TABLE OF CONTENTS
About 70% of manufacturers still enter data into spreadsheets manually, and 68% still use spreadsheets to analyze data.
For engineering teams, that manual work can turn into outdated part data, missed revisions, and incorrect purchasing inputs as products move from prototype to production.
When building products, teams need a clear way to manage components, assemblies, suppliers, costs, and documentation as designs change.
BOM (bill of materials) management software provides engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams with a single platform for managing product data. It helps keep purchase orders accurate, stakeholders informed, and raw material data easier to access.
This article contains a quick comparison of the best BOM management software tools, key features to look for, and common mistakes to avoid when moving beyond spreadsheets.
Key takeaways
- BOM management software provides engineering, procurement, and manufacturing with a single platform for managing parts, suppliers, revisions, and documentation.
- Spreadsheets can work early on, but they become harder to control as products gain more assemblies, cost inputs, and supplier records.
- The best BOM tools should support multi-level BOMs, revision control, CAD integrations, supplier data, cost visibility, and approval workflows.
- The right tool depends on product complexity, team size, deployment needs, and the level of PLM structure your team wants.
Best BOM management software: Quick overview
BOM management software covers a wide range of tools, from lightweight BOM trackers to full PLM systems. The right option depends on how your team manages parts, revisions, suppliers, documents, and change approvals.
To choose the tools below, we reviewed core BOM capabilities, deployment options, CAD and business system integrations, ease of use, and user reviews. We also considered where each tool fits best, including PCB BOM management, enterprise PLM, supplier collaboration, quality workflows, and smaller teams moving beyond spreadsheets.
Software | Best for | Standout features |
|---|---|---|
Duro | AI-native PLM connected to BOM workflows | CAD integrations, supplier data, natural language search, cost rollups, change orders |
Altium 365 BOM Portal | PCB bills of materials and procurement reviews | BOM Portal, ActiveBOM, live component data, pricing, availability, compliance context |
Aras Innovator | Configurable enterprise PLM workflows | Product records, low-code customization, digital thread workflows, and change tracking |
Arena by PTC | PLM and QMS in one cloud system | Product records, document control, ECO/ECN workflows, quality processes, approvals |
Autodesk Fusion Manage with Upchain | Cloud PLM with structured change workflows | Collaborative BOM editing, live product records, change approvals, open API integrations |
OpenBOM | Lightweight cloud BOM and product data tracking | CAD integrations, multi-level BOMs, inventory, purchasing, cost rollups, cloud storage |
Oracle Fusion Cloud PLM | Enterprise product records across global operations | Parts, product structures, documents, change orders, quality and compliance workflows |
Propel PLM | Product, supplier, and quality records in Salesforce | AI agents, component risk, supplier context, cost rollups, configurable workflows |
PTC Windchill | Enterprise PLM for complex product structures | eBOM, mBOM, and software BOM management, CAD links, supplier collaboration, change control |
Zoho | General business workflows and custom internal processes | CRM, automation, reporting, custom workflows, connected business apps |
See why teams are switching to Duro
The best way to evaluate BOM management software is to see it working with your own product data. Book a demo with Duro and watch how centralized, always-in-sync BOMs eliminate the version-control chaos slowing your team down. Book a demo now and learn about our free trial
What is BOM management software?
Bill of materials is a term used to describe the blueprint of a product. It includes the materials, components, and relationships between the components required to create a product. The bill of materials, or BOM, includes everything from the completed product and subassemblies to part names, descriptions, numbers, and material quantities required to complete the product.
BOM management software helps manage and control the creation and storage of your bill of materials. Products might be composed of hundreds of parts that need to be listed and tracked. Using software ensures that no materials or steps are forgotten and that users can easily find, update, and manage all the related documentation.
Duro’s AI-native PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software enables you to manage your bill of materials with ease, empowering engineers to get to production efficiently.
Benefits of using BOM management software over spreadsheets
Product teams often start with spreadsheets because they’re familiar, flexible, and easy to set up. But spreadsheets become harder to manage as products gain more parts, suppliers, and revisions. Without a relational hierarchy, tracking real-time engineering revisions and strict change control becomes impossible.
The table below compares where spreadsheets usually fall short and how BOM management software supports more structured product data.
Feature | Spreadsheets | BOM Management Software |
|---|---|---|
Source of truth | Product data often lives across separate files, folders, and systems. | Teams manage BOM data in one shared system. |
Data accuracy | Manual entry can lead to duplicate parts, outdated details, and purchasing errors. | Connected records help teams work from current product data. |
Collaboration | Teams may work from different files or outdated versions. | Engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing can work from the same BOM. |
Multi-level BOMs | Flat rows make assemblies and subassemblies harder to manage. | Teams can view parts across product structures and BOM levels. |
Vendor integration | Supplier data often requires separate lookup and manual updates. | Supplier details can connect to part records and sourcing workflows. |
Data security | Files can be copied, shared, or edited without clear controls. | Permissions help teams control who can view, edit, or approve BOM data. |
These spreadsheet limitations usually show up in three main ways:
- No product data centralization: Spreadsheets can list parts, but they don’t connect components, assemblies, drawings, specifications, and CAD files in one place.
- Time-consuming and error-prone: Teams must manually update spreadsheets, which can lead to incorrect quantities, outdated part details, and purchasing errors.
- Poor change management: Product changes can be hard to track in spreadsheets, especially when one component appears across multiple assemblies or supplier records.
Key features to look for in a BOM management tool
BOM management tools vary because teams use BOMs at different stages of product development. Some tools focus on engineering BOMs, CAD integrations, and design revisions. Others support procurement, supplier management, manufacturing handoffs, or enterprise PLM workflows.
The right features depend on your product complexity, team size, compliance needs, and existing systems. But most teams should look for a few core capabilities.
Support for single-level, multi-level, and flattened BOMs
There are multiple types of BOMs, and your software should be able to manage them all. Most platforms support two primary structures:
- Single-Level BOM: A flat, un-nested list of parts with no relational hierarchy.
- Multi-Level (Indented) BOM: A nested, tree-like hierarchy that links subassemblies to parent parts, making it easy to understand the relationships across every layer of the product.
While a multi-level BOM maps structural depth, it can be cumbersome for procurement. A flattened BOM compresses these nested subassemblies into a single, unified list, showing the total quantities of every part needed to build the final product.
Indented BOM example
A flattened BOM is similar to a single-level BOM. The difference is that it shows all of the different parts from all levels of your BOM, as well as the aggregate quantities, in a single list. This helps you get an overhead view of your BOM with summarized quantities.
Flattened BOM example
Revisions and change history
Your software should also track revisions and change history. This refers to the record of changes that occur as a product design develops and evolves. Teams need that record for compliance and for day-to-day version control. It helps them understand what changed, who approved it, and which BOM version should move forward.
Without revision tracking, teams may work from outdated BOMs, miss the reason behind design changes, or send the wrong version to procurement or manufacturing. Software that makes component changes easy to view can also help teams revert to a previous design or review the impact of a new change.
Role-based access control
Several different people will likely access your BOM software, but not every user needs access to the same level of detail. User-defined views help to configure exactly what information and data are available to each user. This allows you to have different views for different roles in your organization.
Several people will likely access your BOM software, but not every user needs the same level of detail.
Role-based access control helps teams decide who can view, edit, approve, or export BOM data. User-defined views also help each role see the information they need without exposing every field or file. Without clear access controls, sensitive design files, supplier data, and product records can fall into the wrong hands. That can create IP, compliance, and audit risks.
Real-time visibility into costs
Cost management is another key feature of BOM software. As you build a BOM, your team needs to calculate and track the cost of each item. Cost roll-ups help teams understand the total cost of a product, assembly, or subassembly before purchasing and production begins.
Without real-time cost visibility, teams can miss price changes, quote customers too slowly, approve costly parts, or build products with thinner margins than planned.
Document management
Drawings, CAD files, and requirements specifications should link directly to your BOM. Procurement, contract manufacturers, and other stakeholders need these documents to understand how each component fits into the design.
When documents live outside the BOM, procurement may send suppliers the wrong drawing. Manufacturing may build from an old CAD file, or compliance teams may miss records needed for audits. Your BOM management software should make it easy to upload, track, and view related documents from the same place as the BOM.
Best BOM management tools
Some BOM management tools focus on CAD-connected engineering workflows. Others support enterprise PLM, supplier management, quality processes, or lightweight BOM tracking for smaller teams.
Here are the top platforms worth considering for teams of different sizes, workflows, and product development needs.
1) Duro
Duro is the first AI and cloud-native product lifecycle management (PLM) tool that also provides a complete BOM management module. Duro improves BOM management for hardware engineering companies by removing the manual data entry required to copy data from spreadsheets or disparate platforms.
Duro connects with ECAD and MCAD tools to synchronize BOM data as designs change. That immediate data synchronization keeps part records, releases, and supporting documents aligned across engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing.
The software also supports low-code, YAML-based configurability, so teams can adapt workflows and data structures without heavy custom development. Teams can define unique part numbers, manage published releases, and keep critical documentation tied to the right BOM records.
With natural language search, engineers can quickly surface the right parts or assemblies without navigating rigid filters, helping teams move faster and make confident decisions. Duro PLM also includes integrations with off-the-shelf parts distributors. You can instantly look up part data, including pricing, lead times, and availability, to select the most suitable supplier.
Change orders can be approved in seconds using Duro’s built-in workflows and centralized audit trail, streamlining collaboration across sourcing, compliance, and manufacturing. The platform also makes it easy to compare revisions and track changes to your bill of materials over time.
Pros:
- Reduces manual data entry thanks to out-of-the box integrations with parts suppliers and CAD tools
- Allows you to easily visualize how your BOM has changed over time
- Uses agile workflows and built-in best practices to make BOM management faster
- Fast integration to CAD tools, including SolidWorks, Onshape, and Altium
- No additional fees for implementation, training, or customer support
Cons:
- Best suited for fast-paced and agile electro-mechanical teams (space tech, robotics, etc.) rather than highly-regulated medical or automotive manufacturers
User testimonial:
“Duro integrates with all of our software and has been our one-stop for PLM and PDM. The thoroughness of the online tutorials and guides is only outmatched by the support team that’s only an email away.” User reviews
2. Aras Innovator
Aras Innovator is a PLM platform for manufacturers that manage complex products across engineering, production, and business systems. It gives companies a central place to manage product information as designs change and products move through the lifecycle.
Pros:
- Offers out-of-the-box PLM functionality with room to customize workflows, business processes, and internal tools.
- Provides a flexible, open platform that can support complex enterprise product lifecycle needs.
Cons:
- Support response times can be slow when serious issues need escalation to Aras.
- User interface configuration for tables and forms may need more precision for specific workflows.
User testimonial:
“The customer support (through Aras, not our partner Razorleaf) seems to take a very long time to respond, and close tickets, some of the performance (especially with CAD data) seems very slow.” User review
3) Arena
Arena by PTC is a cloud-native PLM and QMS platform for manufacturers managing complex products across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain. It keeps BOMs and product records in one shared system as designs change, reviews move forward, and suppliers enter the process. Arena connects part data, approved revisions, and change records to the broader product launch workflow.
Pros:
- Provides document control, ECO/ECN workflows, and BOM management in one system.
- Centralizes project requests, change orders, approvals, and item records for compliance and audit tracking.
Cons:
- Some workflows require too many clicks, and dashboard customization may need more refinement.
- Production and implementation tracking often requires ERP tools like SAP or BAAN.
User testimonial:
“There’s some friction in search and data retrieval if you don’t know exactly how something is named or structured, finding the right item, document, or record can take longer than it should.” User review
4. Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage with Upchain
Autodesk Fusion Manage with Upchain is a cloud-based PLM system with BOM management for product development teams. It consolidates product data, BOM records, and change workflows into a single live product record. It supports collaborative BOM editing, purchasing details, production planning, and manufacturing context across the product lifecycle.
Pros:
- Provides cloud-based PLM workflows for BOMs, revisions, change orders, and approvals.
- Shows workflow ownership, review order, and approval status so stakeholders know their next step.
Cons:
- Configuration can take time when setting up custom workflows or system integrations.
- Workflow records may need more flexibility for linking related documentation.
User testimonial:
“It is still missing some of the functionality that I get from a PLM or PDM system.” User reviews
5. OpenBOM
OpenBOM is a collaborative, cloud-based solution designed specifically for BOM management. It helps you manage product data by bringing together supply chain data into its platform. In addition to BOM management, OpenBOM also offers production and procurement planning, change management, and CAD integrations.
Pros
- Provides lightweight, cloud-based BOM management with CAD integrations for tools like SolidWorks and Fusion 360.
- Generates and stores 2D PDFs, 3D STEP files, descriptions, and part numbers in the cloud.
Cons
- UI/UX may feel outdated, and some users report bugs, syncing issues, and integration gaps.
User testimonial:
“The biggest downside I’ve run into so far is getting OpenBOM to work reliably in my setup—specifically when running SolidWorks through Parallels. The integration hasn’t been as straightforward as I expected, and troubleshooting compatibility issues has taken more time than I anticipated.” User review
6. Oracle Fusion Cloud PLM
Oracle Fusion Cloud PLM is a cloud-based product lifecycle management platform for manufacturers. It organizes product data across design, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and compliance work. The software connects parts, product structures, documents, and change orders into a single enterprise product record.
Pros:
- Manages large engineering part datasets, including part records, downloads, and BOM structures.
- Supports document and drawing changes through DCR/DCO processes.
Cons:
- Uploading, downloading, and tracing part usage across assemblies can take time.
- Supplier notification tasks may need more automation for document or design changes.
User testimonial:
“Sometimes there is downtime, which is really unavoidable because of a systems update or whatever reason. So if that is the case, we cannot meet our deadlines and have to reschedule it.” User review
7. Propel PLM
Propel PLM is a cloud-native product lifecycle management platform for product companies. It keeps engineering, supplier, quality, and launch data tied to one product record as items move through design and release. The software uses AI agents, configurable workflows, and system integrations to manage BOMs, changes, supplier context, component risk, and cost rollups.
Pros:
- Provides alerts for equipment expirations, calibrations, and deviations so users can schedule work and keep records current.
- Makes task ownership, reminders, and version logs visible across product launch workflows.
Cons:
- Document attachments may require users to move through several portals or links.
- Task dependencies can be hard to visualize when product lines have many related items.
User testimonial:
“Setting it up takes longer than you’d ever think. Also, a minor pet peeve, but a real pet peeve – you can’t really attach additional links or supporting documentation to each step of a workflow, as I would like to. It’s a small thing, but I continue to run into it.” User review
8. PTC Windchill
PTC Windchill is enterprise PLM software for manufacturers with complex product data, change processes, and supplier networks. It connects product structures, parts, documents, and workflows across engineering, manufacturing, and service. The software manages eBOMs, mBOMs and software BOMs in one lifecycle system, with links to CAD, change control and supplier collaboration.
Pros:
- Controls product data, CAD files, BOMs, documents, revisions, and change records in one system.
- Maintains revision history and check-in controls so users work from the current part or assembly version.
Cons:
- The interface can feel outdated, and common actions may require several steps.
User testimonial:
“When it comes to PTC Windchill software, I often find myself frustrated by its steep learning curve and the user interface, which I consider to be far from intuitive.” User review
9. Zoho
Zoho is a broad business software suite for managing work across sales, finance, support, email, and internal operations. It provides companies with an ecosystem of connected apps, enabling them to create custom workflows when standard tools do not match their processes.
Pros:
- Brings sales data, customer records, and workflow automation into one place without a heavy technical setup.
- Supports automation and reporting across distributed teams while staying accessible for everyday users.
Cons:
- Advanced customization can feel fragmented when users build complex workflows, automation rules, or integrations.
- Complex API or multi-region integration questions may take longer to resolve through support.
User testimonial:
“It’s quite a lot of features, so sometimes it takes a long time to navigate to where I need to go.” User reviews
Common mistakes to avoid when implementing BOM management software
BOM management software can help teams move beyond manual spreadsheets, but the rollout still needs the right process. Teams get more value when they establish clear ownership, validate data early, and keep the BOM aligned with real product decisions.
- Delaying BOM creation or validation: Waiting until late-stage development can leave teams with incomplete part data, missing supplier details, and unresolved design changes. Create the BOM early, then validate it as the product moves from concept to prototype and production.
- Leaving key teams out of the process: Engineering may own the initial BOM, but procurement, manufacturing, quality, and finance also rely on the data. Bring those teams in early so the BOM reflects sourcing needs, build requirements, cost inputs, and compliance details.
- Syncing every CAD change into the BOM: CAD integrations can reduce manual work, but over-syncing can flood the BOM with unfinished design changes. Define when updates should move from CAD to the BOM so teams can separate early design work from approved product data.
- Choosing software that does not fit the team: A tool built for enterprise workflows may slow down a smaller hardware team. A lightweight tool may lack the controls a larger team needs. Match the software to your team size, product complexity, approval process, and integration needs.
- Treating maintenance as a one-time task: BOMs need ongoing updates as parts change, suppliers shift, and products move through the lifecycle. Assign clear owners, review BOM data regularly, and keep documentation current so teams can trust the information they use.
Future trends in BOM management software
The problems that push teams off spreadsheets — outdated part data, missed revisions, incorrect purchasing inputs — are the same problems shaping where BOM software goes next. With NAM reporting that 70% of manufacturers still enter data manually, the next generation of tools is focused on closing that gap automatically rather than asking teams to work harder at data hygiene.
- Using AI to clean up product data: Manual entry is the root cause of duplicates, missing fields, and stale part data. More BOM tools will use AI to help teams find parts, spot duplicates, catch missing fields, and review changes. Aras reported that 59% of companies expect AI adoption to be highly relevant to their business within two years.
- Connecting BOMs to the digital thread: Missed revisions usually happen because CAD, ERP, and supplier systems don’t talk to each other. Teams need BOM data to connect with CAD, ERP, MES, QMS, and supplier systems. This helps them trace how a part, drawing, or change order affects the rest of the product lifecycle.
- Adding more real-time cost and supplier visibility: Deloitte reported that 78% of manufacturers listed trade uncertainty as their top concern. Expect BOM software to play a larger role in sourcing decisions, cost rollups, and supplier risk reviews so that purchasing decisions run on live data rather than last month’s export.
- Controlling how CAD changes move into the BOM: CAD integrations will keep improving, but teams still need guardrails. Future tools will help teams decide which updates should stay in progress and which ones should become approved BOM data.
Choose the best BOM management software
BOM data affects how teams build, buy, and launch products. As products gain more parts, suppliers, and revisions, teams need a clear system for keeping that data accurate.
The right BOM management software should give engineering, procurement, and manufacturing a single, shared workspace to track designs, parts, and costs in real time. When evaluating platforms, look for core capabilities like native multi-level BOM support, strict revision histories, live distributor data, and plug-and-play CAD integrations.
Duro is the best option for teams that need BOM management connected to a broader PLM workflow. Duro’s AI and cloud-native PLM software connects your BOM to CAD, ERP, MES, and CRM tools, ensuring full traceability and real-time updates. For companies that need accuracy, speed, and flexibility, Duro is the most complete solution for BOM management.
BOM management software FAQs
How does BOM management software improve production accuracy?
BOM management software gives teams one place to manage current part data, quantities, drawings, supplier details, and revisions. Procurement can buy the right parts, and manufacturing can build from the right product records.
It also reduces manual updates that lead to duplicate parts, outdated specifications, and incorrect purchasing inputs.
What are the types of BOM management software?
The main types of BOM management software include standalone BOM tools, PLM systems, ERP-connected BOM tools, and CAD-connected BOM tools.
- Standalone BOM tools: Move teams beyond spreadsheets by giving them a dedicated place to manage parts, quantities, and basic BOM structure.
- PLM systems: Connect BOMs to revisions, change orders, documentation, and product lifecycle workflows.
- ERP-connected BOM tools: Tie BOM data to purchasing, inventory, cost tracking, and production planning.
- CAD-connected BOM tools: Move design data from engineering tools into structured BOM records.
Is a BOM the same as a PO?
No. A BOM and a PO support different parts of the product process.
A BOM lists the parts, materials, quantities, and documents needed to build a product. A PO, or purchase order, tells a supplier what your team wants to buy, how much is needed, and when it needs to be delivered.
Teams use the BOM to plan what the product requires. They use the PO to order those items from suppliers.
