For field service managers, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of strategies and approaches that drive the industry forward, and allow you to stay competitive.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about field service management, breaking down the terminology, concepts, key components, and tools that help you keep field operations running smoothly.
Field service refers to a set of activities that involve providing on-site services or support at a customer’s location or in the field.
These activities are typically delivered by a mobile or remote workforce. It may include service technicians, maintenance workers, delivery personnel, and other workers who need to perform tasks and services at customer sites, on the road, or in various locations outside the company’s physical premises.
Depending on the industry, field service can involve different tasks and processes, such as equipment maintenance and repair, installations, deliveries, technical support, consulting, and more.
To streamline and optimize these activities, businesses often use field service management tools and software.
Field service management (FSM) refers to the set of processes and tools businesses use to optimize and streamline the management of their remote or field-based workforce.
FSM is particularly important for industries like utilities, telecommunications, construction, healthcare, and any business with a substantial field workforce.
Its applications are numerous, and include file access, task completion, communication, dispatch, and coordination. Most of the activities are performed by field service managers who organize fieldwork, gather data, manage inventory, make work assignments and schedules, track work hours, make estimates, and much more.
To manage these tasks, some companies use traditional systems for field service management where the main focus is on handwritten notes and paper-based processes.
Most companies, however, have switched to professional software that automates FSM tasks, saving time and improving accuracy and productivity.
These professionals complete some of the most common tasks relevant to their lines of business, such as repair, maintenance, and installation.
For example, a security alarm company and an oil company may both have field service engineers. For the former, if a homeowner reports a malfunctioning alarm system, the engineer visits the home, runs diagnostic tests, and completes necessary repairs.
For the latter example, the engineer may work on an oil rig. If workers encounter earth they cannot drill into with their current tools, the engineer needs to identify, source, and obtain the equipment they need to finish the job.
Several essential aspects go into effective FSM:
An integrated FSM system incorporating these elements is pivotal for businesses aiming to optimize their field service operations.
A field service report is a document created by a field service engineer to provide a record of activities, tasks, and observations related to a service call, maintenance visit, installation, or repair job conducted at a customer’s site or in the field.
A report includes the details of the service visit, which are typically the date, time, location, equipment involved, and the specific tasks performed.
It can also include notes on customer interactions, comments, and any special requests or concerns, helping maintain effective communication with the customer.
In some cases, field service reports are mandated by the company policy alone; sometimes they are required by law. Reports are especially important when it comes to incidents involving serious injuries and other catastrophic events.
A comprehensive field management system, for example Fluix, can ensure you and your field engineers manage your field service documentation properly through automation, digitized reporting, and compliance with standards and regulations.
FSM can help your business streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve overall efficiency. Benefits of effective field service management include:
With a strong field service management structure, you can scale your business and enter new markets with efficient operations, faster response times, on-time arrivals, and quicker issue resolution.
FSM can improve operations for any industry that involves:
In fact, 86% of decision makers who responded to the ZDNet survey said they see field management as a critical component of business growth.
FSM holds together the many moving parts of your field service operation.
Without effective management, you increase the risk of operational errors that can waste time and money. These errors can also reduce client confidence and satisfaction.
Data reported by Globe Newswire indicates an FSM market share of $4.24 billion, expected to grow to more than $7 billion by 2027.
Increasing adoption of digital solutions will drive that growth, especially as businesses access AI tech to automate repeated tasks and processes.
The report also cites the availability of customizable, usable-friendly software solutions.
Technology plays a critical role in the future of field service management. The modern business world requires managers to embrace software for their companies to compete and thrive.
In a Finances Online survey, more than half of engineers said they could use software to review the client’s service history before a visit or access service manuals.
In addition, 48% would rely on these solutions to access the company’s knowledge base, 42% to check the inventory, and 30% to view training modules and videos.
Adopting an FSM software solution like Fluix will bring these key benefits to your business as well.
It is much easier to secure digital documents than their physical counterparts.
In addition, you risk losing paper records in the event of a disaster like a flood or fire. You may be unable to retrieve the necessary information, which could have a devastating impact on your business.
When using Fluix for field service management, you can store and access documents and forms within the platform, making it a centralized repository for critical field-related documents. This can help field service technicians and managers access essential files remotely.
The ability to work on smartphones and tablets is essential for the remote workforce. This enables field service technicians to access documents and forms remotely, whether they are on-site, in the field, or working from a remote location.
Field service personnel can work with documents and forms in Fluix even when they are in locations with limited or no internet connectivity. Changes and data captured offline can be synchronized when an internet connection is available.
Custom workflows, which can include various steps, such as document reviews, approvals, and task assignments, can help with communication and accountability among team members who are responsible for different services.
For example, field service technicians can be assigned with tasks and have access and update documents and forms in real-time. This means that changes made by one team member are immediately visible to others, facilitating instant communication regarding updates or changes.
In Fluix, you can also send notifications to field service technicians’ devices, keeping them informed of new tasks, updates, or important messages.
How much would you pay to cut your quality inspection time by 69% or more?
What would you pay for software that allowed your team to spend 75% less time on reporting or saving 100 days per year on safety reports?
What would saving $300,000 per year in labor costs mean for your business?
These are real results from our clients who access our field service management software for as little as $30 per month.
Effective field service management is vital for businesses as it directly impacts customer satisfaction. It enhances workforce productivity, reducing operational costs and maximizing the number of tasks completed.
You can achieve this effectiveness by using dedicated software such as Fluix which is specifically designed for these tasks.
Fluix is a mobile document and workflow management platform used in field service management. It can offer you features for mobile document access, workflow automation, offline data handling, document sharing, and data collection.
Proper field service management also maintains equipment and assets, improving their lifespan and reducing downtime, which is critical for various industries, such as manufacturing, utilities, and telecommunication.
