually unavailable to customers or distributors.  In the case of a stock-out, customers are often told parts are unavailable or have to ship from a distant warehouse, without knowing a variant is available.  In time-critical situations a customer might even be willing to modify a part instead of wait for the original.  ​