The project to create the first Russian printer/ MFD «katusha» continues a dynamic movement. Started in the spring 2016, «katusha» received the first material embodiment in six months. The mass-size model of the MFP was presented at the exhibition «Import substitution-2016». Interest, which «katusha» caused at the forum, confirmed – the Russian market is waiting for a novelty. By the fall of 2017, the initiators of the project – the «IT Systems» Group of Companies – are planning to show the already working, printing, prototype device.

An ambitious task – to create from scratch and launch the first printer with the label «Made in Russia» – determined the high tempo that was immediately taken at the start of the project. A team and a project office were formed in a short time, the necessary business documentation was developed (business plan, feasibility study of enterprises for the production of devices and inks, etc.), the work was started to form a pool of key project partners and industrial design.

The premiere of «katusha» was a great success. Over three days of the exhibition «Import substitution-2016», more than 1000 visitors expressed interest in the new development, including representatives of potential customers – large Russian state and private companies. Among the priority advantages of «katusha», respondents named a solid ruble total cost of ownership (81%), functional characteristics of the MFP (75%), design (68%) and compactness at high performance (62%).

In the first half of 2017, the developers of the first Russian printer are planning to get the first working prototype of the device – a printing «stand». At the same time, the company continues to scan the market, study demand, analyze current trends in the segment of office printing, both domestic and foreign. The IT market is dynamic and there is no desire to spend time and energy on the release of the «obsolete novelty». The work continues to form a circle of potential participants in the future production chain among Russian companies that will be able to assume production in this or that part of the project.

«We are interesting partners for many companies», emphasizes Dmitry Kudryavtsev, Director of Development in the« IT Systems» Group of Companies. –It is planned to produce up to several thousand devices per month, and this is a significant amount of order for the lion’s share of the nodes suppliers for our devices. Our task is to achieve the highest possible degree of localization on the territory of the Russian Federation in order to maintain a solid ruble prime cost of production. For Russian companies, the project is a great opportunity for development. This means the expansion and modernization of industries, an increase in the number of jobs, decent wages and a decent standard of living for professionals. So, the success of «katusha» is not only a business task. It has its own socio-patriotic sound.

It is planned to present a working prototype in the autumn – at the exhibition «Import substitution-2017».