Back to all BlogsPoints To Consider Before Bringing A Field Management System To Your Business
More and more businesses are realising the importance of mobilising their workforce to become efficient and stay up to date with the fast paced, competitive industry in which they work. It is widely known that using mobile applications, which specifically eliminate one or more paper based processes, increases efficiency in one aspect of a business, but are not necessarily utilising the cloud to its full potential. There several other uses and benefits of using mobility apps, such as a field management system to aid your business in more ways than just going paperless. They can enable processes such as scheduling and managing tasks sent out to field based staff, capturing data, images and signatures on site. They also provide fast access to client details and information, as well as producing bespoke reports and documents as a result of the information captured.
Companies are beginning to see the potential and benefits of making their processes mobile, but how do you know when is the best time for your business, when are you ready as a company and which is the best system or software for you? We give you a few pointers to consider before searching for and implementing the best option for your business:
1. Consider your requirements
You should think about the benefit that a field service management platform could bring to your company. If you have workers in the field or who are on the move within the workplace, field mobility apps can help you to refine your processes and cut the time it takes to relay information to and from the office. They enable you to schedule tasks, set recurring tasks and change assigned ones to different employees if necessary (for example if someone leaves the company or is off sick) without having to transfer and swap physical paper documents. Think about whether it is just data capture you require in the field or do you need images, signatures to be saved in the same place for ease of use? Do you require the ability to send map locations and client contact details with tasks? Perhaps it would be useful to be able to notify your field based staff on an instant messaging system within the platform or be able to track progress of each job. Each of these elements and more can be achieved with one effective field service management application.
2. Think about usability
One of the most important factors when deciding which mobile app is right for you, is the usability of the platform, not just for the field workers but also those in the office. Choosing one that is intuitive and easy to use, will save time and confusion for all those involved. There are several apps out there and it is easy to get bogged down in the functionality that one may offer, but it is no use having software implemented into your company, if it creates issues for those using it. The content and functionality has to be right for you, of course, but just as important is that those using it are happy and do not have to spend time training and re-training on how to use it. That would defeat the point of implementing the system in the first place! Also important is to choose a platform that is flexible to your needs, is it just the data capture for one specific form you require, or do you need something which can be adapted to suit any workflow, task or job across a wide range of circumstances?
3. Talk to your team
You know what is best for your business. The employees within your company can also play a valuable part in helping you decide what is best to refine your processes. They are the ones who oversee the general day to day running of your business and therefore are the ones likely to be using and benefiting from a Field Service Management platform. Speak to those who will be using it on a regular basis to find out what they feel would assist them with their tasks. You will gain real insight into which elements you need to look for when deciding on platforms to try.
4. Work out how beneficial it would be
The processes you currently use will have been working for you along the way, there is no doubting that. The best way to gage whether your business is ready to go mobile is by working out how much time and money you will be saving by transferring these current processes to a digital format. Think about the time spent on allocating tasks, capturing data in the field, returning this data to the office and re-entry of captured information. Think also of compiling all this information, images, signatures etc into documents and reports ready to send to customers. To give you an idea of how much you will be saving, head to our tour page here.
5. Take it for a test drive
The best way to explore whether a Field Service Management platform is right for your business is to give it a go! Once you have considered the points above, research the types of companies that offer what you are looking for. The majority of software providers will first offer a demo to give you better insight into what they are offering and then following on, a free trial (which will vary in length accordingly). The trial will allow you to implement the software into part of, or all of your business to really get a feel for the benefits and advantages of using their product. It may also highlight any sticking points you may come across, which you can then discuss with the provider to iron out. If you are not happy with the particular product, you have lost nothing and will have learned what to look out for with the next one you try.
There are several elements to field service management platforms that can assist with your end to end tasks which can reduce time, ensure precision of captured data, enhance the quality of the output and overall improve the processes and running of your business. In turn this will leave you with more budget and time to invest in developing and expanding your company and increase general productivity throughout.
