Avnet Receives "Best Practices in Storage" Award from SNW.

Avnet Recognized for Its Results-Driven Approach to Improving Data Center Efficiency Through Virtualization 

PHOENIX -- Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a leading global technology distributor, today announced it was named an Honoree in Storage Networking World's (SNW) "Best Practices in Storage" Awards Program, which acknowledges excellence among users of storage IT solutions. Avnet was recognized in the "Green Computing, Energy Efficiency and the Data Center" category based on the reinvention of its data center to decrease power consumption, with server and storage virtualization serving as key elements of the project.

"As both a distributor and a user of technology, Avnet understands the profound impact that virtualization can have on an organization," said Steve Phillips, chief information officer, Avnet, Inc. "We've not only helped our customers learn more about this technology, but our IT team understands first-hand the role virtualization can have in maximizing energy efficiency. Through virtualization and other power efficiency-focused measures in our data center, we have tangibly helped the business by reducing costs and avoiding costly build-out expenses. This award recognizes that by applying green data center techniques through a business lens we can significantly benefit both the environment and the organization."

As a result of Avnet's continual focus on data center efficiency, including server and storage virtualization, Avnet's IT team successfully expanded its data center operations and avoided millions of dollars in power build out and raised floor expansion. For example, Avnet moved from a local storage-based strategy with many storage devices to a virtualized environment with multi-tiered SAN and NAS. This approach enabled Avnet to realize economies of scale, while still maintaining the flexibility to allocate the right type of storage for specific identified needs. In total, Avnet was able to consolidate hundreds of storage devices.

"The organizations and professionals judged to be Top Honorees in SNW Fall 2009 'Best Practices in Storage' Awards Program have unlocked the true value of managing today's storage technology," said Ellen Daly, senior vice president, events, IDG Enterprise. "Storage management is at the center of IT infrastructure and IT management, and these Top Honorees have shown they are on the leading edge of innovative technologies."

Honorees and Finalists in each category were recognized at SNW Fall 2009, October 12-15, 2009, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz. Additional details on SNW's "Best Practices in Storage" Awards Program, including a case study on Avnet's data center re-design, can be found at http://www.snwusa.com/awards.aspx.

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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 and by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 27, 2009, Avnet generated revenue of $16.23 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.