A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Field Service Management Solution
Eunice Buag
Client Relationship Manager at Fraud.net| Building strong partnerships to combat fraud
A quick question.
Is your company able to keep up with field service industry trends?
Also,
Can your field service company choose the right field service management solution?
These days, mobility software and devices are widely accepted and used.
However, the fundamental reason for it is maintaining lean field service procedures.
Also, consider the vital role of providing consumers with better service, proactive information, and greater insight.
Additionally, providing competent workers with a contemporary tool makes it simpler for them to be attracted to and retained.
Therefore,
Selecting the ideal field service management (FSM) solution for your business is crucial.
But are you aware that this task is a complex undertaking?
A sound field service management system lowers expenses and overheads while improving ROI, productivity, and day-to-day operations.
Due to the abundance of possibilities, the task may be challenging.
What criteria do you use to make your decision?
After many years of experience in field service management, we have seen that each solution has become distinctive.
Are you curious to understand how to pick the right solutions for your firm?
You're about to learn something new!
Field Service Management Solutions: Why You Need Them
Getting your company the right field service management solution is the way.
According to a Capterra study, 97% of Field Service Management (FSM) software users saw some effects from the new software solution on their businesses.
51% of respondents stated they used customer alerts, and 47% of businesses reported increased daily completed projects.
So why do you need the right field service management solutions?
In the past, scheduling was one of the main issues for on-site personnel and internal dispatchers.
FSM systems provide real-time scheduling and notifications.
You can achieve more effective reservations by automating scheduling using FSM software. It enables your on-site personnel to select the ideal procedure for finishing jobs.
What if the technician you send isn't the right one for the job?
Your customer will not only have a bad experience, but it will also affect the morale of your staff.
This confusion can be avoided by using the right FSM software, which enables you to assign particular jobs to technicians.
What is the main impediment to higher resolution rates?
Absence of knowledge.
Your on-site professional won't be able to resolve the problem if he arrives at the scene without the appropriate information at his disposal.
Luckily, FSM software frequently includes features that make task and job-related information accessible from the cloud on any device.
Sounds good, right?
On-site field technicians manually input their work hours at the end of the day.
It takes a lot of time to enter data manually.
On the other hand, field service software enables technicians to enter job details in real-time.
Field service software collects and analyzes enormous amounts of data.
This provides more profound insights.
Managers can efficiently manage time, resources, equipment, and spare parts and produce high-quality work.
Customer communication is crucial for client success.
Excellent and prompt customer service creates a good reputation for your business.
Automated FSM systems offer regular notifications, customer portals, chatbots, emails, mobile apps, and other communication services.
The FSM outlines your expectations of your team members and clients.
I am sure you are convinced why you must choose the right service management solution.
Am I right?
Good.
So what's the best FSM solution for you?
Find out below.
The 7 Best Practices for Choosing your FSM Solution
We always advise field service businesses to choose the best field service software system.
Should we care what they choose?
Yes, we do!
Numerous factors lead service firms to analyze, buy, and adopt new field service management software.
No matter what factors push your service organization over the edge, there are a few fundamental strategies to organize your purchasing process.
The strategies drastically reduce the unexpected and significantly improve your chances of success with your new system.
Let's focus on the seven best practices for choosing field service software.
Tip #1 – Evaluate your Business Case
To What Standards will we Compare Vendor Systems?
Vendors will no longer just display their system; instead, they will show you how that system can (or can't) help you achieve your goals.
This is accomplished by clearly communicating your unique company objectives.
Among your to-do list should be to document the business procedures that need to be improved.
Also, decide how you will evaluate each procedure's success and the overall project.
Tip #2 – Perform Apples-to-Apples Comparisons
2.1 Technology Trends
While conducting your own research is highly recommended, keep in mind the following technology trends while speaking with potential vendors:
Are you aware that vendors have started offering their hosted, cloud-based format systems in the SaaS?
Yes, they do.
Recommended by LinkedIn
An Internet connection is all they require to operate.
Go for such software!
2.2 How do you Bring out the Differences in Field Service Systems?
We understand this question is essential when choosing your field service system.
This is how you go about it;
Tip #3 – Work with Field Technicians
Yes, we understand you are the boss and your decision matters, but the technicians are crucial in this process.
They are directly affected by the system that your field service company will settle for.
Here is what you should do:
Include your service technicians in the whole process of purchasing your field service management software.
Involve them in developing the business case to test the program.
In addition to lowering field resistance to the new system, doing this might also turn up some unexpectedly good suggestions for how to improve things.
Remember that technology for mobile devices, networks, and applications has advanced dramatically in recent years.
Therefore, in either scenario, you need assurance of the availability of support, competence, and reasonable prices of the field service management system support you are about to choose.
Ask yourself these questions too,
Will software specialists be on the other end of the line, or are they just call centre agents who register your call for later?
You'll be communicating with either a phone system or people.
These questions will make you realize the importance of your technicians' full-circle understanding of the system.
Tip #4 – Learn about the Latest Technology Trends in Field Service Software
Technology has many buzzwords, so it is crucial to understand what they mean.
Yes, don't assume anything that you can't understand.
Ask for clarity from the vendors.
Also, consider the following;
This is the capacity of a field service management system to transfer data between ERP, CRM, or other home office-based business systems automatically.
I insist. This is a critical point!
Tip #5 – Understand customer support in-depth
Rally your team behind the field service system rollout project.
It's essential to do so in addition to the implementation and training strategy suggested by your field service system vendor.
To-Dos:
At this point, we recommend you ask yourself these two questions.
If you are stuck, will technical assistance be available when you need it?
From the viewpoint of a real user, how does the seller sound? (are they Experienced or just making sales?)
I am just hoping that you are still hooked on this juicy guide.
Let's continue with the following tips because we like it when you make a wise decision.
Tip #6 – Review the References
It is essential to ask a variety of questions.
For you to achieve maximum results from your reference calls;
First,
Ask about system usability and stability.
Second,
Ask about customer support and communication.
Third,
Ask if you can meet with the company's management and operational staff.
Tip #7 – Have a Training and Implementation Strategy
To-Dos: Before you call references, spend time creating a list of inquiries.
While the process of training and implementation might not be enjoyable, things can run smoothly with the appropriate plan.
Mark these reminders;
An Example Of A Successful Field Service Operation
Who doesn't like an example?
No one!
Field service management has a bright future but has undergone a significant change.
FSM software is made to prioritize physical assets, assisting you in coordinating the cadence and scheduling of your activities to maintain equipment in top condition.
Because your clients and employees from a blended workforce are the main components of the equation, you are trying to solve. Intelligent field service software places them at the centre of the process.
A field service management solution is required if you wish to optimize your business.
Services like installing, maintaining, repairing, and deploying physical objects you own or have sold need an optimized FSM.
That is what a great field service management solution should look like or serve as.
Field Service Management in the Future
Although the digital revolution in field service has significantly enhanced productivity, ROI, employee and customer pleasure, and more, it is not without problems for service providers.
As technology advances, customers demand more.
The typical field service client nowadays anticipates:
Therefore, field service managers require a comprehensive solution that handles a mobile workforce, client preferences, scheduling, dispatching, and communication needs in a single streamlined system to meet these needs.
Of course, technology for field service management will continue to advance.
If anything, it will change more quickly in the future.
Select the Appropriate Field Service Management Solution With MightyFields
It is possible to automate schedules with a great field service management solution, enhance communication, boost efficiency, and do much more.
Book a MightyFields field service scheduling and dispatching software demo to see it in action, or read more about the qualities to look for in a field service management solution.
Contact us and get an immediate response.