Suntory boosts wellness with Rimini-driven Comado app launch
The project was completed within a four-month timeframe. Rimini Street provided new development environments and seamless integration for Comado, without incurring additional costs for Suntory. The expansion follows Suntory's decision in 2021 to transition from vendor-based Oracle support to Rimini Support, a move that resulted in a 50% reduction in support costs and allowed Suntory's IT team to focus on higher-value initiatives.
Continued partnership
Suntory has benefited from Rimini Support for Oracle systems, such as Oracle Database, Oracle Technology, and Hyperion, using the cost savings and expertise to enhance core operations. In selecting Rimini Consult to build the customer engagement app, Suntory cited the comprehensive understanding and experience Rimini Street holds with its Oracle landscape. "The advantage of engaging with Rimini Street on multiple services is that they have deep knowledge of our systems, and know how to maximise their potential," said Takuro Yamashita, Assistant Manager at Suntory Systems Technology, the IT department for Suntory Group. "With the great history of success on the support side of the relationship, we were confident they would be able to help us launch this strategic project without adding unnecessary cost or delay to the project – and Rimini Street delivered brilliantly."
Yamashita noted that the company had already allocated its IT resources to other high-priority projects, making third-party support essential for the timely delivery of Comado. The health initiative required significant application development, multiple distinct Oracle environments, and comprehensive integration, all with an accelerated delivery schedule.
"We had already committed our IT team to priority projects and didn't have the in-house bandwidth to start this important initiative. At the time, several strategic application developments were being launched, and expanding the development environments of existing systems for integration was essential to realise them. And we were requested by the board to launch this within 4 months, creating a difficult position for us," said Yamashita. "So, we consulted with Rimini Street from the beginning, not just for their technical knowledge, but to help us with the talent resources needed to take this project to the finish line, on time."
Project delivery
Rimini Street's teams worked with Suntory to create new development and quality assurance environments, while ensuring the Oracle platform remained stable and scalable for both existing and new operations. Detailed plans and close coordination ensured Suntory's requirements were accommodated throughout the process.
"Most consulting firms tell you their timeframe. Rimini Street asked us for ours," Yamashita said. "The project had to be carried out under extremely difficult conditions, but they worked closely with us to ensure our needs were met at every step, enabling us to meet our launch deadline without compromising quality or requiring us to buy more products."
The need for fast, efficient digital innovation is representative of broader trends noted by Rimini Street in its engagements. Yusuf Abdul-Rehman, Group Vice President of Rimini Consult said, "Suntory was experiencing a situation that we often find with our clients: the need to compete fast and flawlessly with stretched resources."
Abdul-Rehman added, "Many of the consulting service providers often offer a narrow scope of solutions or are focused on selling additional services, which take customers down paths that require more investment than necessary to achieve business results. Rimini Consult takes a holistic approach to meeting client needs by 'doing the right work, at the right price, to achieve maximum client results.'"
Future initiatives
Suntory's launch of Comado strengthens its activities in the wellness sector, providing a new digital channel for engaging with its wellness members. The partnership with Rimini Street, spanning both support and consulting, has enabled Suntory to allocate more resources to strategic priorities while keeping costs contained.
Yamashita commented, "If you have projects, you want taken care of, we happily recommend you discuss them with the professionals at Rimini Street."
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