Storage Solutions: Avnet Technology Solutions Drives Partner Success With NetApp Storage Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions, a value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, software, and services and an operating group of Avnet, Inc., is teaming with Network Appliance, Inc. to help channel partners drive storage solutions sales into the fast-growing midsize enterprise (MSE) market segment. NetApp recently unveiled its NetApp FAS2000 storage platform-the FAS2020 and FAS2050-and new deployment and auditing services designed to help simplify data management and maximize existing IT investments for MSE customers. The new line will be distributed by Avnet and sold through its channel of more than 200 storage partners in North America.

Avnet has been a NetApp distributor for four years, and during that time has seen significant growth in NetApp sales. The new FAS2000 systems from NetApp allow Avnet's partners to help their customers consolidate direct attached storage into a single networked solution and scale on demand.

"The Avnet and NetApp relationship has been providing tremendous returns for our partners," said Jeff Bawol, senior vice president and general manager, Enterprise Software and Storage Solutions Group, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "By creating a product line specifically developed for midsize enterprises, NetApp is stimulating the market for our partners. The NetApp FAS2000 line is perfectly aligned with Avnet's focus on providing complete storage and consolidation solutions that include hardware, software and services."

One Avnet partner that has seen great benefits from selling NetApp storage solutions is Bedrock Technology Partners. Based in California, Bedrock's consultants advise clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 1000 global organizations. Bedrock offers a diverse set data management services and solutions including security, server virtualization, compliance, high-availability, replication, disaster recovery, and server and storage consolidation. Avnet is Bedrock's preferred technology distributor, and helps the company register opportunities, achieve competitive pricing and provide its customers with real-time and accurate expectations for product delivery.

"When working with our clients' critical applications, product procurement is a high priority," said Dean Cappellazzo, CEO of Bedrock Technology Partners. "The peace of mind Avnet provides Bedrock through its reliable distribution services allows us to focus on developing the best solutions for our clients. We are currently looking to take advantage of additional services available through Avnet, such as developing a sales and marketing campaign that will help us generate new incremental business to achieve higher revenue streams."

Cappellazzo added, "Many MSE enterprises don't have the in-house storage expertise that you would probably find in a Fortune 500 company. They need a simple, cost-effective, flexible storage system that can adapt to their changing needs over time. No storage vendor fills that need like NetApp. With the FAS2000 series, we can offer our clients a solution that not only requires a low initial investment, but also has the improved port count, performance and footprint that customers need to meet their requirements for much longer. That's the NetApp value that keeps those customers coming back to us when their needs change, which is the lifeblood of our business."

Avnet supports its storage partners throughout the solution sales cycle with the tools, training, resources and guidance necessary to accelerate sales in the storage market. Additional services include Avnet's Consolidation Impact Assessment Services, which helps partners effectively assess an end-customer's IT environment, provide a total cost-of-ownership analysis, identify storage consolidation opportunities, and recommend the solutions and services most appropriate. Partners can then work with Avnet to design, architect and implement a complete storage virtualization and consolidation strategy.

"Avnet is one of our leading value-added storage distributors," said Leonard Iventosch, vice president, Global Channels at NetApp. "We will work closely with Avnet and its partners to create opportunities for our joint customers in the MSE market for the FAS2000 systems, further capitalizing on our mutual success in the past."

NetApp is also expanding its channel-only NetApp Select bundles for resellers with a new series of packaged hardware, software, and protocol offerings that make it easy for solution providers to offer competitive pricing while keeping profitable margins. Available through Avnet, the Select bundles provide pricing and configurations tailored for reseller partners, and simplify the order process for complete NetApp solutions designed to specifically address common customer concerns.

About Network Appliance
Network Appliance is a leading provider of innovative data management solutions that simplify the complexity of storing, managing, protecting, and retaining enterprise data. Market leaders around the world choose NetApp to help them reduce cost, minimize risk, and adapt to change. For solutions that deliver unmatched simplicity and value, visit us on the Web at www.netapp.com.

About Avnet Technology Solutions
Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing US$6 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2007, with locations in more than 30 countries. As a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions has sales divisions 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. Visit www.ats.avnet.com.

About Avnet
With more than 300 locations serving customers in 73 countries worldwide, Avnet markets, distributes and adds value to the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers. Additionally, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of service capabilities, such as supply-chain optimization, logistics solutions, product assembly, device programming, computer system integration and engineering design assistance. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, Avnet generated revenue of $15.68 billion. Visit www.avnet.com.

SOURCE: Avnet Technology Solutions