"Krok" carried out import substitution of infrastructure software at "Prioksky plant of non-ferrous metals"

2022: Import substitution of infrastructure software

On January 20, 2022, the Krok IT company announced that it had transferred the entire software infrastructure at the Prioksky Non-Ferrous Metals Plant (PZCM) to domestic solutions. During the integrated project, a number of technologies were simultaneously introduced that made it possible to increase the level of maturity and automation of the IT enterprise. The plant was one of the first in Russia to carry out such a large-scale restructuring and is now among the companies with high import substitution rates.

The infrastructure is built on the Astra Linux operating system. Import substitution also covered major services, including corporate e-mail, restarted on the basis of the unified communications platform CommuniGate Pro. PZCM is fully prepared for further modernization of business processes based on domestic software and will be able to work with Russian business applications.

"The transition to domestic software infrastructure is a priority in the digital transformation of Prioksky Non-Ferrous Metals Plant." Continuous integration of current digital solutions allows us to maintain our position in the industry. Thanks to the introduction of technologies, we increase production security, operational efficiency, and expand customer interaction models. This project was quite important for us, as it met the current industry requirements for import substitution, growing production volumes and high requirements of raw materials suppliers for the quality and timing of production, - noted Vladimir Sonkin, General Director of the Prioksky Non-Ferrous Metals Plant.

In order to improve the level of automation IT Infrastructure , the project introduced a number of innovations, in particular, the configuration management system. It allows you to perform centralized automatic configuration, PERSONAL COMPUTER simplify their administration and connection to IT services. To maintain the usual flexibility in managing workstations and level, information security the Russian solution was also transferred (infrastructure virtual desktops VDI). In addition, all computers employees with Astra OS Linux were connected to the catalog service and set up single sign-on (SSO) technology. This eliminated the need for re-authorization to access company resources and increased user experience.

"The tasks of import substitution of software and equipment have been facing Russian companies for more than a year. And, probably, pressure from foreign markets will grow. For some companies, mandatory technological refurbishment can become a tangible burden on the business. I am talking not only about the additional budget for modernization, but also about the resources of specialists involved in the integration of replaced systems with the existing landscape of the enterprise. In addition, companies often face the need for import substitution in a limited time. Here, the readiness to work in such conditions and the experience of the IT partner who accompanies the company in the project play a significant role, "- added Oleg Kallin, director of industry solutions at the mining and metallurgical complex of the Krok IT company.

The project was implemented in several stages. At the first, Krok conducted an audit of the current state of the basic IT infrastructure of PZCM, developed a plan for the transition to domestic solutions and recommendations for the further development of systems. At the next stages, Astra Linux was installed and configured, basic services (file, print, etc.) were replaced, the CommuniGate Pro mail system was introduced, and user data and profiles were migrated.

"Our task was not just to offer proven solutions that will allow partners to comply with state directives in the field of import substitution. We always encourage customers to look ahead and think about development prospects. Import substitution of software is an inevitable process, and we do not treat it as a replacement of one for another. In our opinion, it is important to think about the development of technologies when switching to domestic solutions. And the platform introduced in PZCM will become the basis for the further development and automation of the enterprise, "- emphasized Igor Bonev, head of software infrastructure at Krok IT company.

The phased, integrated solutions have enabled the seamless transfer of HIPC staff to the developed ecosystem. In addition, the IT service of the enterprise received tested schemes for the subsequent transfer of all PCs to automated workplaces of Russian development.

"Competent migration project planning, competent specialists and the most mature Russian IT solutions allow us to demonstrate in practice that the transition to domestic software is not only possible, but also allows you to modernize the IT infrastructure, making it more convenient and secure," said Roman Mylitsyn, head of innovative research at Astra Linux Group of Companies.

"The ability to quickly deploy CommuniGate Pro to any OS and the established procedures for migrating end users to the unified communications platform from third-party solutions play an important role in projects. The point here is both the convenience of employees who - if client applications and equipment remain the same - do not even notice the start of work with the implemented server product, and in the technologically easy transition from one system to another. CommuniGate Pro is rather non-demanding to resources, our partners have a number of utilities that automate and simplify the migration process. And ready-made directory integration tools allow you to integrate CommuniGate Pro into your current IT infrastructure without delay. " summed up Anton Ten, corporate sales manager for CommuniGate Pro.