What is Field Service Management and Why is it Important?

Discover how field service management software seamlessly executes processes for industries that heavily rely on off-site operations.

Do you still follow traditional practices to monitor your field staff?

Well, paper-based field operations are no longer effective. You must think outside the box and adopt a new approach to stay ahead of the curve. Wondering how? By using a robust field service management system that eliminates all obstacles on the go.

The software comes with various features and helps in:

✅Monitoring field staff

✅Increasing workforce productivity

✅Improving business operation

That’s how it brings field businesses closer to success.

Dive in to learn more about the field service management software and why it is important for your organisation. Let’s engrave further!

What is Field Service Management?

Field service management (FSM) is the process of managing an organization’s off-site operations. This includes task scheduling, resource allocation, and activity tracking. FSM software is mostly used by businesses that rely on a field workforce like maintenance, consultation, sales, etc.

Most field service management software works using GPS tracking. However, top software like TrackoField offers several other features:

• Task Management
• Faster order processing
• Distance traveled reports
• Expense evidence upload
• Employees’ performance analysis

Importance of Field Service Management Software – 8 Key Benefits

Now, that you know what is FSM software, let’s learn why it’s important. Here are 8 major benefits FSM software offers.

1. Automated Expense Reimbursement

This feature helps streamline the hefty process of employee expense claiming, reporting with evidence, and approval for quick disbursement. Field service management software allows seamless expense claiming with evidence upload. Executives just have to upload evidence of expenses, which is further acknowledged by managers. An FSM system like TrackoField also allows managers to:

• Create custom expense categories.
• Get rid of fake claims and secure the expense management process.
• Assess expense proofs like invoices and receipts.
• Process the entire reimbursement automatically.
• Put a cap on the monthly expense limits.
• Track total expenses on the centralised dashboard.

2. Effective Shift Scheduling

What if we tell you that you don’t have to rely on traditional modules to create proper work shifts for your executives? You just jumped with excitement, didn’t you?

Well, don’t stop jumping because shift scheduling gets far better with easy ad-hoc adjustments and instant task alerts on the go. Instead of just saving time for the manager, shift scheduling reduces employees’ over time and allows for strategic planning.

TrackoField enabled with a shift scheduling feature ensures that the right employee is at the right job at the right time. For field operations, managing shift scheduling helps in achieving consistency. It also ensures transparency and accountability. Executives get alerts when their shifts get scheduled, removing any scope for later disputes.

3. Instant Bulk Task Allocation

A huge tree of tasks! How can I allocate this?

Such kinds of thoughts are common when you are a manager dealing with uncanny task requirements and requests. But these thoughts don’t exist when you have field service management software. Because the software can easily allocate the tasks to the designated employee.

It lets the manager assess the workforce, assign tasks in bulk, and monitor their activity conveniently.

Indeed, field service automation has made task allocation much easier than before. Moreover, TrackoField’s task vs achievement feature adds the cherry on the cake as it gives an insight into the completed or uncompleted tasks for better analysis.

4. Ad-hoc Order Placement

Ad-hoc order placement is another remarkable benefit of an FSM system. It allows employees to place their orders from the client’s site digitally. That means they don’t have to return to the office again to check the inventory for order information.  They can create orders, choose clients, add products from an extensive list, and notify the manager about the order placement.

Moreover, managers can get real-time order visibility, add custom pricing and discounts, and prepare the product list based on location, product, and team category. The software also allows ad-hoc order placement and fast approvals in urgent times.

5. Mobile and Desktop Reporting

Reporting for field staff isn’t just limited to phone calls, emails, and papers as they have now shifted to cloud-enabled field force management software, available for both mobile and desktop devices.

TrackoField’s mobile and desktop reporting functionality helps managers access task success reports and proof of delivery in real time without having to constantly stay seated. It also provides in-built calendar templates for calendar scheduling and saves costs on paper. Moreover, you can generate reports on different official matters such as task progress, distance travelled, expense claiming requests, performance & productivity, etc. at the tap of a fingertip.

6. Efficient Employee Monitoring

Simplifying employee monitoring software has never been possible without the geofencing technology that most field service management software offers. The technology works by giving a bird’s eye view of an employee’s movements.

It allows the manager to limit the areas wherein their offsite staff can navigate or mark their attendance. This is to reduce the chances of time theft, extended breaks, and buddy punching. When integrated with an automated route distance calculator, the software makes it easy to evaluate the total miles travelled by each field staff.

7. Quicker Time to Information

Field service management software offered by TrackoField provides battery and network status and the reasons behind field staff’s unavailability. For instance, the manager can instantly check whether an employee’s phone is in flight mode, out of network area, or switched off. So, there is no possibility of worrying about an employee’s unavailability. The software keeps track of all staff activity when they are offline and online.

8. Real-time Data Visualization

Another useful feature field service management software offers is real-time data visualisation. A field employee tracking system like TrackoField comes with an intuitive dashboard. It allows managers to:

• Analyse staff performance metrics.
• Track progress around each goal.
• Look into orders placed by employees.
• Monitor everything from the same place.

Organisations can simplify complex data and use it to identify areas of improvement and make better business-driven decisions.

Evolution of Field Service Management Software

Field service management software has become a must-have for all businesses with a field workforce. It’s all thanks to its various benefits like minimising data losses, mitigating human errors, and increasing data security. FSM software is only going to grow and innovate even more. Here are stats about the field service management market:

• The FSM industry which was recorded at USD 3.24 billion is now expected to expand to USD 8.06 billion in 2028.
• According to Statista, the global field service market is predicted to account for $4.45 billion.
• By 2027, the field service industry can grow and reach USD 5.7 billion.
• FSM systems are expected to expand and extend at a CAGR of 15.4% over the next five years.
• 96% of companies find GPS field tracking software beneficial.
• 51% of organizations implement FSM systems.

How to Implement Field Service Management Software?

Here is how to implement FSM software in your business for maximum impact.

1. Know What You Want

The first step is to identify your needs, business challenges, and goals. Doing so is crucial as you don’t want to pay extra for features you’re never going to use. TrackoField comes with basic and advanced features for all organizational needs. You can book a demo to learn more.

2. Appoint Field Service Managers

Although the system is automated, you still need field managers who will delegate tasks and responsibilities to employees from the office. Also, managers must have an overview of your company’s projects, future goals, services, or products to manage an efficient workflow.

3. Start Small

If you are new to using field service management software, it is important not to overwhelm yourself with advanced features. Instead, go with the basic ones and migrate to advanced versions when your business requires it.

4. Analyse Data

Also, don’t forget to use the data collected from the system to reach your future goals. For instance, you can use the data collected on employee productivity indicating frequent absenteeism to improve your attendance policies.

Beat the Challenges of Traditional Field Service Management with TrackoField

These days, it is not feasible to manage your field employees using old-fashioned methods. Spreadsheets, calls, texts, and outdated software can be used to manage a small workforce. However, when managing a large field team, these methods can complicate your workflow instead of simplifying it.

Plus, manual FSM methods can be error-prone and lead to miscommunication. Managers may also have to deal with challenges like time theft, task overlap, paperwork or low staff productivity. That’s why you need a state-of-the-art software solution like TrackoField.

It optimises task allocation, provides real-time operational visibility, and simplifies field operations in just a few clicks. You can also eliminate paperwork, absenteeism and buddy punching. Moreover, the software also offers some robust features like:

• Optimised task allocation
• Automated expense reimbursement
• Geo-coded attendance marking
• Dynamic shift scheduling
• Ad-hoc order placement
• Bulk task upload & calendar scheduling
• Real-time employee monitoring

TrackoField is one of the best FSM software in the industry It’s a one-stop solution to manage all your essential field operations in one place.

In a Nutshell!

Field service management software simplifies the way field employees are monitored. It optimises field operations for businesses with a mobile workforce. This includes task management, order processing, employee tracking, etc.

The software also overcomes issues like time theft, task overlap, paperwork, and communication gaps. All in all, FSM software can be beneficial for both employees and managers.

So if you also want better staff productivity and a smooth workflow, you should try field operations management software like TrackoField. Get in touch to know more!

FAQs

• How can field service management software be helpful for sales agents?

  FSM software can transform your salesforce and boost sales output considerably. The software makes it easy for sales agents to place orders. With just a few taps on their mobile app, salesmen can place an order and adjust product prices. They can even use custom forms for client feedback or POD. In addition, the software allows managers to:
  - Track orders in real-time.
  - Maintain a comprehensive product list.
  - Approve order requests quickly.

• Why do you need field force management software?

  You need field force management software to:
  - Boost your field staff’s productivity.
  - Monitor the activities and task status of your employees.
  - Reduce reliance on manual task scheduling and eliminate paperwork.
  - Gain insight into your field teams’ work using historical data analysis.

• Which industries need field service management software?

  FSM software is essential for businesses that are dependent on field employees. This includes companies in the following industries:
  - HVAC & plumbing
  - Pest control, landscaping, home services
  - Facility maintenance
  - Agriculture
  - Sales & After-sales services
  - Health and Pharma