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Home > SOA News > Sun software shines bright |
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Market Analysis Yesterday we looked at Sun Microsystems server offerings. When it comes to software, McNealy made a number of interesting points. As might be expected the Sun CEO was keen to point out how popular Java is compared to Microsoft's .NET and pointed out that he is convinced that Java will continue to be found close to the heart of many developments, including Web services and security (Smart) cards. However for all of the talk of Java it is clear that within Sun, Solaris is still regarded to be the crown jewels. Much was made of the security features that have been designed into the operating system along with its scalability and availability. With Solaris delivering almost 100% gross margin McNealy made it very clear that Sun will not be running from Unix. Indeed in some ways it is apparent that Sun believes that Linux may finally bring to Unix the "respect" that the company plainly feels the platform deserves. The company once again took the opportunity to confirm that it only plans to provide "infrastructure software" and will not supply vertical applications. With this in mind Sun gave an outline on its plans for its N1 management platform. N1 is being created with the objective of managing the "white spaces" between systems rather than as a replacement for traditional systems management tools. At the same time N1 is looking to provide the capability to turn existing system silos into managed data centres, with a focus on operating with a Business Service perspective. The broad roadmap for N1 sees it enhancing its Virtualisation capabilities during this year as Sun assimilates its recent software acquisitions with the areas of Provisioning and Policy Automation targeted for development over the next couple of years. Given the complex nature of the areas that N1 is targeted to address, it is clear that early offerings are likely to combine software, hardware and services. In the near future Sun will be confirming details of Project Orion, a new way of delivering and pricing software. At the centre of Orion can be found a method of covering the release of all Sun software on single distribution 4 times a year. All of the products included in the release will have been certified as "integratable" whilst Sun hopes that other ISVs may wish to release their tools and applications via the same mechanism. The company has also recognised that today more customers are looking for flexible licensing options including, "subscription and granular pricing options". In addition to the traditional software licensing models currently available (per CPU, per Seat etc.), Sun plans to offer additional schemes providing "Predictable" (easier to deploy and use) and "Metered" (eventually) alternatives. It is clear that Sun has begun to address the need to revise both the functionality of its software products along with providing extra flexibility in how these are licensed. This flexibility may prove to be absolutely essential, especially as Scott McNealy, Sun's CEO, expects that pretty soon everything, everyone and every animal will be "connected" and chipped with identifying security tags. Sun has challenges ahead as it seeks to maintain its extensive R&D budgets in the face of strong market competition, but the company is confident of its future. Watch out for future developments.
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