Service Matters from MCA Solutions

With an estimated 200 million blogs out there, it's hard to believe that so few are focused on the service world.  This post provides a quick overview of the blogs related to aftermarket service, as well as some broader reaching supply chain and IT information

Here are some links for complementary software companies that are components of a comprehensive strategic service management solution such as:

• Axeda's Remote Service Blog focuses on areas related to remote diagnostics and smart service
• Enigma's Uptime Blog blogs about the challenges and opportunities in the MRO world
• The Servicepower blog and ClickSoftware's Clickipedia are focused on field service planning and optimization
• The SAP Developer Network (SDN) has a wiki focused on service parts planning and the Ecohub provides information on SAP partners solutions

Other well-read service supply chain blogs include:

• Spplan from Shaun Snapp, a former Deloitte consultant who's focused entirely on service parts planning with a particular emphasis on software functionality and related issues. Shaun recently wrote a very interesting post on the opportunity for service planning for 4PL's.
• Service Strategies - a consulting firm with a blog dedicated to the service business
• Service Research & Innovation Institute's blog writes on executive issues related to service management

The Reverse Logistics Association  frequently updates its Web page on industry news and summaries are in a monthly newsletter.

In the service logistics world, Logistically Speaking focuses on service execution and the interaction with planning. 

Several of the supply chain and sourcing analysts also cover the service space, including:

• PJ Jakovljevic of Technology Evaluations, who's written several entries on the service space.
• Michael Lamoureux of Sourcing Innovation who's posted deep coverage of service supply chain areas
• Jason Busch of Spend Matters, who's a sourcing specialist
• Bob Ferrari of Supply Chain Matters focuses on traditional supply chain and writes occasionally on the service supply chain.
  (thanks Jason & Bob for the inspiration for the naming of Service Matters!)

We'll continue to monitor and update our blog roll and post and comment on entries of interest as they occur.