The resurgence of the field service and support
community is reflected in a significant growth in prebookings for the
industry's event, Service Management Europe. SME takes place from the
18-19th October 2006 at the NEC in Birmingham. Registrations are
running some 20% ahead on the same time last year, which itself
experienced 40% growth on the year before.
Mark Turner, the editor of Service Management magazine, said: "The
main driver of growth has been the increased importance of taking
control of service operations. The days when engineers turn up in the
morning for a fist full of job sheets and disappear for the day are
dying," he said. "Managers are recognizing the risks of increased cost
if they don't take control of this expensive resource but, more
importantly, they are recognizing the opportunities they can leverage
from this very valuable resource if they do. In this new customer
relationship management (CRM) world, the value of the face-to-face
contact with customers cannot be underestimated."
He pinpointed mobility as both a key area on the exhibition floor
where nearly half of the 90 exhibitors are offering solutions, and in
the seminar program, where many of the case studies focus on the
challenges and benefits. "This is what people are coming to SME for --
information about products, insight about process and ideas about
strategy."
Other areas of service technology are also well represented with
management systems, logistics and outsourced service providers. The
content program features a stellar speaker line-up including
representatives from Nokia, The AA BT, Vodafone, Oxford City Housing,
Honeywell, Ericsson, Cable and Wireless and many others.
About Service Management Europe 2006
Service Management Europe is the leading field service management
exhibition. SME 2006 is for managers and strategists for businesses
who may employ a handful of engineers or major operators with 1,000+
remote workers. It focuses on the underlying issues common to all, and
allows managers to source the very latest technologies, solutions and
ideas. www.servicemanagement.co.uk
