New Avnet division focuses on small orders
By Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 1/18/2007 2:00:00 AM
Avnet has launched a new division targeted at small volume buyers.
“Avnet Express is for customers looking for speed, convenience and real-time information,” says Beth Ely, senior vice president new channel development for Avnet in Phoenix. “It's for customers who may say 'I just want the parts now. At this point in time I am not interested in Avnet supply chain offerings,'” says Ely.
Ely says Avnet Express will appeal to the whole spectrum of electronics purchasers and engineers, not just small companies. “Even global electronics manufacturing services companies who need access to parts and information quickly will find Express appealing,” she says.
She says with Avnet Express, Avnet has changed its website to make it more commerce oriented.
“When our website went up it was more of a marketing tool,” says Ely. For instance, a customer had to register before he or she could use the site. Now registration is not required. “When you do commerce, what is most important is to make it easier to buy, and we have done that,” she says.
 Beth Ely: “Avnet Express is for buyers who may say ‘I just want the parts now. At this point in time I am not interested in Avnet supply chain offerings.’ ” |
A part number or partial part number can be plugged in to find a part and price. However, Avnet is working to improve the site so a description for parts can be written in and the engineer or buyer would get a match of parts described.
The website will have a “part builder” function where a customer can click on “capacitor” and the part builder will ask what kind of tolerance or type of product such as ceramic, aluminum or tantalum is needed.
“That is the piece we are working on the most right now. It's going to be an easy selection process,” she says.
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