Contractors are always striving to navigate their ever-changing environments without falling behind the competition. This requires flexibility, which is why many contractors are employing mobile technology. Gartner reports that by 2020, more than three-quarters of field service organizations with over 50 users will use advanced mobile apps for their work.

Why are so many companies using mobile technology?

1. Better Customer Service

When managers have real-time insight into every job, no matter the location, they can spot potential problems before they start. For example, if an employee no-shows a client, managers can get an automated alert and mitigate the problem before the customer learns about it. Or if a new employee forgets a job responsibility, managers can require everyone to check off task lists on their smart phones before clocking out. These types of features help contractors deliver the highest-quality service to every customer.

2. Higher Employee Engagement

Contractors who work at unsupervised client sites can feel a little disconnected from the company. But mobile technology keeps them connected to their coworkers and managers — no phone calls necessary! Instead of playing phone tag or waiting days to get an answer to a question, employees can check their schedules, request time off, submit work orders, complete inspections, and more in real time from their smart phones.

3. Future-Minded Operations

Technological advancements are changing businesses worldwide. If you want your business to operate more effectively tomorrow than it does today, you need to implement solutions that promote flexibility and communication. Find a system that connects managers, employees, and clients more easily. Make sure it reduces the administrative load rather than increasing it. And take advantage of the prevalence of smart phones to propel your business further.