Servicing vs. Service — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 28, 2024
Servicing involves the process of maintaining or repairing, while service encompasses a broader range of activities including assistance and support.
Difference Between Servicing and Service
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Servicing refers specifically to the act of maintaining, repairing, or checking a product, machinery, or system to ensure it operates correctly. This term is often used in contexts like automobile servicing, where it involves regular maintenance checks, repairs, and replacements of parts to keep the vehicle in optimal condition. Service, however, is a broader term that includes all types of assistance, support, or facilities provided to meet the needs or desires of customers or clients. This can range from customer service, where assistance is given to consumers about product details, to services like banking, education, or healthcare, which cater to various aspects of societal needs.
While servicing is a subset of service, focusing on physical and technical maintenance, service can be intangible, such as advice, support, or consultancy. For example, financial services provide clients with advice and management of their finances, which involves no physical maintenance but is crucial for client satisfaction and support. On the other hand, a car servicing appointment involves tangible actions like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections to ensure the vehicle’s longevity and safety.
The quality of servicing can directly impact customer satisfaction and loyalty in industries that rely on the performance and reliability of physical products. In contrast, the quality of service in broader terms, including how customers are treated, the efficiency of service delivery, and the effectiveness of the service provided, can influence a company’s reputation, customer retention, and overall success across all sectors.
Professionals involved in servicing usually have specific technical skills and expertise related to maintenance and repair. For instance, mechanics, technicians, and IT support specialists. Conversely, service professionals might include a wider range of roles such as customer service representatives, consultants, educators, and healthcare providers, highlighting the diversity in skill sets required across different service sectors.
The economic impact also differs; servicing is often seen as a necessary expenditure to maintain or repair existing products or infrastructure, which can extend their lifespan and efficiency. Service sectors, however, contribute significantly to the economy by offering a wide range of services that cater to diverse needs, from basic necessities to luxury services, indicating the broader economic relevance of services beyond just maintenance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of maintaining or repairing.
Assistance, support, or facilities provided to customers.
Contexts
Often related to physical products or machinery.
Encompasses a wide range of activities, including intangible assistance.
Focus
Physical and technical maintenance.
Broad, including both tangible and intangible aspects.
Professionals
Technicians, mechanics, IT support.
Customer service representatives, consultants, educators, healthcare providers.
Economic Impact
Necessary expenditure for maintenance.
Significant contribution across diverse needs and sectors.
Compare with Definitions
Servicing
Act of maintaining or repairing machinery or products.
Regular car servicing is crucial for its longevity.
Service
Broad term for assistance or support provided.
The bank’s customer service helped resolve my query efficiently.
Servicing
Often requires technical skills and tools.
The servicing of the heating system required specialized knowledge.
Service
Involves various professional sectors.
Health service professionals are essential to community well-being.
Servicing
Focuses on physical products.
Laptop servicing included hardware checks and software updates.
Service
Impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Excellent service leads to high customer retention rates.
Servicing
Can prevent future issues and extend product life.
Proper servicing can prevent costly breakdowns.
Service
Can be tangible or intangible.
Educational services contribute significantly to societal development.
Servicing
Associated with scheduled or periodic maintenance.
The equipment undergoes servicing every six months to ensure efficiency.
Service
Economic sector contributing to GDP.
The service sector is a major part of the economy, encompassing finance, education, and healthcare.
Servicing
Work that is done for others as an occupation or business
Has done service for us as a consultant.
Service
The action of helping or doing work for someone
Millions are involved in voluntary service
Servicing
The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant
Found the butler's service to be excellent.
Service
A system supplying a public need such as transport, communications, or utilities such as electricity and water
A regular bus service
Servicing
An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay
Offers a superior service to that of his competitors.
Provides full catering services.
Service
A ceremony of religious worship according to a prescribed form
A funeral service
Servicing
Assistance; help
Was of great service to him during his illness.
Service
A periodic routine inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or other machine
He took his car in for a service
Servicing
An act of assistance or benefit; a favor
My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
Service
A set of matching crockery used for serving a particular meal
A dinner service
Servicing
The serving of food or the manner in which it is served
The service was good, but the food was lousy.
Service
(in tennis and other racket sports) the action or right of serving to begin play.
Servicing
A set of dishes or utensils
A silver tea service.
Service
The formal delivery of a document such as a writ or summons.
Servicing
Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government
Has been in the company's service for 15 years.
Service
Perform routine maintenance or repair work on (a vehicle or machine)
Ensure that gas appliances are serviced regularly
Servicing
A government branch or department and its employees
The diplomatic service.
Service
(of a male animal) mate with (a female animal)
One dog could presumably service several bitches in a day
Servicing
A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care
The anesthesiology service.
Service
Work that is done for others as an occupation or business
Has done service for us as a consultant.
Servicing
The armed forces of a nation
Joined the service right after college.
Service
The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant
Found the butler's service to be excellent.
Servicing
A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
Service
An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay
Offers a superior service to that of his competitors.
Provides full catering services.
Servicing
The installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer
A dealer with full parts and service.
Service
Assistance; help
Was of great service to him during his illness.
Servicing
The provision to the public of something, especially a utility
A town without sewer service.
Service
An act of assistance or benefit; a favor
My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
Servicing
The system or equipment used to provide something to the public
The electrical service was damaged in the storm.
Service
The serving of food or the manner in which it is served
The service was good, but the food was lousy.
Servicing
The right of serving in many court games.
Service
A set of dishes or utensils
A silver tea service.
Servicing
A serve
Her first service hit the net.
Service
Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government
Has been in the company's service for 15 years.
Servicing
A religious rite or formal ceremony
Held services in the evening.
A memorial service.
Service
A government branch or department and its employees
The diplomatic service.
Servicing
Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
Service
A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care
The anesthesiology service.
Servicing
(Law) The serving of a legal process, such as a summons or court order.
Service
The armed forces of a nation
Joined the service right after college.
Servicing
The material, such as cord, used in binding or wrapping rope.
Service
A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
Servicing
An answering service.
Service
The installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer
A dealer with full parts and service.
Servicing
To make fit for use; adjust, repair, or maintain
Service a car.
Service
The provision to the public of something, especially a utility
A town without sewer service.
Servicing
To provide services to
That cable company services most households in the area.
Service
The system or equipment used to provide something to the public
The electrical service was damaged in the storm.
Servicing
To make interest payments on (a debt).
Service
The right of serving in many court games.
Servicing
To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
Service
A serve
Her first service hit the net.
Servicing
Of or relating to the armed forces of a country.
Service
A religious rite or formal ceremony
Held services in the evening.
A memorial service.
Servicing
Intended for use in supplying or serving
A service elevator.
The service entrance.
Service
Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
Servicing
Offering repairs or maintenance
A service guarantee.
A road service area.
Service
(Law) The serving of a legal process, such as a summons or court order.
Servicing
Offering services to the public in response to need or demand
A service industry.
Service
The material, such as cord, used in binding or wrapping rope.
Servicing
Present participle of service
Service
An answering service.
Servicing
The act of performing maintenance on something.
How many servicings has your car had this year?
Service
To make fit for use; adjust, repair, or maintain
Service a car.
Servicing
The act of mating by male animals;
The bull was worth good money in servicing fees
Service
To provide services to
That cable company services most households in the area.
Service
To make interest payments on (a debt).
Service
To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
Service
Of or relating to the armed forces of a country.
Service
Intended for use in supplying or serving
A service elevator.
The service entrance.
Service
Offering repairs or maintenance
A service guarantee.
A road service area.
Service
Offering services to the public in response to need or demand
A service industry.
Service
An act of being of assistance to someone.
I say I did him a service by ending our relationship
– now he can freely pursue his career.
Service
(economics) The practice of providing such a service as economic activity.
Hair care is a service industry.
Service
A department in a company, an organization, a government department, etc.
Service
(computing) A function that is provided by one program or machine for another.
This machine provides the name service for the LAN.
Service
The state of being subordinate to or employed by an individual or group
Lancelot was at the service of King Arthur.
Service
The military.
I did three years in the service before coming here.
Service
A set of dishes or utensils.
She brought out the silver tea service.
Service
(sports) The act of initially starting, or serving, the ball in play in tennis, volleyball, and other games.
The player had four service faults in the set.
Service
A religious rite or ritual.
The funeral service was touching.
Service
(legal) The serving, or delivery, of a summons or writ.
The service happened yesterday.
Service
A taxi shared among unrelated passengers, each of whom pays part of the fare; often, it has a fixed route between cities.
Service
A musical composition for use in churches.
Service
(obsolete) Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed.
Service
(nautical) The materials used for serving a rope, etc., such as spun yarn and small lines.
Service
Access to resources such as hotel rooms and web-based videos without transfer of the resources' ownership.
Service
Service tree.
Service
The sorb; the fruit of this tree.
Service
(transitive) To serve.
They service the customer base.
Service
(transitive) To perform maintenance.
He is going to service the car.
Service
To supply (media outlets) with press releases etc.
Service
To attack.
To service a target; target servicing
Service
A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.
Service
The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper, slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love.
Madam, I entreat true peace of you, Which I will purchase with my duteous service.
God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms.
Service
The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office.
I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.
This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles.
To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor?
Service
Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service.
The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law.
Service
Hence, a musical composition for use in churches.
Service
Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier.
When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier.
Service
Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail.
The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures.
Service
Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed.
Service
The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass.
There was no extraordinary service seen on the board.
Service
The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpŒna or an attachment.
Service
The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.
Service
The act of serving the ball.
Service
Work done by one person or group that benefits another;
Budget separately for goods and services
Service
A company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Service
The act of public worship following prescribed rules;
The Sunday service
Service
An act of help or assistance;
He did them a service
Service
Employment in or work for another;
He retired after 30 years of service
Service
A force that is a branch of the armed forces
Service
The performance of duties by a waiter or servant;
That restaurant has excellent service
Service
Periodic maintenance on a car or machine;
It was time for an overhaul on the tractor
Service
Tableware consisting of a complete set of articles (silver or dishware) for use at table
Service
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play;
His powerful serves won the game
Service
The act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone;
He accepted service of the subpoena
Service
Canadian writer (born in England) who wrote about life in the Yukon Territory (1874-1958)
Service
A means of serving;
Of no avail
There's no help for it
Service
The act of mating by male animals;
The bull was worth good money in servicing fees
Service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
Service
Be used by; as of a utility;
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
The garage served to shelter his horses
Service
Make fit for use;
Service my truck
The washing machine needs to be serviced
Service
Mate with;
Male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
Common Curiosities
What role do technicians play in servicing?
Technicians play a crucial role in servicing by applying their specialized skills to maintain, diagnose, and repair physical products or machinery.
What types of service are there?
Services include customer support, education, healthcare, financial advice, and many others that provide assistance or meet specific needs.
Can service be intangible?
Yes, services can be intangible, such as consultancy, education, or customer support, providing non-physical assistance.
Are all services customer-facing?
Not all services are customer-facing; some, like back-office operations or logistics, support the delivery of customer-facing services indirectly.
How often should a vehicle be serviced?
Vehicle servicing frequency depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations, usage, and specific vehicle needs, often annually or after a certain number of miles.
How does servicing affect product lifespan?
Proper servicing can significantly extend a product’s lifespan by preventing wear and tear and addressing issues before they escalate.
How do service industries contribute to the economy?
Service industries contribute by creating jobs, fulfilling consumer needs, and generating a significant portion of GDP through diverse sectors.
What is the importance of service in healthcare?
In healthcare, service quality directly impacts patient care, treatment outcomes, and overall public health.
What's the difference between warranty and servicing?
A warranty is a guarantee from the manufacturer about product quality and function, covering repairs or replacements, while servicing involves regular maintenance to prevent issues.
xWhat does servicing involve?
Servicing involves maintaining, repairing, or checking products or systems to ensure they function properly.
Why is service important in business?
Service is crucial in business for building customer relationships, ensuring satisfaction, retaining customers, and enhancing reputation.
How does customer service differ from servicing?
Customer service focuses on assisting and satisfying customers, while servicing specifically relates to maintenance and repair activities.
What trends are affecting the service sector?
Trends affecting the service sector include digital transformation, increased emphasis on customer experience, and the integration of artificial intelligence for improved efficiency and personalization.
Can a single company offer both servicing and other services?
Yes, many companies offer both, such as a car dealership that sells vehicles (service) and provides maintenance and repairs (servicing).
Can digital products require servicing?
Yes, digital products require servicing in the form of updates, bug fixes, and security patches to ensure optimal functionality and security.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
