So, you open up the old spreadsheet, scroll down forever, and try to find that one piece of information in the sea of data. Sounds familiar, right? It may have gotten the job done when you were running a one-man show. But when you are scaling, it’s just too slow, and too cumbersome, and just too much for error. This is where a good field service software can literally make all the difference; one as easy as the Workiz FSM software and mobile app. It’s kind of like going from a flip phone to a smartphone, and you’ll wonder how you survived so long on the other side.
Spreadsheets Are Good—Until They're Not
Let’s be real, spreadsheets are awesome. They can give you the flexibility you need and the information you want in a format you can use for anything. Plus, you can access it anywhere, and everyone knows how to use it.
The only problem is, it really wasn’t made for the field service industry. Keeping track of client information, dispatching your technicians to the jobs, sending them all the information to the job, knowing the job status at all times, website chat integration, tracking your payroll, finances, and communication — all within one system? That's a little more than what spreadsheets were built for.
And all it takes is one extra comma, wrong spelling, or even wrong color in the wrong box, and your whole system might crash. And that’s not even the worst of your problems. What if two people are working off the same system and one doesn’t know the other's updated version, and one overwrites the other’s update.
CRM Means Everything Is in One Place
With the right CRM, you don’t have to bounce between tabs, spreadsheets, and manila folders to track down the right info. Customer details, job history, invoices, scheduling—it’s all sorted and connected in one easy-to-use tool.
No more shots in the dark. No more scavenger hunts. Just click, search, or tap—and bam! There it is. It’s like having a digital sidekick that never rests or forgets.
Save Time, Reduce Errors, and Actually Grow
Now let’s talk about time. CRMs automate the mundane—scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups. Say bye-bye to writing the same email five times; it’s one click. That translates to fewer mistakes, faster service, and happier clients. And right there, by freeing up time, you create an opportunity to grow. Suddenly, you’re not bogged down in the day-to-day. You’re thinking forward, landing more jobs, and doing more of what you actually get paid for.
To understand how Workiz can improve efficiency over spreadsheets, check out this blog: Excel vs CRM.
A Mobile CRM Is a Field Tech’s Best Friend
Your techs are your business. But how are they supposed to be a field force if they have paperwork orders and on-the-fly spreadsheets? Unfortunately, when scheduling is done on paper, mistakes and confusion are inevitable. With Workiz’s field service management software and mobile app, your techs get everything they need in the palm of their hand. Maps/routes, customer notes, job history, forms — everything.
They can clock in and do everything they need to do — update job status, send an invoice, collect payment, take a picture, and more, without calling the office or going to the binder in the truck to find a form. That is turning your field team into a field force.
Insights That Actually Mean Something
Spreadsheets are great for collecting data, not so great for understanding it. CRMs give you a real-time dashboard of the data of your business.
- What are your highest-earning services?
- Who was in your top 10% of techs last month?
- How many jobs are being closed a day on average?
You don’t have to be an analyst to have answers. Workiz’s CRM gives you actionable presentations — instead of just numbers — so that you can make the best decisions for your business EVERY DAY.
Spreadsheets Can’t Scale - CRM Can
Maybe you can handle 20 jobs a week in your spreadsheet, but what about 50? 100? That’s when you drop the ball. A CRM won’t force you to build a new system from the ground up every time you level up. It’ll just grow with you. More team members, clients, and services. Everything is linked and streamlined. That’s how actual companies get bigger — with tools that grow with them.
You Don’t Have to Be Tech-Savvy to Make the Switch
If you’re scared that the platform means you have to learn a bunch of code or deal with weeks of downtime, relax. Current CRM platforms like Workiz are user-friendly. They’re made for pros in the field service industry. Not software engineers. You’ll be set up and ready to go much sooner than you think. And after you start using the app, you’ll wish you had made the switch months ago.
It’s Not Just a Tool—It’s a Strategy
At the end of the day, scratching your head over whether to use a spreadsheet or CRM isn’t about the software at all. It’s about valuing your time, serving your customers, and giving your business the treatment it deserves. So if you’re sick of spreadsheets slowing you down, or you’re afraid you’ll start dropping jobs once you reach scale mode, take a stand and invest in the Workwiz working field service software.
