Think about the processes you used when first starting our field service business. Have those processes developed or changed as your business has grown?
You may have hired more staff, implemented new services or even started using software to help manage specific workflows in your business, but do you still spend a lot of time doing duplicate tasks and updating spreadsheets? Have you implemented one end-to-end field service management software to manage your entire workflow and support the growth of your business?
As field service businesses grow, many start using multiple software to streamline individual processes hoping software will help them be more cost effective. For example, a timesheeting platform may be adopted to help track field staff time, or a dispatching software may be adopted to handle scheduling large groups of contractors. While this may help at the time of implementation, these one-off solutions can cause problems as the business grows. Over time, more software solutions are usually added to the business, often without considering whether they will integrate with the software that’s already being used. And, if the software doesn’t integrate cohesively, more processes may need to be implemented to overcome the restrictions faced. As a result, the collection of siloed software for different parts of the business can present more problems than solutions, and in some cases, may even cause a hindrance to the growth of the business.
So what’s the solution to this complex mix of software? An end-to-end field service management software that encompasses the needs of every workflow. Let’s take a closer look at an end-to-end software solution and why using one will benefit your business.
What is an End-To-End System?
An end-to-end field service management system is a term for software that provides end-to-end solutions for processes from the beginning of a workflow, right until the very end. In the case of a service job, an end-to-end system provides workflow solutions from the initial customer contact to the final payment. It delivers a complete solution without the need for additional software to support it. This eliminates any unnecessary steps in the end-to-end process and, in turn, enhances the efficiency of businesses.
End-to-end field service management software also provides solutions for a variety of service functions and is often cloud-based providing a single source of truth, or in other words, a centralized data solution. For example, Simpro is an end-to-end cloud-based software and provides workflow solutions for service jobs, projects and maintenance work.
What are the Benefits of an End-To-End System?
There are a host of benefits that come along with implementing end-to-end solutions. These include the ability to make informed decisions using specific sets of data; complete visibility from start to finish on a single project; and more time to focus on providing cost effective solutions to project challenges. For example, you may want to look up different aspects of one larger project which you can easily achieve using a reporting function. If you’re not finding the information you need from a system generated report, Simpro allows you to run custom reports with BI Reporting.
Get a complete overview
Because an end-to-end solution supplies workflows for each area of your business, you are able to get an overview of your business as a whole. From investigating how to optimize data entry and increasing the productivity of your workforce, to streamlining the payment process, an end-to-end solution provides you with up-to-date information about every part of your business.
Make informed decisions
A cloud-based end-to-end solution collects information from your everyday workflows creating one secure and centralized location for your data. The data collected will enable you to run comprehensive reports helping you identify what needs improvement in your business and which jobs or projects are making or losing you money.
For example, reports such as the Profit/Loss Summary report will help you examine the margin of profitability on invoiced jobs in a specific date range. While other reports, such as the Job WIP report and the Cost to Complete report, will help managers keep projects profitable and on track. This detailed information from all aspects of your business will support you in investigating inefficiencies and highlight potential changes you may need to make in order to optimize growth.
Reduce duplication and increase efficiency
With every part of your business working seamlessly together under one software solution, you have more opportunities to automate and support the flow of data from one end of your software to the other. For example, in Simpro, Data Feed helps you optimize the efficiency of your business by automatically reviewing incoming business data such as a service request form on your website, and then creating a corresponding action in Simpro.
Seamless integration also helps you increase the efficiency of your business. Take the integrations between Simpro and accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, Sage or QuickBooks. These integrations enable you to transfer customer and vendor information with the click of a button. This not only saves your team time, but also minimizes the risk of inaccurate data. Data Feed and accounting integrations represent just two of the many automation processes available within Simpro because it is an end-to-end cloud-based solution.
Reduce costs
Working within multiple software programs to manage different workflows complicates the job management process and racks up business costs. An inclusive end-to-end software solution will save you time and money, giving you the flexibility to focus on other key areas within your business.
In addition to reducing business costs, one end-to-end system that tracks progress from the start of the project to final invoice provides a simpler job management process. It also increases productivity, reduces the risk of human error and saves you time and money. You no longer need to train new employees on multiple software programs as well, transforming your onboarding process for the better.
Looking for an end-to-end field service management solution? Contact Simpro today to discover how we can help you.
