FSM business owner using an FSM Software on his phone


Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic's effects on public health had an impact in 2021 and continue to impact how field service companies operate. Field Service players were massively affected because some trips were no longer feasible, and clients made every effort to avoid interaction. Despite this, industry experts have demonstrated a solid ability to adapt, coming up with creative ideas and methods to keep providing their clients with high-quality services. Field Service's rapid digital transformation will continue to influence the year 2023, but it will also be influenced by societal trends that will affect this industry.

More than ever, field service providers must understand how crucial it is for their technicians to perform their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. Cashless transactions, inventory control, and more. What will be the trends in field service in 2023? Will it be a need or a trend? Read on to find out.

Keep up with the FSM Trends of 2023

Here are the top trends in field service management that will and should influence your upcoming decisions in choosing the right FSM software for your business:

The Rise of Cloud Technology


The rise of cloud technology

Cloud computing technologies are already widely used by many businesses. For instance, the market for cloud-based Field Service Management (FSM) systems is anticipated to surpass the on-premise market by 2023 due to this trend's continued acceleration. The desire to respond quicker and more effectively to customer requests, facilitate more accessible collaboration and streamline IT department procedures leads to the choice of SaaS platforms for service management. Additionally, Field service companies have benefited from IoT technology by having better real-time communications, scheduling, reporting, and access to vital data for analysis. For instance, incorporating IoT sensors into a pest treatment company's field service management system will significantly improve the accessibility of pest detection.

Accessing service tools from any location and on any device provided by cloud solutions makes it simpler for all parties involved to share information in real-time, whether technicians, outside contractors, or customers.

Offline Access to FSM Software

This sounds contradictory, but relying entirely on the internet can be a risk when on the field. This is why offline access is equally important and a top trend in field service management software in 2023. With offline access, technicians can remain up-to-date about their tasks and workflows and carry on with their jobs without delays. 

While many software still needs to offer this feature, it is undoubtedly increasingly being demanded. Apps like Utilize make it easier through integrations such as Google sheets, which are easy to use and accessible online and offline.

The Introduction of Self-service Customer Portals

Field service providers' interactions with their clients or contractors are altering due to the introduction of self-service portals. They frequently serve as the company's client's first point of contact and contribute to defining the client experience. These portals enable self-service for clients and assist in easing some of the communication burdens on the personnel, thanks to field service automation.

Customers can use computers or mobile apps to report difficulties, provide details, make service requests, or monitor ongoing projects and issues. The technicians are given more time back and can work uninterrupted on their tasks. Field service personnel may view customer requests in real time and know what to anticipate from upcoming visits, thanks to field service software. 

Tech-Oriented Workforce on the Field

Field service providers will have to invest time in educating their staff on the new technologies implemented in recent years in 2023. They will need to work very hard on recruitment at the same time. Many Baby Boomers will retire in 2023, and businesses must fill these vacancies to meet client expectations. According to numerous studies, there will be a labor shortage in the field service sector, particularly in developed economies like the US and Europe. They will have to deal with these new profiles' need for knowledge and experience. This deficiency can put more pressure on experts, raise costs, and make customers unhappy.

Many businesses are using technology like knowledge management platforms and remote help programs to solve this problem by facilitating new hires' knowledge transfer and rapid skill development.

Custom Workflows for the Team

Your team may be fully trained and on top of their game. However, productivity can only be achieved if the workflow is optimized to their skill and needs. Customization and personalization will play a significant role in influencing FSM software choices due to this very reason. The requirements of an HVAC field service company vary from that of a food delivery one, and similarly, different technicians and agents might have different skill sets for particular jobs. Hence, opting for something more customized is one of the major trends to keep in mind. 

Field Service Management on the Mobile

The changing technology is one of many factors influencing your field services in 2023. You must ensure that the technology you opt for is convenient and yields the results you're ultimately eyeing. The most important demonstration is managing field services from your mobile phones. In a time where everything is a few clicks away, FSM software with mobile app availability is on the overall rise for faster and more real-time solutions and services.

The Low-Code/No-Code Development

A complete software development cycle includes numerous stages: planning, analysis, designing, testing, integration, etc. Building software solutions often require a lot of time. With the introduction of low-code app development, it is beginning to change.

Technology that uses low code and the cloud makes it possible to create effective custom solutions with little to no coding. According to Gartner, from less than 25% in 2020, 70% of new apps will use low-code or no-code technologies by 2025. If you look for no code field management software, you already have a hundred thousand searches, so the wave has already hit the shore. All field service companies need to do is take the leap and enjoy the benefits of the new technology.

But remember to give preference to your business.

Trends are a great thing to follow and keep up with. It is like having the upper hand while navigating changing waters. Hence, in doing so, you must ensure that you don't let go of your business' originality and necessity.

It is best not to hop on the bandwagon of fancy FSM software in the market. Instead of testing the technology, understanding your needs and analyzing options are more in line with a wise decision. Click here to read some essential questions you must ask to get there.

Once you're through with the questions, all you need to do is get started. To book your easy Utilize Demo today, click here. We'll be happy to guide you through the whole software system, help you understand the easy no-code solution, and make your life five times easier.