Country of Norway Chooses Sun Microsystems

"eNorway 2009" Initiative Leverages End-to-End Sun Solution, Running the Solaris 10 Operating System, to Provide a Single Sign-On for All Norwegian Governmental Services Over the Internet

Sun Microsystems, the creator of Solaris, today announced that the Norwegian government has deployed a combination of Sun hardware and software technologies, powered by the Solaris 10 Operating System (OS), as the foundation of its national rollout of the "eNorway 2009" initiative designed to provide the country's citizens with Web-based access and support for all government services.

Leveraging a reliable and robust operating platform comprised of the Sun Java Enterprise System, Sun identity management solutions, x64 (x86 64-bit) and UltraSPARC T1 processor-based Sun Fire servers running the Solaris 10 OS, Norway will enable citizens to have secure, browser-based public access to government services through a secure and personalized portal interface.

The complete end-to-end Sun solution allows the government to drive innovation and provide an online platform for citizens to vote, pay taxes, obtain social security benefits, register and manage automobiles, communicate with public officials and conduct other civic initiatives and services. The use of Open Source Solaris OS will facilitate a strong ecosystem of developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) that can be leveraged by the Norwegian government as it scales the initiative and provides more services to the country going forward.

"It is an important goal for the Norwegian Government to make daily life easier for the population as a whole, and ensure security for future prosperity and welfare. This portal - called "MinSide" - will give a better and more coordinated digital service for the population, across sectors and levels of administration. At the same time we get a more cost-efficient public sector, " said Mrs. Heidi Grande Røys, Norway's minister of government administration and reform. "We want to ensure that each citizen is given a secure, simple and personalized digital experience when accessing and taking advantage of national public services."

Working with systems integrator Software Innovation ASA, the MiniSide portal will roll-out six initiatives that will enable secure, browser-based access to healthcare, tax, motor vehicle registration, social security, student loans and many other government services. The MiniPage Web site, part of the MiniSide portal, is based on the Sun Java System Portal Server that allows citizens to access services electronically using a personal, customizable portal interface with a secure log-on. As a result, citizens can access a website that provides user-defined services with relevant information for each individual citizen available in one place.

In addition, the Java System Calendar Server provides calendar capabilities that will help remind citizens of scheduled transactions, such as yearly registration or payments, and the Sun Java System Messaging Server Quick Start Service provides an e-mail system that allows service providers to communicate with citizens - Sun Microsystems.