For most of my career, customizing an ERP system felt a lot like field work: measure twice, build once, and hope nothing unexpected shows up behind the drywall. It worked, but it wasn’t flexible. Every change required planning, budget, downtime, and (too often) a brave heart — something the Power Platform for Business Central was created to simplify.

In my previous blogs in this series, I talked about why moving off GP is really a conversation about safety, and how Microsoft’s Bridge to the Cloud offer helps reduce the financial risk of modernization.

So the natural next question is: How do you tailor Dynamics 365 Business Central without falling back into the old cycle of heavy customizations and long-term technical debt?

That’s the shift I’m most excited about. With the Microsoft Power Platform and AI, the work gets lighter. You solve problems with low-code tools instead of deep custom code. You adjust processes in days — not months. And you prepare your organization for the kind of innovation that’s already reshaping the industry.

What is Microsoft Power Platform, and how does it work with Business Central?

How the Power Platform for Business Central Supports Low-Code Customization

The Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of low-code tools that connects directly with Dynamics 365 Business Central, giving organizations the ability to tailor workflows, automate tasks, and build apps without deep development.

Instead of relying on traditional extensions or custom code, teams use Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to create solutions that live alongside Business Central and integrate cleanly with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.

Microsoft explains this shift clearly in its low-code overview, describing how businesses can build solutions faster and with significantly less complexity.

For contractors and field service organizations, this means modernization without rebuilding old limitations. The Power Platform for Business Central becomes a strategic foundation — flexible, scalable, and designed to evolve as your business evolves.

Can Power Apps really replace custom ERP development for contractors and field service teams?

The short answer: Yes, in many cases.

For decades, modifying ERP systems meant writing code, testing code, and hoping the next upgrade didn’t break anything. Even small improvements required planning, resourcing, and significant downtime.

Power Apps replaces much of that with low-code tools that let teams:

• Build lightweight mobile apps

• Replace manual data collection

• Create job tracking tools

• Improve field reporting

• Streamline communication

Modern field service ERP solutions no longer depend on heavy customizations. Power Apps allows companies to modernize processes without taking on the technical debt that GP customizations often created.

It’s also why business central for contractors is gaining traction — low-code apps let teams adjust processes quickly, without risking system stability.

How does low-code automation with Power Automate reduce ERP costs?

Automation used to mean custom code. Today, it means configuration.

With Power Automate, contractors and field service organizations can:

• Automate approvals

• Build simple apps for technicians

• Create dashboards for real-time job-cost visibility

• Streamline handoffs between departments

• Improve data capture without custom development

These improvements don’t require development cycles. They’re built using low-code configuration, which saves time, lowers costs, and reduces dependency on hard-to-maintain customizations.

A recent Forbes Business Council article underscores why low-code is becoming central to business agility; helping companies innovate faster, reduce technical debt, and lower development costs.

This approach not only reduces initial development costs, it prevents ballooning maintenance costs, keeping job costing software for construction and other critical systems accurate and up-to-date.

Is Power Platform secure enough for financial and construction data?

Yes, and this is one of the most important advantages of modernizing with Business Central.

The Microsoft Power Platform operates inside the Microsoft Cloud, which means:

• Enterprise-grade authentication

• Role-based access control

• Audit trails

• Secure connectors

• Encrypted data paths

• Compliance with major industry standards

Contractors and field service organizations handle sensitive financial, labor, and project data. Using a platform that inherits Microsoft’s security model is not only safer, it avoids the risks that come from stitching together third-party custom tools or unsupported scripts.

Security is not bolted on — it’s built in.

What are real-world examples of AI and Power Platform Improving ERP Performance?

AI is already improving ERP performance in several meaningful ways:

• Forecasting project costs

• Detecting anomalies in job data

• Improving scheduling

• Predicting overruns

• Accelerating document processing

• Cleaning inconsistent entries

And now, AI-enabled apps built with Power Platform are giving field teams richer insights, faster reporting, and smarter decision support.

At WennSoft, this aligns with our move toward an AI-first roadmap, starting with our job costing solutions. AI helps organizations surface issues earlier, plan more effectively, and reduce the risks that lead to cost overruns. This is the next evolution of AI ERP — intelligence built into daily operations.

How does WennSoft ensure your system stays flexible over the long term?

The biggest migration risk is rebuilding old limitations in a new environment. Over-customization doesn’t just slow you down. It limits your ability to adopt new capabilities later.

At WennSoft, we help organizations avoid this through:

Strategic Solution Design: Identifying where configuration or low-code can replace custom code.

Industry-Proven Patterns: We design for the way contractors and field service teams operate today... and tomorrow.

AI-Ready Architecture: Your system is prepared for emerging AI-powered ERP capabilities without major rework.

Continuous Improvement: You modernize safely, sustainably, and without unnecessary complexity.

Tailoring becomes a strategic advantage instead of a long-term liability.

Your system should evolve as fast as the work you do

Customizing an ERP used to feel like taking on another project: complex, slow, and expensive. With Business Central, Power Platform, and AI, tailoring becomes faster, lighter, and safer.

The organizations that modernize thoughtfully now are the ones that avoid rework later. That’s why I focused this series so much on safety: first from disruption, then from financial risk, and now from long-term technical debt.

WennSoft’s goal is to help you move forward without recreating the past.

If you’d like to talk about how your team can take advantage of these tools, whether you’ve already migrated or are still preparing, I’m here to help.

Let’s make your system ready for what comes next.

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time and Signature Telematics, designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

In construction and field service, timing is everything, and that includes technology decisions.

The wrong move at the wrong moment can stall projects or strain your team when they can least afford it.

That’s why programs like the Microsoft Bridge to the Cloud matter: they give you a way to modernize on your terms, without disrupting the work that keeps your business running.

In Part 1 of this series, I talked about why safety should guide every migration decision.

I’ve worked with enough GP customers over the years to know that hesitation isn’t just about fear of change — it’s about wanting to make the right move at the right time.

No one wants to rebuild the bridge while they’re still driving across it.

The Bridge to the Cloud program changes that, giving companies a safe, affordable way to modernize without hitting pause on their operations.

For field-service and construction teams, that means progress without the chaos; the kind of stability that turns uncertainty into opportunity.

What is Microsoft’s “Bridge to the Cloud” program, and who qualifies for it?

The Microsoft Bridge to the Cloud program is Microsoft’s way of making modernization easier (and smarter) for Dynamics GP users.

It’s a three-year promotion that gives you dual access rights to both systems: you can keep running GP while gaining full use of Dynamics 365 Business Central in the cloud.

That means you don’t have to rush the transition. Your team can learn the new platform gradually, migrate data in phases, and adapt without disrupting daily operations. Most customers who have an active GP Enhancement Plan or Software Assurance subscription qualify automatically.

It’s a practical option for any business that wants to move forward but can’t afford to stall projects, jobs, or service calls in the process.

Can I keep using GP while transitioning to Business Central with Bridge to the Cloud?

Absolutely. That’s the beauty of the Microsoft Bridge to the Cloud program. It gives companies time... the one thing every construction and field-service business wishes they had more of.

Under Bridge to the Cloud, you can:

• Maintain full access to Dynamics GP while testing and deploying Business Central.

• Move data, workflows, and reports on your timeline.

• Let your teams get comfortable with new tools without losing the ones they rely on daily.

For many of the customers I work with, this dual-access model has been game-changing.

It replaces the “all-or-nothing” pressure of a traditional ERP cutover with a phased, low-risk approach that keeps business running smoothly while you modernize behind the scenes (so your team can actually enjoy a weekend instead of living on takeout and system logs).

How much can companies actually save using Bridge to the Cloud vs. staying on GP?

Here’s where the “cheaper” part of the Microsoft Bridge to the Cloud program really shows up.

When you stay on GP, you keep paying annual maintenance fees for a system that’s no longer evolving.

With Bridge to the Cloud, Microsoft lets you redirect those dollars toward your Business Central subscription instead. No double-paying, no sunk costs, and no surprise fees.

You’re essentially using your existing GP budget to fund your transition while gaining access to all the benefits of a modern, cloud-based ERP.

This is not just about saving money; it’s about investing smarter.

In fact, a Forbes article on cloud ERP and AI noted that organizations moving to the cloud see faster ROI and greater agility than those maintaining on-prem systems.

The same principle applies here: every maintenance renewal you skip becomes capital you can redirect toward growth, automation, and better customer service.

What support does WennSoft provide during the Bridge to the Cloud migration process?

At WennSoft, our goal isn’t just to get you onto a new platform; it’s to make sure you stay productive every step of the way.

Our business central migration services follow a proven process that minimizes downtime and maximizes continuity:

1. Assessment: We analyze your existing GP setup, integrations, and add-ons.

2. Planning: We design a roadmap that lets you phase into Business Central without disruption.

3. Execution: Your GP and Business Central systems run in parallel during migration.

4. Training & Support: We empower your teams to get comfortable with new tools at their own pace.

WennSoft has helped hundreds of field-service and construction companies make this transition confidently.

For them, it’s beyond a technology upgrade — it’s a shift to a cloud ERP for field service management that’s secure, scalable, and ready for AI-driven insight.

For more on how we approach modernization safely, see my earlier blog on ERP migration.

Is Bridge to the Cloud still available in 2025, or has Microsoft replaced it?

Yes, the Microsoft Bridge to the Cloud program is still active and supported by Microsoft in 2025.

The program originally launched as a transitional offer, but Microsoft continues to renew and refine it... because it works.

That means customers who haven’t yet made the move still have time to take advantage of it.

But these incentive windows don’t last forever. Microsoft’s long-term strategy is clear: Innovation lives in the cloud.

Programs like Bridge to the Cloud are designed to help you get there faster, with fewer risks and lower costs.

If you’re wondering when to start, the best time is usually before your next GP renewal, so you can redirect that maintenance budget toward Business Central instead.

What happens after you cross the bridge?

Once you’re fully on Dynamics 365 Business Central, the advantages stack up fast.

You gain automatic updates, built-in analytics, and seamless integration with the Microsoft Power Platform, including low-code automation and reporting through Business Central Power Apps.

For construction and field-service companies, that translates into real-time job costing, predictive maintenance, and streamlined service management. It’s more than a modernization step; it’s an operational transformation.

We’re already seeing the next wave take shape with AI-powered ERP capabilities that bring predictive scheduling and budget forecasting within reach. That evolution begins with WennSoft Job Cost V1, the foundation for AI-driven insights and smarter forecasting across every project.

That’s the future WennSoft is building toward... one that keeps our customers agile, informed, and connected no matter where they’re working.

The Bridge Built for You

Bridge to the Cloud is more than a Microsoft incentive; it’s a thoughtful way to modernize safely, giving you time, support, and flexibility, all while reducing the financial pressure of moving off GP.

For the customers we work with, that peace of mind makes all the difference. It’s not about rushing change; it’s about building the right bridge before you need to cross it.

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation.

As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success.

He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, and Signature Telematics, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

I’ve worked with a lot of companies running Microsoft Dynamics GP, and one thing is always true: it’s served them well. It’s reliable, familiar, and deeply embedded in their day-to-day operations. But now, as Microsoft shifts its focus to the cloud, the Dynamics GP to Business Central migration has become more than a software upgrade — it’s a strategic safety decision.

At WennSoft, I’ve watched our customers navigate every kind of operational challenge you can imagine. And what’s become clear is that moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central isn’t about starting over; it’s about carrying forward everything that works and leaving behind everything that doesn’t — in a cloud environment built for resilience, performance, and growth.

Safety from disruption. Safety from data risk. And safety from being left behind as innovation moves forward.

That’s where I like to begin the conversation... with safety. Because for most field service and construction companies, the question isn’t whether to modernize... it’s how to do it without disrupting the business you’ve built.

Is Microsoft Dynamics GP really going away, and what’s the best replacement?

Let’s start with the obvious question. GP has been around for decades, and it’s helped thousands of contractors manage everything from job costing to payroll. But Microsoft has made its direction clear: innovation now lives in the cloud.

That doesn’t mean GP is being “turned off,” but it does mean continued investment and new capabilities are happening in Dynamics 365 Business Central, and NOT in the GP codebase. Staying on GP long-term means missing out on the modern security, automation, and AI that Microsoft is building into its cloud ecosystem.

For a deeper look at Microsoft’s roadmap, check out why migrating from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central makes sense now.

For construction and field-service firms that depend on reliable job-cost data, that shift isn’t a threat, it’s an opportunity. Business Central is the natural next evolution of GP, designed to protect your data and extend your capabilities while keeping your team connected wherever they work.

How hard is it to migrate from GP to Business Central without losing data or customizations?

This is the question I hear most often, and it’s where WennSoft’s expertise makes all the difference.

We’ve developed a low-risk, step-by-step business central migration services process specifically for existing GP customers. Working alongside your Microsoft partner, we preserve your data, configurations, and workflows while upgrading your system to a secure, cloud-based architecture. Your day-to-day operations continue with little to no downtime, and your team doesn’t lose the workflows they rely on.

Your data stays safe. Your processes improve. And your team gains the confidence that comes from running on Microsoft’s trusted cloud, with WennSoft guiding you every step of the way.

What are the biggest risks of staying on Dynamics GP instead of moving to the cloud?

Some companies hesitate to migrate because GP still “works.” But the real risk lies in what’s coming next: aging servers, shrinking support windows, and limited compatibility with new Microsoft features. Over time, the cost of maintaining older infrastructure adds up... in dollars and in opportunity.

Affordable Modernization: Enterprise Power Without the Enterprise Price Tag

One of the biggest myths about the cloud is that it’s expensive. In reality, Microsoft’s subscription model brings enterprise-level ERP capabilities to mid-sized contractors at predictable, scalable prices.

With Dynamics 365 Business Central, you get faster deployments, automatic updates, and continuous innovation, without paying for version upgrades or hardware replacements. The savings go beyond IT; they show up in improved productivity and fewer project delays.

For companies that manage tight budgets and complex field schedules, that predictability is game-changing. You keep the WennSoft functionality you trust — job costing, service management, asset tracking — and gain the scalability and performance of the cloud.

WennSoft delivers a cloud ERP for construction companies that provides enterprise-level reliability without enterprise-level costs.

Is Business Central powerful enough for contractors who used Dynamics GP for years?

Absolutely — and in many ways, it’s more capable. Once your ERP lives in the cloud, you tap into Microsoft’s full innovation engine.

Through the Microsoft Power Platform, teams can create simple apps, automate approval workflows, or build dashboards that track performance in real time. No heavy customization required. These tools give business central field service teams and managers the flexibility to improve processes on the fly.

At WennSoft, we’ve taken that a step further with an AI-first roadmap, using automation and predictive insights to drive smarter job-costing and field-service decisions. Imagine an AI-powered ERP that can flag potential cost overruns before they happen or recommend resource adjustments based on forecasted demand.

If you want a preview of what’s coming, check out Withum’s summary of Business Central 2025 Wave 2 features and timeline. Microsoft continues to double down on AI and Power Platform integration — and every Business Central user benefits automatically.

Innovation doesn’t replace safety. It reinforces it.

How does WennSoft help field service and construction companies transition to Business Central?

This post is only the beginning — a high-level look at why moving to WennSoft on Business Central is the safest next step for your organization.

If you’re exploring timing, incentives, or what to expect during implementation, I’ll be diving deeper into two key topics in the next installments of this series:

• How Microsoft’s Bridge to the Cloud offer helps companies reduce costs and simplify their transition from GP to Business Central.

• How low-code tools and Business Central power apps within Microsoft Power Platform are helping contractors lower customization costs and future-proof their systems.

Your Safest Path to the Cloud Starts Here

Modernization doesn’t have to mean disruption. It means continuity, security, and confidence — building on what works while preparing for what’s next.

Every time I talk with customers about the cloud, one pattern repeats: those who act early spend less time reacting later. Dynamics 365 Business Central isn’t the end of GP... it’s evolution.

At WennSoft, we know your industry, your data, and your goals. And we’re here to make sure your move to the cloud is not only safe, but strategic.

Let’s talk before your next GP renewal.

Reach out to learn more, or register for our November 18 webinar: Next-Level Field Service — WennSoft’s Latest Innovations for Dynamics Users

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation.

As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success.

He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, and Signature Telematics, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

WennSoft is thrilled to be a Gold Sponsor of Community Summit 2025, the largest Microsoft Dynamics Biz Apps user event on the planet.

Join us in Orlando, Florida, from October 19–23, 2025, where industry leaders, Microsoft experts, and solution innovators come together to share what’s next for the Dynamics ecosystem.

Stop by our Booth #1535 to see how WennSoft connects field service and construction operations from the field to finance; helping teams work smarter, faster, and with fewer headaches.

As a Gold Sponsor, we’re bringing demos, industry insights, and exclusive perks, including a 10% discount on registration (code: WennSoft10) and a chance to win a $250 Goldbelly gift card when you visit us at Booth #1535.

Whether you’re already using Dynamics or exploring new field service management software or construction management software, our team is ready to show how modern solutions powered by Dynamics 365 Business Central can simplify operations from the field to finance.

What You’ll See at the WennSoft Booth

We’re not just talking technology; we’re showing it in action. Stop by Booth #1535 to see how Gold Sponsor WennSoft connects field operations, accounting, and project management in real time.

We’ll show:

• Automated work orders and scheduling: Ensure the right people, parts, and equipment are in the right place at the right time.

• Field-to-finance visibility: Track labor, materials, and job costs instantly, without manual spreadsheets or double entry.

• Faster invoicing cycles: Reduce delays, boost cash flow, and bill jobs accurately the first time.

• Actionable reporting with Power BI: Turn data into insights that help you plan, forecast, and grow with confidence.

WennSoft’s solution stack is built for real-world complexity, whether you manage HVAC installs, construction projects, or service contracts. It’s purpose-built to handle the operational challenges that off-the-shelf systems can’t.

Proven Results in the Field

As a longtime Microsoft partner and Gold Sponsor at this year’s Summit, WennSoft continues to shape how construction and field service organizations use Dynamics 365 to work smarter and scale faster.

WennSoft customers across North America are already seeing measurable gains:

• 15,000+ field technicians supported

• 30% faster invoicing cycle

• 600 customers worldwide

Each metric tells a story: Supporting over 15,000 technicians means scalability without chaos; faster invoicing means fewer project delays and healthier cash flow. And serving hundreds of customers worldwide means we’ve seen just about every kind of field service challenge and built the tools to solve them.

It’s proof that when you combine the flexibility of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with the specialized functionality of WennSoft’s field service and construction management software, efficiency isn’t just possible: it’s repeatable.

Supporting Microsoft Partners, Too

For Microsoft Partners: Expand Your Dynamics Practice

WennSoft isn’t just a solution for field service and construction companies; it’s also a trusted partner for Microsoft resellers and consultants.

If you’re a Microsoft Partner attending Dynamics Community Summit 2025, stop by to learn how you can expand your service offerings with industry-focused ERP solutions built for skilled trades.

We’ll show how our partner program helps you deliver more value without compromising your client relationships.

Our partners tell us that working with WennSoft lets them deliver specialized field service and construction functionality without reinventing the wheel. Whether they’re modernizing a client from Dynamics GP or enhancing a Business Central implementation, we provide the technical expertise and support to make it seamless.

Together, we help customers get the best of both worlds — a trusted Microsoft foundation with industry-specific depth.

Meet the Team in Orlando

We’re bringing our team leaders to the Summit floor this year.

Come say hello to our CEO, Richard Haus; Jeff Nelson, VP of Sales; Brian Greene, VP Product Innovation; and AJ Kadzban, Senior Sales Executive, to talk about what’s new in field service management and construction project management software.

Whether you want to see how job costing software integrates with Business Central or explore options for streamlining technician scheduling, our team can help map it out for you.

Don’t wait in line. Schedule a private demo or partner strategy session during Summit.

Win a $250 Goldbelly Gift Card

Every visitor to Booth #1535 can enter to win a $250 Goldbelly gift card, because enjoying great food makes us almost as happy as great software. Stop by, say hi, and enter the drawing.

(Bonus: you’ll get to see some technology that might make your day-to-day just as delicious.)

Join Our Post-Conference Webinars!

Can’t Make It to Orlando or Missed Meeting Us?

You don’t have to miss out. WennSoft will host two exclusive post-Summit webinars — one for customers and one for partners — recapping the highlights and sharing insights about the skilled trades industry. Visit our Summit Web Page for more information.

WEBINAR FOR EXISTING WENNSOFT CUSTOMERS AND MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365 USERS SEEKING TO OPTIMIZE OPERATIONS

Announcing WennSoft Signature 2025 AND Job Costing and Field Service for Dynamics 365

Join our post-Summit webinar to see WennSoft’s latest innovations.

• Learn about WennSoft’s latest releases of Signature, MobileTech, and Schedule for Dynamics GP.

• The wait is over-Job Costing and Field Service for Dynamics 365 is here. Your field and back-office teams deserve better tools. We’re building them.

• Get your questions answered by our experts.

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Time: 12 Noon Central

Register for the Webinar

WEBINAR FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365 PARTNERS

The Wait is Over—Announcing Job Cost and Field Service for Dynamics 365

Join our post-event webinar for Dynamics 365 Partners and strengthen your portfolio with purpose-built Field Service and Construction software. WennSoft’s next-gen solutions are here.

We’ll show you how to win with:

• Deep Industry Knowledge: Lean on the WennSoft team’s decades of expertise in Field Service and Construction to deliver tailored solutions your clients will trust.

• Side-by-Side Deployment & Support: We work with you every step of the way to ensure your success.

• Client Relationship Protection: We always honor and protect your customer relationships. Your clients remain yours.

Learn how to bring more value to your customers while expanding your opportunities with confidence.

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Time: 12 Noon Central

Register for the Webinar

See You at Community Summit 2025

While you’re at Community Summit 2025, make Booth #1535 part of your plan. You’ll see how WennSoft helps field service and construction organizations simplify job costing, boost productivity, and connect every part of the business — from work order to invoice.

Visit our Summit Web Page for the most up-to-date information.

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation.

As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success.

He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, and Signature Telematics, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Remember when phones hung on walls with cords that stretched all the way to the kitchen? Back then, “mobility” meant how far your cord would stretch before snapping.

Fast forward to today, and our phones are essentially pocket-sized supercomputers that manage everything from maps to meals. Field Service Operations is on the same trajectory—if you’re still relying on yesterday’s systems, you’re basically stuck with the cord.

Welcome to the final blog in this three-part series, inspired by the book 42 Rules for Superior Field Service.

In Part 1, I covered why agility matters when the unexpected hits, and Part 2 showed how intuitive design keeps teams from wrestling with their tools.

Now, in Part 3, I’m bringing it all together with Rule 42: Evolve Constantly. Because standing still in field service is about as inefficient as trying to stream Netflix on dial-up... it never ends well.

Why Is It Important to Evolve Constantly in Field Service Operations?

Evolution isn’t a luxury, but more like a make-or-break strategy. With customer expectations climbing, competitors racing ahead, and legacy systems acting like anchors instead of engines, Field Service Operations that don’t adapt risk turning into fossils. Sticking with outdated tools is like showing up to a job site with a flip phone—you can technically make it work, but you’ll miss out on everything that makes life easier.

Evolving constantly means leaning into mobile workforce management, real-time data, and operational efficiency as the new baseline. These aren’t extras anymore; they’re table stakes.

How Is AI Transforming Field Service Management?

AI isn’t a flashy add-on—it’s more like a dependable crew member who never sleeps.

It powers automated scheduling, dispatch optimization, and even chatbots that handle routine customer questions. The result? Less time wasted on manual planning and more time focused on customers.

Take scheduling as an example: predictive algorithms can reduce downtime and boost response times by automatically assigning the right technician with the right skills to the right job, no spreadsheets required.

And because it’s part of the Business Central + Microsoft ecosystem, these AI capabilities don’t sit in isolation. They connect seamlessly with your ERP, CRM, and collaboration tools, so data flows across your entire operation.

Today’s platforms even embed AI and IoT capabilities that help companies anticipate issues and respond faster, keeping your team a step ahead rather than always playing catch-up.

What Is Predictive Maintenance and How Does It Work in Field Service?

Predictive maintenance flips the old repair model on its head. Instead of waiting for something to fail, IoT sensors and analytics predict problems in advance, like a weather app that tells you to grab an umbrella before you head out for a walk.

According to industry research summarized by OxMaint, predictive maintenance programs can deliver a 10× return on investment, reduce downtime by up to 50%, and cut maintenance costs by 10–40% across a range of industries. That’s not just efficiency; that’s your bottom line breathing a sigh of relief.

How Can IoT Improve Equipment Tracking and Service Response Times?

With IoT-connected devices, your assets stop being silent and start sending updates in real time. Need to know where that generator is or how it’s performing? No problem. And if usage patterns look off, the system can trigger a service request automatically.

It’s like having equipment that raises its hand and says, “I need attention,” before a customer calls in frustrated. That’s how Field Service Operations shift from reactive to proactive, and from firefighting to foresight. And as we discussed back in Part 1 of this series, planning for the unexpected becomes much easier when connected assets are already feeding you real-time data.

What Technologies Help Future-Proof Field Service Operations?

Future-proofing isn’t about chasing every shiny new tool—it’s about building a toolkit that grows with you. Some of the essentials include:

• Cloud ERP and mobile apps for anytime, anywhere access

• AI and predictive analytics to anticipate issues before they escalate

• IoT devices to provide constant, connected insights

• AR tools for hands-on, remote guidance

• User-centered design that ensures tools actually get used

Beyond just tools, scaling Field Service Operations requires consistency. As companies grow their technician teams, guided workflows and enforced task flows ensure critical steps aren’t skipped. That means every customer visit feels consistent, no matter which technician shows up; a major win for both service quality and leadership peace of mind.

These aren’t short-lived fixes; they’re the backbone of future-proof field service strategies. The right combination ensures your systems not only work now, but also adapt as your business evolves.

And because these tools are built on Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, you gain the flexibility to pivot as needs change, the integration to connect every part of your business, and the benefit of Microsoft’s continuous innovation... so your technology keeps improving long after it’s deployed.

How Do I Prepare My Service Business for Digital Transformation?

Digital transformation isn’t a light switch, but more like a dimmer you adjust over time. The key is to start small with a practical roadmap:

• Audit your current setup to identify pain points

• Pinpoint gaps in agility, insight, and automation

• Choose scalable platforms like Business Central + WennSoft

• Pilot small - prove value, then expand

• Prioritize adoption with clean interfaces, clear workflows, and training

Another area where evolution pays off? Billing. Better data collection and automated review steps cut down on the post-visit paperwork that slows cash flow.

Faster, more accurate invoicing means less time chasing revenue and more time serving customers. Think of it like renovating a house—you wouldn’t tear out every wall at once (I hope!).

And as my previous blog in this series showed, intuitive design is the secret sauce for adoption. If tools feel natural to use, your teams won’t just accept change; they’ll run with it.

Continuous Evolution as a Competitive Edge

Let’s recap this series:

• Part 1 showed why agility matters when the unexpected hits.

• Part 2 proved simplicity keeps adoption high.

• Now, Part 3 brings it home with Rule 42: Evolve Constantly... because innovation never pauses.

In field service, standing still isn’t actually standing still. It’s more like sliding backward while the competition races past. The companies that thrive aren’t the ones with the flashiest tech; they’re the ones that keep upgrading their toolkit.

Ready to trade anchors for engines? Reach out to learn how WennSoft can help you move your Field Service Operations into the future with Business Central.

Or join our upcoming Webinar, where we’ll focus on what you can expect if and when you evolve to Business Central.

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and our new Cloud Field Service, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

For field service teams, the best software is the one that doesn’t make you think twice.

If you need a user manual to figure out how to submit a work order, the tool isn’t helping—it’s slowing you down.

I’ve seen this happen: a company rolls out new field service operations software with great intentions, only to watch their field staff struggle on day one.

Morale? Dropping fast.

The lesson? Even the most powerful field service industry software fails without a user-friendly interface. From a muddy job site to the cab of a truck, technicians need systems that work with them, not against them.

In the first blog of this series, I explored how cloud-based systems improve agility for field service teams. This time, I’ll look at why keeping it simple is the smartest strategy you can take.

What Features Should a User-Friendly Field Service App Include?

The workday for field service technicians often starts before sunrise and ends long after the paperwork. The right app reduces that paperwork to a few quick taps, freeing teams to focus on the work that matters most—serving customers.

Here’s what a truly user-friendly app should deliver:

• Intuitive navigation – Menus are where users expect them, clearly labeled, and easy to find without guesswork.

• Large buttons and touch-friendly design – Essential for gloved hands, small screens, and on-the-go use.

• Minimal clicks/taps – fewer steps to complete frequent tasks, like closing a job or adding notes.

• Offline mode – Keeps operations moving in areas with poor or no connectivity.

• Job-specific dashboards – Put the most relevant information and tools front and center, so technicians don’t waste time hunting for what they need.

These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re the baseline for ensuring your investment in field services software delivers returns in adoption, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Why Is Intuitive Design Important in Field Service Software?

Even the most powerful software for field services can fail if it isn’t user-friendly. Let's face it... no matter how advanced the features, they’re only valuable if your team can use them easily and confidently.

Field service teams often have varied levels of technical comfort. Some embrace new technology instantly, while others prefer sticking to familiar tools. A complex or confusing design creates barriers, increases mistakes, and causes frustration that can lead to disengagement.

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) explains that two factors—perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness—are the strongest predictors of whether people will actually adopt new technology. If the software doesn’t feel easy to use, adoption drops, no matter how many benefits it promises. That’s exactly what the UX Matters research shows in practice—companies that simplify interfaces see measurable gains in adoption, efficiency, and ROI.

In real-world field service scenarios, prioritizing intuitive design has a measurable impact. According to UX Matters, companies that focus on user experience see significantly higher adoption rates and ROI, demonstrating that intuitive interfaces reduce the learning curve, speed up workflows, and minimize errors, all of which are critical in environments where downtime is costly.

How Can I Reduce Training Time for New Field Technicians?

For many field service companies, onboarding new technicians takes weeks—and that’s before they’re fully confident using the tools of the job. Intuitive software can change that equation.

Here are four ways to cut training time without cutting corners:

• Self-service onboarding – Provide role-specific tutorials and guided tours that let new hires learn at their own pace.

• Built-in help and tooltips – Give users in-app answers so they don’t have to stop and track down a manager or trainer.

• Minimal data entry – Use automation, pre-filled forms, and defaults to reduce manual typing.

• Role-based customization – Show each technician only what they need, keeping screens uncluttered and workflows streamlined.

The faster a new hire can start completing jobs independently, the faster they begin contributing to revenue and customer satisfaction.

Shortening training time doesn’t just benefit new hires—it frees up experienced team members, too. Instead of spending hours walking someone through complex software, senior staff can stay focused on billable work, customer relationships, and mentoring in the field. That’s a win for efficiency, morale, and your bottom line.

Keeping It Simple as You Migrate to the Cloud

In my last blog, I discussed how agility and adaptability are critical to thriving in today’s field service environment. You see, usability is the perfect complement to agility. So when you pair flexible, cloud-based tools with an interface technicians love, you set the stage for a smoother migration and faster ROI.

WennSoft powered by Business Central is built with technician usability in mind. Migrating from GP to Business Central can feel like a big leap, but an intuitive interface reduces the friction. Instead of overwhelming your team with change, you’re giving them a tool that works the way they work—keeping adoption high and disruption low.

The Bottom Line for Field Service Teams

Simplicity is a competitive advantage. It ensures your technology supports your field staff in the field, not the other way around.

At WennSoft, we’ve spent decades helping companies in the field service industry modernize from GP to Business Central with solutions that keep teams connected, productive, and focused on serving customers.

If you’re ready to explore how WennSoft can help your field service teams work smarter, not harder, reach out – I'd love to talk!

For more GP to BC migration tips, join our upcoming webinar:

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and our new Cloud Field Service, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Permalink

]]>Better Software for Field Service TeamsRichard HausThu, 07 Aug 2025 13:30:03 +0000https://www.wennsoft.com/blog/2025/8/7/field-service-software-agility-cloud-tools5b046595266c077787047890:5e752ab697585b6664685658:6894aa5f9e3c594b53c0d76d

You don’t always know how good your field service software is—until something goes wrong.

A flat tire. A sick technician. A client who calls at 6:45 AM to reschedule today’s job because they “forgot the roofers are still there.”

The question isn’t whether your team is great at what they do—it’s whether your systems can keep up when the day throws a wrench (or three) into your schedule.

I was inspired to write this blog after reading 42 Rules for Superior Field Service, which explores how cloud-based operational software helps field service companies respond faster, work smarter, and stay resilient when the unexpected happens. One of those rules, Planning for the Unexpected, is especially relevant as companies move toward more agile, cloud-connected operations.

Because you can’t always prevent surprises—but with the right setup, you can handle them without missing a beat.

How Do Cloud-Based Systems Improve Field Service Operations?

There’s a reason we call it field service—your team is constantly on the move. Whether it’s a last-minute reschedule, an emergency work order, or a change in job scope, your software needs to keep up.

Cloud-based systems give you that agility. With centralized scheduling and real-time updates, dispatchers can reroute jobs in seconds. Field technicians get updated job info instantly—no more “where am I going again?” calls. And back-office teams stay in the loop without chasing spreadsheets across shared drives.

Better visibility also improves customer communication. If there’s a delay, you can proactively alert the client with accurate ETA updates. That’s a big leap forward from the old “we’ll be there sometime between 9 and 4” approach.

In fact, as this Forbes article points out, real-time collaboration between teams, departments, and systems is what turns agility into actual competitive advantage.

Field service teams using cloud ERP also benefit from digital documentation. No more lost forms or waiting until the end of the day to upload job notes. Everything’s captured in real time, reducing paperwork, admin errors, and post-job cleanup.

Can Cloud Software Help My Field Team Work Remotely?

Absolutely—and not just for techs out in the field, but for managers and support staff too.

With field service mobile apps, technicians can see job details, update statuses, fill out digital forms, and even capture customer signatures on the go. Remote time tracking and GPS integration help ensure accuracy, especially when teams are spread across job sites.

And here's the real game-changer: offline functionality. Even in rural areas or concrete-heavy job zones with limited signal, field service technicians can still access and complete tasks. Once they’re reconnected, everything syncs back automatically. No lost work, no guessing, no delays.

Say one of your technicians needs to reroute mid-day because a more urgent service call pops up—and their mobile app updates with new directions, job notes, and materials needed. That’s not just convenience; it’s operational control.

To be clear, this is not just about empowering your techs, either. Cloud-based field service software also empowers supervisors to approve timecards, check job statuses, and track performance metrics from anywhere. Whether your operations manager is in the office, at a supplier meeting, or working remotely, they’re never out of touch with the field.

What Are the Benefits of Using Cloud ERP in Field Service Management?

Cloud ERP isn’t just an upgrade—it’s an operational shift that simplifies everything from infrastructure to insight. Here’s how it helps field service teams stay flexible, efficient, and connected:

• No more physical servers or midnight maintenance. Cloud ERP systems eliminate the need for on-site infrastructure, manual backups, and late-night IT heroics. No worrying about software updates, security patches, or “Did we save that before the power outage?” panic.

• Seamless integration with the rest of your business. You can connect field service data with accounting, inventory, CRM, and reporting tools—without juggling multiple logins or manual exports. The result? Cleaner data, faster billing, and better coordination across departments.

• Support for advanced tools like predictive maintenance. Some companies are even layering in predictive maintenance solutions to anticipate equipment issues before they cause delays.

• Scalability without the hassle. Need to onboard five new technicians during peak season? No problem. Want to roll out a new mobile checklist? Easy. Cloud platforms adjust with you, whether you’re growing, restructuring, or simply tightening operations.

• A fast return on investment. You reduce IT maintenance costs and avoid productivity losses tied to outdated or disconnected systems. Plus, with better data and faster workflows, you can make smarter decisions that drive customer satisfaction and profitability.

Microsoft breaks this down well in their blog on transformative AI and cloud resilience for field service, highlighting how cloud tools and intelligent automation help teams respond faster, resolve issues more efficiently, and improve service outcomes across the board.

WennSoft’s Cloud Strategy: Evolution, Not Disruption

If you're still on GP, you're not alone—and you're not behind. We get it. GP has supported businesses in the field service industry for decades. But today’s needs—mobility, real-time access, cloud backups—require more flexible tools.

That’s why we built WennSoft powered by Business Central: to give you the same job-costing logic and operational controls you rely on, now in a cloud-native platform that evolves with your business.

“Rip and replace” isn’t our style. Thoughtful evolution works better—for you and your team. When you're ready to modernize your field service management software, we're ready to help you get there—step by step, without disruption.

Field Service Software Agility: A Feature, Not a Fluke

You can’t plan for every storm, flat tire, or power outage. But with cloud-based field service software, you don’t have to. You just need tools that let you respond faster, stay connected, and keep delivering excellent service—no matter what the day throws at you.

At WennSoft, we help field service companies evolve without disrupting what’s already working. Whether you’re on GP or already exploring Business Central, we’ll guide you toward the right next step. Ready to modernize? Let’s talk.

And for even more GP to BC migration tips, join our upcoming webinar:

Next up: Why simple interfaces aren’t just easier to use—they’re essential for high-performing field service teams.

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and our new Cloud Field Service, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

 [GR1]Insert registration link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7648653031617849432

Most field service leaders I talk to don’t fear the Dynamics GP to Business Central migration—they fear what might go wrong along the way.

It’s understandable, right? When a system has been powering your operations for years, change can feel more risky than rewarding.

Consider this: What if your truck runs great, but now there’s one that’s more fuel-efficient, fully connected, and equipped with smart navigation to help you get to every job site faster? At some point, it’s not about whether the old truck works—it’s about how much more you could do with what’s available today.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the most common concerns field service teams face with a Dynamics GP to Business Central migration, and how to get there without blowing a gasket (or blowing up your schedule).

Recognizing the Value of Dynamics GP

I’m not here to knock GP. Its reliability is exactly why many field service companies have depended on it for decades, handling everything from job costing to service calls to inventory tracking. And it did so in an era before mobile-first tools and real-time data syncing were the norm.

So this move to Business Central? It’s not a rejection of what came before. It’s the next logical step. A strategic evolution that allows you to build on what you’ve done—and set your team up to do more with less friction.

Common Migration Challenges and Solutions

Field service companies often run into three major challenges when planning their Dynamics GP to Business Central migration:

1. Data migration complexities

You’ve invested years shaping GP to fit like a glove. So the idea of starting fresh? It’s like being handed a stiff, new pair of work boots and told, “Don’t worry, you’ll break them in.” Not exactly comforting when you have no time for blisters.

Fortunately, you have options. With the right tools and guidance, you can assess what data needs to move, clean it up during the transition, and avoid carrying over decades of digital clutter.

Tools like Microsoft’s migration framework are specifically designed for this, and working with a partner experienced in both systems can make the process far more manageable.

And this is the perfect time to do it. Cleaning up old vendor records, consolidating duplicate customers, and archiving outdated service histories can actually improve performance once you're live in Business Central. It’s not just about preservation—it’s about optimization.

2. System Adoption Hurdles

People know GP. They’ve built muscle memory around it. The learning curve for Business Central can feel like an unwelcome speed bump, especially when you’re trying to keep service calls running smoothly.

That’s why I recommend involving field and office teams early.

● Give them a voice in how workflows translate over.

● Offer targeted training that reflects their day-to-day tasks.

● And highlight features that will make their lives easier—like MobileTech integrations, streamlined dispatching, and intuitive UI upgrades.

McKinsey’s research into digital transformation pitfalls supports this hands-on, inclusive approach.

3. Operational Disruptions

No one wants their service operations interrupted. And the idea of running dual systems during the transition? That’s enough to make most ops teams break into a cold sweat.

So what’s the better approach?

● Build a migration timeline that avoids peak service windows.

● Test thoroughly.

● Communicate often.

● And make sure your field and office teams know what to expect at each step.

The more predictable the rollout, the fewer surprises on go-live day… and the less likely it is to disrupt your operations.

Strategies Specific to Field Service Companies

Some of the most pressing questions during migration come from the field:

What happens to our scheduling and dispatching?

Can our techs still access what they need on the go?

Will job costing and billing workflows stay intact?

These are valid concerns, and they can be addressed with the right planning.

Field services operations depend on real-time access, which is why MobileTech and other integrated tools should be included in the early rollout. Scheduling should remain uninterrupted, and any changes to job tracking or costing should be tested thoroughly with real use cases before going live.

This is also where integrating Dynamics 365 Field Service with Business Central starts to show real value. With built-in syncing, streamlined data sharing, and mobile-first functionality, your field service management platform becomes more responsive and resilient.

For example, if your technicians currently call dispatch to confirm job details, imagine the time saved when they can access schedules, maps, and job histories right from their mobile device. That level of visibility not only improves productivity—it improves customer experience too.

Long-Term Value of Dynamics GP to Business Central Migration

Once you’re up and running, the benefits are hard to ignore. Business Central offers secure, anywhere access for both field and back-office users. It provides built-in integration with Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook, Teams, and Excel. And it delivers streamlined workflows that reflect how modern field service teams actually work.

It’s not about fixing what’s broken—it’s about unlocking what’s next. And the numbers back it up:

According to Forrester’s Total Economic Impact report, organizations see improved productivity, reduced costs, and faster time-to-value after migrating to Business Central.

Whether you're exploring options with Dynamics GP migration partners or trying to make sense of how Dynamics GP field service functionality carries forward, you're not alone. Working with an experienced Dynamics 365 Business Central consultant who knows GP and the field service space inside and out can be transformational.

A partner like WennSoft can help you create a migration strategy that includes thorough testing, clear communication, and timing that avoids peak service windows—so when you flip the switch, it feels less like a leap and more like a well-practiced move.

For a deeper dive into this type of planning, check out our Field Service Migration Guide.

Ready to discuss your Dynamics GP to BC migration? Reach out to explore how WennSoft can support your transition without missing a beat.

For even more GP to BC migration tips, join our upcoming webinar:

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and our new Cloud Field Service, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Field service operations are only as strong as the visibility behind them. This is something I unpacked in my last blog, where I explored why migrating from GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central isn’t just a replacement—it’s an evolution toward a more flexible, cloud-based foundation.

But for field service teams, the benefits of that shift aren’t just theoretical—they show up in the day-to-day work, where every delay, dispatch, and work order counts.

Picture this: a field technician is stuck waiting in a loading bay for three hours because no one realized the critical part he needed hadn’t shipped. The dispatch team thought it was en route. The warehouse assumed it had been picked up. Finance? They didn’t even know there was a work order.

Scenarios like this don’t necessarily point to a broken system—they highlight how much complexity field service operations now have to manage. Solutions like Dynamics GP provided a strong foundation, especially with WennSoft’s tools built around them. But as expectations grow and technology advances, organizations have new opportunities to evolve their systems—not because GP isn’t working, but because their businesses are ready for more.

That’s why modernizing isn’t just about new software—it’s about eliminating blind spots. In this article, I want to shift the lens from big-picture strategy to boots-on-the-ground operations, to illustrate how migrating to Business Central, paired with WennSoft Service and MobileTech, transforms the way field teams coordinate, respond, and deliver.

Recognizing GP’s Legacy in Field Service

I have deep respect for what GP has done—and continues to do—for field service organizations. For decades, it’s helped companies manage financials, job costing, and core operations. In fact, many organizations still run complex, mobile-ready solutions on GP thanks to platforms like WennSoft Service and MobileTech.

But as the way we work changes—especially with rising expectations around mobility, integration, and real-time access—there’s a growing opportunity to evolve. Moving to Business Central isn’t about replacing what came before; it’s about building on that strong foundation with modern, connected tools that support the way today’s field teams operate.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Modernize

Field services companies aren’t just managing work orders anymore. We’re juggling complexity, customer expectations, and distributed teams. That requires a modern, flexible platform.

The mobility challenge

The need for mobility has never been greater. Technicians and managers require access to data from anywhere, not just from the office (and definitely not through a clunky VPN). As hybrid work and customer demand for real-time updates continue to gain momentum, cloud access has gone from a nice-to-have to a must-have.

Why it’s time to rethink the technology stack

Dynamics GP remains a dependable platform for many field service organizations. But as organizations grow more distributed and customer expectations increase, the limitations of legacy infrastructure can become more noticeable.

Cloud ERP offers an opportunity to simplify access, reduce IT overhead, and strengthen data security—with no VPNs or remote desktops required. As Forbes points out in How to Create A Connected Field Service Management Ecosystem, connected systems improve communication, support field service operations best practices, and make organizations more agile and responsive.

What Business Central Brings to Modern Field Service Operations

Here’s where things get exciting. Business Central doesn’t replace field service tools—it enables them. It provides the financial and operational backbone that lets purpose-built solutions like WennSoft Service and MobileTech work seamlessly together.

A cloud foundation for real-time collaboration

With Business Central, you get a cloud-based ERP that’s accessible from any device—no remote desktop or VPN needed. Real-time data flows between finance, operations, and field teams, so everyone’s working from the same up-to-date information. Automatic updates and deep integration with Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 tools keep the system secure and continuously improving.

From friction to flow: Enabling productivity

For many of the companies I work with, this shift is transformational: collaboration improves, data accuracy increases, and teams spend less time chasing information and more time delivering value.

A Future-Ready Stack, Purpose-Built for Field Service

It’s not just about moving away from GP—it’s about creating a system designed for the way field service operates today.

Think of your field team like a race car pit crew: everyone has a specialized role, and timing matters. But without the right tools and coordination, even the best team fumbles. Business Central, WennSoft Service, and MobileTech give your crew the precision and speed they need to keep the whole operation running at full throttle.

● Business Central

Handles core ERP needs like financials, job costing, purchasing, and project management.

● WennSoft Service

Adds powerful capabilities for scheduling, dispatch, service contracts, work orders, resource optimization, and even AI-powered service insights.

● MobileTech

Puts real-time tools in technicians’ hands, managing work orders, inventory, and tasks on mobile devices, even offline.

The native integration between Dynamics 365 Field Service and Business Central, as highlighted by Microsoft, ensures seamless operations and a unified experience. Together, these tools replace manual workarounds and disconnected processes with an integrated, future-ready stack.

Operational Benefits for Field Teams and the Business

What does all this mean on the ground? It means better outcomes for dispatchers, technicians, managers, and customers.

Real impact on daily operations

We’re talking about improved scheduling accuracy, with real-time updates that reduce missed or delayed jobs. Technicians become more productive with mobile access to work orders, parts inventory, and customer details. Communication between the field and office improves—fewer back-and-forth calls, fewer surprises. Customers notice the difference too, with faster, more reliable service that boosts satisfaction and loyalty.

Better decisions backed by better data

From a business perspective, stronger reporting and analytics allow leaders to track KPIs, monitor service trends, and improve overall field service operations management. Forrester’s Total Economic Impact™ of a Migration to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central shows that organizations achieve significant ROI by improving productivity, reducing manual work, and enhancing decision-making capabilities.

Why It’s Worth the Migration Effort

I won’t sugarcoat it—migration takes planning. But when you’re evolving your systems to support long-term growth, the results are worth every step.

This isn’t a rip-and-replace—it’s a thoughtful, phased evolution. With the right partner (and WennSoft has helped many businesses down this path), companies can move from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central with minimal disruption, retain critical data, and expand their capabilities along the way.

And here’s the real win: The migration opens the door to continuous improvement and scalability. As your business grows and evolves, your systems can grow with you—without relying on workarounds or custom patches to keep up.

Call to Action

Ready to eliminate the blind spots in your field service operations? Let’s talk about how WennSoft can help you modernize and grow. https://www.wennsoft.com/contact-us

About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and ProjectStream 365, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Field service never stands still. Neither do your customers, your technicians, or your timelines. But if your ERP system is still rooted in older tools, something’s out of sync—and that's where the Dynamics GP to Business Central migration journey begins.

For many companies running GP, the path forward isn’t a simple swap. It’s a chance to evolve into a future-ready system built around how your team actually works. That’s where Business Central comes in—not as a one-size-fits-all replacement, but as the financial and operational foundation of a broader solution.

At WennSoft, we’ve spent decades helping field service and construction organizations modernize operations. I’ve seen firsthand how the shift from paper logs to cloud-based platforms, from workarounds to well-integrated apps, can transform teams.

This blog kicks off a new series about what it really takes to transition from GP: the technologies, the steps, and the planning needed to evolve at your pace. Because when you've built something strong, the next step isn’t to abandon it, but to build on it.

Why It’s Time to Rethink Your ERP

Dynamics GP has been a reliable backbone for field service companies. But just like equipment in the field, even the best tools eventually need upgrading when demands outpace design.

Field service has changed. Distributed teams, real-time data needs, and new service models are the norm. Legacy systems often struggle to keep up. Microsoft’s innovation is now focused on the cloud, with Dynamics 365 Business Central receiving the latest features, AI tools, and integrations.

Moving forward doesn’t mean replacing everything overnight. It means choosing a system that grows with you—starting with a flexible foundation and extending into purpose-built tools for field service and mobility.

Planning for What’s Next

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides a strong financial and operational core. But building a future-ready ERP requires a connected system: Business Central at the center, supported by WennSoft Service (built on Microsoft Field Service), MobileTech, and other best-fit technologies.

Modern field service ERP is about supporting current operations while preparing for future needs.

What Business Central Brings to a Modern Field Service Stack

Business Central has become the go-to ERP foundation for companies modernizing operations. It offers:

• Anywhere, anytime access: Real-time data for techs, dispatchers, and finance teams—no VPNs or remote desktop needed. With Business Central, everything is browser based and accessible from virtually any device.

• Microsoft 365 integration: Scheduling, collaboration, and reporting through Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Power BI.

• Scalability: Adapt easily to new regions or services without major overhauls.

• Security and compliance: Microsoft manages infrastructure, uptime, and updates.

According to Forrester’s Total Economic Impact™ study, companies migrating to Business Central reported reduced IT costs, faster financial workflows, and better decision-making.

ERP migration is just part of the puzzle. Business Central provides the structure, but the complete solution connects field teams, supports advanced job costing, and enables mobile dispatch.

Planning Your Dynamics GP to Business Central Migration

Moving from GP isn’t about flipping a switch. It’s about aligning technology with how your teams work today—and where you’re headed.

Start with:

• Assessing your current system: Identify what's working, what’s critical, and where gaps exist.

• Mapping future needs: Pinpoint areas where real-time data, mobile access, or scheduling improvements would have the biggest impact.

• Prioritizing components: Some start with financials in Business Central; others prioritize field service tools.

Many organizations take a phased approach—starting with a strong ERP foundation, then extending with WennSoft Service, MobileTech, and more as needs evolve.

Working with an experienced partner is key. They can help navigate data migration, rethink workflows, and keep financials, project costing, and field service operations connected throughout.

Training and adoption are critical. Even the best tools won’t deliver if users aren’t equipped. Hands-on testing, sandbox environments, and role-based training help ensure success. Microsoft also offers step-by-step migration guidance.

Phased Migration Strategy Checklist

• Assess your GP environment: What’s working, what’s missing, where modernization can drive value.

• Prioritize needs: Finance, field service, mobility—address the most critical areas first.

• Build a strong ERP foundation: Move financials and core operations to Business Central.

• Extend capabilities: Add WennSoft Service, MobileTech, and Microsoft Field Service as needed.

• Plan for ongoing growth: Expand capabilities as operations evolve.

What a Future-Ready Field Service ERP Stack Looks Like

A modular, connected system gives field service companies flexibility and resilience. Here’s what a modern stack could look like:

• Business Central: Financials, job costing, purchasing, project management, integrated with Microsoft 365.

• WennSoft Service (built on Microsoft Field Service): Scheduling, dispatch, service contracts, work orders, and customer communications—plus advanced scheduling, resource optimization, and AI-powered service insights.

• MobileTech: Mobile access for field techs to manage work orders, tasking, inventory, and more—plus offline capabilities when cell or Wi-Fi service isn’t available.

Because it’s built on Microsoft’s cloud, the stack stays connected, secure, and continually improving.

ERP Data Migration Best Practices

Modernizing ERP is about thoughtful planning and strong adoption. Best practices include:

• Choosing the right partner: Expertise in GP, Business Central, and field service is crucial.

• Involving stakeholders early: Field techs, dispatchers, and finance users should shape workflows.

• Simplifying: Use migration to streamline processes, not replicate outdated customizations.

• Prioritizing training: Confident users drive faster adoption.

• Planning beyond go-live: Resources should be in place to optimize workflows and add features.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Skipping data cleanup.

• Leaving frontline users out of planning.

• Over-customizing Business Central.

• Underinvesting in training and change management.

• Choosing a partner unfamiliar with field service.

• Treating go-live as the finish line instead of the starting point.

Final Takeaway: Future-Ready Field Service Starts Now

Modernizing from Dynamics GP isn’t just replacing a system—it’s about enabling your teams, improving operations, and fueling growth.

By building around Business Central—and extending with WennSoft Service, MobileTech, and Microsoft’s broader field service tools—you can create a flexible, connected ERP stack built for today and ready for tomorrow.

With the right strategy and the right partner, your ERP evolution doesn’t have to be disruptive. It can strengthen your operations and future-proof your business.

Ready to explore your migration options? Learn more at www.wennsoft.com/contact-us.

For even more GP to BC migration tips, join our upcoming webinar:

 About the Author

Richard Haus is a technology leader with over 30 years in construction software innovation. As CEO of WennSoft, he helps contractors modernize operations with purpose-built Microsoft technologies that improve efficiency and drive long-term success. He has led the development of industry-transforming solutions like Signature Time, Signature Telematics, and our new Cloud Field Service, all designed to optimize workflows and enhance productivity for the skilled trades.

Passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, Richard believes success – whether in business or the outdoors – comes from preparation, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

The saying goes: “Begin with the end in mind”.  Its good advice, one of the 7 habits of highly effective people.  But it can be difficult to interpret.  The implication is that before setting out, we should know where we’re going, but how do you interpret where to go?  This question haunts many businesses.

Nowhere is this more apparent than the technology industry, where “Startups” come to life regularly.  Many succeed, many fail, all with goals in mind.  These goals are vast and numerous.  Those who have the right goals and execute upon them find themselves in positions of success.  Those who miss the mark, either through incorrect goals or failed execution, fall by the wayside.  One such area of technology where many companies have risen, many have fallen, and few have succeeded is the area of building analytics.  But why have so many companies tried and so few seen successes?  I submit that there is a fundamental miss in the implementations of analytics in the smart building space today.  One that has led to low user adoption and satisfaction in recent years.  And I think that it is because so many businesses began, without the right end in mind.

The Wrong End

Before we can launch into exactly what I believe the best focus for a business should be, we must first examine what has not been working and why.  When we look around the industry at analytics technologies, we see many well designed, feature rich, and powerful technologies.  Tools that pull data from buildings, present it in numerous meaningful formats, and allow users to present and interpret data in more ways than can be counted.  This data leads to meaningful insights as to what is going on in the buildings, what is likely to happen, and what can be done about it.  But there is a huge gap here that many businesses struggle with even using the most powerful of tools.  That gap is interpretation.

What I mean by interpretation is similar to the classical meaning of interpreting from one language to another.  If I have a book that contains all the answers to my questions, inconveniently written in Latin, I am no better off than not having the answers at all if I cannot read the text.  This is the problem many businesses find themselves in, where their analytics tools to them seem like piles of informative books, simply written in the wrong language.  Most businesses overcome this hurdle by hiring one or even a few “interpreters”, skilled in the arts of data science and building systems to decipher and decode this data into something useful.  But these interpreters end up becoming bottle necks to scalability and action, as they can only interpret so much information at a time.  Worse yet, these experts are hard to find.  We all know and feel the pain of the skilled trades gap daily.  Hard as it is to find good techs that understand how building systems work, try finding one skilled in the art of data analysis.  Unicorns indeed.

This is all avoidable of course, because the end with which these technologies were designed is essentially data presentation and interpretation.  Data analytics, as it were.  This leads to tools that are useful to a rare few, at high costs, often too little impact.

The Right End

So, then what then should be the correct end with which we begin in mind?  The answer is multifaceted, but surprisingly simple.  The goal for the usage of data is and always has been to make people’s lives easier.  Both our clients’ lives and, perhaps most importantly, the lives of our employees.  And we can accomplish that with tools that focus not on data analysis but rather data insights.  In other words, the interpretation has been done for us, the answers are presented in the language we naturally speak, and we can take action immediately and effectively.

Data Insights

I know what you’re thinking, this isn’t new information.  Every analytics platform in existence makes some claim to make things easier and provide value for my business in similar ways.  And to an extent, you would be correct.  The key difference here is the output of the systems in question and the level of interpretation required.  Let me give an example.

When talking with a key client, we asked the question, “With all of this data available to analyze, what are the key messages you want to deliver to clients with regards to building service?”  After some discussion we distilled down to only 3 simple messages:

Assurance
To communicate to my client that everything is working well, and no action is required.  This can be highly valuable when the systems are mission critical if for nothing more than peace of mind that operations can continue as planned.

Diagnosis
A problem has been detected, but we know what has caused the problem, what steps are required to resolve, and are ready to take action at your approval to resolve the issue quickly.

Confirmation
A previously detected problem has been fixed and we have affirmative evidence to demonstrate that it is resolved and will not recur.  This dovetails directly into assurance, where normal operations can resume as planned.

To be clear, these 3 messages can be communicated in infinite combinations and forms, but they are in essence very simple messages to deliver.  The goal of a building analytics platform then should not be simple to give me data to interpret, but to provide these clear messages in ways I can present directly to clients.  And all of this should be presented in plain text, clearly interpreted by anyone in my business.  When done correctly, this can even empower the members of my team to do less work and arrive at better conclusions faster, improving the scalability and doing more with less experienced team members.

People First

What all of this culminates in is a technology that puts people first, instead of data.  Here at Key2Act, we’re focused on empowering everyone in your organization with powerful insights into building operations that allow you to get work done.  We know the skilled trades gap is one of the greatest pain points in the industry today.  Taking on new technologies that require more highly skilled, rare, and expensive resources is sometimes a non-starter.  Businesses need tools that let them make use of the resources they have in new ways and more effectively than ever.

To find out more about how BOB, the Building Optimization Broker helps get you to meaningful data insights without having to hire an interpreter, explore now.

About the Author

Tim Cramer | Director of Solution Consulting | Key2Act

10+ years in HVAC/BAS as a Property Manager (22 buildings), and BAS Service Operations Manager (over 1,500 buildings – commercial, retail, residential)

Yet, what makes a building “smart?” In short, the definition may differ according to what building owners or mechanical services providers (MSP) want to achieve. However, there are a few elements that connected systems share. By combining these components with practical tools, service and facility managers can realize several benefits. Learn what a smart building is and explore the missing ingredient to optimizing smart buildings.

Defining Smart Buildings and Their Use Cases

Smart buildings contain and connect systems providing energy, comfort, and indoor air quality. They use IoT (Internet of Things) sensors to convey data to remote monitoring tools, such as our Building Optimization Broker (BOB). Smart buildings monitor themselves 24/7 to prioritize what needs maintenance along with a root cause diagnosis in order to take action with proactive service workflow automation to quickly dispatch a technician to fix the issue. In addition, advanced fault detection and diagnostics enable service and facility managers to optimize operations beyond what’s possible in traditional designs with manual oversight.

Key components of a smart building include:

• Sensors: IoT devices allow facility managers to observe and measure equipment and systems performance 24/7 for proactive maintenance.

• Connectivity: Cloud-based technology platforms enable mechanical service providers (MSPs) to remotely collect and trend data to stay on top of issues

• Autonomous control algorithms: Smart buildings utilize digital ASHRAE-based rules to continuously analyze trends for outlier conditions impacting energy, comfort, and indoor air quality.  

• Data analysis with a diagnosis: A system, like your best technician, provides the unique combination of here’s the problem, the impact, and recommended fix to prioritize maintenance before a tenant calls to complain.

Benefits of Smart Buildings

Building owners and MSPs may realize different benefits relating to their overall objectives. Most want to achieve efficiencies, control energy costs, improve comfort levels, and maintain optimum equipment performance. The advantages of intelligent building solutions consist of:

• Decreased operational expenses

• Lower operational risk

• Increased space or occupancy utilization

• Enhanced sustainability initiatives

• Improved tenant and occupant satisfaction rates

• Reduced capital expenses

Smart buildings also enhance staff and occupant wellbeing and productivity by maintaining the goldilocks zone – ideal temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. Ultimately, smart buildings also reduce costs and help facility and service managers understand their return on investment. They optimize ideal outside fresh air exchanges (aka make-up air) to keep occupants safe while not accidentally over ventilating spaces that result in unnecessary heating and cooling costs.

Examples of Smart Buildings

Smart buildings are everywhere and suitable for all industries. For example, building intelligence uses multiple data sources, such as outside weather information and occupancy details to improve chiller or boiler operation efficiency. College campuses or commercial real estate may collect data from a security system and other IoT occupancy sensors to identify unoccupied spaces that can be optimized.

The often-missing ingredient in smart buildings is energy consumption visibility to root out energy waste.

Without visibility, you can’t answer simple questions such as:

• Is the building getting better or worse?

• Have past improvements been successful?

• Where are the best-prioritized improvements?

Energy utility dashboards combined with building analytics help to answer those questions. Building optimization tools like the Building Optimization Broker (BOB) identify energy waste and opportunities for improvement in three ways. 

1. ) Track monthly electric and gas utility consumption

2. )  Automate monthly utility bill reporting to derive an Energy Star score

3. ) Detect energy waste before your next utility bill by optimizing HVAC systems

 This approach benchmarks your building(s) against like peers and answers those simple questions to continually improve energy, comfort, and preventative maintenance.

Using Intelligence to Improve Facilities

Smart buildings support energy efficiency and management, reduce costs and carbon footprints, assist with sustainability initiatives, and enhance tenant and employee wellbeing. Moreover, they automate systems and workflows, allowing owners and MSPs to oversee facilities remotely and reduce time-consuming processes. Contact us to learn how to use BOB’s building intelligence + energy benchmarking + service workflow automation to your advantage.

What’s your building score?

As more building owners and mechanical service providers (MSPs) deploy smart sensors on equipment, there’s a growing need for effective remote building monitoring systems. As a result, the market research firm, MarketsandMarkets predicts the global market for Internet of Things (IoT) enabled remote asset management solutions will grow from $16.5 billion in 2020 to $32.6 billion by 2025.

Adopting remote monitoring systems helps facility managers track energy usage, identify energy waste and prioritize service to maintain peak building energy performance. Additionally, it pinpoints the root issue causes quicker to help technicians know the system effect and recommended fix to decrease time to repair and service more buildings, thereby increasing revenue.

However, to effectively manage building systems remotely, facilities need a technology platform that does more than send data. It should provide actionable information presented in a user-friendly dashboard. From there, an MSP can efficiently dispatch technicians with proactive insights to speed up the troubleshooting process. Use the following tips to improve your process.    

Equip Buildings With IoT Remote Monitoring Systems

Facility managers choose remote monitoring systems to optimize investments in intelligent sensors and IoT tools. However, some programs lack diagnostics data, don’t provide building fault detection, or fail to offer energy insights. Consequently, technicians spend more time on site, and optimization features, like detecting energy hogs, go unnoticed.

On the other hand, an advanced system goes beyond alerts when an error occurs. Our Building Optimization Broker (BOB) connects building optimization to service workflows. It uses ASHRAE-based rules to diagnose the issue, locate the specific fault diagnostic, and suggest a solution — all on one screen. Moreover, BOB energy utility dashboards provide energy-related insights. 

Set Up Workflows to Assess and Respond to Problems

With BOB in place, buildings are monitored 24/7 to detect anomalies and prioritize work to get ahead of issues before someone calls to complain. Next, it’s time to automate service requests and communications. This may be done in BOB, or easily integrated into your existing work order system, using the Key2Act Integration Hub. Doing so helps MSPs streamline and track service workflow steps, from triage to resolution.

Service managers also enable automatic service call status email updates for customers and send automated text reminders to technicians informing them of their schedule or notifying them of last-minute changes. In addition, the mobile application lets technicians view BOB fault diagnostics so that they can arm themselves with the right tools and parts for the task.

Combining these tools in one remote monitoring system allows MSPs to initiate and schedule service while tracking status from beginning to end. Meanwhile, technicians locate and quickly fix the issue, then move on to the next task.

Use Historical and Real-Time Data for Better Decision-Making

BOB helps MSPs visualize HVAC systems deteriorating trends from energy-efficient baselines and provides monthly inspection reports into four critical areas – Energy, Comfort, Indoor Air Quality, and Preventative Maintenance. Service managers use the information to prioritize faults, troubleshoot root causes, and make a business case for retrofits or repairs.

Furthermore, BOB supports monitoring-based commissioning and automates Energy Star compliance. These time-savers help MSPs or facility managers improve tenant experiences and maintain optimum building performance.

Start to Manage Building Systems Remotely

Overseeing occupied and unoccupied buildings remotely is time-consuming and frustrating when the sensor is a call from a human complaining about a building issue with little to no root cause context of what’s wrong. Intelligent sensors and remote monitoring systems allow MSPs and technicians to service more buildings without scaling staff and most importantly speeds up the service process by providing the system effect and recommended fix to improve work efficiency. BOB helps mechanical service providers scale their services while improving customer experiences every step along the way. Contact us to explore options that help manage building systems remotely.

It’s 2021 and in the last decade, we have experienced unprecedented technology changes that have effectively re-engineered how we live our daily lives. However, there are still industries, like commercial buildings, that are struggling to adopt and implement new technology. Sure, many early adopters have tried numerous technologies like Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) to push the industry forward, but the results have been mixed. Why? Because the technology was built for the tech-savvy, early adopter and was not yet ready for the mainstream user. The mainstream user wants to use technology that is simple, fast and scalable with an emphasis on the second “D” in FDD - diagnostics. They don’t want to know the problem but want to know the solution in a way that’s easy to understand.

The Challenges

The Building Conundrum

It’s perplexing that despite many attempts to implement siloed and semi-integrated best of breed FDD technologies, we still can’t easily answer these basic questions:

Which leads one to wonder, are we attempting to solve the problem the wrong way?

The Traditional Building Approach

Traditional FDD has come a long way over the past 10 years. Users now have access to more data analysis and insights but still experience challenges when they want to transfer insights into proactive service actions. When a problem requiring human intervention surfaces, the part of the downstream services workflow is generally disconnected from FDD building analytics. Instead, there’s generally a manual process hand-off where someone physically enters a service work order ticket into a work management system. The rich analytical insights discovered in the FDD tool are either lost in the hand off or are significantly simplified in the transfer. This action negates the benefit of achieving faster time to service resolution to improve comfort, save energy and/or extend equipment longevity.

What’s needed is to take a step back and reframe the problems that need to be solved.

Survive or thrive – It’s a Choice

Customer expectations are changing. Everything is now driven by the insatiable desire for immediate gratification, personalization, and intelligent automation to win more business and remain relevant in the competitive marketplace. In the HVAC business what worked well a few years ago might have been to have little to no remote analytics visibility or access to an analytics program decipherable only by an advanced power user. But times are changing.

Data Driven Maintenance = Combo of Diagnosis + Service Resolution

Now what’s being asked of building analytics is two things:

1.     Transition from a back-office tool to a front-office tool.

2.     Expand reach into the service workflow to provide vital diagnostic insights into the hands of the most important asset – the mobile technician.

Building analytics was once relegated for the technical professional with the knowledge and context to interpret trends and graphs, like a radiologist reading an X-Ray, to uncover the problems with the equipment/system and why. The shift for building analytics has been to evolve from a niche technical tool to a mainstream user tool. Through analyzing time-series building data, the user is able to uncover intelligent insights and root cause recommendations that can be quickly prioritized, deciphered by both the experienced and the junior technician.

The next critical element is to get prioritized issues promptly into the services workflow for a hybrid services model whereby some of the issues can be fixed/triaged remotely and other issues can be quickly fixed by scheduling a technician and a truck. While it’s great that building analytics can poll data in near real-time, this is of limited to no value if the insights don’t translate into service action and prompt resolution.

For this to happen, building analytics needs to extend its reach beyond analysis to service action by either offering automated service workflow apps or by integrating with existing work order management apps. These solutions will help streamline efficiencies to not only resolve the issue(s) but also delight the tenant.

This is achieved when building analytics triggers a service request which is promptly picked up by a service process to schedule a service call and immediately dispatch the key building fault details, system impact, and recommended fix to a technicians’ mobile.

This type of approach is required to achieve lower operational costs, productivity improvements, and high customer satisfaction scores. A key side benefit is this proactive intelligence greatly aligns with the automation trend in all industries. It is particularly important in the HVAC industry and will assist with attracting and retaining talent to adapt and thrive in the current and future skilled labor shortage.

The goals to survive or thrive are similar, but what separates the thriving leaders (e.g., UBER) from the survivors (e.g, taxis) is the ability to adapt and align with the industry rather than evolving incrementally. The leaders are always poised to move ahead by using technology to achieve lower operational costs while also experiencing higher customer retention rates and therefore higher gross margins.

The Solution

What’s Needed in 2021 and Beyond is an Ecosystem Approach

To solve the multi-dimensional problem of knowing:

1.     How are my buildings doing?

2.     Are they getting better or worse?

3.     What are the best opportunities for improvement?

4.     Have past improvements been successful?

We need to connect the various silos of information into a field services ecosystem driven by building analytics insights.

First, building analytics need to evolve to meet the needs of the technician and not the heavily technical power user. To do this, we need to break the mold of requiring an expert user to decipher the data and instead create analytical rules that spot patterns, prioritize high-value work, and provide root cause diagnostics with system effect and recommendations, in actionable and easy-to-understand language.

While the evolution of traditional FDD is getting better, an ecosystem approach that ties in three other equally important elements will more easily answer those four building questions.

1)     Energy Benchmarking: In addition to analyzing Building Automation Systems (BAS) with FDD building analytics tools, it’s necessary to include utility bill data for Energy Star benchmarking. This data will help determine if buildings are getting better or worse and if past improvements have paid off. The ecosystem approach breaks the bottleneck between what traditional FDD identifies as high-priority issues impacting energy. It also bridges the gap between building analytics and work order management to finally enable proactive action.

2)     Work Order Management: When an issue is identified it ordinarily needs to be scheduled for dispatch in a separate system resulting in a loss of valuable troubleshooting data that the FDD identified, causing a gap in the work order process. What’s needed is for the diagnostic data along with the system effect and recommendation to get into the hands of the most valuable person in the service workflow - the technician.

What the technician needs is diagnostics with system effect and recommended fix so that they are prepared with the right parts to resolve the service call. What invariably happens is the tech is sent out with limited information resulting in extended service troubleshooting time along with the second call required to resolve the service ticket.

The ecosystem approach connects the FDD tool to the services workflow to create a feedback loop between the service manager, service technician, facilities manager, and building analytics FDD tool.

3)     Open Ecosystem: Every building and business system is unique and unfortunately one solution does not fit all. To adapt and change, the ecosystem approach must be able to integrate with other business applications (e.g., CMMS, ERP) via an easy-to-use web API. This allows the building analytics data to extend into other service workflow applications and streamline the business processes while eliminating redundancies, delays, and errors.

Bring Solutions with Beyond FDD

To maintain HVAC systems at peak performance, lower energy, improve comfort and extend equipment longevity requires an integrated approach. First, building analytics needs to stop bringing problems and start bringing solutions. Second, the recommended solutions need to initiate service action, from scheduling to mobile dispatch, so that building analytics no longer is incorrectly labeled as a tool that’s all talk and no action. Finally, by integrating the combination of building analytics + energy benchmarking + automated service workflows we can easily answer our four initial questions.

Beyond FDD Solves Problems in a Different Way

It takes what Einstein so eloquently said many years ago “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” It’s time to explore a different way to solve the 2021 building dilemma. It’s time to Meet BOB. #BOBKnows Beyond FDD

A New Approach for This Decade

Explore a new way to solve FDD that is simple, fast and scalable to quickly on-board a new building. And say goodbye to needing a PhD in data science. Better yet, meet a new platform with a mission to go beyond traditional FDD to master the smart building ecosystem. Meet BOB and experience a new approach to FDD.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) serves occupants with both physical and emotional comfort. Humans are constant temperature creatures with a normal internal body temperature of 98.6 F [37 C] and are continuously producing heat during all activities. If the external environment causes the human body to gain or lose heat, then the body reacts immediately to bring the body back to the correct temperature by either increasing blood flow to the skin or boosting perspiration.

Physiological interpretation of comfort is as how quickly the body’s external surface area (skin) reaches thermal equilibrium with internal core body temperature (98.6 F) and minimum temperature regulation activities are required to be initiated within the human body. Therefore, the perception of comfort relates to an individual’s physical condition, bodily heat exchange rate with their surroundings, and other physiological characteristics.

While ideal thermal conditions for comfort are not easy to define for any one individual due to personal preferences, ASHRAE Standard 55 specifies conditions that are likely to be thermally acceptable to at least 80% of the adult occupants in a space.

Temperature vs Thermal Comfort

The difference between the temperature on the skin and the internal core temperature determines whether a person is comfortable or uncomfortable in their environment. Buildings and HVAC systems need to account for the type of activities being conducted in the space, as well as the frequency of their occurrence, in order to provide the right temperature and humidity of supplied air to keep occupants comfortable. Occupants using a fitness center or indoor swimming pool will have different temperature and relative humidity requirements from occupants using an administrative office or classroom.

Space Temperature and Humidity

The design space temperature and humidity for both heating and cooling seasons should be based on ASHRAE Standard 55 for most applications. The standard establishes a comfort zone for people in both the summer and winter seasons, taking into account the clothing they are likely to be wearing as well as their metabolic activities. ASHRAE Standard 55 recommends a temperature of 74°F [23°C] with a relative humidity below 60% for summer, and a temperature of 71°F [22°C] with a relative humidity above 35% for winter.

Relative humidity (RH) does not have a significant impact on thermal comfort in most situations as long as the space Dry Bulb Temperature is within the comfort range. While humans don’t always experience thermal comfort issues as a result of relative humidity, the human body is sensitive to humidity because it uses evaporative cooling, enabled by perspiration, as the primary mechanism to remove excess heat. Perspiration evaporates from skin more slowly under high indoor humidity and the human body experiences a lower rate of heat loss as the space temperature is increased.

For example: 

Maintaining humidity within ASHRAE Standard 55 can cause additional energy use when supply air is precooled to condense the moist air and then reheated to the desired temperature. The process of cooling and heating can also strip the air of its moisture requiring additional humidification to be added back into the air before it can be supplied to occupants.

Relative humidity also affects the quality of the indoor air and should be maintained between 35%–60% to control volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, viruses, bacteria, molds, and fungi. This relative humidity level may also prevent odor from organic compounds and human activity.

Indoor Air Distribution

ASHRAE Standard 55 prescribes a maximum rate of air movement of 50 feet per minute (fpm) for summer and 30 fpm for winter. Low air velocity affects the ability of the HVAC system to maintain uniformity of temperature throughout the occupied space. To dilute contaminants generated within a zone, a minimum rate of air movement of 0.6 to 0.8 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per square foot (ft2) is adapted in typical applications.

Ventilation System Design

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 is for nonresidential building ventilation and filtration, and addresses controlling air contamination levels for the purpose of supplying outdoor air and removing return air from a space. The total amount of air supplied to a particular space is determined by the cooling load requirements of that space, while also complying with applicable code specifications and standards for minimum ventilation airflow.

Buildings are usually ventilated by supplying filtered outdoor air through the HVAC system. Exhaust systems complement a ventilation system by containing and removing selected contaminants at the source. It is common practice to supply sufficient outdoor air through an air conditioning system to make up for the air that is exhausted plus an additional amount of air to provide the building with slight positive pressurization.

People vary in their sensitivity to contaminants in the air, with low concentrations of certain impurities causing serious discomfort and impairment while most of the other occupants remain unaffected. Standards for vapors specify the quantity of acceptable pollutants per unit volume of air is in parts per million (ppm).

Potential Contaminants in the Supply Air can include:

•     Respirable particulates

•     Pollen, fungi, mold spores

•     Bacteria and viruses

•     Gasses/vapors

•     Carbon dioxide (CO2)

•     Carbon monoxide (CO)

•     Radon (decay products)

•     Other VOCs

Ventilation Rate

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 provides the design engineer with the means of determining ventilation rates needed to achieve acceptable indoor air quality.

 Two procedures for determining the required ventilation rate:

1.   Air Change per Hour (ACH) derives the ventilation rate from a calculation that includes the number of occupants and the floor space.

2.   Demand Ventilation Reset provides requirements for minimum ventilation changes based on measuring indoor CO2 concentrations and other VOCs.

Filtration and Air Cleaning

Extensive research on the health benefits of cleaning air to reduce particle concentrations in the breathing spaces of commercial buildings revealed cleaner air, reduced symptoms from seasonal allergies and asthma attacks, as well as decreased transmission rates of communicable diseases. The most studied air cleaning technologies include mechanical air filtration and ultraviolet disinfection. 

·     Mechanical air filtration utilizes fibrous filter media to remove contaminants from the air stream. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is determined by the density of the physical filter media and how effective it is at removing particles. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter and the smaller the particles it can remove. The highest efficiency mechanical filter is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter with 99.97% efficiency. 

·     Ultraviolet disinfection, also known as ultraviolet germicidal energy, utilizes high intensity ultraviolet light waves (between 220-300 nm) to rapidly degrade organic material and micro-organisms. While this is not a physical filtration method, its benefits have been tested and proven in many clinical environments and is widely accepted as an air cleaning technology.

Why is Indoor Air Quality so Important?

Indoor air quality is important to maintain the health, comfort, and productivity of the occupants within a space. It can be maintained and improved with proper space temperature control, ventilation, and air filtration methods. Thermal comfort has an impact on occupant performance with warm temperatures reducing alertness and cold temperatures reducing dexterity. Frequent and widely fluctuating temperatures can hinder an occupant’s ability to focus, affecting their productivity. Failing to properly manage ventilation can increase the concentrations of CO2 levels and can also lead to occupant sickness and poor performance. Indoor air pollutants like chemicals from cleaning agents, VOCs, mold, and other particulate matter need to be managed and removed, where possible, through both air filtration and air purification. 

Beyond the obvious health benefits, there are also several other reasons organizations should invest in IAQ improvements:

1.   Improved student academic test performance in K-12 schools.

2.   Reduced employee sick days and increased productivity in office environments.

3.   Enhanced customer experience.

4.   Improved online reviews.

5.   Enhanced public image.

How to Ensure IAQ?

Where IAQ is compromised, building occupants start to complain of temperature discomfort, and can also experience headaches and irritation in eyes and throat. To ensure all occupants are comfortable and to prevent buildings from becoming sick from poor IAQ, it is best to look at and correct the following within your system:

•     Select the proper Plant Capacity to provide adequate cooling and heating for local peak ambient temperatures.

•     Use the correct controls algorithms for connecting the temperature, humidity, and ventilation control loops.

•     Frequently monitor indoor air quality with equipment and system trends.

•     Use BOB when you want advanced, proactive building analytics.

What’s the next step?

When you are ready to improve the indoor air quality in your building(s), you to meet BOB, the world’s first building optimization broker. BOB can provide you with insight into your building automation system to proactively identify and diagnose problems with your indoor air quality (along with other equipment and systems across multiple sites) leading to more comfortable and healthier occupants. To learn more about BOB, visit www.k2a.com/BOB

When faced with budget shortfalls and rising expenses, facility managers may feel pressure to reduce operational costs. One approach is to optimize the building equipment to increase efficiency gains which can lead to decreased energy expenses. But finding and diagnosing inefficiencies, or even knowing where to start, can be challenging.  

With this in mind, Ryan Lewton, Director of Energy Consulting & Certified Energy Manager at Key2Act, revealed several underutilized energy conservation measures (ECM), identified using root cause analysis, that facility managers can easily check and implement simple changes to quickly start saving energy.

ECM 1: Time of Day Scheduling

One of the easiest and most overlooked ECM is utilizing time of day scheduling (TOD) and night set back (NSB) settings. Both are straightforward energy conservation measures, yet many facilities override or disable these features for a variety of reasons. For example, large buildings may have conflicting schedules with areas, like IT rooms, that require around-the-clock cooling alongside other areas, like administrative offices, that only require daytime cooling. To prevent extended recovery times and comfort complaints, facility managers can install pony equipment for after-hours operation and give local area control to tenants when possible.

Additional preventative and corrective measures facility managers can take include:

·       Look for and correct TOD and NSB overrides

·       Utilize proper nighttime and unoccupied operations

·       Track recovery times and adjust the system equipment serving poorly functioning areas accordingly

ECM 2: Ventilation Rates

Many buildings are over-ventilated and recent, often confusing, guidance around virus prevention has caused facility managers to participate in extreme over-ventilation of their buildings. The effect of over-ventilation is wasted energy resulting in excessive amounts of air to spaces that were already over-ventilated to begin with. The increase in air to the spaces not only increases energy use but can also cause humidity control issues, excessive preheating, and diminished cooling capacity.

Building HVAC equipment, like fixed dampers and clogged flow rings or bars, can also contribute to the problem. By calibrating differential pressure transmitter (DPT) sensors, assessing damper function, and unclogging flow rings and bars, a facility manager is able to improve ventilation rates. The latest ASHRAE ventilation rate requirements should also be consulted and incorporated in any system changes.

ECM 3: Setpoint Limits

While it seems counterintuitive, simultaneous heating and cooling occurs frequently in buildings. Some of the root causes of simultaneous heating and cooling include overlapping heating and cooling setpoint limits, default settings on the BAS system, and no ambient lockouts on reheat.

As a result, facility managers may receive comfort complaints, see a rise in utility budget costs, and notice poor space temperature control. But a simple fix can be instituted by using space temperature control setpoints. By controlling the setpoint, facility managers can improve comfort levels and reduce overall system energy consumption.

ECM 4: Heating Water Reset

Facilities using hot water systems with mixing valves or condensing boilers can implement heating water temperature reset. The common reasons behind equipment and performance inefficiencies consist of poor reheating at terminal devices and excessive burner cycling.

 Similar to ECM 3, applying temperature resets can reduce the annual gas consumption for reheating water by 5% to 25%. Measures to improve efficiency can also include:

·     Installing a three-way bypass valve in the hydronic loop

·     Adding boiler sequencing controls

ECM 5: Chilled Water Reset

A chilled water temperature reset can relieve common issues in the right conditions, such as humidity control, short cycling compressors, and low delta temperature conditions. By pairing chilled water reset with an air-side economizer operation, such as comparative enthalpy, facilities may realize a 1% efficiency gain per degree of temperature reset.

When completing a root cause analysis, we generally come to three conclusions.

1.     The reset’s independent variable should correspond to building operations.

2.     The max reset point needs to intersect at the balance point of the chiller’s minimum load capacity.

3.     The cooling tower resets may require adjustments to keep lift and stop surge conditions.

Optimize Systems for Peak Performance

Continuous monitoring and analytical insights can help your organization reduce utility costs while ensuring optimal tenant comfort. Facility managers can leverage tools, like the BOB energy utility dashboards to find opportunities for savings. Contact us to learn how to unlock additional energy savings using BOB.

Eliminating commercial building energy waste can enhance comfort levels, reduce equipment wear and tear, and lower monthly energy costs. However, not all energy conservation measures (ECM) are obvious or created equal. Ryan Lewton, Director of Energy Consulting & Certified Energy Manager at Key2Act, encourages facility managers to identify the underlying causes contributing to energy waste and incorporate lesser-known ECMs to prevent reoccurrence.

Energy Saver #1: Economizer Control

Economizers are crucial pieces of building HVAC equipment that, when properly installed and maintained, reduce the total amount of energy consumed by evaluating and using outdoor air to cool a commercial building. But these pieces of equipment routinely miss several opportunities to perform their role, especially during the Winter to Spring and Summer to Fall shoulder seasons. The result is lost dollars from unnecessary mechanical cooling costs.

There are many reasons why economizers can be inefficient but there are additional pieces of equipment within the system that should also be investigated along with the economizer to ensure proper overall function. Additional equipment to look at include:

·       Temperature and humidity sensors

·       Barometric relief dampers

·       Building static pressure transducer

·       Correctly sized building humidifiers

Energy Saver #2: Duct Pressure Optimization

Since 1999, ASHRAE has specified duct pressure static optimization (DPSO) as a key energy conservation measure. However, many facility programs do not reset the duct pressure setpoint. This failure leads to wasted fan energy. Common problems your building may incur include poor space temperature setpoint control, undersized variable air volume (VAV), and malfunctioning or uncalibrated VAV boxes.

To improve the duct pressure in your building, review and correct some of the main underlying causes including:

·       Clogged or incorrect duct sample points

·       Removing non-critical areas in the DPSO calculation

·       Using DPSO default or older code requirements

Energy Saver #3: Pump Pressure Optimization

Like Energy Saver #2, few facilities implement pump pressure optimizations, even though all facilities and equipment can support this ECM. Unfortunately, this oversight leads to energy waste as pump energy can, in some cases, equal the chillers’ energy consumption. Common problems include over-pressurizing the piping system, short-cycling equipment, and pump cavitation or damaged pump seals.

Typical root cause analysis reveals the opportunity for:

·       Developing a program to track pump pressure

·       Unclogging differential pressure transducers

·       Resetting routines to run at factory defaults

·       Hunting chilled water valves

·       Properly sampling points in the piping

Energy Saver #4: Occupied Standby

Many facilities fail to use the occupied standby mode on their building automation system (BAS). This function lets the system reset ventilation requirements and space temperatures in partially occupied buildings saving energy and increasing comfort for the remaining occupants. Since unoccupied spaces don’t need to meet minimum ventilation rates, there isn’t a need to keep the same requirements for all areas, like unused administrative offices, within a building that operates 24-hours a day. Common problems linked to a failure to use occupied standby can include occupant comfort issues, elongated recovery time or short-cycling equipment.

To find the causes and prevent future problems in identified spaces, facility managers can:

·       Add motion detectors to ensure equipment only runs when spaces are occupied.

·       Check the BAS settings and reset the settings to factory defaults.

·       Adjust for seasonal temperature and humidity variations to ensure occupants remain comfortable.

Energy Saver #5: Discharge Air Temperature Reset

Simultaneous heating and cooling, arid conditions during winter months, and unnecessary reheat operation are common issues resulting in wasted energy. In many cases, buildings do not use the discharge air temperature resets on their air-handling units.

While a root cause analysis often reveals a failure with the outdoor air temperature sensor, the facility manager should also institute a reset programming schedule or implement an incremental reset for space temperature fluctuations.

Use BOB to Identify Wasted Energy

Facility managers can leverage tools, like the BOB energy utility dashboards, to pinpoint savings opportunities and assess buildings for energy-hungry systems and equipment. Contact us to learn how you can monitor building health and energy use with BOB.

Fact: It is estimated that 30% of all energy used in commercial buildings is wasted*

Challenge: But where is the best place to start?

In the ever-expanding world of building data and analytics, a common question that arises is not if Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) has value, but rather how to best maximize the value of FDD with the least amount of upfront cost and effort?  To harvest and intelligently utilize all the data a building has to offer, businesses must evolve the way they work, along with the process of ingesting, modeling, and interpreting that data.  This barrier to entry has turned otherwise forward-thinking businesses and individuals into the proverbial groundhogs, peeking their heads out of their borrows, and deciding if another 6-week nap is the best plan before taking any action.

So how then can we inspire actions with the somewhat daunting level of effort required for these digital transformations?  Better yet, are there better options to reduce this level of effort? The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and so we must decide where to take that first step and focus our efforts.

Pareto’s Principle

To evaluate the proper strategy for this phased approach, we need to consider Pareto’s Principle, where 20% or less of the effort will grant me 80% or more of the value.  This is not only a question of strategy but one of focus and scale.  If we are looking to better serve a site with 400 pieces of equipment, where do we begin? A logical place to start is automating the central plant diagnostics.

Why Begin with the Central Plant?

It likely comes as no surprise to anyone in the Building Services industry, that central plants make a logical starting point for such endeavors.  The central plant carries a host of advantages when considering integration to an FDD or Building Analytics tool.  A non-exhaustive list of advantages include:

• Asset Value – Central plant equipment is often some of the largest and most expensive in a building.  Thus, there is a higher need to secure their value by ensuring proper maintenance, potentially leading to extended lifespans.

• Performance Impact – Central plant equipment is often essential to maintaining site comfort and overall system performance.  Failures in these plants can often lead to major consequences for the entire building.

• Energy Savings – Central plant equipment is generally very large, has far-reaching usage, and tends to be some of the biggest energy hogs in the building. Improvements to the equipment’s sequence and operations can have major overall system and energy impacts.

• Centralized Controls – Central plant automation systems are often bundled onto a single control device due to their very close physical proximity.  It is common to see entire chiller or boiler plants on a single unitary controller.  This tends to make building automation implementation easier, as there are fewer steps to ingesting and employing the data.

• Low Equipment Count – Central plant equipment is generally very large and has such broad use, the total equipment counts tend to be lower, leading to lower implementation and recurring costs over time.  This also means the value per equipment and per point are significantly higher than other equipment with less broad application throughout the building.  In some cases, an entire heating and cooling plant system can be integrated with fewer than two dozen total pieces of equipment.

Proving a Return on Investment

Once implemented, these central plants become a low-cost way to prove the value of FDD and Building Analytics without a huge time or cost commitment.  The ROI opportunities and potential are immense since the equipment is highly valued.  Once the value can be clearly demonstrated, it becomes easier to spread from there and integrate other equipment throughout the building. Furthermore, the savings incurred from the initial implementation may be used to fund the expansion, creating a snowball effect of savings compounding upon themselves.

But what kinds of opportunities should we be seeking now that we’ve identified the physical focus of our initial offerings?  Again, simplicity is key in starting the endeavor.

What Data to Focus on First?

There is a notion in energy savings called “The Observer Effect”, where businesses can save on average 5% of their energy use simply by measuring, observing and making smarter choices. This effect goes beyond simple energy savings and is related to the old adage: “What’s measured gets managed”.  To make any progress in energy spend or operational efficiency, a baseline measurement must be established and recorded. Second, a set of measurable data points that drive operational and energy changes must be identified within the buildings.  Examples of key data types and their value are highlighted below. 

• Energy – Always a key starting point, energy usage at the building level provides general performance indicators but is even more valuable when provided at the asset level for each piece of equipment.  If efficiency data can be shown, the user is provided even more insights into not just how much energy is used, but how well it is being utilized.

• Comfort – In most scenarios, the end goal of the building systems is to ensure comfort for the people who occupy them.  For our purposes, we will include within comfort any data points that ensure the proper operation of servers or other industrial equipment.  Recommended data points can include temperature, humidity, and pressure.

• System Control – While the end goal of the systems may be to ensure comfort, there are certain data points that are necessary to ensure operational performance.  These are the high-level conditions that must exist for the direct comfort affecting equipment to operate properly and are likely the plant level equipment and systems already highlighted.  Recommended data points for hydronic systems include supply water temperature, system differential pressure, equipment statuses and commands, and loop flow statuses.

Not Included Initially:

• Configuration Points – These data points are related to the actual sequential setup of automated equipment and can include pid loop gains, k factors, and damper sizes, among others.  While these data points are a valuable part of a deeper analytics strategy, it is recommended they are reserved until a more robust strategy is identified and ready for execution.

Which Outcomes to Focus On Next?

Now armed with a central focus on larger, more centralized assets and diagnostic data points for comfort, energy, and building operations, where should we focus next?  The answer is simple: focus on the outcomes that generate the highest value to businesses, clients, and/or tenants.  These targeted outcomes are more easily categorized, and we can find numerous opportunities to develop easily achievable and immediately valuable goals.

• Energy – The best starting point for finding efficiencies and generating immediate value is Energy. It is estimated that 30% of all energy used in commercial buildings is wasted* and studies have shown awareness, tracking, and observation of energy can yield an average of 5% savings. Many changes are easy to identify and bring immediate, measurable value including:

  • Confirm power status - Many times equipment and systems are turned on when they should actually be turned off. Over time, various manual overrides, improper schedules, or poorly designed sequences cause excess and wasteful energy use. These issues are often easy to identify and fix with the proper tools.

  • Implement reset schedules –  A slightly less obvious example is properly implementing reset schedules to optimize energy use.  In this case, the equipment can be programmed to run less frequently to achieve the same results. To meet energy needs, adjust the speeds, temperatures, and other controlled values based on actual demand.

  • Seek Optimal Utilization – Optimize building performance and efficiency while minimizing impact to comfort by performing the majority of energy-intensive actions during off-peak hours, and reducing energy spend during peak hours by utilizing energy storage methods like generators. Look for simple ways to recapture energy use and implement optimal stops like turning off certain conditioning processes shortly before the end of the occupancy.

• Operational – Operational improvements are those which directly lead to cost savings in a building. These savings are less about how the specific diagnosis is made, and instead, highlight the impacts to business risk and the bottom line.  Consider the following ways an analytics tool can impact your business operations:

  • Assurance – Provide the customer with reliable information and knowledge that their systems and equipment are working the way they expect. Quality analytics tools leverage 24/7 data being collected to ensure everything is working correctly. If any problems arise they can be addressed immediately, rather than waiting for a complaint or the next scheduled inspection.  This is especially valuable in critical environments like healthcare, labs, or data centers where outages can be extremely costly or even life-threatening.

  • Diagnosis – Systems that automatically identify problems and their diagnoses enable quicker problem identification, many times the identification happens well before a client and/or tenant feels the effects of the issue.  Root cause diagnostics enable the technician to identify the problem and develop a resolution plan before being dispatched to the location.  This reduces both initial times to service and total time to resolution, leading to decreased costs, higher rates of the first-time fix with reduced callbacks, and an increase in client satisfaction.

  • Confirmation – To ensure the client understands the value of the services performed, they need to be shown how the proactive service workflow identified the problem as well as how a successful resolution was implemented. Quality analytics products provide the data to demonstrate identification, resolution, and confirmation of the issue while traditional service workflows are reactionary without demonstrated resolution success.

• Comfort – While the financial benefits of comfort improvements may be harder to quantify, they are not less valuable.  Keeping a building, the tenants, and their operations running comfortably, smoothly and without interruption is arguably the most important objective.  In some cases, higher energy costs will need to be expended to satisfy tenant needs, so quickly identifying issues that affect comfort are mission-critical, and must be resolved immediately.  Strong analytics tools make this easier and more efficient than ever.

Conclusion

We can see from the outline presented here, that effective implementation of an analytics tool within a facility service business is not only potentially highly valuable but requires many considerations.  And these ideas are really just the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of what can be done utilizing these data analytics platforms.  Often, the next step forward is to invest the operational savings into capital projects that will achieve even greater savings and improvements. The idea is to demonstrate how the focus on core areas for improvement within the building, including key data points to support those improvements result in critical outcomes that quickly add the most value.

If you’d like to discuss this topic in greater depth or would like to find out more about how Key2Act and BOB, the Building Optimization Broker, can help you to Master the Smart Building Ecosystem, please contact us.

*via EnergyStar.Gov

Although up to 30% of building energy is wasted, you can’t know where your facility stands without historical data. ENERGY STAR benchmarking turns your raw information into a baseline, making it easy to compare, understand, and explain energy use.  

But your benchmark is only as good as the data you put into it, and manual entry can be tedious. Fortunately, tools exist to automate the process and ensure you’re working with the latest, error-free information.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR Benchmarking

Benchmarking is the first step toward realizing a 10-30% energy cost reduction. For example, in Chicago, 211 ENERGY STAR certified buildings achieved energy savings of $87.9 million in 2020. Building owners and facility managers also benefit from:

·  Additional savings as lower energy costs also decrease operational expenses

·  Finding what fuels energy use and using that data to prioritize capital improvements

·  Leveraging benchmarking information as a diagnostic tool to discover inefficiencies

·  Qualifying for green building certification

·  Staying competitive through awareness of industry insights

Furthermore, building owners and facility managers with multiple sites can use benchmarking to develop best practices at high-performing locations. Then, they can replicate those methods in other buildings while using data sets to target locations for improvement.

What is ENERGY STAR Benchmarking?

ENERGY STAR benchmarking measures your building’s energy and water efficiency. The Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) provides baseline data from similar educational, medical, or professional sites.

Depending on your location, you may find additional information provided by utility companies using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® website.

To benchmark your property, you need basic information, such as:

·  Total gross floor area (GFA) of your property

·  Construction date of your property

·  Number of buildings

·  Occupied and operational portion of your GFA

·  Outdoor landscape or garden areas using irrigation

·  12 back-to-back months of energy data

However, each building type requires answers to property-specific questions, such as if your location has onsite laundry facilities, medical laboratories, or a computer lab. With this data, you can reveal what drives energy use and adjust your metrics to account for fluctuations in production or occupancy levels, or weather conditions.

Overcome Benchmarking Challenges

Selecting the right data, collecting information, and deriving insights are three challenges facility managers and mechanical services providers face. Benchmarking is a useful tool, but it’s a score or rating, not an action plan. Moreover, the numbers alone aren’t helpful without context.  

The challenge of big data is how to break down information into actionable steps. It’s no longer enough to look at performance levels every year. Instead, organizations must continually assess energy use and analytics to assure ongoing improvements.

Fortunately, tools like BOB, the world’s first Building Optimization Broker, are designed to reduce barriers and assist with benchmarking to:

·  Eliminate time spent on manual data entry

·  Avoid squinting over hard-to-read utility bills

·  Create visual representations of energy use by fuel source

·  Offer clients an easy-to-read utility bill analysis

·  Develop insights into energy usage and trends

·  Build a business case to support replacements or repairs

·  Automate monthly reports for your ENERGY STAR Portfolio

·  Maintain compliance with energy regulations

Next Steps: Discover Solutions for ENERGY STAR Benchmarking

As the focus on carbon footprints and energy consumption increases, companies can position facilities to meet standards while gaining a competitive edge. It’s vital to build an efficient data collection and analytic process. Meet BOB to learn how it can support your performance goals.

Learn how Mechanical Services Providers and Energy Service Companies
maximize building energy efficiency and cut costs

Insights by Tim Cramer | Director of Solution Consulting | Key2Act

24/7 Remote Building Monitoring Cuts Costs

A Building Operations Center (BOC) is similar in many ways to a Network Operations Center (NOC). The primary difference is instead of focusing on network performance, it focuses on the building performance of any number of building operations ranging from energy management to mechanical systems and comfort control to performing monitoring-based commissioning.

Change Management: From Reactive to Proactive

The goal of the Building Operations Center should be to deliver proactive, just-in-time service on a wide range of potential issues, as well as being able to predictively and prescriptively identify issues before they become failures.

Building the Business Case

In order to successfully implement a BOC, we first need to define how our business strategy should be built around its capabilities.  The following considerations should be made:

· Service Offering – The first and most critical strategic decision to make is what services you intend to offer with your BOC and how you intend to charge for those services.  By its nature, a BOC implies some level of asset monitoring, diagnostic, and resolution.  Depending on the asset, these services can sometimes be offered entirely remotely or may require a field technician.  These services can be charged as part of a recurring service agreement or delivered as time and material on demand.  In any case, the scope of the services and their costs must be clearly defined to give context to all following business and technology decisions.

· Operating Hours – Depending on the types of systems being served and the services offered, there may be dramatic differences in needed hours for managed services.  Some may inherently require 24/7/365 operations.  Others may only require regular business hours.  This needs to be discussed and established in advance.  Operating 24/7/365 will not only require additional staffing but also contingency plans must be made for power failures, storm/travel conditions, and any other potential interruptions to normal operations.

· Scale – At a per-site or even per campus basis, BOCs stand very little chance of being profitable.  The more connected and larger scale of sites a BOC can serve, the greater the returns on investment.  For example, 24/7/365 operations typically require a minimum of 5-7 staffed employees, even if they are only servicing a single site.  This level of service can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and could make it cost-prohibitive to service a single location.  Often, hundreds of sites can be serviced with only 2-3x increases in staffing.  This makes the costs much easier to spread among multiple locations and equates to an opportunity for higher margins at each site.

· Staff Skill Level/Tiers – This can depend largely on the services offered as well as technology solutions deployed.  As a rule, higher-cost technologies tend to be able to be managed by lower-cost staff and vice versa.  The more cognitive load we can move to our technology solutions, the less skilled team members we need.  Tiers of staff members can then be utilized, where junior members handle more basic service functions like reading reports, receiving requests, and reporting outcomes, while more skilled team members perform more difficult functions like adapting new processes, evaluating existing processes, or high-level troubleshooting and implementation.  There will always be a need for at least one highly experienced subject matter expert to oversee and supervise the BOC in all applications.

Choosing the Best Technology Solution

The next strategic decision in effective operation of a BOC is to determine the type of technology that can be utilized or deployed to effectively monitor, diagnose, and affect asset performance and maintenance.  The following are common BOC technology solutions and their desired results.

· Asset Monitoring – There needs to be a means to monitor the controlled assets in the service portfolio.  Monitoring can come in a wide variety of forms, including everything from IoT devices to Building Automation Systems to utility meters.  The key objective here is we need to identify the data source in order to monitor and analyze the performance of the assets needing service.

· Fault Detection and Diagnostics – BOC staff need to be aware of the problems that could be happening and when they are occurring through automated problem identification and diagnostic to feed.  This system must be adaptable to changing needs and methods of evaluation.  At the most basic, this can be IoT or BAS alarm system, but the goal should be to install a scalable FDD system with analytics capabilities beyond device or system-specific alerting.

· Reporting/Visualization – To realize the KPIs that assure appropriate service delivery, we need access to visualization, business intelligence, and/or reporting tools.  Using these tools, we can better understand if the fix worked, the costs reduced, and/or revenues increased.  These KPI’s help show not only the value of the work performed but also the value driven by the BOC.

· Call Center Software – While not the highest value proposition of the BOC, it will inevitably need to offer call center functionality.  It will require the means to both contact customers to communicate problems, statuses, and solutions as well as a means to receive inbound requests for new issues and updates.  This means we need robust technology solutions to handle what could be numerous inbound calls to various agents.  Some higher-level features/functions that should be considered here are call recording, call parking and transfer, automated voicemail, prerecorded responses, listen-in functions (for leadership and training), and call conferencing, among others.  It is also a best practice to consider true “omnichannel” support by including communication via text message, email, and social media.

· Issue Tracking/Maintenance Management – Armed now with the tools necessary to track and identify service issues for our clients, we need a tool to track the service workflow steps and status from triage to diagnosis to resolution.  These tools come in many forms, often specialized to the specific services delivered and can be highly contextualized in their form and function. 

Business Outcomes of Remote Building Analytics

With the goals of our BOC clearly defined and our strategies determined, what are the deliverables we expect to provide to our clients?  While the specifics of those deliverables will be highly dependent on the services we intend to offer and the technologies we intend to use, there are a few general categories of deliverables that we can define that are expected in a BOC.

· Enhanced Service Level Agreement (SLA) – The entire underlying purpose of this type of service model is to deliver services at a higher level than were previously possible.  This may be a requirement based on the client served (data centers, laboratories, healthcare, etc.) or it may simply be a way to add value to elective services on high-value clients or clients seeking to add to their own competitive advantage.  As such, the BOC should expect to include line items in their service agreement that guarantee flat or predetermined rates and/or reduced time frames to service delivery.  They may also include extended or more robust warranties of work based on the higher degree of certainty in resolution and verification.

· Enhanced Communication/Reporting – Even the best service can fall flat in customer appreciation if not coupled with effective communication and reporting.  Clients need to know they are getting the value for what will be positioned as a premium service.  Client communications should be prompt and highly informative.  Reports should be simple, concise, and include only the details and information necessary to demonstrate resolution. 

How to Get Started

Learn more about a unique offering, called the Building Optimization Broker (BOB), which combines building optimization with proactive service workflows and energy utility analytics to build your own Building Operations Center.  Meet BOB. Or Schedule a Consultation.

About the Author:

Tim Cramer | Director of Solution Consulting | Key2Act

10+ years in HVAC/BAS as a Property Manager (22 buildings), and BAS Service Operations Manager (over 1,500 buildings – commercial, retail, residential)