Sun Microsystems enhances partner eco system to drive market momentum on software and entry products in the mid market segment

To tap Redington India’s wide reseller network for the Sun Open Access Channel Program in India

To build a new framework to empower Open Source software and entry servers and storage channels

New Delhi, March 4, 2009- In order to leverage the rising acceptance of its software and volume products in the Emerging Markets sales region, Sun Microsystems India today expanded its relationship with Redington (India) Limited, reputed distributor of IT products and provider of support services, to tap its large reseller network base for the Sun Open Access Channel Program in India.

The Open Access Channel Program, an enhancement to the hugely successful Sun Partner Advantage Program is being introduced to capitalize on the market momentum behind Sun’s leading software products, including open source powerhouses GlassFish application server, MySQL database, OpenSolaris operating system and xVM VirtualBox as well as select Sun entry server and storage products to provide partners with new ways to reach new customers, capture untapped market demand, open new markets and grow their businesses.

The Open Access Channel Program gives resellers a simple, no barrier to entry option for gaining access to Sun’s software, server, and storage products portfolio. New resellers can grow their businesses by expanding their product portfolios to include Sun software solutions. Existing partners who have already invested in Sun software will continue to receive the extensive program benefits that are available only to Sun Partner Advantage Program participants.

Redington India will be the only channel partner in Sun’s large channel network to be a part of the Open Access Program in India. Through this program, Redington India can grow its business by recruiting and cultivating new partner relationships focused on selling Sun software and entry products with little investment and risk .The expanded relationship will involve Sun partnering with Redington’s wide network of resellers, joint investment in resource , training and Go to Market to serve customers .

Sun Microsystems India appointed Redington (India) Limited as a Value Added Distributor for India in 2007. Redington is a distributor of IT products and leading integrated Supply Chain Solution provider that includes non IT products and involves the management of inventory of greater than 4000 SKU’s (stocking units) while transacting business with over 10,500 channel partners globally.

Speaking about program and its benefits, Mr. Sudhir Nayar, Director- Partner Sales Organization, Sun Microsystems India said,” The Open Access Program is an enabler for both resellers who simply want easier access to sell Sun software and volume products as well as current Sun Partners who want to expand their skills, expertise, resources of their diverse distribution network and thus help us reach out to newer market and customer segments to drive our software and entry products portfolios especially in the mid market. We have had a successful engagement with Redington over the last one year and believe that this program will further build on this success.

The Open Access Channel Program is yet another demonstration of Sun’s partner-first initiative and is designed to provide maximum choice and flexibility to meet a broad range of partner business models. It represents a strategic shift which enables a broader partner community to sell Open Access volume products, software and services. Further, the program simplifies our engagement with the partner making it easier for new and existing channel partners globally to sell Sun software with little up-front investment, ” he further added.

Sun & Redington will jointly engage in several go to market activities help educate and make resellers aware of Sun’s technology capabilities and support initiatives.

Speaking about the opportunities that this engagement will provide from a distributor’s point of view, Mr. Anand Chakravarthy, Head – Strategic Business Unit , Redington India said, “The Open Access Channel Program from Sun will help us streamline our business, and further develop our reseller ecosystem. Being the sole distributor in India to have the Open Access Distributor status provides us with the opportunity to add Sun product line to existing non-Sun reseller relationships with no certifications or additional reseller contracts required. We welcome the introduction of this program as it opens up revenue opportunities for us while at the same time minimising the investment required and the risk involved.”

About Sun Partner Advantage Program

The Sun Partner Advantage Program is designed for partners seeking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace with innovative solutions based on Sun technology. The program enables Sun and its partners to deliver end-to-end IT solutions to our customers and grow profitably together. The Sun Partner Advantage Program is a flexible, predictable program based on progressive membership levels, where partners are rewarded for increased commitment, performance and value. For more information about the Sun Partner Advantage Program, please visit www.sun.com/partners

About Sun:
A singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer(TM)” — guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world’s most important markets. Sun’s philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.

Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, Solaris, Star Office, N1, CoolThreads, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

About Redington India (http://www.redingtonindia.com)

Redington India Ltd is a focused distribution player with a significant reach across India, SAARC, Middle East and Africa. The company has successfully transformed itself from a pure IT products distribution firm with traditional cash and carry model to a leading integrated Supply Chain Solution Provider that includes non IT products and involves the management of inventory of greater than 4,000 SKU’s (stocking units) while transacting business with over 10,500 channel partners globally. The consolidated turnover of the company for the FY 2005-2006 stands at Rs.90610 million (over US$ 2 Billion).

For further information, please contact,

On Sun Microsystems India
Bipasha Chakrabarti
PR and Communications Manager
Sun Microsystems India Pvt. Ltd.
Ph: 080- 66930600 ext 89659
bipasha.chakrabarti {at} sun(.)com

Manpreet Singh / Krityanand Kundan
Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
9810286337 / 9990099562
manpreet.singh {at} vccpl(.)com / krityanand.kundan {at} vccpl(.)com