Avnet and Microsoft to Promote ERP Solutions


Integration of Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Microsoft Platform Technologies to Provide Efficient and Affordable ERP Solutions for Mutual Customers

TEMPE, Ariz. and REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 18 / -- Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT) and a distributor focused on enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems, and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today announced they will work together to help certified value-added resellers (VARs) market, sell, service and support enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for midmarket and medium-sized enterprises based on Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Microsoft® platform technologies.

Avnet plans to provide the following:

o ERP solutions using Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and the Microsoft Windows® and SQL Server(TM) platforms
o Extensive choice of server hardware from leading suppliers
o ERP solutions with a variety of Microsoft platform technologies, including SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2000, Microsoft Office 2003 and Exchange Server 2003
o Partner support including education, sales, marketing, financing, managed services and implementation services

"Our relationship with Avnet combines the power of the Microsoft platform technologies with Avnet's innovative delivery model to provide an efficient and affordable ERP solution to our mutual customers," said Rob Bernard, general manager of the Worldwide ISV Group at Microsoft. "The technical work that we've done to support new and existing Oracle JD Edwards customers helps them get more value from their ERP investments."

"By working with Microsoft, we can provide our partners with cost- effective, turnkey solutions that help enhance productivity, better manage risk, and simplify operations and processes for end-user customers," said Scott Abbott, vice president of Enterprise Applications at Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "Our solutions-based strategy is designed to meet the needs of our partners by offering new services and technologies tailored to their customers' business challenges. Our partners and their customers have been vocal in their support of and validation for this solution."

Avnet and Microsoft have worked together for over five years to deliver world-class solutions to their mutual customers. This new collaboration deepens that relationship and provides both resellers and end users with more options and flexibility.

Microsoft and Avnet will develop a joint go-to-market strategy that provides VARs with the tools needed to effectively market, sell, service and support these comprehensive ERP solutions.

"This is exactly the type of innovative, collaborative solution that we need for ERP," said Christian Franklin, owner of TAM Group Inc., an Avnet partner based in San Francisco. "We appreciate the fact that they are working together to give us the choices we need to be more successful."

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. representing more than $4 billion in annual revenue, 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.

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 300 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. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006, Avnet generated revenue in excess of $14 billion through sales in approximately 70 countries. Visit www.avnet.com .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT:
Rapid Response Team,
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-503-443-7070,
rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
http://www.avnet.com/

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