Javaos: Sun and IBM Announce Availability of Javaos for Business Software; Deliver Powerful Network Computing Solution for Businesses — Expand Opportunities for Industry Partners

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, August 10, 1998

IBM and Sun Microsystems, Inc. Wednesday announced immediate availability of JavaOS for Business operating system software. The new product provides a more economical way for companies to centrally manage business applications using Java 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; 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 JavaBean 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