The National Research Foundation (NRF) is to build an integrated Web-based grants system, with the aid of Datacentrix, to facilitate its multimillion per annum fund granting process. The process involves the calling for and evaluation of research proposals by various panels and institutions, as well as the monitoring of annual progress reports from existing fund grants.
According to Eugene van Rensburg, divisional director at Datacentrix, the new e-grant system will replace inherited software systems, combating the issues of disparate software, duplication of information and limited external visibility that NRF is currently experiencing.
"The implementation kicked off at the beginning of August after a rigorous NRF tender process. The contract was awarded to Datacentrix having fulfilled the various tender criteria that included its black economic empowerment (BEE) record," Van Rensburg says.
"Another significant factor was Datacentrix`s expertise and experience with Great Plains and workflow and document management software implementations. The system will be Web-based, developed on the .Net Framework in C# and integrated into K2.Net workflow as well as Microsoft Sharepoint Server," he adds.
The NRF executive sponsor of the project, Dr Andrew Kaniki, comments: "The system will not only assist the NRF deliver on its mandate more efficiently and effectively, but most importantly, will facilitate efficient and effective interaction with key stakeholders like the departments of science and technology, education, trade and industrial, and of course potential and active grant-holders and researchers."
The implementation of the e-grant system will require integration with some legacy systems and the replacement of others. The due date for the system is February 2004.
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