Definition
A Briefcase in Salesforce is a set of rules that defines which records are available for offline access in the Salesforce mobile app or Field Service mobile app. Briefcases are created using Briefcase Builder and specify the objects, record filters, and related records that should be downloaded to a mobile device so field workers and mobile users can access critical data without an internet connection.
Real-World Example
the system admin at BrightEdge Solutions uses Briefcase to control how users interact with Salesforce data and features. After configuring Briefcase in the sandbox and validating it with key stakeholders, they roll it out to production. User adoption improves because the interface now matches how teams actually work.
Why Briefcase Matters
Briefcase is a Salesforce feature for managing offline data availability in the Salesforce mobile app and Field Service mobile app. A Briefcase is a set of rules built through Briefcase Builder that defines which records (from which objects, matching which filters) should be downloaded to a user's mobile device for offline access. When a field worker loses connectivity, they can still view, update, and create records from the set defined by their Briefcase, and changes sync back to Salesforce when connectivity returns.
Briefcases are essential for field service scenarios where network connectivity is unreliable. A technician dispatched to a rural site might have no cell signal, but with a properly configured Briefcase they can still access the work order, related customer information, installed Assets, and any attached documents they need to complete the job. The Briefcase configuration controls what's available offline, so thoughtful design matters: too little and the technician is blocked, too much and the mobile device runs out of storage or sync times become prohibitive.
How Organizations Use Briefcase
- •BrightEdge Solutions — Configured a Briefcase for their field technicians that includes today's Work Orders, related Accounts, related Assets, and any Knowledge articles tagged as field-relevant. Technicians have everything they need even in basements or remote job sites with no signal.
- •Clearwater Inc. — Built different Briefcases for different technician roles. HVAC techs get a Briefcase with HVAC-specific records and knowledge, while electrical techs get a different Briefcase tailored to their work. This keeps the offline dataset relevant and small.
- •NovaScale — Monitors Briefcase sync times and storage usage to catch problems early. When a tech's Briefcase started taking 20 minutes to sync, they investigated and found the filter criteria were returning too many records, which was fixed by tightening the date range.