Service dispatch software helps businesses manage their operations with tasks such as scheduling appointments, dispatching technicians, and managing internal communications. Service dispatch software can be used by businesses of all sizes, in a variety of industries:
- Healthcare companies schedule telemedicine or on-site care appointments to patients.
- Technology companies provide remote or on-site support for their products and services.
- Real estate and insurance companies schedule their staff for consultations and field inspections.
- Security companies dispatch personnel for on-site surveillance.
- Wellness companies dispatch their employees for personal appointments.
Is service dispatch the same as field service dispatch?
Field service dispatch and service dispatch are similar but have slight differences:
What is service dispatch?
This is a broader term that can encompass dispatching personnel for various services, including on-site services. It can also involve coordinating remote support, such as on-demand helpdesk or customer support, where the service is provided from a centralized location.
What is field service dispatch?
This specifically refers to dispatching technicians or service personnel to perform tasks or services at customer locations. Commonly used in industries like HVAC, plumbing, and telecommunications, where on-site service is required.
In summary – field service dispatch is a subset of service dispatch, focusing on dispatching personnel for on-site tasks, while service dispatch can involve various service-related activities, whether on-site or remote.
Dispatch software or scheduling software?
Service dispatch software and service scheduling software are two related but distinct types of software solutions used in field service management. Before you head out shopping, make it clear which one you need.
Service dispatch software is used to assign work orders to service providers or field technicians and track their progress. This software can help businesses to improve efficiency by ensuring that technicians are always working on the most important tasks. Dispatch software can also help businesses to improve customer service by ensuring that customers’ needs are met promptly.
Service scheduling software is used to create and manage schedules for staff members. This software can help businesses to ensure that technicians are always available to meet customer needs. Service scheduling software can also help businesses to save money by optimizing the use of resources.
| Service dispatch software | Service scheduling software | |
| Focus | Day-to-day operations | Long-term planning |
| Best for | Quickly and efficiently dispatching service providers to customer locations | Planning and managing staff schedules in advance |
| Key features | Distributing work orders, tracking progress, communicating live | Creating and managing schedules |
How to choose service dispatch software?
Choosing the right software for your team can be a big decision, but it’s one that’s worth taking the time to do right. There are listing portals such as GetApp or Capterra that list different apps for service dispatch and bring out their features and peculiarities.
- Read reviews: Before you make a decision, be sure to read the reviews. This will give you a good idea of what other businesses are saying about the software and whether or not it’s a good fit for your needs.
- Get a demo: Most software providers offer demos of their software. This is a great way to try out the software and see if it’s a good fit for your business.
- Talk to a sales rep: If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to a sales rep from the service dispatch software provider. They can help you to understand the software and answer any questions you may have.
While doing this research, keep in mind all of your needs. If it’s easier for you, create a checklist or make notes as you evaluate different apps.
- Your business needs: What are the specific tasks that you need the software to help you with? Once you know your needs, you can start to narrow down your options.
- Your budget: Service dispatch software can range in price from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. It’s important to set a budget before you start shopping so that you don’t overspend.
- Your team: The software you choose should be easy to use and understand by your entire team. Make sure to test out the software with your team before you make a decision.
- Your support needs: If you have any questions or problems with the software, you’ll need to be able to get help quickly. Make sure to choose a software provider that offers excellent support.
How we can help
Are you looking for service dispatch software? Zelos Team Management is a super-simple dispatch app that is perfect for dispatching service requests and tracking the process. Get in touch with our team to learn more, or create a free account for your team to get started today.