NEW YORK-Sun Microsystems Inc. launched the Java Telecom Object Network, a free, cooperative Internet Web site forum for telecommunications companies interested in developing applications using distributed object technologies.
“The goal isn’t to be positioned as a standards certification organization but to energize collaboration,” said Nasser Iravani, senior market development manager of telecom Java technologies for Sun, which is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.
Members of the new cooperative will have access to white papers, consulting and training services, Java events and online demonstrations. They also are encouraged to participate in chat groups. Charter members include Bell Atlantic Corp., Motorola Inc., Sprint Corp. and TCSI Corp.
“This is specifically directed at telecommunications carriers to make it easier for them to leverage experiences, reusable (software) components and technologies,” Iravani said.
“We also encourage solutions providers and telecom laboratories to contribute software and components to the Web site,” he added.
As telecommunications carriers seek to differentiate themselves on the basis of a variety of innovative customer services offered, they will need to move away from proprietary software, Iravani said. Otherwise, they will have to re-invent the wheel for each new application.
At the same time, he added, carriers want to stay away from areas outside their core competencies, and that is where distributed object technologies and the new Web site can play a key role.
The JTONE Web site is at www.jtone.com.
