Case Studies How Rotary International Is Using Apps To Help Rebuild The Hurricane-Ravaged Caribbean

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	How Rotary International Is Using Apps To Help Rebuild The Hurricane-Ravaged Caribbean

How Rotary International Is Using Apps To Help Rebuild The Hurricane-Ravaged Caribbean

Technology Category	Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Functions	Field Services Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Supply Chain Visibility
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Immediately after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria made landfall in the Caribbean, causing billions of dollars in damages, Rotary International’s District 7020 Hurricane Recovery Committee was convened. The committee's top priority was to explore ways to optimize disaster recovery processes. They recognized that through the digital collection of information and automation of processes, non-profits like theirs could make disaster recovery supply chains—made up of volunteers, money, goods, and services—far more responsive and effective to the real-time needs of the communities they serve. The challenge was to develop a system that could effectively communicate with local community members when cell reception was almost non-existent and electricity and Wi-Fi were spotty due to severely damaged infrastructures. Read More
About Customer	Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million members known as 'people of action.' Disaster recovery efforts begin with the local Rotary clubs on the ground in communities across many affected islands. Rotarians identify and document specific needs, formulate recovery projects, request aid, and work with other clubs and Rotary International to address the most critical needs in their communities. Rotary International works with its massive global community of supporters and benefactors to acquire and distribute recovery resources to the clubs. Key to Rotary District 7020’s success is the support from its many partners worldwide, such as AppSheet. Read More
Solution	Michael Terrelonge, a Rotarian with extensive experience in information management technology, proposed developing a mobile app that could operate both online and offline. This app would digitally capture information on the ground in the hardest-hit areas while automating and streamlining the Rotary’s resource management processes. After some research, he settled on AppSheet, an app development platform that enables anyone to make a mobile app without coding experience. With AppSheet, he was able to build an initial version of the app in just two days. The app served as a central hub of information, enabling the oversight committee to see and manage everything related to the district’s recovery work and manage a massive global network of donors. A scaled-down version of the initial app was created to share with users, allowing club members to report conditions, request assistance, see offers of assistance, and coordinate how supplies were delivered and distributed. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Applicable Functions

Field Services

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Supply Chain Visibility

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Immediately after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria made landfall in the Caribbean, causing billions of dollars in damages, Rotary International’s District 7020 Hurricane Recovery Committee was convened. The committee's top priority was to explore ways to optimize disaster recovery processes. They recognized that through the digital collection of information and automation of processes, non-profits like theirs could make disaster recovery supply chains—made up of volunteers, money, goods, and services—far more responsive and effective to the real-time needs of the communities they serve. The challenge was to develop a system that could effectively communicate with local community members when cell reception was almost non-existent and electricity and Wi-Fi were spotty due to severely damaged infrastructures.

About Customer

Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million members known as 'people of action.' Disaster recovery efforts begin with the local Rotary clubs on the ground in communities across many affected islands. Rotarians identify and document specific needs, formulate recovery projects, request aid, and work with other clubs and Rotary International to address the most critical needs in their communities. Rotary International works with its massive global community of supporters and benefactors to acquire and distribute recovery resources to the clubs. Key to Rotary District 7020’s success is the support from its many partners worldwide, such as AppSheet.

Solution

Michael Terrelonge, a Rotarian with extensive experience in information management technology, proposed developing a mobile app that could operate both online and offline. This app would digitally capture information on the ground in the hardest-hit areas while automating and streamlining the Rotary’s resource management processes. After some research, he settled on AppSheet, an app development platform that enables anyone to make a mobile app without coding experience. With AppSheet, he was able to build an initial version of the app in just two days. The app served as a central hub of information, enabling the oversight committee to see and manage everything related to the district’s recovery work and manage a massive global network of donors. A scaled-down version of the initial app was created to share with users, allowing club members to report conditions, request assistance, see offers of assistance, and coordinate how supplies were delivered and distributed.

Impact #1	The apps have made obtaining, managing, and distributing resources much easier for the Rotary than in past disasters.
Impact #2	Lack of internet connectivity or cell phone reception is no longer a major issue as community members can enter information on their phones and sync it to the cloud when a cell hotspot is available.
Impact #3	Everything needed to manage projects is centralized in one user-friendly interface, making Rotarians far more productive in overseeing disaster relief programs.

Impact #1

The apps have made obtaining, managing, and distributing resources much easier for the Rotary than in past disasters.

Impact #2

Lack of internet connectivity or cell phone reception is no longer a major issue as community members can enter information on their phones and sync it to the cloud when a cell hotspot is available.

Impact #3

Everything needed to manage projects is centralized in one user-friendly interface, making Rotarians far more productive in overseeing disaster relief programs.

Benefit #1	The initial version of the app was built in just two days.
Benefit #2	A scaled-down version of the app was created in just one hour.
Benefit #3	The filtration systems delivered by the Rotary can produce enough drinkable water for 30 people within half an hour.

Benefit #1

The initial version of the app was built in just two days.

Benefit #2

A scaled-down version of the app was created in just one hour.

Benefit #3

The filtration systems delivered by the Rotary can produce enough drinkable water for 30 people within half an hour.

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Overview

How Rotary International Is Using Apps To Help Rebuild The Hurricane-Ravaged Caribbean

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit