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S erviceMax is one of the major providers of solutions for field service management. But it is worth taking a closer look to see whether the software really meets your requirements. Especially with critical embedded route planning and route optimisation, there is a suitable alternative to ServiceMax.

The software market for Field Service Management can be large and confusing, with numerous competitors and increasingly specialist solutions. ServiceMax is one of the major providers and has grown rapidly since its foundation in 2009.

IS NOW THE TIME TO CONSIDER A SERVICEMAX ALTERNATIVE?

In January 2023 global technology solutions provider PTC acquired ServiceMax. What consequences this will have for the company and its FSM products are unknown. But it can be assumed that the ServiceMax solutions will be more strongly integrated into the PTC architecture in the future. To what extent this could affect the independent use of ServiceMax also remains to be seen.

Read more: Salesforce absorbs ClickSoftware - what now?

THE 'ORIGINAL' ALTERNATIVES TO SERVICEMAX

If you search for "alternatives to ServiceMax", you often get competitors of the same size: Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce or SAP, to name but a few. They all offer a field service solution. However, this is rarely at the centre of their broad portfolio.

It may therefore be that you can only acquire the functionalities for your field service in combination with other modules from the provider. An advantage if you need other functions in addition to an FSM system (for example a CRM), a disadvantage if your project is limited and you are really only looking for a powerful, specialised FSM algorithm software solution.

Read more: Putting FLS VISITOUR to the test: How to determine authentic field service optimisation

FIELD SERVICE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPER

All in all, like FLS - FAST LEAN SMART, ServiceMax offers a product range that is used worldwide. But as a company, FLS is based around an algorithm 30 years in the making. You don't have to look far to find a solution for field service management that handles complex, dynamic cost-optimised calculations with outcomes unique to your organisation. This is magnified with questions of data porting, where your cloud and failover are based, plus access to live features such as traffic and weather data.

A software provider that has matured longer than any US player is no less innovative. This equates to a corresponding product depth and many years of knowledge and experience in your industry and your market.

Read more: FLS is Microsoft's partner for Dynamics 365 and extends beyond the limitations of Microsoft Resource Scheduling Optimization (RSO).

HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT FIELD SERVICE SOLUTION

In the first step, consider exactly which functions your field service solution should fulfil. Once you have made a preliminary selection of potential providers, the second step is to check to what extent the provider fits your needs, and discuss ideas that might not have been on your radar.

Here are some key questions to ask when selecting field service management software:

1. Functions:

• Do you need an asset-centred solution (focus on the systems and machines in your care) or a resource-centred one (focus on the scheduling of your orders, employees and vehicles)?
• Is your order processing steady/static and easy to plan or dynamic, with many (short-term) changes?
• Is it perhaps even so dynamic that you need ongoing adaptation in real time?

2. Provider:

• Does the software provider only deliver a standard package or do they work with you to develop a precise profile of requirements and the configuration of the software that fits your goals?
• Does it offer intensive support during the project phase and does it also provide good support after the implementation has been completed?
• Do they know your industry and comparable companies?