Avnet Enterprise Solutions Earns Status as a Compaq Certified Integration Partner Plus.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2001

Avnet Enterprise Solutions, an IT infrastructure architect, Monday announced that it has earned Compaq's Certified Integration Partner Plus (CIP+) status.

The prestigious selection recognizes Avnet Enterprise Solutions' deep Compaq technical expertise as it relates to integration and custom build services.

With this certification, Avnet Enterprise Solutions can now perform complex hardware integration and build custom systems on Compaq's behalf. Through its ISO 9001-certified Integration Center, Avnet Enterprise Solutions can have a highly available Compaq platform built and ready to ship to the enterprise customer in less than five days.

Avnet Enterprise Solutions' Integration Center provides consultation and support service for customers; integrates and tests the systems and networks; configures systems, formats hard drives and loads software. Additionally, Avnet Enterprise Solutions documents all functions for each product and manages order processing and delivery schedules.

The first Compaq-certified solution Avnet Enterprise Solutions will build is an Oracle Parallel Server ES40 Cluster. This clustered AlphaServer ES40 system running Oracle 9i Real Application Clusters (RAC) is a scalable, flexible solution that offers exceptional performance for changing business needs.

In fact, Avnet Enterprise Solutions will showcase this capability as part of Oracle and Compaq's 9 Days to 9i RAC program, which is designed to give customers a low-risk, quick time to benefit solution.

"What this means for the customer is faster time-to-market, lower costs and increased efficiency," said Brian Armstrong, president, Avnet Enterprise Solutions. "With our Compaq trained and certified technicians, we provide a custom solution that is certified by Oracle to run a clustered version of its 9i database. This truly demonstrates our standing as the industry's leading Compaq/Oracle infrastructure architect."

"We're very pleased to have Avnet Enterprise Solutions achieve CIP+ status," said Rich Marcello, vice president and general manager for Compaq's High Performance Systems Division. "With its world-class skills in complex technology integration and total dedication to meeting its customer's computing needs, Avnet has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to representing Compaq to its customers for more than 20 years."

About Avnet Enterprise Solutions

Avnet Enterprise Solutions is an IT infrastructure architect, specializing in server consolidation and management, data storage and protection, and network integration and management solutions that power leading business applications. The company leverages its unique suite of technical and financial services to minimize risk, maximize flexibility and optimize the use of capital for IT infrastructures.

Avnet Enterprise Solutions partners with industry leaders including BMC Software, Compaq, Computer Associates, Enterasys, Oracle, Tivoli and VERITAS. Headquartered in Tempe, Avnet Enterprise Solutions (www.es.avnet.com) is a division of $2.4 billion Avnet Computer Marketing, an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT).

Avnet Inc. is a Fortune 500 company and global electronic components and computer products distributor with sales exceeding $13 billion.