Definition

General standardized catalog of text modules for the description of services.

Use

Standard service catalogs (SSCs) are stored centrally as master records. They are a source of standardized service descriptions that help to eliminate data redundancy. In contrast to the Service Master Record , an SSC contains standard texts that only yield complete and unique service descriptions when put together in various combinations. The use of SSCs can be advantageous in facilitating problem-free communication between contractual parties (e.g. between ordering entity and supplier).

Structure

A standard service catalog contains the following information:

A service description is compiled from several text modules. The individual text modules are put together like building blocks to form a standard text. Each module has a number. The standard service catalog number (SSC no.) of a service, uniquely identifying that service, comprises the numbers of the text modules, the number of the service type, and the edition of the relevant standard service catalog.

SSCs can be subdivided into different service types, to classify work by trade or activity for example. Possible service types include "masonry work", "maintenance services", "vehicle servicing", "cleaning work", etc. There can be several versions of each service type. The individual versions are characterized by the edition number.

The following graphic shows how a precise description of a certain service (task or item of work) is arrived at using the text modules belonging to a standard service catalog: