DFSM is activated when communications with the central server/s are compromised or lost. Normal browsers try to operate under such circumstances by presenting cached web pages. However, the configuration of the NV is designed to present pages which are not cached but carried in a strategic back up system (SBus), a central part of the VC's DFSM. This continues to operate as if the user was online and even permits the users to save and access data. As soon as communications are restored the VC uploads all data "created" during the sessions which took place whilst off-line and appends this to the central server databases and updates all NVs in the network if need be. This updating takes place in the background and the user might be unaware that this form of DFSM is taking place.

DFSM requires a specialised design task which is related to the applications under consideration. As far as we are aware, our Group are the only online decision analysis developers to offer this service. DFSM relevance and feasibility varies with the types of application and on the particular locations of user provisions available for access to the Internet. DFSM is very useful where local accessibility to the Internet is variable as a result of service and bandwidth restrictions including high variations in data transmission demand.