Qumak: summary of 2016 and plans for 2017

IT security management in the public sector

The IT sector experienced the greatest stagnation in the performance of projects for public administration. Administrative changes and delays in releasing funds in the new perspective EU 2014-2020 translated into a slowdown in investments and are reflected in revenues of technological companies. Moreover, the Public Procurement Law was amended. At present, price cannot be a deciding factor in the selection of an offer (max. 60%).

Ordering Parties have also introduced other evaluation criteria - often subjective and unprecise - which with such a small number of tenders on the market leads to many protests, appeals and long-lasting proceedings at the National Appeals Chamber, as a consequence, to considerable delays in the projects performance.

Dynamically growing number of threats in the area of cybersecurity, and simultaneously the awareness of strengthening of this area, resulted in a fair number of realized contracts. On an everyday basis we have no clue how many services we access and realize via the Internet.

Banks, airports, power plants, mobile operators, are entities creating a system of connected vessels. Downtime of one element results in a paralysis of another area, which may lead to a threat to Poland and its citizens. Modern world is based on a correct functioning of ICT systems; therefore, large enterprises, research and development centers, as well as public institutions invest in solutions improving security.

- We are aware that in these times the protection of the country and key sectors of economy also entails cybersecurity. Therefore we experience an increase of investments in security of critical infrastructure. In the past year, the information on cyberattacks during the US presidential election as well as attacks on a power plant in Ukraine as a result of which nearly million citizens had been cut off electric energy, had been spreading worldwide. These examples are a proof that the cyber area became the new field of international conflicts - said Krzysztof Tyl, Director responsible for the area of business continuity and data security.

Outsourcing of IT specialists and Business Process Outsourcing

During the past year, one of the fastest growing segments was a market of outsourcing services. In searching for significant savings, optimization of the use of resources, and, most of all, in acquiring skilled employees, centers of outsourcing services come as a solution. Noticing this fact we have developed an offer covering all aspects of outsourcing of IT services, from which our clients can set up a service adjusted to their individual needs.

Already 400 specialists on a daily basis provide continuity of business processes of our clients, realizing them at a lower cost simultaneously maintaining the highest standards and monitoring quantitative and qualitative parameters all the time. Starting from receiving and registering an inquiry through a remote and physical service of the equipment and support of employees all over the Poland; advanced administration of systems and supervision over ensuring uninterrupted work as well as broadly understood IT security of institutions; our employees enable our clients to focus on their key competencies and conduct their businesses at the minimum costs of IT.

- Representation of the strategy realized in the area of outsourcing of services, is opening in 2016 a center of IT services in Płock. The new branch of Qumak enables providing Service Desk services at the highest standard e.g. for PZU, Orange, and Energa-Operator - says Konrad Pogódź, Director of IT Contracts Realization Division. - Within the frames of the new strategy 2017-2020 we hope to realize next undertakings of such scale that significantly increase our share in the market of IT services - he adds.

Software for Contact Center

Constant development is also visible in the area of contact center. - A group of telecommunications operators that are our clients for years now, is enlarged by ENEA - supplier of electric power, and an insurance and financial group AVIVA.

We closed the last year with a double-digit number of performed projects and this year we plan to strengthen our position on the insurance market as well as acquire clients in the banking sector - said Andrzej Prajsnar, Director of Business Applications Division.

In accordance with the newest trends, the year 2017 in the area of contact center will belong to multichannel solutions. Multitude of channels available to clients - telephones, chats, e-mails, and social media - results in fragmentation of collected data for client service. Thus, the time has come to improve the processing of available information. New, multichannel systems will help with collecting, monitoring, analysis, and then the use of gathered data with the aim of handling inquiries or reaching out with an offer that is the best adjusted to the client needs.

Realizations of AWOS and BHS - modern airport infrastructure

Recovery can also be noticed in the area of military infrastructure related to the changing geopolitical structure. There was launched a modernization of military airports, in the first place focusing on systems supporting air operations e.g. systems of meteorological services AWOS.

- At the end of 2016 we signed a contract concerning an installation of modern systems AWOS (Automated Weather Observing Systems) at eight military airports, and at the beginning of 2017 we signed contracts concerning building landing areas for rescue helicopters for hospitals in Wołomin and Działdowo - says Marcin Pudełko, Sales Director in the Sales Department for Airport Automation.

Changes within the scope military infrastructure will be significantly influenced by a 'Program of Technical Modernization', in accordance with which there is planned an allocation of min. PLN 77 billion during the years 2017-2022, including a purchase of systems of armament and equipment. These plans concern airport investments i.e. building 24-hour landing areas, aprons and hangars, as well as building combat landing areas located at military firing grounds and other strategic points.

Until the year 2020, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency can allocate even PLN 1.2 billion for investments within the scope of aviation infrastructure

Investments at civil airports will focus on the improvement of security and navigation infrastructure. Building of air traffic control towers, implementing radio navigation systems and new radar stations is planned.

- Until the year 2020, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency can allocate even PLN 1.2 billion for radio centers and multilateration stations. This is a clear signal that there will be a revival in projects in this area - says Pudełko. Moreover, under the EU regulations until the year 2020 all airports in Europe have to implement Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) of the third level, which is responsible for detecting explosives in baggage. The first system of such type in Poland was realized by Qumak at the airport Kraków-Balice.

Railway market and simulators of rail vehicles

We are expecting an increase of investments within the scope of asset management or business applications in the railway sector.

- Last year we have successfully completed a project as ordered by Koleje Mazowieckie. The installed asset management system ensures a control over rolling stock, higher level of reliability of vehicles, and it guarantees an optimal use of the railway resources - underlines Jakub Rumian, Director of Competence Center ITSM/ EAM.

Since January 2018, all rail transport carriers will be obliged to train drivers on simulators (3h per year). This requirement will be a boost towards changes in the railway sector and will impact the improvement of a training system as well as safety of all traffic participants.

Our simulator of a rail vehicle SIMTRAQ is a technology dedicated to carriers, entrepreneurs conducting trainings for drivers, and railway schools; however, the virtual world engine can be adjusted to other sectors

- In 2016 we have introduced to the market a simulator of a rail vehicle SIMTRAQ. This technology is dedicated to carriers, enterprises conducting trainings for drivers, and railway schools. Our own solution is dedicated to the railway sector, but the developed engine of a virtual world can successfully be adjusted to the aviation or military sector - said Michał Wierzbicki, Director of Development Department.

Building automation and intelligent facilities

Building automation area is still dynamically developing. Apart from office complexes, there are also research and development facilities that require applying new technologies. An example of such a realization is one of the most modern in Europe laboratory and research facility CEZAMAT (Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies) at the Warsaw University of Technology, the facility accepted in 2016.

Thanks to innovative solutions in the scope of power, ICT, and multimedia, the Polish scientists can conduct in this facility advanced research works on future-oriented materials and technologies. Other science centers also plan to open this type of facilities.

Dedicated systems of building management, reservation, registration and security, these are the solutions that will still be an important element of infrastructure of such facilities. This is also a trend coming into the framework of a so called concept of smart cities. Thanks to modern technologies it is possible to optimize the management of a city and to generate savings resulting from the consumption of utilities i.e. heat, gas, water, and energy. In the 2nd half of 2017 we are expecting the launch of large investments in the area of intelligent cities, the market has been waiting for it for one and a half year now.

There are still being built comprehensive data centers. An example of such a realization is a constructed by Qumak Computing Centre for KIR, an institution fulfilling a key role in the area of interbank settlements and responsible for a safe flow of information by electronic means.

Perspectives - EU funds for Smart City projects and investments in the energy sector

We are waiting with a moderate optimism for releasing the EU funds which will stimulate not only the IT area, but most importantly which will lead to changes that are beneficial for citizens. We are counting on releasing large investments in cities within the scope of intelligent infrastructure and e-services for citizens and entrepreneurs.

Investment plans in the energy sector are also promising. Energy storage - our pioneer solution developed for Energa-Operator, received a wide interest among our clients and during the international fair ENERGETAB. This is the future of large industrial plants which soon will have to look for solutions that reduce the use of energy in the periods of energy peaks in order to lower the operational costs.