June 2008 - KICTANet

Fw: RE: Expensive software systems?
by Shem Ochuodho 27 Jun '08

27 Jun '08

FYI --- On Thu, 6/26/08, HW <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> wrote: From: HW <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> Subject: RE: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "HW" <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 5:43 PM Shem & co Thanks for your kind mention. I saw today someone announcing as “new” features we implemented through our Virtual-M ERP through which we deployed solutions for PricewaterhouseCoopers ERP in 1998! Perhaps our problem is PR – we do not promote our own, even when we do world class quality work. To bring you up to date we (Information Technology Associates Ltd) are currently involved in the design of two hopefully revolutionary products which we will be announcing shortly. Our client, in both cases the system is a PPP between government and stakeholders who need a national system with multi-platform interfaces (SMS, Internet, desktop, email, voice calls) and in which dB replication (to remote loc) will depend on very little bandwidth (GPRS). In both cases, hardware/chip design is involved, and the users of the system will be many (up to 1.5 million) and distributed countrywide. Yes, I am aware (and working on) the software/hardware integration aspects as you have described in ref to Nigeria . The challenge in the past has been that the Chinese or Malaysian manufactures do require numbers (min 10,000 units) for example to mass produce eg a microchip with your software integrated. It is only now for the first time that I have secured a large enough project requiring mass production in advance…. So I trust that we will in due course demonstrate that Africa can also offer software/hardware solutions competitively. Regards Haron Wachira Information Technology Associates Ltd 7th Floor, Eden Square (AIG House), Chiromo Road , Westlands P. O. Box 10510 Nairobi 00100 Landline: 254-20-3673691 Cell: +254-723-691835 Fax: 254-20-3673231 size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> From: Shem Ochuodho [mailto:shemochuodho@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 9:55 PM To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Cc: New Vision List; Haron Wachira; Antoine BIGIRIMANA-Yahoo Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? Wesley, Actually given the right parameters, even ERP-like software can be locally developed. The two closest examples of ERP-like systems I have come across that were 'locally' developed were: a system by Haron Wachira (he formerly of Diamond Systems - the 1st Kenyan firm to assemble computers) which I remember being used by a major Tea company through its network, among others, and Rwanda 's SmartGov. There is a very thin line between these systems and conventional ERPs. Btw, before I even thought that 'hardware' manufacture/assembly is a pipe-dream for us - until I came across the 'fabless trend' that Nigeria is already pushing. It is truly cutting-edge technology - and 'knowledge work'. For those who might not know, in such a scenario, a country/firm that does not have the technology to 'manufacture' chips/VLSI can still design systems, and then send designs to places like Malaysia for production/manufacture of the chips. The 'intelligence' or brain-work (and hence the money) is not in the manufacture, but in the design, particularly for products whose value is in the uniqueness/complexity, not numbers. In effect, if the environment is right, it is doable. Shem --- On Wed, 6/25/08, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 12:55 PM The kind of software I'm refering to is not on the rank of SAP and Oracle. These are software built to use SAP, Oracle or other larger scale software. So let me break it down: 1. Level 1 Software: Operating systems, SAP, Oracle, MS SQL, ...: I don't propose that these can be done locally. 2. Level 2 Software: Software that integrates with the above. Usually shipped as libraries. It's sort of middle level software: This requires good skill and can be done locally on some scale. Infact it should be encouraged that it be done locally. 3. Level 3 Software: What the client actually interacts with. They can also be software utilities. They interact with the Level 2 Software: Can be done locally. This is probably the work outsourced to countries with cheapest labour that can do the work. --- On Wed, 6/25/08, Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: "New Vision List" <newvisionkenya(a)yahoogroups.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 4:40 PM I have two questions: 1. Do we have locally done large scale ERPs in the market that compares with SAP, Navision, BAAN, Oracle Financials? 2. How well tested are they? For such a large and mission critical system testing skills and the cost of testing is critical on final cost. Leonard Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Wesley & Washington, Very legitimate points raised. Allow me to share a real life experience. While at KPC, we came across two very interesting scenarios. When developing the Corporate ICT Strategy, we shopped around and gathered that possibly only 2 other 'Class A' parastatals and a handful of large private corporations had developed their ICT strategies. In a number of cases for multi-nationals, their strategies had largely been developed from parent organizations overseas. For the 2 local firms (and 1 large MNC), they had spent about KShs 300m to develop their strategies. In the case of KPC, it was done by locals (Kenyans), and it cost in total just under KShs 15m (10m to 'experts' + overheads + taxes). Yet for those who may be in the know, at the time (2004/05), the KPC ICT Strategy was like an ad-hoc standard (the way the Rwandan ICT Masterplan is to some!). Not only did a number of other strategic parastatals go the same route/or borrow an idea or two from it; at the time, some sections of COMESA and NEPAD were considering it for a 'regional template'. Am not belabouring on this to show how excellent it was, but to give comfort that it was as good - if not better - than those which were developed at 20x its cost - and by locals. At inception, we had a dilemma because we would not have found any local experts with experience in this sector - since KPC was/is perhaps the only refined petroleum pipeline company in the region - so to find 'local experts' who had developed similar strategies was almost out of question. However, Management & Board recognized that there were discrete skills which could be put together to get something close to the desired whole/ideal: there were people who had developed strategies for large corporations (public and/or private), oil companies (the distributors), energy companies (e.g. SCADA is a backbone to all large-scale energy 'transporters', including KPC and KP&LC), etc. So, we went out looking for what at the time were considered to be some of the best within Govt, industry (private sector), academia, and civil society (in this case not the NGO Council, but professional associations), etc. In all, we ended up with a team of 15, some of them subscribers on this list. And they did a fantastic job. Scenario 2: just as the team was winding down, the SCADA system broke down. This wasn't the first time for the system to go done; it had done so a few times before. From info available, whenever this had happened before, we had to turn to a major international firm in this sector domiciled in Canada . Firstly, they would take at least two weeks to arrive to work on the problem. Secondly, every time they came the Corporation would pay KShs 10m minimum, minus overheads (air-fare, hotel accommodation, etc). In this instance, when the ICT-Strategy team was asked if they could work on it, 3 among them came forward to do so. Within 4 days, yes 4 days, the system was up and running, and it cost the Corporation only KShs 700k (inclusive of overheads)! Apart from the money and time saving, we had enabled ¡technology transfer/acquisition¢, and if need be, in future, there was local expertise that would be called upon. In a nutshell, I wouldn't be surprised if we spent 20x more on ICT products and services than is really necessary - especially for the ultra-large projects. ICT development and promotion is not only attractive in the wealth, jobs, efficiency and productivity it creates, but also in the expenses/costs it saves. Would be interesting to know how much as a country we spend to 'import technology' versus what we would need to spend on developing skills that would help us avoid importing some (of course not all) those technologies. Best rgrds, Shem --- On Wed, 6/25/08, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 4:20 AMOn Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 9:56 AM, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Ladies and Gentlemen, > > How come most of the software systems Kenya gvnmt and related bodies > purchase always cost 100s of millions if not a few billions? > Like this one for KPA: > http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8383&Item… > > This is not meant to hit anyone hard. I'm trying to see whether there is a > better solution. > > So far this year I've heard of 3 systems: > 1. KRA > 2. Immigration > 3. KPA. > > This KPA system costs a total of 450M, but the software bit is 200M. From > the software features described I feel they could have got better value for > their money. > > May be these systems really cost that much. May be there is someone in the > list who can shed more light on these systems. > > BTW: To make this even more interesting various developers in the list can > suggest a software solution component for each problem these systems solve, > estimated development time and estimated cost. That way it's not just > talking the talk but walking the walk. > > I'll take a shot: > Case 1: > From the newspaper article, one of the port guys is quoted as saying: > "One unique thing about the system is its capacity to capture data in real > time. The moment a vehicle rolls out of a vessel, its data is captured. This > makes it easier for us to track such cargo and containers as well," said > Osero. > > My take: > Analysis: The machines which are costing 250M (It's 250M machines + 200M > software = 450M entire system) have sensors that measure different > qualities/properties of the item in the machine e.g. weight. These machines > have an API to link them to a computer system. Using the API get the > measured quantity and display/store in database etc. This isn't really the > hardest thing to do as the manufactures of the 250M machines should provide > documentation and support to the software developers. > > Estimated work force and time: 3 developers, 3-4 months. > > Cost: 200K * 3 developers * 4 months = 2.4M. + 20% (any other expenses) = > 2.88M. > > Case 2: > Another feature is keeping track/audit trails/ historical data. > > My take: > Analysis: This is basically from: > 1. Collection of good requirements from the port. > 2. Designing the right architecture that fits the requirements. > 3. Creating the right designs from the architecture. > 4. Pass the designs to the programmers for implementation. > > 1-3 are Key and this is where the bulk of the money will go. > > Estimated work force and time: 3 system requirements/analysis collectors, 4 > months. The actual time depends on how well KPA know the problems they are > facing, and how well they can describe them. > 3 system/software architects, > 3 months. > 4 system/software designers, 5 > months. > > Cost: (Requirements) 100K * 3 * 4 = 1.2M+20% = 1.44M > (Architecture) 350K * 3 * 3 = 3.15M+20% = 3.78M > (Design) 250K * 4 * 5 = 5M+20% = 6M. > > So far the total is 14.1 M. And these are some of the most important roles. > Even with 15 programmers @ 100K for 12 months (+20%) = 21.6M for a current > toral of 35.7M. > > OK I'll stop there. I'm not writting a report. Feel free to correct me. I > could be very wrong. Hello Kiriinya, This is a very interesting analysis and I'm compelled to agree with you as regards the cost factors. However, the implementation process doesn't seem to be that straight, and might not be for some time. Hey, I am not being the govt spokesman on these matters but nothing is so secret about it. I do believe that tenders were invited for such implementations but I don't know the details. I am only assuming it's the norm. If any studies were carried out regarding the system requirements, then only the IT Directors within those organizations can tell. Perhaps it's time such information is made public via some govt publication (those organizations are parastatals). I am not familiar with govt procurement procedures but the last time I read anything about it, it was a whole lot of a mess so you don't expect to see any level of transparency in that. Those are some of the things the coalition govt is supposed to be addressing, IIRC. But even if you expressed interest in undertake such a project, I wonder how much the organizations would be willing to let you in on their operations. So the first question is: Did they give the organization that won the tender the access into their operations in order to understand their needs? I don't think so. Perhaps they just "borrowed" from an organization that had done it for someone else and customized! In such a case, no one cares to do the calculations as you have done. They simply get a quote, "negotiate" and buy. I believe this explains why the costs are as high as they are. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi ,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shemochuodho%40yahoo.c… _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kiriinya2000%40yahoo.c… _______________________________________________kictanet mailing listkictanet@lists.kictanet.or.kehttp://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.comUnsubscribe or change your options athttp://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shemochuodho%40yahoo…

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Re: [kictanet] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers'
by Shem Ochuodho 27 Jun '08

27 Jun '08

Victor,   I wouldn't have responded to this, save for the record. I am not sure which Rwandan 5-star hotel you are talking about (as they are not many), but whatever the case, you and I seem to be talking about 2 different Rwanda's. And btw, 300km of fiber for Rwanda is not the same thing as 300km for Kenya, not that Kenya's laid and functional national fiber is significantly much higher!   Even with the fact that it would be unfair to compare Rwanda's ICT status with Kenya's (given the countries' histories, sizes, populations, and economies), one cannot deny the fact that Rwanda is a miracle story, largely due to leadership and vision. And it is not only limited to ICT: look at governance, gender, security (Kigali is one of the safest of the 40+ African cities am familiar with), cleanliness/environment, good roads, etc. This is not to say Rwanda does not have its flip side; of course it does, e.g. democracy and private sector are still nascent, limited human resource base, etc.   Back to ICT: neither you nor I would be the best judge on whether Rwanda or Kenya is doing better in ICT. But last year's UNCTAD's Global ICT Diffusion Index put Rwanda at per with (if not ahead of) Kenya. If we are talking implementation, sample this:-   1. Rwanda was the 1st Sub-Saharan Africa's country to link its two largest cities by fiber 2. Rwanda's Cabinet sessions are e-ready (a good number of ministers prepare their own power point presentations) 3. Rwanda is the only country I know of where within 24 hrs of a Cabinet meeting, decisions are available on the web (Official Govt website - talk of transparency!) 4. Rwanda's e-Parliament is being used by NEPAD as a model for Africa - Internet-ready/WiFi/WiBro at every point of 'Parliament's' precinct (both Senate and Chamber of Deputies) 5. Rwanda was the first African country where e-Schools was simultaneously launched in all the 6 urban-rural schools with live webcast 6. Nearly 80% Govt offices in Kigali have fiber-to-office 7. About 10 local/district headquarter sites already have functional video-conferencing facilities connected to Kigali 8. Rwanda was first Sub-Saharan Africa to establish an ICT/TechnoPark (already with over a dozen active clients/innovators/companies) 9. Rwanda is the only African country I know of whose IFMIS (Treasury/Ministry of Finance System) is anchored on a locally developed software, by a Rwandan company (talk of supporting local private sector) 10. Telemedicine Network: several major hospitals are already connected 11. With Rwanda's Karisimbi 'Earth Satellite Station' linked to a Transponder in Stockholm, in October 2006 Rwanda was able to negotiate with Intelsat bandwidth rates down from US$ 4,500 per Mbps a month (which is what everybody pays - some countries pay as high as $6,000) to $1,300. COMESA/ADB have now adopted the facility for use for regional air-traffic control and surveillance. 12. On the e-legislation front, Rwanda was one of the first Africa's countries to evolve an IPR Law, and its e-Transactions Law (like ours) is under consideration.    .... I could go on and on with the list. If these don't constitute 'achievements', then I don't know what does. Btw, several African countries I know of are borrowing one leaf or the other from the Rwandan 'humble' experience (including its plans).   But then again, is it fair for Kenya to compare with Rwanda? Shouldn't we have done much better than we have? I recall a saying that 'one thing's their mother is the best cook in the world until you taste another woman's dish'. Of course am not saying we have done nothing/little; my contention is that there are strategic things we could and should do to make an even greater leap.   Best rgrds, Shem --- On Thu, 6/12/08, Victor Maloi <victormaloi3(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Victor Maloi <victormaloi3(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' To: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008, 1:26 PM Dear Shem, I am in utter shock that you want to involve stakeholders from day 0ne.  Havent you ever heard the African saying - "too many cooks spoilt the broath".  Do you want Kenya to go the Rwanda way.  For those who do not know, Rwanda ICT programme cannot be compared to any in East Africa.  It is simply way back.  What they have succeeded with the help of Shem, is to talk about ICTs.  The NICIs.  There is nothing on the ground.  The speeds of internet in any five star hotel are far below what you get in our three star hotels here.  They have laid only 300 Kms of fibre but they have plans all over.   Although I have often criticised our policy mskers here, they have mostly been action oriented with a mix of stakeholder participation.  For example, we all know or have the summary Master Plan that I hear is being expanded.  Had we waited to finish the plan before we start the infrastructure projects, ICTs would still be discussed among the techies.  If you listened to the Budget proposals today, you will know that the ICT programme in Kenya means sereous.  Please Dr. Ndemo do not listen to Shem because he may contaminate you with the Rwandese rhetoric.     Victor.   On 12/06/2008, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Joseph,   Apologies for a late acknowledgement of your mail.   Well put. I guess the greatest desire for people like Nyong'o, Juma, etc, is to see those dear things they espouse done - not necessarily by them, but done nonetheless. Let's hope that some of the actions being floated in these spaces will some day (sooner or later) see the light of day.   Best rgrds, Shem

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Re: [kictanet] Marketing Kenya as a BPO Destination (within and without the country)
by Marilyn Kamuru 26 Jun '08

26 Jun '08

Could we please stop equating the BPO sector with Call Centers. Every time a discussion on the BPO sector starts it is inevitably reduced to a discussion on call centers. This is one of the biggest problems domestic outsourcing companies face since the BPO discussion seems to be only about call centers (for those of you at the CEO Breakfast earlier this year you will recall it was one of the main issues CEOs identified . They said the message they received was essentially BPO=Call Centers). There are numerous BPOs in the country that offer back office processing services from imaging and data storage to mail sorting and delivery (perhaps the stock brokers would have been advised to use them to prevent the Safaricom refund fiasco), and when we fail to highlight the diversity of the industry we lose valuable opportunities for marketing and visibility for these companies and the industry as a whole. Business Process Outsourcing is much larger that call centers and if we on this list cannot seem to make that distinction that is a major problem. May I also suggest that the ICT Board has more work to do on promoting domestic as well as international BPO work. Without a viable domestic market, we will not be able to nuture and grow local companies. Before the international business comes it would be helpful if local companies had local business to help sustain them, provide refernces as well as cushion them against the longer sales cycle for international contracts. Government can help by leading the way as it looks at implementing the eGovernment initiative as well as in providing incentives for local business to outsource. Marilyn Many thanks and best regards, Marilyn M. Kamuru eManage Africa Ltd. P.O. Box 18136 00500 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20828 383; 20 34550 Cell : (254) 725 525 972, 736 225 384 www.emanageafrica.com

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Expensive software systems?
by wesley kiriinya 26 Jun '08

26 Jun '08

Ladies and Gentlemen, How come most of the software systems Kenya gvnmt and related bodies purchase always cost 100s of millions if not a few billions? Like this one for KPA: http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8383&Item… This is not meant to hit anyone hard. I'm trying to see whether there is a better solution. So far this year I've heard of 3 systems: 1. KRA 2. Immigration 3. KPA. This KPA system costs a total of 450M, but the software bit is 200M. From the software features described I feel they could have got better value for their money. May be these systems really cost that much. May be there is someone in the list who can shed more light on these systems. BTW: To make this even more interesting various developers in the list can suggest a software solution component for each problem these systems solve, estimated development time and estimated cost. That way it's not just talking the talk but walking the walk. I'll take a shot: Case 1: >From the newspaper article, one of the port guys is quoted as saying: “One unique thing about the system is its capacity to capture data in real time. The moment a vehicle rolls out of a vessel, its data is captured. This makes it easier for us to track such cargo and containers as well," said Osero. My take: Analysis: The machines which are costing 250M (It's 250M machines + 200M software = 450M entire system) have sensors that measure different qualities/properties of the item in the machine e.g. weight. These machines have an API to link them to a computer system. Using the API get the measured quantity and display/store in database etc. This isn't really the hardest thing to do as the manufactures of the 250M machines should provide documentation and support to the software developers. Estimated work force and time: 3 developers, 3-4 months. Cost: 200K * 3 developers * 4 months = 2.4M. + 20% (any other expenses) = 2.88M. Case 2: Another feature is keeping track/audit trails/ historical data. My take: Analysis: This is basically from: 1. Collection of good requirements from the port. 2. Designing the right architecture that fits the requirements. 3. Creating the right designs from the architecture. 4. Pass the designs to the programmers for implementation. 1-3 are Key and this is where the bulk of the money will go. Estimated work force and time: 3 system requirements/analysis collectors, 4 months. The actual time depends on how well KPA know the problems they are facing, and how well they can describe them. 3 system/software architects, 3 months. 4 system/software designers, 5 months. Cost: (Requirements) 100K * 3 * 4 = 1.2M+20% = 1.44M (Architecture) 350K * 3 * 3 = 3.15M+20% = 3.78M (Design) 250K * 4 * 5 = 5M+20% = 6M. So far the total is 14.1 M. And these are some of the most important roles. Even with 15 programmers @ 100K for 12 months (+20%) = 21.6M for a current toral of 35.7M. OK I'll stop there. I'm not writting a report. Feel free to correct me. I could be very wrong.

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Job Opening
by Odhiambo Washington 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

FWD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:56:40 +0300 [06:56:40 AM CDT] From: Hannah Slavik <hslavik(a)diplomacy.edu> To: alumni(a)diplomacy.edu Reply-To: hslavik(a)diplomacy.edu Subject: [alumni] part-time job opening {01} Part-time Job Opening – Editor / Web Writer Diplo is seeking an experienced, part-time editor / web writer willing to work flexible hours from home, wherever he or she is located. The editor / web writer will edit a variety of texts ranging from personal e-mails through project proposals to online course materials, correcting grammar and re-writing texts to improve clarity, proposing structural improvements, and pointing out problems with argumentation, if needed. The editor / web writing will also write short articles for the DiploFoundation website, and review and re-write existing web texts to improve communication with the public. For job details, information on requirements and how to apply, please see www.diplomacy.edu/display.asp?Topic=Job-Editor. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<FWD -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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The Soul Beat Issue 109: Mobile Phones for Social Change in Africa
by alice wanjira 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

>From the SOUL BEAT AFRICA partnership - Soul City and The >Communication Initiative ...African choices...critical voices...crossing borders...African stories... === According to the African Telecommunication/ICT Indicators 2008 (see http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?cimo=1&r=http://www.itu.int/ITU- D /ict/publications/africa/2008/index.html ), the number of mobile subscribers in Africa has increased dramatically over the last few years. In 2007 the African continent added over 60 million new mobile subscribers and mobile phones represented 90 percent of all telephone subscribers. This issue of The Soul Beat shares a selection of programme experiences, strategic thinking documents, and materials related to the use of mobile telephones for social change in Africa. If you would like your organisation's communication work or research and resource documents to be featured on the Soul Beat Africa website and in The Soul Beat newsletters, please contact soulbeat(a)comminit.com To subscribe to The Soul Beat, go to http://www.comminit.com/en/user/register/38 or send an email to soulbeat(a)comminit.com with a subject of "subscribe". === Please note: We'd like to encourage all those who have not yet registered to register on the Soul Beat Africa website, even if you are already a subscriber to The Soul Beat. There are features that are only available to those who register; for example, there are polls and questions that are only available to registered users, and in order to tailor the information to you and your needs, registration will be required. In addition, we'd like to make sure that our files are updated so that we are aware of your specific interests and needs. To register, please see http://www.comminit.com/en/user/register/38 (note: if you are already registered and signed in, this link will NOT work for you. It is only for those people who are not yet registered). === PROGRAMME EXPERIENCES http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/experiences.html 1. MyQuestion and MyAnswer - Nigeria Learning about Living, a project that aims to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to educate young people on issues around adolescent reproductive health, is running two information and advice services for young people in Nigeria called MyQuestion and MyAnswer. The project, launched in November 2007 by the charity OneWorld UK, in collaboration with other key Nigerian health non-governmental organisations (NGOs), allows young people to request information on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS through short messaging system (SMS), by going online, or by phoning a hotline. It also involves a competition which requires that young people answer a set question related to HIV/AIDS each month in order to win airtime. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269380/38 Contact Finola Robinson finola.robinson(a)oneworld.net OR Learning about Living info(a)learningaboutliving.org 2. Groots Kenya Mobile Phone Mentoring Strategy - Kenya This project focuses on the protection of land rights of women and orphans, many of whom are affected by HIV/AIDS. In order to achieve their objectives, the organisation is making use of mobile phones to advocate for and address women's and orphan's rights to own and inherit property. The project works across 4 regions in Kenya: Kakamega in western province, Kendubay in Nyanza province, and Limuru and Gatundu in Central province of Kenya. Mobile phones are being used by women and community watchdog groups to report cases of land-grabbing in these regions, and to facilitate interaction and knowledge-sharing between chiefs in the different regions. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269010/38 Contact Everlyne Nairesiae grootsk(a)grootskenya.org 3. SMS to Treat TB - South Africa A doctor in Cape Town, South Africa is using SMS technology to remind patients to take their medication for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). This initiative is premised on the observation that TB patients often do not take their medication simply because they forget. Names of TB patients are entered onto a database. Every half hour a computer server reads the database and sends personalised messages to the patients, reminding them to take their medication. The idea is to use technology to address a real need effectively, but in a simple, affordable, and flexible way. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/125925/38 Contact Dr. David Green david(a)on-cue.co.za 4. Village Phone Rwanda (Tel'imbere) - Rwanda Launched in 2006, Village Phone Rwanda was created as a joint venture between Grameen Foundation and MTN Rwanda. The Village Phone business is called Tel'imbere, loosely translated as "telephone forward" in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's main language. It is designed to extend the benefits of affordable telecommunications access in a sustainable, profitable, and empowering way by offering villages opportunities to access telecommunications through a sustainable business model. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/270294/38 Contact Grameen Foundation villagephone(a)grameenfoundation.org 5. Xam Marsé - Senegal Launched by Manobi in 2001, Xam Marsé provides market information about various products to Senegalese farmers, traders, hoteliers, and others via internet and free, daily telephone SMS messages. Meaning "know your market" in Wolof, Xam Marsé provides SMSs with real-time information on the prices and availability of fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry, on any of Senegal's markets. Manobi introduced the service to increase access of producers to information that would allow them to make better decisions about sales and purchases. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/266053/38 Contact Daniel Annerose daniel.annerose(a)manobi.net 6. Mobile Dictionary (MobiDic) - South Africa This is a project developed to enable South African dictionary users to access dictionary content via their cellular phones. The project works by sending a word for which the user needs an explanation to a premium-rated short code number. They will instantly receive a definition in return via SMS. Most definitions will be contained in one SMS. On occasion, a definition will be longer than one SMS and in those cases two return SMS messages will be sent without any additional costs to the user. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/128965/38 Contact Danie Swart swartdp(a)sabc.co.za 7. Using Cellular Technology to Monitor Rights Violations and Improve Child Protection in Eastern DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo In April 2005, Ajedi-Ka and the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (CAC) began work on a pilot project using cellular phones and internet technology to facilitate existing Village Committees for Child Protection (VCCP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to monitor and report on child rights violations. The programme aimed to empower local organisations and community members to use the technology in the context of armed conflict, and make monitoring and reporting more efficient. Cellular phones were used to relay information on child rights violations from the VCCPs to Ajedi-Ka staff. Ajedi-Ka shared detailed information about each of the fully verified cases with Watchlist headquarters in New York. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/135290/38 Contact Bukeni Beck info(a)ajedika.org OR bukeni(a)ajedika.org 8. Freedom HIV/AIDS Game - India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda This gaming initiative uses mobile telephones to engage people in entertaining, awareness-raising activities regarding HIV/AIDS. Designed to appeal to different gaming mind-sets as well as the psychology of mobile phone users, the games were crafted in such a way that both the casual player and the game enthusiast might be drawn to play. Sports is a central strategy for engaging players, especially youth, and the first game, "AIDS Penalty Shoot-out" is based on soccer. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/133100/38 Contact Bhanu Sahni zmq(a)vsnl.com === Rising Voices, the outreach arm of Global Voices, in collaboration with the Open Society Institute Public Health Program's Health Media Initiative, is now accepting project proposals for the third round of micro grant funding of up to US$5,000 for new media outreach projects focused especially on public health issues involving marginalised populations. For more information visit the Rising Voices website http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?cimo=1&r=http://rising.globalvoic esonline.org/about/ === STRATEGIC THINKING http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/strategicthinking.html 9. Mobile Activism or Mobile Hype? by Firoze Manji This paper, published in the Gender and Media Diversity Journal, argues that while technology offers many opportunities, the push to bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of ICT often neglects people as the resource that is most central to development. The author proposes that while technology may provide tools that people can use, it should not be over-rated as the solution to every problem. Based on 2 experiences using mobile phones in Africa to address women's rights and social development, the key lesson learned is that mobile phones are only useful as one part of a strategy in which people must remain at the forefront. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/270107/38 10. The Un-wired Continent: Africa's Mobile Success Story by Vanessa Gray This paper explores trends in mobile telephone use on the African continent. According to the author, there is a persisting need to provide access to those who have been excluded - mainly, rural dwellers and lower-income citizens. Research suggests that low-income households are prepared to spend relatively large amounts of their revenue on telecommunications because it helps them save money in other areas. The article also includes examples of the use of the mobile phones and cites an example where farmers in Uganda have used them to find out about the latest crop prices. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/265616/38 11. Livelihood Changes Enabled by Mobile Phones: The Case of Tanzanian Fishermen by Jonas Myhr and Lars Nordström "Mobile phones have had a tremendous diffusion rate in Africa in recent years. This has brought access to telecommunication to new user groups, among them Tanzanian fishermen. But how does mobile phone use affect the way fishermen live their lives, how they pursue economic activities and how they protect themselves from vulnerability to risk?" This research shows that mobile phone use empowers fishermen, both through increased bargaining power and increased control over external events. Mobile phones give increased knowledge about market opportunities and the possibility to work more efficiently. Furthermore, mobile phones give fishermen the possibility to take measures to decrease the risks they are exposed to, such as emergencies out at sea.. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269625/38 12. Scaling a Changing Curve: Traditional Media Development and the New Media The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) commissioned this study to examine the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in independent media development and to shed light on the state of current practice with respect to media development and new technologies. This document analyses the use of new media, including blogs, social networking sites, cell phone messaging, and other relatively new technology applications in communication for development. It contextualises new media in the rapidly changing global information industry, and offers recommendations on how independent media-development programmes can take advantage of, and keep abreast of, these new global trends. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/268329/38 13. Enterprise Across the Digital Divide: Information Systems and Rural Microenterprise in Botswana by Richard Duncombe and Richard Heeks This paper explores the role of information and information-handling technologies in rural microenterprises (MSEs). Through a case study of rural MSEs in Botswana's economically poorest areas in 1999, the researchers identify social networks as the primary information system among poor rural entrepreneurs. The vast majority of MSEs surveyed could not afford individual access to ICT. Those who used phones reported a reduction in their operational costs (e.g. by substituting travels), increased income, or reduced uncertainty of transactions with suppliers and customers. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/220054/38 MATERIALS http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/materials.html 14. MobileActive Strategy Guide #1: Using Mobile Phones in Elections and Voter Registration Campaigns by Michael Stein This series of Strategy Guides is designed to equip organisations around the world with the know-how to deploy effective mobile campaigns for a variety of types of activism and advocacy. Guide #1 covers the use of mobile phones in elections, both as voter registration and monitoring tools. They can also be used to educate citizens on candidates and their stances on issues and for fund raising in support of candidates. According to the guide, "with 3 billion phones in circulation around the world, in many countries mobile phones are the easiest and least expensive way to communicate and are far more pervasive than the internet". http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267971/38 15. MobileActive Strategy Guide #2: Using Mobile Phones in Advocacy Campaigns by Michael Stein This guide, the second in the series of 3, offers strategies, case studies, lessons learned, and a how-to section for advocacy organisations considering using mobile phones to advance their causes. It is intended to encourage the adoption of mobile phones by non-profits to build their constituent lists, influence political causes, and raise money. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267969/38 16. Going the Last Mile: What's Stopping a Wireless Revolution? by Panos This is the fourth in a series of short briefing documents for journalists on different aspects of ICTs and the 'information society'. It is offered by Panos as a service to non-specialists, and in particular to journalists wishing to cover information society issues following the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in November 2005. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/188878/38 EVENT http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/events.html 17. ICTs for Civil Society Conference: Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact (Oct 13-15 2008) Johannesburg, South Africa SANGONeT, a South African based organisation that aims to support the effective use of ICTS among Southern African civil society organisations, will focus their fourth annual "ICTs for Civil Society" conference and exhibition on the theme "Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact". The 3-day conference aims to convene approximately 250 civil society, development, and technology practitioners interested in the use and application of mobile technology in support of social impact. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269907/38 === To view related previous issues of The Soul Beat newsletter see: The Soul Beat 103 - Telecentres March 12 2008 http://www.comminit.com/en/node/268000/38 The Soul Beat 84 - Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Education May 9 2007 http://www.comminit.com/en/node/264063/38 To view archived editions of The Soul Beat Newsletter see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/soul-beat-archives.html ==== We would love to hear from you: Please send us your comments by going to http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/comments.html or email soulbeat(a)comminit.com For more comments on the Soul Beat Africa website see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/comments_aboutus.html Please send material for The Soul Beat to soulbeat(a)comminit.com To subscribe, see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/soul-beat-subscribe.html To unsubscribe, reply to this message with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Expensive software systems?
by Phares Kariuki 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

> > What makes them cost so much is the assurance that they are tested, have > reference sites and simply they will work. That 10 years down the line KPA > can still get support/enhancements from the Company. > > Dealing with individual developers is tricky. They can switch jobs/go to > US/become sacred cows ... :-) A big company/organization feels safe dealing > with an equally big organization that can't fold/disappear/change strategy > overnight. > I tend to agree. Most Kenyan software outfits are briefcase companies. I'm sure many on the list have been called to migrate or resuscitate a system where the developer 'quit' working for his company, leaving it in limbo or got a better offer. Basic documentation is a foreign concept. EABL paid 1 Billion for SAP, however, I don't see SAP going down any time soon... Same applies, support is the most important thing, as it ensures business continuity. > > On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 11:03 AM, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Wesley, you are absolutely correct on developing local solutions. Local >> developers can do an equally or even better design, implementation and >> sustain long term support of the systems. Outsourcing of technology, >> software and solutions will lead to loss of jobs, revenue, oppurtunity >> and growth for kenyans in the ICT sector. >> >> The ICT software development community is a strong selling point for >> Kenya. Would it be possible for ICT policy makers to integrate the >> development community in its visions, plans and strategies ? This would be >> a great start and would lay the foundations of understanding and >> promoting local potential to even the sponsors/loaners/financiers of such >> projects >> >> With Rgds. >> >> Aki. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> skunkworks mailing list >> skunkworks(a)my.co.ke >> http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com >> Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > With Regards, > Phares Kaboro Kariuki, > > "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we > deserve". > George Bernard Shaw -- With Regards, Phares Kaboro Kariuki, "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve". George Bernard Shaw

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REMINDER: LIVE WEBCAST from WORLD BANK: Global Dialog Workshop on Public Private Partnerships in e-Government Projects (June 25, 4:00pm)
by Harry Hare 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

Dear Colleagues, For those who will not make it to the World Bank offices for the session today and still want to participate, you can join us through a live webcast on http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live Attached is the programme for your use. The slides can also be downloaded from http://go.worldbank.org/R8MULFAQQ0 Kindest Regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cel +254 725 650044 Land +254 20 3741646/7 <http://www.africanedevelopment.org> www.africanedevelopment.org June/July 2008 Training Opportunities VSAT Feild Eng. 18-20 June Supply Chain Management 24-27 June Fibre Optic Technician 1-4 July Knowledge Management 8-11July Space is limited Book Now! P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

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Job vacancies Computer Aid Nairobi
by alice wanjira 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

Job vacancies Computer Aid Nairobi *Assistant Director: Africa Programme (based in Nairobi)* The Assistant Director of the Africa Programme will be the senior member of staff heading Computer Aid's growing team of ICT4D professionals in Africa. To receive a job description and application form send a blank email to assist(a)computeraid.org *Projects Manager: (based in Nairobi)* The Projects Manager will manage the full project cycle of a range of Computer Aid ICT4D projects from project design and fundraising through implementation to monitoring and evaluation. To receive a job description and application form send a blank email to projects(a)computeraid.org The deadline for the receipt of application forms is 5pm on Thurday July 10th. ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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NEPAD e-Africa Commission aka e-Payment Gateway
by Lucy Kimani 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

We dont seem to learn!!! Why should each country for example Kenya not have its own e-payment gateway? Every time you involve third parties in transactions, you up the prices its basic economics 101 which makes one wonder "that the cost of deploying this e-payment gateway is about US$100 million and is estimated to be more economical than if each country were to design and implement its own gateway." Why is it so hard to get our act together, and amend the necessary laws so that e-transactions are legally recognized, and then let the private sector build the e-payment gateways!! In any case did anybody bother to shop around to find out how much an e-payment gateway actually costs, or was the above accepted as the gospel truth without facts? NEPAD e-Africa Commission project progress is hailed The NEPAD e-Africa Commission Steering Committee held its 9th meeting on 11 June 2008 in Pretoria, South Africa and hailed progress made by the organisation on projects approved by the committee such as UHURUNET submarine cable, UMOJANET terrestrial cable, the Kigali Protocol, the NEPAD e-Schools Initiative and the NEPAD e-2010 Project. The meeting was attended by representatives from Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa. Notable among them were Kenya High Commissioner to South Africa Tom Amolo; Muhammad Zannah, Minister (Political), Nigeria High Commission in South Africa; and Mamadou M. Seck, Director of NEPAD in Senegal. The meeting particularly took note of the NEPAD e-Schools Initiative stakeholders conference organised by the e-Africa Commission in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2008 and the on-going activities with the various countries and agencies to develop this project. Progress on NEPAD e-2010 project The NEPAD e-2010 Project was approved by the 7th Steering Committee meeting in 2007 and since then progress has been made on development of the website portal, the software for the booking system, and the NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway. The Kenya Government, through its Tourist Trust, with which the NEPAD e-Africa Commission has been working closely on this project, provided funds and seconded a person to help with the establishment of the e-payment gateway in Kenya. NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway The NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway is an e-tourism project intended to benefit the African continent by reducing the costs of doing tourism business. The project will enable African citizens and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of African countries to receive direct payments from anywhere in the world in a more cost effective and efficient way similar to that used in developed economies. The objective is to bring revenue directly into Africa using an African owned and operated infrastructure that will directly impact the GDP of African economies. Dr. Henry Chasia, the NEPAD e-Africa Commission Executive Deputy Chairperson, says that while engaging in this project the commission will seek to enhance policy and regulatory reforms to facilitate and accelerate electronic commerce. Lyndall Shope-Mafole, Director-General in the South African Department of Communications, and one of the executive committee members, emphasised the importance of the project to the South African Government in its efforts to ensure that all African countries participate in and benefit from the FIFA World Cup 2010 which is being hosted by South Africa. Says Ahmed Kassam, the project manager: “The project is intended to provide African businesses, citizens as well as governments with efficient and affordable access to electronic commerce platforms; and provide each country with the ability to increase tourism and SME sector revenues without incurring the high costs charged by existing third party platforms residing outside of Africa. “The project could secure e-tourism transactions by creating an escrow account that would hold the payment until the customer was satisfied.” The project is a joint partnership between African and international investors initially targeting the tourism sector but broad in scope to cater for the SMEs in other non-tourism sectors that do not have the resources to market and conduct electronic commerce through the internet. It is intended that African entities will hold the majority of shares in the venture. The NEPAD e-Africa Commission has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) to support the design, development and roll-out of the gateway. The cost of deploying this payment gateway is about US$100 million and is estimated to be more economical than if each country were to design and implement its own gateway. The executive committee also resolved to convene an e-Africa Commission meeting in August, 2008. The commission consists of Ministers responsible for ICT, AU Commissioners for Infrastructure and Energy, and Human Resources, Science and Technology, the CEO of the NEPAD Secretariat and the Executive Deputy Chairperson of the NEPAD e-Africa Commission. It will be chaired by the Minister in charge of ICT in the country chairing the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC). For more information, contact: Samuel Mikenga Communications Manager NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Email: SamuelM(a)nepad.org Email: s.mikenga(a)paris.com Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office) Cell: +27 725 296 769 Fax: +27 12 841 4094 Website: www.eafricacommission.org

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