Implementation of a Decision Support System for the Development of Digital Services Within Supplying Companies in the Construction Industry

In the building supply industry, there is increasing price pressure for semi-finished products. This price pressure is strongly influenced by the commoditisation of the product business. One way to differentiate from competitors in product-heavy industries such as the construction industry is to develop and offer digital services. Digital services can be used to expand existing product solutions and provide them with additional functionality, as well as to develop completely independent solutions. Problematic for existing supplier companies is the strongly product-focused know-howand the lowlevel of competence in the development of digital solutions. This paper presents the conception and development of a decision support system for the technical implementation of modular services. Therefore, a systematic procedure for requirements specification as well as a user-centred description of the essential functional features is explained. Finally, the system is tested within the framework of an evaluation with 16 test persons from product development and business development in practical case studies.