Avnet Technology Solutions Unveils Its SolutionsPath™ Methodology

SolutionsPath Poises Partners for Success in High-Growth Market Segments by Providing Them with Industry-Specific Knowledge and Specialized Skills
New Frontiers Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Frontiers Conference – Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today revealed its SolutionsPath methodology, which features dedicated vertical and technology practices to help partners target specialized, high-growth markets. With a focus on government, healthcare and virtualization, SolutionsPath includes the training and resources needed to effectively combine technologies and services from multiple vendors to create complete solutions that solve the business problems of these unique customer segments.

“Customers are looking for partners that can provide more than just technical expertise,” said Tony Vottima, vice president of solutions marketing and development at Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. “To effectively compete in today’s marketplace, partners must understand business challenges, industry-specific needs and how to create a complete solution that maps to business objectives. We created our SolutionsPath approach to help our partners quickly and successfully develop specialization and take advantage of rapidly expanding markets.”

The SolutionsPath methodology follows a three-step approach:

1) Envision: Avnet carefully selects and invests in technology and vertical market segments that represent the biggest opportunity for the partner community based on technology spend. Avnet then works closely with each partner to identify core expertise that can be quickly applied to adjacent market opportunities and develop growth strategies for their businesses.

2) Enable: Avnet has developed innovative enablement programs to ramp up partners' businesses and ensure they are ready to capitalize on select markets and technology solutions. For example, each dedicated vertical and technology practice includes an Avnet exclusive university curriculum to provide partners with the specialized skills and knowledge to successfully market and sell IT solutions into growth markets.

3) Execute: Avnet's team of industry expert consultants helps partners configure and deliver complete, end-to-end solutions that include hardware, software, services, and leasing and financing support. Partners are also supported with a variety of resources to generate leads and help them quickly establish vertical and technology practices. Additionally, the Avnet OneTechTM portfolio of service offerings augments partners' service practices, allowing them to invest in areas that set them apart in the marketplace.

With its established vertical and technology practices areas – GovPath, HealthPath and VirtualPath – Avnet has proven success in driving partner business in emerging technology areas faster than the market. For example, partners participating in HealthPath have experienced average growth rates of 65 percent.

"Avnet’s SolutionsPath methodology is the secret sauce to our success in government and healthcare," said Steve Sigg, CEO, SIS, LLC. "Avnet has removed the barriers to entry for us in these emerging high-growth markets by investing in the resources to make certain we understand the industries inside and out. Their team has helped us develop specialization and an effective business plan that gives us a true competitive edge."

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. 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. For fiscal year 2008, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.6 billion in annual revenue. The group’s Web site is www.ats.avnet.com. Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

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