The European embedded sector is highly competitive and is being driven by time to market pressures and a significant refocusing by the end equipment makers on their own core values. Be that the application software, integration know-how or even the biochemistry behind a medical device. An increasing number of customers are choosing to select standard or lightly customised off the shelf embedded computer hardware, which when combined with a commercial operating system allows them to focus more of their resources on their core intellectual property. This shift in focus has enabled many customers to make smarter more efficient devices and get them to market much faster than if the device was built from discrete ICs from scratch. This system-level integration philosophy applies to medium and high volume OEMs and there is equal value-add opportunities in display and connectivity products, which are increasingly designed to standards which make them easier to integrate with each other.

This trend has led to a requirement for distributors of embedded technology to scale up the quality and quantity of sales and applications engineers who can provide expert pre sales advice on selection and use of the best systems and modules to fit customers’ exact needs. Having local labs to assist in customers` integration and to produce product demos and design references is now a necessity in this fast moving and growing market space. Avnet Embedded’s new structure is designed to help customers to meet all these challenges and boost their competitive advantage.

“Our new structure delivers a larger pool of technical specialists, an expanded line card, and enhanced system integration expertise. Supported by local product laboratories for our customers across Europe, Avnet Embedded is ideally positioned to help our customers choose the right solution for their specific needs. The additional benefit of Avnet’s world class logistics capabilities makes our value proposition extremely compelling,” says Martin Brooks, VP Avnet Embedded. “By combining the strengths of both Avnet and Abacus Embedded we have created a new organisation which is a big step toward our goal of firmly establishing Avnet Embedded as Europe’s number one distributor of embedded solutions and services.”

Core Technologies
With the new structure, Avnet Embedded has significantly broadened its franchise portfolio and its geographical coverage. Avnet Embedded specialises in the following key product groups:

• Embedded Operating Systems and Software
• Displays – LCD panels, digital signage solutions, monitors, terminals and panel PCs
• Wireless and Networking – GSM, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi and many others
• Embedded Computing – All form factors from mini ITX to industrial Box PCs
• Industrial Printers – Simple mechanisms to ruggedized  A4 industrial printers

The full Avnet Embedded line card can be viewed at www.avnet-embedded.eu.

Branding and Name Changes
Several of the former Abacus Embedded group companies will continue to do business under their current names while operating under the Avnet Embedded corporate umbrella. This is the case for Axess Technology in France; the wireless business of TDC in the UK; and Trident in the UK, Benelux and Nordic countries. The Abacus Embedded brand name will be changed to Avnet Embedded which principally affects the former Abacus Embedded product divisions in Germany and Italy.

“Avnet Embedded’s new structure is designed to help our customers and suppliers be more successful,” comments Patrick Zammit, president, Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA. “With a single source for embedded products and solutions, customers can concentrate on their in-house intellectual property and reduce their time to market. Our suppliers have access to Avnet Embedded’s pan-European customer base, helping to drive sales and market share while optimising customer support costs and services. Everyone stands to gain from the new structure, because if our customers and suppliers are successful, so are we.”

About Avnet Embedded
Avnet Embedded is a product business group within Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, an operating region of Avnet, Inc., (NYSE: AVT). Avnet Embedded was created to serve the industrial market with displays, embedded computing hardware, software, networking and wireless products. The group also provides customers with finished or customised products and training, system integration and ODM services through its European technical centres and partners. Avnet Embedded works with a range of leading product manufacturers and technical partners to provide the best product solution to meet its customers’ specific requirements. Further information is available at www.avnet-embedded.eu.

About Trident – an Avnet Embedded Business
Trident is part of Avnet Embedded, a product business group within Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA.  As one of Europe’s leading technical franchised distributors of displays, monitors, embedded computers and operating systems, panel PCs and printers Trident also provides an extensive range of value added services. Trident’s customers benefit from its breadth and depth of expertise and its vast product portfolio. The company operates in multiple industries including industrial, retail, public information, marine, hospitality, transport, multi-media kiosks, broadcast, security, defence and medical hardware. Trident is based in the UK and has offices in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Further information is available at www.avnet-embedded.eu/trident.

About TDC – an Avnet Embedded Business
TDC is part of Avnet Embedded, a product business group within Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA. As a specialised wireless and networking distributor, TDC provides embedded components for wireless applications such as GSM, GPRS, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and ZigBee. TDC’s customers place as much value on the world-class technical support the company provides as the range of high-quality products it distributes. Further information is available at www.avnet-embedded.eu/tdc.

About Axess Technology – an Avnet Embedded Business
Axess Technology is part of Avnet Embedded, a product business group within Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA. The company is a leading distributor in France of embedded electronic products and solutions. Axess Technology provides a wide range of solutions organised around four main activity areas: displays, embedded computing hardware and software, and wireless and networking products. To ensure optimal customer proximity, Axess Technology operates via a network of local sales offices throughout France. Further information is available at www.avnet-embedded.eu/axess.

For more information contact:
Andra Hartstang
Manager Communications
Im Technologiepark 2-8
85586 Poing, Germany
Phone +49 8121 774 202
Fax +49 8121 774 439
Email: andra.hartstang@avnet.eu