Introduction
In both software and hardware development, keeping track of the parts, dependencies, and revisions that make up your product is no small task. Software engineers rely on Software Configuration Management (SCM) systems to track changes, manage dependencies, and maintain a reliable history of their code. Hardware engineers, freelancers, startups, and hobbyists face a similar challenge – but instead of managing code, they manage bills of materials (BOMs), component sourcing, and revision histories for physical products.
Unfortunately, the tools available to hardware engineers are often ill-suited to the problem. On one end of the spectrum lies Excel spreadsheets – simple but fragile, error-prone, and quickly overwhelmed as projects scale. On the other end are full-featured Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) systems – powerful, but bloated with features that most small teams never use, leaving them expensive and unnecessarily complex.
Enter LabradorLabs SCM: a focused, bill-of-materials-first solution built by hardware engineers, for hardware engineers. It bridges the gap between simplistic spreadsheets and overly complicated enterprise PLM systems. LabradorLabs SCM keeps things simple, affordable, and practical, while still integrating with modern tools like Google Drive and Mouser for real-world efficiency.
This post explores:
- What SCM is and how it relates to hardware development.
- The role of open-source SCM solutions.
- Why open-source alone often isn’t enough.
- How LabradorLabs SCM provides a right-sized solution for small-to-mid-scale hardware projects.
- Why focusing on BOM, sourcing, and revision control matters most.
What is SCM?
Software Configuration Management (SCM) refers to the practice of systematically managing and tracking changes to software artifacts over time. In software, SCM tools like Git, Subversion, or Mercurial handle this by recording who made what changes, when they were made, and why.
But SCM principles extend beyond software:
- In hardware engineering, SCM translates to tracking parts, revisions, and sourcing.
- Instead of managing code, hardware engineers manage components, suppliers, manufacturer part numbers (MPNs), and BOM revisions.
- A good hardware SCM system answers: What parts are we using? Where can we source them? How do revisions affect costs and availability?
In short: SCM ensures that whether you’re building software or hardware, you have a single source of truth for what makes up your product.
Open Source SCM: Strengths and Limitations
Open source SCM solutions have revolutionized software development. Git, for instance, is the backbone of nearly every software project today. For BOM management, open-source tools also exist – but they often fall short for professional workflows.
Benefits of Open Source SCM:
- Free to use: Ideal for hobbyists and budget-conscious teams.
- Customizable: Developers can modify tools to suit their needs.
- Community-driven innovation: Improvements often come from widespread use.
Limitations:
- Lack of support: No dedicated help when something goes wrong.
- Inconsistent updates: Many projects stagnate, leaving users with outdated tools.
- Not tailored to hardware workflows: Most open-source SCM tools are software-focused, not hardware/BOM-focused.
- Steep learning curve: Power often comes at the cost of complexity.
For small teams building physical products, these limitations matter. Unlike large software teams with DevOps resources, hardware engineers need tools that just work – without days of setup or ongoing maintenance.
BOMs, SBOMs, and Why They Matter
In software, the rise of Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) has underscored the importance of knowing exactly what goes into your product. SBOMs list dependencies, versions, and licenses – critical for security, compliance, and maintainability.
In hardware, the equivalent is the Bill of Materials (BOM):
- A BOM lists every component in your design.
- It includes manufacturer part numbers, sourcing options, and costs.
- Like SBOMs, BOMs act as the source of truth for what goes into your final product.
The parallels are clear:
- Software BOMs: Ensure security, compliance, and reliable builds.
- Hardware BOMs: Ensure cost control, sourcing reliability, and consistent production.
Both are essential for scaling from prototype to production.
Why PLM Tools Are Overkill
Many teams default to PLM or PDM tools for managing BOMs and revisions. These tools promise end-to-end lifecycle management – from design to compliance to manufacturing. But in reality:
- Too many features: Most PLM tools cover dozens of workflows unrelated to BOM management.
- Artificial complexity: Simple tasks like adding a new part or updating sourcing become buried under unnecessary steps.
- Cost-prohibitive: Enterprise licenses run into the tens (or hundreds) of thousands – completely out of reach for hobbyists, startups, or freelancers.
In practice, many teams end up paying for functionality they never use, while struggling to bend the system to their actual workflow.
Why Excel Fails as a BOM Tool
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Excel. While nearly every engineer has used spreadsheets for BOMs, they come with well-known pitfalls:
- Error-prone: A single typo can break formulas or misrepresent costs.
- No revision control: Tracking BOM changes across versions quickly becomes chaotic.
- No integrations: Excel doesn’t automatically pull sourcing data or part availability.
- Scaling issues: Managing a handful of parts is fine, but hundreds or thousands become unmanageable.
Excel works for prototypes – but it quickly collapses under the weight of production needs.
LabradorLabs SCM: The Right-Sized Solution
LabradorLabs SCM was born out of this frustration. Excel wasn‘t enough, and PLM/PDM was too much. What engineers needed was something in between:
Core Features:
- Bill of Materials Management: Centralize all your libraries and third-parties in one place.
- Automatic Enumeration: A scalable, structured enumeration that grows with your projects.
- Multi-Supplier Support: Add suppliers, sources, and references to used versions.
- Revision Control: Keep clean, traceable records of changes across BOM versions.
- Google Drive Integration: Share, store, and access BOMs instantly in the cloud.
Built by Engineers, for Engineers
Unlike generic PLM tools designed by software vendors, LabradorLabs SCM was designed by engineers who live the problem. Every feature was chosen with practical workflows in mind.
Right-Sized for Startups, Freelancers, and Hobbyists
- Affordable: Without bloated PLM pricing.
- Simple: Focuses on what matters – BOM, sourcing, and revisions.
- Scalable: Handles complexity as your project grows, without unnecessary overhead.
Why LabradorLabs SCM Stands Out
To summarize:
- Open-source tools are valuable but unsupported and often software-centric.
- PLM systems are bloated, expensive, and overly complex.
- Excel is simple but fragile and unscalable.
LabradorLabs SCM provides the middle ground:
- Simple, affordable, and focused.
- Built specifically for hardware BOM management.
- Integrated with modern workflows (Google Drive, Mouser).
- Tailored to the needs of startups, freelancers, and hobbyists.
It’s not about reinventing PLM – it’s about focusing on what matters most.
Managing bills of materials is at the heart of every project. Whether you’re a startup bringing a new product to market, a freelancer balancing multiple client projects, or a hobbyist designing your next big idea, you need a tool that is simple, reliable, and built for your workflow.
Excel wasn’t enough. PLM was too much. LabradorLabs SCM is just right.
With a clear focus on BOMs, sourcing, and revisions, LabradorLabs SCM delivers what hardware engineers actually need – without the unnecessary overhead.
All of your parts. Organized. In one place.