Nowadays, humanitarian organizations like World Vision International face the complex challenge of efficiently and securely delivering aid to vulnerable communities during times of crisis. For over a decade, WVI had been relying on the Last Mobile Mile Solution (LMMS) to facilitate disaster management and food commodity distribution. However, the organization recognized the need for a technological transformation to address evolving demands and improve its aid delivery capabilities.

The Challenge

WVI had identified several critical issues that necessitated the development of a comprehensive asset tracking system:

• Data Silos: WVI’s existing systems lacked the ability to swiftly exchange data, causing inefficiencies and hindering collaboration among teams.
• Offline Distribution: Humanitarian work often occurs in remote areas with limited internet connectivity. WVI needed a solution that could facilitate offline distribution without relying on an internet connection.
• Beneficiary Privacy: Protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and upholding beneficiary dignity were paramount. Existing systems posed privacy challenges.
• Donor Compliance: Ensuring compliance with donor requirements was crucial for accountability and transparency.
• Mobility: The solution had to support the mobility of aid workers, enabling them to work in challenging conditions.
• Cost Efficiency: WVI aimed to reduce the cost of using local roaming servers by leveraging mobile devices’ synchronization capabilities.

Project Initiation

The project commenced with a collaborative effort between WVI and Yameo. Firstly, WVI had prepared a preliminary prototype, and we divided the project into iterations and tasks. We conducted extensive discovery workshops to ensure a thorough understanding of WVI’s requirements, and all workshops were recorded to ensure consistency of arrangements in the later stages of the project.

Solving the Problem with Asset Tracking System

The Item Tracking System project took about 1.5 years, during which our teams worked diligently to deliver the best solution possible. The development of the Item Tracking System (ITS) aimed to transform LMMS into a modern platform that addressed all of WVI’s challenges. The key objectives of ITS were as follows:

• Data Privacy: ITS focused on data privacy, ensuring that Personally Identifiable Information (PII) remained secure.
• Offline Capability: ITS allowed for offline distribution, enabling aid workers to operate effectively in areas with limited internet access.
• Beneficiary Dignity: The solution upheld the dignity of beneficiaries by safeguarding their personal information.
• Donor Compliance: ITS ensured compliance with donor requirements, enhancing transparency and accountability.
• Mobility: Aid workers could now operate more efficiently in challenging conditions, thanks to ITS’s mobility features.
• Cost Efficiency: The system reduced costs by eliminating the need for local roaming servers and leveraging mobile device capabilities.
• Data Analysis: ITS provided the ability to analyze data, facilitating better identification of project progress and future needs.
• Integration with Existing Systems: ITS seamlessly integrated with the existing systems responsible for beneficiary registration and humanitarian project management, enhancing coordination and efficiency across all aspects of WVI’s operations.