Field Service IT News For VARs — January 14, 2014
In the news, predictions for field service IT in 2014 include companies leveraging analytics to increase efficiency and reduce costs and market demands for M2M, ruggedized devices, and cloud-based services. In addition, a study predicts the fleet management market will reach $30.45 billion by 2018.
Field Service In 2014: Data Analytics, M2M, Ruggedized Devices, Cloud
Business 2 Community offers 10 field service predictions for 2014. The first prediction is that the data from management solutions will provide information — like the top field service workers or the most profitable routes or schedules — that will help improve efficiency and boost profits providing ROI. Leveraging data is the theme of several predictions, with others related to the market’s demand for machine-to-machine communication (M2M), ruggedized devices, and cloud-based services.
Fleet Management Market Predicted To Top $30 Billion
The International News Magazine includes an article on the Markets and Markets study predicting the fleet management market will reach $30.45 billion by 2018. Technologies are listed among the market’s needs, such as GPS-based management solutions, fuel performance monitoring, and smart vehicles for intelligent transport systems.
GPS Technology ROI Includes Reduction In Idle Time
A Field Technologies Online article tells how Comcast uses GPS technology not only to locate vehicles for deployment, but also to reduce vehicle idle time. With a field technician force of more than 20,000, cutting idle time by nearly half means cost savings for Comcast of millions of dollars annually.
Field Service IT Talking Points
Michael Olszewski of Teletrac helps your customers through objections their drivers may have about GPS solutions in “Dispelling The Big Brother Myth.”
A ViryaNet white paper tackles the subject, “How Does Your Mobile Workforce Management Software Handle Conflict?” The paper points out that quality service can be at odds with minimizing costs and balancing work, and reminds you to work with your customers to adjust to their needs.