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Avnet Technology Solutions launches quick quotation tool for Sun Business Partners

Bracknell, Berkshire, 15 May 2009:

Avnet Technology Solutions has introduced a quick quotation process in conjunction with Sun and Intel to allow new and existing Business Partners easy access to entry level server, storage and Sun software products. The new system of web and telephone based standardised configurations and quotes is designed to give self service access to quotations for the most common configurations and to reduce lead times and simplify the process.

Paul Young, Business Unit Director at Avnet Technology Solutions said, “There is a wide range of Sun products in the Intel space. Business Partners in this area need to move quickly and know that the products are either in stock or on near order for fast delivery. The new system will mean Business Partners can get a configuration and price for both hardware and software immediately. Our aim is to provide them with the opportunity to expand their revenue opportunities with little investment or risk.”

Paul Young, continued, “Our initial aim was to support Sun’s Volume Accelerator Program by simplifying the quoting and availability process. However, new Business Partners introduced via the Open Access Channel Program will also benefit from great competitive pricing and stock level information, on Sun product, provided by the new quick quotation system.”

Paul Flannery, Partner Sales Director, at Sun said, “Avnet continues to show its commitment to growing Sun’s customer base in the Intel space. The introduction of this quick quotation system and support of both the Volume Accelerator and Open Access Programs will lead to growth in new partner relationships focused on selling volume products. This is the type of initiative that illustrates why Avnet received the Sun Channel Development Partner of the Year award again this year.”

Gerald Grattoni, UKI Director of Enterprise Sales from Intel added, “Having seen the new system in action it is impressive and clearly this type of initiative is essential in order for Sun to grow its volume partner business. With a distributor of Avnet's scale we can expect to see many existing and non-traditional Sun Business Partners taking advantage of the speed and reliability provided by the systems and resources available from Avnet and based around our latest, groundbreaking generation of Xeon 5500 series CPUs.”

Paul Young concluded, “Avnet will continue to add value and support Sun Business Partners with in-depth technical knowledge as and when required. We have designed and implemented the quick quotation web and telephone support tool to reduce complexity for Business Partners that require access to a wider, volume range of products. We are simply adding volume procurement to a value sales model.”

Avnet’s new quick quotation system is being rolled out to Business Partners in the coming weeks. For more information on Sun’s Volume Accelerator or Open Access Programs please email paul.riddle@avnet.com.

ENDS

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. 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. For fiscal year 2008, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.6 billion in annual revenue.

Visit: www.ts.avnet.com/emea/

About Avnet Inc

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

For more information please contact:

Avnet Technology Solutions
Linda Patterson, Marketing Director
T: +44 (0)1344 662000
E: Linda.patterson@avnet.com