Job Scheduling and PPM software can also be know as field service management software (FSMS). Regardless of these names and terminologies sound complicated, its simply about making you service business more efficient and profitable.

Let’s start with the basics of field service management software.

FSMS is designed to assist organizations that send technicians into the field, such as plumbing, electrician, and HVAC companies. FSMS systems have the ability to automate many tasks currently done on paper, such as scheduling and invoicing, plus they improve communication between the office and technicians with the use of work orders, bills, and more.

Common features of field service management software for PPMs include:

  • scheduling
  • invoicing
  • inventory management
  • service histories
  • asset management
  • equipment management
  • worker time management
  • hours billable tracking
  • job costing
  • accounting (integration with Sage, Xero, etc.)

Common but advanced features include:

  • GPS optimization
  • subcontractor management
  • contract management
  • customer equipment tracking
  • warranty management
  • customer portal
  • job costing

So, now that you know what it is, the question is how will FSMS help:

Managers

Dispatchers and other managers will benefit from features like easy drag and drop scheduling and automatic invoicing. These features save time by making a task that is difficult to do on paper easily.

Managers don’t have to call technicians or wait for them to come in to drop off paper based work orders and dockets. The automatic scheduling of jobs and reminders for planned preventative maintenance (PPM) for your customers, give you peace of mind knowing your employees won’t miss another appointment.

Technicians

Technicians benefit from the many features available in easy to use smartphone apps such as a site’s service history to quickly learn helpful tips like what parts have caused trouble in the past and what he needs to look out for. Inventory management will ensure that your technician arrive on site with the parts then need.

In addition, there is less downtime without the need to go back to the office to turn in invoices or pick up work orders. Finally, with a mobile app your engineers and technicians will be led to a job in the fastest way possible by the GPS system.

Customers

Customers also benefit in a number of ways that also make your service professional in the eyes of the customer with detailed automated reports easily created based on the description of the technician’s work, including the pricing breakdown and what they fixed. Payment can be made on-site or invoice can be generated as soon as job is signed off by customer. Customer portal access through web browser or smartphone app allows them to log issues and schedule appointments online at any time without having to call the office.

The switch to job scheduling software for your callouts and PPMs will make managing and scheduling work more efficient, less customer complaints and quicker invoicing and help technicians provide more and better service and improve customer experience.