Home Service Concept: Technology, Logistics and Business Models

Mia Andelin

Research output: Book/ReportReport

Abstract

The real estate and building cluster is partly evolving into a service business where physical facilities are considered as part of a service system. Applications of new technologies have mainly been directed to new buildings but new technologies for service provision should also be applied in old housing stock since new construction production is decreasing in Western Europe. New services to residential buildings are sought after, as the population is ageing. This thesis introduces different home services provided to multi-storey residential buildings, stakeholders of services and their relationships and the technology and logistics of the service. The aim of this thesis is to examine business models of home services. The main objective is to find the business logic behind the home service. Research is limited to multi-storey residential buildings and a special emphasis is given to existing building stock and different reception systems. This thesis is based on literature study and interviews. The literature study was carried out to illustrate some existing home services, logistic solutions and funding. Interviews among different stakeholders were carried out to determine the different viewpoints of different stakeholders. The patterns in the interviews and the literature findings overlapped partly. Apparently, home services are needed in future. Potential customer segments are families, wealthy adults seeking high quality services, elderly and disabled people. But to create efficiency and turnover, services need a large customer density, which means that services should not be created for special groups but for everybody. The funding of services can be public, private or there can be a public-private partnership. According to this thesis there are three main interests to invest in home services and delivery: (1) services for inhabitants, (2) cost savings for haulier/ logistician and service provider, and (3) new services affecting on building image for builder / developer. Finally, the future service concepts and business actions will show how the listed opportunities, strengths, threats and weaknesses of home services come true.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationEspoo
PublisherVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Number of pages85
ISBN (Electronic)951-38-6205-4
ISBN (Print)951-38-6204-6
Publication statusPublished - 2003
MoE publication typeD4 Published development or research report or study

Publication series

SeriesVTT Tiedotteita - Meddelanden - Research Notes
Volume2226
ISSN1235-0605

Keywords

  • home services
  • social services
  • shopping services
  • laundry
  • housing management
  • maintenance
  • service providers
  • logistics
  • technology
  • funding

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