Managing an HVAC service delivery team has its challenges, but there are tools that you can use to solve them. HVAC software is designed with the HVAC industry in mind. Many organizations are turning to these types of software for an all-in-one approach to solving their many challenges.
It should come as little surprise that HVAC field service management software has plenty of benefits. It’s designed to streamline many of the processes HVAC organizations do daily and make them simpler and faster. And with HVAC field service software being customizable, it can fit the needs of your HVAC organization and the unique challenges you have in the industry.
1. One Service Platform
With HVAC software, everyone is working with the same service platform. All the operations of the service organization are running through the same software, so everyone speaks the same language. Service managers, dispatchers, technicians, project managers, sales people and consultants all log-in to one system. With cloud-based field service software, it allows multiple users to be connected, make changes and updates, and work together with the same information.
2. Build in Your Integrations
With any size organization, HVAC field service management software isn’t the only software you use. There are accounting programs, ERP and CRM systems that must be accounted for. But field service software allows for integrations to those programs, so they are added to the connection. Everything from inventory numbers, customer names and addresses, and billing information from those systems is accessible in your HVAC field service software. Invoices can now be generated from the field service software, without having to go into that accounting software, which helps speed up billing times.
3. Automate Operations
While faster bill pay is one automation, the entire system is built on automation. Work orders can be created automatically many ways, including from preventative maintenance contracts set up with customers. Automation is a way to remove the many repetitive tasks involved in field service. With work order templates, work orders can be created quickly. With many of these time consuming tasked removed, back office workers have more time to work on other things.
4. Speedier Payments
With a built-in integration with accounting software, bill payment is faster. Technicians from the field can close work orders on their mobile field service app and immediately, the billing cycle can begin. Invoices can be generated automatically through the integration, and be sent immediately to the customer, depending on the level of review. With the HVAC field service software taking care of the time and expenses calculation, invoicing can be done before a technician leaves the job site. Now bills will be in the customer’s hands faster, and payment can be in quickly.
5. Simple Workforce Management
HVAC field service management software allows you to control your entire workforce from one product. Dispatchers can schedule and dispatch the entire workforce with scheduling and resource routing tools. They can get in-depth and real-time information on their technicians and make smart decisions around dispatching based on that information. From selecting technicians based on skill searches or using geographical locations, it’s an easy way to control an entire workforce with one software solution.
6. Empowers Your Employees
Field service mobility is one of the largest assets of any HVAC field service software. Field service mobile apps are giving technicians in the field the tools they need to complete calls quick. And with the mobile app, they are doing away with manual processes, such as filling out paper-based work orders and checklist compliance reports. It also means technicians don’t have to drop those work orders off to the office, as they will automatically send when connected to the software.
7. Great Access to Information
HVAC field service management software is a silo of information. All the data that comes into the field service software is available to be used by the people who need it. Technicians can access service history, contracts and inventory from their mobile field service app, giving them more information when doing repairs. This can be the difference between finishing a call on the first visit or having to reschedule again. Repair manuals, help books and tutorials can also be applied to work orders to give the technicians the information they need, when they need it.
8. Enhanced Analytics
All that information the HVAC field service software collects can be turned into useful reports and analytics. With the Business Intelligence module, information can be turned quickly into analytics that will help managers make smart business decisions with the most accurate information that comes straight from the field. It’s not weeks old, and it doesn’t take weeks to turn it into useful reports. But rather, it’s done automatically, and you can slice and dice the analytics to get any type of custom report that is important to your organization.
9. Expand Your Market
Many HVAC organizations are looking to expand into new markets, either geographically or by offering different services. That can be challenging if they don’t have the technicians with those skills, or don’t want to spend the money to start-up a new location. For that, HVAC field service management software has subcontractor management tools, which will help you expand. Accept quotes from subcontractors, complete on-boarding, push work orders and have payment vouchers created quickly. This allows you to hire skilled workers for jobs out of your market, without hiring them full-time.
10. Improve Customer Satisfaction
Customers are demanding more from their service professionals, and with HVAC field service software, you’ll be able to deliver. Never miss a call, have high first-time fix rates, and be available when they need it, because you deployed a software solution that gives you the power to make those changes possible. Customers can also use their own portals to request service, reducing the time spent on the phone waiting to be scheduling.
Many More Benefits of Field Service Management Software
HVAC field service management software has revolutionized the HVAC industry. It has brought plenty of benefits that have created more competition in the field, but also made service delivery a lot easier for everyone involved. Technicians are more empowered and have more information, and dispatchers have greater control of their workforce.