Avnet Express enhances site

More information about parts has been added to the site

By Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 7/2/2008 2:16:00 PM

Avnet Express, the small order division of Avnet Electronics Marketing, has added more functionality to its website that provides more information about parts to buyers and engineers.

The new site is designed to help customers “choose parts wisely,” says Beth Ely, senior vice president new channel development for Avnet Electronics Marketing.

Most distributor websites have part search functionality. Buyers can plug in a part number and see if it is in stock, or they can use a component characteristic or specification and the search engine will identify parts that match the criteria.

Avnet Express’ website has that functionality, but also provides a variety of information about the components, says Ely. Much of the information centers on supply issues.

For instance, the site can provide information about which parts “get used the most or which parts have the best technology roadmaps. Is the part going to be around in six months?” says Ely.

“We tell engineers and buyers if the part is one of our top sellers. So you know that if you select the part, you are not picking a part that will be obsolete,” she says.

The idea is for buyers and engineers not just to find a part “that meets their electrical needs, but find a part that is a good overall choice for them. So when they go into manufacturing that product, they can find the part that is easily supported,” says Ely.

The site provides other information such as whether an evaluation board is available for the part if there is a seminar available on the technology the part, she says.

The website changes were made based on surveys of customers and from input from Avnet’s customer council, and from Avnet’s field application engineers, who work with customers.

Ely says the website supports Avnet’s goal of supporting customers “end to end from the earliest phase of design all the way to fulfillment and delivery of the part.

Also see

New Avnet division focuses on small orders