IoT delivers real benefits to field service businesses

The field service industry is being transformed by technological developments such as the Internet of Things (IoT). In the not-so-distant past, the ability to remotely monitor equipment and transmit data in real-time was only available to larger businesses. However, with recent developments in both hardware and software, businesses of all sizes can now adopt, and benefit from, IoT. In particular, service and maintenance companies working with commercial industrial asset maintenance will see significant benefits to their business operations.

Let’s take a look at the key benefits IoT brings to field service businesses.

Enhance customer service with condition-based maintenance

Moving to a condition-based maintenance (CBM) model, where equipment can notify you if it is operating outside of normal parameters, can hugely benefit your business. IoT may save you time and money by limiting the time your field staff spend on-site conducting routine maintenance checks. Instead, you can enhance customer service by redirecting your resources to prioritize urgent tasks.

Customer service can also be enhanced by utilising IoT in unoccupied buildings. For example, with IoT installed at key points around the premises, the system can detect and alert you to a leak in a customer’s building. If left unnoticed this could cause catastrophic damage. However, with IoT you could be alerted to and fix the leak before it caused any damage.

Increase asset uptime and first time fix rates

Monitoring assets continuously allows you to anticipate when specific assets many need maintenance. This knowledge and ongoing learning help prevent major downtime due to asset failure.

Furthermore, reports from data collected can provide you with insights into asset performance overtime to reduce unnecessary site visits. Instead of visiting the site multiple times, you can send the right person with the correct parts to fix the fault on the first visit.

Grow new revenue streams

By adopting IoT you open the opportunity to introduce new revenue streams in your field service business. Due to the automation of asset monitoring, you may be able to utilise a recurring revenue service offering, targeting customers that only require on-site visits when necessary. This change in service offering may enable you to take on more sites and contracts without increasing overheads.

Practical applications of IoT in field service businesses

There are a variety of opportunities for applications of IoT in field service businesses. Some of these include:

• Measuring ambient temperature, humidity and point temperature.
• Detecting the presence of water in critical areas such as control rooms or leaks from key plant assets such as HVAC systems.
• Maintaining the health of a building and its occupants by monitoring air quality, temperature and humidity remotely.
• Measuring the temperature of rooms and assets such as heating systems, chillers, compressors and pumps.

It is also important to remember that not all sensors are created equal. Different sensors help you gather different types of data and information. simPRO’s easy to install IoT packs provide a range of options for different uses.

simPRO IoT: An end-to-end solution

When looking to implement an IoT solution, it’s important to evaluate all options. It’s not only about cost, but the full end-to-end solution. simPRO’s IoT add-on works seamlessly with simPRO’s comprehensive asset and job management providing you with real-time insights into asset performance. Businesses can benefit from this one-stop-shop approach where all hardware and software are provided in one solution.

Interested learning more about simPRO IoT and how it can benefit your field service business?
Download our FREE eBook, IoT: Connecting your assets for intelligent maintenance here.