Rethinking Technology In Business: Role Of AI In Field Services
We are in an era where technology is playing a pivotal role in reinventing the traditional business operations. And technology like artificial intelligence is leaving no stone unturned to make processes more effective, efficient, and accurate.
The most benefited companies today are those who are operating in field services. The industry is one such where the right combination of automation with operations can do wonders for the business. In contrast, the lack of proper execution could be the reason for higher losses. So, are there any automated ways that companies can opt for in combination with AI to gain significant profits? Let’s discuss it further.
AI enables high-level intelligence in systems improving their overall efficiency and capability of performing specific tasks. That’s how field service management software manages business-related information and helps make better scheduling decisions.
Artificial Intelligence In Field Services
AI makes field service dispatching easier
Service technicians may arrive at their work locations without proper information, or they may require additional information to conclude the on-field job. Today they have the luxury of field service apps that facilitates 24*7 connection for technicians back to their offices, especially with managers so that they could get additional information on a particular field task.
Now imagine a similar scenario the traditional way where there are no apps or AI-powered software applications that technicians could use. This means the technicians have to make a second or even third visit back to the office to discuss the problem or get additional details from managers in order to resolve the problem. However, this problem does not even remain a concern with AI-powered Software programs.
Automated scheduling with AI
AI programs make schedulers’ jobs much more manageable. Rather than scheduling a team having to coordinate information through telematics software and inventory management systems, the AI program can schedule technicians’ finding the best time depending upon their earlier work schedule.
AI automation in job scheduling not only makes effective scheduling but also saves the technician’s time to invest in other important tasks. It also eases the work for schedulers by offering them easier ways to perform the jobs.
Efficient Services Towards Customers
When it comes to taking customers’ requests to facilitate services, AI-powered chatbots could play an active role. Unlike traditional ways wherein service professionals need to do similar tasks, chatbots can easily work for these professionals and can quickly introduce automation in the process.
With chatbots in the scene, the scope of error eliminates completely. This ensures no mistake would be made when registering customers’ queries, which is not possible when a professional is performing the task.
Managing Workforce With AI-Enabled Systems
Comparing manual assistance with that of a machine will always result in the latter’s win. It is obvious that AI-enabled equipment will never run out of accuracy, which is a chance with manual assistance (as explained above). Moreover, when scheduling the professionals, not only their real-time location can be tracked, but also managers can have their eyes on the efficiency of any on-field technician.
AI-powered software programs are great for predicting unexpected events. The job completion rate with such software programs can easily be increased as the workers having the right skill set are assigned to perform the task.
Life Cycle Prediction Of Equipment
The data generated by the business over the years not only develops best practices for technicians but also can improve predictions. Usage-based preventive maintenance is great, but predictions with AI can be more insightful as AI-enabled software programs take into consideration customer history, recall info, find asset location, temperature, and many other such factors to predict the equipment’s life cycle. With all these considerations, the next service for equipment can be predicted in advance.
This proactive approach is just great to keep customers happy and the life cycle of the equipment much longer. Moreover, the customers will always like the fact that the services are scheduled before the actual breakdown happens.
AI Facilitates Data-Driven Decisions
AI is all about data. The more the data, the better it can predict the outcomes. Therefore, with AI, it is much easier to make strategic decisions, reduce repetitive administrative work, and govern end-to-end data flow with automation. Continuous data evolution helps present a clear picture to analyze the same and make strategic decisions out of the same.
Efficient data analysis project planning, staff recruitment, and inventory management are also possible with the same. With more innovative technologies like IoT and Big Data along with artificial intelligence, it gets easier and more effective to make decisions that are business-centric.
Effective Inventory Management with AI
Offering efficient field services needs your inventory to remain updated as well. A technician can only deliver successful services if the equipment is in an excellent state. To ensure optimal health condition of every equipment, managing the inventory becomes mandatory. Digitizing inventory management processes with effective AI can be a step forward for effective maintenance.
Scanning incoming and outgoing parts with the help of a mobile app makes real-time parts’ visibility possible in regard to parts availability, parts usage, and replenishing needs as well. AI tools can analyze inventory data in order to keep the inventory updated.
The Bottomline
With AI in field service management software, the capability of the business massively increases. The amalgamation of automated services in traditional approaches can thus bring excellent outcomes that reduce manual assistance in the services. When processes are automated, the business ROI also increases in a similar ratio. More to this, field service companies that prioritize AI in their businesses have the edge over other companies in terms of customer satisfaction.
Businesses must learn that offering on-field services is more about technicians’ efficiency on-field and not just about delivering the required assistance. The services must be offered efficiently and with exceptional execution keeping all the details of the progress very much visible. All this is possible with AI-enabled field service software.
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Co-Authored With
Bhupendra Choudhary holds considerable experience in managing sales leads as the managing Director of FieldCircle – a globally acclaimed construction management software service firm. His experience in a similar role has helped the company earn great success in providing CMMS software services to clients across the globe.