Solve Property Industry Problems : Utilize Cardano for Water and Electricity Meter Locations and Secure Long-term Storage of Essential Property Information

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Bernard Sibanda

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

cto@wims.io

Additional applicants

None

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

The dApp will utilize Blockfrost API or comparable services, such as those offered by https://blockfrost.io/#pricing. The Hobby subscription, which costs 1348.75 ADA per year, offers ample time, resources, and affordability for the projec

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

The existing Meter reading, disconnections, and pretermination notices credit control apps are competing with other proprietary apps for tenders. These apps will remain closed source. However, all Cardano APIs and backend source codes will be open sourced, allowing others to apply similar logic to different government systems.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

dApp

[METADATA] SDG rating

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

9.4 - By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Verify & Secure Water and Electricity meters installations using Cardano blockchain for the benefit of all governments, municipalities, businesses, and consumers.

The primary objective of this Proof of Concept dApp is to showcase how leveraging the Cardano Blockchain can efficiently tackle property-related issues worldwide. This initiative will bring benefits to governments, municipalities, businesses, and consumers, collectively.

Meter installations are typically not subjected to verification, and if they are, there is no subsequent check after the initial installation. Implementing onchain recording of Meter installation GPS along with images of meters would address this issue.(source: https://www.aquicore.com/blog/3-reasons-your-utility-bills-are-inaccurate)

Many individuals face exorbitant estimated charges on their utility bills, exacerbating the financial struggles of those who are already impoverished.

Meter reading companies, contractors, and municipal staff often encounter challenges related to their limited knowledge of the total number of meters in existence, the requirement for meters in newly constructed units, instances of broken or stolen meters, as well as cases of tampering or bypassing of meters.

City Power, the branch of the City of Johannesburg responsible for supplying electricity, currently has outstanding debts totaling R1.2 billion from individual households, businesses, residential complexes, churches, and other institutions that have unlawfully connected to the electricity supply.(source : https://www.news24.com/news24/partnercontent/report-illegal-connections-20211008#:~:text=Moreover%20illegal%20connections%20destroy%20photo,mounted%20transformers%20which%20eventually%20explode.)

This proposal aims to address this issue by eliminating traditional paper-based processes and introducing a tamper-proof digital storage system for meters on the blockchain.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

The project offers several concrete benefits:

• Increasing awareness and adoption of Cardano technologies among governments, municipalities, businesses, contractors, and consumers.
• Enhancing the utility of ADA by driving more transactions and usage.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The project offers several concrete benefits:

• Addressing real-life challenges using the Cardano Protocol to foster community growth and adoption.
• Developing a functional dApp prototype for testing on preproduction and preview networks.
• Conducting testing in at least one municipality.
• Creating comprehensive documentation, encompassing technical and user guides.
• Generating a report and collecting feedback from municipalities, contractors, and consumers on the solution.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

A: Within a 2-month timeframe:

• Engage with local authorities to comprehend dApp requirements and specifications, leveraging my ongoing implementation of meter readings with one municipality.
• Formulate a comprehensive plan for the dApp and define its various use cases.

B: In the following 2 months:

• Develop the dApp to operate on Cardano testnets (preproduction/preview).
• Generate comprehensive test results and compile a detailed report.

C: In an additional 2 months:

• Conduct testing of the dApp with a minimum of one municipality and produce a report on the findings.
• Test the dApp with at least 20 consumers and provide a report on the outcomes.
• Evaluate the dApp's performance by testing it with a minimum of two different contractors and deliver a detailed report.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

From 2015 to 2023, I have dedicated myself to developing and operating web applications focused on credit control for municipalities. These applications cover tasks such as water and electricity meter reading, disconnections/reconnections, pretermination notice deliveries, and a meter location and verification system.

Through Tobb Technologies, the IT software development company I founded and serve as CTO, I have successfully produced and implemented credit control systems. These systems have been thoroughly tested across more than 20 districts, resulting in generating over 5 million in revenue.

My educational background includes a BSC in Computing, B Tech, and MCP certifications. Over the years, I have honed my skills in software development, working with over 15 different programming languages.

Since 2021, I have undergone Plutus Pioneer training led by Dr. Lars and received training from Gimbalabs. Additionally, I have obtained a certificate in Plutus Core from the University of Luxembourg and completed courses on Atala Prism. My experience extends to working with Cardano development tools such as Mesh, Lucid, Haskell, and Helios.

In terms of trust and accountability, I have actively engaged with various Cardano communities, taking on roles as a student, collaborator, tester, and trainer. I have successfully organized Cardano workshops with Nana, Kaelo, and Richmond, and established a Cardano Centre in Johannesburg, where we have supported over 100 students. Notable events I have managed include the Cardano Summit 2022, Boost Cardano in South Africa, WIMS-Cardano Girls Training, Plutus Core Hackathon, and CIP-1694.

With regards Cardano skills, I will work with Gimbalabs, IOG developers, Helios developer because I am already actively(2 years) involved in their projects(Plutus Core, Haskell, Mesh, Helios, Lucid). I will subcontract some on very difficult areas as we work together.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Bring efficiency to organizational operations. These are governments/businesses/municipalities and consumers.

Success will be seen in reduction or elimination of currently faces problems.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestones and Key Activities to be done:

A: Milestone ONE

a) Milestone Achievement Date 

End of 2nd month after receiving Milestone 1 funds(sometimes funds face delays)

b) Milestone Funding Amount 

30% of Project Funding( 63000 * 0.3 = 18900 ADA)

c) Milestone Outputs 

i) Specifications report on municipality needs

ii) Project development plan report

iii) Report on the needs of the users.

d) Milestone Acceptance Criteria

At least 2/3 of these produced(67%)

i) Specifications Document

ii) Project development plan

iii) Report on the needs of the users.

e) Evidence Of Achievement

At least 2/3 of these produced(67%)

i) Specifications Document

ii) Project development plan

iii) Report on the needs of the users.

B: Milestone TWO : Project Development

a) Milestone Achievement Date 

End of 4nd month after project commenced

b) Milestone Funding Amount 

50% of Project Funding(63000 * 0.5 = 31500 ADA)

c) Milestone Outputs 

iv) Project backend API

v) Admin Dashboard

vi) Front End

d) Milestone Acceptance Criteria(Add on Milestone 1)

iv) Project backend API(70% done)

v) Admin Dashboard(70% done)

vi) Front End(70% done)

e) Evidence Of Achievement

iv) Project backend API(70% working)

v) Admin Dashboard(70% working)

vi) Front End(70% working)

C: Milestone THREE(Blockchain integration) : Final Acceptance Milestone

a) Milestone Achievement Date 

-End of 6th month after project commenced

b) Milestone Funding Amount 

-15% of Project Funding(63000 * 0.15 = 9450 ADA)

c) Milestone Out puts 

vii) dApp integrated with Cardano blockchain

viii) Test results report on consumers, municipality, contractors

ix) Report Feedback and reviews from users

x) dApp fully working and tested on Cardano testnets.

d) Milestone Acceptance Criteria

vii) dApp integrated with Cardano blockchain(dApp connected to blockchain and interacting with database)

viii) Test results report on consumers, municipality, contractors(Tests done on testnets-preprod/preview)

ix) Report Feedback and reviews from users

x) dApp working on Cardano testnets.

e) EvidenceOfAchievement

vii) video showing dApp working

viii) Pdf showing Test results report on consumers, municipality, contractors(Tests done on testnets-preprod/preview)

ix) Report Feedback and reviews from users

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Deliverables, Outputs, Intended outcomes of each milestone and documentation

Milestone 1 - 2 months

a) Specifications report on municipality needs, 

b) Project development plan report

c) Report on the needs of the users.

Milestone 2 - 2 months

d) Project backend API

e) Admin Dashboard

f) Front End

Milestone 3 - 2 months

g) dApp integrated with Cardano blockchain

h) Test results report on consumers, municipality, contractors

i) Report Feedback and reviews from users

h) dApp fully working and tested on Cardano testnets.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Cardano Property Solution dApp Prototype

A: Intern Developer rate 1400 ADA x2 = 2800/month x6(month) = 16800 ADA

B: 2 x Senior rate 100 ADA/hour

Below are estimate hours based on past experience:

1. Cardano Blockchain dApp connector 150hrs x @100ADA/hr = 15000 ADA
2. Backend API and RDMS 100hrs x @100ADA/hr = 10000 ADA
3. Server Side Scripting 90hrs x @100ADA/hr = 9000 ADA
4. Front End 130hrs x @100ADA/hr = 13000 ADA

Total (16800 + 15000+10000+9000+13000) = 63000 ADA

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

This project aims to establish Cardano as a leading provider of government/municipality/business IT solutions (web3). Its implementation will enhance adoption, foster stronger relationships with existing tertiary institutions, attract a greater number of IT developer graduates to join Cardano, and position Cardano's IT solutions in a favorable position for government/municipal contracts.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept