Avnet Technology Solutions Adds 10 New Offerings to Think Solutions Initiative

Initiative Accelerates Partner Growth by Providing Complete Hardware, Software, Services and Financing Solutions Wrapped around IBM Technologies
Ignition '07 IBM Partner Conference

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avnet Technology Solutions, a value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, embedded subsystems, software and services, and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today expanded its Think Solutions Initiative to include 10 new solutions for IBM value-added reseller (VAR) partners in North America. Think Solutions provides Avnet's partners with exclusive solutions bundles wrapped around IBM technologies specifically designed for high-growth technology areas. These bundles include not only the hardware and software required for complete IBM-based solutions, but also the marketing, sales and services that Avnet's partners need to identify opportunities with new and existing customers, then cost-effectively implement these solutions and finance them.

“Think Solutions helps Avnet’s partners engage in meaningful conversations with their customers around specific business objectives,” said Tony Madden, senior vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, IBM Solutions group. “We arm our partners with the understanding and rationale behind implementing new technologies with high-growth potential. We also provide complete bundles around technology solutions, such as IT optimization and virtualization, to give them a head start in the sales and implementation process.”

Launched in April, Think Solutions initially focused on four software-centric solution areas – information management, portals, process integration and storage management solutions. The initiative now includes 10 hardware-centric solutions areas for IBM’s System i, System p, System x and storage hardware platforms – including business continuity, business intelligence, email archiving, data encryption, data retention, ERP, IP telephony, information availability, IT optimization and virtualization solutions. Think Solutions technology bundles can also be modified and customized based on specific customer needs.

“I believe Think Solutions is one of the best initiatives to come out of Avnet,” said Van Symons, president of Clear Technologies. “The Think Solutions concept is outstanding and will help us accelerate our IBM solutions sales. By having these complete solutions available through Avnet, we are able to deliver proposals with clearly articulated ROI which improves the customer’s ability to gain executive approval quickly.”

With new solutions unveiled at Avnet’s Ignition ’07 IBM partner conference, Avnet's Think Solutions initiative provides its partners with a tools roadmap to help them identify new opportunities within their customer base, sell these solutions as complete product and service bundles and implement the solutions through a combination of Avnet and partner-provided services. Sales and marketing resources include assessment services, collateral materials, demo sites, educational resources, finance packages, IBM co-marketing programs, interactive sales tools, presentations, sales sheets, software consulting and telemarketing resources. Delivery and implementation services are available from Avnet to augment a partner's business, and include solution installation, testing and deployment.

“Avnet continues to develop innovative services that provide great value for IBM’s channel partners,” said John Guido, managing partner executive, IBM. “The Think Solutions Initiative is gaining traction with Avnet’s partners by providing them with solution sets that align with customers' needs and focus on IBM technologies. Through this approach, Avnet helps our partners enter new, high-growth markets and expands our channel.”

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing US$6 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2007, 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. Visit www.ats.avnet.com.

About Avnet

With more than 300 locations serving customers in 73 countries worldwide, Avnet 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 June 30, 2007, Avnet generated revenue of $15.68 billion. Visit www.avnet.com/.