How To Effectively Manage A Mobile Workforce With Field Force Automation
The mobile workforce, more commonly referred to as the field workforce is the backbone as well as the face of many major industries including banks, insurance companies, consumer electronics corporations, and many more. A robust field force team allows companies to enhance sales, onboard customers and service their requests effectively.
However, leading a dispersed and on-the-move workforce comes with its own set of challenges, such as real-time tracking of activities, attendance management, daily work done, communication barriers, ensuring data occurrence, on-time work submission, etc. Managing this for a large field workforce can be a herculean task.
However, by employing advanced field force automation software such as Imprint, companies can put an end to the hassle of managing the mobile workforce. By deploying a tool like Imprint, any organization can collect real-time data on the whereabouts of their employees and other crucial information required to ensure effortless operation and high productivity.
In this guide, we’ll give you detailed insights on how an automated field force performance solution assists you in managing your mobile field workforce. Keep reading for more.
How Does An Automated Field Force Automation Tool Work?
Simply put, a field force management tool is software designed to help organizations streamline their mobile workforce operations. A field force automation software generally has a web-based dashboard to give you a bird’s eye view of all tasks, visits, expenses, client meetings, and leave plans for each field agent.
It also has a mobile application for field workers, allowing employers and employees to collaborate and communicate efficiently. It empowers the field agent with efficient beat planning, task management, a centralized knowledge base, and effective lead management.
Field service management software bridges the gap of miscommunication that most companies face due to the lack of a properly streamlined system. As per a report, American companies lose approximately 500 billion dollars every year due to miscommunication within their team.
The advanced technologies used in the field force automated solutions not only help the authorities track work progress but also keep employees productive and responsible. The employees are well aware they are being monitored thoroughly; hence, even for field employees, productivity and reliability do not take a back seat.
Features Of Field Force Automation That Helps Manage A Mobile Workforce Seamlessly
Field force automation is a dynamic tool that includes various features to make on-the-go employees as responsible as employees who work from the office. Mentioned below are some of its key aspects–
Real-time Location Tracking
Field force automation software lets you track the location of your employees in real time. Managers can now easily monitor the performance of field employees to ensure everything gets done on time. Besides, employees can quickly update managers about the minutes of meetings by uploading them on the Imprint App.
Comprehensive Dashboard
The comprehensive dashboard of Imprint allows the management team to get every little update they need regarding client visits, tasks scheduled, leave plans, expenses, and more. Moreover, you get detailed reports and analysis of region-wise prediction and planning of sales targets, expenses, and revenue.
Almost all industries with mobile employees, such as telecom, FMCGs, banks, building & construction, transport & supply chain, pharmaceutical companies, etc need these services in order to maintain a smooth workflow and enhance workforce efficiency to a great extent.
Expense & Reimbursement Management
A company with a mobile workforce has to deal with various expenses, and employee expense is one among them. However, almost all companies have faced issues with fake bill presentations, company resources being used for personal benefits, and the like. Similarly, employees also undergo the hassle of getting reimbursement, bill submissions, etc.
You can bid farewell to these complexities, as a field service management software like Imprint has expense and reimbursement management features that require only a few clicks to submit bills, review them, and get approval or denial notifications.
The expense management features let employees add dates, amounts, reimbursement types, and additional notes for clarity between both parties.
Attendance Management
One of the common issues of companies with a mobile workforce is misleading attendance. Without using a robust system like Imprint, it’s impossible to track the real-time attendance of employees. But Imprint provides an attendance management feature that enables authorities to track when employees clock in and out of work, when they take breaks, and whether they are adhering to schedules or not. Managers can easily track employees on a map to be doubly sure that they are sticking to their work schedules after logging in.
Based on such detailed data, companies can track the individual performance of their scattered field staff and take action to ensure high productivity and improved ROI of the team.
Additional Features To Aid In Smooth Operations
Besides the above-mentioned ones, Imprint provides lots of additional features such as analytics & reports, visit route planning, job scheduling & task assignment, digitization of paperwork, client and lead management, etc.
Such a comprehensive set of features cancels communication gaps, tracks employee progress in real-time, and enables companies to manage the mobile workforce more effectively, improve efficiency, and boost productivity.
What is field force automation, and how can it benefit my organization?
Field force automation is the use of software and technology to streamline and optimize the management of a mobile workforce. It benefits organizations by providing real-time tracking, improved communication, enhanced task management, and overall increased productivity among field employees. It helps organizations save time and resources while ensuring efficient operations.
Canfield force automation be customized to our specific industry or business needs?
Yes, most field force automation tools, like Imprint, are highly customizable to cater to the specific needs of different industries. They can be tailored to match your company’s workflow, reporting requirements, and data collection methods, making them a versatile solution for various businesses.
Is data security a concern when using field force automation tools for employee monitoring?
Data security is a crucial consideration. Reputable field force automation solutions employ robust security measures to protect sensitive information. This typically includes encryption, role-based access control, and regular security updates. It’s important to choose a trusted provider and take the necessary precautions to secure your data.
How does field force automation impact employee morale and privacy?
Field force automation can initially raise concerns about employee privacy and morale. However, when implemented transparently and with clear communication, it can actually boost employee confidence. Knowing that they are being monitored can motivate field workers to be more accountable and productive. Open communication about the purposes of monitoring can alleviate privacy concerns.
What are the cost considerations when implementing a field force automation system?
The cost of implementing field force automation can vary based on the provider and the features you require. Factors affecting cost include the size of your workforce, the level of customization needed, and ongoing maintenance and support. However, it’s important to remember that the investment in field force automation often results in significant cost savings by improving efficiency and reducing miscommunication and errors within your mobile workforce.
These FAQs and answers can help readers gain a better understanding of the benefits and practical aspects of field force automation in managing a mobile workforce.
Sign Up For Imprint Today To Automate the Mobile Workforce/ Field Force Management System!
Field force automation tools like Imprint are powerful tools to optimize the mobile workforce and get the maximum potential out of your on-the-go employees. Such a tool is the need of the hour to not only manage the remote workforce but also to gain a competitive edge in your industry. If you want to avail these benefits and streamline your field operations, it’s time to sign up for a robust Sales Force Automation software like Imprint.
To learn more about Imprint and how it can benefit your business, schedule a demo or call us now!