---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash HOT OFF THE PRESS SunFLASH Vol 51 #5 March 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation --------------------------- HOT OFF THE PRESS --------------------------- Recent News February, 1993 Published by SMCC Public Relations ******************************************************************************* SUN'S MOMENTUM Sun Microsystems, Inc., Highlights ----------------------------------- * SMI reported record revenues of $1.051 billion, up nearly 16% from the $909 million reported for the corresponding period of fiscal 1992. Net income for the second quarter was $34.3 million, or $0.33 per share, compared to $47.4 million, or $0.47 per share, for the same period a year ago. For additional financial information, please see the "State of the Business" section on page 4. Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation -------------------------------- * SMCC and Novell entered into a strategic agreement that will deliver native NetWare technology on SMCC's SPARCserver systems. The move marks the first time that SMCC is making operating system-independent servers available to end users. Novell plans to make "NetWare for SPARC" developer kits available later this year. * SMCC's intercontinental division has opened an office in Warsaw, Poland. The new office will allow the company to provide local sales, service and marketing support directly to its distributors, value-added resellers, and customers in Poland and the Baltic states. With this addition, SMCC now has a total of 13 offices in Europe. * Toshiba Corporation announced plans to sell new SMCC systems, including the powerful SPARCcenter 2000 server, to be known as the UX5000 in Japan, as well as jointly developed products. Toshiba expects that the sales of these products in Japan could reach up to $1.4 billion (170 billion yen) over three years. Toshiba has been distributing SMCC's workstations since 1986. The UX5000 will be part of a comprehensive rightsizing solution from Toshiba that will also include offerings like desktop systems, service and support and critical software such as RDBMS and tools for client-server environments. * SMCC initiated an aggressive upgrade and trade-in program for the SPARCstation 10/Model 30. The new program, managed by SMCC Worldwide Customer Support, enables customers to obtain substantial trade-in credit for their current models of non-SPARC Sun systems, as well as systems from other vendors such as HP, Apollo, IBM, DEC and SGI. The program offers up to a 40 percent trade-in credit on new systems. * SMCC introduced the Network Terminal Server, each of which allows 64 terminals or other serial peripheral devices to be connected easily and economically anywhere on a UNIX system host-based local area network (LAN) that includes SPARCstation and SPARCserver computers running Solaris. * SMCC's SPARCserver10/Model 41 system achieved the industry's best-ever Sybase price/performance on the Transaction Processing Performance Council Benchmark-A (TPC-A). This popular benchmark is used widely to measure database performance and price/performance. The SPARCserver Model 41 TPC-A results were 108.07 transactions per second (tps-A) at $7,087 per tps-A, with the system running Solaris and the SYBASE SQL Server. Among all relational databases and all systems, the Sun server had the best price/performance in its class. * American Airlines Decision Technologies (AADT) selected Sun SPARCstation and SPARCserver systems for the development and deployment of decision support software solutions for the transportation industry. AADT, a software development and consulting subsidiary of the AMR Corp. and an affiliate of American Airlines, is a premier provider of operations research and decision support technology utilizing distributed computing. The company is also working with SMCC to port its existing INTELA product line for the air transport industry to the Sun platform. * Covia Technologies will port its Communications Integrator (CI) software to the Solaris operating environment, for use on Sun workstations and servers. The CI is multi-vendor, message-based software for distributed processing that allows dissimilar networks to function as one virtual network. Besides allowing multi-vendor networking, CI greatly simplifies software development by providing a common program interface. * SMCC formed a strategic alliance with Oracle Corporation to develop, market and sell products and services targeted at the pharmaceutical industry. The alliance consists of two components: a systems integration effort from Oracle that addresses complex application needs of pharmaceutical companies, such as regulatory document tracking, and the joint development of a software program to expedite the computer-assisted new drug application (CANDA) process for pharmaceutical companies. * RE/MAX Mexico, a division of Comercializadora Inmobiliaria Mexicana, S.A. de CV., a Guadalajara-based real estate franchising corporation, will purchase over 600 SPARCclassic and SPARCserver systems to incorporate into a computer network across Latin America. The SPARC systems' powerful multimedia and graphics capabilities will give customers a sophisticated, multinational real estate listing service. * SMCC distinguished engineer, Whitfield Diffie, was recently awarded the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences, Honoris Causa, by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world. The award was given for founding a new field of scientific research, public key cryptography, which allows users to guarantee the privacy of conversations with people they have never met before and to apply "digital signatures" to their messages that cannot be forged. * SMCC introduced CallTracker, a powerful call management software product that enables Sun resellers to automate their help desks and be more efficient at solving customer service requests. Sun CallTracker facilitates every phase of the problem resolution process, from accepting, assigning and escalating help desk service requests to resolving, storing, and notifying customers of solutions. Sun CallTracker is the first in a series of tools that will work in conjunction with Sun HelpDesk Tools. SunExpress Highlights ----------------------------------------------- * SunExpress unveiled two new U.S. customer services that simplify information retrieval and product ordering. FaxInfo, which allows SunExpress customers to access product information and order product through their fax machine, is currently available in the U.S. A second program, available later this year, will allow SunExpress customers to "unlock" software applications directly from SunSoft's Catalyst CDware. SunPics Highlights -------------------------------------------------- * The SPARCprinter received the highest ranking for a laser printer in SunWorld magazine's "Best Products of 1992" feature (February, 1993). The publication stated that the SPARCprinter is "an excellent printer - the combination of performance and price shows that a printer need not have its own processing capabilities." SunPro Highlights --------------------------------------------------- * CNN visited SunPro to conduct a series of interviews for a story it is putting together on American companies doing business in Russia. The crew taped extensively at SunPro's headquarters in Mountain View, and is now on its way to Moscow to interview Boris Babaian and his team. The one-hour documentary is scheduled to air on the fourth of July. SunSelect Highlights ------------------------------------------------ * Microsoft announced plans for enhanced interoperability between SunSelect's PC-NFS software and the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Users of any Microsoft Windows operating system, including Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT or Windows version 3.1, will be able to use PC-NFS products to access UNIX networks and open system resources. SunSelect will ship Windows for Workgroups drivers in its forthcoming release of PC-NFS software, and Microsoft will support PC-NFS software in its next release of Windows for Workgroups. SunSoft Highlights -------------------------------------------------- * SunSoft was the first reference technology supplier to be chosen under UNIX International's new expanded process for selecting reference technologies. SunSoft will provide its ONC+ Distributed Computing Services as reference technology to meet the UI Roadmap requirements for distributed filing services with associated naming, communications and security services. * SunSoft's annual Solaris Developer Conference will be held March 29-31 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference, titled "Tomorrow's Applications Today," will focus on all aspects of the Solaris environment, including new technology, development tools and software. STATE OF THE BUSINESS ------------------------------------------------ * SMCC remained the workstation/server market leader in 1992, with 38.1% of worldwide workstation/server shipments, according to IDC reports. (HP: 17.4%; DEC: 11.1%; IBM: 7.0%; SGI: 5.1%) * SMCC also lead the industry in terms of system revenue in 1992, with 33.8% of worldwide workstation/server revenues, according to IDC reports. (HP: 17.7%; DEC: 10.3; IBM: 9.3%) * Sun's Q2 FY93 revenues were a record $1.051 billion, a 16% increase over the $909 million reported in the same period a year ago. * Net income for the quarter was $34.3 million, or $.33 per share. * SMCC shipped more than 59,000 units in Q2. Cumulative installed base is more than 760,000 units. * Revenues per employee for the last 12 months were $284,200 - the highest revenues per employee of any computer company utilizing a direct sales business model. * Sun's FY92 revenues were $3.6 billion, up from the $3.2 billion reported in FY91. * Net income for FY92 was $173.3 million, or $1.71 per share. * Sun is ranked #146 on the 1991 Fortune 500 list. * Sun is ranked as America's second largest exporter in the Fortune 500 as a percentage of sales (49.3%), according to Fortune magazine, June 29, 1992. * The SPARCstation 10 led the workstation industry with the highest volume of shipments last quarter, according to Dataquest reports. * Financial analyst Laura Conigliaro, Prudential Securities, was quoted in a recent research report: "Sun seems to have succeeded at what it does best - marketing. It has very effectively managed to communicate its messages of expandability, upgrade potential, and breadth of product, even in the face of some delays. We heard it from customer after customer." * Sun was again ranked the third most admired company in the computer industry, according to a recent Fortune Magazine report, "America's Most Admired Corporations." This annual ranking of corporate reputations surveys senior executives, outside directors and financial analysts on such attributes as quality of management, quality of products and degree of innovation. In the computers/office equipment category, only HP and Apple were ranked higher than Sun. Computer Systems Policy Project Scott McNealy is the chair of the Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP) NEXUS Project. The goal of the project is to educate and inform the U.S. Congress and Administration on the importance of the computer industry and the key public policy issues affecting the industry. It arose from concern among CSPP, a group of 13 CEOs from the top U.S. computer companies, that the computer industry was not well understood in Washington. Future activities include presentations to major Washington public policy makers and media. CSPP member companies include Sun, Apple, AT&T/NCR, Compaq, Control Data, Cray Research, Data General, Digital Equipment, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Silicon Graphics, Tandem and Unisys. SPARC Facts ----------------------------------------------------------- The success of the SPARC platform is due to a single binary interface based on open technologies that are industry standards -- SPARC/Solaris. This ensures application software compatibility - "shrink-wrapped" software that runs unchanged on a wide variety of SPARC systems. * SPARC is the highest-volume platform in the RISC/UNIX market - the de facto standard RISC architecture: - More than 710,000 systems have been shipped by all SPARC vendors to date - IDC published workstation/server market report indicates that SPARC systems had 56.3% of the RISC workstation market in 1992, with MIPS systems having 15.4%, PA-RISC 12.2% and IBM Power 9.2%. * SPARCware developers can take advantage of the leading RISC/UNIX platform and the #3 (in volume) ABI in the industry (following Intel/Microsoft and Macintosh). This translates to more market opportunity for developers and more innovative solutions for end users. - More than 7,400 SPARC hardware and software solutions from more than 3,200 vendors * The SPARC microprocessor architecture is implemented by 10 semiconductor manufacturers into a number of different microprocessors representing a broad performance range - from 10 to 100+ MIPS. - More than 820,000 chips have been shipped to date * SPARC International, through the SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD), will certify hardware and software binary compatibility after performing a series of tests. Only systems and software that are verified through SI will be allowed to use the SPARC trademark. This means vendors and end users are assured of hardware and software compatibility. - SPARC International now has more than 250 members * More than 40 vendors are currently shipping SPARC compatibles or board products, or reselling SMCC/SPARC systems. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au 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@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909.