Acrobat 3D Corner

CASE STUDY

Sun Microsystems

When the industrial design of a product is important, you need more than a data sheet with a laundry list of features

Challenge

Sun Microsystems was convinced technical customers would be interested in the Sun Fire X4100 server, if they could examine it themselves and see the industrial design. The server was highly expandable with easy access to all components in a well-designed use of space.

Unfortunately at 39 pounds and intended for rack mounting, the new server wasn't convenient for sales reps to bring to all their meetings. But the usual 2D web presence with photos and data sheets and a laundry list of features didn't seem effective at conveying the unique industrial design of the server. Sun wanted to find a marketing technology would let customers "look under the hood and kick the tires".

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Solution

Sun developed a Sun Fire X4100 server website which offered the usual technical specs and photos, but also offered an interactive 3D tour both online using Java, and as a 3D PDF take away. The two-page PDF contained all the interactivity of the 3D microsite plus a brief tech specs list. Both the 3D Java and 3D PDF were produced using Kaon Interactive software.

The 3D PDF could display animated highlights and the user could view the 3D from any zoom level or vantage point. Technical users could explore the industrial design and easily understand expandibility.

Not only does the 3D let potential customer "kick the tires", but since they could download a PDF with compelling, interactive 3D, the customer's experience can go beyond the Sun website. They can 'take it with them,' and easily share it with others. Sun was so excited by the viral possibility of the 3D PDF being passed around that they did not even ask for any contact info before someone could download it.

Sun Fire X4100 server
Server information and 3D PDF
www.sun.com/nc/05q3/products/x4100.jsp

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