Scanning Assets via SC Mobile

Your experience of creating service requests in ServiceChannel Mobile becomes way more effective with the asset scanning capability. When you need to have a broken asset fixed, you can start creating your service request by scanning a QR code, barcode, or NFC tag on the faulty asset. The scanning ability helps you to achieve two things at a time:

  • Streamline the process of creating a work order. Once you’ve scanned an asset, the app searches for the corresponding asset in the Asset Manager database. When the match is found, you see relevant information on the asset and can associate it with a work order. Like your assistant, the app automatically fills out certain fields on the work order creation form with the information that corresponds to the scanned asset. Thus, with a proper issue list setup in place, you have less manual work to do.

  • Verify that the asset you’ve scanned exists in the Asset Manager database, and the information on the asset is correct.

Enabling Asset Scanning for SC Mobile

Asset scanning for the ServiceChannel Mobile app can be configured in Service Automation.

⦿ How to Enable Asset Scanning for SC Mobile
  1. Navigate to the Administration section of Asset Manager.

  2. Switch to the Asset Rules tab. That’s the place where asset scanning and validation rules live.

  3. Select the preferred scanning method under Scan Method.

  4. (Optional) Pick Yes under Allow an SC Mobile user to change assets on work orders. It will enable SC Mobile users to change assets on existing work orders via the details screen in SC Mobile.

  5. Hit Save to apply the settings.

Asset scanning and validation rules on the Asset Rules page of Asset Manager

Creating a Work Order with the Asset Scanning Capability

See a step-by-step instruction on how to scan an asset to create a new service request.

⦿ How to Scan an Asset Upon Creating a Work Order
  1. Tap New WO on the work orders list.

  2. Select the location you want to submit a work order for. You land on the Create WO screen.
    Creating a work order in SC Mobile

  3. Specify which asset needs to be serviced by scanning an asset tag. When you are unable to scan, search for the asset manually.

  4. On the asset details screen, tap Add Asset to associate the asset with the work order you are creating. The asset details appear on the WO creation form.

    Asset details screen

    Asset details that populate on the WO creation form once you associate your WO with the asset

  5. Fill out the Area, Problem Type, Asset Type, and Problem CodeThen, tap Next to proceed.

    Some of these fields may get automatically filled out once you add an asset — when you have a proper issue list setup.

  6. On the Check for Assets screen, tap the asset you want to associate your work order with, and tap Next.
  7. When applicable, check for duplicates and recalls.

  8. When applicable, on the Troubleshooting screen, fully describe the problem in the text box so the service provider is as knowledgeable about your request as possible. Depending on your setup, you may also need to answer troubleshooting questions. When ready, tap Next.
    Entering a complete problem description on the Troubleshooting screen

  9. Enter your phone number and detailed description of the required service. If necessary, add an attachment to your work order. Tap Next.
    Entering the phone number and other details

  10. Review and edit the provided information on the Create WO screen if required. When ready, tap Confirm / Create WO to dispatch your service request to the provider.

Your work order is created with an associated asset and dispatched to the provider.

Scanning an NFC Asset Tag

If your mobile device is natively capable of reading Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, you can scan NFC tags on assets. Once you’ve scanned an NFC tag, you get the information on the associated asset.

Since NFC operates over just a few inches, you should hold your mobile device close to the asset tag.

How to scan an NFC tag

NFC Capabilities of Your Device

iOS icon

Android icon

  • Only the newest iPhones have NFC enabled natively: XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, iPhone SE (2nd generation).
  • Your device should run iOS 11 or later.
  • Most Android phones natively have NFC capabilities.

To scan NFC tags, make sure you have the NFC scan method activated in Service Automation.

⦿ How to Scan an NFC Asset Tag
  1. Tap Scan, and select Scan NFC Tag.
  2. Approach your device to the NFC tag on the asset.

    Scanning an asset to create a work order for this asset

    Scanning an NFC tag of an asset to create a work order

(tick) If the asset tag is successfully scanned, the app searches for the match and shows you the details of the asset found.

(error) In case you get an error upon scanning, try searching for the asset manually.