At OpenBOM, we’re constantly improving the way engineers and manufacturers bring data into our platform. Product information comes in many forms — CAD files, PDFs, specifications, spreadsheets, images — and managing all of these efficiently is critical to building a connected, digital product structure.
Today, we’re excited to introduce two new import capabilities that take this process to the next level: ZIP Importer and Image Importer. Together, they expand OpenBOM’s import framework, making it easier to bring structured and unstructured data into your product models, while laying the groundwork for our future AI-driven contextual understanding.
Streamlining Imports: Why It Matters
In the modern engineering and manufacturing environment, information rarely lives in one place. A single assembly might include CAD files, material specs, vendor datasheets, and reference images stored across local drives, shared folders, and cloud repositories.
Traditionally, importing this variety of data into a PLM or PDM system was time-consuming and error-prone — often requiring manual linking or file-by-file upload.
The latest OpenBOM update changes that by introducing a unified import stream that recognizes multiple input types and automates their processing. Two new components — the ZIP Importer and the Image Importer — make this process faster, cleaner, and far more flexible.
ZIP Importer – Simplifying Multi-File Imports
The ZIP Importer is designed for one of the most common data packaging workflows in engineering — sharing and transferring multiple files as compressed archives.
Instead of manually unpacking and uploading files one by one, you can now upload a single .zip archive directly to OpenBOM. The system automatically extracts the contents, identifies supported file types, and sends them into the OpenBOM Import Stream.
How It Works
When you upload a ZIP file, OpenBOM’s import engine performs three key steps:
- Decompression and Scanning. OpenBOM unpacks the archive and analyzes file metadata.
- File Type Detection and Classification. The importer identifies supported file types — such as images (.jpg, .png), CAD exports (.STEP, .SLDPRT), or documents (.pdf, .csv).
- Mapping and Attachment. Each recognized file is passed into the import stream and mapped to its corresponding OpenBOM object or item.
This workflow makes it easy to bundle complex data sets — for example, all files related to a particular product revision — and import them in one step.
Example ZIP structure:
/Product_A/
├── ProductA.STEP
├── Datasheet.pdf
├── ProductA.png
Once uploaded, these files are processed automatically, with the image linked to the part’s visual property, the STEP file registered for reference, and the datasheet attached as a document.
Why It’s Useful
The ZIP Importer is especially valuable when working with design partners, contract manufacturers, or distributed engineering teams who exchange compressed file sets.
It ensures consistency (no missing attachments), speed (one upload instead of many), and traceability (each imported file becomes part of OpenBOM’s product record).
Image Importer – Bringing Visual Context to Product Data
Images are an essential part of modern product data management — from visualizing mechanical components to referencing PCB layouts or marketing visuals.
However, image data often comes from multiple sources: local drives, cloud folders, ZIP archives, or even public URLs. The new Image Importer in OpenBOM is built to handle all of them.
Supported Sources
The Image Importer intelligently recognizes and processes images from various origins:
- Local Files: Import standalone image files directly from your desktop.
- ZIP Archives: Automatically detect and extract images inside uploaded ZIPs.
- Online URLs: Link images stored in external systems or online storage.
Technical Details
When an image is detected, OpenBOM automatically associates it with the correct item, catalog entry, or BOM line using metadata such as filename, part number, or link reference.
Imported images are stored or linked within OpenBOM, making them immediately visible in your item catalogs and product structures.
They can serve as thumbnails, detailed references, or visual validation for part selection and procurement workflows.
In this example, OpenBOM links the external image to the part record without duplicating storage — maintaining a clean, efficient data model.
Watch the Demo – ZIP and Image Import in Action
To see these new features in action, check out a short demo video by Steve Hess, VP of Product at OpenBOM.
In the video, Steve walks through importing a ZIP file containing several image and data files, showing how OpenBOM recognizes and organizes the information automatically.
You’ll see how simple it is to:
- Create a ZIP file with multiple product assets
- Upload it to OpenBOM
- Watch OpenBOM detect and attach each file type correctly
- Preview images directly in the catalog after import
👉 Watch the demo here
Beyond Imports – Building the Connection Layer for the Future
These new importers are not just convenience features — they represent another step in OpenBOM’s evolution toward a universal data connection framework.
Our goal is to let OpenBOM act as a data integration hub — capturing structured and unstructured data from multiple streams and making it available for context-aware analysis.
This capability is essential for OpenBOM’s upcoming AI Agent, which will use the imported data to reason, validate, and provide intelligent assistance.
By understanding not only structured data like BOMs and catalogs but also associated documents, images, and design files, OpenBOM can provide a far richer digital thread.
Each import, ZIP, or image becomes part of a broader network of contextual knowledge — connecting design, production, and decision-making.
Conclusion and What’s Next
We’re continuing to expand OpenBOM’s import framework. Upcoming updates will bring:
- Additional supported file types
- Smarter metadata mapping
- Enhanced integration with MCP and xBOM services for data contextualization
Stay tuned — this is just the beginning of a new wave of flexible data connectivity designed to make OpenBOM even more powerful for modern engineering teams.
Try It Today. A new ZIP and Image Importers are coming in the next OpenBOM update next week. OpenBOM — connecting your product data, one import stream at a time.
REGISTER FOR FREE to check how OpenBOM can help.
Best, Oleg
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