5 Point-Evaluation for Mobile Workforce Management Software
Mobile field service comes with various challenges, making it important for business owners to engage in a more organized and streamlined way of managing their field employees. The right mobile workforce software solutions can immensely help boost businesses.
Businesses that need to manage day-to-day operations, engage in regulatory requirements, asset management, and constant inspections need to mobilize their field workforce in order to improve business efficiency. With the assistance of the right software, companies can add rapid value to the organization with intelligent decision making, service planning, execution, and recommendations, all of which drive continuous improvement. There are many mobility solutions available for the field workforce today. Right from the simple mobile form generation tools to the more complex ‘build your own application’ and customized solutions, mobile workforce solutions software is changing the way businesses manage their field teams.
If you are evaluating a mobile workforce solution for your business, consider the following points:
1. Web-based or Standalone — Depending on your need, you should consider whether to opt for a standalone or a web-based (also known as cloud-based or SaaS) software. Both options have their own pros and cons. A standalone software might need additional IT cycles to install, maintain and upgrade while a web-based solution may have some security issues.
2. Flexible or Off-the-Shelf — Most companies cannot predict the future needs of the company and hence, it is better to opt for a software solution that offers maximum flexibility in data orchestration and form creation. Rather than managing your field workforce around your software, it’s always better if the software works around your company processes.
3. Security — Check how the software vendor implements security for the software. Ensure that the mobile devices are also secured with encryption, primarily during offline use. Also, check their policies in case a mobile device is stolen; will the data be accessible? While using cloud-based solutions, security plays an even more vital role as only your company should have the key to access the encrypted and safe mode data. Also, check how the software will work with your current Firewall and IT infrastructure.
4. Automating Workflow — Usually, a field worker’s day begins with a work order and progresses with many more such orders. If you can automate the work order process through the software, you will be able to streamline your business operations easily. Whether it is dispatching, scheduling, tracking, approvals field-photos or sign-off, having a single platform for aligning work will considerably reduce management hassles and increase productivity.
5. Integration with Back-office — Most businesses choose a software that can be integrated with their back-office systems. This makes the migration to a new software much easier for the entire staff. A two-way communication with your existing systems is the ideal integration for your mobile workforce management .
It is better to opt for a mobile workforce software that works in offline mode as well since many field workers will be visiting remote areas where connectivity may be a problem. Also, try opting for mobile workforce solutions software that works on standard operating systems like iOS or Android and browsers like Chrome and Firefox to make it easier for everyone on your team to use the software.
If you are looking for the Best Service Work Order Software , the author of this article recommends FieldEZ.