Tracking Field Service Time
The Track Service Time feature automatically creates time bills by capturing the start and end times of a job. This helps managers keep track of field activities and reduce billing errors.
The feature relies on background scripts to create and update NetSuite records after mobile users finish a task. The scripts run sequentially and associate the time bills with the Task record.
After the mobile user finishes a task, the following fields in the Task record are updated:
|
Task Record Field |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Status |
In Progress |
|
Field Service End |
Timestamp of task completion from Mobile |
|
Field Service Log Activity Time |
Checked |
After this, the script creates the time bill, and finally the Task record is updated to end the process:
|
Task Record Field |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Status |
Completed |
|
Date Completed |
Date of task completion |
|
Field Service Log Activity Time |
Cleared |
The sequential nature of Time Tracking background script activities might impact customizations or certain actions. This applies to all FSM accounts, not only on those with the Time Tracking feature enabled.
To manually set a Completed task back to In Progress on the Task record, delete the timestamp value in the Field Service End date field before saving. If you do not delete the timestamp, the status reverts to Completed when you save the record.
On Mobile, field personnel will see the task back as In Progress and will need to click Complete again. This triggers the process from the beginning and records a new completion timestamp.
Limitations of the Track Service Time Feature
Note the following limitations when using the Track Service Time feature:
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When enabled, the feature works at the account level, not the user level. This means all mobile users can track service time.
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You can only track service time for one task at a time, and you have to finish that task before you can track time on another.
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Administrative tasks, or tasks used for office or clerical work rather than service work, can be shown on the mobile. However, they should not be started and all tabs on them must be enabled at all times. This will allow the user to interact with the tabs without impacting the tasks used to track service time.
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The feature supports only CRM Tasks. Project Tasks aren't supported, and the feature shouldn't be used if both CRM Tasks and Project Tasks are displayed on mobile. The feature might still work with Project Tasks on the mobile app, but since it only tracks one task at a time and there are administrative task limitations, it’s not practical to use it for Project Tasks.
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The time record for a task only displays the start and completion times. You can’t track work breaks, travel time, or other related activities.
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The feature won't work if a field service task is not associated to a service item. For more information, see Associating Field Service Task Types to Activities.
To learn more about using this feature, see the following topics: