Sun sees ahead

There are an array of factors now reconfiguring the information technology sector -- and software in particular. But one of them is the SOA movement. SOA, for one thing, brings new relevance to the world of application and process integration.

Recognizing this to be the case, Sun Microsystems is acquiring business integration vendor SeeBeyond Technology for $387 million in cash. "This is all about how Sun and shareholders will be able to monetize that opportunity in a big way," said Sun Chairman and Chief Executive Scott McNealy on a conference call. "We now jump right to the front of the business integration market."

As discussed in a previous post, Sun has great confidence in its Java Enterprise System as a force for SOA leadership and will incorporate SeeBeyond's Integrated Composite Application Network software suite into it. It will broaden Sun's portfolio and strengthen its position as a platform player and wider solution provider. "We continue to see customers wanting a platform approach," said Sun President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Schwartz on the conference call.