Online Hiring Module Reduces HR Workload at Etalon Group
Software solutions designed to simplify hiring workflows are becoming increasingly common in Russia’s HR sector, helping both employers and job applicants navigate recruitment faster. Russian developer BFT-Kholding and its technology partner HRlink have deployed a specialized online hiring module called StartLink at the Etalon Group.
The new platform connects recruitment agencies, in-house HR teams, security departments and job applicants within a single digital environment. The system addresses a growing operational need: Etalon, one of Russia’s major construction and development groups, opens more than 3,000 vacancies every year, creating a substantial workload for HR specialists.
Reducing the Risk of Human Error
The software developed by Russian engineers moves employee onboarding into a digital format, reducing pressure on HR teams while making document-heavy processes significantly faster and easier. One of the key advantages of the remote hiring module is the elimination of errors that often emerge when personnel data is entered manually into corporate systems.
According to the developers, HRlink’s StartLink service is part of the partner product portfolio offered through BFT-Kholding. Before the rollout, Etalon Group already used the HRlink HR document management platform integrated with 1C enterprise software and hosted on the company’s own servers. The new module expands that existing IT infrastructure rather than replacing it.
The workflow itself is relatively straightforward. A recruiter sends a candidate a link to a digital application form. The applicant fills out the questionnaire, grants consent for personal data processing and then undergoes a security review. Once approved by the security department, HR specialists prepare an offer, while candidates can upload scans or photos of their documents from any device. The system automatically recognizes key information, including handwritten elements. Because StartLink operates alongside 1C, the company’s HR department receives a completed employee profile automatically and no longer needs to enter data manually.
Expanding the Hiring Geography
After deployment, the time required to process and onboard a new employee dropped significantly, while paper-based routines disappeared from the hiring stage entirely. The module also helps ensure compliance with Russia’s federal law on personal data protection during data collection and minimizes the risks of document loss or information transfer errors between departments.
The system has already been tested in practice. The pilot project began in November 2025 and concluded in March 2026. Etalon is now deploying the platform across all subsidiaries. According to the developers, the unified digital environment connects executives, on-site personnel, office employees, HR specialists, security teams and military registration departments within the same workflow.
Less Paperwork, Faster Hiring
The remote hiring module is expected to benefit not only HR departments but also job candidates. Applicants no longer need to make unnecessary office visits or send physical documents that could be lost in transit. That becomes especially important for regional specialists, remote employees and workers who need to be onboarded quickly.
Projects like this are helping modernize Russia’s labor market by improving hiring efficiency and pushing companies toward paperless corporate processes. The deployment also highlights how domestic HRTech solutions are being applied inside large enterprises where hiring speed, personal data security and lower administrative workloads are critical priorities.
Analysts expect online hiring to expand rapidly across Russia, particularly in construction, retail, logistics, manufacturing and other industries with high employee turnover and constant staffing demand. Over time, the platform could be integrated with corporate portals and analytics systems while gaining additional functionality. In the longer term, Russian-developed solutions may also find demand across EAEU and CIS markets, where companies use similar hiring models and increasingly seek local digital alternatives to Western platforms.
