Connections (AeRO Premium, symbol CC) has recently obtained authorization to use 5G infrastructure equipment. This authorization not only opens new opportunities for us, but also facilitates our customers’ access to the most advanced connectivity solutions.

In 2021, Romania adopted legislation aimed at implementing “measures relating to information and communication infrastructures of national interest and conditions for the implementation of 5G networks”, a law enacted following a recommendation from the European Commission.

Under Romanian law, Law 163 of 11 June 2021 states that ‘the use of technologies, equipment and software in information and communication infrastructures of national interest and in 5G networks’ is allowed only with authorization from the Romanian state. Thus, the obtained authorization validates our commitment to provide high quality services, respecting the highest technological standards.

With this authorization, Connections becomes one of approximately 40 companies in Romania that hold this authorization, which gives us the right to compete for complex projects both nationally and internationally.

This key step allows us to offer our customers the most advanced 5G solutions, paving the way for a new phase of connectivity. We are committed to bringing the most advanced technologies while meeting the standards required by the relevant authorities. As Romania moves towards the adoption of advanced telecommunications infrastructure, Connections is emerging as a leading player in shaping the country’s digital landscape.

With a broad portfolio of solutions and services, we are once again demonstrating our expertise and ability to adapt to the demands of the ever-evolving market, contributing to innovation and development in the field of connectivity. Obtaining authorization to use the 5G infrastructure equipment is an important moment for us, strengthening our position in the market and opening new horizons for innovation and development in connectivity.

Connections, a leader in Romania’s digital transformation market, listed on the AeRO market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) under the symbol CC improves the way data is extracted from all types of documents, with the launch of the latest version of its ID Scanner application equipped with artificial intelligence. 

In the process of digital transformation of companies, the demand for software solutions that scan documents to extract information using artificial intelligence has grown significantly over the past year and continues to grow.

According to data recorded by Connections Consult, interest in solutions of this type has seen an increase of over 200% since the previous year – 2020, when the company launched ID Scanner, the first such application on the market. As of 2024, the app is running in a new artificial intelligence-based version, with expanded functions that allow scanning of any type of document, including those not in standard formats.

“ID Scanner is aimed at companies that want to integrate a scanned document processing component based on AI technology into their existing or soon-to-be-developed systems. The Connections team puts cybersecurity first when it comes to product development, as it is an essential component when it comes to accessing personal data and beyond”, says Radu Marcu, Connections co-CEO. 

The ID Scanner application can be easily integrated into IT ecosystems implementing complex business workflows.  

One of the strengths of this software solution is the integrated AI technology, which allows scanning all types of documents. European passports, driving licenses, or new format ID cards are just a few examples of documents whose information can be quickly extracted with ID Scanner. I. It can also process even untyped documents, which until recently was considered impossible. This means that information can be extracted from invoices, consumption receipts, balance sheets, or any other type of document.

The IDScanner application has been designed in such a way as to ensure maximum data protection, which is why all documents are processed in a virtual environment, so that they never come into the possession of Connections.

Connections continues to invest in technologies such as AI-based technology and the highest level of working standards. Recently, the company has achieved a new certification in RPA (Robotic Process Automation with Software Robots), becoming a USN partner. This status confirms that Connections professionals have the right level of expertise and can deliver state-of-the-art RPA implementations consistently at the same level as the UiPath Professional Services team.

To be or not to be, that is the question. Talented individuals working efficiently or automated processes? Or a mix of both? 

As long as we have talented individuals in the team, who do their job well and deliver results, why invest in technology or robots? What does automation help us with, as long as things are functioning well without it? 

The answer is simple: to retain our talented people in the team, to develop them, and to invest in them for the highest return on investment, ensuring they have a high level of satisfaction. The quality of people’s work and their satisfaction level at the workplace are essential pillars in the entire ecosystem of a business – from the quality of relationships within the team to the ability of individuals to deliver projects at the highest standard, with a direct impact on the quality of relationships with clients. 

Who is afraid of technology? 

The labor market has been experiencing, for years, a phenomenon felt by every Human Resources department: difficulty in the recruitment process, attributed to a high demand for professionals in the market. Remote work becomes an increasingly important criterion when it comes to choosing a new job; moreover, employees feel the need to be valued and connected to the organizational culture, no matter where they work. 

Perhaps counterintuitive in some instances, all these factors have a common and accessible solution: technology makes people choose companies where they work in a modern, efficient manner, where there is no need to allocate hours to a repetitive task. Technology enables remote work without disconnecting from the pulse and updates of the organization, providing the time and mental space needed to come up with new ideas, approaches, and solutions in business relationships with collaborators. 

As repetitive tasks disappear, people are motivated to become the best version of themselves. They have a real opportunity to showcase their value, space to learn new things and put them into practice, and can respond to new technological challenges that can take them and the organization to the next level as professionals. 

How often has it happened that you recruited someone with significant growth potential? And, after these candidates with potential have become team members, how many of them have truly reached their potential? 

Certainly, growth is a time-consuming process, we would say. But it takes even longer if the first 3 months are for enrollment, the next 6 are filled with repetitive tasks, and only after 9 months of hiring does the person begin to focus on indicators. 

The first year on the job is about getting used to the new work environment; the team leader does not have the possibility to grow the team, and the new employee already has low motivation because they couldn’t prove their qualities. The organization grows more slowly than it could, even though it has experienced and talented people, as well as juniors with potential. 

A vicious circle that technology can transform into real growth: everyone gains time and space for development, reaching a high level of job satisfaction. 

It’s worth mentioning that an employee with access to advanced technology becomes a spontaneous brand ambassador in discussions with other professionals. These brand ambassadors feel more empowered overall, which will be reflected in the quality of the organizational culture. 

Let’s see what the statistics say… 

In Romania, a third (35%) of companies face challenges in recruiting personnel, and 41% struggle with the lack of skills needed to meet current requirements, according to the Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends 2023 study. 

To overcome these challenges, companies are adopting strategies such as ‘workforce ecosystems,’ integrating consultants and subcontractors to complement the traditional workforce. The digital transformation of a company becomes a key element in this equation, with 30% of study participants mentioning the implementation of technological solutions and artificial intelligence to optimize human resources. 

A McKinsey study also indicates a significant increase in the adoption of generative artificial intelligence, confirming the regular use of AI in one of the departments of organizations for a third of respondents. 

What do these figures reveal? 

That recruitment is becoming an increasingly challenging process, making it harder to retain talents within organizations. 

That it would be beneficial to give our people the necessary space for growth. 

That adapting to the new market needs and ensuring employee retention become major challenges for any company aspiring to remain competitive and claim new growth territories. 

Some of these difficulties may stem from the reluctance of many organizations towards technology. 

For leaders who have yet to prioritize the digital transformation of their company: to what extent is the technology used in your companies a differentiator in recruitment?