In our commitment to you, we have made the following investments to ensure business continuity:

• All hands are on deck to make Service Fusion stronger and more reliable.
• We’re improving our regular, scheduled release planning and processes to minimize impacts as we continue to enhance our tools.
• Your success is our success- so we’re reinforcing the foundation of Service Fusion so we can support growing networks of happy partners.

We are recommitting ourselves to continuously improving and strengthening the foundation of our platform to continue to innovate and provide you with the most powerful all-in-one field service management software to supercharge your business.

Learn More

Not a Service Fusion user? Schedule your free demo to see how our field service CRM can simplify your daily operations and boost productivity.

The post Better, Faster, Stronger. Service Fusion appeared first on Service Fusion.

So how do you ensure that payments and taxes are reported accurately? You give major guidelines a facelift.

One of the biggest shifts has been for 1099-K reporting. We’ll walk you through what’s changed and why. Plus, learn how Service Fusion helps you keep your transactions straight for easier reporting later.

American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act implemented several measures in an effort to help people and the economy in the face of COVID-19. That’s why we’ve seen things like direct stimulus payments, extended unemployment, business relief, pandemic response, and more. But among those changes was also a shift in tax reporting for 1099 workers and vendors.

Maximize your efficiency with field service management software that does laps around the competition.

Understanding the 1099-K

Between the 1040, W-2, and W4, it’s hard enough to keep up with tax forms! Then you have to add in the 1099-K, which covers solopreneurs and vendors.

The IRS requires payment card companies (e.g., Visa and Mastercard) and payment networks (e.g., PayPal and Venmo) to report transactions on behalf of a retailer. Each of these companies gives the IRS (and the retailer) a 1099-K form that details all their transactions with a retailer for tax use.

But again, with the American Rescue Plan Act in play, times they are a-changin’. We have the details on the “then and now” when it comes to the 1099.

The Old School 1099-K Processes

The guidelines for issuing 1099-Ks looked a little different through the close of 2021. Until then, a 1099-K form was required for yearly transactions exceeding $20,000 via PayPal, Venmo, and others.

This form is required under specific conditions, including:

• From card transactions (e.g., debit or credit cards)
• From third-party payment networks (e.g., PayPal) transactions if they processed more than $20,000 and more than 200 individual payments

Of course, $20,000 might seem like a lot. But with how folks have shifted their buying and how business has changed, it adds up fast.

Maximize your efficiency with field service management software that does laps around the competition.

The New School 1099-K Policy

But forget what we just told you, because we’re starting with a clean slate in 2022 and beyond. Businesses and payment vendors are now required to file 1099-K at a significantly lower threshold.

Under the updated guidelines, a 1099-K is required if:

• The card or payment network processed $600+ in transactions for the year, regardless of the total number of transactions

Going from $20,000 to $600 is a substantial dip, but it’s meant to course-correct tax reporting problems that existed at the higher threshold. The gig economy has blown up since the start of the pandemic, so taxes got way trickier. Plenty of gig workers earned less than $20,000 a year, so they didn’t receive a 1099-K form and were misreporting their income. With a much lower threshold, people in this boat should be able to more accurately file taxes.

FusionPay Makes Payments and Taxes Easier

FusionPay by Service Fusion manages credit, debit, and ACH payments all in one platform. You get the convenience (and avoid any confusion) with a single merchant account for transactions, plus it’s simple to review payment history, including status, sale type, payment method, and more.

It works just as easily as big-box payment processors like PayPal and Venmo, but FusionPay is built with field service in mind. Accept mobile payments for services anytime, anywhere without worrying about tagging things as business payments instead of personal payments.

Plus, FusionPay is equally easy for both your customers and your business. It will help simplify operations, accelerate cash flow and deliver a safe, convenient payment experience for your customers. The best part? FusionPay tracks everything for you, so you keep your books cleaner—making revenue clearer.

Keep Your Payments Organized with FusionPay and Service Fusion

The last few years have rocked our way of life, so aside from wearing masks and using more hand sanitizer, long standing processes like 1099-K reporting had to change. The shift from a $20,000 down to a $600 threshold will hopefully help many workers and service businesses, but it’s bound to be confusing for a while.

How will the new tax reporting requirements affect you in 2022? FusionPay can help your business stay organized. Get prepared and get on the right track with Service Fusion. Request your demo today.

The post How to Navigate 1099-K Tax Changes for Payments via Venmo, PayPal, and More appeared first on Service Fusion.

Foster trust and satisfaction and attract the right customers by streamlining their experience. From displaying up-front pricing online to incorporating digital technology tools, HVAC service providers have the power to provide their best to prospects and customers. Let’s dive into why pricing transparency matters and how technology improves your operations and customer experience.

Why Pricing Information Matters

E-commerce grew during the pandemic. Like, A LOT. You might think, “OK, but how does that affect HVAC services?” Customers still need in-home help, but now they’re going about it in different ways.

Gone are the days of customers inviting multiple contractors to their homes to present bids—many just don’t want to risk the spread of germs. Instead, they shop how they want, when they want, which includes comparing prices online. If you fail to provide pricing, you may lose out on sales from customers who need swift solutions.

But this helps you, too! Because customers are shopping for HVAC service providers online, you no longer need to make technicians available for on-site estimates and quotes—a definite perk in a time of labor shortages.

Why Contractors Don’t Usually Disclose Prices (and Why They Should)

Many contractors are still gun-shy about exposing their pricing information on their websites, fearing it might do more harm than good. But the benefits generally outweigh any perceived risks.

Why They Don’t: Averages Over True Cost

HVAC service providers that already provide some pricing insights often do so at a very high level. Instead of concrete costs, many opt to showcase “average” prices for services like HVAC system installation.

The reason the available information is so vague is twofold: HVAC contractors sell more than equipment—so there are hidden variable costs—and each job is unique to the customer’s house.

Why They Should: Trust

Have you ever bought event tickets at a “steal” of a price, only to reach checkout and find service fees, processing fees, or similar? It’s misleading and even a little annoying. HVAC customers feel the same way, and they don’t want to be blindsided by upticks in price or extra charges.

When you include pricing information online, that transparency earns trust because customers know exactly what to expect. Plus it saves prospects time so they don’t dig around your website just to find out that the price isn’t right.

Why They Don’t: Cost Competition

Customers often have their pick of several HVAC service providers, so contractors aren’t keen to compete on price. The concern is that if they say they’ll do a job for price X, a competitor will offer a lower price—whether customers research better rates or the competitor has done their homework on you.

Why They Should: Better Leads

“If they don’t get you, they don’t deserve you.” Your prices may or may not be ideal for prospects, but it’s OK—good, even—to focus on the leads that get you. Up-front pricing filters out homeowners who aren’t a fit for your business.

You attract more qualified leads when you give prospects information up front and they still decide to move forward. In some cases, prospects may initially feel like they can’t afford you, but because of your reputation, they really want to work with you. Disclosing prices tells them if hiring you is doable either now or in the future.

Field service management software is vital for success—but not just any software will do. Discover if Service Fusion is right for your business.

Using Tech for Successful HVAC

Technology paved the way for e-commerce and changed customer behavior, but it packs a punch for HVAC providers, too. HVAC services providers can become more tech-focused to provide exceptional service.

Fast fact: According to a recent survey from SurveyMonkey, 72 percent of respondents are more likely to interact with companies that make customer service a priority. That includes real-time communication tech for customers and technicians alike, such as:

• SMS notifications
• On-the-way alerts for customers
• Scheduling and dispatching dashboards

But customer service is about more than communication tools. It’s also the customer experience you create, starting with your online presence.

Update your website.

Your website goes a long way toward making prospects’ user experiences seamless—from initial contact to closing the deal—but first you have to get them there. Improve your online visibility by enhancing your website’s SEO. The biggest benefits?

• Improved Google keyword rankings
• More organic web traffic

With an influx of online visitors, it’s easier to fill your sales funnel with high-quality leads.

Incorporate marketing and social media.

Your website is just one piece of the puzzle. Adding paid advertising and social media helps you engage more prospects and provide value.

Paid Google ads provide core benefits to maximize your investment:

• Cost-efficiency because you don’t spend unless your ads are clicked
• Targeted audiences based on chosen demographics
• Actionable data on what’s working and what isn’t

But being active on your audience’s favorite social media platforms is a must, too. Post to company accounts and relevant groups to showcase your expertise. It is crucial to make your content mobile-friendly—88 percent of mobile searchers contact local businesses within 24 hours.

Your customers are spending their time in the digital world, and you should, too. HVAC service providers who prioritize technology have an edge.

Add Field Service Management Software

With so many of your activities happening online, it’s challenging to keep track of everything. Keep track of customer info and continue to add value via a field service management CRM.

How Service Fusion Can Help

Service Fusion provides all-in-one HVAC software to make your operations more efficient. With everything in one place, you have the flexibility to communicate with customers and technicians digitally and to store important data. Our HVAC software helps you:

• Schedule and dispatch technicians
• Send invoices and accept virtual payments
• Create estimates and jobs
• Access customer information and job history

And it’s even easier when you access everything through our mobile app. Here, you get all the benefits of our standard HVAC software, PLUS driving directions to jobs, photos and notes, and pre-work and post-work signatures.

Service Fusion proudly serves the plumbing, electrical, appliance repair, overhead and garage door, and locksmith industries, and we can’t wait to serve you.

Simplify Field Service Management

HVAC services have changed because your customers have. Meet digitally savvy customers where they are with transparent pricing and useful content on your user-friendly website and social media accounts.

Want to multiply your efforts? Turn to cutting-edge field service management software to grow your business and accommodate customers. Service Fusion makes field service management a breeze. Download our e-book and get in touch to learn more about our field service management solutions.

The post Should HVAC Service Providers Offer Prices Online? appeared first on Service Fusion.

From front-office filing to taking payments in the field, field service software offers repair service businesses better, easier, and more efficient ways of doing just about everything short of the actual repair work.

We’re focusing in the three big benefits of streamlining operations with field service software:

• Do business from anywhere.
• Stop with the paper, already.
• Gain omni field visibility.

Run Business Operations from Anywhere with Field Service Software

Why should the suits in offices be the only ones who can take advantage of today’s remote work world? Using the right SaaS, you can run a report from your rec room and pull up customer information while standing in line at the grocery store. You can run your business from anywhere!

Well, almost anywhere. Maybe creating invoices on a remote mountaintop is a stretch, but you get the idea. If you use field service software, wherever you are with your smartphone, tablet, PC, or laptop is your office. This means you don’t have to go to an actual office to know what’s going on—you don’t even have to make a phone call. With the right field service SaaS, you can communicate through a mobile app.

Achieve significant business growth with the best field service management software on the market today. Check out Service Fusion’s offerings here!

The right mobile app will let you and your team:

• Assign jobs and estimates
• See all jobs on a map
• Set job progress statuses
• Add notes, photos, and custom tasks
• Collect customer signatures

Use Field Management Software to Peace Out of Paperwork

Do people still file things in your office? Do the people who file the things complain about it? (You don’t have to tell us—we know they do.)

Nobody likes a complainer, but we’d be complaining about doing manual paper filing in 2021, too. If 2020 taught us nothing else, it was that digital workforces rule, mostly because they free us from the paper burden. With field service software, you can embrace the cloud and break up with paper. When all of your “paper” is in the cloud, you also bring much more flexibility to your customer service.

With the right field service solution, customers will have the convenience of e-signing that they expect—and they definitely expect it. Today, your customers can close on a house without touching paper, so they are definitely going to expect the same convenience for all of their other purchases, even service repairs.

Using the right SaaS, you can offer:

• Sending and signing agreements in moments
• Letting customers sign from their smartphones
• Preview and download digital documents as PDF

Gain Complete Visibility of the Field

Imagine a world where you know exactly where your field techs are at all times when they’re in the field. This no longer requires psychic abilities—you can just look at your smartphone. If you choose a field service management solution that has a comprehensive application, you get that big-picture view of operations with the ability to narrow your focus on a specific tech or job. Using GPS, you can track your fleet like a pro.

Even better, the top field service software options offer skills-storing and tracking, so you can make sure when you assign a tech, it’s the right tech—not just the closest one to the job. Plus, the cloud makes it easier to keep things up to date, such as information on work orders and customer service history.

Bonus: Make Time Tracking Less of a Chore

Time tracking is unavoidable—and can be a huge pain for you, your administrative staff, and your field team. Nobody likes tracking time, nobody likes telling people to track time, and nobody likes to correct incorrect time tracking.

That’s why it’s so crazy that anyone is still using manual methods when field management software makes it so easy. Your office staff should be working on marketing efforts and finding ways to grow your business, not spending hours reconciling time tracking with field records.

And how are you supposed to know if someone is over or under tracking if you don’t have data? Yet another reason why you need to really consider SaaS. The right solution will keep track of:

• Staff work hours
• Remote workers
• Time clock activity
• Overtime pay

See How Efficient You Can Get with Field Management Software

Step away from the manual processes and take a look at what field managementsoftware can do for your operations. We’ve just hit on the tip of the field service management software iceberg. The right solution can truly help you transform operations.

Learn all the possibilities—check out our e-book How Field Service Management Helps Grow Your Business.

The post How to Simplify Operations with Field Service Software appeared first on Service Fusion.

There’s lots to say, because repair service software does a lot. However, the single-most important thing you need to know about repair service software is that it will make your dreams come true.

We don’t mean your dreams about becoming a rock star (you’re on your own there). We’re specifically talking about the dreams you have of your business operations being easier and faster, while making everything more convenient for customers. This means you can say goodbye to things like paper and filing cabinets and being trapped in the office to conduct business.

Service repair software can help you:

• Work from anywhere
• Convert estimates to jobs with one click
• Make scheduling and dispatching a snap
• Enjoy the convenience of online invoicing and payments
• Get the field visibility you need

Looking for ways to obtain more 5-star reviews for your commercial service business? Download this checklist and watch your online reviews grow tenfold.

Run Your Repair Service Business from Anywhere

Have you heard? Remote work is all the rage. Why should remote work only be for the corporate office-dwellers? Service business owners and managers can enjoy the same flexibility with service repair software.

Using the right field service software solution gives you the power to be “at the office” even when you’re watching what seems like the hundredth little league soccer match of the year. You can use GPS tracking to track where your field techs are and make sure you send not just the closest tech, but the tech with the right skills, because all of that information is accessible through a smartphone or tablet.

This work-from-anywhere world means you create more efficiencies. When paperwork becomes irrelevant—including invoices—so do the mundane manual tasks that go with it.

Convert Service Estimates to Jobs (and More) in One Click

It’s easy to love what you do but not like parts of your job—like estimate management, especially if you’re still using manual processes and paper estimates. Even customers aren’t crazy about estimates. They want them to be more convenient and easier to understand.

As with all other parts of their lives, your customers expect to be able to view and sign estimates online. With field service management software, you can give your customers the options they demand with only a few clicks. It makes it easier for everyone. So many wins, so little frustration.

When choosing repair service software, make sure to look for a solution that has easy-to-use features that empower you and your teams to:

• Convert one or more options into one or more jobs
• Create custom, multi-page proposals
• Email, print, or download estimates
• Let customers use digital signatures to accept estimates
• Create up to five estimate options within a single estimate
• Rename, duplicate, and archive options

Make Field Service Scheduling and Dispatching a Snap

We live in a world where there’s an app for almost anything. Service repair software is no different. Look for a SaaS solution that gives you easy access to all of your data, along with a mobile application that allows field workers to receive and manage jobs on smartphones and tablets, further reducing paperwork and increasing your business’ efficiency.

Again—everyone wins with premier field service management software. The best service repair software will let you:

• Receive job and estimate assignments
• View assigned jobs on a map
• View equipment assigned to a job and its work history
• Set job progress statuses
• Add activity notes, photos, and custom tasks
• Collect customer signatures on jobs

Offer and Enjoy the Convenience of Online Invoicing and Payments

Thanks to the pandemic, we’ve all recently learned how one event can instantly change how we do everything. Offering convenient, online invoicing and payments is crucial.

This does more than just ease your customers’ minds that they can do everything online if they must. It also actually thrills your customers, because by now they expect to do everything online, including paying literally everything. If you’re not making it easy for your customers to interact with you digitally, you’re going to lose them.

Happy customers are awesome, but so are happy employees. Online or digital capabilities create tons of efficiencies in your office, giving you and your office staff the time to focus on your business’s future—things like launching marketing initiatives, ensuring efficient operations, and creating new revenue streams.

Note: It’s paramount that you choose a field service SaaS that will easily interface with your accounting software.

Get the Field Visibility You Need with GPS Technology

Ever wish you could just snap your fingers and know what’s going on with all your techs and other staff who are in the field?

Field service management software isn’t exactly like a finger snap, but it’s almost as easy. Using cloud technology, GPS, and a mobile app, your repair service software solution should give you an omni-view of everything in the field. This makes it easier to ensure appointments happen on time and the dreaded service window shrinks to as small as it can possibly be.

Plus, GPS technology will do things like improve your safety record and reduce insurance premiums. All of this field visibility will help you and your staff provide better customer service and get good reviews.

Discover How Repair Service Software Can Transform Your Business

If you’re not already convinced that service repair software is more tempting than a cinnamon roll, you need to take it for a test drive. But before you do, be sure you know what you’re looking for.

See for yourself how you can improve operations—schedule a demo and learn what to expect with top-of-the-line service repair software.

The post The Single-Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Repair Service Software appeared first on Service Fusion.

We regularly shape our releases and upgrades based on the feedback of our customers and the current digital landscape. With only four months left in 2021, we want to chronicle in this article some of the major product upgrades and features from Service Fusion.

Give your customers the power to choose with Good, Better, Best estimate options

When you present your leads with multiple options for jobs and projects, 60% of the time homeowners will choose something better than the basic repair. It’s also a great way to showcase what services you can offer them in the future, thus having the ability to increase your average ticket by 80%. If you were too busy taking customer calls over in ServiceCall.ai, you may have missed our good, better, best estimate options allowing technicians using Service Fusion to create custom estimates and present them in a snap.

Generating more value for customers with smart, easy-to-use tools

Today’s customers expect contractors to operate with total clarity and on-demand customer service. So keeping track of all your customers and company documents in the same place you operate your business is paramount in keeping customers satisfied and attracting new ones.

With that in mind, the FusionDrive feature brought seamless ways to gather your files and cloud content together, making it easy for your team to upload, share, and organize documents and folders directly through Service Fusion’s field service management software.

In addition, we also beefed up FusionPay by adding Progressive and Recurring Invoicing, allowing contractors to automate recurring invoices and payments from their customers.

And finally, to communicate promotions, updates, products, and more with your customers, we released the Customer Email Broadcast. Gone are the days of juggling marketing software applications like MailChimp or Constant Contact to get more leads and increase customer engagement. Now, you can send out personalized promotional emails and discounts directly from the Service Fusion platform.

Shaping the future with contactless field service

Today, more and more businesses are pivoting to “contactless” services, adopting new processes around accepting payments and signing agreements. It’s efficient, easy, and useful. When Service Fusion transitioned to our remote-work model in 2020, our team confronted last year’s uncertainty head-on and launched numerous contactless features for our customers to safely continue business as usual. Notably, we introduced touchless eSignature solutions that allow technicians to digitally send and collect signatures on-site and practically anywhere, at any time.

Simplified billing and faster payments in the field

For some businesses, traditional payment methods such as cash and checks are still prominently being accepted. In today’s fast-paced world, no one has time to wait around for their payments to process or waste time chasing checks. That’s why FusionPay, powered by PaySimple, was created to help make your business operations and payment processing fast, easy, and efficient. Since the launch in recent months, we’ve seen an increase in the utilization of FusionPay because our customers love the greater flexibility and convenience they see in processing and accepting a variety of payments right within the Service Fusion web and Field Technician Mobile app.

Increase customer engagement with interactive website chat widgets

If you want to make your website interactive and convert more visitors to customers, then adding a text-me-back widget on your website is one of the most effective ways to ensure you’re providing customers a fast and seamless service experience while generating more leads. Guess what? Our ServiceChat.ai does just that and more.

Working hand in hand with our integrated VoIP call tracker software, ServiceChat.ai is essentially a chat tool that has the ability to be embedded into your website and allows your customers to start a conversation via text message. The highly utilized feature is also expected to expand to include live chat and chatbot services, so stay tuned!

Smarter, Better GPS Fleet Tracking 2.0

Just when you think fleet tracking couldn’t get any better, our Fleet Tracking 2.0 upgrade gets an enhanced Fleet Dashboard and a new look and added features to the fleet map. The intuitive dashboard has quick access to your latest fleet activity and location, technician driving behavior summary, and trends.

And finally, we added preferences to the fleet dashboard to let you set custom business hours, speeding threshold, and what should be considered a “trip”.

These are just some of the enhancements and additions we’ve done in the past two years. Bringing you new ways of running your business efficiently and effectively is a high priority and it’s our mission to continue to make our customers’ lives easier. At Service Fusion we’re proud of how far we’ve come and the future of our software solutions is smarter, deeper, and easier to use than ever.

The post The Best Keeps Getting Better: Service Fusion Rounds Out Two Full Years of Field Service Features and Improvements appeared first on Service Fusion.

• Make customer appointments and management easier
• Empower managers to do business from anywhere
• Improve field activity management, including job status updates
• Help with inventory, accounting, and other office processes
• Free businesses from paperwork

If these sound like too many lofty promises, you might be wondering if SaaS expectations and reality align. Let’s look at what you should realistically expect from a field service management software solution.

Field Service Management SaaS Implementation: Easy or Not-So-Easy?

If you’ve ever gone through the process of implementing new software, your expectations may not have aligned with what actually happened during implementation. Far too often, implementation takes longer, is more complex, and has more hidden costs than managers expect.

So many businesses have been lured by the promise of an easy implementation, only to have unexpected obstacles like problematic accounting software integration. But cloud-based field service management software should be easy to implement and onboard, especially when it comes to your accounting software. 

Not all field service management software solutions will integrate with your accounting software, like QuickBooks. Make sure the SaaS solution you choose will integrate seamlessly with your accounting software.

Achieve significant business growth with the best field service management software on the market today. Check out Service Fusion’s offerings here!

Office Staff and Field Technician Learning Curve: Steep or Shallow?

Another way businesses feel like they get burned by new technology is when the learning curve is too steep, and nobody actually uses the new technology.

Sound familiar? Something that is meant to bring efficiencies winds up wasting time and money because you have to do manual workarounds just to make it align with your business objectives. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Field service management software can be intuitive, making it easy for employees from the office and the field to learn and adopt.

That’s why it’s crucial to choose software that comes with an all-in-one application. If employees are already using smartphones and tablets, it’s likely they’ll be able to adapt to using a field service application. Once they see how simple it really is, and how much easier it can make their lives—and their customers’ lives—they’ll want to use it.

With the right mobile application, field workers can:

• Receive job and estimate assignments
• View assigned jobs on a map
• See equipment assigned to a job and its work history
• Set job progress statuses
• Add activity notes, photos, and custom tasks
• Collect customer signatures on jobs

Do Business from Anywhere with Field Service Management Software: True or False?

If you have to stop in the office to complete tasks, or if someone is still keeping paper files, field service management software can make your life a lot easier—including freeing you from the office so you can run your business from anywhere. This means that you can perform all office tasks on a smart device, no matter where you are.

It’s especially true if you choose a solution that provides GPS fleet tracking and VoIP phone solutions so you can easily keep up with your field staff from your smartphone. Imagine not only being able to send the closest technician to a call, but also being able to send the most qualified. Plus, field service management software can also keep track of technician capabilities, so you don’t just have to send the closest technician to the job site—you can send the most qualified.

Repair Service SaaS Pricing: Worth It or No ROI?

If you’re thinking about getting into a complicated contract that brings surprises down the road, you’re not alone. Like a lot of managers, maybe you had bad experiences where training cost extra or there were setup fees you didn’t anticipate, making reaching the ROI you were promised just a dream. Worse yet—the onboarding was generic and not even slightly personalized for your business.

When it comes to field service management software, there’s no reason for any of that. You can find a solution that isn’t just affordable, but it actually lives up to its promises. In addition to an affordable monthly subscription price, the right field service management solution: 

• Has zero setup fees
• Has no contract requirements
• Provides personalized onboarding
• Comes with unlimited training
• Offers support through email, phone, or live chat

The efficiencies and improved customer service that cloud solutions bring usually far outweigh the monthly SaaS subscription fee. The ROI of your dreams really can become a reality.

Get More Information About the Reality of Field Service Management Software Benefits

There’s a lot more to say about the reality of what it’s like to use the right field service management software—but you must choose wisely. Making the right SaaS decision can bring real-life transformation to your service repair business.

Find out about more of the benefits of field service management software in our e-book How Field Service Management Helps Grow Your Business.

The post Field Service Management Software: Expectations vs. Reality appeared first on Service Fusion.

Sounds good, right? But do these SaaS options really live up to their hype?

They do if you know what you need and what to look for. Think about your biggest needs, like visibility into the field, if it integrates with your accounting software, and if it can really help you eliminate paperwork.

Here, we’re answering five questions about repair service software to help you make a more informed decision for your organization.

Why not run your business from anywhere? Find out how with our new guide on improving your service business inefficiencies.

1. Can repair service software really help me work from anywhere?

Yes, it really is true—repair service software can help you do business from anywhere, something which is becoming more and more important in our cloud-based business world.

If you choose the right field service management solution, you get a whole host of new capabilities that give managers omni-visibility. This means you get all the information you need from one central dashboard, so you can access everything you need using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It frees managers from desks and the traditional office, meaning you can get more accomplished without the information you need being tethered to a desktop computer in an office or—worse yet—paper files in a cabinet.

The solution you choose should make it easy to see what’s going on with everything, from work orders and invoices to text messages and emails. And you should be able to access everything from a device as convenient as a smartphone.

Choosing the right repair service software will empower you to:

• • Assign jobs in real time
  • Manage your remote team
  • Close the gaps on delivery window issues
  • Make invoicing and payments easy

2. How does repair service SaaS eliminate paperwork?

Nobody should be getting paper cuts in the year 2021. If your office still has too much paper-cut danger, repair service software can save you. Putting everything in the cloud eliminates paperwork and all that goes with it—that includes time wasted organizing and filing copies, and spending time getting paper-and-pen signatures from customers.

With the right field service solution, customers will have the convenience of e-signing that they expect, and you get improved efficiencies in your process, including:

• • Send and sign agreements securely, in moments
  • Turn any single or multi-page document into a digital document
  • Send signature requests directly from within estimate and job screens
  • Create custom digital request email templates
  • Preview and download digital documents as PDF
  • Allow customers to sign from their personal devices

3. Does repair service software make scheduling and dispatching less complicated?

Repair service scheduling and dispatching can feel like a never-ending balancing act.

It’s crucial to choose repair service software with dispatch capabilities built specifically for service contractors. This means using VoIP capabilities to see where new customer calls are coming from and route existing customers to the right teams. Giving your operations the efficiency and convenience customers today expect will help you gain and retain more business.

Using repair service software, managers can view all jobs and estimates to schedule and reschedule times and dates. Be sure to look for software solutions that have intuitive functionality like drag-and-drop. It’s often the fastest and easiest way for everyone to make changes, with only a small learning curve.

4. Will repair service software give managers visibility into the field?

Ever wish you could just look at your phone and see where everyone and every service appointment is? With the right repair service software, you can.

Certain solutions provide an all-in-one application, so managers get a big-picture view of operations, meaning it’s easier to efficiently track and dispatch field service technicians. This would eliminate:

• • Manual check-ins from staff
  • Calls to the front office every time you need help finding someone
  • Time wasted trying to find the technician with specific skills
  • Outdated information on work orders and service history

This type of functionality also means work life is flat-out more convenient for everyone, from the front office to field technicians to customers.

5. What should I do about my account software if I use repair service software?

Like your accounting software? Keep it!

The right field service management software can integrate with your account software, like QuickBooks. Your SaaS solution should be able to update your accounting software with no effort, right from your field service management software application. This brings the convenience of:

• Full sync of customers, products, and services
• Automatic synchronization of job deposits, invoices, and payments
• Automatic updates pushed to accounting software when changes are made

Use repair service software to grow your business.

If you make the right SaaS choice, repair service software will help you grow your business. One big way it helps is with customer reviews, each of which is a powerful little referral.

Want to know more? See how repair service software can help you get more customer reviews and grow your business.

The post 5 Questions Answered About Repair Service Software appeared first on Service Fusion.

And it’s affordable for small commercial service businesses? And it can transform a business, making life easier for everyone?

Why yes, which is why field technician software is more tempting than a cinnamon roll. Let’s look at the appetizing details.

Field Technician Software Is Actually Affordable

It’s easy to think that field technician software—or field service management software—is just an enterprise-level thing. It even sounds like something that should be expensive. And that’s because, for many years, it was. But then, some really smart folks realized that by using SaaS, they could make this revolutionary software affordable for small service businesses.

The best part is that today’s field technician software isn’t some watered-down version of an enterprise-level product. These software options are affordable and robust, and give small commercial service businesses the same features at a price and commitment level that they can afford.

The best part about field technician software affordability is that it can actually save you so much time and money that you’ll see return on investment (ROI) right away.

It Improves Daily Operations by Improving Technician Communication

Daily operations can always, always, always be improved. (Yes, we’re using three “always” here. We feel strongly about this.)

One way to improve operations is by having field technicians work together. When your field techs are working with each other, they share new methods, offer valuable advice, extend a helping hand, and coordinate jobs better. With commercial service businesses being as busy as they are, keeping field technicians connected is crucial.

With field technician software, technicians have one digital hub in which they can always find each other. Using a smart device and an app, technicians can communicate with each other to improve skills, efficiencies, inventory levels, customer service, and more. And, maybe the best part—at least for the person doing the paper filing—is that field service technician applications can also reduce paperwork and trips to the office.

Note: Choose wisely. When selecting field technician software, look for technology that lets technicians:

• Receive job and estimate assignments
• View assigned jobs on a map
• See equipment assigned to a job and work history
• Set job progress statuses
• Add notes, photos, and custom tasks
• Collect customer signatures on jobs

Looking to save money and drive revenue? Field service management software might be the answer you’re looking for. Learn more in our eBook.

It Wins Repeat Customers with Real-Time Communication

How do you provide the best possible customer service? Use real-time communication.

It’s not just technicians who can communicate in real-time. Field technician software features allow you to keep customers up-to-date and eliminate possible miscommunications, scheduling overlaps, and paperwork. Customers don’t know it, but they love field service management software as much as operations managers, field technicians, and office managers do.

Remember, when you look for field service management software, make sure it includes real-time capabilities so you can:

• Send customers automated reminders.
• Update customers on change of status, estimated time of arrival, and more.
• Give technicians a map with driving directions to the customer’s location.
• Access all customer notes and history to get to know them better.
• Invoice and process payments in real-time.
• Get pre- and post-work signatures.

Not only that, real-time communication is a two-way street. Field technician software makes it easier for customers to reach you. Forget fridge magnets, stickers and business cards—you won’t need them if you have the right SaaS, because nothing beats your own personalized, branded mobile app. Think service appointment requests, free estimates, contact information management, and more.

More reasons why your customers love field technician software:

• More than 60 percent of your customers have smartphones and expect you to have an app.
• You’ll differentiate yourself as a cut above—having an app on your customers’ smartphone puts you ahead of your competitors.
• Satisfied customers are more loyal, and they become satisfied when it is easier to get in touch with you and access information.

It Makes Everyone More Efficient and Productive

Field technician software can turn a 30-minute task into a 30-second task—really.

Using one organized platform to manage operations makes a technician’s day-to-day easier and more efficient, and keeps staff, techs, and customers on the same page. Field technician software also standardizes your workflows, including everything from dispatching to invoicing.

Plus, technicians can increase productivity rates using built-in inventory systems and pre-populated product and service line items, including:

• Picture-driven product and service catalogs
• Detailed product descriptions and adjustable rates
• Multi-line item service options
• Auto-calculated taxes, fees, and discounts

Choose Field Technician Software that Brings Growth

Now you know why field technician software is so much sweeter than that delicious cinnamon roll. However, getting technology that doesn’t meet your needs is like eating a cinnamon roll from a bus station vending machine.

From the 90s. (Trust us, it would be gross.)

Make sure you dig a little deeper so you can make the right choice. Get more information to be 100 percent sure that the field service management software you choose is the right one.

Do yourself a favor and download our e-book, How Field Service Management Helps Grow Your Business

The post Why Field Technician Software is More Tempting than a Cinnamon Roll appeared first on Service Fusion.

To discover what’s in store for the HVAC industry, we must turn our attention to emerging technologies, integration, and what the data tells us to get a picture of what to expect in the days and years ahead.

HVAC Industry Stats & Trends to Fire Up In The Future

1. The HVAC industry is climbing fast

By 2026, The Bureau of Labor Statisticsexpects a 15 percent increase in jobs in the HVAC industry. If the near reality corresponds with the data, then we know this growth is climbing quicker than normal, much faster than the average for all occupations. With the expansion in this field rising, the competition in the HVAC industry will open the door for more improved quality and expert craftsmanship.

But with more expansion comes greater responsibility for HVAC business owners, it’s crucial to have a highly organized and methodical HVAC service software in place to ensure visibility into the things you need to know about your business. With HVAC service software, you’ll be able to:

• Keep track of your accounting and payroll
• Know where all your business is coming from without having to ask customers
• Productively keep your technicians on top of bookings and tasks

2. By 2022, the HVAC industry may need more technicians

Despite projected industry growth, we could see the talent shortage of over 138,000 technicians by 2022. This shortage simply means there is plenty of room for new people to enter the workforce and new workers will have an opportunity to learn a skilled trade from the ground up since experience isn’t required.

The time is now for HVAC business leaders to start thinking about how they’re going to fill new jobs created by the market’s increasing demand. This occurrence will also contribute to new and upcoming HVAC businesses to start up as small companies to serve local communities and filling the presumed shortage.

3. The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home improvement

Technology like Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home improvement trends are getting more popular for homeowners. Today, there are 33M homes with smart thermostats in the US, with 20% of spending increasing on climate control of the growing market each year since 2016.

IoT-enable HVAC units and remote control access allow users to operate connected systems through Wi-Fi and mobile applications. Users can also see real-time information about the condition of the systems, so this helps users and manufacturers know if there are any defects at the first sign of trouble and reduce maintenance costs.

4. HVAC businesses need to market online

94 percent of Facebook Ad revenue comes directly from mobile users. In fact, only a mere 6% of Facebook’s advertising revenue is from desktop-only users. Businesses that are not taking advantage of advertising online risks losing out on a large number of potential customers. No amount of effort and money you put into service or package deals will matter if you can’t get customers to make it to the door.

Additionally, 88 percent of consumer local business searches on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours, this information serves as a reminder of how important it is to optimize all of your social media content to be as mobile-friendly as possible and spend more money targeting mobile users.

5. Provide customers digital ways to pay

To remain competitive and boost customer satisfaction, HVAC business leaders must move fast to adopt online payments platforms like FusionPay, and anticipate the future of how customers will pay for products and services.

Thanks to a boom in new financial technologies, apps, and other payment platforms, customers’ payment choices are changing at a rapid pace. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Diary of Consumer Payment Choice, debit cards are the most frequently used payment choice, followed by cash and credit cards.

Are your HVAC techs still collecting paper receipts and decorating the company’s fleet with paper invoices? Or are you using QuickBooks and it’s not integrating smoothly into your current business system or process?

Now’s the time to act fast and give your HVAC customers virtually smooth online payment options that they deserve in 2020.

Looking for ways to obtain more 5-star reviews for your commercial service business? Download this checklist and watch your online reviews grow tenfold.

6. Important correlations between construction and HVAC

When there is an increase in new building construction, there is always a similar increase in HVAC unit installations. As the trend of sustainable building design continues to emerge more often, the HVAC used in these buildings will be environmentally friendly, possible through new technology or alternative power sources.

In both residential and non-residential, HVAC equipment installations are expected to be on the rise in the coming year. This means you have maintenance and repair businesses that will get an expanded customer base with every new system that is installed.

Will you be using software and other online tools to automate your service processes so that you’re well-equipped to serve your clients and customers?

7. Geothermal may gain more steam in homes

Geothermal heat and energy often called “the forgotten renewable” uses underground pipes to regulate temperature and are widely used elsewhere in the world.

But geothermal heat remains little known in the US—they make up just only 1 percent of the HVAC market and only about 40,000 of them were installed in U.S. homes every year.

Now that Congress has put the technology on equal footing with solar and wind, many in the industry are hoping for more awareness and growth. Do you have the right HVAC service software and infrastructure to support your office-to-field needs if geothermal energy becomes a household trend?

8. More employees are ignoring emails and prefer SMS communication
Modern communication tools like messaging and chats provide a way for you and your team to communicate and relay important information with each other without being buried in your email box. In fact, nearly 44 percent of workers said the best way to reach them is through texts, not emails in one 2019 workplace communication survey.

During an uptick in business volume, it’s an absolute must to equip your team with communication tools like text messaging and intelligent scheduling and dispatching dashboards to text or call your workers instantly without having to switch programs.

9. Green technology cut costs and increase HVAC efficiency
When properly maintained, HVAC equipment can last 10-15 years, which draws to the conclusion that a large percentage of the HVAC industry is mostly maintenance. With the adoption of new software and technology, the maintenance process can be designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Moreover, 75 percent of utility costs in a home comes from electronics that are in standby or off, including HVAC equipment. With proper insulation, you can lower utility costs and increase HVAC efficiency by up to 30 percent.

10. Smarter trends will shape the future of HVAC
Smart systems and devices that are designed to automate or remotely control home systems are getting more mainstream in the US. You can find that almost everything in your home can be managed through an app from your mobile devices, tablets, or desktop computer.

While smart home installations and upgrades give us more control over utility costs and performance of our home’s systems, many people are turning to smart technology to help aging members of their families, because they plan on living in their homes longer. Technology like smart thermostats, security systems, and electronic door locks can keep things safe and allow family members to keep a close watch on their loved ones.

Increase productivity & unlock full growth potential

Continue to monitor HVAC industry trends and identify ways to improve and optimize your business processes. These stats and insights provided in this article will help you recognize the hidden potential for maximizing revenue.

Proper management of your day-to-day operations and maintaining it in one place enables you to be one step ahead of your competitors. Become the ultimate problem-solver for your customers’ challenges by providing easy online payment solutions, instant communication, transparency, and accountability. If you have any questions about HVAC service software, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to get a free demo with one of our Sales Consultants.

The post 10 Surprising HVAC Industry Statistics & Trends You Need to Know appeared first on Service Fusion.