Dynamics 365 Field Service : Create child assets

In any service organization, tracking customer assets is crucial—not just the main product (like a machine or system), but also its sub-components. These are often referred to as child assets. Dynamics 365 Field Service provides a robust and intuitive way to organize, manage, and service hierarchical assets, ensuring accurate tracking, maintenance history, and service planning.

In this blog, we’ll explore what child assets are, why they’re important, and how you can create and manage them effectively in Dynamics 365 Field Service.

What Are Child Assets?

In the context of Field Service, an asset is any item your organization installs, maintains, or services for a customer—typically referred to as a Customer Asset.

A child asset is a component or sub-system that is linked to a parent asset. For example:

• Parent Asset: HVAC System
• Child Assets: Compressor, Thermostat, Blower Motor

This parent-child relationship helps field technicians and service managers understand the full configuration of a system and handle service calls with greater accuracy.

Why Use Child Assets?

Organizing assets hierarchically provides several benefits:

1. Better Asset Management

        It reflects the real-world setup of complex systems. Technicians can easily identify which component failed and needs service.

2. Efficient Service Planning

        Work Orders can be associated with specific child assets, enabling precise tracking of repair history.

3. Warranty and Contract Tracking

            Different parts of a system may have separate warranties or contracts, and child assets help isolate those records.

4. Component-Level History

                Track service events, replacements, and performance at the component level instead of the entire system.

How to Create Child Assets in Dynamics 365 Field Service

Let’s walk through the steps to create and associate child assets in Dynamics 365 Field Service.

 Step 1: Navigate to Customer Assets

1. Go to the Field Service app.

2. In the left-hand navigation pane, select Customer Assets.

3. Locate the Parent Asset (e.g., HVAC System).

If the parent asset doesn't exist yet, create it first by selecting + New.

Step 2: Add a New Child Asset

1. Open the record of the parent asset.

2. In the Related section or sub-grid (depending on your form layout), find Child Assets or Customer Assets.

3. Click on + New Customer Asset.

Step 3: Fill in the Child Asset Details

In the new child asset form:

•  Name: Enter the component name (e.g., "Thermostat").
•  Customer: This auto-populates from the parent asset but can be changed.
•  Parent Asset: Set this to the existing parent asset.
•  Product: Select the product model.
•  Installation Date: Optional, but useful for service planning.
•  Warranty Expiry, Location, and Serial Number: Fill as needed.

Tip: Use consistent naming conventions and categories for clarity.

4. Click Save & Close.

Now, this new child asset is linked to its parent asset.

Visualizing the Asset Hierarchy

Field Service also provides a hierarchical view of assets.

1. Open any Customer Asset record.

2. Click on the Hierarchy icon on the toolbar.

This opens a tree view where you can easily visualize the multi-level asset structure.

Use Case: Field Technician Service Call

Let’s say a technician is dispatched to fix a customer’s HVAC system. On inspecting the system, they find that only the thermostat (a child asset) is malfunctioning.

•  The Work Order is updated to reflect the thermostat as the serviced asset.
•  The repair history is stored under that specific component.
•  The warranty check is done only for the thermostat, not the entire system.

Best Practices

• Use parent-child structures for any asset with replaceable or serviceable components.
• Regularly review asset hierarchies for accuracy.
• Utilize Work Orders and Bookings to track asset-level service history.
• Link assets to entitlements or contracts where applicable.

Conclusion

Creating and managing child assets in Dynamics 365 Field Service allows your service organization to operate with greater precision, improve asset visibility, and provide better customer service. Whether you're servicing industrial machinery, IT infrastructure, or HVAC systems, having a clear asset hierarchy helps streamline operations and enhance technician productivity.