How do the top Field Service systems compare?

We’ve looked at the 7 most popular Field Service systems for small to medium enterprises, to compare and find the best option for you.

We reviewedMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Field Service, Salesforce Field Service, simPRO, BigChange, Commusoft, ServiceM8 and Joblogic

Then follow our checklist of questions to help find the right type of system for you

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service

A comprehensive enterprise solution that’s part of Microsoft’s Dynamics business suite. Best for organisations wanting deep integration with Microsoft products and complex customisation options.

Features

Advanced resource scheduling and optimisation
Mobile app with offline working
IoT integration and predictive maintenance
Mixed reality tools (HoloLens compatible)
Customer self-service portal
Complex workflow automation
Very customisable
Comprehensive asset management

Strengths

Deep Microsoft integration
Strong UK partner network
Regular feature updates
Enterprise-level security
UK data centres
Robust and flexible reporting

Weaknesses

Complex to configure
Overwhelming for smaller teams
Higher initial investment
Can be over-engineered for simple needs
Ongoing consultancy needed

Typical customer

20+ field workers
Multiple office staff
Complex scheduling needs
National coverage
Multiple integrations required

Implementation

Timeline: 2-6 months
Cost: High to Very High
Complexity: High
Partner required
Phased rollout typical

Salesforce Field Service

Built on one of the world’s leading CRM platforms, this enterprise solution offers comprehensive field service capabilities.

Features

Visual scheduling and dispatch
Mobile app for engineers
Asset tracking and maintenance
Contract management
Customer portal
AI-powered scheduling
Work order management
Real-time tracking

Strengths

Powerful CRM integration
Extensive app marketplace
Strong automation tools
Excellent reporting
Large developer community
Good customer engagement tools
Regular updates
Strong mobile experience

Weaknesses

Complex pricing structure
Expensive per-user licensing
Multiple add-ons often needed
US-centric support
Steep learning curve
Can be difficult to customise

Typical customer

50+ field workers
Enterprise organisations
International operations
Existing Salesforce users
Customer-focused industries
Complex service requirements

Implementation

Timeline: 3-6 months
Cost: High to Very High
Complexity: High
Partner typically required
Significant training needed

simPRO

simPRO

A comprehensive job management system particularly popular with UK trade businesses. Strong focus on electrical, plumbing and HVAC sectors with excellent job costing and project management capabilities.

Features

Job scheduling and dispatch
Project management tools
Detailed job costing
Stock control and catalogues
Quote and invoice management
Maintenance scheduling
Mobile app for engineers
Supplier integration

Strengths

Strong trade focus
Excellent cost tracking
Good UK support
Built-in supplier catalogues
Solid reporting tools
Project and service job handling
Transparent pricing
Industry-specific workflows

Weaknesses

Limited customisation options
Basic customer portal
Can be complex to set up
Less flexible than enterprise solutions
Basic resource optimisation
Limited integration options

Typical customer

5-50 field workers
Trade-based businesses
Project-focused companies
UK service organisations
Electrical/plumbing firms
Commercial contractors

Implementation

Timeline: 1-3 months
Cost: Medium to High
Complexity: Medium
Training included
Data migration support

BigChange

BigChange

UK-developed all-in-one system combining field service management with vehicle tracking. Popular with companies running their own fleet of vehicles and looking for a unified solution. Significant market growth in recent years.

Features

Combined vehicle tracking and job management
Driver behaviour monitoring
Electronic job sheets
Compliance management
Mobile worker app
Customer booking portal
Integrated route planning
Digital signature capture

Strengths

All-in-one solution
Strong vehicle integration
UK-based support
Good compliance tools
Straightforward pricing
Regular platform updates
Proven UK track record
Good mobile experience

Weaknesses

Less flexible than enterprise solutions
Basic stock management
Limited third-party integration
Can be overkill for non-fleet businesses
Basic customer portal
Standard reporting tools

Typical customer

5-30 field workers
Fleet-operating businesses
Transport-linked services
Regional service companies
Facilities management firms
Construction services

Implementation

Timeline: 2-6 weeks
Cost: Medium
Complexity: Medium
Includes hardware setup
Standard training package

Commusoft

Built specifically for UK service businesses, particularly in heating, plumbing and electrical sectors. Known for its straightforward approach and good customer communication tools.

Features

Job booking and scheduling
Customer relationship management
Parts and stock control
Digital certificates
Automated invoicing
Customer portal

Strengths

Easy to learn and use
Good customer communications
UK-focused development
Straightforward pricing
Responsive support
Trade-specific features
Quick to implement
Regular updates

Weaknesses

Limited customisation
Basic reporting tools
Few integration options
Simple scheduling tools
No route optimisation
Limited multi-site features

Typical customer

2-20 field workers
Heating engineers, plumbing companies, electrical contractors
Small service businesses and Regional trade companies

Implementation

Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Cost: Low to Medium
Complexity: Low
Self-setup possible
Standard training included

ServiceM8

ServiceM8

Mobile-first solution ideal for smaller teams and businesses moving from paper-based systems. Designed to be quick to implement and easy to learn, with a focus on simplicity.

Features

Simple job scheduling
Mobile app with GPS tracking
Digital job cards
Basic stock control
Photo and file storage
Online booking forms
Email and SMS messaging

Strengths

Very easy to use
Quick to set up
Affordable starting point
Good mobile experience
Clear pricing structure
Works well for small teams
Minimal training needed

Weaknesses

Limited customisation
Basic reporting
Few integration options
Not suited to large teams
Simple scheduling tools
Limited multi-site features
Basic stock management
No advanced planning tools

Typical customer

1-10 field workers
Small trade businesses
Local service companies
Independent contractors
Mobile technicians
Start-up service businesses

Implementation

Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Cost: Low
Complexity: Low
Self-setup available
Minimal training needed

Joblogic

Joblogic

UK-based system popular in facilities management and property maintenance. Offers a good balance of features for medium-sized operations, with strong scheduling and compliance tools.

Features

Visual job scheduling
Mobile engineer app
Planned maintenance
Stock management
Quote builder
Compliance tracking
Customer portal

Strengths

Good UK support
Strong compliance tools
Solid planned maintenance
Reliable mobile app
Clear audit trails
Trade-specific features
Cost-effective pricing
Quick implementation

Weaknesses

Dated user interface
Limited customisation
Basic customer portal
Few third-party integrations
Standard reporting tools
Basic route planning
Restricted automation options

Typical customer

10-50 field workers
Facilities management firms
Property maintenance companies
Building service contractors
Social housing providers
Regional service businesses

Implementation

Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Cost: Medium
Complexity: Medium
Standard training included
UK-based setup support

Now you’ve compared the systems which one is for you?

Work through these questions to help you match the right system.

Use the prompts to help understand the features you need.

What size system do you need?

1-10 engineers (consider ServiceM8, Commusoft)
10-50 engineers (look at simPRO, Joblogic)
50+ engineers (explore Dynamics 365, Salesforce)
Multiple offices/regions
Growth plans

What’s your realistic budget range?

Low (£30-50 per user monthly)
Medium (£50-100 per user monthly)
High (£100+ per user monthly)
Implementation costs
Training budget

How complex is your scheduling?

Simple daily scheduling
Advanced resource optimisation
Emergency job handling
Multi-skilled engineers
Route optimisation needs

Which Microsoft tools do you use?

Microsoft 365 integration needed?
Outlook calendar syncing?
SharePoint documents?
Teams communication?
Power BI reporting?

Do you need vehicle tracking?

Built-in tracking (like BigChange)
Third-party integration
Driver behaviour monitoring
Route optimisation
Fuel management

What are your mobile requirements?

Offline working
Photo capture
Digital signatures
Form complexity
Device preferences

How much customisation will you need?

Standard forms only
Industry-specific workflows
Custom integrations
Unique processes
Compliance requirements

What’s your implementation timeline?

Quick start (1-2 weeks)
Standard (2-4 weeks)
Complex (2-6 months)
Training requirements
Data migration needs

Which business systems need connecting?

Accounting software
CRM systems
Parts suppliers
Customer portals
Payment systems

What level of support do you need?

UK support hours
Implementation help
Training provision
Customisation support
Ongoing consultancy

The post How do the top Field Service systems compare? appeared first on All My Systems.

Check Pete Murray’s original post https://www.allmysystems.co.uk/how-do-the-top-field-service-systems-compare/ on www.allmysystems.co.uk which was published 2025-04-30 16:03:00

Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *