Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for data transfer between web browsers and a server computer in a web-based environment. In particular, this disclosure describes a data transfer system that includes a set of web-based applications designed to rapidly transfer large amounts of data as a background task, and similarly transfer updated data without requiring a user to request the updated data. In accordance with the invention, a cache of data is stored on the web browser. The web browser and server computer make use of web browser components or add-ins, referred to herein as data conduit modules. The data conduit modules provide the web browsers with the ability to poll the server for updates, as a background task. Additionally, the data conduit modules are capable of retrieving changed data from the server and updating the data in the local cache. Such updates can occur automatically, and independent of user requests.