Typology of Digital Platforms in the Mechanical Engineering

The rapid developments in information and communication technology enable new business models that are based on digital platforms. Marketplaces such as Amazon or Airbnb have already adapted this business model to connect previously unconnected supply-side and demand-side to conduct a business transaction via a digital platform. Due to Industrie 4.0 and the rapid technological development that comes with it, digital platforms have entered the market within the area of the mechanical engineering. Different platform types exist, such as marketplaces for machine equipment or digital data platforms for connected machines. Although numerous companies claim to offer platform-based business models, they often lack knowledge on individual business model components. To close this gap, this paper structures a variety of existing platforms based on their detail characteristics. Within this paper, existing typologies of digital platforms from other industry areas are analyzed. Case study research of platforms within the mechanical engineering is used to adjust these typologies and create a new one for digital platforms within the mechanical engineering.