Features of Mobile Workforce Management Software
The composition of a traditional workforce is changing rapidly. Many businesses nowadays do not depend on a static number of workers in one office. They now have teams that consist of part-time and full-time workers, contingency staff, and permanent staff who log in from various remote locations. Hence, the tools for managing this type of workforce must stay updated to avoid pitfalls.
Managing mobile workers involves supporting employee experiences and administrative processes across different locations and policies. Additionally, immigration and tax rules keep changing and companies must comply. A greater part of such data run on fragmented databases, legacy, emails, and spreadsheets. So, are we really ready to handle the new phase of work?
In order to ensure that we utilize the mobile workforce, we must adopt mobile workforce management software. The advancement in technology and the reduced prices of smartphones mean that every business can access the software.
It will not only automate tasks that were previously manual but also permit mobile staff to submit real-time reports to their managers in an undisruptive manner. You may want to read this article to learn more about mobile workers.
Things to Expect from a Dedicated MWM (Mobile Workforce Management) Platform
If you plan to use MWM software to run your company, you can make your decisions based on the following important features:
1. It Captures Locations and Provides Timestamps
Locations and timestamps are the fundamental aspects ofthe MWM platform. The tool uses GPS to track the exact location of where your employee logs in from, starts their shift, undertakes and completes tasks, and clocks out.
This maintains maximum transparency and ensures there is no idle hour that will lead to waste of resources. Also, no resource will be overworked beyond the normal work hours. Hence, from the attendance logs, in-app communications, to schedules, the location and time of each employee must be visible on the dashboard.
2. It Makes Scheduling Flexible
In terms of scheduling, there is no room for setting and forgetting when using the MWM tool. You can request changes, rewire a workflow, or exchange shifts as much as you want. Also, the manager can simply click to view as well asapprove the requests without any delay or complex procedure.
Most mobile staff depend on precise scheduling, for instance, a service technician who is assigned to an on-site case or a salesperson who is looking for new prospects. This scheduling feature must accommodate the dynamism of such roles and handle them effectively.
3. It Transmits Real-Time Alerts
The mobile workforce management software you choose must utilize mobile technology to its advantage. Real-time notifications and alerts ensure that employees are always informed of recent developments within the organization. They may be in different locations, but that does not matter because mobile technology brings people in various locations to a centralized place.
Additionally, when a task is complete, the platform must auto-update the workers on the next assignment, then alert the manager about any change. It should also provide geofencing tools to inform managers when their staff is changing locations. MWM tools must share relevant details to ensure the safety of staff members.
4. It Enhances Customization Based on Industry Needs
Companies that rely on MWM tools do not all use them for the same purpose. For instance, a business for fleet management will want to incorporate checks for their vehicle on the platform. Also, manufacturers will want specialized checks for safety. Hence, MWM tools must permit workflows that are highly configurable, where the rules of business are set to meet unique demands.
5. It Supports Third-Party Integration and Seamless Reporting
Some companies still use spreadsheets to manage their mobile staff. To put an end to this, a solution with a dynamic reporting module must be integrated into the system. This will ensure that managers and others see patterns, trends, and KPIs on a unified dashboard.
The system will also permit exporting the information to various formats. Whenthesystem has auto-export features, it will ensure that the business complies with little human interventions.
In addition to reporting features, integrating third-party tools are necessary to meet specific industry scenarios. And if such features are unavailable by default, the software developer should integrate modules like CRM and invoicing into the tool. You may want to visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2020/08/26/13-tips-for-leading-and-managing-remote-teams/?sh=46021e0e577b to learn how to manage a remote team.
Conclusion
Many companies today are faced with the challenge of managing a mobile team. And having bare-bone solutions for monitoring and approving the movement of mobile staff may not be enough.
You would rather benefit more from a platform that helps with scheduling tasks, predicting requirements, managing performance, maintaining compliance to compensation, and offering admin capabilities. And you can get all these from a single tool.
It is important to look for mobile workforce management software that is well-designed, comprehensive, and bandwidth-light. It should also be cloud-based to ensure seamless connectivity at any location and any time.