Unorganized systems are costing business owners more time and money than most realize. In fact, low employee engagement alone is costing businesses an estimated $7 trillion in lost productivity. At the same time, manual systems are leading to botched jobs, mistakes, and lost paperwork.
Have you felt the stress or financial pain of paper-based systems? There’s relief out there. Software can help eliminate these daily headaches and transform your business for the better.
Here are the ways field service software can improve your operations and help you get that missing money to flow into your business.
Problems Field Service Software Solves
If your field service business is still jotting down notes and organizing file cabinets, you’ve probably done it that way for a while. That means it’s hard to see how much processes like this are costing you. However, the old way of doing business is coming at a price.
First, every time a worker shuffles through a desk or paper pile, they’re wasting time. That time adds up fast. In fact, the average person wastes 4.3 hours per week searching for paper.
Unfortunately, the consequences go beyond the company’s bottom line. With every lost message and botched job that occurs as a result of outdated systems comes frustration. That means less engaged teams and upset customers. It all adds up to less efficiency, more frustration, and missed opportunities.
How Field Service Software Solves Problems
Field service software is a modern solution to these age-old problems of manual systems. At the top of the list of software advantages is tech management. Today, field service software makes it possible to manage scheduling, organize dispatching, and build a more connected team.
Field service software also solves problems that go well beyond technician management. Anyone who’s had to tally inventory by hand or lost a work order knows the pain manual systems can inflict. Software simplifies payment processing, eases inventory management, and organizes work orders in one easy-to-find place. It also means techs can give more accurate estimates on the job, and business owners will know who has and hasn’t paid.
What’s more, software can make work in the field much more efficient. We hear about the scenario all too often: A tech is out on the job, and they arrive only to find they’re not prepared or able to complete work then and there. They’re left wasting time and fuel while traveling back to the shop.
Field service software eliminates these costly mishaps and helps workers head into jobs prepared. With the right software, they’ll have access to customer information and a full job history. That means fewer callbacks, fewer mistakes, and access to on-the-job resources.
All of this also translates into a better customer experience and more opportunities to grow the business. In addition to driving better daily outcomes, field service software puts information in a digital form and sets the table for online marketing. It makes it simple to measure who’s interested in the business and helps owners improve their all-important online reputation.
How to Pick the Right Field Service Software Partner
It’s easy to see how software can improve your business, but finding the right provider isn’t always so simple. Here are some things to look for in a field service software partner:
They Should Be Realistic
We’ve all had a negative experience with a shady salesperson. If it seems like a software provider is hiding something, they probably are. When picking out a software partner, watch out for misleading pitches that advertise hands-off solutions or programs that don’t require training.
A high-quality provider will be up front about how much training and effort is needed to successfully implement the software. They should also be transparent about what the software can and can’t do for your business. Stay away from providers who try to push software that doesn’t fit both your company’s goals and the particulars of your industry.
They Should Have a Full Set of Features for Your Industry
Too often, an owner will fall for flashy sales pitches, marketing gimmicks, or deceptively low prices — only to be stuck with a basic field service software solution. Instead, it pays to take the time to pick a solution that supports the unique functionality your business demands. Simple solutions may seem adequate at first glance, but they can hang you and your workforce out to dry.
How important is having tools with full capabilities? According to one survey, 92 percent of employees say having the technology necessary to do their job affects their job satisfaction. Basic software systems can leave workers and owners frustrated.
So what does high-quality software look like? Of course, the software should help you manage the workforce, but it should do more. The software should unify teams and connect back offices to field operations. It should also give owners the tools to widen their customer base.
Their Software Should Be Scalable
It’s easy to settle for the first software solution that meets your immediate needs. However, that philosophy can cause headaches when your business grows.
Entering the initial shopping process with scalability in mind can save money and frustrations later on. When your company grows, so will your needs. You may start out with a goal to organize workflows, improve efficiency, and attract more customers. However, as your business grows, you may want to add advanced functions, such as progress-based billing or parts distribution.
When those needs pop up, your company will face a few choices. You can cherry-pick one-off solutions for each new function or drop all the progress you’ve made and pick up a whole new system. Either way, taking the time to choose a scalable program from the get-go helps you avoid that unwinnable decision.
They Should Be a Partner
It may be tempting to pick up a hands-off program. After all, providers usually promise business-changing solutions with limited or no training. However, one-and-done solutions are a recipe for disaster.
First, without training, it’s easy to become frustrated and burnt out. It’s natural. It doesn’t matter how powerful a tool is; if you don’t know how to use it, you’re going to want to drop it for an easier solution. Much of the time, that ends up meaning your business drops the software you spent weeks or months picking out. It also means throwing that investment out the window and starting at square one.
For vigilant businesses, a lack of training might not lead to giving up on the software altogether. You might persist through confusing software, and maybe even learn a few functions. However, it still leaves the business missing out on the full capabilities of the software.
In either case, the better option is to choose a provider who is willing to act as a partner. They should offer full training and ongoing support.
How Davisware Can Help You Improve Your Operations
Wondering where you can pick up a robust field service software solution? Davisware has the technology to streamline processes, organize teams, and prepare your organization for growth. Plus, we’ll be with you through every step. We offer training and always make sure the solution fits your business.
Want to learn more? Schedule a free demo today.
