Avnet eyes global ASP expansion

Avnet Europe is considering setting up a dedicated application service provider division, following in the footsteps of its US parent, Avnet/Hall-Mark. The company plans to put the resulting business through resellers.

Avnet Europe is considering setting up a dedicated application service provider (ASP) division, following in the footsteps of its US parent, Avnet/Hall-Mark. The company plans to put the resulting business through resellers.

vnet/Hall-Mark is to launch its reseller-based ASP scheme through its newly formed Internet Business Solutions Group in the first quarter of 2001 following claims of a surge in demand. It is the latest distributor to announce a dedicated ASP division after a similar move from Ingram Micro last year.

Avnet Europe has had low-level ASP services running in conjunction with IBM since last March. However, Amir Mobayen, vice president of European sales and marketing, admitted that the company was only now seeing significant interest in the scheme.

"In some ways, Avnet Europe is watching Avnet/Hall-Mark decisions to know when to move. But it also realises that just because a scheme works in one country does not mean it can be blanket-applied to different parts of the world. We must be country specific," said Mobayen.

Tom O'Hare, business development manager at Avnet UK, also said it was in a position to move as soon as the market dictated. "Avnet has global contracts with telcos and ASPs, and the fact that Avnet/Hall-Mark has now made a major move is significant," he said. "Although we feel we are positioned ahead of the curve, we will not be rushed."

Greg Lockton, senior director of marketing and business at Ingram Europe, said he expected the ASP model to take off this year. "Modern business has so many programs running that there is a real opportunity for someone to step in and manage. But it will be a broad market, and it will need distribution," he said.