What is Service Catalog?

Last updated: 2025-08-02

Service Catalog Explained Simply and Clearly

A service catalog is a clear, organized list of services that your company offers or uses – either for employees (internal services) or for customers (external services).
It helps everyone know what’s available, how much it costs, and how to request it.

Why Do Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Need a Service Catalog?

  • Saves time by reducing repetitive questions from employees and customers
  • Sets clear expectations for both staff and clients
  • Helps organize and manage business services effectively

What Are the Most Common Service Catalogs in Small and Medium Businesses?

IT Service Catalog

  • A list of all IT services provided by your IT department or an external IT company – for example, requests for a new laptop, software installations, password resets.
  •  How it works in practice: In Aptien, you can record individual IT services as items with a description, request procedure, and responsible person.

HR Service Catalog (for Employees)

  • What it is: A list of HR, IT, or facility services available to employees, for example, onboarding, employment verification requests, training, benefits.
  • How it works in practice:In Aptien, you can create an HR service catalog as a separate organizer with the option to add procedures and documents for each service.

Catalog of Purchased Services (Services from Suppliers)

  • What it is:
  • A list of all services that the company purchases from external suppliers or freelancers – for example, cleaning, security, accounting services, marketing agencies.
  • How it works in practice:
  • In Aptien, you can record individual services with information about the supplier, prices, contracts, and contacts.

Example Use Cases in Aptien

  • New Employee Onboarding: HR uses the HR services catalog to keep track of all steps and requirements.
  • IT Support: Employees know how to request a new software license.
  • Office Management: Easily see who manages cleaning services, the cost, and the contract details.