Wingcast and Sun Microsystems have announced that they have forged a strategic alliance to facilitate the delivery of telematics services and the integration of new telematics applications.

The agreement designates Sun as a preferred technology vendor for Wingcast, which will power its infrastructure on Sun Fire(TM) servers. Wingcast also will use components from the end-to-end Sun(TM) ONE framework, including software from the Java(TM) 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME)(TM). In addition, Sun Professional Services will provide architectural expertise.

"Wingcast is building a telematics service delivery network that provides the flexibility and scalability to meet the consumer demands of today, while keeping our eyes on the needs of tomorrow," said Erez Nir, vice president, Service Delivery Network for Wingcast. "Our alliance with Sun provides us with an open system architecture that promotes the efficient integration of applications developed specifically for cars and trucks, and gives us access to high-quality professional services from one of the leading technology companies in the world."

The two companies are working closely together to advance the telematics industry, promoting the development of relevant applications that can be integrated into Wingcast's Java technology-based open architecture and jointly developing design architectures for mobile consumer services over the Wingcast service delivery network. Sun will also promote wingcast services to its domestic workforce and will develop purchase incentive programs to help ignite industry demand.

"Telematics is a burgeoning technology sector, and Sun's flexible and open architecture design is well suited to promote this emerging market," said John Loiacono, Sr. vice president, chief marketing officer of Sun Microsystems. "As an industry, telematics can reach its potential only when systems are truly interoperable. Wingcast has all the pieces in place to deliver high-quality telematics services, and the Sun ONE platform provides the foundation for developing and deploying services on demand today and in the future."

Ford Motor Company and QUALCOMM, Inc. announced the creation of Wingcast in July 2000 to offer telematics services-the integration of computing and wireless telecommunications with motor vehicles to enhance safety, security, productivity and enjoyment for consumers in a mobile environment.