In the previous section, we listed offline capabilities as an important requirement for mobile field service apps. Why, though? Here’s the thing: you cannot predict that your technicians will always have access to network connectivity or even cellular signal. This is particularly true with remote sites, like offshore platforms or underground mines, but even locations in the heart of a city can suffer from low or no signal.
For instance, parking garages, basements, and construction sites all have notoriously spotty signal. Trusting to chance that your technicians will be able to connect is a quick route to disappointment for both you and your customers. Instead, offline capabilities can ensure that your technicians can stay productive, and your customers will be satisfied.
Offline capabilities ensure that your technicians can record tasks and notes, access stored documents, dig into knowledge bases, and update important information. The secret to accessing data and critical information? Advanced caching technologies that allow field service mobile applications to store a large amount of data on the local device for immediate access when connectivity is limited or nonexistent.
