When Should You Invest In Field Service Management Software?

In an ideal world, as soon as you grow to a certain size, you would have all your ducks in a row to change system in a nice calm and orderly fashion. The reality is that timing is never perfect, but you should look for the optimum time to switch system. Some consideration should be given to:

Busy/Quiet Periods

Is there a good time of year where you will have some breathing space to implement a new system?

But what if your business has no quiet time but is continuously getting busier?

We come across this dilemma time and time again. If you haven’t yet reached this point, then it comes down to having a robust strategy for the business. Try to align your growth trajectory with a phased system implementation that is manageable, both from a financial and a resource perspective. The tipping point might be where you have a large tender pending and if you are successful in winning the contract, you may not be able to deliver it without having the systems in place to deliver it. But what if you take the plunge and the tender doesn’t materialize?

This is where strategic planning comes in.

Understand what the next 1-3 years will look like. If your business is growing and your systems are inadequate to support this growth, then making that investment in your field service management solution can certainly help you plot and plan your growth with a greater degree of accuracy with up-to-date, real-time data.

If you have already reached this point where business is booming but your growth is being hampered by inefficient systems and processes, then this comes down to good project management and making sure the project is broken down into manageable phases with timelines that are realistic and achievable from both sides.

Resources

Having sufficient resources goes without saying, however assigning your “Key” people to the project is crucial.

The ideal scenario is to have a dedicated project team for the duration of project. They may be available on a part-time of full-time basis, depending on the size of your organisation, however having the right people with experience and skillsets is going to be a crucial success factor.

If the field service/operational system is part of a complete ERP system overhaul, then departmental representation is highly recommended for your project team.

Cut-Off

Is there a logical cut-off for the go-live?

Some customers choose month-ends or year-ends to switch over, but in reality, each customer has their own set of circumstances (internal or external) that will dictate the ideal time to change system.

Should my Field Service Management system work independently or be part of an ERP system?

I will give a slightly biased response to this question as we deliver an integrated NetSuite ERP and Field Service Management solution. NextService Field Service Management is built for and directly inside NetSuite, so you can run your entire business from one system.

Nowadays, we live in a connected world. We have the information we need when we need it. Companies can see what’s happening on the ground in their German or Australian subsidiary in real-time.

Accessing real-time project profitability across the group becomes invaluable. It makes sense that systems should facilitate data flows between departments with different users and roles accessing the data that is relevant to them. Processes and procedures become consistent and accurate with reports and KPI’s falling out in the form of dashboards and data analytics. No more spreadsheets, dis-connected processes and gaps across the organisation.

Users become more efficient, first-time fix rates shoot up, project profitability should be more predictable, customers will love working with your company and everybody is happy.