Going Beyond The Job: Elevating The Trade Industry Through Digitization

Workers in the trades have traditionally used low-tech systems while in the field, such as filling out job information on paper forms. While these systems have their place, they can lead to inefficiency or inaccuracy when those records need to be digitized back at the office. Digitization that focuses on customer needs and business efficiency can help speed up operations and improve accuracy and satisfaction.


Trade professions provide services crucial to everyday life and the functioning of society. From plumbers and electricians to construction workers and physical security technicians, skilled workers bring financial stability and essential services that underpin daily life.

As with many industries, prevailing trends in technology, digitization and automation continue to alter traditional job landscapes. The trade community is no different. Digitization promises to alter and improve the way trade businesses function fundamentally.

Historically, trade profession operations were highly manual. For example, workers in the field would use manual processes for collecting and recording information about jobs and then deliver this information back to the office by hand. Inefficiency like this meant that manual systems were costly and time-consuming.

The ability to digitize these processes in the modern era has improved overall productivity by helping field workers and the teams who support them to collaborate efficiently in real time. Digital operations bring a slew of task and process efficiencies, letting professionals quickly collect, store and analyze accurate job-site data, process invoices and payments, build better customer relationships and reallocate people and other resources to more business-critical tasks.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Technology adoption allows trade businesses to go beyond the job at hand to extend their longevity and increase growth potential. Digitization also plays a vital role in supporting broader societal progress.

For example, community development is positively impacted by ensuring homes, businesses and public spaces are safe and well-maintained; economic growth increases by spurring new job creation or through skilled trades workers branching out to start their small businesses, or environmental challenges can be addressed through trade jobs like solar panel installation that help make the world a cleaner, safer place.

Thus, related sectors to trade businesses benefit. It’s the “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality, where technology adoption in one sector positively impacts adjacent sectors.

When you add artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI to the mix, the results are even more significant. AI is impacting the future of skilled trade work right now and granting those who embrace its competitive advantage enhanced productivity, more efficient workflows and better customer relationships. Dynamic technology shifts across the trades also inject new energy into the global economy, benefiting us all.

Partnering With Technology Companies For Greater Advantage

Technology that supports business digitization can be both a cost-cutting measure and a strategic management tool. As such, it can positively impact many jobs, from customer support to the back office. Technology can even help field service businesses tap into the economies of scale that allow them to shift resources up and down with market changes, like a surge in real estate redevelopment or the energy transition. Outsourcing can also offset the challenges presented by the shortage of skilled trades talent.

Trade business leaders should look for solutions tailored to their industry and job specifications. Consider software and services that provide multiple relevant features, including integration services and hands-on training. Systems with SaaS or cloud-based capabilities can improve automation and reduce the need for manual human intervention. An integrated platform can enable businesses to work smarter, not harder, through a single digital tool that centralizes operations management.

Steps For Elevating A Trade Business Through Digitization

1. Focus on customer needs and service excellence.

To thrive in business today, the customer must always come first. Embarking on a digital transformation journey can enable field service organizations to provide more seamless, personalized and convenient customer experiences across various touchpoints.

Consider using technology for automated, self-service options or to tailor recommendations based on customer purchase history and preferences. Digitization can help you better understand customer expectations and meet their needs, which builds loyalty and a competitive edge.

2. Improve efficiencies by using the right technologies and services.

Investing in and implementing the right technologies and services can automate manual processes, reduce human error, enable real-time monitoring and analysis of operations and streamline workflows across the business. This means improved efficiencies, cost savings and faster time to market. The resulting productivity can enhance employee morale and enable them to focus on value-added tasks.

Organizations should assess their overall needs, explore technology options and prioritize investments based on expected impact. Every business can look at how they run their business today and find areas in which technology can reduce cost.

Start with areas where processes are manual and paper-generated. These can include both back office, like accounting, and running your business, like scheduling work or providing goods and services.

3. Consider technology solutions that enhance business operations and offer an end-to-end solution.

Adopting a technology-first strategy can help field service businesses become more agile and responsive to changes in market conditions. Digital transformation also unlocks the power of data, enabling the ability to collect, store, analyze and glean actionable insights that can improve accuracy, enhance forecasting capabilities and facilitate more proactive, informed decision-making.

Tackling The Challenges That Come With New Technology

1. Be prepared for the financial commitment of investing in technology.

Choosing the right technology and adapting it to your system requires a financial investment that some small businesses might not be able to afford or may not see the point in making. Many trade businesses have been known to stick with traditional practices that have worked for generations, but in order to stay competitive, it’s often a good idea to let go of manual processes. Although it’s a financial commitment, the long-term benefits usually outweigh the initial costs.

2. Accept the change that comes with adopting new technologies.

Older generations are often more reluctant to adopt new technologies. As Generation-Z starts to take over family-owned businesses, we will see significant changes. However, embracing new technology does come with its own challenges, including adapting to the changes, whether it’s the customer or the business. Although challenging at first, stick with it, and the outcome can be beneficial for everyone.

The trade industry’s willingness to embrace technology and adopt new applications and services over time will be the catalyst for remaining competitive and relevant. Embracing digitization is no longer an option but a necessity in the digital age.

 

This article was written by Gary Specter from Forbes and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.