Sun Debuts Java Enterprise System 5.0

Sun said Thursday that it had released Java Enterprise System 5.0, a set of subscription-based services that complement enterprise operating systems like the company's own Solaris 10.

Java ES includes a set of services that are dependent on the number of employees in an organization. For example, a small company of 1,000 or less would gain the Java software, support, and eLearning.

However, a larger company of 20,000 or more would obtain additional services likely to be of more use, such as training credits and professional services hours, which put Sun's technicians at the customer's disposal to develop custom Java applications.

About 1.3 million customers use Java ES, according to a statement released by Sun. The new version is also modular, allowing customers to subscribe to the base services and add additional ones as needed.

"The newest version of Java ES will help our customers to consolidate their licensing costs, reduce integration costs, and improve both functionality and flexibility of our distributed applications, identity management solutions and web services," Sun software infrastructure vice president Jim McHugh said.

Java ES 5.0's release follows that of two other enterprise products over the past year, including Identity Manager and Portal Server. Analyst firm Gartner says Sun is the marker share leader in identity management solutions.