In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Jonathan Scott and Juliann Grant sit down with Oleg Shilovitsky, CEO and co-founder of OpenBOM, for a candid conversation about why so many engineering and manufacturing companies struggle with product data—and what they can do differently. Oleg breaks down the realities of managing product structure, BOMs, and cross-system data flow, and explains why connecting these elements early is essential for companies trying to scale.

The team explores the cultural, technical, and process-driven challenges organizations face when they attempt to modernize their digital infrastructure—especially when legacy tools, disconnected databases, and informal workflows get in the way.

Discussed In This Episode

The Product Data Gap:

Why companies often underestimate the complexity of product information—and how this gap causes friction between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement.

Document-Centric vs. Data-Centric Thinking:

Oleg explains why traditional document-driven approaches fall short and how a shift to connected, granular data changes everything.

BOM Management Reality Check:

Why spreadsheets still dominate BOM management, when they break down, and how to transition to structured, traceable product data.

Connecting Systems, Not Just Software:

The pitfalls of building tools in isolation and why establishing a shared “system of product truth” prevents downstream chaos.

Cultural and Organizational Resistance:

Why digital transformation isn’t just a tooling problem—it’s a mindset challenge across teams who have “always done it this way.”

Scalability and Supply Chain Insight:

How connected product data improves visibility, reduces surprises, and helps companies navigate supply chain complexity.

Key Takeaways

• Product information isn’t just CAD files—it’s a living structure that must stay connected across the entire company.

• Moving from documents to data creates clarity, consistency, and the ability to scale.

• Spreadsheets may feel convenient, but they break under pressure as products grow more complex.

• A unified view of product structure strengthens communication between engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.

• True digital transformation only sticks when the organization aligns culturally—not just technologically.

Notable Quote

“You can build the best software in the world, but if the data is disconnected, nothing works. The magic happens when all the pieces come together.” — Oleg Shilovitsky

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