He points to maintenance applications, medical solutions--especially used during surgery or patient rounds--and large-scale manufacturing applications as areas that can produce the sort of easily measurable returns that attract corporate interest.

CNN: Wearable PCs offer function, not fashion

There are service plans, he points out, and the maintenance companies are very responsive, but it's still a concern.

CNN: Film to digital: Seeing movies in a new light

In this week's New England Journal of Medicine, an editorial points out that "the strength and maintenance of erections" of men on Viagra were not as good as men who were not impotent.

CNN: Study: Viagra doesn't work for every impotent man

The Orbita predictive maintenance service that Bombardier is providing to the Scottish rail operator swallows 70, 000 data points a day.

FORBES: The Great Train Catch-Up

The CarMD Vehicle Health Index points out common problems by brand, which may be important to know as you consider future maintenance costs.

FORBES: What That Dreaded 'Check Engine' Repair Will Cost You

He points out that family businesses are characterized by efforts on the part of ownership to balance financial performance with maintenance of family control and benefits for future generations.

FORBES: How Can Family Business Be More Entrepreneurial?