Java Q&A With Ingrid Van Den Hoogen
Oct. 1, 2003 -
Ingrid Van Den Hoogen, Senior Director of Java and Strategic Marketing for
Sun's software division, answers questions on recent announcements from Sun,
a product naming update and Sun's continued commitment to the Java
community.
Q: It seems like Java technology is everywhere. Is it a platform or
language, what is it?
A: Java technology is more than just a programming language or a platform.
Java technology is the standard of excellence for the digital experience.
For consumers, developers and IT decision-makers who want their technology
to do more, Java technology is the essential ingredient. It powers a more
interactive, connected and intelligent experience. Java technology provides
the digital heartbeat for the best, most effective products in use today and
coming tomorrow.
Q: Sun recently launched some new initiatives at SunNetwork, its annual
user conference.
A: Yes, in response to customer needs, we want to simplify the customer's
IT experience. Sun is engaged in a major effort to bring over 225 software
products into a manageable number of systems. At SunNetwork we signaled the
need for a new system for network computing. We call that the Sun Java
System. The first of these to roll out are the Sun Java Enterprise System,
the Sun Java Desktop System and the Java Studio Enterprise.
The Sun Java Enterprise System provides a comprehensive network services
foundation -- from network identity services to portal, communications,
security services and an integrated Java Web services platform all
engineered into the operating system -- priced at $100 per employee per
year, including an unlimited right to use inside a company and the right for
a company to deliver to an infinite number of customers. It is still a
single price, a simple license of $100 per employee per year. This includes
the software, service, support, and training. The Sun Java Enterprise System
establishes a dramatic new benchmark for the delivery of a complete system
of standards-based software integrated as one entity.
The Sun Java Desktop System is the PC industry's first real alternative in
more than 15 years. It delivers a secure, familiar, affordable desktop
solution for enterprise customers. At $100 per desktop, the system includes
the full desktop environment and the latest release of Sun's StarOffice 7,
the latest release of the Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) platform and the
popular Mozilla browser, plus e-mail, calendaring and instant messaging
applications.
Java Studio Enterprise is a comprehensive, cost-effective, unified
development system that integrates development tools, services, and support
for building and testing world-class applications for the Java Enterprise
System. Targeted at Java Enterprise System developers, Java Studio
Enterprise will support Solaris, Solaris x86, Linux and Windows 2000, and is
the only developer environment that includes full access and support from
the Sun Developer Network and associated developer resources from Sun. The
Java Studio Enterprise offering is priced at $5 per employee when ordered as
a companion to the Java Enterprise System, and $1,895 seperately.
Sun will also be launching several new Sun Java System offerings in the near
future. These will include areas such as Mobility and JavaCard. Customers
are excited by these recent announcements and thrilled with the simplicity,
predictability, and affordability that they can now enjoy.
Q: How will this new naming help grow the Java community and market
opportunity for developers?
A: It helps the greater Java community by upleveling the value of Java
technology and extends the excellence of the technology into an entire
system, delivering a superior digital experience. It also signals to
developers that there will be volume systems for them to create new and
interesting networked applications and services. The overall Java community
will benefit from the Java Ecosystem to continue to expand to new markets.
All Java community members' products and services can benefit from this
greater market expansion.
Q: Will others be able to use the Java brand in their commercial products?
A: Sun offers a variety of branding opportunities to those that deploy
Java-based products. Java licensees can use the "Java Powered" and "Java
Compatible" brands to indicate that Java is an essential ingredient of their
products and leverage worldwide Java brand recognition and demand.
Q: How does Sun explain using Java in the Sun Java Desktop System, since
most of the components aren't developed using Java? Isn't this misleading?
A: No, the Sun Java Desktop System is the premiere platform for delivering
Java services to the PC user and its programming model is the J2SE
environment. We are ensuring the quality of the platform and its delivery of
Java technology to this important customer base. Java technology is
included in the system. As the creators and leading advocates of the
technology we are working to ensure the customer's Java experience on a PC
is the best possible using this system.
Q: What do you say to those that remain skeptical?
A: This move benefits everyone in the Java community. It uplevels Java
technology as a pervasive technology for a more immersive digital
experience. All products that promote the development and delivery of Java
technology benefit from this association. Sun is determined to work with
the Java community to continue to grow and expand the market for all Java
technology based products. This benefits the community as well as Sun.
Q: Where is the explosion of Java technologies most exciting for you?
A: Well, I'm a huge fan of wireless technologies. I think the ability to
connect everything to the network will become a reality sooner than most
people expect and wireless technologies will lead the charge. And what will
be the de facto platform for connected devices? The answer is Java
technology. As the reach of the entire network continues to expand, Java
technology will be the technology that enables open and secure connectivity.
Java technology will truly be everywhere.
Q: What is the ultimate message you'd like to deliver to the larger Java
community?
A: All participants in the Java ecosystem have contributed to building
tremendous momentum for the technology in the marketplace. Sun has recently
made major investments, through a variety of product and program moves, to
show the world that "Java is Everywhere." With the announcement of the Sun
Java System products, we've taken the next big step. In doing this, we're
increasing our commitment to drive further demand for Java technologies. We
expect this move to create even more business opportunities for the entire
ecosystem.
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