SUN MICROSYSTEMS: Sun Microsystems and Java technology shine at NRF. `98
(M2 Presswire; 01/20/98)
-- From JavaPOS to data warehousing - and beyond
At the National Retail Federation's 87th Annual Convention & EXPO, Sun
Microsystems Inc.'s Java technology will take center stage, as the National
Retail Federation (NRF) and a consortium of more than 20 major technology and
retailing companies unveil JavaPOS specifications, the highly-anticipated
standard for point-of-sale systems using Java technology.
In its exhibit (Booth #731), Sun and its allies will feature several retail
solutions based on Java technology -- all possessing the ability to run on
diverse hardware and software platforms -- as well as mission-critical retail
enterprise applications based upon the robust Solaris operating environment,
such as data warehousing and merchandise management.
The JavaPOS spec is the first technical standard to be endorsed by the
National Retail Federation's Information Technology Council. The NRF and its
members are embracing JavaPOS specifications as a standard because this
platform-independent technology can help ensure that all point-of-sale
environments - from existing POS terminals to emerging platforms including
portable devices, the Web and telephony -- can communicate and share
applications. Because Java applications can run on a wide variety of systems
and devices -- from smart cards to POS to retail enterprise host systems --
this technology holds great promise for the retail industry as it searches for
next-generation, fully open solutions.
"Retailers are demanding genuinely open standards that will give them more
options, and JavaPOS will fill this need," said Bob DeLaney, manager, worldwide
market development, retail and distribution, Sun Microsystems. "Because POS
terminals function as a `thin client' devices with specific applications and
functions, they're ideal for Java based applications and development. Sun is
proud to have played a key role in bringing retailers together with the
industry's top hardware and software vendors to create this new, open vision of
technologies in the future of retailing."
DeLaney will participate in two events focused on the new JavaPOS standard
scheduled for today at Jacob Javits Center. The first, at 10:00 a.m. in Room
1E14, is a panel discussion on "JavaPOS - A New Standard for POS" that will
also include David V. Evans, CIO of J.C. Penney Inc., Curtiss Monroe, CTO of
NCR Corporation, and Hollis Posey, CTO of IBM Corporation. DeLaney will also be
a featured speaker at the NRF's press conference on the JavaPOS standard at
1:30 p.m., in Room 1B04.
Sun's NRF exhibit will showcase how retailers can leverage the power of Java
technology in stores and throughout the retail enterprise to become more
competitive - without obsoleting their existing investments in systems and
architecture. Sun and its more than two dozen allies in the exhibit will
demonstrate power and versatility of Java technology as applied to point-of-
sale, supply chain management, interactive kiosk, electronic commerce and other
critical retail applications.
In addition to Java applications, Sun and its fellow vendors will
demonstrate the JavaStation network computer (NC) and Sun's powerful, highly
scalable Sun Enterprise and Netra servers running on the Solaris operating
environment, whose high reliability and robustness make it ideal for demanding
retail applications. Sun's broad server and workstation families enable
retailers to leverage a seamless, scalable computing architecture from the
store level through regional distribution centers up to headquarters data
centers (with systems such as the 64-processor, mainframe-class Sun Enterprise
10000).
As the leader in network computing, Sun continues to champion open standards
through its own technology and the best-of-breed retail technology vendors it
carefully selects. Together, Sun and its associates provide end-to-end
solutions to many of the world's leading retail organizations. Exhibitors at
Sun's booth are scheduled to include: Telxon, Datafit, Intrepid Systems, BACG,
Information Advantage, Cornerstone, Island Pacific Systems, HYPERparallel, The
Allied Group, MMK AG Multimedia Communications and Apunix. Some of the
highlights will be displays from:
The Allied Group Inc. The Allied Group Inc., is the developer of inTOUCH, a
kiosk platform and software application tool that brings the best of today's
technologies together. inTOUCH is a kiosk development tool kit based on Java
technology that creates a rapid prototyping environment, reduces development
time and lowers the overall cost of ownership of Web-based kiosk solutions. It
runs on Sun's JavaStation network computer.
Apunix' Retail Kiosk is unique because the content is based on the Java
platform, is completely user configurable, can be configured with video, and
can be interfaced to SQL databases. A Product Locator Module applet helps the
customer find products, and a Web-enabled Gift Registry Module makes it easy
for loyal consumers to register for gifts.
Cornerstone Retail Solutions The Cornerstone Retail Foundation (CRF) is a
retail application offering designed to a Web-style architecture with point-of-
sale and kiosk components written in the Java programming language. CRF
combines the platform independence, efficient software customization and
support capabilities inherent in Java technology, with the openness and
flexibility of a Web-style application architecture. CRF delivers an
application foundation that can run across most operating environments and
provide store functionality that can be customized to specific business rules
as well as be integrated with other enterprise applications.
Datafit BeanStore is a software suite based on Java technology providing a
complete store automation solution with exceptional levels of functionality, re-
use and platform independence. The business functionality provides a full-
function POS system designed for the specialty and department store
environment, with mid-office functions on the store server to support the store
operations.
HYPERparallel, a software development company specializing in high
performance parallel data mining, will be showing: 1) Discovery Server - A data
mining architecture and suite of data mining algorithms specifically designed
for the development of data mining applications. 2) Customer Relationship
Marketing //Solution Framework - A retail specific recipe for Customer
Relationship Marketing built upon the HYPERparallel Discovery Architecture. The
recipe is designed to allow a retailer to uncover the likes and preferences of
its best customers so that it can optimize marketing expenditures and maximize
revenue and income.
Island Pacific Systems The Eye, Island Pacific Systems' integrated data
warehouse, EIS, planning and allocation system based on Java technology is now
available in Release 1.4 of their I3 Merchandising System. The Eye is a
completely soft, integrated and user definable data warehouse, EIS and planning
tool that incorporates an n-dimensional spherical data warehouse with
workbenches of user data marts. Island Pacific is rewriting all of their
existing retail applications in the Java programming language.
Open Market Transact is the pre-eminent product in the new category of
Internet commerce enterprise application software. In its three years in the
marketplace, Transact's depth and breadth of functionality has made it the
standard for Internet commerce enterprise applications. The Transact installed
base consists of the "Who's Who" of Internet commerce such as Disney, Time-
Warner, and AT&T. Combined with an on-line catalog product like Open Market's
LiveCommerce, Transact provides a powerful, complete solution for large
retailers.
Telxon Telxon's PenClient hand-held mobile computer is ideally suited for
the retail industry. Running the JavaOS or a HotJava browser, PenClient runs
retail applications to perform price check verification, remote points-of-sale
and inventory management. The PenClient can be configured with a wide area
network or local area network. With models weighing less than 2 pounds., the
PenClient offers the portability and lower administration cost advantages of
Java technology, and has the capability to serve as a complete and portable
wireless cash register.
The Vision Factory, Inc. Cat@log is a powerful, open, and productive
software package for building, operating, and maintaining sophisticated
business-to-business and business-to-consumer electronic commerce sites.
Cat@log sets the standard for creating and maintaining live and compelling
catalogs, supporting thousands of items and dynamically updating pages to
reflect relevant database changes. Cat@log offers complete ODBC as well as
native integration to many of the modern SQL databases.
intraWeb Information Technologies GmbH WebKiosk-1 - The revolution in the
world of multimedia kiosk systems: The WebKiosk-1 is a brand new kiosk system
incorporating an Sun's JavaStation network computer, the latest TFT-touch-
screen technology and audio capabilities. It is therefore a zero
administration, plug and play kiosk system. It is housed in a sleek designer
casing and has been developed to include optional components such as a keyboard
with a touch pad or trackball, a magnetic card reader, Smart Card reader or a
printer. Check out http://www.intraweb.de/WebKiosk
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The
Computer," 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.
Sun's global retail clients include discount and mass merchandisers,
department stores, hard and soft goods companies, specialty chains, grocery
chains, convenience store chains, catalog and home shopping organizations, as
well as hotel and restaurant chains. With more than $8.5 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, Sun Microsystems, Java, Sun Enterprise, Netra, JavaStation, JavaPOS,
Solaris, JavaOS, HotJava and "The Network Is The Computer" are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other
countries.
CONTACT: David Berkowitz, Sun Microsystems Tel: +1 650 786 7511 e-mail:
david.berkowitz@sun.com Marty O'Loughlin, Burson-Marsteller for Sun Tel: +1 650
287 4004 e-mail: marty_o'loughlin@bm.com
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