Aruba and Avnet Solutions Agree to Deliver Converged Wireless and Secure Mobility Solutions
Enterprise, Medical, and Governmental Applications Will Be Targeted Under New Distribution Agreement Covering the Entire Aruba Product Line
SUNNYVALE, CA and TEMPE, AZ, August 7, 2007 - Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN), a global leader in user-centric networks and secure mobility solutions, and Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) and a distributor focused on enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems, today announced a strategic distribution agreement. Under the agreement Avnet Technology Solutions will market and distribute Aruba's entire secure mobility and wireless LAN product line to value-added resellers in North America. The Aruba product line includes Aruba Mobility Controllers, wireless LAN access points, Remote Access Point and Secure Enterprise Mesh software, ArubaOS Mobility software, and the Aruba Mobility Management System.
Aruba's user-centric networking securely and reliably brings enterprise applications to users wherever they work - in the office, at home, in a hotel, on the road. In a user-centric network authorized users can access the enterprise through any network - LAN, wireless LAN, WAN, wireless WAN, fixed mobile convergence (FMC) carrier - from anywhere in the world. By extending the enterprise to reach all users without compromising security or convenience, Aruba has redefined mobility with respect to where and how people work. Follow-me security moves with the user, providing unlimited mobility dictated only by the needs of the enterprise and without losing connectivity or access.
"Aruba was seeking a distribution partner that could offer strong marketing and sales support to our channel sales force, and we found such a partner in Avnet," said Peter Cellarius, Aruba's vice president of business development. "Avnet is very focused on helping reseller partners build complete business solutions that include hardware, software and services, and this drives customer loyalty and promotes new sales. We look forward to working closely with Avnet, and are confident that together we will bring secure mobility solutions to a wide new audience."
Avnet Technology Solutions is known for helping its partners deliver the industry expertise needed to drive sales of complete enterprise solutions that include server, storage, and networking technologies. Avnet works with premier technology suppliers to deliver innovative solutions for independent software vendors, original equipment manufacturers and value-added resellers. Partners can gain a competitive advantage by accessing Avnet's resources and tools, such as training and marketing programs, lead management systems, and dedicated technical, sales and logistics staff. These resources create a roadmap to help Avnet's partners grow their solutions sales.
"We are expanding our channel partners' reach into new high-growth markets by offering Aruba's industry-leading suite of wireless LAN and secure mobility solutions for converged data, toll-quality voice, and streaming video applications," said Jack Morris, vice president of Business Innovation at Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "We selected Aruba because its products complement and leverage our existing line of branded server and storage technologies. Aruba has a well-established and successful track record in the enterprise, healthcare, and government markets our partners serve."
"As a trusted security and compliance advisor to our customers, we focus on providing the most effective information security solutions available," said Tim Tyler, vice president of Sales, at Vigilar. "Aruba and Avnet's new relationship should accelerate our ability to offer complete solutions that address customers' needs throughout the lifecycle of information security, and help us expand our customer base."
Aruba's wireless and secure mobility solutions will be distributed as a part of Avnet Technology Solutions' dedicated Business Innovation practices, which include mobility, security/networking, storage, and virtualization and consolidation, plus a vertical focus on healthcare and government markets. By delivering solutions through these dedicated practices, Avnet connects resellers to new markets, new customers and new solutions to help grow their businesses.
About Avnet Technology Solutions
Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) representing US$5.1 billion in annual revenue for calendar year 2006, 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 http://www.ats.avnet.com/.
About Avnet
With more than 250 locations serving customers in 70 countries worldwide, Avnet (NYSE: AVT) 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 July 1, 2006, Avnet generated revenue of $14.25 billion. Visit http://www.avnet.com/.
About Aruba Networks, Inc.
Aruba securely delivers the enterprise network to users, wherever they work or roam, with user-centric networks that significantly expand the reach of traditional port-centric networks. User-centric networks integrate adaptive WLANs, identity-based security, and application continuity services into a cohesive, high-performance system that can be easily deployed as an overlay on top of existing network infrastructure. Adaptive WLANs deliver high-performance, follow-me connectivity so users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Identity-based security associates access policies with users, not ports, to enable follow-me security that is enforced regardless of access method or location. Application continuity services enable follow-me applications that can be seamlessly accessed across WLAN and cellular networks. The cost, convenience, and security benefits of user-centric networks are fundamentally changing how and where we work. Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000® Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit www.arubanetworks.com.
Media Contacts
Michael TennefossAruba Networks, Inc. +1-408-754-8034 mtennefoss@arubanetworks.comH
Jay Nichols Sterling Communications, Inc.+1-415-392-2300 jnichols@sterlingpr.comH
Sonia Bovio Brodeur, for Avnet 602-808-1164 sbovio@brodeur.com
