Field dispatch software gives managers total visibility into the field using smart automation. The right software as a service (SaaS) can remind customers of upcoming appointments and payment due dates while removing redundant tasks—and giving you the visibility you need into schedules, upcoming jobs, invoices, and payments.
Do business from anywhere.
You no longer have to be in an office to know what’s going on—you can do business from anywhere. With field dispatch software, managers can stay in touch with both the office and the field using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Not only does this free managers from having to work physically in the office or track down field staff, it also eliminates paperwork and all of the administrative tasks that go with it.
The text messages will set you free.
When choosing field management software, real-time communication with your field is mandatory—and that doesn’t mean trying to track them down using various landlines.
Text messages are one of the best gifts that modern technology has given us, and it’s especially true for field service operations managers. Using SMS notifications, you can communicate with field techs and customers in real time about scheduled jobs, provide on-the-way alerts to your customers, and more.
Look for GPS fleet tracking.
GPS tracking will give operations managers more visibility into their fleet than they’ve never had before. Without ever switching between multiple applications, you can track:
- Number of trips
- Total distance driven
- Idle time
- Location on a map view
- Driving behaviors
This will help to:
- Improve driver behavior
- Reduce fuel costs
- Prevent unauthorized use
- Reduce insurance premiums
Pro Tip:
Choose a solution that includes an app for field technicians so they can receive and manage jobs on smartphones and tablets no matter where they are. This reduces miscommunication, paperwork, and office visits. Win, win, win!
We’ll get into more application goodness in the next chapter. Apps aren’t just for field technicians!