Keeping The IoT "In-Service" Field Services In The Era Of The Internet Of Things

By Roula Vrsic, SOTI Inc.

A decade ago, field service organizations were among the earliest adopters of mobile technology. Today, they are embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) as technologies such as smart machines, augmented reality and connected vehicles are revolutionizing the industry.

But these burgeoning technologies and the IoT in general do present some challenges. Issues of scale, diversity, interoperability and security mean it’s more important than ever to find ways to manage and secure those network endpoints.  

It is difficult to imagine how field service organizations managed their business before mobile phones (and pagers) came along to enable real-time communications with technicians in the field. Now, many field service organizations are on their third generation of mobile device deployment and relying on field services management software to help with work order management, call scheduling, and back-end systems integration.  

This industry made its earliest forays into mobile technologies using ruggedized devices, but that trend is shifting more and more toward consumer-grade smartphones and tablets.

Now, new technologies like Big Data, 3D printing, connected cars, and most importantly, the Internet of Things (IoT) are impacting field services. Here’s a look at what we’re seeing...