Sun Microsystems, Inc, a leading advocate of Java technology, has announced that its StarOffice 7 software - an open source-based, comprehensive, multi-platform office productivity suite - is available immediately for the growing enterprise-class Solaris Operating System (OS) x86 Platform Edition.
"Customers seeking a proven, alternative desktop solution can now benefit from the familiar Unix environment and the reliable, highly available, scalable and predictable Solaris OS on their x86 systems," says Dumisani Mtoba, senior systems engineer at Sun Microsystems South Africa.
This announcement underscores Sun's continuing commitment to offer users choice while addressing the growing worldwide demand for alternative desktop solutions.
"By providing StarOffice 7 support for Solaris x86, Sun demonstrates it is actively listening to the community and is committed to meeting its needs," adds Mtoba. "With this announcement, Sun is on track to provide Java Desktop System availability on Solaris x86."
According to Mtoba, Sun continues to see tremendous customer and partner support for both its StarOffice productivity suite and for Solaris OS on the x86 platform.
In the enterprise market, for example, the United India Insurance Company, one of the largest insurers in India, replaced 10 000 Microsoft Office desktops with StarOffice software to gain increased functionality at a more economical price point.
And in January this year, the number of cumulative downloads for StarOffice and OpenOffice.org exceeded 40 million. Furthermore, Sun delivered more than half a million Solaris OS x86 licences in 2003 and is actively working with key partners and business application vendors to help ensure their applications are optimised for Solaris x86 platform.
Later this year, Sun is planning to offer the Java Desktop System for the Solaris OS x86 platform, providing customers with a pre-integrated, comprehensive, out-of-the-box desktop alternative. There are more than 100 desktops and laptops included on the Solaris x86 hardware compatibility list (www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl), helping to enable users to run Solaris on their desktop environments.
"Sun continues to invest resources in its engineering team to deliver compelling low-cost computing solutions for customers. The availability of StarOffice 7 for Solaris x86 not only extends the benefits of the leading Solaris OS, but offers current customers an affordable, open, multi-platform desktop solution alternative," concludes Mtoba.
Pricing and availability
StarOffice 7 for the Solaris OS x86 platform is priced at $79.95 and is available for download at www.sun.com/StarOffice/Get.
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A key component of the Sun Java Desktop System, StarOffice software is an open-source based, comprehensive office productivity suite that runs on the Solaris OS (SPARC and x86), Windows and Linux and is compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. The StarOffice suite has a simple, intuitive interface that includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing and database capabilities. StarOffice software is available in over 40 countries and from over 60 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
StarOffice 7 is available in major worldwide retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Fry's, Micro Center, Office Max, Office Depot and Staples for $79.95 US (MSRP), which includes 60-day customer support. Key new features include direct Adobe PDF and Flash export capabilities, Microsoft Office file format compatibility, native XML support, performance and stability enhancements, accessibility and an improved look and feel. General information regarding StarOffice software can be found at www.sun.com/staroffice.
Solaris Operating System
The Solaris Operating System, the number one enterprise-class Unix for SPARC, x86 and AMD Opteron systems, redefines the operating system as a services platform by combining traditional OS functionality with application services and identity management. The Solaris 9 OS delivers the security, manageability and performance that IT professionals need to increase service levels and decrease costs and risk. The Solaris OS also serves as the foundation for the new Sun Java Enterprise System, an integrated, open, standards-based software system delivered using a new predictable approach for development, testing and servicing. It offers a simple business model that provides a single subscription and price for the software system, maintenance, support, consulting and education services. For more information, visit http://www.sun.com/solaris.
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 make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.
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