Software for service businesses is software that helps plan, carry out, document and invoice work done at the customer's site. There are several types, from spreadsheets and accounting systems to CRM and project management. The most comprehensive type is the digital operations platform, also called a field service management platform, which brings tasks, time, equipment, quality assurance and the invoicing basis together in one place. Microbizz is a Danish field service management platform for task and project management for companies with mobile employees.
Most service businesses start with several small tools and later need them to work together. The table shows what each type is typically built for, and what is often missing when employees work at the customer's site. How much a specific system covers varies.
| Type | Typically built for | Often missing in a service business |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheets and calendars | Lists, simple planning, low start-up cost | Shared data between task, time and invoice |
| Accounting and ERP | Finance, invoicing, purchasing and stock | Planning and documenting work in the field |
| CRM | Customers, contacts and agreements | Execution, time and quality forms on the task |
| Project management | Projects, milestones and resources | Many small service tasks, time and invoicing basis |
| Planning and dispatch tools | Calendar, task assignment and routes | Registration, documentation and invoicing |
| Digital operations platform | The whole flow from task to invoice | Typically not accounting, which is connected |
Many companies use several of them at once. The problem arises when information has to be transferred manually between them.
A digital operations platform brings together the functions a service business uses, from the first enquiry to the final invoice, so that they share the same data. At Microbizz, the basic solution consists of CRM, planning, tasks, time registration, invoicing, reports and forms. It can be extended with modules such as equipment, extranet, EDI, payroll, project management and route planning.
Cobblestone says on Microbizz's website that the system can be modulated to suit their needs.
A point solution handles one task, while a platform lets the functions share data. The difference shows when a registered task has to become an invoice without double entry.
Companies where employees work at the customer's site and the office needs an overview. Microbizz is used by contractors and tradespeople, service businesses, utility companies and facility management companies. For service businesses, that includes companies servicing, for example, ventilation and air conditioning or lifting and hoisting equipment.
If you have few tasks and few employees in the field, a spreadsheet and a calendar can be enough. If you are considering a joined-up solution, you can connect existing finance and payroll systems through API, plugins and integrations.
Software that helps a service business plan, carry out, document and invoice tasks at customers' sites. It can be stand-alone tools or one joined-up operations platform.
An ERP system is typically built for finance, purchasing and stock, while an operations platform is built for the task itself: planning, execution in the field, documentation and the invoicing basis. Many companies use both and connect them.
In practice, yes. Field service management is the name of the software category, and an operations platform is a platform in that category.
Yes, if it is built in modules. With Microbizz you can add functions as the need arises. You can book a demo to see how it looks with your own tasks.
It depends on the functions and the number of users. Contact Microbizz for a quote based on your own needs.