Mobile Data Keeps Moving Along

By Tom Collins- VMS Account Manager

Even during these difficult economic times the VMS mobile data product is being adopted by more and more service companies.  There are several reasons for this trend but what seems to stand out above all others is the simple fact that we are all trying to do more with less and mobile date allows this to happen.  So just how is less, more?

• Less time is required to invoice customers because either the technician can leave an invoice with the customer or the invoice can be generated and mailed out from your office the same day. With mobile your back office VMS system is updated within minutes of the technician completing the ticket.  How long is it taking your company to invoice your customers with your current procedures?
• Technicians spend less time in the office because they do not have to come in to receive paper work tickets nor do they need to return to turn in completed work tickets. How much unproductive time do your techs spend behind a windshield just to receive and turn in paper work?
• Less time is spent with communications between technicians and dispatchers. With mobile the technicians have access to PM schedules, AR history and Service history. Ask your dispatchers  how much time they spend providing this type of information to techs on a daily basis.
• Another area that can reduce billing time is the simple fact that mobile data eliminates having to decipher technician’s handwriting. Have you ever held up invoicing a work ticket because you could not read someone’s handwriting?

Aside from the time savings mentioned above the mobile data product has also benefited from some new technology changes that makes the mobile solution more affordable and user friendly. Some of these changes are:

• You now have the option of using the VMS mobile data software with either a laptop or a Net book.  The laptop/Net book version provides your technicians with the ability to use a more normal size key board in addition to a larger screen which displays all the work ticket information in a larger screen format.
• VMS now hosts the communication server that relays information between your back office VMS software and your technicians.  This change has eliminated the communication issues experienced in earlier versions of mobile data.
• Another change that is making mobile more attractive is the fact that many cellular carriers are now providing great rates on unlimited data plans and very attractive rebates on Net Books.

The Bottom Line- VMS now has close to 200 technicians using mobile and the majority of those came online within the last 12 months.  The companies that implemented mobile recently recognized that they needed to become more efficient and increase their cash flow by reducing the time between performing work and invoicing.  They also know that in order to move further ahead of their competitors they need an edge and that edge is Mobile Data.

If your organization would like to explore Mobile Data in detail please contact your VMS account manager so that they can provide you with an ROI spreadsheet that can be altered to your exact requirements and arrange for a personal demonstration to discuss your specific situation.

A VMS webinar will not be scheduled this month due to the 7th Annual VMS User’s Conference, April 21st -24th 2010.

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