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Version: 1.0

Working Offline

ODE is designed to work seamlessly in offline conditions, allowing data collection to continue regardless of network connectivity.

Offline Capabilities

When offline, you can:

  • Create new observations
  • Edit existing observations
  • Delete observations
  • View all locally stored observations
  • Fill out forms completely

All changes are stored locally and synchronized when connectivity is restored.

Local Storage

Observations are stored locally on the device using WatermelonDB, a reactive database optimized for React Native. This ensures:

  • Fast access to data
  • Reliable storage
  • Efficient querying
  • Automatic conflict resolution

Synchronization When Online

When network connectivity is restored:

  1. The app automatically detects connectivity
  2. Synchronization begins automatically
  3. Local changes are pushed to the server
  4. New data is pulled from the server
  5. Conflicts are resolved automatically

Offline Indicators

The app provides visual indicators for offline status:

  • Connection status in the app header
  • Sync status for individual observations
  • Notification when sync completes

Best Practices

When working offline:

  • Ensure sufficient device storage for observations
  • Regularly sync when connectivity is available
  • Monitor sync status to identify any issues
  • Keep the app updated to ensure optimal offline performance

Limitations

While offline, you cannot:

  • Access server-side features
  • Download new forms (unless previously cached)
  • Access real-time collaboration features
  • View server-side analytics

Next Steps