Driven by IIoT/IoT platforms, edge computing, and cloud storage, we are at a point where the factory floors around the globe are being shaken up by the new paradigm shift that re-defines a “machine” and its entire operations—Machine-as-a-Service (or Equipment-as-a-Service). These interdependent technologies have brought unprecedented interconnectivity to the machines as well as every stakeholder in the production chain.

MaaS Explained

Do not be surprised though, that you may already be using a MaaS type service in daily life—printing equipment leasing. Instead of purchasing a costly printing machine, your office may pay for the use of a high-end printer rented from a digital printing equipment provider. To put it simply, the MaaS is a service-driven business model that involves the Provider (OEM or the equipment maker) renting out machines to the Client (the factory owner), periodically collecting payments on a pay-per-use term. The Client no longer purchases equipment in a once-off pattern; instead, the flexible subscription package ensures not only negotiated production outputs but ongoing service, maintenance, the possibility of improving business, and the most invaluable real-time operation data. Empowered by cloud connectivity with the IIoT touchpoints, the built-in input devices on the machine allows for remote monitoring and information-collecting that facilitate system diagnostics and solution-oriented strategies, driving the machine’s capabilities and contributions to broader business segments.

MaaS Typical Business Model & Benefits

A typical MaaS business model is the machine provider selling or leasing the equipment at barely zero cost to the Client through a subscription-based paid service. This model primarily benefits the Provider with collected data which can be turned into valuable information for research and development, predictive maintenance, optimal productivity, and streamlined process as payback.

In a nutshell, the benefits of this business model offer both the Provider and the Client a brand-new way of revenue-making and the ticket to smart factory evolution in Industry 4.0:

Strengthened & Prolonged Customer Relationships - by connecting the customer with maintenance services and consistent system monitoring activities under the pay-per-use agreements, customer engagement is considerably increased.

Enhanced Equipment Design - the data collected throughout the entire production cycle can be analyzed and turned into improvements in machine capabilities and process control. 

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Strategies - the accumulated equipment data serves as valuable information for downtime and failure analysis for the Provider to develop predictive maintenance regulations. 

Extended Machine Lifetime & Revenue Growth while maximizing the performance of existing machines, the diversified business models allow for variable subscription plans that fit the Client’s requirements, bringing a new cash stream that never existed before.

Reduced CapEx & OpEx for the Client - the capital expenditure investments on purchasing manufacturing equipment are saved, with the operating costs also reduced because the maintenance reasonability is on the Provider.

Industries Using the MaaS Model

As a matter of fact, we have seen wide adoptions of MaaS across many verticals: office equipment, medical tech, and automobile manufacturers. In the machinery industry, similar services have emerged for car tires, power tools, compressed air, robots, smart lighting systems, and even jet engine.

Tapping into New Business Model with Lanner LEC-3340

LEC-3340, a 3U rackmount industrial edge consolidation server, is the ideal choice to carry out the machine extension capabilities on a software-defined IoT basis. It is powered by Intel® Xeon® E3-1505L V6, Core™ i3-7100E, or Core™ i5-7442EQ (formerly Kaby Lake-H) processor to offer outstanding performance, designed to be robust, LEC-3340 is IEC-61850 and IEEE 1613 compliant. Furthermore, its rich I/O functions guarantee customized and adequate connections to factory IoT platforms as well as Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs).


LEC-3340

IEC 61850-3 Compliant 3U Rackmount Controller System for Power Substation

CPU Intel® Xeon® E3-1505L V6, Core i3-7100E or Core i5-7442EQ CPU
Chipset Intel® CM238

Read more