When implementing an occasionally connected architecture for a solution, there are three fundamental requirements:
Part of the overall solution, some smart client is deployed and installed on the desktop and a web only approach is not possible. The main rational being that a smart client can work in a disconnected mode which of course with a web application is not possible. Underlying infrastructure needs to be in place to support this. Infrastructure is not specifically networks and servers, but also both the operational environment and the user’s environment and machine. The operational environments need to allow things such as: data caching, local storage of user data, user profile details, etc. More robust exception management process – this is not only about handling errors but also understanding the fact that the application is in a disconnected state and needs to do things differently. When designing an occasionally connected application, there are two design approaches that one can take - data centric or service oriented.
...