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MORE THAN 1,400 SPARCWARE APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Sun's Program for Software Vendors Expands to Meet Need
 
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--October 31, 1989-  During the past six months,
the growing amount of SPARCware(TM) application software has increased
significantly -- to a total of 1,400 packages -- Sun Microsystems today
reported.  In April, there were 500 third-party UNIX(R) packages ported
to the SPARC(TM) RISC architecture.  According to Bill Larson, director
of market development at Sun, there are now more than 150 packages
being ported to SPARC per month.

"The number of SPARCware applications exceeds all other RISC-based UNIX
software combined," said Larson.  It include versions of some of the
industry's most popular packages from companies such as WordPerfect,
AutoDesk, Oracle, Informix, SAS, Sybase, RTI, Interleaf, Frame,
Mathematica, Valid Logic, Dazix, CADAM, McDonnell Douglas and Cadre
Technology.

Developers of SPARCware are supported by Sun's Catalyst program for
third-party vendors.  The rapid increase in SPARC software has created
a need for even broader support from Catalyst services, which Sun has
met by recent expansion of the program.

SPARC Is Highest-Volume Platform

"We feel the rapid increase in SPARCware offerings has taken place
because ISVs (independent software vendors) view SPARC as the
industry's high-volume RISC platform," said Larson.  "There are
parallels with the explosion of PC software that began in the early
80s."  Another common element is the fact that binary-compatible SPARC
systems are made by more than one vendor.

SPARC hardware products accounted for 60 percent of Sun's first quarter
revenues (July-September).  There is greater demand for SPARC systems
than for any RISC platform, said Larson.  Sun shipped nearly 17,000
SPARC systems in the first quarter.  "By contrast, DEC has sold just a
few thousand of its RISC systems since they became available," he
said.

The concept behind SPARC is a scalable microprocessor architecture than
can be implemented in a variety of semiconductor technologies, from
CMOS to gallium arsenide.  Currently, there are six semiconductor
licensees of SPARC, who are designing products in a range of price and
performance points.

Because of its applications portability and installed base, SPARC is
attracting major hardware and software vendors, who are designing SPARC
products.  For example, Lotus Development Corp. announced its intention
in July of developing mass-market SPARC applications.

Catalyst Program Expands

The success of SPARC has led to expansion of Sun's Catalyst program for
third-party developers.  Earlier this year, Sun made available a
SPARCware Development Kit that provides at a reduced price the system
software and tools designers need to create SPARC-based applications.
The kit includes a SPARCstation(TM) 1GX workstation; Sun's operating
system, SunOS(TM); the OpenWindows(TM) application environment; and a
variety of other tools.  Nearly 300 of these development kits have been
sold since April.

Catalyst services assist third-party vendors with their technical,
marketing and sales efforts.  For example, there are now three fully
staffed porting centers, located in Mountain View, Calif., Chicago,
Ill., and Lexington, Mass.  At these centers, Sun's Catalyst software
engineers help vendors optimize their applications for the UNIX
environment.  Applications are also certified at these locations.

Catalyst vendors can take advantage of Sun's local demonstration
centers and equipment rental programs.  Catalyst supports third-party
vendors in the field via Sun's application marketing representatives
(AMR) program. They perform needs analysis for prospective Sun
customers and as experts in specific application areas, they make
recommendations for third-party solutions.

Sun's commitment to its many vertical markets is seen in its staff of
market segment managers, who work closely with Catalyst vendors on a
daily basis.  Sun holds two developers conferences annually and
publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Party Line" (which focuses on
market developments) and a quarterly reference binder Catalyst update.

Program participants can also take advantage of an expanded range of
support vehicles such as developer support answerlines; software update
services; developer catalogs; sales and marketing support; joint
advertising, collateral and PR programs; and equipment purchase
programs.

Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquarted in Mountain View, Calif., is a
leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing
systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX
operating system and productivity software.

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SPARCware, SPARC, SPARCstation, SunOS and OpenWindows are trademarks of
Sun Microsystems, Inc.  UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.  All
other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by
the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or
organizations.

Press Contact:
Cindee Mock (415) 336-3563