Avnet Joins Agilent, STMicroelectronics and Tyco Electronics in RosettaNet Initiative; Avnet Electronics Marketing's PartBuilder Component Selection Tool Will Utilize RosettaNet Standards.

Business Editors

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2002

Avnet's (NYSE:AVT) three electronic component specialists in the Americas, Avnet Cilicon, Avnet Kent and Avnet RF & Microwave, announce that component manufacturers Agilent, STMicroelectronics and Tyco Electronics have agreed to utilize RosettaNet standards in support of Avnet's online component selection tool, Avnet PartBuilder (http://www.partbuilder.com).

The manufacturers will provide Avnet with technical product information in accordance with the RosettaNet Technical Dictionary (RNTD), version 1.4. This information will be shared using PIP 2A9, which specifically defines the protocol for transmitting parametric data and product information objects including datasheets.

"STMicroelectronics is pleased to partner with Avnet on the 2A9 initiative," said John North, director of distribution for STMicroelectronics.

"PartBuilder helps us get accurate product information in front of the engineering community, a very important objective, with technology changing as fast as it does," explained North. "And by aligning with the RosettaNet initiative, Partbuilder is now even more accessible and supply-chain friendly."

"We are delighted to work with Avnet on this particular RosettaNet initiative," said Martin Schoeppler, director of marketing for Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "This standard is enabling both Agilent and Avnet to increase efficiencies in communicating our broad product offering to the marketplace."

"Given the breadth of our product offering, PIP 2A9, combined with RNTD is the most efficient way to communicate with our distributor partner, Avnet," said Gary Sheetz, manager of business-to-business e-commerce at Tyco Electronics.

"As Tyco Electronics' largest channel partner, it stands to reason that we would work with them to drive this leading edge process," added Tom McCartney, president of Avnet Kent. "All of the companies involved see a clear return on this investment in the form of cost savings and increased visibility for end customers."

"We are pleased that STMicro, Tyco Electronics and Agilent have taken the lead on this RosettaNet initiative. We are committed to providing our customers with accurate and up-to-date information about our suppliers' products," said Jeff Ittel, senior vice president of the semiconductor product business group, Cilicon.

"Over the past several months we have averaged more than 10,000 unique visitors to PartBuilder, with many visiting more than once," noted Ittel.

"The addition of the RNTD-compliant information to PartBuilder's use of supplier-hosted data sheets makes the tool especially accurate and robust for on-line product selection. Users of PartBuilder can quickly see current pricing and availability on over 300,000 devices, while also accessing data sheets originating from the supplier's web site," continued Ittel. "This gives the user assurance that what they see is current and correct."

Tyco Electronics will be the first partner to share data from the RNTD, beginning this month. PartBuilder users will immediately be able to take advantage of this offering and can look forward to even more additions in the months to follow.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing (EM) is the largest operating group of Phoenix, Ariz.-based Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company with fiscal 2001 sales of $12.8 billion (year ended June 30, 2001). The world's largest distributor of semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanical components from leading manufacturers, Avnet EM markets, inventories and adds value to these products and provides world-class supply-chain management and engineering design services. Avnet EM serves customers in 63 countries. The company's Web site is located at http://www.avnet.com.

About Agilent SPG 

Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group is the world's No. 1 optoelectronics semiconductor supplier, and is the No. 1 supplier of fiber optic transceivers. Agilent also designs and manufacturers radio frequency and infrared devices for mobile communications, image sensors and processors for cameras and optical computer mice, controller ICs and optics for storage area networks, and application specific ICs for select networking and imaging applications. Information about Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group is available on the Web at www.agilent.com/semiconductors.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics, the world's third largest independent semiconductor company, is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, IP portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2001, the Company's net revenues were $6.36 billion and net earnings were $257.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics is one of the major business units of Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE:TYC, LSE:TYI, BSE:TYC). Headquartered in Harrisburg, Penn., USA, Tyco Electronics is the world's largest passive electronic components manufacturer, and a world leader in cutting-edge wireless technologies, fiber optic active components, and complete power systems. The company has facilities located in 51 countries serving customers in the aerospace, automotive, computer, communications, consumer electronics, industrial and power industries. Tyco Electronics provides advanced technology products from over thirty well-known and respected product brands, including Agastat, Alcoswitch, AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, Buchanan, CoEv, Critchley, Elcon, Elo TouchSystems, HTS, M/A-COM, Madison Cable, OEG, Potter & Brumfield, Raychem, Schrack, Simel and TDI Batteries.

About RosettaNet

RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium of more than 400 of the world's leading information technology, electronic components, semiconductor manufacturing and solution provider companies working to create, implement and promote open e-business process standards.