IFS: One Stop Destination for All Field Force Automation Needs
The exponential advancement of mobile technology has paved the way for field force automation (FFA). An effectual FFA solution can help businesses reap benefits such as an increase in customer satisfaction, improved productivity and reduction in operational cost. However, the FFA solution cannot work as a standalone system. It needs integration with the existing platforms such as CRM, ERPs, and so on. When it is not feasible to integrate FFA into these systems, it becomes a challenge to fully utilize the potential of the solution.“The key ask from customers are the integration capabilities of solutions with existing systems, and availability of deployment options be it on the cloud or on-prem”, says Sunder Singh, Vice President at IFS, a company offering all field force automation solutions under one umbrella.
“IFS Service Management Offering caters not only to Field Service but the entire value chain of Service management which encompasses FSM along with warranty, repairs and reverse logistics. The recent release of the IFS Cloud FSM offering integrates all IFS enterprise products under a single user interface and unified data model, which enables customers to implement and get value faster”, adds David Seng, Vice President APAC at IFS.
IFS has progressed over time to become the undisputed global leader in field force automation. Gartner, a global technological research and consulting firm, has also acknowledged IFS's expertise in this industry, naming it a leader in the FSM Magic Quadrant for consecutive six years and placing it at the furthest position for vision completeness.
Moreover, International Data Corporation has rated IFS as a leader in all of the FSM related Markestcapes: the Service Lifecycle Management Market Scape, the FSM for Utilities Marketscape, the FSM for Manufacturing Marketscape, the
Manufacturing Service Parts Management MarketScape and the SaaS and Cloud enabled Manufacturing EAM Application Market Scape. David shares, “This unique validation illustrates our ability to deliver the most complete service solution, with the industry depth of capabilities to transform service in even the most complex service organizations”.
One-Stop-Shop
Today, IFS offers the widest range of service management functionality to its clients, ensuring the most complex use cases can be managed without customization or additional systems, thereby minimizing project costs and timescales. The capabilities of IFS’s service management includes — IoT Connectivity, customer engagement, omni channel contact center, AI-powered planning & scheduling optimization, ultra-configurable mobile, remote assistance, contract & warranty management, spare parts management, extensive asset management, service project management, resource forecasting and simulation, rostering, pricing & billing, reverse logistics and depot repair management.
“Our world-class AI powered planning and scheduling optimization solution enables organizations, no matter how large, to handle realtime changes while strategically planning for the future.
'Workforce Optimization' is used loosely by other vendors, but IFS delivers true value improving SLA compliance by 81 percent and technician productivity by 33 percent, while reducing travel time by 35 percent”, mentions Sunder.
The Road Ahead
Since the last five years IFS has witnessed rapid growth and is now valued as a $ 10 billion company. In 2021, the firm saw total recurring revenue up 30 percent, cloud revenue up 105 percent and Field service management revenue up 97 percent. IFS continues to build its geographic presence, outside of North America and Europe, it now has major coverage across India, China and South Africa, ASEAN, ME & ANZ.
In the future, IFS plans to upgrade its bracket of offering with the evolving market dynamics.
One-Stop-Shop
Today, IFS offers the widest range of service management functionality to its clients, ensuring the most complex use cases can be managed without customization or additional systems, thereby minimizing project costs and timescales. The capabilities of IFS’s service management includes — IoT Connectivity, customer engagement, omni channel contact center, AI-powered planning & scheduling optimization, ultra-configurable mobile, remote assistance, contract & warranty management, spare parts management, extensive asset management, service project management, resource forecasting and simulation, rostering, pricing & billing, reverse logistics and depot repair management.
“Our world-class AI powered planning and scheduling optimization solution enables organizations, no matter how large, to handle realtime changes while strategically planning for the future. 'Workforce Optimization' is used loosely by other vendors, but IFS delivers true value improving SLA compliance by 81 percent and technician productivity by 33 percent, while reducing travel time by 35 percent”, mentions Sunder.
The Road Ahead
Since the last five years IFS has witnessed rapid growth and is now valued as a $ 10 billion company. In 2021, the firm saw total recurring revenue up 30 percent, cloud revenue up 105 percent and Field service management revenue up 97 percent. IFS continues to build its geographic presence, outside of North America and Europe, it now has major coverage across India, China and South Africa, ASEAN, ME & ANZ.
In the future, IFS plans to upgrade its bracket of offering with the evolving market dynamics.
