In this presentation, we speak about how to organize and use OpenBOM templates for better productivity and re-usability. You will learn how to create a template from a BOM and use it to create BOMs manually or using CAD add-ins

1. Improve reliability and repeatability
Steve Hess
Director of User Experience, OpenBOM
stevehess@openbom.com
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
OpenBOM Templates

2. Webinar basics
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3. Definitions:
Template: A reusable BOM that copies specific behaviors and values to a newly created BOM
Formula: a mathematical function which calculates a value for a given property based on
values from other properties. May be applied to all rows, even sub-levels when defined as
“Rollup”. Example: Extended Cost = Cost * Quantity
Catalog: A list of Items used by your company to make your products. Often called an
Inventory or an Item Master, this is a list of parts and sub-assemblies and associated
information needed to put your final product together.
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

4. Template Basics
● A Template is Saved from an existing BOM using the Save as Template command
● A Template is Specified during the Create BOM operation
● A Template will control the following features of the new BOM:
○ Properties
○ Property (Column) Order
○ Column Justification (Left, Center, Right)
● A Template may control the following aspects of the new BOM:
○ The initial data set
○ Catalog Assignment
○ Read-Only / Editable
○ Property Formula Definitions

5. Saving a Template
In nearly all cases, the default settings will be desired.
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
Copy existing item information to the new BOM
Assign the existing Catalogs to the new BOM
Don’t allow the new BOM to be Edited.
Copy the Formula definitions to the new BOM

6. Using a Saved Template
Create BOM
BOM
Important, do not specify a
Catalog here if your
template does so

7. Lessons
→ Create a Template from my favorite BOM to reuse properties and formulas
→ Control property order of Catalog data in my BOM
→ Manage my Templates in the Dashboard (Delete really)
→ Use a Template to drive import from CAD
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

8. Live session….
● Create new BOM WEB22-Template w/ No Cat and No Template
○ Assign Globe Electronics Catalog
○ Demonstrate Search for PN
○ Add a property Bin Number to BOM next to Image
○ Choose from drop down for Bin number
○ Add Formula for Extended Cost
● Save as W22Template-1
● Go To Dashboard
● Create New BOM WEB22-B1 w/ Template W22Template-1
● Add some parts, set the Bin Number
● Go To Dashboard
● Create New BOM WEB22-B2 w/ Template W22Template-1
● B1 and B2 will have the same template properties
Now what if I use Solidworks to make my BOMs?
● Open swx
● Open tube_light-10
● Check no BOMs exist
● Open Settings
● Set template to W22Template-1
● Create BOM
● See Bin Number, Formulas, etc
● To Add Property “Ready to Go”
● Return to OpenBOM
● Edit WEB22-Template BOM and add property “Ready to Go”
● Save Template as W22Template-2
● Back to Solidworks
● Set Template to W22Template-2
● Update BOM
● Open BOM
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

9. Using a BOM Template with CAD

10. Troubleshooting Templates
● Developed a naming convention
● Use the Dashboard->Templates area to delete old Templates
● Be sure you have selected the correct template in the Create BOM dialog
● Templates cannot (yet) be edited. Return to the original BOM, make a
change, and Save a new Template
● Templates have zero effect once the BOM is created.
● Double check you have all the settings correct in the Save Template dialog
● Team accounts automatically share Team Templates (very cool)
● If using a template with a Catalog assigned, do not specify a Catalog in the
Create BOM dialog

11. References
Using Templates in CAD
https://www.openbom.com/blog/video-openbom-solidworks-add-in-templates-can-save-tons-of-time
OpenBOM Basics https://help.openbom.com/get-started/understand-openbom/
OpenBOM Help https://help.openbom.com/ - a great place to start
Working with Rollups https://help.openbom.com/2019/02/15/working-with-formulas-totals-and-roll-ups/
The OpenBOM Webinar playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCf2AN2QOiE&list=PL6nXtFuNki7nSNXmw_fWGTFeKo8Y3EPJ3
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

12. Questions / comments ?
Please send to support@openbom.com or use the Support feature in OpenBOM
Webinar video will be shared to our youtube channel soon.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCYTcA4b5_cDTaME5N8CYzw
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)