Avnet Applied Computing Introduces Avnet FasTrac 5.0 Supplier Enhancements; Avnet FasTrac 5.0 Boosts Supplier-Related Benefits as Well as Customer Benefits

Business Wire, Feb 6, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2002

Avnet Applied Computing (AAC), an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), Wednesday introduced the latest iteration of its "one stop" secure information portal, Avnet FasTrac 5.0.

This latest version of the portal gives embedded computing suppliers many of the same benefits AAC customers have enjoyed since Avnet FasTrac's inception. The new enhancements allow AAC's supplier partners to access secure, customized information for greater lead processing and part searching and tracking.

In addition, several subtle -- yet distinct -- changes have been made to improve the experience on the customer side as well.

"Up until this point, our goal with Avnet FasTrac has been to make the AAC customer experience as quick, powerful and beneficial as possible," said Ed Kamins, president of AAC. "With the introduction of Avnet FasTrac 5.0, we've focused specifically on bringing the same speed, power and convenience to our supplier base as well, with tremendous results."

These new supplier-related features include:

-- Integration part search -- Allows suppliers to access integrated bills of
material for supplier-specific parts.

-- Demographics for part usage -- Suppliers can view geographic location and
stage of integration process for supplier-specific parts used.

-- Electronic lead downloading -- Supplier can download customer
inquiries/leads directly to Avnet FasTrac for processing.

-- Reporting tools for lead tracking -- Suppliers can track lead progress and
lead status.

-- Customized reporting capability -- Suppliers get customized reports on
e-commerce transactions.

"AAC has briefed us on the supplier enhancements to Avnet FasTrac, and the features they are adding will provide frictionless communication with my team here at Intel," said Mike Struckman, distribution channel business manager for Intel.

"This up-to-the-minute information is advantageous, since it will allow us to respond much more quickly to key business opportunities with our mutual customers."

In addition, several enhancements to Avnet FasTrac 5.0 have been made on the customer side, including serial number tracking on integrated parts, faster access to order status, P.O. searches, and easier end-of-life search capability.

For more information about Avnet FasTrac or for an online demonstration, please visit https://aac.avnet.com/fastrac.> About Avnet Applied Computing

Launched in October 1999, Avnet Applied Computing is Avnet's newest and fastest growing operating group, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

Avnet Applied Computing has structured itself to serve original equipment manufacturers and system builders that use computing technologies such as CPUs, mass storage, displays, embedded computing boards, commercial motherboards, memory modules, networking and software products.

Its related services include engineering assistance, supply-chain management, financing, physical distribution and integration of end products. Its Web site is located at www.aac.avnet.com.

About Avnet

Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. is a Fortune 500 company, serving customers in 63 countries, with fiscal 2001 sales of $12.8 billion (year ended June 30, 2001). Avnet, a global technology marketing and services company, is one of the world's largest distributors of semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanical components, embedded systems and computer products from leading manufacturers.