One of the key announcements at Microsoft's AAP 2011 in Singapore was the launch of Kavakatu, a web-based application for monitoring and evaluating civil society projects. This application which is set to be deployed in the next few weeks as a free Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, for its basic functionality and at a minimal fee for a version more customised to client needs, has the added distinction of being from Sri Lanka.
According to Anuruddha Edirisinghe, the Chief Executive of Infoshare, the Microsoft non-profit partner that created Kavakatu, this application stemmed from a mid-2011 conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where about 50 Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the South East Asia region gave feedback as to what need could be filled, in terms of operational processes, by software. This led to a monitoring and evaluation tool, built around a standardised set of specific criteria which could be used and re-used across projects, being conceptualised.
Additionally, Mr. Edirisinghe indicated that the next stage of the development of this application would be its testing by the NGOs that contributed to its development, followed by an upgrade based on feedback and only then public deployment as a SaaS.
Meanwhile, the next project for the joint Microsoft-Infoshare App.Incubator, under whose standard Kavakatu was created, will be a disaster preparedness application which is still in its early concept, planning stages. However, Mr. Edirisinghe did say that, rather than focusing on disaster management, which was an aspect that had been heavily addressed in the past, the new App.Incubator offering would be a disaster solution with a weightage towards preparedness including available resources accounting, etc. This new project would also include a conference similar to the Kavakatu event where a number of NGOs would be invited and their feedback gotten and incorporated in the development process. Also noted, this offering was expected to be available by mid-2012.
He also revealed that the next big highlight for Infoshare was a showcase and engagement event which would be held by the end of next year which would put on display offerings as well as also include more hands one breakout sessions and conversations encompassing the NGO community. He also indicated that App.Incubator was currently on the look-out for projects to help out. |
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