Offline & sync

Overview

Decimal's offline-first architecture ensures schools can continue operating even without reliable internet connectivity. Data is stored locally and synchronized when connectivity is restored.

Offline capabilities

• Take attendance: Record student attendance offline; syncs when online
• Enter grades: Enter marks and grades offline; syncs when online
• View records: Access cached student, staff, and timetable data
• Record payments: Log payments offline; syncs when online

Features that require server access (report card generation, sending emails, real-time notifications) are queued and processed when connectivity is restored.

Sync mechanism

The sync engine uses IndexedDB to store pending changes locally. When connectivity is detected, the engine processes the queue in order, uploading changes to the server. The sync indicator in the navigation bar shows the number of pending items.

Troubleshooting sync issues

• Data not appearing on other devices: Check the sync indicator — pending items may need manual sync
• Conflict warnings: Two devices modified the same data while offline; resolve manually
• Sync stuck: Check internet connection and try forcing a manual sync