Sun’s new path: new CEO, new services, new directions

Sun Microsystems hasn’t had an easy ride lately. While competitors like Hewlett-Packard and IBM are seeing their businesses grow, Sun’s revenues for the most recent quarter were $2.7 billion, a decrease of 5 percent compared with the same quarter last year.

What is Sun going to do about it? Red Herring recently picked the brain of Marissa Peterson, Sun’s executive vice president of worldwide operations and network services, and its chief customer advocate.

One solution Ms. Peterson outlines: offering software on a subscription basis, charging a certain dollar amount per employee per year. Will it work? Sun’s announcement of its new services effort today tells us it’s prepared to stay the course. Make up your own mind by reading Sun forges a new path.