d2.1 Value Network Analysis

This document is the first deliverable of work package 2 of the MAPLE project. It presents a detailed description of the existing value network, with recommendations for future adjustments.

The value network forms the basis for better understanding of the roles of the different partners in the project. It explores answers to questions about what bottlenecks could exist in the delivery of the service, who manages the platform, what value chains could continue to exist alongside one another, and which business roles are adopted by which business actors (especially since some roles can be performed by end-users, while they previously were only performed by profes- sionals), and consequently how the business responsibilities, like help-desk functionality, and end-customer ownership, are distributed through the value network When the value network is compared to several case studies, it shows that this project has relatively many partners, one for every role. This can be a disadvantage in terms of overhead and flexibility, but it can also provide advantages in the sense that MAPLE has a specialised partner in every phase of the network. This can create a competitive product design. None of the case studies provide personalisation in their mobile solutions, something MAPLE intends to do. Finally, bundling the product in a package or offering it within a software platform will have significant consequences in terms of branding and customer relationship. We consider customer relationship a key issues, that needs our attention in the future work.