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Strengthening Civic Engagement through Information

Technology Overview

GSI’s Global Common Technology Platform is a Web-based reporting and presentation framework developed for GSI. We believe that the ability to present a low cost, turn-key technology solution to new member countries is critical if we are to meet our objectives of a rapid rollout of the GuideStar concept around the world.

The merger of GuideStar International and GuideStar UK in September 2007, has the advantage of the ultimate combination of the two technology platforms. GuideStar UK, whose Web offering includes a robust search engine, sophisticated data management processes, and an intuitive user interface; will combine with GSI’s international platform that can accommodate any language in the world and serve multiple country Web sites from a low-cost, centralized platform. The resulting single system will operate in a centrally managed environment that will result in lower costs and better service to the combined audiences.

Important attributes of the Global Common Technology Platform include:

  1. Core system configuration and reporting and presentation frameworks are flexible enough to satisfy the differing needs of many countries.
  2. Only a marginal amount of customization will be required to deploy it effectively in a new country.
  3. Hosting and maintenance will be conducted from a central service center, greatly reducing these costs on a per-country basis.
  4. Copies of the system can be produced to port to the servers of any members upon their request.

The centralized platform includes all necessary network infrastructure and database development. This configuration will host individual member Web sites, including a data capture interface, search engine, and display pages.

GSI will provide all hosting and maintenance services for the network infrastructure and database. The system is adaptable to any language, and individual countries will have direct control over static display content on their sites.

Upon deployment, users will be able to both input data through a simple yet robust interface and search the database using various search criteria. Search results and display pages will present both narrative and financial information on the activities of specific CSOs.

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