[kictanet] A true innovation?

[Barrack Otieno]

Very well Stanley it would be interesting if somebody can organise a site
visit so that we talk on the ground for purposes of sharing knowledge, none
theless we are looking forwad to seeing the system in action, i would be
interested to see how KBMS uses the data from the present Legacy machines
and how effective the information is. Thank you for the information.

On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 1:21 PM, stanley_murage at yahoo.com <
stanley_murage at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I have enjoyed with interest the debate on KBSM adopting information
> technology in their operations. It would be good to state that they have
> been working on an e-ticketing and fleet management system since early last
> year. It is now in its pilot stage. Hopefully soon, it should be
> operational, initially together with the old system until complete phase
> out. Proper customization of technology and business methods, now and in
> future , are the two major constraints.
>
> S.K.Murage
>
>
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "robert yawe" <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
> Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 09:11
> Subject: [kictanet] A true innovation?
> To: <stanley_murage at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>
>
> Barrack,
>
> The reason I am trying to put across is that KBMS retains their old
> faithful
> system because there is no alternative being offered.  This means that
> there is
> an untapped opportunity.
>
> On the issue of issuing tickets at least KBMS receives 80-90% of the moneys
> due
> to it, the other operators have absolutely no record keeping or collection
> system which would mean that the owners will be lucky to receive more than
> 50%
> of the takings.
>
> A lack of monitoring in any business is a sure recipe for failure, I have
> seen
> this even in technology environments like cyber cafes where billing systems
> do
> not capture revenue from printing and CD writing. In the ISP business many
> did
> not implement integrated billing systems allowing their staff to run
> virtual
> organisations.  They never realised where the lick was even after firing
> half
> the staff and still continue to haemorrhage.
>
> I again reiterate, we need to apply technology and not just peddle
> technology
> for its own sake.
>
> Regards
>
> PS.  Technology is love and love shall overcome all - Creator of the Plasma
>
> Display screen.
> Robert Yawe
> KAY System Technologies Ltd
> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> Kenya
>
>
> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>
> To: robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or..ke>
> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 18:48:59
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
>
> Bobby,
>
> I agree with you ,however  I also  think increased efficiencies are
> bound to benefit the sector and the public as a whole, I am not
> pouring cold water on the legacy systems at KBS but a change is as
> good as a rest, I mentioned TPG since I found it to be a very modern
> and efficient way of managing transport, furthermore the buses are
> managed and owned by the county, of interest is the fact that the
> system is almost similar to the megarider that KBMS had implemented
> but which flopped, ever noticed how some of those conductors avoid
> issuing tickets when they know the inspectors are not around, this is
> what is killing the companies if only we can propose a system that
> minimizes the interaction between humans and money.
>
> On 6/24/11, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > Hi Barrack,
> >
> > You are doing exactly what I said we should avoid as techies, we need to
> > take
> > our clients from what the know to where we want them to go if you get to
> > the destination too quickly there will be resistance.
> >
> > As a developing Nation we need to create jobs, Smart Bus tried the smart
> > card
> > issue but it failed as we are not yet disciplined enough to be left
> > unsupervised.  City Council of Nairobi has been unable to replace the
> > parking
> > attendants even with Kisia at the helm, we need to appreciate that there
> is
> > more
> > to labour intensive applications can just a lack of technology.
> >
> >
> > The Kenya Bus system goes beyond just the ticketing machine, any changes
> > will
> > need to be effected from the backend towards the front end which is the
> > bus/matatu/boda boda.
> >
> > Virtual City have shown how a previously manual process can be automated
> > without
> > getting rid of staff but by empowering them to become more productive.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> >  Robert Yawe
> > KAY System Technologies Ltd
> > Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> > P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> > Kenya
> >
> >
> > Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>
> > To: robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo..co.uk>
> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or..ke>
>
> > Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 9:21:43
> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
> >
> > Bobby,
> >
> > I think the problem could be bigger than ticketing but the whole
> management
> > set
> > up. I found www.tpg.ch to be quite efficient because of centralised
> > management.
> > You pay for the  card monthly or weekly and your details are stored in a
> > magnetic strip card, the buses have no conductors but the company has
> > contracted
> > special Police who jump into the bus at random and will slap a hefty fine
> > (instant justice) on anyone found in the bus without a valid ticket or
> card.
> > The
> > buses of course also have the automatic ticket dispensers where you drop
> in
> > a
> > coin or slot your card, considering that the buses are managed by the
> county
> > it
> > might be a model worth studying despite the fact that we are likely to
> > experience resistance from those manning the transport sector which is
> > already a
> > mess and reverses all the gains we make as a nation due to the
> > inefficiencies.
> >
> > Best Regards
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
> wrote:
> >
> > Phares,
> >>
> >>
> >>I would like to disagree with you on the point of cost of the device, the
> >>problem with most of us technical people is that we are unable to sell
> the
> >> true
> >>benefits of a the solution we offer as we look at the solution from a
> >> technical
> >>point than a business point.
> >>
> >>
> >>We need to be able to sell the business solution not the technology at
> >> which
> >>point the US$ 2,000/- will be looked at an asset acquisition that by
> >> definition
> >>will improve the bottom line.  A quick one could be why not make the
> ticket
> >>
> >>larger and then sell advertising space on it, I know I get bored when
> >> travelling
> >>as the average trip takes at least 15 minutes.
> >>
> >>
> >>The reason that ticketing device is strong at the core of KBMC's system
> is
> >>because it delivers all we need to do to offer an upgrade that retains
> the
> >>current functionality and then moves them forward from there.
> >>
> >>
> >>I have had the opportunity to see what Kenya Business Management Company
> >> does
> >>with the data collected from those perceived archaic tickets dispensers
> >> coupled
> >>with the route records filled by the conductor at predefined locations
> and
> >> it is
> >>a marvel.
> >>
> >>
> >>Watch Kenya Bus Management Company has we phase out the 14 sitters, and
> it
> >> is a
> >>target market that any forward thinking developer should look into.
> >>
> >>
> >>City Hopper did not take on an efficient ticketing system and neither a
> >> route
> >>planning application because not even Thuo appreciated those metal
> gadgets
> >> in
> >>all the time he was MD of Kenya Bus.
> >>
> >>Robert Yawe
> >>KAY System Technologies Ltd
> >>Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> >>P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> >>Kenya
> >>
> >>
> >>Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > ________________________________
> >  From: Phares Kariuki <pkariuki at gmail.com>
> >>To: robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> >>Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 8:10:20
> >>Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
> >>
> >>
> >>Speaking from personal experience, the problem with the ticketing
> machines
> >> is
> >>one of management on the part of the bus company owners... There have
> been
> >>attempts to get rugged ticketing devices (the sort that farmers choice
> etc
> >> use
> >>when on the road) but they are not keen on them... One rugged device is
> >> around
> >>2,000 USD. For 10 of them, you would need to invest in what would
> otherwise
> >> be a
> >>down-payment for a bus... Additionally the additional cost with regards
> to
> >> human
> >>resource and other ICT infrastructure is not considered worth it, by the
> >> bus
> >>companies... It's an unfortunate situation, given the obvious benefits a
> >> tech
> >>based system would have. The sad thing is all 3 major bus companies have
> >>basically reached a stagnation point with regards to operational
> >> efficiency and
> >>have barely increased their fleetsize in the last five years (proof is
> the
> >> fact
> >>that new bus companies, City Shuttle et al are coming into the space).
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>Hi Listers,
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>A few days ago an was in a Kenya Bus and got a deja vu moment as I
> looked
> >>> at the
> >>>conductor standing in front of  me dispensing his  ticket.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/kbs-ticket-machine.jpg.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>The moment tool me back to 1978 and I a sitting in a number 29 bus
> coming
> >>> from
> >>>Eastleigh, where I went to school (now you can understand my lack
> >>>of etiquette at times) to Buru Buru where we lived.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>To date the machine remains the same with what seems to be a very basic
> >>>activity, dispensing tickets.  Which would explain why it remains the
> same
> >>> no
> >>>fancy additions or features, but what many of you might not know is that
> >>> it
> >>>seats at the heart of a very elaborate system.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>This easily overlooked device gives Kenya Bus Management Company the
> >>> wealth of
> >>>information that keeps them ahead of the pack and kept them operational
> >>> event
> >>>after all the groups of raiders who have owned the company over the past
> >>> 20 or
> >>>so years, lose of their garage in Eastleigh, lose of the monopoly in
> >>> Nairobi and
> >>>Mombasa, lose of the sole use of the Bus Terminal in Nairobi.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Now that little gadget that we all take for granted as we start new
> >>> transport
> >>>organisations is what has kept them going..  There is a product ready to
> be
> >>>
> >>>transitioned to the 21st century if only we stopped looking for
> >>> opportunities
> >>>for innovation in all the wrong places.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>A true innovation.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Regards
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>PS.  I am a sower, I leave harvesting to others.
> >>> Robert Yawe
> >>>KAY System Technologies Ltd
> >>>Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> >>>P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> >>>Kenya
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>_______________________________________________
> >>>kictanet mailing list
> >>>kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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> >>>
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> >>>
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>
> >>>
> >>>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
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> >>>not market your wares or qualifications.
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>With Regards,
> >>
> >>Phares Kariuki
> >>
> >>| T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki at gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype:
> >>kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>kictanet mailing list
> >>kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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> >>
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> >>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%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.
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Barrack O. Otieno
> > Afriregister Ltd (Kenya)
> > www.afriregister.bi, www.afriregister.com
> > ICANN accredited registrar
> > +254721325277
> > +254-20-2498789
> > Skype: barrack.otieno
> >
>
> --
> Sent from my mobile device
>
> Barrack O. Otieno
> Afriregister Ltd (Kenya)
> www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi,
> www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com>
> <http://www..afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar
> +254721325277
> +254-20-2498789
> Skype: barrack.otieno
>
>
>
>
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>
> 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.
>



-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
Afriregister Ltd (Kenya)
www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi,
www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com>
<http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar
+254721325277
+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno
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