6 Ways to Streamline Your Field Service Processes

The best field service solutions should be able to automate all critical functions of field service operations, notably asset management, inspection, order management, scheduling, and processing, billing and invoicing.

However, it is recommended to go one step beyond to include remote monitoring, mobile access, and predictive analytics.

Let’s see how businesses can streamline field service processes.

Use Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics portends the use of statistical and modeling techniques to forecast future results and performance. It is widely used in multiple organizational processes but is yet to become a standard in field service processes.

Predictive analytics utilizes a combination of statistical techniques, including but not limited to data mining, automated machine learning algorithms, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. Its main goal is to create predictive models and predictive scores for different organizational outcomes.

There are three types of predictive analytics techniques: predictive models, descriptive models, and decision models.

Predictive field service management deploys data to ensure that field service teams are performing optimally. The process focuses on predicting parameters that affect service delivery and provides accurate estimates.

Predictive analytics analyzes large volumes of data to establish patterns of field service operations specific to your organization. In addition, customer-related data can be used for predicting customer preferences.

Improve Field Service Workflows

To optimize field service workflows, use field service automation software. This software can automate various tasks, including communication, inventory management, and workflow routing, in addition to collecting customer analysis data.

Field service automation software automates administrative tasks, breaking them down into smaller steps in the process.

As regards inventory management, automating it is crucial to achieving improved customer experience. Utilizing field service automation software leads to a positive customer experience, which, in turn, encourages upselling.

In simplest terms, automation software increases process visibility, which is a rather complex task when it comes to inventory management.

Automating workflows gives field workers the ability to view work orders, track parts availability, and manage service management in real-time. The practice not only reduces costs but also minimizes errors caused by manual work.

Improving field service workflows saves money and time while at the same time increasing field service operations’ efficiency.

Automated workflow software can streamline processes and get the job done quickly. The solution helps you track your staff, job equipment, and create job orders, making sure you are getting the right staff for each job.

Scheduling is also easier this way, as personnel can be notified when to execute their part of the process.

Overall, you can manage the entire process from one application by integrating your workflows into one system and providing a mobile software solution. A relevant mobile app will help with tracking communication details and processing checklists. In addition to collecting data, the mobile app also enables technicians to follow specific processes and keep customers informed during service calls.

Make Use of RFID Tagging

RFID (radio frequency identification) tagging involves devices that use radio frequency to identify objects (they can also identify people and animals). You can use RFID tag readers to obtain data on field technicians and inventory.

Coupled with field service automation software, the approach can help you log information and instructions, making sure that workers know exactly what to do at every moment.

Systematize Interactions

Ask customers for feedback. Usually, customers know what their greatest problems are, but it just may not have occurred to them to ask straight away.

Once you achieve a better understanding of what the customers want, proceed to redesign your customer journey with these insights in mind. The goal is to systematize interactions from first contact through service resolution and billing. So, preparation is key here.

Use AR and AI

AR (augmented reality) and AI (artificial intelligence) can simplify numerous processes.

AI is especially important for streamlining facility maintenance as it can help businesses operate all kinds of machines and stuff remotely and use sensors to navigate various tasks.

This technology is better known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Specifically, IoT sensors can help with:

• Establishing baselines for asset performance indicators
• Determining upper and lower limits of asset performance
• Collecting utilization data
• Transmitting data to AI-empowered software

The IoT software compares current performance data with historical data and reports the findings to facility personnel.

Centralize Dispatching

Dispatching for courier services can be simplified in a simple manner: centralize them.
This means that all orders for couriers should be routed through a single call center. The practice ensures that all orders are handled efficiently and that information is shared immediately.
Centralized dispatching simplifies transportation and tracking (drivers, vehicles, and resources), enabling rote optimization and scheduling in line with conditions in real-time.

Streamlining Field Service Processes Is Complex but Necessary

Let’s be honest: streamlining field service processes is a massive undertaking that uses time and resources and requires certain knowledge. On the other hand, once the process is done, everything will run smoothly, enabling the business to capitalize on its efforts. We’ve provided a couple of examples that can help you with the task in hopes you’ll find them useful.