Clever technology tools can make life easier for all kinds of people in all kinds of jobs or sectors—even the trades! While the work is hands-on, all of the details and administration that surround the day-to-day tasks of tradies can be minimised, streamlined, and organised with an array of products on the market.

These tools take many forms. We’re talking about job management apps and software, site safety apps, invoicing platforms, timesheet apps, and anything else that reduces time and effort spent on administration. In this first post, we’ll highlight one of our favourites: ServiceM8, a cloud-based field service software product.

What is ServiceM8 and what can it do?

ServiceM8 is a software platform and app that’s billed as handling job management and invoicing for any kind of small business which manages jobs and staff in the field. That’s a pretty vague description for this very clever and comprehensive bit of technology, so here’s a breakdown:

Job management: Virtual “job cards” with checklists mean that everyone is on the same page about what needs to be done. The app also makes it easy to create and keep track of a schedule, with inbuilt reminders and a simple calendar interface.

Staff management: For business owners, ServiceM8 makes it easier to keep tabs on and communicate with staff. It allows managers to dispatch team members efficiently and with no miscommunication due to all messaging being contained in one place.

Quality control: With the ability to upload and store photos linked to the relevant job, workers can leave a record of work done and managers have access to photo evidence.

Communication: ServiceM8 allows users to easily send clients reminders and information via SMS or email. All replies can be stored in the job diary for an accurate record of communication. It also streamlines in-house communication, providing a central messaging platform for teams.

Quoting and invoicing: These tasks can easily be done from the field—staff need only input the relevant information to produce professional documents ready to be printed or emailed.

There is a varied pricing schedule. A very affordable “lite” version is $9 per month and offers limited numbers of jobs and features. The Premium version of the platform is available at $149 per month, and there are two more options in between to suit a range of businesses with different work volumes.

Thoughts on ServiceM8 from an experienced Virtual Assistant

One of the highlights of using software like ServiceM8 is that it facilitates the process of allowing an assistant access to your systems and communication. Many of our clients will benefit from tech but still need a helping human hand to get things done and give them some time back. The idea of inducting an outsider into a mess of administrative systems can be overwhelming and often deters tradies from seeking help—even when they desperately need it. With a tool like ServiceM8, it’s simple.

Our VA Lucy uses ServiceM8 to help a very busy tradie and his team to communicate with customers and schedule jobs. Here are a few of the things she loves about it:

• It’s very user-friendly and has enabled her to fit into the business’s processes with ease. The intuitive nature of ServiceM8 has allowed her to slot in and take over tasks without too much onboarding.

• The job cards mean that you can manage any particular project from “whoa to go”. For her client’s business which involves a lot of short-term projects, this is an essential way of staying organised. Keeping all information related to a job together in one place makes life easier for Lucy and everyone else.

• As assistant to the boss, Lucy needs to know what’s going on with every employee and project. The app allows her to see where people are located so she can send updates to clients that they are on their way or running late. She can also see updates in real time and keep track of how a job is progressing at a glance.

• Scheduling is easy in ServiceM8 and quoting is too, particularly as the app will “remember” a catalogue of commonly-used materials.

Lucy summed up her experience with ServiceM8 in one word: streamlined. It makes all of the administration involved in service-based businesses easier and more efficient. It also enables her to keep on top of necessary tasks and improves communication between all involved parties.