MobiSystems is a global leader in productivity software that has created popular apps like OfficeSuite, PDF Extra, MobiDrive. MobiSystems has over 550 million users, with over 250 million users of OfficeSuite alone. Pulse 2.0 interviewed OfficeSuite Co-founder Nikolay Kussovski to learn more about the company.
Nikolay Kussovski’s Background
What is Nikolay Kussovski’s background? Kussovski said:
“I started out as a developer, but MobiSystems has truly been the focus of my working life. It’s been an incredible journey and over the past two decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to the growth of our company and the evolution of the software and productivity industry as a whole.”
“Early in my career, I worked as a Lead Developer for WebMessenger, an instant messaging platform with clients across various devices like Palm OS, PocketPC, BlackBerry and so on. However, the bursting of the dot-com bubble dealt a harsh blow, resulting in layoffs and salary cuts throughout the company. It was amid this turbulent time that I ventured into freelancing, eventually crossing paths with a project for MobiSystems—at that time, I was developing a painting app for Palm OS called MobilePaint. While freelancing on that project, I fostered a strong connection with the company and its team. Several months later, the Founder extended me an offer to join MobiSystems as the CTO.”
“At the time one of my initial responsibilities was building a team to create a comprehensive office suite for Palm OS – something that sounded extremely ambitious to me at the time. Looking back now, I’m really impressed at just how far we’ve come since those early days.”
“Since then, I’ve worn many hats – I’ve gained a lot of experience leading and building successful projects. I enjoy the process of building a strong team and bringing people together to create an environment where everyone can contribute and reach their potential. It’s such a rewarding feeling to help encourage that kind of collaborative, supportive culture.”
“As a long-time shareholder, I’m deeply invested in MobiSystems’ continued success. I’m eager to learn and grow, and I am always on the lookout for opportunities to develop new skills and capabilities. Constantly scanning the horizon for new possibilities that align with our strategic goals, I enjoy everything from people management, project planning, product development, process improvement, and organizational growth.”
Formation Of Mobisystems
How did the idea for Mobisystems come together? Kussovski shared:
“MobiSystems was launched in 2001 with $200,000 in capital. At the time, Co-Founder Stanislav Minchev had identified a gap in the market similar to Microsoft’s early focus on personal computer software and understood the potential of handheld devices and their vast software market. Consequently, we seized this opportunity by providing convenient and affordable office productivity tools, resulting in the birth of OfficeSuite, launched in 2004, which has since become a strong competitor to Microsoft Office and other leading productivity suites.”
“OfficeSuite has since evolved into a popular cross-platform productivity software that is downloaded by tens of thousands of new users every day. Our early hopes to provide for the growing demand for digital literacy have been thoroughly met in recent years as OfficeSuite is highly compatible across file types and devices, making work from anywhere in the world easier than ever.”
Favorite Memory
What has been Kussovski’s favorite memory working for the company so far? Kussovski reflected:
“My favorite memory of working for the company so far was the successful promotion of OfficeSuite on Google Play in 2012, seeing our app rocket towards becoming the top seller during that campaign. A special achievement and one we always try to emulate in every platform launch since.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Kussovski explained:
“MobiSystems’ OfficeSuite is a cross-platform suite of productivity apps including Documents for text editing, Sheets for spreadsheets, Slides for presentations, PDF tools, Mail for email and calendars, and MobiDrive for cloud storage.”
“At the core of OfficeSuite’s standout cross-platform functionality lies a robust C++ engine, enabling seamless development and deployment across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. This approach streamlines the development process by allowing features to be implemented once within the core engine, subsequently becoming available on all platforms through platform-specific user interfaces and experiences. By combining a comprehensive array of office tools into one suite, OfficeSuite empowers individuals and businesses to unlock heightened productivity and effortless document collaboration, regardless of the device they’re using.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Kussovski and the team faced in building the company? Kussovski acknowledged:
“One of the challenges we’ve faced in our sector is the monopoly that big tech companies have on productivity software and operating systems. Despite being around for over 20 years with our parent company MobiSystems, a leading mobile productivity and business app developer that pioneered productivity apps on devices like the Palm Pilot before the smartphone era, it can still be challenging to break through the noise and showcase alternative options to users.”
“The key has been not to view it as an ‘us vs. them’ battle, but rather as a healthy competitive ecosystem that drives innovation and better serves customers. Big Tech’s one-size-fits-all approach often struggles to address the nuanced demands of diverse industries and customer profiles.”
“Our strategy has been to focus intently on understanding and fulfilling the specific needs of our customers. By continuously improving our products and strengthening our brand, we have overcome the challenges posed by Big Tech’s dominance and established ourselves as a leading alternative in the productivity software market.”
Evolution Of Mobisystems’ Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Kussovski noted:
“OfficeSuite has continually modernized to meet customers where they are – embracing new technologies when they become relevant while maintaining the powerful core features that have made it a productivity staple for nearly two decades.”
“A key evolutionary milestone has been OfficeSuite’s expansion into cross-platform compatibility, with projects now seamlessly syncing across Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and more devices. OfficeSuite fits perfectly with the shift towards remote and hybrid work, with 56% of respondents to a global survey last year working hybrid (McKinsey). This versatility, coupled with support for all major file formats, allows users to transition seamlessly between devices, fostering collaboration and streamlined workflows. Whether operating at school, an office or from a local coffee shop, OfficeSuite empowers users with an experience optimized for their specific needs and work styles, recently hitting over 600 million global downloads.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Kussovski cited:
“There is no doubt that the company’s most significant milestone was the pre-install of its software on the Sony Ericsson X10, which was the first Sony Ericsson Android phone. This represented an important early integration with a leading smartphone platform, rarely seen before.”
“Another major milestone for us was the release of OfficeSuite for Windows, which expanded the company’s reach into the desktop productivity software market. This effort also led to the development of cross-platform libraries that we now use across all the company’s products.”
Customer Success Stories
After asking Kussovski about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“We take great pride in our customer success stories, which serve as a testament to our remarkable success. Unlike larger software companies, our developers and support teams work closely together in the same building, allowing us to quickly address and resolve user issues. This collaborative spirit works its way down to end users, meaning there is minimal disruption to our customers’ workflows.”
“A couple of notable highlights come to mind:
One example was from a user who encountered a problem with OfficeSuite Sheets. Our support team promptly addressed their issue, resolving it with direct involvement alongside our engineering team. To make sure that there were no interruptions to the user’s workflow, the team also provided the user with a fixed version of their file. This proactive, hands-on approach ensured seamless continuity in their work process. It is also reflective of that trickle-down effect that comes from a team that works together closely.”
“Another instance involved a long-time user in the medical field who was facing scheduling difficulties with OfficeSuite. Upon receiving the user feedback, our support team immediately sprung into action, successfully resolving the issue. Delighted with our swift resolution, the customer expressed satisfaction and pledged to endorse our product among their colleagues and associates.”
“These instances speak to our unwavering commitment to providing exemplary support and resolving customer concerns promptly, showing our reputation for delivering exceptional service.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Kussovski assessed:
“OfficeSuite is well-positioned to capitalise on the rapidly growing productivity software market. According to forecasts, this market is expected to reach $79 billion in revenue in 2024.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Kussovski affirmed:
“OfficeSuite distinguishes itself from competitors through its affordable pricing model and cross-platform functionality. By offering our comprehensive suite of office tools at a significantly lower cost than many rivals, we can reduce the global barrier to entry for productivity software. With specific packages tailored to users’ needs, including a free version of the suite, OfficeSuite provides flexibility and value for money. The 5-in-1 bundle also simplifies the purchasing process, maximizing value by combining all five apps into one package at an affordable price.”
“OfficeSuite’s seamless cross-device and cross-platform functionality empowers users to craft documents on Windows or analyze data on iOS, OfficeSuite. With over half a billion downloads across hundreds of countries, OfficeSuite’s compatibility, accessibility, and affordability have attracted a massive global user base, catering to individuals, households, and large companies alike. By prioritizing cost-effectiveness and ease of use without compromising on functionality, OfficeSuite has differentiated itself within the office software sector.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Kussovski concluded:
“In terms of the company’s future goals, we have a mix of technical and non-technical priorities. On the technical side, we want to expand our suite of apps to include offerings for macOS and an online version with fully featured collaboration. This is all part of our wider goal of making our productivity tools accessible across more platforms and enhancing collaboration for users.”
“From a non-technical standpoint, an important mission for us is to increase the recognition of our brand: we want people to be aware that there are viable alternatives to the major productivity suites on the market. Ultimately, we aim to provide users with affordable, cross-compatible tools that streamline their workflows, regardless of where they are or whatever their device is.”
