Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “drive between jobs and back to the shop”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

90 min
typically, every day
15%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Let the scheduling software plan the route and the job order

Route optimization in your field app (or Route4Me, OptimoRoute, Samsara) orders the day so techs criss-cross town less. Even 15 minutes a tech a day adds up.

Typically saves about 15% of the time45 min to set up
  1. 1Check if your field app has route optimization or map-based dispatch and switch it on.
  2. 2Make sure every job has a correct address and time window.
  3. 3Have the dispatcher optimize the next day's routes each afternoon.
  4. 4Group jobs by area on the same days where you can.

Tools: ServiceTitan, Jobber, Housecall Pro, FieldEdge, Workiz or simPRO · Route4Me, OptimoRoute or Samsara

Fix 2 of 2

Process fix

Keep a standard van stock list and restock every night

Most parts runs are for the same 30 or 40 common items. A set list per van, restocked from the shop, cuts the trips to the supply house.

Typically saves about 35% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Pull the last three months of parts used from your field app or invoices.
  2. 2Make a list of the parts used on more than a few jobs, with quantities per van.
  3. 3Track van stock in the field app if it supports it, so used parts drop off automatically.
  4. 4Restock vans from the shop at end of day or on a set morning.

Tools: ServiceTitan, Jobber, Housecall Pro, FieldEdge, Workiz or simPRO · Spreadsheet

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Field service technician

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Other common tasks for Field service technicians