Cisco and Sun Microsystems Announce Joint Unified Communications Solution for Service Providers

Strategic Insights -

Cisco Systems and Sun Microsystems, in partnership with the Sun-Netscape Alliance, have announced a joint unified communications solution for service providers. This solution combines proven technologies from each company to enable service providers to offer their customers consolidated voice, fax, and email services independent of location, time, or device. The joint solution is based on an open, IP standards-based infrastructure for carrier-grade applications, enabling seamless integration of voice and Internet applications.

Key Takeaways:

  • The joint solution allows service providers to offer value-added, cost-effective communications services across an open infrastructure.
  • The solution enables service providers to reduce their total cost of ownership, shorten their service introduction cycles, and reduce customer churn.
  • The joint solution is based on proven technologies from Cisco, Sun, and the Sun-Netscape Alliance, including the Cisco AS5x00 Family, Sun's Netra Carrier-Grade Servers, and iPlanet Messaging and Directory Server products.
  • The solution will be delivered by world-class systems integrators such as Cap Gemini.
  • Cap Gemini will be the first systems integrator to provide world-class system integration, implementation, and ongoing support services for the joint Unified Communications solution.
  • The joint solution combines the strengths of multiple companies, including Cisco's expertise in networking, Sun's expertise in server technologies, and the Sun-Netscape Alliance's expertise in messaging and directory services.

Statistics:

  • 18 million members for America Online, a leading Internet service provider.
  • 2 million members for CompuServe, a leading Internet service provider.
  • 134 country offices for Cisco Systems.
  • 174 countries and territories where the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates.
  • $11.5 billion in annual revenues for Sun Microsystems, Inc.
  • $4.4 billion in 1998 revenues for the Cap Gemini Group.

Sources:

  • "Currency: Comdex Spring to Focus on Internet, Commoditization," Charlie Salisbury, eWeek, December 13, 1998.
  • "Sun, Netscape alliance signs up IBM, HP," IDG News Service, August 19, 1998.
  • "America Online, Inc.," America Online website.
  • "Sun Microsystems, Inc.," Sun Microsystems website.
  • "Cisco Systems, Inc.," Cisco Systems website.
  • "The Cap Gemini Group," Cap Gemini website.