BOT and Shared Deployment: Water Business Models Explained
As the water industry shifts from "selling devices" to "selling services," BOT and shared deployment have become two important business models. Both rely on IoT capabilities for asset control and continuous billing. This article explains how these models work and their IoT support based on YOOAI's Water Rental Solution.
1. BOT Model
BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer): The solution provider invests in building water devices, operates and charges over a contracted period, then transfers ownership to the customer.
- Fit: Large centralized water projects-schools, hospitals, factories, parks
- Profit logic: Collects water/service fees during operation to cover investment and profit
- IoT support: Remote control + pay-per-volume billing + data dashboard accounting
- Key: Asset security (one-click lock), controllable operating-period revenue
2. Shared Deployment Model
Shared deployment: Water devices deployed in public scenarios (malls, parks, schools); users scan to pay per volume.
- Fit: Public water points-malls, stations, parks, schools
- Profit logic: Users scan to top up and pay per volume; scaled deployment amortizes cost
- IoT support: User mini-program recharge + remote device control + profit settlement
- Key: Device density and usage rate, multi-tier profit sharing incentivizes deployers
3. Comparison
| Dimension | BOT | Shared Deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Customer | Single institution (school/hospital) | Public users |
| Billing | Water/service fee (periodic) | Scan pay-per-volume |
| Term | Long-term (5-10 yrs) then transfer | Continuous |
| Asset | Transferred at term end | Long-term held |
| IoT core | Pay-per-volume + asset control | Recharge + profit + remote control |
4. IoT Is the Foundation of Business Models
Both models rely on IoT capabilities:
- Pay-per-volume billing: Users top up water volume; system auto-deducts
- Asset control: Remote lock secures ownership; auto-lock on unpaid/expiry
- Profit settlement: Multi-tier profit auto-settled, incentivizing channels
- Data accounting: Data center accounts for revenue, usage, device health
5. Model Selection Recommendations
- Large institutional centralized water with transfer needs -> BOT
- Public scenarios, public users -> Shared deployment
- Brands expanding channels -> Combine rent-to-own with multi-tier distribution
BOT and shared deployment are representative models of the water industry's "service-selling" transformation, with IoT as the deployment foundation. YOOAI's Water Rental Solution supports pay-per-volume, asset control, and multi-tier profit-fitting various business models. To learn more, contact us.