[kictanet] Expensive software systems?

Mon Sep 1 10:23:21 EAT 2008

My first post .

The scariest thing about these projects is that the "buyer" rarely knows
enough about technology to make a good call - especially recent technology .
This is the same all over . I continue to see it from our clients all over
the world . 

if I was advising TSC, I would tell them it's much cheaper to pick an Open
source ERP package and hire a team to build . (Do they have a CTO ?)

With such a setup, TSC should be able to get a pretty good ROI . and results
. as opposed to the RFP way (In Kenya there is a biiiig gap between one man
shows and the major software vendors . let's call is a canyon . since it
feels like a lot of bigger projects fail there)

2500 staff and 230,000 members is a small system . that's like a system for
a small credit union.

Also, I know it sounds cool, but building a Kenyan ERP system may not be the
best use for money . its kinda like Nyayo Pioneer (no big market, no spares
. even Kenyans did not go for it in droves). why build when one can extend
an open source package or buy Oracle or SAP etc.

Liko Agosta, CEO

Verviant Consulting Services. 

 <http://www.verviant.com> www.verviant.com

Phone    : 1-919-341-1820

Fax        : 1-978-268-8403

Toll Free: 1-866-551-4935

Pager:  <mailto:9193891551 at txt.att.net> 9193891551 at txt.att.net

From: kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf
Of Titus Njoroge
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 2:11 AM
To: Liko Agosta
Cc: New Vision List; Haron Wachira; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?

TSC has sent RFP for a system for managing their 230,000 members to be used
by the 2500 staff.. Check todays Daily Nation.

Before we complain that the system is expensive, and the deal has been won
by "Brazil" or anyone else for that matter, let all who can respond to the
RFP. Synergies can be developed by working together, if necessary.

Regards,
Titus.

2008/6/28 Sylvester Kisonzo <skisonzo at securenet.co.ke>

Locally developing ERP (and other complex) systems is definitely possible,
given the right environment. Such an environment includes proper pay. I do
not like the idea that local talent is cheaper - to attract and retain
quality developers, I would suggest paying locals nothing less than what the
foreign developers would ask for.  It is the failure to reward local talent
properly that has led to the infamous 'brain drain'. 

I believe such a system cannot be a 'one-man' show otherwise corporates will
find it difficult to rely on systems whose continuity lies on loose ground.
Developing an ERP is a long-term project whose fruits can only be gained
over a long time. This is the reason ERPs are more generic as opposed to
being a particular organisation's-needs specific. 

To me, most of the prices fairly compare to the amount of effort that goes
to the development and measures fairly well against the value of corporate
assets the systems protect.

So... let's invest in the development of systems that compete with the best
in the world, and price to compete with them, not just to pay locals 1/5!

Sylvester

From: kictanet-bounces+skisonzo=gmail.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+skisonzo <mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Bskisonzo>
=gmail.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Shem Ochuodho
Sent: 28 June 2008 12:50
To: skisonzo at gmail.com
Cc: 'New Vision List'; 'Haron Wachira'; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions

Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?

Bro. Antoine,

Great reading back from you. I believe together we can, and shall, overcome.

Best rgrds,

Shem

--- On Fri, 6/27/08, antoine bigirimana <antoine at e-tools.com> wrote:

From: antoine bigirimana <antoine at e-tools.com>
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?
To: shemochuodho at yahoo.com, kiriinya2000 at yahoo.com, "'KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions'" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Cc: "'New Vision List'" <newvisionkenya at yahoogroups.com>, "'Haron Wachira'"
<hwachira at itakenya.com>
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008, 2:57 PM

Hello Shem,

Thank you very much for mentioning SmartGov ERP developed in Rwanda by
E-Tools Rwanda.

Hello All,

The systems developed for USA , Canada and European Union

tend to include many features that are not necessarily relevant for the East
African market and they are also very expensive.

We believe the most cost effective solution for our developing and poor
countries is to use our local talent, supplemented if need be

by seasoned international experts: more and more these internationals may
even have roots in East Africa . The cost savings are twofold: support is
local and easier; our people are cheaper even when they earn top salary in
our economies: it is not rare to get a ratio of 1 to 5. The savings could be
then used to solve some other urgent problems.

E-Tools Rwanda and E-Tools Kenya are designed to create any software
solution required in the East African region.

antoine

  _____  

From: Shem Ochuodho [mailto:shemochuodho at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:55 AM
To: kiriinya2000 at 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 at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?
To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho at yahoo.com>
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 12:55 PM

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