Question 1 : What were the business challenges facing Maruti Suzuki management prior to adopting the Oracle suite?

Before using Oracle lines of products, Maruti Suzuki used its own software to manage its different businesses. As these systems were not created by the same vendor, Maruti's businesses struggled to communicate with each other. As a result, some figures and data had to be uploaded into the system multiple times, creating duplicates of the same piece of information. As systems were different, Headquarters suffered from a lack of control on its subsidiaries, creating a real human dependence upon those who input the data.
Furthermore, with Maruti Suzuki's businesses expanding, the number of "home-made" management software increased, as well as the number of people employed to run them. High support costs were then one big business issue. As every subsidiaries got their own system, the quality of the pieces of information collected dropped.
Multiple management systems had also a deep impact on how fast Corporate Strategy could be decided. As each system followed different timetable and way to compile data, the company had to take extra time to wait for all data to come to the parent company and then rearrange the pieces of information in an unique format.
The exponential growth of this company increased the need for an easier, centralized way to deal with batches of data scattered around India. In order to maintain its leadership, Suzuki needed to better coordinate subsidiaries and Joint Ventures with the parent company. The "Old" way of managing data was also putting more pressure on strategic decisions. Top management had to wait 7 days before receiving crucial data from all subsidiaries and JV. Important strategic decisions, couldn't be made in "real time".

Question 3 : What were the important business factors which management used to evaluate Oracle database’s offerings?

- Suzuki was looking for applications that were simple and scalable. Being in a leading position in a fast growing market is not easy. Applications must be simple and scalable, so that Suzuki can adapt to its new environment quicker than its competitors. - Project and Change Management : Maruti Suzuki wanted a new system to the condition that the producing company ensured "change management". They wanted their teams to be quickly operational and the product to fit to the particular Indian business. As a result, they wanted the system provider to be able to send consultants, trainers to India in order to explain the new system to Maruti's employee. They wanted the product to bear fruits immediately, or at least the quickest way possible. They also wanted a company that had a high level of understanding with this project, and be able to implement incremental (step by step) change. - Control Support : Suzuki wanted a system that would have given more control over certain areas and give a better turn over time. - Management wanted a system that could integrate the "legacy" systems. In a fast growing industry, and as a leader, Suzuki couldn't afford to slow its activities.