Grameen Case Study
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The Grameen Foundation sought to enhance the reporting capabilities of its Mifos system for microfinance institutions globally, turning to ThoughtWorks for assistance. After evaluating the current reporting tool, Jasper, ThoughtWorks recommended switching to the Eclipse BIRT platform for improved customization, performance, and scalability. The implementation of these changes aims to streamline reporting processes and support the significant growth of microfinance operations in emerging markets.
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Grameen Case Study
- 1. Preparing Grameen’s Systems For Tomorrow The Grameen Foundation wanted to ensure it had the optimal reporting platform for its open source application system, Mifos, which provides a wide range of processing services to microfinance institutions globally. ThoughtWorks stepped in to help ensure that Mifos had a reporting component that would allow maximum customization, performance and scalability. The Client Working Towards A Solution The Grameen Foundation is a not-for-profit global network of ThoughtWorks assessed Jasper’s fit as the Mifos reporting tool from microfinance institutions (MFIs) committed to fighting poverty both a technology and functional perspective. ThoughtWorks China through technology and microfinance. Founded in Bangladesh in completed a 2-week evaluation of Grameen’s reporting processes 1997, the foundation reaches over 4 million families in 27 emerging and needs and came up with a set of recommendations. The main countries, providing technical assistance, training, and funding to recommendation was that Grameen change Mifos current reporting the poor. The Foundation also has a Technology Center that focuses application and approach from Jasper, using SQL directly for on advancing the field of microfinance through innovation. generating reports, to another open source platform - Eclipse BIRT. Building some of the standard reports that microfinance institutions The Situation typically generate tested this reporting framework. Grameen has leveraged the open source community for development of its core applications, known as Mifos. Mifos is now The implementation phase is currently underway and the project a freely available world-class management information system that has recently transitioned from China to India to better leverage the provides the core functionality required by microfinance institutions, proximity of some of the key microfinance institutions there. including credit application processing and loan origination. The flexibility and scalability of the product means that Grameen can The Future Microfinance institutions benefit from the simplified process through simultaneously standardize common processes, accommodate which the end users generate reports from Mifos. On top of this, regional variations, and scale for new innovations the microfinance institutions now can deploy the Mifos platform in the future. independently of the reporting framework, allowing reporting to The Challenge be installed and customized by the MFIs. The ThoughtWorks A current critical need is for Mifos to have a quick, accurate team is now working closely with Grameen to improve the overall reporting system that can be customized and installed by performance of the current Mifos system in order to leverage BIRT microfinance institutions. The Mifos platform previously used Jasper more effectively, allowing for maximum customization, improved as its reporting application. Grameen wanted ThoughtWorks to performance, and scalability. evaluate Jasper’s fit for their short and longer term reporting needs and determine if the current reporting module was appropriate. www.grameenfoundation.org Given ThoughtWorks’ experience and expertise in working on open source initiatives, Grameen was interested in developing a long-term relationship with ThoughtWorks to handle more complex technology needs. www.thoughtworks.com