According to a 2020 study, every third business in Ukraine used the russian Bitrix-24. The Bitrix24 development company is the same russian 1C-Bitrix. In June 2017, its Kyiv office “spun off” to create a separate legal entity for Ukraine.
However, starting from June 1, 2023, the company ceased its operations due to sanctions.
Although there are ways to circumvent the ban, many executives agree that it makes no sense for Ukrainian companies to invest in russian software, nor to try to do business with pirated or cloned versions of these programs. Sooner or later, they will either be banned or simply stop working.
The popularity of Bitrix24 is (or rather was) due to several advantages, such as an affordable price, a wide range of services, and intuitive logic for Eastern European businesses.
Another reason to stick with Bitrix24 is the large amount of data and automation settings that have already been accumulated.
However, this vicious circle will lead to the fact that when the rejection of Bitrix24 becomes inevitable and you have to switch to a new CRM, there will be even more data and settings. This means that the migration period will be more complicated, longer, and more expensive than it could be.
Other risks are added to the potential problems with the use of prohibited systems:
Forced migration from banned CRM solutions can cause crisis situations for those companies that relied on Bitrix24. But at the same time, it provides new opportunities for development.
If you are faced with the need to leave Bitrix24 and choose a new CRM solution, think about long-term strategies. It’s not only about the future of your business, but also about adapting to the working conditions in the countries where you operate.
For companies operating in international markets, especially in Europe and the United States, it is important to have a CRM that meets the requirements of foreign legislation, including financial reporting and customer data processing. In addition, when you cooperate with different countries, CRM should help you consolidate all the information to get an objective picture of your activities. For those who work only in the Ukrainian market, you need to remember that our legislation is also in the process of change. Therefore, your CRM should be flexible and adapt to these innovations.
When you decide to switch to a new CRM system, you are making a strategic move that requires a careful approach. Of course, no one wants to invest time and resources only to have to start migrating again soon.
Before researching the market, identify the key features you need in your new system.
Many CRM systems offer flexible customization, so you don’t have to look for a solution that has a very broad standard functionality. A scalable CRM system will allow you to meet your needs no matter how they change.
Decidion to leave Bitrix24 and switching from russian CRMs to other solutions for Ukrainian companies requires organizing a smooth and careful transition, which we can help with. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how to prepare for a safe transition to modern CRM solutions.
