Typology and Implications of Equipment-as-a-Service Business Models in the Manufacturing Industry

In the manufacturing industry, technological developments around cyber-physical systems create completely new possibilities for generating value for customers. An essential part of these developments are Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS) business models, which promise growth with existing customers even in saturated markets and in which the interests of manufacturers and providers are aligned. However, different types of EaaS business models must be differentiated in manufacturing industry, especially with regard to the risk transfer from the customer to the provider. In this paper, a typology for different EaaS types is developed based on grounded research. Furthermore, practical implications are derived that should help with the necessary EaaS transformation, that has been previously outlined by the EaaS typology.