As a fleet business owner, you have a lot on your plate. It’s easy to think you don’t need to worry about getting field service management (FSM) software because your team is small. After all, wouldn’t that just be one more thing to have to manage in your already busy day?
In truth, FSM software is an excellent idea for small field service businesses. Rather than adding to your work, it can simplify many of the tasks your team must complete every day. Not only can it free up time for you, but it can also help you create a safer, more efficient fleet.
Here are just a few of the benefits of field service management software for small businesses:
Improved Dispatch
Even if your technicians know their territories inside and out, FSM software can still improve your dispatch and routing. Efficient routing is about so much more than knowing how to get from one place to another. It must also include the ability to circumvent traffic problems like construction delays, accident scenes, and other road hazards.
With FSM software, you’ll always be able to get the best possible route to your destination based on road conditions in real-time. You can also reroute drivers as needed when there’s a cancellation, emergency appointment, or change in the schedule. When a time-sensitive call comes in, you’ll be able to quickly see where each of your drivers is on a map and then assign the job to the closest technician with the tools and experience to handle the work.
When you optimize your routing, your field service techs can accomplish more in a single day. Optimization means more appointments will be available to your clients, and drivers will waste less time in traffic. As a bonus, you’ll also get better fuel economy and more accurate ETA times to provide to customers.
Better Communication
Communication is a critical factor in any field service business, but it can be tricky when your team is rarely all in the same place. If you want to take your communication to the next level, it’s time to put FSM technology to work for your business.
A good FSM app will allow all of your technicians to be on the same page, no matter where they may be on the map. Each tech can see schedules, interact with work orders, and send alerts to management should a problem arise.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
For a small business, offering top-notch customer service is often the difference between growth and failure. And there is no better way to achieve success than through a CRM tool.
CRM allows you to keep track of client relationships over the long term. Technicians can take notes about each visit to a specific customer, noting the work done, what was said, and any customer requests or preferences. Then, the next time someone on your team needs to visit that same customer, the technician can review the account notes no matter how much time has passed.
A CRM system allows you to show each customer that they are appreciated and valuable to your business, leading to better customer satisfaction and often resulting in referrals and enhanced customer loyalty.
Valuable Reports
In today’s market, data is king. The more insights you can gain about your company’s operations, the more you can improve. With key metrics gained from your FSM software, you can identify any problem areas in your business and efficiently correct them. You can also see where time and money go, allowing you to understand your entire business and make better decisions about growth and profitability.
Look for an option that offers custom reports, allowing you to tailor the data you receive to your specific business needs. This way, you can ensure you’re getting the actionable information you seek without having to wade through pages and pages of data that don’t pertain to your specific situation.
Payment Processing
Finally, payment processing is a vital part of any business and yet is an often overlooked facet. If you want to ensure that your payments are received promptly and processed correctly, FSM software is the way to go.
The best field service management software for small businesses will allow you to take payments through several methods, including in-person, over the phone, and even online. You’ll be able to schedule automatic recurring payments for clients who need a payment plan or streamline billing services with a few clicks. And all of the data related to your payments will feed into your analytics environment, meaning you’ll be able to capture a great deal more insights about invoices, work orders, and payment receipts.
No matter your field service fleet size, you can almost certainly benefit from a robust FSM software system. Want to learn more about how Azuga Works can help you optimize your operations? Schedule a demo today, and we’ll be happy to help you get started on the road to a smoother running small business.
