Introducing a mobile workforce management system can be a positive change that initiates a series of benefits to your business, whether return on investment, better customer service or more efficient working – the list goes on. But be under no illusion, it is also one of the biggest cultural changes that you will ever instigate during your working career.
It’s a big statement – and a bold one – and you may be umming and ahhing about whether it’s the right solution for you.
But!
If you embrace it and manage the change effectively, it will give you the results you’re after and a lot more.
It’s about the software
Yes, you will want to swipe, touch, scroll and discuss hardware with different suppliers but rest assured that there is plenty of hardware out there that will do what you want/need.
Get the software right first.
It needs to be easy to use, handle all the information that you will need to manage the work and be flexible. Visibility & control in the office.
Involve your teams – all of them
You will need to involve the following 5 teams:
- - Operations;
- - Mobile team;
- - IT;
- - Finance;
- - and of course your Execs; they ultimately will make the decisions.
Our advice? Don’t just concentrate on your mobile teams – the majority of cost savings that you are looking for won’t come from them, but from the efficiencies gained in the office.
What is your process now? Will it need to change?
Don’t be frightened of being bold.
The software that you implement should follow your operational processes, but there will be changes. Companies usually focus on the job that needs to be done in the field. Usually there is lots of other information that they collect; time sheets parts used, customer satisfaction surveys, expense sheets, risk assessments, photos… Your mobile solution should be able to handle all of it.
Talk to your software provider; ask questions
It surprises me how often software is presented as complicated and difficult. We in IT are guilty of making people feel stupid when they ask questions about connectivity, data and links to existing systems etc. Ask about what the system will do for you in business terms. And be particular about the specialism of mobile systems. If you want it to handle a lot of your data – you want it to be robust.
What about the money?
There is a saying – ‘spend money, to make money’ and it may not be true in every case.
But if a system will make your operation more efficient and improve the service delivery – then it’s worth considering the investment.
You can expect:
- – Less time spent on admin, no time spent preparing paper packs or updating back office systems;
- – Faster communication between teams: instant updates sent through to the field teams’ devices;
- – More confidence in the quality of data recorded on site – all information complete and validated;
- – Efficient scheduling: the right team with right skills in the right location, within the target date and time.
Once in place – manage it
It won’t run itself. You need to manage, tweak, follow up - and have regular project meetings with your software provider who should there to support you…
If you want reliable advice – without the sales pitch, please give me a call on 01905 612220!
Cecilia Pearce
