Sun shines in Vodafone deal

Vodafone hopes to realise 'significant cost savings' after sealing a global framework agreement giving it access to all of Sun Microsystems' hardware, software, and services product line.

The deal, which 'specifically includes' extensions for the Sun Java Enterprise System and the Sun Java Desktop System, allows Vodafone to use Sun software in providing services and support to customers in more than 26 countries worldwide.

"With this agreement with Sun, we anticipate significant cost and synergy savings over the next few years due to reduced support and deployment costs," said Detlef Schultz, global supply chain director at Vodafone.

"The most demanding large-scale organisations are trying to simplify the integration of their infrastructure and cut costs to deliver more services to their customers over the network," added John Loiacono, executive vice president of software at Sun.

"Vodafone represents the future - one in which all businesses operate shared service environments, bringing together communities and employees, partners and suppliers, with a common infrastructure, a common technology model and a common pursuit of simplicity and business opportunity."

Sun said the deal had the potential to alter future commercial software development for Vodafone, which is already the biggest user of the Java System Directory product.

So far, Vodafone Operating Companies in the UK, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands have purchased local licences under the terms of the contract.