Empowering Field Service Teams with the Power of Mobile Apps

Posted on November 11, 2021January 13, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Mobile apps can add tremendous value to any field service operation. They can help optimize all areas of field service delivery. A good field service software must have a powerful app with features that can be customized and used in your business.

Field Service Management Software can greatly change how you deliver service to your customers. Today, Field Service Software has become a necessary tool to deliver field service industry. While it is possible for companies to operate field service management without using modern field service software like Field Force Tracker, it will results in them not reaching their potential efficiency. As company grows and has a need to scale up the operation, they feel handicapped due to lack of tools. This can easily result into lost opportunities and business.

In a business, ERP systems manage supply chain and finance operations. However, these system lack capabilities to manage field service operations. Your field service technician operations can only be delivered with good field service management software that comes with a dynamic, flexible, and easy-to-use mobile application. A field service mobile app can make your tech do more jobs in less time. It becomes the focal point of their daily operations, providing access to vital project information and forms that they can utilize and alter in real-time. Their mobile application takes center stage as the primary form of communication between them and the office.

gen pm2 — Power of field service software

Best Reasons to Use Field Force Tracker Field Service Software?

Read below to learn top reasons your organization should utilize Field Force Tracker and its integrated, made-for-mobile application for field service.

Easy to Complete Jobs for Field Technicians

The Field Force Tracker mobile application will be the single most valuable tool that they carry with them into the field. It houses access to past and present project information, their schedule, photos, schematics, and anything else they might need. They can replace all paperwork with a single tablet or mobile device, providing easy real-time access to information relevant to every facet of their role. This is what we call field technician enablement, as it enables them to do their job to the best of their ability.

Increases Data Sharing and up to date information

You might be a field service company, but your business runs on information. The communication and dissemination of project information, schedules, invoices, and work orders are essential, and you need it handled quickly and accurately. When your technicians make updates through the mobile app, they upload information in real-time that is visible to anyone in the office. Furthermore, when your technicians submit vital project documents via the mobile app, that information is accessible to your entire team. This eliminates the need for duplicating data and reduces the risk of errors.

Powerful Reporting And Time Tracking Capabilities

Too much of your field technician’s time is spent on tasks that are not increasing profitability for your business. When your technicians facilitate their work through the mobile app, they’ll spend less time on tedious tasks like reporting and time tracking. Time tracking is easy through the Field Force Tracker mobile app, and thanks to the flexible and dynamic forms that can be customized through Field Force Tracker, inputting project data has never been easier. Your technicians will be able to spend more time doing what you hired them to do.

Greater Transparency for The Office Dispatch Managers

Reporting and time tracking aren’t just easier through the Field Force Tracker mobile app; they’re more accurate too. Field Force Tracker offers reporting and insight capabilities that provide a more accurate and more detailed picture of the current state of your organization’s operations. Our analytics engine is capable of countless custom reports, all of which are built on the information that your technicians provide through their mobile apps.

Supports Growth and Better Customer Service

Field Force Tracker and its mobile app will grow with you as your business grows. Field Force Tracker provides extremely capable infrastructure for businesses while remaining flexible enough to grow with you. As your company grows, or the industry changes, Field Force Tracker’s dynamic mobile app can be customized to meet your needs.

Field Force Tracker software and its integrated mobile app equip service providers with the comprehensive suite of capabilities they need to perfect their field service offerings and achieve sustainable growth. To learn more about Field Force Tracker and its field service management capabilities, schedule a demo today.

Mobile Apps are changing the Field Service Landscape

Posted on September 16, 2017January 17, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Arrival of 4G networks and smart phones has changed the field service landscape. Many technicians are carrying mobile devices and using powerful Field Force Tracker mobile applications to provide web services. In this article, we discuss how mobile apps can help you manage your service work force better.

Just a few years back, the logistics of remotely managing a field service business would’ve seemed impossible. However, the advent of smartphones and tablets has made this a reality. Now, it is easier than ever to connect your branch office(s) and field techs with the use of mobile apps and best of the breed cloud based software like Field Force Tracker.

In previous article, we have explained the benefits of cloud based software as opposed to the software that runs on your on servers. Moving your operation to a cloud based system may seem daunting, especially if you’re accustomed to managing the business manually. Read on to discover five major benefits of using a mobile app for managing your field service business.

Improved Technician Productivity

Mobile apps let the service managers or job dispatchers manage with better scheduling and dispatching. With instant access to daily appointments and critical account information, all technicians will arrive at every job site prepared and ready to go. They can easily and precisely track materials used add photos and documents to customer accounts and track time on the job using their powerful Field Force Tracker Mobile app.

That is not all. With this additional control, you’ll save time in the field and office. Unnecessary calls between office staff and field techs are eliminated, saving valuable time for more important matters. Reporting is also simplified, as techs can generate and email customer invoices directly in the app, before ever leaving the job site.

Streamlined Service Operations

Field service mobile apps greatly improve communications between the main office and field technicians are vastly improved. All necessary completion information is captured at the job site and transmitted to the office in real time, greatly reducing the risk of incorrect billing and potential errors due to illegible handwriting.

Office dispatcher will always know where techs are in their day, as well as the status of current jobs. Making adjustments to work schedules in real time is easier than ever, as availability and proximity are updated automatically. Technicians are immediately updated regarding schedule changes, job details and new locations.

Improved Customer Experience

Mobile apps can help in improving customer experience and satisfaction. The popularity of mobile devices has changed customer expectations forever. When access to information and services is just a single tap away, the expectation of instant gratification is set. Naturally, smart businesses need to be ready for this. They need make changes to these expectations to keep customers satisfied. A recent study showed that 75% of businesses using mobile apps in the field have seen an increase in overall customer satisfaction. Real time text updates informing customers of upcoming service visits and appointment changes will provide a positive experience for new and returning customers.

System Data For Better Marketing

Software helps you in maintaining accurate records of your business activities. While state regulations may require you to keep paper records for your business, the process of manually collecting data in the field is notoriously inaccurate and inefficient. Capturing data with pen and paper is prone to errors, not to mention that documents can easily get lost before being filed away at the office.

Mobile apps make your business stand apart from competition. They allow your business to go paperless and improve efficiency. Office staff no longer have to worry about inputting data following appointments, freeing up time for other tasks. Filling out paperwork in the field is burdensome and leads to frustration for the customer and technician alike. Securely capture payments and customer signatures while giving techs complete access to customer information.

Technology for Better Profits

The use of technology helps a company market its services better. The customer perception is very important. Field Service companies that are using the latest technology are seen as innovative and progressive by customers. Enabling your technicians with the latest and greatest in mobile technology gives your company more credibility and builds trust among customers.

Using a mobile app, like Field Force Tracker, that is industry leading provides all above advantages. We make use of amazon cloud to ensure that all customer data is secure, preventing unauthorized access and giving customers’ peace of mind.

Field Force Tracker, a mobile enabled web-based field service management software, streamlines technician scheduling, dispatch, customer management, vendor and employee management, work orders, equipment maintenance, inventory tracking, contracts, estimates, invoices, payments and accounting. It is considered one of the most feature rich software of its kind.

About Field Force Tracker

Force Tracker (http://www.fieldforcetracker.com) is a leading global provider of its award winning mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Its solutions enable businesses of all sizes (from 1 user to 10,000 users) to meet the challenges associated with managing and running complex service operations. It helps in improving the productivity of their mobile workforce.

With Field Force Tracker customers can create service schedule and route quickly, dispatch sooner, collect correct information at once in the field and invoice faster. The field service software makes it easy for users to eliminate waste, get more done in less time and be more profitable.

Field Force Tracker is a wholly owned unit of Rapidsoft Systems Inc. (http://www.rapidsoftsystems.com). Rapidsoft Systems, Inc. has its main office in Princeton, NJ, USA, a US R&D Center in Mercerville NJ, and sales, support and development offices in Palo Alto, CA, USA, Singapore, Dubai (UAE), Bombay, and Noida (India).

Evolutionary Trends in Field Service Scheduling Software

Posted on July 25, 2017January 17, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

There was a time when field service companies relied on paper and pen scheduling methods. Then with the time, the service scheduling process became a bit more complex. To help them in the process, paper pad and printed calendar gave way to spreadsheet based scheduling. These minor improvements helped were not sufficient in resolving the problems and complexity of service management.

Today, new generation of field service software like Field Force Tracker are revolutionizing the field service industry. Field Force Tracker efficiently manages scheduling of work force. It is very easy to move around schedules and re-assign resources as needed. This leads to better utilization of resources.

Changing Field Service Needs

Across industries, modern-day customers demand new levels of real-time communication and visibility when it comes to field service. Unfortunately, legacy solutions and approaches limit organizations from satisfying these growing expectations. The good news is that field service scheduling software is evolving to help deliver exceptional service without compromising profitability. As technology changes the very nature of software, your organization should look for opportunities to take advantage of new capabilities that improve your bottom line and customer satisfaction ratings.

Improving Customer Communication

Outdated processes and technology once forced customers to “start from scratch” each time they interacted with a company or service rep. When it comes to scheduling services, customers increasingly want streamlined communication – and they want it via the channel of their choice.

Today, your service organization can pick up where it left off with customers, no matter the channel. Whether a customer sent an email, used online chat, or spoke to a rep on the phone, the latest field service scheduling software can log these interactions. That means anyone in your company interfacing with the customer has all relevant knowledge at their disposal. And this directly translates into a personalized interaction, leaving customers beaming with pleasure instead of fuming in frustration.

Making Dispatch and Work Order Management More Efficient

There will come a day when customers expect on-demand service. Until that time arrives, your field service organization can at least make the manual dispatch process more automated. Calling upon the algorithms and automation enabled by today’s technology, you can bring dispatch into the modern era.

The likes of emergency protocols, traffic protocols, and real-time updates are enabling dispatch models and modules that allow dispatch professionals to maintain a level of efficiency never before thought possible.

Imagine having access to real-time route information, tech activity while on-site, and notices when jobs are completed. Such insights make it possible for your dispatch manager to keep track of field technicians and job status with ease. And what about being able to predict travel issues (such as traffic congestion and seasonal weather disruptions) to reduce idle time, better plan travel time, and allow for backup resources to step in quickly when necessary?

Field Force Tracker Can Do This All Today

Smart field service scheduling software can also map service technicians’ schedules against customer needs to identify opportunities for greater efficiency. As a result, your organization can assign a mix of high and low priority jobs to technicians, reserving capacity for emergency work without impacting the overall flow of assignments. Moreover, today’s software can deliver alerts and real-time updates so your leadership team is aware of scheduling concerns – and improvements.

Hand in hand with this, relational databases and predictive intelligence are unlocking greater personalization. Picture using predictive software to analyze data gathered across all company systems and get insights that enable proactive work order management. This same technology can be used, for example, to identify the percentage of customers experiencing the same issue, pinpoint when they are likely to experience the issue, and understand the average amount of technician time required to address the issue. By proactively scheduling time to replace or update parts or products before an issue occurs, your field service organization can ensure customers don’t experience disruption – and do it as efficiently as possible.

Delivering Seamless Experience to Customers

We all know that the modern businesses have revolutionized customer interactions. When it comes to field service, the demand for better experiences is real. Specifically, customers crave a way to understand technician location and exact arrival time. Fortunately, field service scheduling software and other advanced technology is evolving to enable more personalized, real-time interactions.

Waiting for a field service visit – or dealing with a tardy or no-show technician – all can be detrimental to the overall customer experience. Combine this with the fact that most field service organizations still rely on phone calls to communicate with customers, and it’s easy to see why customers feel exasperated.

Streamlining the appointment booking process can go a long way to improving the customer experience. Customers hate feeling they are wasting valuable time waiting for a technician to arrive. Your organization can use scheduling software that empowers them to book a day and time of their choice – through their preferred channel, whether that be mobile, web, or via phone.

Utilizing Mobile Solutions

Another way to enter the modern era is to outfit your field service dispatch center and technicians with real-time mobile tracking and, social media channels such as social media and SMS texts. Mobile tracking enabled via your website or custom app empowers your customers to keep tabs on the technician’s location. At the same time, communicating with customers via social media or text brings them the real-time interaction that eases their worries about when and if a technician will show up.

Sometimes the resolution to a customer issue requires a repair away from the customer’s location, such as repairing a downed telecommunications line. These scenarios can be especially frustrating for customers who feel blind to the repair process. In addition, answer the call by outfitting your technicians with wearables such as smartwatches. Using these, they can transmit service data and job updates via voice recognition back to headquarters. By bringing your techs online while on the job, you are empowered to deliver real-time updates to customers across all channels.

Delivering consistently good customer service and keeping pace with ever-evolving customer demands is no small feat. However, by taking advantage of the latest field service scheduling software powered by advanced technologies, your organization can satisfy expectations efficiently. That means you grow your competitive advantage and your profits.

About Field Force Tracker

Field Force Tracker (http://www.fieldforcetracker.com) is a leading global provider of its award winning mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Our solutions enable businesses of all sizes (from 1 user to 10,000 users) to meet the challenges associated with managing and running complex service operations. It helps in improving the productivity of their mobile workforce.

With Field Force Tracker, customers can create service schedule and route quickly, dispatch sooner, collect correct information at once in the field and invoice faster. The field service software makes it easy for users to eliminate waste, get more done in less time and be more profitable.

Making Use of Field Service Reports – Part 1

Posted on July 11, 2016January 19, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Service managers need to understand the quality and effectiveness of their service delivery. The lack of service measurements is one such area that lacks in paper base or simple home grown systems. This article describes how field service software can help you better understand the effectiveness of your service delivery. Using extensive analytics information of Field Force Tracker’s reporting module, you can measure the effectiveness for field services in your organization.

Service companies are trying to move to electronic model of providing services. Paper based operation is too slow to address customer concerns and cannot provide suitable data analysis. Field Force Tracker is the most comprehensive software for field service management. It takes care of everything from customer management to the payment collection for a service company. By using this software, our clients can see major improvement in their productivity and the customer satisfaction.

Field service management technology gives you greater visibility into your field service operations. With that visibility comes a lot of data which is useful to the business, but the amount of data can often feel overwhelming in where to start or how to analyse what is needed. It can sometimes feel so overwhelming that data then sits unused.

Surveys into field service delivery find that performance management and visibility continue to top the list of the key business concerns that managers have. For you to track the performance of your service operations and understand your business, you’ll need visibility of the right information, when you need it and in a way that is meaningful to you. Without this visibility you may be basing decisions on gut feel or doing things the way they have always been done.

Field Force Tracker leads the way in simplifying field service management and here we look at why simple can also mean effective when it comes to technology, which helps organizations get the information they need for their business success. You don’t want to be overwhelmed by data or have the time to wade through masses of numbers, so let your field service management solution organize the key information for you to identify the crucial stuff you need at any time to make decisions.

Business intelligence (BI) dashboards do just that and organize key metrics about your company’s service operation so that you can make fully informed business decisions.

With this view into your field operations, you will be able to answer questions like:

Which services are most profitable?
Which Technician is more effective?
Which contract is most profitable and which one is losing money?
Which are the most productive crews and technicians?
How are changes affecting specific operations?

The visual presentation of data in BI dashboards needs to be easy to understand and should be easy to filter by service type, individual, crew or any other data point collected. Week-to-week or month-to-month comparisons can surface meaningful trends that can help fine-tune a service organization to run at maximum productivity – while maximizing profit.

Make Decision-Making Easy

A day in field service operations can often change and be unpredictable as even the best laid plans are affected if emergency work comes in or jobs overrun. On the spot decisions need to be made to keep up with and manage those changes and get the day back on track.

Lack of visibility into what is happening out in the field may mean poor decisions are made, which can have further impact on the day’s work. Having access to information can mean that better decisions can be made then and there, keeping the most effective plan for the work. The impact of making changes can be seen immediately and decisions can be based on that, taking into account this impact and any potential outcome on service performance, cost and the rest of the day’s work.

Essential Reporting

While day-to-day access to data is critical to the management of daily performance, business intelligence dashboards are also vital in the longer-term view. This information will feed into the more strategic business planning around budgets, resources, targets and areas to focus on driving performance in the future.

Identifying business trends is critical to growing revenue, retaining customers and increasing the productivity of field workers. It’s important as a means of discovering problems before they can impact the business. Reporting is an essential component of any field service solution and being able to access the relevant information easily and quickly is fundamental.

There is a saying that goes ‘you can’t manage what you don’t measure’, so to understand your business, you need to know what is going on from your performance reports. For the best results, you need a solution that meets these business needs.

Field Force Tracker helps field service companies simplify their performance reporting to get the information that is needed for better decision making and business success.

Mobile enabled, cloud-based field service software was designed to provide ease of use with incredible flexibility. Along with the ease – and speed – of our implementation and the ongoing support service that we provide we enable companies to take full advantage of today’s mobile field service.

Field Force Tracker’s power mobile apps for iPhone and Android are available to all new and existing Field Force Tracker customers. They can extend the feature set with the enhanced mobile forms capabilities, and better system integration. Field Force Tracker, a mobile enabled web-based field service management software, streamlines technician scheduling, dispatch, customer management, vendor and employee management, work orders, equipment maintenance, inventory tracking, contracts, estimates, invoices, payments and accounting. It is considered one of the most feature rich software of its kind.

About Field Force Tracker

Best Hvac Service Software

Posted on June 17, 2016January 19, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Field Force Tracker is the most comprehensive software for field service management. It takes care of everything from customer management to the payment collection for a service company. By using this software, our clients can see major improvement in their productivity and the customer satisfaction.

hvac company challenges

HVAC companies face some unique challenges in field service.

For many, some or all of their work can be emergency calls which come in that day. These then need to be prioritized and worked into the day’s schedule as soon as possible, but this then means changes to the planned work and it is understandably difficult to make on the spot decisions about what should give.

Many HVAC companies we speak to are still relying on paper-based processes to some extent in managing their workflow. This brings additional difficulty to making changes to schedules and allocating work to technicians as those in the office may not be working with all the information they need.

HVAC companies often also cover a lot of different areas of work. These are highly complex and require the right skills, parts or tools for the individual tasks. Workflows may have a number of dependencies which need to be stuck to, to complete the job. Many companies cover everything from design to install, renovation and service work, meaning each day is different to the last.

The use of paper-based processes can mean that up to date information is not available until a few days after the work has been completed, so delays occur in checking stock, re-ordering parts and getting out invoices.

A further issue that HVAC companies face is how fast the industry is evolving. Equipment is becoming smarter with HVAC units becoming much more complex and more connected and intelligent buildings are growing in their popularity. Customer expectations increase alongside this technological evolution and service delivery must keep pace with these advancements.

Here we look at how some of our Field Force Tracker HVAC customers overcame the issues they faced in their evolving businesses and see the benefits and results they achieved.

Eliminating Paperwork

One of our customers had a paper-based work order system they’d been using for decades that was inefficient and expensive. Technicians had to visit the office every day, so travel costs were high and technicians had less time for jobs. Processing the paperwork meant significant administrative overhead and time as it took 7-10 days to invoice customers from the job completion.

Field Force Tracker solved the paper problem. All work orders are now generated and submitted electronically. As a result, the company:

Significantly reduced the number of office trips by technicians, cutting travel costs and increasing revenue-producing hours.
Eliminated the need for administrative overhead dedicated invoicing.
Decreased the time from service completion to invoice from days to minutes.

More Efficient Service Calls and Improved Cash Flow

Another HVAC company realized that cloud-based technology was the best way to make their business processes more efficient, and maximize profits. They have both residential and commercial customers, so wanted a solution that could handle both. Through using Field Force Tracker they now can connect with a specific technician or multiple technicians to assign jobs or alert them of a new/changed job, which they can see on the mobile app. The dispatch capabilities provide alerts, location tracking and GPS routing. It also works as a time sheet to ensure that work is being recorded. The price book in the app means that an estimate can be emailed, which the customer can sign off, saving time as well as keeping an accurate account of what has been done.

They estimate saving 40-60 hours a week. “No time is wasted, the technicians get jobs faster, and we can track the job status so they can immediately go to the next job. Jobs are completed more quickly, so we can schedule more jobs per day with the saved time.”

The highest praise comes for the accounting features. “The easy sync with QuickBooks eliminates double entry of invoices in our accounting system and we can simply e-mail invoices to customers.”

Better Customer Service

One of our HVAC customer was looking for ways to reduce paperwork and increase the profitability of their business as well as deliver even better service to customers. Prior to Field Force Tracker the dispatcher would receive calls and dispatch jobs to the technicians through manual text messages. Technicians would write out paper estimates on site and then return completed work orders to the office at the end of day, causing extra drive time and lag time.

Now, the dispatcher can quickly review each technician’s status using the scheduler and assign new jobs to the next available technician. On site, technicians can collect more information with the mobile app. For instance, the tech can record the model and serial number of each piece of equipment. “With this type of information stored in the customer’s record, we can easily determine what parts are needed to complete the job.”

They also use Field Force Tracker reports to predict customer needs. “If I see that 20 of our customers have the same furnace model, it makes sense to start carrying replacement parts for that model.” That means faster service since they no longer have to order parts through their distributor when the need arises. Instead the trucks are fully-stocked with the proper parts.

Field Force Tracker leads the way in simplifying field service for HVAC companies. Our solutions let you automate your field work – from dispatching work to updating job info on site and instantly sending electronic invoices – all from our easy to use mobile app.

Best Cloud Based Filed Service Software

About Field Force Tracker

Benefits of Using Integrated Field Service Software

Posted on May 18, 2016January 19, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Service managers are working to improve the quality and effectiveness of their service delivery. However, using improper field service software can hinder their ability to provide better management of their resources. This article describes the benefits of integrated field service software which can help everyone in the company to better manage the effectiveness of your service delivery. Using extensive capabilities of Field Force Tracker’s software, you can improve the effectiveness for field services in your organization.

Organizations often work with a mix of different solutions for their day to day field service operations. This might be because the organization has outgrown original systems so other solutions have been brought in or have been bolted on or that the workflow is so specific to them, that they can’t find one solution that fits all their needs.

Whatever the reason the result can often mean that systems are used in isolation and data from one system doesn’t always work with others.

This can be frustrating and costly to a business as it can mean that data has to be entered into each system individually, taking time to do. If this input is needed multiple times there is also the risk of mistakes being made or data missed.

The Business Benefits of Integrated Field Service Software

The ultimate of any field service solution is quite simply a better workflow to and from the field. Ease of integration is a key part of any new solution as there is no need to upgrade the entire end-to-end system to simply allow this better workflow. There will have been significant investment into existing systems and extending the life of these systems is important.

For a business an integrated field service solution means that the two-way flow of data and information is captured just once and in a consistent and efficient way. It means that no data is left unused or delayed while waiting on paperwork to be finished or for collected information to be downloaded and an audit trail is in place reducing the chance of any lost or missing information.

The Business Owner/Manager or CEO

For the business owner or manager reports can be easily accessed on any criteria as systems are linked and ‘speak’ to each other. The health of the business can be easily monitored and customizable reports can be run on jobs, revenue, inventory, employee hours, customer surveys, invoices and customer data. Profitability can be reviewed by customer, service or product allowing focus on driving higher overall revenue and increased margins.

The Service Manager or Service Director

The service manager can see real-time status updates of all jobs (scheduled, started, paused, completed) across the teams and also assess the productivity of individual staff members across jobs and tasks. Workflow can become automated reducing paperwork and eliminating lost or delayed time through scheduling improvements and job completion rates. The team in the office can assign jobs faster with the improved scheduling and eliminate paper work with distribution of electronic work orders

The Field Technician or Your Field Employees

For a field worker an integrated mobile solution means they can do their job in the best possible way. Critical information can be accessed and shared in real time in the office and the field. Through integration with other back office systems, the field worker has access to the job history and customer records allowing for a more detailed understanding of not only the job they are going to but also what has happened before and why. Turning up to site and having this information on the job detail to hand or having access to it, means there is better chance of job resolution on this first visit and all the benefits this brings to an organization, the technician and the customer.

Finance and Accounting Department

For those in the finance team invoices can be automated immediately upon job completion. A work order for example can be issued, then on job completion the customer can be invoiced immediately, achieving a quicker payment cycle through this order to cash automation. Data can be transferred electronically between systems, making accounting and payroll tasks more efficient and accurate. Financial reporting becomes more straightforward as customizable reports include all the relevant information on revenue, costs and employees.

Good integration of field service management solutions improves efficiencies, from the first call to the final invoice, by providing visibility throughout the business. This can feel like it is going to be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Why Field Force Tracker

About Field Force Tracker

Tips For Selecting Field Service Software

Posted on February 18, 2016January 21, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Service managers are under great pressure to improve the quality and effectiveness of their service delivery. Proper field service software can help them provide better management of their resources. Service managers no longer need to rely on paper based, or simple home grown systems. This article describes the tips for selecting the best field service software which can help you better manage the effectiveness of your service delivery. Using extensive capabilities of Field Force Tracker’s software, you can improve the effectiveness for field services in your organization.

Selecting Field Service Software

For organizations wanting to improve the efficiency of their field service operations, investment in technology plays a big part in achieving this. For many companies, choosing and implementing a solution can become complex and potential efficiency gains are being missed, meaning organizations are not seeing the full return from their investment.

Field Force Tracker leads the way in simplifying field service and have compiled the following tips to help you get the best results from your investment.

Efficient Dispatching of Employees

Most field service companies now use some form of technology, but there are a lot still operating with paper-based systems for all or part of what they do. Those that still work on paper report that they understand this is a disadvantage and affects their ability to be competitive. With an automated workflow, a service call comes in, it’s captured electronically, dispatched to a field technician’s smartphone, and then available for invoicing upon completion – all within one system. The core workflow is processed instantly without the unnecessary bottlenecks of a paper work order.

Accelerate your payment cycles

It goes without saying that the longer it takes to get payment for your work, the more it impacts your business. As a result, you should do everything possible to reduce the time it takes to get an invoice for completed work to your customer. That requires the information for the invoice to be in electronic form so that it can flow directly from the work order without any additional data entry. A work order, for example, can be issued, then on job completion the customer can be invoiced immediately, achieving a quicker payment cycle through this order to cash automation.

Optimum Resource Scheduling

Improving your ability to handle service requests efficiently has a direct impact on your business, but the day changes as emergency jobs come in, jobs may take longer than planned and traffic delays affect the original schedule. To improve efficiency, service companies use scheduling tools to streamline the process of capturing and dispatching service requests, saving as much as 80% over the effort of a paper-based process. Electronic scheduling also provides visibility for real-time monitoring of assigned jobs and field staff availability. Additionally, centralizing the scheduling data allows all required staff to view it as needed, reducing the number of status requests your dispatcher has to fulfill.

Mobile Applications for Field Technicians

Today’s mobile technology gives businesses an opportunity to communicate with their mobile workforce more efficiently than ever. If you are not leveraging the everyday technology of smartphones, for example, you’re missing a golden opportunity to increase your overall efficiency through improved communication.

By using technology you may already have (or your technician may be happy to use their own) means you can make use of field service software without the need to buy servers, hardware or other expensive wireless equipment for field staff.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is critical to a successful field service business. An automated field service solution can make sure you seamlessly deliver the level of service your customers are looking for. Your solution should be centralized so that all of your staff have access to the same customer information. It should be available 24/7 from anywhere you might be when you need it. It should include service history so that you and your field technicians know the full story.

Putting All Information on Your Finger Tips

In order to really understand your business, you need to be able to measure the performance metrics that are important to you. Analytical reports that can illustrate any aspect of your operational workflow means you get real-time business metrics at a glance, while also having access to ad hoc reports that can answer any anomalies that occur. While it’s good to know that your field techs are completing 30% more jobs than they did last month, it’s even better to know why so you can capitalize on it.

For the best results, you need a solution that meets your business needs. Field Force Tracker helps field service companies simplify this decision-making and is provided via technology you already have: smartphones and the internet.

Why Field Force Tracker

About Field Force Tracker

Mobile Apps Make Field Service Software Enjoyable

Posted on January 18, 2016January 21, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Mobile Apps for Field Service operation are helping service managers to improve the quality and effectiveness of their service delivery. Deploying a good field service software can improve their ability to provide better management of their resources. This article explains that mobile apps are the most important feature for the success of any service software deployment. A good mobile service app can help everyone in the company to improve the effectiveness of your service delivery. Using extensive capabilities of Field Force Tracker’s software, you can improve the effectiveness for field services in your organization.

Using Mobile Apps in the Field

The face of field service has changed. Technicians are the priority, and they need the tools and access to the information that will transform them from corporate overhead to revenue and profit generating brand proponents.

Ultimately, having an effective mobility strategy in place allows for better empowerment, data sharing and collaboration out in the field. For a field worker the right mobile solution means they are empowered to do their job in the best possible way. Critical information can be accessed and shared in real time both in the field and the office, and the enhanced knowledge and collaboration this brings enables better decision-making and ultimately improved resolution.

Mobile apps must have capabilities which take the technicians’ role into account, without forgetting the back office. Cloud-based web applications deliver advanced capabilities and must be easy to use and easy to integrate with existing ERP, CRM and accounting systems.

Once implemented, the two-way flow of information means that many tasks can be automated from the field as soon as jobs are completed. The result of the right mobility solution is extending the work of the back office out into the field in a robust and reliable way, connecting the operational workflow and ultimately ensuring service objectives are met.

Why Field Force Tracker

About Field Force Tracker

Choosing a Mobile Device for Better Field Service

Posted on May 17, 2015January 25, 2022 by Field Force Tracker

Field Force Tracker is designed to manage your mobile Field Workers Using Mobile apps. The mobile apps let you manage your work order in the fields, invoice customers, update the job status and do many other things.

Mobile Field Workers can use their mobile Phone to manage entire cycle of the job. They can change the state of the job; they can invoice a customer in the field and they can create new estimates.

Field Force Tracker Mobile Apps For Field Service Management

We provide Field Force Tracker Mobile apps on iPhone and Android phones or tablets. So you can use your favorite device to use the mobile app.

Field Fore Tracker Mobile apps are designed for the ease of use. You can use them without much training. Features are well laid out. Graphics user interface is easy to use and self intuitive.

They are the most powerful apps for the field service operation.

How to Choose Mobile Device For Field Service

With so mobile device out there, how do you choose the right one for your field technicians? Above all else, you need a mobile device that will work for your technicians in the environments they are working in. You will also need to make sure that your software and mobile apps operate seamlessly on any device. This ensures that they can get the most flexibility and productivity out of the device.

Best Mobile App for Field Service — Best Mobile App For Field Service

Key to Mobile Selection For Field Service Operation

Every one has a mobile phone these days so it is better to use what your employees already have. It can save you cost of new devices. But, if you are planning to buy new field service devices for your field force here are some ideas for mobile device selection.

UNDERSTAND IMPORTANT TASKS FIELD TECHNICIANS NEED TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE MOBILE

Every Field Service Business industry is different because every equipment requires different tool set, skills and operating paradigm. The most important criteria is to understand what you need from technicians or what you expect them to do in the field.

Mobile devices can be used for many useful applications.

Do they need to do a lots of data entry in the field? Capture signature from the customers at the end of field service? Calling the customer sites and supervisors? Are they familiar with the service area or do they need to relay on hands-free navigation in the phone? Do they need Bar code scanning for the equipment identification or they need ? Do they need Camera capabilities to capture after or pre-service photos? Do your field technicians need GPS/hands-free navigation? Having a full list of these tasks is key, and confirm with both your hardware and software vendors if those capabilities are available on the device.

For your information Field Force Tracker mobile apps provide all these capabilities and more.

If there is a lot of entry or more complex use required, your technicians may prefer the extra real estate of a tablet versus a smart phone. If traveling light is a goal, have a technician or two test out doing the data entry/debrief process on a smart phone (and don’t forget about the voice-to-text feature).

UNDERSTAND THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR FIELD SERVICE OPERATION

Some field technician’s work involves visit to air-conditioned offices and buildings. Some technicians need to go to dusty construction sites.

The important to consider is the service environment. Is there any place safe to put down a laptop or tablet? Or do your techs need to keep the device in a pocket? Will they be operating from a tight ladder or in a tight space? What kind of durability is needed? Are there any rules about using certain devices (for example, no cell phones near hospital equipment, or only non-sparking equipment near a gas pipeline).

Smart phones are the obvious choice in a tight environment, but certain environmental requirements like these may require specialized equipment or a ruggedized laptop.

Despite some initial hesitancy about how brittle iPads might be in the field, many field service users report very little breakage both with and without cases like the Otter Box. Techs love iPads, treat them with great care, and the majority of users report that replacement costs are less than they budgeted for initially.

KNOW WHAT ELSE THE TECHNICIAN NEEDS TO ACCESS

A device that can be used for things other than field service can do multiple roles.

Most organizations want to move to smaller devices and free the technician from having to carry a full load of equipment like a laptop, but sometimes other applications (often for calibration or schematics) are a requirement. If this is the case for your organization, you have two options – put everything on the laptop together, or utilize a two-device strategy. Laptop for some apps and any heavy duty data entry or complex tasks, and a smartphone (which they probably need to carry anyway) for simple tasks like driving directions to the site, signature capture, calling the customer, light debrief, or parts lookup.

“Smartphones are the obvious choice in a tight environment, but certain environmental requirements may require specialized equipment or a ruggedized laptop.”

About Field Force Tracker – Field Service Dispatch Software

Field Force Tracker (http://www.fieldforcetracker.com) is a leading global provider of its award winning mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Our solutions enable businesses to meet the challenges associated with managing and running complex service operations. It helps improving the productivity of their mobile workforces.

With Field Force Tracker customers can create service schedule and route quickly, dispatch sooner, collect accurate information immediately in the field and invoice faster. The field service software makes it easy for users to eliminate waste, get more done in less time and be more profitable.

Field Force Tracker is used for service management in a wide range of industries including HVAC, Property Management, Cleaning, IT services, Contractors, IT management, and Maintenance service firms.