Buying any kind of industrial equipment service software can be a challenging task for any manager tasked with making the critical decision to go with a software solution for their industrial equipment field service organization.
Is this really for me? How will this help my organization? What is the best field service software available?
Those are just some of the questions you’re probably thinking of when you’re looking at a field service management software. Buying an industrial equipment software takes work to buy, but any smart decision that will offer multiple benefits to your enterprise should be given your full attention to finding the best field service solution.
Here are some questions you can think about that should make the process of buying a field service management software easier.
Is an industrial equipment service software a good fit for my organization?
Field service software is not a one size fits all purchase. Like a good suit, it needs to fit and be tailored to you, or in this case, your industrial equipment maintenance organization. You know your business better than anyone, and you know what it needs to succeed, and what areas could use a software to help with efficiency.
Some field service management software solutions are designed for larger enterprises, some for smaller. Some focus on preventative maintenance contracts, or the ability to track service history on individual pieces of equipment through a work order management system that creates a lasting legacy system. And some are capable of integrating with other software and systems or give you a mobile app to empower your technicians in the field.
However, the keyword when purchase a software is, what do YOU need because every organization and enterprise is different and software fits differently. It doesn’t mean you can’t take it in or take it out, it just means it needs to be properly fitted for your organization’s size.
Is field service software easy to use?
It may seem like a basic question, but you have to consider that everyone in your organization is going to be using this new tool, training will have to be done to get everyone familiar with it, and there will be some pushback from those who are accustomed to doing things the old-fashioned way.
So, when evaluating an industrial equipment service software, getting one that comes with all the bells and whistles may not be the best fit for your organization, especially if the training required to use it is extreme. You don’t want to have to retrain your technicians over and over again on how to use a complicated software, as you have bought the software to help them do their job.
However, it’s also why you should consider the implementation team you are going to have behind you helping you navigate through any problems you would have. A service consultant that hears and understands your organization’s needs and is prepared to offer solutions that will fit your needs.
Can an industrial equipment service software grow my business?
That’s the golden question for anyone evaluating their options when looking to purchase a field service software. Will implementing an industrial equipment service software grow my businesses revenue and profit margins? Will it bring me more customers? Will I be able to conduct more service calls be a more efficient organization?
The answer to all those questions is yes. With many tools in an industrial equipment service software, from scheduling and dispatching options, contract automation, business intelligence, and integrations, time will be cut down on administrative tasks, work orders can be closed out faster, and service history on each piece of equipment you maintain will be ready at your fingertips. Your entire enterprise becomes more efficient, which will lead to great bottom line revenue and greater customer satisfaction.
It’s not an easy decision at all, but with more and more industrial field service organizations moving towards a software solution, it’s becoming a decision many service managers are trying to make. Don’t let the unknown scare you, though, as the right field service software is available to you or can be tailored to meet your needs and demands.