How Can Field Service Mobile Apps Boost Field Technician Productivity?

Years have witnessed an increase in the competition in field service. Compliance with strict regulations can be a source of success in producing complete, cutting-edge solutions to customer needs for a compact customer base.  The field service mobile app, which is well-equipped to provide faster work execution, accurate record-keeping, and exceptional customer experiences, is a productivity enabler.

How does the field service mobile app boost efficiency?

However, the million-dollar question is how to improve field service operations or a field technician’s productivity. Most service providers are finding solutions in field service mobile apps. These apps allow technicians to focus on their core task of servicing customers.

The software takes care of administrative and other non-value-adding tasks.71% more likely to have a standardized mobile strategy across their organization. It enables seamless work execution, eliminating the hurdles that often manifest in manual mode. How can Field Service Mobile Apps boost field technician productivity? Let’s find out

1. Ready access to information 

Information is power. In field service, ready access to information delivers big productivity and efficiency gains. When technicians do not have the information they need to do the jobs, they waste time. They have to follow up with their managers or seek clarifications from clients. Connecting with the service manager from remote locations may not be easy, leading to major delays. Even the client may not be available on-site for clarifications.

Field service software allows technicians to access up-to-date information at any time. They get detailed instructions and updates at their fingertips. 

Service managers may upload job cards, and field technicians can access them through the mobile field service app. These job cards offer all information related to the job, including the nature of the job, client information, and service history. Technicians also get a copy of the work order detailing the complaint or the to-dos.

Real-time notifications update technicians on assignments and schedule changes. Advance notifications help technicians plan daily schedules and routes effectively.

2. Integrated inventory management 

The field service software integrates inventory management. Technicians may access the parts and supplies allocated to their tasks. The software eliminates the all-too-common confusion and mix-ups related to inventory. 

The technician’s software also improves traceability. It tracks the inventory the technicians picked up and returns unused and defective items at the end of the shift. Technicians can also easily add to the invoice the spares and parts they used in the job without following up or scrambling for information. 

Integrated inventory management allows field technicians to work at their productive best. They can save time and avoid delays in seeking inventory. Instances such as rescheduling a visit for the sake of spares and the technician idling during such shifts get eliminated.

3. Route optimization

The time technicians travel to and from customer locations is unproductive and does not add value to their jobs. 

Field service mobile apps guide technicians through the best routes to their work sites. The most obvious route may not be the shortest or the fastest. Technician software that integrates maps offers the fastest route to customer locations. 

The route optimization functionality of field service software offers multiple benefits. When technicians reach the work sites faster, they can cover more jobs per shift. Asset use ratios improve, and customer wait time is reduced. Workforce productivity, enterprise efficiency, and customer satisfaction all get a big boost.

Related Readings: How to Become a Pro Contractor Using A Field Service Mobile App

4. Structured workflows and data collection

The field technicians often suffer from productivity loss as they are at a loss for how to proceed. 

Field service mobile apps allow service managers to guide field technicians. They may create forms and checklists, which are downloadable by the field technicians through their mobile apps. These forms and checklists structure workflows and offer field agents step-by-step instructions. Technicians can use these forms to complete their tasks systematically and faster.

Mobile-optimized forms also enable fast and precise data collection. Capturing field data such as equipment readings, inspections, and service records becomes effortless. Data collection is integral to the field technician’s job. However, field technicians often waste valuable time on tasks. Relying on first-generation tools such as MS Excel or Word soon leads to a mess, with conflicting versions and data sprawl. 

Field service software also allows for capturing and tagging images with predefined labels for easy accessibility. Annotating images and adding notes improves issue identification.

Many field technicians rely on paper-based notes and Excel sheets to feed data into reports. Such a process is time-consuming and error-prone. Worse, the time and effort come with the opportunity cost of making an extra service call. 

Relying on technician software makes the task much easier. The software keeps the data well-organized, with no version conflicts. Technicians can sync field data with the back office and retrieve it easily. They can create quick reports populated with the most current data. Field service software with advanced features includes forms that self-populate information about work status and other reports.

5. Real-time tracking

Employees work at their productive best when supervisors can monitor their performance and offer timely assistance. However, supervisors and managers encounter blind spots in field service as the workplace is far from the office or the supervisor’s location. Field service software offers a solution to the issue. The technician’s field service mobile app leverages the smartphone’s GPS to offer live status location. Contractors and supervisors can track their field technicians and job progress. They can make timely interventions to set the right things if they notice any lag. Analyzing historical data, drilled down to the individual technician level, aids performance management. Managers can identify the technician’s weak areas and arrange training to build capabilities in such areas. Also, they can support the technician in areas where they repeatedly face delays.

6. Invoicing & e-signature

Field technician productivity depends on the ability to complete jobs quickly. Here, the technician’s software becomes a valuable ally. It automates many tasks that otherwise take much time and effort to complete.

One such task is invoicing. Field service software allows technicians to create invoices from the field on work completion. This facility reduces administrative hassles, saves time, improves accuracy, and guarantees timely payments. The field technicians may also collect the client’s electronic signatures as proof of work completion. 

How Can ReachOut Improve Field Technician Efficiency?

Top field service software such as ReachOut Suite has intuitive mobile apps that spot a clean and neat interface. Technicians can navigate the app friction-free and get instructions and guidance anytime. The app syncs with the back office seamlessly. 

Technicians can update job status at each stage, improving coordination and efficiency. ReachOut’s resilient app works offline and syncs the data to the central server when online. The app has a strong back-end and runs on both IoS and Android smartphones. 

Explore more opportunities with ReachOut’s Field Service Mobile App today! Request a free demo!