Application shell
Manifest, icons and a service worker that caches the application shell. Test offline startup and the available device APIs on supported browsers; uncached resources still require a connection.
Solution
Mobile Apps and PWAs
Installable applications for staff in the field and customers on the move, with a local store, a sync queue and interfaces designed for one hand and poor light.
Overview
What the system does
A mobile application earns its place when the work happens away from a desk, when the device hardware is part of the job, or when a customer needs something on the home screen rather than in a bookmark.
A progressive web app covers most of that: installable, offline capable, camera and location aware, and updated the moment you deploy. A native build is right when the hardware requirement goes beyond what the platform exposes.
Either way the engineering that matters is the same: local storage, a sync queue, conflict rules and an interface designed for the conditions.
Who needs this
Teams working away from a desk, with intermittent connectivity, device capture or repeated short tasks.
What we build
Choose a PWA or native delivery after testing device requirements on the actual target platforms. Offline work needs a local data policy, operation queue and visible sync state. Installation does not imply every browser supports the same background features.
Modules
Core modules
Local data store
Structured local storage holding the reference data a user needs and the work they create, with a defined size and eviction policy.
Sync queue
Outgoing operations queued with client generated identifiers, retried on reconnect, applied idempotently server side, with visible pending state.
Conflict resolution
A rule per record type agreed in design, so a change made offline and a change made in the office resolve predictably.
Device capabilities
Camera capture, barcode and QR scanning, geolocation, file handling and push notification where the platform allows.
Media handling
Images compressed on device before upload, queued separately from record data so a large photo does not block a status update.
Field ready interface
Large targets, high contrast for outdoor light, short paths to the common actions, and operation with one hand.
Update handling
A defined update path that never strands a user mid task and tells them when a new version is ready.
Architecture
How it fits together
A typical implementation flow, with explicit responsibilities at each boundary.
Integrations
- Your operational system as the source of record
- Object storage for photos and documents
- Push notification services where supported
- Mapping and location services
- Authentication providers
- Barcode and scanning hardware where used
- 01
Prepare
Cache the permitted reference data and application shell.
- 02
Capture
Queue user operations with stable identifiers and bounded media uploads.
- 03
Synchronize
Retry accepted operations idempotently and show conflicts requiring review.
Security and controls
Design for the exceptions, not just the happy path.
Limit cached customer data, plan device revocation and avoid secrets in the client. Make notification permissions explicit. Test old app versions against the current API during rollout.
Technology options
We select the final stack after reviewing your existing systems and operating requirements.
Security and IP practicesFit
Industries that use this
FAQ
Questions people actually ask
Progressive web app or native?
We evaluate a PWA first when its device capabilities and distribution fit the work. Installation and update behavior vary by browser. Native delivery may be appropriate for background processing, device APIs or app-store requirements.
Does it work with no signal at all?
Yes, for the data cached locally and for work created on device. The user sees what is pending, and everything flushes when the connection returns.
What if two people edit the same record offline?
The conflict rule for that record type decides, agreed during design. Financial and scheduling records usually go to a review queue rather than resolving silently.
Can it receive push notifications?
On current mobile platforms an installed progressive web app can receive push notifications. We confirm support against your device floor during planning.
How much data can it hold locally?
Enough for a working set rather than the whole database. We define what is cached per role and an eviction policy, because unbounded local storage fails on the oldest device in the fleet.
Can it scan barcodes?
Yes, through the camera, including barcode and QR formats used for assets, parts and tickets.
Let’s talk about the system you need.
Tell us where the current process breaks down. We can map the workflow, examine the integration requirements and define a practical scope for the build.
- A mutual NDA is signed before project details are shared.
- Scope is fixed in writing before any build starts.
- You own the source code, the IP and the documentation at delivery.
- Support plans are available and tailored on a discovery or technical call.