SUN AND KEY SOFTWARE VENDORS AT RETAIL SYSTEMS 2000

Continuing its strategy to drive leading-edge technology into the retail industry, Sun Microsystems Inc, and its industry software vendors are demonstrating advanced technology at the Retail Systems 2000 show from April 17-19 at the McCormick Place in Chicago (Booth ## 1741). Integrated solutions from Sun and key software vendors help retailers reduce costs and create valueadded services in critical business areas such as electronic retailing, data warehousing and supply chain management.

"Our allies' e-commerce technologies on the Sun network computing platform can enable retailers handle even the largest spikes in e-storefront traffic volumes and deliver the 'anywhere, anytime' shopping experience that today's online consumers demand," said Bob DeLaney, world wide market development manager for Sun Microsystems. "To build on our leadership position as the dot in dot.com for the retail industry, one of our biggest strengths is our continued development of strategic alliance with the industry's leading software vendors, system resellers and integrators. Sun's allies' participation in our Retail Systems 2000 exhibit is a testament to our success in meeting this challenge."

Electronic retailing customers demand reliable, 24x7 service levels that take information systems to the limit. To Web-enable their services and dotcom their storefronts, retailers in increasing numbers are relying on Sun to deliver the professional services and systems flexibility, scalability and high-availability required to bullet-proof their Web sites. Retail Essentials, a program from Sun, offers dot-com and brick-and-mortar retailers a blend of software, hardware, networking and consulting services that help enable retailers to go to market quickly and begin maximizing the profitability of their online storefronts. Among other vendors in Sun's booth is Marcole who will be demonstrating a web browser based Gift Registry System along with Electronic Catalogs systems. And, Intershop will be demonstrating the technologies that are specifically selected to provide the best environment for those who develop and support the enterprise' s business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B) solutions.

In data warehousing, Sun has forged a comprehensive team with key software vendors to enable best performance, functionality and support for the highly integrated environments needed by today's retailers. Informix offers The Red Brick Decision Server database, which performs product mix analysis, product trends analysis, product profitability analysis, market share analysis, and promotional effectiveness, which are critical in data warehousing. Chickasaw Technology offers PlateauNet, a simple, reliable Java-based business control system that enables real-time operations management of complex data generated from virtually any point-of-sale system or other legacy installation.

In the supply chain management, Sun and its partners provide solutions for inventory management, replenishment, distribution, planning, and merchandising. E3, a leader in inventory management and replenishment solutions, provides outsourced applications and buying services. E3 also helps retailers internal collaboration efforts by integrating with leading merchandising, transportation, warehousing and ERP software. In addition, Syncra Systems helps retailers and manufacturers create more accurate plans and forecasts through intranet enabled CPFR software.

Sun in Retail

Sun's global retail clients include electronic retailing merchants, grocery chains, convenience store chains, chain drug stores, discount and mass merchandisers, hard and soft goods specialty businesses, department stores, catalog and home shopping.

Fast growing Internet retail companies are building their technology foundations on Sun Enterprise servers and storage. Sun offers the scalability to help meet the unpredictable demands of the season, the availability to ensure sites are online when customers visit, and the performance to offer users the response times they need for a satisfying shopping experience.

About Sun Microsystems

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer -- has propelled Sun Microsystems Inc to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $14 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at www.sun.com.

Contact Janice Mackey of Sun Microsystems Inc, 650-786-4732 janice.mackey@corp.sun.com.