A bill of materials is a document that contains all the information for compiling a higher-level end product in a structured form. Information contained in the parts list includes, for example, the names of individual parts, their numbering, quantity and hierarchy in the context of the overall product.
Parts lists have various tasks and help, for example, to determine material requirements and to plan workflows and process structures.
Parts lists are used in many areas of application under different names. The aim is always to produce the finished end product step by step. The assembly instructions for a piece of furniture are just as much a parts list as the materials list in the construction industry or the recipe for a food product.
Due to the different areas of application and tasks of parts lists, there is a relatively new approach of an "integrated parts list". This comprehensive solution combines the individual sub-areas and contains general data in combination with specific data tailored to the application. All participants can work in their specific area of application and simultaneously on a common parts list.