Avnet Enterprise Solutions Earns Cisco Customer Satisfaction Award

Business Wire, June 11, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2002

Avnet Enterprise Solutions, an IT infrastructure architect, today announced that it has received Cisco Systems' "Outstanding Customer Satisfaction" Award for 2002.

This achievement distinguishes Avnet Enterprise Solutions among all Cisco partners, and recognizes it for achieving exceptional customer satisfaction ratings around the implementation of IP Telephony solutions.

"Customer satisfaction continues to be one of Cisco's highest priorities," said Chuck Robbins, vice president of U.S. Channels for Cisco Systems.

"For Avnet Enterprise Solutions to achieve this award shows that it has fulfilled our mutual customers' needs and expectations to the highest extent. Partners are rated on such qualities as accuracy, professionalism, timeliness, communication, expertise and many more areas of significant responsibility."

"Working with Avnet Enterprise Solutions was great. Every concern we had was dealt with reasonably. The project was handled professionally and the support and implementation has been excellent," said Donnie Weaver, technology director for San Felipe Del Rio School District.

An IP Telephony, VPN/Security and Wireless LAN Specialized Cisco partner, Avnet Enterprise Solutions has expertise in delivering comprehensive solutions for IP telephony that integrate product and support services. Its assess, design, implement and manage methodology is designed to minimize implementation risk, maximize network flexibility and optimize network investment.

Avnet Enterprise Solutions offers customers 25 unique services tailored to their environment, including convergence assessment; LAN, Cabling and Wireless Design; Acquisition Plan; Installation & Configuration; Day 2 Managed Support; and end-user training.

"I am honored to receive this customer satisfaction award from Cisco," said Mark Zerbe, president, Avnet Enterprise Solutions. "Customer satisfaction is the bottom line. In order to be successful with the customer, it is critical that we know them, understand their problem and help them solve their business problem with the best technology solution possible."

This survey, distributed by Cisco to Avnet Enterprise Solutions' customers, is designed to reveal satisfaction results for both pre- and post-sales support. The key objective is to share Cisco Best Practices to improve customer satisfaction, as well as strengthen relationships.

About Avnet Enterprise Solutions

Avnet Enterprise Solutions is an IT infrastructure architect, specializing in enterprise network, server and storage solutions that power leading business applications. The company leverages its unique suite of technical and financial services to minimize risk, maximize flexibility and optimize the use of capital for IT infrastructures.

Avnet Enterprise Solutions partners with industry leaders including BMC Software, Cisco Systems, Computer Associates, IBM, Oracle, Tivoli and Veritas. Headquartered in Tempe, Avnet Enterprise Solutions (www.es.avnet.com) is a division of $2.85 billion Avnet Computer Marketing, an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT).

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.