Rule of Thumb for Choosing the Right Field Force Automation

Table of Contents

What is Field Force Automation all about?

Why do we need Field Force Automation?

Different Types of Field Force Automation

Things to consider for choosing the right field force automation

Conclusion:

Ever thought of bringing transformational impact with Field Force Automation? The world is all about digital excellence these days, where intelligent automation is transforming emerging industries at a rapid pace, and FMCG is certainly one of them.

But let’s be honest, managing a field force can be a complex task with teams spread across diverse territories. We are talking about tracking sales team performance across cities or regions, ensuring they hit targets, and making sure businesses run smoothly. Without the right tools, this can lead to missed opportunities, poor communication, and delayed decisions. But what if all this can be managed from the palm of your hand? This is precisely what FFA can deliver – and we will discuss this in detail here.

What is Field Force Automation all about?

Field force management software uses the latest technologies to make the work of field teams easier and more effective.  The main goal of Field Force automation software is to simplify routine tasks, gather data, and provide real-time updates on the go.

Imagine the outcome you’ll achieve when your salespeople spend less time on paperwork and more time engaging with customers. That’s what Field Force Management is all about: it frees your team from manual tasks and boosts their efficiency.

Why do we need Field Force Automation?

In the fast-paced, growing market, businesses can no longer rely on traditional methods to stay ahead of the competition. There is a need to shift from the traditional route to technologies that can simplify processes and boost efficiency. Tracking market discipline, having real-time data at your fingertips, and making informed decisions will make a huge difference in the competitive landscape.

Field Force Software is essential because it simplifies everything by offering a centralized platform to manage field operations with real-time collaboration between your FOS and Customers.

With Field Force Automation, one can ensure:

• Drive sales growth: Detailed reports and interactive dashboards help you to analyze sales data and make smarter decisions to boost sales & revenue.
• Improve operational efficiency: Automating tasks like beat planning, order booking, and expense reporting reduces errors, saves time, and keeps things running smoothly.
• Enhance customer experience: A user-friendly interface designed to navigate quickly and efficiently, reducing frustration and increasing satisfaction.

Different Types of Field Force Automation

Now that you see how important Field Force Automation Software is for business success, it’s equally important to choose the right solution for your needs. Field Force software from Smbhav by FieldAssist can be customized to fit your specific business requirements.

Let’s have a look at a couple of variations of FFA and key features to consider for:

1. Sales Force Automation (SFA)

SFA is widely used by FMCG, FMCD, F&B, FMEG, and Textiles businesses to improve their sales team performance in the field and drive growth. With features such as order booking, outlet sanitization, route planning & optimization, etc, your sales team will be able to work more efficiently, increase productivity, and ultimately achieve higher sales targets.

Key features to look out for:

• Order Management: 

Enhance order accuracy and efficiency by utilizing real-time SKU tracking, stock visibility, and on-the-spot scheme application.

• Real-time Analytics:

Gain real-time insights and empower your field sales team to make data-driven decisions, enabling swift responses to changing trends and emerging opportunities.

• Route Optimization: 

Plan beat routes and enable your sales team to schedule their field visit, ensuring that priority customers are visited on time.

• Sales Tracking: 

Track sales team moves in the field, ensuring retailers and customers are visited on time.

• Offline Functionality: 

Works without internet and syncs data when connectivity is restored.

• Primary Order Automation 

Empower the sales team to capture or place primary orders anytime, anywhere through the app.

• Sales Team attendance & TA DA 

Keep track of attendance, manage leave approvals easily, and streamline Travel and Dearness Allowance (TADA) filing to save time and reduce approval hassle.

2. Sales Tracker App

A sales Tracker is a software that Beverages, Retail, Apparel, Consumer Goods and Healthcare companies utilize to gain real-time visibility into field activities with features like attendance tracking, geo-fencing, and expense management.

Key features to look out for:

• Field Visits: 

Uses GPS-based geo-fencing for better fleet management and daily activity tracking in the market.

• Tour Planning

Prevents overlap of retailers’ visits by defining separate territories, supports route changes, and allows customized routes to individual sales representatives.

• Attendance Management

Efficiently manage your workforce with in-app approvals and attendance reports, giving you an instant view of your team’s punctuality and field activities.

3. Field Service Automation

Field Service Automation is a pre-eminent choice for FMCD, FMEG, Apparel, Healthcare, and Medical supply players to streamline service operations, managing work orders, schedules, inventory, and customer interactions to improve service delivery and satisfaction.

Key features to look out for:

• Task Automation

Helps you schedule, assign, and track tasks more efficiently, reducing mistakes and saving time.

• Real-time Tracking

Monitors field agents in the market to ensure timely task completion and optimized routes.

• Data Collection & Reporting

Effortless data gathering and producing accurate reports and insights of the sales team for informed decision making.

• Seamless Integration

Simplify your operations with seamless integration by effortlessly connecting solutions to your existing systems for smooth data flow.

• Improved Communication 

Enhance communication and coordination between field agents and the back office.

• Mobile Access

Let’s agents update work status, such as retailing, field visit, payment collection, and access information on the dashboard from anywhere.

• Customer Satisfaction 

Ensures timely service to boost satisfaction and retention.

By understanding the specific needs of your business and aligning with key performance indicators (KPIs), you can select the most suitable type of field force automation or a combination to drive growth and success.

Things to consider for choosing the right field force automation

Field force automation helps companies to streamline their operations, work more efficiently, and understand market trends better than anyone else. But picking the right software can be confusing if you don’t know what features to look for.

Don’t worry, we’re going to help you by covering the key points to consider when choosing the right field force automation software.

The first step is to have a thorough understanding of your business needs. Begin by identifying pain points of your field force – Are they struggling with inefficient data collection, lack of real-time visibility, or difficulty in meeting sales quotas? Then, clearly define your business objectives and determine what you’re looking to achieve in terms of business growth with field force automation.

Once you have a clear picture of your challenges and goals, prioritize the features that will directly address them and follow the points below:

1. Business Alignment & Industry Relevance

The next step is to ensure that the product and features from a vendor align with your business needs. Look for a company with deep expertise in SFA, innovative technology, and the ability to meet both current and future requirements.

2. Customer Support

Choose a partner committed to your growth, offering reliable customer support along the way. Providing quick help via calls, WhatsApp, or chat, along with regular updates and training.

3. Success Stories

Have a look at the company’s client testimonials, solutions they have delivered, and businesses they have worked with to understand how good they are at overcoming challenges and achieving business growth. For instance, Smbhav by FieldAssist has helped brands enhance their field operations and drive growth.

For example:

One FMCG company aimed to sustain growth by building a robust GTM strategy to address challenges like a lack of visibility, real-time analytics, inflexible sales processes, and inventory optimization issues. SMBHav by FieldAssist stepped in with just three training sessions for 25 users. These 25 individuals then empowered the entire sales team to perform better. The results were undeniable: a remarkable 160% increase in outlet reach and a 170% boost in average order quantity. This business didn’t just overcome its challenges -it transformed them into unprecedented growth opportunities.

Another business needed a better way to manage sales data and track KPIs. They faced issues like data management inefficiencies, lack of KPI monitoring, stock flow visibility, and manual communication of schemes. After a successful pilot with Smbhav in one region, they expanded the solution nationwide. Tools like FA Flo, DMS, and Quick Viz helped reduce gaps between retailer orders and distributor fulfillment. The transformation was significant, with a 133% year-over-year increase in new outlets and a 51% expansion in their outlet universe. These numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of enhanced sales data management and KPI tracking.

These examples highlight the potential benefits of adopting their solutions.

Conclusion: 

Field force automation is more than just a tool; it’s an investment that can significantly improve your sales force and customer experience. Many FMCG players admitted that after integrating field force automation management software into their business, they’ve witnessed increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, minimized operational costs, and enhanced market penetration.

Want to see the difference you can achieve with Smbhav by FieldAssist? Contact us today to learn more and schedule a demo.

FAQ:

1. Can Field Force Automation benefit my growing business?

Yes, it can! Field Force Automation makes your business run smoother by helping you track your sales team, collect data, and manage tasks easily. It saves your time, helps your team work faster, and keeps your customers happy. Whether you’re selling in one city or many, this tool helps you grow without stress.

2. How can Field Force Automation help me save costs and increase profits?

Field Force Automation cuts down wasteful spending by reducing errors and paperwork. It helps your sales team follow better routes, save fuel, and use time wisely. You also get real-time updates on sales, so you can make quick decisions that bring in more money. With fewer mistakes and smarter planning, your profits can grow.

3. What kind of ROI can I expect from using Field Force Automation?

The ROI can be big. Many businesses see faster sales, more orders, and happier customers. For example, some companies doubled their sales and expanded to more stores using Field Force Automation. While it depends on your business size, the tool often pays for itself in no time and helps your business earn even more.