Offline Operations
Learn how VasBox handles receipts when connectivity is unavailable.
When Offline Mode Applies
Situations that trigger offline mode.
Offline mode automatically activates when VasBox cannot communicate with ZIMRA's FDMS servers. This ensures your business can continue operating even during connectivity issues.
Your internet connection is down or unstable.
FDMS is temporarily unavailable for maintenance or issues.
Requests to ZIMRA are timing out due to slow connections.
Various network errors preventing FDMS communication.
Automatic Detection
How Offline Mode Works
Understanding the offline queue system.
When operating offline, receipts are still created and signed by your device, but they're queued for submission to ZIMRA when connectivity returns.
Receipt Created
Offline status
Device Signs
Local signature
Added to Queue
Waiting for sync
Auto Sync
When online
What Still Works
- • Receipt creation
- • Device signature generation
- • Receipt number assignment
- • Line item calculations
- • Tax calculations
What's Delayed
- • ZIMRA confirmation
- • Verification code
- • QR code generation
- • FDMS signature
Creating Receipts Offline
Continue sales during connectivity issues.
Create Receipt Normally
Create your receipt as you normally would. Add line items, select payment method, and complete the sale.
Device Signs Receipt
Your device generates a cryptographic signature for the receipt locally. This ensures the receipt cannot be tampered with.
Receipt Queued
The receipt is saved with Offline status and added to the queue for later submission.
Print Customer Copy
You can still print a receipt for the customer. It will be marked as Pending ZIMRA Verification until synced.
Customer Notice
Monitoring the Offline Queue
Keep track of pending submissions.
Monitor your offline queue to see how many receipts are waiting for submission and their status.
Offline Queue
3 receipts waiting for sync
Queue Information
- • Count: Number of receipts waiting
- • Total: Combined value of queued receipts
- • Oldest: How long the oldest receipt has been waiting
Syncing When Online
How receipts are submitted when connectivity returns.
- 1. System detects connectivity
- 2. Queued receipts processed in order
- 3. Each receipt submitted to ZIMRA
- 4. Status updated on success
- 1. Click "Sync Now" button
- 2. Force retry all offline receipts
- 3. View results in real-time
- 4. Handle any persistent failures
Sync Complete
Handling Persistent Failures
If receipts continue to fail after connectivity is restored:
Check Device Status
Ensure your fiscal device is active and the certificate is valid.
Review Error Messages
Check the specific error for each failed receipt to identify the issue.
Contact Support
If issues persist, contact VasBox support for assistance with ZIMRA escalation.
Best Practices for Offline Operations
Tips for managing offline mode effectively.
Resolve connectivity issues as quickly as possible to keep receipts synced with ZIMRA.
Check the offline queue periodically to ensure receipts are being synced.
Ensure all offline receipts are synced before closing your fiscal day.
Consider mobile data as a backup when primary internet is unavailable.
Don't Close with Offline Receipts