Trades and field service: the job packet is the product surface

An FDE lens on the overlooked workflow layer between office planning and field execution.

Thesis: For trades, utilities, installers, and maintenance teams, the software battle is won or lost in the job packet: instructions, parts, photos, approvals, quotes, compliance, and customer communication.

Signals to look for

Technicians calling the office for missing context
Photos and notes trapped in messaging apps
Quote variations discovered after leaving site
Compliance evidence assembled days later

Forward-deployed moves

Prototype mobile-first job packets
Use AI to summarise site history and missing evidence
Close the loop from field notes to invoicing and parts planning
Make exception capture effortless

Risks and traps

Adding admin burden to technicians
Ignoring device and connectivity constraints
Building for managers instead of crews