Bangalore: Sun Microsystems, Net iTech Asia Pacific Pte and Accel ICIM have entered into a joint venture to offer low-cost computing solutions targeted at burgeoning small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

The Sun / NITIX offering marketed by Accel ICIM provides short and long term returns on IT investments for this segment. By simplifying IT infrastructure and management, customers can save from the need to buy components from different vendors, major systems integration costs and the need to buy and co-ordinate upgrades and updates of the different softwares.

The simple web-based management interface of Nitix ensures cost savings by reducing the need of highly trained IT staff to manage the IT infrastructure. Nitix also provides capabilities to completely remote-manage the IT infrastructure solution. Thus, Nitix on the Sun systems provides an unbeatable value proposition to customers - Sun's industry-leading hardware platform with an extremely user-friendly and feature- rich Linux-based operating system at an affordable price.

Accel ICIM has been working closely with Sun in helping customers reduce total cost of ownership and the strong mind share among clients will help this new initiative gain rapid acceptance in the market place. The Chennai-based Accel ICIM, one of the leading providers of total IT solutions, has been appointed by Sun Microsystems as its premier Linux system provider to roll out its Linux initiative for India.

Rajesh Rege, director, sales, Sun Microsystems said, "Sun is delivering on its low-cost computing strategy, providing the best of enterprise value, while ensuring customers have access to world-wide services and support; the reliability, availability and serviceability of sophisticated enterprise-class solutions; and the security and peace of mind of
mission-critical technologies."

SV Sriram, president and COO, Accel ICIM said, "This partnership between Accel, Sun Microsystems and Net iTech Asia Pacific to take the Sun / NITIX solution to market in India is significant, especially considering the trends in the marketplace. We will work towards providing all the required support to ensure that customers get truly unbeatable value with this scalable and revolutionary IT infrastructure solution."

Adds Mohan Menon, CEO, Net iTech Asia Pacific Pte, "Sun's commitment to low-cost computing, and decision to support both Solaris and Linux on x86 demonstrates to Sun / NITIX solution and our joint customers an unquestionable commitment to high-quality, affordable solutions. Our software on Solaris x86 offers customers real performance advantages for a lower cost and the same Solaris reliability and peace of mind."

With over 10,000 installations in the North American region, the Nitix operating system has unique capabilities in auto installation, auto recovery and self-maintenance. These features make it extremely easy for companies with little or no IT infrastructure or IT support to manage. Other intrinsic features include auto backup, an auto configuring router, integrated firewall and virtual private network (VPN), redundant internet connectivity and a unique disaster recovery system. The Nitix server operating system works seamlessly on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac and other Linux-based desktops.

Sun is one of the industry leaders in providing technology to assist customers in reducing cost and complexity. This technology includes Java Enterprise System and N1 Grid (formerly referred to as just N1). Java Enterprise System and N1 Grid - along with a number of other capabilities, such as binary compatibility, scalability, and strong ISV support for Sun platforms - provide investment protection for customers.