Single-Vendor Strategy Integrates SAP Solutions for Human Resources, Replenishment and Sales Forecasting Solutions on Sun UltraSPARC® and Solaris Systems and Storage
Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) and OfficeMax(R) Incorporated, today announced that OfficeMax, a global, multi-channel provider of office products and services, has selected Sun as the exclusive supplier of its UNIX based IT systems, extending a multi-year relationship between the companies. OfficeMax will integrate their SAP(R) solutions for human resources, finance, replenishment, warehouse management and back-office functionality on the Solaris Operating System. Utilizing its Sun and SAP solutions , OfficeMax will have greater business flexibility with a highly scalable infrastructure that will enable a closer alignment of business resources.
To drive profitability and stay ahead of the demand curve, OfficeMax adapts the tight control of its supply and distribution chain to its dynamic business, so that products can be tracked from consumer order to shipment, then replenished efficiently. This business model requires the ability to reallocate infrastructure resources where and when required. SAP software on Sun systems helps the company make the right product available at the right time, in the right location. Sun’s technology has played a key role in assuring the reliability and performance required of OfficeMax’s infrastructure.
Using Sun’s iForce(SM) Competency Center for SAP Solutions, Sun and OfficeMax developed a system architecture that will meet the needs of a dynamically changing business model. Key criteria in choosing Sun technology was based on Sun’s ability to align resources based on OfficeMax’s changing business needs and desire to respond rapidly to changes in customer demand.
“In an age of disposable technology, Sun systems enable resource management according to changing business needs, without changing a company’s basic infrastructure,” said Bill Cook, vice president, U.S. Sales, Sun Microsystems. “Solaris achieves this through unmatched scalability. Sun’s Uniboard packaging accomplishes this by transforming the board into a modular unit, allowing resources to shift without changing parts or removing hardware. Along with significant savings, this enables near-zero downtime-a key advantage in today’s highly competitive retail environment.”
Currently, OfficeMax runs its open systems almost entirely on Solaris powered UltraSPARC(R) IV servers – the Sun Fire 25K – and the Sun Fire V1280 coupled with Sun StorEdge 9960. Key retail applications are employed in the data centers and OfficeMax expects to grow up to 100 terabytes in their data warehouse. The company operates 1,000 superstores and delivery centers in the United States and sells its products on the Web at OfficeMax.com, via direct mail catalogs, and through its nationwide commercial sales force.
“Running SAP solutions on Sun systems enables OfficeMax to adapt our enterprise IT landscape on a weekly basis in support of promotions or seasonal campaigns,” said Kevin Stack, vice president, Infrastructure, OfficeMax. “This ability for rapid updates is critical in our ongoing efforts to deliver exceptional customer satisfaction across all of our markets.”
Future plans also include evaluating the Sun Infrastructure Solution for N1 Grid for SAP Solutions – a mix of products, technologies and services expertise to help SAP customers derive significant cost savings by further optimizing the infrastructure of its SAP solutions-based environment. The Sun Infrastructure Solution provides customers the technology, methodology and guidance to help accelerate deployment of N1 Grid technology with reduced customization and faster time to value.
About OfficeMax
OfficeMax is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution. OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience — in service, in product, in time savings, and in value – through a relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to large, medium and small businesses and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by more than 40,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, Internet and nearly 950 superstores. The business had sales of $6.6 billion in the first nine months of 2004 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OMX. More information can be found at www.officemax.com.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer” — has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Fire, Solaris, Sun StorEdge, N1, iForce and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks, registered trademarks, or services marks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. SAP, and all other SAP product and service names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries around the world.