Oleg Lipov, Group Lead of Engineering at Asteros: The key to optimization lies in personnel development

23.12.2016 |

Александр Абрамов.

System integrators seem to move more and more from simply offering companies automation and cyber security to developing complete infrastructure, from power systems engineering to, sometimes, proper facilities construction. In his interview to ICT-Online.ru, Oleg Lipov Group Lead of Engineering at Asteros, explained why players should keep up with a trend of complex integration in order to stay afloat.

This tendency – of system integrators conquering related markets and developing new services – is not a completely new one. Asteros has been digging up this field for quite a while, and has gone far beyond the accepted understanding of system integration.

“With our experience in launching high-scale IT projects, we are now looking for complex infrastructural challenges, be it offices, administrative or sports facilities, - says Lipov.

Oleg Lipov

This process involves a natural shift in Asteros’ personnel policies. More and more employees are having a solid background in construction and engineering, which allows the company to undertake complex projects and devise its own solutions in engineering, IT and security systems.

“We have both external and internal factors here, - says Lipov. – ICT is becoming an integral part of engineering and construction industry. Customers are looking for intelligence-controlled solutions, and it makes them turn to us. Besides, having an integrator as the chief organizer is convenient in terms of project planning, finance and HR issues, etc.

Construction market is far from being excited with integrators flooding in. This gives rise to strong competition, making constructors to adopt new IT techniques in order to avoid price dumping. The best decision here is collaboration, Lipov thinks, when players from different industries work together on a challenging and ambitious project.

Integrators themselves have to tackle a wide range of issues, from employing extra staff, both in expert team and senior management, to seeking subcontractors during the most problematic phases of the project. Asteros is no exception: the company is utilizing all possible capacities in order to achieve the result that would meet customer’s expectations. “It is important, however, to master these opportunities so that you can offer you customer the very unique solutions they are looking for.

Lipov is expecting this trend to grow in the next 10-20 years. Major players will swallow up minor companies that specialize in engineering, construction, and security. This tendency may also involve suppliers, as it seems more convenient for integrators to procure all necessary equipment themselves rather than to hire a third party vendor. Overall, projects are becoming more and more challenging, and companies start to look for a new generation of project leaders who will control the ongoing process at all levels and make quick and efficient decisions. The key to company’s success lies in its personnel development.

Asteros’ most notable projects include security infrastructure in Sochi during the Olympics, and the office of VTB Bank in Moscow City business center. “We are currently back in this hearth of the Moscow business life working on another object, - Lipov finishes. - And it gives me a particular pleasure to say that Asteros has been named one of the companies that will help to develop infrastructure for the next FIFA World Cup – as you know, Russia is hosting this amazing event in 2018.

The VTB office in Moscow City is one of the Asteros’ most prominent projects