Sun Microsystems Inc has launched the Java Center initiative, to promote the already successful Java as a high end business tool. The centers are designed to offer demonstrations of Java’s capabilities, on-site technical expertise, and the specialist knowledge required to code and develop Java systems. Initially being tested in the UK, Sun Microsystems has opened three centers of its own, but to develop the concept further has partnered with five other companies, Parallax Solutions Ltd, Oracle Corp, McDonnell Information Systems, Relay Business Systems, and International Computers Ltd. Each are offering their own areas of technical expertise with Sun’s support. Eight of the centers will provide consultation for vertical markets only. Six months ago, financial firm JP Morgan & Co worked with Parallax Object Reality Center in Coventry, to produce a Java interface for their securities risk management systems. James Young, vice president of securities risk management at JP Morgan described the development cost as extremely competitive. At the same time, Relay Business Systems announced the launch of two Java products, the shared care intranet information system, and fusion, which enables faxes, electronic mail, and text to be converted into voice mail. After testing the concept first in the UK, Sun says the Java Center concept will definitely move across to the US and then it will take it out to the rest of Europe.
