Digital Tools Transforming OEM Aftersales: Key Technologies Redefining Service in 2025
As manufacturers and machinery suppliers head deeper into 2025, aftersales is no longer a cost centre—it’s a strategic battleground. Driven by shrinking margins on hardware and growing customer expectations, OEMs are doubling down on service innovation.
A new wave of digital tools is reshaping how original equipment manufacturers deliver, manage, and monetise aftersales. This blog explores the most impactful technologies—backed by the latest research—and how platforms like Makula are helping OEMs stay competitive.
The Strategic Shift to Aftersales
According to McKinsey, services and spare parts can contribute up to 4× more margin than new equipment sales. Yet most OEMs remain under-digitised—only 40% have fully modernised their aftersales workflows.
With rising pressure to increase uptime, retain customers, and support field teams more efficiently, OEMs are now investing in digital transformation across service operations.
Key Technologies Shaping OEM Aftersales
We break down the most important categories—and what OEMs should know about each.
1. Field Service Management (FSM)
Modern FSM software replaces outdated spreadsheets and fragmented ticketing tools with smart scheduling, technician apps, and real-time visibility.
📊 “FSM platforms have seen adoption grow 38% among OEMs between 2022–2024, with automation and AI-driven scheduling cited as top decision factors.”
— Source: ResearchAndMarkets, GlobeNewswire
What Makula Offers:
Makula’s Field Service module lets OEMs plan and dispatch technicians, monitor real-time updates, and provide mobile-first service tools across partners and dealer networks.
2. Asset Intelligence for OEMs and Factories
Traditionally, Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) were used exclusively by factories to manage internal maintenance. But in 2025, forward-thinking OEMs are also leveraging CMMS-style tools to track their installed base, manage service contracts, and log machine data across the customer lifecycle.
“54% of OEMs now use CMMS to track warranty claims, log field data, and support end users post-sale.” — Source: Grand View Research
What Makula Offers
- AssetHub is Makula’s purpose-built solution for OEMs. It enables machinery suppliers and distributors to manage the full lifecycle of every installed asset, including site-specific configurations, service records, and warranty timelines.
- CMMS is tailored for factories. It helps operations teams digitise internal maintenance, manage machine parks, assign technician tasks, and track equipment downtime.
Each is tailored to its audience, but both solutions offer the same industrial-grade backbone — allowing OEMs and factories to standardise asset intelligence and deliver higher service performance.
3. AI in Aftersales
AI is becoming a core tool for service documentation, diagnostics, and technician support.
📉 “Nearly 7 in 10 OEM service teams report technician turnover. AI tools that automate diagnostics and documentation are among the top three investments planned for 2025.”
— Source: Fluke Reliability, Manufacturing.net
What Makula Offers:
The AI Notetaker auto-documents every service call. The AI Copilot helps new technicians get answers fast, even when experienced talent is lacking.
4. 3D Parts and Repair Instructions
3D-driven tools dramatically improve accuracy and first-time fix rates.
🛠️ “OEMs using 3D-guided repair catalogues report a 22% improvement in first-time fix rates.”
— Source: Librestream, AR Trends 2024 (via research PDF)
What Makula Offers:
3D Stream provides interactive spare parts catalogues and step-by-step visual repair instructions, cutting support time and errors.
5. Self-Service Customer Portals
End customers expect the same experience they get from digital banking or e-commerce.
🌐 “80% of industrial buyers now expect a self-service support experience, with OEM-branded portals being a core differentiator.”
— Source: Partful 2024 survey
What Makula Offers:
The Customer Portal is white-labelled, letting OEMs deliver a seamless branded experience for spare parts, documentation, and ticketing.
What OEMs Need from a Platform in 2025
Related Research & Industry Trends
Time to Lead the Aftermarket
OEMs can no longer afford to treat service as an afterthought. Between shifting revenue models, customer expectations, and global competition, aftersales is now a strategic growth driver.
Digital platforms like Makula bring together everything an OEM needs—from Asset Management and Field Service to AI Tools and 3D Catalogues.
Ready to modernise your aftersales operations?
👉 Book a demo to see how Makula can power your digital transformation.
