Implementing Installed Base Management Solutions for OEMs in 2025
May 28, 2025
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Dr.-Ing. Simon Spelzhausen
Implementing Installed Base Management Solutions for OEMs in 2025
Why OEMs Need Installed Base Management in 2025
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are under pressure to deliver more than just high-performance products. In 2025, the competitive edge lies in offering predictive service, connected experiences, and lifetime value. However, most OEMs still operate with fragmented asset data, reactive maintenance models, and limited customer insights. That’s where installed base management solutions step in.
What OEMs Are Up Against in 2025
Fragmented asset data across systems
Frequent machine downtime disrupting operations
Missed revenue from underutilised service contracts
Lack of visibility into the installed base
Inconsistent customer experience
What Is an Installed Base Management Solution?
An installed base management solution helps OEMs organise, visualise, and leverage data on all equipment sold, deployed, or serviced. It acts as a digital control centre for asset intelligence, integrating data from ERPs, CRMs, service logs, and field devices.
Benefits include:
Real-time visibility into deployed assets
Streamlined service and warranty workflows
Personalised customer support based on actual machine usage
Frequently Asked Questions
What does installed base mean?
An installed base refers to the complete list of products or assets a company has sold, deployed, or is servicing. It includes vital data such as location, lifecycle stage, service history, and customer details.
How does installed base management differ from asset management?
While asset management typically focuses on internal equipment, installed base management covers customer-deployed assets—centralising data across sales, service, and support functions for OEMs.
Why is it a game-changer for OEMs?
It enables OEMs to shift from reactive service models to proactive, data-driven operations. By knowing where every asset is and how it's performing, they can optimise service, boost revenue, and enhance customer loyalty.
How to Successfully Implement an Installed Base Management Solution
Installing a platform like Makula requires both technical and organisational readiness. Here’s how leading OEMs are making it work:
Step-by-step Implementation:
Step
Action
Purpose
1. Audit
Identify where your asset data lives (ERP, CRM, spreadsheets)
Baseline visibility
2. Clean & Consolidate
Standardise data formats and remove duplicates
Ensure data integrity
3. Choose a Platform
Select a scalable, OEM-focused tool like Makula’s Asset Hub
Enable long-term success
4. Define Ownership
Assign roles across service, sales, and IT teams
Clarify responsibilities
5. Phase Implementation
Start with core modules and expand
Reduce risk
6. Train Teams
Provide training across field and support staff
Ensure adoption
7. Monitor KPIs
Track uptime, first-time fix rate, service revenue
Measure ROI
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Dirty Data – Fix this early to avoid downstream inefficiencies.
Mistake 2: No Internal Champion – IBM solutions need a leader.
Mistake 3: Integration Paralysis – Start with easy wins; you don’t need to overhaul everything at once.
“67% of OEMs have fragmented asset data across multiple systems, limiting analytics and decision-making.”
Simon Spelzhausen, an engineering expert with a proven track record of driving business growth through innovative solutions, honed through his experience at Volkswagen.
