Business services are various tasks and activities that help maintain a company’s business despite not resulting in a tangible product. They are an essential part of a company’s operations and encompass numerous categories such as information technology, procurement, shipping, finance and many others. They also include intangible services such as education and daycare which are provided to employees so that they can work effectively.
These services are generally performed by companies that specialize in them, and they can be sourced from either outside firms or internal employees. They are usually project-based and require a lot of time to complete. They can improve a company’s efficiency and productivity by freeing up employees to focus on more important tasks and projects. Businesses can hire business service providers if they lack the expertise or capabilities to perform certain tasks, which may include payroll management, bookkeeping and legal assistance.
Another category of business services is known as utility services which are a type of service that provides basic necessities to businesses such as electricity, water and gas. These services can be a lifesaver when your company experiences an emergency and may even save you money in the long run by preventing unexpected costs. Some examples of utility services are electrical outages, natural disaster recovery and cleanup, and relocating offices.
Other types of business services include warehousing, packaging, value-added assembly and distribution. They can be a great way for manufacturers to increase their relationships with customers by providing additional support for the shipment of goods. These services can include handling orders, preparing goods for shipment, labeling, and performing light assembly.
Some types of business services are specialized for specific industries, such as software. These can be a great way to enhance the functionality of your computer or mobile device, and can provide security features such as anti-virus protection. These services can also be used to improve employee productivity by allowing them to access the internet on company devices and update their applications to make them more user-friendly and effective.
A key to successful business services is understanding the needs of your customers and ensuring that your business services are aligned with those needs. There are several techniques that can be utilized to define and design business services, including the use of a customer value map and stakeholder interviews. By defining your business services and the environment in which they operate, you can create a more efficient and profitable service.
It is important to distinguish between Business Services and Technical Services in your organization, as these are different types of CIs. Business Services monitor end-user-facing services, while Technical Services monitor IT infrastructure components that are required to deliver the Business Service. To identify which CIs are Business Services and which are Technical Services, click the Business or Technical tab in the Service Catalog. You can also view a chart that displays the relationship between the Business Service and the Technical Service.