ISV PARTNERS TURN TO SUN FOR ASP EXPERTISE.

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), has unveiled Destination ASP, a program which aggregates go-to-market offerings from across Sun. Destination ASP is designed to empower independent software vendors (ISVs) in the Sun Developer Connection(SM) program, with the tools, partnerships partners and Sun

support they need to enter the application service provider (ASP) market, build sustainable models and drive end-user demand. Destination ASP pilot participants include Oracle, Lawson Software, Corio, Portera, Appshop, and Eagle Investments.

According to leading industry analysts, the consolidated program leverages Sun's best practices in helping ISVs design ASP solutions by offering both strategic and tactical go-to-market assistance from Sun and its partners in a scalable manner. By partnering with many developing and deploying ASPs, Sun has garnered the information, tools and resources that are most critical to partners.

"Sun's new Destination ASP program should provide an invigorating and welcome shot in the arm to an industry suffering from a 'hype hangover,'" said Lew Hollerbach, research director for service providers at Aberdeen Group. "While all platform vendors help ISVs build and deploy their applications, Sun is going the extra mile by helping with what is arguably the most important job -- getting to market quickly and successfully."

"It is clear that the underlying premise of delivering applications as a service is here to stay -- and that the ASP business model will continue to evolve, in particular for those ISVs who can best determine how to deploy it effectively," said Jeanette Kennedy, senior director for Partner Programs and Services, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Sun's new Destination ASP program is a one-stop shop for ISVs who want to build, deploy and market applications as a Net service. We've combined the most valuable resources and key partners to make the conversion to, and the marketing and selling of an ASP model as simple and as profitable as possible."

The benefits of Sun's Destination ASP for ISVs include:

An online, consolidated roadmap that navigates ISVs through all of the resources from Sun and its partners required to build repeatable and profitable ASP solutions.

Access to a consolidated, broader menu of strategic and tactical go-to-market offerings, such as direct marketing tools, customer outreach programs, joint promotions and conference and trade event participation.

Use of Sun's new ASP readiness assessment tools, through which ISVs can conduct online self-assessments to gain a better understanding of their current application, business and overall market readiness. These tools can help ISVs prioritize and execute critical decisions in areas such as partnering and delivery strategy, future application design requirements, pricing and product mix of their ASP solution. The self-assessment tools are based on Sun's vast experience in architecting and implementing custom ASP solutions, combined with Sun partner and industry best practices.

An invitation to apply for SunTone(SM) certification for applications or services. This quality "seal of approval" lets customers and partners know that the company's application or service has met industry-defined high standards of quality.

Access to revolving promotions and discounts on key Sun and Sun partner products and services needed to build software for the Web.

Destination ASP promotes and encourages open standards, such as Java and the Sun Open Net Environment (Sun ONE) software architecture for scalable, interoperable services on demand. ISVs benefit from the Sun Developer Connection and Sun's iForceInitiative helping build alliances with top-tier consultants, integrators and solutions providers. In addition, the SunTone certification, signifying compliance with high quality industry-based standards, allows ISVs to demonstrate the quality of their products and services in the marketplace.