Sun and IBM Team to Accelerate Adoption of Network Computing on Java Platform
IBM reinforces commitment to Java Platform, Backs JavaOS for Business Product
PALO ALTO, Calif. & SOMERS, N.Y. (April 01, 1998) – Sun Microsystems, Inc. and IBM announced today that they are collaborating to deliver JavaOS(TM) for Business(TM) software, a new operating system software product optimized for network computing on the Java(TM) platform. This alliance by the two foremost leaders in network computing will accelerate the adoption of a more affordable, easier to manage, and simpler model of computing.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop and co-market the JavaOS for Business software. The product will provide computer and component manufacturers, software vendors, channel integrators and enterprise customers with an open industry platform optimized to run Java applications in a centrally managed environment. The JavaOS for Business product will be able to leverage immediately the wide variety of applications written for the Java platform as they continue to appear in the marketplace. It is the ideal system software for use in thin clients such as network computers (NCs) and remote terminals including kiosks and ticket machines.
Sun and IBM plan to make the product available to manufacturers midyear 1998. IBM plans to offer the JavaOS for Business product initially on its high-end Network Station network computers in early 1999. Sun will migrate customers using the JavaStation(TM) family of products from JavaOS(TM) for NCs(TM), to the JavaOS for Business software, over the next year.
The JavaOS for Business product is designed so that client machines can connect to any hardware or software platform and can be centrally managed from a wide variety of server platforms. This is of great benefit to companies looking to “plug-in” best-of-breed solutions throughout their enterprise.
To date, businesses can choose from more than 1,000 shipping commercial applications for the Java platform from vendors such as Lotus, Oracle, Informix and SAS.
“Together with IBM, we are helping companies realize the true benefits of thin-client network computing, namely more affordable access to network services, increased security,improved manageability and remote administration, and ease-of-use,” said Janpieter Scheerder, president of SunSoft, Inc. and corporate executive officer of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Scheerder added, “JavaOS software running applications written for the Java platform delivers all these benefits, along with access to a wealth of platform-independent applications. Together, Sun and IBM are helping to consolidate the industry and drive a standard operating environment designed specifically to realize the benefits of network computing on the Java platform.”
The JavaOS for Business product is designed for line-of-business applications — such as claims processing, banking, inventory management and call center support. The applications are stored and managed on the server, where IT professionals can focus on managing the computing environment centrally. This style of computing assists companies in rapidly deploying applications and services to the end user. This can lower their overall cost of computing while enabling their employees to concentrate on using computers as simple, efficient tools for doing their jobs.
“We believe open industry standards are a cornerstone for building network computing solutions. Our collaboration with Sun brings together the industry’s two leading proponents of standards-based computing on the Java platform,” said Mike Lawrie, general manager, Network Computing Software Division, IBM. “JavaOS for Business builds upon this initiative by providing independent software vendors (ISVs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), channel integrators, device providers and our customers with an excellent platform for building and deploying network computing solutions. This will assist our customers in transitioning to a more efficient and affordable model of computing.”
According to Michele Hagan, general manager, eSuite product development, Lotus Development Corp., “As the first vendor in the marketplace with a comprehensive Java-based productivity solution, Lotus eSuite WorkPlace, we believe that the JavaOS for Business product will accelerate the adoption of solutions based on the Java platform. We expect to work closely with IBM and other OEM manufacturers to deliver the eSuite WorkPlace for JavaOS for Business software.”
Source: IBM