Technology and Developing Nations: Meeting a Critical Need

fyi ...

http://smartenterpriseexchange.com/community/strategy/blog/2011/08/10/technology-and-developing-nations-meeting-a-critical-need

I would take it one step further and say that technology can be and is an enabler, to lift people out of poverty, for the whole eco-system surrounding a poor person in the developing world.

Microfinance is just one example, others being using technology to improve distribution of medicines, health, to improve access to clean water, education, sanitation, etc.

Guatemalan MFI now running on MicroPlanet Technologies' hybrid-SaaS platform

MicroPlanet offers Microfinance Institutions access to robust core banking software (tailored for microfinance) and support under a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. 

This hy-SaaS solution allows MFIs to “rent” software on an on-demand basis, thus avoiding large upfront license fees and providing flexibility to scale up as they grow.

A hybrid-SaaS solution addresses the vagaries of having to operate in an environment where Internet connectivity is good to sub-par. This enables the MFI to continue to operate even when connectivity to the hosted environment is down. 

It's been a long while ...

The world has changed in many ways since I last blogged ...

• NYSE index started 2011 with a bang, more like a modest increase;
• President Obama signs 9-11 Health Bill into Law - only after US Congress was shamed into passing it by none other than Jon Stewart; 
• Dilma Rousseff is sworn in as Brazil's first female President;
• Hungary takes the presidency of the European Union;
• Pink Floyd signs a new 5 year record deal;
• Referendum in Southern Sudan;
• River levels in Queensland, Australia continue to rise;
• Investment in Facebook gives rise to a possible valuation of approx $50 Billion;
• Audacity, courage and bravery of People Power spreading like wildfire across Northern Africa and the Middle East;
• Earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear meltdown in Japan;
• India winning the Cricket World Cup;
• To the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden; and
• Wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to my mother, wife and all mothers everywhere.

And onwards to "the" news, at least as far as MicroPlanet Technologies is concerned ...

• Steady progress being made in our SaaS implementation in Guatemala, with a Go Live date for the beginning of June ... just approx 3 weeks away and counting.

• This is the much anticipated and welcome news that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) around the globe are anxiously waiting for. 

• This SaaS service offering brings affordable, reliable and robust access to core banking software that will enable MFIs to scale their operations, streamline their operational processes, and fuel their growth.

So despite the winds of change that surrounds our daily life, whether environmentally, economically, politically and/or personally, let us remember to do one thing ... 

• To try and make a difference every single day that we live - by helping a fellow human being in need as best we are able to

best