Datadyne, a company whose software enables the collection of mhealth data using even the most basic mobile phones, is targeting a twentyfold increase in its user base over the next five years. Joel Selanikio (pictured), Datadyne’s CEO, told Mobile Health Live, he wants to grow from 5,000 registered users today to a base of 100,000 by 2016.

The key to the company’s optimism about future growth was its decision two years ago to move to a simpler model for delivering the company’s Episurveyor software.  Previously, Datadyne used a complicated installation process on a Windows laptop or desktop for users who wanted to create data collection forms. It also offered Palm PDAs to healthworkers inputting data from the field.

Instead, the company moved to a pared-down approach that instantly boosted its accessibility. Its web-based approach makes data forms usable from any browser on any computer and collection in the field is by any mobile phone, either via an app-based programme or through SMS for the most basic models.

“In international development, technology is built one at a time, “says Selanikio. The company switched from the slower, locally-installed approach of introducing Palm PDAs to a web-based one because it wanted to achieve scale.

Selanikio’s inspiration is free mass-market applications such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo Mail alongside the massive popularity of the mobile phone across the developing world.

Up to a year ago, the software was free then the company introduced a tiered pricing model based on a customer’s level of usage. Previously the company had been funded by grants. Datadyne works independently of mobile operators.

It is not the only company offering a data collection product for mhealth. It is a field where the advantages to replacing existing, paper-based collection systems are clear, say supporters. Critics say some technophobic healthworkers struggle with using mobile phone to upload data but supporters argue this is an increasingly irrelevant argument with growing global mobile penetration.

One typical user is Kenya’s Ministry of Health. The country, which is polio free, is concerned about refugees infected with the disease crossing its borders from neighbouring countries such as Somalia. Episurveyor is a means to track any outbreaks.

Datadyne was set up in 2003 by Selanikio and his business partner. It now has a staff of 12. Despite his responsibilities, Selanikio still finds time to continue his previous career as a paediatrician for ten hours a week.