Do you know what your field technician is doing right now, or why he’s been late to his past three scheduled appointments? Managing off-site employees is notoriously difficult, especially for service companies that rely on customer referrals to generate new business.
Field service management apps are a great way for service and repair-based businesses to improve the efficiency and reliability of their off-site technicians. According to a study done by Software Advice, knowing where a field service agent is, especially if they’re running late, is a key factor for customers when determining whether or not to rehire a service agent.
Although specific features vary from app to app, most field service management apps offer tools that can track the location of employees, shorten billing cycles, cut down on unnecessary paperwork, and deliver better service overall. As a result, businesses that use field service management apps are able to improve on-time records, deliver better service, and generate more referrals from satisfied customers.
Once you’ve figured out what you’re looking for from a field service management app, check out some of the leading choices below.
GeoOp
As a workforce and field service management solution, GeoOp knows the importance of mobility for field workers. The app offers a seamless process for carrying out field service work, including routing with details and information about each job, real-time updates and invoicing, and on-the-spot payment options, documenting the entire process along the way and sending it back to the office. You can even upload photos and videos of the job for documentation. Its integration with the back office also gives you access to the cost of any job or part, ensuring that you have all the information you need when out in the field.
HouseCall Pro
HouseCall Pro is a field service management solution with a huge emphasis on customer service. With a really strong iOS and Android app, a centralized and in-app messaging system, and even postcard and email remarketing, many of HouseCall Pro’s standout features are focused on the customer. Its strong mobility is what makes it a contender, with automated receipts and invoicing, and a variety of payment options, including credit card processing done on the spot, right through the app.
Kickserv
Kickserv is the CRM of the field service industry. A mix of a customer relationship management software and a field service management solution, it combines the best of both worlds with it’s client content management, scheduling, credit card payments, and QuickBooks Online sync, among other features. It’s ideal for freelancers or teams that makes house calls in sectors like HVAC, plumbing, construction, lawn care, maid services, and pest control.
Jobber
Jobber is a field service management app that’s especially strong when it comes to scheduling. Its scheduling features include a job scheduling wizard, route optimization, and a drag and drop calendar, all of which are tightly integrated with Jobber’s billing and invoicing system, ensuring more automation and less duplicated work. It also has the all-important GPS tracking feature to ensure field worker reliability, and similar to Kickserv, it’s got a CRM that helps search for, import, and keep track of clients.
mHelpDesk
mHelpDesk is perfect for anyone new to field service management software because of its robust training and support features– the mHelpdesk team offers daily training sessions, as well as training session for all new users. Like any good field service management app, it offers all the necessary features, including scheduling, work order management, billing and invoicing, and automation. It even sends texts to assign new jobs, keep customers informed, and auto update managers of an employee’s status in the field.
Synchroteam
Synchroteam helps a business efficiently manage its mobile workers, simplify its processes, and optimize its costs per revenue. It is an intuitive field service management solution with scheduling, dispatching, tracking and reporting capabilities. It shows the real-time location of offices, employees, and customers, displaying them on a map to give an overarching view of everyone’s location. To keep scheduling simple and organized, Synchroteam has a drag and drop feature that lets you pick the right job for the right worker based on their availability, skill, and location.
GoSpotCheck
If you’re looking to collect data from the field, GoSpotCheck is your go-to app. Different from other field service apps on this list, GoSpotCheck is a mobile solution to help field service workers like merchandisers and reps who travel to stores and shops, keep track of and optimize their retail businesses. The app offers dashboards and infographics to display data in real time, as well as filters to help organize data by location, date, or by photo, for example. There’s also options to build surveys and base tasks on answers to those survey questions.
Connect to your field workers
If you’re looking for more options to manage your field service employees, check out our GetRank of the top 25 field service management apps in the industry, based on five data points: reviews, integrations, mobile app availability, media presence, and security.