Digital value-added services: Recommendations for early development

Abstract

Digital value-added services (DVAS) represent a major opportunity for firms to create additional value for customers and differentiate themselves from competitors. However, many firms are struggling with how to develop DVAS. They often hire specialized innovation consulting firms to do this job but we know little about their secrets of success. To shed more light on the topic, we collected best practices along the critical first steps of DVAS development and derived six recommendations that can help firms increase their success rates. We provide insights, particularly concerning underlying organizational processes, the conception of ideas and the integration of customers.