SUN MICROSYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE BETA AVAILABILITY OF THE JAVA 2 PLATFORM, ENTERPRISE EDITION (J2EE) CONNECTOR ARCHITECTURESUN MICROSYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE BETA AVAILABILITY OF THE JAVA 2 PLATFORM, ENTERPRISE EDITION (J2EE) CONNECTOR ARCHITECTUREEmpowering the Industry with Uniform Connectivity to Back-End EIS Applications
Palo Alto, CA -- February 26, 2001 -- Sun Microsystems Inc., (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced the immediate availability of the beta version for Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Connector Architecture, a key component of J2EE 1.3 Reference Implementation. The J2EE Connector Architecture adds a whole new dimension to the J2EE platform by providing a standard architecture for back-end applications such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Resource Management (CRM) systems to "plug-and-play" with any J2EE 1.3 compatible application server. Currently, there are over 25 licensees of the J2EE platform. The specification of the 1.0 version of J2EE Connector Architecture is presently in a proposed final draft stage as part of the Java Community Process Program (JCP). "As companies develop their e-business strategy, J2EE will become the centerpiece of their existing and planned EIS components," said Rich Green, vice president and general manager of Java Software, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The J2EE Connector Architecture simplifies the task of integrating existing disparate Enterprise Information Systems and applications with J2EE based enterprise applications. The addition of the J2EE Connector Architecture to the J2EE platform further enhances one of the key value propositions of the J2EE platform which is simplified connectivity." The Power of the J2EE Connector ArchitectureJ2EE Connector Architecture solves many of the hurdles faced today by software developers and application server vendors in the integration of the J2EE platform based enterprise applications with existing heterogeneous Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) such as ERP, CRM and legacy databases. The J2EE Connector Architecture addresses the integration issues under the scope of the J2EE platform by defining a standard architecture and a uniform interface that enables existing EISs to "plug-and-play" with any J2EE compatible application servers. Application servers that support the J2EE Connector Architecture will be able to simply "plug in" a J2EE Connector Architecture based resource adapter for a particular EIS. Application server vendors will thus be able to leverage these resource adapters to integrate with various EISs without any additional work. Likewise, EIS vendors need only provide one standard J2EE Connector Architecture-based resource adapter that can then "plug in" to any J2EE compatible application server. Connector architecture also simplifies enterprise application integration for enterprise tools and EAI vendors by defining a Common Client Interface for accessing heterogeneous EISs. Just as the JDBC Data Access Application Programming Interface (API) extended the Java platform to integrate relational databases, the Connector Architecture extends the J2EE platform to integrate and extend the EISs that manage valuable business processes and data in an enterprise. The Connector Architecture enables scalable, simplified access to valuable enterprise information resources, without compromising data integrity or security on the EISs. The Industry Stands Behind the J2EE PlatformJ2EE technology has swiftly become the de-facto industry standard for developers of enterprise solutions. Since its release in December 1999, J2EE technology has committed 25 key software companies as licensees representing an overwhelming majority of the application server market. (Visit http://java.sun.com/j2ee/licensees.html for the most recent update on J2EE licensees). These licensees reinforce J2EE platform's value as the secure, stable, end-to-end platform for large-scale business-to-business marketplaces and high-volume transaction processing on the Web for enterprises and developers who are building applications and services. J2EE 1.3, currently available in beta at http://java.sun.com/j2ee/, builds upon the same value proposition as J2EE 1.2 and offers a rich set of new and enhanced features built to help businesses in today's networked economy. J2EE 1.3 beta offers faster solution delivery time to market, freedom of choice, and simplified connectivity by leveraging XML, Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) 2.0 architecture, JavaServer Pages (JSP) 1.2 technology and Servlets 2.3, J2EE blueprints, the J2EE Connector Architecture, and Java API for XML Parsing (JAXP). Commitment to Development Through the Java Community Process ProgramFurthering its commitment to work with the Java technology developer community on the future direction of the Java technologies, Sun opened the J2EE Connector Architecture Specification Request (JSR) #16 (more information is available at http://java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess/jsr/jsr_016_connect.html) through the JCP and is working with the expert group members from BEA Systems. Inc.; Borland Software Corporation; Fujitsu Limited; IBM Corporation; InLine Software; iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun/Netscape Alliance; Motorola, Inc.; Oracle Corporation; Sybase Inc. and Unisys to define a standard architecture that will streamline connectivity between the multitude of application servers and existing enterprise information systems. Tibco Software Inc. and SAP also contributed to the J2EE Connector Architecture specification. The 1.0 version of Connector architecture specification will have a final release with the FCS of J2EE 1.3 reference implementation in Q3 of 2001. The call for the expert group participants of the J2EE Connector Architecture version 2.0 will be opening very shortly.
Industry Commitment to the J2EE Connector Architecture:
Actional Corporation"J2EE Connector Architecture is a cornerstone interoperability standard that will give our customers the ability to leverage and extend their IT infrastructure, and improve the extensibility of custom applications and portals," said Michelle Soleau, vice president of Marketing at Actional Corp., "Actional is committed to delivering J2EE technology support for the Actional Control Broker (ACB) platform as early as Q 2 of this year." Allaire"Allaire has consistently shown commitment and support for industry standards, and the J2EE Connector Architecture is a critical, open standard component to the J2EE interoperability strategy moving forward," said Dan Murphy, JRun senior product marketing manager, Allaire. "The ability to link disparate systems in order to fully leverage an organization's business value is critical. We plan to fully embrace and support this exciting new spec." BEA Systems, Inc."BEA is committed to helping companies get to market as quickly and easily as possible with new e-business applications while preserving the value of existing business systems. BEA has driven the J2EE Connector Architecture specification, and its adoption of J2EE Connector Architecture across the BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform demonstrates BEAs continuing commitment to J2EE technology leadership," said Scott Dietzen, chief technology officer of the BEA E-Commerce Server Division. "BEA is well positioned to help lead J2EE Connector Architecture adoption by ISVs, systems integrators, and developers as the standard architecture for integrating applications into e-business systems, in yet another example of how BEA is helping future-proof e-business with the latest technologies based on open standards." Borland Software Corporation"As a member of the J2EE committee Borland has been very involved in the specification and implementation of the J2EE Connector Architecture," said Jonathan Weedon, Chief Architect at Borland Software Corporation. "Our recent release of Borland AppServer 4.5 which includes the first implementation of this standards based specification has been very well received by our corporate customers interested in accessing legacy data and other enterprise systems. We are very pleased to be working with Sun and others to provide a standard architecture for integrating Java applications with existing enterprise information systems." Brokat Technologies"Brokat's Server Technologies product line will adopt J2EE Connector Architecture by providing compliant application server products as well as a set of connectors for legacy and CRM applications. Brokat customers will benefit from J2EE Connector Architecture by improved investment protection and reduced time-to-market for the development of user-centric business solutions," said Stefan Ropers, vice president of product management and product marketing with Brokat Technologies. Bull Information Systems"The J2EE Connector Architecture clearly creates an great opportunity for companies with significant investment in legacy applications to expose those applications in scaleable web application servers with minimal, and often no changes required to the back-end programs. The open standard API for Java Application Servers also protects a company's investment in the middle-tier and provides the flexibility to move applications between application servers unchanged. JCA provides a solid framework for integrating proprietary EIS connectors. Developing a J2EE Connector Architecture Resource Adapter for GCOS has allowed Bull to add session pools, security and global transaction support to our existing GCOS TCP Enterprise Access (GTEA) host connector leveraging 100 percent of the existing GTEA code, said Trent Shue, Project Manager, e-Commerce Development, Bull Information Systems." Fujitsu Limited"Fujitsu is working to develop the J2EE Connector Architecture as a member of the expert group, and is very pleased to contribute our technology to this important specification for E-business," said Mr. Mitsuhiro Hashimoto, General Manager, Application Server Software Division, Software Group, Fujitsu Limited. "We plan to support the J2EE Connector Architecture in Fujitsu's application server product, INTERSTAGE in the near future." Hitachi, Ltd."Hitachi welcomes the Beta release of the J2EE Connector Architecture as an important technology for linking existing enterprise information systems and packages. We are confident that this technology will help achieve e-business integrated with other business systems," said Shoji Yamamoto, executive general manager of Hitachi, Ltd., Software Division. "We will integrate the J2EE Connector Architecture into Hitachi's EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) technology and products, which will enable us to provide customers with a greater variety of e-business solutions in a shorter time." HP Bluestone"HP Bluestone is committed to standards and, because of that, we are committed to the J2EE platform. Our infrastructure and products are based on the J2EE platform. J2EE Connector Architecture helps us enable our customers to leverage their enterprise information assets and future-proof their investments," said Bob Bickel, Chief Technology Officer, Hewlett-Packard Company Middleware Division. IBM Corporation"Industry standards are key to the success of e-Business," said Rob Lamb, director of Business Process Management, IBM. "The J2EE Connector Architecture standard is a strong enabling technology for e-Business integration. Our WebSphere family of products will harness J2EE connectors developed by IBM and the rest of the industry to integrate e-Business solutions with mission critical applications." iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun/Netscape Alliance"iPlanet as a whole is committed to open standards and as a result is committed to the J2EE platform. The company itself has bet all of its infrastructure and all of its applications on J2EE technology as the standard infrastructure going forward. The Java Connector Architecture enables companies to leverage their enterprise information assets by integrating the iPlanet Application Server through the J2EE standard," said Rick O Herron, Senior Product Manager, iPlanet Application Server. MERANT"As a strategic partner with Sun since the inception of Java and the endorsed provider of JDBC technology for data access within the J2EE architecture, we are excited about the opportunity that the J2EE connector architecture brings to the Java platform," said Brian Reed, MERANT vice president of product management. "MERANT is the market leader in enterprise information access and legacy transformation and integration, and together with Sun, we can now help companies embrace J2EE and build enterprise-class Java applications that integrate modern and legacy data, applications, transactions and processes." Oracle Corporation"Oracle is committed to developing its products in conjunction with ongoing standards activities. We view the J2EETM platform as a critical standard and our application server technology offers full support for the J2EE platform. As an early participant in the design and development of the J2EE Connector Architecture, we are proud to endorse this technology and believe this technology will prove essential to satisfying our customers' needs," said Thomas Kurian, vice president of e-Business, Oracle Corporation. Persistence Software"Persistence enthusiastically supports the J2EE Connector Architecture as a means for helping our customers leverage their investments in enterprise information systems. We also see it as a potential vehicle for delivering PowerTier's core benefits -- transactional object caching, distributed cache synchronization, real-time client notification and model-based object-relational mapping -- to an even wider audience of J2EE users. Persistence is pleased to work with the Java community in advancing this important new element of the J2EE standard," said Jim Barton, CTO of Persistence Software. SilverStream Software, Inc."SilverStream was the first vendor to provide a roadmap for comprehensive support of J2EE Connector Architecture, and we have committed to supporting this critical enterprise connectivity and interoperability standard through our eBusiness Platform products," said Arny Epstein, CTO at SilverStream Software, Inc. "We recognize the ability of J2EE Connector Architecture to provide an open integration platform for Java based applications, and plan to deliver key technologies for supporting both the application server and application adapter portions of J2EE Connector Architecture. SilverStream is committed to providing our customers with standards-based products to support their short and long-term eBusiness needs, and J2EE Connector Architecture will enable our customers to better leverage investments in all their systems and software." WebGain"A standardized J2EE Connector Architecture will do for Enterprise Information Systems what JDBC did for databases, and WebGain's TopLink team is eager to work with it," said Ted Farrell, CTO at WebGain. "Our clients will be able to build scaleable integrated applications that access a variety of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) using TopLink, our Enterprise Java Persistence product. It will leverage the power of TopLink's integration architecture, Enterprise Java Beans, and key application servers including BEA WebLogic and IBM WebSphere. About Sun Microsystems, Inc.Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - The Network Is The Computer -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $17.6 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com. Java Community Process ProgramSince its introduction in 1995 as the open, participative process to develop and revise Java technology specifications, reference implementations, and technology compatibility kits, the Java Community Process program has fostered the evolution of the Java platform in cooperation with the international Java developer community. More than 80 Java technology specifications are in development in the JCP program, which has over 300 company and individual participants. For more information on the JCP program, please visit http://java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess.
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