In this article for Field Service News, Laura Danaraj, Marketing and Content Specialist at Worldwide Business Research, discusses the top components in field service management to watch for in the coming years.

Field Service Management has been transforming over the years, becoming more dynamic, customer-centric and technologically advanced. Every customer is expecting a top-notch service – quick and correct response, available at any various contact points and convenience. As we already know, modern digital capabilities are evolving to eliminate the barriers to innovation in field service management in Asia.

At Field Service Asia, I managed to speak with Rajiv Niles, ex-Senior Director from ServiceMax to understand his expert opinion regarding top components in field service management to watch out for in coming years.

1. Visibility

With each customer having its own unique experience, we cannot expect technicians to have a memory capable of recalling every service problem a customer has had. Information is an important tool as any found in a toolbox – this is where a visibility comes into play knowing that information you need is within reach, readily available and accessible.

With the right information, technician is able to support the customer to the best of his ability – being able to share or get information that is critical to the customer such as orders at hand without wasting time or making additional calls.

“A happy and engaged technician will translate to a better customer satisfaction, that’s an area we see as key", said Rajiv.

2. Predictive Analysis

Rajiv stated, “If you look at the whole IOT continuum, the ability to provide real time information on operating equipment back to the services organization is a key part of being able to provide diagnostic information on a piece of equipment that is operating. Also, if you take real time information from a piece of equipment operating in the field, you could provide predictive maintenance capability which really ensure that you keep that asset running continuously over a long period of time.”

The goal here is to keep the operational efficiency of the machinery to a minimum downtime. The approach on predictive maintenance promises cost savings over routine or time-based preventive maintenance, because tasks will be performed only when necessary. Technicians carrying out the maintenance are likely to get things right on the first attempt as they already have the predictive analysis with a good idea of what the problem is, how to resolve it, and even up to date stock inventory management. 

Rather than discovering that service or part isn’t what the prospect is looking for or interested in after time, energy and resources have been invested. The analytics can help sales team target what the prospects are most likely to buy from the get-go allowing room to upsell on services or products.

3. Mobile Experience

According to Rajiv, “In addition to providing technicians with all the information they need to complete work, we need to provide them all the enablement on that mobile device to run manuals and documentation for them to finish their job, also the ability to provide frictionless collaboration tools really enables that technician to go a lot further. The ability for them to talk to their peers to get advice, whether it is through a chat, a text-based or video-based format, will really provide a great deal of enhancement for them to work.”

The ability to synchronize with all the necessary contact points and resources on one device is seamless. Productivity is bound to increase when technicians are able to accept jobs in the same proximity with a GPS tracker to navigate, take pictures, manage notes and payments and capture signatures. Mobility is continuing to evolve from a one-dimension application to a collaborative one.

4. Self-Service Tools

Rajiv also added, “Customers can do a lot of their own self-service like troubleshooting and we see AI playing a big part in this. First, you have a learning engine that looks at all the diagnostic information around the problems and resolutions, then building a database of that information, and providing that information to the customer so they can do basic troubleshooting activity, enabling them to solve their own problem. That also prevents the service organization from rolling out expensive truck rolls and technicians for doing very short, simple jobs which then the customer is able to do”

With knowledge, customers will be able to solve the problem quicker than waiting for help to arrive. In addition, given today’s savvy and self-reliant customers, they will have more control over the situation. In turn, inbound service requests will be reduced and customer service agents can spend their time answering tougher questions.

It is important to revolutionize equipment uptime, workforce engagement as well as customer experience in Field Service Management. We have seen a whole lot of improvement and transformation through technology over the years. To cope with the demands of the modern customer, one should take advantage of these trends and start integrating them into existing workflows.

If you wish to find out more about the upcoming trends, Field Service Asia is the event you would not want to miss in 2021. For more information visit fieldserviceasia.wbresearch.com

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Further Reading:

• Read more about Leadership and Strategy @ www.fieldservicenews.com/leadership-and-strategy
• Find out more about WBR @ www.wbresearch.com
• Learn more about Field Service Asia @ fieldserviceasia.wbresearch.com
• Connect with Laura Danaraj on LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/laura-danaraj
• Follow WBR on Twitter @ twitter.com/WBResearch

WBR's Laura Anne Danaraj speaks to Margerat Dizon from Globe Telecom about balancing customer demands with efficient operations.

Communication through technology has become an integral part of everyone’s life. Today, we as consumers rely on a combination of mobile phones, broadband, and wireless data to stay connected with people, look up information or for entertainment. Think of a time where you are not using your phone, computer, or dependent upon the internet… Not easy is it?

Exceptional Customer Service

Just like how easy it is to connect online with a press of a button, the telecommunication industry understands there is phenomenal value in using technology to provide exceptional customer service and to transform practices in keeping their customers happy.

I had a casual chat with our Field Service & B2B CX Asia speaker, Margaret Dizon, VP of Customer Field Services, Broadband Business at Globe Telecom, a major telecommunications provider in the Philippines. She shared her experience and knowledge in managing their field service operations.

According to Marge, “Field servicing is not just exclusive to our field service agents. It is also empowering our customers to be part of the field servicing loop all together”.

Hence, Globe Telecom is trying to get the right formula for its balancing act in managing the demands of its customers while making sure operations are efficient.

“We try a personalized approach, making sure that we are physically present vis-à-vis leveraging remote tools, remote management and remote troubleshooting. As we are currently geographically dispersed, we want to ensure we have the right capacity and the right skills set in the field so we can deliver on time and of high quality, with no repetition.”

It seems then that the key to winning customer service drills down to technology and coordination – leaving customers feeling directly catered to while optimizing digital tools. Therefore, building a strategic approach to integrate digital technologies into field service management gives a business really an edge.

With several Telcos in the market for customers to choose from, and companies competing to gain market share, does cost eventually act as a barrier to provide good customer experience?

 

"Apart from CX, in a digital first world, Telcos need to ensure customers have a good omnichannel experience to survive and thrive..."

 

 “Our cost enhances the type of approach in delivering field service to our customers. So rather than seeing it as a barrier, I take it as a way to identify and deliver the best approach based on the customer persona we are dealing with.”

Given that, some customers might need a specific type or a premium brand to provide them personalized service.

“The fact is if they feel the sincerity from us, they would see the value of the service. It does not matter whether you have the basic or premium subscription with us; we always provide the right outcome. And with that, I would say it’s not really dependent on the cost,” affirmed by Marge.

A study by PwC, titled ‘Experience is Everything: Here’s How To Get It Right stated that 42% of consumers said they would pay more for a friendly, welcoming experience, and 52% would pay more for a speedy and efficient customer experience. Customer experience has become the number one aspect for businesses to focus on, overtaking price and product as the key brand differentiator.

Apart from CX, in a digital first world, Telcos need to ensure customers have a good omnichannel experience to survive and thrive in such a volatile and complex ecosystem. How does Globe Telecom achieve this?

“We plot a map of a customer journey, where all the teams are engaged and all the channels that deliver customer experience are aligned. Once we have that map in place, we make sure we follow the guidelines whether it is the type of words that we use, the timing, the approach, the type of feeling that we evoke and the manner of how we deliver their expected service. We are all aligned to the kind of journey we are supposed to deliver to them (our customers).”

It comes down to the planning and execution as shared by Ms. Dizon. As Telco’s transform from a traditional communication service provider to a digital service provider, they have to develop the ability to orchestrate customer experience that supports them at every touchpoint in order to achieve their desired outcome.   

To end our casual chat, Marge shared that attending Field Service Asia gives her the chance to gather together with fellow Field Service leaders to share their experiences, challenges and best practices. Instead of just looking out for information on the internet, she gets to secure real life applicable case studies through this summit.

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Futher Reading: 

• Read more about the Field Service and B2B CX Asia event @ https://fieldserviceasia.wbresearch.com
• Read more articles by Laura Anne Danaraj @ https://www.fieldservicenews.com/lAURADANARAJ
• Read the PwC study, Experience is Everything: Here's How to Get it Right @ https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/future-of-customer-experience.html
• Read more about customer experience in service @ https://www.fieldservicenews.com/CUSTOMER+EXPERIENCE
• Read more about Globe Telecom @ https://www.globe.com.ph/

In a turbulent automotive market Japanese manufacturing giant Nissan have had to take the hard path to find success writes Laura Anne Danaraj...

The automotive industry has been going through a state of disruption in recent years challenged by consumer-centric approaches, driving transformational changes and adopting new technologies.

With so many options available in the market, automakers need to stand out amidst economic, environmental, and emotional preferences. But how? At Field Service Asia, organized by WBR Singapore, we had the privilege to interview Jamie Morais, Head of Aftersales Dealer Operations, APAC, Nissan to learn more.

Full Cycle Service Management Across OEM, Dealer and Customer

Well, apart from doing what they do best - designing and manufacturing cars, automakers have realized the importance of giving a full spectrum of services to build brand loyalty. In the case of Nissan, the Japanese automaker is working hand-in-hand with an authorized network of dealers from different countries as their partners, seeing them as an integral part of their ecosystem.

“They (dealers) are the ones who take care of the cars for the customer," Morais explained. "Therefore, what we do from our side is to come up with policies and strategies that focus on enhancing customer experience and customer’s journey. We then work with the dealers to ensure that the kind of service delivered to the customer is accomplished.”

As such, when automakers and dealers form a collaborative partnership, customer retention improves, brand loyalty is achieved and customer engagement process is standardized. This in turn influences the overall market share gained.

However, some relationships have often been fraught with friction, as automakers appear to be occupying the passenger seat, with dealers engaging with the customers directly. How then does Nissan manage expectations and delight customers in this situation?

“Well, it’s only a challenge if you don’t put yourself in your customer’s shoes." Morais continued, "If you do put yourself in your customer’s shoes, thinking from a customer’s point of view, it becomes a delight. If you can achieve or exceed you customer’s expectation, you are already building loyalty. Our focus now is customer retention, in order to build what we call a ‘family’ of Nissan owners.”

"To minimize disruption, predictive maintenance can be performed while equipment is operating..."

Since dealers manage customer relationships, they are in the best position to build trust and personalize experience, thus, seen as enabler rather than a hindrance, a partner rather than a competitor. For Nissan, getting the buy-in of the dealers to deploy their strategies is a priority. When both manufacturer and dealer have the same goal, training and development is next to ensure that what the frontliner is saying and acting are according to the designed strategy.

And one of the strategies include embracing technology to satisfy customers, which as we all know influences the customer’s perception of the brand, and decision to buy. What kind of projects involving technology did Nissan have in place for their customers then?

“We are working on this project for ‘last mile, first mile’." Morais responded. "After you buy a car, you would then need servicing. The question is when. So instead of waiting for the customer to call you for servicing, why not call the customer instead. You are predicting when the car is going to need servicing. And, this requires technology. For us (Nissan) to be able to communicate with the car – like an indication when it needs servicing, the car should inform us of its problem first.”

To minimize disruption, predictive maintenance can be performed while equipment is operating. The transition from a reactive to a predictive mindset enables automakers to respond to the warning indication the moment it is received. Going the extra mile to provide high quality aftersales, enables manufacturers to reinforce their ties with their customers through a satisfying experience.

"Automakers should adapt to their customer’s preferred communication channel..."

Nissan is also going digital when it comes to customer interaction. With the prevalence and ease of mobile phones and tablets, Morais believes customers are after non-verbal communication these days. Looking at how customers currently interact with them, service appointment and engagement process are done without opening their mouth, but all in the palm of their hand. And with this, automakers should adapt to their customer’s preferred communication channel to make information readily available through these commonly used platforms.

“When they come in for a service, actually coming in and bringing the car to us, we try to make the process more convenient, making sure that the time that they come in to the time they go out is the shortest possible, with least disruption to their regular routine,” he said.

Convenience is key in fueling high quality aftersales; and should be infused into every single customer experience. Automotive industry is no exception when it comes to dealing with the ramifications of customer’s expectations. These expectations have a profound effect on brand loyalty, and are crucial in firming up purchasing decisions. No longer separated by dealers, automakers have to collaborate with them in bringing the brand closer to their customers. 

Finishing, Morais shared the benefits of attending Field Service Asia, how it gives him the chance to not only discover the latest technology in the market at present, especially when it comes to aftersales service, but also engage with like-minded people.

 

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If you want to learn more about digital transformation in your business or on how to engage with your customers, then make sure you attend Field Service & B2B CX Asia . 

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Further Reading:

• Read more about digital transformation in field service @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital_transformation
• Read more about Customer Satisfaction @ www.fieldservicenews.com/Customer_Satisfaction
• Read more articles from Laura @ www.fieldservicenews.com/blog/author/laura-danaraj
• Find out more about Field Service Asia @ fieldserviceasia.wbresearch.com
• Follow Laura and the Field Service Asia TeaM on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/fieldserviceap