How to Create a Bill of Materials (BOM) in Catalystk
A bill of materials (BOM) lists every raw material and component needed to make a product. With Catalystk's free BOM software you can create a bill of materials online: add the output product (main, co- and by-products), list the components with quantities, phase and waste %, and add sub-assemblies for a multi-level BOM. The costed BOM shows material, labour, machine and overhead cost, and one click creates a product costing. Print the BOM as PDF or export the bill of materials to Excel – a free BOM format in Excel you can download any time.
- Multi-level BOM
- Waste %
- Costed BOM
- Excel & PDF
- Free
Before you start: add the finished product and its raw materials to the product master, so you can pick them in the BOM. Your administrator may have renamed “BOM” – the steps are the same.
Open Bom and click New BOM
Every bill of materials starts from the BOM list.
- 1
Go to Manufacture → Bom
In the left menu, open Manufacture and click Bom.
- 2
Click New BOM
Click New BOM. Enter the Date, BOM Code, BOM Name and a Display Name, then save.
Add the output product
Tell the BOM what it makes – and any co-products or by-products.
- 3
Add the output items
Under Output Items, add the Main Product with its quantity. Add any Co-Product or By-Product too.
- 4
Split the cost (apportion %)
Set the Apportion % for each output. The main product and co-products must add up to 100% – Catalystk shows when it is balanced.
Add the components and save
List every raw material that goes into one batch.
- 5
Add each component
In the Item List, add each raw material with its specification, quantity and price. On each item you can also set the phase and waste %.
- 6
Click Save
Click Save. The Costed BOM panel shows the material, labour, machine and overhead cost.
Add sub-assemblies for a multi-level BOM
Use a BOM inside another BOM for parts you make yourself.
- 7
Add a child BOM
Under Sub-Assemblies (BOM), click + BOM and pick the child BOM with its Qty and UoM. Tick Phantom for an assembly that is not stocked separately.
- 8
Set validity dates
Use Valid From and Valid To when a sub-assembly is only used for a period. Then Print (PDF) or export the BOM to Excel.
Single-level vs multi-level bill of materials
Catalystk supports both – use sub-assemblies to build a multi-level BOM.
| Single-level BOM | Multi-level BOM | |
|---|---|---|
| What it lists | Raw materials for one product | Raw materials plus sub-assemblies, each with its own BOM |
| Best for | Simple products | Products made from parts you also make |
| In Catalystk | Item List only | Item List + Sub-Assemblies (BOM) |
Next: turn the BOM into a product costing with Generate → Costing, plan materials with MRP, or start production with a work order.
Tips for accurate BOMs
- Add a waste % to components that lose material in production, so MRP buys enough.
- Use Clone to start a new BOM from a similar one instead of typing it again.
- Use Where Used to see every BOM a component appears in before you change it.
- Lock a final BOM so nobody changes it by mistake.
- Export the BOM to Excel to share it with suppliers or your shop floor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bill of materials (BOM)?
A bill of materials lists all raw materials, components and sub-assemblies, with quantities, needed to make one product or batch.
Can I create a multi-level BOM?
Yes. Add child BOMs under Sub-Assemblies (BOM) to build a multi-level bill of materials.
Can I add co-products and by-products?
Yes. Output Items can be a Main Product, Co-Product or By-Product, with an apportion % to split the cost.
Can I download the bill of materials in Excel or PDF?
Yes. Click Excel to download the BOM as an Excel file, or Print to get a PDF.
How do I work out the cost of a BOM?
The Costed BOM panel shows material, labour, machine and overhead cost, and Generate → Costing creates a full product costing.
Can I copy an existing BOM?
Yes. Use Clone to create a new BOM from an existing one.
Is the BOM software free?
Yes. Bills of materials are part of Catalystk's free plan – free to use online, nothing to install.
What's next: work out the selling price – product costing.
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