Starting Simple: Automation That Actually Works
Automation and mobile tools ain't about flipping your whole operation overnight. TrackVia's latest research, fresh from the oven, dishes out a down-to-earth guide on navigating automation in field operations. They nabbed insights from over 250 companies and unearthed a strategy that sticks: start small and grow smart.
Aylin Basom, CEO of TrackVia, didn't mince words. “Transforming everything at once is setting yourself up to trip,” she says. Companies kicking off automation with a single operational snag—like field inspections or work orders—are the ones that are making strides. It's all about proving value with baby steps when labor's tight and costs are escalating.
The First Step: Cut the Paper Clutter
Blueprints and paperwork are the bane of field team's existence, and that's where the battle starts. A good chunk of the surveyed outfits initially wrestled with manual processes bogging them down. We're talking 70% grumbling about the drag it put on their operations. Tackling that starting problem, they're swapping paper forms for mobile capture. It's not rocket science, just good old common sense.
“Before we streamlined with TrackVia, I spent half my time on paperwork,” revealed Jared Reeves from Cascade Stucco. Now, he's sailing smoother waters with jobs, crews, and inventory all in one place.
Expanding Horizons: Automation's Next Moves
Field teams are leaping from baby steps to bigger wins by linking processes. According to the research, 46% of customers have automated three or more processes. Construction champs top the leaderboard with a median of five processes in play.
- Field Inspections: Top automation choice for 60% of TrackVia’s studied users.
- Parts and Materials Inventory: 23% cutting costs by tracking with precision.
- Safety and Compliance: 16% keeping it safe, smart, and compliant.
Gains You Can Count On
Cycle times and productivity rates aren't just buzzwords anymore—they're the names of the game. The shift from handbook scribbling to digital inputs slashed invoicing times from nearly a week to a few hours for one utility. Training teams tout a stunning 80% time savings in data dealings. A hospital system took uniform inspection processes across multiple sites, streamlining their operations.
These wins ain't just statistical fluff. It's tangible progress reflected in real-world efficiency.
The Way Forward: What's Next
TrackVia urges field operations to cut their teeth on manageable bites. Don’t tackle everything like me on an all-you-can-eat buffet. The idea is to begin with one site, one team, and one tangible process. Loop in those wins, assess the impact over 30 days, and cautiously unwind from there.
Forget about chasing a seamless transformation; you'll only be pulling your hair out. Build it smart, build it strong, one puzzle piece at a time.
In the grand scheme, it's pragmatic progress that becomes the backbone of formidable field operations. With material and labor pressures, efficiency isn’t just a perk—it’s survival. Field operations need to stay ahead, armed with data-driven insights and streamlined processes tailored to their unique struggles.
In this tightrope walk between cutting costs and stepping up service, automation promises a bit of relief—if handled with care. So, here's to crafting a future defined by stronger operations and smarter decisions.
