PALO ALTO, CA -- Furthering its commitment to help channel partners and developers gain competitive business advantages, Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - news) today announced the Sun Channel to Developer Access Program. The new program provides qualified Sun iForce(SM) System Providers with an important opportunity to create additional revenue streams and build long-term relationships with the commercial software developer community. The first key offering of the new program, the Sun Developer Hardware Program, is a market-leading developer resource offering the latest technologies and discounted pricing on hardware and development software, including products such as the Sun Blade(TM) 1000 and Sun Fire(TM) 280R servers, and all Sun Cobalt(TM) products. These products provide the foundation tools to enable independent software vendors (ISVs) to easily and cost-effectively develop applications that support Solaris(TM) Operating Environment, Internet and server-based applications, and are immediately available to iForce System Providers to resell. The Sun Channel to Developer Access Program offers qualified iForce System Providers an entry point to capturing the Unix® development environment of commercial software developers. This includes ISVs, service providers and integrators, thus creating revenue-generating relationships with thousands of potential customers. These customers, as members of the Sun Developer Connection(SM) Program -- an integral resource for the developer community -- gain immediate access to discounts on hardware and software, technical support and co-marketing opportunities. ``The Channel to Developer Access Program levels the playing field, allowing our system providers access to an important segment of the marketplace -- the developer community,'' said Gary Grimes, vice president of partner management and sales operations for Sun Microsystems. ``Sun is committed to providing the best value proposition in the industry for all its partners. Programs like the Sun Developer Hardware Program are examples of our commitment to our iForce partner community.'' As participants of the Sun Channel to Developer Access Program, iForce System Providers can: -- Attract and retain developer customers: With the ability to offer Sun developer hardware, software and services at aggressively discounted prices. -- Capture and support a new marketplace: With core competency training and resources dedicated to the developer community. -- Grow revenue: With sales tool kits, which include go-to-market materials, lead-sharing opportunities from Sun, and the ability to leverage additional offerings available through the Sun Developer Connection Program. Participation Requirements In order to participate in the Sun Channel to Developer Access Program, existing iForce System Providers are required to have an authorized resell agreement in place; be Sun Enterprise Certified; be capable of providing architectural/configuration assistance, integration, support and other services; and must complete Sun's Developer Specialty training within 180 days of their agreement. Specifically, qualified iForce System Providers must have a minimum of two systems engineers trained and certified on a number of Sun core technologies related to the Sun Open Net Environment (Sun ONE) architecture, including Java(TM) platform, Forte(TM) tools and iPlanet(TM) e-commerce applications. Additionally, they are required to have two sales representatives receive training around the ``Developer Environment'' and Sun ONE architecture. With the developer specialty training, iForce System Providers are equipped to offer a broader array of services to help commercial software developers in their development efforts, while creating new sources of revenue for the channel. Qualified iForce System Providers can register for the program at http://partner.sun.com/US