DHIS 2 Features
Last release: Milestone 7
This page describes the features of the DHIS 2 system. If you have any questions, please contact Ola
or Knut.
Web enabled
DHIS 2 is a web application which runs on a web server and can be accessed over the internet. One installation can thus be accessed from many facilities. It uses tried and tested languages and technology like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and AJAX.
Platform independent
DHIS 2 is developed in the Java programming language, famouus for the catchphrase "Compile once, run anywhere". This means that DHIS 2 can run on both Windows, Linux and Mac. It has been tested on all these platforms.
Browser independent
The user interface of DHIS 2 is web standards compliant
, which means any browser that conforms to web standards can be used to view the application.
DHIS 2 has been tested on the following browsers:
- Firefox (recommended)
- Safari
- Opera
- Internet Explorer 7 (good support)
- Internet Explorer 6 (partial support)
Database independent
DHIS 2 can be used with several different databases through the [Hibernate] framework. Just define a configuration file with connection info, and DHIS 2 will use your database.
DHIS 2 has been tested on the following databases:
It's running on MySQL and PostgreSQL in production environments in India and Vietnam respectively.
Flexible
The basic philosophy behind DHIS is to provide a generic meta mode that allows the users to define what they want to register data for. To this end, users can define data elements, organisation units, create advanced indicators, create validation rules and set up users and permissions in order to tailor the usage of the application to their organisation.
Free/Open Source
DHIS 2 is released under a BSD license, which means that users are free to inspect, modify and redistribute the source code free of charge. No vendor lock in, ever!
Internationalization (i18n) and localization
The user interface of DHIS 2 is fully localized, meaning text on labels and in menus can be shown in any language.
The following languages are supported out of the box:
- English (GB)
- Vietnamese
- Hindi
- Gujarati
- Amaric (partial)
- French (partial)
- Norwegian (BM)
More can be added through an intuitive Translation tool.
Furthermore the system supports database internationalization: Names of organisation units, data elements and the like can also be translated to support regional variations. This is achieved through a simple user interface in the system.
Data interchange
DHIS 2 has a comprehensive system for import and export, supporting common standards like XML and CSV, as well as the IXF format used by the UNAIDS, World Health Organization and other UN agencies.
Secure
The system is secured through user management and a login system with an encrypted password.
Administrators can set up fine grained user permissions, granting access to specific organisation units, data entry, management and the like.
Datamart
DHIS 2 calculates and caches aggregated data (on administrative levels) in a secondary data structure, which means such data can be accessed faster. The datamart also calculates the indicators based on user-defined formulas.
Modular architecture
The DHIS 2 application is developed in a modular architecture, using a series of top notch frameworks which means it can be tailored and extended to the user's needs.
Detailed list of functionality
- Generic meta-model allowing:
- Add, update and delete organisation units, groups and group sets
- Add, update and delete data elements and data sets
- Add, update and delete data element dimensions such as age and gender
- Add, update and delete validation rules for data elements
- Add, update and delete indicators and indicator groups
- Add, update and delete indicator targets
- Add, update and delete users, groups, user settings and user permissions
- Data entry with validation
- Web-based data entry form designer using the FckEditor
- Import and export of data values:
- DXF (DHIS eXchange Format)
- CSV
- IXF
- DBF
- Import and export of aggregated data values
- Time saving datamart for calculation of data values and calculated indicators
- Fully localized user interface
- Fully localized database structure
