Overview of Counterpoint Offline Mode
First off, Counterpoint Offline Mode simply stores a much smaller version of your Counterpoint database on the local computer that you use for transactions. Offline Mode can only be used for transactions. I don't know if anyone ever mentioned it, and it may not be relevant for you, but Offline Mode can be set up so you can use it at outside sales events such as tent sales or pop-up stores or the like. You still need a connection for your credit card transactions, but it removes the need for a constant connection back to the server. We still highly recommend you sync to the main server at least once a day if you're doing something like this, but Offline Mode is good for slower network connections as well.
Testing Counterpoint Offline Mode is as simple as opening the icon for Offline Mode that has been installed on your customer-facing Counterpoint devices.
Testing Counterpoint Offline Mode
Communication problems can cause information to be missing from the offline database. It may be small, but we all want this database to be accurate!
If you test Offline Mode weekly, it will ensure your offline database is ready to go; just in case you ever need it!
Full Test:
Pick a day of the week and run first shift in Offline Mode. This will not affect your ability to process credit or debit cards (as long as your internet connection is still available). Running over a full shift is the best way to make sure that all types of transactions are working properly. At the end of the shift, count the drawer in offline mode and then close offline mode and go into the live (regular) Counterpoint to reconcile. You'll know that all the tickets have copied to the live Counterpoint database when your drawer reading report from the live matches the one from offline!
If it's been a particularly busy day, it may take a few minutes for all the tickets to copy over so don't be alarmed if you switch over quickly and everything does not yet add up!
Quick Test:
Start the shift in Offline Mode and run a couple of test transactions. Credit/Debit and Cash. Make sure everything goes through correctly. Then open Counterpoint in the live mode and void the transactions from the live database once everything has synchronized with the server.
The first time you want your staff to test Counterpoint Offline Mode, whether you are doing a Full or Quick test, PLEASE schedule with RMS at least 1 week in advance, just so we can ensure we have someone available. We don't anticipate any problems but we'd rather plan for the worst and hope for the best!
Of course, if you or your staff have any problems at all with Counterpoint Offline Mode or Counterpoint in general, don't hesitate to contact RMS!
204-663-6240