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April 7, 2010 - Avnet and Ardenta Honoured at IBM Software Business Group Awards

Bracknell, UK --Avnet Technology Solutions, the solutions distribution leader, and Ardenta Limited, the e-gaming IT infrastructure specialist, received awards for their contribution to IBM UK revenue at a recent software college held at IBM Bedfont Lakes.

Avnet was recognised as IBM Value-Added Distributor of the Year 2009 in the UK. Avnet won the award based on its revenue contribution and business growth. Mike Mernagh, director of IBM business at Avnet Technology Solutions, UK said, "This award from IBM Software Business Group validates Avnet's commitment to IBM. Our software revenue grew significantly during 2009, and that growth was the result of our policy of working closely with business partners in terms of sales, marketing and financial planning. Avnet has also added additional resource to the IBM team during the year to facilitate more in-depth business planning with each partner to support their chosen activities."

Mernagh continued, "A major part of our success is Avnet's ability to effectively translate IBM's product and end-user propositions into solutions that enable business partners to maximise revenues in their specialist markets. Customers buy solutions, not technology, and combining Avnet's sales and technical expertise with a business partner's in-depth market knowledge provides end-users with the perfect combination."

Building on its success as Independent Software Vendor of the Year in the IBM 2009 Platinum Awards, Ardenta was named as IBM's Avnet Business Partner of the Year 2009. IBM asked Avnet to select the business partner which had made the most significant contribution to its revenue during the year. Mernagh commented, "Ardenta is a key business partner for IBM and Avnet. It is well on its way to achieving an ambition of becoming the IT and infrastructure supplier of choice to the online gaming industry and experienced double-digit growth during 2009. This was achieved by combining best-of-breed IBM software products, technical expertise and customer-focused solutions to many of the world's leading online gaming operators."

Ardenta has expanded its expertise across IBM's software products and is certified and trained to deliver solutions incorporating DB2/Informix, Rational, WebSphere and Tivoli to help develop and manage its clients' infrastructures. During 2009, Ardenta made a significant contribution in terms of both hardware and software by delivering a wider range of solutions and generating higher revenues. During a difficult year economically, Ardenta exceeded their own expectations and the goals that they set.

Mernagh continued, "The way in which Ardenta, Avnet and IBM work together is a textbook model of how it should be done. From account management to credit and finance arrangements, the partnership is fully engaged. This is an excellent example as to what the channel can achieve when all the partners are working to their strengths and together at all levels."

Chris Worgan, commercial manager at Ardenta, added, "Avnet has certainly helped commercially by enabling us to maintain strong credit streams in a tough economic environment. Our account manager, Tracy Adams, introduced us to all the services available within Avnet and helped us make use of them. In particular, the finance team understands how to add value when it comes to the complexities often involved when dealing with e-gaming organisations. We have benefited from the team approach to supplying the correct solution and constructing the right financial deal. Thank you, Avnet, for the support."

Mark Barrett, IBM sales leader Business Partners UK & Ireland Software Business, said, "We congratulate Avnet and Ardenta on winning these well-deserved awards. Both organisations have shown the extra character required in these tightened times. By working as part of a team with IBM in their chosen fields, Avnet as a value-added distributor and Ardenta as a trusted advisor and supplier of IT solutions, they have proven that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. IBM looks forward to continuing to support their excellent work."

About Avnet Technology Solutions
As a global solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver effective solutions that address the business challenges of their end-user customers locally and around the world. For fiscal year 2009, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.04 billion in annual revenue. Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. Visit: www.ts.avnet.com/emea/

About Avnet
Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and 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.

For more information please contact:
Avnet Technology Solutions
Linda Patterson, Marketing Director
T: +44 (0)1344 662000
E: Linda.patterson@avnet.com

Ardenta Limited
Susan Morgan, Marketing
T: +44 (0)1932 724027
E: susan.morgan@ardenta.com

 

 


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