Parts organization, inventory, parts order preparation, BOM spreadsheets, etc.

[Om_Audio]

Hi,

I have 20 boards to buy parts for and I need to get organized!
I am thinking maybe an Excel spreadsheet like this- the part columns would auto total at the bottom of the columns:

Project Name - part1 - part2 - part3 - etc. (this will go on horizontally for days)
Project Name - part1 - part2 - part3 - etc.
Project Name - part1 - part2 - part3 - etc.
-----------------------------------------
Part totals:    l    3    l   2     l     7    l   

Current stock:l    1    l   0     l     2    l
================================
I also installed SpiceWorks which is a free networking and IT tool I use in my work. It is great  for inventory management and other things and has an Android app to view inventory etc. but I don't think it is the right tool for building up an order.

Any other ideas appreciated!!

Clifford

[Govmnt_Lacky]

If you are asking for recomendations about organization.....

I think you are in the wrong place!     

Seriously... you need to use whatever works for you. If an excel spreadsheet will help you then.... GO FOR IT! 

[Om_Audio]

Hah, right on, yes I am looking for other perspectives and experience!

C

[defaced]

(this will go on horizontally for days)

Not a fan of horizontal for days.  I'm usually working with data dumped from a DAQ with 30+ columns and it always sucks to manipulate anything that's off the screen.  With 20 projects, I'd set it up so the part ID was in column A, row total in column B, then start with project 1 in column C.  Putting the totals in column B is kinda odd, but since that's what you want to see, part ID and total quantity, put them next to each other so mistakes don't happen when you go to order. 

As for long term stuff, I'm setting something up now where each worksheet is a different part type.  Columns are part ID, then basic technical info.  Wattage, voltage spec, pinout, transistor/diode type, etc.  I don't care about monitoring quantity, that's too much like work for this "little" hobby of mine. 

I'm a big fan of coin envelopes for hard parts organization.  I have too many parts to mess with drawers. 

[Om_Audio]

Great suggestion, thanks!
C

[facon]

I've been using excel spreadsheets and organizing them in seperate folders with schematics and layouts. Also, if you order through Mouser, the ability to create projects is great.

[chromesphere]

When i ordered parts for 10 builds i was undertaking at once, i printed off the BOM's, went through the components that i had on hand and put each project in a tupperware container with the components.  Then i went through each BOM and ordered whatever was left on each, one BOM at a time.  I find that if you start combining components between the BOM's, it gets confusing.

Thats the easiest way i have found to order parts for multiple projects.  Still did my head in, but i honestly dont think theres a way to do that doesnt! lol

Good luck

Paul

[Jdansti]

All good ideas. I use excel to help me plan. I organize my sheet a little differently than you indicated. On the first tab (sheet), I list the first project's parts going down in rows instead of across.  I have a columns for the quantity, the type of component and the value. When I get to the bottom of the first project, I start the next one underneath it and do the same. I keep going until I have all of the projects listed.

Then I copy that tab into a new tab and sort it based on type, value, and quantity in that order. From this sheet, I can add up how many of each component I need to order because the like components are now listed next to each other. When I place the order, I buy extras for most of the components to have on hand for other projects.

[garcho]

Pencil and paper forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kesh]

Pencil and paper forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a little too organised for me.

[ashcat_lt]

Timely as though ripped from today's headlines!

I just yesterday went through and made a spreadsheet to show what I have on hand and what I need for the projects I'm planning.  Didn't really split it out project by project, or go into much detail.  Just three columns: value/generic name/description, number on hand, number needed for projects.  Works well enough for my on and off hobby level. 

If I was really serious about this - like regularly building to sell - I think I'd use QuickBooks.  It has everything you need for inventory management, cost analysis, purchase orders...  But I don't expect I'll ever get to that point.