The purpose of the new body is to investigate how the transition to service can be improved and how it can benefit business. As well as undertaking research into the design and delivery of service excellence, it will develop education programmes and supporting tools and techniques.

BAE Systems and IBM have joined forces with the University of Cambridge to launch a new research initiative designed to equip business with the skills needed to deal with complex service systems.

The multinational firms are  founding members of the Cambridge Service Alliance – a global partnership  between business and academia. The Alliance is designed to develop new  understanding of ‘servitisation’, a trend which has seen businesses from a wide range of sectors develop innovative services to meet the changing needs of customers.

In particular the Alliance will examine complex service solutions which integrate technology, processes, organisations and information in an environment where competition and pressure  on public finances ensures the need for ever-increasing effectiveness. These solutions are already being utilised by major organisations such as the British armed forces.

Andy Neely, Director of the Cambridge Service Alliance, said the purpose of the new body would be to investigate how the transition to  service can be improved and how it can benefit business. As well as undertaking  research into the design and delivery of service excellence, it will develop education programmes and supporting tools and techniques.

The Cambridge Service Alliance builds upon the success of BAE Systems and IBM’s previous partnership with the University of Cambridge that investigated new service-related business models.

Business-led, the Alliance brings together the Institute for Manufacturing's expertise in the servitisation of high value manufacturing and the Judge Business School's experience improving business models in a range of industries.

Cambridge Service Alliance website

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