Sun Microsystems and Software AG announce alliance

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW) and Software AG have formed a business alliance to deliver add-on technology for Software AG's Tamino XML Server 4.1 to support Sun's StarOffice(tm) Software 6.1 productivity suite

Tamino XML Server add-on technology for StarOffice™ Software eases document collaboration, provides digital signature support and enables connectivity with back-end applications

The Tamino/StarOffice add-on delivers a cost-effective solution, increasing workgroup productivity and security by providing access to powerful collaboration functionality, digital signature support and connectivity with back-end applications.

Moreover, the add-on technology ensures interoperability and user ownership of data through adherence to open XML standards from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

"Sun's StarOffice uses XML as its default file format; the next logical step was to create add-on technology in the Tamino XML Server allowing native XML data storage and data exchange of StarOffice documents." stated Dr. Peter Mossack, CTO and member of the executive board, Software AG. "Tamino's data and metadata indexing features enhances StarOffice's enterprise searching, publishing, security and reliability capabilities compared to using file systems for data storage."

"Enterprise customers are demanding simple, yet powerful tools for advanced document management to allow sharing, searching and centralized storage, resulting in improved productivity, security and collaboration," said Curtis Sasaki, vice president of engineering for Desktop Solutions, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The StarOffice/Tamino combination delivers these benefits -- all based on open file formats and open protocols."

The StarOffice/Tamino add-on brings multi-channel publishing to life. With data stored in XML, content is easily published in various formats, such as PDF or HTML, enabling the seamless integration of third party products via open standard interfaces. As a result, customers process XML documents directly in their applications, through rule-based transmission via fax server or publishing to mobile devices.

In addition, the Tamino XML Server integrates into existing back-end systems, enabling bi-directional data exchange with these applications through easy-to-configure Software AG adaptors. Thus, documents from linked systems can be compiled and processed directly in StarOffice Software, giving users the option to store documents with a secure digital signature in Tamino XML Server.