In search of an improved BoM and MRP algorithm

In facing the problem of building a complex yet fast and resource efficient enterprise resource planning (ERP) or extended resource planning (XRP) system the first obstacle is the creation of a bill of materials (BoM) algorithm, which is used to calculate material needs according to the production plan. Taking into consideration different possibilities of BoM implementation, we compared linked lists, tree structure and matrix implementation in relation to algorithm complexity. As we came to the conclusion that none of them suits the needs of modern systems, we proposed a new BoM algorithm called multiple linked list implementation. It combines the advantages of other implementations with a new approach based on two complex data structures used to represent both the data and relationships between products, parts or components used in production.