How to Quickly Evaluate Field Services Payments Software
Payments are changing rapidly, and this good news for field services professionals. Let’s consider digital payments. Forrester reported in a recent study that 69% of US online adults used a digital payment method to make a purchase over the past three months, making it the most popular method among this demographic.
But it wasn’t always that way. Checks and credit card payments have long dominated as the best payment methods. For field services providers, these methods come with significant disadvantages. Checks, even when given directly during service, take time to deposit and appear in your bank account. Meanwhile, many credit card processors have expensive fees, and payment card readers can be challenging to use in remote areas.
The right payment solution can change the game. Upgrading your payment system can help you solve several common problems in receiving and managing payments. Let’s discuss how to quickly evaluate payment processing solutions for field services professionals.
What Options Do Field Services Professionals Need When It Comes to Payments Software?
Field service professionals already have to deal with limited payment options, especially in remote areas where digital payments may not seem applicable. Outdated and manual payment collection methods lead to lost time, human error, and late payments. Combined with transaction fees and invoicing discrepancies, field services professionals can face significant challenges to healthy cash flow.
5 Questions to Ask When Selecting the Best Mobile Payment Processor
Question #1: Is this payment solution more than a processor?
Many payment processors accept payments via third-party software like Stripe, Square, or PayPal. However, this setup causes a significant issue for field service providers. This payment approach only adds the transaction to your system.
Typically, these systems register a third-party payment as “unapplied” or orphaned. They do not connect the payment with the proper invoice, sales order, or customer records. As a result, you will need to manually reconcile these payments.
A comprehensive payment solution goes beyond processing and should offer automatic reconciliation.
Question #2: How does this payment software handle payments in low-signal areas?
Field service professionals often have to deal with signal instability in remote areas, making it challenging to process payments efficiently. The best payment processor, especially one marketing itself as a mobile solution, should have offline payment processing capabilities. This feature enables professionals to capture payment data in the field and automatically process the transaction once they connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Question #3: How flexible are the payment options?
Both customers and field service professionals benefit from payment flexibility. First, customers expect more than just credit card payment options. Digital payments, such as Google Pay or Apple Pay, as well as ACH transfers, are often preferable. For field service providers, having multiple payment options offers a seamless and speedy way to get paid at the time of service. Not only is it easier to receive payments on the go, but additional options can help you avoid credit card processing fees.
Question #4: Will this payment solution integrate with my ERP?
Most likely, you already work with ERP software such as Sage, Oracle NetSuite, or QuickBooks. Best-in-class payment solutions should integrate seamlessly with your current ERP, which will allow your billing team to better leverage automatic reconciliation, mobile payments, and other key features.
Question #5: How convenient is the solution for my customers?
Finally, making payments easier for your customers can help you get paid faster. Instead of sending a clunky, paper invoice, it’s possible to send “click-to-pay” options via SMS or email. This approach makes it simple for customers to pay at their convenience, reducing payment delays and friction in the payment process.
Seamlessly Collect Payments
Fortis understands what professionals need for a frictionless payment process. From HVAC to commercial cleaning professionals and beyond, field services providers can leverage Fortis’ award-winning API technology and tap into:
- Automatic payment reconciliation
- Mobile payment via multiple devices
- Flexible traditional and digital payment options
- Click-to-pay and text-to-pay features
- Offline payment processing
- Integrations with other accounting and ERP software
- And more
Discover the Fortis difference and book a call with our payment experts today.