Developing PSS Concepts from Traditional Product Sales Situation: The Use of Business Model Canvas

In recent years there has been growing interest in utilizing a product-service system (PSS) approach when developing products and services in order to arrive at a business model focused on selling function or availability instead of physical products. However, the complex nature of PSS development has left many manufacturers still struggling to arrive at PSS concepts out of their traditional product sales situation in early design phases. The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach using the Business Model Canvas which could help manufacturers in the transition towards PSS development by articulating key business elements in developing and analyzing PSS concepts evolving from their traditional product sales situation. The paper presents preliminary findings from the aerospace industry and discusses the evolution of key business elements for PSS concepts from traditional product sales situation using the Business Model Canvas. Finally, the potential benefits of using the Business Model Canvas in a PSS context are discussed.