The Four Emerging Technologies Your FSO Needs

There’s been a lot of buzz around emerging technologies in the field service industry, but does can it really impact your bottom line? Will it make your operations more efficient?

While some managers are happy with their current processes, forward-thinking managers see the benefits of leveraging new trends to automate daily operations and increase efficiency.

Here are a few of the most exciting emerging technology trends of 2020 that every field service organization needs to watch.

IoT

The first and perhaps most impactful emerging technology is the internet of things (IoT). IoT refers to any device that functions by connecting to the internet. IoT allows field technicians to be proactive rather than reactive as IoT-enabled sensors can remotely monitor infrastructure for any signs of potential damage. In addition, IoT devices can report on the status of machinery, which helps increase first-time fix rates and customer satisfaction.

In fact, technicians can even make various software repairs remotely thanks to advancements in IoT.

Drones

Some field service companies monitor areas that are difficult or even dangerous to access. For example, if you maintain a network tower, sending someone up to inspect the tower is not only costly but also quite dangerous.

Therefore, many field service companies are adopting drones. Drones make preventative maintenance easy by collecting data such as images, temperatures, and other diagnostic information.

Drones can also monitor vast lands such as wind or solar farms or even sites that were compromised by a natural disaster.

Finally, if you are on a job site and need a new part, drones can now deliver a variety of small items. This helps improve first-time fix rates, making the company more efficient and increasing customer satisfaction.

3D Printing

Another emerging technology that provides exciting opportunities for field service workers is 3D printing.

While still in its infancy, 3D printers can now print small metal objects, and service technicians believe that this could be the way of the future.

While service technicians would previously have to disappoint a client because the required part wouldn’t be available until the following week, 3D printing will eliminate shipping wait times and enable an unprecedented customer experience.

Wearables

If a service technician receives a call on the job, they have to stop everything they are working on to pick up the phone. This is not only inconvenient, but it could also be dangerous if they are dealing with machinery.

Now, wearables, such as the Apple Watch, allow service technicians to quickly answer calls with the tap of a button and continue working. Other benefits of wearable technology include automatic transcriptions. For example, if a service technician needs to make quick notes about a job, they can simply speak to the device, and it will transcribe and archive the notes automatically.

Final Thoughts

While many of these emerging technologies may seem like a distant dream, all of them already exist in the most innovative field service organizations. Therefore, if you’re serious about dominating your industry, consider leveraging one of these top emerging technologies now.