Business Services Industry

Avnet Technology Solutions Connects Partners to Software Developer Community Through New IBM Solutions Catalog

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2007

IBM Solutions Catalog Fosters Business Solutions Sales Growth for Avnet's ISVs and VARs

SAN ANTONIO -- Avnet Technology Solutions, a value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, embedded subsystems, software and services, and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced the availability of its Solutions Catalog, offered through the IBM Solutions Group's independent software vendor (ISV) program - ISV Connect. The new online database connects Avnet's value-added reseller (VAR) partners in the U.S. and Canada with a growing community of ISVs to help them expand their sales by delivering complete solutions based on IBM technology, including hardware, software and services.

"ISVs strive to reach new markets with their software innovations, but often must be able to provide a complete solution with both their software and complementary hardware. VARs are similarly under pressure to deliver complete technology solutions to their end customers. This often includes investigating the thousands of software applications they need to solve their customers' business challenges," said Tony Madden, senior vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, IBM Solutions Group. "The IBM Solutions Catalog solves the market development challenges of Avnet's ISVs and VARs by providing a user-friendly system to help our partners stay ahead of the competition and grow their businesses. It's another unique tool to ensure our ISV and VAR partners are the best equipped in the industry at building comprehensive IBM-based business solutions."

Avnet's IBM Solutions Catalog allows ISVs to easily promote details about their businesses and software applications to Avnet's partners. The secure database stores comprehensive information related to their core services and vertical markets, including company, product and technical overviews; services and training; and how they currently work with the channel. For Avnet's VARs, the IBM Solutions Catalog provides a simple, searchable database to help them easily identify ISV solutions that best meet their customers' needs, based on:

* Primary industries served and target end-customer size

* Supported hardware platforms, middleware, operating systems and databases

* Geographical regions and languages

* Integration capabilities

"Avnet's ISV sales, marketing and training programs have been invaluable to our business," said Jerry Gregory, vice president of strategic alliances, Double-Take Software. "The IBM ISV Solutions Catalog is an exciting tool that we're confident will give Double-Take Software an added edge in identifying VAR partners to engage with to deliver custom solutions with IBM technology and accelerate our business."

Launched at Avnet's Ignition '07 IBM partner conference, the IBM Solutions Catalog provides ISV and VAR partners with additional opportunities for sales profit and growth. Qualified ISVs may submit their information to the IBM Solutions Catalog through the end of October 2007 free of charge. After that period, a nominal participation fee will apply. For more information and to access the Solutions Catalog, visit: http://www.avnetaccelerator.com/isv.aspx.> About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing US$6 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2007, with locations in more than 30 countries. 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. Visit www.ats.avnet.com.

About Avnet

With more than 300 locations serving customers in 73 countries worldwide, Avnet markets, distributes and adds value to the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers. Additionally, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of service capabilities, such as supply-chain optimization, logistics solutions, product assembly, device programming, computer system integration and engineering design assistance. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, Avnet generated revenue of $15.68 billion. Visit www.avnet.com/.>