Understanding Job Types and Priorities in FieldCamp
Job types and priorities form the foundation of intelligent scheduling in FieldCamp. By properly configuring these settings, you enable Handy AI to make smart decisions about when work gets scheduled, which technician responds to emergencies, and how your team's daily routes are optimized. This guide walks you through setting up job types, priority levels, default durations, and understanding how AI leverages these settings to maximize your operational efficiency.
Job Types → define → service categories
Priorities → control → scheduling urgency
AI → optimizes → based on both factors
What Are Job Types?
Job types are service categories that classify the work your business performs. They help organize your service catalog, enable accurate time estimation, and allow AI to match jobs with technicians who have the right skills and equipment. Common examples include:
HVAC Examples
Installation - New system setup (4-8 hours typical duration)
Maintenance - Routine service calls (1-2 hours)
Repair - Fix existing systems (2-4 hours)
Emergency Service - After-hours urgent repairs (1-3 hours)
Inspection - Safety and compliance checks (30-60 minutes)
Plumbing Examples
Drain Cleaning - Clear blockages (1-2 hours)
Leak Repair - Fix pipes and fixtures (1-3 hours)
Water Heater Service - Installation or repair (2-4 hours)
Emergency Plumbing - Burst pipes, major leaks (1-4 hours)
Fixture Installation - Sinks, toilets, faucets (1-2 hours)
Electrical Examples
Panel Upgrade - Electrical panel replacement (4-6 hours)
Wiring - New circuits or rewiring (2-6 hours)
Lighting Installation - Interior/exterior fixtures (1-3 hours)
Troubleshooting - Diagnose electrical issues (1-2 hours)
Generator Service - Installation or maintenance (3-5 hours)
Priority Levels Explained
FieldCamp uses four priority levels that directly influence how Handy AI schedules work. Understanding each level helps you categorize jobs correctly and ensures urgent work gets immediate attention while routine tasks fill available capacity efficiently.
EMERGENCY Priority
When to use: Critical situations requiring immediate response within hours
AI behavior:
Receives highest scheduling weight in optimization
Can trigger route reshuffling to fit into today's schedule
May override standard travel time constraints
Automatically suggests nearest available qualified technician
Confidence score increases by +5 points for emergency handling
Real-world examples:
No heat in winter / No AC in extreme summer
Gas leak detection
Major water leak causing property damage
Complete HVAC system failure in commercial setting
Electrical hazards (exposed wires, sparking)
Typical response time: Same day, often within 1-4 hours
URGENT Priority
When to use: High-priority work needing attention within 1-2 days
AI behavior:
Scheduled ahead of STANDARD and ROUTINE work
Fills tomorrow's schedule before scheduling further out
Considers preferred technician but prioritizes speed
Optimizes for next available qualified slot
Real-world examples:
Partial HVAC failure (one zone not working)
Hot water heater making concerning noises
Electrical outlet not working in critical area
Commercial refrigeration running but not cooling properly
Moderate plumbing leak contained but needs repair
Typical response time: Within 24-48 hours
ROUTINE Priority
When to use: Normal service requests with standard scheduling expectations
AI behavior:
Balanced consideration in schedule optimization
Optimizes for route efficiency and technician skill match
Respects customer preferred time windows
Fills gaps in schedule alongside other routine work
Default priority level for most jobs
Real-world examples:
Standard installation jobs
Non-urgent repairs
Upgrade projects
Fixture replacements
General service calls
Typical response time: Within 3-7 days
STANDARD Priority
When to use: Flexible timing, preventive maintenance, scheduled services
AI behavior:
Scheduled for optimal route efficiency
Used to fill remaining capacity after higher priorities
Can be moved to accommodate urgent work
Grouped with similar jobs in same geographic area
Often scheduled 1-2 weeks out for best route optimization
Real-world examples:
Annual HVAC tune-ups
Seasonal maintenance contracts
Filter changes and routine inspections
Non-urgent preventive work
Follow-up visits for completed projects
Typical response time: Within 1-3 weeks, flexible
Setting Default Job Durations
Accurate duration estimates are critical for AI scheduling. When you set default durations for each job type, the system can:
Block appropriate time slots automatically
Calculate realistic daily capacity for technicians
Add travel buffers between jobs
Prevent overbooking team members
Generate accurate time windows for customers
Factors Influencing Duration
Job Complexity:
Simple tasks: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Standard service: 1-2 hours
Complex repairs: 2-4 hours
Full installations: 4-8 hours
Experience Level:
Master technicians may complete jobs 20-30% faster
Apprentices may require 30-50% additional time
First-time jobs at new properties add 15-20 minutes
Site Conditions:
Accessibility challenges add 15-30 minutes
Multi-story buildings add travel time between floors
Older systems may require additional troubleshooting
Best Practices for Duration Settings
Start Conservative: Overestimate initially, then refine based on actual data
Include Prep Time: Factor in setup, tool gathering, and cleanup
Add Buffer: 15-20% buffer for unexpected complications
Review Monthly: Compare estimated vs. actual times and adjust
Use Historical Data: Track completion times to improve estimates
How AI Uses Priority for Scheduling
FieldCamp's Handy AI considers priority levels throughout the entire scheduling process. Here's how priority influences AI decisions:
Time Slot Selection
EMERGENCY: Inserts into today's schedule, may reschedule STANDARD work
URGENT: Fills next 1-2 days before scheduling further out
ROUTINE: Scheduled within standard 3-7 day window
STANDARD: Optimized for route efficiency, 1-3 weeks typical
Technician Assignment
Priority affects how AI matches technicians to jobs:
High Priority (EMERGENCY/URGENT):
Prioritizes availability over perfect skill match
Considers technicians with emergency response training
May assign overtime if no regular hours available
Selects based on proximity to minimize response time
Lower Priority (ROUTINE/STANDARD):
Optimizes for skill matching and route efficiency
Balances workload across team members
Groups similar jobs for training opportunities
Respects preferred technician requests from customers
Route Optimization Integration
Priority influences route planning differently:
EMERGENCY jobs: Create their own route, other work arranged around them
URGENT jobs: Scheduled first, then ROUTINE work fills gaps
ROUTINE/STANDARD: Grouped geographically for maximum efficiency
AI Confidence Scoring
The AI's confidence score (0-100) for job assignments increases based on priority handling:
Emergency priority match: +5 confidence points
Skill certification match: +10 points
Optimal route position: +8 points
Customer preference honored: +5 points
Availability match: +10 points
Jobs with confidence scores above 80% typically proceed to automatic scheduling in AI-assisted mode.
Priority Mapping: FieldCamp to AI Dispatch
FieldCamp automatically translates internal priority levels to the AI dispatch system:
FieldCamp Priority | AI Dispatch Priority | Use Case |
Crucial | EMERGENCY | Immediate response required |
High | URGENT | Priority within 24-48 hours |
Medium | ROUTINE | Standard service requests |
Low | STANDARD | Flexible scheduling, maintenance |
This automatic mapping ensures consistency whether jobs are created manually or through integrations.
Real-World Scenario: Priority in Action
Situation: Tuesday morning, dispatcher receives three new service requests:
EMERGENCY: Commercial HVAC failure, restaurant losing temperature control
URGENT: Residential water heater making loud noises
STANDARD: Annual maintenance for existing customer
AI Scheduling Response:
9:15 AM - Emergency Job:
AI identifies nearest certified commercial HVAC tech (Sarah, 12 minutes away)
Reschedules her 10:00 AM STANDARD job to Thursday
Customer notified of rescheduling with apology and discount offer
Sarah dispatched immediately with priority routing
10:30 AM - Urgent Job:
AI assigns to Mike, finishing current job at 11:00 AM
Travel time: 18 minutes
Arrival window: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
Customer receives automated text with ETA
Thursday 2:00 PM - Standard Job:
AI schedules maintenance on route with two similar jobs
Technician completes three annual services in same neighborhood
Travel time reduced by 40% vs. individual scheduling
Result: All customers served appropriately, emergency resolved in 90 minutes, team utilization optimized at 94%.
Best Practices Summary
Job Type Configuration
Create 5-10 core job types that cover 80% of your work
Use clear, consistent naming conventions
Set realistic default durations based on historical data
Include prep and cleanup time in estimates
Review and adjust quarterly based on completion metrics
Priority Assignment
Reserve EMERGENCY for true emergencies (safety, property damage)
Use URGENT for work needed within 24-48 hours
Make ROUTINE your default for standard service calls
Apply STANDARD to flexible, maintenance-type work
Train CSRs and dispatchers on consistent priority criteria
Optimizing AI Performance
Keep team availability calendars updated
Accurately tag technician skills and certifications
Set realistic travel time parameters
Review AI suggestions and provide feedback
Monitor confidence scores and investigate low scores
Conclusion
Properly configured job types and priorities transform FieldCamp from a scheduling tool into an intelligent dispatch system. By understanding how AI leverages these settings, you enable smarter routing, faster emergency response, and balanced workload distribution across your team. Start with the examples provided, adjust based on your specific industry needs, and let Handy AI optimize your field operations automatically.
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