The Rhumbix Mobile App provides offline data management for field form users in areas with bad or no network connectivity. Users can create and edit field forms offline, submitting changes automatically when their device returns online. This guide will give users step-by-step instructions on how to manage field forms offline.
Triggering Offline Mode
When a device is offline, the user will see a gray banner at the top of the screen that says Offline Mode. Users can begin creating or editing Field Forms.
*The gray bar will turn green if/when the device reconnects to the internet.
Managing Projects Offline
Users can manage projects offline by going to Offline Data in the Profile tab. Offline project data is automatically refreshed frequently but can also be refreshed manually. Users can also verify project data in preparation for going offline.
Recently used projects are listed first. These projects and their cost codes are available for offline field form use.
Each of these projects will stay available offline for two weeks as long as the following conditions are met:
The date of one of your field forms using the project is within two weeks of today’s date.
The project is selected to create a field form.
The project is manually added to Offline Data.
Logging out will reset this list to projects from the past two weeks of the field forms.
They are followed by all projects that can be made available offline. Users must click ADD PROJECTS and select from their list of projects to do so. This data will refresh, and the selected projects will join the available projects.
Users can also refresh all project data by clicking REFRESH DATA.
How to Create Offline Field Forms
Offline field forms are created like regular field forms on the Rhumbix App. Users must select a project and relevant form type. Then users must enter the required fields and details (i.e., labor, equipment, material, etc.) Once complete, users can click SAVE or CHANGE STATUS at the bottom of the screen. Saving the form will save it in Draft status.
While in Offline Mode, field forms are completed but have yet to be submitted. Instead, the field form data is held in the Rhumbix App and placed in a pending state. Once the device reconnects to the internet, any offline field form will automatically submit and sync in real-time.
All field forms created offline can be found in Pending Uploads in the Profile tab. Like offline time cards, a user’s field forms are saved here as pending until the device returns online. Once reconnected, the field form(s) will submit as usual, and users can proceed to the next steps in the workflow, such as collecting signatures or approvals.
Occasionally, users might need to resolve conflicts before the form can be submitted. Users can either overwrite the form with their changes by clicking PROCEED or discard any changes by clicking CANCEL.
Editing Offline Field Forms
When offline, users can edit existing forms and save those forms. Edited offline Field Forms will show in a pending state found in Pending Uploads in the Profile tab.
Changing the Status of Offline Field Forms
Users can change the status of an offline field form under the Actions menu.
Other Field Form Actions
While offline, users cannot share field forms. In addition, the Copy To and Import from existing forms features are currently not supported.
Best Practices
It is recommended that users follow these best practices for Offline Mode to work optimally.
If a field form is created offline and is pending, do not sign out of the Rhumbix Mobile App. Doing so will clear all the saved and cached data and delete any pending field form stored under Pending Uploads in the app. Users need to be sure to stay logged in until the device reconnects to the internet.
If a field form is created offline and is pending, do not uninstall the Rhumbix Mobile App. Doing so will also delete any pending field forms.
There is no time limit when a device must be back online, but we recommend connecting back as soon as possible to ensure efficient workflow.
Users can always find more information on field forms at our Support Center.