Inventory & BOM Management ideas

[peAk]

Of course having a written record of how much I am investing in my hobby may backfire

This is the only thing I DON'T want to know!!!! 

[peAk]

I would also be willing to help keep this up. 

I'm willing to participate, so here are some feature suggestions/issues I see:

1. What I'd like to see is a fairly universal setup to begin with, with a list of all the most common parts we use, including the various brands and types, as well as generic. I'd love to be able to start with a 'blank canvas' and add all the parts I have myself, but then, nothing is universal. To combat this, we should have an open format that as I add a part to the Library (Epcos 50V 2.5mmx7mm 10n Box Film Cap), that part is added to everyone's library. The problem arises if I've added that part, then Josh comes after me and adds this part again, then Brian, and so on. It's either on one person's shoulders to continually update and include new parts, or someone's job to constantly be back checking and making sure no duplicates are added. I see no way to actively combat this. Plus, what about the people who look at the list of various 10nF caps (Epcos, Wima, Kemet, Topmay, Panasonic) and all their various sizes/voltages (2.5mm, 3mm, 5mm/25V, 50V, 63V, 100V, 630V) and then doesn't have a clue how to choose which ones they have. Obviously there should be a generic part (10nF Box Film Cap), but I have 3 different types of 10nF caps...

2. Each item should have the ability to be categorized and tagged so that the database is searchable using key words. Need to narrow the list down from 'resistors' to '1% Metal Film resistors,' that should turn up useable results.

I think you just described the search function (and its challenges) on Mouser.   

I'm not sure that it helps, but for anyone who would be fine with just a spreadsheet, I've attached what I use.  It includes part numbers where I could get them, which makes it really easy to use on Mouser's BOM Import tool that lets you copy paste part numbers then quantities after a space.

I am still looking for a software for inventory control but I just d/l your spreadsheet and this will be great until then. Thanks!

[ecelec]

Thanks for the complete list. I have been looking for such a tool. Finally, three options left for me, PartsinPlace, Ciiva and Aligni.
PartsinPlace is simple to start but lack of features I needed, and too expensive.
Ciiva seems to be a much more professional, and its embedded search engine is quite amazing, provides real-time pricing and stock.
Aligni's price is out of my budget, even several times of PartsinPlace...

Regarding of pricing, I guess no more comments needed...
http://partsinplace.com/pricing/, free version for 1 user and up to 105 units
http://ciiva.com/bill-of-materials-software/subscriptions, free version for 3 users and starts with 3,000 units, up to 10,000 units if you invites friends (like dropbox).
http://www.aligni.com/#signup, no free version, paid version starts at $39 per month, up to 400 units. The ENTERPRISE version costs $199 per month, up to 10,000. What happened if my parts exceed 10,000?

And features:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnTQyJeLrBM&feature=youtube_gdata
http://ciiva.com/bill-of-materials-software/screenshots
http://www.aligni.com/#features