Abstract: A supplier of products that are useful in an industrial process provides enhanced services associated with the product. The support method applies in a business relationship between a supplier and a consumer, wherein the consumer uses the products in the industrial process. A variety of parameters of the industrial process are monitored and items of performance information concerning the products used in the industrial process are acquired. Corresponding data are stored in a memory device at the consumer's location. The data are sporadically transmitted to the supplier, where the data are stored in a centralized database. There, the data are processed and reports are generated concerning the consumer's industrial process and the performance of the products in the industrial process. Real-time “on call” engineering services may be provided by the supplier on the basis of the data and/or reports for the consumer's use can be generated.