Electronic Parts Management Software - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 27, 2019, 03:40:47 pm
content: I'm looking for a good affordable Electronic Parts Inventory Management Software. I've been looking at Bomist, PartsBox, and Parts in Place. Has anyone used any of these, what are thye Pros & Cons, and what one would you recommend. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2019, 01:15:04 pm
content: Hi 'newbie' !! Sorry you had no replies for your very 1st post !!...I thought I found a great alternative, that is Open-Source and totally free !....However, I finally found out it isUnix/Linuxbased, and not for Windows.In case anyone is interested, it is called... "PartKeepr" (https://www.partkeepr.org)It does everything you wanted, (like PartsBox) and more !It even interfaces via a free API account tohttps://octopart.com, where you can haveauto links to all components specs/datasheets/images etc, from within the system !!(https://octopart.com/api/home)Hope you have a good day, all the same. Your questions are as important as any!!

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 28, 2019, 08:24:10 pm
content: Your reply is very much appreciated, thank you for helping out a NEWBIE to the forum. It makes me feel most welcome. I'm in the process of evaluating several Electronic Parts Management Systems. I'm trying to get Partkeepr to run on my Hosted Server, no luck yet. I've also tried running it on easyPHP DevServer, still no luck. I'm entertaining setting up my own Linux server again, and trying it out on it. I presently run both Windows 10 and Linux on my computer. I can boot into either OS. I'm running Linux Mint and Ubuntu, and have an additional partition that I can run a server on. Thanks again for your help it was much appreciated.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2019, 09:53:53 pm
content: No problem, you can run any Linux based software on windows, it's easy and coolhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 02:18:57 am
content: Thank You for the suggestion, and the link. I thought about doing just that. I do however have Linux already installed as a dual boot option, and of course I could run it on a Virtual Machine also. Again thank you for your reply, I really appreciate your response.

author: ADJohnson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 10:43:23 am
content: Good question and one I’m interested in hearing the answers too. At the moment I just use Excel but it has rapidly failed to scale!

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 02:12:42 pm
content: I too have been using Excell for quite along time. It seems a lot of us do. It unfortunately lacks all the bells and whistles that I need.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 09:02:12 pm
content: Quote from: SherlockOHMS Ω on September 27, 2019, 03:40:47 pmAsked several times, for examplehere, but honestly there has not been one perfect solution. A lot depends on your needs, and that's hard to define sometimes.

author: packetbob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2019, 03:04:59 am
content: I use Partsbox (https://partsbox.io/) and am very happy with it..I'm a hobbyist so just being to see if I have a part (and then actually be able to find it) is enough for me...There is the tradeoff of it being cloud based but it also saves me the hassle of running a server for it....

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 01, 2019, 03:23:51 am
content: Thanks Your Response,I'm in the process of evaluating PartsBox. It however lacks some features and other features are available buy subscription only which is more than I want to pay either monthly, or annually.

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 01, 2019, 04:07:39 am
content: Thank you for your response. The link to past posts was quite helpful.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2019, 10:53:02 am
content: Hi againSherlockOHMS....Just wondering if you had any luck finally, with the 'Partkeepr' package I suggested??(I know you said you were trying a few options with it's utilization, without success).From 'NOW' sunny Western Australia...

author: SherlockOHMS Ω
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 13, 2019, 08:26:02 pm
content: No could not get it up and running. I've since given up Partkeepr has discontinued its upkeep about a year ago. I've played around with PartsBox, but does not satisfy my needs. I am doing my own for now on Access, but not thrilled with that either. Thanks for following up on this.

author: jastreb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2019, 02:16:00 am
content: I tried partsbox, and while i like it, I do miss features not available in free version.I don't mind paying some money but the plans available are too expensive for me. Partkeepr is no longer maintained and developed and i believe the lookups to octopart are now broken.I am now trying excel and octopart add-in. I would also love to know if there is any better alternatives.

author: msr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 05:49:27 pm
content: Hi!I noticed that BOMIST was referenced in the post.Just wanted to share that it was re-written from scratch and it was just released.You might want to give it a try:https://bomist.comIt's now cross platform and I'd say the FREE plan is quite generous:* local database (you can use it offline and sync with other computers if you put it on a Dropbox folder for ex)* you can manage parts, BOMs, purchasing, storage locations* you can attach as many documents as you want to everything* export every table into CSV, JSON, HTML or PDF* write notes in markdown(disclaimer: BOMIST's developer here)I'd love to know what you think and if you have any suggestions they are more than welcome!

author: myval
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2020, 01:40:42 pm
content: Hi msr,I have used BOMIST for few hours now and I might have few suggestions already.Definitely number one is to get rid of manufacturer and manufacturer partnumber as required field, I have been trying to add whole bunch of resistors and SMD caps and inventing PN for each component is serious waste of time. it is fine when you add parts you just purchased and are new in a bag with part number but what you have already in stock might or most like will not have this luxury.Change theme I don't know if it is only me but these gray letters on black are not doing too good to my old eyes.Nice feature would be bulk add that would be a dream. Eg you want to add 50 different resistor values and you be only typing in values how fast would that be (since it is bulk add they are all resistors they all should go in the same location......Speaking of storage location that should be there when you add part. Adding part -> assign location -> quantity, boom you are done and don't have to jump through few screens to assign location and quantities and .....Otherwise looks like a tool with a lot of potential.ThanksJosef

author: myval
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2020, 04:54:32 pm
content: and import does not import tolerance and label.I have tried import with manufacturer empty and it did not import but I did not even get any message that it failed or what actually happened.I will be back with more

author: myval
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2020, 05:55:55 pm
content: bit moreall my imported capacitors are now in Ω, now I have to go through it one by one and change Ω into Foh yeah sort order be nice bit more refined as in 1Ω .... 999Ω, 1k .... 999k separate F and Ω and so onin filters is manufacturer missing (required field and can not filter by it)that is about it for today I think

author: FlexDex
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 21, 2020, 01:08:56 am
content: I'm currently using MiniMRP (https://www.minimrp.com/), it's also good for assemblies as well

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2020, 01:51:29 am
content: Quote from: SherlockOHMS Ω on October 13, 2019, 08:26:02 pmI use Access for this kind of stuff too, you can customize it 100% to your needs - the only downside is the work involved in doing that...

author: brichards42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2020, 02:30:46 am
content: I originally used PartKeepr but gave up when the development stopped.I am now using Tryton (www.tryton.org). It is a full ERP system and way more than I need but I don't use any of it's other features, just the Product/variant to keep track of parts, datasheets and locations.I went with Tryton because it is full open source and also has definable attributes to store and search information like ohms, capacitance, description etc.Downside is the documentation is not that great and it took a while to get it working like I wanted.

author: myval
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2020, 03:08:22 pm
content: Hey,thank you for the tip. Tryton looks very good but how the hell did you manage to get it setup? How did you decipher how and what to do in the setup process?Do you have any pointers? I only need parts store with locations I kind of can get that (I think), projects I am working on and the link in between them.I have been trying to work out how to do the import of my existing database into it and I failed there too.Thank you for any pointersJosef

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2025, 12:27:57 pm
content: Quote from: Robert Wilson on March 07, 2025, 10:57:16 amAh yes... the classic using AI for 7 years when the widespread commercial offering has been around for 4!!Also... first post... and already sales pitching.... for a 6 year old thread....

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 09:02:15 am
content: In the US Army I was trained in stock management and had the responsibility of running two facilities of repair parts. At that time, Vietnam War, 1960s, one of those facilities used a card file system and the other did have a computer. While being in charge of each of these facilities, I did not have any choice or much voice in how they were organized. Those decisions were pretty much made on an army wide basis. But, of course, I learned a lot from the experiences.After that I have had to organize the shop stock at several places of civilian employment as well as my present shop stock. In all these cases there has been a somewhat large number of items that had to be stored and more important, be retrieved in an efficient manner when needed. Also, in all of these situations this task was subordinate to my main responsibilities which included system design, installation, and repairs. So they had to be handled in an efficient manner. I have developed a philosophy that seems to help. Here it is, for better or worse.1. The only one where a computer system was used was the larger of the US Army facilities that I ran. I believe the biggest reason for using a computer there was it's integration in the larger, world wide logistics system that was needed for that large organization. The local storage and location requirements could have easily been handled without that computer. Over the years of my civilian career I had not seen any advantage for using a computerized system. In fact, such a system would have required one or more additional employees to set up and maintain: this was validated by the need for extra staff in that Army facility. In my humble opinion that need would not be decreased by any modern computer or software. The basic operations would still require the input of information on each item stored and the routine changes in the level of that stock. While a grocery store or places like Walmart, etc. can rely on things like product ID codes that can be easily and quickly scanned when the item is added to or taken away from stock; things like resistors, ICs, and other common parts in electronic storage facilities do not have such scan-able codes on each part. So the work remains very much manual. This has and still does guide my philosophy on this subject.2. To the greatest extent possible, I let the storage bins themselves provide the organization. If you can go directly to the storage location by just knowing the generic or propriety part number, then that is all that is really needed. The biggest problem with this is it is impossible to leave enough shelf or bin spaces for every possible part number. So parts must often be moved to make space for new arrivals. A strategy for new arrivals is a necessity. More on that below.3. Parts can be any size from almost invisible to assemblies that take up one or more cubic feet; AKA a foot or even more shelf space. It is not practical to have storage for very small parts mixed with storage for very large ones. Therefore my first division of storage locations is based on the part's size. In today's world that could mean two, three, four, or even more storage areas and systems. In my present, personal shop I have very small parts stored in binders, larger ones in plastic drawers in small cabinets, medium sized ones in shelf bin boxes, and the very large ones just sit on shelves. I like to use standardized shelves (nominally 12" or 300mm deep) to hold all of the above. The binders sit vertically on a shelf. The cabinets with plastic bins also sit on shelves with wider vertical spacing. The bin boxes are a nominal 12"/300mm deep and also sit on shelves. There are subdivisions in all of these: binders have pages and multiple items on a page, plastic drawers can be divided with the plastic dividers normally provided with them, and the 12" deep bin boxes can be subdivided with both spacers and the smaller mini-bins sold by a number of sources. In some cases I even use plastic bottles to subdivide the shelf bins or the mini-bins which are inside the shelf bins.4. I like to be able to see the contents of a location to the greatest degree possible. Clear plastic is a great help for this.5. In a self organizing system, new arrivals must be placed in proper alpha-numeric order. The labels on the storage locations are a KEY component for this. If the label is difficult to move or if it must be completely replaced when a part is moved, then that move, in many cases, will not be made and the self organization will gradually disintegrate with new parts being placed out of order because time was not available to do it right. Self adhesive labels are only placed on containers that WILL move with the part. This means that they are never used on containers that hold multiple parts. So a plastic bottle that holds one and only one size and type of screws will have an adhesive label (I use round ones on the caps). But the mini-bin or shelf bin that the plastic bottles are in does not have a adhesive label or, at least not a permanent one. For parts in different subdivisions of clear plastic drawers I use simple rectangles of card stock, folded into an L shape. They cover the bottom and the back of each subdivision in the drawer and the parts sit on them. Then, if a new part must go between two existing ones, the card is simply lifted with the parts on it and placed in it's new location. In a system like this it is a good idea to leave spare subdivisions in each drawer or bin box and to also leave empty drawers or bin boxes on the shelf in anticipation of new arrivals.6. Generic parts and OEM/proprietary parts are stored in different locations.7. OEM/proprietary parts are first subdivided by the name of the manufacturer. Manufacturers are arranged alpha-numerically. And then they are stored by that manufacturer's part number. Of course, each manufacturer would have it's own area within the areas for different sizes of parts. If only a few parts from an OEM are anticipated then the smaller ones can be stored in the area for larger parts: this can waste a bit of space, but may be more advantageous for other reasons.8. A recent discovery that I made is the "bead boxes" sold in arts and crafts stores. They have a considerable number (24?) of small, round containers with screw tops. These are in a clear plastic outer box that is only about 1" (25mm) high. With both being clear plastic it is very easy to see the contents of the containers within the box. I have made trapezoidal labels from card stock (computer printed) that fit with friction inside the clear container tops. These labels only cover about half of the container top so the contents are still easily visible. One of these "bead boxes" with at least 24 small parts in it can be stood on edge on a standard, 12" shelf so it only takes up about one linear inch of shelf space. And a card stock label can be placed inside the box at one end so the contents are known as it sits on the shelf. These make excellent storage containers for small screws (<= #3 or <= 1mm) and surface mount components.If a system like this is properly implemented the parts can be very easily found when needed. In a shop with a number of people using the parts inventory control could be a problem. However a re-order point could be incorporated on the label for each part and when someone sees that point has been reached, the proper person can be alerted and more can be ordered.I believe a self organizing system like this is a lot more likely to actually be used. And to continue to be used properly. Don't get me wrong, I love computers but a computer based system will take a lot more human time to keep up to date. At least that is my experience from a number of parts storage systems.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:51:51 am
content: There's a few open source ones as well:PartPilot:https://github.com/PartPilotLab/PartPilotInvenTree:https://inventree.orgPart-DB:https://docs.part-db.de

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 12:43:31 pm
content: Quote from: EPAIII on March 10, 2025, 09:02:15 amThanks for taking the time and effort to document your experiences. Since they largely mirror myamateurexperiences, I largely agree. I'll emphasise the need for it to be easy + simple + flexible, in the context of your pragmatic assessment of how humansfail. (Aphorism: amateurs concentrate on how things work, professionals concentrate on how things fail).My system has been shaped by two influences:RW Jones (head of scientific intelligence in WW2, author of theexcellent"Most Secret War"/"Wizard War". He had to keep track of large numbers of snippets of intelligence, to try to form them into a coherent pattern, e.g. discovering The Beams and V1/V2 and more. His filing system consisted of a large number of cardboard boxes, and he relied on remembering where snippets were. He tried more formal systems, but they failed.the Dewey Decimal classifications for library booksI'll note that, as with almost all hierarchical classifications and filing systems, the major benefit is that you can quickly determine where a componentisn't. That allows you to concentrate on thesmallnumber of places where it ought to be. Thus, a library book on house roofing might be in "DIY" or "Architecture" or "Houses", but wouldn't be in "Electronics" or "Cars".Hence I keep re-capping capacitors in plastic bags in half a dozen small drawers marked "recapping caps". I regularly move individual plastic bags between drawers, but not into drawers marked "power resisters", doh.I tend to label small drawers with an "electronic Dymo"; if helpful, plastic bags might have a handwritten label on a scrap of paper. E.g. recapping capacitors only have the µF and V marked; for anything else I just look at the part through the bag.I keep sub-assemblies and small components (e.g. evaluation boards, RF attenuators, projects) in two sizes of small plasticcuboid(not trapezoidal!) "lunch" boxes with handwritten label visible through the sides, and stacked on a shelf.As for computer software? That's limited to re-reading emails about orders I placed previously. Amateurs can get away with a lot!