What are the Signs You Need Field Service Software for Your Business?

Field Service Management Software is essential for any field service company. But not everyone knows why their service-based business needs a field service solution.

Many small businesses fail because they lack a proper field service management system. Manual methods of managing a field service business consume too much time, money and effort while staying laden with service delays and errors. 

Here we elaborate on the signs you need field service software for your business management.

Signs You Need Field Service Software

The field service industry is growing rapidly. However, it’s still largely manual and inefficient. Scheduling technicians are often spread thin and don’t always know where their next job is coming from. They miss important tasks because they aren’t able to keep track of their work. And they spend too much time manually entering data into spreadsheets rather than doing real work. These problems lead to missed appointments and lost revenues.

Field service software helps you improve efficiency across your entire operation. You’ll gain better visibility into what’s happening across your entire organization. You’ll reduce errors and save money. And you’ll increase productivity and customer satisfaction.

Here are the signs you need field service software to manage your field service business.

1. Complex Scheduling Issues

According to a recent study published by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), scheduling problems are costing businesses $2 billion annually in lost revenue and lower profits.

This includes missed sales opportunities due to late shipments, missed appointments, and even customer complaints about poor service. In fact, according to the IABC, one-third of companies surveyed reported having scheduling issues.

The problem isn’t just limited to small businesses. Companies large and small struggle with job scheduling issues because it’s difficult to manage multiple priorities across multiple teams. For example, the field service manager might schedule three tasks for a field service worker for one day but the technician takes too much time for the first task and the subsequent tasks get delayed. And if you don’t have a system in place to track each task, it becomes much harder to keep everyone on the same page.

A good service scheduling software saves money by reducing wasted resources. If a project takes longer than expected, there’s no reason to pay overtime wages to employees working on that project. A good service scheduler also reduces costs by ensuring that projects are completed within budget and on time. When tasks aren’t scheduled correctly, they often end up taking twice as long to complete. As a result, managers must allocate additional resources to ensure that deadlines are met.

An efficient job scheduling software helps increase efficiency and boost productivity. Managers shouldn’t have to spend hours trying to figure out what needs to be done next. Instead, they should be able to set goals and assign tasks based on those goals and technician availability.

With a well-designed workflow, managers can easily see how many hours remain in a given period and make adjustments accordingly. By increasing efficiency, managers can free up time to focus on other important work.

2. Inefficient Pen and Paper-based Systems

Recording customer data in paper-based systems, and handling paper tickets, invoices and bills require maintaining several different manual files in the office. This not only wastes money on paper costs but you also need large storage spaces in the office to keep these piles of paper records.

To access a particular piece of information, you must rummage through the hundreds of papers which consumes time and effort. Additionally, papers are prone to wear and tear that lead to data loss. Misplaced paper records make data access a whole lot burdensome task.

Field force management software provides real-time visibility into every part of the process. This includes everything from inventory tracking to customer communication and scheduling.

All the data is stored in digital files on a cloud-based field service CRM software. Centralized data storage and well-organized documents make data access easier and faster.  With integrated field management software, you are able to manage all aspects of the process from one place. From work orders to invoices to reimbursement bills, it helps you track everything with much ease. You no longer have to rely on pen and paper to keep track of things.

3. Difficulty Switching Between Multiple Software Solutions

Integration is key to having a smooth-running field force management system. If you are trying to use different platforms to run your business, you might find it hard to keep track of everything. You could end up spending too much time managing each system separately. This will make your life harder.

Instead, why not use one platform to do it all? There are plenty of reasons you need field service software as a centralized platform to manage your entire business.

A single platform will help you to manage all aspects of your small business better. For example, it will give you access to all your data, whether it is stored online or offline. You can easily see how many customers you have and what they bought. You won’t miss out on important information because it isn’t stored somewhere else. You can even check your inventory levels and stock reports.

Don’t try to integrate multiple systems just to save yourself some time. You will spend hours setting things up and getting used to working with each individual program. Why not just go straight to one solution? You don’t want to waste time learning about multiple programs. Plus, you will probably end up paying more for each piece of software. So, why not buy a single package?

4. Tedious and Difficult Field Management Process

Field Service Management (FSM) is one of those things you don’t want to think about too much because it seems like such a pain. But field service managers are responsible for managing hundreds of tasks across multiple departments. They manage workflows, schedules, inventory, equipment, and even human resources. FSM is a complex process that requires constant attention and monitoring.

Automating some of the most tedious parts of FSM helps streamline operations and improve productivity. By automating the processes of scheduling, tracking, and reporting, field service managers can spend less time on administrative tasks and focus on what matters most—delivering quality products and services to customers.

A workflow automation solution keeps a client informed about status updates while improving overall operational efficiency. This allows field service managers to focus on delivering high-quality service rather than spending time updating spreadsheets and filling out paperwork.

5. Miscommunication Errors in Field Service Management

The field service industry is a complex one, and it’s easy to make mistakes. When you add in the fact that there are so many people involved, it becomes even trickier. The last thing you need is for someone to get hurt or worse as a result of miscommunication errors.

Miscommunication is one of the biggest errors and signs you need field service software for your business. If you are using paper forms to communicate between team members, then you are putting yourself at risk. Paper forms are prone to be lost or damaged. And when something goes wrong, it can be difficult to figure out who was supposed to do what.

Multiple people noting down things manually in records lead to miscommunication due to unorganized documents or illegible handwritten data. This leads to miscommunication that can further result in scheduling conflicts, service delays, field service technicians carrying wrong inventories or navigating to wrong customer locations, etc.

The good news is that most of these errors are avoidable with the right tools and processes in place. This is where a field service project management tool comes into play. It stores all data digitally and offers real-time communication that minimizes the chances of errors. This way, everyone knows exactly what their responsibilities are and stay updated about the timeline.

6. Rising Costs

Field service providers are facing a number of challenges, including rising costs and the need to improve productivity. As a result, many companies have been forced to cut back on their field service operations or even close them altogether. But there is another way: by using technology to streamline your business processes and increase efficiency.

With sufficient data access on the go, your field service company can minimize the commuting of service technicians to the office. They receive job notifications and relevant data, service history along with route planning on the go. This also helps them quickly navigate to the customer’s location, saving travel time and fuel costs.

Minimizing errors reduces losses, increases first-time fix rates and increases productivity to help your field service teams complete more jobs in a day. Eliminating papers reduces paper costs and storage costs. Using a single software solution to manage your entire field service business saves you from multiple software subscriptions.

7. Work Order Management Issues 

Reduced visibility into job progress and field technician mobility leave the service manager helpless. His/her time is wasted in manual phone calling to get the necessary job and field technician updates to streamline the workflow. However, these manual processes are less efficient and time-consuming.

On the other hand, using a workforce management solution gives real-time job updates from the field. The field service technician shares job progress on the app and the service manager gets complete visibility into the entire process.

Additionally GPS integrated into the free employee task management app keeps the manager informed about the technician’s current location and mobility. This also automates mileage tracking, travel expenses reimbursement and attendance management.

Try Unoservice Field Service Software

Now that you know you need field service software solution, you might begin your search for the best field service management software. While making a choice, focus on the functionalities you need in the FSM software and whether the software offers them. 

You can try the Unoservice field service management software for free to check out whether it is the ideal solution for your field service business. You can also book a free demo.

Frequently Asked Questions on Signs You Need Field Service Software