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T he schedule is produced, the field operative is en route to their first order - and quickly joins stop-start traffic. The result: They will arrive too late for the appointment, the customer must be informed, and the plan is quickly adjusted to bring the following orders forward. In the first instance, what appears efficient has created a costly expense and a loss in service quality.

The field service sector continues to navigate economic pressures whilst tasked with improving key performance indicators (KPIs). Across both B2B and B2C service, 'Time to complete order' tells the story of effective resource and workforce management. Enhancing this KPI generally involves pursuing two approaches: Either expanding capacity to handle more work or accomplishing the same tasks with fewer resources. Achieving this requires precision, adaptability, and a comprehensive understanding of the costs and capabilities of field service operatives and equipment.

Planners need digital tools that automate accuracy and provide transparency into costs from the moment a service request is initiated. A dynamic field service planning tool takes into account various factors such as skills (for instance, operatives certified to work at heights), proximity to job sites, and job priority/SLAs when formulating schedules. Its primary objective is to minimise downtime and maximise productivity.

The transition to real-time management adds significant value by enabling immediate responses to spontaneous and unforeseeable situations. Teams can rely on the swift generation of efficient schedules within seconds, recognising that outdated practices like nightly batch runs and manual rescheduling are no longer viable options.

HOW TO IMPROVE 'TIME TO COMPLETE ORDER' WITH TRAVEL TIME

A planning team that schedules appointments without considering realistic time-of-day dependent travel speeds is sacrificing crucial accuracy and missing a significant opportunity for enhanced 'time to complete' outcomes. The conventional route planning from point A to B neglects the ripple effects that a new service request can have on the entire schedule.

Optimised routing, calculated for all operatives and appointments, becomes essential amidst congested roads and fluctuating fuel costs. FLS VISITOUR optimises schedules by incorporating precise time-of-day travel speed profiles, seamlessly integrating into job management planning to benefit all stakeholders, including field operatives and customers. This system empowers users to predict travel times accurately and make well-informed decisions.

In contrast to traditional methods relying on road size or static legal speed limits, speed profiles adopt a more nuanced and dynamic approach. Manual route planning often overlooks various obstacles impacting operatives' travel times, such as rush hour congestion, traffic lights, roundabouts, steep slopes, and speed bumps, reflecting realistic driving patterns.

Embedded time-of-day route planning offers substantial cost savings. FLS VISITOUR consistently calculates the fastest route, prioritising efficiency over the shortest distance. This approach eliminates the risks associated with scheduling unnecessary 'white space' into operatives' diaries, minimising idle time, reducing overtime hours, and contributing to an improved work/life balance – all while decreasing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.