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  • November 2000 (Revised May 2002)
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Oracle Corporation

By: Frances X. Frei and Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:19
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Abstract

Oracle Corp., the world's second-largest independent software company (behind Microsoft) was the world's dominant supplier of database software. Oracle also sold application software, such as the popular enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management applications. This case explores how, in less than one year, Oracle trimmed $1 billion in its internal cost structure. Nearly every aspect of Oracle's business, including operations, sales, and fulfillment, was affected. While reducing costs, Oracle also attempted to create a "pull" environment for sales by touting the results of using its own products as an example of potential cost savings. By understanding how Oracle reduced its internal expenses through automating, standardizing, and centralizing its internal and external business processes, students explore several questions: 1) When is off-the-shelf software appropriate for implementation, and when does "best of breed" or custom software make more sense? 2) How does delivering application hosting services differ from traditional software development?

Keywords

Organizational Change and Adaptation; Internet and the Web; Service Operations; Service Delivery; Applications and Software; Management Teams; Innovation and Invention; Web Services Industry; Information Technology Industry

Citation

Frei, Frances X., and Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar. "Oracle Corporation." Harvard Business School Case 601-043, November 2000. (Revised May 2002.)
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About The Author

Frances X. Frei

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

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More from the Authors
  • Storytelling That Drives Bold Change By: Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss
  • Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems By: Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss
  • Bringing Ideas to Life: The Story of Paul English By: Youngme Moon, Frances X. Frei and F. Katelynn Boland
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