Duncan Bennet Wraps Up 2008

Top Initiatives for 2008

MySQL Opens Local Database Market - In January, Sun acquired MySQL, the world’s fastest growing database. Adding MySQL to Sun’s comprehensive software suite has expanded our already comprehensive open source offering. With more than 100 million downloads, and many of Australia’s Top 100 IT users as devotees, MySQL’s open source database has hit the mainstream.

x86 systems take off - With our increased portfolio of Intel and AMD systems, 2008 saw Sun more than double its market share in this segment according to IDC. Sun now offers you unparalleled choice and the flexibility to run Windows, Linux, VMware or Solaris on Intel, AMD and SPARC processors. These systems have been a huge hit locally - with ZDNet reviewers calling the Sun Fire X4450 the gutsiest server it had ever seen.

Open storage delivers 75% savings - Following the introduction of Open Storage last year, Sun has launched the first systems to simplify the way businesses can manage storage. Breaking down the last bastion of proprietary IT, the Sun Storage 7000 Unified Storage Systems offer up to 75 per cent savings over traditional storage solutions, and combine the freedom of open source software with standard storage components.

More Efficient Identity Management - During the past year, Sun focused on completing a full refresh of its identity management portfolio to provide organisations with more efficient, automated solutions and developed many new products in open source communities like OpenSSO.

Thousands of developers gather in Australia - Tech Days visited Australia for the first time this year, with more than 2,000 registrations including global gurus from various communities. Without the input from developers and users, open source technologies wouldn’t be changing the industry as we know it, and for this Sun thanks you. Visit Sun Developer Network for the latest information on our developer community.

Industry collaboration - Sun, Microsoft and More – Sun continues to expand the choice it delivers customers. From Windows on Intel to VMware on AMD, to Solaris on SPARC. The latest in a string of announcements saw Sun agree to bundle Microsoft’s search system with the latest version of Java Runtime Environment in November.

Virtualisation - beyond the server, to storage and the desktop - The xVM portfolio offers a simple and efficient way to leverage a heterogeneous, virtualised environment from the desktop to the data centre. The Sun xVM VirtualBox desktop virtualisation, launched in September this year, is open source and freely available for immediate download.

What’s hot for 2009?

As we approach 2009, what is Sun doing to ensure that you manage costs but support the growth of your business?

Economic slow downs are a catalyst for IT innovation. For example, the dot.com boom and subsequent slowdown was when we really saw the emergence of a variety of open source products into the mainstream.

Open source, virtualisation and identity management are some of the hot areas to watch in 2009. We also still see strong demand for our Eco-computing solutions saving money, space as well as power and cooling.

There is no denying that cost control will play a strong role in purchasing decisions in 2009. And Sun will continue to introduce new products to enable businesses to do more with less.

2008 was a fabulous year for the Australian and New Zealand operations for Sun. We were delighted with our results and I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your continued support.

Lastly, may I wish you, and your family, a relaxing holiday and a successful New Year.

Duncan Bennet
VP and MD
Sun Microsystems Australia and New Zealand