How to Easily Visualize and Edit Complex BOMs in Business Central

Managing multi-level Bills of Materials (BOMs) in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can be tedious—especially when production planners and engineers are forced to jump between item cards, certified BOMs, and supply-demand reports just to answer a simple question: Can we build this thing or not?

That’s where the Multi-Level BOM Viewer from Insight Works comes in. Built specifically for Business Central users in manufacturing, this app lets you visualize entire BOM hierarchies, edit on the fly, and check real-time material availability—all from one screen.

Let’s walk through how it works and why your team will thank you.

See the Full Picture: Hierarchical BOM Visualization

Instead of flipping between item cards and structure views, the Multi-Level BOM Viewer presents your entire production BOM in one screen—complete with demand, availability, and supply planning details.

You can view it in a traditional table…

BOM Overview & Planning
Standard table view of a multi-level BOM including nested Production BOMs and components.

…or switch to a graphical diagram for a clean visual hierarchy that’s accessible to anyone—not just engineers.

Visual Multi-Level BOM Diagram
Visual Multi-Level BOM diagram makes it easy to spot shortages, structure relationships, and component groupings at a glance.

Edit on the Fly—No Red Tape

Business Central typically forces users through multiple steps to edit a BOM: set it to under development, locate the item, make the change, recertify, and hope nothing breaks.

With Multi-Level BOM Viewer, you skip the drama.

Just click Edit Line…

Inline BOM Editing
Inline edit window lets you change quantity, type (e.g., convert to phantom or production BOM), routing links, and more.

Need to convert an item into a phantom BOM? Or change routing codes for a subassembly? You can do that directly from the viewer—no need to chase down the original BOM or switch screens.

Real-Time Supply-Demand Insights at Your Fingertips

One of the standout features is the real-time feasibility check. As you enter a required quantity, the viewer instantly recalculates supply, demand, and net availability—making shortage analysis proactive, not reactive.

Supply & Demand Insights
Shortages are highlighted in red, so you know exactly where your production is at risk—down to the component.

You’ll know immediately whether you have enough inventory or where you’ll need to purchase, manufacture, or substitute.

Drill Down Without Losing Context

If you need to explore a specific Production BOM, click Show Card to open it—without leaving your current context.

BOM Management
Detailed view of “Chain assy” sub-BOM lets you review components without disrupting your workflow.

It’s the perfect way to investigate and update subassemblies, all while keeping the big picture in view.

 

Why You’ll Want This App in Your Toolbox

Sure, the features are slick—but here’s where the Multi-Level BOM Viewer really delivers value:

Benefits

  • Save time: No more jumping through screens or hunting for nested BOMs.
  • Reduce errors: Edit directly where it matters and avoid misaligned updates.
  • Stay proactive: Real-time availability insights mean fewer surprises on the shop floor.
  • Collaborate better: Visual diagrams make it easier for purchasing, QA, and planning teams to get aligned.
  • Plan smarter: Export BOM data to Excel for costing and forecasting, using the tools your team already knows.

Get Started Today

The Multi-Level BOM Viewer is available as part of the Enhanced Planning Pack and is fully integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. If you’re a manufacturer struggling with BOM visibility, flexibility, or planning, this is the app to check out.