##  Overview
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) files play a vital role in managing and understanding dependencies among microservices. These files, typically adhering to the widely-used [System Package Data Exchange (SPDX)![Information published on non-SAP site](https://help.sap.com/doc/72d375467c1e4dcb872dfa2998b6328d/CLOUD/en-US/themes/sap-light/img/3rd_link.png)](https://help.sap.com/docs/link-disclaimer?site=https%3A%2F%2Fspdx.dev%2F "https://spdx.dev/") or [CycloneDX![Information published on non-SAP site](https://help.sap.com/doc/72d375467c1e4dcb872dfa2998b6328d/CLOUD/en-US/themes/sap-light/img/3rd_link.png)](https://help.sap.com/docs/link-disclaimer?site=https%3A%2F%2Fcyclonedx.org%2F "https://cyclonedx.org/") format, provide a comprehensive inventory of all software components, libraries, and modules used by a microservice.
Using SBOMs offers a systematic approach to tracking and managing these components. This practice not only ensures compliance with licensing requirements but also aids in identifying potential security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it offers a granular understanding of your software supply chain, contributing to more informed decision-making and risk management. By using SBOMs in SAP LeanIX, you gain a comprehensive understanding of your software components, their dependencies, and potential vulnerabilities. This understanding helps you manage compliance, mitigate risks, and make informed decisions about your software supply chain.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date SBOMs is an industry best practice. It aids in software security and helps manage risks in the software supply chain. Additionally, in many regulations, SBOMs are required for regulatory compliance, making them an essential part of software packages.
**Note**
SAP LeanIX does not offer capabilities for automatic SBOM generation. You can generate SBOMs using a method of your choice and import them to SAP LeanIX using the [Self-Built Software Discovery API![Information published on non-SAP site](https://help.sap.com/doc/72d375467c1e4dcb872dfa2998b6328d/CLOUD/en-US/themes/sap-light/img/3rd_link.png)](https://help.sap.com/docs/link-disclaimer?site=https%3A%2F%2Feu.leanix.net%2Fservices%2Ftechnology-discovery%2Fv1%2Fopenapi%2Fswagger-ui%2Findex.html?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=CLOUD "https://eu.leanix.net/services/technology-discovery/v1/openapi/swagger-ui/index.html"). To learn more about generating SBOMs, see [Generating SBOMs](https://help.sap.com/docs/leanix/ea/generating-sboms?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=CLOUD "Explore the requirements for SBOM files and get an overview of the methods for generating them.").
