FieldOne: A Tool for Building Complex Solutions

Microsoft recently acquired FieldOne, a company specializing in complex solutions for service and logistics operations. With this acquisition, Microsoft achieved its goal of filling a gap in the standard Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution when it comes to planning logistics and field service activities for end customers.

The goal of this article is to introduce this solution as an interesting way to extend your Microsoft CRM solution. I won't go into excessive detail here – the aim isn't to describe everything the solution can do, but rather to cover its main ideas and features.

What Is FieldOne and What Does It Give You?

The FieldOne solution is built around a scheduling module that lets field employees read information on their mobile phones

FieldOne is a solution closely tied to Microsoft CRM that lets you plan and track the work of your field employees efficiently. At its core is a scheduling module you can configure extensively to match your processes, plus a mobile client that lets field workers view and update the current status, any delays, and much more.

Of course, the solution can do much more than that. This image lists its main features:

An example of the mobile client with map view:

A Real-World Example

Say you run a company that repairs and installs plumbing fixtures (water supply, drainage, heating) in homes and businesses. Your company employs several workers who drive out to customers in vehicles to carry out the requested jobs. Naturally, each worker may specialize in a particular area, and FieldOne can handle that too.

You enter your individual workers (resources), job types, and any other details that affect scheduling in your case (approximate durations, equipment needed for a given job, and so on) into the FieldOne scheduling module. You then enter all customer requests through Microsoft CRM into the FieldOne task list, and the FieldOne scheduling module takes care of the rest – generating optimal routes and a timetable for each worker and displaying it clearly on a map. I'll just add that, of course, this plan can always be adjusted manually as needed.

This example is greatly simplified. For more information and examples, I'd recommend going straight to the source. Fieldone

Who Is FieldOne Right For?

FieldOne is a good fit for any company that regularly visits customers on-site and needs to plan logistics and time efficiently in order to cut travel costs. The solution puts a powerful tool in your hands, letting you manage service visits efficiently while also giving your customers relevant information about scheduled appointments.

FieldOne is a good fit for any company. The solution provides a powerful tool for managing service visits efficiently

What Do You Need to Start Using FieldOne in CRM?

FieldOne is a solution your administrator can simply install and configure within your existing Microsoft CRM.

The easiest way to get access to the FieldOne solution is to run the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online version. That's because a large part of the FieldOne solution runs in the cloud just like Microsoft CRM Online, making it accessible over the internet from anywhere. This comes at an extra cost – you'll pay a monthly fee for each user working with FieldOne, the same way you're used to paying for Microsoft CRM Online users.

For on-premise users, I don't have great news. The solution is technically available, but any demo is currently limited to Enterprise Agreement customers only – for now, at least. That said, I understand changes are planned here too, and the solution will become available to a wider group of customers.

Links for more information
Fieldone

Antonín Vinš is a consultant at Blue Dynamic with experience implementing Dynamics CRM.