Engineers today are tasked with designing the next game-changing product to meet evolving consumer demands.
This means they’ll meticulously map out every component, ensuring tolerances are precise, materials are optimal, and subassemblies fit together flawlessly. This is your engineering bill of materials (eBOM)—the blueprint of innovation.
But then the design moves to the factory floor, and now a whole new set of needs must be met.
The materials need to be sourced, packaging materials accounted for, and production processes optimized. Enter the manufacturing bill of materials (mBOM)—your product's roadmap to becoming a reality.
How do these two essential BOMs stay aligned?
What are the key differences between eBOM and mBOM?
How can the right PLM system and ERP system ensure seamless data synchronization, accurate engineering information, and smooth manufacturing operations?
Let’s break it down.
What is an eBOM?
An engineering BOM (eBOM) is created during the design phase of the product lifecycle and serves as the foundation for a product’s structure. It represents the product exactly as it was conceived by the engineering teams, detailing all components, materials, and subassemblies required for the design.
Unlike a simple parts list, an eBOM provides a hierarchical breakdown of the product, including specifications such as tolerances, CAD models, and version history. It ensures that every part meets the required engineering standards before moving into production.
By maintaining a well-structured eBOM within a PLM system, organizations can track design changes, manage product iterations, and streamline collaboration between cross-functional teams, ultimately reducing errors and accelerating time-to-market.
An eBOM typically includes:
- All components, subassemblies, and raw materials required to build the product
- Details such as part numbers, tolerances, and specifications
- Versions and iterations of the design, which are managed through BOM management in a PLM system
- CAD files, SolidWorks models, and other product data
An eBOM is usually managed in a PLM or PDM (Product Data Management) system to maintain control over engineering changes and track development through various prototyping and testing stages.
What is an mBOM?
A manufacturing BOM (mBOM), on the other hand, plays a crucial role in the manufacturing process by ensuring a seamless transition from design to production. Unlike an eBOM, which focuses on the product design and engineering specifications, an mBOM is structured to meet the demands of mass production. It provides detailed guidance for production planning, procurement, and inventory management, helping manufacturers efficiently source materials, manage subassemblies, and allocate parts to the correct workstations on the factory floor.
The mBOM expands upon the eBOM by incorporating essential elements such as packaging materials, consumables, and precise instructions for MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems). It also integrates with ERP systems to facilitate resource planning, optimize supply chain logistics, and ensure accurate financial tracking. The alignment between eBOM and mBOM is critical, as discrepancies between the two can result in costly production delays, material shortages, or quality issues. By maintaining a well-structured mBOM, manufacturers can reduce waste, streamline manufacturing operations, and improve overall efficiency, ensuring that the final product meets both engineering and operational requirements. An mBOM typically includes:
- All materials and packaging materials required for mass production
- Subassemblies and how they fit together on the production floor
- Work instructions for MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
- Integration with ERP systems for resource planning and financial tracking
- Allocation of parts to different workstations
The mBOM ensures that the right materials are available at the right time, reducing waste and improving supply chain management efficiency.
eBOM vs mBOM: The Key Differences
Why PLM-ERP Integration Matters
While these BOM types serve different functions, they must work together seamlessly to ensure a streamlined approval and change control process that prevents costly mistakes during production.
A well-integrated PLM and ERP system ensures that eBOM and mBOM are always in sync. Without integration, businesses face:
- Mismatched product data, leading to production delays
- Inconsistent workflows, creating bottlenecks in manufacturing operations
- Inefficiencies in change management, slowing down the development process
- Errors in procurement and inventory management, leading to cost overruns
Propel: Best-in-Class PLM-ERP Integration
Propel's enterprise integration framework is designed to seamlessly connect PLM with ERP and other essential business systems. Whether you’re using Oracle NetSuite, Rootstock, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, or another provider, Propel ensures that your systems remain synchronized, efficient, and accurate.
With Propel, you get:
- Low-code/no-code integration setup and workflow configuration
- Automated BOM synchronization between eBOM and mBOM
- Best-in-class APIs for flexible integrations
- Partnerships with top iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) providers
- Custom integrations tailored to any business need
By leveraging a cloud-native PLM solution with deep ERP integration, Propel empowers manufacturers to align their product design, production, and financial records effortlessly.