With workers spread over a number of sites, timesheets to maintain, compliance audits and activities to schedule and tenants to please, facilities management can be a bit of a headache.
That’s why we created ServiceMaster. It’s an integrated solution to maintaining your scheduled workload, responding quickly and effectively to unexpected events or damage, and maintaining an assessment of conditions, compliance and tenant satisfaction. With a digital platform that your mobile workforce can access, work orders can be completed and distributed as they are needed and information is shared in real time. Compliance and audits can be stored with photographic evidence and additional comments, ensuring everyone’s working time is accurately and fairly tracked.
No more paperwork, no more missed information, no more wondering where your workers need to be, and no more buffering impatient tenants who need information you don’t have – just because the paperwork is sitting in someone’s van in another part of the country. ServiceMaster streamlines all this data. Status updates, conditions of work and information on external contractors, tenant requests and up-to-the-minute data can be accessed, assessed and responded to in real time, giving you – and your tenant – peace of mind. Keep a record of the health and safety and compliance audits which make up much of facilities management, and keeps a record of who is working where, when, and what has been carried out.
Where other software vendors may try to fit your needs into their existing systems, the best part of our independent digital platform is that we can tailor information to your specific needs. You can streamline the information you’re processing and configure only the actions you need to manage your workload effectively.
No more wasted time, money or effort – just the information you need, right there at your fingertips.
Call us today to discuss your specific requirements – and let us deliver you the ServiceMaster app that will revolutionise your mobile working life. Call 0203 411 1795 or email us on [email protected] to find out more.
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Whatever your industry, ensuring effective mobile workforce management system – particularly if your organisation involves mobile working – is vital, but there are a number of things to consider.
In days gone by businesses required professional offices to succeed – a place that workforces performed their tasks side by side, and where out-of-office workers delivered their paperwork and processed their data.
As technology has advanced the need for a pen-and-paper data management system, and for an office to base the workforce, has reduced, thanks to the growth of mobile working devices and technologies. Organisations can communicate at the touch of a button, and much of the workload can be managed digitally from anywhere in the world.
“Companies need a mobile strategy roadmap to capitalise successfully on mobile technology and evolving user behaviour”
– Capgemini
If you’re planning to step into implementing a mobile workforce management system, we have created ten best practices that you need to focus on to ensure a smooth transition and a guaranteed success. 1. Mobile Strategy
Planning in advance ensures that your mobile workforce management system incorporates everything that you need; decide before rolling out any technologies, devices or systems, what exactly you need them to deliver, and who needs access to which technology and program. Creating a strategy and training your mobile workforce in advance can prevent problems before they arise, and knowing what steps you need to take to ensure success means that any guess work or complications are removed.
Your mobile strategy needs to include the regulations which manage the use of devices and applications and the security of the data being transferred, as well as creating a uniform system of implementation. 2. Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management systems – for example, Airwatch – are cloud-based operating systems that allow data entry, communication and file sharing for organisations to ensure that every member of the workforce has access to the information and data they need; they also give mobile workers tools to submit data that can be processed by other members of the team, from sales orders to auditing tools.
It’s vital to ensure that your organisation sources the best mobile device management for your needs. Your system should incorporate all the functionality that you need now but also can be expanded over time to include any developing technologies and requirements as your business grows. 3. ROI Calculated
When you know what capabilities your mobile devices and mobile workforce management system need to offer, before you start investing your finances on technology, you can plan for the running costs and initial outlay. Ensure that your investment offers reasonable return – and you can offset the expense against your earnings. Sound investments require research and planning and an understanding of the benefits they will bring to your organisation. Not only can the right technologies increase productivity, but the range of services and customer service improvements they bring to your business can lead to increased revenue. Though the initial outlay might be a significant amount depending on the size of your business, the long term ROI makes the right products sound business choices. 4. Device Selection
Research which devices are best suited to your needs – whether that’s smartphones, tablets or more hardy technology suited to a rougher working environment. Delicate tech isn’t suited to industries like building or arboriculture. However, sales team with large regional sales areas would be best suited to fast tablet technologies that can be used to submit paperwork and showcase products to clients. Ensure that you understand what you need from your mobile tech and that the capabilities of your chosen products meet your requirements before investing. 5. Is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) the Right Choice for You?
Many businesses rely on a BYOD approach for mobile workforce management system – meaning that the workers supply their own favoured device, often smartphones and tablets, to carry out tasks related to their job. When you take this route, it’s wise to ensure that you have a solid and fool proof BYOD policy in place before any work is carried out; this includes a secure cloud network and an agreement on what level of personal use and what level of company use of the data and storage is required.
While this approach can save your organisation money on investing in new tech and maintaining devices, including a budget for losses and damages, it can lead to headaches on data access and permissions, and needs to be thoroughly researched in advance. Everyone needs to be clear about the company’s policies when using personal devices to access secure information. 6. Start Simple and Expand
There are a huge number of mobile workforce management systems available, all utilising cloud storage and multiple access points across an organisation. Many of these applications are offered as an off-the-shelf solution to meet business needs, and this can mean that apps are either too limited to meet your needs, or so multifaceted that the workforce has access to functionalities they simply don’t require, which take up valuable space on your devices.
The best way to avoid frustrations in this area is to work with software designers who can tailor these applications to suit your specific needs. Starting simple, with systems that provide basic functionality to suit your industry, with the option to expand these functions for those with differing roles within the organisation, is a great way to ensure that money and time aren’t wasted. 7. Customer References
An option for your customers and end-users to comment on the products and services they’ve received from your organisation is a great way to prove to your market that you’re getting things right – and to address any issues that may have arisen, and ensure that you continue to grow and succeed. This isn’t appropriate for every industry, but is ideal for the customer service industry or online stores, for example, where positive feedback and ratings from customers builds trust and reputation. 8. Plan a Pilot Project – Including Costs
It’s no use throwing finances and resources at a project without understanding what the risks are, and what steps need to be taken to ensure success. Planning a project in advance, through every step of the process, and mapping out the steps from idea to reward ensures that everyone involved is on the same page, and all working towards the same end goals, with guidelines in place to keep the whole workforce on the same path.
A number of mobile workforce management system providers work on a success based fee – which ensures that they are as invested in the success of your organisation as you are. Working on this basis means that the service is working for you, and that the systems you are relying on are designed to best support your organisation. 9. Allow Subcontractors to Use the Systems
When subcontracting, if you utilise a mobile workforce management system in the daily running of your business, allowing access to the data and systems required for the subcontractor to participate in managing and submitting data and information in the usual format is required. This is an area for which you have to have solid policies in place, which outline the accessibility and functionality of the applications and devices, and which state clearly what access the subcontractor should have and the protection of the company data. 10. Review
Though the investment in mobile devices and systems is significant, it is also – in modern business – necessary, but this technology develops quickly and can quickly expand the functionalities and capabilities of newer devices to better suit your needs. Review the products and applications that you are utilising regularly, and expand the capabilities as far as possible to continue the benefits of the mobile workforce management system you’ve chosen.
To avoid 10 most common mistakes companies do while implementing Mobile Work Order Management Solution, read our blog 10 Mistakes when Implementing Mobile Work Order Management Solutions.
https://www.mobiess.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10tips.jpg300300karl.hornerhttps://www.mobiess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mobiesspngweb350.jpgkarl.horner2018-11-06 16:39:232022-09-24 18:57:4910 Best Practices for Implementing a Mobile Workforce Management System
As technologies for mobile workforce have developed, the use of mobile CAFM applications designed to bring functionality and processing beyond the confines of office based work has grown.
However, not all mobile CAFM applications are created equal. Many of these applications were designed for a specific industry or specific tasks without the benefits of adaptability to a wider range of functions as an organisation’s mobile workforce needs grow. This means that companies are forced to continue investing in a wider range of apps that don’t necessarily suit their needs.
Demands on mobile IWMS or CAFM systems are becoming ever more complex. Organisations need to be sure that the systems and solutions they invest in will not only meet their current needs but can expand and develop as their requirements grow or change over time. Know Your Organisation Needs
Many ‘off-the-shelf’ CAFM applications attempt to meet mobile workforce wider ranging needs by offering too many functions from the offset, although most of them are surplus to requirements. Such CAFM apps demand a high level of data to store and access, limiting the accessibility and functionality of mobile devices and not satisfying the needs of the organisation. These are clunky applications which add to the workload of those using them, rather than streamlining and making mobile workforce management easier. Aligning
Aligning the functions of mobile workforce software to ensure role-based security is one of the unique ways in which systems can be designed. It allows organisations to deploy CAFM apps and release further functionality as needs grow, without bloating an application with unwanted functions that not every user needs. Keep It Simple
The right IWMS or CAFM systems suits the wide-ranging needs of your business at every level. Functions are only released as necessary to those who require them as their role develops, while maintaining a streamlined functionality that doesn’t over-complicate. Tailored Mobile Workforce Management
Mobile workforce management tailored to your specific needs ensures that your organisation manages information and simplifies processes across the board. It allows for customisation and growth without the need to move to new systems as your needs develop, avoiding mistakes, maintaining simplicity and uniform data entry.
Where an off-the-shelf mobile CAFM application can meet some of your needs, they can’t be tailored to suit your niche industry and can’t be expanded or reduced. Tailored systems can be specialised and unique to your industry, with no compromise of functionality.
Tailoring these applications means that the data footprint on your mobile device is smaller. Each user is only accessing the processes they need to complete their work, yet there are still possibilities for expansion from a basic application to a more complex multi-functional solution for everything from auditing, working hours, orders, surveys and more.
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Investing in a mobile workforce management solution is a considered decision – when you’re thinking about this kind of investment you have to accurately measure the benefits and the return on investment it will bring.
But what things do you need to consider? Collect the Right Data
As with so many things, data has the answers. The right data will determine whether it’s a sound investment and will allow you to measure the improvements that a mobile workforce management system will bring to your day to day business. Identify Costs
Before you invest, consider what it is that you’re hoping your system will do and what cost and time savings you are anticipating from the system long term. Identifying these costs early on can give you a baseline from which you can accurately measure savings and how quickly the benefits of your investment show return. Have a Contingency Budget
With every investment in new software and devices there should be a contingency budget included for lost or damaged devices in the field, and ongoing maintenance costs for the system, as well as the initial outlay. Reduce Administration
The benefits that your mobile work management solution can bring include financial savings, but also process improvements and streamlining of communication – which can reduce the number of administrative staff you need for back office functions. Measure Investment
Most systems should come with reporting tools or provide you with the raw data to help you measure your investment. Make sure your mobile workforce management solution provides unrestricted access to the original data to ensure you can adapt your ROI reporting as your organisation matures. Automation
The main benefit of any mobile workforce management system is the automation of manually intensive processes. Ensure at the outset that you prioritise and identify the critical processes that can bring the most benefit to automation. Process streamlining not only means that your business can reduce the number of administrative staff required to run the business smoothly, but can also reduce the time taken to process orders, create opportunities and increase the number of jobs completed each day. Reduce Errors
Automating many processes has been proven time and again to reduce errors, streamline processing and improve record keeping – all of these not only lead to cost savings but reduce the time it takes for your workforce to deliver on services and products, and simplifying their workload. This means that your staff are more efficient and that you need less people to perform daily business tasks. Less mistakes are made, with better communication, meaning that your customer base is happier with the service you provide. Improved Data Analysis
All mobile data can be measured. Make sure you know what data you wish to collect and what the benefits are. Understanding the benefits of the data will help you decide which mobile work management system is right for your business. Understanding before you invest which areas of your business you want to improve means that you can more accurately measure the improvements in these areas once your system is fully implemented.
For help how to choose the right mobile CAFM application, check our post Not All Mobile CAFM Applications Are the Same.
https://www.mobiess.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10tips.jpg300300karl.hornerhttps://www.mobiess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mobiesspngweb350.jpgkarl.horner2018-09-18 11:30:302021-04-13 10:53:05How to Measure ROI with Mobile Workforce Management Solution