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PHOENIX -- Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a leading global distributor of electronic components and computer products, today announced it is ranked No. 4 on the InfoWorld list of the 100 best information technology projects of the year. Chosen for its B2B Partner Automation project, which enables smaller trading partners to compete with larger companies with increased process efficiency, Avnet is one of seven companies included in the publication's Winners Circle, which is profiled in the Nov. 15 issue and online at http://infoworld.com/reports/46SRifw100.html.
"The InfoWorld 100 recognizes the smartest, most creative, and, well, coolest IT projects of 2004," said Steve Fox, editor-in-chief at InfoWorld magazine. "A quick gaze at our top seven honorees reveals a lot of innovation in the supply chain. In fact, many of the projects submitted were complete overhauls of paper-based processes."
B2B Partner Automation was developed by Avnet's Global Information Solutions (GIS) group for one of the company's business units, Avnet Partner Solutions, to serve hundreds of its smaller reseller partners who did not have the resources to establish and maintain inter-enterprise connectivity with Avnet. B2B Partner Automation provides a set of B2B connectors or "hooks" that allow partners to connect their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems directly to Avnet's without requiring significant changes to their business processes or an investment in translation technology.
As a result, many transactions -- including quote delivery, purchase order placement, order status and invoice services -- are automated and conducted 30 to 60 percent faster, providing a significant improvement in customer service.
"With a return on investment of 4,000 percent and demand expected to grow by 100 percent annually, B2B Partner Automation is a big success for Avnet Partner Solutions and its partners," said Ed Kamins, chief information officer at Avnet. "We are pleased it is recognized by InfoWorld as one of the top projects of the year and proud of the effort that was led by Bill Chapman and his team. GIS will continue to develop systems and solutions that make Avnet easy to do business with, providing a strategic competitive advantage for the company."
"The project is a terrific example of the great work accomplished through the innovative thinking of Avnet's business units and the technical creativity of the GIS organization," said Bill Chapman, chief technology officer. "By working closely together they created a solution that Avnet Partner Solutions resellers truly needed."
The InfoWorld 100 Awards celebrate real-world IT projects that use technology in smart, innovative, creative ways to meet business and technical objectives. Every year, InfoWorld's editorial staff names 100 companies that have made the best use of technology to enhance their business. To be considered, Avnet completed a comprehensive qualifying application that provided project details, including scope, benefits and budget.
About Avnet
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 250 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. Avnet generated more than $10 billion in revenue in fiscal 2004 (year ended July 3, 2004) through sales in 68 countries. Visit www.avnet.com/.
About InfoWorld
For 25 years, InfoWorld Media Group has provided cutting-edge coverage and evaluation of IT products and services for technology experts in senior management. Through integrated channels including print, online, and events, InfoWorld reaches the most influential senior-level information technologists -- those who drive their enterprises' strategies and technology purchases. Powered by a continued investment in an independent Test Center, InfoWorld analysts and editors provide both hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products. Visit InfoWorld at http://www.infoworld.com.
CONTACT:
Avnet Inc., Phoenix
Jan Jurcy, 480-643-7642
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