The Small Information Enterprise
introduction | about the SIE | challenge | project | implementation | innovation | participation | sustainability | budget
The Information Network
Mearch Development Information is working on a project that aims to create an information network created out of a large number of small information enterprises, the SIEs.
Small information enterprise (SIE). Small commercial organisation capable in collecting information on its own. Staff is locally recruited, and trained in data collection and the use of sophisticated GIS hardware and software. All software used is 100% Open Source: it keeps the costs low and the enterprise legitimate. Furthermore, Mearch will adapt to the information needs during the changing phases of relief, rehabilitation and development programmes, each of them having their own requirements in terms of coordination. And in the end, staff is trained up to the level that they can join governments and help them organise and present information, independently solve problems, attend or organise meetings and most importantly train other government staff members in doing so.
Responsibilities of the SIE
The partner (SIE) is responsible for data collection in the field, assessments, and interviewing of people. In a later stage, SIEs will also perform data entry, analysing and mapping of information.
Partnership will be mainly top-down for the first 24 months with gradually transfer into a more mature relationship: they are offered a franchise.
The challenge
After a disaster, our live might depend on crucial information to coordinate relief work. At least, this is how it works in western societies. In developing countries, only some basis information would be available to help you.
The challenge is to create an information system for developing countries that does provide crucial data supporting the coordination of relief.
The Project Summary
The aim is to create a dense network of well trained local fieldworkers, capable in collecting emergency related health information. The network consists out of small information enterprises (SIEs), well equipped to collect information. SIEs are offered a franchise, in which information is collectively offered to relief agencies, who will be happy to pay for accurate up-to-date emergency data.
This way, SIEs will earn a living. In exchange for information SIEs will receive money, but more important, training and operational support. This way, information becomes a commodity for the poor.
The Implementation
Small enterprises (SIEs) are trained to collect information in the field. After six months, they are able to collect quality data, and do computerized data entry. More enterprises are trained the same way. Together they form an information network.
In the 2nd stage, SIEs are offered a franchise: in exchange for sharing of information, SIEs receive operational support, training, expertise and ... paid orders.
We will start modestly. One cannot expect the network to be self sufficient in a developing world instantly. The network encourages gradually growth. Our first clients are humanitarian agencies, universities and the World Bank for which accurate healthcare information will be collected, all in the context of a disaster.
In a later stage, consultancies, newspapers, and governments will become clients of the network. Finally, commercial companies could utilise the information network.
Elements of the idea have been tested for the past 2 years in Sri Lanka, in a tsunami and war-effected region with thousands of displaced.
Innovative
The project idea has similarities with micro credit: Small enterprises are encouraged to invest in themselves. Only this time, the pay-back currency is information.
The project is network-based. The infrastructure is created on a small scale, with the idea that its own success will make it grow.
The supporting knowledge and expertise are all based on cheap ICT technology and Open Source software. The possibilities today are numerous.
The project is pyramidal. Small enterprises are offered a franchise, not forced into it. And they are encouraged to invest in their own knowledge and expertise.
On the long term, the network will become available to anyone. All kinds of organisations can profit of such network, from humanitarian agencies in the lowest developed regions, universities performing research, or for pharmaceutical companies doing market research. Information for a reasonable price.
The training and advice to them will be of the best quality available, since SIEs earn hard currency by selling their information, they can buy new knowledge straight from the world market.
The SIE project is based on targeting a group of “just-notters”: people that did not manage to enter universities. This group will most probably spend their working life in the region, is smart and well motivated. They will be encouraged to hire lower educated fieldwork staff.
Community Participation
To run a small information enterprise, the target group will need to understand computers or at least mobile phones. We aim at a group that will most probably spend their lives in the region, hence knowledge is consolidated. Additionally, they will have to employ lower educated field workers if they want their enterprise to become a success.
Weekly monitoring in and around emergency sites will make it most likely for them to recruit field staff from the camps itself. Eventually this will lead to recruitment from vulnerable groups: people that have lost all their belongings, highly motivated to make the best out of it.
This way, the network will increasingly benefit the poor.
Sustainability
The project is build around a commercial commodity: information. No one within the information network is forced to join. After initial training of SIEs, the rest of the programme is optional.
The idea of creating a network by starting small, is that if the network is a success, it will grow by itself. Good quality information is capable in selling itself. So does a successful formula.
By offering a range of courses from simple data collection to complex consultancy, it is expected that natural selection will give the network its necessary diversity.
Through the use of Open Source software the whole project becomes both affordable AND legitimate. We have 2 years of experience with open source software.
The project focuses at gradually growth. We will not set unrealistic goals. Not for the SIEs, and neither for the project development.
Gradually the network will not only benefit from the purchasing power of humanitarian agencies any more. The next generation of users will be universities, grateful when offered such a powerful tool for a fair price. Later investment banks, governments, iNGOs, NGOs, and consultancy agencies will follow. Finally, multi-nationals, and other commercially interested companies will find their way into the business of information.
In time, the network will outgrow the first nation. The question of where to go next will answer itself over time.
Estimated Budget
Estimated costs for the Small Information Enterprise Network - Pilot. USD 160.000
