GUEST EDITORIAL
By Aaron Salow
MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS
Not too long ago, the plumbing industry relied strictly on analog processes. Every job was manual, from installation and repair to dispatch, invoicing and accounting. In 2022, the plumbing profession now runs on advanced technologies that range from thermal-imaging leak detection to smart water heaters and trenchless pipe repair.
Today, perhaps the most essential technology that is now transforming the industry is a wave of powerful software solutions driven by artificial intelligence, data science and virtual reality. Intuitive technician-enablement platforms equip plumbing contractors and their teams with innovative platforms that deliver deep, actionable insights to streamline operational efficiency, protect existing revenue and identify untapped revenue opportunities.
Driven by a competitive marketplace, ongoing labor shortages and evolving expectations among consumers, innovation from field service solution providers will continue to accelerate in the coming years. Here are some developments expected to emerge or continue in 2022:
“The industry’s leading innovators have developed technology solutions that empower contractors and their teams to utilize, aggregate and analyze critical job data.”
A number of technology solutions claim to provide AI- and deep data-driven functions designed specifically for field technicians. The reality is that only a few elite software providers truly deliver technician-first technology that is backed by deep data and tens of thousands of hours of development in partnership with techs in the field.
The industry’s leading innovators have developed technology solutions that empower contractors and their teams to utilize, aggregate and analyze critical job data and deliver premier value through unsurpassed efficiency, accuracy and accountability. In addition, standardized workflows, job documentation capabilities and technician training and enablement solutions support data-based business intelligence and real-time decision-making.
Throughout 2022, field service management software for plumbing contractors will continue to advance, leveraging complex data to help service providers solve the industry’s most common pain points, elevate productivity and deliver extraordinary service to their customers.
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Aaron Salow is CEO and co-founder of XOi Technologies, one of the fastest growing startups in Nashville, Tennessee. XOi is changing the way field service companies in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing industries capture data, communicate with stakeholders, and service their customers.