Lotus and Sun Announce Availability of eSuite WorkPlace for the JavaStation NC; Powerful Network Computing Alliance Brings World Class Productivity Solutions to NC Desktop

Business Wire, July 15, 1998

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1998--At Internet World Summer `98, Lotus Development Corp. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced the availability of Lotus eSuite WorkPlace on Sun Microsystems' JavaStation network computer. Java technology-based, the eSuite WorkPlace provides JavaStation users with an easy-to-navigate desktop environment including an integrated Web browser, terminal emulator, file manager, e-mail and a set of compact business productivity applets: word processor, spreadsheet, calendar, address book and presentation graphics. The availability of the eSuite WorkPlace for Sun's JavaStation NC is part of a broader commitment from the two companies to provide their mutual customers and business partners with open, standards-based, network computing solutions. The two companies also announced today an eSuite WorkPlace "Try and Buy" trial offer and a special pricing program for Sun's Netra(tm) j server software customers.

"eSuite WorkPlace is the first complete Java technology-based set of business productivity applets built specifically for thin client offerings such as Sun's JavaStation network computer," said Lynne Capozzi, Lotus' vice president of marketing, Internet Applications Division. "Lotus and Sun are combining forces to provide the benefits of network computing solutions -- significantly lower cost of ownership, greater productivity and simpler and faster software upgrades -- to a broader range of users."

"Sun's relationship with vendors like Lotus reinforces our commitment to provide customers with a complete network computing solution based on Java," said Gene Banman, vice president, Java Systems Group at Sun Microsystems. "Together, we are providing JavaStation NC customers with a world-class office productivity suite. Lotus' eSuite WorkPlace, created using 100% Pure Java(tm) verified components, is an ideal program for Sun's JavaStation NC."

Since 1989, Lotus and Sun have worked together to provide tight integration and optimum performance between their respective technologies. The availability of eSuite on Sun JavaStation NCs and the eSuite "Try and Buy" bundling with Sun's Netra j server software further expand the Lotus and Sun alliance, complementing Sun's previously announced adoption of Lotus' InfoBus technology as the standard information sharing model for its JavaBeans components specification.

Lotus' eSuite

Lotus' eSuite family of products, which began shipping in the first quarter of this year, is designed to reduce the cost of computing while increasing productivity and speeding deployment of more robust and interactive intranet and extranet applications. The two eSuite product offerings are the eSuite WorkPlace and the eSuite DevPack. The eSuite WorkPlace is an easy-to-navigate desktop that offers users quick access to e-mail, Web browsing and a set of compact, easy-to-use business productivity applications based on Java. The eSuite DevPack is a set of programmable Java technology-based business productivity applets and development tools that enable Web application developers to more quickly build robust, interactive intranet and extranet applications.

"Try and Buy" Program Offers Free eSuite WorkPlace Trial

The two companies have also announced an eSuite WorkPlace "Try and Buy" trial offer and special pricing program for Sun's network computing customers. Through August 1999, Sun customers worldwide who purchase the Netra j server software package to enable and administer their JavaStation NCs will also receive a free trial version of Lotus' eSuite WorkPlace software at no additional cost. Existing Netra j customers can download the software from the Lotus Web site at http://esuite.lotus.com.

With the trial software, JavaStation NC users will enjoy full use of the eSuite WorkPlace product for a trial period of 120(a) days. The package also includes access to a monitored electronic administrator's forum and free software updates for the duration of the trial period. This software will be supplied through Lotus, Sun and their worldwide distributors.

"The eSuite/Netra j `Try & Buy' program advances the Lotus/Sun channel alliance. Given Lotus' commitment to Java and Sun's focus on interoperability, this trial offer should stimulate further reseller and developer interest in promoting Java technology from end to end within the enterprise. It's a win for Sun and Lotus, both at the client and server levels, and should allow us to drive demand within both the Lotus and Sun reseller bases," said Beth Wright, vice president of marketing and business development, The Merisel Open Computing Alliance.

"As a partner of both Lotus and Sun in the United States and internationally, we are excited about this Java technology-based offering, and look forward to growing our business, along with Lotus and Sun, as eSuite and the JavaStation NC are deployed by customers," said Mary Galvin, vice president of VAR sales for Santa Ana, California-based Ingram Micro Inc., the world's leading wholesale distributor of technology products and services, and a Sun-authorized master reseller.