[August 15, 2012]

Avnet Technology Solutions Expands Its Cloud Training Offerings in the U.S. and Canada

Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced a new training framework available through its recently launched Avnet Cloud Solutions group. The framework is designed to enable Avnet's independent software vendor (ISV), managed service provider (MSP) and value-added reseller (VAR) partners in the U.S. and Canada to compete successfully in the off-premise cloud computing market. It includes fundamental, advanced and mastery training related to developing a cloud practice, specializing in high-growth off-premise cloud workloads and gaining in-depth expertise in off-premise cloud offerings.

Additionally, Avnet joined forces with ITpreneurs to further enhance its cloud training offerings. Avnet teamed with ITpreneurs because the organization works in collaboration with CompTIA (News - Alert) and the Cloud Credential Council to offer a vendor-neutral cloud certification program, which has become the industry-recognized certification to validate cloud skills and competencies. Qualified partners will be able to access the ITpreneurs cloud training program at a special Avnet rate.

Avnet Cloud Solutions will help partners find the quickest path to building their own expert off-premise cloud solutions team by working with partners to create training roadmaps tailored to the their unique needs. The roadmap will guide partners through the appropriate training focused on:

• Cloud Practices: Available through Avnet's relationship with ITpreneurs, this training includes fundamentals and advanced and mastery coursework focused on the business principles, sales skills and technical knowledge needed to grow a cloud practice. Initially, this courseware will feature multiple levels of training related to cloud computing, ITIL and virtualization to help partners build a baseline of knowledge and attain industry certifications.
• Cloud Workloads: This Avnet-developed training course helps partners specialize in the high-growth off-premise cloud workloads best aligned with their business strategies and core competencies. It is designed to help partners understand end-customer business drivers, off-premise cloud solutions, the supplier landscape, technical knowledge and adjacent professional services opportunities.
• Cloud Offerings: This Avnet-developed training course provides offering-specific instruction and deep-dive technical training, as well as online sales tools and resources to speed the selling process. It explores features and benefits, qualifying, scoping and quoting.

"Selling cloud offerings requires a different skill set than traditional project-based solutions," said Dennis Mueller, vice president of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at CMT, an IT solutions provider and Avnet partner. "Avnet has taken the guesswork out of cloud computing training and zeroed in on those areas that will help us capitalize on the off-premise cloud market quickly. With Avnet, we can access quality courseware and certification programs that will help set us apart from our competition. We'll be working closely with the Avnet Cloud Solutions team to create our training and certification roadmap to enable us to address customer demand and build a sustainable cloud business."

For more information about Avnet Cloud Solutions visit www.avnetcloudready.com.
Follow Avnet Cloud Solutions on Twitter (News - Alert) at: http://twitter.com/AvnetCloudReady.
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About Avnet Technology Solutions

As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver services, software and hardware solutions that address the business needs of their end-user customers locally and around the world. The group serves customers and suppliers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa. It generated US $10.8 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2012. Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

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 globally. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of $25.7 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

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