If you order something online on some sites, such as Amazon, tracking the delivery is seamless. This shows you have field service management, enabling you to track the package in your app. Reaching out to field service technicians, such as plumbers and electricians, also involve planning and managing field service.
A field service management software may as well help customers reach out through their mobile apps while your business manages requests, prioritize tasks, boost the productivity/efficiency of the team, and monitor field technician availability. So if you haven’t incorporated this software yet, the following are tips to help you choose one:
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1. Look at the After-Sales Support
There will always be benefits, new features, and at times, issues which come with new software pieces. It is likely that you may require support for your software at one point or another in the future, no matter how strong it is.
Always look at the support quality as well as vendor references, not to mention previous case studies. Support helpline numbers, which redirect you to the call center offshore that promises to get back to you and take notes about the issue, may not be helpful.
2. Determine the Hardware That Supports Software
Your choice of hardware really matters for 60% of a successful implementation of a field service management solution. Expand the horizon and allow technicians to work with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
The size of the screen is vital. So you might want to invest in software, which works on various form factors instead of just one, which may only run smartphones, for instance.
So you might want to decide on the OS you want to work with. These can either be iOS, Windows, or Android. But it is worth mentioning that the OS of your devices doesn’t affect the productivity of the service. Unless you just fell in love with one, be sure to stay open.
3. Get a Technician Involved
Remember to find out which challenges technicians face. Know what the job process is like on a daily basis and how it might be improved. Afterward, show your technician the benefits of the software and consider the feedback so as to promote acceptance of the new technology.
As you list down the enhancements you need to make, you might also want to be sure that those enhancements can benefit you and your staff in your daily work operations.
4. Consider the Ease of Training and Implementation
Implementing field service management software normally impacts your whole workforce. Your workers need willingness and coordination to use technology across the business enterprise successfully.
Some software solutions are much easier to use compared to others, and some need extensive training. That is why most software providers normally build extensive partner networks of managed service providers or vendors who have first-hand technology knowledge and may help with change management as well as training.
The Bottom Line!
Although the task of sourcing and getting the best management software for your business might turn out to be daunting, don’t fret. With the help of these tips, you can always find a variety of field service management solutions out there, which will align with the needs of your business.