Digitalization as a way to sustainability

In 2021, we exhausted nature´s budget for the year on July 29. For the rest of the year, we maintained our ecological debt by using natural resources and accumulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If we keep compounding this debt in the future, natural disasters will become more frequent and devastating.
A recent UN climate change report showed that global warming is close to spiraling out of control. These climate changes and the ensuing environmental disasters are caused by human activities. That is why only we can avert them.

Everyone can minimize the damage

Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by a person, organization, or nation. It’s measured in tons of CO2 emissions. 71 % of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by 100 companies that mostly operate in the energy sector. The majority of greenhouse gases are created by burning fossil fuels, agriculture, forestry, industrial processes, and waste. However, this doesn´t mean that individuals and companies don´t also have a carbon footprint.

Each one of us can contribute to minimizing the damage by reducing this footprint. This applies to companies, too. Climate change has a massive impact on business. That is why companies are moving towards sustainability.

Many big names such as Siemens, Google, McDonald´s or BMW are taking action to protect the planet and reduce emissions. Consumer behavior is starting to change too. People who care about environmental issues are seeking brands that share their values.

Field service providers are also starting to make sustainability one of their priorities. That means better resource allocation, as well as following regulations limiting carbon emissions. So, what steps can the field service industry take to reduce its carbon footprint?

Make digitalization a driver of sustainability

Integrating digital technology into company processes is an essential step towards reducing your carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable. Digital technologies also have the potential to optimize energy consumption.

Many industries still use paper for completing tasks that can be done digitally, and field service is no exception. During an average order, a field service technician needs to fill out several sheets of paper. If they have four or five work orders a day, this can climb up to a 2-digit number. That´s a lot of wasted paper!

Another big issue is carbon emissions. It might seem like a small thing, but the truth is that transportation causes more than 20 % of carbon emissions worldwide. But what digital technologies can they use to cope with all of this?

1. CRM & field service management apps

A simple mobile app might be all it takes. Instead of carrying around documents with information about customers, field workers can access them on their mobile devices. The same goes for writing reports – you can just fill them out digitally and sign them with a legally binding e-signature.

Good field service apps should also have route planning features. Better route planning for fieldworkers can significantly reduce road traffic. With the help of a good route planning tool, you can optimize your employees´ routes with regard to traffic and their schedules. This way, they will spend less fuel, but also time on the road.

Field service software can also indicate when equipment needs maintenance. It extends the life span of equipment, lowers operating costs, and saves material. That, in turn, lowers the company´s harmful impact on nature.

2. Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things

Some organizations

use the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to help them reduce their carbon footprint. They collect, monitor, and analyze data about their energy consumption and emissions. AI then uses the data to make adjustments towards more sustainable use of energy.

The same approach can be used to reduce not only energy consumption but make consumption more transparent in general. AI can be used to optimize the use of building materials, track user assets and minimize supply chain issues or streamline logistical processes and much more. Keeping track of what assets and materials were used helps match consumptions to the demand and, in turn, reduce the carbon footprint.

3. Cloud-based collaboration tools

The cloud and collaboration tools can also be a great help. Remote collaboration can reduce both road traffic and paper waste. Virtual meetings, video conferences and cloud collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft 365, Asana, Google Workspace, Zoom, Click Up, RingCentral Webinar, and others all help reduce carbon emissions as people don´t have to travel to meet up.

As for field service, experts can collaborate with field technicians directly through their mobile or wearable devices thanks to remote assistance tools. The fieldworker also has access to user manuals and all the materials he needs on his device. There is no need for the expert to meet the technician in person or for the technician to travel back to the office for the manuals.

Enjoy the benefits of Resco Field Service+

Resco Field Service+ is an innovative mobile solution that allows companies to eliminate paperwork and make fieldwork more efficient. But this isn´t the only solution from Resco that is environment-friendly. Our Resco Inspections+ inspection software also helps digitalize workflows and lower emissions.

Digital documents and mobile forms help save costs and reduce your company´s carbon footprint. Scheduling and route planning features allow you to track your technicians in real-time and optimize their routes based on the traffic situation and their work orders.

Find out more about Resco Field Service+ on the official product page and discover its features or book a demo today.