Sun and IBM Announce
Availability of JavaOS for
Business Software!
Deliver
Powerful Network Computing Solution for Businesses -- Expand Opportunities
for Industry Partners.
PALO ALTO, Calif. and SOMERS, N.Y.,
August 5, 1998
-- IBM and Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced immediate
availability of JavaOSTM for BusinessTM operating system
software.
The new product provides a more economical way for companies
to centrally manage business applications using JavaTM
technologies in network computing environments.
The two companies also announced related JavaOS for Business
support programs for industry partners, including a full
spectrum of
software tools, testing facilities and educational assistance,
to
enable them to build network computing business solutions.
JavaOS for Business software is specifically designed so
that
companies can centrally store and manage applications used
to run
their businesses -- such as inventory management or insurance
claims processing -- from servers on a network. The servers
can be
connected to network computers and other "thin clients"
such as
kiosks, ticket machines and remote terminals.
JavaOS for Business software provides significant advantages
over
personal computer operating systems on networks because
it
enables businesses to manage and maintain the entire operating
system, services and applications from a centralized server.
As a result of this server-based central management, businesses
can
greatly reduce system administration costs. At the same
time, they
can take advantage of the capability to easily add or remove
client
computers from the network in minutes, without local system
administration, because they do not have to individually
install
software in the client machines. In addition, JavaOS for
Business
software is designed to give companies greater flexibility
in
implementing server-managed solutions because it is an open
system based on industry standards.
This more cost-effective, easier-to-manage style of computing
enables companies to rapidly and securely deploy applications
and
services to end users. Because of these benefits, JavaOS
for
Business software is an ideal platform for companies looking
to
leverage leading business applications written for the Java
platform.
JavaOS for Business software, which is jointly developed
by Sun
and IBM and co-marketed to computer and component
manufacturers, software vendors and channel integrators,
can
leverage immediately the wide variety of applications written
for
the Java platform. In fact, businesses can choose from more
than
1,200 commercial applications available today.
JavaOS for Business software is also garnering growing industry
support with endorsements from a wide variety of other industry
leaders, including: Applix; BEA Systems; Cloudscape; Computer
Associates; Informix Software; Lotus Development; Nemasoft;
Netscape Communications; Oracle; SAP AG; SAS Institute;
Sybase; and Tivoli **.
"With the delivery of JavaOS for Business software,
Sun and IBM
are taking the next major step in advancing network computing
using the Java platform and are driving toward a standard
operating
system for thin-client computing," said Tim Sloane,
a technology
analyst at Aberdeen Group. "In particular, they are
providing their
business partners, customers and the industry with the capability
to
deploy network-based applications in a more efficient and
cost
effective manner.
Sloane continued, "The problems solved by centrally
managed,
thin-client network computing are particularly relevant
to several
specific industries. As an example, bank tellers, ticket
agents and
call center professionals spend the majority of their time
using
transaction-oriented business applications, which are ideally
suited
to this type of computing environment. At the same time,
companies benefit by eliminating the ongoing cost of maintenance,
support, training and upgrading of PCs. And the companies
benefit
-- in terms of cost savings and increased efficiency --
by centrally
managing the applications in a more secure fashion, while
deploying them across the network."
JavaOS for Business
Software Features
New JavaOS for Business product features
deliver on the promise
of centrally managed, thin-client computing. They include
greatly
simplified systems management; remote administration of
thin-client systems; improved systems efficiency; and complete
support programs for independent software and hardware vendors
(ISVs and IHVs).
Highlights include:
Tools and Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs) for
server-side management of the entire client, including
the
operating system, its services and a user's applications
A reliable operating system that can be ported to different
microprocessor platforms
An innovative device-driver interface that enables
developers to write platform-independent device drivers
using the Java application environment. Once written,
the
drivers can run on any JavaOS for Business platform
Ability to load, unload and configure plug-and-play
device
drivers from the server with easy-to-use JavaBeanTM
interfaces for significant improvements in system
manageability
Advanced server-side management that allows system
administrators to dynamically reconfigure systems without
rebooting
Modular client-side features that ensure delivery of
only
services that are needed, providing more efficient
use of
system memory
Support for JDK 1.1.4, NT and Solaris servers
International language support
Host of New Support Programs for Industry Partners
In addition to the JavaOS for Business software, IBM and
Sun
announced immediate availability of OEM adaptation kits,
the
JavaOS for Business Software Developers Kit, and ISV and
IHV
enablement programs. These offerings will provide computer
and
component manufacturers with the support systems, programming
and build-environment code necessary to create a server-managed,
network computing solution.
ISV and IHV programs
include:
A 100% Pure JavaTM certification
program; Solution Studios;
JavaOS for Business developer camps for the retail,
banking,
insurance, process and manufacturing markets; device-driver
workshops; distribution assistance; and technical
documentation and support via the Internet.
JavaOS for Business Software on Sun and IBM Network
Computers
IBM plans to begin offering the JavaOS for Business product
on its
Network Station computers in early 1999. Sun plans to begin
offering JavaOS for Business on its JavaStationTM family
of
products in early 1999 as well.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information
technology company, with
80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM
Software offers the widest range of applications, middleware
and
operating systems for all types of computing platforms,
allowing
customers to take full advantage of the new era of e-business.
The
fastest way to get more information about IBM software is
through
the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.
More information on JavaOS for Business is available at http://www.ibm.com/java/javaos.
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular
vision, "The Network Is The
Computer,"TM has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc.,
(NASDAQ:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of
hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide
intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With
more than
$9 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more
than 150
countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.
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