Early-stage assessment of PSS concepts: a case study in automation industry

Manufacturing companies are moving toward new business models based on Product-Service System (PSS). Academic and scientific literature reveal that there is a lack of suitable methods, tools and methodologies to support early PSS design activities and, in particular, early PSS concepts assessment. This paper focuses on identification and selection of PSS concepts in an Italian product-oriented company working in the automation sector willing to move toward the provision of product-service solutions. The Engineering Value Assessment (EVA) method has been selected and implemented to assess and select PSS concepts able, from one side, to fulfill customer needs and, from the other side, to ensure company profitability and alignment with its long-term strategy.