Sun Microsystems Announces Executive Committee Members for Forthcoming Java Community Process Program 2.0

Executive Committee Members To Oversee Evolution of the Java Platform

With this announcement, Sun has taken the next step in sharing the responsibility for the development of the Java platform with other members of the international technology community. The formation of the ECs also underscores the software industry's dedication to the success of the JCP program and their commitment to ensuring that Java technology continues to rapidly develop in order to meet the needs of the networked economy. Moreover, the additional direction and expertise of the EC members will further assure the Java technology developer community that they will have access to the highest quality technology for .com computing.

Two ECs have been established: one to oversee the Java technologies for the desktop/server space (with responsibility for the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition and Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition technology specifications) and the other to oversee the Java technologies for the consumer/embedded space (with responsibility for the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition technology specification). The EC members represent a diverse cross-section of technology leaders in both the desktop/server and consumer/embedded markets, including: Apache Software Foundation, Apple, BEA, Caldera, Compaq, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, IONA, Inprise, Insignia, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Novell, Oracle, Palm, Philips, Siemens, Sony, Sun Microsystems, and Wind River. The members are active participants within the JCP program and have steadfastly worked to ensure that the promise of Java technology's open, platform-independent nature remains true to the promise of "Write Once, Run Anywhere" and that Java technology continues its remarkable adoption in the enterprise.

The ECs will make key decisions concerning Java technology specifications as they move through the JCP 2.0, sharing with Sun the responsibility for the continued rapid adoption and evolution of Java technology. Examples of these responsibilities include selecting Java Specification Requests (JSRs) for development within the JCP program, approving JSRs for public review, and giving final approval for completed JSRs and their associated reference implementations and compatibility test suites. The ECs will assume these duties beginning June 19th. Over the next few months, in addition to their work on the JSRs, the interim ECs will also continue refining the JCP 2.0 process and will lay the groundwork for the first EC elections to be held later this fall.

"As is evident by the depth, diversity and strength of the JCP program's Executive Committee members, the future of Java technology specifications is in capable and caring hands," said George Paolini, vice president of Java Community Development at Sun Microsystems, Inc. "This is one of many solid steps for JCP 2.0 and for the Java technology industry at large. Sun and the other EC members are working hard to finalize the next iteration of the JCP, which will continue the pace of innovation and further drive Java technology's adoption across the board, from hand-held devices to the data center."

The Java Community Process: Successful Technology Evolution

Executive Committee Members Comment on the JCP Program

Apple
"Apple's commitment to Java technology is strong - Mac OS X will ship with the Java 2 platform built-in, Java technology-based applications will be able to use the modern Aqua interface on Mac OS X, WebObjects 5 for Java will be built using 100 percent pure Java technology, and QuickTime for Java technology brings industry standard audio and video to Java technology-based applications," said Philip Schiller, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "We are thrilled to be a part of the Java Community Process program's Executive Committee and plan to play a major role in shaping the future of Java technology through an open process."

BEA
"BEA is both pleased and gratified to be a charter member of the Executive Committee for the Java Community Process program," said Scott Dietzen, CTO of the BEA E-Commerce Server Division. "For the past six months, BEA has been working closely with Sun and the other Java technology partners to put together the EC. By opening up the management of the Java platform, Sun has ensured that Java technology will continue to provide a rich, uniform platform for traditional transaction-processing as well as new emerging e-business environments. Over the past two years, a stunning convergence around Java technology and the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition has united a very diverse application server market. BEA has been a principal driver of this transformation, and as a result, BEA WebLogic is now the market leading Java Web application server."

Caldera
"On behalf of the Linux industry, we want to ensure that Java technology-based applications remain platform-independent, making portability to Linux a non-issue," said Darren Davis, vice president of development for Caldera Systems, Inc. "As a member of the Executive Committee, Caldera will bring its experience as an Open Source and Open Standards developer to the Java Community Process program."

Compaq
Said Gary Campbell, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Compaq Enterprise Servers, "Compaq has a very significant stake in Java technology - including the industry's largest installed base of desktop PCs and servers running Java, the world's fastest Java Virtual Machine, and the only fault-tolerant Java-ready platform. We welcome the opportunity to further the cause of Java standards and to enable the Java, Microsoft Windows and Compaq NonStop computing worlds to work even better together."

Fujitsu
"Fujitsu is pleased to support the evolving Java Community Process program by joining the new J2SE/J2EE Executive Committee," said Mr. Junji Maeyama, Senior Vice President and Group President, Software Group, Fujitsu Limited. "Java technology is central to the success of our customer enterprise solutions, and we look forward to working closely with other vendors and customers in this Executive Committee. We expect that the revised Java Community Process program will accelerate the use of new Java technology specifications in Fujitsu's application server product, INTERSTAGE."

Hewlett-Packard
"HP's end-to-end strategy of delivering e-services includes comprehensive enterprise Java application development solutions for our partners and customers" said Linda Lawson, General Manager of HP's Applications Development Organization. "By becoming an Executive Committee member of the Java Community Process program, HP will be playing a pivotal role in defining, influencing and promoting the enterprise Java specifications to best serve the interests of the Java technology communities, including our customers and partners."

Inprise/Borland
"We are excited to work together with Sun and other Executive Committee members to participate in the evolution of new Java technologies," said Dale Fuller, interim chief executive officer and president of Inprise/Borland. "As one of the first adopters of Java technology, our enterprise solutions help deliver Java technology standards to the community and accelerate the acceptance of the Java platform in the market."

Insignia Solutions
"Working closely with Sun as a licensee and JCP program member for more than a year, Insignia has been at the forefront of the evolution of Java technology for Internet appliances and embedded devices. During that time we've built a strong customer base and developed a keen understanding of what our customers require from both a technological and business standpoint," stated Jon Hoskin, chief technology officer, Insignia Solutions. "By serving on the J2ME JCP Executive Committee, we have the opportunity to play a larger role in helping to set the direction of Java technology for wired and wireless devices, as well as ensuring that the extensive input that we receive from our customers is brought to the table."

Matsushita (Panasonic)
"Matsushita is pleased to have the opportunity to become an EC member of the Java Community Process program," said Yoshiaki Kushiki, Director, Multimedia R&D, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. "Java technology has become one of the most important technologies for Consumer Electronics, and Matsushita should contribute to realize a Java software environment suitable for Consumer Electronics software platform."

Motorola
"Motorola is very pleased to be selected as a member of Sun's JCP 2.0 Executive Committee," said Anne-Marie Larkin, vice president and director of Wireless Software Applications and Services, Motorola SPS. "We very much hope that our presence in this important Internet standards forum will help reflect the diverse interests of Motorola's embedded, wireless and broadband customers."

Nokia
"Nokia is delighted to join the Executive Committee of the Java Community Process program, and we look forward to giving our active input into the Java technology specification process and application platform development. The Java platform is an excellent complementary element in the Nokia vision of the Mobile Information Society. Nokia will be supporting the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition in a wide selection of its future mobile terminal products," said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones.

Novell
"Given Java technology's cross-platform value, having cross-vendor collaboration through the Java Community Process program will continue to enhance the evolution of Java technology and open-standards," said Adrian Viego, General Manager, Global Alliances for Novell. "As one of the initial contributors, Novell is pleased to continue its involvement with the JCP program and to be a part of the Java platform's innovation, development and standardization."

Philips
"Philips has been working on Java technology in TV for several years, most recently as a contributor to the DVB Multimedia Home Platform activity," said Jos Swillens, President, Set-Top Box division of Philips Digital Networks. "We are very pleased that Sun is setting up these executive committees to oversee the evolution of the Java technology specifications and are delighted to join in this process."

Wind River
"As one of the first software licensees to extend the Java platformm beyond its desktop and server roots, Wind River has been committed to providing Java technology to our customers," said Curt Schacker, vice president of corporate marketing for Wind River. "We're very happy to continue our leading role through the new Java Community Process program Executive Committee. True community involvement has already played a critical role in pushing Java technology into networked devices, and the establishment of a formalized community process will accelerate the development of the platform. Wind River is excited to be part of a process that will ease development of Java technology-based connected, smart devices in the future and is committed to delivering optimized Java technology implementations to our customers."

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