5 Ways IoT is Transforming the Field Service Industry

The phrase "Internet of Things" (IoT) has gained popularity during the past ten years. Any physical object that is linked to the internet is referred to as IoT. Although it may be applied to smart devices, the IoT rabbit hole extends far further than these simpler examples.

IoT devices have significantly changed business as usual, and for the better. The field service industry depends on keeping an eye out for damage or performance problems in complex systems and responding promptly to fix them.

IoT will disrupt business operations in several ways in the future, according to Worldwide Business Research (WBR), which has been keeping an eye on the technology's rise and incorporation into the field service sector.

What Are the Benefits of IoT in Field Services?

• IoT for Convenience

  The driving factor behind linked field service management via IoT is automation, which improves operations' agility, responsiveness, accuracy, and speed. IoT and field service management software work together to increase efficiency in all areas of service delivery.

• Increasing Productivity

  Because IoT devices can diagnose their issues, professionals won't need to do as many first inspections. With a more precise initial diagnosis, technicians may approach repairs more methodically and finish more projects.

• Proactive Maintenance

  Since the field service management sector is built on a culture of responsiveness, technicians frequently fix issues as soon as they arise. This is evolving as a result of using IoT infrastructure. Hardware with sensors can track progress and notify maintenance managers of any issues before they result in collapses.

• Improving the Customer Experience

  On average, only 77% of issues with field service management are resolved the first time. Companies can address problems sooner by performing more precise diagnostics. IoT spares clients the expense of prospective asset replacement and avoids any business disruptions.

• Increasing Revenue

  Client satisfaction is more likely to increase when field service management efficiency increases. The outcome for your company is a higher possibility of contract renewal and recommendations to new customers. The expenditure on IoT technology also lowers overall expenses. With a decrease in scheduling delays for maintenance and an increase in the execution of preventative work.

Ways IoT is Converting the Field Service Industry

• From reactive to proactive repairs

  The field service sector now operates primarily on a break-fix strategy. This means that when a problem arises, the customer suffers inconvenience as a result of a malfunctioning system, such as the air conditioning, and a technician is only summoned to fix it after the catastrophe has already occurred.

But as more and more infrastructure is equipped with IoT-enabled sensors, field service workers will be able to regularly get information from the systems they're monitoring, enabling them to respond to new problems before they affect operations. This leads to pleased customers as well as simpler solutions rather than extensive repairs.

• Transforming the role of the technician

  Before the Internet of Things, if a customer reported a problem, a technician had to be sent to determine the cause of the issue before any repairs could be made. However, this component of the technicians' responsibility has been significantly diminished as more and more gadgets transmit their status to digital networks on their own. Instead of trying to figure out undiscovered issues, technicians may now approach repairs in a methodical manner, which drastically cuts down on the time needed for each repair. Although this strategy necessitates a different skill set than many of the current technicians, it will also lead to the creation of new jobs.

• Creating new ways to increase revenue

  Increased income on all sides of the contract is a direct benefit of an IoT-enabled infrastructure reporting to field service people. Not just in taking advantage of the opportunities given by new and rising sectors, such as the upkeep of wind farms located offshore, but also in how business is conducted with current clients.

Customers will typically be happier with the service since there will be less downtime for their businesses and less disruption to their income stream thanks to the ability to anticipate future problems and take action before they become serious difficulties. Happy customers will be more likely to refer field service firms to other companies, increasing the likelihood that they will be retained and bringing in additional revenue for the sector.

The field service industry's expenses will be reduced as a result of the optimisation of diagnostic procedures, which will result in technicians spending less time on each task. As a result, a larger number of callouts may be completed each day, making the business model more effective.

• Enabling real-time remote diagnostics

  One of the key aspects of the sector is the capability of field service professionals to remotely monitor and troubleshoot the sophisticated systems and technologies for which they are accountable. Metrics that would typically need to be assessed manually and separately may now be submitted automatically and simultaneously to a diagnostic centre for evaluation thanks to the growing IoT connection.

IoT also allows for the remote diagnosis and repair of software errors, possibly eliminating the need to send out a professional. The potential for remote diagnosis and repair is even greater given that 68% of field service industry professionals believe wearable technology will play a significant role in the future and 53% believe the same about the complete deployment of IoT technology.

For the field service sector, being able to identify problems and maybe fix them via a wristwatch or other comparable gadget would be a genuine paradigm shift.

• Creating a new level of product integration

  IoT technology gives linked devices the ability to talk with one another in addition to reporting to a central hub.

Physical boundaries between system parts can be removed, allowing individual items to communicate with and account for one another, improving the performance of the system as a whole. This ground-breaking integration will enable field service professionals to build a bird's-eye view of the full network of linked devices and systems, enabling thorough analysis and network optimisation.

FAQs

• How does IoT transform industries?

  IoT allows for the seamless integration of digital and physical systems, enabling the automation of a wide range of processes and the optimisation of operations. This can include things like monitoring and controlling energy usage, tracking the location and condition of assets, and automating supply chain logistics.

• What are the four main components of an IoT system?

  Each application and example of IoT highlights four different integrations of elements: sensors and devices, Connectivity, Data Processing, and the user interface.

• What is IoT in field service?

  IoT is a term used to describe the expanding network of electronic devices that connect to the internet. Mechanical and digital smart devices transfer data between each other and the external environment without the need for human contact. IoT technology also enables connected devices to report to a central hub.

• How is IoT useful for industries?

  Manufacturers use IoT by installing sensors on their machines to monitor their performance. These sensors can gather data on temperature, vibration, and power usage, which can optimise production processes and identify potential problems before they become major issues.