Nine Capabilities That Make ServicePower Scheduling Unique

Schedule optimization is a critical capability for companies that perform field service, but it’s also one that is frequently misunderstood. While some software providers claim to offer schedule optimization, most solutions fall short, over-simplifying the process and overlooking evolving and continually changing complications such as traffic events, job complications, field worker absences, and more. A solution that only considers surface-level factors, such as proximity, when making a schedule, will deliver disappointing results that can negatively impact the customer experience and repeat sales.

If you are evaluating new field service management solutions or taking a hard look at your own legacy implementation, here are some salient details about schedule optimization to consider:

• Manual processes are slow, error-prone, and resource-intensive, relying on dispatcher instincts.
• Most solutions simply assign a field resource to a job once, with the assignment never amended as the day progresses, even if major interruptions arise.
• “Soft constraints” like technician skill level are often not factored into making assignments.
• Hundreds of factors should be considered, far more than a human can manage unaided.
• Companies should be able to set priorities, ranking first-, second- and third-level considerations.
• Only a system with advanced tracking and reporting tools can keep dispatchers managing high volumes of calls without risk.

Now that you know what to watch for, let’s take a closer look at the field service solution that does schedule optimization right: ServicePower Scheduling.

ServicePower’s field service management solution takes scheduling optimization to a higher level in performance and productivity, using advanced, real-time insights and the power of AI to create the best, most efficient schedule possible. AI-powered schedule optimization is a valuable strategic tool, helping to meet the demands of today’s time-pressed customers while increasing efficiency for your organization and giving field workers the tools, they need to do their jobs efficiently.

Here are nine capabilities that distinguish ServicePower:

1. AI-driven insights to manage complexity
   ServicePower leverages AI-driven algorithms and real-time data insights to automate scheduling, based on multiple factors, such as location, field worker skills, traffic, product type, parts available, and many more. The algorithms consider hundreds of hard and soft constraints--criteria that the organization personalizes at implementation. These many factors are instantaneously considered, weighted, and compared. The solution also continues to learn over time, finessing recommendations based on real-world data.
2. Highly robust vs. rule-based to address enterprise needs
   When evaluating scheduling tools, organizations need to be alert for solutions that simply use surface-level rule-based scheduling assignments. Only ServicePower provides true enterprise-grade optimization, evaluating job details, field workers’ skills, location, and many more factors—plus making continuous intra-day updates.
3. Ability to factor in service level agreements (SLAs)
   ServicePower’s advanced scheduling optimization tools easily incorporate SLA factors, ensuring customers with an SLA receive the service their contract guarantees, even if the cost is slightly higher to the organization.
4. Flexible prioritization
   ServicePower allows companies to personalize the algorithm to tailor-rank criteria, such as emphasizing matching field worker skills over responding quickly. These variables provide increased optimization to organizations’ schedules and unique challenges.
5. Real-time monitoring to keep schedules timely
   ServicePower provides a modern web-based Gantt view that can be configured by region, solutions, technicians, or other field workers. It provides an easy-to-understand color-coded view of planned schedules and monitors real-time evolving factors, such as traffic and on-site job complications. It then updates field resource schedules with the most optimal schedule possible.
6. Easy-to-use screens to simplify dispatcher tasks
   The “air traffic controller view” is color-coded by types of jobs and can be displayed by region, product, or field resource, making it easy to spot trends and gaps. Jobs in jeopardy—ones not yet assigned—are flagged for special attention.
7. Detailed information to prevent confusion
   Highly detailed views of assignments, locations, and work orders are available, including maps and routes. The field resource receives notices of changes and updates as they happen. Detailed maps show appointments and recommended routes, using reliable geographic information system (GIS) traffic technology.
8. Exception-based focus to minimize risk
   Automation allows the dispatcher to focus on exceptions or in-jeopardy calls and other strategic decisions. The Gantt chart supports drag-and-drop functionality with the ability to override recommendations and make changes.  
9. Insightful reports to view the big picture
   Reporting features help managers make well-informed decisions daily and track performance trends over weeks or months so that they can spot areas for improvement.

The rest is up to you.

Armed with this list of specific capabilities, you can now see why ServicePower Scheduling is unique and why it provides distinctive benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. When considering a new field service management solution, insist on the one that is most reliable and that will help you automate complex scheduling factors.

It’s the lifeline that will save your techs, save your customers, and save your organization.

Ready to discover the power of AI-powered schedule optimization? Contact us today to get started.