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Sun Resets Software Industry With New Java(TM) Enterprise System Priced At $100 Per Employee With Infinite Right to Use

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

SAN FRANCISCO, SunNetwork 2003 Conference and Pavilion, Sept. 16

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced details of its much anticipated Sun Java(TM) Enterprise System. Priced at $100 per employee per year (in the U.S.), including an unlimited right to use for all Intranet and Internet deployments, the Java Enterprise System establishes a dramatic new benchmark for the delivery of a complete system of standards-based software integrated as one entity.

"The Java Enterprise System is serious software made simple -- simplified product, simplified operation and simplified price," said Jonathan Schwartz, executive vice president, Software at Sun. "This spells the end of software audits to set price -- the Java Enterprise System radically simplifies the selection, acquisition and deployment of world-class software. Today's announcement puts IBM, Microsoft and others on the defensive and firmly establishes Sun as the low-cost provider offering customers simplicity, predictability and affordability."

"With the Java Enterprise System, we predictably develop and deploy compelling customer applications and services, and therefore generate new revenue, faster and more easily than ever before," said Jeff Smith, chief information officer at Telstra Corporation Ltd. "We're one of the first global telecommunications companies to pursue a truly open services platform and environment. The high level of functionality and interoperability of the Java Enterprise System allows us to transparently deliver services and content across wireline, wireless and broadband networks, on any device. This is a huge competitive advantage in our marketplace."

"Sun deserves credit for taking the software integration bull by the horns," said Dwight Davis, vice president and practice director, Summit Strategies. "Its ambitious plan to provide out-of-the-box integration across a broad range of middleware, Java Enterprise System will be heralded and embraced by customers. We expect that the Java Enterprise System's release cycle and licensing model could put Sun's competitors on the defensive, and force them to make some moves to adopt at least some aspects of the Java Enterprise System model."

New Software Model

With the Java Enterprise System, Sun is introducing a fundamental change in the way software is engineered, delivered, serviced, licensed and priced. Now enterprise infrastructure software is predictable in its delivery with regular releases of the software system and easy access for evaluation. Sun is providing one of the most affordable software infrastructures in the industry.

New Services Deliver Serious Value to Customers

The Java Enterprise System seamlessly integrates award-winning and market- leading enterprise network components at the heart of Web services, including network identity; portal; communication and collaboration; security; and web, application and availability services. Key to the new system is an industry leading Web services platform ready for enterprise class deployment now. These scalable, secure and cost-effective solutions provide the foundation that service providers need to deliver network services to their employees, partners suppliers and customers. (See separate announcement, "10 New Network Services Components Featured in Sun's Java Enterprise System; New Sun Software Express Program Accelerates Customer Access to Sun's Future Technologies.")

The first release of the Java Enterprise System delivers new features that will result in immediate customer benefits. A common network identity infrastructure ensures data consistency and the rapid and easy provisioning of user-identity services across distributed environments. Single sign-on for all services provides a superior user experience while dramatically reducing costs. The user experience is further enhanced by common globalization throughout while common installation simplifies and improves deployment times and maintenance. Interoperability enhancements with IBM, BEA and Microsoft products enable easy, rapid deployment within heterogeneous environments.

Consulting, Training and Support from Sun Services

In addition to the open, pre-integrated set of core infrastructure network service components, the Java Enterprise System includes a set of proactive and predictive services that help customers optimize their Java Enterprise System investment. This gives them a services-led solution that is simple, predictable and affordable. Customers can deploy their systems quickly and easily, and they can leverage Sun's consulting, training and support services expertise included in the single, economical license fee.

Java Studio Enterprise

Java Studio Enterprise is a comprehensive, cost-effective, unified development system that integrates development tools, services, and support for building and testing world-class applications for the Java Enterprise System. Targeted at Java Enterprise System developers, Java Studio Enterprise will support Solaris(TM), Solaris x86, Linux and Windows 2000, and is the only developer environment that includes full access and support from the Sun Developer Network and associated developer resources from Sun. The Java Studio Enterprise offering is priced at $5 per employee when ordered as a companion to the Java Enterprise System. (See separate announcement, "Sun Launches Java Studio Enterprise -- Complete Build and Test Developer Platform for Sun's New Net Services.")

Widespread Industry Acceptance: Partners and Customers

Over 150 technology leaders have committed to building and distributing Java Enterprise System-based products and solutions in the areas of content management, personalization, authentication, security, collaboration, enterprise application access and wireless infrastructure. Partners include BEA, Computer Associates, Context Media, FatWire, Kabira, M7, Manugistics, Mercury Interactive, SeeBeyond, SnapBridge, Sybase, Tibco, Vignette, Vitria and webMethods.

"As long standing partners, BEA and Sun offer cost-effective, proven application infrastructure and systems that meet and exceed the needs of thousands of customers," said Erik Frieberg, senior director of product marketing, BEA Systems. "We look forward to the opportunity to provide BEA WebLogic Platform 8.1 to joint customers who want to incorporate the WebLogic Platform within the Sun Java Enterprise System."

Sun is experiencing strong customer support for the Java Enterprise System from a range of early customers including Bank One, Lucent, Putnam and Telstra. "We believe the Java Enterprise System can help us rapidly standardize and realize substantial savings immediately. Sun provides all the infrastructure we need and allows us to keep our solutions completely open and accelerate network services deployment," said Roger Heinz, vice president of convergence solutions, Lucent Technologies.

Availability

The Java Enterprise System is scheduled to ship by end of calendar year 2003 and is available directly through Sun and Sun iForce(SM) partners. Free evaluation for 90 days is available for the Java Enterprise System or any of its component products. Sun also offers a no hassle automatic term renewal each year based on the current number of employees to accommodate growth or downsizing.

For complete details on new services delivered by the Java Enterprise System, please visit Sun's comprehensive online press kit at http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/media/presskits/networkcomputing03q3/

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer(TM)" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com/

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, Solaris, iForce, SunNetwork, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brett Smith

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

(408) 276-6143

brett.smith@sun.com

Tina Badrot

Citigate Cunningham for Sun

(415) 618-8732

tbadrot@cunningham.com

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