The register of Russian software requires a large upgrade. Russian Railways proposes to make it an analogue of VDNKh

Cyril
Semion

The registry becomes a less effective tool for selecting quality software as it expands

The register of software products of Russian developers is gradually exhausting the initial limit of its efficiency and requires further development. The goal is to create an international marketplace in a showcase format with expanded information about each product, including reviews and real-world use cases.

Primary role

The register ON Ministry of Digital Development RUSSIAN FEDERATION was created in 2016 as a list that is software officially recognized as Russian. It is part of a strategy to develop and support the nation's industry information technology and ensure the country's digital security.

Inclusion in this software registry is important for several reasons. First, inclusion in the register confirms that the software is developed in Russia. This may be important in the context of the state policy of supporting domestic developers.

Secondly, according to Russian law, state and municipal institutions should give preference to Russian software during procurement. The availability of software in this register simplifies the process of its purchase by government organizations.

Thirdly, the register can be used to ensure information security, since the use of domestic software is a way to reduce dependence on foreign technologies that potentially carry information security threats.

The register performs a critical function in regulating the domestic software market. It helps streamline its operations and support local manufacturers. Currently, the registry effectively copes with its tasks set at the start, but faces new challenges due to the increase in the number of software.

By the end of 2023, more than 18.8 thousand names of software and 7 thousand copyright companies were registered in the register. This is a significant increase compared to 2019, when there were about 5.2 thousand entries in the register.

New Level - New Challenges

With the increase in the number of registered products, the quality of the registry is gradually decreasing.

Why so? The register is aimed at state customers obliged to follow government directives and presidential decrees on the share of non-import-dependent domestic software. And if the product is in the register, it is automatically considered acceptable for government orders.

At the same time, commercial structures are not limited to these rules, but they also need to solve the problem of the lack of products of Western vendors through the search for alternatives.

For both categories of potential users, the registry becomes a less effective tool for selecting high-quality software as it expands. There is a lack of information about how it all works, what is compatible (or not) with, what are the functionality and the roadmap of product development...

Therefore, today it is important to set a new vector for the development of the registry. Perhaps by changing the structure to simplify the process of selecting and using software. For example, you can sort by specific process stacks. If an application solution is created for one of these stacks, it is automatically considered domestic and allowed for use.

This will simplify the lives of software manufacturers, eliminating the need for them to undergo lengthy certification and certification procedures. This approach will also help stimulate the market, especially for startups that often face delays in the registration process.

Threat to start-ups

The need for changes in the register is dictated by the potential introduction for business of the procedure for mandatory proof of the domestic origin of the software. The requirement may extend in the future to the widest range of industries, such as trade or small businesses.

This is due to the desire of the state to guarantee sovereignty in the IT sphere. In the near future, this process is expected to be further complicated in the form of checks for hidden software capabilities. At the same time, the number of decisions in the registry will only grow. And this will create additional delays in processing applications.

In total, these conditions can lead to market dominance for large companies that are able to withstand long periods of product launch, while small players and startups will face serious difficulties.

High loan rates seriously complicate for small businesses the receipt of funding for the development of their software, since the funds must be returned, and the launch of the product to the market through the register for them can take 1.5-2 years.

The transformation of the registry and the registration process should make it equally effective and accessible to all market participants, including SMB and startups.

Ratings, Points, Blacklists and GPT

As a possible improvement, you can consider entering into the register a rating system similar to club or bonus programs. The software should not only meet the criteria of import independence, but also demonstrate consumer qualities through specific use cases.

For example, software can be presented not as an abstract "high-quality calculator," but as a tool used in the daily work of a company of 200 thousand employees, as well as a solution for calculating integrals used by students of the best universities in the country.

This approach will turn the registry into a kind of exhibition of achievements in the field of software, like VDNKh, where each developer can present products in the most complete, visual way, illustrating their practical application.

This will not only allow consumers to better navigate the proposals, but also contributes to the formation of a positive image of domestic software.

Further, you can consider options for digital transformation of the registry so that potential users can not only familiarize themselves with information about the software, but also see it in action, for example, through demo or training videos, test environments, etc.

Thus, the registry from databases can become an interactive platform for demonstrating the capabilities and effectiveness of solutions. On this platform, users could not only look for a replacement for certain software (for example), AutoCAD but also interact with developers of alternative products by asking them questions directly.

An important innovation will be the introduction of a system of unstructured requests similar to the work of chat bots, for example ChatGPT. The user could set the query in free form, describing the needs and requirements for the software, and the system would select the most suitable options.

To verify information, a feedback mechanism is proposed that allows users to report incorrect information. If the data is confirmed to be inaccurate, the software can be excluded from the register, and its manufacturer is placed on the list of unscrupulous ones.

Big Export Project

The potential project of updating the register of the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation has significant potential not only for the domestic market, but also as an export product. This update will be a step towards demonstrating the achievements of the Russian IT industry on the world stage, creating a platform where foreign users can familiarize themselves with a wide range of domestic software. This positioning will automatically turn the registry into an interactive international marketplace.

Such a large-scale project will require significant strengthening of the server infrastructure and advanced big data processing capabilities.

Digitalization leaders could take on the task of providing the necessary technical and operational support. Their participation guarantees a high level of reliability and security of the system, which is critical for both domestic and international use.

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The purpose of the registry upgrade is Ministry of Digital Development beyond creating a convenient and functional tool for searching and selecting software. It should become an effective and informative solution that offers the user valuable insights that help in making informed decisions.

The format of the showcase with expanded information about each product, including reviews and real-world use cases, will make the choice of software through the registry more meaningful for both Russian and international customers. And this will benefit not so much individual players in the market as the IT industry in Russia as a whole.