Bill of Materials (BOM) Software
What is Bill of Materials (BOM) Software?
Bill of Materials (BOM) software is a specialised digital solution designed to help manufacturers meticulously create, manage, and track the complete, hierarchical list of all raw materials, components, sub-assemblies, and instructions required to produce a finished product. It acts as the definitive blueprint for every item manufactured, detailing not just "what" goes into a product, but also "how much" and "where" it fits in.
Key Features of Bill of Materials Software
Multi-Level BOM Creation
Create and manage complex assemblies with subcomponents using multi level BOMs. Make changes quickly without disrupting your entire build.
Cost Calculation & Version Comparison
Calculate production costs and compare BOM versions to see cost impacts over time. Useful for managing margins and procurement decisions.
Batch & Serial Number Tracking
Track batch numbers and serial numbers for raw materials and parts. Essential for recalls, quality control, and meeting compliance standards.
Real-Time Inventory Control
Linked to inventory, BOM software enhances inventory management, reduces stock outs, and ensures production flows. Proactive inventory control helps you better manage your supply chain across multiple locations and suppliers.
Disassembly & Kitting Support
Beyond assembly, BOM software supports disassembly and kitting. Ideal for repairs, job-ready kits, or packaging goods. Also ideal for bundling finished goods, making sure all required raw materials are tracked and dispatched correctly.
Material Resource Planning
Create and view production plans to ensure components for jobs are allocated and scheduled for in your manufacturing processes. Quickly create your materials bill and automatically generate purchase orders for any outstanding components required.
Bill Of Materials Software For Efficient Manufacturing Production
Often, bill of materials software is a core module within a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This integration is crucial, as it allows BOM data to flow seamlessly across various business functions, including purchasing, inventory management, production scheduling, quality control, and finance. This interconnectedness is vital for manufacturing businesses aiming to improve end-to-end visibility and decision-making.
Centralised Product Data for Collaboration
With materials software, your engineering, purchasing, production, and sales teams all work from the same up-to-date source of truth. Everyone accesses the same live information—reducing miscommunication, rework, and costly mistakes across the manufacturing process.
Accurate Costing & Production Planning
Bill of materials software connects your materials directly to costing tools and schedules. It improves real-time visibility into production costs, helps forecast demand, allocate materials efficiently, and avoid planning bottlenecks. By linking directly to real-time labour costs and pricing, it supports more accurate quotes and helps reduce unexpected cost blowouts or delays due to extended lead times.
Version Control & Change Tracking
Product designs evolve. BOM software tracks every change, ensuring your team builds from the latest specifications. Integrated with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), it provides an audit trail for warranty claims and compliance. Valuable for managing customer relationships and aligning with consumer demands.
Reduced Production Delays & Waste
With a complete and accurate BOM, your team won't be caught short mid-job. By integrating with inventory and purchasing, you can reduce downtime, scrap, labour costs, and last-minute orders. Digital BOM's enables leaner operations and higher output.
Regulatory Compliance & Audit Readiness
In sectors like electronics, traceability is vital. BOM software documents and measures what went into each product and where it came from—helping you pass audits and meet compliance with ease. Businesses with ISO certifications need confidence to respond swiftly to any compliance mandates and maintain operational integrity.
How BOM Software Benefits Your Manufacturing Business
Control Production Costs
By meticulously tracking all materials, components, and labour costs, you can monitor your production process against planned costs in real-time. Identify cost overruns proactively, negotiate better supplier deals, and refine your manufacturing processes.
Enhanced Manufacturing Operations
Efficient manufacturing requires precise material planning, scheduling, and resource allocation. With the ability to generate accurate BOM's quickly, you can ensure that the right materials are available at the right time. Integrate your MRP, MES & PLM into one powerful manufacturing ERP solution.
Sync with CRM and Accounting Systems
Integrated with an ERP, BOM data flows into your sales and finance teams. This improves efficiency and cash flow across operations, helping to effectively manage customer change requests directly from the office.
Reduce Miscommunication Between Teams
From engineering to human resources, everyone works from the same BOM. This reduces errors and keeps production teams and operations aligned across multiple shifts and sites. This drastically reduces errors, eliminates redundant efforts, and gives clarity over materials.
Sales & Purchasing Alignment
Sales and procurement teams work from the same BOM data. That means accurate quotes, smart purchasing, fewer stock issues, and better supply chain planning.
Ideal for Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturing
BOM systems are ideal for small and mid-sized businesses needing a flexible solution without the enterprise complexity. Cloud-based ERP's with BOM functionality helps improve overall efficiency without the disconnected systems, helping small businesses grow.
Manufacturing ERP For Generating Smart, Easy Bill Of Materials
Multi level BOMs, Anywhere, Anytime.
Your team can view and update real-time product data from the office, workshop, or even onsite with a supplier. Any changes update across devices instantly, reducing confusion and speeding up response when production conditions shift.
Operations & Manufacturing Process
Integrate with your Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools. Open APIs streamline data flow and cut down on manual entry.
Centralised Communication
Eliminate delays due to information silos. Engineers can update designs, production can see immediate changes, and purchasing can react quickly. Be more responsive with one transparent system.
Accurate Production Costs
Complex products require oversight to match manufacturing quotes. Monitor actual component costs with bill of materials to ensure finished products continue to produce intended profit margins.
Inventory Management
Digital BOM's connect with your inventory management to provide accurate, up-to-the-minute stock levels, allowing for more precise forecasting and procurement.
Supply Chain Resilience
By having a clear view of material requirements and availability, businesses can proactively identify potential disruptions, diversify suppliers, and manage lead times more effectively.
Manufacturers Who Benefit From Digital BOM Information
Make-to-Order (MTO)
For custom-built products, multi level bills ensures every job is built to specifications, with accurate material lists tied directly to each order. It streamlines quoting, purchasing, and production—critical when each job is unique and deadlines are tight.
Component & Assembly
Whether you're building subassemblies or full units, BOM software tracks every part and variation in your production planning. It helps standardise builds, manage inventory of all the components, and handle design revisions without derailing the production line.
Job Shops & Machine Shops
For high-mix, low-volume operations, BOM software gives job shops tight control over materials, tooling, and processes. It reduces waste, keeps workflows organised, and helps manage multiple jobs without chaos—perfect for busy, fast-paced shops.
M1: The ERP for Discrete Manufacturers
M1 is ideal for manufacturers building complex, engineered products. Its BOM tools handle multi-level assemblies, change tracking, and cost roll-ups—perfect for make-to-order and assembly-based operations like machinery, electronics, or fabrication.
JobBOSS²: The Job Shop Management Solution
JobBOSS² suits job shops and machine shops handling custom or short-run jobs. Its BOM tools are simple yet effective, letting you quickly build job-specific lists, manage kits, and track materials—without the overhead of bigger systems.
Bill of Materials Software FAQs
What BOM software does ECI have?
ECI offers M1 for discrete manufacturers and JobBOSS² for job shops—both with BOM software built in.
Can ECI's BOM software support multi-layered assemblies?
Yes. Both platforms support multi-level BOMs and subassemblies for complex builds.
Is ECI's ERP solutions suitable for small manufacturers?
Definitely. JobBOSS² suits small shops, while M1 supports more complex manufacturing companies with scalable tools.