Route optimization for field services

Route optimization is certainly a valuable software tool. It is primarily used by companies that make daily deliveries and need to plan routes. It helps minimize travel time and costs.

However, for field service companies with field teams, the planning process is much more complex and dynamic. It is not just about optimizing daily schedules but about continuously ongoing planning where routes are constantly built, modified, and optimized.

In this blog post, we will discuss why route optimization alone is not sufficient for field service companies and why there is a need for tools that support continuous planning well in advance.

Continuous ongoing planning

Field service companies deal with continuous ongoing planning. The planning process does not start on the day itself; it requires continuously booking appointments in the future. Employees need to be assigned to specific tasks and appointments, taking into account factors such as skills, availability, locations, and customer preferences. Since planning is done well in advance, many changes can occur, such as delays, cancellations, or urgent assignments that require immediate adjustments to the schedule.

Why route optimization alone falls short 

We often see Field Service Management packages with very valuable features that also offer route optimization in their most comprehensive package. In essence, the assignment planning is still done manually, using a calendar tool for technicians or other field experts. Last-minute route optimization can be done to arrange the assignments for one technician in the most efficient order. However, the efficiency gain is limited since a field service worker often has to perform only one to six different assignments per day, and some appointments cannot be rescheduled due to customer commitments. Optimization, therefore, needs to happen earlier.

Scheduling software for field services

To achieve effective planning, field service companies need advanced scheduling tools. These tools provide support for advance planning, taking into account all relevant factors. They assist in assigning employees to specific tasks based on their skills, work hours, and availability. Scheduling tools also allow for consideration of requested time windows and priorities.

To achieve seamless and efficient planning, it is important to integrate route optimization and scheduling tools continuously. For a single work order, you should receive the best proposals for multiple days in the future, taking into account all requirements and travel distances. Alternatively, you should be able to automatically schedule multiple assignments over multiple days as efficiently as possible. By combining these two tools, field service companies can benefit from both route optimization and support in the planning process. This enables them to work efficiently in both the short and long term and adapt to changing circumstances.

Conclusion

For field service companies with field teams, route optimization alone is not sufficient. The planning process is complex, dynamic, and continuous. It requires advanced scheduling tools that support advance planning and the management of continuously changing schedules. By integrating route optimization with these scheduling tools, field service companies can increase their efficiency, save costs, and improve customer satisfaction. It is the combination of these tools that lays a solid foundation for successful field service operations.