What DLR France 2025 revealed about the future of field operations
The 60th edition of the DLR Congress in Poitiers brought together industry professionals from construction equipment, rental, and servicing to reflect on the future of the sector. From practical threats like theft to broader challenges around uncertainty and workforce engagement, the sessions offered insights that speak directly to the realities faced in the field.
Here are three moments that stood out — and why they’re relevant for field service leaders navigating complexity every day.
1. Tackling equipment theft with shared intelligence
Stéphanie Tiélès, Commander in the French National Police and head of international cooperation at the OCLCO, presented a data-rich look at how France is tackling organized equipment theft. With the EMPACT initiative now coordinated across EU borders, the focus is shifting to intelligence-sharing, traceability, and fast reaction.
For companies operating machinery fleets or renting high-value equipment, this reinforced the need to log more than just service details. Keeping records of when and where equipment was last checked isn’t just good documentation — it becomes critical when responding to theft or fraud investigations.
Well-configured field service software can support this operational transparency. It’s not about surveillance but about accountability and audit trails that make recovery or reporting far less painful.
2. Building teams that perform under pressure
Olivier Krumbholz, head coach of the French women's national handball team, shared lessons from building championship-winning teams: trust, clarity and shared goals matter more than strict top-down control. His leadership style emphasizes giving players autonomy while holding them to high standards — something that resonates beyond sports.
In the context of field operations, this translates to enabling technicians and teams to manage their own tasks within clear boundaries. Tools that allow flexible scheduling, provide real-time updates, and clarify expectations help field workers stay effective without constant supervision.
In high-pressure environments — think last-minute changes, delayed parts, or high-priority tickets — this model of leadership supported by the right tech can be the difference between frustration and follow-through.
3. Operating in uncertainty requires flexible systems
General Vincent Desportes, a former army strategist and professor at Sciences Po Paris, focused his keynote on how to manage uncertainty in complex environments. He is widely known for his strategic thinking and for highlighting the risks of over-engineered systems that struggle to cope with real-world volatility.
Rather than promoting efficiency at all costs, Desportes emphasized the need for resilience — systems and teams that can absorb shocks and adapt quickly when conditions change. His message has strong implications for how field operations are structured, especially in service delivery models where unexpected disruptions are the norm.
Field service organizations relying on fixed processes and static task assignments are often forced to improvise manually when things don’t go to plan. A more resilient approach involves tools that support flexible scheduling, conditional rules, and automated communication — making it easier to absorb change without losing momentum.
Get a glimpse of the atmosphere with a short video from DLR France 2025 — featuring scenes from the congress floor and moments at our booth.
Closing thought
DLR France 2025 didn’t just celebrate 60 years of industry progress — it spotlighted the operational realities we need to face going forward. As equipment becomes more connected, work becomes more dynamic, and risks more complex, the systems supporting our field teams need to keep up.
Bringing these conversations back to day-to-day operations means asking one key question: are our teams equipped not just to perform, but to adapt?
Fieldcode supports this shift by providing a flexible field service management system built for real-world complexity. Whether it’s managing equipment hand-offs with traceability, empowering teams with real-time access to tasks, or adjusting schedules based on evolving site conditions, Fieldcode helps service organizations stay responsive — without losing control.
As the industry continues to navigate uncertainty, labor constraints, and rising expectations, building resilience into field operations is no longer optional — it’s what keeps teams aligned and services delivered.
Curious how this could work in your environment? Book a personalized demo to see how Fieldcode can support your field operations.