Benetton Group Selects Sun Microsystems for Its Next-Generation Information System

Sun's Solaris and Java Technology Allow Benetton Group to Reduce Costs and Complexity of Its IT Infrastructure, Speeding Time to Deployment

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct 28, 2003 -- Innovation, performance, robustness and security: these are the key benefits that Benetton Group, the worldwide fashion manufacturer and retailer, expects to reach with the choice of Sun's Solaris(TM) and Java(TM) technologies for their network computing environment.

"The final decision was made based on Sun's Solaris operating system. We chose Sun for its superior security, stability and scalability," said Terry Phipps, chief information officer of Benetton Group. "The evolution of our IT system is now based on the best available technology, offering best-in-class performance and failover capabilities."

After extensive analysis, tests and benchmarks, Benetton decided to move to Solaris 9 as the best solution to the company's needs. Benetton's IT infrastructure and strategy is based on open standards including Unix (both Solaris and Linux), Java technology and XML.

Another key element in Benetton's IT decision is the power of Sun's Java technology for all the peripheral and edge applications, as well as SAP for their enterprise applications. Java technology, the open platform for network computing, reduces costs and complexity of developing applications, speeds time to deployment and offers unique collaboration opportunities. Java technology is the most secure language for application development and deployment. Because it provides flexibility and modularity in programming, Java technology is able to address the demanding needs of the chief information officer. This, in turn, improves internal processes and improves interoperability and the exchange of critical data.

"The Java environment," added Phipps, "allows a simplification and an easier integration of business processes, a better use of Benetton's internal resources, easier communication with external IT suppliers and less reengineering efforts. Simply put, Java lowers the stress on our business." "We are glad to provide a competitive advantage to Benetton Group with our technology," said Mauro Banchero, managing director and president of Sun Microsystems Italy. "Benetton, just like Sun, is a leader in innovation. Their IT strategic directions are a great match with Sun's network computing vision and roadmap. Benetton is the perfect example of a well-networked enterprise."

By adopting Java technology, Benetton expects to have a shorter leadtime in delivering IT solutions, thereby improving time-to-market and helping the firm to quickly answer new market challenges.

SUN IN RETAIL

Over the past several years, Sun has been growing steadily in the retail sector, and has become world renowned for its vision and success in this competitive industry. Today, Sun's global reach includes specialty hard and soft goods, discount and mass merchandisers, department stores, food service, supermarkets, convenience stores, chain drug stores, electronic retailing merchants, catalog and home shopping. Fast growing retailers are building their technology foundations leveraging Java System software on Sun Fire servers, and Sun StorEdge arrays. Because of Sun's binary compatibility, Sun's scalability from the smallest to largest servers gives a significant advantage for retailers looking for greater business agility.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com .

CONTACT: Aaron Cohen of Sun Microsystems, Inc., +1-415-294-4207, or aaron.cohen@sun.com.

SOURCE Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Web Site: http://sun.com