Sun Launches New MySQL Enterprise Partner Program for 'Remote DBA' Service Providers

The Pythian Group Joins as First Authorized Member

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- April 21, 2009 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced a new MySQL™ 'Remote DBA' partner program for consulting companies and service providers looking to work closely with Sun's database team to offer the benefits of MySQL Enterprise™ directly to their clients. The Pythian Group is the first company to become an Authorized MySQL Enterprise 'Remote DBA' partner, as part of Sun's MySQL Enterprise Connection Alliance (MECA) partner program.

Today's announcement was made at the seventh annual MySQL Conference & Expo being held this week at the Santa Clara Convention Center. With more than 2,000 attendees, it is the world's largest community event for open source database developers, DBAs, vendors and corporate IT managers.

It is becoming increasingly popular for companies to outsource remote DBA service providers to reduce costs, enhance their existing DBA teams’ effectiveness on specific project work, while bringing proper processes and industry best-practices.

"In today's economic climate, organizations can maximize their IT resources without sacrificing application quality or availability by contracting authorized DBA experts," said Nicolas Pujol, head of MySQL Alliances & Channels, Sun Microsystems. "With our new MySQL Remote DBA program, our partners can extend their services to seamlessly include the benefits of MySQL Enterprise – backed by Sun's MySQL team. This program enables vendors like Pythian to elevate their relationship with Sun, and offer MySQL Enterprise's advanced database monitoring tools – allowing them to focus on delivering quality personalized service to their clients."

"As the first Remote DBA platinum partner, we are able to provide our customers meaningful and immediate value through this program," said Paul Vallée, founder and executive chairman of The Pythian Group. "This program enhances Pythian’s commitment to our MySQL Enterprise clients with an unprecedented level of trust and support, globally."

For more information on the new MySQL Remote DBA partner program, please visit https://partner-portal.mysql.com/guide/remote_dba.html.

About Pythian

The Pythian Group is a global industry-leader in remote database administration services and consulting. Since 1997, companies have trusted Pythian to keep their database infrastructures running efficiently while strategically aligning IT with business goals. Pythian’s unparalleled DBA skills, mature methodologies, best practices and tools enable clients to do more with fewer resources. Pythian’s corporate headquarters is in Ottawa Canada, with offices worldwide. Pythian was the first managed services provider to build a practice around MySQL in 2002. For more information visit: http://www.pythian.com.

About Sun's MySQL Database

MySQL is the most popular open source database software in the world. Many of the world's largest and fastest-growing organizations use MySQL to save time and money powering their high-volume Web sites, critical business systems, communications networks, and commercial software. At http://www.mysql.com, Sun provides corporate users with premium subscriptions and services, and actively supports the large MySQL open source developer community.

About Sun Microsystems

Sun Microsystems develops the technologies that power the global marketplace. Guided by a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer™" -- Sun drives network participation through shared innovation, community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com/.