Avnet Launches Audio-Video Initiative to Help Solution Providers Capture the Digital Content Creation Market; Collaborates with HP and Avid to Offer Complete Solutions

Business Wire, April 17, 2006

TEMPE, Ariz. -- In response to the growing demand for high-definition technology and the increasing complexity of digital video solutions, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, today announced an audio-video (AV) initiative for the digital content creation (DCC) market. The initiative focuses on supplying solution providers serving the DCC market with a competitive advantage through bundled solutions, logistics support, integration services and channel development programs.

Avnet works with best-of-class manufacturers such as HP and Avid to make it easy for solution providers to procure leading-edge DCC technology from a single source. By combining industry-leading products into attractive bundles and supporting them with a wide-range of services, Avnet enables its partners to grow their businesses more quickly.

"The technology in this market progresses rapidly, and professional digital content creators are increasingly looking for partners who can offer them a convenient source for a complete audio-video solution," said Pat Cathey, senior vice president, Avnet Applied Computing Solutions. "Avnet's technical expertise, particularly when combined with our integration services, enables partners to offer comprehensive solutions based on advanced technology, thereby giving them an advantage in the marketplace."

Avnet Technology Solutions has joined together with leading manufacturers to provide offerings for each step in the DCC workflow, including:

--Image capture devices, such as digital cameras and video recorders from JVC, Panasonic, and Sony

--Conversion devices from manufacturers such as AJA, Avid, Blackmagic Design, Bluefish, Canopus, and Matrox

--Editing applications, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Xpress(R) Pro, and Avid Liquid(TM)

--Special effects applications, such as Adobe After Effects, Boris FX, and Softimage

--Compress & Store products, such as Avid VideoRAID, Ciprico Media Vault, and Discreet Cleaner

--Delivery and archive applications, such as Adobe Encore DVD, Canopus Procoder, and Sonic DVD Producer

To complete the solution, Avnet integrates the workflow applications with specialized workstations from manufacturers such as HP and also includes peripherals customized for the DCC market, including high-definition monitors from NEC and Sony; audio converters from Focurite; and software plug-ins from Boris.

"Avnet helps us stay ahead of the marketplace and offers solutions based on the best available technology," said Travis Sweeney, AV Resource Inc. "They also make it easy for us to get everything we need from one source so that we can meet the needs of our customers quickly and efficiently, which helps us improve our profitability and, ultimately, our customers' satisfaction."

In addition to complete product offerings, Avnet Technology Solutions provides solution providers with the logistical and channel development services needed to succeed in the DCC market, including market education, marketing and recruitment, lead generation, shipping and lifecycle management. Partners also benefit from Avnet Technology Solutions' ability to offer bundled solutions as part of a kit or as a fully integrated DCC appliance.

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing $4.8 billion in annual revenue, with locations in more than 30 countries. As a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions has sales divisions in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific 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.

Avnet enables success from the center of the technology industry, providing cost-effective services and solutions vital to a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and 300 suppliers. The company markets, distributes and adds value to a wide variety of electronic components, enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems. Through its premier market position, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of capabilities that help its trading partners accelerate growth and realize cost efficiencies. For fiscal year ended July 2, 2005, Avnet and the recently acquired Memec (closed July 5, 2005) generated combined revenue in excess of $13 billion in the past year through sales in approximately 70 countries. Visit www.avnet.com.

Avid Xpress and Avid Liquid are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.