Progressive Web App (PWA)¶

What is a PWA?¶

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that can be installed and used like a native app. PWAs combine the advantages of web and native applications:

Installable: Can be installed on the device like a native app
Offline-capable: Works without an internet connection
Cross-platform: Runs on all operating systems with a modern browser
Automatic updates: Updates are deployed centrally via the server

The Insight PWA offers a modern alternative to the Electron client and native apps.

Installation¶

Windows (Chrome/Edge)¶

Open Insight in your browser (Chrome or Edge)
Click on the Install icon in the address bar (right of the URL)
Confirm the installation in the dialog
The PWA will be automatically installed and can be accessed via the Start menu or Desktop

Android¶

Open Insight in Chrome
Tap on the Menu (three dots in the top right)
Select "Add to Home screen" or "Install"
Confirm the installation
The PWA appears as an app icon on the home screen

iOS (Safari)¶

Open Insight in Safari
Tap on the Share icon (square with arrow pointing up)
Scroll down and select "Add to Home Screen"
Enter a name (e.g., "Insight")
Tap "Add"
The PWA appears as an app icon on the home screen

Usage¶

Starting the PWA¶

After installation, you can start the Insight PWA like any other app:

Windows: Via Start menu, Desktop shortcut, or Taskbar
Android iOS: Via the app icon on the home screen

App Experience¶

The PWA opens in its own window without browser UI (address bar, tabs, etc.) and looks like a native app. This provides:

Complete focus on the application
More screen space for content
Native app look and feel

Advantages over Electron¶

Customers currently using the Electron client can migrate to the PWA:

PWA Benefits¶

Aspect	PWA	Electron
Installation	Directly from browser	Separate download/installer
Updates	Automatic via server	Manual on each client
Maintenance	Centralized via server	Individual on each client
Platforms	All modern browsers	Separate builds per OS

Update Mechanism¶

Central updates: Updates are deployed exclusively via the server
No client installation: Clients do not need to install updates
Automatic: The PWA automatically loads the latest version on next start
Version consistency: All clients always use the same version

Offline Capability¶

The Insight PWA is fully offline-capable:

Once loaded, content is cached locally
The application works without an internet connection
Data is synchronized as soon as the connection is restored
Important for field service or areas with poor network coverage

Feature Support¶

The PWA supports almost all native features:

Supported Features¶

✅ Camera, photo and files
✅ GPS/Geolocation
✅ File system access (opfs, no full access)
✅ Barcode scanner
✅ Offline mode
✅ Deep links
✅ NFC (Android only)
⚠️ Push notifications (server poll when running)
❌ Insight App preconfiguration (not necessary)