# Infor CADLink with Infor SyteLine: Items and BOMs from CAD

> Source: https://netray.co/stack/infor-cadlink-cad-bom-infor-syteline
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: ERP Stack

## Short answer

CADLink lets designers create and edit Infor ERP items and BOMs from inside their CAD or PDM system. Infor lists it as a recommended CloudSuite Industrial add-on. It moves the engineering to ERP handoff to the designer, which removes re-keying but puts ERP data discipline on the engineering team.

## Erp

Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)

## Erp Key

syteline

## On Prem

true

## Product

CADLink

## Vendor

Infor

## Category

PLM and CAD integration

## Integration

**Method:** CSI add-on

**Detail:** Infor's solution overview lists CADLink as a recommended add-on for CloudSuite Industrial. Which CAD and PDM systems it supports and which SyteLine releases are covered should be confirmed in current Infor documentation.

## Data Flows

**From:** CAD / PDM

**To:** Infor SyteLine

**Data:** New and edited items and BOM structure created by the designer

**Trigger:** Designer saves or releases from the CAD session

**From:** Infor SyteLine

**To:** CAD / PDM

**Data:** Existing item numbers, descriptions, units and BOMs for lookup

**Trigger:** Designer searches or opens an assembly

**From:** CAD / PDM

**To:** Infor SyteLine

**Data:** Revision and attribute updates

**Trigger:** Engineering change released

## Setup

### Confirm CAD compatibility

**Detail:** Verify with Infor that your CAD or PDM product and version are supported by the add-on.

### Define who may create items

**Detail:** Decide which designers can create items directly and which need engineering approval.

### Set item numbering and attributes

**Detail:** Define numbering rules, required fields, product codes and units, so designers cannot create incomplete items.

### Align BOM structure

**Detail:** Decide whether the BOM designers create is engineering or manufacturing, and how phantom and purchased parts are handled.

### Control engineering change

**Detail:** Define how revisions and effectivity are handled so BOM changes do not hit open jobs unexpectedly.

### Train designers on ERP basics

**Detail:** Designers need to understand what an item, a BOM and a unit mean in SyteLine, not only in CAD.

## Pitfalls

- Designers create near-duplicate items because search is skipped under time pressure.
- Incomplete item fields lead to purchasing and planning issues downstream.
- Engineering BOM structure pushed directly as the manufacturing BOM, causing wrong picks and kits.
- Revisions updated in CAD but not controlled in SyteLine, so open jobs build to different revisions.
- ERP permissions that are too wide let designers change released BOMs.

## Ai Layer

### Duplicate and near-match checks

**Description:** Before a designer creates an item, a private assistant can search the SyteLine item master by description and attributes and show likely existing matches.

### BOM change impact

**Description:** Summarize which open jobs, orders and purchase orders use a BOM that is being changed, for engineering to review.

### Item data completeness review

**Description:** List recently created items that lack fields purchasing or planning needs, and draft the corrections for approval.

## Alternatives

- CADTALK, an Infor Marketplace connector, transfers engineering BOMs into manufacturing BOMs with a review step.
- Manual or spreadsheet-based item and BOM import works for low volumes of new designs.
- A PLM system with its own ERP connector if change control and approvals matter more than speed.

## Faq

### What is the difference between CADLink and CADTALK?

**Answer:** CADLink is an Infor add-on that works from inside the CAD or PDM session so designers manage ERP items and BOMs directly. CADTALK is a third-party connector that converts engineering BOMs into manufacturing BOMs. They address the same handoff in different ways.

### Does it work with SyteLine on-premise?

**Answer:** Infor lists it for CloudSuite Industrial, but deployment details are not covered by the source for this page. Confirm supported releases and any network requirements for on-premise installations with Infor.

### Who should control item creation?

**Answer:** Most companies keep a data steward or engineering manager approving new items, even if designers draft them. The tool removes re-keying, but it does not stop poor data, so numbering rules and required fields should be enforced.

## Source

https://docs.infor.com/csbi/2025.x/en-us/csbicslib/csbi_solution_overview/xkj1695919568829.html

## Search terms

infor cadlink syteline solidworks, infor cadlink, syteline cad integration, create syteline items from cad, syteline bom from solidworks, cloudsuite industrial pdm add-on

---
Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json