How the Internet of Things is Innovating Field Service Management

The recent decades have seen the advent of many new technologies that influence the market and redefine how experts like field service organization professionals complete their daily tasks.

AI technology (Artificial Intelligence), VR technology (Virtual Reality), the Internet of Things (IoT), and computerized inventory are all transforming current practices. 

IoT, specifically, has been found to be pretty useful in field service management. The new generation of field service masters has been using IoT field services to resolve many complex tasks that were difficult to follow by traditional field service management practices.

This blog will demonstrate why and how the Internet of Things isn’t just a gimmick and how IoT field services are helping many businesses.

What are Field Services?

Field services, specifically field service management, can be defined as a process by which organizations arrange and coordinate resources to provide in-person assistance. 

They have numerous applications, such as asset monitoring, machine assembly, servicing, and break/fix. All the employees in a company, including the agents, employers, dispatchers, and others, work together to fulfill these tasks. 

Field services necessitate digital-only tools that can:

• Give a comprehensive perspective of the facts
• Help in handling contract visibilities and be responsible for automatic updating of billing and contract information
• Conduct optimized operations using artificial intelligence and automation

What is IoT in Field Services?

The Internet of Things (IoT) can be explained as a vast system of interconnected digital gadgets that can interact and share data. These include all kinds of connected devices, like mobile devices, which can exchange data over a vast network. 

This interconnection in IoT signifies a huge shift in how business can be done, rewriting how people-to-people, people-to-things, and things-to-things relationships are performed. 

Connecting the Internet of Things with field services lets business organizations optimize their business processes and practices. 

Business organizations benefit from IoT by leveraging the capacity to understand more about the service delivery process using machine learning methods and collecting information supplied by sensor devices.

Methods Field Service Organizations Use to Implement IoT Field Services to Boost Revenues

Below are some of the main ways experts use IoT to improve their field service management processes:

1. Monitoring and diagnostics of data in real-time

It helps companies acquire a more accurate view of equipment conditions by collecting real-time data from IoT devices. 

The Internet of Things uses a central hub to collect data from online sensors, analyze it, and then inform technicians on which services to deploy.

Jobs are assigned based on direct diagnosis from IoT hardware sensors rather than monthly maintenance tasks. 

Wearable IoT diagnostics hardware is expected to grow in the future, according to 68% of specialists.

2. Asset management from a remote location

The Internet of Things makes connecting assets to field service management software easier and more versatile. 

IoT allows for remote diagnostics, eliminating the requirement for a technician or field service expert to manage assets in real-time.

Presently, 5G-enabled technology is being used to support field service management with the rise of remote working culture due to Covid-19.

3. Maintenance planning

Maintenance data accuracy is critical for increasing economies, but good data management may help businesses transition to a predictive maintenance model.

IoT makes companies change their present cultures to a more data-driven approach. This results in more analytically efficient work with the correct incorporation of data and information.

In retrospect, connected field service using predictive analytics specifically helps a company improve its performance when implemented correctly. 

Predicting anomalies in field service data promptly, according to DataRPM, can reduce equipment breakdowns by up to 70%.

4. Tracking using GPS

Field service technicians are tracked using IoT technology and a good GPS (Global Positioning System). 

Most of us are familiar with GPS, which powers sat-navs and maps on our smartphones. Using portable devices to track employees has various advantages for companies, which are:

• Current and accurate maintenance work data
• Safeguarding workers
• Customer service improvements

5. Professional’s expanded responsibilities

Using IoT technology, companies can send real-time, automated data alerts to a company’s field service teams, which will help them save money. 

IoT monitoring services assist teams in working safer and smarter by exposing the extent and urgency of issues to field workers.

Sensors can help with “dirty jobs,” like wastewater treatment and offshore drilling. 

As a result, employees will be more secure and comfortable.

Benefits of Implementing IoT Technology in Field Service Management

Some of the major benefits companies enjoy from the appropriate use of IoT are:

1. Convenience through IoT

   IoT devices are propelled forward by automation, making field service software more agile, responsive, accurate, and quick. They allow for real-time communication, efficient data collection, predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance, and more.

   When companies combine IoT with automated field service technology, they can increase efficiency in every element of their service delivery.

2. Boosting revenue

   Improved field services imply consumers are more inclined to be satisfied with their service, i.e., enhanced customer satisfaction. 

   

   As a result, the company’s chances of contract extension and recommendations to prospective clients are better. 

   Overall, costs are reduced as a result of investing in IoT technology. The maintenance schedule is less likely to be delayed, and proactive maintenance is more likely to be completed.

3. Increasing client satisfaction

   Previously, companies could only solve 77% of field service management issues on the first try. This has changed with IoT incorporation.

   Companies can now address concerns sooner by performing more accurate first-time diagnostics. IoT saves clients money on prospective asset replacement and keeps their business running smoothly.

4. Boosting performance

   Because IoT systems are capable of independent issues, technicians will not need to perform as many first examinations. Workers can adopt a more systematic approach to restorations and accomplish more work with more reliable first-time inspections.

5. Regular servicing

   Since the field service management sector was built on a reactive culture, professionals are prone to solving problems as soon as they arise. This is evolving as IoT networks are used. 

   Sensors in hardware allow devices to track progress and inform maintenance managers of any issues before they become a problem.

FieldCamp – Your Ultimate Field Service Scheduling Solution

Reading all that might make the computer professionals boast, but what about the fellow business people whose technology knowledge ends with MS Office? 

Well, for them, FieldCamp is the ideal solution! To expand on this, FieldCamp is simply a robust field service management software that comes with a simple-to-use interface, making managing and scheduling a lot easier. 

The software will efficiently streamline your business operations, such as job scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, payments, and client management. The software will also help you in tracking your team members in real-time and assigning jobs accordingly. If you still don’t know how this software benefits your business, all you can do is start your FREE trial and explore this software. 

Start your 7-day FREE trial today and know all about the features and benefits it offers.