OpenBOM 101 – Introduction to BOM types

Oleg Shilovitsky
Oleg Shilovitsky
10 May, 2019 | 2 min for reading
OpenBOM 101 – Introduction to BOM types

In this video, I’d like to introduce you to BOM types. There are three fundamental BOM types – Single Level BOM, Multi-level BOM and Flattened BOM (report). Here is a picture that gives you an idea of OpenBOM types.

Single BOM is the basic of OpenBOM data model. It is a flat list of items with a set of attributes (properties). It has mandatory ID property called Part Number, which can be renamed. List of properties can be custom, so you can add any properties.

Mult-level BOM is a structure that OpenBOM creates by visualizing single level BOMs and Parent-Child relationships.

Finally, Flattened BOM is a read-only flat list that contains all parts and assemblies in top-level structure with rolled up quantities.

OpenBOM model allows you to create and manage any types of bill of materials from very simple part lists to very complex multi-disciplinary structures with a diverse sett of properties in each level.

OpenBOM connects structure on demand regardless of what order of definition. You can first create sub-levels and later top-level BOMs. You can also do it in the opposite mode – top down.

Watch this video for basic demonstration of OpenBOM BOM types.

Conclusion.

Three fundamental BOM types give you a full range of flexibility when it comes to the definition of simple part lists and complex structures.

In the next video, I will show how easy create new BOM structures from scratch.

Best, Oleg

PS. Let’s get to know each other better. If you live in the Greater Boston area, I invite you for a coffee together (coffee is on me). If not nearby, let’s have a virtual coffee session — I will figure out how to send you a real coffee.

Want to learn more about PLM? Check out my Beyond PLM blog and PLM Book website

Related Posts

Also on OpenBOM

4 6
14 September, 2026

Shop Floor and Supplier Access to BOM, Drawings, and 3D Models  Shop floor access to engineering data means giving a...

11 September, 2026

How thumbnails, drawings, lightweight 3D files, and an integrated viewer help a team move from a BOM finding to a...

10 September, 2026

Review builds context. Agents put it to work. Decisions write it back. Why AI agents in manufacturing need a Product...

9 September, 2026

For the last few months, I had multiple conversations with people responsible for delivery hardware products – complex equipment, high-tech...

8 September, 2026

Welcome to the OpenBOM September 2026 update! The September update focuses on giving teams tighter control over who sees what...

4 September, 2026

Importing product data has always been one of the most frustrating parts of engineering and manufacturing software. The reason is...

4 September, 2026

Yesterday, I introduced the new OpenBOM Product Tour and showed how OpenBOM connects the product development lifecycle from CAD files...

3 September, 2026

Imagine it is three days before an important product launch, prototype build, qualification milestone, or customer delivery. Here is how...

2 September, 2026

Over the last few years, OpenBOM has grown substantially. Many people first discover us because they need a better way...

To the top