Updating legacy systems, delivering a richer CX and attracting talented workers: Telecoms reveal biggest challenges and top digital priorities in IFS research

• Nearly half (42%) of respondents struggle with outdated internal systems
• 67% of CSPs improve CX and 47% attract new skilled workers after adopting new field service management (FSM) technology
• Workforce planning and scheduling optimization are the top FSM solution that CSPs plan to adopt this year

LONDON, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global cloud enterprise software company, today announced results of its global State of Service research study* of Communication Service Providers (CSPs) which uncovers the biggest field service challenges, technology adoption plans and top focus areas for the telecommunications industry this year. From improving customer experience to compete with new market entrants to updating legacy service management systems to optimize field engineers, the report reveals how the world's leading CSP and telecom infrastructure brands will navigate their service transformations this year.

Shifting industry regulations is the number one challenge cited by 49% of respondents, made even more prominent in light of the recent trend towards open RAN (Radio Access Network). This pressure facing the industry highlights the need for CSPs to increase collaboration in order to lower operational costs and deliver advanced 5G services to more of the world's population.

Spurred partly by the shift to 5G networks and the inability to meet customer SLAs, another key concern cited by 42% of research respondents is the need to update insufficient or outdated legacy FSM systems. The lack of skilled workers, caused partly by aging workers, a competitive labor market and the rapid evolution of technology—specifically, 5G—shortening the list of qualified candidates, compounds the pressure facing CSPs .

Encouragingly for the industry, service management solutions have the potential to drive revenue growth and revolutionize employee experience. The report cites that CSPs adopting advanced FSM technologies have improved; customer experience (67%), revenue growth (64%) while (49%) report a greater ability to attract new skilled workers. Other findings also show CSPs were able to improve their ability to plan, forecast and optimize their workforce (45%) and develop new service offerings (42%).

Faced with increasing competition and a lack of skilled workers, there has never been a more critical time for CSPs to implement emerging technology solutions such as AI and machine learning that seamlessly optimize people, parts and service fleets. Positively, the research reveals that technology firms are aware of this trend, with (53%) planning to adopt scheduling optimization and automation, and nearly half (49%) looking to adopt AI and machine learning in 2023. Additionally, the research shows emerging technology priorities such as simulations (47%), Wearables (38%) and Parts management (38%) are appearing on CSPs innovation roadmaps for the current fiscal year.

There are common threads amongst these solutions that are echoed in the top-ranked benefits that CSPs derive from the adoption of new FSM solutions: the need to revolutionize the employee and customer experience and to develop new digital offerings to drive revenue growth.

Markus Persson, Global Industry Director of IFS commented, "We are seeing more and more CSP brands recognizing the need to embrace optimization and automation technologies in order to work smarter and increase agility. Leading telco organizations from around the globe are partnering with IFS to adopt our industry-leading field service management and AI-powered scheduling optimization solutions because they enable them to deliver on their customer promises and grow profitable revenue."

In addition to the research findings, the State of Service in Telecommunications 2023 Report also delivers insights and first-hand advice from some of the world's most innovative technology brands, including IFS customers Saudi Telecom Company, Orange, Konica Minolta and more.

To learn more, download the report now

*The research was conducted by Mindforce Research, polling 55 senior-decision makers in Field Service, Information Technology and Operations at Communication Service Provider and telecom brands across North America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

About IFS

IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation so that our customers can be their best when it really matters to their customers—at the Moment of Service™. The industry expertise of our people and of our growing ecosystem, together with a commitment to deliver value at every single step, has made IFS a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of over 5,500 employees every day live our values of agility, trustworthiness and collaboration in how we support our thousands of customers. Learn more about how our enterprise software solutions can help your business today at ifs.com.

IFS Press Contacts

EUROPE / MEA / APJ: Adam Gillbe
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +44 7775 114 856

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM: Mairi Morgan
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +1 520 396 2155

The following files are available for download: