Last week my friend Ken Banks (of kiwanja.net) launched the latest version of FrontlineSMS, a text messaging platform geared at servicing the needs of the grassroots NGO community.
There are a number of improvements on the first version, released way back in 2005:
- Additional support for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms
- Remote data collection functionality for organisations needing to electronically capture information in the field
- Language support for Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili
- Support for an increasing range of handsets and modems (any AT compatible GSM devices, in fact)
- Automatic handset detection and configuration
- Built-in API support for Clickatell (more online aggregators to follow)
- A FrontlineSMS online community allowing NGOs to get support and connect, and share experiences and ideas
There have been a number of good write-ups so far, namely:
http://blogs.discovery.com/news_etherized/2008/06/frontlinesms-20.html
http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1103
http://www.160characters.org/news.php?action=view&nid=2615
http://ict4peace.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/kiwanjanet-launches-the-new-frontlinesms/
FrontlineSMS is already in use by NGOs in over 40 countries around the world, and an additional 200+ have signed up to use the software since news of its launch was announced at Global Messaging Congress 2008 in Cannes. It has recently been implemented in a health centre in Malawi, a really nice use-study which was posted up at www.kiwanja.net/blog.htm
If you’re an NGO interested in using the software in your work then feel free to complete the Request Download screen on the www.frontlinesms.com website.