Distibuted Bill of Materials - dBOM - TX

A Distributed Bill of Materials (dBOM) is an advanced, federated system designed for seamless data exchange across supply chains, regardless of industry. Unlike traditional Bills of Materials (BOMs) which may have multiple hierarchical levels, a dBOM maintains a single-level structure that includes all sourced materials (referred to as Trade Items) associated with a given product. This innovative approach ensures comprehensive visibility and traceability of each component within a product, enhancing data accessibility and sustainability tracking.

Key Characteristics

Single-Level Structure: Each dBOM lists all materials and components required to produce a finished product, eliminating multi-tiered complexity found in traditional BOMs. This simplicity facilitates easier data management and retrieval.
Material/Trade Item Identification:
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): Issued by GS1, GTINs are used to identify finished goods.
- UMID (Unique Material Identifier): Based on UUIDs, UMIDs are generated within a manufacturer’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), MDM (Master Data Management), or PIM (Product Information Management) systems for raw and production materials, including packaging components.
Federated Data Exchange:
- DataPorts: A pioneering IoT-based technology developed by the Consumer Goods Forum. DataPorts, identified by UUIDs, serve as digital addresses enabling autonomous, bi-directional data exchange between machines without central data pools. This federated approach ensures that data remains distributed and accessible on-demand.
Linkage and Retrieval: Each Trade Item in the dBOM includes quantity, unit (e.g., grams, liters, meters), and links to suppliers’ DataPorts, facilitating real-time access to detailed information about each component.
Example for Clarity: Consider a can of hotdogs produced by a manufacturer (identified by a GTIN). The dBOM for this product might include:
- Pork Belly: Identified with a UMID. (120 grams)
- Casing: Identified with a UMID. (0,6 meter)
- Herb Mix: Identified with a UMID, and further linked to its own dBOM detailing the quantities of spices, such as black pepper corns, sourced from another supplier. (4 grams)
- Aluminum Can: Identified with a GTIN. (1 piece)
Each Trade Item’s dBOM would contain supplier information and links to DataPorts where additional data can be retrieved, enabling comprehensive traceability.

Integration with Existing Systems

- ERP Interfaces: Manufacturers’ ERP systems will interface with DataPorts, RestAPIs, or Google Vaults to facilitate the retrieval of detailed data for each source item. For instance, a packaging component supplier like Smurfit Kappa will act as the reference source for all data related to paper/cardboard packaging.

Benefits

Efficiency and Simplification: By maintaining a single-level BOM, the dBOM simplifies data management, reducing the complexity of tracking materials through various production stages.
Enhanced Transparency: The federated model ensures that every actor in the supply chain has access to relevant data, promoting transparency and accountability.
Sustainability Tracking: Facilitates the collection of comprehensive sustainability data (e.g., GHG emissions, water footprint, deforestation risks) across the entire supply chain, aiding compliance and sustainability initiatives.

Target Audience

This definition is intended for professionals in manufacturing and retail sectors, particularly those involved in commercial, logistical, compliance, or sustainability roles. The dBOM is crucial for addressing the challenges of acquiring and managing sustainability data across complex supply chains, from farm to fork in the food industry or from mine to recycle in electronics.

Conclusion

The Distributed Bill of Materials (dBOM) represents a transformative approach to supply chain data management, providing a streamlined, federated system that enhances traceability, transparency, and sustainability tracking across industries.