Field Service Management: Everything Business Owners Need To Know
In this article, the workforce-management experts at Sling discuss everything ow...
If your team members perform any type of work offsite or if your business manages two or more locations, field service management software can help keep your operation organized, running smoothly, and on the path to success.
In this article, we discuss the key components of field service management software, the benefits it has to offer, and some of the best options available.
Table of contents
- What is field service management software?
- Key components of field service management software
- Benefits of field service management software
- Best field service management software
What is field service management software?
Field service management software (FSM software) is a broad category of cloud-based and native apps that are specifically designed to organize and streamline offsite activity.
For the most part, these programs provide essential support for team members who work in or from a place other than the business’s main location.
Depending on the complexity of the FSM software you choose, the app may provide such tools as:
Any one of these components may make your work life easier, but all of them together may help you revolutionize the way your business runs.
Key components of field service management software
Complexity
Some field service management software will prioritize complex workflows and be geared toward larger businesses. Other apps will prioritize user-friendliness and be geared toward smaller businesses.
Still other FSM software will occupy the middle ground, have complex features and user-friendliness, and be geared toward small, medium, and large businesses of all types.
Find the level of complexity that works best for your team.
Specialization
Some FSM apps are specialized for specific industries. Sling, for example, offers tools that are perfect for restaurants, retail, healthcare, call centers, education, and nonprofits.
Azuga, on the other hand, offers tools that are perfect for fleet-based businesses of all sizes and types.
Take the time to research the different brands of field service management software to find the one that best suits your industry.
Features and functionality
The features and functionality of the FSM software you choose will be crucial for the success of your business.
Core features of any FSM app include:
- Scheduling
- Team communication
- Labor cost control
- Built-in time tracking
- Task management
As you research, be sure those core components satisfy the needs of your team and your business.
Scalability
No business stays the same size forever. And, just because your business expands doesn’t mean it won’t have to contract in the future (or vice versa).
Good field service management software will adapt to the way you and your team work and will grow and change as the business does.
Incorporating an FSM app with scalability built in can also help you avoid the hassle of switching platforms — which can severely interrupt your workflow — when you need more or fewer features.
Cost
Field service management software varies widely in cost and price structure. Some offer tiered plans based on features and user count. Others have a flat monthly fee.
Choose the cost structure that works best for your business.
Benefits of field service management software
Efficiency
Efficiency is all about getting things done in a timely manner.
Field service management software with advanced task management, time tracking, and process checklists can help you boost team efficiency wherever they’re working and on whatever job they’re focused on.
And, as your team’s efficiency increases, productivity may increase as well.
Even if you incorporate a new FSM app into your workflow and introduce one new process at a time (instead of all at once), you’ll likely see productivity improve somewhere in your business.
Customer satisfaction
With the right field service management software, your business may be able to improve key performance indicators, such as response time and first-time fix rate (just to name a few).
And, with real-time updates and other advanced features, you’ll be better positioned to keep customers informed about the work process and satisfied with the results your team produces.
All of that — and more — may help you improve customer satisfaction throughout your business.
Performance
Keeping your team members in the field (or those working remotely) connected with the rest of the organization can be a huge detriment to their performance.
A mobile app component can provide real-time job details, efficient data capture, employee information, and more so that your team members can perform at their best wherever they happen to be working.
Data-driven decision making
Another huge benefit of field service management software is that it can provide comprehensive reporting capabilities on every aspect of your business.
Armed with that information, you may gain insight into team and business performance in such a way that it becomes easier to make data-driven decisions about the way your organization operates.
Best field service management software
1) Sling
Source: getsling.com
Sling is field service management software designed specifically with busy managers in mind. It combines the simplicity of a calendar view and the easy distribution of cloud-based technology with a whole host of other features that can make managing an offsite team the easiest job you’ve got.
Sling provides the tools you need to keep your team organized, productive, and successful, including:
- Comprehensive employee scheduling
- Built-in mobile and on-site time clock
- Attendance tracking
- Communication tools
- Task management
- Labor cost controls
- Multiple-location management
- Integrations with other apps
- Employee document organization
- Labor and break law compliance tools
Sling is perfect for on-site, mobile, remote, virtual, and field service teams of all sizes.
2) Jobber
Source: getjobber.com
Jobber comes with a number of FSM features, including:
- Scheduling
- Dispatch
- Invoicing
- Online booking
- Job forms
- Mobile app
Jobber can be integrated into businesses of all sizes and types.
3) Housecall Pro
Source: housecallpro.com
Housecall Pro is FSM software for home service businesses such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, and electricians.
Features include:
- Online booking
- Automated appointment reminders
- Integrations with common payment methods
- Invoicing
- Sales proposal tools
4) Service Titan
Source: servicetitan.com
Service Titan is designed for larger businesses with more complex needs.
Features include:
- Marketing ROI tracking
- Dispatch based on technician skill set
- Customizable reporting
- Inventory management
- And more
5) Salesforce Field Service
Source: salesforce.com
While Salesforce Field Service may be more complex than small and medium-sized businesses need, it offers advanced features, including:
- Complex workflow management
- Resource allocation optimization
- Regulatory compliance tracking
- IoT data support (for real-time equipment monitoring)
- Service analytics
6) Kickserv
Source: kickserv.com
Features of the Kickserv field service management software include:
- Scheduling
- Dispatch
- Mobile app
- Invoicing
- Reporting
7) FieldPulse
Source: fieldpulse.com
Like other FSM software on this list, FieldPulse offers a variety of tools for small, medium, and large businesses, including:
- Scheduling
- Dispatch
- Customer resource management (CRM)
- Supplier price book
- Fleet tracking
- Project management
- Service agreements
8) Workiz
Source: workiz.com
With Workiz, businesses gain access to:
- Invoicing
- Estimating
- GPS tracking
- Commissions management
- Lead integration
- Client portal
- Online booking
9) Azuga
Source: azuga.com
Azuga is field service management software for fleet-based businesses of all types and sizes.
Features of the Azuga app include:
- GPS fleet tracking
- Mobile app
- Driver safety scores
- AI dual-facing dash cam
- Asset tracking and telematics
- Electronic logging device
10) SimPro
Source: simprogroup.com
SimPro can help businesses manage their outside operations with tools such as:
- Mobile task management
- Invoicing and payments
- Project inventory
- Scheduling and dispatch
- Estimates and quotes
Manage your entire team with Sling
The foundation of any good field service management software is scheduling.
Without a simple, straightforward way to organize your employees, the other parts of your business may be affected — and not always for the better.
So, if you’re looking for software to help you coordinate your entire team — both those in the field and those onsite — Sling may be the digital solution for you.
Sling’s cloud-based software provides tools such as:
- Employee scheduling
- Team task management
- Built-in time clock
- Mobile time tracking
- Employee document tracking
- Labor compliance
- Advanced communication
- Integrations
- And more
Try the app for free to see why Sling is the field service management software for businesses of all types and sizes.
And, for more free resources to help you manage your business better, organize and schedule your team, and track and calculate labor costs, visit GetSling.com today.
This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal, tax, HR, or any other professional advice. Please contact an attorney or other professional for specific advice.
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