Exporting Technology To Africa To Save Lives

A chance phone call from the Clinton Foundation in Mozambique has changed ours and their lives dramatically. It shows the power of creating appropriate and well constructed websites describing a companys services and products.

What was the problem and then the solution:
Delayed test results have often meant that HIV patients in Mozambique have failed to get timely treatment, particularly for preventing Mother to Child transfer (MTCT) of HIV on birth. However, having introduced and developed our new SMS printer technology with the Clinton Foundation and the Mozambique Ministry of Health the need to send tests to far away laboratories has reduced and has dramatically speeded up test results and HIV treatment for Mothers, Mothers-to-be and their newly born. After a successful 2009 pilot Mozambique has nationally rolled out our SMS printer technology and gateway, with Clinton Foundations help. This GSM network based printer and gateway technology transmits the results of mother and infant HIV tests electronically from two central reference laboratories in Maputo and the northern provincial capital, Nampula, to more than 275 health centres across the country. Previously, test samples and results took, on average, three weeks and up to several months to be transported to and from clinics via various means in remote parts of the country.

How did Sequoia and Clinton Foundation meet?
Because of this serious delay in test results the Clinton Foundation in Mozambique looked around for a technology based solution. They ended up contacting us in Reading having seen our website and enquired about using our SMS printer technology for sending health test data over the GSM network to speed up the time taken. After hearing what the program was about and the disastrous pass through rate from Mother to child for HIV we, at Sequoia, could only say yes to help with the program. Two years of concentrated work with the Clinton Foundation on the hardware and the required gateway software produced a successful pilot program. Subsequent research conducted by the Ministry of Health of Mozambique and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), after our SMS printer technology and gateway had been installed, showed that the time it took for clinics to receive test results from reference labs had dropped from an average of about three weeks to about three days after the printers were introduced. Research presented by the Ministry of Health and CHAI at the International AIDS Conference 2010 in Vienna, Austria, showed that this, in turn, reduced the time it took to start infants (and /or mothers to be) on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by about 4 months. This is now part of the national prevention of mother-to-child (PMTCT) HIV transmission service within Mozambique. The number of infants starting treatment also increased by 60 percent.

How the SMS printer technology and gateway works:
Clinics across the country collect dried blood spot samples from infants and / or mothers to be and transport them to the nearest reference lab, where lab technicians conduct the HIV tests. Results are entered into the SMS printer database at the reference lab and then uploaded onto the Sequoia Technology online server (in Reading UK). The Sequoia gateway then uses the local MCEL GSM phone network to transmit results back to the appropriate clinic. Each clinic has a small thermal paper, GPRS enabled printer that receives the patient test data and prints out the HIV test results alongside a patient identification number. With interruptions in electricity and wireless network signal, the system has been designed to ensure 100 of the data is received by the appropriate printer completely intact – if printers are offline, results are safeguarded in an online gateway queue until the printer is available. The Sequoia Technology gateway shows the status of every printer whether on or not and the number of messages sent or in a queue waiting to be printed. The printer’s small size also makes storage easy in space-constrained clinics, which must also ensure that the printer is kept in a secure room to guarantee patient confidentiality.

Greater efficiency The introduction of SMS printers to clinics has not only meant that babies who test HIV-positive can be started on ARVs sooner – a potentially life-saving intervention – but has also reduced the numbers of new mothers who disappear from the clinics PMTCT program during the, previously, long wait times or after having spent time and money on multiple clinic visits to check for results. According to Mozambiques 2010 report to the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS), about 30 percent of babies born to HIV-positive mothers contract the virus, but only about 14 percent of these babies are tested for HIV before the age of 18 months. Without treatment one-third of HIV-positive babies will die in their first year of life, and almost half by the age of two. With our SMS printer technology in place now the clinics are being able to get to and test mothers-to-be ?for HIV and be able to prescribe AVR drugs in enough time to reduce the likelihood of mother to child transfer of HIV. Additionally further testing after childbirth can check the mothers viral load to ensure the right drugs are given when the mother is breastfeeding an additional way of MTCT of HIV. With our technology in place now, throughout Mozambique, the 30-40 or less if the pre and post birth testing and drug application takes place.

Our SMS printer technology and gateway is then a fast and accurate way of transmitting confidential health data to any remote location but crucially can be used for any disease Malaria, TB, HIV in fact anything that needs to be diagnosed in a lab. This technology forms a low cost and serious platform for countries to transmit diagnostic information quickly and accurately. Additionally, the gateway consolidates all information and therefore gives statistical data about disease spread and location and the quality of the health care across a complete country. Sequoia engineers took 2 years to perfect the gateway software with CHAI and MCEL to produce 100 full data quality and with printer / server buffering and handshaking to ensure the quality of data. Extensive testing took place in pilot phase of this project. Any authorized person can log on to the SMS2printer.co.uk website and retrieve the full data and visual map of where each printer is and the stats of how many messages have been sent / received / pending at each location.

Partnership – We continue to develop more capable GPRS enabled printers and are now working with CHAI in Kenya for potentially deploying a similar system in other African countries for the same health diagnostic transmission platform. Our association with the Clinton team in Mozambique continues and has become more of a partnership and further roll outs are planned as a result of the success so far.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using 3g Mobile Technology

Over the years, the telecommunications industry has undergone a sea change in terms of the development and use of advanced technologies. One such modern technology is known as 3g mobile technology.

Like other technologies, this one too has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let us explore some of them here.

Considered as an outcome or offspring of the drawbacks witnessed in 2g, this technology is offered at a reduced overall cost by the various carriers.

There is an increased scope for businessmen and developers to use multimedia options, such as videos, graphics and file transfer using advanced techniques like GPRS or Bluetooth.

As the process and rate of data transmission is faster, there is no issue of overcrowding or waiting in queue; making it the next gen platform for mobile enthusiasts.

There is inbuilt facility to accommodate more number of mobile types in the network.

You can avail localized services like news or weather reports.

The video calling technology is improvised in this version, and hence you can arrange conference calls even between people residing in different countries.

Seamless usage of graphs or other kinds of pictures is extremely useful for business persons or developers to exhibit the progress or issues of a particular task.

Due to the speed of data transfer, the number of people patronizing the 3g technology is continuously on the rise. Today, they are able to use social media applications to promote their business right from their handheld devices.

Internet advertisers stand to benefit more due to the high level of mobile usage even for common purposes like music or chat.

There is more bandwidth available to use due to a broader radio spectrum.

Now, moving on to analyze the disadvantages of 3g technology:

The general rate of power consumption is quite high.

The costs involved in setting up base stations or upgrading them is really high, which may not be affordable for all providers.

Moreover, for effective functioning, the base stations have to be established in close proximity to each other.

You have to upgrade your handset or buy a new, advanced one to use 3g technology.

The roaming services continue to have a few drawbacks.

There are some additional costs like the cost of procuring a license and network setup and operational costs.

The basic plan prices are quoted much higher than in 2g even though there are fixed and variable plans available for you to choose from.

Improve Communication In Restaurants By Using Mobile Apps

Mobile apps for restaurants have been considered very important in these days. This tiny computing software can be used to improve the communication at your restaurant level. It is a known fact that restaurant operations could prove to be very complex. The best way to deal with this complexity is getting the necessary helpful tool to make them more manageable, and that is exactly what this tiny computing software does. If you want to be staying in competition with other restaurants then mobile apps for restaurants work in a very professional ways. This industry has come around and wised up to the fact that technology has become an integral part of commerce and business. Therefore, there is a need to take advantage of the benefits of technology. Business can pretty much ensure their success and profitability with this tool in hand.

The process is considered to be little complicated in its visibility but it facilitates the restaurants to save additional payments of money on the old marketing methods that could not be so effective to meet with the latest business requirements. Efficiency in operations of the restaurant could be greatly improved with the use of mobile applications, and this is a fact that must be understood by restaurant owners. You must have a vision as to where your restaurant business, or whatever else type of business it is, would be in the future. With the help of mobile applications and software, your business will be able to hold its own against the competition. Your business must be based on highly technical savvy to be competitive in the twenty first century environment. You would be operating at the most efficient level, and you will also have savings when it comes to the time spent managing your restaurant. You will also be able to have a workplace where all your employees will be able to contribute positively to the growth of the business.

Mobile apps for restaurants have been considered very important in these days. This tiny computing software can be used to improve the communication at your restaurant level. It is a known fact that restaurant operations could prove to be very complex. The best way to deal with this complexity is getting the necessary helpful tool to make them more manageable, and that is exactly what this tiny computing software does. If you want to be staying in competition with other restaurants then mobile apps for restaurants work in a very professional ways. This industry has come around and wised up to the fact that technology has become an integral part of commerce and business. Therefore, there is a need to take advantage of the benefits of technology. Business can pretty much ensure their success and profitability with this tool in hand.

Using your Smartphone, laptop, or tablet, you can go ahead and download the latest in software technology for the development of applications for restaurants. This mobile medium is considered to be highly effective to reach a vast audience and when this mobile application is installed then half of your work to reach your customers is done. The remaining half ways works when it is connected with the service but it must be free of any lengthy process because in such conditions the consumers will be irritated to have an access to the services.

Looking for a restaurant or locating a tucked-away restaurant has become easier, thanks to the navigation features of these mobile apps. Going around the area would be easier, facilitated by the detailed maps and directions provided in detail by the app. Obey the instructions on how to use the mobile applications in order to get the most functionality and benefits from them. You will be guaranteed maximum enjoyment of the restaurant experience, thanks to the very specific menus that are integrated into these mobile applications. Other features that users find very satisfactory in these mobile apps are push notifications and mobile coupons. This is certainly a unique way of improving user’s restaurant experience.

Mappsolutely is actually a major Application Development provider. So that you can know more about android app development , pay a visit to www.mappsolutely.com

The School Of Technology And E-learning (stel) Is One Of The Academic Schools In Mdis Equipped To Pr

The School of Technology and E-Learning (STEL) is one of the academic schools in MDIS equipped to prepare and prepare Information Technology (IT) professionals in both academic education and expert skills upgrading.

First created in 2002, MDIS School of technology targets to guide individuals in Singapore and in the region gain a perch in the IT world by supplying a absolute suite of activities that concentrates on a comprehensive-based, holistic education that is highly wanted after by the trade. The information technology module gives digital media lessons based on the lessons that are from well-accredited and renowned schools. The university performs rather closely with staffs and schools to assure that the activities touched in this technology classes are appropriate, severe and of finest attributes. The program are usually examined and kept up to date in line with recent advancements in the IT industry. Thus, it helps to prepare pupils with practical techniques and knowledge greatly wanted by bosses upon graduation, when they make their growth into their trained career life. Pupils who enrol themselves in the diploma in technology are also shared by teachers that have more than 10 years of business and preparation background with proven track records in passing rates.

Staying true to its vision of offering a technology-driven career, MDIS School of technology pupils are the top to embark on the MDIS’ blackboard learning management system. This is indeed an e-learning and community platform where individuals get to obtain professor worksheets, talk with their professors, engage in online work and even organise video-recorded tutorials during the week of examination break. All these revisions open many rooms for learners to deal with technology-based equipment.

The college has varied and niche materials in Information Technology to meet the growing needs of today’s fast advancing society. It produces ready students that have the potential to safeguard advanced positions in several famous global institutions as well as potential individuals who are much desired after by the technology world. Adding on, MDIS School of Technology and e-learning often offer fresh practical oriented activities to help prepare people for their career in future.

POSqx booming the restaurant industry with New point of sale technology

For running the restaurant in more advanced way, you need to use high-end best POS point of sale technology. A Point of sale technology can manage the lot in your restaurant fairly comfortably and precisely. Most importantly, New point of sale technology can process all sales made in your store be it credit card, debit card or cash payment. Unsurprisingly, the Business point of sale technology is equipped with a full payment processing system and from your part; you should take no chances in ensuring that the Best POS point of sale technology is fully safe for such processing.

Your customers may opt to pay through different means where it may be cash, credit cards or cash cards; even some of them may be your usual customers whom you will charge seldom. So, Best POS point of sale technology vendors gives sufficient fondness for collecting and processing payments in dissimilar modes. The New point of sale technology should also facilitate you to bring together payments from customers whose records are saved in the main database of the best restaurant management software.

Under standard conditions, your customer will dine in your restaurant, walk up to the cash-counter or the payment processing systems console and pay using his cash/credit card or simple cash. Now, if the customer pays in cash, the best Point of sale technology software will open up the cash-drawer robotically the moment the cashier enters the cash details in the console. For credit/debit card dealing out, you will get your customer’s card swiped in the system and the amount will be routinely updated in the best restaurant management software.

All POS inventory system is equipped with adequate security features to prevent mal-practices. As you get various reports on the data collected in the POS inventory system, any discrepancy will be easily noticeable to you. The information of your customers’ credit or debit cards is completely encrypted through the Business point of sale technology so that they can dine and enjoy in the restaurant generously. A number of best Point of sale technology are also equipped with online payment gateways to full transactions over the web from the POS inventory system console.

It is vital to run your restaurant with an optimized system offering the customer with an immense dining skill. So, to linger in the business fruitfully, you need to have Best POS point of sale technology besides efficient workforce and sufficient infrastructure. Ultimately, your New point of sale technology makes the difference and takes you towards achievement.

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Point of sale technology, New point of sale technology, Business point of sale technology, POS point of sale technology, Best POS point of sale technology, POS inventory system