When it comes to gathering pump information there are generally two ways to gather data and two ways to send that data. Method one for gathering data is electrical, like hall effect sensors or voltage/ohm resistance techniques. Doxa Research uses the second general method: mechanical gathering for a binary switch. By using mechanical methods, the electronic demands and complexity are reduced. Simple mechanical methods can be “seen” and therefore fixed more readily. The replacement parts for gathering water data are US$4.00 per monitor. The solar version has four replaceable components at about US$16-25.

Sending that data falls into two general categories. One way is via cell or GSM or some sort of local network provider connection. Because of the history of Doxa Research and working in remote areas where cell technology is not reliable, we use satellite-based solutions (but have a GSM version in development). This means no in-country connections, SIM cards or broadcast permissions are required. More satellite providers are adding options to the mix, but cost effectiveness per pump is an important factor that rules out many other satellite options (for now).

In this example, about 45km west of Kampala, an India Mark 2 pump monitor has a mechanical binary switch to gather data and then a satellite modem to transmit. The modem is the white box under the pump handle on the left side of the pump. This keeps buckets away! No pump modification is needed, like drilling holes or raising the pump head, so fitting (or removing) the monitor is fast, easy and does not change the user feel of the pump in any way. We believe this is a good outworking of the HCD process.

The same data gathering and sending techniques for the IM2 are used on the Afridev and solar (or electric driven) pumps. Doxa Research has monitoring devices for each case.

In keeping with the goal of Doxa Research to empower and employ, an exciting development happened in August. South of Blantyre a team of Africans designed an Afridev monitor. While in Uganda later in August 2023, CNC laser cutting was done in Kampala for the parts needed. Then, assembly, testing and iterating is being done in Lilongwe. After testing, the monitor will be installed back in Blantyre, completing the cycle. African designed. African built. African solutions for African needs.

Three different methods of powering these monitors are used. Please enquire for more information regarding alternative power solutions.

Once data is collected from monitors, what happens? Doxa Research uses a Python / Flask routing framework to allow easy and accessible data distribution. This picture above shows a recent pump project in Malawi. The pump monitors report the daily use, then that information is sent to the Cloud to be saved and backed up on servers. From there, the data is converted to readable database entries, then shown in Apps. This dashboard shows various pumps and a summary of their performance. Each pump has its own dedicated view to make readability clearer on a small phone screen. Then, when needed, one click exports the data table associated with these pumps to a .csv file to be used in other helpful ways (like reporting to a pump donor).

Consideration has been given to bandwidth, data costs, download speeds and sync options to make apps as useful as possible in areas with limited capacity. This is a primary driver for making customized apps, that you can pull in only the data relevant to you.

Most small organizations cannot afford expensive web, app and database development. And often it is not needed. A simple solution is customized apps, built by you (and any help we can offer, if needed). Yes, it is simple enough these days and tools are accessible to the “citizen developer”. Doxa Research has written 12 versions of apps to suit individual organizations, and offers to teach you too. The apps are LC/NC which means low-code or no-code to build. We believe that empowering you is the best way to achieve success, and saves thousands of dollars along the way. This may be one of the most useful and widely available service Doxa Research offers.

These are some of features available to use, whether you have little or no experience:

1. Read data, images and locations from a database or spreadsheet.

2. Write data, images and locations to a database or spreadsheet.

3. Show charts, tables, dashboards by linking to new views within app.

4. Use simple mathematical calculations to show unique fields like “low pump use yesterday”.

5. Use WhatsApp to contact people with one click within app.

6. Automate reports, notifications and emails. Reports can be .csv, .xml, screenshots or embedded within emails.

7. Limit users and secure your data.

8. Map locations. The picture above shows pump monitors mapped by the donor who paid for the pump to be installed.

9. Filter data sets with one click.

10. Add FAQs, help desk, trouble shooting guides or installations instructions for field operations.

Most of these features above require no code. The cost per person per month is around US$1.

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