How to Set Up an AI Receptionist with ServiceM8
ServiceM8 is one of Australia's most popular job management apps for trade businesses. When you connect it to AnswR, your AI receptionist gets access to your jobs, clients, and availability — so it can answer calls like a real member of your team.
This guide walks you through the entire setup, from sign-up to your first synced call. It takes about five minutes.
Why Connect ServiceM8 to an AI Receptionist
If you're a plumber, electrician, or any kind of tradie running ServiceM8, you already know the drill. Your phone rings while you're under a house, up a ladder, or wrist-deep in wiring. You can't answer. The caller doesn't leave a voicemail. And just like that, a $500 job walks away.
An AI receptionist answers every call, 24/7. But a connected AI receptionist does something much more valuable — it answers with context. It knows who the caller is, what jobs they've had before, and when you're free next.
That's the difference between a generic answering service and a tool that genuinely runs your front desk. Learn more on our ServiceM8 integration page.
What You Need
- An AnswR account — sign up for a free trial if you haven't already.
- A ServiceM8 account on any plan.
- Admin access to your ServiceM8 account (you need to be able to approve third-party connections).
Step-by-Step Setup
Step 1: Sign up or log in to AnswR
Head to answr.com.au/register and create your account. If you already have one, just log in to your dashboard.
Step 2: Go to Settings → Integrations
From your AnswR dashboard, open Settings and then Integrations. You'll see all available integrations listed here.
Step 3: Click Connect on ServiceM8
Find the ServiceM8 card and click Connect. A new window opens, taking you to ServiceM8's authorisation screen.
Step 4: Authorise AnswR
ServiceM8 will show you what AnswR needs access to. This includes reading and creating jobs, accessing client records, and checking your schedule. Click Allow to confirm.
Step 5: Choose your settings
Back in AnswR, you can configure how new jobs are categorised and whether new callers are added as clients automatically. Set these to match your current ServiceM8 workflow.
Step 6: Test the connection
Call your AnswR number and ask to book a job. Check ServiceM8 to confirm the job appeared. If it's there, you're all set.
What Syncs Between ServiceM8 and AnswR
Client records
AnswR looks up callers by phone number and pulls their name, address, and job history from ServiceM8.
Job creation
New job requests from callers are created directly in ServiceM8 with a description, contact details, and preferred time.
Schedule access
Your AI receptionist checks your ServiceM8 diary before offering times to callers, so double-bookings don't happen.
Job status updates
If a customer calls to ask about their job, AnswR can check the status in ServiceM8 and provide an update.
Best Practices
Keep your ServiceM8 diary current
Your AI receptionist trusts your calendar. If it says you're free at 2pm Tuesday, it'll offer that slot. Make sure your schedule reflects reality.
Use job categories consistently
If you label jobs as "Emergency", "Quote", or "Maintenance" in ServiceM8, AnswR picks up on these patterns and categorises new phone jobs accordingly.
Tell your team
Let your crew know that an AI is now handling incoming calls and creating jobs. They'll see new entries appearing in ServiceM8 and should know what to expect.
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