Mobile app data sync fails after switching networks and using offline mode

BPM AgilePoint
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1

Our field approvers are experiencing data loss in the AgilePoint mobile app when they switch between WiFi and cellular networks. They use offline mode to approve purchase orders while visiting remote sites, but when they reconnect, the sync fails and approvals are lost.

The sync queue seems unreliable after network changes - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ve had instances where users approved 10-15 POs offline, switched from WiFi to 4G during transit, and when they got back online, none of the approvals synced.


Sync Error: Connection reset during upload
Queue Status: 15 pending operations
Last Sync: Failed at 14:23:05

This is creating serious problems because purchase orders aren’t getting approved on time. We need better offline data persistence and more reliable network change handling. Has anyone solved sync queue reliability issues in AgilePoint mobile apps?

2

The screenshot workaround is exactly what our users started doing too. We need a technical solution that ensures data persistence regardless of network conditions. Is there a way to configure the SQLite database to be more resilient during sync operations?

3

Yes, you’ll likely need to extend the SDK’s sync handlers. The default implementation doesn’t account for aggressive network switching scenarios common in field operations.

4

Can you elaborate on the custom sync service approach? We’re using the standard AgilePoint Mobile SDK. Would we need to override the default sync behavior?

5

You should look into AgilePoint’s offline storage configuration options. There are settings for sync retry intervals, queue persistence, and conflict resolution that can help. Also consider implementing a custom sync service that monitors network state changes and pauses/resumes sync operations accordingly. The key is preventing partial sync commits when network switches occur.

6

We’ve been struggling with this for months. Our approvers have lost confidence in the mobile app. Some are now taking screenshots of their offline approvals as proof they completed the work. That defeats the whole purpose of mobile automation. Really hoping there’s a solid fix for this.

7

I’ve dealt with this exact scenario. The issue is that AgilePoint’s default sync mechanism doesn’t handle network transitions gracefully. When the network changes mid-sync, the SQLite transaction gets interrupted but the queue doesn’t properly retry. You need to implement a more robust sync strategy with exponential backoff and network state monitoring.

8

Here’s a comprehensive solution that addresses all three critical aspects of your sync reliability problem:

Offline Data Persistence: First, enhance your SQLite configuration to ensure data durability during network transitions. In your mobile app configuration (app.config.json), update the offline storage settings:


offlineStorage: {
  persistenceMode: "durable",
  transactionIsolation: "serializable",
  syncQueueRetention: "7days"
}

This ensures that queued operations persist even if the app crashes or network changes interrupt sync. The serializable isolation prevents partial commits that cause data inconsistency.

Implement a local validation layer before queuing sync operations. Add this check in your approval submission handler:


if (isOffline) {
  validateApprovalData(approval);
  persistToLocalDB(approval);
  queueForSync(approval);
}

This validates data integrity before it enters the sync queue, preventing corrupted records from blocking the entire queue.

Network Change Handling: The critical fix is implementing a network state monitor that pauses sync during network transitions. Create a custom network handler that integrates with AgilePoint’s sync service:

  1. Network State Listener: Register a listener for network connectivity changes. When the network type changes (WiFi to cellular or vice versa), pause any active sync operations and wait for connection stability.

  2. Connection Stability Check: Before resuming sync after a network change, verify connection stability by sending a lightweight ping to your AgilePoint server. Only proceed with sync if you get 2-3 consecutive successful pings.

  3. Graceful Sync Interruption: If sync is interrupted mid-operation, mark the current operation as ‘retry pending’ rather than ‘failed’. This prevents the sync queue from getting stuck on a single failed operation.

Sync Queue Reliability: Implement an intelligent retry mechanism with these components:

  1. Exponential Backoff: Configure retry intervals that increase progressively: 30s, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m. This prevents battery drain from aggressive retry attempts while ensuring eventual sync.

  2. Operation Prioritization: Modify the sync queue to prioritize critical operations (like approvals) over less important data updates. Configure priority levels in your sync service:


syncPriority: {
  approvals: 1,
  comments: 2,
  attachments: 3
}

  1. Partial Sync Support: Enable the sync service to commit successfully synced items even if some operations fail. This prevents an all-or-nothing scenario where one bad record blocks 15 good approvals.

  2. Sync Status Transparency: Add UI indicators showing:

    • Number of pending operations in queue
    • Last successful sync timestamp
    • Current sync status (syncing/paused/error)
    • Network connection quality

This gives users confidence that their offline work is safely queued and will sync when conditions are right.

Implementation in AgilePoint Mobile SDK: Extend the default sync behavior by creating a custom SyncManager class that wraps AgilePoint’s native sync service. Override these key methods:

  • onNetworkChange(): Pause/resume sync based on connection stability
  • onSyncError(): Implement smart retry logic instead of immediate failure
  • validateSyncQueue(): Check queue integrity before each sync attempt
  • commitPartialSync(): Allow partial success rather than all-or-nothing

Testing Strategy: Test this solution by simulating real-world network conditions:

  1. Approve 15 POs while completely offline
  2. Switch from WiFi to airplane mode to cellular while sync is in progress
  3. Force-close the app during sync
  4. Verify all operations eventually sync successfully

With these changes, your mobile approvers should experience zero data loss regardless of network conditions. The sync queue becomes resilient to interruptions, and offline data persists reliably until it can be safely transmitted to the server.