DataCandy - Offline Points Accumulation Documentation

This page outlines how DataCandy Points accumulation functions whenever a POS is unable to connect to the network.

Points are accumulated in the POS during DataCandy Gift and Loyalty Card program usage. The points are thus stored when the device goes offline, and accumulated.

This process is comparable to ITC Gift Card transaction information being stored when the terminal goes offline.

How Offline Points Accumulation Works

Status failure messages will occur in scenarios where DataCandy transactions cannot be processed (i.e. the POS has lost connection).
Every 10 minutes, the system will check for the availability of the Customer DB.
If the status of a transaction is successful after this 10-minute check, and the transactions requiring processing are less than a week old, then the application will proceed with points accumulation.
If it fails, a pop-up will appear, notifying users that "Accumulation Failed", and will further prompt them with "Would you like to continue?"
- In the scenario the POS user does not choose to continue, it will return them to the beginning of the transaction.

Brief Transaction Flow for Gift Card Validation

When the iGiftCard screen is brought up for DataCandy Loyalty (via the button in the cashier screen), it defaults to the Accumulation screen if there is no associated card. After associating a card, it will default to Redeem.
Swiping a card will associate it to the transaction for accumulation purposes. The associated customer information will also be shown on the Customer panel.

When the transaction is totaled while there is an associated Loyalty card, the Rewards and the Discounts screen will be automatically pulled up, or they will be automatically applied if configured that way in the BO.

A. Successful Transaction

Normally, during a successful transaction involving DataCandy Gift and Loyalty cards:

The Loyalty Rewards screen comes up, listing available rewards or discounts on the card.
- In the example
Users can cash out, and they will be notified of how many points will be gained.

B. Failed transaction and troubleshooting

If the connection to the terminal is offline, Volanté will still attempt to go through with Loyalty Card transactions, indicated by prompts.

After failing to validate Loyalty points, users will be prompted with the following message:

Attention

"Loyalty Card validation failed. Proceed anyways?"

Yes - If the user selects Yes, users can attempt to add items, and cash out. However, transactions are still considered offline.
No - If the user selects No, they will be returned to the beginning of the transaction.

After selecting Yes, the user's Loyalty Card information will be stored for this procedure.

This information will be stated in the receipt box in the upper right corner, listed as an "Associated DataCandy Loyalty Card".

Users will also be prompted with the following message if the connection is still unavailable:

Error

"DataCandy Loyalty point transaction point failed. Continue anyway?"

Points Accumulation Failed

Attempting to continue again without a working connection will prompt you with the following message:

Loyalty Card Accumulation

"Points Accumulation Failed. Would you like to continue?
Accumulation will automatically be attempted again later if you continue."

To allow Points Accumulation to be stored offline be reattempted later, select "Yes".

For troubleshooting purposes, users may select "No". This will not cause Loyalty Card Accumulation to occur, and send users back to the beginning of the transaction.

If this transaction began while the terminal was offline, select Total, and then select iGiftCard. To re

Troubleshooting - Checking Connection Working Again

If the connection returns, and you selected "No", and users attempt to redo the Points Accumulation again; they can swipe their gift card again and re-enter the Accumulation screen.

If successful, they will be be given a list of Loyalty discounts available (as shown at the beginning of this document).

If this user does not not see the available Loyalty discounts again, the terminal has not reconnected.