Using IMS4Field Offline

Note

To accommodate sites with poor connectivity, IMS4Field allows you to perform your field activities without an active internet connection. However, a working network connection is required to prepare for using IMS4Field, and to synchronize data collected while offline with IMS.

Specifically, the following IMS4Field functions require a working internet connection:

• Looking up schedules and bringing them to IMS4Field from IMS.

• Approving work in IMS4Field (approving condition history).

• Viewing linked CMMS information on a Schedule.

• Viewing “who can approve this”.

• Selecting a new Dynamic Form for use in an ECH.

This section of the Handbook describes how to use IMS4Field offline.

Working Offline

IMS4Field is designed to be used in offline environment by default. When information is captured in IMS4Field, it is sent to central IMS database immediately as internet connection is established. To get started with IMS4Field, you must first retrieve any assigned Schedules.

To retrieve schedules assigned to you in IMS4Field:

• Access IMS4Field on your device. See Accessing IMS4Field to learn more.

• Click Refresh to retrieve any assigned Schedules.

After clicking Refresh, IMS4Field will display a progress indicator for your retrieval. In this step, IMS4Field is downloading all information needed for your schedules. Time need to download depends on the number of schedules. It usually requires approximately few seconds per schedule with reasonable internet connection.

When this process completes, data associated with your Schedules will be stored on your device and you will be ready to use IMS4Field without a working network connection.

IMS4Field is showing downloaded checklists

In order to use checklists in IMS4Field, checklists need to be downloaded. Checklist download happens in two cases:

1. If your condition histories in IMS already have checklist selected, IMS4Field will download the checklists.

2. If your condition histories in IMS do not have checklist selected (or condition history is created in IMS4Field):

   1. If there is internet connection: IMS4Field allows you to select a checklist and start the download process if the checklist has already not been downloaded.

   2. If there is no internet connection: IMS4Field will only offer checklists which have previously been downloaded (as described in step 1 or step 2.1)

No Connection Indication

When you have no connection, it will be indicated in the top right.

Features Which Require an Internet Connection

In order to reduce download times, there are certain features which require a working internet connection in IMS4Field. They are described below.

Accessing CMMS Information Links

Internet connection is needed see all CMMS information about a schedule. To be exact, internet connection is needed when clicked on Maintenance plan number, Notification number or Work order number.

Selecting New Dynamic Forms Checklists

Only those Dynamic Forms Checklists which were downloaded are available for use in recording the results of your inspections. If you anticipate needing additional forms, make sure those are selected while there is internet connection.

Viewing “Who Can Approve This”

Internet connection is needed in order to see “who can approved this”.

Approving Condition Histories

When an ECH is created offline, the approval screen will not be available until the ECH has been synched with IMS. You will only be able to approve the ECH when IMS4Field has a functioning network connection.