Sun Embraces Instant Messaging

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (www.sun.com) announced the latest version of Sun Java System Instant Messaging, a key component of Sun Java Communications Suite. With this latest release, Sun is supporting the eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), the first protocol to be approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as an Internet standard for instant messaging and presence technologies. In addition, Sun Java System Instant Messaging includes new privacy controls, significant improvements in usability and new partnerships to enhance the offering.

"Instant messaging and presence awareness are powerful communication and collaboration tools, not only as standalone applications but also as the foundation for a wide-range of real-time applications. Through new support for XMPP, Sun Java System Instant Messaging helps to enable customers to build or extend their real time applications to accelerate business processes and increase the return on investment," said Mayank Choudhary, group marketing manager for collaboration products, Sun Microsystems, Inc.

XMPP facilitates interoperability across instant messaging and real-time, presence-based applications, as well as facilitating third-party integration. Using XMPP, Sun Java System Instant Messaging can help customers protect their communications infrastructure investments by enabling the software to be customized to meet business requirements.

Sun is working with Clique Communications, a leading provider of video communication and collaboration tools to integrate Sun Java System Instant Messaging with Clique Video Messenger.

Clique offers modular, component-based solutions that are interoperable across mobile and wireline networks. Customers using Sun Java System Instant Messaging along with Clique Video Messenger, will now be able to incorporate video calling into their communication infrastructure.

"Sun's support of XMPP makes the Sun Java Communications Suite an ideal platform for our video phone, messaging, and conferencing products" said Chang Feng, CTO, Clique Communications, LLC.

The Sun Java Studio Enterprise development environment extends the capabilities of Sun Java System Instant Messaging to enable collaboration among the growing number of distributed development teams.