Job Management Software: Scheduling Efficiently

Oct. 16, 2017
How the software can ease the burden of employee and technician deployment and tracking

As a security business owner, you are bound to face a few challenges; and one that is increasingly common is dealing with a constantly changing technological world. It is difficult enough to keep up to date on the latest in security technology – but what about the needs of managing your own business?

As a security dealer or integrator’s customer base grows, so too grows the need to cope with additional customer demands, increased orders and more complex service offerings. Be prepared to handle the growth of your business by deploying the right technology in the office – it can transform both work in the field and your bottom line. Here are two of the major benefits of job management software:

1. Efficient staff scheduling: Fortunately, advances in technology have brought with them job management systems that assist with many aspects of business workflow, such as scheduling technicians, contractors and even equipment. Efficient scheduling software provides a view of your team’s availability at a glance, and ensures you send the nearest technician – with the required materials – to the right job on time every time.

Job management software with field capabilities means that technicians can view their schedules on mobile devices, and field technicians can issue invoices and take payment on site.

Real-time updates and decisions will shave enough wasted time from phone calls and trying to figure out schedules manually that it could add up to one, two, or ten more jobs a day (depending on the size of your team).

When you are scheduling staff more efficiently, your team’s performance is likely to improve. Since you’re saving time scheduling customer appointments, you’ll be able to focus on the more strategic side of workforce management, and may find it easier to monitor and review each technician or contractor’s performance.

2. Automation of Tasks: You have probably made it to where you are because you are good at security, good with people and can make big decisions – that does not always mean you want to handle every line of finances or constantly doctor people’s calendars. Technological advances in business software can enable you to automate tasks.

With a clearer perspective of capacity as a team at any given time, you can look for ways to eliminate wasted time and costs, such as unnecessary transport or back-and-forth clarifications of appointments. Easily plot your daily, weekly, and monthly workflow to make the most of every resource. Keep inventory in one place and update as you use resources. Keep an eye on your profitability so you can make buying choices that are good for your business.

This level of detail will help you roll out initiatives that increase your team’s motivation and attitudes, improve their output, and even guide them toward specialization. With specialists in your team, you will earn even more trust, respect, and support from your customer base and industry.

Job management software with staff scheduling features can assist a security business owner in managing additional customer demands, increased orders and more complex services.

Glenn Nott is President of simPRO USA (www.simpro.us), a provider of field management software and consulting services for the trade and specialty contracting industry, including security contractors. Frank Bauer II is the Chief Executive Officer of Proguard Protection Services (www.proguardprotection.com), a family owned and operated security company based in Basalt, Colo.