Businesses that sell goods and services to other businesses have a lot to think about: they must ensure that the products they make or the service they offer meets the standards and specifications of their customers, they need to keep track of inventory, and they need to be able to provide fast, efficient delivery. Business services help companies with these tasks and more, so that they can focus on what they do best: making or selling a quality product or providing a valuable service.

The industry that encompasses business services includes a wide variety of companies and services. Some examples include third-party logistics providers, which handle distribution for ecommerce, warehouse management, order fulfillment and more; professional services, which are offered by firms that specialize in offering advice on different areas of business operations; and administrative services, such as accounting, human resources, legal support and information technology. Many of these services are provided remotely, but some are also delivered on-site at a company’s location or at its customers’ locations.

A key distinction between a business that offers a service and one that sells a product is the fact that a product business needs to produce a tangible item to offer to its customers, while a service business doesn’t. This means that a product company must spend time and energy on design, production and marketing to generate sales; a service business, on the other hand, can focus more on creating an appealing experience for its target market and relies on customer satisfaction to drive growth.

Because of the intangible nature of a service, the value that is attached to it is largely subjective, which can make it more difficult to manage than a product-based business. While a successful product business must make sure that its goods and services are a good value, a success service business can rely on a host of other factors to determine the value that its customers attach to it, including convenience, friendliness and affordability.

While the business-to-business sector of the economy has grown significantly in recent years, it is still dwarfed by the consumer-facing segments of the economy, which are a much more significant source of employment and GDP. The business-to-business sector has a number of benefits for its participants, from improved supply chain efficiency to the ability to offer flexible payment terms to customers.

There are a range of different types of business services, and each type serves its own unique purpose. For example, a pest control business is necessary to keep workplaces free of harmful insects and other pests; maintenance services allow employees to concentrate on work without having to worry about building or appliance repair; and tech services ensure that employees can use computers and other technology effectively. Some of these services are offered on-site by a company’s staff, while others are rendered remotely by outside professionals. This helps to reduce the cost of these services and improve overall efficiency. In addition, shared services enable companies to scale up or down quickly as their operations demand.