SolDevelo developed new features and custom integrations for the OpenLMIS Angola implementation to improve the country’s medical supply chain management.
The Client
VillageReach is a global non-profit organization focused on improving healthcare delivery in low-resource settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s aiming to reduce inequalities in access to effective, high-quality healthcare. It works with governments and other organizations to bring this goal to life.
The OpenLMIS Angola implementation is realized and improved as a part of USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM). It’s an initiative focused on improving global and national healthcare supply chains to ensure effective delivery of health commodities to those who need them.
OpenLMIS
OpenLMIS is an open-source, cloud-based Logistics Management Information System (LMIS). Its purpose is to automate supply chain management in low-income countries, supporting the digital transformation, and fostering a time- and resource-efficient approach in local communities.
As a long-time contributor, SolDevelo has gained a lot of experience in the development of the OpenLMIS project, and therefore was chosen as a suitable collaborator for enhancing the Angola implementation.
The Challenge
OpenLMIS Angola required several additions and improvements that would make the system more efficient and better adjusted to the needs of the end users.
Additional functionalities
The client requested additional features to be developed for the OpenLMIS Angola. The features involved mostly stock management and performance-related enhancements.
Interoperability with external systems
The client required the system to allow integration with other platforms, such as Mapa Sanitario and mSupply, to enable smooth exchange of data.
Enhanced reporting
Expanded reporting options were also needed to help the user gather, compare, and analyze data as well as create visualizations.
The Solution
Our work consisted of a few different areas: new features development and implementation, performance improvements, data warehouse development, integrations with local systems, documentation, and end user training.
Additional functionalities
We put a lot of effort into optimizing system performance, ensuring alignment with country-specific supply chain processes, and integrating it with the OpenLMIS Core product.
By gathering user feedback and addressing their needs, we developed features that enhance the user experience, streamline workflows, and support end users in managing supply chain operations more efficiently and effectively.
We’ve added the following features:
Stock
Selection of product presentation
The user can create unit formats and assign them to products to ensure data within the system is consistent and well-organized. It is also possible to choose displaying options (Doses/Packs) when browsing the Stock on Hand tab.
Create and post orders
The user can create and post supply orders for one or multiple facilities requesting one or multiple commodities.
Supplier Management
The user can manage the list of suppliers, and add information such as program, facility type, and geo level affinity. When receiving stock, the user is able to select the supplier from the available organizations.
Stock Quarantine or Recall
The user can mark a product or a lot as Quarantined. It will block the possibility of utilizing such a product in the Requisitions functionalities. The Quarantined product will be displayed in red color, and will have certain details blocked from editing. All users will be notified about the changes in status of a Quarantined product.
Issue stock to hospital services and wards
The user can create and manage Services and Wards within a Facility. Products can be issued to a specific Ward/Service, and the Ward/Service can be marked as the receiver. It is also possible to check the current stock on hand for each Ward/Service.
The system
Implementation at municipalities
The system has been configured to account for national- and provincial-level facilities as well as a few PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)-supported facilities.
Low internet bandwidth
To ensure the system is reliable and accessible to its end users, we enhanced it to work in a low internet bandwidth.
Performance improvements
We’ve implemented several performance improvements to reduce loading times, and enhance overall responsiveness. Among others, we focused on the login and requisition modules which required some adjustments to work more smoothly and align with the performance of the OpenLMIS Core product.
The performance improvements mentioned above were also added to the core product, and will be available along with the OpenLMIS 3.18, planned to be released by the end of October 2024.
Data warehouse (SIGECA Central)
We developed a separate data warehouse, known as SIGECA Central, to facilitate integration with external systems. This data warehouse serves as a hub where data from OpenLMIS is aggregated, enabling future integration with the mSupply warehouse management system. While we did not perform the integration with mSupply directly, we established the infrastructure necessary for it.
Additionally, we integrated SIGECA Central with Mapa Sanitario, allowing the system to receive data on healthcare facilities from Angola’s internal system. The data is pulled by OpenLMIS, ensuring that facility information is consistently updated and accurate across platforms.
Integration with Power BI and the creation of 13 Power BI reports
The objective was to update the dashboarding requirements for OpenLMIS Angola. The updates were necessary to align with current industry standards and specific in-country requirements, ensuring optimal delivery of software improvements. This update was part of the broader software improvement activities aimed at enhancing the overall performance and usability of OpenLMIS Angola.
Documentation
To provide support for the administrators of the system, we’ve prepared comprehensive documentation. The purpose was to build the in-country capacity for admin users, giving them the resources they need to solve Tier 1 and Tier 2 issues.
User manual
We’ve also prepared a user manual for the newly created functionalities to support the users and help them quickly adapt to the current version of the system. Creating user manuals is a standard part of our process, aiming to always take care of the end user, namely, the people whom our developments and improvements are designed for.
The Results
The project was a success, achieving all crucial objectives and delivering substantial benefits to the national health supply chain. We developed and integrated several key features, which collectively enhanced the functionality, efficiency, and reliability of the OpenLMIS Angola.
Case studies
Discover our other OpenLMIS implementations.
OpenLMIS in Eswatini: SolDevelo supporting health innovation
SolDevelo supports the implementation of OpenLMIS in The Gambia
How SolDevelo contributed to OpenLMIS implementation in Tanzania
OpenLMIS: How SolDevelo helped to solve critical healthcare supply chain challenges in Africa
