Sun Microsystems spurs Java development in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh-based IT Matrix, one of the Kingdom's leading IT security solution providers, has just launched for commercial sale a secure corporate email security and management solution - Secure MailMatrix - it has developed using Java, attracting praise from Sun's regional management for its ingenious use of the technology.

Java is one of the world's most extensible and widely accepted computing languages, providing maximum reach to every device and platform. With Saudi Arabia's IT sector evolving rapidly, Sun predicts that adoption of Java technology will become common place in the Kingdom within the next two years.

"Saudi commercial users are just beginning recognize the advantages of developing solutions using Java," said Graham Porter, marketing manager, Sun Microsystems, MENA. "Some industry leaders are already exploiting the benefits and before long we expect many more will be joining them. The use of Java as the platform for an advanced security solutions like Secure MailMatrix is a testament to Java's growing popularity here."

With demand for security and reliability in corporate email systems increasing, the Java-based Secure MailMatrix will meet an important market need in Saudi Arabia. The company has now begun work on a dedicated Secure MailMatrix hardware appliance, which will use Sun rack servers and the robust, secure Linux operating system.

"Secure Mail Matrix will handle all the challenges of corporate email," said Mirza Asrar Baig, CEO at IT Matrix. "It's not just a spam blocker or mail filter - it is a total solution. For the first time, organizations will be able to proactively control every aspect of their corporate mail systems."

Java offers a single, unifying cross-platform programming model that can connect all elements of business infrastructure. Java technology is used in cell phones, on laptop computers, on the Web -even trackside at Formula One Grand Prix races. In the Middle East, industry specific solutions for sectors such as banking, healthcare and telecommunications have been developed on Java.

Java programs are embedded into HTML documents and can be used to create animations and interactive features on World Wide Web pages. Web browsers such as HotJava and Netscape Navigator (2.0 or above) run Java applications. Running on all platforms, from servers to cell phones to smart cards, the Java platform is the ideal platform for network computing.

As the robust programming language grows in popularity, communities of Java developer groups have sprung up around the world. They are working on delivering new Java-based software products and services and on evolving the technology through an open, community-based standards organization known as the Java Community Process program.