Technical specifications

Technical requirements for accessing the eCares platform are available below. More information on the technical architecture of eCares can be requested from the eCares Systems Administrator.

eCares technical architecture

eCares relies on a modular design and system structure, utilising the Mezzanine Helium web application.

eCares technology stack

Mezzanine is the proposed solution for eCares. Mezzanine uses open source technology tools such as PostgreSQL, Java, JavaScript and RESTful API to create fit for purpose technology platforms without passing proprietary user based licence fees. Mezzanine costs are associated with the teams that provide maintenance, support, and security services to achieve an overall service level of 99% availability.

Helium platform certifications

Mezzanine Ware (Pty) Ltd holds an ISO 27001: 2013 certification. The certification demonstrates that the company has information security policies and controls that meet the requirements and guidelines of the standard. The certification covers the entire company and ensures that all staff members have been trained in Information Security and Risk Management and that it is effectively applied through an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Mezzanine’s comprehensive information security control measures include robust access management, privacy protection, disaster recovery, and all critical aspects of cybersecurity.

Mezzanine Ware (Pty) Ltd also complies with the ISO 27701:2019 standard, ensuring that personal data is handled diligently. Mezzanine’s privacy controls ensure POPI/GDPR compliance, safeguarding user and client privacy rights.

Future system interoperability

The development of eCares considers most early childhood-related government digital systems, with a view to ensure future interoperability. These systems include the Department of Social Development’s Child Protection Register and Social Grant Payment System (SOCPEN), the Department of Home Affairs National Population Register, the Department of Basic Education’s LURITS and SA-SAMS, the Department of Justice Sexual Offenders Register, Provincial Treasuries’ BAS, and the National Lotteries Commission.

Technical requirements for accessing eCares

The following are web access requirements for laptops and desktops.

Requirement	Details
Browser	Recent versions of Chrome are supported on Windows, macOS and Linux. Other browsers should also be supported.
Hardware Requirements	Recommended: 4GB RAM or more.
Hardware Requirements	Supported: minimum of 2GB RAM, Core i3 CPU.

Android - Phones, Tablets and RealWear® devices

Requirement	Details
Android Version	As a general rule, the latest 3 Android versions are recommended. At the time of writing, this is Android 12.0 or greater. Container version 23.8.1 and above: • Requires Android 7.0 or greater. Container versions below 23.8.1: • Requires Android 5.1 or greater. Note: Support for Android 5 may be dropped in the near future – please upgrade. Android System WebView: Minimum supported version is 106.
Form Factors	Smartphone, tablet and RealWear® devices.
Device Models	Any mainstream device from a reputable manufacturer such as Samsung, Asus, Google, Sony, LG, Lenovo, HTC or RealWear®. Recommended: Minimum of 4GB RAM and 1.4GHz quad-core CPU. Use a device with a recent Android version that gets regular security updates. Supported: Minimum of 1.5GB RAM and 1.4GHz dual-core CPU.
Recommendations	1D Barcode Scanning: Requires a device with a camera that has auto-focus. Screen Space: For apps that use tables or columns, a large tablet (10 inches) is recommended. RealWear® Devices: – Ensure the latest version of Android System WebView is installed (arm64-v8a + arm-v7a variant, Android 6.0+). – Install Android System WebView before installing JourneyApps. – If a wrong WebView version was previously installed, uninstall both WebView and the app, then reinstall correctly.

iOS/iPadOS - iPhone and iPad

Requirement	Details
iOS/iPadOS Version	As a general rule, the 3 latest iOS/iPadOS versions are recommended. Container version 24.4.1 and above: • Requires iOS/iPadOS version 12.0 or greater. Older container versions: • Requires iOS/iPadOS version 11.0 or greater. Note: Support for iOS/iPadOS versions 11, 12, and 13 will be dropped in the near future. WebKit: Minimum supported version is 604.2.4 (bundled with Safari 11).
Form Factors	iPad (any size) or iPhone (any size)
Device Models	Supported: iPhone 5S, iPad 3 and newer. Recommended: iPhone 7, iPad 4, and iPad mini 3 and newer.
Recommendations	Screen Real Estate: If your app requires working with information-heavy layouts (e.g., tables with multiple columns) or tablet-specific JourneyApps features (e.g., columns, sidebars), a large tablet (10 inches) is recommended.