6 Tech Trends Affecting Your Field Service IT Clients

By Ally Kutz, contributing writer

Technology Advancements are completely redefining the field service industry, according to TechnologyAdvice. The company states field service is on its way to big changes, thanks to the influx of mobile devices, wearables, and the Internet of Things (IoT) — and the output of data from them. TechnologyAdvice highlights six key areas, cited in this infographic, where technology is making waves in the industry.

1. The Industrial Internet Of Things. Technicians can use data from IoT devices to solve issues before they cause service interruptions. Early warnings can trigger alerts that automatically request service of technicians as well.
2. Mobile Devices. TechnologyAdvice cites a Field Technologies article that states 66 percent of field service organizations utilize mobile workforce management software, while 80 percent of technicians use a tablet or smartphone for their fieldwork. This helps finish more jobs in a day as well as eliminate repeat visits.
3. Wearables. Technology Advice predicts in the very near future, technicians will be able to use wearables, such as smart glasses, to use gaze detection and holographic overlays to diagnose problems as well as share video with remote analysis and identify technical aspects, such as parts, serial numbers, or bar codes.
4. 3D Printing. With printers installed in their vehicles, technicians can decrease fulfillment times and overhead costs. TechnologyAdvice cites Gartner that predicts by 2018, 3D printing will be a $13.4 billion market.
5. NFC Tags. Near field communication allows for devices to communicate by being near each other, meaning technicians would be able to get diagnostic info on their smartphones by waving them over NFC tags, and companies could record tech arrival and departure.
6. Business Intelligence Tools. TechnologyAdvice cites an Aberdeen Group study that concluded field service companies that utilize analytics technology have an 18 percent gain in profits, a 42 percent gain in customer retention, and a 44 percent gain in service level agreement performance.