Flash PARCS: Offline Mode

The Flash PARCS Offline Mode ensures continuous access control and revenue collection operation during internet or system outages. Operators can rely on the system to function autonomously, eliminating the need for intervention or switching gates to service mode. Offline mode does not require new hardware, as all updates and enhancements are delivered seamlessly through the Flash PARCS app cloud updates, ensuring a smooth and efficient deployment.

Offline Mode Key Enhancements 

Connection Stability 

To ensure uninterrupted service, Flash's dedicated team monitors the system for stability around the clock. In the rare event of system downtime or connectivity issues, the system will be switched to Hybrid or Store and Forward mode without operator intervention.  This means:

• Seamless Transition: If disruptions occur, Offline Mode kicks in immediately, allowing continuous operation without impacting access control or revenue capture.
• Reliability: Flash's Hybrid Mode ensures your system remains functional and transactions are securely recorded.

Rate Structures and Calculations

During offline events, the system maintains full rate structure and calculation functionality. This ensures:

• Accurate Revenue Collection: Rates are calculated, even without internet connectivity, so you can be confident that all transactions reflect the pricing set before the offline event.
• Uninterrupted Customer Experience: Offline mode maintains the same rate structures, ensuring customers are charged accurately regardless of network status.

Data Hydration to the Cloud

Once systems are fully stable, all locally stored data undergoes data hydration to the cloud. This process involves:

• Automatic Data Syncing: All transaction data recorded offline is seamlessly uploaded to the cloud once connectivity is restored.
• Data Integrity: Data hydration ensures that every transaction is accurately recorded and accessible for reporting, preserving the integrity of your revenue data.

Local Storage of Parker Data and Parking Sessions

Offline Mode securely stores monthly parker session data locally, ensuring uninterrupted access control and preventing passback issues during connectivity disruptions.

• Secure Local Storage: Parker data is stored locally, enabling accurate session tracking and avoiding unauthorized re-entry.
• Seamless Synchronization: Locally stored data automatically syncs to the cloud once connectivity is restored, ensuring complete and accurate records.

How it works

                                   

What is offline? 

Flash PARCS is a cloud-based platform that requires three components to stay online: 

• Local Internet Connection: Provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) at the specific location. 
• Cloud Infrastructure Connection: Powering the Flash cloud services that facilitate various functionalities.
• Payment Gateway Service: Facilitating the processing of online payments.

When a PARCS location goes offline, the standard functionality of kiosks, gates, and payment processing is impacted because the internet connection is necessary to carry out many of these functions.

A PARCS location is considered “offline” when any of the three essential internet connection components experience a failure.

Depending on which component is experiencing stability issues the location will switch to either Hybrid or Store and Forward Mode.

Hybrid Mode

                                           

Hybrid Mode occurs when all services (local internet and payment gateway) are available except for the connection to the Flash Cloud infrastructure. During this time, the location can still perform most functions because the Flash application retrieves the latest price and configuration data from the cloud, acting as a temporary solution. Transactions and parking events are processed in real-time because Hybrid Mode maintains connections to other online systems. Data and activities that occur during this mode are saved and synced back to the Flash Cloud once the connection is restored.

If the offline event occurs because the Flash Cloud infrastructure experiences stability issues, but the local internet and payment gateway are still available, the system will switch to Hybrid Mode. During this time, the Flash application uses the latest price and configuration data retrieved from the cloud, allowing the location to perform most functions as a temporary solution. Transactions and parking events are processed in real-time, as Hybrid Mode maintains connections to other online systems. This mode uses the most recent location configuration download to ensure uninterrupted operations and transaction processing. All data and activities during this mode are saved and synced to the Flash Cloud once the connection is restored.

Hybrid Mode is activated if the Flash kiosk detects that it cannot reach the cloud and the integration servers are unresponsive. Additionally, if the integration servers are responding but with noticeable delays, the Flash team proactively monitors and activates Hybrid Mode when necessary.

Store and Forward

                                               

If the local internet network or payment gateway is down but the Flash Cloud is online, payment transactions will be handled using a store-and-forward method. The Flash system will securely store encrypted credit card information while ensuring PCI compliance, and it will attempt to process the transactions once the connection is restored.

Flash PARCS integrates with two payment gateways: USAePay and WindCave. USAePay processes payments using a deferred authorization method, with encrypted payment transactions securely stored in the kiosk, allowing for an unlimited number of transactions to be retained. WindCave, which is EMV-compatible, processes payments through local authorization via the chip card, ensuring secure, real-time payment processing when the connection is active. However, WindCave operates with predefined thresholds for the number of transactions that can be stored, meaning its storage capacity is not unlimited.

FlashPARCS is designed to automatically switch to a backup cellular data network, which helps maintain service without significant delays. This backup system helps avoid the need to rely solely on "store and forward" methods for transactions, offering a seamless service experience

Payment Gateway Outage and Store and Forward Mode

In the event of a payment gateway outage, the system enters STORE and FORWARD mode specifically for handling payments. However, because the Flash Cloud and local internet remain online, all other kiosk features continue functioning as usual. This allows core operations, such as membership, support requests, loyalty programs, and API integrations, to remain fully operational, just as they would under normal online conditions.

                                            

Deferred Authorization (USAePAY)

The Store and Forward method integrates with the USAePay gateway to ensure uninterrupted payment acceptance during internet or gateway outages. Transactions are securely stored in the kiosk as encrypted data, with no limit on the number of stored transactions. Once connectivity is restored, all data is automatically transmitted and processed.

Local Authorization (Windcave)

Windcave, our EMV gateway option, supports Store and Forward but authorization is controlled locally. If the EMV terminal is unable to connect to the network for real-time authorization. it will automatically switch to Store and Forward. The Store and Forward mode is only available if the account owner configures the following settings and thresholds on the Windcave platform.

Windcave - Store and Forward Thresholds 

• Offline Enabled
• Offline Amount Max- Maximum amount of value allowed per terminal.
  • No Max Limit
• Offline Max Minutes - Maximum minutes the device is allowed to remain offline.
  • No Max Limit 
• Offline Max Transactions- Maximum number of transactions allowed to be stored per terminal.
  • Limit of 1022 transactions per Terminal (kiosk)

All thresholds are reset once the connection to the payment gateway is re-established.

Credit Card Chip Settings 

Each credit card chip has individual parameters set by the card issuer. Not all card issuers allow offline transactions, which carry a higher risk because they cannot be immediately validated or authorized by the issuer. For this reason, some card issuers may block transactions from being processed offline to mitigate risk.

• Cards issued by major global banks (e.g., JPMC, BOA, Wells Fargo.) are generally subject to more stringent security controls, and some issuers may restrict offline payments or may only allow them for lower-risk, low-value transactions.
• Debit cards may have even stricter rules regarding offline transactions. Some issuers may completely block offline processing for fraud prevention, while others might allow limited offline functionality, especially for low-value transactions.
• Credit Card Issuers have a set transaction limit per credit card and each issuer can have varying amounts. Ex: Amex CC 1 is $50 and Amex CC 2 is $100

                               

Visual Indicators 

Online
Hybrid (FLASH OS is greyed out)
Offline
Data Sync

In addition to the kiosk screen visual queues, Transient tickets will print with 5 digits (instead of 8) during an offline event.

Functionality Compatibility with Offline Mode

✅	= Fully Supported
	= Supported under certain circumstances
❌	= Not Supported

Transient

Function		Hybrid	Store and Forward
Paper ticket / Credit Card and Mobile # Entry	Tickets issued while in Hybrid or Offline will be displayed with 5 digits.	✅	✅
Reinstate SoftClosed Tickets	Previously soft closed transient tickets will be reinstated if initiated at exit.	✅	✅
Transient Payments via USAePay		✅ *Real-time transactions	✅ *Store and forward
Transient Payments via Windcave	Apple and Google Pay are only supported in Hydrid Mode	✅ *Real-time transactions(Apple and Google Pay Supported)	✅ *Store and forward if Windcave settings and thresholds are enabled per terminal.
Lost Ticket Payments	Lost Ticket at kiosk and via LPR are supported.	✅	✅
PrePay at Entry	Supported with USAepay	✅	✅
PIN Access	PIN Codes linked to prices are NOT Supported on Entry, while in hybrid/offline but can be scanned on Exit. No Store and Forward for partial payments.
Printed Validations	Barcodes are supported but eValidation is Not Supported.	✅	✅
eValidations	The Validation portal is not available and displays Offline Message. eValidations applied while online will still be honored.
Coupons	Not supported for Hyrbid or Offline	❌	❌
eParking Reservations		❌	❌
Flash Pass		❌	❌
Digital Ticket Checkout	Not supported: Payment accepted via DTC but not at the recognized kiosk.	❌	❌

Overnight  

Function		Hybrid	Store and Forward
Hotel Prepay		✅	✅
Hotel Passes	Supported IF passes were issued before the offline event.
PMS (Hotel Key Card)	Supported IF key cards were activated before the offline event.
Late Checkout Fees	Not Supported	❌	❌

PARCS + Valet 

Monthly

Peripheral Hardware

The development of Offline Enhancements is progressing through multiple phases, and the current status is detailed below for the release of Phase 1. The above list will be updated as additional functions are released.