Parkonect: Offline Mode

OFFLINE MODE

The Parkonect Offline Mode enhancements allow a location to continue operating when the Payment Gateway, Local ISP, or the Parkonect Cloud services are unavailable. These enhancements are designed to prevent loss of revenue and individuals having to be physically granted ingress/egress by an attendant. 

Offline Mode in a PARCS location refers to a scenario where one of the three essential internet connection components experiences a failure. These components include:

• Parkonect Cloud Server Connection: Powering the cloud services that facilitate various functionalities.

• Local Internet Connection: Provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) at the specific location.

• Payment Gateway Service: Facilitating the processing of online payments.

If any of these components fail, the location is considered offline. The Edge device, an on-premises hardware component running the Parkonect Cloud Software, is designed to detect such offline events. In the event of an offline situation, the Edge device ensures that the location can continue its operations using the most recent data stored in the system. This allows for continued functionality even when one of the internet connection components is temporarily unavailable.

Key Developments of Offline Mode:

• Connection stability detection layer
• Rate Structures and calculations are available at the garage level
• Parker session is synced and stored locally (Monthly, eParking, etc)
• Data Hydration to cloud when systems are back online/stable
• Kiosks can be restarted even if “offline”
• Enhanced revenue protection during Hybrid or Store and Forward modes

Offline Visual Indicators

A troubleshooting indicator has been installed in the kiosk display screen to facilitate a diagnosis of the system experiencing disruptions. The screen border will display one of the following colors based on the compromised system. 

• Yellow: Parkonect Cloud down, internet up, gateway up = Hybrid Mode (Payments processed in real time)

• Red: Internet is down = Offline Mode (Payments processed via store and forward method)

• Blue: Gateway is down = Offline Mode (Payments processed via store and forward method)

What is Hybrid Mode?

Hybrid Mode occurs when all other services are available except the connection to the Parkonect cloud server (PK backend services). The Location is able to continue most operations because the Edge device pulls down the most recent key data from the server and acts as an interim while the cloud server is unavailable.  Any transactions or parking events (entries, exits, etc) that occur during Hybrid Mode are processed in real time because the Edge device bridges the connection to the other online systems. The data and activity are stored on the Edge device and then syndicated back to the Parkonect Cloud Server once the connection to the cloud is re-established.

What is Store and Forward?

In the event the local internet network or payment gateway is unavailable, but the Parkonect Cloud Server is online all payment transactions are captured through a store-and-forward method. The Edge device will retain encrypted credit card information all while maintaining PCI compliance and then attempt to process the transaction once connectivity is restored.

Reporting 

Offline Unable to Collect Report 

If under any circumstance the payments are not successful after the systems are back online, the system logs all relevant information (order ID, amount owed, time date etc.) and presents in the Unable to Collect report.

Store and Forward Collection Report

The Store and Forward Collection report lists all transactions collected after an offline event using the Store and Forward functionality. Parkonect revenue reports display revenue based on the time of collection, which under normal circumstances is the same as the exit time. However, under a store-and-forward scenario, the collection would occur after the parker exits. This report can be run by a date range and can either be based on when the parking transaction amount was collected (store-and-forward cleared) or when the parking session ended (parker exited the garage).

Offline Mode supported functionality development is progressing through multiple phases, the Phase 1 status is summarized below. The list will be updated as additional functions are released. 

Offline Mode Functionality Compatibility

Monthly Parkers - Functionality in Hybrid + Offline

Supported:

• Entry / Exit 

• Passback Rules

• Account Status (inactive/active)

• Access Level Restrictions (Time Range)

• Account Level Restrictions (Time Range)

• Available Monthly Credentials: Multi-Credential, RFID, Barcode, LPR

• Door Access

• Pool Limits

• Nested Areas

Not Supported: 

• Account changes made in the Admin Portal while offline

Transient Parkers - Functionality in Hybrid + Offline

Supported:

• Paper Ticket Access
• Text Transient Ticket Transactions at Exit, POF
  • Hybrid: Payments processed
  • Offline: Payments processed via store and forward method
  • Gateway Offline: Payments processed via store and forward method
• Rate calculations
• Cash Transactions
• Lost Tickets
• Third-Party Reservations (Booked before the system goes offline)
• LPR Auto Gate Vend for Paid Tickets
• Prepay Mode

Not Supported: 

• Ticketless Access (credit card in/out, Text 2 Enter) (* still able to exit if entered before offline event)

Management Features - Functionality in Hybrid + Offline

Supported: 

• Sleep Mode

• Lot Full

Not Supported: 

• Email Notifications
• Valet Hiker
• Cashier.com
• Banner Ads

FAQs

1. How are offline transactions reported? 

• Hybrid Mode transactions will be reported normally in revenue reporting and any transactions processed via Store and Forward will be displayed on the Store and Forward Collection report.
  
  

2. Is there a limit to how many transactions can be processed in Hybrid Mode? 

• No, there is no limit to the number of transactions processed in Hybrid Mode. The system operates without a specific transaction processing cap in this mode.

3. Are there any notifications of offline (or hybrid) mode?

• If Offline, the touch screens' borders will display a colored border (red, yellow, or blue) corresponding to the implicated system. Currently, the system does not send out notification emails or texts regarding its health status.

4. Is there a maximum number of days the equipment can operate offline?

• No, there is no maximum limit on the number of days the location can operate in offline mode. Additionally, there is no restriction on the amount of data or duration for which the equipment can function offline. 

For a comprehensive breakdown of all compatibility details and the status of supported functions in each development phase for Offline Edge, we recommend reaching out to support or your local representative. They will provide you with the most up-to-date and detailed information tailored to your specific requirements and location.