Direct from Web 2.0

Cient side Java, Sun and IBM

June 11, 2006 – 8:54 am by coachwei | Category Main Page | 1 Comment »

The conventional wisdom is that Sun is the only company who doesn't know how to make money from Java. Depsite being the inventor of Java and the host of JavaOne annually, the companies who make money from Java are IBM, Oracle and BEA, etc. Though Jonathan Schwarts claims that “I say most of our revenue is derived from Java ” - his argument is really that java developer community is the foundation that Sun would sell hardware and software to - very different from bing a direct revenue genenator.

It is not difficult to see why Sun is not making a lot of money from server side Java. Well, the brand names for server side Java are really webshpere and weblogic. Oracle is trying to build its stack but not quite there yet. Sun's Java server software, though interesting, is not creating a significant impact yet.

It is actually easier to see the difference from a client side perspective. Though not being the server side market leader, Sun has been at least seriously trying. On the client side, Sun does not even try.  If you listen to Sun's talks at JavaOne, it is going to be Ajax and JSF (Some people may disagree by pointing out Java Swing and Project LookingGlass. Well, these are all toys, not money makers). In comparison, IBM actually has been fairly serious about client side Java, via its managed client concept and Workplace Client offering, and has been building serious applications using client side Java. IBM clearly understands that client side Java is a good technology that can be applied to solve real world problem in a profitable fashion.

Let there be no doubt that IBM knows Ajax. David Boloker, Rod Smith, Adam Peller, Jon Ferraiolo.etc. are some of the brightest minds in the Ajax world. But IBM does not simply swing back and forth with the wind. IBM knows the pros and cons of each technology - and rightfully using different technolgy for different problems. Client side Java is a significat component for them because it has unique strength that is beyond any other technology.

The sad contrast is that Sun has been just the opposite. Sun pushed client side Java hard initially. Then realized there were problems and challenges with Applets, instead of fixing these problems, Sun completely ditched it. At the meantime, IBM quietly built SWT to fix the problems of AWT, and has been very successful. Now Ajax comes - and Sun appointed a chief architect for Ajax - probably will chase Ajax from now on.

Client side java had problems before- nobody denies it. However, if you look at Nexaweb's jRex, it has completely fixed all the early Applet problems. jRex delivers rich UI that are comparable to Flash UI,  a consistent behavoir cross JVM/Browser/Platforms, and dramatically simplied development and maintenance. Client side Java with jRex, either as Applet or desktop deployment, is a remendous breakthrough for the Java community and enables client side Java to be exciting again. In my oppinion, jRex and Nexaweb Platform are actually the best implementation of the concepts behind IBM's thinking: server managed rich client, deployed either in a browser or on the desktop, combining online and offline computing, all in an object oriented approach that delivers enterprise strength and scalability.

IBM has a clear client side strategy -  managed client concept via Java. Going forward, I can see Ajax being a component of it (which has been a component  to some degree already). When it comes to business critical computing, IBM understand Java's unique strength combined with server-managed clients are key enablers. What is Sun's client side strategy????

So here is my question to Sun:

Sun, instead of chasing the trend like Ajax, would it make sense for you to take a look at some of your core assets, Java, figure out how to take them a step further and actually make some money from them? If you take a close look, not only inside Sun but also around companies like Nexaweb and SavaJe, isn't it obvous that there are tremendous potential and possibility with client side Java that Sun is perfectly positioned to be a leader instead of a follower, reclaiming the front runner position as well as making some real money?