Core Field Service Refresher:

GPS Tracking, Field Service Management Solutions & IoT Are Your Key Ingredients for Success

Every good chef knows that a stellar dish depends more on the basics than the accouterments. The sizzle is always important, but the steak is paramount.

As we roll toward 2023, there will be a lot of new technologies and techniques—the sizzle—introduced to help increase efficiency and productivity in field service management but, no matter what’s “new” or “improved,” maximizing three current core field service ingredients—the steak—will determine whether your business is a five-star meal or one the customer sends back to the kitchen: GPS tracking, field service management and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Consider this blog your refresher course on cooking up a successful field service plate in the new year.

Ingredient #1: GPS Tracking

What is GPS tracking? GPS tracking is the process of using devices to monitor the location of a person or object. In business, companies use it to track assets of value. If you want your field service management operation to be successful, you simply must have an effective GPS tracking system. Not utilizing this technology is like running a kitchen without an oven.

GPS tracking uses the devices installed inside your field vehicles to transmit data back to servers either hosted by the provider or a third-party cloud server. Then, the data stored in the cloud makes the information available to access from any device with an internet connection. The GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)—a network of satellites that help triangulate the location of a device—is what makes all of this possible.

GPS tracking is the beating heart of an effective fleet telematics system and is central to collecting the critical data needed to manage your vehicles, such as routing and mapping data, vehicle idling, speeding and use analytics, traffic violation, accident information, and more.

Managing a healthy field service operation can pull you in multiple directions, making it difficult to focus on your most important initiatives, like safety, efficiency, and compliance, while also maintaining profitability. GPS tracking simplifies everything, giving you visibility into key areas of management and allowing you to:

Ingredient #2: Field Service Management Solutions

If GPS tracking is the beating heart of your operation, field service management solutions are the brains.

What is Field Service Management (FSM)? FSM is the coordination, organization and optimization of a company’s operations performed outside of the office or “in the field.” It involves dispatching workers or contractors in the field to install, maintain or repair equipment, systems or assets. In the office, field service managers monitor those field resources and coordinate the work of field service technicians.

Field service management software is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) platform that can change your life—or at least the life of your business. It tracks, automates, and optimizes your operations in a way you simply can’t do manually. Instead of losing paperwork in the field, losing revenue because you can’t make quick changes to your schedules, or losing time due to low inventory, you can use FSM software to organize all your company’s departments and moving parts to maximize your resources—and your profits. From scheduling jobs and dispatching workers, to managing the work and optimizing your payment processes, FSM solutions simplify operations, empower your field teams, reduce dependencies, and connect your back-office to the field in one powerful platform.

In the field, FSM software provides techs and engineers the tools they need to get the job done—quickly, safely, and efficiently. It makes it easier to deliver better service to your customers and creates a positive work environment for employees.

Field service management software is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) platform that can change your life—or at least the life of your business. It tracks, automates, and optimizes your operations in a way you simply can’t do manually. Instead of losing paperwork in the field, losing revenue because you can’t make quick changes to your schedules, or losing time due to low inventory, you can use FSM software to organize all your company’s departments and moving parts to maximize your resources—and your profits. From scheduling jobs and dispatching workers, to managing the work and optimizing your payment processes, FSM solutions simplify operations, empower your field teams, reduce dependencies, and connect your back office to the field in one powerful platform.

The best FSM solutions:

FSM software empowers your entire team to better the customer experience and subsequently grow your business. No matter the size or type of your company, using FSM software helps you get rid of problems that could cost you repeat business and profits.

Ingredient #3: Internet of Things (IoT)

What is it? According to Tech Target, the IoT “is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.”

In English, IoT is a term that encompasses a rapidly growing network of connected “smart” products, from smart consumer products like refrigerators and thermostats, to products used in vehicles and transportation such as smart traffic signals. These smart devices collect and exchange data in real time using embedded sensors.

For field services, the IoT connects every critical device, such as company computers, technician mobile devices, equipment, and your customer’s appliances. Interconnectivity allows field service companies to increase productivity and cost savings through predictive maintenance, remote service and improved customer experience.

The importance and prevalence of IoT technology will continue to grow. According to McKinsey, the worldwide number of IoT-connected devices is projected to increase to 43 billion by 2023, and 75 billion connected devices by 2025, with the field service management market size is expected to grow to $5.7 billion by 2026.

Field service companies need to implement this key ingredient immediately to ensure success. Thankfully, GPS Insight is the industry leader in assisting field service organizations to maximize IoT’s endless possibilities. In fact, GPS Insight was recently named the 2022 IOT Vehicle Telematics Company of the Year by Compass Intelligence. The award spotlights companies, vendors, and organizations demonstrating innovation, leadership, disruption, and excellence in the technology industry.

Provide Your Customers with a Five-Star Meal

As with restaurants, there is tremendous competition in the field service management industry. Customers choose those that provide a five-star experience at the best price. Field service organizations must use the best ingredients efficiently and effectively if they want to keep their customers and grow their businesses. Leveraging GPS tracking, field service management solutions and IoT is the key to five-star service.