Sun And IBM Join Forces To Define Internet Application Architecture; Collaboration Cross Licenses Joe, MQSeries and CICS

Business Wire, August 21, 1996

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 1996--Sun Microsystems, Inc. and IBM Corporation today expanded their business relationship by announcing their intention to provide customers with more closely integrated software solutions for their enterprise computing environments.

The approach, which combines leading client, messaging and connectivity products, will empower customers with the tools they need to smoothly connect their existing enterprise applications to private intranets and the public Internet.

The relationship will include the following elements:

-- IBM will license Sun's Java(TM) client connectivity product, Joe(TM).

Joe allows businesses to deliver the power of their corporate applications to any platform that supports the Java programming language.

-- Sun will license class libraries, which include interfaces to IBM's powerful MQSeries(TM) messaging system.

MQSeries simplifies interoperability across networks by managing the complex communications between applications running in different computing environments.

-- IBM will ready a version of its CICS(TM) server for Sun's Solaris(TM) operating system.

This advanced server provides the communications and networking management features to build global, heterogeneous networks, ranging from PCs to mainframes.

-- IBM will provide class libraries that will enable Java programmers to access IBM's CICS server, which will be made available on Sun's Solaris operating system in the fourth quarter.

-- Sun and IBM will augment their implementations of the Object Management Group's (OMG) Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) naming service with a common naming convention.

This enhancement will enable customers in both Sun and IBM environments to use a consistent means of accessing information.

"Java's growing popularity is fueling a tremendous demand for Java-based enterprise solutions. Our expanded alliance with Sun underscores IBM's commitment to lead in delivering on these requirements," said Steve A. Mills, general manager, IBM Software Solutions.

"Since its inception, Sun has delivered open, interoperable product solutions to its customers," said Janpieter Scheerder, president of SunSoft. "Our collaboration with IBM strengthens that approach."

Christopher Stone, president and chief executive officer of the OMG, said, "The world is no longer homogeneous. With this alliance, IBM and Sun will ensure interoperation between legacy and newer Internet-derived applications that make a business run."

By leveraging their combined expertise, Sun and IBM will make the intranet a reality for enterprise-class applications and solidify an industry-wide open standard approach to the Internet. IBM and Sun customers commented on the planned collaboration.

"We are pleased that vendors like Sun and IBM recognize the importance of providing integrated, multi-vendor solutions for an object-oriented infrastructure," said David Stoltzfus, principal, Enterprise Architecture at the Vanguard Group.

"In effect, this important alliance between IBM and Sun will make the intranet and Internet viable networks for enterprise applications," said Michael Kelly, senior vice president and chief information officer, Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

IBM Corporation

IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics.

IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technologies through the World Wide Web. The IBM home page is at www.ibm.com. The fastest, easiest way to get information about IBM Software is to go the IBM Software home page at www.software.ibm.com.

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

With annual revenues exceeding $7 billion, Sun Microsystems, Inc. provides products and services that enable customers to build and maintain open network computing environments. Widely recognized as a proponent of open standards, the company is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of products, technologies and services for commercial and technical computing. Sun's SPARC(TM) workstations, multiprocessing servers, SPARC microprocessors, Solaris operating software and ISO-certified service organization each rank No. 1 in the UNIX(R) industry. Java, Sun's platform-independent programming language, provides a comprehensive solution to the challenge of programming for complex networks, including the Internet. Sun Microsystems was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. -0-

Note to Editors: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunSoft, Java, Joe, and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd.