{"id":1406,"date":"2020-08-27T17:58:24","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T15:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.synchroteam.com\/blog\/?p=1406"},"modified":"2020-08-27T17:58:24","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T15:58:24","slug":"scheduling-optimization-being-productive-in-covid-19-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.synchroteam.com\/blog\/?p=1406","title":{"rendered":"Scheduling optimization: being productive in COVID-19 times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>COVID-19 pandemic<\/b> is having a huge impact on every type of business. That, of course, also includes the <\/span>field service industry<\/b>. As part of the measures adopted to prevent the spread of the disease, many field service companies have encouraged their staff to <\/span>work remotely<\/b>. But how can you maintain an efficient <\/span>scheduling optimization<\/b> when half (or most!) of your team is working from home, and cannot report to headquarters?<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote work deeply affects the kind of work that most field service companies do. Many of the dispatchers, assistants, accountants and other typically office-based personnel in field service <\/span>are probably OK with working from home<\/b>. Things change, however, when it comes to <\/span>field technicians<\/b>. <\/span>Remote work is not a possibility for them<\/span><\/a>. But even in that case, the decrease in customer calls means there\u2019s simply not enough work for them to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scheduling optimization<\/b> in these cases is hard. So it\u2019s time to get creative and <\/span>put those spare hours to work<\/b>! Grab all the projects and ideas you\u2019re always leaving for another day, and get started on them. Don\u2019t have any? Here\u2019s a few suggestions for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Scheduling<\/p>\n

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Upgrade your hardware<\/span><\/h2>\n

After having forced many companies to switch to remote work, the pandemic has also helped them realize <\/span>their hardware was a bit, say, outdated<\/b>. Computers too slow to manage remote connections, <\/span>mobile phones<\/span><\/a> that can\u2019t handle videocalls, total absence of laptops to take home\u2026 And if you don\u2019t have the right tools, scheduling optimization is not possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take the opportunity to <\/span>analyze your current hardware equipment<\/b>, and make the necessary changes accordingly. Not only will you make remote work easier these days, but you\u2019ll also <\/span>be better prepared<\/b> for other situations that make remote working necessary. Or even make it a permanent option for administrative staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Promote your business<\/span><\/h2>\n

The field service market is slowing down due to the pandemic. This means you probably need to <\/span>work a bit harder in order to promote your business<\/b> and attract more customers. Even if you don\u2019t have a marketing professional in your team, they can still undertake some actions while working from home. A perfect way to contribute to scheduling optimization, even if they\u2019re not in the office!\u00a0 Some examples:<\/span><\/p>\n