Russian software is expected to grow steadily but without revolutionary leaps

Domestic software developers have brought many solutions to the market. More than 7 thousand products for various purposes are registered in the “Unified Register of Russian Programs for Electronic Computers and Databases.” It is impossible to cover all the variety of software and all aspects related to its promotion in one review. So, today, we will discuss only a few issues related to the market of operating systems and office applications.

Currently, the Register contains about 60 operating systems and more than 240 office applications, including text and graphic editors, programs for working with video and audio files, tools for preparing presentations, group work, video conferencing, project management, etc. There are not so many really popular products that IT professionals and users heard about. These include OS Astra Linux, Alt Linux, ROSA Linux, Red OS, Elbrus, AlterOS, GosLinux, Debian, Ubuntu, MyOffis office packages, P7 Office, Zirkon-Office, AlterOffice, Lotus.

Almost all Russian operating systems are trying to compete with MS Windows. Besides, there is a comparison with free or shareware software, primarily with UNIX operating systems and their derivatives (Linux, Red Hat Linux, etc.). The developers of classic office suites position their products as a replacement for MS Office and Google online services.

However, not all experts believe that we can talk about direct competition between domestic and foreign software. Russian developments would be more correctly called analogs of Western solutions since there is no complete coincidence in functionality. Serious attention was paid to the OS and office applications of domestic production in 2014 when sanctions from the United States and the European Union significantly increased the risks associated with using foreign software products in government organizations and businesses. After that, restrictions on foreign software use were developed and approved quickly at the legislative level.

Market specifics: small, young, little-known

The long-term domination of foreign vendors and the widespread use of their software products complicates the entry of Russian software to the market <...>  Mikhail Stepanyuk, director of Merlion’s Software Department, notes that an essential feature of this market segment is its young age.> It is growing and is still in the stage of formation. In the consumer segment, Russian software will have to turn the tide and win demand from users who are still in no hurry to switch to domestic solutions. At the same time, Stepanyuk emphasizes that the pace of domestic software products development in terms of increased functionality is very high <...>

Difficulties in transition

What prevents customers from switching to Russian software faster? According to Mikhail Stepanyuk, objective preconditions for migration have developed. But it takes time for the maturity of domestic products to raise no doubts. Time for the common economic sense to conquer whims and habits, so that information security would become a real criterion when choosing products <...>

It won’t be easy without the help of vendors and the channel

Channel players are interested in promoting Russian software. As already noted, this market is just beginning to develop, and it promises high turnovers and good margins <...> “The active participation of distributors in domestic software tenders speaks for itself.> Besides, the fact that the state stimulates the transition to domestic software is a factor that warms up the channel’s interest. This means that the demand and supply volumes will grow,” commented Mikhail Stepanyuk <...>

Anticipating growth

Experts are unanimous in assessing the prospects for the Russian OS and office suite market. All predict a steady growth <...>  Mikhail Stepanyuk is confident that there will be a considerable increase in the market for domestic OS and office applications.> “If the pace of software products development and improvement is maintained and increased, the prospects are promising,” says Alexander Letunov. - This is an unconditional challenge for our developers, and they accepted it. Russia has both technologies and competencies to create a full-fledged and high-quality software market that is not inferior to foreign analogs.”

But one should not wait for revolutionary leaps. There will be a progressive, evolutionary development.