Synchronisation errors can happen for multiple reasons such as network connectivity issues, server-side issues, user-side issues, conflicting changes or large data volumes. One of the most common causes are the network connectivity issues. This article will tell you more about the steps you can take when the synchronisation breaks due to poor network connection and what you can do to prevent these issues but it will also give you some information about the other types of synchronisation issues that you might encounter.
Synchronisation error due to network connectivity issues: what to do?
1. Update to the latest QC One Inspector app if you haven’t done so before (You can check out the latest application version in the Announcements)
2. When the synchronisation breaks, proceed to sync again manually by pressing the synchronisation button in the corner of the screen.
3. If the issue persists, you can take the following steps:
a.) Log out of the application (keep in mind that all unsynced information could be lost meaning that the inspection data might need to be added again)
b.) Reset all data/clear local data in the application (keep in mind that all unsynced information will be lost and the inspection data will need to be added again)
(Disclaimer: this screen is a part of application redesign and is not visible to users yet.)
What can I do to avoid synchronisation issues?
There are a couple of steps that you can take in order to avoid synchronisation errors on daily basis.
Allow synchronisation process to finish: While the synchronisation process takes places, do not navigate or minimize the QC One app as this stops the synchronisation process.
Check Connectivity: Ensure a stable internet connection (Do you have a data/wifi-signal icon in your screen? Can you open a browser window?)
Update the App: Use the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
Re-authenticate: Log out and log back in to refresh the session (it is advisable to turn sign out of you account at the end of the working day and begin the next day with a fresh sign-in).
Deactivate auto-sync: Disable auto sync in your profile settings to prevent the device from syncing automatically in an environment with unstable internet connection. This will allow you to synchronise the device manually when you are in a spot with stable internet connection.
(Disclaimer: this screen is a part of application redesign and is not visible to users yet.)
What are other causes of synchronisation issues?
User-side issues
Synchronisation process should always be allowed to be completed to prevent issues. Navigating to a different app or putting the iPad in standby or closing it down stops the synchronisation process.
Server-side issues
Server downtime or maintenance can delay or interrupt synchronization. If this happens, you will be kept informed by the QC One team.
Outdated application issues
Outdated application versions may not be compatible with current server protocols and could affect synchronisation. Unstable network connection in parts of the companies or outdoors is a common issue which will cause synchronisation issues as well. Furthermore, device storage issues, such as insufficient space, can block the application from saving synchronized data.
Conflicting changes
If the same data is modified simultaneously on different devices or by different inspectors, conflicts may arise. The application might not know which version to prioritize, causing a sync error. Try to avoid such conflicts by assigning the inspections to relevant inspectors only. These kind of errors can also happen if the background information of the specific inspection (e.g. the organisations, products, varieties, etc) was edited or deleted in the QC One portal while synchronisation was taking place in the app.
Large data volumes
Transferring a large amount of data (e.g., multiple photos or detailed reports) can cause timeouts or partial synchronization, especially on slower connections. The advice is not exceed 25 MB of information in one inspection.
If you continue experiencing synchronisation issues, please reach out to QC One support team at [email protected]. Don’t forget to report the version of the QC inspector App used, and (if available) the inspection ID. This will help us help you faster.