Business services are intangible services that support the operations of a business or organization. They are a subset of economic services that can be provided by a variety of different industries. These include banking, insurance, warehousing and transportation. Companies use business services to save time and resources, and focus on their core competencies. Some of these services can even help a company increase its profits. Some of these services include marketing, IT, human resource management, and customer service.

The business services industry is a massive and growing sector of the economy. In the United States alone, it employs about 11 million people. It is one of the fastest-growing industries, and contributes to 11% of GDP. It is a vital part of the global service economy, and is used to complement goods and services. It is also a key contributor to the emergence of service-based economies.

There are many types of business services, but some of the most common include consulting, outsourcing, and logistics. These services are necessary for every business to operate effectively and efficiently. Outsourcing is an important business service that allows companies to concentrate on their core operations while allowing other firms to handle noncore functions. This can save a lot of money and resources for a company, and can help it improve its profitability.

Another type of business service is logistics, which encompasses a broad range of activities. This includes sourcing, transporting and storing goods, as well as managing the information flow between suppliers and customers. It is also essential for a company to stay up-to-date on the latest technology, and to have reliable warehousing and shipping solutions.

Professional and business services are a major source of employment across the European Union, and account for around 11% of EU GDP. They provide an essential platform for the production of other goods and services, and are playing a key role in the “servitisation” of the European economy. These services are increasingly being used to add value to products through new combinations of goods and services, as well as to enable companies to better meet the needs of their customers.

Business services can be provided by a wide variety of sectors, including engineering, architecture and IT. There are also many specialized services, such as accounting, human resources and legal. Other important business services include market research, risk management and compliance management. In addition, many companies offer consultancy and advisory services to other businesses. These can be highly specialised, or they may provide general advice on strategy and planning.