In PCB assembly an order’s BOM lists hundreds of component lines, and a single missing capacitor stops the line. When reels are used without being counted on the shelf, stock looks wrong, moisture-sensitive parts’ floor life goes untracked, and when a faulty board comes back from the field nobody can say which component lot it was built with. In the system we build, every customer product is defined with a revision-controlled BOM and components enter stock by reel barcode. When a production order opens, shortages are listed and reels loaded on feeders are scanned; AOI and functional test results are tied to the board serial number, so every board can be traced backwards.
Problems we see in board assembly companies
- Missing components only discovered on the line
- Reel-level stock that cannot be trusted
- BOM revisions reaching production incorrectly
- No production history for a faulty board
Modules
BOM management
Revisioned bill of materials, alternate parts and customer approval.
Component stock
Barcoded reel and tray stock, with customer-supplied parts kept apart.
MSD tracking
Floor life of moisture-sensitive parts and baking records.
Line plan
Work order sequence and feeder setup list for SMT and THT lines.
Test records
AOI, ICT and functional test results, fault codes and repair records.
Serial traceability
Trace from board serial number to component lot, line and test history.
How it works day to day
- 1
The customer order and BOM revision are entered into the system.
- 2
Stock is checked and missing components go to purchasing.
- 3
At line setup reels are verified by scanning them onto feeders.
- 4
After placement the boards pass AOI and functional test and the results are recorded.
- 5
Approved boards are packed with their serial numbers and shipped.
Integrations
Off-the-shelf software or custom-built?
When off-the-shelf is enough
For small businesses making a few products of their own, an ERP with a bill of materials and lot tracking may be enough.
When custom software pays off
For multi-customer EMS companies and those building boards for sectors where traceability is mandatory (automotive, medical, defence), a custom system joining reels, tests and serial numbers provides quality assurance.
How the budget is built
We launch the workflow that saves you the most time first, then add modules based on real usage. The full scope below is calculated with 24 screens and 10 modules; the final price follows a free discovery call and a written scope.
Maintenance and improvements (optional): €600 / month. Hosting, SMS, WhatsApp and app store fees are listed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with our pick-and-place machine’s software?
The feeder and consumption files the machine exports can be read, and a direct connection is assessed during discovery.
Are customer-supplied components tracked separately?
Yes. Customer-owned components are held in separate stock by owner and used only on that customer’s jobs.
Can we upload the BOM from Excel?
Yes. The BOM sent by the customer is imported with a template and part numbers are matched to stock cards.
How is a faulty board returned from the field investigated?
When the serial number is scanned, the production date, component lots used and test results appear on one screen.
