The deputy governor of the Kaluga region D. Razumovsky - how the pandemic urges on digital transformation in the region

Dmitry Razumovsky: Digital technologies which are used, I do not think that they are unique. We passed key stages of development, formation of IT infrastructure, and that lot of work which was in recent years done, practically in each subject allowed to transfer rather quickly separate services, individual employees to a remote format of work.

Of course, especially right at the beginning, load of a number of key services which were used in smaller volume earlier was significantly increased. First of all, it is the VKS systems. We have the corporate system which we use for a long time. The principle of remote access using web solutions was implemented. Today we have a most part of meetings, practically everything, takes place in the remote mode. And we connect not certain halls, but each point, a workplace.

We expanded access and for the staff of territorial subdivisions of federal authorities, organizations, not only the region. Now our meetings take place far off, and it is very convenient: it saves time. But, nevertheless, it is clear that loading essential therefore we increased power and our server hardware. And now we look at passing to cloud solutions and platforms, considering the increasing loading.

There were certain calls connected with remote education. It, perhaps, was the key moment in our work as for very short time frame it was necessary to rebuild significantly not so much IT infrastructure, how many processes. Here together with the Ministry of Education and Science a lot of work on reconfiguration of an education system and its transfer to a new format was carried out.

As well as many subjects, at us have the information system which allows to keep visit account, to put down marks, to create homeworks, to provide data on results of the carried-out work. But at the moment when we switched over to the remote mode, translated all education system, a system began to work under huge loading. If earlier it was only the gain score, homeworks, informing pupils and their parents, then when we entered the mode of restrictions, it began to work as a big mail service which sent, sent large volumes of information. It both photos, and scan images. In peak at us about 80-90 thousand users at a little more than 100 thousand pupils were single-step in general across the Kaluga region.

Therefore and here different decisions were made, there were failures at the initial stage, a system was debugged, computing powers increased, developers carried out works on optimization. As a result we came to more or less stable format of work.

Work at many public servants exchanged. If to take, for example, the Ministry of digital development, we left the most minimum structure in workplaces, and transferred the most part of employees to the remote mode. Rules of transition were developed. We used the traditional, simple solution of a remote desktop, of course, at secure channels of communication.

The separate server that it was possible to work quickly with the services in the workplace was for this purpose deployed. The script was written, instructions are finished by everything to the employees on all authorities. And in such format who left on distance education continued to work.

In terms of control of execution of instructions we also used already well proved Bitriks24 system working in authorities. Also we have an own development of the system of electronic document management. The current situation stimulated transition to its new version. We had a solution of the client-server architecture, and we passed to the web solution completely, having had an opportunity to work mobile, far off. Now this system is implemented, develops already in a new type more actively.

Practically in each direction of such solutions was accepted quite a lot, all of them were accepted proceeding from specific needs, practice. For example, if to take the block of the public and municipal services, providing them through MFC network, there a work format very strongly exchanged. We passed to a work format by appointment. And loading significantly increased by call center of MFC. We even specially created small group of specialists of MFC who began to work in fact online on social networks, to advise citizens, removing quite large number of questions.

We completely rebuilt work in terms of consultation, informing, multiply, practically by 3 times, we increased the power of our call center. But even it is not enough therefore now we pass to other solution – on the system of virtual call centers with an opportunity to increase number of operators. About a week as this work is conducted.

And now we study offers on creation of artificial operators of intellectual support which will be able to close simple questions on the first line. It is extremely necessary. We felt this requirement taking into account the current situation. Practically in all directions the similar small improving steps were taken that it was possible to work in a new format.

Dmitry Razumovsky: It concerned specific information systems and resources. I already told about remote access. There really it was necessary to unroll additional server capacities. Computing powers for our system in the field of education were considerably increased. There we started a separate server cluster. We could not manage, using old resources. Still there was an expansion in a case with the system of a video conferencing.

Any global reorganization was not made. We acted from requirement. We have many years all our system of authorities, local government authorities is tied in the single protected high-speed corporate network. For the last 8 years we connected all social objects to this network: all schools, medical and obstetrical centers, the medical organizations, all authorities at the level of rural settlements. Therefore here in terms of data transmission we had no big problems.

Separate information systems demanded increase in server capacities. And we made the decision now to change a few concept of further development of IT infrastructure – we will look after all towards cloud services: at least, leases of the server hardware, perhaps, somewhere – platforms, transition to more powerful solutions which are proposed by quite large number of operators. It and at cost turns out lower if to count.

From the point of view of specific conditions which will be in our agreements SLA it will be registered there that should guarantee us availability 24/7, sufficient capacities, a possibility of their fast increase that is not always possible if you operate own infrastructure. Generally, this situation changed our outlook in terms of steps of further development of regional infrastructure a little.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Heads all in workplaces. At the same time, as we have a work almost daily, on the weekend I use this situation and I work from the house. Such opportunity is: the workplace is absolutely identical that here that houses. There is a notebook, there is an opportunity to contact quickly all information systems, in the same way to conduct VKS. But in terms of job management the decision was made that after all heads should be in workplaces.

I have from the staff of the ministry actually in a workplace about 10 people from more than 50 now. These are those who directly are responsible for the server hardware, for IT infrastructure. If we look towards transition to cloud platforms and solutions, I think, and these people can be reoriented on other directions partially. They will be already free from the current tasks.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Yes, this resource was prepared at the request of the head of the region. There was a task to make an available, clear resource where material where all implemented measures of support and the organizations, and citizens within counteraction to spread of a koronavirusny infection are concentrated and described would be benign provided. It both federal, and regional measures of support.

The resource turned out quite good and, certainly, it enjoys popularity. There in very capacious, clear type key information is stated. Besides, we made links to all key information resources. For example, if this or that public service is described, at once it is possible "to fail" on the portal of public services and to order it.

Also, as requirement such is, especially at the initial stage when all began to go to online, there were many questions on social networks what services for this or that task can use. It and services for tourism, electronic schools, museums, order of food. We decided all this to structure everything, to describe, and as useful services we brought it to the same resource.

The service connected with lease i.e. when it is possible to take temporarily in the order some things to use them for a moderate payment, then to return them to the owner became very demanded. And business asked a question what services to provide, and from citizens there were such questions. Therefore we in the section of Service displaid several such services, including Next2U, "Service Yandex", etc. It is possible to use them, having just followed the link.

They are popular because all is written in the simple language, available, visualization quite good was made. And, by the way, we actually from scratch unrolled this resource rapidly - less than in a week. I think, it is good experience, we will use it that further to implement some urgent tasks of bringing information to citizens too.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Really, the analysis was carried out. We looked at experience of other subjects, estimated those solutions which were implemented, analyzed the platform which was implemented the Ministry of digital development, communication and mass communications, including we at a stage of piloting looked how it works. We estimated, monitored as far as the situation extends and as far as implementation of digital admissions influences change of indicators. Dynamics across the Kaluga region in general was quite good, and the operational staff did not make the decision on implementation of digital admissions. Therefore, we though were on call, but did not pass to full implementation.

And solutions we analyzed much. There were also tests: we watched how fulfill the simplest scripts in the form of the SMS with the identifier that, in our opinion, was the most preferable to users. We worked it with the different companies, and were ready to unroll within several days such system, but as I already told, need for it was not. And now we see that already practically all subjects already cancelled these solutions and pass to a normal format of work.

Dmitry Razumovsky: There is a lot of outputs. I already in detail told about one of them – we will change after all approaches, and already we do it, to further development of IT infrastructure, to perform transition to cloud model, to reduce those capacities which are supported directly by our ministry.

We will transfer all key information systems after all step by step to a cloud format, to pay services of data processing centers, understanding that our systems are in security and will be available to 24/7.

One more important output concerns the system of remote education. The head of the region already set the task about development of the concept of creation of the complex digital platform in the field of education because now it in fact "a scrappy blanket": we use different solutions, and it is not always very good. First of all, it influences users: it is inconvenient to work to both pupils, and teachers.

Our task – to create a uniform resource which would allow to gain comfortably knowledge in almost analog mode if it is required. Besides, this resource is required to those children and their parents who are forced to study, to work in the remote mode.

Besides, we change now, we test, we pass to the new platform for the organization of a video conferencing. We consider domestic goods. We have plans for transfer of the most part of demanded services to completely digital form. First of all it concerned the social block, measures of social support. There rather active head who joined too. Already began to rewrite processes, excluding need of a corporal appearance from regulations.

So these negative events started serious digital transformational processes which are very important first of all for users, for citizens, business, reduction of number of procedures, documents. Perhaps, it is key effect, an output – that we in the presence of technological capabilities which are should change very quickly a regulatory framework now and to switch over to really digital remote operation mode.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Certainly, we conduct negotiations. We analyze the market now, we watch the cost, parameters. There will be a tender which will be address: we will be separate information systems on which we have questions to today's support, to transfer to such format. It will be separate tenders.

Dmitry Razumovsky: First, all of us work in an import substitution paradigm. Today at us so far for a video conferencing a system not domestic is used. So historically it developed, it at us functions many years.

The second – we are insufficiently happy with quality. And the third – as we will develop the system of remote education, there we are going to apply this domestic platform too. We will have it uniform on the region. These are basic reasons, plus the fact that we are going to create here small regional competence center which will support, develop this platform that it was more convenient, simpler to us to make some changes, to manage this system.

Dmitry Razumovsky: A foreign system – Cisco is now used. We have terminals, so was already for a long time. Also we now mobile clients unrolled everywhere.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Let's be tender. We defined a pool of those which are most interesting and we are suited.

Dmitry Razumovsky: At us, as well as in many subjects, regional projects are implemented. They are five, they mention practically all spheres of the national program "Digital Economy". We exactly in this waterway move. At us on each of these five directions projects are implemented.

We did not stop, and in the separate directions, in particular, if to take public services, we had several own initiatives where we transferred additional services to an electronic form. Now the decision is made that in addition to the uniform portal of public services to continue development and the regional portal because we can display a number of services in the regional portal, and we already do it.

For example, local solution by the head of the region was made that those tax payments self-employed which came to the budget in 1 quarter 2020 are paid. That to implement it, separate digital service was developed, brought to the regional portal for reception of applications, their operational processing, and then the result comes to a checking account or the applicant's card.

There will be a lot of such services. We improve now our regional portal that it was possible for citizens in more modern, user-friendly interface these services to order.

By training I already briefly told. We have a priority now – by the fall to prepare the uniform concept of development of digital education in the Kaluga region and if she is accepted, supported by the government, we on it will go.

Work is conducted in the field of control and supervising activity. We, as well as some other subjects, got to a pilot project of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications on system implementation version 2.0 TORUS KND. Now priority departments which on themselves approve implementation of this platform are selected.

Also we with colleagues from the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications study a possibility of creation in fact of a single digital platform in the field of control and supervising activity with data collection from different devices, sensors, with connection of the departmental information systems which are already available in the region in the field of KND.

It is very interesting, deep project, and I consider that behind improvement of this type of activity the future. Because there the quantity of different transaction, additional costs, excess processes are a lot of and if to optimize it, we will gain essential effect for economy.

Work is conducted on business development: IT-Business, in particular the innovation. In the Kaluga region the territory – the innovation scientific and technology center is created. It is the city of Obninsk, it is the first science city, there the wonderful platform near the NIYaU MEPhI university which will be included in the project. And there one of the key directions is just development of information and communication technologies, "the smart city", nuclear technologies, nuclear medicine. We very much expect that one of important indicators – development of digital technologies – for the realization account of this project will be successful.

In the city of Kaluga we begin construction of one more big, important object - it is a campus of MSTU of N.E. Bauman. We have in Kaluga their only branch in the country, and there will be a powerful platform which will restart work of this branch. There are plans and for creation of technoparks, for cultivation of the innovative companies, IT companies. It is a contribution to development of digital economy too.

Dmitry Razumovsky: The Kaluga region has very wide experience with business, with investors. It is one of the most investment and attractive regions. A lot of work was carried out and carried out by a team of the governor. This system was created at the governor Anatoly Dmitrievich Artamonov who worked for us. These are absolutely different measures of support: many decisions were made at the regional level, connected with tax benefits. It and the special economic zone, industrial parks where all necessary infrastructure for connection of its objects is offered to the investor.

That project about which I told creation of STC, is in fact the same territory with preferences, with tax benefits, but already for the innovation business, including for business in the field of IT. These are unique conditions which will be interesting to many companies creating R&D-подразделения. I think that they will open here, in the city of Obninsk.

Dmitry Razumovsky: There are some intersections, similarities. There is a separate regulyatorika, there is a federal law on the innovation scientific and technology centers, and within this law such centers in regions are created. Including ours.

Dmitry Razumovsky: There is a lot of projects, but they in the analog sphere: it both housing and public utilities, and sphere of tourism. We create the PPP Center. It is separate the agency, it quite powerful, authoritative, very strong specialists, the good personnel there. This center in fact completely on itself took away in the form of outsourcing from departments work with the companies which want to implement through PPP the projects, initiatives in the territory of the region, preparation of documents.

And we now with this center agreed that including we will prepare digital projects "pump over" and then start. So far it is a little such projects. We now, for example, very actively study history connected with digital education. We want to look from this point of view because if to tell about complex approach, it not just implementation of systems which allow to conduct educational process, but it still health care, a security system, a supply system, control of the admission in school. Also it is in fact the digital double of school, the system of sensors of housing and public utilities, accounting of energy resources, etc. We from such point of view approach.

Such projects – very resource-intensive therefore we look for options and possibilities of a format of PPP, including concessions. On the example of a story with education we with the PPP Center are engaged in formation of such model now. If everything develops successfully, and I am confident in it, we will have first such large-scale project in the field of PPP.

One more direction which we with a number of the companies pronounce is a development of our regional portal of state services with adding of different commercial services. Here we too so far calculate models, accurately we understand that it is necessary. It is, first, economy of budget funds, and the second, maybe, even more important is providing more convenient services to our inhabitants. Is better, more clear, more available, than nobody will develop business, services for citizens.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Yes, our region got to one of pilots on creation of "the smart cities" too. We have "road map" according to which we move. There are a lot of directions: everything, as for interaction with citizens, everything, as for management systems of housing and public utilities, security. In all these directions work is conducted, and many departments take part. The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services acts as the chief methodologist, the functional customer here.

Through our ministry there are two big disruptive projects. This year we complete the first – creation of the regional integration platform of a hardware-software complex "Safe city", creation of the situational center of the governor.

And we also this year are closer to fall we open command center the region. It is one more interesting, unique project which was initiated by the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications at the request of the President of the Russian Federation. It completely rebuilds processes of interaction with citizens. We now densely are engaged in it and we calculate, from it it will be really notable advantage and effects for inhabitants.

Dmitry Razumovsky: There are certain plans, work is conducted. It is clear, that concerning new purchases, we state it in requirements and import means we do not buy now, we try to purchase everything domestic or the open source.

If to speak about complex works, we test several solutions now. The main objective is creation of a standard workplace of the employee of authority here. We deploy several stands in different configuration. I cannot tell yet that I am happy with results because one block of functional tasks works on some stand, and everything is correct, but something else does not work, important for the standard government employee. For example, the electronic signature not always correctly signs documents, or the sent document incorrectly is displayed in the interface of other users.

Generally, there are certain questions and problems, but in general we already configured several options of such universal jobs, including I at myself test one of options. At me in a workplace the Red OS system which I use is unrolled. There are still questions, but, nevertheless, if it is required, we will be able quickly to pass to this or that option.

Here always a certain balance – security, import substitution and convenience to the user. It is very important to provide it that transition was painless, effective and did not allow to fail on any direction work. Besides, we develop a number of the information systems. In particular, an electronic document management system – a key information system of authorities. It is completely our, Kaluga development. And DBMS at us too – a derivative of our producers. We have a number of solutions which too successfully function, are supported by our Kaluga companies, for example, the geoportal of the Kaluga region which is very demanded by both citizens, and authorities. We add every year new options. And the order of new solutions, services is only our domestic developments.

As wishes if we speak about import substitution, it would already be important to define at least for government employees a certain standard set, a standard workplace, since a core infrastructure, finishing with operating systems and service options in the form of office suites which would allow is unified to work through the whole country. Now we often see when there pass different letters with a request to provide this or that information, even sometimes our federal colleagues officials sometimes write that it is necessary in such expansion. For example, docs, Excel and so on. Probably and, it is correct, but in terms of the general concept and ideology of import substitution it would be more correct to create a standard workplace, minimum which can extend, be complemented. But according to this standard already to begin to work. Now yet it is absent, and it is necessary each region most these solutions to accept.

Dmitry Razumovsky: All open packets which we know were tested by us, including both LibreOffice, and OpenOffice. As I already told, there are certain questions. Some complex approach and configuration of solutions which would allow to work it is frictionless while at us is not present. But I calculate that anyway we will receive it that at least it was possible to solve comfortably basic state functions using these systems.

Dmitry Razumovsky: Actually, to advise, probably, is not present. All perfectly know these solutions, there is the whole list, they are operated. But, if we tell about large-format, industrial implementation, these solutions all commercial, unlike the same Zoom. Though it also has including a paid format, but here democratic cost, and there is a mode of the free period of use.

Solutions are. We now at ourselves test one of them. I think that by the fall already this information will appear, we will be able to tell it, to inform users because it will be already implemented solution. At least a part of our authorities and separate schools will work at it. Now we selected a test circuit.

Dmitry Razumovsky: You know, changes really serious. Pleases that those who came are true professionals, and the command is created in the key directions of development of digitalization from specialists who have necessary knowledge, skills, wide experience.

Any assessment, probably, cannot be given because work only began, but even that difficult period which was, says that the Ministry of digital development, communication and mass communications can very quickly and effectively answer calls, for rather short time preparing such important solutions. Earlier such solutions were long enough developed.

In terms of wishes is very important now at implementation of such high-level stories as, for example, a national data management system, different platform solutions for public administration it is more dense to consult on regions and, certainly, to make use of experience which regional authorities have. That those information systems which were created, these practices it was possible to use, without taking down at all, without replacing them with any platform stories and already then under them to rebuild processes. There shall be a subject with integration, flexibility. It is very important.

Dmitry Razumovsky: I think, here it is necessary to look at specifics of the companies, at their activities because IT – very wide concept. That, as for, for example, entertaining content, digital services, there we even fixed a certain growth. Traffic increased significantly. It is the fact too.

If to take our region, we absolutely precisely increased financing this year by the block connected with development of the regional portal, with release of new digital services. So there is even a certain increase. On some least priority projects will probably occur and there were already reductions. They will be postponed for the next period, for 2021. But if to speak about the importance, about importance of IT, it, on the contrary, raised. I consider that investments into IT after this difficult period which all of us pass now will only increase. All understood the importance of IT now: that it not so much implementation of this or that system, how many change of processes, simplifications and even security. Therefore my forecast more long-term – that investments will increase, first of all state.

This difficult period of the company will be passed differently. Those who could adapt and be reoriented on services which began to be ordered in bigger volume, of course, will be painless more. And parts of the companies, as well as to other business, it is necessary not easy now.

Dmitry Razumovsky: I consider that demand for cloud services will grow very seriously. It is a certain call. Resource requirements are serious, you see the number of users in what progression increases. If to take, for example, the portal of state services, there millions of users at the same time has come into dive.

It should urge on including the industry which is engaged in production "iron", means of a switching equipment. Here the synergy effect will be gained. Requirements increase, demand for these resources increases, and I consider that in the long term, including, also some fast solutions should appear.

If now to look at a number of the companies, I will not call them if only one – "Yandex" has interesting solutions for cloud storage which in one click allow to configure a working space and to receive service very quickly. Such services will be precisely demanded.

Also services of the distributed data storage will be demanded. At us a large number of capacities is not involved, unfortunately, now including if to take also personal computers. Probably, services of use of these resources for some possible payment and providing them in lease to other users will be demanded further. This sphere absolutely precisely will develop dynamically.