According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than two million people–95 percent of whom are children–die
from the consequences of a variety of water-borne illnesses every year. The Safe Water Team is a Michigan nonprofit committed to
connecting organizations concerned with the growing dangers surrounding
safe drinking water and sanitation issues around the world.
Safe Water Kenya (SWK) is required by its funding sources
to document every Hydraid biosand filter installed
(including homes, schools and health clinics) by completing a detailed survey
form. Traditionally, this would be done using a clipboard and printed forms, a
separate camera and a GPS device. This
procedure is not only cumbersome to manage in the field, but requires double
entry when the records are then transcribed into a computer when the
installation team returns to the distribution office each day. This process is not only
time-consuming, but also carries the risk of keystroke errors.
Solution Provided
Through the mobile application
developed by mFrontiers [an Oracle partner], running on Oracle WebLogic Server and using the Oracle Database, SWK is now able to complete installation forms in a
one-step procedure using a digital tablet. The Survey App allows the survey interviewer to answer all the questions
onto this device offline, and using the same device, embed the photo, GPS
coordinates and signature directly into the form. The saved survey forms that are collected
into the Survey App each day are then uploaded to the server once the
installation team returns to the office of the distribution center. Since there is no manual transcription of
form data into a computer, the uploaded data is exactly as it was recorded in
the field. This rapid reporting capability is a distinct
advantage to SWK management in the U.S., and improves accountability to
entities that are providing financial support to the organization.
For further details, read this Snapshot.
Find out more about Safe Water Kenya
and Oracle partner mFrontiers.