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Sun Microsystems on Thursday released the third version of its Java Enterprise System infrastructure software, which includes new software like the Sun Java System Identity Manager, Sun Java System Portal Access, the NI Grid Service Provisioning System and the Sun Java Studio tools portfolio.
The JES also now offers multiplatform support for Solaris 10 on both SPARC and x86 hardware, for HP-UX, Linux, and Windows 2000 and XP. The software is also licensed under a single annual fee that gives users unlimited use rights.
Sun Java Enterprise System Release 3 is available for $140 per employee per year, which includes access to the comprehensive set of software for enterprise deployment with an infinite right to use.
Sun Microsystems Inc. has signed up some 360 customers representing nearly 433,000 seats worldwide to its JES.
The new software components in JES version 3 include the Sun Java System Identity Manager, which brings integrated user provisioning and identity synchronization services, and the Sun Java System Application Server Enterprise Edition, which extends the advanced operational capabilities of the Sun Java System Application Server Standard Edition, adding failover and recovery to provide continuous availability for J2EE (Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition) applications and Web services.
Suns latest quarterly results, released earlier this month, showed that the growth in JES server software sales had slowed down. Sun sold only 15,000 new JES subscriptions in that quarter, the lowest number since the program started in 2003.
Sun officials have also confirmed that the company is looking at open-sourcing JES, but have declined to say when that might happen.
But some analysts like Stacey Quandt, an analyst at research company Robert Frances Group Inc. of Westport, Conn., question the rationale for opening JES. “They are making money from it, so there is no reason at present to open-source it or any of the other software up the stack,” Quandt said.
“That totally misses the fundamental shift in the software industry—its like saying Google shouldnt be free or they wont be able to make money,” countered Jonathan Schwartz, Suns president and chief operating officer.
“In fact, the more people taking advantage of Googles free service, the more attractive their business model. Same with us—the more users there are, the more opportunity there is for service contracts, systems sales, JES licenses, storage and hooking into our grid,” Schwartz said. “For us, open source is capitalism and a business opportunity at its very best.”
The N1 Grid Service Provisioning System automates application provisioning by enabling administrators to deploy, configure and update network services from a Web browser, while simplifying complex software installation and configuration.
The Sun Java System Portal Server Mobile Access dynamically renders and delivers personalized and aggregated content to partners, customers and employees using wireless mobile devices.
Also included is the Sun Java Studio Enterprise, a model-driven analysis, design and development environment that leverages the UML (Unified Modeling Language); and Sun Java Studio Creator, a next-generation tool for Java application development that combines simplified visual development techniques with the power of Java technology platform standards.
Next Page: Suns new tool suites work for enterprise.
Suns New Tool Suites
Earlier this year Sun announced five new market-driven suites designed to provide high-impact customer solutions that are easier to buy and implement for identity management, application platform services, system availability and communications.
The new Sun Java System Suites allow customers to quickly and easily deploy the optimal set of Java Enterprise System technologies at $50 per employee per year. Each suite includes Suns full portfolio of development tools to enable customers to easily adapt systems and applications.
The Sun Java Application Platform Suite provides an integrated set of the tools and services to design, develop, deploy and manage the delivery of next-generation SOA (service-oriented architecture.)
The Sun Java Availability Suite facilitates higher service levels at lower cost and enables service-level management of mission-critical applications. The Sun Java Communications Suite links information and people throughout the organization regardless of location or device.
The Sun Java Identity Management Suite provides the core functions and services required to securely use, share and manage identity information, while the Sun Java Web Infrastructure Suite provides security and access control to existing Web application infrastructures, or can be used as a secure Web application deployment platform.
John Loiacono, executive vice president of Suns software group, said that “by tearing down the traditional barriers of software infrastructure cost and complexity, Sun Java Enterprise System is aligning business needs with an integrated set of enterprise network services. When combined with our Solaris 10 operating system, the two platforms deliver a compelling, integrated solution.”
Some enterprise customers agree. Broadband-data and Internet-services provider Telecom Ottawa, of Markham, Ontario, selected JES running on Solaris to help it roll out cost-effective, mission-critical services to its business customers.
Telecom Ottawa has a large Ethernet network and it chose JES to help standardize the software required to run its numerous business applications. “Telecom Ottawa is taking the lead in Ontarios telecom sector by using technology solutions that allow us to provide the best tools our customers need to conduct business,” said chief operating officer Dave Dobbin.