5. Real time knowledge of the location of all inventory,

equipment, tools and other assets required to complete

specific tasks.

6. Work order management system that optimally assigns,

schedules and dispatches specific assignments to

specific members of your mobile workforce.

7. Business intelligence software applications for analyzing

data collected in the field.

All of the items listed above help provide the real time visibility

into your field operations that is required in a Networked Field

Services organization practicing OODA loop management

decision making.

One of the remaining challenges, however, with the systems

listed above is that humans quickly become overwhelmed by

large volumes of data. Complexity can become an inhibitor to

the practice of OODA. It is not enough to have real time

visibility into massive volumes of data, one must be able to

orient, or understand what the data means and how it will

impact the mission. Business intelligence software

applications fit in here. Let's consider the following scenario

in a Networked Field Service environment:

1. A high value farm tractor with a remote engine M2M

sensor wirelessly notifies a contracted service

organization that maintenance is needed.

2. The information is instantly integrated into the work order

management system.

3. The business intelligence feature analyzes the scheduling

requirements related to the maintenance code that was

received.

4. The business intelligence feature quickly searches for

maintenance updates or alerts from the tractor's

manufacturer that might be related to the received code.

5. The business intelligence feature searches for the nearest

available and qualified diesel mechanic on staff.

6. The business intelligence feature reviews the qualified

mechanic's current schedule and compares it to other

qualified mechanic's schedules.

7. The business intelligence feature searches for the nearest

location where there is an inventory of parts for that

particular make and model of tractor.

8. The business intelligence feature looks for the nearest

inventory of tools and repair equipment that may be

necessary to complete the job.

9. The business intelligence feature searches for and

reports on the current account status for the customer

and any relevant warranty or service contract details.

10.  All of this data is unified and wirelessly sent to the

service technician's smartphone.

All of the above steps can be performed in seconds, and a

complete picture can be provided to the field services

technician and the field operations manager. This information

can help all parties quickly coordinate efforts so they can

provide the services efficiently and make the customer happy.

None of these technologies or systems is particularly unique

or new. Rather it is the idea of integrating them all together

with Networked Field Services concepts in a manner that

provides unique value.