Technology has done a lot for the service industry; from getting paid in the field with Square to mowing lawns with robotic mowers – the future is definitely here! Smart watches, smartphones, and laptops give business owners a lot of options to choose from when they’re looking to connect the field and office.
Another great outcome of technology is that your work can follow you everywhere now… Well, maybe that’s not always so great! But in reality, technology can greatly reduce the time spent running a service business . You can invoice, schedule, and manage jobs with almost any mobile device – from anywhere.
But don’t get too excited. A clear downside of technology is that it can be expensive. When running a business you want to make sure that you have the necessary essentials. Wasting money on things you don’t absolutely need can be a financial strain, especially if you’re new to the game.
The main devices that service business owners need to invest in will be either smartphones or tablets. But that can be a lot of technology for a small business to start out with.
So which one will give you the biggest bang for your buck? The battle between the tablets and smartphones begins…
Tablets
Versatile
Tablets are a great combination of a smartphone and a laptop. Tablets allow you to perform almost all of the same functions of a laptop, while also being able to download apps specifically built for service businesses. Now you can even check your Facebook on the go! But in all seriousness, with a tablet you’ll be able to capture pictures right at the job, as you would with a smartphone. No more downloading pictures from your camera to your laptop. Tablets also allow service businesses to take advantage of most messaging apps which can help improve communication with your team.
Functional
There is no denying that tablets are more functional than smartphones. Because the screens of tablets are significantly bigger and more visible than a smartphone, you can get real work done. Some tablets with a larger screen will even be the same size of a smaller sized laptop – no squinting required. Hands down tablets beat smartphones when it comes to handling the nitty gritty admin work like scheduling and invoicing.
Phone calls
The biggest downside to relying solely on a tablet while out in the field is that you won’t have the main feature of a smartphone; the ability to make phone calls. If you can save your phone calls until you get back to the office, this won’t be an issue. Some service businesses find it critical to have a reliable phone while out in the field so this is an important point to consider.
Smartphones
Available
It’s just there: in your pocket, on your night table, always right beside you like it’s attached to your hip. Whether you need to text one of your workers or check your email to see if your client has received your job reminder. All of these tasks are never more that far away.
Connected
Although some tablets can connect to a cellular network, it’s not a guarantee. Smartphones, on the other hand, have been built for that very purpose. Even if you aren’t within reach of a reliable Wi-Fi network, you’ll still have the option to connect with a 3G or LTE signal. With data connectivity, you can easily make use of GPS and time tracking to ensure you’re always keeping track of your workers.
Tablet vs. Smartphone: So who wins the battle?
Every business operates differently and what works best for your company may not work so well for another. You need to understand what features you’ll need the most for your business to operate smoothly while out in the field. For example:
- Is telephone communication important? Then a smartphone is likely your best bet.
- Will you need something super functional so you can work from anywhere? Then a tablet is exactly what you’ll need.
- Is a reliable internet connection critical to getting admin work done while in the field? With a smartphone, you’ll have a guaranteed internet connection.
It’s clear that technology and mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in the management of field service businesses. Hopefully this post has got you thinking about the questions you need to ask before you investing in new devices.
This guest post is courtesy of Daniela Bia’h, brand journalist at Jobber. Jobber’s cloud-based software helps service businesses get organized. Complete with mobile apps, powerful scheduling, online invoicing, and simple customer management, Jobber is the easiest way to run a service business. Sign up today for Jobber’s 30-day free trial and discover Jobber can make your mobile service business more organized and profitable.
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