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Industry X

Blueprint for service success

November 17, 2020

In brief

  • Industrial equipment companies know service transformation could help differentiate their business, but many struggle to find the right path.
  • Our research shows approximately 29% of industrial company revenue is currently generated by services, but it will grow to 60% in the next few years.
  • Industrial companies who haven’t yet transformed their services business need to act now or risk falling behind.
  • Based on our research findings and vision, we have developed a pragmatic roadmap to help guide you on your service transformation journey.

The need for service transformation

The expectations of industrial companies’ customers are changing. Customers want to know the answer to questions like: How can I augment the lifecycle of my existing assets? How can I make my assets more flexible to address increasing requirements for speed and personalization? How can I get the product but only pay for the value of services I receive? They are less interested in buying a product than an outcome and increasingly find value in services and support. As a result, services have become a critical means for companies to differentiate themselves as well as stabilize cash flow, lower volatility and enhance resilience.

We surveyed 748 industrial service business executives from across 14 countries to investigate the best service management approaches that can be applied to successfully transform and grow your future service business. The research revealed a stronger focus on service-driven business models has also helped industrial companies better balance pre- and post-COVID-19 economic challenges. With remote services in demand, those with a strong market position in digital-driven services flourished. More than 60% of respondents said their service business accelerated during the pandemic.

Even before COVID-19 hit, industrial equipment companies knew that service transformation could help differentiate their businesses in the marketplace, but many struggled to find the right path.

The right pivoting approach allows Champions to achieve 60% service profitability.

Pivoting approaches for service transformation

Industrial companies stand at a pivot point in developing their services business. Looking at their financial data, we grouped the companies into four categories based on their service management maturity levels—Champions, Leaders, Strivers and Traditionalists. Most successful industrial companies identified in our research are careful to pivot in a way that balances core and new offerings.

Pivoting pitfalls

What’s causing industrial equipment companies the most difficulty as they attempt to pivot?

Few service capabilities

Building service sales and delivery skills/resources, and digital and analytics capabilities is a challenge for all categories.

Collaboration confusion

All categories struggle to find the right collaboration model for legal agreements and data sharing.

Poor investment focus

While Strivers’ investments lack focus, Traditionalists’ IT hasn’t attained the maturity level to support new services.

Inadequate service management practices

Strivers and Traditionalists lack effective service management practices and related key performance indicators.

Focus areas for a successful service transformation

Based on our research findings, we concluded that a successful, value-oriented service transformation needs to consider the following focus areas seen in Champions and Leaders.

Integrated sales approach and ambitious targets

Includes cost transparency, product-service alignment, customer intimacy along the entire service lifecycle and strategic service sales.

Systematic digital services investment

A digital, cloud-based IT investment approach that systematically develops new services and resources, with a view to long-term profitability.

Effective, scalable delivery including cloud

Entails standardized offerings and delivery processes, continuous learning, and self-serving capabilities for customers.

Proactive service ecosystem management

Focus on strategic management and collaboration to power service innovation.

Change is here, are you ready?

We believe that services will contribute up to 60% or as much as two-thirds of overall revenue for industrial companies in the next five to 10 years. The exact figure will vary depending on industry segment and company maturity, as well as how successfully a company travels along the roadmap and implements the entire pivot.

Companies need to act now and prepare for the road ahead. Those that can keep up with or even outpace the current Champions by transforming their business, have the potential to deliver what services customers want while significantly improving their profitability and resilience in an uncertain business climate.

Read our research to find out what your peers are doing and what you need to do to transform your service business.

About the Authors

Maxence Tilliette

Managing Director – Industry X, Automotive, EMEA

Urban Hofström​​

Principal Director

Matthias Wahrendorff

Senior Thought Leadership Principal – Accenture Research, Global IIoT and Industrial Research Lead

Clara Weissenberger

Management Consultant​

Oliver Marti​​

Management Consultant​

Related capabilities

Industrial equipment consulting

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