appsFreedom v4.3: offline capability and IoT adaptors
Offline Apps
The platform can generate offline Freedom Apps that support extended offline mode, i.e. it can enable the end-user to be offline for hours and days, with all the data self-contained in the app for the user to continue their work in an offline mode. In this mode, all the business data is packaged and kept in the device (very securely) and it interacts with the backend business application as and when connectivity is available. The Offline apps come with the following out-of-the-box modules in the device:
Offline Authentication
User authentication in an offline mode with a 4-digit user generated passcode. This is used as an authentication mechanism when the device is in a disconnected mode.
Business rules engine
A miniature business rules engine to operate under the constraints of a mobile device, used to execute all the business rules in offline mode. The business rules are defined in one place and sent to App to be executed in offline mode. Enables offline processing for hours and days.
Encrypted database
A secure, encrypted device database to store all business data. The database installs and operates with no human touch required
Data sync and orchestration engine
A Data synchronization and orchestration engine to synchronize all business data appropriately with backend applications
Process continuity engine
A process continuity engine enables users to continue their business process, across business functions and apps, without interruption in offline mode. Enables users to operate in offline mode for hours and days.
Message queue
Message queues are generated in device to guarantee delivery and replay/ roll forward data transactions. This is used for guaranteed delivery of data from app all the way to the backend application
Conflict resolution
Conflict resolution engines are generated to handle data conflicts during data sync process. It acts in conjunction with a data reconciliation engine in the Freedom Manager (Server) wherein all the conflicts from multiple apps & devices are identified as errors before they are sent to the backend application. It can also be configured to identify data changes in the backend application, before data from apps is posted and flagged as errors.
Error handling engine
The error handling engine allow users to view, manage and rectify data errors after a data conflict. This engine displays the current backend application values and the user-entered values side-by-side so that the use can choose which values to be sent to the backend application.
Data clean-up engine
Data clean-up engine to track stale data and clean it up, as per the defined business rules. The number of days in which the data becomes “stale” in the offline app is defined by the administrator and the data clean-up engine prompts the end-user to sync up the data. If the end-user does not sync up the data in appropriate time, the data clean-up engine with clean the stale data with appropriate warning.
Guaranteed Delivery
The offline apps come with a complete, robust integration architecture, leveraging the above engines such as data synchronization & orchestration engine, Message queue, etc. to guarantee data delivery from the Freedom Apps to the cloud or on premise backend applications.
IoT Device Adapters
Freedom Apps provides a unique capability with per-built device adapters to connect to smart equipment. Freedom Apps support 2-way communications with the smart device. I.e. trigger an activity in the smart equipment or act as a listener to gather data from the smart equipment. This data/tags can then be passed on to backend applications as required. This is typically useful when the smart equipment may be in a location with no internet connectivity where the Freedom Apps can act as a bridge to collect the data and pass it on to backend servers.