PartsBox

What is PartsBox

PartsBox is an online software application designed specifically for managing electronic components inventory, purchasing, and production. Its core purpose is to provide a streamlined solution for hardware startups, manufacturers, research and development divisions, and electronics hobbyists to keep track of their parts. The platform helps users know what components they have, where they are stored, and what they can build. It functions as a specialized ERP/MRP (Enterprise Resource Planning/Material Requirements Planning) system tailored to the unique needs of electronics design and manufacturing, aiming to reduce the friction and complexity often associated with general-purpose inventory systems.

PartsBox Features

• Inventory Control: Easily manage stock levels across multiple physical storage locations. You can attach important data like datasheets, 3D CAD models, and supplier information to each part, creating a searchable and instantly accessible database.
• Purchasing Management: Create and manage purchase orders for multiple distributors. The system uses up-to-date pricing information and allows you to set vendor rules to automatically select the best supplier based on your preferences.
• Production and Build Management: Track the entire manufacturing process. You can check if you have enough components to build a certain number of products (buildability), deduct parts from inventory for a build, and manage multi-stage assembly processes. It also supports tracking completed builds as sub-assembly parts.
• Built-in Barcode Scanning: Speed up inventory intake by scanning the barcode on component packaging using a connected scanner or your computer's camera. The system can automatically identify the part, create it if it's new, and prompt you to add the quantity to your stock.
• Substitute and Alternate Parts: Group interchangeable components as 'meta-parts'. This keeps your Bills of Materials (BOMs) flexible, helping to avoid production delays caused by part shortages. The system considers all substitutes when pricing, purchasing, and building projects.
• Lot Control and Traceability: Maintain full traceability from the parts you receive to the final devices you produce. You can track components by distributor lot numbers, allowing you to identify which production batches used specific parts, which is critical for quality control and recalls.
• BOM Pricing: Upload a Bill of Materials (BOM) to get an accurate cost estimate. PartsBox calculates the total cost based on current inventory and real-time pricing from various distributors.

PartsBox Pricing Plans

PartsBox offers several pricing tiers designed to scale with user needs. There is typically a free plan for hobbyists and small-scale use, which includes basic inventory features but has limitations on the number of parts and projects. Paid plans are structured for professionals, teams, and businesses. These higher-tier plans unlock advanced features such as lot control, multi-user access with permissions, increased part limits, API access, and dedicated support. The top-tier plans are aimed at manufacturing companies that require full traceability and comprehensive production management capabilities.

PartsBox Free Plan

PartsBox offers a free plan that is well-suited for hobbyists, students, and individuals with small projects. This plan typically includes core inventory management features for a limited number of unique components. While it allows users to organize and track their parts, it may lack advanced functionalities like lot control, multiple users, and extensive build management found in the paid versions. For users who need more advanced features, PartsBox also provides a free trial of its paid plans, allowing them to test the full capabilities before committing to a subscription.

How to use PartsBox

Getting started with PartsBox is a straightforward process:

1. Sign Up: Create an account on the PartsBox website.
2. Add Parts: Begin populating your inventory. The fastest way is to use the barcode scanning feature. Scan the bag or reel of a component, and PartsBox will often identify it and pre-fill the details. You can also add parts manually.
3. Organize Storage: Define your storage locations, such as 'Shelf A, Bin 01' or 'SMD Reel Rack 3'. Assign each part to its physical location.
4. Create a Project and BOM: Create a new project and upload or manually enter your Bill of Materials (BOM). This lists all the components needed for your electronic device.
5. Check Buildability: PartsBox will compare your BOM against your current inventory and tell you how many units you can build. It will also highlight any missing parts.
6. Manage Purchasing: For any missing components, you can generate a purchase order. The tool helps you compare prices and select vendors.
7. Track Production: When you are ready to manufacture, start a 'Build'. PartsBox will guide you to deduct the necessary components from your inventory, keeping your stock levels accurate.

Pros and Cons of PartsBox

Pros:

• Specialized for Electronics: The entire workflow is designed around electronic components, which is a major advantage over generic inventory software.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is known for being intuitive and easy to learn, reducing the time it takes to get organized.
• Barcode Scanning: This feature significantly speeds up the process of adding new stock and reduces manual data entry errors.
• Scalable Plans: With a free plan for hobbyists and tiered plans for businesses, it can grow with your needs.
• Cloud-Based: Access your inventory data from anywhere without needing to manage your own server.

Cons:

• Internet Dependent: As a cloud-based application, it requires a stable internet connection to function.
• Limited ERP Features: While excellent for component management, it may not replace a full-scale ERP system for businesses that need to manage finances, HR, and other operations.
• Fewer Integrations: It may not have as many direct integrations with other business software compared to larger, more general ERP platforms.

PartsBox integrations

PartsBox is designed to fit into the electronics development workflow and offers integrations to facilitate this. The primary method of integration is through its API, which allows for custom connections to other software.

• KiCad Integration: There is a plugin available for the KiCad EDA software that allows designers to link their schematics and PCB layouts directly with their PartsBox inventory. This helps in checking component availability and pricing during the design phase.
• CSV Import/Export: PartsBox supports importing and exporting data in CSV format, which allows for a manual but effective way to share data with other applications like accounting software or supplier management tools.

PartsBox Alternatives

• Inventree: An open-source inventory management system that is also tailored for electronics. It is highly customizable but requires you to host it on your own server, giving you more control over your data at the cost of more setup and maintenance.
• Ciiva: A cloud-based component management tool that focuses on BOM management and collaboration with design tools. It provides real-time supply chain data and is often used by engineering teams to manage component libraries.
• Aligni: A more comprehensive MRP and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software for electronics manufacturers. It offers more advanced features for purchasing, production, and quoting, making it suitable for larger businesses with more complex needs.
• PartKeepr: Another open-source inventory management tool. It is web-based and requires self-hosting. It offers features like parametric search and stock history tracking, but may require more technical knowledge to set up and maintain compared to PartsBox.

PartsBox API

Yes, PartsBox provides a RESTful API for developers to programmatically interact with their inventory data. The API allows for creating custom integrations, automating workflows, and connecting PartsBox to other software tools used in your business.

API access is typically available on the paid plans. To get started, you would need to generate an API key from within your PartsBox account settings. This key must be included in the headers of your API requests for authentication.

Here is a basic Python example of how to connect to the API to fetch a list of parts:

import requests
import json

# Replace with your actual API key
API_KEY = 'your_api_key_here'

# The API endpoint for listing parts
url = 'https://api.partsbox.com/v1/parts'

headers = {
    'Authorization': f'Bearer {API_KEY}',
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

if response.status_code == 200:
    parts = response.json()
    print(json.dumps(parts, indent=2))
else:
    print(f'Error: {response.status_code}')
    print(response.text)

For detailed information, you should consult the official PartsBox API documentation.

PartsBox Affiliate program

PartsBox does not publicly advertise a formal affiliate or referral program on its website. Companies that offer specialized B2B software like PartsBox often focus on direct sales and partnerships rather than traditional affiliate marketing. However, if you are an influencer, consultant, or business that believes your audience would benefit from PartsBox, it is recommended to contact their sales or support team directly. They may be open to discussing potential partnership opportunities or referral arrangements on a case-by-case basis.