OpenLMIS is an open source, cloud-based, electronic logistics management information system (LMIS) purpose-built to manage health commodity supply chains. OpenLMIS is an open source project and welcomes all types and levels of developers to contribute!
The OpenLMIS initiative incorporates a community-focused approach to develop open source and customizable LMIS systems specifically designed for low-resource settings. LMIS is a very common term in public health supply chains to describe the processes that developing countries use to manage their health commodities (malaria drugs, vaccines, HIV treatments, essential medicines, etc.). LMIS systems are extremely important in helping ensure that critical, lifesaving health commodities are available when and where they are needed.
OpenLMIS is currently deployed in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zanzibar (see the Implementations page) where it manages logistics processes in health commodity supply chains for over 10,000 health facilities. The majority of funding for the initiative has been provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with additional funding provided by USAID.
Suggest a new feature
What can OpenLMIS do better? Help us by submitting as detailed a suggestion as possible on JIRA about what the software could do better. Include any sketches, screenshots, attachments or other examples that you may have to share. If you have sample code that you’d be willing to share as well, let us know! We’re always looking for the best suggestions and trying to match those with developers who are able to build them out.
You’ll need a JIRA account to create a new issue
Submit any new feature suggestions as an “Improvement”
Report a Bug
The OpenLMIS community uses JIRA for tracking bugs. This system helps track current and historical bugs, what work has been done, and so on. Reporting a bug with this tool is the best way to get the bug fixed quickly and correctly.
You’ll need a JIRA account to report bugs
Contribute Code
Know how to code? You can help make OpenLMIS better! Check out our list of Opportunities for Open Source Contributors for ideas.
Submit your work through GitHub as a pull request at any time – the Community is constantly reviewing contributions.
The OpenLMIS Product and Technical committees review contributions – if your idea is a complex and challenging one, they will help you make sure that your contribution will fit into the OpenLMIS ecosystem.
Tools
Getting familiar with the OpenLMIS tech stack will help you contribute to OpenLMIS.
Java Spring
Angular JS
Docker
Getting Started with the OpenLMIS codebase
New to coding in OpenLMIS? Here are some ways to get familiar with the concepts and architecture under the hood
- OpenLMIS Re-Architecture– Learn about OpenLMIS’ micro-services approach
- Spin up a local install of OpenLMIS on your workstation
- Jump into our Wiki and search for a topic inside OpenLMIS that you’re interested in working on
- Read our Configuration Guide to learn about all the concepts—health care service delivery points, medical commodities, geographic zones, etc.—and about how OpenLMIS manages them
For developers working in-country
OpenLMIS is eager to engage with in-country technical software developers – join in the conversation through the OpenLMIS Technical committee and introduce yourself! Here, you’ll meet other developers around the world who are working on the same issues and projects as you.
For developers working on a current implementation of OpenLMIS
Each implementation of OpenLMIS often involves complex configurations and customizations to meet specific country needs. Implementations are most successful when we establish regular, ongoing communication channels between developers and the OpenLMIS Community. This enables the community to benefit from your experience and utilize that in other country contexts.
For any questions about getting started with OpenLMIS or getting involved with a committee
For more information, download the full feature guide
You can help to contribute to OpenLMIS!
Users
File and flag issues in the OpenLMIS JIRA
Developers
Join us on our Slack channel and get involved! Email to get a Slack invite!