What are the advantages of using field service management software?

If your business is in an industry which requires in-home installations, equipment repair, or visiting customers for any other reason, then a field service program could benefit you immensely. It can save time on scheduling, help determine inventory needs, improve employee loyalty, and promote customer satisfaction.

Save time on scheduling.

If you have multiple field agents, you know that trying to manage all of their schedules can be both tricky and time consuming. You probably spend countless hours staring at spread sheets and trying to work at logistics. With a field service management program, this task becomes much more streamlined. You tell the software where your agents need to go and how much time each type of appointment requires, and it does the rest. It creates schedules that are optimized to get the most out of every agent’s day by booking appointments that fit. The software can also create an optimal route for agents which can cut down on drive time which furthers productivity even more.

Keep the right amount of inventory.

As a field service business, you know the challenges of having the right inventory on hand when you need it. It’s a balancing act to be able to have the parts and equipment your agents need in stock while not having an excess of things you don’t need. Service management software can help you manage your inventory to best fit the needs of your agents and your customers. It keeps track of the inventory that is used and can alert you when you need to order more. You tell the program what parts might be needed for each type of appointment your agents have, and it makes sure you have enough. By taking advantage of the inventory management portion of your field service software, you can cut down on expenses while maintaining your inventory and not having to re-schedule appointments because you didn’t have the right equipment on hand.

Improve employee loyalty

Your field agents are the backbone of your business. They are your face-to-face contact with your customers, and you want them to be long-term employees. Their expertise and experience are what help your business flow correctly. Sometimes, however, agents get frustrated wit the lack of organization in their field schedules and the fact that they spend an exorbitant amount of time driving back and forth between appointments and the office to retrieve needed parts and equipment. A field service program eliminates this problem. It optimizes schedules and helps insure that agents can get all their needed inventory before they ever head out for the day. This makes them more productive and eliminates a good deal of unnecessary job stress.

Promote customer satisfaction

Without satisfied customers, your business will suffer. A service management software program can help. First, because agents have the right inventory along with them from the beginning, they can get the customer’s job done right on the first call-out. In the busy world in which we live, this is a huge advantage for your customers. In addition, some field service programs have automatic customer contact ability which means the software can contact them with schedule reminders and delays. Field agents can also easily record progress or problems they encounter with a customer’s job so that subsequent agents or other company employees are not starting from scratch should the customer need additional service. Having all this information in one spot helps smooth the process for everyone involved.

Field service management software is a great way to help your business run efficiently. Its benefits mean you have more time to devote to other aspects of your company, you have all the inventory you need when you need it, and your field agents and customers have satisfactory experiences. Consider purchasing a field service program, and watch your business thrive.