[kictanet] Expensive software systems?

Wed Jun 25 12:28:24 EAT 2008

Two issues:

I would say that Dr. Ndemo repeats an entrepreneurship class targeting local
software developers like at the Barcamp.

This is not a thumps up for the guy that billed for this system but costing
models are developed by the businesses selling.

What do you make of Microsoft who are due from Kenya:  (decent price of Ms
Office and Windows) * (Estimated Number of Computers in the country)

$500 * 500,000 = $ 250,000,000

KES. 15,500,000,000

A whooping KES. 15.5 billion for commodity software. I guess you can tell
why Gates is tops. By the way Open Source can squarely substitute this. Even
with a blended software market, we can afford to save the country in foreign
exchange about KES. 7 billion. These savings would most likely go into
developing the local software industry in that businesses and government can
use the savings in getting custom software that responds effectively to our
business processes. Open Source software available can also be customized by
local software companies for fit unique/peculiar business processes in
Kenyan private and public sectors.

This is a perspective i would like to add to this software debate.

Muthoni

On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 9:56 AM, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000 at 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&Itemid=5860
>
> 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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-- 
Muthoni

My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------
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First they ignore you,
Then they laugh at you,
Then they fight you,
AND THEN YOU WIN!!!
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