It would be hard to imagine how businesses operated before technology. The simplest tasks would take hours or days due to manual processes. Take the example of field workers. The management would remain in the dark until their teams returned to the office. Indeed, there would be no way to determine in real-time whether the employees were working.
Well, all that has changed with innovative software like field reporting apps. The real-time tracking of remote activities enhances efficiency. Lead capturing is more manageable, and information sharing occurs in seconds.
Field reporting apps are critical workforce management software. As of 2021, the industry was worth $7.5 billion. By the end of 2013, it could be as high as $12.5 million, translating to a CAGR of 6.5%.
The optimistic projections are because companies are working hard to raise performance and competency. And that entails monitoring staff productivity.
They also need to know that there is an effective and efficient use of company resources at all times.
Our article explores how in-field reporting apps can change your business.
Field Reporting Apps as Lead Management Software
Field reporting apps are software that helps with data collection, tracking, and reporting of remote activities. All these happen in real-time, allowing for quick action if necessary. Users can collect and share different data types, including audio, images, text, and video content. All the information can help with the daily monitoring of activities.
But field reporting apps are also a valuable tool for lead capturing, lead collection, and lead tracking. The team members get and give updates to allow them to track the status of their leads at every stage in the funnel.
For employers, field reporting software provides a chance to reward employees for meeting and surpassing targets. You can easily track bonuses and display them on mobile apps. The same applies to setting targets, reviewing leaderboards, and more.
So how can you use all the benefits of in-field reporting apps to change the business?
1. Better Decision-Making With In-Field Reporting Apps
Businesses depend on data insights to make decisions. The in-field reporting apps have the advantage of real-time data.
The business can use the insights to make quick decisions for the company’s benefit. You get an accurate picture of what is happening rather than relying on delayed feedback.
Teams can also use the in-field reporting app to customize specific data collection. They only get what is useful or relevant to the business. That can save time and resources that would go into gathering and sieving through tons of unnecessary data.
Quick access to data allows for seamless collaboration across departments and teams. It doesn’t matter whether everyone is in one or disparate locations. You can easily align team activities, thus ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals.
2. Increase Sales With In-Field Reporting Apps
In-field reporting app plays a vital role in increasing sales for businesses. With the help of sales data and analytics, the in-field reporting app helps the sales team to make decisions better and quicker.
This can help to identify and prioritize high-value prospects and opportunities, thereby optimizing pricing and promotions to improve the overall performance of the sales department.
An in-field reporting app can also enable sales teams to track and manage leads through the sales pipeline stages, ensuring that no potential sales are missed and that opportunities are efficiently converted into closed deals.
In addition, an in-field reporting app can help to improve communication and collaboration between sales teams and other departments such as marketing, customer service, and finance. This can lead to better alignment of business objectives and more effective execution of sales strategies.
3. Lead Capturing With In-Field Reporting Apps
In-field reporting apps are excellent for lead capturing. It does this through the following:-
➤ Real-time data collection immediately the sales team meets with prospects. That removes delays if the salespeople have to wait till the end of the day to work on reports.
➤ Automatic lead collection and updating of the CRM based on the app data. It removes errors that may arise from the manual inputting of data.
➤ Lead qualifying by taking care of any questions in real-time for the capturing of specific information. With qualified leads, the sales team can spend time chasing those likely to convert.
➤ Location-based tracking during lead collection through GPS. It is an effective way to identify high-activity areas allowing for the optimization of sales territories.
➤ Efficient lead follow-up due to access to information anytime, anywhere.
4. Higher Efficiency With In-Field Reporting Apps
Managing remote workers can be difficult if you do not have a way to streamline their activities. Infield reporting apps can help with these. You get information on inventory levels, quality checks, and customer feedback. Reducing reliance on paper-based communication eliminates errors and saves time.
Further, real-time reporting allows for quick or proactive action. You can, for instance, restock before inventory levels dry out.
The teams can also use field reporting apps for lead capture services. Let’s say your business is in lighting fixtures. A fieldworker can send a picture of an upcoming construction for the sales team to follow up on opportunities to pitch your products. That can be an effective lead capture method for immediate action. The same applies to dealing with customer issues and more.
5. In-Field Reporting Software Gives Everyone a Voice
It is common for the field staff to feel like no one hears them. They will report to the line supervisor, who then forwards the reports to management. They rarely have a chance for one-on-one interaction with management. Yet, sometimes these people give the best ideas for improving the business.
With field reporting software, everyone has a voice. You get first-hand information on their daily experiences in the field. Also, there is the fact that they are in direct communication with customers and prospects. Their feedback can give critical insights on improving lead capturing or enhancing the customer experience.
Final Thoughts
As we have shared above, in-field reporting apps have many benefits to the organization. There is better communication and streamlining of activities. These will result in higher productivity and efficiency.
Beyond that are other functionalities like lead capturing services, lead collection, and qualifying. Anyone in the organization with the mobile app can become a source of leads. The real-time updates allow for quick and proactive steps that could be the difference between losing and closing a lead.
FAQs
In-field reporting apps are software that helps collect, organize, and share data.
The benefits are many, including:-
➥ Real-time reporting
➥ Lead capturing, lead collection, qualifying, and follow-ups
➥ Enhanced accuracy in data collection and management
➥ Quick access to data
➥ Data-based decision-making
➥ Streamlining of activities, thus higher productivity
➥ Better communication amongst teams, etc.
Look for features that ensure you get maximum functionality out of the in-field reporting software. These include:-
➥ Real-time data collection
➥ Customizable data fields
➥ Offline capabilities
➥ GPS tracking
➥ Video and photo capture
➥ Voice-to-text features
➥ Inbuilt CRM or one that allows for 3rd party integrations
➥ Data visualization tools, etc.
You do not have to concern yourself with data security when using the apps. When shopping, look for security features such as user authentication and data encryption. You should also have access controls to keep data safe. Ensure the app provider has data security as a critical concern before signing on.