Avnet Enterprise Solutions Achieves Cisco Optical-Metro Status

Business Wire, Sept 4, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002

Avnet Enterprise Solutions, an IT infrastructure architect, today announced it earned Cisco's Advanced Technology Provider status for Optical-Metro solutions and products.

This achievement recognizes Avnet Enterprise Solutions among all Cisco U.S. strategic partners for its ability to bring emerging technologies to market. With this certification, Avnet Enterprise Solutions is able to offer clients Cisco optical solutions that can meet demands for increased bandwidth while also reducing costs.

Inclusion in the Cisco Advanced Technology Provider (ATP) program is by invitation only to providers who demonstrate a proven ability to assess, design, implement and manage complex Cisco optical networks. The provider must meet rigorous training and knowledge validation requirements.

"As a recipient of Cisco's Customer Satisfaction Award, this recognition further shows our commitments to continually expand our capabilities to ensure our customers are implementing the latest technologies to solve their critical business issues," said Mark Zerbe, president, Avnet Enterprise Solutions.

The challenge for many of today's businesses is being profitable and productive. Thus, while companies may require increased data communications, they must also lower costs as they meet demands for more bandwidth capacity and flexibility for new and evolving applications and services.

This is where Cisco's optical solution plays an important part and where Avnet Enterprise Solutions ATP status becomes valuable.

One faction that finds optical solutions particularly useful is public utility districts, municipalities and other government entities that have no choice but to speed mission-critical communication while reducing data transport costs.

By using telecommunication technology, health officials can substantially lessen health risks.

"Infection rates go up exponentially. The earlier you find the infection and take counter measures, the lower the number of people affected will be," said Mike Mastrangelo, project director for Bell County Public Health District. "With a telecommunications network in place, it will be much easier and faster to detect and monitor an outbreak, whether it's naturally occurring or from bioterrorism."

About Avnet Enterprise Solutions

Avnet Enterprise Solutions is an IT infrastructure architect with more than 25 years of experience building complex IT infrastructures.

The company specializes in enterprise network, server and storage solutions that power leading business applications by leveraging its unique suite of technical and financial professional services to minimize implementation risk, maximize network flexibility and optimize IT investment.

Avnet Enterprise Solutions partners with industry leaders including BMC Software, Cisco Systems, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Tivoli and Veritas. Headquartered in Tempe, Avnet Enterprise Solutions (www.es.avnet.com) is a division of $2.4 billion Avnet Computer Marketing, an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT).

Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. is ranked 161 on the Fortune 500 list and is a global technology marketing and services company with fiscal 2002 sales of $8.9 billion.