BOM (Bill of Materials)
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      BOM Structure

      QuoteCQ users don't need to use a specific format to upload their BOMs but they just need to map the Excel columns. Here some recommendations.

      QuoteCQ is designed with speed in mind, meaning you don't have to go through the tedious rework of restructuring your customers' Bills of Material (BOMs) into a specific template format. Instead, QuoteCQ allows you to map the columns in your Excel file into QuoteCQ fields.

      However, in order to ensure a proper mapping from your Excel file to CalcuQuote, here are some recommendations:

      1. Occasionally, you might get a customer bill of material that merges various data points into a single Excel cell.

        For example manufacturer part numbers with manufacturer names or DNI/DNP identifiers in the same cell as the description.

        For QuoteCQ to properly identify what each column means, it helps to keep the data in distinct columns. If you did get a BOM with data merged into a single cell, the QuoteCQ Smart Import will help you to separate the data, check how to separate columns in Smart Import.

        However, in case you want to work in your Excel file, you can also try using the Excel Text to Columns functionality to separate it out. 

      2. Some bills of material are not structured as a proper table with rows and columns.

        Instead, there are rows inserted in the middle with notes in them, or various merged cells across different columns.

        It is very important to have your BOM in a normal table view so that you can easily identify which column maps to the appropriate QuoteCQ field.

      3. It's not often, but occasionally, customers provide bills of material that do not include universally recognizable manufacturer part numbers. Whether the customer put in only the description or a supplier part number. QuoteCQ doesn't require there to be a manufacturer part number in the BOM in order to import the file, but the MPN will be required for costing the BOM later on in the process. QuoteCQ cannot (at this time) reliably look up the availability and price of a component across the supply chain without manufacturer part numbers.

        Fortunately, QuoteCQ has some functionalities that will help you getting MPN suggestions in case you don't have this information in the BOM file:

      4. QuoteCQ uses line numbers to distinguish between groups of equivalent parts/alternates.
        For example, you may have three manufacturer part numbers on the bill of material for a single placement on the board.
        In order for QuoteCQ to recognize that these three part numbers are interchangeable (alternates), resulting in only one placement within your BOM view (and a single material purchase), it uses the line item number.

      Recap

      • Keep data in separate columns.

      • Organize the data into a two-dimensional table format

      • Include manufacturer part numbers

      • Identify line numbers (item numbers)

      Once you get your Excel file formatted correctly, you can import the BOM into QuoteCQ. Remember, if you realize an error after uploading, the on-screen validation messages will still allow you to make corrections as necessary.