What is a Force/Offline Transaction?

A Force/Offline Transaction refers to a transaction that is processed during a period when the payment network is down or unavailable. When merchants experience network service interruptions, they may still allow cardholders to make purchases by capturing the transaction information offline. This information is then stored and submitted for processing once the network connectivity is restored.

This process is crucial as it ensures that sales can still go through even during unexpected technical outages, which can be incredibly important for maintaining business operations and customer satisfaction.

Understanding the context around this type of transaction is essential, particularly in scenarios where a retailer or service provider needs to ensure continuity despite connectivity issues.