The ServiceM8 app has built-in Siri shortcuts that let you access information and complete tasks within ServiceM8 with simple voice commands. By enabling specific shortcuts, you can ask Siri to take specific job actions, give you information about a job, communicate with clients, and stop and start your shift.
You can trigger Siri Shortcuts with your voice through your iPhone or iPad, and even by using Apple CarPlay or your Apple Watch.
This article tells you how to enable Siri Shortcuts on the ServiceM8 app, and describes all available Siri Shortcuts and settings.
TIP: To optimize the effectiveness of Siri Shortcuts, we recommend that you set Siri up to activate on your iPhone or iPad when you say "Hey Siri."
To do so, from your iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
- Go to Listen for "Hey Siri" and tap the switch on (green position).
Enabling Siri Shortcuts on the ServiceM8 app
To enable Siri Shortcuts:
- From your ServiceM8 app, tap More.
- Tap Siri Shortcuts.
- Tap the shortcut, such as Start Next Job highlighted below, that you would like to enable. (Tasks with a checkmark are enabled. Tasks with a + sign are not yet enabled.)
- In the Add to Siri window, tap Add to Siri.
TIP: You can set up your Siri Shortcuts with whatever command wording makes the most sense to you (for example, you may prefer to say "Start job" instead of "Start Next Job"). You can do that by tapping the field under When I say:, changing the command, and tapping Done. Certain tasks will also allow you to edit settings by tapping the field under Do: (more information in the shortcut descriptions below).
Your Siri Shortcut will now display a checkmark indicating it is enabled. You can tap the Shortcut at any time to edit or disable it.
To use a shortcut, simply say, "Hey Siri" followed by the When I say text for whatever shortcut you set up. For example, you would say "Hey Siri, start next job" to activate the shortcut in the previous example.
Siri Shortcuts available within the ServiceM8 app
Siri Shortcuts built into the ServiceM8 are divided into four types:
Job Actions
Job action shortcuts ask Siri to execute actions within ServiceM8 related to a specific job.
START NEXT JOB
Default action: Siri checks you in to the next job in your schedule, opens navigation, and sends an SMS message to the client letting them know you're on the way.
Condition: There has to be a job scheduled for later in the same day for this shortcut to work.
Adjustable settings: By tapping Start next job from the Add to Siri screen, you can adjust the default associated actions with this shortcut:
- Notify client, don't notify client, or ask each time
- Get directions or skip navigation
- Show When Run on or off (displays ServiceM8 screens associated with tasks)
TAKE JOB PHOTO
Default action: Siri opens the camera within ServiceM8. Any photos or videos you take will be saved to the current job's diary.
Condition: You must be checked into a job for this shortcut to work.
Adjustable settings: None.
EMAIL INVOICE
Default action: Siri opens up a draft email within ServiceM8, addressed to the current job's billing contact. From there, you can select an email template and an attachment.
Condition: You must be checked into a job for this shortcut to work. You can only select an invoice as an attachment if it has already been created.
Adjustable settings: None.
CHECK OUT OF JOB
Default action: Siri opens up the Check Out wizard within ServiceM8 and marks the job as completed.
Condition: You must be checked into a job for this shortcut to work.
Adjustable settings: By tapping Check out of current job from the Add to Siri screen, you can adjust the default associated actions with this shortcut:
- Automatically mark the job as completed or not
- Populate the Job Outcome field with specific variables (static text, contents from clipboard, current date and time, shortcut input)
Job Information
Job Information shortcuts ask Siri to read out information related to a specific job.
HEAR NEXT BOOKING TIME
Default action: Siri verbally states the time of your next booking. For example, if your next booking is at 5:45 PM, Siri will respond with, "OK, Done. Your next booking is at 5:45 PM."
Condition: You must have jobs scheduled for later the same day to hear the next booking. Otherwise, Siri will advise there are no more jobs scheduled.
Adjustable settings: None.
HEAR JOB SUMMARY
This powerful feature makes each drive to the next job usable time. Get updated on what needs to be done as you're on your way to do it!
Default action: Siri opens the job card and reads you the client name, the job description, checklist items, badges, and any notes in the Client Diary. Siri will also advise if you have done previous work for the client.
Condition: You must be navigating to, or checked into, a job for this shortcut to work.
Adjustable settings: None.
VIEW CHECKLIST
Default action: Siri displays the complete checklist for your current job and reads you any tasks left to do on the job.
Condition: You must be navigating to, or checked into, a job for this shortcut to work.
Adjustable settings: None.
Communication
Communication shortcuts make it easier for you to reach out to clients on current or upcoming jobs.
CALL JOB CONTACT
Default action: Siri initiates a phone call to the job contact on your current job.
Condition: Depending on how you have set your settings, you either need to be checked into a job or have another job booked for the same day.
Adjustable settings: By tapping Call Client from the Add to Siri screen, you can adjust the default associated actions with this shortcut:.
- Call the job contact, the billing contact, or ask each time
- Relate this action to the current job or the next job
CALL BILLING CONTACT
TIP: The Call Billing Contact shortcut has the exact same options as the Call Job Contact shortcut. Consider your typical daily activities as you set up these shortcuts. Should you set one as Call Current Job Contact and the other as Call Next Job Contact, or would you prefer to have shortcuts set up to Call Current Job Contact and Call Current Billing Contact? The option's yours - just remember to change the "When I say" field to reflect your setup so it makes sense to you!
TEXT 'RUNNING LATE' TO NEXT CLIENT
Default action: Siri will prepare a text message to the job contact at your next booking advising that you're running late, then ask you to verbally confirm before sending.
Condition: Depending on how you have set your settings, you either need to be checked into a job or have another job booked for the same day. You also need to have a Technician Delayed SMS template (or a similar template) in place.
Adjustable settings: By tapping Send text message from the Add to Siri screen, you can adjust the default associated actions with this shortcut:.
- Relate this action to the current job, the next job, or ask each time
- Show When Run on or off (displays ServiceM8 screens associated with tasks)
My Shift
My Shift shortcuts are a convenient way to use Siri to verbally clock in and out of your shifts throughout the day.
START SHIFT / END SHIFT
(These shortcuts are grouped together because they have the same edit options and are related to the same task.)
Default action: Depending on the shortcut, Siri will clock you on or off your shift timer and enable or disable GPS tracking.
Condition: None.
Adjustable settings: None.
START LUNCH / END LUNCH
(These shortcuts are grouped together because they have the same edit options and are related to the same task.)
Default action: Depending on the shortcut, Siri will clock you on or off break and enable or disable GPS tracking.
Condition: None.
Adjustable settings: None.