BlueCat Networks And Avnet Technology Solutions Sign Distribution Agreement

BlueCat expands European Channel Program to meet increasing global demand for its market-leading IP Address Management (IPAM), DNS & DHCP Solutions

Bracknell, U.K. and Toronto, Canada – January 15, 2009 – BlueCat Networks, the IPAM Intelligence CompanyT, and Avnet Technology Solutions, a value-added distributor of enterprise computing products and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), today announced a distribution agreement which enables Avnet to exclusively market and promote BlueCat’s ProteusT IPAM solution and AdonisT family of DNS/DHCP appliances to key resellers in the U.K. and Ireland. The contract is expected to be expanded to include other European markets.

The agreement with Avnet underscores BlueCat’s commitment to grow its global channel program in response to the rapidly-increasing worldwide demand for its market-leading IPAM technologies and DNS/DHCP appliances. BlueCat is signing top-tier global technology providers, brand-name systems integrators, and national and regional technology resellers to expand its channel program and make it easy for organizations to purchase BlueCat’s innovative technology from highly-qualified partners with first-hand knowledge of the local market. BlueCat expects its global channel program to eventually account for up to 70 percent of new sales.

“With the proliferation of such technology as VoIP, RFID, wireless, virtualisation, and IPv6 the number of IP addresses required on a network is fast increasing,” said Bruce Hockin, Director of Product Strategy, Avnet Technology Solutions. “Enterprise customers can no longer manage IP addresses with spreadsheets and homegrown solutions,” Hockin continued. “As a result of our partnership with BlueCat, Avnet’s resellers can now provide “Best-of-Breed” technology from the leader in enterprise-class IPAM platforms and secure DNS/DHCP network administration appliances to make it simple for their enterprise customers to centrally deploy, manage, monitor and audit IP addresses across the entire organisation.”

The multi-tiered channel program provides partners with many services, including local Centres of Excellence where they can access extensive in-person training and certification programs, value-added pre-sales and post-sales follow up to ensure customers always receive knowledgeable hands-on service, and real-time access to valuable product information and updates on BlueCat’s secure partner portal.

“With worldwide sales increasing rapidly, BlueCat is expanding its global reach by growing and improving its channel program to ensure customers receive the highest possible level of service from qualified local partners,” said Simon Lowery, Regional Director, BlueCat Networks Europe. “As a value-added distributor that prides itself on providing its customers with an exceptional level of service, Avnet is ideally qualified to assist BlueCat expand its reach in Europe,” Lowery continued. “Avnet’s dedicated team of technology professionals will provide BlueCat’s European channel program with a true value add by ensuring resellers have the right combination of product knowledge and resources to capture and develop new revenue-generating opportunities.”

About BlueCat Networks

BlueCat Networks, the IPAM Intelligence CompanyT, is a profitable, rapidly-growing leading provider of enterprise-class IP Address Management (IPAM) platforms and secure DNS/DHCP network administration appliances. Today, thousands of BlueCat’s award-winning ProteusT IPAM platforms and AdonisT family of DNS/DHCP appliances have been successfully deployed to meet the rising IP management demands of government, military, financial services, retail and manufacturing organizations worldwide. Find out why more Fortune companies choose BlueCat solutions to gain complete, centralized Command and Control of their IP networks at www.bluecatnetworks.com.

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. 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. For fiscal year 2008, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.6 billion in annual revenue. The group’s Website is www.ts.avnet.com/emea.

About Avnet Inc.

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

Michael O’Keeffe
Communication Strategies, Inc.
High-Tech Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations
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