In the world of AV system integration, a detailed and accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) is essential for every successful project. From quoting costs to procuring equipment and planning installations, the BOM plays a vital role in the overall efficiency and profitability of an AV project. However, manually creating a BOM can be time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to scale — especially for complex or multi-room installations. That’s where AI AV design software steps in to revolutionize the process.

At the forefront of this transformation is XTEN-AV, an advanced AI-powered platform designed specifically for AV professionals. XTEN-AV enables users to automatically generate complete, accurate BOMs directly from their system designs. By eliminating manual data entry and integrating intelligent automation, XTEN-AV makes the entire workflow faster, more precise, and easier to manage — saving time and reducing costly mistakes.

In this blog, we will explore how to generate a professional AV BOM using AI, the benefits of automation, and why XTEN-AV is the best tool to do it.

What Is an AV Bill of Materials?

An AV Bill of Materials (BOM) is a comprehensive list of all the components, devices, cables, and accessories needed for an audiovisual system installation. A typical BOM includes:

• Product names and descriptions

• Part numbers or SKUs

• Quantities

• Manufacturer details

• Pricing (optional)

• Notes or specifications

The BOM ensures that the design can be implemented correctly, that the client understands the cost breakdown, and that the procurement team knows exactly what to order.

Challenges of Manual BOM Creation

Creating a BOM manually might seem manageable for small projects. However, as systems grow in size and complexity, the process becomes tedious and risky. Here are some common challenges:

• Human errors in product selection or quantity

• Inconsistent formatting across documents

• Outdated product information

• Difficulty updating BOMs when designs change

• Lack of integration between design and documentation

These challenges can lead to incorrect orders, project delays, budget overruns, and dissatisfied clients.

This is where AI AV design software like XTEN-AV makes a huge impact.

XTEN-AV: The Best Tool for Automated AV BOM Generation

XTEN-AV is a cloud-based platform built to streamline AV system design, documentation, and management. Using AI-powered automation, XTEN-AV allows users to generate a complete and accurate BOM directly from their AV designs — with zero manual entry.

Let’s walk through how you can use XTEN-AV to automatically generate a BOM for your AV project.

Step 1: Design Your AV System

Start by designing your AV system within XTEN-AV using its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The platform offers a vast database of real-world AV products from leading manufacturers, including:

• Displays

• Audio processors and DSPs

• Amplifiers and loudspeakers

• Control systems

• Cables and accessories

As you build the system, the software tracks every component and connection in the background. Because XTEN-AV is AI-powered, it also suggests compatible devices and warns about technical mismatches — ensuring your BOM reflects a functional and optimized design.

Step 2: Let the AI Engine Do the Work

Once your design is complete, the real power of AI kicks in. XTEN-AV’s intelligent engine analyzes the entire layout and automatically compiles a detailed Bill of Materials.

The AI determines:

• Exact quantities of each item

• Correct part numbers and descriptions

• Any dependent accessories or mounting hardware

• Cabling lengths and types (based on system routing)

There’s no need to re-enter data, search for spec sheets, or worry about duplicate entries. The AI takes care of everything for you.

Step 3: Review and Customize the BOM

After the BOM is generated, you can review and customize it directly within the XTEN-AV platform. Options include:

• Editing item descriptions or adding notes

• Adjusting quantities (if necessary)

• Including or excluding pricing

• Sorting items by type, zone, or manufacturer

This flexibility ensures that the final BOM matches your client’s expectations and aligns with your company’s documentation standards.

Step 4: Export or Share the BOM

Once finalized, XTEN-AV lets you export the BOM in various formats including:

• PDF (for client presentations)

• Excel (for procurement teams)

• CSV (for integration with ERP systems)

You can also share the BOM directly through the platform with clients, team members, or vendors using cloud-based collaboration tools. Since the BOM is always synced with your design, any changes to the layout are instantly reflected in the documentation.

Step 5: Generate a Complete Proposal Package

In addition to the BOM, XTEN-AV can generate a full proposal package that includes:

• System schematics

• Signal flow diagrams

• Scope of work

• Rack layouts

• Client-ready cover sheets and branding

All documents are auto-generated from your project data, saving time and ensuring a professional presentation.

Benefits of Using AI for BOM Generation

Here are some of the biggest advantages of using AI AV design software like XTEN-AV to automate your Bill of Materials:

1. Accuracy

The AI ensures all items match your design and flags any inconsistencies, reducing costly errors.

2. Time Savings

What used to take hours now takes minutes — freeing up your team to focus on other project tasks.

3. Live Product Data

With integrated manufacturer databases, you’re always working with the latest specs and part numbers.

4. Version Control

No more managing multiple document versions. The BOM updates automatically with every design change.

5. Professional Output

Create polished, branded documentation that impresses clients and speeds up approvals.

Real-World Example: Multi-Zone Hotel AV System

Imagine you're designing an AV system for a luxury hotel with 10 zones — including conference rooms, lobbies, a ballroom, and outdoor areas. Each zone has unique audio and video requirements.

With XTEN-AV, you can:

• Build all 10 zones in a single project

• Let AI track and compile components per zone

• Generate a zone-wise BOM with one click

• Export the full materials list and proposal package

• Present it to the client with confidence

This streamlined process would be nearly impossible to manage manually in a tight timeframe.

Conclusion

Generating a Bill of Materials is one of the most important — and often most frustrating — parts of an AV project. With the rise of AI AV design software, professionals now have the tools to automate this process and elevate their workflows.

XTEN-AV is the go-to platform for AV integrators, consultants, and designers who want to produce fast, accurate, and professional BOMs directly from their system layouts. By eliminating manual entry, reducing errors, and syncing documentation with live design data, XTEN-AV makes BOM generation effortless and reliable.

If you're ready to take your AV design process to the next level, start using AI AV design software like XTEN-AV and experience the future of automated project documentation.

Read more: https://repurtech.com/how-to-use-ai-to-automate-your-av-system-layout/