Like other industries, the IoT is making its mark in the field service industry too. The field service management is responsible for handling the complex systems of clients, rectifying existing issues, and enhancing overall productivity. Here is a glimpse of the impact of IoT on field service management.
Introducing a Proactive Approach to Repairs
Currently, a break-fix approach is common in the field service industry. As a result, when an issue originates, the client faces delays. A good example is when an HVAC unit starts to malfunction. It is only when a disruption occurs that an expert is called for repairs.
IoT devices can send reports to the field service workers at regular intervals, based on system monitoring. In this way, the “response” comes before an issue develops and escalates. Hence, it not only saves the client from downtime, but it also protects them from costly repairs.
Embracing Zero Stock Inventory
Often, things become tricky when field service management is required to keep tabs on the available supplies and equipment for the technicians. The advent of IoT has helped stakeholders realize the importance of zero-stock inventory. Connected devices and applications ensure that they can add automation into the mix, so you are no longer dependent on the stock resting in the warehouses. In some IoT solutions, technicians can even avail tailored toolsets to work on the repairs.
Revolutionizing the Technician’s Job
Before the IoT proliferation, this was the routine:
- The client noticed an issue and reported it.
- The management dispatched a technician who diagnosed the root cause of the issue.
- The technician then gathered the required toolkit and began the repair work.
IoT devices have changed this process by autonomously reporting their status to digital networks. In this way, technicians are saved from a lot of needless work. Now, they can directly employ a procedural approach instead of spending a lot of time diagnosing malfunctions. This also means that in the future, their JDs (job descriptions) will experience a significant change.
Activating Remote Diagnostics
The facility of remote diagnostics enables the management to monitor a slew of intricate technologies. IoT can further enrich this facility with enhanced real-time monitoring. For instance, metrics that were earlier passed through a manual evaluation can be communicated to a diagnostic center where the IoT systems are responsible for running automation in parallel.
When IoT can identify and work on software bugs, it can give a breathing space to technicians. According to a survey, 68% of the professionals believe that wearable technology is going to be decisive in this space, while 53% of them opined that a full-scale IoT implementation can change the way how the industry works. Keeping this in mind, the need for real-time remote diagnosis and repair is only going to increase further.
If you are having trouble in field service management, Tantiv4 can address your issues and integrate IoT to improve the efficiency of your operations.