Field Service Definition
Field service encompasses any work done by a company at a customer’s site. In most cases, these providers install equipment for their clients or provide upkeep on previously installed equipment.
What is Field Service?
Field service can include IT services, installing commercial equipment, or repairing devices or equipment previously installed at the site. Examples include cable and internet providers, fueling infrastructure companies, utilities, or even photocopy and computer companies.
What is Field Service Management Software
Field service software helps companies manage all aspects of field service both on- and off-site. These solutions help track service requests, manage employees, and give full visibility into each step of the operation. Most software features include inventory control, management of work orders, service scheduling and dispatch, and vehicle tracking, as well as reporting analytics.
Field Service Technicians
Field service technicians first determine the cause of any onsite issues by diagnosing the problem, then provide repairs and/or maintenance services for customers.
What is a Field Service Action?
Field service actions (FSA) are either mandatory factory recalls or optional upgrades to a specific component or piece of equipment that acts as an extension of an existing warranty. These two types of FSAs — those related to recalls of a component or the vehicle/equipment themselves or customer satisfaction programs — differ in that recalls are often mandatory due to safety issues and customer satisfaction programs are optional. Also, costs related to recalls are covered by the manufacturer, since the issue at hand was caused by a malfunctioning system or component they installed, while there is a fee associated with a customer satisfaction program.
What are some Field Service Companies?
There are several different types of field service companies (FSC) relating to a number of different technologies. Local and state-run utilities are considered FSCs since most of the work they perform is in the field, like upgrading electrical grids and responding to small and large service interruptions. Cable and internet providers also perform much of their physical work out in the field. IT companies commonly work onsite to install and maintain databases, servers and the like.
Benefits of Field Service
When an issue arises, it is best to have your service provider onsite, explaining what is going wrong and how it will be fixed, rather than having a technician talking you through the problem over the phone. While the techs are onsite, they can also diagnose other possible issues that are not as evident to their customers, cutting down on problems that could occur in the future and necessitate another service call.
Field Service Challenges
In most cases, there are not a lot of challenges that come with field services, aside from the obvious. Depending on the nature of your business, getting a tech out as soon as possible could make or break you. In these cases, scheduling conflicts could have a negative effect on your business and cause even more delays when trying to service your customers. The costs involved can also become a challenge, especially when a service call is not covered by a preexisting contract.
Future of Field Service
In many cases, most companies that offer field services are looking to evolve into more customer-centric, digitized systems. With the help of the right software solution, companies can streamline their appointment scheduling and customer communications. Also, with the right tools onsite, companies can speed up the response and repair times, getting customers back online, on track, or powered up even faster.
Does LifeSaver Mobile Work With Field Service?
LifeSaver Mobile has lots of fleet customers that are in field service, where field service technicians are operating commercial vehicles. Our cell blocking technology is implemented in these commercial vehicles to protect drivers behind the wheel from mobile distraction.
