How Canadian Metal Streamlined Product Management and Costing with OpenBOM for SolidWorks

Time is money when running manufacturing. If you want to capture a single thing from what John Cowle of Canadian Metal Inc., said, take this one. Engineering and manufacturing teams need tools that simplify data management, integrate seamlessly with their workflows, and provide instant access to critical product information (for exact cost). That’s exactly what John Cowle of CanMet Design discovered when his team adopted OpenBOM for managing product information and cost estimation within SolidWorks.

Managing Product Information and Costing Efficiently

Like many engineering and manufacturing companies, CanMet Design faced challenges in handling complex product data efficiently. Their workflow required not only capturing CAD data but also managing non-CAD details such as labor, assembly, paint, and other cost-driving factors.

Traditional methods—Excel spreadsheets, disconnected databases, and manual cost calculations—were slowing them down. Time spent on data entry, updating costs, and ensuring accuracy meant lost productivity and increased risk of errors. CanMet Design needed a solution that could:

• Run seamlessly within SolidWorks without disrupting their workflow.
• Capture the complete product definition, including all manufacturing-related details beyond CAD.
• Instantly calculate costs, eliminating hours of manual work and reducing costly errors.

The Solution: OpenBOM’s Seamless Integration with SolidWorks

When CanMet Design implemented OpenBOM, they immediately noticed a transformation in how they managed product information. OpenBOM’s cloud-based, real-time data management approach allowed them to achieve the following key benefits:

1. Running Instantly Within SolidWorks

OpenBOM runs directly inside SolidWorks, eliminating the need for additional setup or complex integrations. Engineers can extract BOMs (Bill of Materials) and cost data instantly, without leaving their design environment.

Result: No time wasted switching between systems, reducing friction in the design-to-manufacturing process.

2. Capturing Granular Product Definition

Unlike traditional CAD-based BOM tools, OpenBOM goes beyond just CAD data. CanMet Design can now capture all aspects of their product definition, including:

• Labor and assembly costs
• Paint and finishing materials
• Vendor-specific pricing and procurement details

Result: A complete, accurate, and up-to-date representation of the product, including cost-driving factors that are often overlooked in traditional CAD BOM solutions.

3. Instant Cost Calculation, Saving Hours of Work

With OpenBOM, CanMet Design automated their cost estimation process. Instead of manually calculating costs in spreadsheets, OpenBOM instantly pulls pricing data from catalogs and suppliers, providing a real-time cost breakdown.

Result: Hours of manual work eliminated, improved accuracy, and the ability to make faster, more informed pricing decisions.

The Impact: Saving Time and Money While Improving Accuracy

By leveraging OpenBOM inside SolidWorks, CanMet Design significantly improved their efficiency. They reduced time spent on data management, minimized errors in cost calculations, and gained real-time visibility into their product costs. The benefits extended beyond engineering to procurement and manufacturing, enabling better decision-making across the organization.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Seamless integration with SolidWorks for an effortless user experience. ✅ Granular product data capture beyond CAD, including labor, assembly, and materials. ✅ Instant cost calculation saves time and improves decision-making accuracy.

Watch the Full Story

Want to see how CanMet Design transformed their workflow with OpenBOM? Watch the full video where John Cowle shares his experience:

At OpenBOM, we help engineering and manufacturing teams streamline their operations, eliminate spreadsheets, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Conclusion: Time is Money

As John Cowle said, “Time is money.” Every minute wasted on inefficient processes, manual data entry, and outdated costing methods translates into lost revenue. With OpenBOM, CanMet Design reclaimed valuable time, improved cost accuracy, and optimized their workflow—proving that the right digital tools can drive real savings and business success.

REGISTER FOR FREE and check how OpenBOM can help you. 

Best, Oleg