The phrase
business operating system (
BOS) refers to standard, enterprise-wide collection of business processes
used in many diversified industrial companies. The definition has also
been extended to include the common structure, principles and practices
necessary to drive the organization.
Diversified industrial companies like Ingersoll Rand, Honeywell, and Danaher have adopted a standard, common collection of business processes and/or business process improvement methodologies.
- Ingersoll Rand has established the Ingersoll Rand business operating
system (BOS) to describe the six enterprise focus areas—or strategic
areas of focus—and its process improvement method known as Lean Six Sigma.
- Honeywell has established the Honeywell operating system (HOS)
- Danaher is well known for its Danaher business system (DBS)
While these standard business operating systems may inform or be
linked to a company's technology platform, they more commonly refer to
the way the company manages complex business processes in a common way
across its diverse portfolio of businesses.