How to improve BOM management with cloud-based solutions

The bill of materials (BOM) is a critical document for shipbuilding organizations. It is used by various stakeholders to inform all processes from the design to certification of ships. Traditional approaches to BOM management, which rely on spreadsheets, make it difficult to access the latest version of the BOM and ensure that everyone is referencing the same information.

This Lifecycle Insights ebook, “How Do I Create and Manage an Accurate BOM? Simplifying BOM Management With Cloud-based SaaS Solutions,” explores how a cloud-based BOM management approach can help shipbuilders collaborate and meet all regulatory requirements. Learn about the advantages of leveraging a solution that provides a central repository for storing and managing BOMs.

Synchronize information across all data sources and departments

Nearly all functional departments in a shipbuilding company rely on the BOM to make important decisions. Therefore, it must include accurate, up-to-date information from multiple sources, including CAD data and supplier component databases.

Shipbuilding companies have traditionally used emails or spreadsheets to access and share this information. However, manually updating those sources can be time-consuming and error-prone. Modern product lifecycle management (PLM) software provides an automated way to synchronize the numerous sources of data needed to complete the BOM. These solutions can automatically generate the BOM based on existing templates, update the BOM when connected CAD models change and integrate all BOM-related analysis data, ensuring that all stakeholders work from a single source of truth.

Manage variability and meet requirements

Shipbuilding organizations must adhere to specific requirements stated in the contracts of the vessels they produce. This variability leads to more complex spreadsheets, a higher probability of mistakes and an increased likelihood of delays when handled with the traditional spreadsheet approach to BOM management.

PLM-based BOM management offers a seamless way to manage the variability of shipbuilding. With a PLM approach, shipbuilders can automate BOM generation and handle later adjustments seamlessly, ensuring that tasks related to costing, service engineering, certification and more are informed by reliable data.

Boost productivity and security with SaaS solutions

Cloud-based SaaS PLM solutions offer built-in best practices that enable quicker, more accurate BOM creation and management. Modern PLM platforms help identify issues within company workflows, improve collaboration between internal and external stakeholders and securely protect data. As a result, teams can work more efficiently together and bring products to market faster.

Download Lifecycle Insight’s ebook to learn more about the various advantages of using PLM solutions to facilitate successful BOM management.