Top 10 Field Service Industry Trends: How many are you doing?

The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the urgency of trends in the field service and delivery industries, particularly the surging demand for field service software as remote work became widespread. Successful businesses adapted seamlessly, leveraging advancements in AI technology, BI dashboards, customer portals, and asset management to enhance ROI, customer satisfaction, repeat business, and overall efficiency. Here are the ten key trends shaping the future of the field service industry:

1. Increased Need for Virtual Services: The pandemic accelerated the shift towards virtual services, such as online learning, virtual appointments, and remote meetings, emphasizing the necessity for a more virtual platform.
2. BI (Business Intelligence) Reporting and Dashboards: BI reports and interactive dashboards are pivotal for businesses, allowing real-time data interpretation and collaboration for better decision-making. Combining both trends provides insights accessible to all team members, regardless of technical expertise.
3. Advanced Field Service Software: The transition to digital software technologies was expedited in 2020-2021, enabling more accurate quotes, efficient contract management, budget adherence, and streamlined workforce management.
4. Customer Portals: Providing easy access for clients to request, monitor, and manage appointments, payments, and service requests, reducing the need for extensive manpower. Valuable customer feedback through portals aids in refining company strategies.
5. Digital Apps: Mobile apps play a crucial role in managing teams, tracking work progress, and facilitating communication with customers, creating a competitive advantage and enhancing overall efficiency.
6. Advances in Artificial Intelligence: AI optimizes time by predicting material needs, project timelines, and scheduling onsite visits efficiently. It aids in analyzing consumer behavior, predicting service demand, and enhancing decision-making processes.
7. Increased Demand for Self-Service: Self-service trends, facilitated by customer portals and digital apps, align with the preference for online interactions, leading to faster service, heightened customer satisfaction, and reduced operational costs.
8. Predictive Maintenance: AI’s predictive capabilities enable technicians to preemptively address equipment failures, saving costs and mitigating potential damages. Virtual environments aid in troubleshooting.
9. Using Virtual Reality to Train New Technicians: Virtual reality and augmented reality are increasingly incorporated into field service deployments and training programs, providing trainees with realistic scenarios to enhance their skills.
10. Asset Management Systems: Implementing asset management systems enables better tracking of physical and digital inventory, optimizing inventory levels, maintenance, cost projections, and informed decision-making.

Have you incorporated any of these trends in your business? Would you like to but have no idea where to start? If you are interested in leveraging these trends, Advantage Route Systems offers solutions tailored to delivery and field service business needs. Click here to learn more.