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Technology Stocks : IDT *(idtc) following this new issue?* -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rest42 who wrote (7632)	5/13/1999 8:16:00 AM
From: rest42	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 30916

Sun comes out for service providers BRIAN QUINTON Sun Microsystems last week announced a new campaign to sell its products to service providers that want to migrate stand-alone enterprise applications, such as Web hosting, e-mail and e-commerce, into outsourced services for end users. Targeting service providers—including Internet access suppliers, systems integrators, value-added resellers and Web developers—the initiative will package 20 new products, services, leasing programs and a certification to be called “SunTone.” Under that certification, Sun will specify minimum requirements for the delivery architecture that a company must possess to provide Sun products and services. Sun will issue to end users a written availability guarantee for the systems of certified SunTone providers. It also will offer providers performance analysis and capacity planning services for optimizing their systems. As part of the ServiceProvider.com offering, the Sun-Netscape Alliance—a partnership between Sun and America Online's Netscape Enterprise Group—previewed new versions of its messaging servers. Netscape Messaging Server 4.1 will perform many functions of a Web server, tying enterprise and Web community messaging servers directly into Web browsers. Sun Internet Mail Server 4.0 will let application service providers host messaging for clients and includes features such as virtual hosting of multiple domains on one server. In addition, Digex, a participant in the ServiceProvider.com program, announced a new service built on i-Plant, Sun's browser-based remote access system that gives remote users encrypted access to e-mail and corporate data. The application uses Java applets to set up virtual private networks on demand. In recent weeks, computer hardware vendors such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Cisco Systems and Intel have all rolled out integrated service and equipment packages to ensure that their products are considered by providers looking to roll out or expand hosted services. Sun company figures estimate that 75% of all service providers use Sun servers or other equipment. A spokesman estimated that the hosted services market will generate $142 billion in revenue in the next three years. RETURN TO HEADLINES ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CROSSTALK