Additionally, we can deploy these management solutions across the enterprise in a consistent, reliable and timely manner. Sun developers are already creating storage services using the Project StoreX framework, and at least a dozen companies have implementations in the planning stage. Additional products underway include control diagnostics and data services such as cache and volume management, backup, and remote mirroring. For example, StorageTek provides its customers with tape, disk, software and switches. We are able to offer the mainframe class level of service that our customers have come to expect in a networked environment.
Automation is key to solving the storage management dilemma.
Storage management complexities exist throughout the storage network, including the disk drive. Sun's open framework, Sun's Project StoreX promises the ability for storage management software providers to deliver open function that runs across a broad range of storage products. This open framework offers the potential to significantly shorten the time to market window for new storage function, but will require meaningful nearterm commitment on the part of the hardware community. Together with our allies we will aggressively pursue rapid adoption by other industry vendors. Like Sun's internal developers, these vendors should benefit from dramatic reductions in development cost, complexity and improved time to market.