In the Shepherd solution, there are certain features that stand out. The Mobile App, certainly, is one. Another is the Planner Board. In fact, the Planner Board could be described as the Grand Central Station of scheduling: a hub for all things related to managing technicians, service orders, and when the two will meet. Its counterpart also exists for all things billing.
Process, Time & Materials: a fast, centralized hub for billing oversight
Shepherd’s Angular Process, Time & Materials (PTM) is a very powerful billing and time management tool within the broader landscape of Shepherd’s NetSuite-native EAM solution. Built on the Angular programming framework, it delivers swift response times even when handling large volumes of data. This speed isn’t just a performance metric—it has direct practical value. With significantly increased data loading speeds, users spend far less time waiting and far more time completing tasks. Whether the PTM is used for data input or as an overview tool, its responsive and modern interface simplifies the user experience, saving time and streamlining workflows.
PTM is where billing and data validation converge. It centralizes all post-fieldwork data, allowing users to track, verify, and, where necessary, correct entries. This includes time logs, parts used, purchase details, and technician summaries. Through carefully categorized pages, users can access the exact data they need—whether it’s service orders, purchase orders, or expense reports. Navigation is intuitive, with relevant PTM categories available at a glance, making the management and review process efficient and straightforward.
PTM serves as a final checkpoint where these can be identified and corrected before any downstream issues arise. While simple billing accuracy helps avoid extra admin or awkward phone calls with customers, getting things right in Shepherd’s PTM will filter down, helping guarantee that the data collected is true and representative throughout NetSuite. This effect extends beyond the invoice, beyond the quarterly analysis, all the way to the General Ledger and the State, shareholder, and business intelligence reports drawn from it.
Fix time logs and parts in real time
One of the key features of PTM is its time-entry page, which displays all logged hours for a given service order. Far from being a static report, this interface allows authorized users to make changes or remove incorrect entries, reducing the risk of billing discrepancies. This is crucial when new technicians accidentally overlog hours or input the wrong figures, such as typing 100 instead of 10. Such errors, if left unchecked, could distort inventory and customer invoices, at the very least.
Service orders, being composed of many tasks and activities, benefit significantly from this kind of oversight. Whether it’s adjusting hours, reviewing technician inputs, or confirming service outcomes, PTM allows for precise, real-time edits. Parts, too, are treated with similar scrutiny. As another billable category, they must be accurately tracked—not only for correct invoicing but also for evaluating operational expenditures. PTM provides a dedicated space for managing both the parts used during service and those ordered for future or related work. The distinction is important; what’s used and what’s ordered don’t always align, and the module accommodates both scenarios with ease.
Sometimes, the reality in the field requires deviations from the original plan. In such cases, PTM allows quick edits to parts transfer records. Maybe a part was substituted, or a customer should not be charged for a particular item. The system permits real-time changes, including adjustments to sale rates or billing statuses. If a part’s price has increased and the business needs to retain profitability, PTM makes this possible. On the other hand, it also allows for discounts to be applied tactfully when customer service considerations arise.
The strengths of using Shepherd’s PTM are not solely limited to field service management but are equally applicable to rental services, even internal maintenance. Any time or parts a company pays for and uses in the execution of its business are a cost to be offset against returns. And any time that happens, Shepherd’s PTM can help highlight which work is profitable and which is not.
Summary and automation for smarter billing
The summary page acts as the technician’s report card, capturing what was done on-site. Often, technicians encounter situations that require deviation from the original service order. PTM allows service managers, rental managers, and maintenance managers, among others, to compare the initial plan against what actually occurred. If new issues were discovered and addressed, this will be reflected here. The summary helps explain why additional work was necessary and prepares the groundwork for transparent, justified billing.
Despite the level of manual review that may seem required at first glance, PTM automates a great deal. Changes made within PTM ripple across other linked systems and functions, eliminating the need for redundant manual updates elsewhere. This keeps data clean and consistent throughout the entire service-to-billing pipeline—something far less certain with systems built entirely of distinct third-party providers. While using PTM requires an extra approval for invoices to be issued, there is a significant reduction in errors, queries, and customer complaints. This means improved billing accuracy and customer satisfaction, outweighing any slight delay in sending out invoices.
An existing option waiting to be exploited
The tool is available as part of Shepherd’s modular platform, incurring no extra cost to activate. It’s a question of configuration—companies can choose to use it or not. However, the overwhelming preference among users leans towards activation. The potential to catch mistakes early, apply business logic more flexibly, and ultimately enhance billing precision makes PTM a compelling part of the workflow.
Angular’s ability to handle multiple simultaneous database requests further enhances the user experience. It’s not just about individual speed; it’s about scalability and flexibility. This becomes especially important when dealing with multiple service orders or billing categories in tandem. Furthermore, PTM enables time manipulation, allowing businesses to control how billing impacts their clients. For instance, costs can be spread out to reduce client cash flow stress, or misallocated hours can be reassigned to the correct project, helping everyone involved gain a clearer understanding of resource use and project costs.
Ultimately, Shepherd’s Angular PTM offers not just functionality, but intelligent oversight, automation, and flexibility. It gives organizations the tools to ensure accuracy, act quickly, and deliver a better experience both internally and for their customers. By requesting a demo, you can also get a taste of the changes Shepherd could make to your operation.
