But how is AI relevant for utilities or service companies in their field service?
isMobile has been working with AI for several years and AI can be applied to Work order Management/Field Service Management in several ways.
Here are six areas where AI can make a difference:
1. Scheduling and route optimisation:
– AI algorithms can optimise scheduling by assigning work orders based on technicians' skills, availability, geographic position and other business rules. This minimizes travel time and maximizes efficiency.
2. Automated Work Order Generation:
– AI can automatically generate work orders based on real-time data and diagnostics from sensors. If an equipment or sensor shows signs of trouble or generates an error message, the AI can initiate a work order without human intervention.
3. Resource Optimisation:
– AI can help optimise the use of resources such as spare parts and tools. By anticipating needs based on past usage and current conditions, AI can ensure that the right resources are available when they are needed.
4. Remote guidance and augmented reality (AR):
– AI-powered remote support can assist field technicians in real time. By using AR and AI analytics, engineers can get immediate guidance and solution suggestions based on current issues and historical data, speeding up the troubleshooting process.
5. Predictive Maintenance:
– By analysing data from sensors and historical maintenance logs, AI can predict when asset or equipment is likely to need maintenance. This allows for planned maintenance instead of waiting for power failures, leakage or other failures reducing downtime and costs.
6. Image recognition
– AI based neural networks can be trained to recognise special types of assets, e.g. meter values, from images. With addition of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in modern smartphones, there is a high degree of potential to automate data collection from images taken by the technician or even by the end customer herself.
These applications improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase satisfaction for both end customers and employees involved in the field service.
