Updated on
November 20, 2023
by
Alina Kostukova
The field service management industry is expected to be valued at a whopping $25.4 billion by 2030. With this growth comes increased competition in the field.
Whether you're running a fleet of technicians or managing sales reps on the move, optimizing your routes and efficiently managing field activities can make all the difference.
One exciting innovation for businesses handling service operations is field management software (FSM) that comes with route optimization.
Field service routing software can do more than make job scheduling and dispatching easier; it can also plan routes, track your team in real-time, and simplify order management.
In this article, we'll review the top ten field management software options that have the power of route optimization at their core.
First and foremost, the definition.
Field service management software is a type of technology that assists businesses in organizing and optimizing their field service operations. Field service routing software is a type of FSM that comes with route planning and optimization functionality.
Any service conducted outside the organization's facilities, such as installing, maintaining, repairing, or monitoring equipment or assets at the customer's location, is considered field service.
Many kinds of field service providers, including the following, can use field service management software:
These are just a few examples of companies and industries that might profit from field service management software with route optimization.
Let's discuss the crucial features to look at when choosing field service routing software.
This feature allows dispatchers to assign and schedule jobs to the most suitable field workers based on their availability, vehicle, location, and priority. It also enables field workers to receive and update their job status, access relevant information, and communicate with managers through the software.
Route planning and optimization features help dispatchers and technicians plan the best routes between several service locations, considering customer preferences, time slots, traffic, and distance.
This feature enables managers and customers to track the location and progress of field workers in real-time using GPS and other technologies.
It can also provide historical data and analytics on field workers' performance, such as travel time, service time, customer feedback, and revenue.
Order management functionality helps field service companies register and manage their orders, client and delivery documentation, and payments.
Field workers are always on the go, so the mobile version of service management software is a must-have.
Mobile workforce management app allows field workers to access and use the software on their mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets. It can also provide offline functionality, barcode scanning, digital signatures, and other features to enhance productivity.
Depending on industry-specific requirements, specific field service management systems can be integrated with accounting, inventory management, CRM, or ERP software to guarantee accuracy and expedite workflow.
This type of software should support various APIs and standards, such as REST, SOAP, or OData, to enable custom integrations and extensions.
Without further ado, let's talk about the finest field service routing software currently available on the market.
To give a thorough rundown of all software providers, we will consider factors such as cost, ease of use, and essential features that we've discussed above.
Let's go!
Track-POD is an all-in-one field service management solution featuring powerful built-in route planning and optimization tools.
Track-POD offers out-of-the-box functionality available from the start, depending on the chosen pricing plan.
Let's take a deeper look at the features that come equipped with Track-POD field service routing software:
Pricing: Track-POD's most affordable plan is $29/mo per driver (technician) if paid annually (includes 3,000 orders and 3 web dashboard users). The next plan costs $49 per month per driver, including 6000 tasks and 7 web users. The most feature-rich plan (unlimited orders, 50 web users) is $69/mo per driver (technician).
You also have the flexibility to start by paying per driver/service worker and transition to paying per order (with unlimited drivers) at any given moment.
GSMtasks is a platform that helps businesses manage their mobile workforce and optimize their delivery and field service operations. GSMtasks is suitable for various industries, such as logistics, maintenance, repair, and home delivery.
Let's talk about the essential features that GSMtasks software can offer:
Pricing: The pricing plans are $17 per user/month (no route optimization, offline mobile app) and $22 per user/month, respectively. Payment is only available per driver, not per order.
Jobber is a cloud-based field service routing software solution that helps small and midsize service businesses manage their field staff and provide customer support.
Jobber is designed for field service workers and includes essential functions needed for such operations:
Pricing: Jobber offers three pricing plans: $49/mo for a basic package with limited features and no route planning or GPS tracking, $129/mo for an intermediate package with advanced features and up to 5 web dashboard users, and $249/mo for a premium package with even more advanced features and up to 15 web dashboard users.
GorillaDesk is a cloud-based field service management software that helps businesses in various industries, such as pest control, lawn care, and pool service, to streamline their operations and grow their customer base.
GorillaDesk offers a range of features, such as:
Pricing: The Basic plan costs $49/month per technician or schedule, including 24 stops per route but no digital documentation or route optimization. The Pro plan is $99/month per technician or schedule and includes unlimited stops and route optimization for an additional $10/month per schedule.
ServiceM8 is a smart software solution for contractors and field service businesses. It helps businesses to cut paperwork, get more jobs done, and provide outstanding service to their clients.
Some of the main field service routing features of ServiceM8 software are:
Pricing: ServiceM8 charges $9/month for the cheapest plan with 15 new jobs/month, $29 per month for a plan that includes 50 jobs and features like online booking and email marketing, $79 per month for 150 jobs, and features like electronic forms, asset management, and checklists; $149 per month for 300 jobs, 300 SMSs, and features like staff scheduling, route optimization, and advanced reporting.
Kickserv is a cloud-based field service routing software that helps small and medium-sized businesses manage their field service operations, from scheduling and invoicing to customer management and reporting.
Kickserv offers a range of essential features such as:
Pricing: Kickserv offers a free plan for up to 2 users, with online payments and some of the basic features, except dispatch mapping or GPS tracking. The next pricing plan costs $47 per month, allows up to 5 users, and offers the same features as a free plan + QuickBooks integration. More advanced plans cost $95/mo (10 users), $159/mo (20 users), and $239/mo (unlimited users) and include all the basic features + dispatch mapping, GPS check-ins, and other functionality.
MobiWork is a cloud-based field services software solution that assists field services professionals in planning, managing, and optimizing their daily operations both in the office and out in the field.
Some of the outstanding field service management features that MobiWork offers include:
Pricing: MobiWork's cheapest plan goes for $39 per user per month and includes a maximum of 50 users. Their more advanced license allows up to 100 users and costs $1,950 for the first 50 users and $20 per additional user. All plans include a free consultation with a solutions expert, free support, a free 14-day trial, and a one-time activation fee of $250.
Route4Me is an advanced route planning software that helps businesses simplify and streamline field service management operations.
Some of the most beneficial features of Route4Me include:
Pricing: Route4Me charges $199 for the cheapest plan. The next pricing options are the plans for $249/mo and $349/mo; they include some extra route optimization features. On top of the subscription fee, there are free and paid add-ons. Some add-ons apply to the whole company account, while others only apply to individual team members. Each pricing plan includes 10 team members; bigger teams must pay an extra fee of $69/month per additional user.
Routific is a route optimization software that helps delivery businesses plan their field service routes more efficiently.
Let's review some of the main field service features that come packed with Routific software:
Pricing: If paid annually, Routific costs $39 per vehicle per month. Users must purchase a more costly plan that costs $49 per driver/month in order to get live GPS and tracking capabilities. The most feature-rich subscription is $65 per driver/month and includes live tracking, customer notifications, and configurable templates.
OptimoRoute is an easy-to-use advanced route planning software suitable for field service management operations.
Pricing: The cheapest OptimoRoute subscription includes 700 orders per month and costs $35.10 per driver when invoiced annually. A more costly package with up to 1000 orders costs $44.10 per driver and includes several essential features such as proof of delivery, analytics, and real-time order tracking.
In a nutshell, navigating the field service management (FSM) landscape can be a game-changer for your business, and this article has been your trusty roadmap.
However, not all field service management solutions are created equal.
Some prioritize route optimization, while others focus on order or invoicing management. Some come with more out-of-the-box tools, while others offer fewer features at a lower cost.
The best choice for your business depends on its size, complexity, and specific needs.
Take the time to research, compare different options, and test the software before making a decision.
For any inquiries about field service management solutions tailored to your business, feel free to schedule a live custom demo, and we'll be happy to address your questions in real-time.