Offline data collection powered by advanced offline functionality
Take field operations to the next level with advanced offline functionality that allows you to carry out complex data collection projects in areas with no internet connectivity.
With seamless data syncing and the ability to create end-to-end data workflows, see why SurveyCTO is preferred for offline data collection.
Unreliable internet access makes offline data collection apps essential for fieldwork
Many parts of the world still struggle to get enough signal to make phone calls, let alone upload data from your mobile survey app. When you’re carrying out research, inspections, and evaluations in remote locations, you need a tool that accesses, updates, and collects data without needing the internet.
With SurveyCTO’s offline data collection app, you can manage your entire data collection workflow offline. No more worrying about connecting to the internet to upload or download data to or from the server. You can collect high-quality data in areas with limited or no internet connectivity with the same seamlessness as you would online.
Capture, update, and access survey data in the field—100% offline
Work confidently in remote or low-connectivity environments without compromising functionality.
SurveyCTO allows teams to capture, review, and update data entirely offline, syncing seamlessly once a connection is available.
Maintain seamless data collection and pristine data quality
Built-in data quality safeguards combined with offline-first functionality means cleaner data, fewer delays to data collection projects, and no risk of losing information midway through a survey.
Collect data securely, even when offline
Our commitment to protecting your data means that safeguards like at-rest, in-transit, and end-to-end encryption operate continuously, even during intermittent connectivity.
Handle complex data workflows completely offline
Because SurveyCTO was designed for mobile data collection in the field, we went beyond providing users with standard offline capabilities.
Our offline capabilities don’t just give you the ability to collect data on a local device and have it smoothly sync to your server once you’re back online. We allow you to conduct complex data collection workflows without needing connectivity at all.
Combined with our other features like datasets and case management, our advanced offline features are an essential addition to your offline data collection toolkit.
Offline data collection
Collect data even in remote locations
At the very core of our offline functionality is the ability to collect data on mobile devices without needing connectivity.
Field teams can capture data offline on their local devices using the SurveyCTO Collect mobile app. Once teams return to an area with an internet connection, data from those devices will automatically sync to the server.
Offline dataset publishing
Connect forms and access data in flexible workflows that operate offline
Offline dataset publishing enables the power of SurveyCTO datasets to bridge responses from one form to another without needing internet.
With offline dataset publishing, mobile devices without access to the internet can still send captured data to locally stored copies of datasets. That data can then be pre-loaded into other forms either on the same device or other devices—entirely offline.
This means field teams don’t need to spend time traveling back to areas with connectivity to have data from past surveys be immediately available for a current survey.
Combine offline dataset publishing with case management, long format data publishing, and flexible field value update modes for the freedom to design the systems you need for longitudinal data collection and other multi-form workflows.
End-to-end offline data collection workflows
Combine advanced offline features with case management to carry out end-to-end data collection workflows
Case management is a powerful feature that improves the organization and efficiency of longitudinal data collection efforts.
Use case management features combined with advanced offline features to collect longitudinal and historically-aware data everywhere your projects take you. You can:
- Create new cases offline. One or more cases can be created by filling out a form while offline, which can in turn be transferred to the devices of teammates without being connected to the server
- Track the status of existing cases. Track if respondents aren’t home, need to be contacted at a later date, or refused to be interviewed—all while working offline
- Close cases as soon as they are complete. Enumerators assigned to a case can be updated as soon as data is collected, keeping schedules accurate and up-to-date
- Keep track of attempts to reach a respondent. Use datasets to count the attempts to reach respondents and see updates in attached forms while working offline
- And much more
Offline case transfers
Easily adapt to changing conditions in the field
With offline case transfers, your teams can reassign work in reaction to changing conditions on the ground. Design processes where case assignments can change responsively, allowing for smoother referrals and escalations.
Offline case transfers enable:
- Quick, user-friendly case transfers. Cases can be transferred offline between enumerators’ devices using Android’s Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) feature in any location
- Data from transferred cases is available for pre-loading. Integrate offline case transfers into complex workflows that use offline dataset publishing to make collected data available across multiple forms and devices
- More adaptive field logistics. Data collectors can work together more effectively and decrease the need to travel to find Internet access, with the option of transferring many cases to one device for syncing to the server
Frequently Asked Questions
What offline functionality does SurveyCTO offer?
SurveyCTO provides robust offline functionality for every user. This starts with our foundational offline data collection abilities that allow organizations to capture data on mobile devices even without connectivity via our mobile app, SurveyCTO Collect. When your devices are back online, captured data is synced automatically back to the server for use.
For more involved data collection projects that require multiple forms, datasets, or devices to relay data between each other offline, our advanced offline features make that possible so that you can continue operating as if you were still online. Get more details about how we enable fully offline data collection workflows.
How is SurveyCTO's offline functionality more advanced than other survey providers or data collection tools?
While other survey providers also offer offline capability—like being able to capture data offline and have that data sync to the server when back online—SurveyCTO has additional advanced offline features that support completely offline data collection workflows so that if you have more complex needs that involve sending or accessing data across multiple forms, datasets, or devices, you can do so seamlessly and at scale.
Additionally, this means you can take other powerful, differentiating SurveyCTO features like case management completely offline to support longitudinal workflows.
Are SurveyCTO's offline capabilities available on all plans?
Standard offline data collection functionality—or, the ability to collect data offline and sync once connectivity returns—is offered on all SurveyCTO plans. This likely supports the majority of data collection needs with ease.
For advanced offline features to support more complex data collection projects—like offline dataset publishing or offline case management—you will need either an Advanced or Enterprise subscription. To learn more about our subscription plans, visit our Pricing page.