Definition of Business Support Services
Business support services include all internal functions, processes, and activities that support an organization’s core business operations and ensure its efficient functioning. While these services do not directly generate revenue, they are essential for smooth business operations, enabling employees, teams, and processes to deliver value to customers.
In other words, business support services facilitate production, service delivery, and internal management. They are part of an organization’s support processes and help maintain stability, efficiency, and business growth.
Key Areas and Examples of Business Support Services
- Human resources (HR): – Recruitment and onboarding, payroll processing, employee training, employee relations.
- IT services – IT infrastructure management, technical support, cybersecurity, system development, and maintenance.
- Finance and Accounting – Bookkeeping, payroll management, budgeting, financial reporting, tax compliance.
- Facility management services – Maintenance and management of buildings, office spaces, utilities, and security services.
- Office Management – Administrative support, office operations, and document management.
- Legal Services – Contract management, legal advisory, compliance, and risk mitigation.
- GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) – Corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
- Project Management – Planning, execution, and oversight of business projects.
Business support services help companies operate efficiently, reduce risks, and focus on their core activities that generate value for customers.
Common Business Support Services
Business support services help companies operate efficiently by providing essential administrative, financial, legal, technical, and operational assistance. These services can be managed internally or outsourced to specialized providers, helping businesses save time, reduce costs, and stay competitive.
1. Financial & Administrative Services
- Payroll processing services – Managing salaries, tax deductions, and benefits.
- Tax services – Tax preparation, compliance, and advisory services.
- Bookkeeping services – Tracking income, expenses, and financial reporting.
- Financial services – Accounting, investment advisory, and financial planning.
- Insurance services – Business liability, employee benefits, and property insurance.
2. Legal & Compliance Services
- Legal services – Contracts, business formation, compliance, and dispute resolution.
- Public relations (PR) services – Reputation management, media relations, and corporate communications.
- Translation services – Language support for contracts, marketing, and customer service.
3. IT & Technical Support Services
- Software development services – Custom software, app development, and IT solutions.
- Tech support services – IT troubleshooting, cybersecurity, and cloud management.
- Maintenance, calibration, and repair services – Equipment servicing, testing, and compliance calibration.
4. Marketing & Business Growth Services
- Marketing services – Advertising, branding, and digital marketing.
- Consulting services – Business strategy, operational improvement, and industry-specific advisory.
- Event production services – Planning, logistics, and execution of corporate events.
5. Facilities & Operational Services
- Property services – Facility management, leasing, and real estate advisory.
- Utilities – Electricity, water, gas, and telecommunications services.
- Waste management services – Recycling, disposal, and environmental compliance.
- Security services – Surveillance, access control, and cybersecurity.
- Transport & delivery services – Logistics, shipping, and last-mile delivery.
- Parking services – Facility parking management and valet services.
6. Employee Support & Workplace Services
- Training services – Employee development, skills training, and leadership programs.
- Health & wellness services – Employee assistance programs, gym memberships, and mental health support.
- Personal care services – Workplace wellness, concierge services, and corporate travel assistance.
Outsourced vs. In-House Business Support Services
Small and mid-sized businesses often choose to outsource certain business support services to reduce costs, access specialized expertise, and improve efficiency. At the same time, some functions are typically kept in-house for better control and integration with business operations.
Commonly Outsourced Business Support Services:
- Payroll Processing & Accounting – Many companies outsource payroll and bookkeeping to third-party providers like ADP, Paychex, or QuickBooks Payroll to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Legal Services – Contract management, compliance, and employment law services are often handled by external law firms.
- IT Services & Cybersecurity – Many SMBs use Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) for network management, cloud computing, and cybersecurity solutions.
- Marketing & Public Relations – Digital marketing, SEO, content creation, and PR are frequently outsourced to specialized agencies.
- HR & Recruitment – Some businesses outsource recruiting, background checks, and benefits administration to professional employer organizations (PEOs) or staffing agencies.
- Facilities & Maintenance – Janitorial, security, and property management services are typically handled by external vendors.
- Translation & Localization Services – Language services are often outsourced for international operations.
Business Support Services Typically Managed In-House:
- Employee Relations & HR Management – Employee engagement, workplace culture, and internal HR policies are usually handled by in-house HR teams.
- Office & Administrative Management – Daily office operations, scheduling, and internal communication are often kept within the company.
- Project Management – Internal teams usually manage business-critical projects that require coordination across departments.
- Strategic Planning & Leadership – Decision-making, growth strategies, and company culture development remain internal responsibilities.
By strategically outsourcing non-core functions while keeping key business processes in-house, U.S. SMBs can maximize efficiency, reduce overhead costs, and remain agile in a competitive market.
How to manage support services
To manage support services you need to keep information about them. It also depends on whether you provide them yourself (internal services) or whether you buy them from providers. In both cases, however, for an internal customer, the actual provider, i.e. the one who guarantees the required service level (SLA), is an organizational unit or a specific responsible person within the organization. Not a specific employee, as a customer of an internal service will communicate directly with an external supplier.
- Keeping an overview, a catalog of services with the definition of their level (SLA)
- Managing requests from users
- Reporting incidents and problems around services
- Managing relationships with service providers
- Continuous service improvement and change management