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  • Author Author: Alanta Lee
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Have You Ever Used a Mobile Device to Access a BOM Tool?

Alanta Lee

How Do You Create Your BOM?

We know engineers have different ways of building their Bill of Materials (BOM), depending on the tools, time, and task at hand.

We’d love to know, what’s your go to method?

Do you usually:

  • Copy and paste part codes from spreadsheets, datasheets, or old BOMs?

  • Start from scratch, entering parts manually as you go?

  • Add items directly from product pages while browsing?

  • Import a list from a CSV or Excel file?

  • Duplicate or reuse a previous BOM from a past project?

  • Use CAD/EDA tool exports (like from KiCAD, Eagle, Altium)?

  • Collaborate with a teammate or supplier to build the BOM?

  • Use parametric search filters to find parts and add as you go?

Bonus questions:

  • What tools or platforms do you use to manage your BOMs?

  • What would make the process smoother or more efficient?

Point down Share your process (and any frustrations!) in the comments below.

Parents

  • No. I can't imagine working with dosen of parameters, part numbers, etc on such small screen. Topic always reminds era, when several major MCU vendors promoted their mobile apps to select microcontrollers or chips in general. I do not remmembr any mobile app which is successfull (and promoted) up to these days. Most of them moved these app somewhere to the lower position on page or deprecated at all.

    I usualy do:

    • Copy part codes from (my own) spreadsheets, datasheets, or just PartDB which I use as inventory managemnt system at my home
    • Manually entering codes only for Samtec parts
    • Adds items derectly from product pages
    • Imports my own excel, or fractions of them converted to CSV
    • Use KiCAD exports, but never directly import it at Farnel. I always copy it to own excel first and tham it later goes in some modified form to Farnell from that excel
    • Use parametrc search, mostly for non-unique parts (pasives, LEDs, etc). For params of chips like MCUs, I go for manufacturers pages, rarely at Farnell, then I enter exact code

    I dont or very rarely:

    • Duplicate previous BOMs
    • Collaborate with teammate or supplier

    Both are there because I am hobbyist, so these very rarely apply

    What tools or platforms do you use to manage your BOMs?: Mostly excel

    What would make the process smoother or more efficient?: Most distrubutors made significant progress in BOM import tool capabilities and now I am satisfied and do not need any changes to them.

Comment

  • No. I can't imagine working with dosen of parameters, part numbers, etc on such small screen. Topic always reminds era, when several major MCU vendors promoted their mobile apps to select microcontrollers or chips in general. I do not remmembr any mobile app which is successfull (and promoted) up to these days. Most of them moved these app somewhere to the lower position on page or deprecated at all.

    I usualy do:

    • Copy part codes from (my own) spreadsheets, datasheets, or just PartDB which I use as inventory managemnt system at my home
    • Manually entering codes only for Samtec parts
    • Adds items derectly from product pages
    • Imports my own excel, or fractions of them converted to CSV
    • Use KiCAD exports, but never directly import it at Farnel. I always copy it to own excel first and tham it later goes in some modified form to Farnell from that excel
    • Use parametrc search, mostly for non-unique parts (pasives, LEDs, etc). For params of chips like MCUs, I go for manufacturers pages, rarely at Farnell, then I enter exact code

    I dont or very rarely:

    • Duplicate previous BOMs
    • Collaborate with teammate or supplier

    Both are there because I am hobbyist, so these very rarely apply

    What tools or platforms do you use to manage your BOMs?: Mostly excel

    What would make the process smoother or more efficient?: Most distrubutors made significant progress in BOM import tool capabilities and now I am satisfied and do not need any changes to them.

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