Topic Choice 1

Project Synopsis

for

Evaluation of prospects to expand Roltas business in Maritime Safety and Security (MSS)
domain to provide customized Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for fishing boats

by

Name

Reg. No. /Roll No:

A PROJECT SYNOPSIS
Submitted to the
Assam Don Bosco University
for approval of Project towards partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ASSAM DON BOSCO UNIVERSITY

Topic Choice 1: Evaluation of prospects for customized AIS for fishing boats
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Background
1. I intend to choose a project from the domain of my work in Rolta, which would be
enriched by the lessons and tools learnt from DBU UBS MBA curriculum.
2. I am in charge of new initiatives in Rolta India Limited. Rolta has time tested credentials
in development of specialized application software in the fields of Defense, Geographical
Information Systems (GIS), Homeland Security (HLS) and Maritime Safety and Security
(MSS) besides others. I am in the process of evaluating new business opportunities in the
MSS sector, out of which I chose this topic as my project.

Market Needs
3. The 09/11 terrorist attack in USA and 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai has brought new
focus to homeland and maritime security and has brought several law enactments to
promote security such as mandatory compliance to ISPS code (International Ship and Port
facility Security Code), mandatory radar surveillance for ports, coastal SEZs and offshore
assets etc.
4. Security needs and also compliance to these laws have created a huge demand for
maritime security solutions. Rolta being a fore-runner in the MSS sector needs to research
long term prospects of the market and accordingly formulate business strategy and direct
the ongoing efforts accordingly.

Aim
5. Strategic Aim: Rolta is one of the largest Indian companies already providing MSS
solutions. Now there is a need to research this fast growing MSS market with focus on the
recently changed scenario, new mandatory regulations, latest technology and re-orient our
strategy to match the long-term market needs. The emerging business size/ volume,
certainty of their happening and slowly growing competition may direct us to re-orient
our strategy from sourcing and integrating to manufacturing and integrating to provide
us a perpetual lead in this sector. This lead will allow us to remain in this MSS business
longer, increase profitability, ensure indigenous self-reliance and also provide us an
opportunity for social service by ensuring safety and security of our maritime assets, men
and material.
6. Specific Aim: Within the above strategic boundary, my specific aim in this project will
be to explore the market for Automatic Identification Systems (Class B), recommended
by International Maritime Organization (IMO) for fishing vessels.
Currently, standard AIS Class B is only available as an import option at a high cost
(unaffordable by common Indian fishermen) and that too without any customization
possibility for local needs. As Indian authorities apparently have a customization plan,
Rolta would consider taking a lead in providing customized AIS (B) at an affordable
price.
7. Research: In order to achieve the above stated objectives, I need to collect data and
conduct a thorough market/ technology research of the following:
a. Fishing vessels of various types, their population, state-wise distribution, feasibility
of installation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) on them
Topic Choice 1: Evaluation of prospects for customized AIS for fishing boats

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b. User benefits and customization aspects of AIS, cost versus affordability from
fishermen point of view, Government subsidy - if any, commercial viability of
investment from Roltas perspective etc.
c. Choice of technology, compliance to International Maritime Organization (IMO)
regulations (India is a signatory of IMO), type certification and product approval
d. Functionality selection for AIS and overall security solution development to arrive at
formulation of Software Requirement Specifications (SRS) and hardware sourcing/
manufacture.

Literature Review
8. In order to achieve the above stated aim, the following types of literature, regulations,
data, government regulations/ guidelines would need to be studied:
a. Government of India - Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Shipping (MoS)
and Ministry of Defence (MoD - Navy and Coast Guard) guidelines.
MHA would define the overall internal security policy. MoS will govern the safety
and security infrastructure needed in the fishing/ shipping vessels, ports, coastal SEZs,
offshore assets etc. MoD will formulate the technology and evolve Common
Operating Principles (COP) to be adopted amongst various state and central agencies
such as Navy, Coast Guard, Police, Shipping, Fishing community, offshore oil and
gas explorers, private stake holders and also international agencies such as IMO,
IALA
b. IMO and IALA compliance regulations and guidelines, to which India is a signatory
and a founder member.
c. MoS fishermen data and growth pattern projections

Data Analysis and Research Methods
9. I intend to use structured data collection and analysis tools learnt in the DBU UBS
MBA curriculum and adopt appropriate research method. The format of data collection
would be evolved after a few rounds of discussions with fishermen societies and MoS
officials, once this project synopsis is approved. The type of sampling and data collated
would lead to the appropriate analysis methods. My internal and external guides have
assured necessary guidance on the subject.

Conclusion and Recommendations
10. Conclusion of the proposed business strategy research project for introduction of
customized AIS into the Indian market for detection and identification of fishing boats
will assist the Rolta management to decide our strategy of entry into this market.