Avnet Technology Solutions Launches IBM Training Portal.

SAN ANTONIO -- Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT) focused on enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems, today launched Ignition Online, a Web-based training portal for IBM solution providers. Ignition Online is a full-featured training portal that helps rapidly educate new and existing solution provider employees on the tools, channel processes and technologies that they need to be successful in selling IBM solutions. The portal delivers a structured education plan incorporating specific tracks for IBM Certification programs and product training, the IBM channel process, Avnet ordering tools and advanced sales training.

By providing a single portal to access and expand upon existing Avnet and IBM education courses, Avnet offers IBM solution providers' employees an easy way to become knowledgeable about the IBM channel and move quickly into producing sales. Ignition Online also ensures that each employee receives consistent and comprehensive training in IBM and Avnet sales and certification tools, product information and channel processes.

"Selling IBM solutions and capitalizing on IBM-certification programs requires knowledge of sales tools and product information. For new hires, learning how to use these programs can be a daunting task," said Sara Jensen, vice president, IBM Product Marketing, Avnet Partner Solutions. "With a single portal to access Avnet and IBM sales and program training, our partners can quickly develop employees and rapidly increase efficiency and profitability."

Ignition Online includes training in three program areas and in multiple product categories. Solution providers will gain comprehensive instruction on Channel Connection, Avnet's partner portal, including its suite of tools and information services; specialized sales skills; and special bid certification and value add enhancements (VAEs). Product training tracks include both Avnet- and IBM-sponsored programs to provide an in-depth look at the System i, System p, System x, TotalStorage solutions, Tivoli, Lotus, WebSphere and Information Management solutions as well as product sales training.

"Bringing a new employee up to speed quickly is very important to the success of our business. With well-trained, knowledgeable employees, we can deliver better customer service which ultimately will help us be more successful," said John Bunting, vice president, Sales, Distributed Systems Services. "Using Ignition Online really helps my team improve our overall efficiency, and their expanded knowledge of the channel has made our organization more valuable."

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet Inc. representing $4.8 billion in annual revenue, with locations in more than 30 countries. As a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions has sales divisions in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific focused on specific customer segments and a select line card strategy enabling an exceptional level of attention to the needs of its customers and suppliers.

Avnet enables success from the center of the technology industry, providing cost-effective services and solutions vital to a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and 300 suppliers. The company markets, distributes and adds value to a wide variety of electronic components, enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems. Through its premier market position, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of capabilities that help its trading partners accelerate growth and realize cost efficiencies. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006, Avnet generated $14.25 billion in revenue through sales in approximately 70 countries.