Sun Microsystems Success Factors Profile Alexander Shusta

History of IT Innovation 1984 – Sun introduces the Network File System (NFS) that allows users to easily share files over the network – PC NFS is introduced, allows PCs to access the network. Sun has its IPO – SPARCstation1 is introduced – SPARCstation10 is introduced, first multi-CPU desktop system – Java is released, Sun starts its own intranet – 64-bit SPARC processors are released – Sun on Sun ONE initiative to reform business processes culminates – N1 project, designed to allow administrators to control a grid of computers as a single entity, begins production.

Success Factors Profile Executive IS Experience Executive IS Partnership Information Systems are Integral to the Business Information Systems Architecture Linkage to Suppliers

Executive IS Experience CEO: McNealy – Trained as a production manager. But, has 22 years experience working at Sun doing. Line organization executives are technology people first, managers second. Sun has experienced the benefits of good IS and believes in its ability to execute strategic initiatives.

Executive IS Partnership Executives publicly support IS initiatives. Funding is available for new initiatives. Executives are able to clearly communicate the goals of new initiatives to line workers. Sun IT services are listened to by upper management when they propose new projects.

Information Systems are Integral to the Business Sun’s intranet provides real-time feedback to line managers about production processes. Sales Portal system helps to accurately forecast short term demand. Supplier Portal implements competitive bidding to bring down the cost of inputs. By running their own solutions, Sun sends a message to customers about the quality of their systems.

Information Systems Architecture Reusable, extensible architecture. Utilizes design patterns to speed new roll- outs. Initial architecture design used feedback from line managers at every business unit to ensure relevance of the solution. Portal system that presents key information to different users allows the same architecture to service many different needs.

Linkage to Suppliers Supplier portal helps to pass information from sales division through Sun and on to suppliers. Competitive bidding is implemented using EDI to instantaneously confirm orders and pay suppliers.

Conclusion The roles and relationships at Sun have helped Sun IT to bring competitive advantage to Sun. Sun’s timing on IS initiatives has been excellent. Sun has effectively used IS to gain competitive advantage that would have been unavailable to them otherwise.