January 2012 - KICTANet

Fwd:Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

Dear all, the suit between Muite & Others versus Moses Kuria, which I understand is proceeding to court, should be a very interesting one to watch. Hopefully it shall give some insights on content control vs freedom of expression. See below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ngunjiri <ngunjiri(a)kikuyusforchange.com> Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:05:07 +0300 Subject: {K4c} Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology To: KC4 <kikuyusforchange(a)googlegroups.com> This will most probably interest some of us, and help all of us be careful about what we write on our blogs. --- Ngunjiri [image: Issa & Co Advocates] Our Ref: M/058/001/L**** **** Tuesday, October 4, 2011**** **** Moses Kuria**** P. O. Box 1838-00200 ‘*Advance copy by email*’**** *NAIROBI***** **** Dear Sir,**** **** *RE: DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION ***** ------------------------------ We have been instructed by our clients, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndung’u Wainaina, Maina Kiai and Hassan Omar.**** **** Our instructions are that you published in your widely read blog the following words of and concerning our clients.**** **** *‘I have said Ocampo has no case. All he has are fake witnesses coached by Hassan Omar, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndungu Wainaina, Njonjo Mue and Maina Kiai.’***** **** Your insinuations are unfounded and baseless and our clients’ professional respective standings, characters and reputations have been severely tarnished by your publication.**** **** Our instructions are to demand a retraction, an apology and an admission of liability on your part for the publication of the defamatory words. This we hereby do. We shall address the issue of the damages payable to our clients upon receipt of your apology and admission.**** **** *NOTE* that if you do not publish an apology and retraction on your blog within the next *Seven (7) Days* of the receipt of this letter we shall proceed to the law for redress at your risk as to costs. **** **** Yours faithfully,**** *ISSA & COMPANY ADVOCATES***** **** **** *MANSUR M. ISSA***** **** cc. Clients**** **** *Issa & Co Advocates* <info(a)issadvocates.co.ke>**** ------------------------------ 5th Floor, City House, Wabera Street P.O. Box *24210 - 00100*, Nairobi, Kenya *ph*: *+ 254 20 340 150 · * *fx*: *+ 254 20 340 151* *em*: *info(a)issadvocates.co.ke · ***** ------------------------------ *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:* This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged and protected by law. Access by the intended recipient is authorized. Any liability (in negligence or otherwise) arising from any third party acting, or refraining from acting, or any information contained in this email is hereby excluded. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediatelyand do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose or store or copy the information in any medium.**** -- --- Fear makes men act even against their own interests- changing them from men of reason to blubbering fools. -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u (Bomu) Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: GraceMutung'u (Bomu)

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Digital to Analog Conversion
by robert yawe 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Hi, When the migration from analog to digital was initially raised fear was put into the public on how there would be no option but to throw away our analog TV sets and replace them with Digital. Now that digital transmission is finally here we need to look at how to make the migration as painless as possible while at the same time we do not disenfranchise any citizens. It has been mentioned that there are over 1 million TV sets in Kenya today, that means 1 million digital to analog converters will be required over the next 2-3 years. I believe this is a great opportunity for us to go into the electronic assembly business, I would like to propose that we 1st increase duty on converters from the current 35% to 250% so as to discourage the importation of the converters. Then exempt from duty and vat all assembly stations, test equipment and components for anyone who sets up a converter assembly plant, with a 3 year tax holiday. If you setup the plant more than 200 kilometers from Nairobi or Mombasa you receive an addition 2 years tax holiday. I believe this will sort out the issue of substandard converters and will also provide an opportunity for us to develop our electronic devices assembly skills. If you make a net profit of 1,000/- there is a clean 875,000,000/- to be made, close to what the government is spending on purchase of the Malili farm. This is assuming a standard device, there is still a market for those who want high end devices with recording, tuners, USB ports, etc which would mean that the returns could be much higher than projected above. So will we move away from juts being importers and retailers or do we have what it takes to do some value add? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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GSMA: Calls will remain high between African countries
by Grace Githaiga 02 May '14

02 May '14

GSMA: Calls will remain high between African countries By Rebecca Wanjiku, Computerworld Kenya 29 Sep, 2011 The cost of telephone calls between African countries is likely to remain high and international call volumes will drop with the introduction of taxes, according to a report from the GSM Association. Senegal, Ghana, Congo Brazaville and Gabon have introduced taxes on incoming international calls, leading to higher costs for users and reduced revenue and call volumes for mobile operators. The taxes are also likely to reduce foreign direct investments because the costs of operating businesses such as call centers will probably go up. "The tax takes the form of an imposed fixed price that operators must charge for international inbound termination, of which the government takes a set amount," said the report, issued on the sidelines of the U.N. Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi. A private party measures international inbound minutes terminated by operators and bills them accordingly, it said. While the taxes are different in the four countries, the affect on the operators has been the same. In Senegal, call prices rose by 50 percent. In Ghana, prices rose by 58 percent while inbound traffic fell by 12 percent in the six months after the tax was introduced. In Congo Brazaville, the price of inbound calls rose by 111 percent while the volume fell by 36 percent. In Gabon, prices rose by 82 percent when the tax was introduced in August 2011. The report questioned the benefit of the tax on economies, given that half the money collected is shared with the third-party company that monitors the calls. "The main objective of this taxation is to raise revenues for governments, in this case by taxing users calling from abroad into the country, however, the government transfers approximately 50 percent of the revenue from the tax to the external call monitoring party," the report said. "This leakage should be taken into account when assessing the effectiveness and net benefit of this tax." The report projects that other African countries are likely to reciprocate by raising the cost of inbound calls. In Congo Brazaville, an operator reported that an operator in another African country raised call termination charges by 30 percent. while in Senegal, an operator reported that nine operators in other African countries raised rates by 23 to 80 percent, making the call costs very high. The GSMA further noted that many operators are not making profits because the cost of other services and maintaining rural telecoms infrastructure is high. In supporting its case to remove telecommunication taxes, the GSMA released another report that highlights the benefits that Kenya has gained since it zero-rated mobile handsets in June 2009. This year, the mobile communications industry will contribute US$300 million to the GDP and a further $100 million from intangible benefits to Kenyan consumers. The industry also employs 250,000 people in Kenya. "Since June 2009 when the tax was removed, handset purchases have increased by more than 200 percent and penetration rates have increased substantially from 50 percent to 70 percent, this successful policy confirms that consumption taxes can have a significant impact on consumer behavior in Kenya," said the report. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!

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Commodity Exchange System - Revisited
by robert yawe 21 Feb '13

21 Feb '13

Hi Listers, About 9 month ago (human gestation period) I mentioned the need for developers to start looking into the development of a futures exchange system and as always is with the village madman I was dismissed. On Wednesday 8th June 2011 the Capital Markets Authority advertised for a futures exchange system, rfp is open to both international and local vendors. Regards Hi, The National Cereals and Produce Board together with the East African Grain Council are working towards the creation of a commodity exchange to trade futures. This process is at an advanced stage which begun with a process called warehouse receipting and currently Equity Bank offers credit against the receipts. What does this have to do with us in the IT field? When the Nairobi Stock Exchange tendered for the automated trading system (ATS) and more recently for the Broker Back-office System no local IT company made it past the 1st round. The fact that companies like Virtual City are winning international awards for systems development and others like PesaPal are receiving large direct foreign investments means that we do have the skills to develop world class solutions. This is an appeal to all ICT experts in the country to prepare ourselves to make sure that the grain exchange system is locally developed and we stop being spectators in our own country. I know it is said that a prophet is never recognised in his own town, it is time we made this phrase redundant. NCPB and others are already shopping overseas for a solution so be warned that time is not in our hands and if we are to have an impact we need to move quickly. The proposed system is supposed to provide a trading platform, depository system, GIS for land information, settlement system, warehouse management, weather monitoring and seed planting information system (acreage, seed type, fertiliser, etc). Lets get off our high horses and put a together a world class solution for a local problem. No tears after the horse has bolted. Useful links http://dn.nationmedia.com/DN/DN/2010/09/03/ArticleHtmls/03_09_2010_030_014.… http://allafrica.com/stories/200904271171.html http://www.ratin.net/mainfeature.asp?id=40 http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Smart%20Money/-/688614/899436/-/bypmdxz/-… http://www.unctad.info/upload/SUC/LusakaWorkshop/WarehouseServicesKenya.pdf Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.…

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IIEC: voting for technology
by Andrew Limo 17 Aug '12

17 Aug '12

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) will hold a two-day conference and exhibition on election technology at the KICC grounds in Nairobi on 22nd- 23rd Sept., 2012. Over 40 firms dealing with election technology, both local and foreign, have been invited to showcase their innovations to the Commission and the public. Electoral management bodies from East African Community (EAC), professionals in electoral technology, political parties and other interested parties have also been invited to the open forum on election technology. Participants will be expected to interrogate and evaluate the solutions offered by the various vendors and share their findings with IIEC. The aim of the open day is to expose voters to election technology and give them an opportunity to try out some of the solution on offer. In looking for the appropriate technology, the electoral management body would like to make informed decision based not only on expert advice but also the user experiences. It is apparent that the expanded 2012 general elections, which will require voters to vote for six elective positions in a single session instead of the traditional three, will require a fast and reliable solution. The appropriate application of technology should increase administrative efficiency, reduce long-term costs and enhance political transparency.Since technology is always designed to solve problems, and elections are not short of problems, technology is therefore first port of call by the Commission. We would be happy to have the ICT fraternity visiting and sharing with us their views. Welcome all, Andrew

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Technology or food
by robert yawe 01 Feb '12

01 Feb '12

Hi, I was searching for information about the wheat and rice production in Kenya and came across the following information which is very worrying about our food security. http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?country=ke&commodity=milled-rice&gra… http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?country=ke&commodity=wheat&graph=pro… We are producing less and less of our staple food yet the population is growing. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US
by Grace Githaiga 01 Feb '12

01 Feb '12

31 January 2012 Last updated at 12:51 GMT Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US Post-9/11 USA is highly cautious of any perceived threat, Abta said Holidaymakers have been warned to watch their words after two friends were refused entry to the US on security grounds after a tweet. Before his trip, Leigh Van Bryan wrote that he was going to "destroy America". He insisted he was referring to simply having a good time - but was sent home. Trade association Abta told the BBC that the case highlighted that holidaymakers should never do anything to raise "concern or suspicion in any way". The US Department for Homeland Security picked up Mr Bryan's messages ahead of his holiday in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old bar manager wrote a message to a friend on the micro-blogging service, saying: "Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America." The Irish national told the Sun newspaper that he and his friend Emily Bunting were apprehended on arrival at Los Angeles International Airport before being sent home. "The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist," Mr Bryan said. "I kept saying they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet." No joke Abta, which represents travel companies in the UK, said holidaymakers need to learn to be ultra-cautious when it comes to talking about forthcoming trips, particularly after 9/11. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Airport security staff do not have a sense of humour when it comes to potential risk” Abta "Posting statements in a public forum which could be construed as threatening - in this case saying they are going to "destroy" somewhere - will not be viewed sympathetically by US authorities," it told the BBC. "In the past we have seen holidaymakers stopped at airport security for 'joking' that they have a bomb in their bag, thoroughly questioned and ending up missing their flights, demonstrating that airport security staff do not have a sense of humour when it comes to potential risk." In another tweet, Mr Bryan made reference to comedy show Family Guy saying that he would be in LA in three weeks, annoying people "and diggin' Marilyn Monroe up". Mr Bryan told the newspaper that he was questioned for five hours about his Twitter messages. 'Tweeter account' After the interview, Homeland Security's reported: "Mr Bryan confirmed that he had posted on his Tweeter website account that he was coming to the United States to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe. "Also on his tweeter account Mr Bryan posted he was coming to destroy America." Paul Chambers was fined after posting a message about Robin Hood Airport The US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a statement that it tried to maintain a balance between "securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day". It added: "We strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation." Mr Bryan is not the only person to suffer from a misjudged tweet. In January 2010, Paul Chambers tweeted that he would blow snow-affected Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster "sky high!" if it was not reopened in time for him to see his girlfriend. He was fined £385 plus £2,600 in costs - a sum which actor Stephen Fry offered to pay on Mr Chambers' behalf.

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2063: Kenya @ 100 Short Story & Essay Contest - New Deadline - March 31st, 2012‏
by Matunda Nyanchama 01 Feb '12

01 Feb '12

This an FYI for those that asked for more time on the above. I is interesting that we have received few technology-related stories. Some interesting ones talk about rural society, the national stage and attempts to place vision 2030 in "its place". Baadaye. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be prepared to face ICT Security failures & know how to respond when they happen! Call: +1-888-587-1150 or info(a)aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a workstation…" - Anonymous ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US
by alice＠apc.org 31 Jan '12

31 Jan '12

31 January 2012 Last updated at 12:51 GMT Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US Post-9/11 USA is highly cautious of any perceived threat, Abta saidHolidaymakers have been warned to watch their words after two friends were refused entry to the US on security grounds after a tweet. Before his trip, Leigh Van Bryan wrote that he was going to "destroy America". He insisted he was referring to simply having a good time - but was sent home. Trade association Abta told the BBC that the case highlighted that holidaymakers should never do anything to raise "concern or suspicion in any way". The US Department for Homeland Security picked up Mr Bryan's messages ahead of his holiday in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old bar manager wrote a message to a friend on the micro-blogging service, saying: "Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America." The Irish national told the Sun newspaper that he and his friend Emily Bunting were apprehended on arrival at Los Angeles International Airport before being sent home. "The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist," Mr Bryan said. "I kept saying they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet." No jokeAbta, which represents travel companies in the UK, said holidaymakers need to learn to be ultra-cautious when it comes to talking about forthcoming trips, particularly after 9/11. Continue reading the main story“ Start QuoteAirport security staff do not have a sense of humour when it comes to potential risk” Abta"Posting statements in a public forum which could be construed as threatening - in this case saying they are going to "destroy" somewhere - will not be viewed sympathetically by US authorities," it told the BBC. "In the past we have seen holidaymakers stopped at airport security for 'joking' that they have a bomb in their bag, thoroughly questioned and ending up missing their flights, demonstrating that airport security staff do not have a sense of humour when it comes to potential risk." In another tweet, Mr Bryan made reference to comedy show Family Guy saying that he would be in LA in three weeks, annoying people "and diggin' Marilyn Monroe up". Mr Bryan told the newspaper that he was questioned for five hours about his Twitter messages. 'Tweeter account'After the interview, Homeland Security's reported: "Mr Bryan confirmed that he had posted on his Tweeter website account that he was coming to the United States to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe. "Also on his tweeter account Mr Bryan posted he was coming to destroy America." Paul Chambers was fined after posting a message about Robin Hood AirportThe US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a statement that it tried to maintain a balance between "securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day". It added: "We strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation." Mr Bryan is not the only person to suffer from a misjudged tweet. In January 2010, Paul Chambers tweeted that he would blow snow-affected Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster "sky high!" if it was not reopened in time for him to see his girlfriend. He was fined £385 plus £2,600 in costs - a sum which actor Stephen Fry offered to pay on Mr Chambers' behalf

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Re: [kictanet] TCO & Cloud
by robert yawe 31 Jan '12

31 Jan '12

Hi, It is encouraging that you decided to post your thoughts on my post unlike many others if opted to call me directly to air their disquiet. I would like to belief that the systems our banks are using are centralised with all branches online to the data centre, until recently when a few providers implemented MPLS, the connectivity to those branches was point to point. With the point to point connectivity there was a minimum of 2 hops to get to the data centre, if those links delivered then imagine is the data centre is at, for example, Safaricom then you have an minimum hop of 1. The Kenstream & KenSat services when run by Telkom provided us with 95% uptime and that was without any redundant links. The GSM providers need to keep their links up 99% of the time if only for the voice service and since the data is carried over the same fibre, microwave and satellite links. Taking that into consideration I believe we have no reason not to embrace cloud and shared services, yesterday. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: Emmanuel Khisa <oloo.khisa(a)googlemail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: oloo.khisa(a)gmail.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Friday, 27 January 2012, 17:45 Subject: Re: [kictanet] TCO & Cloud Hi Bobby, I am impressed with your understanding of the financial sector ( Not many IT people in Financial sector have such a deep insight of IT Ops). I would like to differ though on the issue of cloud. One of the greatest issues raised against cloud and which is partly true is the connectivity (and reliability of the same). Let's say you head IT in a bank and have to manage the downtimes in places like Meru, Bungoma, Wajir etc, running off a Safaricom cloud may be abit of a longshot. Safaricom has done a great deal to bring us connectivity especially the last mile, I however think something is still amiss with the reliability of connection. Every executive committee will raise (and validly so) the issue of Connectivity and letting go of customer data to counter that cloud argument. That needs to be addressed and the only company in Kenya today that can take us into the cloud is Safaricom, I hope they listen and fortify this data segment like they did voice. On a lighter note, having used Temenos, I can take my money to the bank that finacle would beat it hands down. I don't care how many big financial orgs are using it, I have baby sat it and the truth of the matter is that it is like a Kluger (no offence to owners of this) very overrated and big in size but has the performance of a saloon car... Temenos are good at marketing but the real value is elsewhere. On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 1:09 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Francis, > > >Most of the issues you mention on customer service are only applicable with a certain level of account holder who we would refer to as your corporates who make up less than 1% of the accounts. > > >The other 99% are mainly salary account holders who receive a single inflow once a month and spend the rest of the time drawing down the amount. > > >With the proliferation of ATMs, mobile and agency banking this kind of account holder is already being served through a cloud solution. > > >Outages within most organisations are today much more frequent than those involving external providers, most ATMs are down not because of the connectivity but more for lack of cash. With services such as bank account to mobile money transfer and cash back the ATM is slowly becoming obsolete, at least in the Kenyan scenario. Most ATM cards are now debit cards meaning that they are usable at various point of sale locations. > > >As customers use less and less physical cash the easier it is to mine trends than before making it easier to extend credit to establishments since you have a better view of their cash flows. > > >In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king until a two eyed man/woman arrives in the village, if we use the global definitions of SMB all businesses in Kenya, except mpesa, that we refer to a enterprises actually fall under this category and those we call small are actually micro. Therefore from your take on the same then all businesses in Kenya should be embracing cloud solutions. > > >MPesa is run as a cloud service no applications are installed locally right from Safaricom head office to the till in Gabatula, it has 34,000 plus branches, employs over 50,000 people, transacted over 600 billion last year, at peak times handles 200 transactions per second (Temenos can handle 3,000), has over 15 million accounts and made a profit last year of over 1 billion. > > >If MPesa was to be listed in the NSE it would be the most profitable organisation once you remove the burden of its parent. > > >If this organisation can survive on a cloud solution even Kenya Breweries can move their systems onto the Safaricom Cloud (for lack of any other examples) especially since they are implementing a model similar to Safaricoms. > > >Francis, lets accept it that we have no leg to stand on in as far as not using the cloud is concerned. > > >Why have I not released my applications to the cloud? Because the only provider has been unable to provide me with a easy self service model. http://www.esds.co.in/cloud-servers-hosting.php > > >Regards > >Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 > > >________________________________ > From: Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> >To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >Sent: Friday, 27 January 2012, 11:28 > >Subject: Re: [kictanet] TCO & Cloud > > >Hi Robert >I agree WRT TCO...perhaps what I overlooked to mention is ROI - >increased visibility of accounts and account holders, Business >intelligence (tracking bad debts, defaulters, speedy loan approvals >for HNW and customers that pay their loans on time, etc), reduced >queuing time thanks to having proper systems in place that enable a >teller access requisite data needed to decide (ergo bringing a lot of >decision making to front office = better customer service, customer >retention, etc). > >By and large yes, the TCO argument should be weighed against the ROI >(whether tangible is shs and cts, or intangible via better customer >service, increased staff efficiency, better GRC practices (esp this >point as banks are increasingly under scrutiny), etc. And yes, there >is more gravitation towards OPEX from CAPEX (but at the core there >might be some inherently irrefutable justification to take either path >and this will vary from vertical to vertical) > >Back to the cloud issue - and I'm now playing the devil's advocate >:-> - thinking of instances that have been shared on this very forum, >where the systems of an operator/provider/host etc go down (internet >services, mobile money, voice services, govt websites etc) - from an >institutional perspective, perhaps that is something to eschew? If >something goes wrong (at a connectivity, security level for example), >and even with a back up site, then it more or less cripples the sector >(and the economy). > >The cloud however, would be best positioned to SMBs who, owing to >their size, needs and budgets, want to totally do away with CAPEX of >this nature and instead have a pay as you go system (like you >suggested where an operator hosts an app and charges end users on a >pay as you go basis and then shares revenues with the app vendor). >This would make sense for smaller banks (or SACCOs and MFIs). Also >other SMBs that need some CRM/Payroll/HR, etc functionality but do not >want to buy the whole bus since they have no where to park it or no >one to drive it. > > > >On 27 January 2012 11:03, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> Hi Francis, >> >> I will disagree with you in the issue of security as we all know that its >> not about where the data sits but how secure it is. >> >> Many a times a go to an ATM just to find a mini-statement sticking out of >> the printer slot which tells you that the issue is not really account >> visibility but how difficult it is to manipulate. >> >> Still looking at the security issue, who is likely to offer better security, >> some small fly by night operation like the one that developed the web sites >> for the recently hacked government web sites or a muli-billion telco? >> >> For micro institutions, less than 250 employees, like we have in Kenya >> getting on the cloud does not require those text book approaches as most of >> the so called core applications are not mission critical which is why some >> of our large banks can continue to operate even with this so called core >> banking application offline. Many of the organisations do not even have an >> online backup site. >> >> I consulted for a bank some years back who switched their core banking >> application over a weekend with almost no disruption to their services. >> Once the data conversion process had been perfected all that was needed was >> 6 hours to upload onto the new system. >> >> There is a very clear reason why I had TCO (Total Cot of Ownership) in the >> subject of my post, many organisations do the calculation you just did to >> justify capital expenditure (CAPEX) and forget that there is an operating >> expense (OPEX) such as insurance, maintenance, power production/consumption >> and none core staff to that CAPEX. >> >> If those funds where lent out to the members/customers at 12% pa the >> organisation would receive and additional US$ 6.24 Million per annum while >> saving on certain OpEx such as 12% on comprehensive maintenance (6 M), 4% >> on insurance (2.1M), office space (1,000 sq. feet @ 80/- = 0.8 M), none core >> IT staff (4 M) and power (4 M - KPLC & generator) which adds up to about >> Kes. 17 million per annum. >> >> With the same provided as a service at a charge of 5/- per transaction with >> 200,000 accounts of which 30% are active each with 2 transactions per month >> adds up to 7.2 Million per year which is covered by the interest on the >> money that has been used to acquire Temenos. >> >> The Kes. 17 million saving from the OPEX will bring in an additional 2 >> million in interest. >> >> All this just by using my form 2 accounting knowledge, imagine what I could >> come up with if I applied my advanced finance skills and was actually being >> paid to do it? >> >> Regards >> >> Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box >> 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 >> ________________________________ >> From: Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> >> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Sent: Friday, 27 January 2012, 9:59 >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] TCO & Cloud >> >> Hi Robert, >> Approaches to the cloud have to be rather cautious...especially in the >> financial sector and other sectors that handle personal info. Some >> organisations will opt to have a hybrid crowd where they have their >> private cloud (with Temenos, HR systems, etc - sensitive stuff) and >> perhaps farm out to a public cloud apps like CRM, Sales processing, >> customer feedback interfaces, etc >> >> On the issue of K-rep - if they have 200,000 accts and the system cost >> Kshs 52 million - this works out to Kshs 260 per account holder - >> something that can be somehow "loaded" onto ledger fees over say three >> months without too much furore - but in the long term the customer >> benefits from more innovation in products, greater responsiveness to >> their needs by the bank, timely and accurate info, etc etc. For the >> banker's sacco...hmmm....I think then we have to ask how small is >> "small" - at that level it works out to abt 2,600 - looks like a big >> number but I suppose the account holders are all bankers :-) with good >> deposits (vis a vis Krep's who might largely be low/middle income). >> But I agree for a single branch it might be like buying a Leyland bus >> to take my three kids to school... >> >> My two cents (...with 12% interest) >> >> >> On 27 January 2012 09:18, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>> Hi Listers, >>> >>> I came across a news item about how KREP Bank is to "invest" US 600,000/- >>> (Kes 52,000,000 aka 52 Million) for a new banking software. >>> >>> The system, Temenos T24, is a monster of an application also being under >>> used by Kenya Commercial Bank in addition the Kenya Bankers SACCO barely >>> uses it in a single site. >>> >>> We keep bragging about how we are a technology savvy nation and developing >>> a >>> knowledge economy yet we are the most under-utilisers of technology. >>> >>> Which is a clear explanation why Vodafone cannot understand our obsession >>> with wanting the MPesa servers installed in Kenya yet I am sure we >>> currently >>> utilise less than 1% of the capacity of the servers in Germany and 5% for >>> 2 >>> days in a month. >>> >>> Temenos can handle over 3,000 transactions per second and handle over 25 >>> million accounts across 2,000 branches >>> >>> http://sqlcat.com/sqlcat/b/technicalnotes/archive/2011/04/26/lessons-learne…. >>> >>> Temenos can handle the needs of all the banks in Kenya (approximately 6 >>> million unique accounts) and still not break a sweat while consuming less >>> energy and resources than a mobile base station. >>> >>> Please let no one raise the issue of lost IT jobs because last time I >>> checked a server was not a charcoal "jiko" that needs fanning. >>> >>> KREP has less than 200,000 accounts & 35 >>> branches http://www.k-repbank.com/branches.html, with Temenos they can run >>> a >>> transaction for each one of their clients every 58 seconds so what does >>> the >>> application do the rest of the time? Kenya Bankers SACCO is an even more >>> telling story with 1 branch and less than 20,000 members also uses Temenos >>> that is internally installed. >>> >>> If Equity was to use the same software it will take 21 minutes to run a >>> transaction for each of its 4.3 million clients so why do we complain when >>> MPesa takes 5 minutes (over 14 million accounts) to handle a transaction >>> on >>> the 15th and 30th of the month? >>> >>> I am sure many of you in the banking sector are wreathing in anger because >>> I >>> am refusing to acknowledge that the data needs to be kept secure that is >>> why >>> you must look the servers in your individual server rooms. So why doesnt >>> the same arise when you open up your applications to KenSwitch for shared >>> ATMs, to the mobile providers for mobile banking and to the ISPs for >>> online >>> banking.a >>> >>> Here is my solution, Safaricom (I am using them as an example as they are >>> less likely to sue me) buys off all the licenses of Temenos that all those >>> small banks, DTMFIs, MFIs and SACCOs have bought and then install Temenos >>> in >>> their 2 billion cloud. >>> >>> Buy all those Sun and HP servers that have been running those core banking >>> systems and donate them to universities around the country, they can >>> recover >>> the costs by writing them off next year as obsolete therefore passing on >>> the >>> cost to the taxman. >>> >>> Then they can offer a complete package to the banks for using the cloud >>> services without a nimbus and stratus pricing structure. Safaricom, being >>> experts at per second billing, can offer a similar solution to the >>> financial >>> institutions for use of the system. To the financial institutions the use >>> of the cloud will be treated as an expense therefore reducing their tax >>> obligations. >>> >>> What about the staff you say, the only ones who are likely to loose are >>> service providers like myself who have actually become over glorified >>> cleaners more because we charge more than really the service we render. >>> >>> We have all been throwing profanities at the Walter of the Lazy African >>> article fame yet we continue to prove him right every single day, yes, >>> you, >>> him, her and I. >>> >>> Have a lazy day. >>> >>> Regards >>> >>> Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box >>> 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… >>> >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>> for >>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and >>> development. >>> >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> >> >> >> -- >> Francis Hook >> +254 733 504561 >> >> > > > >-- >Francis Hook >+254 733 504561 > > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/oloo.khisa%40gmail.com > >The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > >KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -- "One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do."Earl Nightingale1921-1989 Oloo Khisa P.O. Box 24324-00100 Nairobi 0721321086/0734321086 http://ke.linkedin.com/in/olookhisa

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