Abstract: Purpose – This paper presents a concept for digitalised maintenance (DM), maps the conceptualised DM to maintenance problems in industries and highlights challenges that might be faced when realizing this concept. Design/methodology/approach – First, maintenance problems that are faced by the industry were presented, followed by a conceptualisation of DM. Next, a typical operational scenario was used as an exemplification to show system dynamics. The characteristics of this conceptualised DM were then mapped to the identified maintenance problems of industry. Then, interesting initiatives in this domain were highlighted, and finally, the challenges to realize this approach were discussed. Findings –This paper identified a set of problems related to maintenance in industry. In order to solve current industrial problems, exploit emerging digital technologies and elevate future industries, it will be necessary to develop new maintenance approaches. The mapping between the criteria of DM and maintenance problems shows the potential of this concept and gives a reason to examine it empirically in future work. Originality/value – This paper aims to help maintenance professionals from both academia and industry to understand and reflect on the problems related to maintenance, as well as to comprehend the requirements of a digitalised maintenance and challenges that may arise.