Many of our customers say they want their field techs to collect payments in the field, while they are already on-site. They want to hook up the printer in the truck or set up a credit card swiper and take care of business, right there.
And while there's no doubt this improves cash flow - the "days receiveable" (how long it's taking your customers to pay you, on average) is pretty low, and we all know Cash Is King - there might be some better options for your business.
Many times there is a challenge - especially for people like our contractors, using or seeking field service management software - around getting better control over the information your technicians give you. You've seen the woeful handwriting, torn and coffee-stained forms, and guys scribbling down parts right before they hand you yesterday's work.
And despite all of that, you're going to let them have control over your billing, too? It's not that these guys are bad people, or untrustworthy, it's just that their job is to fix and build things. Not to do paperwork and accounting. They're damn good at what they do, so let them do it.
Try this: use QuickBooks to email the invoice to your customers. You're "going green", using acceptable (and often expected!) technology, and opening up an opportunity to talk to the customers again: list your services, or any specials, or your premium service plan in the comments on the invoice!
And if you really do need to get paid immediately? Request a credit card, to be kept on file, at time of scheduling, and email out the "paid" invoice. Best of both worlds.