An Honest Look at Russian HR Software, AI, and Microservices

On December 10, with the participation of GMCS, an expert discussion titled "Russian HR Systems Today" was organized by the HR Committee and the Innovation Committee of the St. Petersburg International Business Association (SPIBA).

The central topic of discussion was a pressing question: what is really happening in Russian HR Tech after the departure of Western vendors?

Experts from Mining Element, Svetogorsk Pulp and Paper Mill, Arnest UniRus, and ITMS engaged in an open and productive dialogue.

Key takeaways:

• Russian software has proven to be more convenient. Clients note that many Russian solutions are on par with Western systems in terms of usability and functionality.

• Vendors have moved closer to business. Developers have become better at listening to client needs and adapting their products more quickly to real business requirements.

• Microservice architecture is defeating the monolith. The trend is moving away from cumbersome systems toward an "army" of flexible microservices, offering speed and control.

• AI is no longer the future — it is a tool of the present. It needs to be implemented in a targeted yet systematic way, managing risks rather than avoiding them.

Sergey Safonov, Director of Integrated HR Solutions at GMCS, shared key trends in the development of HR technologies, described the evolution of HR process automation over the past 25 years, and gave practical recommendations for import substitution to avoid sudden disruptions and failures.

A lively discussion arose around the use of AI in HR. Sergey Safonov spoke about two key directions: the synergy of "human + AI" and autonomous AI agents, as well as providing an overview of tools and technologies available on the market. Participants discussed the risks and limitations of using AI in HR — and the cost of inaction. The main conclusion: HR departments should not avoid innovation but rather take thoughtful, even small, steps — carefully integrating AI into processes while managing the associated limitations.

Galina Khruslova, Head of the HR Solutions Directorate at GMCS, who actively took part in networking, also helped answer participants' questions.

"This final SPIBА event of the year confirmed the high relevance of HR automation. The substantive discussion and the genuine interest of participants are compelling evidence that the market has a demand for quality HR solutions — and that GMCS has the expertise and offerings to meet that demand," noted Iya Kuznetsova, Vice President of GMCS.