It's time to prepare your field service management business for the coming year. Part of this will include reviewing your existing tech stack, including your job management software, to make sure it can take on changes on the horizon.
To help you get started, let's explore the top trends in job management software for the next few years. This will ensure your business stays ahead and capitalises on 2024 opportunities, all with your trusted software supporting you.
So let’s get to the good bit.👇
Job management software trend #1 – AI & Automation
AI and automation have been making waves in 2023, and will only snowball further. This trend is more than a futuristic idea. It has already automated tasks and simplified data analysis. The result? Easier decision-making, thanks to automated reports and reduced manual work.
What’s new for 2024?
We can expect to see more advanced task prioritisation algorithms – not just by deadline but taking into account complex interdependencies of various tasks so that project management becomes a breeze. You will see smarter automatic resource allocation… One that knows when your team is most productive and allocates tasks.
We’ll also see AI tools being used to perfect templates on everything from documentation to emails and texts.
Robotics may also start to be used. Whether it’s working in extreme temperatures or handling hazardous materials, robots can supplement human effort to make job sites safer.
Job management software trend #2 – Remote integrations
Adapting to remote working isn’t a new concept. Catapulted by COVID-19, businesses are getting to grips with digital processes to coordinate teams, track projects, and allocate resources. But, there’s still headway to be made with ensuring job management software has integral features, rather than clunky add-ons.
What’s new for 2024?
In 2024, we can expect to see job management software introducing solutions like built-in video conferencing and dynamic project timelines. And these features need to be incredibly intuitive, or at least be backed up by enhanced training solutions.
But the future goes beyond Augmented Reality. Assisted reality allows field workers to share their viewpoints with experienced colleagues remotely. This enables on-the-spot guidance and problem-solving - enhancing job efficiency.
Job management software trend #3 – Customers go fully digital
Like remote integrations, customers have come to expect the same experience in their working and personal lives. Take Amazon delivery, for example. The ‘Amazon-effect’ of being able to see when parcels arrive and ETAs is now something leading field service businesses include in their daily operations – thanks to the automated communication power of job management software.
What’s new for 2024?
As other apps adapt, customers will expect the same level of intuitive design and ease-of-use. In field services, they may even start to expect features like Augmented Reality for instructions and data visuals.
In 2024, we could also see chatbot capabilities extended to your customers’ customers, offering even greater reach and service automation.
Job management software trend #4 – Employee wellness features
Greater expectations can be expected from employees too. Things are very different coming out of COVID-19 and the mental health impact has been talked about frequently. A sobering fact is that in construction, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men.
Protecting your employee's mental health and welfare is standard for a good field service management. And it pays dividends in terms of output too, as it increases productivity, reduces absences and boosts job satisfaction. But it’s not currently something job management software focuses on.
What’s new for 2024?
So, in 2024, we expect wellness features to start coming in like built-in break reminders to nudge employees that have been on their screens or the road for too long. Or even flags for going over certain hours per week to help balance work-life.
We could even expect to see mood-tracking features to capture valuable insights. Having these tools would also support both productivity and employee loyalty.
Also in 2024, we might see older and more experienced workers exiting the workforce, making the skills gap a bigger concern. To counter this, expect job management software to incorporate features that help with knowledge transfer to newer workers, perhaps via flexible working packages and built-in AI knowledge bases.
Job management software trend #5 – Tighter cyber security
With the advances in digital adoption, cyber attacks are frequently on the rise and attackers are getting savvier. As these can severely impact your business’s operations, reputation and cash flow (with major fines), it's an important topic.
What’s new for 2024?
The standard security settings – like multi-factor authentication (MFA) – should already be an essential component of your job management software.
Beyond that, we may expect to see real-time alerts for suspicious activity and automated security audits which routinely check for vulnerabilities – taking some of the burden off your IT teams.
Job management software trend #6 – Advanced data analytics
Thanks to job management software, field service businesses can track business performance much more easily, like resource utilisation and team productivity, in real-time – bringing them ahead of quite a few other industries. So, what can we expect to see change next year?
What’s new for 2024?
Features like predictive analytics can help to provide future predictions to help field services plan resources better. Plus, how easy these reporting dashboards are to use will see changes. Innovations in user experience pulled through to job management software could make it even easier to navigate and interpret data so that you can make quicker decisions.
In addition, as IoT (the Internet of Things) becomes more integrated, machines will not only diagnose when they need repair, but also request them. This self-awareness allows for dynamic planned scheduling, shifting away from traditional planned preventative maintenance (PPM).
Plus, AI won't just manage stock levels; it will also facilitate on-demand 3D printing of parts. This is the future of Just in Time logistics, enabling smarter, more efficient operations. We might even see future job management software not just residing on your computer or mobile device, but integrated into your vehicle’s dashboard.
Get ahead of the curve: Plan for 2024 software trends today
From AI algorithms that optimise task allocation to IoT-driven dynamic planning, staying updated isn't optional—it's essential. As we move into 2024, prepare for a shift towards software that's not just functional but also intuitive, worker-friendly, and deeply integrated into our daily lives, even beyond the screen.
Bottom line: Being mindful of the tech trends on the horizon will allow you to prepare for a profitable 2024. But only if you’re using the right job management software.
You need tech that’s cutting-edge and always evolving to meet new needs. For example, it needs to be scalable so that it grows with you.
Ultimately, it may be that your current software provider isn’t driving innovation and so doesn’t have the mobile-first and consumer driven features you need to maximise performance and profitability both now and in the future.
Looking for a leading job management software solution? Book in with our experts and they’ll talk you through the latest changes.
