Sep 02, 2010 
BOM ConnectorTM is used by PCB manufacturers, particularly in the EMS sector, to better integrate ERP information into their quoting and NPI process.
The key to BOM ConnectorTM is its direct links to most popular ERP systems, such as SAP, Baan, Buero-Plus, Infor, CADIM and others. By linking directly with the ERP system, users are saved the time-consuming and error-prone hassle of creating and administering data “dumps” which quickly become outdated.
Directly linked to the ERP system, BOM ConnectorTM users in the EMS sector can quickly compare a customer BOM and search for the best-matching parts, based on customer part number, description, manufacturer order number or a combination of fields. The search is highly intelligent, based on Tri-Gramm “fuzzy logic” to take into account different sequences or different ways of expressing part attributes such as values. The most suitable part matches are then presented for selection by the user. The mapping of customer partnumber to internal ERP partnumber is automatically stored for future use in a “Customer Info File” (CIF).
Kevin Decker-Weiss, Managing Director of Router Solutions points out that “handling BOM information is probably the single most time-consuming task of any PCB manufacturer, particularly due to the huge ramifications of getting anything wrong. The problem is raised exponentially for an EMS supplier. Since the original customer BOM rarely contains any usable partnumbers, much time is lost matching customer data with internal data in order to create a final manufacturing list – which we call a “Golden BOM”. Without a direct ERP link and an intelligent search algorithm it’s basically a completely manual, very error prone process. With our tight link to SAP, for example, the biggest user base in Europe is well supported.”
Once the so-called “Golden BOM” has been created it can be exported into any format required, such as Excel, HTML or CSV, or loaded directly into the SAP system. As the system user standard SAP BAPIs, no additional software is required on the ERP side.
A new feature in the Version 2.0 is a BOM-to-BOM compare function that reports all differences between two revisions, such as parts added or deleted, and any modified fields. This is a particular time saver in manufacturing. And finally, a direct link to CAMCAD Professional lets users extract data from a loaded PCB design and use it to verify and enhance the Golden BOM.
Router Solutions has been helping customers solve their design-to-manufacture problems for over
20 years. The Central European distributor for the Mentor Graphics Valor Division (formerly SMS), Router Solutions is more than just a software provider. It is a knowledgeable partner in the field of electronics manufacturing, with a track record of dependability and stability. A top-notch team of software developers and application engineers assists customers with on-site integration, custom developed tools and training classes. And since innovation is key to success, the CAMCAD/Valor product line is being continuously improved and updated.
