Svetlin Savov: M-Files distinguish availability and flexibility of setup and integration

Svetlin Savov: We implement projects in the field of automation of the electronic dokumentoobort on the ECM platform M-Files of EDMS which is development of the Finnish company of the same name. Among advantages of this platform it is possible to note the following: a convenient and usual user interface (it is integrated into the conductor Windows and applications Microsoft Office); an opportunity for work both on desktop computers (PC/Mac), and on mobile devices (iPhone/iPad Android Windows Phone); flexibility of setup and integration into external applications; an opportunity to automate not only document flow, but also management of any corporate content; and not least the available cost of solutions on the basis of M-Files. Not casually the solutions M-Files are used by more than 16,000 clients in 100 countries of the world. M-Files gained recognition and large international analytical companies Gartner and Forrester Research which regularly include it in the ratings of hosts of ECM platforms.

TAdviser: How long FTS is engaged in ECM practice in the Russian market? Call, please, the most noticeable and big customers?

Svetlin Savov: The FTS company is engaged in implementation of EDMS in the Russian market since 2011. Originally solutions on electronic document management were considered as addition to offered by CRM company and to ERP systems of Maconomy and Microsoft Dynamics, later implementation of EDMS was selected in independent practice. Among customers it is possible to note large energy and mining companies (Rosatom, Gazpromneft), banks (Constanta, TBC Bank), consulting and law companies (Sameta, Alimirzoyev and Trofimov), the companies of real estate field and construction (Praktika Development, Montazhpromstroy), etc.

TAdviser: Did you have some certain circle of customers, for example, on types of business or the industries, or the EDMS system is absolutely universal?

Svetlin Savov: In principle, the M-Files ECM system is rather universal and can be used practically in any industry and in any kind of business. It is confirmed by presence of customers of different scale (with the number of users from 5 to 5,000) in all primary branches of economy – production, trade, services, a public sector.

TAdviser: Could you cite as an example some non-standard, difficult projects in the technical plan for the direction of electronic document management?

Svetlin Savov: Among interesting projects it is possible to note system implementation of quality management (Quality Management System) based on M-Files in the production company certified in ISO 9001:2008. Through M-Files storage and management of the documents connected with quality (standard operational procedures, regulations, etc.) with preserving of the complete version history of documents, access security, obligatory processes of approval (including using electronic digital signatures) and publications of documents was organized. In a system Information Department about audits and inspections of quality, effective processing and documentation of deviations and corrective actions were also implemented.

Other non-standard project is implementation of a management system for maintenance and repairs (Enterprise Asset Management) on the basis of M-Files in the company which is engaged in technical operation of a real estate. In M-Files storage of all technical data and documentation on a real estate and the equipment installed on them and also information management about planned and actual actions for their service and repair was organized. Remote access to a system by means of web browsers and mobile devices was provided not only to the staff of the company on objects, but also to the external contractors rendering services in support and repair of the equipment.

TAdviser: What functionality is most demanded at your clients? How actively they demand mobile work with EDMS? What do you think of cloud EDMS whether they are necessary to the Russian users, whether this segment will develop at us?

Svetlin Savov: Except standard functionality of EDMS on storage, the organization and document retrieval, our clients actively use the M-Files functions on creation of documents on the basis of templates with autocompletion, under approval of documents (including using electronic digital signatures), on text recognition of the scanned paper documents and their automatic classification.

Almost all our clients use opportunities of mobile work with the M-Files system by means of tablets and smartphones as for viewing, and for review documents. As for cloud EDMS, they, for a number of reasons, yet are not so popular in Russia as in the West, but, certainly, this segment will develop. It should be noted that all solutions on the basis of M-Files are available both to local or hybrid deployment, and in a cloud.

TAdviser: How do you consider whether in case of a full course the western systems will be able domestic to replace EDMS with import substitution in IT completely? If the country would decide to refuse the proprietary software with the source code written out of Russia what steps FTS would begin to take for promotion of the products here?

Svetlin Savov: I consider that there are rather qualitative domestic electronic document management systems which and now, in some cases, are a worthy alternative of the western ECM solutions. Nevertheless, any restriction of the competition will do much harm first of all to the interests of customers of EDMS which will be a little limited in the choice of most appropriate solutions in terms of functionality, technology and cost. As for our actions in case of possible failure from software with the source code written out of Russia, it should be noted that a part of the solutions proposed by us is already developed in the territory of Russia, and we will increase further a share of solutions which development is conducted locally.

TAdviser: How will FTS develop the direction of electronic document management?

Svetlin Savov: We develop practice of electronic document management in several directions. First, we develop ready ECM solutions for the solution of specific business challenges (approval of purchases, management of instructions, etc.) and for specific industries (for law and consulting firms, pharmaceutical laboratories, engineering and construction companies, banks, etc.). We prepare even more dense integration of solutions on electronic document management of M-Files with CRM and ERP systems of Maconomy and Microsoft Dynamics which we implement too. And not least we plan expansion of a partner network on promotion and implementation of EDMS M-Files.