The field service industry has a lot of different specialties. From cable installation to HVAC repair to cleaning services, if you send out a fleet to homes and businesses, you understand the challenges every field service technician and specialist must face.
Most people call for a field service when there is work too difficult, technical, or dirty to do themselves but few realize just how much technology is implemented in their service today.
Fleet managing field service teams now involves an array of devices that both help with the work and keep teams connected to HQ at all times. Of course, this leads to an interesting question. How do you balance dirty work with safe devices?
Devices and Field Service
The first few waves of field service tech integration included tablets, scanners, and stud finders tucked into pockets and toolboxes, but there's always a better way. The progression of device technology goes hand-in-hand with advanced holster solutions.
With specialized holsters for every kind of device, you can build the perfect belt, vest, or even bandolier of devices for your fleet teams. Ideally, your holsters will both keep the devices safe from dirty work and immediately accessible when needed. Let's take a look at just a few modern device holster solutions. You're sure to find one or two that are perfect for your field service team needs.
Neck Wallets
There's a reason the police hang their badges on neck-wallets: It's convenient, easy to display, and easy to reach when needed. If your team carries small phones, communicators, or purpose-built devices that are accessed constantly during a service, the neck wallet solution is a great way to keep something approximately wallet-sized on-hand.
This could be a walkie-talkie if that's your style, smartphones, scanners, or even just a stack of business cards for field salespeople. You can also easily tuck your neck wallet into a front shirt pocket to keep it from hanging in the way for tasks that require your team to lean over.
Custom Device Holsters
Industry devices like scanners are often not quite phone-shaped enough to fit into standard mobile device holsters. Fortunately, you find a custom holster that will snugly hold any device your business uses with a versatile attachment strategy.
This is perfect for field service teams that use tool belts or cargo straps that cross the torso because your custom device holsters can attach anywhere that is convenient. You can even clip a custom device holster to your boot if this would temporarily be more helpful than having it attached to a belt or bandolier.
Tablet Case with Touch Screen Protector
Whether your field services are highly technical or you're simply perfecting mobile record keeping on the job, many field services now require their teams to access a tablet throughout their time with a customer.
However, as convenient as having a tablet to work with may be, the last thing you want is work-smudgy fingerprints, grit, or falling screws to in any way damage your work devices. In this case, your best solution is a correctly fitting tablet case with a touch screen capacitive protector.
This provides a clear plastic cover over the screen so that touches are accepted and work can get done but the tablet is never exposed to worksite risks or dirty fingers. Your fleet teams won't even have to take off their gloves.
Device Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters are great for field services teams that may need to do a lot of moving without worrying about the position of your tool belt.
Instead of slinging everything around your waist, you can create a special safe storage position for active devices along a shoulder strap, including a holster for any tablet or scanner you may be using. Many shoulder holsters can also transform into a drop-leg solution for an even more secure and out-of-the-way style.
What kind of device holstering does your field service fleet need? Talk to your team about how they use their devices and the ways that would be most convenient to carry and protect on-site devices in use.
As a fleet manager, this should give you an idea on the best way to equip your teams. For more insights into fleet management best practices, contact us today!
