Managing a company’s operations in a productive manner is extremely difficult. Especially if you rely on manual processes, then you might have to spend enormous time and energy in undertaking your job. This is where field service management software comes in handy.
With a fully customized and automated field system, you can maintain communication flow, consistency in the workflow, and reach your goals. In the following blog, we have discussed this system in detail and what are the significant benefits of employing it as part of your operations.
What is FSM?
Any service that is performed in the field comes under the category of “field service.” This is opposite to all the services that are performed on a corporate or company property. Typically, field service includes dispatching workers to a particular location, particularly that of the customers. The field workers are then required to use their technical skills and provide field service, which can be anything from setting up the cable TV to teaching students.
In this regard, a Field Service Management System helps in managing the field resources, equipment, and employees in the organization. It deals with all the aspects of the field operation, such as:
- Scheduling and assigning tasks
- Communicating with employees and customers
- Finding the most feasible route
- Managing product inventory
- Sharing job status
- Collecting data from the field service, such as quotations and requests
- Dispatching employees to work locations
- Assigning urgent tasks in case of an emergency
- Knowing who is available to work
As field service is becoming more competitive and the customer demands are becoming more complicated, a field service management system is particularly critical for businesses. Using this system, a company can effectively communicate with its employees, deal with any sort of issues, and manage the needs of the customers. With proper field service, the company is then well-placed to compete in the market and establish a good brand image.
Benefits of FSM
Field Service Management software comes with a whole lot of perks, which are beneficial both in the short-term and the long-term.
- Better Scheduling
Many companies face challenges in managing their workflow, especially when the worker who was assigned to do a particular task is absent. Schedules can overlap, and it can be challenging to communicate with all the field workers to re-assign the tasks. However, with a smart system in place, you can easily assign duties to the technicians.
Companies usually assign jobs according to who is near the customer’s location. A field service management system comes with a GPS, allowing the management to see who can reach the customer quickly. This saves time and ensures order in the business process.
Scheduling can then be donequickly, as any changes in the workflow order can be instantly communicated to all the employees. Real-time scheduling, in this regard, is incredibly beneficial.
- Cost-effectiveness
Field service management software also helps businesses in reducing operational costs and increasing revenue. Any emergencies or customer requests can be instantly resolved. Your workers can communicate easily with the management, allowing you to keep track of their progress.
On the other hand, features like GPS and route calculation help the workers in choosing a feasible direction that is free from traffic. In this way, field workers can save cost spent on fuel.
Many software also comes with an automated service report that provides reliable insights regarding the field service. Using this data, your company can identify the areas of strength and weaknesses. The management can then strategize future operations to deal with the loopholes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction
Customers can make or break a business, making their satisfaction a top priority. Using field service management software, you can address customers’ needs quickly and ensure the field workers can help them out. You can also remove any sort of ambiguity, manage the quotations, and keep track of your workers’ performance.
- Timely invoicing
Many software comes with features, such as e-signature and template building. Using these features, businesses can speed up the invoicing or quotation process. For instance, if your technicians have to generate an invoice on the field, they can use the template with all the job details, employ the e-signature, and finalize the deal with the customers.
All the critical information regarding the job, such as materials used, the parts that were replaced, or how much time was spent working, can be input into the data. The software can then automatically calculate the quotation while taking all the discounts and special pricing conditions into account.
- Improved Flexibility
The sophisticated technology employed in a field service management system ensures that it can be integrated with any device. So whether you want to manage the entire system from your desktop or on the go, the system can be used with any kind of device.
It can also be linked with other software such as those used for accounting, inventory databases, CRM, and campaign management. Most importantly, field software comes with numerous personalization features.
Features of the Field Service Management System
There are numerous field service management systems available out there. However, before you can pick one, there are few features you need to look for:
- Accessibility
When it comes to using field service management software, it is not worth picking a system that can be used only from specific devices. Since many people now work remotely, a mobile application is a critical alternative to desktop software. In this regard, a field service management app should be available for the software you are choosing. This will allow the workers to communicate with you regardless of where they are. Without the mobile application, your field workers will be unable to connect to the system present in the office.
- Reporting and analysis
Since field workers spend ample time working outside the office, it can be challenging to know what kind of work they are producing and how efficient they are in their jobs. However, using reporting features in the software, the managers can easily track the project progress and performance. This will allow the management to evaluate the workers’ skills and knowledge, especially when deciding on rewards and promotions.
- Scheduling
With employees out on the field, you might have a tough time knowing where the workers are and what they are doing. However, with the tracking and scheduling facility in the software, you can instantly know about your workers. In case you have to reschedule tasks, you can easily do it in real-time and let all the workers know about the changes.
- Relevant to the industry
An efficient field service management software also resonates with the dynamics of different industries and business structures. For instance, tracking workers’ location might be critical for a delivery business but not for an IT company. The software should be able to provide all the features that are relevant to your business goals and aspirations.
The Final Takeaway
From logistics and construction to manufacturing and retail, a field service management system can help wide-ranging companies and industries in automating field service, increasing profit, and advancing commercial goals. The software can enhance customer satisfaction while allowing your employees to undertake their responsibilities with efficiency.
