Automated BOM synchronization between PLM and Epicor manufacturing using REST API

SCM Epicor SCM
, , , , , , , ,
1

We successfully implemented automated BOM synchronization between our PLM system and Epicor SCM 10.2.500 using REST API integration. Previously, engineering changes required manual BOM updates in both systems, creating a 3-5 day lag and frequent discrepancies.

Our solution focuses on three key areas: real-time PLM to ERP BOM integration, REST API automation for change propagation, and engineering change management workflow.

The integration captures engineering changes from PLM and automatically updates BOMs in Epicor:


POST /api/v1/Erp.BO.EngWorkBenchSvc/EngWorkBenches
Authorization: Bearer {token}
{
  "PartNum": "ASSY-1234",
  "RevisionNum": "C",
  "ECOGroupID": "PLM-2025-089"
}

This approach reduced our engineering cycle time from 5 days to under 4 hours while eliminating manual sync errors. Change management now flows seamlessly from design through manufacturing execution.

2

This is exactly what we need! How do you handle the revision control synchronization? Our PLM uses different revision schemes than Epicor’s ECO process. Do you map revisions directly or use a translation layer?

3

How are you managing the timing of BOM updates? Do you push changes immediately when approved in PLM, or batch them during specific windows? We’re concerned about mid-production updates causing material shortages or work order conflicts. Also, does your solution handle effectivity dates for phased component transitions?

4

What’s your error handling strategy when the API calls fail? Network issues, Epicor downtime, or validation errors could leave systems out of sync. Do you maintain a queue with retry logic?

5

Excellent implementation. Let me provide a comprehensive technical breakdown for others looking to replicate this solution.

PLM to ERP BOM Integration Architecture: The solution uses event-driven architecture where PLM change approvals trigger webhooks to middleware. The middleware authenticates with Epicor using OAuth 2.0, then orchestrates the BOM update through multiple REST API endpoints:


// Pseudocode - BOM Sync Implementation:
1. Receive PLM webhook with ECO approval event
2. Query PLM API for complete BOM structure and metadata
3. Authenticate to Epicor REST API (OAuth token refresh)
4. Create ECO Group via EngWorkBenchSvc endpoint
5. Iterate BOM components using PartRev and BOM services
6. Apply effectivity dates and revision controls
7. Validate material availability via PartWhse checks
8. Commit transaction or rollback on validation failure
9. Update sync status table with transaction ID
// Reference: Epicor REST API Guide v10.2.500 Section 8

REST API Automation Details: Authentication uses service accounts with restricted permissions (BOM write, ECO create only). The middleware caches tokens for 50 minutes (10-minute buffer before 60-minute expiration). Rate limiting implements 100 requests per minute with circuit breaker pattern opening after 5 consecutive failures.

BOM structure synchronization handles multi-level assemblies by processing parent-child relationships recursively. The API calls include: GetByID for existing part validation, CheckRevision for duplicate prevention, Update for component quantities, and ECOGroupAttch for attaching engineering documents from PLM.

Engineering Change Management Workflow: The integration maintains full audit trails by linking PLM ECO numbers to Epicor ECO groups. Change notifications flow bidirectionally - Epicor production comments sync back to PLM for engineering visibility. We implemented approval gates where manufacturing must acknowledge high-impact changes before they become effective.

Effectivity date handling supports multiple scenarios: immediate replacement (effectivity = today), phased transition (overlapping effectivity with quantity phase-out), and future dated (effectivity = production start date). The system automatically calculates material requirements for the transition period.

Performance Metrics: Post-implementation, we’ve achieved 99.7% sync success rate with average propagation time of 2.3 minutes for standard changes. Engineering cycle time reduced from 5 days to 3.8 hours. BOM accuracy improved from 94% to 99.8%, eliminating production delays from incorrect material pulls.

Key Implementation Recommendations:

  1. Start with read-only integration to validate data mapping before enabling writes
  2. Implement comprehensive logging at middleware layer for troubleshooting
  3. Build reconciliation dashboards showing sync status in real-time
  4. Create rollback procedures for emergency BOM restoration
  5. Test thoroughly with historical ECO data before going live
  6. Train engineering and production teams on the new workflow

The solution scales to handle 200+ ECOs monthly with minimal manual intervention. Would be happy to discuss specific API endpoint configurations or error handling patterns in more detail.

6

Great question. We implemented a translation layer in our middleware that maps PLM revision schemes to Epicor’s ECO groups. The mapping table handles different revision formats (alpha, numeric, combined) and ensures compliance with both systems’ rules. This prevents conflicts when PLM uses formats like ‘Rev A.1’ while Epicor expects ‘A01’. The middleware also validates that the target revision doesn’t already exist in Epicor before initiating the sync.