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Sun Wins Java(TM) Enterprise System Deal With Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 January 2004, 06:00 CST

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. , the creator and leading advocate of Java(TM) technology, today announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts -- the largest health insurer in Massachusetts, providing healthcare coverage to more than 2.4 million members -- has purchased and plans to deploy the Sun Java(TM) Enterprise System. The Java Enterprise System is the strategic underpinning of Sun's software strategy and provides an integrated, open software system that delivers a core set of industry-leading shared enterprise network services for every business need. Today, Sun Microsystems announces that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) is planning to:

-- Migrate its existing identity management software to the Sun

Java Enterprise System Network Identity Services through Sun's

professional services consultants. Sun Services delivered the

architectural direction, implementation assistance for BCBSMA's next

generation role-based security infrastructure, skill assessments and

training, and ongoing support through its Sun Software Premium support

program. BCBSMA will immediately begin using the Java System Identity

Server for secure, integrated Web access management, delegated

administration, self service and federated identity management.

-- Implement the Java Enterprise System for more than 3,300 users on more

than 100 systems throughout its enterprise. BCBSMA presently uses a

wide variety of Sun systems.

-- As a result, BCBSMA anticipates significant savings over the next 18

months through the implementation of the Java Enterprise System.

"We chose the Java Enterprise System because we needed a base software infrastructure with the best price/performance," said Frank Enfanto, vice president of operations delivery and information security at BCBSMA. "As we make hardware/software decisions for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts core datacenter, it's imperative we have both flexibility and access to a wide variety of world-class software applications and network services that we need both now and in the future. Sun provides this with Java Enterprise System, by including the market-leading Java System Identity Server as the foundation for secure Web services -- security, customer privacy and data protection, which we will use today; and by delivering us the award-winning Java System Portal Server, which we plan on rolling out to our partner and associate portals in the future."

"Middleware is history," said Jonathan Schwartz, executive vice president, software at Sun. "The most demanding large-scale organizations don't have the time or patience to muddle around with hand-tooled middleware -- they need a systems approach, and a systems offering, that integrates all the platform elements required for the operation of high scale web services. BCBSMA represents the future -- one in which all businesses operate shared service environments, bringing together communities and employees, partners and suppliers, with a common infrastructure, a common technology model, and a common pursuit of simplicity and business opportunity. That's what the Java Enterprise System is all about."

The Java Enterprise System -- Helping Customers Meet the HIPAA Challenge

In addition to reaping the benefits of significant cost savings, customers like BCBSMA can focus on important initiatives such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance rather than the integration of disparate parts. HIPAA is designed to standardize the way sensitive patient data is electronically exchanged. To help meet those requirements, healthcare organizations can take advantage of advanced security features in the Java Enterprise System to help protect sensitive data and prevent costs associated with damage control. For healthcare providers like BCBSMA, components such as the Java System Identity Server and Java System Portal Server can help its network of employees, customers and doctors to better manage and update records in real-time.

Availability

The Java Enterprise System is available now 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 then current number of employees.

About Java Enterprise System

Serious software made simple, the Java Enterprise System seamlessly integrates award-winning and market-leading enterprise network applications and services at the heart of Web services. This complete standards-based software system is delivered as a single, pre-integrated entity on a predictable release cycle.

Radically simplified customer pricing -- $100 per employee per year (U.S. list price) -- delivers the peace of mind CIOs need to focus on what they do best: leverage IT to achieve business goals. The Java Enterprise System shared network services are provided by the following components and capabilities: Portal Server, Directory Server, Identity Server, Web Server, Messaging Server, Calendar Server, Instant Messaging, Application Server, Message Queue, Cluster and end-to-end security. For more information on the Java Enterprise System please visit: http://www.sun.com/software/javaenterprisesystem .

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts was founded 66 years ago by a group of community-minded business leaders. Today, headquartered in Boston, BCBSMA provides coverage to 2.4 million members. Consistently recognized for standards of service that is among the highest in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the choice for health care consumers seeking reliable and high quality health care coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

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/ .

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

CONTACT: Brett Smith of Sun Microsystems, Inc., +1-408-276-6143, or brett.smith@sun.com; or Jessica Bookach of Citigate Cunningham, +1-617-374-4217, or jbookach@citigatecunningham.com, for Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

CONTACT: Brett Smith of Sun Microsystems, Inc., +1-408-276-6143, orbrett.smith@sun.com; or Jessica Bookach of Citigate Cunningham,+1-617-374-4217, or jbookach@citigatecunningham.com, for Sun Microsystems,Inc.

Web site: http://sun.com/

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