How Offline Mode Works

The Offline-First Approach

InspectERM is built with an offline-first design: before making any network request, the application checks local storage first. If valid cached data exists, it is displayed immediately. The network load then happens in the background to refresh that data.

This means the application is responsive even on slow connections, and fully functional with no connection at all.

On Launch - No Connectivity

1. App opens and detects no connectivity
2. Loads the work list from local device storage
3. Displays your most recently cached assignments immediately
4. Shows the "Offline Mode" alert
5. The sync dot shows red

You can open any inspection or task that was previously loaded. All data is available for reading and for recording new results.

On Launch - With Connectivity

1. App opens and detects connectivity
2. Loads the work list from local storage immediately (instant display)
3. In parallel, fetches fresh data from CloudERM in the background
4. Work list updates when the network response arrives
5. Sync dot shows green after the update completes

Recording Work Offline

When you complete an inspection item, create a work log, or update a task status while offline:

1. The action is saved locally on-device immediately
2. The item is added to the upload queue
3. The UI confirms the save (because it has succeeded locally)
4. When connectivity returns, queued items upload automatically

Photo Handling

Photos are stored on-device when taken offline:

1. Photo is stored in full resolution on the device
2. A thumbnail is shown in the UI with an uploading indicator
3. When connectivity is restored, the photo uploads and the indicator clears

Photos remain on-device until upload is confirmed by CloudERM.

Pull to Refresh While Offline

Pulling down on the work list while offline:

• Shows the locally cached data (no network call is made)
• Does not produce an error - the list remains as-is with cached data