What is Field Service Management Software?

Field service management software is a tool many trade businesses and contractors use to help run their day-to-day operations. Typically, these programs include contact management, an estimating/quoting tool, the ability to send quotes and get them approved quickly, a scheduling/dispatch tool, work order management, product management tools and invoicing/payment processing tools. Most of these programs also include insights into key metrics of your business to show how well the company is working. Field service management software that is utilized by everyone in a company is crucial to success in the competitive market of skilled trades.

When selecting field service management software, care should be taken to ensure it is simple to set up, simple to use and, most importantly, actually saves you time. Several solutions out there are full-featured, but take more time in maintenance to keep it running properly than you save by using the tool. This is where Service Toolz excels. Service Toolz is a full-featured field service management app with low-maintenance and built-in automated workflow processes that keep the ball up and rolling in the right direction. After all, what's the point of having a tool that doesn't save you time, energy and most importantly money?

Service Toolz has a full suite of helpful time-saving features that are sure to help your business run like a well-oiled machine. Here are some examples for your reading pleasure:

• The customer list is easily searchable (duh), with click-to-call/text/email buttons and a Client Dashboard that includes all the information and job photos you could ever need at a moments notice. Anywhere a customer's name is shown on the screen, click on it to get to that customer's dashboard, and bam! Information!
• Simple data import tools can take all of your contact and product data and map it into Service Toolz in a matter of minutes. This can also be used to update price lists of existing products if necessary. Nervous about mapping import fields? We'll do it for you free of charge, and when we screw it up, we know how to fix it!
• A custom drag-and-drop print template builder allows you to fully customize your quotes and invoices to look exactly how you want them to look. Just find the information you want to display, drag it onto the page, format it however you want, and poof! You can save multiple templates so you can cater to the needs of each individual customer if necessary. One template for the minimalist customer that just wants pictures and a price tag, and another template for the "I want a 93 page quote for my TV installation" customer.
• Because writing quotes is everyone's favorite thing to do (insert eye-roll here), we designed a drag-and drop quote builder to help ease the pain a little. Create templates for entire quotes, build packages for systems that you sell consistently or build it from scratch line item by line item. Service line items can be married to products in one consolidated line item to help speed things up, and price ranges can be included by marking certain things as optional or alternatives to other items. One click can email and text message your customer with a link to their quote where they can choose to instantly accept the proposal and your terms of service with another single click. We should also mention that over 80% of the quotes sent with Service Toolz get accepted. That's a lot...
• Once a quote is accepted (which happens a lot...), the cool automation stuff starts to kick in. A task is automatically assigned to the author of the quote to follow up with the customer regarding project schedules and other finer details of the project. All of the products in the quote are compared with inventory levels to give you a detailed 'shopping list' of what you will need to order. If anything needs to be ordered, it is automatically dropped into a purchase order queue that reflects the quantity you need to fill par levels plus what is needed for the project. Finally, a 'project block' will be created based on estimated project time, ready to drag and drop onto the dispatch board. Whew! All of that happened without you lifting a finger! Work smart, baby!
• Now for the funnest part... Scheduling! (is funnest a word?) Scheduling a project can be done manually from the automatically generated work order, or by dragging a 'project block' onto the dispatch board. A project block is like a placeholder for an unfinished project that keeps track of how much time is estimated and remains for a project. This can then be dropped anywhere on the dispatch board to add it to the schedule. Once the project schedule is set for a certain day, you can set up appointment reminders to be automatically sent requiring a yes or no response to confirm the appointment. You can then see from the dispatch board at a glance if any customers have not confirmed their appointment.
• A work order will then be automatically generated from the accepted quote with a detailed checklist of steps that need to happen to complete the project. You can add notes to the checklist that are viewable to everyone so you're all on the same page all the time. Once technicians are assigned and on-site, they will check off line items as they are completed, giving you an accurate project status and automatically updating inventory levels and project management reports as needed.
• Now nothing works well unless the technicians are happy, so we try to make it easy on them too. Once a technician is assigned to a project, it will show up on their list for that day and will provide them with an interactive staging list. This list shows all the parts that are needed in the van for the day and for what project. Checking off an item will check it off of everyone else's list as well so things don't get double-staged. Win #1. The technician can then send a "here we come" message to the customer with the click of a button. Win #2. When arriving on site, the technicians will check into the work order to get the clock started. When the project is complete, they can simply press the 'complete' button and Service Toolz will walk them through getting a signature from the customer, taking/recording payments, sending invoices/receipts as necessary and checking out of the work order to stop the clock. Win #3 for the gold! You now have a happy customer, happy technicians, job costing information, job photos, money in the bank and a lot more time on your hands than you would have doing it all manually!
• As we all know, the job isn't complete until the follow-up message is sent the next day or several days after and the customer is confirmed as happy (or not). This can be set up to get sent automatically at whatever time you want (hopefully day-time) and can include links to review sites if desired. Another thing that you didn't have to lift a finger for and can help get you reviews and feedback much easier.
• Once everything is said and done, you still need to run reports, right? Every good business owner needs reports. Profit and loss reports, project costing reports, TPS reports... yes, we even have TPS reports. Our reports cover everything from what products are installed in a given customer's project to timesheets, to gratuities, to sales tax jurisdictions, and much more.

So there you have it. Simply put (because we like simple around here), Service Toolz is the best and all the others are the worst. No, we're kidding about that, but seriously, Service Toolz is pretty darn cool. We've put a lot of thought and thousands of lines of code into this thing to make it the best tool possible for your business. Give us a try free for 30 days or use our quoting tool totally free of charge! You won't be disappointed.

Thu, Apr 27 2023 10:13pm

How can field service management software help my business?

Field service management (FSM) software can help your business in many ways by improving efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Here are some specific ways in which FSM software can benefit your business:

1. Scheduling and dispatching: FSM software can automate the scheduling and dispatching of technicians, making it easy to manage a large team and ensure that each technician is assigned to the right job at the right time.
2. Work order management: FSM software can streamline the work order management process, from creating and assigning work orders to tracking their progress and completion.
3. Real-time monitoring: FSM software can provide real-time monitoring of technician locations, job status, and inventory levels, allowing you to make informed decisions about resource allocation and scheduling.
4. Inventory management: FSM software can help you manage your inventory more efficiently by tracking parts usage and automating the reordering process.
5. Billing and invoicing: FSM software can simplify your billing and invoicing processes, making it easy to generate accurate invoices and track payments.
6. Customer communication: FSM software can improve customer communication by providing real-time updates on job status and technician locations, as well as enabling customers to provide feedback and ratings.

Overall, FSM software can help your business reduce costs, improve efficiency, and provide better service to your customers. By automating many of the time-consuming and error-prone tasks involved in field service management, you can free up your team to focus on more important tasks and grow your business.

Service Toolz can do all this and much more! Try us out free for 30 days.

Click Here for More Info

Thu, May 11 2023 7:18pm

Streamlining Field Service Ops: How Service Toolz Improves Efficiency

In today's competitive business landscape, streamlining field service operations is essential for delivering exceptional customer service, optimizing resource allocation, and improving overall efficiency. One key factor that plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals is the implementation of software solutions like Service Toolz which is specifically designed for field service management. In this article, we will explore how Service Toolz can streamline field service operations, enhancing productivity and driving success for businesses.

1. Centralized Work Order Management

Service Toolz provides a centralized platform for managing quotes and work orders, from creation to completion. This eliminates the need for manual paperwork and enables real-time visibility into the status of each work order. With Service Toolz, dispatchers can assign tasks, track progress, and communicate updates to field technicians seamlessly. This streamlined work order management process minimizes errors, reduces delays, and improves overall efficiency.

2. Optimized Scheduling and Dispatching

Efficient scheduling and dispatching are crucial for field service operations. Software solutions leverage advanced algorithms to optimize technician schedules, taking into account factors such as availability, skillset, and location. By automatically assigning the right technician to the right job at the right time, businesses can minimize travel time, maximize resource utilization, and ensure timely service delivery. Real-time updates and intelligent route planning further enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. The new Service Toolz Dispatch module is slated to be released Q3 2023. Stay Tuned!

3. Mobile Accessibility and Real-Time Communication

Mobile accessibility is a game-changer for field service operations. Service Toolz provides mobile applications that enable field technicians to access work orders, customer information, and relevant documentation on their devices. This eliminates the need for technicians to carry physical paperwork, reducing the risk of errors and delays. Real-time communication capabilities allow technicians to stay connected with dispatchers and colleagues, enabling them to seek guidance, share updates, and resolve issues promptly.

4. Automated Reporting and Analytics

Service Toolz also captures valuable data throughout the field service process. By leveraging automated reporting and analytics features, businesses gain insights into key performance metrics, such as estimated vs actual installation time, project completion percentage, estimated hours remaining, etc.. These insights enable data-driven decision-making, identification of bottlenecks, and the implementation of process improvements. By continually analyzing data, businesses can optimize operations, allocate resources more effectively, and enhance overall efficiency.

5. Integration with Other Business Systems

Field service operations often rely on various other business systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), or inventory management systems. Software solutions like Service Toolz that offer, or seamlessly integrate with, these systems enables the exchange of data, eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors. This integration enhances overall efficiency, data accuracy, and provides a holistic view of customer interactions, inventory levels, and financial data.

6. Automation of Routine Tasks

Service Toolz automates routine tasks that were previously time-consuming and prone to errors. This includes generating invoices, capturing customer signatures, updating inventory levels, and sending follow-up reminders. By automating these tasks, businesses can reduce administrative burdens, minimize human error, and free up valuable time for technicians to focus on higher-value activities, improving overall efficiency.

7. Enhanced Customer Experience

Efficiency gains in field service operations directly impact the customer experience. Service Toolz enables businesses to provide accurate ETAs, issue proactive notifications, and send real-time updates to customers. Customers appreciate transparency, timely service, and seamless communication, which leads to increased satisfaction and loyalty. By streamlining field service operations, businesses can exceed customer expectations and differentiate themselves from the competition.

Conclusion

Service Toolz can play a vital role in streamlining field service operations and improving efficiency. By centralizing quoting and work order management, optimizing scheduling and dispatching, providing mobile accessibility, facilitating real-time communication, offering automated reporting and analytics, integrating with other business systems, and automating routine tasks, businesses can achieve significant gains in productivity and customer satisfaction.

Thu, May 18 2023 8:47pm

Trends and Predictions for Field Service Management Software

The future of field service management looks promising with the latest trends and predictions for software solutions. One of the most significant trends is the rise of cloud-based solutions like Service Toolz, which provides businesses with the flexibility to access their data from anywhere and at any time. Another trend is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which enables businesses to automate routine tasks and improve their decision-making capabilities. Finally, mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular for field service management, enabling workers to access real-time information and improving their overall productivity. If this is something that might help your business, too, Service Toolz is the tool for you!

The implementation of a software solution like Service Toolz will enable businesses to streamline their field service operations, improve customer satisfaction, and increase their bottom line. For example, cloud-based solutions eliminate the need for on-premise hardware and maintenance, reducing costs and improving scalability. AI and ML can optimize scheduling and dispatching, reducing response times and increasing first-time fix rates. Mobile apps enable technicians to access customer information and service history on the go, improving their ability to diagnose and resolve issues on the first visit.

In conclusion, the future of field service management is bright, with software solutions such as Service Toolz poised to transform the industry. These solutions offer businesses the ability to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased revenue and profitability. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential for businesses to stay up to date with the latest trends and embrace new technologies to remain competitive and deliver exceptional customer service.

Tue, Jun 20 2023 4:05pm