VCE Selects Avnet Technology Solutions to Help Accelerate the Adoption of the Vblock Infrastructure Platform in Data Centers

Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced its selection as a U.S. and Canadian solutions distributor for VCE, the Virtual Computing Environment Company. As a part of this agreement, Avnet will accelerate the sales cycle of the VCE Vblock^™ Infrastructure Platform based on its solutions distribution expertise around converged data center environments. Avnet will also support partners through the newly introduced VCE Partner Program, and streamline the VCE engagement and supply process through its close alignment with VCE parent companies – Cisco, EMC and VMware.

"Avnet understands the sales and technical skills partners need to address their customers’ business challenges with converged data center environments and cloud-based computing models,” said Darren Adams, vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, Cisco Solutions Group. "Through the knowledge we’ve gained working closely with VCE around their channel strategy, Avnet is well positioned to accelerate the success of our partner ecosystem. Avnet will work side-by-side with our partners to provide them with the support they need to bring Vblock-based solutions to market quickly and in line with their customers’ business goals. We will also help our partners target new customers and markets with our proven SolutionsPath^® methodology, capturing additional revenue-generating opportunities.”

Avnet will be able to ensure continuity of the supply chain for reseller partners and assist them in achieving the vendor certifications required to become VCE certified. Also, through its dedicated practices, Avnet’s SolutionsPath provides partners with the education, tools, resources and skills needed around core data center technologies. These data center technologies include mobility, networking, security, storage and virtualization. Additionally, Avnet provides partners with the specialization required to successfully sell these solutions into high-growth vertical markets, including energy, finance, government, healthcare and retail.

"Avnet’s solutions approach is the perfect complement to VCE’s strategy to provide a completely integrated IT offering that allows customers to focus on business innovation instead of integrating, validating and managing their IT infrastructures,” said D Martin, vice president of Global Channels, VCE. "Avnet has a proven track record of helping both suppliers and partners extend their reach into new markets and customer segments. We know our partners will be able to rely on their deep data center and vertical market expertise to bring Vblock solutions to market quickly.”

The VCE Partner Program, supported by Avnet, provides the growing VCE partner base with best-in-breed capabilities in one central place – increasing enablement, ease of doing business, and overall partner profitability. The program includes single point ordering and registration for the complete VCE Vblock Infrastructure Platform solution; incremental volume incentives; applicable stackable back-end incentives from parent channel programs; proposal-based MDF program; and role-based enablement training.

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About VCE

VCE, the Virtual Computing Environment Company formed by Cisco and EMC with investments from VMware and Intel, accelerates the adoption of converged infrastructure and cloud-based computing models that dramatically reduce the cost of IT while improving time to market for our customers. VCE, through the Vblock^™ platform, delivers the industry's first completely integrated IT offering with end-to-end vendor accountability. VCE's prepackaged solutions are available through an extensive partner network, and cover horizontal applications, vertical industry offerings, and application development environments, allowing customers to focus on business innovation instead of integrating, validating and managing IT infrastructure. For more information, go to www.vce.com.

About Avnet Technology Solutions

As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver effective solutions that address the business challenges of their end-user customers locally and around the world. For fiscal year 2010, the group served customers in more than 70 countries and generated US $8.19 billion in annual revenue. Avnet Technology Solutions (www.ats.avnet.com) is an operating group of Avnet, Inc.

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 3, 2010, Avnet generated revenue of $19.16 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.