Leveraging Streaming Video In Field Service

By Cheryl Knight, contributing writer

Field service professionals can reap the benefits of advances in video communication in tech-to-tech collaborations and in providing assistance for diagnoses.

With the enterprise mobile video collaboration market expected to see a growth rate of 113 percent into 2017, there is plenty of room for growth and innovation in this market. And with more than 41 percent of those polled intending to add video capability to their field service efforts, interest in this technology is clearly on the rise.

“Many sectors in the industry are taking advantage of video as a tool to reduce downtime, shorten the turnaround time, reduce cost, and hence lead to a more streamlined business and happier customers,” said Resolution Tube founder and CEO Arnav Anand in a Field Technologies Online article. He further went on to state, “We believe it can revolutionize how business is done in this arena.”

Obstacles To Videos Success

In order to achieve the best success with any type of video technology, service providers need a reliable connection. That’s why it is important that mobile devices are able to stream video smoothly, allowing remote experts to provide assistance to the technician in the field.

Another development arising out of the need to customize video technology to best fit conditions in the field is the development of the heads-up display. While smartphones can be difficult to hold comfortably for long periods of time, a heads-up display allows field service workers to work relatively hands-free while watching the video stream.

Other factors, such as light conditions, also affect performance and go a long way toward highlighting the challenges in developing this new technology for use.

The Right Device For Field Service Needs

Choosing the right device for field service needs can mean the difference between impressing a client or not, according to a Service Power blog. And whether techs work in harsh conditions in the field or need access to work files and schematics, finding the correct device can make the difference between having access to important information and being unable to successfully complete the job at hand.