Oheispalvelut

Oheispalvelut is a Finnish term describing a broad set of ancillary or support services that enable organizations to carry out their core activities. They are not the core offerings themselves, but are necessary to operate efficiently, maintain facilities, and deliver main products or services.

The scope of oheispalvelut typically includes facility management (cleaning, maintenance, waste management, property management, security), catering and hospitality (on-site or outsourced), and premises services; transportation and logistics (fleet management, courier services); information and communications technology support (help desk, system administration); administrative and back-office services (reception, mail handling, document management, translation and interpretation); human resources and payroll support; and event and media services.

Delivery models vary and may involve in-house teams, external outsourcing, or hybrid arrangements. Contracts are usually governed by service-level agreements that specify performance metrics, pricing terms, and compliance with labour law, data protection, and other regulatory requirements. Oheispalvelut are commonly used in both public and private sectors, including public administration, education, healthcare, industry, and housing, where separating core activities from support functions helps organizations focus on their primary mission.

Quality, safety, and sustainability considerations often guide procurement and management of oheispalvelut, with attention to occupational safety, environmental impact, and social responsibility. The concept aligns with international practice of dividing core activities from ancillary services to improve efficiency, scalability, and service continuity.