Just a quick update to notify everyone that the system’s development team finalized two major issues on LMMS last night that came up as we worked on the integration pieces between World Vision and Fieldworker’s respective software coding. We are expecting Fieldworkers applications to be released on Friday and WVC’s updated release also on Friday. The Core Team will spend a few days running through test scenarios. Additional (lower priority) functionality on LMMS will continue as we work on the Alpha release on the existing specifications (expected to end beginning of March).
Equipment order process has started and we have a deadline imposed as of beginning of February to have equipment in Uganda and Zimbabwe. Card printing options at WVC are still under design phases, but we hope to have all cards pre-printed ahead off shipment to the field.
One quick note to all – the LMMS team is exhausted, we have been going full out for a while. With the Christmas break upcoming and the closure of a number of offices, the team will be off December 22 to January 4th. Let me wish you all a very peaceful, joyous holiday season and a very happy new year!
Those of you you have been biting your finger nails and unable to get to sleep (I know you’re out there) … yes indeed – we had a release Monday evening Dec 7th on LMMS. With General feeding and Food-for-Work modules incorporated. Targeted Feeding will be added by early next week. Next Monday evening (Dec 14) we begin the integration testing with our very fancy, very slick, very effective mobile applications from Fieldworker Mobile Technology Solutions. We’ll keep you informed.
Again – so you’re all fully aware – this is an alpha release .. work that we are doing on the software that will facilitate a faster, smoother release for field applications that meets basic user specifications. That’s a fancy way of saying that we are on schedule for field applications but the system’s developments need more work. It won’t quite make you a cappuccino in addition to helping manage your food aid projects …not just yet … there’s still a lot to do and we are pressing ahead.
To let you know as well .. we had major proposals submitted this week to support the LMMS systems in field deployments and in better integrating monitoring and evaluations inside food aid projects. Essential work to support our efforts to alleviate human suffering from hunger. Keep us in your thoughts as we enter into the festive season .. I’m hoping for an early Christmas present to help us out in this endeavor! If you would like to support us in delivering more effective humanitarian aid – visit World Vision Canada via this link, call, drop us email, or send a homing pigeon.
Step number one – take two parts of tried and tested rapid software development tools from your software development partner, Toronto based Fieldworker Mobile Solutions, add a healthy dose of your own software development and mix thoroughly with an knowing eye on how humanitarian projects should run …. bake in the oven .. and serve on an Intermec hand-held devise .. and there you have LMMS 2.0. Ok .. not quite as simple but yes, we’re still working hard at delivering this fab innovation.
The Alpha version of LMMS 2.0 is scheduled for released December 7th (.. actually it was the 4th, but Benny – our super dooper developer fiend defines close of business on Friday … as Monday instead .. who can argue?) What’s new in the app .. a redefined web application that enables humanitarian workers to set up and manage projects and system-users online, new look-and-feel to the web based reports that aid workers love, an intuitive and easy to use commodity management system … and mobile applications that let us run General Feeding, Targeted Feeding and Food-For-Work projects in remote, off the grid locales!!!! Oh joy.
For people wondering what’s the diff between a General Feeding and a Targeted Feeding program, I’ll write up a short brief on each of these major food aid programs as soon as I can for you and will update this post – but you can read the April 28th entry for a peek at what Targeted Feeding entails.
This entry is a quick update to where we are in LMMS 2.0′s release .. I also want to take the opportunity to let you know that interconnectedness is vital to our planning for LMMS. We’re delivering a solution for humanitarian agencies that empower aid workers through mobile technologies. Step’s four and five that are to come will entail connecting the dots – taking donors on a journey to actual work on the ground. All of that requires a technology backbone … the LMMS team have a few things up their sleeves on building the connectivity parts .. but the following support by Cisco to aid agencies is great to see – and shows how the LMMS application can link back into the global world wide web.
Ok .. let me ask the question that comes up – LMMS is built on a Java environment and is running on the Window’s Mobile O/S. There is lots of media attention currently on Google’s Android O/S and how this will replace Windows. Does a demise of Windows Mobile O/S (I’m a Mac user and I can’t help but grin at that prospect) have any bearing on the LMMS application?
Perhaps we’re getting a little too caught up on emerging trends versus the implication of business applications? I can’t help but think that if businesses foresee a shift away from Windows O/S there would be a correction in delivery of business applications that can run of competing O/Ss.
Beside, I doubt developers, hardware providers and network folks would walk away from Java. Further, my understanding is that Android (which is built using Java code) allows for application development that makes use of Java’s libraries. Granted shortfalls exist … but that will likely just strengthen the programming evolution of Java or Java-like languages. (.. sorry I’m here to ask questions, not answer them)
Once we’ve got the O/S addressed – there are some people who feel that a .NET application would be more suited over a Java application. Is this cause for concern? Comments?
… there’s still a lot to do and we are pressing ahead.