Wednesday August 21 8:20 AM EDT
Sun And IBM Join Forces To Define Internet Application
Architecture
Collaboration Cross Licenses Joe, MQSeries and CICS
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.
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.
IBM, CICS and MQSeries are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation in the United States and other countries. |
