The service BOM provides a neutral representation of a product with a defined set of OEM service-related definitions. Tightly coupling the service BOM to a physical BOM, which represents a specific instance of an asset, leads to accurate visibility of the physical asset configuration throughout its life. This visibility is critical to service lifecycle management (SLM), which orchestrates service and support of products in the field during their operational life.
Until recently, almost all manufacturers captured only a portion of the information now contained in a service BOM. Pertinent pieces of information were located in a disconnected parts catalog or as a bill of materials within the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. These information sources have not provided direct linkage to ongoing change processes, often resulting in discrepancies between captured data and the as-maintained asset in the field. An integrated service BOM overcomes these issues by directly linking to the engineering definition and providing a clear and accurate understanding of what parts need to be tracked and maintained.
The integrated service BOM as managed by a service lifecycle management system, can also serve as input to an enterprise asset management (EAM) system. A combination of the service BOM and a service plan, which details the steps for servicing the components from the service BOM, provides the EAM with data needed to generate work orders. Once a work order has been executed, the SLM system can access information generated by the associated service activities. The service BOM is therefore an integral component in the SLM-EAM digital thread.
Related products: Teamcenter | Opcenter
