OpenBOM Support For Onshape Versions and Digital Thread

The way we manage data in a modem digital world is changing. Switch from documents to data is one of the biggest trend I can see happening. If you didn’t hear about digital thread, hog should do it asap. The digital thread is redefining how manufacturers work with data. By integrating data throughout the product lifecycle, the digital thread enables companies to make better decisions, improve product quality, and speed time to market.

Why Digital Thread?  

As we move forward with a digital transformation, companies are continuously looking for ways to improve their processes and how they can work with the data. The “digital thread” has become a key concept to enable the continuing evolution of design, engineering, and production. The digital thread is the backbone that ties together all aspects of design changes, EBOM / MBOM planning, manufacturing, procurement, and allows for efficient communication between engineers, manufacturing, contractors, and suppliers.  

However, to take full advantage of the digital thread, companies need to bring new platforms and solutions to allow holistic data management, to support the connection between data siloes in a single company and between multiple companies. 

Moving Files To Data and Cloud-Native Platforms 

Multi-tenant SaaS platforms are coming to replace traditional mainstream PDM/PLM systems. OpenBOM and Onshape are great examples of these systems allowing the management of data holistically in a multi-tenant environment, enabling real-time information sharing, communication, and data integrations. 

OpenBOM was supporting Onshape integration on the Onshape App Store from a very early stage of Onshape development and has fully integrated into the Onshape environment. One of the biggest advantages of the OpenBOM Onshape app is to provide support for connected integrated processes starting from the design and moving downstream to BOM management, manufacturing, procurement planning, maintenance, and support. 

OpenBOM For Onshape – Version and Release Process 

I’m super excited to share with you that the new OpenBOM for Onshape enhancements are bringing support for Onshape versions and the release process. 

From the next OpenBOM update, you will be able to manage the process of BOM creation from Onshape versions (including released versions) and by doing so, seamlessly integrate two lifecycle processes – design lifecycle and item/ BOM lifecycle. 

The key element of enhancement – creating or updating a BOM for a version is the enabler for the broader process connecting Onshape Release Management with OpenBOM BOM and Change Management process.

As you can see in the video below, two lifecycle processes (design and item) can now be connected. 

Video Preview 

In this video, we preview new functions of OpenBOM for Onshape allowing us to work with Onshape versions and to be integrated with the Onshape release process. By creating or updating BOM from the Onshape version, you can establish a tight integration between design and BOM management processes and provide a digital thread between design, engineering, and manufacturing information. 

Conclusion

One of the most important elements of digital transformation is to shift focus from management of documents to management of data and information workflows. The data can be located in multiple systems managed by online services and still connected. 

OpenBOM for Onshape enhancements is the next step in the integration of OpenBOM and Onshape SaaS platforms and providing customers with fully integrated design and production workflows.

Using Onshape today? REGISTER FOR FREE to OpenBOM and check out how it can help you streamline your design, production, and purchasing workflow process.

Best, Oleg