Lokii is a framework that simplfies the process of connecting an application to a cell phone. It does this by establishing a message queue and server to handle requests and responses, and connects the queue with existing SMS toolkits. Developers can focus on their area of expertise and application functionality rather than reinventing the wheel.

The framework is built using the Ruby programming language. To build a new application you download and install the package, generate the default application and add your application handlers. Once created, you can plug a cell phone into a laptop, run an existing SMS toolkit, and start your Lokii server to begin using the application. Incoming text messages will be routed to the server to be processed by your handlers. Simple commands like "say", "reply", and "complete" are used to encapsulate the details Short Message Service protocol and message queues.

The framework is open-source and currently available on the SocialRange site and is hosted on Github at http://github.com/jeffrafter/lokii.

Results

In November, 2008 a group of developers and volunteers in Lilongwe, Malawi were given a one hour presentation on how to create applications using Lokii. Following the presentation a contest was held to build fully functional SMS-based applications. Within 45 minutes, five new applications had been created:

• A BMI calculator
• An adherence calculator
• A patient identifier validation service
• A remote server control application
• A handler that could respond based on the incoming dialect

Two of these applications were connected to an existing electronic medical record system so that they could be used by Community Healthcare Workers.

Direction

With the initial framework complete, I am seeking to establish pilot projects in the developing world and continue adding functionality. This includes expanding the project to have more sample applications and a website containing tutorials, training manuals and field manuals.

In addition: I have been volunteering and working in Malawi since 2006. Recently I was working as the head of software development and managing a team of Malawian developers for Baobab Health which builds health system applications such as patient registration and HIV treatment software. I am currently working with Partners in Health to develop a point of care patient registration system in Neno, Malawi. The need for mobile applications is acute, but the difficulty in building these applications is currently high.