Siemens Nixdorf Selects Key Software, Hardware Technologies From Sun, Intel to Drive Its Next-generation of Enterprise-class UNIX Servers.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1998--

Siemens Nixdorf to standardize on Solaris operating

environment from Sun and Intel's line of 64-bit IA-64

microprocessors for enterprise computing 

Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, Inc. today announced its UNIX server technology roadmap to begin the next century, selecting Sun Microsystems and Intel Corp. as key contributors to Siemens Nixdorf's delivery of next-generation UNIX server solutions. Beginning in second half 1999, Siemens Nixdorf expects to begin delivery of UNIX servers running Sun's Solaris(TM) operating environment and powered by Intel's IA-64 microprocessors, with standardization on the Solaris/IA-64 platform anticipated by 2002.

This announcement also marks a strategic agreement between Siemens Nixdorf and Sun, where Sun will incorporate Siemens Nixdorf's reliability, availability and scalability (RAS) functionality into Solaris. With today's announcement, Siemens Nixdorf also steps forward as the world's first IT vendor to focus its development efforts consistently on Intel's 64-bit processor line, thereby ensuring a uniform base hardware technology ranging from the workgroup server to the mainframe.

"Siemens Nixdorf stands to benefit by gaining support for thousands of Solaris applications on its next-generation Merced-based UNIX servers," said Jean S. Bozman of International Data Corp. "This will give customers a wider choice of packaged applications software for use on Siemens Nixdorf's 64-bit servers for the enterprise. Through Sun's relationship with Siemens Nixdorf, Solaris stands to gain additional reliability, availability and scalability features for use in Solaris data-center class applications."

With Siemens Nixdorf's commitment to Sun's and Intel's leading edge technologies, IT decision-makers can select high-performance, parallel processing servers from Siemens Nixdorf's RM series of enterprise UNIX systems today and rest assured that they can move their applications to future Siemens Nixdorf Solaris/IA-64 machines when it becomes worthwhile from a price/performance standpoint. By combining the best-of-breed operating environment and microprocessor technologies for enterprise computing, Siemens Nixdorf will offer customers the most highly scalable, reliable and secure environment for mission-critical applications of the future.

"We are very pleased to ally with Siemens Nixdorf on the Solaris operating environment -- the best enterprise platform in the world," said John McFarlane, president of the Solaris software division, Sun Microsystems. "The Solaris operating environment continues to outstrip the competition because we are not too proud to include best-of-class technology contributions from our industry allies. Siemens Nixdorf will be providing us with key technologies like the proven enterprise-class high availability of Reliant(R) UNIX to be included in the Solaris operating environment. This will make its world-class RAS features even better."

In the future, all Siemens Nixdorf server lines will be equipped with IA-64 processors. Along with the RM line of UNIX servers, the company's PRIMERGY family of Microsoft Windows NT servers and its open BS2000 mainframes of the SR2000 range will also be powered by the next-generation IA-64 processors. At present, Siemens Nixdorf's PRIMERGY servers already rely on Intel technology and its Pentium II processors.

"We congratulate Siemens Nixdorf on its future-oriented strategy. The combination of Intel's future IA-64 processor with Siemens Nixdorf's experience of delivering high-performance systems for the enterprise computing environment will provide excellent solutions for Siemens Nixdorf customers worldwide," said John Miner, vice president and general manager, Enterprise Server Group, Intel Corp.

Miner added, "The RM server systems based on Intel's future IA-64 family of products will provide outstanding performance, reliability and scalability for the enterprise computing environment. Today's announcement from Siemens Nixdorf again demonstrates that the Intel Architecture is the unifying architecture for enterprise computing."

The main focus of Siemens Nixdorf's strategic approach is on protecting its customers' current and future IT investments. Siemens Nixdorf will continue to develop its Reliant UNIX/MIPS-powered RM line of enterprise servers through 2002, with guaranteed maintenance available through 2007/2008, depending upon terms of individual maintenance agreements.

Most applications running today on the current RM server systems will be available for upgrade to the new Solaris/IA-64 systems via a recompilation. For those legacy applications where recompilation is not an option, customers will be able run these programs natively by using Siemens Nixdorf's OCT (Object Code Translation) technology.

"As we near the next century, we expect that the Solaris/IA-64 will establish itself as the de facto standard for high-performance enterprise server technology," said Robert Hoog, member of Siemens Nixdorf's executive board and head of its Open Enterprise Computing (OEC) line-of-business. "We see today's announcement with Sun and Intel as a declaration to our customers and the IT community as a whole that Siemens Nixdorf is committed to delivering high-scalability, high-reliability servers that both protect our customers current investment today and offer the highest possible performance in the future."

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer(TM)," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of high quality hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $9 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.

About Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, Inc.

Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiary, Siemens Pyramid Information Systems, Inc., develop, integrate and service world-class open systems and user centered solutions that provide competitive advantages for customers and partners in the Americas. Offerings include a full line of scalable UNIX and Windows NT-based systems and software, a broad range of professional information technology services, as well as retail point of sale systems and data center outsourcing. Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems is the U.S. subsidiary of German-based Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG. With operations in over 60 countries worldwide, $9.5 billion in revenues and approximately 36,000 employees, it is the largest European information technology firm and ranks among the world's leading suppliers. Siemens Nixdorf is the largest subsidiary company of Siemens AG, the world's foremost provider of advanced technology in the electronics and electrical engineering industry. In the latest fiscal year, Siemens had approximately $65 billion in combined revenues and 386,000 employees in more than 190 countries. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Reliant and Pyramid are registered trademarks of Siemens Pyramid Information Systems, Inc. Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Solaris and The Network is the Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, Inc.

Karen O'Brien, 408/428-7169

[e-mail]

or

A&R Partners for Siemens Nixdorf

Michael Bendel, 650/363-0982, ext. 234

[e-mail]

or

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Ry Schwark, 650/786-7745

[e-mail]

or

GCI Group for Sun Microsystems

Tracy Matsumoto, 415/974-7286

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