When a table is downloaded to a computing device that will be used offline in the field (that is, disconnected from the main database), the downloaded table is a copy of the table in the main database. Also, at the moment that the table is downloaded, the system takes a "snapshot" of the table and stores this for future comparisons. Thus, three versions of the table exist:

  • The version that exists out in the field on the remote computing device. This table is dynamic and users can make changes to it.
  • The version that resides in the main database. This table is dynamic and users can make changes to it.
  • The version that is a "snapshot" of the table at the time of downloading to the field device. While stored in the main database, this version is static and cannot change. It is termed the "check-out" version.

At the moment of downloading, all three versions are identical. Over time, the dynamic versions can become different from each other, and both dynamic versions can each become different than the static, check-out version.

When the field user returns to the office and uploads the tables from his or her remote computing device, the system places the tables in a buffer in the main database. These tables are termed the "check-in" tables. You use the Manage Offline Transactions window to review and process the check-in tables into the main database.

The Manage Offline Transactions window provides the following features:

  • Show Source drop-down list: You use this field to select whether the data in the window is from a mobile device or was acquired via the FDC feature.
  • Show Checkouts From field: You use this field to optionally filter the records shown in the window to just those where the check-out date is on or after the entered date.
  • Transaction Groups pane: This pane shows upload and download events. When you right-click a record in this pane, the system displays a shortcut menu. This menu contains the common commands along with the following special commands:

    • Process: This command becomes available once the Approved check box is selected. When executed, it causes the records uploaded from the field device to be processed and stored in the main database.

      Note: If all tables uploaded from the field device are marked for automatic conflict resolution (either Server-priority or Client-priority) and the FDC type is marked as allowing automatic processing (that is, the Auto Process? check box is selected in the FDC Setup window for the download profile), then the system automatically executes this command.
    • Resolve: When records are uploaded from the field device to the buffer in the main database and conflicts for one or more tables are configured as requiring manual intervention in the Conflicts Setup window, then the system does not populate the Resolution Type column in the Transaction Details pane with the resolution type. This command populates the Resolution Type column so you may see which records require manual intervention. Once the column is populated, you change the Resolution Type column to either Server-priority or Client-priority as required to resolve the conflict. After changing all Manual values, you select the Approved check box and then use the Process command to process and store the records in the main database.
  • Transaction Details pane: For the transaction group selected in the Transaction Groups pane, this pane lists the transactions that occurred during the upload or download event. The transactions are listed in order from the first processed to the last. The abbreviations used for the transactions are: I indicates INSERT; U indicates UPDATE; and D indicates DELETE. The Checkin Action column indicates what action occurred to a record in the field, while the Process Action column indicates what action occurred when the record was processed into the main database.
  • Client: Checkout pane: This pane shows the state of the record selected in the Transaction Detail pane when it was downloaded from the main database to the remote device.
  • Client: Checkin pane: This pane shows the state of the record selected in the Transaction Detail pane when uploaded to the buffer in the main database but before processing occurs. The title of the pane is appended with an abbreviation to indicate what action occurred to the record while located on the remote device. The abbreviations are the same as found in the Transaction Details pane. For UPDATE transactions, the system highlights the updated field in green. For INSERT transactions, the system highlights the entire record in blue.
  • Server: Right Before Process pane: This pane shows the current state of the selected record in the main database.
  • Server: Right After Process pane: This pane shows the current state of the selected record in the main database just after processing occurs. The title of the pane is appended with an abbreviation to indicate what action occurred to the record while located on the remote device. The abbreviations are the same as found in the Transaction Details pane.

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