"Svoie.IT": abandoning Russian software is a matter of national security
On the eighth of September 2023, the conference "Svoie.IT. Ukrainian Software Showroom" took place in Kyiv, where over a thousand visitors had the opportunity to test dozens of programs from Ukrainian development companies. Intecracy Group companies gladly supported this event by taking a direct part — both as speakers and by hosting a demo stand with software of their own development.
Participants showed visitors over 30 programs for document management automation, accounting, CRM and ERP systems, solutions for call centres and technical support services, etc. The presence of such a large number of national software products is eloquent proof of the maturity of Ukrainian companies and their ability to meet the needs of enterprises and organisations. This is especially important in the context of discussions about the complete abandonment of Russian software, which poses a threat to national security.
One of the event organisers was the cloud provider GigaCloud, a partner of Intecracy Group companies. During the event, Volodymyr Bielov, CEO of this company, stated directly: "We missed the takeover of our market by Russian 1C, Bitrix, and other programs." According to him, Russian programs are used by over 70% of Ukrainian businesses. For a long time, the main argument for using such software was the lack of an alternative. As of today, the situation has changed radically.
What exactly Ukrainian developers showed
The event was organised in a showroom format. That is, every visitor had the opportunity to directly view and test dozens of programs from Ukrainian developers on-site, as well as receive advice on their implementation. This approach saves time searching for the right software and demonstrates its benefits.
In particular, these are:
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In the field of document management, these are programs that allow quick exchange of information and files, digital signatures, and storing documents in electronic archives: Megapolis.DocNet, Deals, Centredo, MEDoc, "ASKOD", "Vchasno", "MASTER: Document Management", E-Docs, as well as the Signy service.
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CRM systems and services for their implementation: Creatio, NetHunt, CRMiUM, SuiteCRM, Servio, VoIPTime CRM, MASTER: CRM, KeyCRM.
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Analogs of "1C": A5 (subsystem "Accounting and Tax Accounting"), "Debet Plus", "MASTER: Accounting", "Vpravno", ISPro, "Universal 9:ERP".
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ERP systems: A5 ERP, ITFin, Self-ERP, BJet ERP, as well as localised software applications for accounting and HR for the international ERP system SAP Business One.
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Programs for call centres and technical support services: solutions for IP telephony using artificial intelligence VoIPTime Contact Center, virtual telephony UniTalk, ticket system for communication with clients HelpDeskStar.
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EdTech solutions: educational information system "Yedyna Shkola" and digital platform for education "Navchannia i Tekhnolohii".
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Programs for the military, financiers, educators, catering workers, and social projects: TATL technology, car subscription service Drivovo, unique cartography Uklon to replace Russian Yandex, automation and inventory accounting program for HoReCa and catering establishments Poster, trading and procurement service SmartTender.
Also, all visitors had the opportunity to listen to presentations on business automation, trends in software product development, and the danger that hostile software poses to Ukraine. By the way, the speeches of representatives of Intecracy Group companies enjoyed increased interest from visitors, which is not surprising. After all, the oldest of the association's companies has been operating in the market since 1995, and the developed software works in thousands of organisations.
Four products were of particular interest to visitors.
Firstly, Megapolis.DocNet. This is an ECM (Enterprise Content Management) system that allows organising electronic document management for organisations of various sizes and types of activity. The universal solution supports the entire document management lifecycle and helps automate processes.
Secondly, the external (online) document management system Deals. This is a simple, fast, and convenient online service for agreeing and signing documents with a qualified electronic signature (QES) with partners, contractors, and clients from anywhere in the world 24/7. The solution simplifies business relations with counterparties in matters of document approval, signing agreements, and document management. Documents stored in our online service are legitimate under Ukrainian legislation, including being admissible as evidence in court.
Thirdly, Scriptum. This is a low-code BPM system for business process management. Thanks to its modularity and flexibility, Scriptum allows solving business problems quickly and without significant costs: integrating legacy enterprise systems, automating processes, and accelerating interaction. The platform allows modelling, simulating, monitoring, and analysing business processes with the possibility of dynamic restructuring of process models by analysts and managers without involving a technical specialist or with minimal participation. For example, the software solution helps organisation management control where, when, why, how, and what work is performed, as well as who is responsible for its execution.
Fourthly, a flexible and adaptive business process automation system called A5 ERP. This is a packaged solution that includes HR management and accounting. It allows configuring accounting processes, comprehensive automation of all accounting sections, provides opportunities for analysis and management accounting, and complies with Ukrainian legislation. The system also includes a full cycle of HR management processes, electronic HR document management, and an automatic payroll calculation solution.
Why Russian software is dangerous
Conference participants discussed the non-obvious risks of using Russian software and the need to abandon it. Some companies propose banning hostile software at the state level. For example, the IT Ukraine Association (event partner) advocates for a complete ban on products from the aggressor country and is launching the "Hostile Software" project to remove them from circulation. A list of approximately 80 programs has already been created, which includes "1C", "UA-Budget", Bitrix24, Advego, and others. They plan to appeal directly to the NSDC with a proposal to ban the use of Russian programs.
"Russian software is also an enemy weapon capable of causing losses to Ukraine's economy, social sphere, and security," noted Kostiantyn Vasiuk, Executive Director of the Association.
Intecracy Group analysts are confident that Russian developers are capable of embedding "backdoors" into software, through which it is possible to organise remote access to information and communication networks, steal information, etc. The moral aspect is also important — how can one use the services and goods of representatives of a country that kills Ukrainians, illegally deports children, destroys our infrastructure, and occupies territory? And the economic one. Russian companies pay taxes, which are used to develop, produce, or purchase weapons for the Russian army. In fact, using Russian software is sponsoring the war.
Intecracy Group Comment:
Mykhailo Vihovskyi, member of the Supervisory Board and shareholder of Intecracy Group companies, commenting on the event, stated that it is advisable to create a register of permitted software in the public sector, from which Russian software products will be excluded. And also to strengthen control.
"Unfortunately, today some officials are trying to bypass sanctions. One option is to change the wrapper, for example, the name, and slightly redesign the interface of Russian software. And according to the documents, such software goes as Ukrainian, although the core of the system remains Russian, and updates also come from the hostile country. And with them — new risks."
Russian software is also disguised in the private sector. Entrepreneurs shared an interesting case. "Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, suppliers of Russian restaurant automation systems iiko and r_keeper have begun to actively disguise their roots. They change their ownership structure, talk about employee relocation, and independence from Russian brands. iiko even announced the creation of the international brand Syrve, which Ukrainian establishments purchase and which is allegedly not connected with Russia. However, this is not the case," noted showroom participant, CEO and co-founder of the restaurant automation company Poster, Rodion Yeroshek.
Vadym Koziak, co-founder of Vpravno LLC, also emphasises the need to replace Russian software with Ukrainian analogues, but notes that the transition cannot be abrupt: "I am in favour of a planned and gradual introduction of sanctions against Russian closed-source software. Business needs to understand that the process is irreversible, but the transition period must be sufficient."
State reaction
Oleksandr Borniakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, spoke about the importance of supporting Ukrainian developers.
"Despite the bloody war of the Russian Federation against our country, some organisations in Ukraine continue not only to use Russian software but also to purchase it. In particular, I know about '1C', which operates in Ukraine under another brand, Business Automation Framework (BAS). And this is a matter of national security, because the enemy actually gains access to our information systems. We need to tell users that there are quality alternatives. In Ukraine, they already exist, and we see this right here and now. We also need to support Ukrainian developers. And the Ministry of Digital Transformation will continue to help them in development, participation in international exhibitions, and promotion," he said.
