Grameen Foundation : What we do : Technology Programs : Partner Technology
Partner Technology Support
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) use a variety of tools and methods to track loans, savings and operating expenses. Many rely heavily on manual approaches such as pen and paper (as banking was done in the United States 100 years ago) and simple spreadsheets. On the other hand a small number have fully automated and integrated decision-based information management systems. Regardless of an MFI’s sophistication, when it is unable to access, use and provide critical information in a timely manner to its organization, it is time to consider an alternative solution to address strategic information management needs.Partner Technology provides a diverse range of technical assistance, consulting, assessment and advisory services to meet our partners’ Strategic Information Management needs. With the myriad options available to refine business processes or even implement new technologies such as Mifos, Partner Technology assists microfinance institutions in determining what solution will best suit their needs. As the institution continues to grow, Partner Technology is there to provide strategic information services to match the organization’s needs.
Streamlining and refining business processes and ultimately implementing an automated solution based on measurement and functional activities can assist MFIs as they grow their operations. This evolution enables the institution to receive timely and accurate information upon which they can base decisions. This valuable and necessary step asks MFIs to understand and answer critical questions about their outreach, performance, self-sufficiency, competition, and the impact of launching new financial products and services. MFIs can also provide greater transparency to their clients and donors, be more effective with time management, increase their outreach at a lower cost, and provide higher quality client services.
Partner Technology offers robust Business Process Management (BPM) support. BPM is a methodology which promotes effective management and process optimization, and it is used to identify the sensitive points and duplications in a business process. As a result MFIs can reduce costs, limit losses, and increase worker productivity and customer satisfaction. Often these gains can be realized without any technical automation.
The Team also created a Management Information Systems (MIS) Toolkit as an industry resource, one that assists microfinance institutions if and when it is time to begin the automation process. This Toolkit is a step-by-step guide that walks the institution through the options available and what the MFI must do to assess, select, implement and manage automated MIS projects.
Refining business processes and moving from a manual to automated information management approach brings numerous benefits to most organizations. For example, LAPO has seen many improvements after we assisted them with their move to automation, and Eunice Asemota, manager of LAPO’s Adesogbe Branch feels she is better able to serve her clients. LAPO saw a 19% decrease in errors per transaction and the number of clients served per loan officer increased 47% with their new MIS system. After the MIS implementation at Adelante, the time to prepare weekly and monthly reports dropped by 98%, saving more than 5,000 hours of staff time each year.
If you would like to know more about how BPM or automated microfinance information systems can aid an MFI in becoming more efficient, or if your institution’s current information system no longer sufficiently meets your organization’s demand, please contact PartnerTech@grameenfoundation.org.
Grameen Foundation : What we do : Technology Programs : Partner Technology
Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
+1-202-628-3560 www.grameenfoundation.org
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