Sunsetting offline mode: a step forward for Shark Finesse

Our product has evolved, so too have the needs of our users. In this article we explain why we are removing offline capability.

Bob Jones
January 22, 2025
Announcements

When we first launched our React app, offline functionality was a key part of our vision. At the time, internet connectivity wasn’t as readily available or as reliable as it is today, and many of our users were transitioning from a native, offline desktop application to a cloud-based app. We knew that users visiting client sites, where connectivity might be limited or intermittent, needed a reliable offline experience to continue working without disruption.

However, as our product has evolved, so too have the needs of our users - and the digital landscape itself.

Why We Introduced Offline Mode

Our offline mode was designed to provide flexibility and ensure uninterrupted workflows, particularly in environments where internet access couldn’t be guaranteed. We wanted to make the transition from desktop to cloud seamless by replicating key aspects of the offline experience that users had come to rely on.

How Things Have Changed

Over time, several key factors have led us to reconsider the need for offline functionality:

1. Connectivity has improved

Today, reliable internet access is far more common, even in remote or client-site locations. The need for an offline mode has diminished as users can typically remain connected throughout their work.

2. Our app has grown in complexity

Many of our core features now require a live connection to function effectively. Features such as reporting, real-time session collaboration, and surveys depend on dynamic, cloud-based data. This has made offline mode less practical, as users would often need to reconnect anyway to access key functionalities.

3. User adoption of offline mode has declined

While offline mode initially provided value, usage data has shown that it’s no longer widely used by our users. As more of our features have become cloud-dependent, offline mode has become less useful in real-world scenarios.

4. Maintenance challenges

Maintaining offline mode has become increasingly complex. Ensuring that data syncs correctly, avoiding conflicts, and keeping offline functionality aligned with our rapidly evolving core product has been a significant challenge. In some cases, offline mode didn’t perform as intended, which impacted user experience and added unnecessary friction.

What This Means Moving Forward

By sunsetting offline mode, we can focus our resources on improving the features that matter most to our users. This change allows us to:

- Enhance core offerings: We’ll be able to invest more in features like collaboration, reporting, and analytics - tools that are central to our users' success.

- Improve performance and reliability: Without the complexity of offline syncing, we can streamline the app, leading to faster updates and more reliable performance.

- Simplify the user experience: Removing offline mode reduces complexity, making the app more intuitive and easier to use.

Looking Ahead

This decision wasn’t made lightly. We understand that change can be difficult, and we’re committed to supporting our users throughout this transition. We’ll provide clear communication and guidance to help users adapt and ensure they can continue to get the most out of our platform.

At Shark Finesse, our goal is to deliver the best possible experience for our users. Sunsetting offline mode is a necessary step in that direction. By focusing on what truly adds value, we’ll be able to build a better, more robust product - one that helps our users make smarter decisions and drive better outcomes.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.

What we do

At Shark Finesse we have developed an enterprise-grade cloud application to help businesses standardise and simplify their value engagements across the entire customer journey.

Shark, a business value engagement platform used by 1000’s of customer-facing teams globally (e.g. pre-sales, sales, value teams, and customer success) is easy to use, intuitive and usable directly with the customer to negotiate the likely business returns from investing in a solution.

By adopting the Shark approach you will fundamentally transform conversations with new and existing customers, close more business, and differentiate from the competition.