Why Dynamics 365 Field Service is an Ideal Replacement for Your Current Software
This article shares the top five reasons field service teams are happy they replaced their field service software with Dynamics.
You are not alone if you want to replace your current field service software. We have heard from many teams struggling to get what they need out of the current generation of software tools. Some of the most common complaints we hear are that while Salesforce and Oracle field service platforms, among others, have many powerful features, they are not user-friendly, well-supported, or customizable.
Velosio has helped dozens of companies look for a better option, and for many, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service is an ideal replacement. This article shares the top five reasons field service teams are happy they switched to Dynamics.
Better Customizability, Scalability, and Extensibility
Necessity is the mother of invention, and if the lockdowns during the COVID pandemic were good for one thing, it was that they taught businesses how to be flexible in the age of cloud-based software tools. Having been forced to be flexible with remote and hybrid workforces, many field service teams saw the benefit of using flexible, customizable cloud-based tools. And now that they have returned to the office, they are seeing just how limited some of their legacy field service software actually is.
New post-pandemic business models required larger-scale data collection in customer and work order records, adjustments to long-established workflows, and new integrations with third-party cloud-based tools. Only a few existing field service apps could handle these new needs.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service stands out as a fully customizable customer and workflow management solution, allowing you to fine-tune each sales, marketing, scheduling, work, and billing process to the needs of your team. Notably, the platform employs widely recognized web standards like HTML, .Net, and Java, which are tools familiar to most developers, so knowledgeable staff on your team or from the Microsoft partner you work with can easily extend its capabilities for how your team needs to work.
Superior User Experience
Many field service teams are wary of migrating to modern software because they are concerned about learning a new interface. Switching to Dynamics 365 side steps that problem, as its familiar Microsoft interface is well known to any business user who has ever worked with Excel, Word, or Outlook.
The learning curve will be significantly shorter, and skeptical field service users will be more likely to embrace the change. Team leadership will likewise appreciate the increased speed of adoption and more reliable ROI on their software migration investment.
Microsoft emphasizes creating an exceptional and consistent user experience across all its services. Anyone who has dipped their toes into the consumer side of the Microsoft ecosystem, such as with the Office apps, will easily understand how the more specialized and professional applications work. The navigation is designed to be intuitive, requiring fewer clicks, while automated workflows simplify intricate tasks. Additionally, the system employs notifications and reminders to guide users through longer workflows.
More Predictable Recurring Expenses
When it comes to business software, there are few things as frustrating as realizing you are about to be hit by unexpected but inevitable license fees. The key benefit of cloud services is supposed to be their scalability, but that does not have to mean variable and unpredictable licensing costs.
One of the major reasons we have heard field service teams wanting to switch software is the realization that a key feature they wanted was unexpectedly gated behind a higher license tier.
If that sounds familiar, Microsoft’s approach to licensing and tiered features will be a welcome change. With Microsoft, you can expect transparent licensing terms and consistent pricing, shielding you from sudden cost fluctuations and allowing for simpler, more reliable budgeting. You’ll have full transparency regarding the costs and the functionalities you’ll receive at each level of service for Dynamics 365 Field Service.
Access to the Wider Microsoft ecosystem
Dynamics 365 Field Service is just one part of the wider Microsoft ecosystem. It allows for seamless integration with many other Microsoft solutions and services to expand its capabilities. And, of course, you still maintain a cohesive user experience.
Microsoft Power Platform is one of the most important tools you will gain access to in the Microsoft ecosystem. Power Platform is a collection of low-code and no-code tools designed to help field service teams analyze data, automate workflows, and create custom applications and reporting dashboards. It consists of several components, like Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps, and Power Virtual Agents, which work together to enable field service users and their Microsoft partners to solve complex problems.
More Personalized Partner Support
Most users of traditional field service software have similar experiences when they need support. Call the 800 number, wait in line, and eventually connect with a technician. Then comes the challenge of walking them through the current issue, who your organization is, and how you have customized your current setup. This experience can be aggravating, especially for busy field service teams reliant on their software to maintain workflows.
Now, compare that to getting support from your Microsoft partner with Dynamics 365 Field Service. You will collaborate closely with an authorized partner, like Velosio, who has worked with you to develop a deep understanding of your organization, business strategy, and your system configuration.
Field service teams are well familiar with the concept of first-time fix rate (FTFR). A veteran partner well-versed in your software implementation can help you restore service faster with their own high FTFR.
Get your Dynamics 365 Field Service Migration Right the First Time
For many field service teams, Dynamics 365 will be a major step up, boosting their operating efficiency and helping them improve on key metrics. We at Velosio understand that migrating field service software requires research and careful consideration. As a Gold Microsoft partner, Velosio works with companies like yours, helping implement field service solutions that differentiate your organization, create value, and add to the bottom line.
Take our Operational Maturity Assessment today to determine if your field service team can benefit from migrating to Dynamics 365.
