Fred Cuen and Tony Madden

As seen in Product Design & Development -- According to IDC's channel gurus, Janet Waxman and Christina Richmond, "Avnet Technology Solutions stands out as a 'poster child' for innovation in the IT distribution market". While they were talking specifically about the distributor's SolutionsPath methodology, it may turn out that the company's latest move will be equally worthy of note. At least that's what Jeff Bawol, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, is hoping.

Tony Madden, SVP/GM of Avnet's IBM Solutions group, has accepted the newly created position of global supplier business executive where he will be responsible for ensuring 'strategic alignment between Avnet and IBM and to identify growth opportunities locally, regionally and globally.' In his spare time, he will also focus on Avnet's Microsoft and VMware relationships in the Americas. Bawol said that other vendors of strategic significance to the IBM business could be added.

A 22-year IBM veteran, Madden has been running Avnet's IBM business in the Americas for the last two years. In a statement about his new responsibilities he said he's looking forward to working even closer with the IBM team to further expand on this relationship. "I plan to do a world-class job in ensuring EVERY part of IBM understands the value that Avnet and our partners bring each and every day. So this is not goodbye, but rather the beginning of a new era."

Ed Smith

As seen in EDN (Note: Ed Smith was Sr. VP of Sales, EMA, when this article was written) -- Even as President Barack Obama was approving a U.S. economic stimulus package in mid-February, its impact on the electronics and manufacturing industries was still unclear.

The measure calls for, among other things, investments in U.S. infrastructure and in alternative energy technologies.  Supply chain executives who have weathered prior economic downturns and keep a close eye on emerging markets say there are likely some benefits for the channel. “I would say in a general sense that ‘green’ legislation will not only benefit the world but benefit the industry economically,” says Mark Larson, president of catalog distributor Digi-Key Corp. “If [legislation] forces design and forces innovation, it would be positive from that aspect.”

The channel will at best benefit indirectly: none of the stimulus money is earmarked for electronics or large-scale manufacturing. However, because of the growing prevalence of electronics in everything from cars to remote controls, any uptick in business is promising. Included in the stimulus package is $48 billion for transportation projects including investments in mass transit and bridge and highway construction; and $7.2 billion to bring broadband Internet service into underserved areas. About $50 billion will be invested in energy projects that are largely focused on improving energy efficiency and developing non-polluting and renewable power.

Energy build-up

April 28, 2009

Het loopt storm met inschrijvingen op het Data Capture Seminar van Avnet

CRN Netherlands

April 27, 2009

IBM otworzył Technical Exploration Center we współpracy z Avnet

IBM otworzył IBM Technical Exploration Center (TEC) w warszawskiej siedzibie firmy Avnet, które ma stanowić wsparcie dla klientów i partnerów w dążeniu do zdobycia doświadczenia z zakresu technologii i rozwiązań IBM.

IT Reseller, Poland

April 26, 2009

Sun shines on Avnet?

While not prepared to characterize the latest results of Avnet Technology Solutions as indicating either the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning of the economic downturn, the distributor is guardedly optimistic that the worst is behind us.

eChannelLine

April 23, 2009

Avnet Shows Q3 Double-Digit Declines, But 'Stability' In Technology Solutions

Avnet's revenue and profit both fell by double digits in its fiscal third quarter, but the CEO and COO expressed optimism, especially for the Technology Solutions (TS) business, which they described as stable.

CRN

April 21, 2009

Compressus Launches Partnerships With Two Avnet HealthPath Partners to Accelerate Access to Interoperability Solutions 

Compressus, a leader in interoperability of disparate healthcare IT systems, announced strategic partnerships with Avnet HealthPath(TM) reseller partners Software Information Systems (SIS) and Micro Solutions.

Pharmacy Choice

April 20, 2009

Avnet Technology Solutions launches new security practice area

Avnet Technology Solutions has announced SecurePath, a new practice area developed to accelerate the success of its reseller partners in the IT security market.

eChannelLine

April 15, 2009

The 18 Winners of Brocade Partner Awards Program

Avnet Technology Solutions EMEA named Distributor of the Year by Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

StorageNewsletter.com

April 15, 2009

Sybase in Distribution Agreement with Avnet

Sybase, a provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile software, has announced a distribution (master partner) agreement with Avnet Technology Solutions in India. 

ChannelTimes, India

April 15, 2009

Avnet Technology Solutions signs Aruba Networks

Value-added IT distributor Avnet Technology Solutions has signed a distribution agreement in the UK with Aruba Networks, a specialist in wireless LANs and security mobility solutions.

Comms Dealer, UK

April 15, 2009

IBM Hard- und Software-Zertifizierungen bei Avnet

Der Distributor Avnet Technology Solutions setzt das Schulungsangebot fort und bietet IBM-Partnern wieder die Möglichkeit, auslaufende IBM-(Re-)Zertifizierungen für Hardware zu erneuern oder Software- Zertifizierungen als Voraussetzung für die von IBM angekündigte Controlled Distribution zu erlangen.

DV-Dialog, Germany

April 21, 2009

ROHS changes keep design engineers vigilant

With exemptions getting phased out, engineers need to continually track components for compliance with the European Union's ROHS directive.

EDN