Delivering on its commitment to provide schools with an alternative to expensive and complex computing solutions, Sun Microsystems is rolling out the Sun Java Desktop System to the higher education market.
The Java Desktop System (JDS) for Education is an affordable, comprehensive, simple to use and secure enterprise-class desktop solution. For just $25 (about R180) per desktop per year, the institution gets the desktop software, maintenance, support and training resulting in a dramatic saving over other market offerings.
"By bringing an affordable alternative to the education sector, Sun is working to make a reality of bridging the digital divide as more learners and students will have access to computers, applications and the Internet," says David Sibiya, education account manager at Sun Microsystems SA.
JDS provides a complete desktop environment of productivity tools for students, including an office suite, Web browser, e-mail, calendar, instant messaging and more. The solution is also the only offering with fully integrated Java technology; it is natively ready to run thousands of Java technology-based applications with a consistent look and feel.
The introduction of the Java Desktop System to the education market builds on Sun's earlier delivery of the Sun Java Enterprise System (JES) to education institutions. JES is Sun's approach to reducing the cost and complexity of IT infrastructure software by making it simple, predictable and affordable. It provides all fully integrated software components and network services at a price of $50 (about R360) per full-time faculty member and administrative employee per year.
Sun's Java computing alternative comes at a time when the education market continues to be faced with tightening budgets and is feeling the pressure of being tasked with providing secure technologies to support academic and research excellence. "With Sun's Java computing alternative, the education market has access to affordable systems on Sun's newest technology at highly attractive prices."
The Java Desktop System is available immediately. For more, visit http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/get/index.html and click on "Get the Software".
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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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