Avnet Technology Solutions UK Expands Specialist Storage Team to Drive New Business Opportunities for Hitachi Content Platform Storage Solution

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March 28, 2012 - Avnet Technology Solutions UK Expands Specialist Storage Team to Drive New Business Opportunities for Hitachi Content Platform Storage Solution

Bracknell, UK -- Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), is gearing up to drive increased demand in the UK for the Hitachi Content Platform from Hitachi Data Systems. Avnet has invested in fixed and mobile demonstration equipment and technical training. In addition, the Avnet team has been expanded to help existing and newly recruited business partners take the Hitachi Content Platform into the marketplace.

The advanced storage and data management capabilities of the Hitachi Content Platform are designed to help IT organisations address challenges posed by ever-growing volumes of unstructured data. Using a common platform, the Hitachi Data Systems approach to what are known as 'file and content solutions' provides a single infrastructure that can support a wide range of data types, applications and users, all with different service level needs.

Mike Fearon, Hitachi Data Systems business manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, UK, commented, "In an increasingly content rich world, Hitachi Data Systems is leading the way with technology that will have the same impact on storage that MP3 players had on music. We have stepped up our resources to work with the business partners to gain traction in the marketplace and fully exploit the potential of the Hitachi Content Platform. Our investment in this area, and the fact that we are the only UK channel player to hold the Hitachi Content Platform technical accreditation, makes Avnet the foremost Hitachi Data Systems file and content specialist distributor in the UK."

According to Avnet and Hitachi Data Systems, there is real market potential for the solution across diverse industries such as healthcare, media and contact centres. In healthcare, for instance, Hitachi's Clinical Repository, based on Hitachi Content Platform, overcomes the major challenge of searching, retrieving and storing documents and medical images across different IT applications. One platform is created that acts as the central repository for storing all medical images regardless of the image format (scans, x-rays, etc.) thereby saving time, increasing efficiency and ultimately, improving patient care.

Avnet business partners have the opportunity to attend an Avnet HealthPath™ University hosted by Hitachi Data Systems on 9th and 10th May in central London. The two-day programme provides a dedicated environment in which to learn more about the Hitachi Content Platform and Hitachi Clinical Repository products specifically tailored to the health sector. The keynote speaker is Steve Wragg, an experienced IT professional and Chairman of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and attendees will benefit from his first-hand knowledge and insight into strategic issues such as healthcare buying and spending patterns and how to influence purchasing decisions.

Neill Burton, vice president of channels and alliances at Hitachi Data Systems, added, "The Hitachi Content Platform takes a totally fresh and radical approach to the complex issue of storage, rethinking how data is categorised and utilised. Combining Hitachi Data Systems' technology with the expert knowledge and outreach of Avnet, we are confident we have the support necessary to maximise the market opportunity that exists for the storage and retrieval of growing volumes of unstructured data."

To find out more about Avnet's partnership with Hitachi Data Systems, the Hitachi Content Platform or to register on Avnet's HealthPath University for Health in May, please visithttp://www.ts.avnet.com/uk/health.

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. For fiscal year 2011, the group served customers in more than 70 countries and generated US $11.5 billion in annual revenue. Avnet Technology Solutions (www.ats.avnet.com) is an operating group of Avnet, Inc.

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 in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011, Avnet generated revenue of $26.5 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.