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CensusIO CensusIO Guide

How syncs work

The live connections (KoboToolbox and ArcGIS) all work the same way. Understanding the shared model once makes each one easy.

How a sync works A source system (KoboToolbox or ArcGIS) syncs into CensusIO every 15 minutes or on demand. CensusIO maps the source fields to a survey type, validates each record, and lands it into the review workflow. Re-syncing does not duplicate records. KoboToolbox or ArcGIS submissions / features CensusIO map fields, validate, de-duplicate Records in review every 15 min or Sync now
A source syncs into CensusIO, which maps its fields, validates, and lands records into review, without duplicating.

The shared model

Section titled “The shared model”
  1. Connect once. You point CensusIO at a source (a Kobo project, an ArcGIS layer) and choose a target survey type.
  2. Map the fields. You match each source field to a survey type field, or skip it. This is what makes the incoming data fit your survey.
  3. CensusIO pulls and lands. On a schedule and on demand, CensusIO fetches what is new, validates each record with the same engine as manual entry and import, and saves it. Synced records start as drafts and go through review like any record.
  4. No duplicates. Each record carries a source id, so re-syncing updates the same record instead of creating a second one.

Running a sync

Section titled “Running a sync”

Connections sync automatically about every 15 minutes. You can also run one immediately with Sync now, which reports how many records were fetched, landed, and failed. A connection can be enabled or disabled, and a sync that fetches a record but cannot validate it records the problem so you can fix the source and retry.