10 Tips to Ensure the Successful Implementation of a Field Service Management Solution

Written by- Unnamed Author: Task4Work

Before choosing a Field Service Management (FSM) solution and implementing it in an organization, service providers need to define a set of outcomes. Here are 10 tips that may be the key to success.

Changing a FSM solution or using one for the first time requires a major study so that the changes implemented in the organization are successful.

1. We propose ten ideas that will surely help you during the selection process.
2. Prepare a checklist with your requirements and learn about the functions that come with the solution.
3. Have you made sure that your mobility requirements will be covered? Choose a solution that contemplates mobility as a core element of its strategy; tools that work in real time and optimize your work and deliver instant results wherever you are.
4. The information the tool provides is paramount. See your consultant to make sure that your tool and its implementation will provide the necessary information and that the dashboards meet your analytical requirements.
5. Align your goals as an organization with those of the solution, informing the supplier of those goals throughout every phase of the implementation process. This will make it easier to optimize your processes, which is the ultimate purpose of the solution.
6. Set a realistic budget when embarking on the project. We recommend taking a good look at pricing policies and at your requirements, and don’t hesitate to ask about the costs for the services, the license, additional modules, configuration, maintenance, updates, help, hours bank…
7. Compare the costs of the solution with the benefits it will eventually provide. If a solution has been well designed, the benefits tend to be huge.
8. Has your FSM solution been adapted or can it be adapted to the specific needs of your industry and business? Certain organizations and industries require special features or solutions that adapt to their procedures. Consequently, being aware of our needs and ensuring that the solution we are planning to implement can cover them will prevent problems in the future. If there are references from other companies in our sector or similarities with other organizations that use the solution, requesting them can provide some tips.
9. If the changes required go a little further, and the solution needs to be customized beyond the typical configuration options, you must take this into account from the beginning. Keep this in mind when studying the costs and deadlines. Specifying all this from the beginning will expedite the process and improve the results.
10. Find out about after-sales processes, and, more specifically, about configuration details, the installation of the users’ machines, the version updating processes, training… All this is vital to the success of your project and it is, therefore, essential to confirm all this before the beginning of the after-sales phase. Of course, this requires a significant level of involvement.
11. Find out about the best channels of contact to reach your provider and the best contact people in their team. Communication must be flowing, friendly and trusting. If necessary, reach agreements on timetables that best adapt to you to make the process more productive and easier. And don’t forget to check the SLA (Service Level Agreement).

The aforementioned items should help in making the right choices in transforming and optimizing field service operations…