Field Service Automation – The Proactive Model

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Last updated Feb 10, 2020 at 3:05PM | Published on Aug 8, 2017 | Blog

In the field service space, the goal now is to be proactive, as opposed to reactive. It’s not just good enough anymore to be able to solve a maintenance or repair issue after a piece of equipment has already been broken, as companies are looking for ways to keep their equipment in good working order, to begin with, while also identifying problems before they happen.

That’s where field service automation comes into play, as the deployment of field service technicians before a break occurs is what companies are looking for. It not only keeps equipment in good working order but limits the amount of downtime and the number of service calls they would require.

In Fieldpoint, automation can be achieved many ways to ensure equipment is running at its peak efficiency. Automated scheduling of preventative maintenance is the first line of defense, as either through a contract or work order, maintenance can be scheduled well in advance and be scheduled with the right technician with the right skills to complete the task. With the field service app, maintenance checklists and any parts needed can be directly sent to the technician, giving them all they need for the job.

fieldpoints subcontractor management software

The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) has shifted the field service automation paradigm to one where machines are telling the field service software when there is an issue that needs to be addressed. When equipment is working outside normal parameters, it pre-emptively prompts a service call and schedules a maintenance request. This results in lower administration costs and improves the uptime of a vital piece of equipment.

Fieldpoint’s Business Intelligence feature can also provide the automatic updates needed to keep a business running smoothly. Service managers can configure and create reports on service to foresee problems or identify recurring problems with pieces of equipment. The flexibility of the Business Intelligence feature can give managers insight into the business in real time, offering a way to be proactive in their services and business decisions, as opposed to reacting to trends that can be identified through automation.

Fieldpoint’s many integrations with accounting software, such as Microsoft Dynamics GP and NetSuite, offers time-saving automation. Data entry completed in either software can connect with Fieldpoint to create client profiles that can be used by dispatchers when creating work orders. These automations can go straight from the field, as service technicians can sign off on work orders that, through the integration, can create invoices that are immediately sent to the customer.

Field service automation is about many different things in unique areas that, combined, can speed up multiple processes of the work order, assigning a schedule and billing, while keeping a focus on being proactive in maintenance schedules, as opposed to reacting to a problem after it has already caused downtime.