SURGE IN SUNTONE CERTIFICATION IN EUROPE IS GOOD NEWS FOR COMPANIES SEEKING TO OUTSOURCE WEB SERVICESSURGE IN SUNTONE CERTIFICATION IN EUROPE IS GOOD NEWS FOR COMPANIES SEEKING TO OUTSOURCE WEB SERVICESIndustry Initiative Ensures Quality and Reliability of Web-Enabled Services and Applications Throughout Europe
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Nov. 21, 2001 -- Despite the slowdown in economies, or possibly because of it, the SunTone Certification and Branding Program, led by Sun Microsystems, Inc., is gaining significant ground in all key European markets. The list of companies across Europe joining the SunTone Certified ranks and delivering high-quality services and applications, grows daily. European service providers and independent software vendors (ISVs) are underscoring their commitment to quality web services by putting their services and applications to the test for SunTone certification. The SunTone certification program is an industry initiative that gives customers of Web-based services and applications a universal means for identifying solution providers that have been evaluated and judged to meet high standards of security, availability, reliability and performance. As companies turn to outsourcing to save on capital expenditures and fully focus on their core business, the SunTone program is helping them pinpoint providers with high-quality solutions in these challenging economic times. Unlike emulating programs with vendor-specific requirements, the specifications for SunTone certification cover the full spectrum of outsourced service delivery and are developed by leading industry experts from around the world who have collaborated to define these high standards. SunTone certification requires that companies meet high-quality standards for excellence in infrastructure, operational practice, performance, security and availability, which enables them to meet the high levels of customer service commitments in the current market environment. "In a flatter economy where customers are increasingly turning to outsourced services, the SunTone program is a valuable offering for providers who want to differentiate themselves and give customers confidence in their solutions," said Tim Dwyer, vice president of Sun's Industry Solutions Group. "Customers, too, recognize the integrity and importance of this quality 'seal of approval' and are making it a prerequisite from their vendors. Sun wants to see solution providers from around the world excel in the marketplace and the SunTone program is our commitment to help them bring quality IT solutions to market and drive business to their doors." Sun provides its SunTone Certified quality "seal of approval" for select service providers and ISVs whose solutions and methodologies have undergone a rigorous assessment from top to bottom. Certification is awarded in two categories:
In addition to international companies, such as Oracle, Level 3, Digex, WorldCom, etc., operating in Europe, those joining the elite cadre of European companies with SunTone Certified solutions include:
About the SunTone Certification and Branding ProgramThe SunTone Certification and Branding Program is a collaborative industry effort, led by Sun Microsystems, Inc., to promote 7-by-24 service and reliability as a norm for consumer and business Internet-based services. Under the SunTone program, service providers, independent software vendors and integrators have endured a rigorous review process which examines infrastructure, operational practices, hardware, software, and overall service delivery to help ensure that the services or products provided by a company meet the SunTone program's best practices and high quality standards. Certification under the SunTone program is designed to give customers the confidence that each aspect of the company's operations and infrastructure has been evaluated and judged to be reliable and of high quality based on industry-derived standards. Launched in May 1999, The SunTone program currently has more than 1500 applicants for certification and more than 200 SunTone Certified solutions available to meet a variety of business needs. 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 take their businesses to the nth. Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, SunTone and the SunTone Certified logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.PR Contacts for Press and Analysts:
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