Running a successful service operation is no small feat. Between managing service technician schedules, fielding customer requests and ensuring that you have the right parts on hand, service management can get complicated really quick.
A lack of organization and streamlined processes can create additional challenges, leading to significant inefficiencies, longer service times and unhappy customers.
Many of today’s service operations are still maintaining paper-based processes and scheduling methods. While this may work for smaller businesses servicing only a few clients a week, for the majority of those in the service industry, paper-based processes are not only inefficient but harmful to growing businesses. With no way to easily communicate scheduling changes or check parts inventory, service technicians have to spend their precious time tracking down the next job and waiting for answers on inventory questions. This leads to significant inefficiencies and results in less than satisfactory service.
In order to run a successful service operation, companies must find a way to automate the entire field service process, including installation, repair, preventative maintenance, scheduling and dispatching, inspection, call receiving, contracts, and invoicing. This can be done through the implementation of a service management software solution.
Service management software provides service industries with a centralized system to automate tasks, increase visibility across the workforce and back office, and create reports quickly and easily. The software can be used to:
- Connect service technicians with important customer, inventory, asset and warranty while on the road through mobile devices
- Improve the collection of business data
- Extend reporting capabilities
- Create and document inspections while in the field
- Maximize the number of hours spent on billable labor
- Provide service technicians with real-time scheduling so they always know where to go next
- Automate the scheduling of preventative maintenance
Are your paper-based processes contributing to inefficiencies in the field? Contact us to find out how you can automate key processes so you can service your customers well.