Software Review
ServiceM8: Service Management System Review
Running a service business is no easy feat. Not only do you have to manage clients, you also need to keep an eye on your field workers. Targeted at trade professionals, ServiceM8 exists with the aim to help small businesses thrive in their field. By combining top-notch technology and the incredible power of the cloud, ServiceM8 is able to create a job management system packed with foolproof features that streamline all necessary workflow from getting appointments to getting paid.
ServiceM8’s job management feature gives an overall view of all the clients and job details in one place. This helps the user in tracking the status of all existing jobs. But there’s a difference between finishing the job first time and having to schedule a second visit. That’s where Job History option comes in. It provides a record all transactions for every client and can serve as future reference for future repairs.
Tasks and checklists are accessible for the convenience both of the manager and the field worker. It ensures that every job is done right the first time. The system also allows photo and video recording which automatically saves to the job. Everyone in the team can access saved images which can be used to ask for feedback and ask help from the team.
ServiceM8 enables digital signature capture. Clients’ signature emphasizes that they are happy with the service and are ready to proceed with the transaction. Dispatch Map provides an overview location of all your field workers which comes handy for the manager in assigning the next job.
Planning a staff’s job schedule must be the most important function of every job management software. ServiceM8’s scheduling tool offers an entire view of all staff and their schedules minus the need for many clicks. Scheduling is as easy as dragging jobs to the scheduled time and staff member of choice.
Instant dispatch option is also accessible for jobs that need to be attended urgently. Urgent jobs can be designated to the nearest staff in location. Staff will get notified and they can immediately proceed to client’s place in a matter of minutes.
In case of job re-schedule, employees get notified through the Schedule Update function. Moreover, Job Reminders automatically alerts a staff whenever they have to leave for their next task. All functionalities and information in the app are accessible to all staff members anytime and anywhere.
When a job gets done, generating a professional invoice is convenient and fast with ServiceM8’s Easy Invoicing feature which provides a PDF copy of invoices that can be sent through email, TXT, post, and can also be printed if desired.
Time is money so ServiceM8 makes sure that quoting is fast and accurate. This is possible with setting up a pre-set labour rate which calculates a profitable job estimate. Quotes can be sent to a client through email or TXT with a special link where a client can accept the offer. A built-in form is included in case a client has questions before proceeding with the job.
Various templates are available online, be it for Invoice, Work Order, Quoting, or Question Forms, in which you can attach your logo. ServiceM8 also allows you to custom-design your own templates for different purposes.
If you find processing work order and quotes easy, payment is much easier. By inserting a client’s credit card number through the app, payments can be done in just several taps. You can also send the client a TXT or email that includes a special link to a credit card payment portal for a more document processing. When the worker is still in the location with the client, they have the option to scan the cred card using the smartphone’s camera and the payment will be processed in no time.
Being on the cloud, one of ServiceM8’s strengths is real-time communication. ServiceM8 enables direct messaging clients from the app itself whether through email or TXT message. All customer replies automatically sync in the ServiceM8 app and get recorded in the Job Diary which can be used for future reference.
In-office and on-app templates are available for a more professional approach. These templates feature auto-fill client, job information, and more. Staff can send an On-the-way message to a client to inform them hours or minutes before they arrive in the designated area. Field workers can use Track My Arrival add-on to know the estimated time of arrival.
Activity Feed is made for everyone in the business to communicate, discuss and share tips on everything job-related matters.
ServiceM8 boasts of their powerful mobile service app integrated with intensive features.
ServiceM8 can be accessed and navigated through Apple Watch. It supports time-tracking of your working time and a glimpse of all important job info. You’ll receive a notification once it’s time to move to another work schedule.
No internet? No problem. Staff can still view job schedules, take photos and videos, and collect signatures even offline. Once the internet is back, all changes automatically sync in the system. The only limitation for offline users would be sending emails and TXT messages.
Adding a material to your invoice is easy with the in-app barcode scanner. Document scanning is also possible by using the camera on the job card and hover it over the document. This function auto-detects and focus on the document. Once captured, it goes to the job diary in a high-res PNG format.
Auto-generated PDFs are available for any kinds of paper needed for your business. From business permits to certificates and other documents, you can customise it with your logo for consistency. These are easy-to-create and easy-to-complete forms that can be signed up on site. Just draft a set of questions you and your clients’ need and these forms will be stored in the system forever.
A wide range of forms can be purchased at the Forms Marketplace.
Add-ons are powerful tools that boost an app’s performance. ServiceM8 is powered by several add-ons that are designed to make a convenient platform for the users and their clients. There’s an online booking add-on that enables adding a form which your clients can use for requesting quotes and other enquiries. Automated communication add-ons., recurring job reminders, and badges are some of the many available add-ons you can use for your business.
Most add-ons are for free and can be purchased at the ServiceM8 Add On store.
Reports are a fundamental determiner of your business success. It keeps track of your team’s performance and gives you an overview of the factors you need to improve. ServiceM8 has built-in reports generator for various subjects such as jobs, revenue, and feed reports. You can also customise your own reports through the in-app tool. Data can be exported to excel file for future keeping.
No system is created perfect. That is why integration is formed to maximise the functionality of a software. ServiceM8 is integrated with a wide range of systems from accounting software to email marketing tools, staff management apps, stock control, and more.
*Prices are in USD
ServiceM8 is best for small service companies that need a system to help them organize their workflow. Dispatching field workers is one thing, leaving happy clients and getting paid are another. ServiceM8 is useful from the getting job orders to visiting clients and getting paid.
Do you think ServiceM8 will work for your business? Check them out!