sDevNet.org - Architectural Framework
The sDevNet.org architecture has a 4-level structure (see Schematic on the Home Page).
The Core Layer is a foundation of values and principles, with a belief in certain fundamental rights for all to a life with dignity, opportunity, self-respect and a sense of belonging. These core values and principles include:
- Client-centric value creation as the driving theme for all activities
- Community Ownership
- Wide-scale Outreach with essential services
- Financial Sustainability
- Professional Management
- Environment-friendly interventions
- Optimal harnessing of Technology to introduce efficiencies, lower costs and innovate
Our appropriate technology platform covers three sets of technologies –
- Secure web and mobile multimedia database applications
- Engineering technologies for water management and renewable energy
- Social engineering innovations.
The advantages of a common platform allow for horizontal sharing of technologies and information across multiple development initiatives, as well as vertical integration as initiatives evolve with community advancement. The vehicle for developing these solutions is the technology/consulting company, eCubeH Research Labs. Revenue generation will be through provision of services and solutions for internal network initiatives as well as external clients.
The next layer of this architecture is a Common Management Platform [CMP]. Although each initiative is specialized and requires separate domain expertise in technical as well as implementation elements, many aspects of management are common across the diverse initiatives. Standardization along the shared areas allows for better coordination, communications and improved efficiencies across the entire series of initiatives. Areas such as distribution infrastructure, human resource management, finance, multi-service marketing, research and publications, sourcing and procurement, and community relations are natural candidates for the common management platform.
At the top of this architecture reside the Operational Entities, organized under 3 categories:
(A) ECONOMIC INITIATIVES: Economic opportunity lies at the heart of fundamental needs for poor disadvantaged communities. Literally every interaction on the field for any supportive intervention brings up the need to earn a decent livelihood. 3 levels of economic initiatives are envisioned –
(i) Microfinance: An innovative fast-scale approach is being designed for swift outreach with financial sustainability. Client-centric services and products, effective applications of technology for efficiency enhancements, and a tightly operated management and distribution network will be the key elements of this initiative.
(ii) Micro enterprise: In the second phase, micro enterprise initiatives will be designed and financed to establish forward and backward linkages for the goods and services produced by the microfinance borrowers. The 3 core characteristics of this intervention will be:
- Utilization of local resources and skill sets for producing goods and services
- Majority stake in the enterprise held by local communities
- Management and technical support in addition to financing provided by the initiative which will hold a minority stake in the enterprise
(iii) Web based common markets.
(B) HEALTH INITIATIVES: Experience and a vast literature outline the 2 way causal relationship between economic progress and access to quality primary health services. People with poor health are unable to take advantage of economic opportunities, but when health services are offered, the poor who lack access to economic opportunities are unable to afford it. There is a fundamental need for a parallel health initiative with microfinance.
Our initiatives, based on work with a partner health care project, will be the following:
- Promotion of Improved Nutrition
- Multimedia-based Health Education (Communicable Diseases & Good Health Practices)
- Tele-Medicine
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A fee-based 3–level Primary Health Network including the following:
- Network of Community Health Workers & Trained Birth Attendants (with low-cost medicine distribution)
- Regional medical centers with medical professionals and testing labs
- Referral services with secondary care hospital
(C) ENVIRONMENT & EDUCATION INITIATIVES: Certain educational and environmental initiatives may be essential in order for the core economic and primary health initiatives to be effective. For example, water management and clean energy sources are necessary for disease-free living. Similarly, business and computer training may be needed for effective micro-enterprise management. As such interventions become directly necessary for the success of the core initiatives, and as resources, capacities and a financially sustainable model become available, such activities will also be considered.