Field Service Management: How to Partner for Success

We have recently been exploring how IoT has become an essential part of today’s field service workflow and why it is critical to continue to look forward. The fact is, field service has been an early adopter of IoT, and for most field service organizations (FSOs), the next steps are not necessarily integrating the technology, but innovating to make sure you are staying ahead of the curve – instead of chasing it.

Taking the next step is easier with a partner who understands IoT devices, networks, and applications with the same breadth and depth as your own field services knowledge and experience. Here is what a potential partner should offer:

• Experience: A potential partner should provide use cases of their work to demonstrate their familiarity with IoT deployment, but you will need more information than just quick sketches of their past projects. If you are building on an existing IoT infrastructure, an ideal partner should be able understand how you are using IoT today, where you are using it, and how the landscape has changed since your initial deployment. With that knowledge, your potential partner should be able to offer targeted recommendations that are retrofitted to the unique nature of your FSO while also focused on your roadmap.
• Agnostic consultation: Because FSOs are addressing very critical issues – some of which can have life or death consequences – it is important that the equipment used is the exact fit for the job at hand. Your IoT partner should make infrastructure suggestions based on optimization of your IoT deployment – not on hardware and software from past partners that may not have been ideal solutions. A trusted advisor should have your FSO’s best interest in mind, first and foremost.
• Broad ecosystem of offerings: Continuing on the previous point, an IoT partner should be able to offer a wide array of best-in-class products and services, removing any hint of “product pushing.” In doing so, your FSO will be able to choose from a roster of offerings that will help achieve your IoT goals.
• Scalability: Your FSO is not stagnant, which means your IoT partner should help you scale for whatever changes lie ahead. Being able to easily transition is key to ensuring your IoT applications meet whatever internal or market trends emerge.
• Service and maintenance: Many partners can help launch or update a deployment, but what happens when issues arise? Who do you call? That really defines the nature of a partnership. Your IoT partner should be by your side, assisting with any problems that occur. And who better to guide you through bumps in the road than those who helped implement the application?

Deploying IoT applications that enhance your existing infrastructure is critical to differentiating your offerings in the FSO sector. Selecting a partner who understands your organization, can offer insightful ideation, devise the right strategy, and build a unique architecture will help you do that.

Interested in learning how to increase sales and increase customer satisfaction with IoT? We are here to help! Reach out to KORE today to learn more.