Product Roadmap

We know that innovation and lateral thinking are often at odds with an orderly business plan. But there must always be some kind of Roadmap or set of Goals, even if only to inform us that the landscape has changed again, to shift the goalposts another 125cm to the left.

awareNet

• 2012 - access to awareNet via mobile phone browser.
• 2012 - MXit integration

Steps that we have completed:

• Requirements Engineering and Feasibility (2007-2008) For instance our white paper on innovative ICT4D.
• Prototype Construction (H1/2008)
• Alpha Release (H2/2008+):  installation at the solar computer schools network at Nkwalini / Tafalehashi.
• Beta Release (2009): during 2009, awareNet was installed on the Amazon EC2 service, for flexible service of the Internet in industrialised countries.  Simultaneously, access to more populous disadvantaged regions in peri-urban areas is under way.
• 2010 - Attain a working network of several awareNet nodes - prove sustainability and usefulness.
• The community momentum begun in 2010 was continued through to 2011 and is still the focus.
• 2011 - Testing of mobile servers on laptops that can roam from school lab to school lab and provide access to awareNet for training without the need for Internet.
• 2011 - Improvements to peer network infrastructure to efficiently support real-time chat across low-bandwidth connections.
• 2011 - awareNet Standalone Installer for Microsoft Windows
• 2011 - awareNet Content Package for Standalone

ESTIMA & Reed House Systems

The ESTIMA project was an over-riding focus of eKhaya ICT’s activities for 2010. Here we pursued our interest in respect of digital eServices for the disadvantaged and for rural areas. This was linked to DFID proposals (which were shortlisted) placed by our sister NGO the Village Scribe Association to study infomediary models for spreading Information Society goals in Africa. We are still pursuing these. In 2010, we focused on product and software project management, professional services and business partnership aspects of this SAFIPA project. 

In 2011, we focused on getting the ESTIMA start-up Reed House Systems up on its feet. Reed House Systems pursues high quality solutions based on Java EE for large government projects in all e-Development fields. Being housed at Rhodes University currently, there is also the aspect of e-Skilling in working with a wide variety of interns, students, etc. to deliver skilled people to government and private customers as well as software products.

In 2012, eKhaya ICT is pursuing an exit strategy from Reed House Systems, which will satisfy all partners and strengthen possibilities for future collaboration. 

Business Roadmap

The business roadmap runs parallel to the technology / product roadmap and is as follows:

2007-2008

• Develop contact network in rural development field.
• Build standing and prove ability to deliver in local ICT field.
• Build funding / support network in developed nations to support the programme.

2008-2009

• Use prototypes to sell idea as well as to improve technology.
• Funding to get product management
• Look for partners to bring the product to the market in a sustainable way.

2010

• Introduction of innovative technologies into awareNet, tech funding.
• Business plan for awareNet in conjunction with non-profit partners.

2011

• awareNet stand-alone with content package.
• Provide user support.

• Obtain partners and funding (mix of private, government, sales, etc.).