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Desk vs Field Licenses: Choosing the Right License for Your Team

JD avatar
Written by JD
Updated today

Quick Answer: Need both office and field access? Use a Desk license and add the user to the Technician security group. This gives them full access to both the Uptick Web Platform and the Uptick App.

What You'll Learn

  • The key differences between Desk and Field licenses

  • Which license type to choose for different roles

  • How to set up users who work both in the office and in the field


Understanding License Types

Desk License

Best for: Office staff, managers, administrators, and anyone who needs web platform access

Access includes:

  • ✅ Full access to the Uptick Web Platform (via web browser)

  • ✅ Full access to the Uptick App (mobile)

  • ✅ All office functions: scheduling, quoting, reporting, Control Panel

  • ✅ Can be assigned to any security group, including "Technician"

Typical roles: Office managers, schedulers, administrators, supervisors


Field License

Best for: Technicians who only work in the field

Access includes:

  • ✅ Full access to the Uptick App (mobile)

  • No access to the Uptick Web Platform

  • ✅ Complete tasks, record time, update asset information

  • ⚠️ Must be assigned to the "Technician" security group to appear on the scheduler

Typical roles: Field technicians, service engineers, installers


Working Both in the Office and Field?

If you have team members who need to:

  • Access the web platform for quoting, scheduling, or reporting

  • Use the mobile app for fieldwork

  • Appear on the scheduler

Solution: Assign them a Desk license and add them to the Technician security group.

This combination gives them "the best of both worlds" - full web platform access plus all field technician capabilities in the app.

How to Set This Up

  1. Go to People > Users

  2. Create or edit the user

  3. Select Desk as the license type

  4. In Security Groups, select Technician

  5. Save the user


Key Differences at a Glance

Feature

Desk License

Field License

Web Platform Access

✅ Yes

❌ No

Mobile App Access

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Scheduler Visibility

✅ Yes (with Technician security group)

✅ Yes (requires Technician security group)

Quoting & Billing

✅ Yes

❌ No

Control Panel Access

✅ Yes (with permissions)

❌ No

Typical Use Case

Office + field work

Field work only


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a Desk user see everything a Field user can see in the app?
A: Yes. Desk users have full app access. To ensure they have the same technician capabilities, assign them to the "Technician" security group.

Q: Why can't my Field user log in to the web platform?
A: Field licenses only provide app access. If they need web access, change their license to Desk.

Q: Do I pay more for a Desk license than a Field license?
A: Pricing varies by region and contract. Check your licensing page in Control Panel or contact your account manager for specific pricing.

Q: Can I switch a user between Desk and Field licenses?
A: Yes. Edit the user in People > Users and change their license type. Note that license usage is calculated monthly based on logins.


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Need help? Contact our support team via the ? icon in Uptick or email [email protected]

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