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Submitted by Mike Grenville on Mon, 14 Nov 2005 11:27 |
Sending information out to mobile phones in developing countries has much greater reach than the internet. But without internet access it can be hard for an NGO in the field to manage in and outbound text messages. Now a software package has been developed to create an SMS information hub using just a laptop and an ordinary mobile phone.
The potential to provide some of the poorest people in the world with local, relevant, useful information has not gone un-noticed, and many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are beginning to take a closer look.
Patients receive reminders to take their medicine, saving time and money travelling to local
clinics. Farmers receive details of market prices and demand for their products before
heading off to market. National parks communicate details of dangerous animals, providing an
early warning system to mitigate against human/wildlife conflict. Young people living in the
slums of Nairobi receive texts alerting them to job opportunities in the city.
Considerable amounts of money have already been spent by numerous NGOs investigating, designing, developing and implementing such systems. Since the use of SMS technology in the conservation and development fields is still relatively new thorough evaluation is only now beginning to take place, although results are rarely shared and hardly ever get out into the public domain.
SMS Hub In A Box
A new approach has been developed called FrontlineSMS is designed to bring the power and flexibility of text messaging to the charity and NGO sectors working at any location where there is a mobile phone signal.
"There is great potential in new and emerging technologies but many charitable organisations don't have the time, expertise or funds to keep track". said Ken Banks, Director of kiwanja.net who developed the system.
"Many organisations are independently developing their own systems, constantly re-inventing
wheels and some making mistakes that others have already made" said Banks. "Many others are unable to
even contemplate entering the SMS arena due to a lack of sufficient funds, a lack of in-house
expertise, or difficulty in finding out where to go and how to start."
"The design and development of the FrontlineSMS system is based on kiwanja’s central focus of
low cost, high impact interventions" said Banks. "Despite a huge increase in interest in SMS technology within the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector, many find the technology out of reach due to a combination of lack of expertise, a lack of direction, and cost."
Banks says that a key benefit of FrontlineSMS is the ability to carry out small- to medium-scale trials before embarking on possible larger project proposals. "Although systems do exist, few if any have been designed with the NGO sector in mind" said Banks.
At present, NGOs may need to deal with a combination of local SMS providers, local operators and local IT companies to get their projects up and running. In comparison, FrontlineSMS is a turnkey ‘works out of the box’ solution - the full system runs off a laptop or personal computer, a mobile phone or GSM modem, and a data cable. All the NGO need do is insert a local SIM card to enable the system to run on the local GSM network.
Two Way Messages
FrontlineSMS will work in any country on any GSM network and if used on a laptop the system continues to work during power outages! Multiple SIMS can be used when travelling, allowing the system to work anywhere in the world. Alternatively, if the SIM in use has roaming capability, the system will work abroad without any changes (although with possible increased network SMS costs).
Automated replies can also be created to provide general information to users, or to thank them for their message if part of a survey or competition
With this two-way portable communications capability, field-based NGOs can keep in touch with their fieldworkers from anywhere in the field. This provides valuable contact during ‘sting’ operations, or for monitoring movements of poachers, wildlife etc.
A full 'Survey Manager' module means that surveys or competitions can be easily set up anywhere. For example individuals could text in when they see a specific animal, or to subscribe to a text
service, or to register an opinion.
Field Trials
Launched at the end of October 2005, a number of national and international charities have expressed interest in taking part in trials.
Technologies for Conservation and Development (t4cd) project which has been funded by the Vodafone Group Foundation is about to begin field trials. The Fauna & Flora International are now looking to use it in a trial in Botswana as part of a Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) project, communicating messages between the local parks authority and the communities. A similar trial will hopefully take place in South Africa with SANParks (South Africa National Parks).
Another application is under discussion is the use of FrontlineSMS to connect several healthcare 'hubs' across central Africa, allowing the sharing of information and providing improved communications between healthcare centres and professionals.
Pricing has not been fixed and more organisations are being invited to field trail the system before commercial launch
www.frontlinesms.com
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