By Phillip McSween, Simpro Inside Sales Manager
Are you using field service management software and not finding any success? I’ve talked to hundreds of field service businesses about ways to leverage software to achieve more efficiency, higher profits and the foundation to grow and scale. In these conversations, I’ve noticed that there are a few complications that can cause businesses to run into more problems than solutions when using software.
If you’re in the middle of the software buying journey, you’re probably wondering: is field service management software really going to solve my problems? Or, maybe you’ve already tried to use field service management software, and it just hasn’t done the job.
To help provide a little more clarity and hopefully steer you in the right direction, I’ll let you in on the top three reasons businesses fail with field service management software.
Reason #1: The software you’re using doesn’t fit your processes
So, you found a software solution, but you’re spending more time on administrative tasks than you were before. Or, you are now using multiple software platforms that don’t integrate, forcing your team to do unnecessary data entry. If this is the case, then it’s likely that the software you found isn’t a good fit for your unique needs.
When you are looking for software, it’s important to find something that truly helps you save time and effort. For example, if your business does service work and multi-stage installations, you want to use software that can help you manage both types of workflows from one place.
Sure, you may have to make some adjustments when transitioning to a new system. However, the software you implement shouldn’t totally slow down the way you operate. If anything, you should become more efficient.
Keep in mind that software isn’t one size fits all. A field service management software built for a business that only completes residential service work may not necessarily work for a business that provides residential services AND works on multi-stage installation projects or equipment maintenance contracts. Take the time to look for something that matches the way your business operates and, ultimately, can help you meet your profitability goals.
Reason #2: You don’t have access to proper training and support
You came across a field service management software that promised full functionality and ease of use, yet you’re six months in and you’re still struggling to understand how it works. Or maybe, getting technical support from a real person is nearly impossible, and you can’t find any sort of guidebook or resources to put you on the right track.
There are some great software solutions on the market that, while functional, provide little to no support when it comes to getting their customers up and running. These customers are left on their own to figure out how to set up the new system and train staff, all while running the day-to-day operations of the business.
At Simpro, we have a team of expert software implementation consultants who take the time to help businesses learn how to use new software and teach staff the best ways to manage new processes.
Reason #3: Your team hasn’t adjusted to using a new system
Sometimes, the field service management software you’ve purchased for your business truly is the perfect choice, but your staff is struggling to transition to new processes. Maybe, they’ve been using their paper job cards and whiteboard scheduling for years, and they’re just not sold on the idea that a new system can take the place of the processes they’ve always operated by. Or you found a mobile app, but your field staff is refusing to use it.
This is why change management is key. Without a plan in place to help your team transition to new processes, it is likely that there will be some amount of struggle when it’s time to start using new software. If you have no idea where to start when it comes to managing change during the adoption of field service management software, I encourage you to check out our eBook: Managing Change Within Your Field Service Business.
As you’re searching for the right software solution to solve your business challenges, make sure to keep these three things in mind. If you can find a solution that helps streamline your processes as well as provides ample support and training, and if you can take the time to help your team transition to new software, I can guarantee you’ll be successful with field service management software.
If you’d like to learn more about field service management software solutions, visit the Simpro website.