Summer ‘19 release is going to be here within just a few short weeks, so it’s time to get ready and see what’s new for Field Service Lightning (FSL).
We saw some exciting updates for FSL in the Spring ‘19 release. Updates included the ability to sort time slots by date, view absences in multi-day view and multiple improvements to the Gantt Chart, to name a few. We can also expect some compelling updates in Summer 19 as well.
We know it can be tough to comb through release notes looking for updates, let alone specific to FSL. That’s why we shared our last blog post on the best new features in Summer ‘19.
Today, we’re going a bit more specific and looking at what’s coming for FSL in this Summer ‘19 release.
1. Enhanced Optimization
The first update we’ll look at is the ‘Enhanced Optimisation’ updates. You can now schedule smarter by making informed decisions and avoiding anything that might startle employees. The main part of this update is last-minute scheduling challenges.
The 3 Key features of this enhanced optimisation:
- Optimization recipes for common scheduling challenges - Aimed at the challenge of cancellations, overlaps and changes to address what happens when these optimisation challenges arise. Cover all your corners.
- Smarter travel time estimates - Taking into account the time of day, the street-level routing is predictive and now more accurate than before.
- Rapid in-day optimization - Scheduling policies. No matter what the blockage, hold up or sickness, be prepared and get everything back on track swiftly
Note: This is still in Beta, which means Salesforce doesn’t guarantee general availability and can cancel it at any time.
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with the Field Service Lightning managed package installed.
[Release notes here]
2. Monitor Optimization Requests from the Dispatcher Console
With the new percentage-based progress bar shown on the optimisation requests, you can also change the status and cancel requests from here. You can now also control requests directly from the dispatcher console. No need to leave the dispatcher control anymore.
Abort option
Progress bar
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with the Field Service Lightning managed package installed.
[Release notes here]
3. Automatically Create Time Sheets for your Service Resources
This new feature will save time and increase productivity. Users can view and edit Timesheets on their salesforce app, desktop and in a flow. Using Templates, automate the process of creating timesheets. After setting the specifications of the template, it can then be applied to a profile, which will automatically create time sheets for those service resources.
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions.
[Release notes here]
Note: This is still in Beta, which means Salesforce doesn’t guarantee general availability and can cancel it at any time.
4. See Further into the Future on the Gantt
What’s really great about the new ‘Long-Term View’ of the Gantt Chart is that you can now view up to a 6-month span of your employees' schedules at one time. This will increase productivity by cutting downtime of flicking through multiple page views to see many different dates. You can now also filter by appointments only or time off only. Note: Users need Long-term View custom permission to see the Long-Term option in the Gantt resolution menu.
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with the Field Service Lightning managed package installed.
[Release notes here]
5. Work Faster in the Dispatcher Console Map
One of our favourite new features is the Dispatcher Control Map’s ability to pop out and move around the dispatcher console. You can now position it anywhere you want within the dispatcher console to maximise productivity and screen space. With a new Drag/drop feature, you can schedule a service appointment by dragging it from the map to the service resource’s schedule in the Gantt.
The Gantt palette - now shows on the map above each service appointment as small horizontal bars.
Tidy up the map with Map Layers and select Cluster nearby markers. The image below is a before and after, the number
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with the Field Service Lightning managed package installed.
[Release notes here]
6. Set Scheduling Limits for Different Types of Work
Schedule capacity limits that keep in line with work types to control how much time your employees spend on different work types. The idea of work capacity limits is thought of as a suggestion rather than a concrete rule.
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions.
[Release notes here]
7. Create and Manage Service Crews with Crew Management (Generally Available)
This update will allow you to create and manage service crews quickly and efficiently. With smart search results, you will be able to put together the right team fast, taking all parameters into consideration like skill set, operating hours and availability.
It is also important to note that you will need FSL Admin Permissions or FSL Dispatcher Permissions set for this.
Applies to: Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with the Field Service Lightning managed package installed.
[Release notes here]
Smaller Improvements:
- Get Started with Shifts - This update is for shift managers who have new shift standard object to manage service resources using shifts. [Release notes here]
- Sort Related Lists in Service Reports - Now when you open the service report template and hit the wrench icon, the sorting tab will show the option to select a number/ date field that you can sort by. From this, you can choose between ascending or descending order.[Release notes here]
- Select a Scheduling Policy When Booking Appointments - From Book Appointment and Candidates Chatter actions, you can now directly select scheduling policy for when you need to appoint a less confining scheduling policy. [Release notes here]
Mobile Specific Improvements:
- Streamline Mobile Navigation with Deep Linking - Deep linking gives you the ability to bring users to a distinct page within their app. The link created to this page can be added in-app, in an email or website. Once the user clicks, it will open the app on the specified page. [Release notes here]
- Choose When to Send Service Appointment Notifications - This feature is very useful when you are scheduling multiple appointments at once. You may not want to send 10 notifications in a couple of minutes. Choose when you want the notification to go out. [Release notes here]
- Upload Multiple Images to Get the Full Picture & View files on Android - you can now view images in a gallery format and swipe through them. See the details in the Image and Files related list on Android. Previously only available on iOS. [Release notes here & here]
- Unlock the App with Touch ID or Face ID - With the new SDK App, you can now unlock the app with Touch ID or Face ID [Release notes here]
Well, we hope this gave you a detailed insight into what you can expect for Field Service Lightning in the Summer ‘19 release.
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