DataPlug is plug-and-play platform for 'assembling' mobile applications for data gathering. With DataPlug, there is no need to make bespoke application from scratch. Instead, you can assemble a mobile application in less than 5 minutes by simply dragging and dropping components.
Importantly, the application generated by DataPlug is highly dynamic and can be remotely updated from a control panel (without needing a re-install on the phone or need to publish a new version to Google Play Store). This is particularly useful in scenarios where data gathering needs of a project evolve over time and it may be difficult to recall a large number of devices from the field for an application update.
The architecture of DataPlug is motivated by a number of projects undertaken by the Government of Punjab, Pakistan to gather data from field workers using mobile applications (Punjab’s model of m-governance), e.g. Dengue Activity Tracking System, Crime investigation Reporting System, Punjab Spot Pricing, Tracking of Agriculture Extension Workers, Tracking of Education Monitoring officers etc.
DataPlug is inspired by UW’s Open Data Kit (ODK), aimed at making an open-source, standards-based mobile application authoring platform.
The highly dynamic, scalable and intuitive design of DataPlug makes it an ideal platform for government organizations, NGOs and other organizations interested in gathering data from field workers.
DataPlug is an Open Source Platform developed by a team of researchers at Information Technology University, with technical support from Punjab Information Technology Board, and funding by The World Bank and UK Aid.
