Under the agreement, Sun will provide flexible network computing resources on a pay-for-use basis to ACS. In turn, ACS will offer outsourced IT services to clients with utility-based pricing. As a key element to this alliance, ACS will be able to offer a specified commitment to lowering total costs of IT sourcing to its clients.

Sun and ACS say they have created an integrated set of hardware, software and services that can be scaled dynamically to create the optimal systems to meet computing demand. Sun will provide to ACS computing capacity as needed, and ACS' clients will be able to scale computing resources at specified intervals, paying only for what they use based on a standard unit of pricing. Sun will also provide a system technology refresh to further reduce spikes in acquisition costs and maintain state-of-the-art performance.

"ACS has been building a variety of leading-edge solutions for our clients," stated Don Liedtke, COO of ACS Commercial Solutions. "This new alliance with Sun is one of the ways we're working to provide true utility computing business models to provide better value for our clients."

"Sun and ACS are teaming to provide an exciting and innovative way to help clients more efficiently architect, build and evolve their network computing resources," stated Patricia C. Sueltz, executive vice president, Sun Services. "It's at the heart of Sun's strategy to work with best-in-class partners to give the client the most optimal and flexible network computing solution. Sun will also continue to drive product innovation, such as its recently released temporary capacity on demand technology, to enhance that flexibility and keep the clients in control of their businesses."