Utilities Tech Outlook Weekly Brief
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Utility companies today are realizing the value of technological capabilities in field service workforce management.
FREMONT, CA: The most valuable asset in today’s increasingly service-oriented business is infrastructure and providing the services and workforce to deliver it. Maximizing the capabilities of the field service workforce with adequate use of infrastructure should be at the heart of business operations. Utility companies, as other service-oriented industries, find reviewing and adjusting workflows to run the business efficiently, and firms are relying on workforce management solutions. Workforce management started with the aim of attaining efficiency and reducing costs have now opened doors for various innovations. Here is a list of a few key themes emerging in field service workforce management.
Emergency Response Systems
In the face of emergencies, the responsibility of restoring normalcy falls on the shoulders of in-field technicians in the utility sector. Their quick response is essential to ensure that bare minimum normalcy is restored as quickly as possible. Hence, it is imperative that the workforce management systems of utilities be optimized to handle all kinds of emergency responses. Keeping a workforce pool of emergency response workers is one measure utilities can employ to handle the flood of job requests in the event of a natural disaster.
Predictive Maintenance
Being a field worker in the utility sector is a high-pressure job, as there is overwork. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the workforce is more proactive than reactive. If challenging workforce management issues are identified before they create pressing issues, it can save a lot of cost and effort for both the organization and customers. To be proactive, many utility companies today are employing predictive maintenance and are improving efficiency, thereby delivering better service to customers.
Cloud-Based Systems
The importance of cloud-based systems is a trend that is being seen consistently in utility field service. Cloud-based storage of field equipment and other assets may be the ideal solution for utilities to manage field service operations better. Commercial cloud-based services will also enable utilities to solve many problems related to their daily affairs in a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective manner.
Digitalizing Filed Technicians
Over the years, utility field service professionals and customers have grown to appreciate the advantages of digital technologies. Field technicians outfitted with smartphones and other smart devices like wearables are better armed to deal with their client’s issues, and this leads to lesser costs for clients and utility companies.
See also: Top Workforce Management Solution Companies
