10 reasons to choose a mobile, Cloud-based Field Service Management solution

However, today’s new, mobile, cloud-based solutions are offering companies even bigger business benefits. How do they do it? asks Fieldaware.

The Cloud
Need to get started fast? Don’t want the cost and hassle of implementing a premise-based solution? The cloud delivers. Not only is capital spending eliminated, cloud-based solutions also:
• Eliminate hardware and software maintenance costs
• Enable companies to choose and use the capabilities they need – when they need them
• Include automatic back-up of all data
• Reduce implementation time (so companies can take advantage of the benefits of field service management even faster)
• Use technologies that most companies already have, and employees are familiar with – smartphones or tablets and a web browser

Mobile Devices, Operating Systems and Network
Smartphones and tablets are taking over. According to recent studies over 80 percent of new mobile phone purchases are now smartphones. And with faster networks (4G, 4G LTE), data transmission is faster – and more reliable. The latest field service management solutions were designed for this environment. They enable technicians to:
• Use the app, even when a network isn’t present (offline)
• Leverage the capabilities of the mobile operating system to integrate voice recognition, photo/video capture, editing of PDF forms – and more

Usability
Training takes time. And when technicians aren’t in the field, they aren’t generating revenue. Mobile, cloud-based solutions include mobile apps that are intuitive and enable technicians to get the information they need with just one or two “clicks”. As a result, adoptions is rapid and companies realize the business benefits of field service management quickly.

Flexibility
Field service organizations interact with a variety of other people, processes and systems. Cloud-based, mobile solutions provide flexibility that enables companies to tailor the system to their processes. They also:
• Use open, web-based API’s (Application Programming Interfaces) to exchange information with existing ERP, CRM and accounting systems
• Provide the ability to enable or disable functionality on the mobile app (for example shield pricing information from a contractor, or enable an internal technician to prepare an onsite quote or work order)

Compatibility
Business benefits are bigger when companies can leverage existing infrastructure. Mobile, cloud-based field service management solutions are designed to be compatible with existing:
• Data (and data formats)
• Applications (ERP, CRM, Accounting, HR)
• Processes
• Devices (mobile, PC/Apple)

Customization
Every company is unique. Every employee has their own way of using their device – and the applications on it. Mobile, cloud-based field service management solutions provide:
• Custom fields that enable companies to transition current operations to a mobile, cloud-based environment quickly and easily
• Custom searches, sorts and views that can be saved and retained for later use by any user, at any time
• Custom information displays on mobile devices and company dashboards that provide users with quick snapshots of important data, business or customer status

Business Visibility
Knowing the status of every work order for every customer – and every technician is crucial. Mobile, cloud-based systems include schedulers, maps and dashboards that provide real time visibility into the location, status and history of every job and every technician. This enables companies to assign jobs to employees and contractors more efficiently and take actions to avoid contract or SLA violations more quickly.

Business Intelligence
Are there problems affecting the profitability of the organization? Mobile, cloud-based field service management solutions can help companies find out fast. They include built-in reports that cover every fact of the operation – customers, revenue, work orders, inventory items and assets. Reports can also be exported to other programs and in a variety of file formats to gain even deeper company insight.

On-Boarding, Implementation and Training
Mobile, cloud-based solutions are designed for fast implementation. Account setup and data import is handled by staff that is experienced in helping companies migrate their data – and processes- to the new system. And because the systems use familiar technology and interfaces (smartphones, tablets, PC’s, Mac’s, web browser) training is fast and user acceptance is rapid.

Support
No on-site servers and software means that companies don’t have to dedicate even more resources to technical support. Calls are handled by the mobile, cloud provider’s experienced staff – and users can always access comprehensive catalogs of technical and user information online as well (videos, product documentation, etc.).

Mobile, cloud-based field service management solutions are already increasing productivity, growing revenues, improving customer satisfaction and building better, more profitable field service organizations around the world. Using familiar devices and interfaces and leveraging the power, flexibility and compatibility of the cloud, mobile, cloud-based field service management solutions are changing the face of field service operations.