Use Store and Forward (SAF) Mode in Shift4 Venue

Description: Store and Forward (SAF) mode allows the Quick Service (QS) point of sale (POS) system to accept credit card payments while offline or in poor network conditions. This article explains how SAF mode works, when it's triggered, and how to manage SAF transactions.

Understand SAF Mode

By default, QS POS devices operate in Online mode. In this mode, orders are placed in the configured Skip POS Submission state—Completed is the recommended state—and payments are settled immediately upon approval.

Store and Forward (SAF) mode allows credit card transactions to be stored locally when the device is offline or experiencing poor connectivity. These transactions are submitted to the processor once a strong network connection is restored.

When SAF Mode Activates

Devices enter SAF mode in the following scenarios:

1. The POS device goes offline
   • FreedomPay devices: Automatically switch between online and SAF modes based on connectivity. Orders are submitted online when possible, and SAF mode activates only when offline.
   • PAX devices: Enter a 30-minute cooldown period after going offline. During this time:
     • All transactions are SAF, even if the device reconnects.
     • The Payment Processing Mode in the POS Debug menu is set to Offline Only.
     • Note: To bypass the cooldown manually, toggle Payment Processing Mode back to Online First.
2. The device is online, but SAF mode is enabled manually (PAX only)
   • Toggling Payment Processing Mode to Offline Only forces the device into SAF mode until manually switched back to Online First.
3. A gateway error occurs while online (PAX only)
   • This triggers the same SAF behavior as described in scenario 1.b.

Manage Orders in SAF Mode

Orders placed in SAF mode are assigned the Approved Offline state. These transactions are not authorized or settled until synced with the payment processor.

To view unsynced orders:

• Go to the hamburger menu > Orders > Unsynced Orders.

Sync Orders

To sync manually:

1. From the Orders list, tap Device Summary.
2. Look under Device Sync Status for red counts (indicating unsynced orders).
3. Confirm you have a strong network connection:
   • Go to the hamburger menu > Refresh Config.
   • If successful, you'll see Config refreshed successfully.
   • If unsuccessful, you'll see Failed to refresh config.
4. Tap Sync Orders at the bottom of the Device Summary screen.

Alternatively, syncing occurs automatically after the device is online and idle for 30 minutes.

Note: The device must have a strong and stable network connection to sync reliably. Weak connections may delay or prevent syncing.

What Happens During Sync

• Scenario 1 (device went offline):
  • Orders sync to the Shift4 Venue platform, then appear in Canopy and DataNow as Approved Offline.
  • Card transactions are sent to the processor.
    • If approved, the order updates to Completed.
    • If declined, the order updates to Authorization Failed and appears in DataNow under F&B Sales > Auth Failed Orders Approved Offline.
• Scenarios 2 and 3 (manually switched or gateway error):
  • Orders already appear in Canopy and DataNow as Approved Offline.
  • Card transactions follow the same sync process as scenario 1.