We are excited to welcome Vitalliance as the new steward of OpenLMIS! This partnership accelerates OpenLMIS impact to strengthen public health supply chains in LMICs, enhances the software, gains access to advanced technologies, and extends its reach across the African continent.
Vitalliance is a joint venture between Imperial, the largest logistics provider in Africa serving 20 countries on the continent, and U.S.-based One Network, a leading global provider of supply chain control towers, which give users real-time data to drive supply chain efficiency.
Partnership Benefits Vitalliance and OpenLMIS will work together to transform and digitize humanitarian and pharmaceutical supply chains in low- and middle-income countries. Together, we aim to increase use of OpenLMIS across the globe among governments and non-governmental organizations to achieve greater impact and improve the health of communities everywhere.
Through this partnership OpenLMIS users will gain:
- Access to additional software features and interoperability with new products
- Opportunities to engage with new users in new geographies
- A stronger OpenLMIS Community
- Ability to grow sustainably with dedicated private sector funding
- Deeper integration with other ecosystems such as hospital information systems (HIS), regulatory systems, and global platforms
- The option to opt into new service tiers that offer rich capabilities and services that will further OpenLMIS’ ability to reduce stockout rates and enable health workers to focus on patient care
What OpenLMIS Community Members are saying about this Partnership
“Vitalliance provides a clear path for OpenLMIS implementations to receive high quality technical support and adapt their services as countries grow in maturity. They also are approaching this partnership with an alignment of our existing OpenLMIS community values.” Kelly Hamblin (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OpenLMIS Donor)
“OpenLMIS is excited to begin this next phase of supply chain evolution with Vitalliance and the management expertise they bring from Imperial and One Network. Their alignment with our community values and vision promise a strong and sustainable future.” Brian Taliesin (OpenLMIS Director)
“Vitalliance offers a strong business model, and an important pathway via integrations to robust and varied tools that can help countries evolve to more advanced supply chain management systems.” Gaurav Bhattacharya (Clinton Health Access Initiative, OpenLMIS Partner)
“Vitalliance will offer powerful new integrated solutions from One Network and Imperial while driving OpenLMIS on a sustainable path that is compatible with our Open Source community values.” Brandon Bowersox-Johnson (VillageReach, OpenLMIS Partner)
Next Steps
Over the next year from March 2021 through March 2022, the stewardship of OpenLMIS will gradually transition to Vitalliance who will maintain and grow the core software at the global level. During this transition, ensuring uninterrupted technical support will remain a top priority. All country operations will receive continued support from the global OpenLMIS team, and country implementers will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of OpenLMIS for their country’s public health system. OpenLMIS was collaboratively built, and users and partners will remain vital to enhancing and growing the digital solution.
To Learn More –Consult the OpenLMIS Partnership Flyer -Listen to the recording from our Partnership Launch Webinar, held on March 31st hosted by Digital Square. Leaders from Vitalliance and OpenLMIS held a lively panel discussion to describe the partnership, showcase our shared vision for OpenLMIS and share how cross-sector partnerships can shape the future of digital health. Slides and recording available here
OpenLMIS Transition FAQs:
Any change for current OpenLMIS implementers?
OpenLMIS guarantees continued services to Ministry of Health users. Users can expect software maintenance and technical improvements over time. Technical support is not going away, and the software will remain Open Source and operational. This partnership is an opportunity to further engage and expand current implementations.
Will it remain Open Source and freely available?
Yes, Vitalliance has committed to maintaining OpenLMIS as an Open Source public good that can be accessed via Github at no cost.
Will the transition shift in priorities for OpenLMIS?
Vitalliance interests are aligned with those of OpenLMIS and its users. Vitalliance has been chosen because of its dedication to supporting new and existing implementations. OpenLMIS’ top priority has always been and will continue to be supporting governments and their public health supply chains.
Can current partners participate in OpenLMIS Community?
Yes! The current OpenLMIS Community will continue to work together to build the future of OpenLMIS. Some of the names of the committees and OpenLMIS core team members may change, but the key function of community engagement will continue. User voices will continue to be represented through a Key User Group.
What is the transition timeframe?
The transition will be gradual over the next year from March 2021 to March 2022, with hands-on participation and coaching from the current OpenLMIS team.
Additional questions?
Please contact us with comments or questions about this transition: info@openlmis.org.