Because there are so many options out there, it is useful to take the time to plan your strategy and research the best software while weighing the pros and cons of each.

Abby Hackman

In order to provide the best customer service in your industry, find a software solution that will act as an accessory to your business. The right software system can be such a beneficial part of your business, especially in the field service industry.

Look for a software system that can help you save time and money and promote overall efficiency. However, it can be tough to find the right solution. That is why a lot of business owners end up using the wrong software or wasting tons of time on inefficient routes, customer management, data importing or other tasks that can be made easier with the right solution.

How to Find the Right Field Service Software 

Compare Software Solutions

Software comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is an SaaS (Software-As-A-Service) cloud-based system or an On-Premise system that physically sits in your office, there are many options to choose from. Not to mention, the software itself differs exponentially.

Because there are so many options out there, it is useful to take the time to research the best software and weigh the pros and cons of each. This is also a great time to check out online reviews to find out what current and previous customers think.

Talk to Your Team

Your team members are an important part of your company. Plus, they will use the software as much, if not more, than you. Therefore, they should have a say in which software is right for your business.

It is always best to work as a team to find the best fit for your company. Everyone has their grievances and setbacks. Once you find out what your team needs to work efficiently, you can look for the exact features that will make their life easier and save you money.

Find the Right Features 

Make sure that you know which features are the most important to you and your company. Generally, the best features will help you work faster, better and more productively. The following qualities are extremely important when it comes to field service software:

  • Easy to Use: It is essential to find a system that is easy to use and understand. Simplicity is key when it comes to the device that you and your team use every day.
  • Fully Integrated: Integrated software will help you seamlessly transfer your data from your current system into a safe, secure place. Many systems also integrate with credit card processing systems, making it your one-stop source when dealing with customers.
  • Mobile Friendly: Field service technicians spend a lot of their time offsite and driving from site to site. That is why it is essential to find a software that can help your technicians work on the software on their iPad or mobile devices without WiFi.
  • Total Solution: Find a solution that has it all—from customer management to job scheduling to accounting, it is important to have the full solution. This will also make it easier to store all of your data and information in one easy-to-locate place.

Look into the Software Provider

A huge part of finding the right software is finding the right company. Find a dedicated team that works with you to further advance your business and assist your needs. The best way to get a feel for the company is to speak with the customer support team directly.

If you want to find a successful software company, you can book a demo and speak with the people who work there before you sign up. This will give you a feel for their company culture and help you build a relationship with the people who will provide your software.

Make a Plan

Start by making a plan within your company. Because it can be a challenging task to train your entire staff on a new software system, you should start with an implementation and training plan. The best way to make your implementation plan is to designate a leader for your team that will work with the provider to learn the software. Then that team leader will teach the rest of the staff on how to use it.

Depending on the size of your company, it could be beneficial to record the demo and training sessions of your new software and then share that with the entire team. This step is a crucial part of finding the right software because you will want to ensure you have a team and provider that is willing to educate your entire company on this new business tool.

Take Action

Now that you know the best practices to choosing a field service software, you can take action, finding the one that best fits your company. The best way to find a software solution is by asking around or researching online. When you find some viable options, then you can go ahead and start using the strategies above to find the right fit for you.

Abby Hackmann is the Marketing Manager at ServiceCore (Lakewood, CO), a QuickBooks compatible, all-in-one, software solution custom built for the liquid waste and roll-off rental industry. ServiceCore’s software helps businesses with route optimization, customer management, scheduling, accounting, and more. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

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