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Computer industry

Sun Microsystems Aims to Capitalize on Microsoft Delays in High-End Computing Market

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a strategic move, Sun Microsystems Inc. plans to introduce a new version of its Solaris operating system, Solaris 7, on Tuesday. This move is aimed at capitalizing on the delayed release of Microsoft's newest version of the Windows NT operating system, which has been plagued by problems and delays. As a result, the market is shifting towards Unix, with industry analysts citing Microsoft's difficulties in meeting stability levels needed for corporate use.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sun Microsystems' Solaris 7 operating system is expected to feature 64-bit addressing, enabling it to handle vast sets of data, and will have 12-13 million lines of code, significantly less than Microsoft's NT version.
  • The new Solaris 7 is likely to have a competitive edge over Microsoft's NT, given the latter's history of delays and stability issues, with analysts predicting difficulties in meeting corporate use requirements.
  • Sun's president, Ed Zander, estimates that the company has a three-year lead on Microsoft, although most industry analysts consider this an optimistic claim.
  • In the second quarter, Sun experienced a growth rate of 37%, surpassing all other server vendors except Dell Computer, securing its lead in Unix revenue for the first time.
  • The Solaris 7 operating system will run on both Sparc microprocessors and Intel-based servers, allowing for increased flexibility and compatibility.
  • I.B.M., Sequent, and Santa Cruz Operation have partnered to develop a single software operating system that will control computers running both Intel and I.B.M. microprocessors, further solidifying the shift towards Unix.

Statistics:

  • 64-bit addressing: The new Solaris 7 operating system features 64-bit addressing, enabling it to handle vast sets of data.
  • 12-13 million lines of code: Solaris 7 has significantly reduced code lines compared to Microsoft's NT, which is reported to have more than 35 million lines of code.
  • 37% growth rate: Sun experienced a 37% growth rate in the second quarter, surpassing all other server vendors except Dell Computer.
  • $XX: Revenue figures are not explicitly stated in the article, but Sun's growth rate suggests significant market share gains.

Sources:

  • Sun Microsystems Inc.
  • Microsoft Corporation
  • I.B.M.
  • Sequent Computer Corporation
  • Santa Cruz Operation
  • Andrew Allison, a computer-industry analyst
  • Ed Zander, president of Sun Microsystems

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