Bringing Life to Inanimate Objects: From Millenary Material to a Smart Product-Service System

Abstract

Even the most unforeseen objects can be digitally transformed, requiring a tailored approach to each sector of the economy. This paper presents a year-long design science research to create a smart product-service system (SPSS) in the traditional industry of ceramic roof tiles. Our study describes the challenges of incorporating interactivity and data processing e-services into traditional materials for construction. This case also reveals the importance of multifaceted SPSS strategies to address the concerns of: (1) the end users; (2) the supply chain of the smart ecosystem; and (3) the producer, including the option to implement SPSS(aaS) as a service. To remain competitive, traditional industries must develop innovative strategies to gradually incorporate SPSS in their market offer. Nevertheless, the level of disruptiveness of the SPSS proposal depends on the synergies produced by the joint redesign of physical and digital materialities.