As your business grows you must contend with more installations, more maintenance and repair work, more paperwork and more people to manage. Information is critical. You need to ensure your technicians arrive at the right job at the right time with the right tools and parts.
To improve customer satisfaction, maintain employee happiness, and increase profits, you must optimize your business systems and processes. The old methods of pen and paper don’t cut it anymore. It is time to consider mobile field service software.
Here are 6 questions to ask that will ensure you find the best solution for your needs:
1. Does it work with your existing ERP?
Your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system, such as Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, already handles your core business processes such as accounting and inventory. A mobile field service solution should connect easily to your ERP system to send invoices and update inventory data.
2. Do the standard software features address your business needs?
Your mobile field service solution should address key business functions such as: central planning of employees, scheduling jobs, online/offline mobile access for field workers, and inventory management. Building too many customized features will increase your costs and implementation time.
3. Is it adaptable and expandable?
There are many simple solutions on the market that handle the basic needs of a standard field service business. However, in order to maximize the benefits of a solution, make sure your solution provider has the ability to configure the software and adapt it to your specific business processes. It is also important to have the confidence that as your business grows the software solution you select will grow with you.
4. Is it the right size for your business?
Some mobile field service solutions are meant for smaller businesses, costing less up front, but lacking many complex features that are necessary as a business grows. Systems targeting larger companies may be very complex, offering more features at a higher cost. You need to figure out which solution makes sense for your business now and in the future.
5. Is it easy to use?
Your technicians have a challenging enough job solving problems for your customers- don’t add to their workload with difficult to use technology. Make sure the field service solution you select is simple to learn and use while making your technician’s job easier.
6. Does it meet the needs of all staff?
A field service management solution saves time on unnecessary administration work. Consider how both your technicians in the field and office staff will use the system. Be sure to involve all relevant stakeholders when you define the features your new software should have. This will ensure you pick the right solution and increase its adoption.
Armed with the 6 questions above you are ready to start talking with field service software solution providers. Before you make a decision, get a demo of the solution you are considering and also set up an in-person consultation to discuss your specific business needs. Share your plans for future growth so the solution provider can suggest a solution that will work for you long term. It’s also a good idea to talk to other customers of the solution you select before proceeding with it.
Ready to get started? Contact us today and speak to an expert to give your field service team a competitive edge that customers will love.
