# BOM Management

## How to Compare two BOMs

| ### What to do:
| In this example you will compare the BOMs of two items which are almost identical. You will see how differences in one position and different position numbers can be distinguished. To help demonstrate clearly how the BOM comparison function operates, the item ART-1000 Ball Pen will first be changed before the comparison is carried out.
| Select Start > Items. The Item mask is opened.
| Search for ART-1000 Ball Pen.
| Select the BOM tab.
| Delete the items ART-1300 Spring and ART-1400 Refill .
| Select List from the context menu. The Items list is opened.
| Select ART-6000 Ball Pen and simultaneously ART-1000 Ball Pen. Both records should be selected.
| Select Structure > Comparison of BOMs from the context menu. The Comparison of positions in BOM list is displayed.
| The BOM positions are arranged below each other for comparison. Every item at the same level is compared and displayed with A and B. The difference between two items at the same level is entered in the Difference field.
| All BOM comparisons are saved and be viewed from the menu Start > Bill of Materials > BOM Comparison.