Service

One of four major product categories. (See product) One of four generic product categories from DIN EN ISO 9000:2005

Reference Volume (and volume-specific, additional or differing definitions to the standard):
VDA Volume 6 Part 4 VDA Volume 6.2 Service is the result of at least one activity necessarily performed at the interface between the supplier and customer and is generally intangible. Provision of a service can involve, for example, the following:

 - an activity performed on a customer-supplied tangible product (e.g. automobile to be repaired);

- an activity performed on a customer-supplied intangible product (e.g. the income statement needed to prepare a tax return);

- the delivery of an intangible product (e.g. the delivery of information in the context of knowledge transmission);

- the creation of ambience for the customer (e.g. in hotels and restaurants).

Software consists of information and is generally intangible and can be in the form of approaches, transactions, or procedures.

Hardware is generally tangible and its amount is a countable characteristic. Processed materials are generally tangible and their amount is a continuous characteristic. Hardware and processed materials are often referred to as goods.