Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has adopted new mobile technology, including Apple®’s iPod® touch, Zerion Software’s iFormBuilder’s mobile data collection platform and the Linea-pro from Infinite Peripherals (IPC) to expedite delivery of seeds to help the impoverished population cultivate food crops in the Central African Republic, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – June 12, 2012 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has adopted new mobile technology, including Apple’s iPod® touch, Zerion Software’s iFormBuilder’s mobile data collection platform and the Linea-pro from Infinite Peripherals (IPC) to expedite delivery of seeds to help the impoverished population cultivate food crops in the Central African Republic, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The Linea-pro, which adds a 1D or 2D barcode scanner and magnetic stripe reader to the iPod touch, along with the offline-capable iFormBuilder platform, enable CRS representatives in the field to electronically manage distribution of seeds, resulting in a faster, more accurate process that eliminates registration, tracking and data errors of the past from manual processes.
Seed Fair Voucher Distribution
In this Central African Region, which includes Rwanda, CRS creates identification cards with barcodes for individuals that qualify to receive corn, rice and peanut or sesame seeds for planting crops that ultimately will feed their families. The mobile technology quickly scans the barcode to register and validate these beneficiaries and distribute seeds more efficiently. Barcodes are also used to register seed vendors, which improves record keeping and facilitates correct payments after each seed fair.
“We are very happy with this technology; it is seamless and user-friendly, and we have received a lot of positive feedback explained Or Dashevsky, a solution architect at CRS. “We’ve seen significant savings in time and staff at the seed fairs in Africa
With this technology, what used to take two weeks and 20 staff members registering beneficiaries in their villages now takes only 2-3 days with just five staff. Traditional seed fairs previously required six CRS staffers working six hours; now that has been reduced to three staff members for 3.5 hours.
“This is definitely the way of the future added Dashevsky, who indicated that CRS has also used this technology in Haiti. “People in our organization are excited about leveraging barcodes in many other projects
CRS collaborated with iFormBuilder about 1-1/2 years ago to integrate its mobile data collection platform that works offline in the field with secure data capture, and is robust enough to replace paper-based processes despite potentially unfavorable environmental conditions. With the iFormBuilder platform, data collected on the iPod touch devices can easily be synched and uploaded to a server’s secure database in real time when online or stored locally until a connection is available.
“We specialize in clipboard replacement solutions and good data in an often disconnected world, said Chris Reichart, chief business officer at iFormBuilder. “We are proud to be instrumental in helping CRS save money and time in their efforts to help the developing world
iFormBuilder teamed with IPC two years ago upon recognizing the value of the Linea-pro in adding fast, safe and flexible barcode scanning and magnetic stripe reading capabilities to iPod touch or iPhone devices that are equipped with its mobile data collection software.
About Catholic Relief Services
Founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe, Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to 100 million people in need in almost 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Its mission is to save lives, address the root causes and effects of poverty, promote the sacredness and dignity of human life and help build more just and peaceful societies outside the United States. CRS maintains strict standards of efficiency, accountability and transparency. Last year, more than 94 percent of revenues spent went directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.
About Zerion
Zerion Software’s flagship product, iFormBuilder, is an award-winning, patented clipboard replacement solution that is being used across the globe. With a focus on The Smart Enterprise™ market and emerging platforms including the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Android, iFormBuilder helps businesses reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction. iFormBuilder’s industry-leading security, flexible form building and offline capabilities are affordable for all clients. The ability to capture good data in connected, disconnected and ultra-disconnected environments makes it the platform of choice for NGOs as well as the Enterprise. For more information, visit www.zerionsoftware.com.
Infinite Peripherals Background
Since 1993, Infinite Peripherals, Inc. (IPC) has been fueling mobility with cutting-edge products, such as today’s industry-leading Linea-pro, and other mobile peripheral devices, receipt printers, mechanisms and receipt printer-related components. Anticipating trends and pre-empting solutions for a constantly evolving business landscape, IPC enhances operations in various industries, including retail, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, entertainment, security, industrial measurement, time and attendance, gaming, amusement and ATM.
For more information about the Linea-pro, contact IPC at sales@ipcprint.com or 866-278-7860.
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