<s>
Service	B-Application
chain	I-Application
optimization	I-Application
is	O
the	O
application	O
of	O
processes	O
and	O
tools	O
that	O
embrace	O
all	O
functions	O
for	O
improving	O
the	O
efficiency	O
,	O
productivity	O
and	O
,	O
eventually	O
,	O
the	O
profitability	O
of	O
service	O
organizations	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Service	B-Application
chain	I-Application
optimization	I-Application
is	O
closely	O
related	O
to	O
the	O
fields	O
of	O
workforce	B-Application
management	I-Application
and	O
field	B-Application
service	I-Application
management	I-Application
;	O
the	O
activity	O
performed	O
by	O
field	O
service	O
resources	O
is	O
managed	O
through	O
the	O
latter	O
while	O
being	O
planned	O
and	O
optimized	O
through	O
the	O
former	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
term	O
"	O
service	B-Application
chain	I-Application
optimization	I-Application
"	O
was	O
coined	O
by	O
ClickSoftware	O
in	O
1996	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
ClickSoftware	O
received	O
a	O
patent	O
,	O
US	O
6.985.872	O
B2	O
,	O
for	O
continuous	O
planning	O
and	O
scheduling	O
(	O
service	B-Application
chain	I-Application
optimization	I-Application
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
term	O
refers	O
to	O
field	B-Application
service	I-Application
management	I-Application
optimization	O
,	O
workforce	O
productivity	O
,	O
improving	O
customer	O
service	O
,	O
and	O
reducing	O
operating	O
costs	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Most	O
commonly	O
,	O
a	O
service	B-Application
chain	I-Application
optimization	I-Application
system	O
is	O
made	O
up	O
of	O
the	O
following	O
units	O
:	O
</s>
