Aims at providing specialist support for key technology areas Distributor Avnet is betting on specialist divisions to grow its sales of software-driven technologies. Avnet says it has dedicated more than 450 solutions specialists to empower the channel to capitalise on cloud, cognitive computing, data analytics, the internet of things (IoT), mobility, security and enterprise networking, all built round the data centre. It has not broken down this number to reflect the relative importance of each unit, but is through to be putting an emphasis on IoT and security.
The specialist business units are similar in structure globally; however, they are led regionally “to accelerate execution and align with local partner needs”. Those in Avnet’s channel ecosystem can expect to see more proprietary tools, services and solutions around the next-generation technologies, such as the Cloud Marketplace and Avnet’s IoT collaborations, it says.
It follows the global creation of vertical market solutions practices in the Americas, Security and Networking Solutions business in EMEA, and global cloud solutions.
“Avnet is directing significant energy, resources and investments toward the technologies that will define the future,” said Patrick Zammit (above), global president for Avnet Technology Solutions. “I believe the best way to do this is through a more specialised approach. We are evolving into a solutions specialist to ensure that Avnet, along with our suppliers and partners, continues to meet our customers’ needs in a rapidly changing market.”
As well as the areas of Data centre Solutions; Cloud Solutions; Security and Enterprise Networking; Data Analytics, Cognitive Computing and IOT Solutions; and Mobility Solutions in EMEA and the Americas a sixth specialist business unit, Education Services, focuses on flexible training solutions for partners with a portfolio of offerings across Avnet suppliers.
It expects to expand both its reach into the channel and the vendor portfolio. “Our solutions specialist approach empowers Avnet’s partners with the dedicated resources, sales support and technical expertise needed to transform their business while driving long-term success for themselves and their customers. It also builds upon our ability to create brand preference, accelerate adoption and grow market share for technology vendors,” Zammit said. “The solutions specialist approach gives our partners and suppliers the best of both worlds: a business solutions mindset coupled with deep technical expertise in the data centre and next-generation technologies.”