Guide to Global Digital Tools for COVID-19 Response

System Overview

DHIS2 is used as national health information system platform for integrated data management and analysis for program monitoring and evaluation in 70+ countries. It is primarily used for reporting and analysis of routine health data; but also serves as a de facto facility registry, can be deployed for service availability mapping and other periodic survey activities, and as a data warehouse to facilitate integrated analysis. Increasingly, it is also used as a ‘last-mile’ solution for logistics monitoring, particularly at health facility level.

DHIS2 comes with three data models 1) aggregate, 2) single events (e.g. for line-listing data) and 3) longitudinal tracking of any entity (patient or otherwise) over time. The core DHIS2 software includes a number of web apps for data capture, analysis, reports, maintenance, user management, data quality, etc.  The tracker model supports use cases such as case-based surveillance and patient follow-up; and can be used in tandem with other data models. In addition, an Android app is a core component of the platform to enable out-of-the-box mobile data collection with no interoperability layers required. A DHIS2 Android Software Development Kit (SDK) enables developers to customize mobile application interfaces that integrate natively with DHIS2, supporting all three data models (aggregate, event, tracker). DHIS2 is entirely generic and configurable through a web interface, which means it can be used for any number of use cases.

A set of digital metadata packages has been developed to facilitate rapid deployment of COVID-19 data elements, indicators and dashboards by installing a metadata file into a country existing DHIS2. The digital data packages are developed in collaboration with WHO to align with global standards for data collection and analysis, inclusive of case definitions, laboratory testing protocols and recommended standard indicators. The packages provide a pre-configured template that can be further adapted to local contexts and country-specific needs. COVID-19 packages have been developed to support both aggregate and case-based surveillance, contact tracing and follow up, ports of entry screening and follow up, and analysis through pre-configured indicators and dashboards. All COVID-19 packages can be deployed out-of-the-box with the DHIS2 Android app for mobile data collection. The packages support workflows and tasks for different types of users involved in the COVID-19 response (e.g. contact tracers, laboratory users, clinicians, epidemiologists and response teams).

Developer

University of Oslo,
https://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/networks/hisp/External

Link to site

https://www.dhis2.orgExternal

https://www.dhis2.org/covid-19External

Interoperability

DHIS2 has a robust API and supports several data formats for import and export through the API to enable interoperability with applications such as OpenLMIS, iHRIS, OpenSRP, etc.  Resources for developers are documented here: https://docs.dhis2.org/2.34/en/dhis2_developer_manual/web-api.htmlExternal
There is a FHIR adapter to enable HL7-FHIR integration. DHIS2 also supports the ADX standard, developed and maintained by the Quality Research and Public Health committee of the IHE (Integrating the HealthCare Enterprise). https://docs.dhis2.org/master/en/developer/html/webapi_adx_data_format.htmlExternal

Cost

Free (there are no licensing costs associated with this software)

Mobile Clients

Android: Java, HTML5, and SMS

Email

Email notification

Database Type

PostgreSQL/MySQL

Data Management

DHIS2 lets you manage aggregate, routine data through a flexible meta-data model. Everything can be configured through the user interface: You can set up data elements, data entry forms, validation rules, indicators and reports in order to create a fully-fledged system for data management. https://www.dhis2.org/data-managementExternal

Data Security and Privacy

https://docs.dhis2.org/2.34/en/dhis2_android_implementation_guideline/data-security-and-privacy.htmlExternal

Analysis

DHIS2 supports mapping of both aggregated and individual data, including showing relations between cases . It supports all the standard chart types like column, line, pie, stacked column and area charts, and can be extended with new modules for e.g. network charts, which has been done for COVID-19.  DHIS2 features a fully web-based pivot table which lets you analyze data along all data dimensions and arrange these on columns, rows and as filters at demand. You can include totals and subtotals and remove empty rows, and control display density, font size and digit group separator. Pivot tables can be saved as favorites and be downloaded and used as basis for offline MS Excel pivot tables.

GIS

DHIS2 features awesome web-based GIS features that lets you do thematic mapping of areas and points, view facilities based on classifications, visualize catchment areas for each facility. You can define custom legend sets and link them to indicators. The DHIS2 GIS lets you put labels on areas and points and search and filter based on various criteria. You can overlay multiple layers and use Google Maps as background layer. You can move points and set locations on-the-fly. Maps can be saved as favorites and shared with other people.

Interoperable

DHIS2 comes with great capabilities for system integration and interoperability and features its own format for meta-data and data exchange called DXF 2 as well as the ADX standard. Most parts of the system can be accessed through the extensive REST-based Web API, making interoperability with third-party clients like Android apps, Web portals and other information systems easy. You can even set up scheduled integration jobs in order to periodically synchronize with or import data from other sources.

Training Available

There is free online training at:  https://www.dhis2.org/covid-training-materialExternal

Access to development code

https://github.com/dhis2External

User guides

https://community.dhis2.org/c/implementation/covid-19/41External

In country support

Implementing partners and HISP partners.  HISP partners in 13 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe provide country support; in some cases, DHIS2 experts from HISP are seconded to MOH.

Country uses

DHIS2 is used in over 70 countries. The DHIS2 COVID-19 Package is currently deployed in 28 countries in operation with 22 in development. See www.dhis2.org/in-actionExternal

System Overview

The Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS®) is an open-source, mobile eHealth system that organizes and facilitates disease control and outbreak management, in addition to disease surveillance and epidemiological analysis, for all administrative levels of the public health system.

It aims to improve prevention and control of communicable diseases, particularly in resource-poor settings, and the system is being designed by those involved in public health surveillance and disease control. SORMAS is free of charge and adheres to the highest data protection standards, good scientific practice and open access policy (GNU GPL v.3 license).

The SORMAS-CoV module contains all disease-specific diagnostic standards, case definitions, and containment procedures defined by the World Health Organization. All procedures are embedded in the new module and compatible with those already in the SORMAS software. This includes different user roles within public health services, such as local informants, epidemiologists, laboratory technicians, and point of entry officers.

The module allows the targeted collection of relevant epidemiological data about the case person, including hospitalization, symptoms and persons with whom they have come into contact. Furthermore, the task management feature, a strength of SORMAS, facilitates coordinated action of the surveillance personnel in the outbreak response.

Developer

Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research,
https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/External

Link to site

https://sormas.org/External

Interoperability

SORMAS can pull data from LMIS using an API – Technical Assistance required

Cost

Free (GNU GPL v.3).  If needed, end-to-end support in customization, hosting and maintenance can be offered for a fee.

Mobile Clients

Vaadin, HTML5, React, SMS

Email

No

Database Type

PostgreSQL/MySQL

Data Management

Manage aggregate, line listing and case-based data through a flexible meta-data model which is configurable through the user interface. Furthermore, laboratory test, sample management and event data also managed through the user interface.  Set up of data elements, data entry forms, validation rules, indicators and reports possible through programmatic configuration.

Data Security and Privacy

https://www.sormas-oegd.de/sormas-in-english/External

External audit of the software conducted.

Analysis

Standard chart types like column, line, pie, stacked column and area charts. Display of trend lines, legends, titles, labels, target lines and baselines possible.

GIS

Uses OpenStreetMap. Under configuration, shapefiles can be imported under infrastructural data.

Interoperable

REST-based Web API

Training Available

https://github.com/hzi-braunschweig/SORMAS-Project/files/2585973/SORMAS_Technical_Manual_Webversion_20180911.pdf Pdf[5 MB, 30 pages]External (EN)

Access to development code

https://github.com/hzi-braunschweig/SORMAS-ProjectExternal

User guides

https://github.com/hzi-braunschweig/SORMAS-Project/files/2585973/SORMAS_Technical_Manual_Webversion_20180911.pdf Pdf[5 MB, 30 pages]External

In country support

Implementing partners (GCNet in Ghana) and government data team (Nigeria has a data team in the NCDC managing deployments)

Country uses

Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, Switzerland (active)

System Overview

Go.Data is an outbreak investigation tool for field data collection during public health emergencies. The tool includes functionality for case investigation, contact follow-up, visualization of chains of transmission including secure data exchange on demographics, epidemiology, lab data, hospitalization/isolation events, and clinical outcomes. It is designed for flexibility in the field, to adapt to the wide range of outbreak scenarios. The tool is targeted at any outbreak responder, but primarily for contact tracers, contact tracer supervisors and field epidemiologists.

Go.Data has standard metadata packages for several diseases that align with WHO Surveillance Protocols around IDSR and field epi data collection, including COVID-19, Ebola and MERS. The platform is highly configurable, including flexible questionnaire builders and language tokens for translation. The platform is currently available in 6 languages. The Go.Data platform is free of charge for requesting countries and institutions.

Developer

WHO in collaboration with partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).

Link to site

https://www.who.int/godataExternal

https://community-godata.who.intExternal

Interoperability

The tool exposes a RESTful Application Programming Interface (API) whose methods are self-documented using the Loopback Explorer API tool. Scripts are developed to transfer case and contacts registered in DHIS2 COVID-19 Tracker Module to Go.Data to visualize chains of transmission. A range of interoperability discussions are under way to facilitate data exchange with digital data collection tools. Data can be imported into or exported from Go.Data in various file formats (.xls, .json) with built in field mapping tools to detect corresponding fields and map metadata. Go.Data has language tokens, which allow for quick  translation via export and import into the platform; as well as ability to enforce standards (i.e. HL7 or FHIR) with metadata conventions in this fashion if desired.

Cost

Free

Mobile Clients

Android, Apple iOS

Email

No

Database Type

MongoDB

Data Management

The system supports data collection, including case investigation and contact tracing. You can configure Go.Data to create specific user types and permissions for access to the system’s data. The system contains “Outbreak Templates” including for COVID-19 and a range of other outbreaks. A new outbreak can be generated based on a template and then edited for more information collection via flexible questionnaire builders, allowing for data capture and storage for cases and events (connected with their associated lab and hospital/isolation data); events; and storage of ongoing relationships created between exposures. Quick actions are available to export contact, case and relationship data. Templated R Markdowns for automatic API retrieval for core data elements for advanced analysis; including generation of operational dashboards for daily and weekly monitoring.

Data Security and Privacy

• Passwords are encrypted.
• Captcha can be optionally enabled on password-related screens.
• By default, all authentication tokens have a time to live (TTL) of 10 minutes. You can reduce or increase this value by changing the config.json file.
• Only one authentication token per user account can be active at a time (if you sign in, previous tokens associated with that account are disabled).
• All backups can be encrypted by specifying the encryption key in config.json file
• Communication between mobile apps and API can be encrypted as well: Users have the option to exchange encrypted information between the app and the API. This option is present on the hub configuration screen as the “Encrypted connection” switch. By default, the encrypted connection is turned on. This option can later be turned off from the hub configuration screen.
• The MongoDB is not encrypted so should always be placed in a secure location.
• Go.Data does not include its own web server, if you need to install a HTTPS security layer then you should place the tool behind a suitable reverse proxy (or load balancer).  See the section later in this document.

Analysis

The in-app analytics give a quick snapshot of data in the platform; high-level and aggregate epi trends/KPIs, and chains of transmission. Summary charts (case, cases by geographic location, and hospitalization summary); histogram – size of chains of transmission; Epidemiological curve; contact follow-up report; cases based on contact status; KPIs (cases who have died, currently hospitalized, cases with less than “x” contacts, new cases in previous “x” days among known contacts, cases refusing to be transferred, new cases in previous “x” days in known transmission chains, cases with pending lab results); chains of transmission graphs and maps (bubble network, geospatial map, hierarchical network, timeline network, date of onset, timeline network – date of last contact, bars vs. list). Data can be exported in a range of formats for advanced analytics with native web-app export; or data can be retrieved directly from API or MongoDB via R (scripts of which exist in online Github Repo: https://github.com/godata-who/godataExternal) Templated cleaning scripts and canned R markdown reports to view operational daily / weekly dashboards.

GIS

Go.Data includes a “Cases Count” map visualization element. Users are required to upload location data for every reporting level (adm1, adm2, adm3, etc.). There is not functionality to upload GIS format data (shapefile, geodatabase). Users are required to use a hierarchical JSON or a specific Excel/csv template – documentation is provided for the template set up. The map element uses the centroid of the reporting area and shows the case count in the point symbol. There is not an option to adjust symbolization or to view additional layers. Users have the functionality to zoom and pan and export the map in .png format. Users also have the ability to connect to a custom base map service for use in that map element (REST service). In the mobile app, which is solely for contact follow up – the app will allow you to connect to a map service. If there is location information entered for a contact, navigation is possible.

Interoperable

There is an initiative underway for interoperability of Go.Data and DHIS2, of which org units, cases and contact data can already be transferred via an API wrapper from COVID-19 Tracker Module to Go.Data: https://github.com/WISCENTD-UPC/godata-api-wrapper/tree/developExternal. Additional discussions underway for interoperability with other tools. There is access to a suite of RESTful API endpoints. Go.Data exposes an Application Programming Interface (API) which is used for all interactions between the web front-end, the smartphone applications and even between copies of Go.Data, if you configure multiple instances of the solution to exchange data in an “upstream sever/client application” model.

Training Available

https://openwho.org/courses/godata-enExternal

Access to development code

N/A

User guides

https://Community-godata.who.intExternal

https://github.com/godata-who/godataExternal

In country support

Users can contact WHO regional focal points for more info.

Country uses

Implemented in 45 countries (Outside of US)

System Overview

Epi Info™ is a public domain suite of interoperable software tools designed for the global community of public health practitioners and researchers. It provides for easy data entry form and database construction, a customized data entry experience, and data analyses with epidemiologic statistics, maps, and graphs for public health professionals who may lack an information technology background. Epi Info™ is used for outbreak investigations; for developing small to mid-sized disease surveillance systems; as analysis, visualization, and reporting (AVR) components of larger systems; and in the continuing education in the science of epidemiology and public health analytic methods at schools of public health around the world.

Developer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Link to site

https://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/index.html

Interoperability

Interoperable interface but would require TA to set up

Cost

Free

Mobile Clients

Yes

Email

No

Database Type

Local data are stored as MS Access format, and has native seamless integration with a SQL Server database if available, but not required; Web Survey data stored on SQL Server tables;  Mobile tools temporarily store data on device SQLite databases until transmitted up to the master database via XML and JSON format.

Data Management

Epi Info™ comes with several tools for managing data including a Classic Analysis tool for developing scripts for routine analyses and a Visual Dashboard tool for real-time data visualization.  Data entry forms can include business logic to validate data as they are entered. Reports, line lists, and data exports to compatible formats are common data management tasks available in the Epi Info tools.

Data Security and Privacy

Yes

Analysis

Epi Info Classic Analysis tools manipulates, manages, and analyzes data. It acts as a statistical toolbox providing many ways to transform data and perform statistical analyses, charts and graphs. Data can be selected, sorted, listed, manipulated and exported with a series of commands, functions, and operators. Commands may be saved as a script to be run repeatedly if needed to show changes in data over time.  Available statistics include frequencies, means, and more advanced processes such as Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis and Linear and Logistic Regression.  Epi Info Visual Dashboard has intuitive and simple to gadgets minimizing the need for programming code. Data can be selected, sorted, listed, or manipulated using the various gadgets. The statistical analyses available in Visual Dashboard include frequencies, means, and more advanced processes such as Linear and Logistic Regression. Visual Dashboard has graphing functionality to display data as an Epi Curve, Pareto Chart, and several other bar and column charts.

GIS

Epi Info™ Map tool is versatile and can display geographic data in multiple views from the same dataset. Information displayed as data layers in the form of case cluster maps, choropleth maps, dot density maps, or spot maps.  Reference layers add geographical boundaries and markers from shapefiles, a map server, or KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files. The use of reference layers allows Epi Map to uniquely identify and designate display settings from both internal and external data sources. Users may modify or filter map data using the data layers. Datasets can filtered or shown over a time series. Users can tailor the map features, legend, and colors to create a customized map and saved or exported for inclusion in reports.

Interoperable

Epi Info™ tools can create encrypted data packages for sharing to other Epi Info™ sites.  The Analysis and Visual Dashboard tools can export data to web and cloud services, MS Access, SQL Server, CSV, and MongoDB for interoperability with systems using those technologies.

Training Available

The Epi Info™ Team provides onsite and online classes, and self-paced tutorials and training videos are available from our website: https://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/support/tutorials.html;
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9B9157E47AB3FDFA

Access to development code

https://github.com/Epi-Info/Epi-Info-Community-EditionExternal

User guides

https://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/support/userguide.html

In country support

In-country users can connect with each other through the Epi Info™ Questions for Confluence site (https://epiinfo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CQ/pages/91722299/
Epi+Info+Community+Questions+Answers), and in-person support by the Epi Info™ Development Team is limited but can possibly be arranged for short trips depending on availability.

Country uses

While the exact number of countries where Epi Info™ is in use changes daily, we know it has been downloaded and used on all continents, including Antarctica, and is currently used world-wide.

System Overview

Open Data Kit was started to make mobile data collection tools for resource-limited settings. Over the last 13 years, the project has produced two tool suites (ODK, ODK-X) and has become home to a community of users, implementers and developers.

To broaden the community that has grown around the project, we are retiring the use of the “Open Data Kit” brand and forming a new umbrella organization, Data Software for Social Good (DSFSG). DSFSG aims to enable collaboration within the data software for social good ecosystem and welcome a diverse and independent set of member projects.

ODK lets you build powerful offline forms to collect the data you need, wherever it is.

From disease surveillance to household surveys, ODK is the standard for offline data collection.

ODK is open-source software. Install it yourself or use ODK Cloud and ODK Services to go faster

With ODK, you can:

1. Build a form to collect text and numbers, but also get GPS traces, scan barcodes, play videos or more
2. Collect data offline with the mobile app or the web app. Forms and submissions are synced when a connection is found.
3. Download your data in a variety of formats or connect apps like PowerBI or R to create shareable dashboards.

Developer

Get ODK

Link to site

https://getodk.org/External

Interoperability

API available for connecting to other systems. See https://docs.getodk.org/central-apiExternal for more.

Cost

Free

Mobile Clients

Android, iOS (web forms only)

Email

No

Database Type

PostgreSQL

Data Management

Data is stored in ODK Central server. Data management is done through the forms users design and the actions they take on the server (e.g., export).

Data Security and Privacy

https://docs.getodk.org/security-privacy/External

https://docs.getodk.org/encrypted-forms/External

Analysis

Data can be exported to analytical tools such as PowerBI, Tableau,  R, and Excel.

GIS

Download data in the CSV format or connect PowerBI,  R, and Excel directly to  server for live-updating maps.

Interoperable

Use OData or JSON feed to integrate with other systems. REST APIs are also available for integration.

Training Available

https://docs.getodk.orgExternal

Access to development code

https://github.com/getodk/collectExternal

User guides

https://docs.getodk.org/External

https://docs.getodk.org/getting-started/External

In country support

https://forum.getodk.org/External

Country uses

ODK is in active use in every country in the world, with projects regularly collecting millions of submissions.

System Overview

CommCare is an open source, offline first, digital health platform that allows users to easily build and deploy custom data collection and decision support applications. The software, developed by Dimagi, enables anyone to build web and mobile apps in a “no-code” environment. These apps can be designed for anything from simple surveys to comprehensive longitudinal data tracking and case management with decision support, multimedia, and SMS messaging.

CommCare is the most widely adopted digital health platform in the world. As of August 2020, CommCare has been used in 130 countries and supports nearly 700,000 active frontline health workers in a variety of settings, from the community level, to facility, district, and country-wide.

Developer

Dimagi, https://www.dimagi.com/External

Link to site

https://www.dimagi.com/covid-19/External

Interoperability

CommCare has robust APIs and flexible data import/export functionality that enable interoperability with other platforms. Resources on CommCare’s APIs are detailed here: https://confluence.dimagi.com/display/commcarepublic/CommCare+HQ+APIsExternal

The platform also has out-of-the-box integrations with Excel, Tableau, and PowerBI.

Cost

Free for COVID

Mobile Clients

Android

Email

Yes, daily reports and end-user messaging can be sent via email

Database Type

PostgreSQL

Data Management

Data you collect can easily be viewed in CommCare reports—including line and summary tables, charts, and maps. Data can also be inspected and cleaned within CommCare, as well as exported to CSV and Excel formats. The platform also has out-of-the-box integrations with third party reporting tools like PowerBI and Tableau via an OData connector.

Data Security and Privacy

https://confluence.dimagi.com/display/commcarepublic/CommCare+Technical+OverviewExternal

Analysis

Data can be exported to analytical tools such as Tableau, PowerBI, and Excel for analysis. CommCare also provides basic reports (tables, charts, and maps) based on the data you collect, but real-time analytics are not provided by the system.

GIS

CommCare applications can collect GPS coordinates which can be visualized on a map using CommCare’s reporting features.

Interoperable

Integrates with Excel dashboards, DHIS2, OpenMRS, SQL databases, Tableau, Power BI, Zapier integrations, APIs, and webhooks.

Training Available

Dimagi has developed a series of free courses called Dimagi Academy to teach those who are interested how to use CommCare: https://academy.dimagi.comExternalNo software engineering or coding experience is needed to develop and deploy a CommCare application.

Access to development code

https://github.com/dimagi/commcare-hqExternal

User guides

https://confluence.dimagi.com/display/commcarepublic/HomeExternal

In country support

Dimagi has offices and support staff in South Africa, India, and the USA along with staff members based in Senegal.

Country uses

CommCare is live in 130 countries around the world. It has been deployed for COVID-19 support in over 30 countries.

System Overview

KoBoToolbox is a suite of tools for field data collection for use in challenging environments. All software is published open source and is completely free to use (no paid tiers). KoBoToolbox is the most widely used data collection toolkit in humanitarian response and is used by many organizations for global health projects and infectious disease response. It is based on the powerful XForm/XLSForm/ODK standard, includes an intuitive user interface to build forms and analyze collected data, and has two methods of entering data (an Android app and online/offline browser-based data entry for all operating systems). KoboToolbox enable user to save individual question and entire form template to a question library to share with other users.

Developer

Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, https://hhi.harvard.edu/External

Link to site

https://www.kobotoolbox.org/External

Interoperability

A lab form can be created with manual entry

Cost

Free

Mobile Clients

KoBo Collect or ODK Collect can run on any Android Device. Web forms can run on any operating system, mobile or desktop (incl. Apple iOS, Windows, etc.) for collecting data online or offline in a browser.

Email

Yes

Database Type

PostgreSQL

Data Management

Data is stored in PostgreSQL and there is a community topic for data management, https://community.kobotoolbox.org/c/kobo-users/data-management/23External

Data Security and Privacy

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/applications/kobotoolbox/privacy-policyExternal

Analysis

Summary reports can be created (with graphs and tables) and disaggregated by other responses. Reports can hide irrelevant questions. Interactive maps can show individual locations of responses based on GPS data and can be disaggregated by other responses. Mapping data can include points, polygons, and areas. Maps can be modified with custom layers that users can upload and store on the server. Data can be exported to other statistical software (XLS, CSV) and accessed via the API for integration in other tools (e.g. PowerBI). Data can also be pushed through a REST service to other applications upon reception by the KoBoToolbox server. https://support.kobotoolbox.org/creating_custom_reports.htmlExternal
https://support.kobotoolbox.org/converting_to_spss_and_stata.htmlExternal https://support.kobotoolbox.org/excel_analyzer_guide.htmlExternal
https://support.kobotoolbox.org/converting_to_spss_and_stata.htmlExternal https://support.kobotoolbox.org/excel_analyzer_guide.htmlExternal

GIS

KoboToolbox leverages OpenStreetMap for mapping the location of data but additional geospatial analysis will need to be conducted in other GIS software.
https://support.kobotoolbox.org/export_gps.html#External
https://support.kobotoolbox.org/upload_to_gis.htmlExternal

Interoperable

KoBoToolbox has a robust API and the ability to leverage REST services for interoperability. KoBoToolbox has two APIs for its primary tools, kpi and kc. Originally kc was the only api for deploying forms and retrieving data. Now, kpi is the primary API that should be used. https://support.kobotoolbox.org/api.htmlExternal

Training Available

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/applications/kobotoolbox/step-1-designing-formExternal

Access to development code

https://github.com/kobotoolboxExternal

User guides

https://support.kobotoolbox.orgExternal

In country support

https://community.kobotoolbox.org/External

Country uses

Examples from the field at the bottom of this page, https://www.kobotoolbox.org/External

System Overview

Excel is convenient when a country lacks other software and when Excel is already used by staff.  It allows line lists, formulas, analysis, and charts/graphs.

Developer

Microsoft

Link to site

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/excelExternal

Interoperability

Some lab systems have integrated the import and export of data directly into excel also Lab test results can be manually entered into a spreadsheet; https://www.msc-lims.com/demo/excelinterface.htmlExternal, https://www.limswiki.org/index.php/LIMS_featureExternal

Cost

Fee based

Mobile Clients

Android, Apple iOS

Email

Yes with integration with something like Zapier, https://zapier.com/apps/email/integrations/excelExternal

Database Type

Flat files

Data Management

Data management is conducted in individual spreadsheets

Data Security and Privacy

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office
/protection-and-security-in-excel-be0b34db-8cb6-44dd-a673-0b3e3475ac2d

Analysis

Excel supports a wide range of built in analysis functions, as well as, custom. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-the-analysis-toolpak-to-perform-complex-data-analysis-6c67ccf0-f4a9-487c-8dec-bdb5a2cefab6

GIS

Simple mapping is available in excel but for more sophisticated geospatial analysis, the spreadsheet can be linked to GIS software, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-map-chart-in-excel-f2cfed55-d622-42cd-8ec9-ec8a358b593b

Interoperable

Excel can be integrated with a range of other platforms for import and export of data.

Training Available

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/excel-for-windows-training-9bc05390-e94c-46af-a5b3-d7c22f6990bb

Access to development code

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/officeExternal

User guides

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/excel-for-windows-training-9bc05390-e94c-46af-a5b3-d7c22f6990bb

In country support

There are many implementing partners that support Excel. https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/partners/find-a-partner/External

Country uses

System Overview

The paper process works well when internet coverage, mobile devices, and/or lacking trained staff are not available for data collection.  The paper process is typically a paper case investigation form used by the investigation team or at the local health facility.  The completed form is then forward to the next level in the health system where it either remains as paper or is entered into another system for data management and analysis.

Developer

N/A

Link to site

None

Interoperability

Lab data can be entered on the form

Cost

Free

Mobile Clients

N/A

Email

N/A

Database Type

An application will need to be used to enter the data from the paper forms

Data Management

Data will need to be entered into an application for data management.

Data Security and Privacy

Paper forms will need to be protected and stored appropriately to protect the information on the forms.

Analysis