4 Latest Trends In Evolving Face of Field Service Management

Our usage of mobile-first technology and artificial intelligence is at an all-time high – and its effects are visible in remote and typically offline businesses like field services. Today, AI, GPS, IoT, etc make it possible to to handle field service operations remotely. The automation goes beyond removing manual tasks but now includes high-level tasks like making intelligent decisions, optimizing workflows, or updating documents on their own.

This article explores the latest advancements in field service management software and their applications.

What is field service management software?

Field service management software is a dedicated solution for digitizing field operations by automating manual tasks, streamlining workflows, and improving workforce productivity

 For example, using FSM software, your field service team can analyze data and generate insights on workforce productivity and performance on the job site. You can design incentives to improve performance metrics and design rewards that help align worker behavior.

How is Field Service Management software becoming more capable with technology?

Field service management software has undergone a significant transformation, revolutionizing how businesses manage their field operations. With a focus on enhancing productivity, improving customer service, and optimizing workflows, the latest advancements in FSM software have brought forth several notable features:

Automated field service scheduling and dispatching

Getting scheduling workflows right means better response time, first-time fix rates, and resource allocation efficiency. This is because using software reduces the chances of human errors, wrong job assignments, or dispatching workers with wrong job details.

FSM software understands the job requirements and analyzes available field service technicians based on their skills, proximity to the job site, and availability to assign work. 

Mobile application access 

Having an iOS or Andriod mobile app access makes it possible to leverage GPS technology, provide real-time notifications, and enable easy file sharing. This means it is possible to instantly notify an available field service worker of the job for acceptance. It removes any need to connect via call – the worker can check details and respond to the service request. Mobile access also helps workers share emergency information with managers.

The Field Service Management app also helps customers place add-on service requests with your company on a required basis. They can also reschedule the field visit on a mobile app, thus removing the need of manually contact customer support.

Geotagging and Geofencing

The latest FSM software enabled with GPS technology helps in knowing the real-time location of a worker, asset, or vehicle. Another key benefit is the ability to optimize routes for field service technicians to reach the job site such that it saves time and fuel costs.

Geo tagging means you can tag geographic coordinates based on the mobile device's location. Thus, you can track the movements of a worker, vehicle, or asset and know in real time its exact location on the map. This makes it easy to calculate estimated arrival time which you can share with customers to improve service delivery experience. 

Geo-fencing creates a virtual boundary around the job site such that you can track any worker or asset movements beyond it. When anything crosses the fenced area, your field service teams get notified immediately. Such features greatly help reduce thefts. It also improves worker productivity and accountability.

Predictive maintenance and insights from data

Using IoT technology, it is possible to track the equipment's health during usage. This helps understand any requirement for maintenance beforehand and track its performance to predict potential failure during service. It is also possible to create reports of the usage with customers in case you charge for equipment as a part of paid service.

FSM software also analyzes your overall operational performance to generate insights on workflow optimization. Insights from reports on marketing, sales, work order completion, first-time fixes, or customer feedback can help find blind spots that are impacting your business revenues.

Generative AI and AI agents will bring further advancement in field service management

With the rise of Generative AI tools, it is possible to automate documentation, summarization of job details, draft marketing emails, and much more using mere prompts. For example, Zuper – a comprehensive field service management software provides AI assistant ZIVA to help your field service teams become more efficient with daily tasks – book a demo today to know more.