Mobile FAQs

What can I do in Field Service Mobile?

  • View assigned tasks

  • View map of all tasks

  • View map for a task

  • Launch external GPS maps

  • View Task Details

  • Start and complete tasks

  • View customer contact info

  • Record time spent

  • Record consumables used

  • Order parts

  • View asset history

  • Record safety check results

  • Record custom data

  • Record photos

  • Create new tasks

Field Service Mobile can do all of the above and, with further customization, can do even more.

What can't I do in Field Service Mobile?

The configuration of the Field Service system lets field service technicians using the Field Service Mobile app to view and record a broad range of data for each task.

However, the Field Service Mobile app is in no way designed to duplicate all functions of Field Service Core or Field Service Schedule. To keep the app as simple as possible it has only the functions that most field service technicians need.

Most businesses that use Field Service require functions such as scheduling, reassigning tasks, deleting tasks and other advanced features to be performed in Field Service Core or Field Service Schedule by either senior field technicians or office-based staff.

What are the terms used in Field Service Mobile?

Customer

A Customer represents a client of your business, internal or external.

One customer can have many Assets, and many Service Locations.

Asset

An Asset represents a physical item or location that is subject to service or support using Field Service.

Assets can be created automatically as part of the standard NetSuite Sales and Fulfillment process or manually.

An Asset is what Employees ‘work’ on, when completing a Task.

Task

Task is a standard NetSuite record, and represents a specific, identified piece of work that an Employee will perform.

A Task is what is shown on the Field Service Schedule Board and the Field Service Mobile app.

Generally, a Task will be associated with a Field Service Project, Case and Field Service Asset.

A Task can also be used to capture Leave or general work not associated with a Case or Asset.

Inventory (Consumables), Time Costs (Timebills) and Expenses processed through the Field Service Mobile app are recorded against the Task.

Technician

A Technician represents an employee that is able to perform Tasks.

A custom extension field in the standard NetSuite employee record marks an employee as being able to access the Field Service Mobile app therefore being a technician.

It can be said that not all employees are technicians, but all technicians are employees.

Case

A (Support) Case is a standard NetSuite record representing a service rendered to a Customer or a job delivered to a Customer. This captures the details of the issue that needs to be fixed or a service that needs to be performed. A Case is associated with a Project.

A Project may have many Cases associated with it over time.

Cases are generally assigned to a Service Manager or Service Administrator who assigns the Task work and ensures the job is completed.

See NetSuite User Guide for more information.

Project

A Project is a standard NetSuite record created under a Customer record and is used to capture the costs and revenues specific to a Project.

Inventory

Inventory Items are items which are stocked and stored in a Location in NetSuite.

Inventory Items display on the Field Service Mobile on the Inventory Tab. It covers the item types of Assemblies and Inventory Items and their variants, such as Serialized, Lot Numbered and Bin Managed.

Expense Item

An expense item is a type and cost recorded for an expense incurred by the technician when performing a task. Expenses are often for meals, fuel or mobile phone usage.

Why does my screen look different to the examples in this guide?

Field Service is a flexible system and can be configured to suit each client’s needs. For that reason, some items in the standard installation can be hidden. In addition, you can add custom items to capture information that suits how you perform your tasks.

Also, Field Service is a rapidly changing solution. As we grow Field Service and make it compatible with new devices, we make minor adjustments to the way the application looks and operates.

For example, you may find that on mobile devices with different screen resolutions, the Task List View screen looks quite different. But the functions available are the same on all devices.

App Appearance Depending on Device

Phone

Low resolution mobile device such as a standard size phone.

NextService Mobile appearance in phone

Small Tablet

Medium resolution mobile device such as a 7-inch tablet.

NextService Mobile appearance in small tablet.

Large Tablet

High resolution mobile device such as a 10-inch tablet.

NextService Mobile appearance in large tablet.

How does my screen resolution affect navigation around Field Service Mobile?

Navigating between screens might be different on devices with different resolutions.

For example, navigating from viewing the Contact Details screen within the Contacts tab to the Asset Details screen in the Asset tab may be different on different devices.

Large tablet - High resolution device

  1. If the Selected Task Details screen isn't visible, then click anywhere in the Control Bar.

    Control bar appearance in large tablets

    The Selected Task Details screen will show up, including the Task Tab list.

    Task tab list appearance in large tablets.
  2. In the Task Tab list, press the entry for Asset.

    Asset icon appearance in large tablets.

    The Tab – Asset screen will show up.

    Tab asset appearance in large tablets.

Standard tablet - Medium resolution device

  1. Click anywhere in the Control Bar.

    Control bar appearance in standard tablet.

    The Selected Task Details screen will show up, including the Task Tab list.

    Task tab list appearance in standard tablet.
  2. In the Task Tab list, press the entry for Asset.

    Asset icon appearance in standard tablet.

    The Tab – Asset screen will show up.

    Tab asset appearance in standard tablet.

Smartphone - Low resolution device

  1. Click anywhere in the Control Bar or click the Back button.

    Back button appearance in smartphones.

    The Selected Task Details screen will show up, including the Task Tab list.

    Task tab list appearance in smartphones.
  2. In the Task Tab list, press the entry for Asset.

    Asset icon appearance in smartphones.

    The Tab – Asset screen will show up.

    Tab asset appearance in smartphones.

What is a common progression through the screens?

The table below outlines the typical progression through the screens on the mobile app:

1. Wait for app to update itself to the latest version

Update screen

2. Login into the system

Login screen

3. View task list

Task List Screen

4. View Selected Task Details

Selected Task Details Screen

5. View map & travel to location

Task Map Screen

6. Start task

Selected Task Details Screen

7. Read and fill out during-task tabs

Task Tabs Screen

8. Complete task

Selected Task Details Screen

9. Fill in post-task information

Task Tabs Screen

10. Return to task list

Task List Screen

11. Logout of the system

Task List Screen

General Notices