FAQ: Bill of Materials
Quick answers to common questions about creating and using BOMs.
Q: Can I have a BOM with just one component?
A: Yes. Some products (e.g., repackaging or simple kits) may have only one ingredient. Define the BOM as normal.
Q: What if a component is out of stock when I try to produce?
A: Usystems will warn you or block production, depending on your settings. Check your inventory before you start a production batch, or set up automatic purchase orders for low-stock components.
Q: Can I use a BOM component that is itself made from a BOM (nested BOM)?
A: This depends on your Usystems version and configuration. Ask your admin whether multi-level BOMs are enabled. If so, production will automatically expand nested BOMs to the raw materials.
Q: What units should I use in a BOM?
A: Use the same unit as the raw material is purchased in. If fabric is bought in meters, use meters in the BOM. If screws are bought in boxes of 100, you can use "boxes" or break it down to individual screws—choose whichever keeps your math simple.
Q: Can I edit a BOM if production is in progress?
A: You can try, but it is risky. Active production batches may be locked to their original recipe. If your system allows editing, it affects future batches, not the ones already started. To be safe, ask your manager before changing a BOM during active production.
Q: How do I know if my BOM cost is correct?
A: Usystems sums the cost of all components (quantity × component unit cost). If the total seems wrong, check that each component's cost is set correctly in its product record. Component costs are usually the purchase price or the standard cost you assigned.
Q: Can a finished product have multiple BOMs?
A: Some versions of Usystems support BOM versioning or multi-level BOMs. If your product comes in sizes (S/M/L) or has changed over time, you may have separate BOMs—check with your admin.
Q: What happens if I delete a BOM?
A: Past production batches that used that BOM keep their historical records. Deleting the BOM just removes the recipe; it does not undo past production. Confirm deletion carefully, as it may block future production of that product until you create a new BOM.
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