Avnet Technology Solutions Develops Complete RFID Solution in Collaboration with Printronix and Stratum Global

Solution Helps Avnet’s Partners Take Advantage of Emerging RFID Market

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) and a value-added distributor focused on enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems, today announced the development of a new radio frequency identification (RFID) solution that combines the price and performance of Printronix’s new SL4M UHF RFID printer encoder with the data management expertise of Stratum Global’s TagNet RFID software suite. The Avnet Enterprise Mobility team created this bundled solution for its system integrator, embedded original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and value-added reseller (VAR) partners to help them take advantage of the emerging RFID market.

“The Avnet Enterprise Mobility team is helping its partners develop new revenue generating opportunities with this complete RFID solution,” said Michael Douglass, vice president, enterprise mobility, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. “The Printronix and Stratum Global solution reduces major barriers to RFID adoption by including best-in-class technologies along with support from Avnet’s technical, sales and marketing teams.”

Avnet’s bundled RFID solution provides channel partners with a fully tested, integrated solution that includes Printronix’s new SL4M UHF RFID printer encoder, Stratum Global’s TagNet software suite and a variety of compatible wireless RFID reader systems. Avnet can also incorporate complementary server and storage technologies into the complete solution based on the end customer’s requirements. Avnet’s Enterprise Mobility team will support partner implementations of the solution with custom product integration, technical and sales support, and marketing programs.

“Avnet has the resources, technical expertise and market knowledge to bring complete RFID solutions to the channel,” said James B. McWilson, senior vice president, worldwide sales, Printronix. “Printronix’s SL4M printer sets an attractive new price-and-performance benchmark for our industry. By including our printer in its complete RFID solution, Avnet is jump-starting market adoption of this emerging technology.”

Avnet has been beta testing the new Printronix printer included in this solution in its logistics center for the past four months. The Printronix printer not only costs 40 percent less when compared to similar printers, but also delivered significant operational improvements due to its simultaneous support of four communication interfaces with auto-sensing and five embedded printer emulations. By combining Printronix’s SL4M printer with Stratum Global’s TagNet software, Avnet has created a RFID solution that will integrate with most enterprise resource planning and business intelligence applications for complete end-to-end RFID event management, including access control, asset management, compliance, high-volume conveyor tagging and closed-loop inventory location management. The solution will help Avnet’s partners support a variety of vertical industries, including defense, education, healthcare, hospitality and manufacturing.

“Avnet extends Stratum Global’s sales channel by creating multiple routes to market for our TagNet RFID solution suite, such as this new bundled solution,” said Alan Christensen, chief technology officer at Stratum Global. “RFID enablement can be complex in any given business environment. By joining forces with Avnet, Printronix and Stratum Global, channel partners can generate new sales opportunities in the RFID market by simplifying implementations and providing their customers with a fully tested, complete solution that addresses their specific business needs.”

“The development of complete, cost-effective and high performance solutions helps our RFID practice grow at an accelerated pace,” said Richard Arbogast, president, Sendata Systems. “Avnet has the right idea. They are taking the best-in-class technologies from market leaders such as Printronix and Stratum Global, providing technical, sales, market and implementation expertise, and delivering them to channel partners as a ready-to-go solution. This effort from Avnet reduces our development time and expense, and helps us focus on what we do best – customer service.”

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is a distributor focused on enterprise computing solutions and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing $4.99 billion in annual revenue, with locations in more than 30 countries. As a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions has sales divisions focused on specific customer segments and a select line card strategy enabling an exceptional level of attention to the needs of its customers and suppliers.

About Avnet

With more than 250 locations serving customers in 70 countries worldwide, Avnet (NYSE: AVT) markets, distributes and adds value to the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers.

Additionally, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of service capabilities, such as supply-chain optimization, logistics solutions, product assembly, device programming, computer system integration and engineering design assistance. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006, Avnet generated revenue of $14.25 billion. Visit www.avnet.com/.

Product and service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.