IBM’S Java chief to head Sun's software operations

Patricia Sueltz, the former head of IBM's Java software business was appointed this week as the new president of Sun Microsystems’ software group which includes the Java and Solaris operating systems. Sueltz is taking over from long-time Sun executive Alan

Baratz, who resigned in August to join a venture capitalist company.

Sun's president Ed Zander said Sueltz would ensure that Sun continued to work closely with IBM, one of Java’s strongest supporters, on Java development. Sueltz will also be responsible for advancing Sun’s Solaris operating system in the market for powerful computer servers. Sueltz worked with IBM for 20 years. Most recently she was head of IBM's Java business. "She is clearly up to speed on the full range of Java issues. She is aware of what part of Java works and what still needs to be accomplished to make Java a more targeted market solution," said Aberdeen Group in Boston market researcher Time Sloane.