Offline Field Map Fails to Create -- Again

[EL11]

I posted before about offline field maps failing to create. Well the problem is back and worse than ever.

1) Adding a layer to a map does not get added to the map offline. I tried syncing the offline and updating the offline area via the AGOL field maps site. The only way to get it to add is to create a brand new offline area which is not ideal with sharing with others.

2) I had some LIDAR tile layers that I added to the basemap. The AGOL field maps site creation of offline areas failed over and over again. For two days in a row, it would work after 6:30 PM but not before. The offline maps were 20 to 150 MB. When I tried to create things from the iPad, I could turn on the troubleshooting log. The only indication of something wrong was timeout errors on layers. 

Does anyone know if there have been issues getting offline areas during work hours and then working after work when the servers are less busy? Its been extremely frustrating to try and update maps for field work having the packages sometimes fail and sometimes work with no explanation of what happened differently.

[Linde_Carmack]

From what I can tell if you add a new layer you must do a from-scratch new map area. The built in update and refresh functions are pretty limited. It seems like anything beyond just standard data editing can't actually be updated on an existing map area. Adding/removing layers, changing fields (adding/removing/changing domains), mass updating data (append or overwrite) and changing editing settings and templates all require a new map area. 

I can't speak to the LIDAR tile layer factor, but I have seen similar patterns with server load and success of map area creation. I package a new >700MB map area weekly and have definitely had more success doing it during lower server load times, although it's still doesn't always work on the first try. I agree that the lack of detailed failure/error information in the manage map areas tool is frustrating. 

[EL11]

Thanks for your information. Its good to know that you are seeing the same things. An error log for AGOL for anyone to download from the Field Maps application would be really useful for tracking down these errors. 

[MatthewGeorge]

Joining the conversation because we have had no end of headaches setting up offline maps. We're using Enterprise, not AGOL, but I believe the problem is on the Field Maps side. Pre-packaged areas don't allow editable layers to be edited (no blue plus button in the bottom right corner) and then when we try to create the areas from the tablet, it's so hit and miss - some days it'll work fine, the next day for the same map and area we get a mixed bag of errors (very rarely the same).

We have very large datasets in our maps which I understand can make the process a little slower but it really shouldn't be this problematic and unreliable. Really hoping the dev team are putting some work in Field Maps and offline functionality given the uptake in GIS for field workers.