Purchasing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service: Crucial to single-visit success

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service burst onto the scene in 2016 with a wealth of functionality for Field Service Management. Some of the more talked-about capabilities include Work Order Management, Preventive Maintenance, and Scheduling, and rightfully so, since they are at the core of Field Service Management. It is vital that companies train their staff on the proper use of these modules and that they be used religiously in order to ensure a successful field service operation.

This article focuses on a lesser known, but integral, piece of functionality in Field Service Management: Purchasing. While purchasing isn't always the most glamorous of topics, this functionality is critical in ensuring technicians have the right parts, at the right time, in order to complete their work.

The Dynamics 365 for Field Service purchasing function can be used in one of the following ways:

1. Integrated with an ERP application
2. Standalone

From an ordering standpoint, the purchasing function can be used to:

• Reorder inventory to be kept on-hand, via established reorder points, for equipment used in preventive maintenance
• Order parts and products in an on-demand fashion, whereby reactive work order demand will drive use of the purchasing function

Let's take a closer look at these different ordering scenarios.

Work Order Management: Assigning products needed to complete the job

At the center of Dynamics 365 for Field Service is a robust Work Order Management module, complete with all the tools needed to schedule, assign, track, and complete a job. A portion of this functionality includes the ability to list the necessary products required to perform work.