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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>My first post
…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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 … <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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 ?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>2500 staff and
230,000 members is a small system … that’s like a system for a
small credit union.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Liko Agosta, CEO</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Verviant
Consulting Services. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.verviant.com"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt'>www.verviant.com</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Phone
: 1-919-341-1820</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Fax
: 1-978-268-8403</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Toll Free:
1-866-551-4935</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Pager: </span><a
href="mailto:9193891551@txt.att.net"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>9193891551@txt.att.net</span></a><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] <b>On Behalf
Of </b>Titus Njoroge<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 01, 2008 2:11 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Liko Agosta<br>
<b>Cc:</b> New Vision List; Haron Wachira; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>TSC has sent RFP for a system
for managing their 230,000 members to be used by the 2500 staff.. Check todays
Daily Nation.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Titus.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>2008/6/28 Sylvester Kisonzo <<a
href="mailto:skisonzo@securenet.co.ke">skisonzo@securenet.co.ke</a>><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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'. </span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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. </span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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.</span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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!</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Sylvester</span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;
border-color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color'>
<p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'> kictanet-bounces+skisonzo=<a href="http://gmail.com" target="_blank">gmail.com</a>@<a
href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>
[mailto:<a href="mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Bskisonzo" target="_blank">kictanet-bounces+skisonzo</a>=<a
href="http://gmail.com" target="_blank">gmail.com</a>@<a
href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Shem Ochuodho<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 28 June 2008 12:50<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:skisonzo@gmail.com" target="_blank">skisonzo@gmail.com</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> 'New Vision List'; 'Haron Wachira'; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p><span lang=EN-GB> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<tr>
<td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p>Bro. Antoine,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Great reading back from you. I believe together we can, and shall,
overcome.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Best rgrds,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Shem<br>
<br>
--- On <b>Fri, 6/27/08, antoine bigirimana <i><<a
href="mailto:antoine@e-tools.com" target="_blank">antoine@e-tools.com</a>></i></b>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:
0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
border-color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(16, 16, 255)'>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>From: antoine bigirimana <<a
href="mailto:antoine@e-tools.com" target="_blank">antoine@e-tools.com</a>><br>
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?<br>
To: <a href="mailto:shemochuodho@yahoo.com" target="_blank">shemochuodho@yahoo.com</a>,
<a href="mailto:kiriinya2000@yahoo.com" target="_blank">kiriinya2000@yahoo.com</a>,
"'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'" <<a
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>><br>
Cc: "'New Vision List'" <<a
href="mailto:newvisionkenya@yahoogroups.com" target="_blank">newvisionkenya@yahoogroups.com</a>>,
"'Haron Wachira'" <<a href="mailto:hwachira@itakenya.com"
target="_blank">hwachira@itakenya.com</a>><br>
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008, 2:57 PM<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p><span style='color:black'>Hello Shem,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>Thank you very much for mentioning SmartGov ERP
developed in Rwanda by E-Tools Rwanda.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>Hello All,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>The systems developed for USA , Canada and
European Union</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>tend to include many features that are not necessarily
relevant for the East African market and they are also very expensive.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>We believe the most cost effective solution for
our developing and poor countries is to use our local talent, supplemented if
need be</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>E-Tools Rwanda and E-Tools Kenya are designed to
create any software solution required in the East African region.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>antoine</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'> Shem Ochuodho [mailto:<a href="mailto:shemochuodho@yahoo.com"
target="_blank">shemochuodho@yahoo.com</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:55 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:kiriinya2000@yahoo.com" target="_blank">kiriinya2000@yahoo.com</a>;
KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<br>
<b>Cc:</b> New Vision List; Haron Wachira; Antoine BIGIRIMANA-Yahoo<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<tr>
<td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Wesley,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>In effect, if the environment is right,
it is doable.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Shem</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>--- On <b>Wed, 6/25/08, wesley kiriinya <i><<a
href="mailto:kiriinya2000@yahoo.com" target="_blank">kiriinya2000@yahoo.com</a>></i></b>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:
5.0pt;border-color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(16, 16, 255)'>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>From: wesley kiriinya <<a
href="mailto:kiriinya2000@yahoo.com" target="_blank">kiriinya2000@yahoo.com</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?<br>
To: "Shem Ochuodho" <<a href="mailto:shemochuodho@yahoo.com"
target="_blank">shemochuodho@yahoo.com</a>><br>
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <<a
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>><br>
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 12:55 PM<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</td>
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<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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</blockquote>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
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