Sun Microsystems developed the Java programming language to be small, simple, and portable across platforms and operating systems. In addition, Java was designed to extend beyond the desktop to run on devices such as televisions, cell phones, and pagers. But Java is best known for its ability to run on the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Why haven't I seen it before?
Java programs (applets and applications) can run on any machine that has the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed. For applets, the virtual machine is either built right into the browser or installed separately to augment the browser. In fact, many users of Java technology-enabled web-browsers like Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator have likely been seeing and using Java technologies already, without even knowing it!

Java applications are a little different in that they can only run on systems with the JVM installed. However, this is rarely a problem since most systems today support the Java language and large technology companies like IBM and Oracle are as committed to Java technologies as Sun Microsystems is... Well, maybe not quite - but close.

What's so special about Java?
According to the Gartner Group, Java will become the most popular language and platform technology for network computing applications by 2002. Gartner also estimates that more than 60% of organizations will use Java in corporate enterprise environments by 2001. Why, you may ask? Because Java offers a flexibility unparalleled in other programming languages. Java makes it possible to network heterogeneous systems and let them communicate with each other.

Why does eServices Group use Java?
eServices Group sees the value of Java in its ability to tie together mature, legacy healthcare information systems with today's newer technologies. All of our applications are 100% Java-technology based. This guarantees a robust, portable, scalable framework for every healthcare information management solution we build and implement.

Internet Explorer is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Netscape Navigator is a registered trademark of Netscape, Inc. All other product or company names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. The most recent version of the Java programming language at the time of this writing is Java 2. For more information about Java technology, visit the Sun Microsystems web site at www.java.sun.com.