OpenLMIS Ideas Page

About OpenLMIS

OpenLMIS is an open source, cloud-based, electronic logistics management information system (LMIS) purpose-built to manage health commodity supply chains. The OpenLMIS initiative incorporates a community-focused approach to develop open source and customizable LMIS systems specifically designed for low-resource settings (read: spotty internet, low-grade infrastructure). “Managing health commodity supply chains” means the process of managing inventory in a depot or storeroom, placing orders, receiving and fulfilling orders, issuing stock and proof-of-delivery (POD), and reporting on inventory, consumption, and stock-on-hand levels. Visit openlmis.org for a high-level intro to the initiative. 

LMIS is a very common term in public health supply chains to describe the processes that developing countries use to manage their health commodities (malaria drugs, vaccines, HIV treatments, essential medicines, etc.). The majority of developing, or low-income countries (LICs), are still utilizing paper-based systems, or some combination of paper and electronic systems. These electronic systems can range from Excel or Access spreadsheets to web-based systems like OpenLMIS. 

LMIS systems are extremely important in helping ensure that critical, lifesaving health commodities are available when and where they are needed. Having the right data (quantities issued, consumed, and available) are key in making sure that stable vaccines get to children, malaria bed nets are delivered to pregnant women, or HIV treatment drugs make it to patients. 

OpenLMIS is currently deployed in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zanzibar (see the Implementations page) where it manages logistics processes in health commodity supply chains for over 10,000 health facilities. The majority of funding for the initiative has been provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with additional funding provided by USAID.  

Minimum Development Requirements

• https://openlmis.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KoCVAQ

Java Spring Back-End APIs

To work on the Java back-end of OpenLMIS, you should have knowledge of Java and an interest in working with the Spring Framework and RESTful APIs. To test your Java skills, you could work on this exercise:http://exercism.io/exercises/java/scrabble-score/readme.

If you already have experience with Java Spring and REST, this exercise could test your understanding:https://devskiller.com/coding-tests/java-middle-developer-spring-frameworkjpa-restful-blog-application/(free trial registration is required to access the code).

If you haven't worked with Spring and RESTful APIs, then an interest in learning them will be important.

AngularJS Front-End Browser App

To work on the AngularJS front-end of OpenLMIS, you should have knowledge of Javascript and an interest in working with the AngularJS framework.

To check your JavaScript skills, try this exercise:http://exercism.io/exercises/javascript/diamond/readme.

If you haven't worked with AngularJS, consider this free online course at Codecademy:https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-angularjs. 

Some Experience Required

OpenLMIS uses a powerful and complex toolset that also includes Docker to run different parts of the API using micro-services. Contributing to OpenLMIS is a good fit for people who have experience with some of the tools mentioned here or who are dedicated to learning some powerful tools quickly. The OpenLMIS team can help point you to resources to get up to speed. But it will also take your dedication and interest in learning new and challenging things.

Project Ideas

Option for small, easy contributions to get started

Look for any “QuickWin” ticket or an open Bug ticket in JIRA. These are usually small, achievable tickets that might be a good place to get started programming in OpenLMIS.

Projects are listed in ascending order from easy, medium, expert