Being able to run the device without a network connection may become increasingly useful as food computers get deployed in more remote areas. This isn't the same thing as creating a robust device that doesn't break when the network flickers. It is a design for a prolonged period of offline operation.

While many tasks overlap between these areas, it is an important milestone / objective to keep in mind, especially as the cloud integration / synchronization becomes more pronounced throughout the system. These two objectives must coordinate to further the interests of both.