---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Sun Microsystems Announces Formation Of New Companies SunFLASH Vol 26 #17 February 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. February 13, 1991 Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced that it will form two new companies to develop, market and manage its investments in UNIX-based software platforms and value-added, layered hardware and software products. Sun intends to operate the new businesses as wholly owned subsidiaries of Sun Microsystems, Inc., the leading worldwide supplier of client/server computing systems. Edward J. Zander, formerly vice president of marketing, has been named president of SunSoft, Inc., the new systems software company. Eric E. Schmidt, previously vice president of Sun's General Systems Group, has been named president of SunTech Enterprises, Inc., the new value-added products company. These new appointments are effective immediately and transition plans for their teams are being finalized. Full operations of the new companies will commence July 1. Both companies will supply products to Sun's existing distributed computing businesses, as well as that of other SPARC compatible manufacturers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and end users. Sun expects that the leadership of both new companies will come largely from its existing management team. Scott G. McNealy, president and CEO of Sun, said that the two new companies will enable Sun to better focus on the needs of its diverse set of customers. "Today Sun is a monolithic business with a $3 billion run-rate that is growing in complexity," said McNealy. "We sell everything from low-cost PC-networking products to $500,000 servers. We sell these through distribution channels ranging from telemarketing to sophisticated systems integrators, and use technologies that span semiconductor chips to turnkey solution environments. The new companies simplify our business approach considerably and allow us to focus on our customers--and the products, channels and markets to serve them--in a more targeted, efficient way." McNealy stated that this move also demonstrates Sun's commitment to ensure that SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD) compatible manufacturers, as well as Sun's own computing group, are given ready access to operating system and general-purpose system-level products. "This new structure allows for a sharper understanding of the return-on-investment we are achieving from specific technology, product, market and channel investments," added McNealy. "While a centralized structure has served Sun well in growing to our present size over the past two years, the new organizational structure will carry us forward as we continue to grow." SunSoft, Inc. -- Software Platform Company SunSoft, Inc., the new systems software platform company, is chartered to become the leading supplier of open client/server UNIX software environments for SPARC products, as well as other volume platforms over time. On his new role, Zander stated, "Our goal is two-fold: first, we will provide the world's best SCD-compliant applications development and delivery environment for client/server computing. Second, we want to make this software environment readily available--through sales, marketing and licensing--to the SCD-compliant community, and at some point in the future, to other volume platforms. Our intent is to promote the most compelling development environment for the creation of the next-generation distributed applications and to give ISVs the most robust, volume UNIX platform." Today, the SunSoft platform consists of the industry's highest-volume RISC/UNIX platform, SunOS 4.1; the ONC networking standard; the X11/NeWS Window System; and the OpenWindows environment, including the OPEN LOOK graphical user interface. Future directions include migration to UNIX System V Release 4, incorporation of additional ease-of-use technologies, multimedia, object management facilities and system and network administration. SunSoft will work with independent standards-setting bodies, including X/Open, IEEE and NIST, to ensure the compliance of its products with such standards as XPG3, POSIX, GOSIP and SVID 3. The company will also work with industry bodies including SPARC International, UNIX System Laboratories and UNIX International to evolve the SCD definition into the future. SunTech Enterprises, Inc. -- Value-added, Layered Products SunTech Enterprises will build and market general-purpose tools and products for SCD-compatible system users, including robust language and developer's tools, printing technology, PC and enterprise communications software, complementary accessories and add-on products for the systems administrator, software developer and end-user. Products to be marketed by the new company include SPARCprinter, NeWSprint software, PC-NFS, SPARCompiler software development platforms and SunLink connectivity gateways to multi-vendor systems and wide-area networks. These products will be marketed through a variety of channels including Sun's current sales channels as well as newer channels--such as value-added resellers and dealers, and specialized software distribution companies--that are specifically tailored for the type of customer and product. "Our focus is to make some great added-value products -- including robust tools, utilities and communications products available to Sun's end user customers, as well as to the SPARC and UNIX communities in general," Schmidt said. This lets us better focus on customer needs, as well as better serving the UNIX community overall. In addition, we see the SPARC/UNIX platform as a wonderful environment on which to develop the next generation of distributed computing tools." Further details on the new companies and product offerings will be forthcoming during the next several months. Other Executive Moves Sun also announced today the formation of Sun Laboratories, headed by Wayne Rosing, an R & D organization chartered to investigate and develop new technology and provide long-range vision for Sun's client/server solutions. Prior to assuming his current position, Rosing was vice president of the company's desktop systems and graphics group. He also managed Sun's advanced development efforts, spearheading the development of the SPARC RISC microprocessor and licensing program. Lawrence W. Hambly, a Sun vice president currently heading Sun Microsystems Federal, Inc., replaces Zander as vice president of marketing of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Hambly has most recently been responsible for the management of Sun Federal's worldwide business channel for Sun products in federal, state, local and international government sectors. Hambly joined Sun in 1983 and held the position of vice president of the western area of Sun's U.S. field operations prior to joining Sun Federal. Curtis S. Wozniak, vice president of engineering, assumes responsibility for all desktop and large system engineering for Sun Microsystems, Inc. Wozniak has most recently been responsible for development of Sun's desktop and graphics systems, visualization imaging products and the SBus architecture. He joined Sun in 1984 as director of manufacturing and has served as vice president and general manager of Sun's Education Products Division. Rosing, Hambly and Wozniak will all report directly to Scott G. McNealy in their new positions. Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered 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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.