What is OpenBOM? Modules, integrations and alternatives
OpenBOM is a cloud-based bill of materials and product data management service. It organizes parts, multi-level BOMs, catalogs, inventory and purchasing information in one web-accessible system, with integrations to several CAD tools. It targets small and mid-size hardware teams that find traditional PLM too heavy.
Also known as: Open BOM, OpenBOM cloud BOM, OpenBOM PLM
OpenBOM is built around the idea that the bill of materials is the center of product data. Users create catalogs of parts and assemblies, build multi-level BOMs from them, and keep attributes, suppliers and documents attached. Because it is a web service, designers, purchasing staff and contract manufacturers can work from the same data without a local server.
The product extends from BOM management into adjacent processes. Teams can track inventory, create purchase-related records, manage manufacturing orders and handle revisions and changes at a lightweight level. The aim is to cover the practical needs of a small hardware company without the cost and complexity of enterprise PLM implementations.
In a manufacturing stack, OpenBOM often serves as the engineering and product-data layer for teams that do not yet run a full ERP, or that use a modest ERP or accounting system. It can also feed BOMs to larger systems through spreadsheet export, APIs or connectors. Companies with strict regulated change control or deep CAD vault needs may outgrow it.
Modules and capabilities
Catalogs and items
Structured lists of parts and assemblies with customizable properties, used as reusable building blocks.
Multi-level BOMs
Hierarchical bills of materials built from catalog items, with quantities, reference data and where-used views.
CAD integration
Add-ins and connectors that extract assembly structure and properties from supported CAD tools into BOMs.
Inventory and purchasing
Tracking of stock and creation of purchase-related records tied to BOM data.
Manufacturing orders
Records for planning and tracking builds against BOMs for small production runs.
Revisions and change tracking
Versioning and lightweight change processes for BOMs and items.
Collaboration and sharing
Role-based access and sharing of data with team members, suppliers and partners.
Integrations and data access
CAD tools
Integrations for several CAD systems extract BOMs and properties directly from assemblies. Supported tools and versions change, so verify your CAD version.
Spreadsheet import and export
Excel and CSV import and export let teams bulk-load data and exchange BOMs with systems that lack direct connectors.
REST API
A web API supports programmatic access to catalogs and BOMs for custom integrations and automation.
ERP and accounting
BOM and item data can be sent to ERP or accounting systems through export, API-based integration or middleware, designed per case.
Supplier and parts data
Part and supplier information can be attached to items to support sourcing and purchasing workflows.
Strengths
- Fast to set up with little IT overhead, since it is cloud-hosted.
- BOM-centric model matches how small hardware teams actually work.
- Flexible, spreadsheet-like data model that is easy to customize.
- CAD integrations reduce manual BOM re-keying.
- Easy sharing with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
Limitations
- Lighter on formal change control, audit features and validation than enterprise PLM, which matters in regulated industries.
- Not a full CAD vault, so large CAD teams with complex file management may still need PDM.
- Cloud-only delivery may not suit on-premises or air-gapped requirements.
- Scale and process depth should be tested if you have many sites, products or approval layers.
Where AI helps OpenBOM users
- - Cleaning and normalizing part descriptions and attributes across a catalog before import to an ERP.
- - Comparing BOM revisions and summarizing what changed for purchasing.
- - Matching BOM lines to supplier parts or alternates and suggesting candidates for human approval.
- - Answering questions such as which assemblies use a given component, in plain language.
- - Validating exported BOMs against ERP item masters and listing mismatches.
Evaluating OpenBOM? Check these
- Check that your exact CAD tool and version are supported by the integration.
- Confirm how change control and approvals work if you have quality or regulatory obligations.
- Decide whether OpenBOM or your ERP is the master for item numbers.
- Test the export or API path to your ERP or accounting system with a real BOM.
- Review data export options so you are not locked in.
- Pilot with one product line before moving everything.
Common alternatives: Duro PLM, Arena PLM, Propel PLM, SOLIDWORKS PDM, Autodesk Vault, Aras Innovator.
Frequently asked questions
What is OpenBOM?
OpenBOM is a cloud service for managing bills of materials, parts catalogs, inventory and related purchasing and manufacturing records. It lets engineering and supply chain teams work from one shared BOM, often extracted from CAD, without installing a PLM server.
Is OpenBOM a PLM system?
It covers BOM-centric product data management and is sometimes described as lightweight PLM. It does not aim to replicate the full depth of enterprise PLM, such as complex change boards and validated quality processes, so regulated or large organizations should compare it carefully.
Which CAD systems does OpenBOM work with?
It offers integrations with several mainstream CAD tools, and the list has changed over time. Check the vendor's current documentation for your specific CAD product and version. If no direct integration exists, spreadsheet import and the API are alternatives.
Can OpenBOM feed an ERP?
Yes, BOMs and item data can be exported or sent through the API to an ERP or accounting system. Whether this is automatic depends on the target system and on integration work, so plan and test the mapping for item numbers, units and structures.
Who should avoid OpenBOM?
Organizations needing on-premises or air-gapped deployment, deep regulated change control, or a full CAD file vault may find it insufficient on its own. Smaller teams without those constraints often find it a practical alternative to spreadsheets.
Running OpenBOM?
We add AI, chat, automation and integrations to the systems manufacturers already run, on-prem if needed.
Get a free assessment