---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunSoft, Siemens Nixdorf Distributed Object Collaboration SunFLASH Vol 70 #5 October 1994 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Electronic Journal For Sun Users Since 1988 John J. Mclaughlin, Publisher & Editor - flash@sun.com ____________________________________________________________________________ 70.05 SunSoft, Siemens Nixdorf Distributed Object Collaboration SunSoft, Inc. and Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG (SNI) announced that SNI is endorsing SunSoft's distributed object computing strategy and that the two companies will cooperate in future development of distributed object technology. As a first step in the agreement, SNI has licensed the foundation technology central to SunSoft's DOE (Distributed Object Environment), and is currently evaluating the DOE object application environment, which is based on OpenStep(tm). The companies will ensure interoperability between the distributed object systems on the Solaris(r) and Sinix(r) operating environments. (124 lines) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Geoff Lewis of SunSoft marketing at (415) 336-2839 Press Inquiries: Emily Cohen of Hi-Tech Communications at (415) 904-7000 x264 SUNSOFT AND SIEMENS NIXDORF ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTED OBJECT COLLABORATION Siemens Nixdorf Endorses SunSoft's Distributed Object Computing Strategy and Licenses Distributed Object System; Companies To Collaborate on Future Technology SNI will incorporate SunSoft's distributed object system into its Open Systems Direction (OSD). OSD is SNI's architectural guideline for enterprise client/server computing, which integrates SNI's BS2000 mainframes, UNIX(r) and Microsoft(r) Windows(tm)-based systems. The port of SunSoft's distributed object system to SNI's UNIX system will incorporate functionality for use in DCE-based environments. "After reviewing the distributed object strategies of many vendors, SNI felt that SunSoft's distributed object computing strategy was a perfect fit with SNI's approach to enterprise distributed objects," said Klaus Gewald, vice president of research and development, midrange systems, Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG. "The DOE technology, integrated with Windows-based PCs and mainframe systems, addresses the requirements of both SNI's application software group and our customer base for flexible, enterprise-wide software solutions." "SunSoft is pleased that SNI has endorsed our distributed object computing strategy. We both share the belief that any object-oriented application capable of handling the rigors of enterprise computing must be built on a solid foundation," said Dr. Guy L. (Bud) Tribble, vice president of object products a SunSoft. "SNI has taken the first step in providing that foundation for its customers by licensing SunSoft's distributed object system, delivering a proven, reliable foundation for their customers' global object computing requirements." About Project DOE SunSoft's distributed object computing strategy, based on the Project DOE technology, is designed to give Global 1000 corporations a competitive advantage by making their networked enterprise computing environments more flexible and cost-effective. Built upon the industry-leading Solaris operating environment, the strategy defines a complete environment for distributed object computing, enabling companies to rapidly develop, deploy and use customized enterprise applications. The object application environment within DOE is SunSoft's implementation of the OpenStep object standard, and is tightly- integrated with the DOE foundation technology based on OMG(tm) (Object Management Group) CORBA(tm) (Common Object Request Broker) and COSS (Common Object Services Specification) standards. OMG is the world's largest software industry consortium with a membership of over 430 software vendors, software developers and end users. Established in 1989, its goal is to provide common architectural framework for object-oriented applications based on widely available interface specifications. About SNI's Object-Oriented Activities Today's announcement is part of SNI's comprehensive object strategy, which includes tools for business modeling, design, and analysis, development environments, and class libraries for horizontal and vertical market segments. Applications in SNI's largest markets, such as finance and banking, insurance, manufacturing and public administration will benefit from DOE distributed object technology. About SNI Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG, Paderborn, Germany, is a systems partner with universal expertise in the field of information technology. It is one of the world's largest suppliers of information technology. SNI's product portfolio spans from PCs to MIPS-based UNIX systems to mainframes, together with peripherals, middleware components and complex customized application systems. In the past fiscal year (1 Oct. 1992 - 30 Sept. 1993) SNI had revenues of over $7.3 billion. SNI has a work force of about 40,000 and is represented in 45 countries. SNI is a separate legal unit within the Siemens organization. In Fiscal 1992/93, Siemens AG had worldwide sales of $50.1 billion. Founded in 1847, the company numbers among the world's largest electrical and electronics companies. About SunSoft SunSoft, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SunSoft's charter is to design, market, sell and support the industry's highest-quality software environment for enterprise rightsizing and network computing applications. The company, which is the industry's highest-volume UNIX vendor, has offices in North America, Europe and Asia, and is a leading supplier of 32-bit system software solutions for SPARC, Intel 386/486- and Pentium-based computers. The products are licensed by SunSoft and distributed through major computer manufacturers and resellers worldwide. (c)1994 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunSoft, the SunSoft logo, and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sinix is a registered trademark of Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG. OMG and CORBA are trademarks of the Object Management Group. UNIX is a registered trademark of Novell. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.