Top Apps for Field Service Teams

 

Ashley Furness, CRM Market Analyst at research firm Software Advice, recently completed a comprehensive review of top Android and iOS applications for field services workers. Ashley kindly offered to contribute her findings to our community.  The team at Software Advice culled through hundreds of applications to identify some of the best options out there for getting the job done. They compared ratings, reviews, social shares, downloads and functionality. Here’s the winning list:

 

Operating System: Android

Ratings: 3.5 stars of 14 ratings (Android)

Google+ Shares: 15

Downloads: 5,000-10,000

Price: Free (with monthly subscription)

eWO Lite Work Order is a popular option for HVAC, telecom workers and inspectors–though it works for other industries as well. The mobile application allows field workers to compose and manage work orders on the go. Also, companies can track parts and technician labor time with a desktop portal. The dashboard compiles data that workers enter while in the field.

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 5 stars of 39 ratings

Google+ Shares: 37

Downloads: 1,000-5,000

Price: Free (with monthly subscription to software)

This application boasts a five-star rating from 37 reviewers. It offers one of the most comprehensive solutions for field service workers when paired with the company’s in-office solution. Users can map routes, log or escalate jobs, collect customers signatures and surveys, capture job images and accept credit card payment, among other services. Reviewers touted the app’s user-friendly interface and real-time connection to critical records and data.

 

Operating Systems: Android, iOS

Ratings: 4.5 stars of 19 ratings (Android) and 3 stars of 11 ratings (iOS)

Google+ Shares: 14

Downloads: 1,000-5,000

Price: Free (with monthly subscription to software)

vWork is a popular option for companies that need primarily dispatch functionality. Office dispatchers can schedule jobs and monitor fleets via GPS tracking, while the mobile worker can update job status in real time. Users can also add notes to jobs and capture customer signatures.

 

Operating System: Android, iOS

Ratings: 4 stars of 14 ratings (Android), 3.5 of 20 (iOS)

Google+ Shares: 7

Downloads: 1,000-5,000

Price: Free (with monthly subscription)

GeoOP is a job dispatch and mobile workforce management system that you can set up in minutes and can be used on both Android and IOS platforms. The mobile app manages schedules, dispatching and tracks the location of field agents. The software also integrates with help desk, accounting and GPS systems.

 

Operating Systems: Android, iOS

Ratings: 3.5 stars of 16 ratings (Android), 3 stars of 9 ratings (iOS), 5 stars of 7 Software Advice ratings

Google+ Shares: 22

Downloads: 1,000-5,000

Price: Free (with monthly subscription to software)

FieldOne is one of the top-recommended server applications among Software Advice’s Field Services Software Reviews. The mobile application is an extension of the office-based version, with real-time data integration including customer records, time clock, invoicing and schedules. Relative to other field services software apps FieldOne had among the highest ratings. Jenson Refrigeration, Inc. gave FieldOne perfect scores in every category on Software Advice. The reviewer said of the mobile app, “The continuity and flow from taking a service call to invoicing is easy and efficient.”

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 4 stars of 3 ratings

Downloads: 50-100

Price: Free (with monthly subscription to software)

I would put this application in the “up and comer” category. Three users reviewed the tool with high marks even with as few as 100 downloads. This is huge considering some applications with hundreds of downloads received no reviews, or only very bad ones. Pricing is on the affordable end at just $27 per month, per technician, if pre-paid. Synchroteam delivers jobs to mobile workers with customer name, location, description and contact information. Users can also update the job once it’s complete and collect the customer’s signature.

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 4.5 stars of 13,974 ratings (Android)

Google+ Shares: 2,400

Downloads: 500,000-1,000,000

Price: Free

ACar is heads and shoulders above its peers regarding downloads, shares, reviews and ratings. This application is suited for the one-man independent field service contractor who needs to track fuel and other vehicle-related expenses. The app can track several vehicles and provide statistical reports, reminders and automatic data backup. A pro version ($5.99) can also export data to spreadsheets and import data from other sources, among other functions. Users talked about the app’s intuitive interface and fantastic customer service.

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 3.8 stars of 3,886 ratings (Android)

Google+ Shares: 3,000

Downloads: 100,000-500,000

Price: Free

WAY GPS Phone Tracking was the most reviewed and Google+ shared GPS tracking application I discovered. The tool allows field service companies to easily and discreetly track fleet vehicles. The application doesn’t show up on the user’s phone in the form of an icon–it runs in the background–but the office manager can log into an online portal and instantly see all field employees’ location on a map. Location can be tracked in real-time, by day, or from a previous day. It’s insanely easy to use and set up.

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 4.7 stars of 317 ratings (Android)

Google+ Shares: 183

Downloads: 1,000-5,000

Price: $22

MobileBiz Pro doesn’t require a subscription to any other software. The application boasts an impressive 4.7 rating and has a large number of social shares relative to the number of downloads. The company describes the application as a feature-rich sales and billing “must-have” for any small business that invoices in the field.  It supports local taxes, currency and date formats. It also tracks customer balances, invoice cost and profit. It comes with built-in reporting, customizable templates and receipts. Users complemented the professional-looking invoices and quotes. It’s an affordable alternative to field services companies that don’t require complex scheduling or dispatching.

 

Operating Systems: Android

Ratings: 4.8 stars of 24 ratings

Google+ Shares: 31

Downloads: 100-500

Price: $15.99

Another “up and comer,” this mobile application received a large quantity of reviews relative to downloads and an impressive 4.8-star average. This application combines invoicing with work time, mileage and expense tracking. Users can create invoices, receipts, estimates, orders proposals, quotes, returns and invoices. The Mobile Road Warrior also supports QuickBook databases, logo customization and signature capture.