Call or Text to Create a Field Request: No App Needed
With AI Field Requests, technicians can text or call a dedicated phone number to request materials, and Ply’s AI will automatically create a Field Request for the office to fulfill. It’s a hands-free, fast, and flexible way for techs to stay stocked while on the job, and it works alongside your existing in-app Field Request workflow.
Step 1: Generate a Ply Phone Number for Your Business
Once your account is enabled:
Go to Settings > Company and Billing
Scroll to the "Receive Field Requests by Text or Voice" section
Click Set Up Phone
This creates a dedicated phone number for your company. Techs will use this number to call or text material requests.
Step 2: Technicians Add Their Phone Number
Each technician must register their mobile number to use the AI Field Request feature:
Go to Settings > Profile
Click Create Phone Number
Enter their mobile number
Accept the messaging agreement
Click Continue
⚠️ This whitelists the technician’s phone number and gives them access to text or call the company’s Ply number. If the number isn’t registered, the request won’t go through and they’ll receive an automated message instead.
Step 3: Making a Request via Text or Call
Once the technician's number is on file, they can:
Text the Ply phone number with the items they need
Or call and speak their request out loud
Ply’s AI agent processes the message, matches the request to the correct technician and truck (based on their phone number and assignment in Ply), and creates a Field Request in your workspace; just like one created manually.
Step 4: Review and Fulfill the Field Request
In the office, AI-created field requests appear in the Field Requests tab alongside any others. Admins or managers can:
Review the request details
View the AI Conversation History to see what the technician said
Match or edit materials as needed if names were unclear or phrased differently
Once the request is reviewed, it can be fulfilled like any standard field request:
Create a Pick List if the materials are in stock
Create a Purchase Order if any items need to be ordered
Things to Know
Each business has one Ply phone number for AI Field Requests
Technicians must register their phone numbers under their own Ply accounts
Requests are matched to the technician's assigned truck using the number on file
Unregistered numbers won't go through and will receive an automated error message
AI-created Field Requests behave exactly like manual ones — they can be edited, fulfilled, and tracked normally
This feature works alongside in-app requests — techs can still use the Ply interface when needed
📞 Calling works too
Techs can also call the Ply number and speak their request out loud. The AI transcribes the call and creates the same field request. Useful when they can't type (e.g., gloves on, driving).
🤖 What the AI does with the message
How to Get the Best Results
The AI is flexible, but these habits make matching more accurate
Step | What Ply Does |
1️⃣ | 👤 Identifies the tech by their phone number |
2️⃣ | 🚛 Finds their assigned truck in Ply |
3️⃣ | 🔍 Matches material names to your catalog |
4️⃣ | 📋 Creates a Field Request with matched items |
5️⃣ | ✅ Sends a confirmation text back to the tech |
Here's the breakdown in table format:
Result | Example | Why |
✅ Works Great | "Need 4 AC filters 16x25x1 and 2 capacitors 45/5" | Specific part names or descriptions with quantities. The AI can match these to your catalog reliably. |
✅ Also Works | "Running low on refrigerant and wire — probably 3 of each" | Informal language is fine. The AI understands casual phrasing and partial names. |
⚠️ May Need Review | "Get me the usual stuff for an AC job" | Very vague requests can't be reliably matched. Admin may need to manually assign materials when reviewing. |
⚠️ May Need Review | "Filters and caps" | Very short abbreviations might match the wrong item or create an unmatched request that needs manual review. |
Still need help? Contact Support!