Mobile workforce management (MWM) refers to the tools and software used to manage remote, field, and other employees who work via mobile device. Learn more about how mobile workforce management works and key features in top MWM software here.
What Is MWM Software?
Mobile workforce management software is used to manage “deskless” employees who work out in the field. It’s also used to ensure these employees have the resources they need to complete their daily tasks.
MWM software includes a wide range of tools for time tracking, task management, and scheduling. Using MWM solutions, employees can view their workload, track time spent on tasks, and communicate with other team members. They can do all of this through a mobile device, such as a cellphone or tablet.
Who Uses MWM Software?
The number of employees that work primarily from mobile devices continues to grow, especially as more organizations transition to a remote workforce. However, the mobile workforce isn’t new. Many industries have used mobile workers to deliver products and services for years.
For example, mobile workers are common in industries such as:
- Pest control
- Construction
- Field services
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
Applications of MWM Software
Mobile workforce management solutions have a wide range of uses. Some of the most common applications across industries include:
- Time tracking for employees who must clock in and clock out on the go
- Capacity planning to ensure employees aren’t overloaded or underloaded with work
- Resource management to make sure enough resources are available to complete projects
- Employee dispatch to communicate with and send workers to job sites quickly
- Employee performance tracking to check if services are being delivered as promised
- Real-time communication between managers, field employees, and in-office teams
- Work vehicle tracking for safety purposes
Several industries and lines of work have very specific purposes for MWM software:
Logistics
In logistics, MWM software may be used to track a delivery truck’s GPS and the timeliness of customer deliveries. It may also be used to dispatch additional trucks during a busy period.
Healthcare
In healthcare, MWM software is often used to schedule mobile healthcare providers, such as those that conduct in-home care for patients. If a provider is unavailable, organizations can quickly make schedule changes so patients receive the critical care they need.
Construction
In construction, MWM software can be used to ensure employees arrive at the correct job site. It can also be used to share critical information in real-time, such as equipment requirements or project changes.
The Benefits of Using Mobile Workforce Management Software
Enhanced productivity
Perhaps the most important benefit MWM software provides is enhanced productivity for both the employee and the organization. Employees can complete every task associated with their work from a single tool. Plus, they have immediate access to all of the critical data they need to complete tasks, track projects, and answer customer questions.
As for the organization, MWM software enables teams to automate processes associated with scheduling, capacity planning, and reporting, which saves both time and effort.
Reduced costs
One of the most important ways MWM software decreases costs is by reducing business downtime. For example, in logistics, if a delivery truck breaks down, another can be dispatched immediately in just a few clicks. As a result, business operations move forward as usual.
Mobile workforce management software can also support an organization’s bottom line. Employees can track their time and add time entries quickly via simple tools. This helps eliminate billable hour mistakes, ensuring organizations receive the right payment for their services.
MWM tools also simplify tedious manual processes that drain organizational resources. Daily tasks can be set to repeat, eliminating the need to manually input the same tasks each day. With repeatable tasks off their plates, employees can spend time on higher-value business tasks.
Increased visibility
Visibility is key for businesses with primarily field employees. MWM software gives businesses a high-level view of employees, projects, and tasks from one platform. New projects or tickets can be quickly assigned, as businesses can see which workers are available at any given time.
Key Features of MWM Software
Mobile workforce management solutions include a wide range of features meant to simplify fieldwork, including:
- Time tracking
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Task management
- Reporting and analytics
- GPS tracking
- Real-time chat or messaging
- App integrations
Top Three Mobile Workforce Management Solutions
Oracle Workforce Management 
Oracle Workforce Management, part of the Oracle HCM Cloud, is a robust solution that offers everything from absence management and time tracking to incident reporting. This is a perfect tool for organizations already using other Oracle products.
Skedulo 
Skedulo offers the “Deskless Productivity Cloud” to effectively manage any deskless workforce. This solution offers features such as scheduling and dispatch, rostering, and dynamic messaging.
Connecteam 
Connecteam is hailed as the “all-in-one employee app for deskless teams.” Inside Connecteam software, businesses will find features such as time tracking, scheduling, task management, and checklists.
Not sure if these are the right MWM solutions for you? Learn about other top Workforce Management Software here.
