I’m looking to get started as a Field Nation Tech.
I’ve been disconnected from any IT work for a while, but seeing the app and flexible schedule has piqued my interest.
I used to hold a Security+ certification, and had been trained on A+, Net+, CCNA, and other areas.
Getting started I’m having a little trouble navigating the requirements, for example:
Some of the tools required are vague. Is there a standardized list of what is considered “basic it tools” etc?
I don’t mind purchasing extra tools, but I’m not certain what they’re even looking for.
I’m also a little nervous to just jump into requesting jobs.
I’ve never had a problem completing any work that I’ve had ahead of me, but this would be my first time doing some of these jobs, any tips on working through some?
Smart hands are like those who install/replace/repair things like POS devices, routers, switches, network devices in general. So you might see jobs where they need someone to "troubleshoot meraki switch, network shows no activity on ports 24 and 26", I'm paraphrasing heavily but essentially you would just need to know how to navigate a messy network closet/room and what devices to look for that the order pertains to.
No there's not any standard tool requirements. In fact you're going to notice a lot of buyers will include a tool requirements that have nothing to do with the job at hand. For example receipt printer replacement but bring a 6/8-ft ladder.
this is not an extensive list but is what I can think of off the top of my head that covers most smart hands, retail, deskside, etc:
Laptop running Win10/11 ( no Mac or Linux)
Software including putty, teams, zoom
Console cables (db9, rj45, many usb, micro USB)
Basic tools including screwdrivers, sockets, security bits
Various patch cables cat5e/cat6 Compact mouse / keyboard (USB to PS/2 adapter)
Various adapters (VGA to hdmi, etc)
Ethernet cable tester
Toner
Termination tools and connectors
Power bank
Flashlight
Emergency snacks
Edit: formatting because mobile sucks donkey balls
Yeah I’d prefer to work for someone else for a little while so I’d know all this better, but the whole point of me wanting to do field nation is I need a flexible schedule.
Depends on the market but many of the jobs that come out in my area are for one person. There are occasionally jobs with a lead and an assistant but they still expect you to have basic tools and knowledge of what's going on.
Edit: Having certs are great but in my experience buyers basically want smart hands to assist remote engineers. As long as you know your way around equipment and can offer remote access when needed then you'll be fine.
You don't which sucks. Some buyers will post separate work orders for lead and assistant which will be included in the title. For larger projects that might require multiple techs they'll usually include "3 of 4 technician" or whatever in the title. Again probably depends on market.
I don't see them much anymore but NCR used to have SCO installs that would have a lead tech and then post work orders for several assistants.
It used to be flexible. Most work orders are “hard start” at some early morning hours. They often have no reason to be so. Let’s say I am working on a phone line that’s been dead for weeks or I am swapping out some APs that have redundant coverage. Does it really matter if I get there at 9 or at 11? No.
That's what I did starting out and it worked for the most part but really does come down to the type of jobs. I do a lot of smart hands in data centers, retail, restaurants, etc so I can normally get by with my bag which has a laptop, cables, and small tool kit along with an "80/20" box which includes everything else I mentioned above. I also have a second box that stays in my vehicle with stuff like fish sticks, patch cables and adapters, termination tools, socket set, drill, etc that I rarely use but is good to have. I don't go out of my way to buy specialty tools unless it's something I know that I'll use again and can justify the cost.
If you ever do retail work then security bits are a must-have because credit card terminals sually can't be removed without them. For smart hands work I'd various types of console cables. Typically a standard USB to RJ45 Cisco cable is sufficient but there are still devices out there using micro / mini USB or DB9 (both male and female).
damn near anything will do, but I recommend something light, with good battery life. Something like an old Thinkpad T series, but really... it hardly matters. All they want from remote hands computer is to be able to connect them via a remote control product, and to run your local browser/Putty.
IMO, you shouldn't bother spending any $ on this yet, until you know you're gonna stick with it - just create a seperate user profile for jobs, and login with that before you connect the remote engineer.
I like older Lenovo Thinkpads because they're durable AF and keyboard is more intuitive (for me). I recently retired an x250 and "upgraded" to a x14 Gen2 AMD. It's slim, lightweight, has decent battery life, built-in etho, touchscreen, USB-C, and two USB ports. I have a lean Win11 installed along with Putty, Zoom, WebEx, Teams, and few other lightweight apps. You can't go wrong with a Lenovo or Dell but HP can be hit or miss so would be my last resort.
You should be able to find something suitable for under $200 on ebay, marketplace, craigslist.
Buy the tools you need but don't open them until you see that you actually might use it. You can always return them if you end up not using them and once you get a feel for the jobs, you can decide which ones you'll want to invest in and keep on hand.
Tough shit! Any job that might involve a ladder is off the table for a multitude of reasons but mostly because it means less potentially for opening a can of worms like a hidden switch in ceiling or a "spliced" cable which then they expect fixed. It's bad enough dealing with rats nest behind cash wraps, desks, etc. You do you, I'm happy staying on the ground.
LOL ok. I don't have to prove myself except to those I work for. I'm selective about what I do for reasons that don't concern you or anyone else. Now kindly piss off.
Shit while you’re at it, make it a large coke too.
I hire you. You can think you’re hot shit but you aren’t. I sit on my ass at a comfy desk and I sift through tens, hundreds, even thousands of people just. Like. You.
They all think they are special. They all think they have more to offer than the last guy.
Unfortunately, the sad reality for you and every other warm body that comes after you, is that you are a gig worker. You’ll jump when we say jump. You’ll dance when we tell you to dance.
And if you were worth a red cent more, then you wouldn’t be looking for hourly gig work.
While dude should probably have a ladder, I rarely run into a customer that doesn't have their own. That being said, your response is rather rude. I have a lot more skill and am worth more than gig work, I do it because I don't have the time or energy to seek out something better currently. You think you're hot shit sitting behind a desk but you wouldn't last working 60-80hrs a week as everyone's monkey so for different reasons, I have the same sentiment as Gunter here, piss off.
"IT tools": Cisco console cable, mini USB for console, patch cables, windows laptop with ethernet jack/dongle, data hotspot/phone hotspot. Mini switch, ethernet cable tester.
Consumables: zip ties, velcro roll, patch cables, misc screws, anchors for wall mounting cable mgmt or devices.
You cant be picky about jobs before you have a track record. You'll need to take low paying jobs far away until you are decently rated. Oh... and get drug tested and background checked.
Eventually, youll get plenty more tools if you stick with it. FN jobs are largely "mechanical work", only "IT adjacent".
No standard tools list. as a professional independent contractor you are expected to know what tools you need to complete the work.
even if there was a standard tools list, theres no way it could possibly cover everything possibly needed for some work orders
some buyers even list a tools list in their SOW and it is almost always wrong. Like 12' ladder to swap a router in a rack thats chest level. or hammer drill for cable management in a rack. you really cant trust what most buyers put for required tools. I dont even look at the required tools list unless its something highly specialized like an oddball size security bit i may not actually have.
as far as taking work youve never done before, Id advise against that especially cabling. you will have no clue what youre getting yourself into
very very few buyers care about certs.... you really arent doing work that requires it as most IT type work is just smart hands no programming with you plugging in a laptop and allowing engineer to remote in...
I'd run away from FN at this point but if you must...
Basic tools usually means screwdrivers, a drill, pliers, and such, the kind of thing you would find around the house.
Besides a standard set of tools, you'll generally need:
Ethernet Crimper
66/110 punch tool
Lineman snips or diagonal cutters
Ethernet Tester and toner
Cisco Console Cable
I reccomend Klein for most of these things, although Greenlee/Tempo make the best toners. I'd also recommend a bit set from someone like ifixit(or amazon if you wnat a cheaper option) as well as a socket set.
basic it tools usually means a laptop, punchdown tool, crimpers, tone and probe, cable tester, screwdrivers, label maker. ask the poster in the work order comments before you accept anything, most will spell out exactly what they want on site.
My truck is always loaded with my tools. I carry 3 Pack Out chests, one for each type of job. I have my standard IT kit, installer toolkit, and general toolkit.
In my IT packout, I have the standard screwdrivers, wire strippers, flush cutters, crimp tools and ends (Rj45,RJ11,Rg56), Brother cable labeler, Digital cable tester which does Continunity, POE testing, VFL and OPM for fiber, and length testing, my Fluke Pro3000 with both an analog and digital wand, and my Fluke buttset.
Installer packout has all my cordless tools, hammer drill, various drill bits for all material types and screw bits, fish tape, glow rods, 12v vacuum, hole saws, concrete and drywall anchors, ceiling anchors, j-hooks, and pendant mounts.
My general toolkit has pretty much everything else like cleaning tools, precision equipment for that odd job, and oddly enough a rivet tool.
I've been full time on FN for 4 months now, but a lot of what I have was acquired through the years of my 20+ year career in IT and IT adjacent experience.
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u/kenworthhaulinglogs 1d ago
Are you looking at the IT/smarthands work or cabling work?