How CanMet Design Streamlined Product Management and Costing with OpenBOM for SolidWorks

Time is money in manufacturing, and for John Cowle of CanMet Design, this reality was a driving force behind their decision to modernize product data management. Engineering and manufacturing teams need tools that simplify data handling, integrate seamlessly into their workflows, and provide instant access to accurate cost information. That’s exactly what CanMet Design achieved when they adopted OpenBOM for SolidWorks.

The Challenge: Managing Product Information and Costing Efficiently

CanMet Design, like many other engineering and manufacturing firms, struggled with the complexity of managing product data. Their process wasn’t just about handling CAD models; it involved tracking a vast amount of additional information—labor costs, assembly steps, paint specifications, and supplier pricing.

For years, they relied on spreadsheets and disconnected databases to manage this data, leading to inefficiencies. Every update required manual adjustments, increasing the risk of errors and consuming valuable time. It became clear that this outdated approach was holding them back, and they needed a solution that could unify their data and provide instant cost calculations without disrupting their workflow.

The Solution: OpenBOM’s Seamless Integration with SolidWorks

When CanMet Design implemented OpenBOM, everything changed. Suddenly, instead of juggling spreadsheets, their engineers could generate and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) directly within SolidWorks. This eliminated the tedious process of switching between different tools, making their workflow much smoother.

Beyond just CAD data, OpenBOM allowed them to capture a complete product definition. They could now track not only the design itself but also every cost-driving element, from labor to finishing materials. With real-time pricing pulled from supplier catalogs, cost calculations became instant and error-free. What once took hours was now done in seconds.

The Impact: Saving Time and Money While Improving Accuracy

With OpenBOM seamlessly embedded in their process, CanMet Design dramatically improved efficiency. The time once wasted on manual data entry and corrections was now redirected toward innovation and production. Costing errors that previously led to unexpected expenses were virtually eliminated, giving them a clearer financial picture at every stage of product development.

Perhaps the most significant change was how different teams—engineering, procurement, and manufacturing—began working in sync. With all product and cost data available in real time, decision-making improved across the board. What started as a need for better cost tracking turned into a company-wide transformation.

Watch the Full Story

Want to see how CanMet Design revolutionized their workflow? Watch John Cowle share his experience:

Time is Money

As John Cowle put it, “Time is money.” Every minute spent on inefficient processes and outdated methods translates into lost revenue. With OpenBOM, CanMet Design streamlined their workflow, eliminated unnecessary costs, and gained confidence in their data. Their story is proof that the right digital tools don’t just save time—they drive real business success.

For more information about Canadian Metal Product and Design – https://canmet.ca/For more information about OpenBOM – http://openbom.com