Automation is a boon to those in the field service industry. Field service automation improves the management process for the contractors and makes day-to-day field service duties easier for the technicians.
Advocates of automation even argue that field service automation is the foundation of field service management. As we talk about field service automation, one easy way to achieve it is to implement field service management software.
Managers are drawn to field service management software for a variety of reasons. The most important reason is that the traditional method of carrying out field service processes is simply not suitable for today’s dynamic field service environment. The use of whiteboards for scheduling and paper-based work orders is no longer necessary.
Table of Contents
The prime benefits of using field service management software are as follows:
Automation of work orders
The foundation of field service management automation is field service management software. When it comes to the automation enabled by field service management software, work orders receive a lot of attention.
Field service management software can handle almost everything, from work order creation to management and processing. Using this software, automated work orders can be generated based on preventative maintenance plans, ensuring that no service calls are missed.
Automation in this area enables you to create multiple work orders in less time and without the use of additional labor.
Dispatchers can use the software to track the progress of service technicians as they complete tasks. When a work order is finished, a notification is automatically sent to management software, where it can be converted into an invoice. Calculations that are automated can be used to calculate labor hours, parts, and taxes.
A large part of what field service management software does is automate the entire process of creating a work order, completing it, and invoicing it. Automation reduces paperwork and simplifies the conversion of work orders into invoices.
Error reduction
When people are required to perform the same mundane tasks repeatedly, they frequently make mistakes. For instance, manual data management can lead to numerous errors in the system, including incorrect customer information, incorrect contact numbers, out-of-date contacts, and inaccurate vendor and employee information.
These are costly errors for field service management teams to make. Field service automation, which can be integrated with ERP, CRM, and accounting software to improve accuracy, can drastically reduce human errors.
With integration, information can be transferred automatically from one system to another. When the system is configured, all customer information is automatically transferred to the field service management program.
This eliminates the need for duplicate data entry. When a change is made, the entire integrated system is updated. If a customer’s address changes, the information is automatically transferred to the technicians via field management software.
Transforming data into actionable analytics
Field service automation excels at collecting data and converting it into useful analytics and metrics. Your company collects a massive amount of data at different touchpoints.
It would take a significant amount of time and manpower to process and use this data. Thankfully, automation powered by field management software eliminates this need.
You get a high-level view of your company, and the data comes directly from the field. Determine your overall operation’s average first-time fix rate.
Specific information about the technician, the customer, or the service type can also be obtained. All of this is possible with a few mouse clicks.
The system’s best feature is that it enables you to make quick business decisions based on data.
Field service automation handles manual data processing, and the system contains the most recent and up-to-date information.
Increasing customer satisfaction
Service businesses, particularly startups, must ensure that their customers have a positive experience.
A field service management software is intended to help small businesses with automated field service workflow. As a result, it is possible to argue that field service automation is an excellent way to improve customer experience.
It eliminates the time-consuming tasks that customers must complete in order to receive service. Customers can also have their preventative maintenance order created automatically.
Customers can use automation tools to request service quickly and without having to wait for a call. Even if they must call, it will not take much of their time.
The call center agent has complete access to the customer’s information. They will also learn whether the equipment is covered by warranty or if it is under contract.
There is no denying that when you can get things done faster for them, customer satisfaction improves.
Lowering operating expenses
Field service automation tools can also help you save money on operating expenses. Many people will see it as a profitable venture.
Besides, back-office staff can focus their time on other responsibilities and tasks, and spend less time entering and processing data.
You can achieve more with fewer resources and have a better field service management team— all at the same time.
Last Thoughts
The bottom line is that field service automation is now a major component of business strategies devised by field service businesses. If you want to make your workflow more fluid and agile, field service management software is a must-have.
These applications reduce your workload, speed up service delivery and invoicing, and reduce errors and time spent entering and processing data. The software will help you offer your customers a better overall experience.
