Creating BOMs (Bill of Materials) in Odoo: Complete Guide
If you’re a manufacturer or running a product-based business, you already know — managing your production without a Bill of Materials (BOM) is like cooking without a recipe. Chaos, delays, and wasted resources.
That’s where Odoo ERP comes in. With its Manufacturing module, creating and managing BOMs becomes effortless.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating BOMs in Odoo — step by step, with a sprinkle of tips, versions, and real use-cases.
What is a BOM (Bill of Materials)?
A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a detailed list of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies needed to manufacture a finished product.
In simple terms:
Product = Screws + Wood + Paint + Labor + Process
With a BOM in Odoo, you can:
Track material usage
Plan production smartly
Reduce waste
Ensure accurate costing
Where is BOM used in Odoo?
BOM is a key feature in the Odoo Manufacturing module and is available in:
- Odoo Community (basic features)
- Odoo Enterprise (advanced routing, multi-level BOM, etc.)
Works in versions: Odoo 14 to 17 — steps below are based on Odoo 17, but apply to 15 & 16 with minor UI changes.
How to Create a BOM in Odoo (Step-by-Step)
Let’s dive into the process:
Step 1: Enable Manufacturing Module
Go to:
Apps → Search for “Manufacturing” → Click Install
📌 Note: Make sure “Inventory” is installed too, as it’s linked with BOM.
Step 2: Create the Finished Product
Navigate to:
Manufacturing → Products → Create
Fill in:
- Product Name (e.g. Wooden Table)
- Product Type: Stockable Product
- Set a unit of measure
- Save it
Step 3: Add BOM for the Product
Go to:
Manufacturing → Products → Bills of Materials → Create
Now fill in:
- Product: The item you want to produce (e.g. Wooden Table)
- Quantity: How many units this BOM is for (e.g. 1 table)
- BoM Type: Choose from:
- Manufacturing (default)
- Kit (if it’s a pack of items)
- Subcontracting (if 3rd party builds it)
- Manufacturing (default)
Step 4: Add Components
Click Add a line under components and include:
| Component | Quantity | UOM |
| Wooden Planks | 4 | Pieces |
| Screws | 12 | Units |
| Wood Polish | 1 | Bottle |
Add all materials required to build the product.
Step 5: (Optional) Add Operations/Routing
If you’re using Odoo Enterprise, you can define:
- Work Centers
- Time for each operation
- Cost per operation
Example:
- Cutting → 10 mins
- Assembling → 15 mins
- Finishing → 5 mins
This is helpful for capacity planning & cost analysis.
Step 6: Save & Start Manufacturing
Once the BOM is saved, you can go to:
Manufacturing → Manufacturing Orders → Create
Choose your product → Enter quantity → Click Confirm
Boom! Your manufacturing process starts based on the BOM.
Pro Tips for Using BOMs in Odoo
- 🔄 Use Multi-Level BOMs for complex products
(e.g. a table with pre-built drawers) - 📈 Track cost accurately using routings + operations
- 🔁 Duplicate BOMs for similar products to save time
- 📦 Link inventory so you know exactly when to reorder
Why Use Odoo for BOM Management?
Because manual spreadsheets are slow, error-prone, and outdated.
Odoo BOMs give you:
Real-time inventory tracking
Cost accuracy
Smooth production planning
Faster order fulfillment
Whether you’re a small workshop or a growing manufacturing company — Odoo ERP adapts to your needs.
Need Help with Odoo BOM Setup?
At Odiware, we specialize in setting up Odoo ERP for businesses like yours. From basic BOMs to advanced manufacturing flows — we’ve got you covered.
📦 Whether you make furniture, food, or fashion — we can automate it all using Odoo.
📩 Email: sales@odiware.com
🌐 Website: www.odiware.com
📞 Phone: +91 86608 65440
