Demand for on-site field service is accelerating across industries—from IT infrastructure and AV projects to structured cabling, point-of-sale systems, and maintenance. This recent surge is in response to mounting concerns about a broader economic slowdown, coupled with macroeconomic pressures like tariffs, which have a direct inflationary effect on technology prices in the U.S. Notably, desktop and laptop service work saw a significant spike in Q1 2025, driven by two major dynamics: a wave of Windows 11 upgrades and a rush to purchase equipment ahead of the anticipated tariff hikes. According to Canalys, global PC shipments surged during this period as vendors accelerated deliveries to the U.S. in anticipation of initial tariff announcements.

Despite the growing demand for AI and related technologies, supply chain disruptions, escalating labor shortages, and weakened global IT spending growth (2025 IDC forecast recently cut in half, from 10% to 5%) are anticipated in the coming weeks and months.

These pressures reshape how CIOs, operations leaders, and service providers think about strategy, timing, costs, and execution now and in the future. With uncertainty looming, three factors converge to create a critical inflection point for field service.

What’s driving the urgency?

This isn’t just a seasonal push or typical refresh cycle. Here are three factors contributing to the current urgency in field service.

1. Tariff turbulence on technology infrastructure
   Despite temporary pauses on products and shifting strategies, the financial pressure is already hitting IT budgets. The U.S. recently introduced tariffs, resulting in higher costs of imported products such as networking equipment, AV hardware, digital signage, and point-of-sale systems. Rather than wait and see, CIOs are accelerating projects to beat cost hikes and secure resources before the next wave of increases.
2. Hardware refresh delays = more maintenance and repair
   Rather than absorb immediate tariff-driven expenses, many companies are delaying new hardware investments. But stretching the life of aging equipment creates new demands — especially for break/fix work and preventive maintenance. These projects require skilled, on-site labor – fast.
3. High-visibility retail initiatives
   For multi-location brands, this season is go-time. Retailers, quick-service restaurants, and financial service providers are preparing for high-traffic months, compliance deadlines, and summer rollouts — all of which require on-site service support. As a result, field service teams are under pressure to act quickly and complete projects within a critical window between April and June. 

The ripple effect across the service chain

No matter where you sit in the service ecosystem – as an MSP, national solution provider, or in-house field ops team – this spike in urgency impacts how work gets done.

• Retailers and CIOs are adjusting procurement strategies to lock in pricing and complete deployments before Q3.
• Project managers are shifting focus to tactical wins and breaking large initiatives into smaller, high-impact deployments.
• Field service leaders are leaning on flexible labor models to support fluctuating demand without committing to long-term overhead.
• Technicians and independent contractors are seeing increased opportunity for work, while also experiencing compressed timelines.

How field service leaders can stay ahead

When timelines shrink and demand spikes, agility becomes the ultimate differentiator. To stay ahead, field service leaders must take proactive steps to strengthen and future-proof their operations. Here’s what you can do now:

Steps leaders can take now

• Reevaluate your labor strategy: Assess your current labor mix to ensure you have the right balance of full-time employees and independent contractors. Building in flexibility can help you respond quickly to changing service demands.
• Negotiate more flexible SLAs: Update service level agreements to allow for quicker response times, broader technician pools, or more adaptable project scopes when necessary.
• Prioritize critical projects: Identify which initiatives are most vulnerable to external pressures (such as tariff increases or supply chain disruptions) and allocate resources strategically.
• Diversify your service offerings: Expanding into adjacent service categories can help mitigate risk, improve resilience, and open new revenue streams during periods of market volatility.

Partner with Field Nation and take on what’s next

Field service leaders are operating under more pressure than ever with rising tariffs, shrinking budgets, and shifting timelines. Delayed hardware refreshes, growing maintenance backlogs, and leaner teams have made agility and speed essential. At the same time, leadership teams are reevaluating long-standing strategies, seeking clarity in the midst of uncertainty.

But pressure can create opportunity. By moving decisively — rethinking resourcing models, accelerating high-impact projects, and embracing flexible service delivery — leaders can not only navigate this moment, but emerge stronger, more efficient, and better positioned for what’s next. Field Nation can help you meet this moment quickly, confidently, and clearly.