The field service industry works a lot like a machine: several moving parts all rely on one another to accomplish a successful outcome. When one of these moving parts fails, it has the potential to shut down the entire system. As such, comprehensive management solutions are essential to maintaining a field service business.
So why do most field service management software systems only address one part of the business? Professionals in this industry often have to choose between software with capable workflow management and effective asset management.
At FieldEquip, they believe that FSM software should do both. Let’s take a look at how they can optimize both workflow and asset management within a single FSM solution.
- Are They Overpaying for FSM Software Solutions?
If they are like most field service businesses, chances are that they have found FSM software
If they are like most field service businesses, chances are that they have found FSM software with incredible field service asset management solutions, but subpar inventory and workflow capabilities (or vice versa).
While piecing together software solutions might get them where they need to go, chances are they are taking the long route - and losing valuable time and money along the way.
Let’s take a look at some of the challenges field service businesses face when left without a comprehensive FSM solution:
- Streamlining internal processes: Asset management and workflow management go hand-in-hand. The company needs to ensure that technicians are in the right place at the right time with the right tools. When transferring and translating data across multiple systems, they are likely to encounter challenges and inefficiencies while incurring additional costs.
- Billing and invoicing: When they manage the workflow and assets across different platforms, it can be difficult to automate the invoicing process. They may need to track the maintenance and repairs in one platform and transfer the data to a separate platform for billing.
- Financial overlaps: When they pay for multiple software systems and subscriptions, these charges add up. Are they spreading the budget across an array of software systems with the hope of achieving effective results? They can help save on overhead costs by investing in a single software system that does it all.
So how can they optimize all of the services on a single field service management platform?
Workflow Management Software
Managing every facet of the field service business can seem like a challenge, but the right software solution will make this easier than they could imagine. Some of the solutions the business may need include:
- Customized workflow and notifications: Automated workflow systems connect technicians with the back office while tracking workflow progress. Once a technician completes their task, this system provides them with all of the details of their next assignment—effectively increasing productivity.
- Geo-tracking and geo-fencing: The latest technology can give they a full overview of the technicians and their movement. Geo-tracking and geo-fencing technology help them efficiently and effectively manage the field service business.
- Analytics and reporting: Long gone are the days of relying on estimates in workflow management. Dashboards, analytics, and reports can synthesize the company’s information into actionable insights - helping them make data-driven decisions.
To make these solutions effective in the field service industry, they will also require mobile capabilities.
Mobile Apps for Field Service Management
Technicians can also record valuable information and capture customer signatures with ease
Mobile field service management software can help technicians access the tools and information they need on the go. Scheduling and dispatch software capability can send the information the technicians need straight to their smartphones.
The technicians can also record valuable information and capture customer signatures with ease, reducing the service-to-cash cycle.
Intelligent Inventory management
Inventory management inefficiencies can quickly disrupt the service-to-cash cycle. If the inventory is not accessible to a technician when they need it, it can delay service and cause repeat visits. Additionally, when money is tied up in unused inventory, it might leave the business tight for cash.
Worst of all, unused inventory could potentially become obsolete, causing unnecessary write-offs to hit the bottom line. This is why intelligent inventory management is key to effective field service management software.
They need a software system that tracks the inventory across warehouses, stocking depots, and (most importantly) technician trucks. This can help create the clearest picture of the inventory for both technicians and the back office.
Asset Management Software
The right asset management software will help they manage this data with ease
How do they keep track of the customer assets? Field service businesses often have to keep track of thousands of machines across hundreds of customers.
The right asset management software will help they manage this data with ease.
Asset management solutions
When purchasing asset management software for field service businesses, some essential features include:
- Predictive and preventive maintenance: How do they repair an issue before it becomes a problem? Technicians used to rely on guesswork and constant in-person checks. The latest asset management solutions use IoT and AI technology and knowledge-based features to maintain predictive and preventive maintenance routines.
- Asset Work History: When a technician is working on a job, it is essential they have access to the machinery’s work history. Otherwise, they may find technicians making repeated visits to carry out the same ineffective solutions. Asset management solutions should also make relevant resources available, including asset schematics, drawings, manufacturer guidelines, and training manuals.
- Customer portals: When they manage customer assets, they are also responsible for managing customer relationships. The clients will want to see data, progress, and proof of the work. A software system with customer portal capabilities will put all of this information in one place for the customers.
- Service and inspection checklists: It can be hard to remember each step of a service or inspection process, which is why so many field service businesses turn to checklists. Mobile task and inspection checklists are customizable and accessible for field service technicians.
This is just a brief overview of the asset management features an advanced field service software can provide.
