Business services are industry sectors that support the infrastructure and productivity of a company. They include IT services such as technical support, network services and software solutions; financial services such as accounting, taxes and payroll; and supply chain management services including procurement and shipping. Companies also use professional services such as law and accounting, and marketing services such as branding and advertising. A variety of other services are included in the category such as logistics, waste management and human resources.
Businesses are increasingly using service-oriented architecture to deliver new value propositions to customers. This model enables them to rapidly develop and deploy new applications, services or business models, without changing their underlying infrastructure. To achieve this, they need visibility into the services across hybrid IT environments. Business service mapping is an important step in the agile development process and requires a thorough understanding of the existing architecture.
The differences between a product and a service are several, but the most notable difference is that products can be stored for future consumption. Services, on the other hand, must be delivered when needed. This makes them more akin to an experience than an item that can be purchased and consumed at will.
A service can be delivered in a number of ways, from the delivery of goods or equipment to providing consulting or advisory services to a customer. The latter is often called outsourcing and refers to a business contracting with an outside third party to provide a specific service. This type of service can be very cost-effective and can save time and money by eliminating the need to invest internal resources in a specific activity.
Services can be provided by both public and private entities. Governmental services include those delivered by local and state agencies, including education, utilities, transportation and the military. The most common type of business service, however, is provided by private corporations. These services may include the provision of insurance, accounting, legal and tax advice. In addition, a private corporation can offer a wide range of business support services such as warehousing and logistics, information technology and human resources.
Some of the more unique business services are those that cater to particular industries. This includes things like a printing service that produces business cards for sales professionals or a graphic design firm that provides logos, signs and publications for business clients. Other services that are specific to business include utility services such as a solar panel installation company that charges commercial customers for power usage and transportation services such as trucking companies that provide logistics for business customers.
The qualifications required to get a job in the business services sector depend on the industry and the specific position. For example, those looking for a career in shipping or administrative support will need a high school diploma and good work ethic, while those interested in a more technical role such as IT engineering or IT help desk support will require a bachelor’s degree in their field.
