Systems/Enterprise:
SUN TO DEPLOY UPGRADED INTEGRATION
SERVER
Sun Micro is set to deploy a revamped Sun ONE Integration Server by the
fourth
quarter. Full product availability is expected by early 2004.
Sun is working on a new project to combine facets of its current
integration
software products to build a pure J2EE integration server, solution providers
said. The new software is part of Sun's Project Orion strategy to "bake" all
of its Java middleware into its Solaris operating system.
Solution providers said a competitive integration server is the missing
link
in Sun's Java middleware stack, as the company does not have Java-based
software to provide both EAI and B2B integration that is closely linked to the
rest of its middleware.
Sun does not have Java-based software to provide both EAI and B2B
integration
that is closely linked to the rest of its middleware. Solution providers see a
competitive integration server is the key for Sun's Java middleware stack.
Sources said the new product will combine elements of Sun's Sun ONE
Integration Server, B2B Edition, the former C-based iPlanet ECXpert product;
and Sun ONE Integration Server, EAI Edition, formerly the Java-based Forte
Fusion product. Sun also will cull pieces of functionality from the former
iPlanet Process Manager product and include them in the new server.
The new product also will include B2B components of ECXpert, and support
the
Java Connector Architecture (JCA), a Java standard for integrating legacy
systems to Java applications.
In order for Project Orion to succeed, Sun must offer integration software
that works seamlessly with the rest of its middleware and can be updated in
conjunction with other Sun ONE software products.
Solution providers said Sun's plans are in part a response to BEA Systems'
move to combine Java application development with application integration in
its WebLogic Platform 8.1, due out in its entirety by August.
Specifically, BEA's WebLogic Integration, the EAI and B2B software
component
of the platform, is the product Sun's new integration server will compete
directly with.
Sun also wants to keep pace with other Java software leaders, which also
offer
integration software linked closely to their Java application servers.
Of the leading Java software vendors, Oracle offers integration software
built
directly in to its 9iAS Java application server.
IBM Software has a host of integration software products with its MQ Series
product line and WebSphere Business Integration, formerly technology from its
acquisition of CrossWorlds.
Yet solution providers said IBM's integration software products are still
not
tied closely enough to be a completely seamless Java platform.
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