When considering an investment in mobile workforce software, one must be sure about whether doing so is really worth it. For the majority of HVAC business owners, that’s a big YES. Going mobile in your maintenance company means being able to maximize productivity, and it usually also has a very positive impact on your customer service experience.
Whatever your reasons to take the leap into mobile workforce software really are, in this article you’ll find four tips to maximize your investment in mobile technology in your service management company.
How to make the most out of mobile workforce software
Simple integration
Organizations which include a team or workers out there in the field, such as maintenance companies and their technician brigades, often use a mixture of processes and technologies in order to complete all of their tasks. But this varied workflow also means that sometimes the different technologies and systems in use are not connected among them.
Both the field work and back-office processes are essential to your business, and this is where mobile workforce software can lend you a hand – especially, one that can easily be integrated with the processes and systems already in place in your company. In this way, all parts in the process will be connected to each other, there’ll be full transparency over everyday’s tasks and performance, and you’ll be able to take more informed decisions based on real-time data.
Optimization of existing systems
If the mobile workforce software you choose can be integrated with the systems you’re already using at work (such as customer support software, or an invoicing platform), the technician out there in the field will be able to access all the necessary information anytime, anyplace: job history, customer records, earlier repairs and so on.
Knowing all the details for each job can help solve the problem in less time, and in a more efficient way. It can also make a difference between a standard customer service, and delivering an outstanding customer experience. Also, it usually reduces the need for later visits due to any unforeseen issue – such as a missing piece, or not sending out the right technician for the job.
Quick setup and running
When trying to implement any new working system in your company, how fast you can have it setup and running is the key element. This, of course, also applies to mobile workforce software. A system that can be integrated with already existent workflows will be much easier to implement, and will start delivering benefits. If you’re able to work with your new system in days, not weeks or months, it means your business won’t be very affected, and that you’ll be able to see the return on your investment sooner – both in terms of work efficiency and economic performance.
Ease of use
Both managers and technicians agree on a key element regarding the integration of mobile workforce software: it has to be easy to use. In fact, ease of use is precisely what makes the difference between good and bad technology. No one wants to spend hours learning new, complicated workflows. If your new system is too complex, technicians will end up not using it and going back to old processes – or just finding their own workarounds to avoid it.
With a mobile workforce software that’s easy to use and can also be integrated in current structures, the learning curve will be short and smooth. And the sooner the technicians start using it, again, the sooner you’ll be able to see return over your investment.
Even if you’re not 100% sure about the needs of your business in terms of technology, adopting a mobile workforce software is the first step to start working in a more efficient, flexible way, and make your company grow and evolve. Of course, you need the appropriate solution for that, and Synchroteam could perfectly be the answer to all your needs.