Depends on what benefit of "seemingly random" you're looking for. Remember, these are part numbers, used in an inventory system, not part of any cryptographic system. They would function as database keys, so they had to be unique. It was desired that the numbers not be sequential, and that they would span the space. Probably to prevent anyone programming forms or reports from making assumptions about how many digits to allow for part numbers that would cause trouble at a later time. That was my guess at the time.
I put this together in 1993. My algorithm could still be in use to this day.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NASB)
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