Partner Press Release
Avnet to Participate in RosettaNet Consortium; Supports EConcert Target Date

For Release June 9, 1999

Phoenix, AZ -- Avnet, Inc. has pledged its participation in the global process standards to be created by RosettaNet, according to Roy Vallee, Avnet's chairman and CEO.

An electronics industry consortium, RosettaNet was formed to establish an electronic commerce framework for supply-chain management within the computer industry. Avnet has joined the consortium and Vallee is a member of the components managing board.

"Avnet is committed to supporting and adhering to the process standards created by RosettaNet and its EConcert initiative target of February 2, 2000, " Vallee said. EConcert is a cross-enterprise effort to orchestrate the implementation of RosettaNet specifications between information technology supply-chain partners.

"The changing nature of business relationships requires all companies within the supply chain to incorporate the most efficient processes and interfaces to create the highest value to our customers and suppliers. As a global electronic components and computer equipment distributor -- and solutions provider -- we need to eliminate and/or reduce administrative and technological barriers that impede the timely delivery of information from the customer to Avnet to our suppliers."

While EDI standards have existed for some time, E-concert takes the original intent for a "standard" deeper into the organization. Avnet anticipates that the resulting processes will not simply serve to further automate current practice, but rather, will question all aspects of the current practice, ask "Why," and literally build a new model with Technology as the driver, according to Vallee.

"As Avnet globalizes its infrastructure and ERP systems, the establishment of commonly accepted business processes within the supply chain is imperative," Vallee continued. "The methodology used within RosettaNet to develop the processes will ensure that all contributing members develop a uniform 'info-structure' which will capitalize on our global ERP infrastructure."

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) is a global electronics distributor with annual sales exceeding $5.9 billion. A Fortune 500 company based in Phoenix, Ariz., Avnet serves customers worldwide by marketing, inventorying and adding value to the products of the foremost electronic components and computer equipment manufacturers. The company's Web site is located at www.avnet.com.