Why Integrating Field Service and ERP is So Important

For organizations managing field services, connecting your ERP and your field service management systems brings a lot of advantages to employees and customers alike. However, building this integration has historically been an expensive and difficult process due to the volume and types of data you must connect. Has your business had to rely excessively on manual processes to cope with a lack of field service integration?

The Big Advantage of Dynamics 365 Field Service

One major advantage of Dynamics 365 Field Service is its ability to easily connect with ERP and other applications via Microsoft’s Common Data Service. This allows for tighter integrations, increased automation, better insight, and a more connected organization overall. In this article, we provide an overview of how Common Data Service works and how your organization can leverage it to benefit your business.

What is Common Data Service?

Common Data Service is a unified data storage system that collects, stores, and sends data to and from Microsoft’s cloud business applications (including Dynamics 365 applications, Office 365, and Power Platform) as well as other applications and services. Common Data Service stores all of the data from your different tools and solutions in one place, in a format that can be used and understood by the other apps. Common Data Service makes it much easier to create custom integrations, automations, and interoperability between apps. And it’s already built into Dynamics 365 Field Service and other Dynamics 365 applications.

In this instance, we’re exploring how Common Data Service can be used to connect Dynamics 365 Field Service with Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Here are a few examples of how we might use Common Data Service to integrate field service and ERP:

1. Warehouse and inventory tracking

Your business can maintain accurate inventory levels by integrating Dynamics 365 Field Service with your ERP using the Common Data Service. Because of the flexibility of the service, you can choose exactly how you want this integration to look. For example, if you’re implementing Dynamics 365 Field Service and you already maintain inventory in your ERP, you can choose to continue using ERP for inventory management, and simply send and receive data, such as parts used for a repair, to your ERP. Alternatively, you can set up warehouse and inventory management in Field Service, and simply send information to your ERP for processes such as billing. Or, you can do a combination that fits your unique inventory model. With real-time inventory management, techs can see exactly what is in stock from the field so they always have the right parts at the right time.

2. Faster billing

With Common Data Service, it’s easy to integrate and automate between your systems to allow faster invoicing. For example, work orders created in Dynamics 365 Field Service can automatically become sales orders and invoices in Dynamics 365 Finance. The application can also automatically apply any special pricing or warranties into the invoice. By integrating work orders with your ERP, you’ll speed up the billing process, reduce billing errors, and accelerate payment.

3. 360-degree visibility

Common Data Service can combine data from ERP, Dynamics 365 Field Service, WMS, and many other apps to improve the depth and breadth of your analytics. Using Power BI, you can set up powerful visuals to better analyze and understand your data and to make more profitable decisions across your business. By connecting data between your ERP, your mobile apps, your field service management, and your entire business, you can drive profitability like never before.

Want to learn more about Dynamics 365 Field Service?

These are just a few examples of how you can benefit from connecting Dynamics 365 Field Service to your ERP using Microsoft’s Common Data Service. If you’d like to learn more about how Dynamics 365 Field Service can connect your business, optimize your scheduling, and help you provide amazing customer service, contact us today to talk to an expert. Western Computer has deep industry and integrations experience and 1,100+ implementations under our belt, and we are here to help you explore solutions to fit your business.