By the end of 2020, the economy of Runet can grow by only 6-10%, for the it industry crisis. Negative scenario assumes growth of 5%. Such predictions voiced by the head of the Russian Association for electronic communications (RAEC) Sergei plugotarenko on IT-Breakfast “Digital challenges of the new reality: who will help?” Traditionally, this event takes place in the framework of SPIEF, this year, however, in line with trends of recent weeks in an online format.
In the past year, according to RAEC, the economy of Runet grew by 15%, in some segments by 19%. This is the largest growth since 2014. The contribution of the economy of Runet the economy of Russia in 2019 amounted to 6.4 trillion rubles. This year, these figures should not wait, and the pandemic slows down the it industry not only in Russia but throughout the world. According to Gartner, the global reduction of it expenses will amount this year to 8%. The company’s forward funds to save business and critical to this initiative. In Russia revenues in the first quarter fell by almost 40% of it companies, and 82% reported delayed payments for already performed works.
But in the new reality, as shown by the two months of quarantine, it technology has become one of the main competitive advantages of the business. Therefore will survive the crisis are those who does not reduce, but rather increases its investment in it, believe the participants of the meeting. Held during the event, an online survey showed that 76% of the experts perceive the crisis-2020 new opportunities for the industry. While market participants insist that it should be included in the government list of the most affected by the crisis. The main thing in the it industry – it personnel and, accordingly, the wage Fund. The cost of people account for about 80% of total costs, so the industry needs the benefits of social taxes. Experts are warning that job cuts in it will have long-lasting negative consequences.
In the past two months, as told by the Director of government relations Ozon Sergei Kutushev, companies in the field of e-Commerce has launched a program of exchange with their experts. This had a positive impact on the industry. But now, according to him, the need for tax incentives for companies that showed a fall in revenues.
In Russia and do not have enough it personnel. According to RAEC, the country has about 1.8 million it professionals in different areas. This is 2.4% of the economically active population (for comparison, in Germany – 4% UK – 5%, in Finland 7%). Overall demand for it personnel in Russia is 222 thousand per year. And by 2024 this figure is projected to rise to 300 thousand.
Cadres and the liquidity are the key parameters for development, confirmed the companies included in the ecosystem of the RVC. As told Deputy Director General of RVC Michael ANTOnew task development Institute is to create additional demand for solutions in the it industry. So was announced the acceptance of applications for grant support in the framework of the NTI “anticavity” projects. It is not only about medicine but also about any developments associated with remote work, for example, or equipment clean areas, applications that maintain social distance, and generally make our lives more adapted to the new reality. Companies have the opportunity to undergo a quick evaluation of projects, and since July begin to receive funding, said Antonov.
Experts point to several trends that the pandemic has brought to the it landscape. Among them General Director of GC MDG Dmitry Dyrmovsky have identified a huge demand for solutions for remote work, public cloud services, IP-telephony and video conferencing. In April the demand for such solutions has grown by almost 40% in comparison with March.
Another trend is associated with the automation of bots and Analytics that were previously used to improve customer experience, and now critical for survival because of a sharp increase in load remote channels. Bots be responsible for the formation of operational information flows in the context of the pandemic. And to save doctors from routine and filling papers help solutions to convert voice to text. As ever growing demand of contactless solutions. For example, temperature sensors. Also sought after face detection. To confirm the identity more actively began to use biometrics.
the Experts concluded that to mitigate the effects of the crisis for the it industry need to step up the cooperation between the state and market participants. The state needed tax benefits, support in demand generation. And it company needs to quickly transform its product portfolio to the needs of the market. Teaming up with government help and it industry, and its customers.
