Paper Is Out: How Electronic Document Management Is Cutting Costs for Russian Businesses
Electronic document management systems are rapidly gaining ground in Russia. In January 2026, the number of users on the SberBusiness online platform doubled year over year. The surge signals more than a product trend – it reflects a broader digital restructuring of how companies operate.
Growth by the Numbers
Adoption of electronic document management, known in Russia as EDO, accelerated sharply in 2025. The number of entrepreneurs using EDO increased 2.5 times compared to 2024. In January 2026, according to EDO operator SberKorus, adoption expanded further. Analysts link the jump partly to the reinstatement of VAT on acquiring, processing and certain payment services, which required electronic exchange of data and documentation. Businesses discovered that digital workflows were not only mandatory in some cases, but also practical.
As electronic documents prove both convenient and legally binding, more enterprises are moving to a new way of working, reducing resource use and streamlining operations, analysts at SberKorus said.
Adoption is strongest in the Moscow metropolitan area, with St. Petersburg close behind. Other regions among the top ten for document digitalization include the Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov, Voronezh, Novosibirsk and Samara regions, as well as Tatarstan, Krasnodar Kray and Stavropol Kray.
Regulatory and Market Drivers
The acceleration of EDO adoption is shaped by both economic and regulatory requirements. Since January, a universal transfer document has been required for shipment of goods and provision of services. Starting September 1, 2026, electronic transport waybills will become mandatory, affecting all participants in the freight market, from shippers and carriers to recipients.
For the IT market, this creates sustained demand for integration solutions. Companies need EDO connected to logistics and ERP systems, APIs for data exchange with the Federal Tax Service and customs authorities, and tools to verify document authenticity. Over time, the accumulated implementation expertise could become an export asset for CIS markets, where similar regulatory shifts are expected.
From Fragmentation to Standardization
Electronic document management was introduced gradually in Russia. In 2021–2022, state-owned companies and large corporations transitioned at scale. In 2023, EDO became embedded in public procurement, with electronic acceptance certificates and invoices becoming mandatory for all participants, including small and medium-sized businesses.
In 2024, further standardization of electronic documents continued. By 2025, growth extended beyond legally significant document exchange to internal corporate workflows, as companies digitized contracts, approvals and operational paperwork.
According to CNews Analytics, 80 percent of Russian companies now use EDO systems. By this measure, Russia outpaces EU countries in adoption rates.
Forecast and Systemic Impact
The growth of EDO reflects a broader transformation of the economy’s digital infrastructure. In 2026–2027, the user base is expected to expand further among small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly in sectors with high document intensity such as retail, logistics and construction. At the same time, integration of EDO with business platforms will deepen, from online banking services to specialized industry solutions.
Electronic document management standardizes business processes, increases transparency, reduces operating costs and accelerates the digital economy.
