Introduction 

StrataVAR Partner Quoting Workspace (PqW) allows users to import Bills of Materials (BoMs) using external files when vendor or distributor API integrations are not available.

This article explains how to import BoMs into PqW using Excel or PDF files, including what to verify after import to ensure the data is ready for quoting.

Why This Is Needed & Where It Fits in the User Journey

Not all vendors or suppliers provide API integrations.
File-based BoM import enables users to:

• Handle non-integrated vendors or suppliers
• Import BoMs received via email or offline channels
• Support one-time or ad-hoc quoting scenarios

This step typically occurs after launching PqW and before adding BoMs or BoM items to a Quote.

When to Use File-Based BoM Import

Use this method when:

• The vendor or supplier does not support API integration
• The BoM is provided as an Excel or PDF document
• Manual validation of imported data is acceptable

Typical scenarios include:

• Third-party or niche vendors
• Partner-provided pricing sheets
• Legacy or customer-specific BoMs

Supported File Types

PqW typically supports the following file formats:

• Excel: CSV, XLS, XLSX
• PDF

Prerequisites

Before importing a BoM via file, ensure that:

• You have access to Salesforce and PqW
• The BoM file is available locally on your system

Step-by-Step: Importing a BoM via External File

File Type- Excel

Step 1: Open Opportunity/ Project Detail Page

• Log in to your Salesforce org.
• Navigate to the relevant Opportunity under account

• Click on Import BoM  button to open import window.

Alternatively, for non Salesforce user, you can go to Project tab after login and click on import.

Step 2: Select File-Based Import as the Source

In the Import BoM screen

• Choose File Import in the Mode of Import dropdown.

• In BoM Type, the default value of Disti BoM is selected. Click on Continue to proceed with import.

Step 3: Upload the BoM File

On the Import Disti BoM screen, complete the required inputs:

• Is Renewal: Select this checkbox only if the BoM is associated with a renewal project.
• Currency: Select the currency required for the customer quote (for example, USD).

• In Disti Box Parsing, select the dropdown as required.

• Click Upload Files or drag and drop the file into the upload area.

• After the upload completes, click Done, then click Import BoM. A success message is displayed once the import is completed.

Step 4: Verify BoM Import

After import:

The BoM appears in the BoM list within PqW.

The BoM is now available for:

• Full BoM addition to the quote, or
• Item-level selection

You can review the newly imported BoM in BoMs tab as shown.

After parsing:

PqW displays extracted BoM details such as: Item descriptions, Quantities, Pricing (if available) etc. You can review the data for discrepancies.

This review step is critical to ensure data accuracy.

File Type- PDF

Step 1: Open Opportunity/ Project Detail Page

• Log in to Salesforce org.
• Navigate to the relevant Opportunity under account

• Click on Import BoM  button to open import window.

Alternatively, for non Salesforce user, you can go to Project tab after login and click on Import.

Step 2: Select File-Based Import as the Source

• Choose File Import in the Mode of Import dropdown.

• In BoM Type, the default value of Disti BoM is selected. Click on continue to proceed with import.

Step 3: Upload the BoM File

On the Import Disti BoM screen, complete the required inputs:

• Is Renewal: Select this checkbox only if the BoM is associated with a renewal project.
• Currency: Select the currency required for the customer quote (for example, USD).

• Disti Box Parsing: Select the appropriate option from the dropdown.

• Click on upload files button or drag and drop the excel file in the upload file button.

• After the upload completes, click Done, then click Import BoM. A success message is displayed, along with a prompt to verify the PDF on the BoM detail page.

Step 4: Verify BoM Import

After import, you need to verify the imported BoM. 

The BoM appears in the BoM list within PqW.

The BoM is now available for:

• Full BoM addition to the quote, or
• Item-level selection

To complete verification:

• Open the imported BoM from the BoMs tab and navigate to selected BoM detail page.
• Review the BoM verification message on the BoM detail page.
• Select the verification checkbox and click Verify BoM.

Conclusion

File-based BoM import provides a flexible way to bring external vendor or supplier data into PqW when API integrations are not available.

By carefully reviewing and verifying parsed data after upload, users ensure that imported BoMs are accurate, complete, and aligned with customer requirements. As a result, BoMs are ready to be added into customer quotes or used for item-level selection, enabling users to proceed confidently to quote creation and downstream pricing activities without data rework or delays.

What’s Next?

Once the BoM is imported, next step is to proceed with customer facing quote creation. The imported BoMs are processed, edited and assembled in PqW consoles. We will cover this in upcoming articles.

After importing a BoM via file, continue with:

• How to Add BoMs or BoM Items to a Quote
• How to Create a Customer Quote (empty quote for processing)