Sun Microsystems' (NASDAQ:SUNW) Microelectronics division today unveiled its strategy to create a full spectrum of end-to-end reference designs for the business and consumer markets at the Java(SM) Internet Business Expo(SM) held here this week.

As evidenced by a variety of customer announcements, these reference designs are being used as blueprints by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to create a range of differentiated, networked devices ranging from smart cards and Internet set top boxes to Internet and workgroup servers.

The reference designs, which shorten time-to-market and reduce development costs, enable OEMs to focus on their added value by using pre-existing, integrated hardware and software components, thus eliminating the need to "re-create the wheel."

"Our end-to-end Java solutions are available for OEMs today," said Scott McNealy, chairman, CEO and president, Sun Microsystems. "From smart cards to super computers, Sun is committed to supplying the industry with Internet-ready client and server blueprints. And with our open standards-based reference designs, OEMs can add value ANY and EVERY step of the way."

"Sun's reference designs offer manufacturers integrated hardware/software solutions based on open standards," said Chet Silvestri, president, Sun Microelectronics division.

"For example, our consumer designs will run on a variety of microprocessors and Real Time Operating Systems (RTOSs), support any Internet service provider (ISP) and any Web-based content.

"This open approach will incent developers to participate in this market, thereby encouraging market growth and distribution of wealth among many players. Everyone wins with this model because the industry matures faster with competition and more developers get a piece of the pie."

Sun offers reference designs that span the product continuum from the simplest, single-function device such as a Java™-enabled smart card up to an Internet server.

With its recent acquisition of Diba Inc., Sun enhances its reference design strategy by providing enabling hardware and software technologies to consumer device manufacturers, thus leveraging the strength of these customers' brand names, channels, manufacturing and marketing expertise.

For the enterprise computing marketplace, Sun announced yesterday the JavaEngine™ 1 reference platform, which enables OEMs to rapidly and affordably develop differentiated Java-based thin client systems. For the server and desktop markets, Sun offers OEMs the Ultra™ AX reference platform, which delivers industry standard components combined with the robust performance and reliability of UNIX for Internet and workgroup server development.

Reference designs, including Java-based platforms, are available today as illustrated by the customer announcements made at Java Internet Business Expo this week. For the consumer market, announcements include:

Healthway

Healthway Interactive Inc. has announced that it will use Diba technology to bring personalized, real-time health and medical information to patients via the Internet. For more information, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/healthway.html

Vestel

The Vestel Group has announced that it will manufacture and sell Diba-enabled Internet television set tops under the Vestel brand name and to OEMs in Europe next year. The Internet set tops will allow consumers to browse the World Wide Web and send and receive E-mail from any standard television. For more information, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/vestel.html

Teco

Teco has announced that it will sell Diba-enabled Internet television set tops under the Teco brand name throughout Asia. Teco will also manufacture the devices for other companies who want to use their own label in other Asian countries. The Teco product will allow consumers to browse the Web and send and receive E-mail from any standard television. For more information, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/teco.html

LodgeNet

LodgeNet Entertainment Corp. announced significant expansion of its in-room system that provides Web-browsing, movies, and games to hotel guests. LodgeNet plans to equip its hotel properties with Diba-enabled systems. For more details, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/lodgenet3.html

Content Providers

Diba announced that more than 140 content providers have joined the Diba Content Program, which provides content companies with HTML development guidelines and certification services for optimizing their Web sites for display on Diba-enabled Information Appliances. New members include CBS SportsLine, Publishers Clearinghouse, and USA Today On-line, to name a few.

For more information, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/content2.html

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Program

Diba also announced that its ISP certification program now has more than 25 members who are certified as compatible with Diba-enabled Information Appliances. Members include Ameritech, MCI, Sprint Internet Passport(SM). For more information, go to: http://www.diba.com/no_frames/press/isp2.html

For the enterprise market, announcements include:

JavaEngine 1

The JavaEngine 1 platform is currently being adopted by three different market segments: PC vendors, Unix systems suppliers and special-purpose platform manufacturers such as kiosk or point-of-sale vendors who want to enter the market rapidly. For more information, please see the release entitled, "Sun's JavaEngine 1 Reference Platform Launches OEMs Into Thin Client Java Computing," dated 8/25/97.

GTE

"Sun's JavaEngine 1 has made Java computing a reality for GTE," said Tom Pasierb, systems engineer for GTE. "GTE selected Sun and the JavaEngine 1 design because of its cost-effective, Java-ready processor and its end-to-end product portfolio, which enabled us to deploy a highly portable, rugged client terminal."

Acer

Acer's Sertek division is targeting the education market for deployment of thin client and server solutions using Sun's JavaEngine 1 reference design.

Avex

Avex, a computer manufacturer, plans to use JavaEngine 1 on factory floors to make their production workers more efficient. With inventory information stored on a central server and product information displayed on local clients, employees can quickly obtain accurate product inventory details.

About Diba

Diba has been a leading provider of enabling technology for the Information Appliance market since its inception in 1995. The company was founded and is run by Farid Dibachi, chairman, and Farzad Dibachi, president and CEO.

Both Farid Dibachi and Farzad Dibachi will report directly to division President Chet Silvestri, and will head up the new Consumer Technologies Group within Sun's Microelectronics division.

About Sun

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 hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $8 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com .

Sun plans to further discuss its vision for the new Java-enabled Information Appliances market today at the Java(SM) Internet Business Expo(SM) in New York (August 26-28, Jacob Javits Center).