Andrey Morozov:
«The attitude to Russian-made IT product has changed for the better»

Interview with President of CBOSS Association

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Connect! # 6, june, 2004

— «Connect!» Magazine has been working on the Russian telecom market for 8 years, and this is our 100th issue. What major changes in the market during these years can you name?

I would mention several events standing out in the general trend of significant telecom market growth, its consolidation and increasing competitiveness.
First of all, a new segment of Russian telecom industry — IT for telecom — was established. Our high-tech product appeared to be an efficient replacement of imported software products, and gained its role in Russian export, thus improving competitiveness of Russian economy and Russia’s image of a high-tech manufacturer. We succeeded in destroying the stereotypes of poor quality of Russian IT solutions, which used to exist on the global market. The growing number of our foreign customers proves that the attitude to Russian-made IT products has changed for the better. This is also a proof of our conformity to the general strategic development priorities of the Russian Federation announced by President Vladimir Putin when he addressed the Federal Assembly.
Market consolidation and participation of major players make cellular operators choose IT solutions mostly by brand name. However, such operators should not forget large consolidated domestic manufacturers of IT for telecom, which are also an integral part of the telecom industry; besides, they need to use the potential and investment benefits they will enjoy while cooperating with world-class Russian brands.

— What were the changes in your professional life during this time?

The major changes were in the scope and the level of our activities.
We entered the global market, now we are actively cooperating with international customers. CBOSS Association participates in tenders and competitions, gaining shares on the global market head-to-head with famous Western competitors, and develops mutual partnership with world's top IT players.
Now we have access to global know-how, experience and technologies. We direct the achieved knowledge into developing our software products and expanding the range of professional services. We are ready and willing to introduce all our knowledge and experience to the domestic telecom industry.

— What transformation did your company undergo?

We have grown almost 100 times. Once a small software developer, CBOSS Association now is an international corporation headquartered in Russia and abroad; 141 telecom operators in 19 countries on four continents deploy our solutions.
CBOSS has transformed into a socially responsible business guided by public interests.

— What trends in telecom development do you consider the most perspective in the nearest future?

I would name global digitalization in its broad sense, including development of modern IP-based information services. Consequently, the increasing role of convergence of deployed technologies, as well as the growing importance of automating enterprise management processes automation.

— What’s your view of «Connect!» Magazine today? What would you like to say to us?

I consider «Connect!» not just a source of reliable and authentic information that is professionally analyzed and presented. Your magazine is our friend and partner, timely informing readers of our position, views and business events.
On behalf of CBOSS Association, I wish our coeval «Connect!» success in business and expansion of readership. We are sure of further increase of the authority of «Connect!» Magazine — one of the most competent and professional publications nowadays.