Sun reveals software strategy for establishing "WebTone" future of computing; Leading the charge to Java-ready, information-efficient networks

Business Wire, April 15, 1997

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1997--Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) today unveiled its software strategy and product focus for the remainder of the decade.

During the day-long briefing for journalists from around the world, SunSoft president Janpieter Scheerder and other key software executives and technologists mapped out Sun's comprehensive plan for establishing the 21st century computing equivalent to today's dial tone -- called the "WebTone" -- that will give companies and institutions round-the-clock network dependability for communicating internally and conducting business with suppliers, customers and partners. Sun also announced new web server and security products that are essential for maximizing information flow and business efficiency in a web-based networked world (see separate releases).

Taking Care of Business -- the WebTone

The day-long event, held at Sun's corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., was kicked off by Bill Raduchel, Sun's chief information officer, who described the challenges of running Sun's state-of-the-art global network, which serves more than 19,000 employees over 80 countries. Raduchel is currently focused on deploying 3,000 networked JavaStation clients in a massive internal pilot program.

Scott McNealy, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Sun, also gave his perspective on where the networked world is moving. "In today's world, people pick-up a phone, hear a dial tone, then communicate instantaneously with others around the world--in fact, you "boot" your telephone by just picking it up," said McNealy. "Some companies are already taking advantage of a computing network without technologic, geographic or time barriers -- a network over which partners, customers and employees can collaborate at any time, from anywhere, with anyone. To gain that competitive advantage, businesses are turning to the Internet, and Sun is providing the network foundation and delivering the continuous WebTone that makes it all possible."

Customers Can Focus on Business, Not Technology

"Our customers need a web foundation, development, management and security structure that enables them to get from where they are today to where they want to be with web-based computing," said Scheerder. "Sun is leading with products that make it all possible and we're providing the most comprehensive software framework available for conducting fast, safe web-based business." Sun's Scheerder described a web-based world where the ultimate aim of Sun's software is to let customers focus on business, not the underlying infrastructure -- a goal significantly aided by the arrival of Sun's revolutionary Java technology.

Delivering The WebTone

Sun described the "WebTone," the 21st century equivalent to today's dial tone that facilitates information flow across a multitude of devices from smartcards to supercomputers. The three characteristics of the WebTone are: -0-

-- It's always there, like the dial tone.

-- It provides services to business and consumers via the web-based

network.

-- It's accessible from any device (i.e. phones, kiosks, PDAs),

anywhere, anytime. -0-

Sun's software strategy meets head-on the demands of an exploding Internet market. According to Forrester Research, the Internet-based business-to-business commerce market is expected to grow to $66 billion during the next three years, and the market for the required infrastructure software is expected to represent $30 billion.

Sun's software focus now and for the next several years is to: -0-

-- provide solutions that allow companies to evolve from traditional LANs and WANs to global web-based computing at their own pace, while protecting existing investment and lowering total cost of ownership

-- champion easy, automatic desktop and device interoperability, and provide intuitive software that will facilitate seamless, highly secure information flow across a multitude of devices such as smartcards, PDAs, cellular phones, desktop computers, servers and supercomputers

-- supply a web software foundation that concentrates network complexity at the back-end while providing users with easy access at the front-end

-- attack areas of real concern to customers implementing network computing. These include: network dependability, easy access/use, speed, global connection, manageability, seamless information flow and airtight security

-- provide software solutions that let customers reap the multifaceted benefits of Java technology

-- work with leading ISVs and industry vendors to provide customers with the widest range of applications and multiplatform, business-based solutions available. -0-

Support for Windows NT Users

Sun's software strategy embraces both desktops and servers using Windows NT. Sun's industrial-strength software servers interoperate with virtually any LAN, including Windows NT. They can eliminate downtime -- increasing productivity and reducing cost of ownership. Sun integration is seamless -- invisible to the user and familiar to the network manager -- and affordable, with entry-level servers priced competitively with Windows NT.