Is FSM Going to rip off ERP from the Organizations?
Enterprise resource planning is the integrated management of main business processes. Moreover, the ERP system is an integrated platform in which all the activities are done.
The activities comprise sales, production, distribution, accounting, human resource, corporate performance, and CRM. Hence, the software is a toolkit used to collect, store, manage, and interpret data.
ERP is an indispensable part of the organization’s operational strategy formation. Moreover, revenue-building models are made whilst taking these ERP into consideration. Hence, exploitation of it increases the agility and efficiency of the organization.
Do we have to replace ERP with a field service management system?
Before delving into the question of what we should or what should not be, let us understand three things.
1) ERP is a long-term investment that we cannot revise or alter in one day. Moreover, being a long-term investment, it has a cost as well as a long, tedious process. Hence, it might hamper the growth of the organization.
2) Changing into the new processes and structures requires a regular training session. Regular sessions burden the organization with the new costs. Moreover, whether employees are ready to accept the new processes is also a cause to worry.
3) Businesses can exploit the capabilities of integration by integrating themselves.
4) Plethora of companies, through clever tactics, tries to recode their existing functionality. Hence, SAP and Oracle are the tools in the line whose course correction is done quite often.
5) Everything has limitations; in the same way, no ERP software can do everything. Hence, it is indispensable to note that your ERP software is able to integrate itself.
The surge in Field service management
Field service management is a system for coordinating field operations. The after-sale services include a plethora of services, including scheduling services, tracking vehicles. Moreover, dispatching agents and how much stock needs to be replenished.
Field service management demand is on surge due to the nonavailability of such types in the ERP. Moreover, saas and cloud computing are in huge demand in these spectrums.
An IDC study has found that only 9% of North American manufacturers will get increased revenue by sale. Hence, shifting from increased product sales to after-sale services is the need of an hour.
The hottest debate on the integration capabilities of the software with ERP is on the surge. Many companies, with time, have changed their functionality in integration capabilities. one such example is IFS global which has changed its functionality for good. The company is able to integrate it with Microsoft and SAP, ERP software.
You must be wondering what exactly is the difference between the ERP portal and the FSM. The parameters and features that FSM software gives over ERP will be written in a while.
The appropriate time for the company to replace the ERP portal
What is the appropriate time for the company to change its software has to be answered by the company over time.
ERP of the company serves as the backbone of the company. If the bottom-line employees and the management faces issues amidst its usage, the time is right. Perhaps, the strongest reason for staying with the incumbent software costs. But, what if the functioning is happening to the growth, efficiency, and agility of the organization? Hence, this manifests the change in integration capabilities to its zenith.
However, the company, without further procrastination, should change its mentality regarding the changes in the functionality for the company’s competitive advantage. Hence, the change/alteration will help the company in its future endeavors.
Some of the reasons for the change in the software broadly are:
Lack of integration and functionality is hurting business growth or agility.
Longer response times and lack of transparency in accessing information
Unreliable hardware and limited or expensive support for outdated hardware/software.
What FSM provides, which ERP doesn’t.
1)Efficiency:
FSM software sends the task of each and every employee on mobile devices. Moreover, the tasks are tracked on mobile devices instead. One good example is tracking trucks through mobile handsets that where it is and which product is in which truck. Hence, such type of coordination emphasizes efficiency.
2)Accuracy
consolidating each and every task in one platform ensures data precision and accuracy. one such example is tracking of inventory in the supply chain management is done accurately through FSM models.
3) Resource optimization
The assignment and routing of field personnel are optimized with FSM software, which is important because this can directly affect profitability. “Dispatch optimization allows crews to do as many jobs in a day as possible. It minimizes drive time, increases productivity, and reduces emissions and fuel charges.
4) coordination
Coordination and management of field service life cycle, including the equipment, work orders, labor, service parts, warranties, returns, contracts, and projects.
5) Automation
FSM software automates in a very streamlined fashion those activities that occur outside the four walls. Robust planning and scheduling capabilities to providing the ability to adapt to changes throughout the day avoid the frustration and cost of wasted time and inefficient activities.
6) oversight.
When GPS tracking is enabled, oversight of field workers is improved. GPS provides validation of their precise geographic location, distance from the job site, and the actual time of arrival. It can also alert when the worker travels outside of a prescribed area.
Hence, these are some of the superior values on businesses provided by the FSM software.
Is FSM software really ripping off the ERP system?
No, not really; it is facilitating the ERP system with more integrative capabilities. Hence, ERP is no doubt a fascinating software for businesses. But, some of the features are non-available and are provided by the FSM software for more growth. Efficiency and agility are provided by the same to the companies.
Have you changed your business process/structure?
Not now, change it with the implementation of knowledge by this article. Till then, enjoy reading.
