Media & Software Studio (“MSS”) was proud to present its MSS Eye Clinic™ hospital management software package to delegates at the recently held Ophthalmology Society of Eastern Africa (“OSEA”) 2009 conference.

MSS was the only software company present at the conference and we were pleased to be able to showcase our Java-based Eye Clinic package. The level of interest shown in the product by all participants was overwhelming. Because it provides the means to significantly improve efficiency of eye hospitals and clinics across Africa, we believe that our hospital management system strongly harmonises with this year’s OSEA theme, “Raising the standards of eye care in East Africa”.

To recap on some of the key advantages of the software:

• It is specially designed and fully automated to manage data and process information for eye clinics, including financial management and reporting requirements.
• It runs through a web browser via an intranet link to a server.
• It automatically exports financial data to the QuickBooks accounting package.
• Through “BIRT” (Business Intelligence Reporting Tools), it features a powerful report generation facility that enables unlimited report templates to be added to meet any reporting requirements.
• It vastly reduces paperwork, saves time and eliminates most manual processes. It also eliminates human error in data transfer and unauthorised record tampering.
• It produces statistical reports for analysis and research purposes.

The conference provided a great forum for MSS to establish relationships with many eye clinic practitioners across the region and beyond. The most valuable aspect of the interaction was the opportunity to listen to potential end users of the software and to identify their specific needs and concerns.

By way of providing feedback, we collected the various questions that were asked and provide below the answers for the benefit of all potential users.

Q. How much does the software cost?

A. The software is proprietary to MSS. It is licensed to users under a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable license agreement. The one-off license fee is KShs. 660,000/- per Local Area Network. There are no standing maintenance fees charged – in the unlikely event that a licensee requires maintenance input, we charge only on a time consumed basis.

Note We also offer a 12.5% commission to any licensee that introduces a successful sale to other users.

Q. Where have you already installed MSS Eye Clinic and what is their experience?

A. MSS developed the software in conjunction with Kwale District Eye Centre and installed it there in May 2009. It is operating very successfully and is has been proved to be trouble-free. We have also developed a total of 9 report templates to suit their exact requirements.

Q. How long does the process of installation and training take?

A. Installation of the software and training will be carried out by MSS. Installation typically takes 4 to 6 hours and two days of training are required.

Q. What happens in the case of clients who are outside Mombasa and need the system installed?

A. MSS will attend to clients at their sites wherever they are.

Q. What are your terms of travel?

A. Travel, accommodation and any other related costs are treated as disbursements recoverable at cost. Note that travel time is subject to day rate.

Q. What happens when we discover bugs in our system? (a bug is a programming issue)

A. The system will be thoroughly tested during installation and hand-over. MSS also provides a 30-day warranty period during which it will correct any bugs in the system and will provide to the licensee any new, corrected or enhanced version of the software.

Q. Can we have the system customised to meet our organisation’s requirements? Can more features be added to the system?

A. The software can be upgraded from time to time with new versions released to better meet user requirements. Any specific customisation requirements can be discussed with the client and priced separately according to scope.

Q. What kind of technology was used that gives the system so many advantages?

A. Java is used throughout the system. It is supported by the Spring Framework, Hibernate data management, EXT-GWT user interface library, ACEGI security, BIRT reporting and iText PDF generation – all Java-based.

Q. In case of burglary or loss of data, how can we recover our information?

A. An automatic back-up facility is built into the software for regular updating and storage of data. We cannot provide for all eventualities such as catastrophic loss through burglary or fire. To fully mitigate against such events, users are advised to build into their procedures a regular back-up to CD or laptop computer that is removed from site and stored elsewhere.

Q. What do we need to install in our computers in order for the system to run?

A. Nothing at all. The software is not installed on your work station computers; it resides on your “host computer” (could be your personal laptop or a networked server) and authorised users access it through your intranet system via a conventional web browser. Easy!

Q. What hardware is needed to run the system?

A. The software is very lightweight and requires minimal hardware to run it. All you need is your “host computer” networked to your work stations. If your clinic has only a single computer it hosts and runs the software (as demonstrated at OSEA 2009).

Q. Do you clutter the system with reports?

A. No, our aim is to tailor reports to your organisation's requirements. Customised reports will be created for you on request and at a minimal development cost.

Q. I don’t need all the detailed data – how do I get higher level summary information out of the system?

A. One of the key features of the software is BIRT. This enables customised reports to be produced to meet any specific management information requirements. Report templates can be designed and added to summarise available data as needed.

Q. What are the plans for the future?

A. The next major development will be to integrate data for organisations that may be running multiple clinics and need to consolidate their reports. We also expect to create a complimentary system for Ministries of Health to receive reports electronically through carefully designed protocols for higher level statistical analysis and reporting.

A. A further development will be to allow data capture through devices such as PDAs and smart phones.