The latest release of the OpenLMIS software, version 3.5, is a major accomplishment for the Initiative and a milestone for public health supply chain stakeholders globally.  3.5 is the sixth major release since the re architecture and represents how implementers continue to obtain value from the community.

This release represents the work of four organizations working collaboratively to deliver quality software and add valuable features.. OpenLMIS is proud of the contributions from all contributors from VillageReach, SolDevelo, John Snow Inc., and Ona.   

The most exciting new feature of this release is undoubtedly the launch of our new open-source reporting service, designed through collaboration with Ona, to collate and organize data into useful, actionable visualizations in a dashboard.

With this infrastructure and open source tooling, it makes it easier to capture data from multiple sources, if there are multiple systems in the country, and  aggregate, merge, clean, and organize data in a scalable way that allows for near-real time visualizations. Implementers can leverage the robust visualization tool included in OpenLMIS or leverage a third party Business Intelligence tool (such as Tableau) if it is already in use or desired.

The dashboard is easy for any user to configure to select data points and decide how they want to visualize their data (bar graphs, pie charts, etc.). The dashboard is an excellent and easy to use tool that provide quick insights into supply chain performance using maps, graphs, color coding and other advanced visuals. ICT works published a recent blog which describes the development and recent use of Canopy to create useful data visualizations in Mozambique for vaccine program decision-making.

Our hope and expectation is that this new reporting feature will contribute to improving end-to-end visibility and provide new information sources to inform decision making in public health supply chains.

Watch the video: the OpenLMIS Youtube Channel features an in-depth demo of the reporting tooling and capabilities

In addition to the new reporting and analytics capabilities, some of the other new features of this release include:

• OpenLMIS is now configured to support ordering from multiple suppliers using one requisition form.
• OpenLMIS can now be linked to a National Facility Registry, using the mCSD standard, for countries it operates in, to ensure OpenLMIS facility information is current and aligned with other systems in the country.
• Order quantities can now be automatically calculated based on Average Consumption using data from the Stock Management module. This means ‘one-click’ stock requisitions can leverage more formulas for calculating order amounts!  
• New configurabilities are available in ‘requisitions’ and ‘order approval’ processes to support the users to see additional information if desired.

→ For more information about the OpenLMIS software or our community of partners visit the OpenLMIS website at https://openlmis.org/ 

→ Want to get more involved in OpenLMIS as a developer? Email info@openlmis.org for a Slack invite!

→ Want to get more involved in the OpenLMIS Community conversations? We would love to hear from you! The OpenLMIS Discussion Forum is open for anyone to join at https://forum.openlmis.org?

OpenLMIS release version 3.5 is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and Digital Square, a PATH–led initiative funded and designed by a consortium of investors.