Gartner defines field service management (FSM) as modular software that manages work and commercial interactions for organizations whose workforces travel to remote locations. These workforces install, inspect, maintain and repair consumer, commercial or industrial equipment, assets and systems. FSM software may also help manage, maintain and monitor these under a predefined service or maintenance contract. FSM software is delivered primarily as cloud-based services and mobile apps; however, some FSM vendors also provide the option to deploy some or all components on-premises.
Mobile workforce management (MWM) products are industry-specific, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) tools designed to optimize and manage field workforce activities and resources. Utility-focused MWM technology manages and enables field work requests from within MWM and other work-requesting systems, such as enterprise asset management (EAM), customer information systems (CIS), geospatial information systems (GIS) and advanced distribution management system (ADMS). Utility-focused MWM products are distinguished by their ability to handle utility-specific work requirements across the full asset life cycle of break/fix to scheduled, and asset-intensive work processes (including permit-to-construct, engineer-to-deploy and mutual-assistance). This is especially true for production systems (supply, treatment, delivery) and delivery networks within electric, gas and water utilities. MWM products must demonstrate that they are stand-alone (marketed, sold and installed separately from other enterprise systems offered by the vendor) and must integrate with utility-specific systems. For example, the MWM vendors should integrate with multiple ADMS, GIS and EAM products.