There is a growing demand for accuracy, efficiency and customer service in the field service management space, and field service management software is having to keep up with new features and technology that not only meet the demand, but excel well beyond them.
Moving the trend continues to lean towards a mobile age, with greater ability to use native mobile field service apps, Internet of Things (IoT) technology, while also having tools to increase the number of service calls and integrate with other systems, such as accounting and CRM software.
Here are four active trends in the field service industry:
Greater Reporting and Analytics
Real-time information is now in high demand, as information is key to making proper and informed business decisions. Having analytical features built into the field service software is giving managers a better look at their company’s position, and all of it is at their fingertips. From revenue and costs to the number of calls and the duration of time it takes to complete them, all forms of analytics are now being taken into consideration, and the deeper that data goes, the better the decisions can be. Just having a graph with revenue numbers isn’t enough anymore to satisfy the needs of greater company transparency.
Customizable field service software
Field service management software isn’t a one size fits all software. Every company has a different need and a unique want. That makes customization a critical feature when selecting a field service software. Each organization’s needs have a tailored solution when it comes to implementing a field service software, including integrations with previous accounting systems, setting up work order escalation and scheduling practices. With options of going mobile and expansion becoming easier with the use of subcontractors, the need to customize the look and feel of the software means organizations are having more of their needs addresses, and can think of what they need their software to do for them, without limitations.
A need to expand service delivery with subcontractors
Many companies are looking to expand their service delivery, either within their own service area due to greater service call volume, or nationally to other parts of the country. But they want to do so without the overhead of hiring full-time field service workers or administration staff to handle the extra load. Field service software, including the mobile field service app, are providing ways to on-board subcontractors and get them the information, such as work orders and instructions needed to complete a job. Integration’s work with third-party systems to help hire subcontractors, allowing companies to expand their business into new territories without large overhead. And between the mobile app, integrations with accounting software and work order features, the process is streamlined for a quick and easy business expansion.
Less manual, paper-based work, more mobility
With the move towards going green, paper-based work orders are becoming a thing of the past. Fewer paper records are being kept on hand, as field service software offers a totally digital and electronic solution, which is easily accessible through the cloud. With mobility, mobile field service apps are giving technicians the ability to complete work orders from a tablet or smart phones, including completing advanced checklists, inputting expenses, time and parts used, while also capturing pictures and electronic signatures for fast processing. Quoting, checklists and purchase orders can all be done without the need to print off paper, keeping the amount of paper that ends up in the waste basket to a minimum.