IT Products vs IT Services – What’s the difference?
key fact
Clear distinctions between IT Products and Services help organisations align delivery approaches, streamline operations, and build more effective service catalogues.
As product-centric iterative delivery methods continue to grow in popularity, the debate around IT Products vs. IT Services has intensified. But what are the key differences, and does it really matter?
A Simple Comparison
Before diving into IT, let’s take a step back and consider a more tangible example: an exercise bike.
- The Product: The physical hardware – the bike itself.
- The Service: The ongoing support and maintenance of the bike, plus the subscription-based exercise classes that come with a premium model.
Applying This to IT
Now, let’s translate this concept into IT terms:
This distinction helps us understand a key insight:
👉 A Product is also a Service. But a Service is not always a Product.
Why Does This Matter?
While recognising IT Products is important, especially in digital delivery efforts, effective IT operations require a focus on IT Services.
IT Services can be broken down into seven distinct types, each with different service boundaries and service levels.
Understanding these different service types is crucial for building an effective IT Service Catalogue, which, in turn, is essential for managing IT services efficiently. See this article for further details – (3) What is an IT Service? The 7 categories | LinkedIn
Want to see a real-world IT Service Catalogue?
For examples of common IT Services, best-practice attribute details, and recommended associated roles & responsibilities, speak to Chris Good, email contact@masonadvisory.com to discuss further.
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