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FAQ - Field Service Management

Illavenil 2024 - Latest Release

FieldAx Illavenil 2024 Release – Version:1.23

Date:4th March 2024

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities, improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes brought about by this release.

What’s New?

● Day Book
Our new Day Book feature displays your daily assignments directly in the mobile app. Assignments are colour-coded for easy status tracking, and a map icon provides one-touch navigation to each job site via Google Maps. For a broader view, use the ‘Open Map’ button to see all your assignments plotted at once for the selected date.

FieldAx Day Book

● Timer for Job and Travel

We’ve added a job timer to track work and travel time. The timer starts when a user logs the time and offers a “Stop Timer” button for control. The end time updates automatically on the open time card, and the timer hides once stopped.

FieldAx Timer for Job and Travel

● My Inventory Feature

We streamlined the inventory management for service engineers. It will include a location-aware inventory tab, helping engineers quickly find parts in their trunk. Engineers can also raise product requests for unavailable parts, and the app will display the status of existing part requests, preventing unnecessary duplicates.

FieldAx My Inventory Feature

Features Improved

● Time zone on Dispatch Board

Old functionality: When viewing the Dispatch board, engineers are grouped by region, but assignment times are displayed based on the user’s local time zone. This can lead to confusion when coordinating work across different regions.

New functionality: Engineers are still grouped by region on the Dispatch board. Now, assignment times are displayed according to the time zone of the assigned region. This ensures a consistent view of schedules, regardless of the user’s location.

● Part Transfer module update
Multiple part transfers on a single product request or return order will consolidate into one freight shipment if none of the shipments have been delivered.

● Adding color to assignments on the Dispatch board
Assignments on the dispatch board now include a customizable color field. This allows you to visually differentiate assignments, with FieldAx Green as the default colour.

● Limit Dispatch Board Left Results to Selected Date Range
The Dispatch Board’s left-side results will now update dynamically to match your selected date range on the calendar. This ensures that you’re only seeing the data relevant to the timeframe you’ve chosen.

● New Look for the Map View
Now we have consolidated multiple map views into a single view. This unified view will allow dispatchers to filter jobs, resources, and assignments directly within the map, based on a selected date range from the calendar.

● Quick Dispatch Assignment Title Issue
We have identified a discrepancy in how assignment labels are handled between the Quick Dispatch screen and the main dispatch board. Earlier, the Quick Dispatch screen was limited to displaying the assignment number. We implemented a fix to pull in the correct custom label data, ensuring consistency within the system.

● Fixed – Consumed Parts Deletion Causes Inventory Wipe
There was a bug where using one spare part caused the system to mistakenly delete all other spare parts of the same type, even if they were stored in different locations or had unique tracking numbers.

Known Issues

Our development team is actively investigating these issues.

  • Pagination for the Part Transfer feature is not accurate.
  • When clicking the ‘Consume Parts’ button, there’s a momentary image flicker before the screen returns to normal.
  • The region’s time zone is ignored when calculating duration on the dispatch board.
  • The start date and end date in assignments are not being updated when rescheduling assignments in the dispatch board. The correct information is displayed only after refreshing the page.

Contact

We appreciate your continued support and feedback. For any issues or further suggestions, please contact our support team. 

FieldAx Mazhai ‘23 Release Update

Date: 1st Nov, 2023

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. Date Picker on Dispatch Board
    Users now have the ability to select any date in the Dispatch board, offering increased flexibility in
    scheduling.

    Date Picker on Dispatch Board

  2. Search Bar Functionality
    A search bar feature has been added to facilitate the quick location of Service Engineers on the
    dispatch board, streamlining the assignment process.

    Search Bar Functionality

  3. Regional Grouping
    Service Engineers can now be grouped by their respective regions on the dispatch board, providing a
    clearer overview.
  4. Expanded Dispatch Board Views
    Dispatch board views have been enriched with Daily, Weekly, 2-Weeks, and optionally Monthly
    options, allowing for better planning and visualization.

    Easy Assigning job

  5. Customizable Filter for Job Queue
    The job queue on the dispatch board now features dynamic columns, offering more flexibility in
    customization.

    Choosing Region

  6. Enhanced Calendar for Service Engineers
    Service engineers’ calendars on the dispatch board now incorporate additional appointments
    alongside their assigned jobs.

    Schedule

  7. Heightened Assignment Visibility
    The height of assignments on the dispatch board has been raised for improved visibility and clarity.
  8. Region Mapping Visibility
    Service engineers’ visibility on the dispatch board is determined by the start and end dates of their
    region mappings, preventing simultaneous assignments to multiple regions.
  9. Improved Parts Consumption
    Users now have the option to input the replaced item when consuming parts for the required returned
    item.

    Consume Parts

  10. Customer Signature with Feedback
    Field Service Engineers can now collect customer signatures with feedback upon closing a job,
    enhancing customer engagement.

    Sign

  11. Inventory Creation with Initial Stock
    During the creation of new inventory, users can add available stock, resulting in the creation of
    inventory with initial stock levels.
  12. Hover Functionality
    Placing the mouse cursor over the assigned job reveals additional information according to the
    customer’s requirement, improving job visibility.

    Release Notes

  13. Customizable Text Color
    The text color of assigned jobs on the dispatch board is now customizable, allowing users to
    personalize their display.
  14. Reduced Dispatch Board Loading Time
    The loading time of the dispatch board has been significantly reduced, enhancing overall efficiency.
  15. New Reports
    ● Reports displaying ‘Parts Stock Summary’ and ‘Parts Moving Average’ are now available on
    the product page.
    ● A report showcasing Customer feedback for the Field Service Engineers has been introduced.

Features Improved

    • Inventory Section Enhancement
      The ‘Return Required’ checkbox has been moved to the Inventory section for better organization.
    • Alphabetical Order for Service Engineers
      The Field Service Engineer list is now organized in alphabetical order on the Dispatch board,
      facilitating easier navigation.
    • Streamlined Job Generation
      Screen sequence for generating a job from a Service Plan has been improved for a more seamless
      user experience.

Known Issues

Our development team is actively investigating these issue.

  • At times, the lines in the week and two-week calendar on the dispatch board may not display
    accurately.
  • Pagination for the Part Transfer feature is not accurate.
  • The start date and end date in assignments are not being updated when rescheduling assignments in the dispatch board. The correct information is displayed only after refreshing the page.
  • The dispatch board does not take into account the time zone for the service engineer membership with region.

Kodai ‘23 Release Update

Date: 1st Aug, 2023

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. In the Dispatch board, Service Engineer Profile, have multiple tabs with Calendar. – The dispatch board allows you to view a service engineer’s calendar by clicking on their name.
  2. Accessing FSE’s Assignment Lists on the Dispatch Board: Through the Dispatch Board, a Service Engineer profile allows you to view their list of assignments.

Illavenil ‘23 Release Update

Date: 1st Apr, 2023

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. In Desktop – Dispatchers can see real-time job locations and technician routes on a map within the dispatching interface.

  2. FieldAx Mobile – FieldAx Mobile integrates Google Maps for service engineers to easily visualize customer locations within assignments.

  3. Timecard – When the FSE travels to a job, and updates the time spent on work and other work-related time records, it gets updated in the Timecard section.

Mazhai ‘22 Release Update

Date: 1st Aug, 2022

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. Quick Dispatch: Assign Jobs from the Job Record Page – Use that page to assign tasks within a job. The quick dispatch option provides similar functionality to a dispatch board.

  2. Serial Enforcement – If the ‘return required’ checkbox is selected, parts cannot be consumed without a serial number.

  3. Inventory Management Improvement – Simplify inventory management by replenishing quantity directly during item creation.

Kodai ‘22 Release Update

Date: 1st May, 2022

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. Request Parts – Should an engineer require a part not present in their truck stock; a simple button click initiates a request. This action creates a corresponding job record and notifies the inventory manager.

  2. Consume Parts – When an engineer uses a part during a repair, they can record this consumption in the ‘Consume Part’ section. This automatically updates the Master record and truck stock levels in the inventory system.

  3. Return Order – Need to return damaged parts? The return order section lets you do just that. Select the parts, create a shipping order, and easily track their progress.

Illavenil ‘22 Release Update

Date: 1st Jan, 2022

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. In the Dispatch board, the assignment is updated with more information. – When you click an assignment in the technician calendar, you’ll see the relevant job details and the specifics of that assignment. In the Dispatch board, the assignment has a map section for the Service Engineer.
  2. In the Dispatch board, when clicking on Service Engineer, the engineer profile is shown. – Clicking a service engineer’s name on the dispatch board will open a window with their detailed information.
  • Mazhai 21 Release Update

    Date: 1st Oct, 2021

    Overview

    • Integrate job type and parts information into the job layout.
    • Include engineer comments in the job layout.
    • Implement invoice creation based on FieldAx settings (multiple job sheets):
    • If checkbox is checked: Generate invoice from the most recent job sheet.
    • If unchecked: Base invoice on job’s used parts and timecards.
    • Add job sheet preview with a send button on the job layout.
    • Introduce a checkbox in FieldAx settings for multiple job sheets per job.
    • Implement customer and engineer signature workflow in jobs.

Mazhai 2020: Release Update

Date: 1st Oct, 2020

Overview

  • Enhance FieldAx dispatch console with improved UI design.
  • Replace existing job sheet photo feature with standard chatter file upload for job sheets and job records.
  • When sending job sheet PDF from a job:
    1. Upload to notes and attachments with version number.
    2. Track email in activity history.
  • Added a checkbox in FieldAx settings to combine multiple job sheets into a single invoice.
  • Remove the “Prepare job sheet” button from the single job sheet layout on the Job page.
  • Move Accept/Reject buttons from jobs to Assignments and include a checkbox.

Mazhai 2019: Release Update

Date: 1st Oct, 2019

Overview

  • Introducing FieldAx dispatcher console.
  • Add a progress bar for jobs.
  • Incorporate Quantity, Location, and Engineer comments fields into job systems and include in single job sheet preview/PDF.

Kodai ‘19 Release Update

Date: 1st May, 2019

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. Skill sets – Based on the Field Service Engineer’s (FSE) skill level for any given product and unassigned job, the Dispatch Console will display a list of FSEs along with the percentage match of their skill set for the required job. Each FSE’s skill set will be configured in their profile.

  2. Holidays and Time off – Holiday and Time off are a built-in function where the FSE can request and update the leaves for Vacation and Break. Once Approved, the assignment of jobs will not be permitted for the given FSE, and it will show the holiday status on the dispatch board.

  3. Final Job date in the Service Plan – Earlier, there was no field “Final job Date”. Once a job is completed, it would reschedule the next job till the End Job date field is updated (End Job date is the Agreement End Date). Now, if the final job date is updated/used, then the job will be completed on this date which should be before the END Job date.

Illavenil ‘19 Release Update

Date: 1st Aug, 2019

Overview

We are pleased to introduce the latest release of FieldAx, featuring a variety of new functionalities,
improvements, and bug fixes. This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the changes
brought about by this release.

What’s New?

  1. Schedule jobs from the Service Plan – We created a button in the Service Plan object which allows us to create jobs from within the Service Plan for the Account.

  2. System Included (Similar to Install Base) – The product which is placed at the customer’s location. In case the customer has brought more than 1 product, Multiple “System Included” records will be created. Each System Included will have the location address updated. This would help the FSE to track based on the service assigned for the specified System included.

  3. New Reports – New reports with integrated graphics deliver clear stock overviews.

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