Avnet Applied Computing Solutions to Offer Sony Advanced Intelligent Tape Storage Drives for Embedded Computing Products.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2004

Partnership kicks off with Sony plasma TV giveaway for

solution providers and embedded OEMs

Avnet Applied Computing Solutions, a division of global electronics distribution leader Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), today announced the addition of Sony's Advanced Intelligent Tape(TM) (AIT) storage drives to its North American technology line card. Avnet Applied Computing Solutions customers can now purchase these drives by phone at 877-ASK-AVNET, or create white-box embedded platforms that include Sony's storage technology through Avnet FastBuild(TM), Avnet's Web-based white-box configuration portal. Demos of the Avnet FastBuild tool can be viewed at https://aac.avnet.com/fastrac/.

To celebrate the partnership of Sony and Avnet, both parties are sponsoring a contest that will give away a Sony 32" Wega high-definition widescreen plasma monitor/television (model number KE-32TS2) valued at over $5,000. To win, Avnet customers must purchase Sony AIT tape products through Avnet FastBuild, Avnet's white-box Web-based configurator, now through March 19, 2004. The customer that purchases the most Sony tape product -- based on total cost of Sony tape product purchases -- through Avnet's Web configurator during that time period will have the television shipped to them free of charge. The Avnet FastBuild online configurator allows embedded OEMs to cut their time to market by using the thousands of possible white-box platform combinations available on the site as a basis for their own embedded designs. All combinations are based on name-brand components from top manufacturers such as Intel, Seagate, Micron, Fujitsu, Sony and others, and are validated by Avnet's technical team so customers can be confident they'll work together out of the box. The inclusion of Sony's AIT storage technology will be particularly valuable for applications such as image/multimedia storage and retrieval, real-time data acquisition, transportable storage and storage management applications.

"Sony's unrivaled Advanced Intelligent Tape technology is an essential component of any storage-intensive embedded application," said Mike Gaeta, vice president of business development with Avnet Applied Computing Solutions. "The reliability and durability of Sony's tape drives make them an ideal fit for our embedded customers who need rock-solid, cost-effective backup capability."

Sony's AIT recording technology offers uncompressed capacities of 25GB, 35GB, 50GB and 100GB, while showing scalability to a sixth generation product with an uncompressed capacity of up to 800GB (up to 2TB compressed) -- all using the compact 8mm cartridge form-factor.

"Sony's AIT drives can be seamlessly integrated into server or embedded solutions currently offered through Avnet FastBuild," said John Woelbern, director of OEM marketing for Sony Electronics' tape storage solutions division. "The AIT technology family delivers the capacity, performance and scalability to provide solution providers and embedded OEMs with a complete range of reliable and cost-effective storage options."

Interested parties are encouraged to call Avnet at 877-ASK-AVNET, or visit the demo site for Avnet FastBuild at https://aac.avnet.com/fastrac/.

Contest Rules

This contest is open to residents of Canada and the United States. Avnet or Sony employees may not enter. You may not enter if governing laws prohibit you from entering. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate, and you must complete all steps required by Avnet's white-box configurator resulting in the purchase Sony AIT tape products now through March 19, 2004. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, or illegible submissions; or for any electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, or unauthorized intervention. All information you provide will become the property of Avnet Inc. By submitting an order, you acknowledge and agree that Avnet Inc. shall be permitted to share this information with Sony and relevant Channel Partners, if any. If you have any questions regarding the contest or how to participate, please e-mail [e-mail]. By ordering Sony tape product through Avnet's FastBuild online configurator, you acknowledge that you have read the rules and qualifications of this contest and agree to be bound by same.

About Avnet Applied Computing Solutions

Avnet Applied Computing Solutions focuses on the unique requirements of computing OEMs, independent software vendors, and value-added resellers looking to get embedded systems or wireless and data collection solutions to market quickly. By partnering with Avnet Applied Computing Solutions to provide engineering, integration, logistics and support services, your company can focus on developing innovative solutions for your customers more quickly and profitably than your competition. ACS leverages the supply-chain leadership and global presence of parent company Avnet Inc. to provide its customers with the world-class supply-chain management, financing and distribution capabilities that help them be "First to Market(TM)." More information can be found at www.acs.avnet.com.