Konstantin Bukhanov: For the market of ERP systems there comes interesting time

Konstantin Bukhanov: You see, I would not begin to exaggerate now, at least 2014 year also did not show significant growth in development of the solutions ERP. It is already possible to sum up in 9 months the preliminary results so I can tell that SKYRISE this year on turnover will not fall lower than the level of 2013. However, we are engaged in implementation only of products of SAP company therefore perhaps at partners of other vendors other trend can be observed. Especially taking into account the last talk on import substitution, including in the software. But based on the current negotiations, I can tell with confidence that 2015 should show steady growth – about 40-50 percent in volumes of man-hours which clients order from us.

TAdviser: Did you touch upon an import substitution subject in software products – whether you in it see a problem?

Konstantin Bukhanov: As a problem – I do not see. More precisely, I understand concern of large and medium Russian business if foreign producers of software products will refuse support and development of solutions, but at the same time when implementing this scenario, developers will seriously suffer, up to closing of some companies. Strategy "loses – is unprofitable to lose" to nobody. And already foreign software makers take some steps to bypass bans. Though we understand that the scenario on substitution of the implemented solutions is possible, and in this case the Russian IT manufacturing will be given good chance. But anyway it is a question of several years.

TAdviser: Well, and if to affect the foreign companies in Russia which already invested in the ERP solutions what development perspectives for them in 2015 can be?

Konstantin Bukhanov: We, implementing solutions based on SAP ERP, we face the following strategy of deployment of systems. There are foreign companies which have the team of specialists of a SAP software. In this case system deployment happens by forces of this command, and all Russian specifics which, by the way, it is a lot of become us. In this section I do not see any significant changes in approach in 2015 and therefore, requests already arrive. We accumulated extensive experience of such joint work and, unlike other competitors, "we do not color with a cloud". Here we have something to be proud.

I will note that there are clients at whom SAP ERP is implemented in the foreign headquarters, but at the same time in Russia use local solutions: 1C, for example. In this case, transition to a single system can be postponed in view of geopolitical or other factors for some time. But, as to us sees, sooner or later replacement all the same will happen. Therefore and here we hope for growth in 2015.

There is one important nuance. It is often very heavy to foreign companies to understand so detailed Russian financial accounting. The quantity of printed forms, papers and documents which should be surely popisana and are printed – reads off scale. Therefore we always recommend to work with local suppliers of ERP to reduce the price of implementation. And now to us trust such companies as Magna, to Mazda, Volvo, Sun InBev, De’Longhi and also other foreign leading companies in the industries.

I will repeat: of course, now it is very heavy to foreign companies to make decisions on investments into the Russian representative offices in a type of ambiguous perspectives of local market, but nevertheless I hope that it is temporary.

TAdviser: Tell, and you always at the implementing solutions SAP ERP are guided by own resources or involve employees from outside?

Konstantin Bukhanov: Good question. Of course, on the one hand, we close all positions own consultants. We have very pilot command. But there are situations when we address on the freelance market. From there we involve specialists only on specific positions on which we have no permanent employees, for example – real estate administration (SAP Real Estate). I in 2002 worked as the consultant for controlling, and in 2006 began to work as the freelancer. And, believe, then I was already rather experienced specialist. Now, in a type of the fact that lately the market lacked resources a huge number of unskilled consultants who for some reason think that they are worthy to earn 10,000 euros a month was formed. Though when holding an interview only 1 of 10 appears the good candidate. The intermediary agencies which could conduct an interview could solve a problem and rank applicants. They, by the way, take away 15-25% of the income of the freelancer. But in Russia there are practically no professional agencies, and I would not recommend to work with them. The foreign agencies, in my opinion, it is better, but as they are not residents – then there can be difficulties with document flow though it is not a big problem. By the way, SKYRISE next year will open this direction of business.

TAdviser: And what else products are of interest to your clients now?

Konstantin Bukhanov: Should tell that now the focus in the market was in many respects shifted. So in increasing frequency clients need not implementation of a basic ERP system, but deployment of additional components, such as CRM, WMS SRM, (EWMS), mobile solutions, internet marketing. Here is over what to work, and now we prepare so-called packaged solutions for rapid and inexpensive implementation. There are in such approach and minuses, but we discuss them individually in advance. While we ahead of our competitors and, I hope, we will save leadership. On the other hand – clients became very picky, and sometimes requirements is considerable, I would like to emphasize a word considerably here, exceed the budgets selected for these solutions. You know, there is such joke that the client should select from the project the following two parameters from three: Time, Cost, Quality. The third parameter will remain unpredictable.

TAdviser: Well and in end that you still wanted to tell our readers?

Konstantin Bukhanov: Now very interesting time. I optimistically look at the market of ERP solutions. We should increase constantly quality of our services and to offer our clients the best. I passed a way from the SAP consultant to the director of the company and therefore, unlike top managers of many competitors, I can discuss in details nuances of implementation and I understand all pluses and minuses of these or those solutions. In the closest 3 months of the company will impose budgets, and then volume forthcoming investments will be accurately clear. I know that I it only the beginning, and suggest to work well. Then it will be possible to manage precisely expectations and to reach the planned indicators, without looking around on difficulty because they will be always.

I can only one tell our potential clients: if comfortable consulting – to you in SKYRISE is required.