Leveraging Automation in Field Force Management: Key Benefits and Recommended Tools

Managing a field force can be tough with limited visibility. This is where field force management software coupled with automation comes in, transforming how you track, manage and supervise field staff (without micromanaging).

Every field operations carrying industry has tons of staff dispersed throughout nations (even continents) to fulfill customer service-centric tasks. But managing such vast staff has its perils. It’s tough for  organisations to make sure their

• Field employees are arriving at the assigned destination on time with proper gear and tools?
• Field employees adhere to the same operational execution and compliance standards wherever they are.
• Field employees are given a fulfilling and interesting work environment.

Using a scaling field force management software is the only key to all the above challenges. Let’s see how this software can assist organisations in overcoming these obstacles to result in nothing but better utilization of assets, timely staff delegation, and a successful first-time fix rate. While ensuring better communication between the field force and the field managers.

While supervising field staff, constant monitoring can be equivalent to micromanaging. There, it’s important to choose field employee tracking tools that help keep a check on employees without spying on them.

What is Field Force Management?

Field force management is the practice of tracking, managing, and monitoring the activities of the company’s field workforce through suitable tools.

Field force management software is the most suitable choice as it helps managers plan tasks, monitor employee activities and productivity, and schedule appointments for tasks smartly. At the same time, the software provides  live visibility of the remote workforce through real-time GPS tracking and task progress tracking.

The software is a dire necessity as it allows managers to constantly communicate and support the field team and not let geographical distance be the reason for things going wrong.

Also, the software can automate many tasks and jobs, reducing roadblocks of manual processes that may be holding back the potential of the field workforce.

What is the Role of Automation in Field Force Management?

The main role of field force automation is to assist in designing, improving, and optimising the tasks, activities, and processes involved in the field operations.

It is a way of automating multiple field-related operations and processes to ensure that they are efficient and effective. So that the field employees can

• Collect more orders.
• Timely respond to customer service requests.
• Attend more meetings on time.
• And effectively convert potential into leads.

This automatically translates to better productivity of the field teams, clear-cut communication of tasks and expectations. It further enahnaces the collaboration between the office team and on the field employees, and access to information in real-time that will help them serve the clients better.

In-Demand Features of Automated Field Force Management Software?

TrackoField strongly believes that no size fits all. And that is why it offers field force management software that is customisable and caters to all your business needs and problems. The reason it is ideal is because all its solutions are backed by automation and have all the essential features that one can possibly ask for.

Here is the list of some most asked features that all business that has a field force can ask for:

Real time Employee Tracking

TrackoField’s field force automation software is best known for its accuracy in transmitting real time data. It eliminates the need for managers to constantly call their employees during site or client visits. Managers can keep tabs on the employees through live tracking and geotagged images.

Attendance Management

Employees only need to tap their phones to mark attendance remotely. Additionally, field staff employees can mark attendance using geocoded systems with the attendance management software.

Some features of the TrackoField’s Attendance management solution:

• Geo-senstive Attendance Marking System
• Visual Verification Attendance Marking
• Shift-wise Leave and Attendance Monitoring

Task Allocation and Management

While they are on the go, managers and executives can create and update tasks on the app. Eliminate the inconvenience of coordinating teams and work across multiple platforms.

Task management features:

• Updates on Task Status in real-time
• Allocate Month’s Worth of Tasks through Bulk Task
• Task-attendance Linking

Expense Management

The software automates the process for expenses and reimbursement. Workers check the status in real-time, attach the bill, and update the expense on the app. Supervisors accept or reject the application.

Expense management features:

• Track Reimbursement Claim Status
• Inbuilt and Custom Expense Categories
• Calculate Travel Costs Automatically

Order Management

Utilising an order management system to streamline field sales tracking. Count how many orders are placed, accepted, and delivered using the app. Ad hoc order placements are hassle-free with TrackoField.

Order management features:

• Order Taking and Tracking Remote
• Acess to Comprehansive Product List
• Custom Discounts and Pricing

Analytical Reports

Analytical reports in field force management software typically offer a range of features designed to provide insights into various aspects of field operations. These features help managers and stakeholders make informed decisions, optimize processes, and improve overall efficiency.

Here are some of teh reports that TrackoField offers:

• Performance Metrics
• Task Assigned vs Achievement Reports
• Time and Attendance Tracking

Executive App

An executive app in field force management software serves as a specialized tool tailored to the needs of executives, managers, and other high-level stakeholders overseeing field operations. This app provides access to key information and functionalities necessary.

TrackoField’s executive app, helps field agents with:

• Mark Attendance and Leave
• Gain Task Information
• Communication and Collaboration
• Seamless Document Upload

9 Benefits of Automation in Field Force Management

Here are top 9 compelling reasons as to why your business should leverage automation in field force management.

1. Eliminates Paperwork: Efficient field force management software reduces paperwork as it calls for digital document uploading and management. It is cloud-based, allowing managers and employees to access these documents remotely.
2. Assign Leads/Tasks: Assign tasks instantly to the employees according to their skills, expertise, bandwidth and proximity.
3. Real-time visibility into people and their progress: Managers are able to view field workers’ whereabouts and status in real time. It enables them to monitor their progress and address problems as they appear.
4. Increased Productivity: No more manual allocation of tasks, compiling and reviewing sales reports, and calling employees for updates. They get all the accurate information in real-time on the software dashboard. As for the field force, they no longer need to go to the office just to mark their attendance or get some intel on their tasks.
5. Cost Savings: There is no doubt that the software is successfully optimising the operations continuously. It does so by suggesting the best-suited employee for each task, detecting idling and spotting areas that need improvement.
6. Better Informed Decisions: Field force automation helps to enhance coordination and communication between the field staff and head office by making it easier to collect and share data. Operational leaders can enhance standard operating procedures and best practices by regularly reviewing the efficacy and efficiency of frontline operations using the data gathered in the field.
7. Work on the Go: Due to the software being cloud based and having a dedicated executive app, field employees are well-equipped with knowledge of the task while working remotely. Distance from the office does not hinder their productivity or efficiency.
8. Get Meeting Reminders: Users of field force management software receive alerts regarding tasks and events that have specific deadlines. For example. an update about meeting with a client, could be sent one hour in advance and thirty minutes later.
9. Get Support Remotely: Using video calling and conference features, certain field service apps enable field representatives to communicate with managers and experts in real-time. Thanks to this, reps won’t need to visit the client site more than once to resolve the same issue.

Here is How TrackoField is Acing the Field Employee Management Game!

Tools Required for Automated Field Force Management

Various tools and software solutions are available to automate different aspects of field force management. Here are some commonly used tools:

Field Service Management Software: Full suite field employee management software like TrackoField helps organisations manage their field operations efficiently by automating various tasks such as field staff scheduling, dispatching, and workforce management.

Executive App: Mobile apps designed for field agents enable them to access work orders, customer information, navigation tools, and other resources on their smartphones or tablets. These apps facilitate real-time communication, task updates, and data collection in the field.

GPS Tracking: GPS tracking systems help organisations monitor the location and status of their field employees. This also comes in handy in case of emergency or SOS, where sending help to the last location of the employees becomes easy.

Task Management Tools: Task management platforms enable organizations to create, assign, prioritize, and track tasks for field agents efficiently. These tools often include features such as task lists, reminders, task delegation, and progress tracking.

Customer Relationship Management Software: CRM software with field service management capabilities allows organizations to manage customer information, service requests, and interactions seamlessly. Integrating CRM with field force management tools enables personalized service delivery, efficient issue resolution, and better customer engagement.

Analytics and Reporting Tools: Analytics and reporting platforms provide organisations with valuable insights into field operations performance, customer satisfaction, workforce productivity, and other key metrics. These tools enable data-driven decision-making, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Communication and Collaboration Platforms: Communication and collaboration tools facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among field agents, managers, and other stakeholders. These platforms include features such as instant in-app messaging with voice note sharing, video conferencing, file sharing, and task assignment.

IoT Devices and Sensors: IoT devices and sensors equipped with connectivity and data collection capabilities can automate various field-related tasks, such as equipment monitoring, predictive maintenance, and environmental sensing. These devices provide real-time insights, reduce manual intervention, and improve operational efficiency. Examples include IoT-enabled sensors for remote asset monitoring, temperature monitoring, and vehicle diagnostics.

Conclusion

According to stats listed by Instapage, “automation is proven to boost sales productivity by 14.5% and reduce marketing overheads by 12.2%. Field Sales Force Automation can lead to a 30% increase in deal closures, an 18% reduction in the sales cycle, and a 14% reduction in sales administration time”.

Field force automation is absolutely necessary when a team is visiting client sites and remote locations daily. Because it takes care of their productivity and ensures that the work is being done on time and in most highest quality. This will automatically translate into better customer satisfaction and deeper visibility into the field operations. Not to forget, automation is helping businesses mitigate manual and errorful practices.

TrackoField should be your go-to software if you are looking to automate field operations. Its field force management software, hands down, is the best when it comes to enhancing the productivity and efficiency of the field employees.

Schedule a demo now!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does automation in field force management software improve operational efficiency and productivity?

  Automation in field force management software boosts operational efficiency by streamlining processes like task allocation, scheduling, and routing. It reduces manual errors, speeds up task completion, and optimizes resource utilization. Overall, automation enhances productivity by enabling field agents to focus on core tasks while minimizing administrative burdens.

• Can you explain how real-time data capture and analytics enhance decision-making and performance monitoring in field operations?

  Real-time data capture and analytics in field operations provide instant insights into agent activities, task progress, and resource utilization. Managers can monitor operations in real-time, allowing for quick identification of bottlenecks or issues. Analyzing this data enables informed decision-making, such as adjusting schedules or reallocating resources on the fly.

• How does automation in field force management software help in optimizing resource allocation and scheduling?

  Automation in field force management software optimizes resource allocation and scheduling by utilizing algorithms to assign tasks based on factors like agent location, availability, and skillset. Real-time updates and insights enable managers to make informed decisions, leading to better utilization of workforce and equipment, ultimately improving operational efficiency.