The ServiceM8 app can be accessed via web browser on any PC or Mac. But on mobile phones, it’s exclusively available on Apple mobile devices i.e. iPhone & iPad.
Servicem8 have no plans to develop an Android app. It’s being Apple-exclusive means they don’t have to make certain compromises in its design. While this exclusivity may seem like a downside, it’s actually one of ServiceM8’s greatest strengths, as it means they can provide a much better job management app for the customers.
To know more why you should choose Servicem8, please read through our article on The Best Complete Software for your Plumbing Business
So why Apple only and not android too?
Well… for lots of reasons…
Focus
To help small business thrive, an app needs to be an endless pursuit of perfection, and perfection demands absolute focus. A great field service app needs to achieve a heightened synergy between the device it’s being used on, the operating system of the device, and the app itself. With this, it made sense to focus on developing software for specific hardware which brings them to Apple.
Quality and reliability
Apple has a relatively small but comprehensive range of devices, built to a high standard and installed with operating systems designed for these specific devices. They also operate in a closed system, with unparalleled security, reliability, and after-sales support. The best app in the world will only achieve marginal results (at best) when paired with sub-par and fragmented devices and operating systems. Apple provides the best platform to build great software, and the best package of hardware, software and support to meet the needs of a modern field service business.
Specialisation
With business apps, the priority is on quality and reliability.And while the obvious downside of being Apple-exclusive is that it prevents some people from being able to use the ServiceM8 app, the upside of specialising is enormous.
Servicem8 research, development and testing goes into the Apple platform, meaning they can leverage everything this platform has to offer. This ensures fast, reliable, battery efficient, syncs smoothly and keeps pace with client’s business.
User experience
Apple are driven by an ultimate focus on user experience. Their products are designed for people – the experience they provide evoke human emotions, like delight, trust and loyalty.
ServiceM8 is designed to extend this experience to the way you manage your business. As an Apple Mobility Partner, ServiceM8 works with Apples best designers, refining their app to its simplest and most intuitive form, while finding ways to redefine the way field service businesses can work.
Which Apple Device should I choose?
The ServiceM8 app will run on iPhone, iPad and the Apple Watch – you just need to make sure that the device you choose runs iOS version 12.4 and later.
ServiceM8 9.0 compatibility by iOS version and device:
| Apple Device | iOS 14 Compatible | iOS 12.4 Compatible |
| iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max & 12 Mini | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone 11, 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone XS & XS Max | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone XR | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone X | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone 8 & 8 Plus | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone 7 & 7 Plus | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone 6s & 6s Plus | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone SE | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone 6 and 6 Plus | ✔ | |
| iPhone 5s | ✔ | |
| All iPad Pros | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPad (Gen 5, 6, 7 & 8) | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPad Mini 4 & iPad Mini (Gen 5) | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPad Air (Gen 3 & 4) & iPad Air 2 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ipad Mini 2 & 3 | ✔ | |
Features requiring iOS 12 or higher:
- Siri Shortcuts
- AI Photo Tagging
Features requiring iOS 11 or higher:
- Barcode Scanning
- Document Scanning
- ServiceM8 Measure (Requires both iOS 11 AND a device with an A9 Chip or better)
Features only available on iPad:
- Separate Staff Schedule tab
- Photo Markup
- Scribble
Features only available on iPhone:
Which type of device do I choose for field staff?
There is no right or wrong Apple mobile device for field staff.
iPhones are great because they’re easy to carry on you at all times, and therefore easier to get out and check something, take a photo or record a note.
iPads are great if you need a larger display, perhaps if you complete a lot of forms on site, annotate photos or draw diagrams through ServiceM8.
Not all my staff has Apple Devices how can I use ServiceM8?
We have found 4G iPad Mini’s to be a fantastic solution, their size is great even pocketable. It’s faster to type on than a phone, they make it possible for your staff to take details down while on the phone to a client and they have excellent battery life. This also allows your staff to continue to use the phone that they are comfortable with.
iPads can also be a bit more transferable between team members, which may be a consideration.
Plus it’s cheaper than a normal iPad or iPad Pro.
Wi-fi + Cellular on iPads
iPads with cellular capabilities come with their own SIM, so you just need to buy your data plan separately. You can buy the device from amazon or other good retailers and then purchase the data plan separately from a network provider. Or you can buy the device and data plan directly from your network provider.
Tax Credits
For mobile device, whether you’re paying for devices or monthly data plans or both it all counts as a legitimate business expense and therefore will be knocked off your tax bill at the end of your fiscal year.
To claim full relief on your mobile device, you’ll need to ensure that a contract is set up between your company and your service provider. This way, you can gain full tax relief on the cost of the phone and its use – any personal calls on the mobile are treated as a tax-free ‘benefit in kind’, so are a consequence of an allowable business expense and will encounter no tax, and won’t need reporting on your P11D.
The one downside with signing a mobile contract in the name of your company is that it will probably be more expensive – but any increase in cost will probably be wiped out by tax savings.
If the contract is under your personal name, you are unable to claim for it as an expense.
Get Expert Help & Training
Libabun Business Services is a partner of Servicem8. We streamline your account setup and train you and your team on the use of Servicem8.
We provide a Plumber Business Success Platform that brings many of your required business support services under one service provider. This massively simplifies your Plumbing business by dealing with one provider, instead of several.
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We manage your Plumbing business growth needs so you can focus on your day job!
Our Agency is made up of a number of different businesses that support each other and our clients to offer you synergies not heard of before.
Find out more about our BSP services today by booking a 15 minute call
The LibAbun Business Services Agency includes LibAbun Accountancy, LibAbun Website Development and LibAbun Business Angels, Coaches and Trainers.
Please refer to our main website for more details.
We provide a business success platform service for plumbers that offer fantastic business results. This includes a plumber’s business CRM website design and optimisation, social media campaign management, and complete accounting and bookkeeping services.