Introducing the new MobiSAM system
By: Ingrid Siebörger
As many of you following the MobiSAM developments might know, we are updating the old MobiSAM system. The new version will include a ticketing system (affording the ability to lodge service delivery complaints to the municipality), to compliment the already available polling system (where you can rate the municipality’s performance and service quality).
To make sure the APP is user friendly, the MobiSAM development team has been working tirelessly to amend the old system to include this new and very useful feature.
Currently the system is running on our beta servers where we do our testing. After user testing has been completed it will be moved to our live servers and become available for all registered MobiSAM users.
To start with the MobiSAM system will be available via web browsers – on desktop computers, phones and tablet PCs. In later versions we will provide phone based applications that can be installed on smart, feature and java enabled mobile phone hardware.
In this blog post I will step you through the registration process, as well as provide a short introduction to the new system (more details on the new system will follow in later blog posts); in March when the system becomes available to the public you will be able to both register and use the system to lodge service delivery tickets and rate the municipal services.
Registering with MobiSAM
In order to participate in MobiSAM polls, create service delivery tickets and view reports, you will need to register as a MobiSAM user. The registration process involves two steps:
- Complete registration form
- Validation / Account activation
The Registration Form
The registration form will be found on the MobiSAM website: www.mobisam.net (remember that the system is not yet fully functional or available, so when you hear of its launch in March, please only then go along and register on the website). Click on the “Sign up” button and complete the fields in the page that opens. You will need to provide the following information:
- User Name
This is a name you make up; it is used, together with your password, to identify you and to gain access to the MobiSAM polls.
- First Name
- Last Name
- Select your preferred language
Users can select English, Sesotho, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. Note that polls are not always available in all five languages.
- Create a password
You will need to make up a password for your user account. You will need to enter this password when logging on to the MobiSAM application. Enter the same password twice to confirm it.
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Cell phone number
- Email address
- Receive SMSs and Receive Emails
These options allow you to select if you would like to receive messages from the municipality. Select the boxes if you would like them to have access to your cell number and email address to receive updates from the site.
- Country
- City
- Suburb
- Physical address
This information is used to identify exactly where you are in order to record and respond to service delivery problems you report via MobiSAM.
In order to submit the registration form, you will need to enter the verification code at the bottom of the form by entering the letters in the space provided. If the letters are unclear, you are able to get a new code by clicking on the link “get a new code”.
Once you have filled in all the required fields, click “Submit”.
How to access the MobiSAM website and get started with creating a profile.
Validation
Once you have submitted your registration form, you will receive an email requesting you to validate your email address. Open the email and follow the instructions. A new window will open confirming your email address has been validated.
If you did not provide an email address, then this step will not happen. You will just have to wait for your account to be activated (see below).
Activation
A MobiSAM administrator will activate your account within 48 hours. This is to ensure all MobiSAM users are genuine users. Once your account is activated, you will be able to login and answer polls using MobiSAM.
Loggin in
Registered users need to login to MobiSAM by going to www.mobisam.net and entering their username and password. Once you have entered your details, click “Sign In”.
If you forget your password, enter your username and check the box “Forgot the password”. An email giving further instructions will be sent to you. Check your email and follow the hyperlink by clicking on it. You will automatically be directed to a MobiSAM page where you will be able to create a new password and login.
Signing up / Signing in to MobiSAM to lodge a complaint or view the status of a recent poll.
Where to create a service delivery or ticket or answer a poll
Once you have logged in, you will be directed to the MobiSAM homepage. Where you will be provided with three choices: Submit an issue (creating a service delivery ticket), View issues (a dashboard of all the current open service delivery tickets on MobiSAM), and View Polls (where you can answer service delivery related polls and rate the municipality’s performance).
Viewing and keeping track of progress via the MobiSAM webiste.
In addition to the three options that the MobiSAM homepage presents to the user, it also provides an overview of the latest service delivery tickets that have been created and the latest polls available on MobiSAM for easy access.
As we get closer to the launch date we will provide more user documentation to support you through the process of creating service delivery tickets and answering polls. Furthermore, in future releases we intend to add a report generation functionality so that you are able to generate reports about service delivery in the municipality in order to support your continued engagement with the municipality. We are working tirelessly to provide a system to support you meaningfully engaging with your municipality around the area of service delivery. We believe through meaningful two-way communication we can all contribute to a better municipality for all residents and officials alike.
