TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced a schedule of road shows for Cisco reseller partners – The Way Forward Tour. The tour is designed to help Cisco value-added resellers (VARs) gain a deeper understanding of the current data center landscape and resulting opportunities, as well as the Cisco Unified Computing System vision and data center architecture. Additionally, partners will learn how to capture incremental revenue by expanding into high-growth markets, and reduce costs and investment risks for their customers.
“Now is one of the most exciting and profitable times to target the data center market,” said Darren Adams, vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, Cisco Solutions Group. “The Way Forward Tour is the newest way Avnet is providing our Cisco partners with the in-depth data center and solutions knowledge needed to succeed in this market. Avnet has decades of data center channel experience, and we’re looking forward to sharing some of our unique insights with partners to accelerate their success even faster.”
The tour, kicking off today in Irvine, Calif., will be held throughout the summer in 13 U.S. cities, with additional events to be announced for the Canadian market. Each event will feature one of two recognized industry experts — Barb Goldworm, founder, president and chief analyst with Focus, LLC; or Thornton May, futurist, executive director and dean of the IT Leadership Academy. Additionally, Avnet will provide in-depth information on Cisco’s UCS architecture and data center vision.
The initial dates and locations for the tour include:
-- May 24, 2011: Irvine, Calif.
-- May 26, 2011: San Francisco,
Calif.
-- June 2, 2011: Phoenix, Ariz.
-- June 7, 2011:
Denver, Colo.
-- June 9, 2011: Omaha, Neb.
-- June 14, 2011:
Dallas, Texas
-- June 16, 2011: St. Louis, Mo.
-- June 21,
2011: Chicago, Ill.
-- June 23, 2011: Cincinnati, Ohio
-- June
28, 2011: Atlanta, Ga.
-- June 30, 2011: Charlotte, S.C.
--
July 7, 2011: Raleigh, N.C.
-- July 12, 2011: New York, N.Y.
For more information and the most up-to-date schedule, visit The Way Forward Tour.
“I've always been impressed with Avnet's knowledge of market opportunities and technology,” said Bret MacInnes, practice manager for UCS/FlexPod for Trace3, a leading IT systems integrator and Avnet partner. “That's why I'm planning to send several members of my sales team to The Way Forward Tour. I know they'll come away from the session with a much deeper understanding of data center opportunities we can pursue using Cisco Unified Computing System solutions and be motivated to target new customers. I'm also sending several members of our technical team to further their education on the Cisco-based solutions that can be developed to meet the business challenges of our customers.”
In addition to being a Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) distributor, Avnet is certified as a Cisco UCS B-Series Authorized Configurator (UBAC) and Cisco UCS C-Series Authorized Configurator (UCAC) for the U.S. and Canada. Avnet also offers a wide-variety of solutions assembly and integration services that allow channel partners to focus their resources on their core business strategies, while relying on Avnet's world-class services to complete the sales process. These services include application uploading; custom cabling and racking; custom image loads; configuration and testing; database installation; hardware integration; operating system installation; packaging and logistics; software configuration; and virtualization partitioning.
Partners looking to gain an even deeper level of data center solutions expertise can also leverage Avnet’s SolutionsPath® methodology and practices. Through SolutionsPath, Avnet provides partners with the education, tools, resources and skills needed around core data center technologies, including mobility, networking, security, storage and virtualization, as well as how to successfully sell these solutions into high-growth vertical markets, including energy, finance, government, healthcare and retail.
For more information on the road shows or to register for an event, please visit http://www.thewayforwardtour.com/index.html.
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About Avnet Technology Solutions
As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver effective solutions that address the business challenges of their end-user customers locally and around the world. For fiscal year 2010, the group served customers in more than 70 countries and generated US $8.19 billion in annual revenue. Avnet Technology Solutions (www.ats.avnet.com) is an operating group of Avnet, Inc.
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 3, 2010, Avnet generated revenue of $19.16 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.