Successful pilot

5 months later, we've conducted a successful pilot in Mathura. We've built the skeleton framework for data to flow from the server, to the cell phone, collect delivery information and then upload back to the server. The delivery executives love the new process (rated it a 4 out of 5), data entry time is essentially 0, and all the retailers we work with are impressed with the new "computer" that creates on the spot receipts.

The pilot was conducted in 2 field tests, and perhaps the most fun part of this experience. Going around rural India in the back of an auto in the middle of the Indian summer has given me a whole new appreciation for modern air conditioning. I'm at a loss for words to describe how searingly hot it is. Normally you'd expect that in a moving vehicle the breeze would cool you down. Not here, because the "Loo" blowing in from the Indian desert seems to singe your skin. I went through 5 liters of water in 6 hours. For anyone who thinks that working in rural India will be a "fun" experience - you really have no idea until you get here.

But if you can look past all of this, then it really is quite an experience. For me though, it was good to split my work between urban India (Delhi) and rural India (Mathura). I'm not cut out for village life :)

The entire Drishtee experience was great. The social enterprise experiment is still young and I think at the end of the day money is still one of the strongest motivator's here (which is a good thing). There is a lot of growing up that still remains. Management practices are weak, no structured decision making framework and I can go on and on and on. But the fact remains that they are out there on the ground working to make a difference. I won't look at this as a glass half empty. It's half full. And in this case the glass is more like a giant water tank that's leaking.

I'll end with a few pictures I took while I was out in the field conducting the pilot.