Installed Base Management for Industrial OEMs Driving Growth with Digitalisation

May 28, 2025
Dr.-Ing. Simon Spelzhausen

Installed Base Management for Industrial OEMs Driving Growth with Digitalisation

What is Installed Base Management?

Installed base management refers to how machinery suppliers, OEMs, and industrial manufacturers track, monitor, and support the equipment they've deployed at customer sites over time. It includes managing configuration data, service history, usage insights, and performance trends—turning post-sale operations into a growth opportunity.

Traditional Installed Base Management vs Digital Transformation

Historically, installed base management has been manual and reactive. OEMs relied on spreadsheets, tribal knowledge, and disconnected systems across service, sales, and support teams. As a result, visibility was low, maintenance was reactive, and revenue opportunities were missed.

In contrast, digital installed base management connects machines via IoT, centralises data using platforms like Makula's Asset Hub, and enables smarter decision-making with AI and automation. This shift empowers OEMs to move from fire-fighting to forecasting—and from transactional service to long-term customer value.

“Digitising the installed base is one of the top five growth levers for industrial OEMs—yet fewer than 30% have a fully connected view of their deployed assets.”
— Bain & Company, 2024
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The Cost of Outdated Installed Base Management

Outdated approaches to installed base management come at a cost:

  • Siloed ERP and CRM data means poor machine records and reactive support.
  • Legacy equipment lacks IoT connectivity, limiting visibility.
  • OEMs miss service contract upsells due to fragmented insights.
  • Only 10–30% of installed machines are under service agreements at many companies (Wipro).

Bain & Company notes that without real-time insight into asset health and usage, OEMs fail to capture billions in aftersales value (Bain, 2024).

How Digitalisation Unlocks Value

Makula delivers modular solutions that transform installed base operations into a connected ecosystem:

  • Asset Hub: A machine data hub that creates a digital twin of every asset in the field.
  • Industrial AI: Recommends actions, predicts failures, and identifies service opportunities using real-time insights.
  • 3D Stream: Provides visual spare parts lookup, exploded diagrams, and interactive maintenance guides.
  • Field Service: Connects service teams with real-time asset context to improve dispatching, task tracking, and resolution.
  • Customer Portal: Offers a white-labelled experience for clients to monitor assets, request service, and reorder parts online.

Why Makula is Not Just Another Installed Base Platform

Most installed base management tools focus narrowly on asset tracking or CRM-style records. But OEMs today need more than just a digital filing cabinet. They need a connected ecosystem—one that links machines, service teams, and customers in real time. That’s where Makula stands apart.

Feature Typical Software Makula
Centralised Asset Records ✓ Basic static records ✓ Live digital twins via Asset Hub
IoT Data Integration ✗ Limited or none ✓ Real-time feeds from connected equipment
Predictive Service Insights ✗ Not included ✓ AI-powered recommendations via Industrial AI
Spare Parts Visualisation ✗ Text-based part lists ✓ Interactive diagrams via 3D Stream
Field Service Integration ✓ Often disconnected or third-party ✓ Seamless task management with Field Service
Customer Self-Service ✗ Ticket portals or manual entry ✓ Full white-labelled portal via Customer Portal

Case Studies in Digital Installed Base Management

  • Krones uses digital twins and remote AR support to manage entire packaging lines. This innovation has reduced downtime, improved energy efficiency, and differentiated their service model (Bain).
  • GEA Group, a food processing equipment supplier, implemented AR-powered remote support and IoT monitoring to deliver faster, contactless service. It reduced on-site visits and enhanced uptime even during COVID travel restrictions (Bain).
  • Heidelberg connected over 11,000 printing presses to a digital service platform, enabling customers to monitor machine status and receive predictive alerts. Their “Assistant” portal directly contributed to increased service revenue (CIO).

Case Studies in Digital Installed Base Management

Krones

Uses digital twins and remote AR support to manage packaging lines—reducing downtime, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening service differentiation.

— Bain

GEA Group

Implemented AR remote support and IoT monitoring to deliver faster, contactless service—reducing site visits and improving uptime during COVID disruptions.

— Bain

Heidelberg

Connected over 11,000 printing presses to a customer portal with predictive alerts and machine monitoring—boosting aftersales revenue via digital service.

— CIO

Proven ROI

20–50% reduction

in unplanned downtime with predictive maintenance

— BCG

Up to 4x margin

on services vs new equipment

— McKinsey

15–25% uplift

in aftermarket revenue via smart targeting

— McKinsey

€6B projected revenue

from ASML’s installed base by 2025

— Bain

From Insight to Action with Makula

Makula gives OEMs the tools to turn installed base chaos into a connected, profitable ecosystem. Whether you're trying to increase contract attachment rates, improve uptime, or empower service teams with real-time data—Makula delivers the platform to make it happen.

Start your transformation today. Contact our team to see how we can help you monetise your installed base.

FAQs

What is installed base management?

Installed base management refers to how OEMs and manufacturers track, monitor, and service the equipment they’ve sold and deployed in the field over time—enabling predictive maintenance, customer insights, and recurring revenue.

How does Makula differ from traditional asset tracking tools?

Makula offers a connected ecosystem—combining live digital twins, Industrial AI, and 3D visual documentation. Traditional systems focus on static records; Makula drives intelligent, proactive service delivery.

Can Makula integrate with my existing ERP or IoT platform?

Yes. Makula is modular and API-first—built to integrate with your ERP, MES, IoT layers, and legacy systems to unify your asset data.

What’s the ROI for digital installed base management?

Customers see up to 4x service margins, 20–50% downtime reduction, and increased aftermarket revenue of 15–25%, depending on service maturity.

Dr.-Ing. Simon Spelzhausen
Co Founder & Chief Product Officer

Simon Spelzhausen, an engineering expert with a proven track record of driving business growth through innovative solutions, honed through his experience at Volkswagen.