TECHNOLOGY TODAY – April 2023 Edition
By NAMFS Technology Committee
Technology has revolutionized the way mortgage field service companies operate and has brought about a host of benefits for both service providers and Field Service Professionals. From scheduling, routing, capturing photos, identifying risks, and submitting results to clients in real time. Technology has made the field service industry more efficient and productive than ever before.
Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone at the Macworld conference on January 9th, 2007. Since then the smartphone industry has enabled businesses to reap the benefits of technology, but none more so than in mortgage field services. The use of mobile technology has greatly improved mortgage field service operations. With the use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, mortgage Field Service Professionals can now access job information, property data, and work orders while on the go. This not only improves efficiency but also ensures that inspectors are always up-to-date and informed.
One of the most significant benefits of technology in mortgage field service is the ability to automate tasks. With the use of software, management companies can quickly and easily assign work orders to inspectors. This not only saves time and resources but also ensures that the right inspector is sent to the right job at the right time.
In addition, technology has also greatly improved communication between inspectors and management companies. With the use of workflow software and other customer communication tools, mortgage Field Service Professionals can now easily keep track of interactions, manage data, and respond quickly to work orders. This improves inspection reports and builds strong, long-lasting relationships with management companies and national vendors.
Traditional cameras required you to transfer the photos from the camera’s memory card to a computer to access and share the photos. This typically involved connecting the camera to a computer via a USB cable or removing the memory card and inserting it into a card reader.
Today, uploading photos with a smartphone is much easier and faster. You can upload photos directly from the phone to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular data, without needing to transfer the photos to a computer first. Smartphones have enabled contractors to submit their completions, bids, and invoices via mobile apps. This can be done using one of the many mobile app providers which are widely used in the industry.
An important advance in technology has been the creation of route planning applications. These applications save inspectors time and money when planning their day. Improved efficiency through route planning enables inspectors to avoid traffic hotspots, reduce driving time and save on fuel costs.
Technology also enables service providers to analyze large data sets, which can be used to optimize their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and make well-informed strategic decisions. By implementing technology such as IoT, AI, Machine Learning and predictive analytics, mortgage field service companies can gain a much deeper understanding of their operations, which in turn allows them to improve service and reduce costs.
In conclusion, technology has transformed the mortgage field service industry in a significant way and continues to provide new opportunities for growth and innovation. From receiving work orders to capturing photos of properties and mapping routes, technology has made mortgage field service companies more efficient, productive, and customer-focused than ever before. Inspectors that invest in technology are better positioned to adapt to the changing needs of their customers and stay ahead of the competition.