VARs warm to Sun's bright ideas
New pricing model and simplified range of software wins favour with the channel
Channel players and analysts have seen the bright side of Sun's new pricing model for its rebranded and simplified range of software products.
At its SunNetwork show last week, Sun announced it was splitting its 225 software products into six suites. It also reinforced its support for Java.
Sun launched Java Enterprise System, formerly code-named Project Orion, a consolidation of its entire network services architecture, and Java Desktop System, formerly known as Project Mad Hatter, which includes StarOffice 7, email and calendaring software.
Mark O'Hara, managing director of reseller Hydra, said: "Cutting the number of product categories will make things a lot simpler for us. If the packages we sell are consolidated into smaller technology groups, it makes our job easier."
Tony Lock, chief analyst at Bloor Research, agreed. "It is much easier for customers to buy and for [resellers] to sell," he said. "There is less to fall through the gaps, and it saves Sun publishing catalogues of products as well."
But it was the new pricing model which channel players warmed to. Both products are set at $100 or UK equivalent per user or per desktop, or both suites for $150 per user.
O'Hara said: "I can see the value in doing this. It's fantastic for us again. It's simpler and more cost-effective, and it clarifies our opportunity."
Lock added: "This is good. Sun has the quality of simplicity. Auditing software licences can be a nightmare. Sun has a reasonably good price point, but it has to make clear what is included in the package."
Separately, Sun has laid off up to 1,080 staff in the US. However, Gary Nugent, iForce partner and mid-market sales manager at Sun, said there were no plans to cut staff in the UK.