Skip to main content

Search

We are excited to announce the launch of updated product names, logos, and headers within our user interfaces as part of the CivicPlus® Solution Rebranding initiative. These changes mark the first step toward creating a cohesive and seamless user experience across all solutions in our portfolio. As part of this transition, users may notice minor design updates. While the functionality you rely on remains unchanged, we are in the process of updating screenshots and other resources on our Help Centers to reflect the new branding. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete these updates.

Using the Mobile Offline Inspection PWA

  • Updated:

This article will show you how to use the Mobile Offline Inspection system. This process requires a subscription to this feature within the Community Development product.

 

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are simply installed web applications. Websites you can install on your mobile device, much like you would install an app from an app store. It allows a user to access the site offline without an Internet connection.

 

Article Navigation

 

Not finding what you are looking for? View some additional resources.

 

Purpose

This system allows field staff to install the PWA on their mobile devices’ browsers. They can then use the system offline without an Internet connection out in the field. The inspector can view and manage inspections assigned for the current day offline. All changes made to the inspection will be stored in the mobile device until the user syncs the device to the online system once an Internet connection is available.

 

Note: If the user has a stable Internet connection or Wi-Fi access to the browser-based system, the offline PWA does not need to be used.

 

Approved Mobile Device Browsers

The latest versions of Chrome and Safari that use the latest iOS and Android operating systems are supported.

 

Install the PWA to a Mobile Device Browser

Follow the instructions to Install a Progressive Web Application.

 

Connect to the PWA

The user must first have a connection to the Internet. With that connection, launch the PWA from the icon on the device.

  1. You will log in with normal Community Development (CivicGov) credentials
    Community Development Login.
    Note: On your first login, you will be prompted for a Pin. This pin is used to verify the synchronization of your data.
    Set new PIN.
  2. Once connected to the system online and the application has finished updating, place the mobile device in airplane mode or a similar mode that shuts down the Internet connection
    Note: Once offline, do not close the application. The application will not operate correctly if a user attempts to connect to the PWA while offline.

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Use the PWA

Once offline, follow the instructions below to utilize the PWA.

  1. When the site loads, you will see the relevant inspections based on your account’s permissions on the left side
    Mobile Inspections Application.
    • Inspection icon key: 
      • P: Permits Inspection
      • C: Complaints Inspection
      • V: Violations Inspection
      • J: Projects Inspection
      • F: Fire/Safety Inspection
      • L: License Inspection
  2. You can narrow down your list by using the Search option
    Mobile App Search.
  3. Or use the Filter options
    Mobile App Filters.
    Note: Inspectors will be able to view only the inspections they have been assigned to. Administrators will have visibility to all inspections.
  4. After you select the appropriate inspection, you will see additional menu items to the right of the Inspection selected. These items can be expanded to enter the appropriate information.
    Mobile App Menu.
    • Inspection: This section shows general information about the inspection such as the status, location, and inspection type.
      Inspection fields.
    • Codes: This section allows you to enter the appropriate codes against the inspection.
      Codes section.
    • Documents: This section allows you to upload files/images to be associated with the inspection by either selecting the device or opening the camera on a mobile device.
      Documents section.
    • Checklist: This section allows you to fill out any associated Checklist.
      Checklist section.
    • Review: This section shows any applicable review information for the inspection.
      Review section.
    • Related Inspection: If there is a related inspection, it will be referenced in this section.
      Related inspection section.
    • Forms: This functionality only works when you are online. This routine returns a PDF from the server and the document will be accurately fetched only when your changes have been synced up.
      Forms section.

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Upload/Download Data from the Online System

Because the PWA must operate offline, the device, as noted above, must be in airplane mode during the inspection activity. When inspection work is done for the day or the user can connect to the Internet, the user can synchronize (Sync) the data stored on the mobile device to the server by following the steps below. If the user plans to continue field inspections offline after the Sync operation, the user must put the device back in airplane mode.

  1. Access the device’s settings and take the device out of airplane mode.
  2. Use the Sync button to send changes back to the server database. This will also sync any changes from the database to the customer’s application. Typically, you will be prompted to enter your PIN for the sync to complete.
    Community Development Mobile App Sync.
  3. Once all data is synchronized, if the user needs to continue inspection work offline, keep the PWA active, place the device back in airplane mode, and follow the steps above to resolve additional inspections.

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Resources

Comments

Let us know what was helpful or not helpful about the article.

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.