Customers invited to beta test for streamlined information access; new tool designed to accelerate time to market for new technology solutions
Avnet (NYSE: AVT),
a leading global technology distributor, today unveiled Ask Avnet, the
industry’s first digital platform that integrates artificial
intelligence (AI) and industry expertise on demand to help a wide range
of customers, including engineers, procurement specialists and
professional makers, find the critical insights and information they
need daily to bring their technology solutions to market.
Designed to connect customers to the product design and development
knowledge they need, the Ask Avnet automated assistant gathers
information quickly and easily, navigating users across Avnet’s
web-based ecosystem, including: Avnet.com,
element14.com
and Hackster.io.
In addition, Ask Avnet will soon be expanded to include MakerSource.io
this month and PremierFarnell.com
in the coming months. To help locate desired information, Ask Avnet is a
proactive tool that leverages artificial intelligence to help anticipate
a customer’s next move and provide them with the best answer, rather
than a list of all possible answers, while also facilitating interactive
discussions. Ask Avnet underscores Avnet’s focus on creating
differentiated offerings that put the company at the forefront of the
digital transformation, serving up the entire technology supply chain
for its diverse customer base.
Ask Avnet is now available to Avnet customers for beta testing. To
participate, customers can visit http://avnet.me/AskAvnet
to learn more about the tool and register. Once registration is
confirmed, customers can test drive the new platform and provide
feedback, which will be used to strengthen the platform prior to its
general release this fall.
By streamlining the customer experience through a combination of
artificial intelligence and direct interface with Avnet experts, Ask
Avnet aims to shorten the amount of time it takes for Avnet customers to
access information, thereby increasing the number of projects delivered
on time. Those using Ask Avnet will initially interact with an automated
assistant for fast answers to everyday questions related to a components
search or product design. In cases where a specialist is best suited to
support the customer, Ask Avnet can immediately connect the user to the
appropriate Avnet expert. Through beta testing, customers’ interactions
will have the effect of building further intelligence into the system.
“As consumers, we are all very accustomed to accessing information on
demand. Ask Avnet will bring that same dynamic to the electronics supply
chain. Initial feedback from select customers and industry partners has
been positive, and we invite engineers, makers and procurement
specialists to test drive Ask Avnet to take advantage of its benefits
and help improve this sophisticated tool,” said Kevin Yapp, senior vice
president, digital transformation, Avnet. “Ask Avnet provides on-demand
assistance that helps navigate Avnet’s ecosystem and move seamlessly
through the technology product lifecycle, from prototype through mass
production.”
One of the advantages of this kind of artificial intelligence or AI
technology is that it constantly “learns” and improves the user
experience. Each time the technology is used, it creates information by
which the tool improves itself. Ask Avnet provides Avnet with a platform
to better anticipate customers’ needs and therefore will continually
improve their user experience, which is transformative as well as a
unique differentiator in the distribution industry.
Avnet’s acquisition of both Premier Farnell and Hackster in 2016
expanded the company’s reach to more than 2 million customers and an
active community of more than 600,000 entrepreneurs, makers and
engineers. MakerSource is an online resource directory developed by
Avnet that provides innovators, service providers and technical experts
with a forum to seek, as well as offer, support at each stage of the
product lifecycle.
To join the Ask Avnet beta user community, please visit http://avnet.me/AskAvnet
to register and request access.
Click
to Tweet: .@Avnet debuts #AskAvnet, industry-first intelligent
customer assistance platform powered by #AI. #ReachFurther http://bit.ly/1ll33LR
Follow Avnet on Twitter: @Avnet
Connect
with Avnet on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/avnet
Connect
with Avnet on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AvnetInc
All brands and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are the properties of their respective owners. Avnet disclaims any
proprietary interest in marks other than its own.
About Avnet
From idea to design and from prototype to production, Avnet supports
customers at each stage of a product’s lifecycle. A comprehensive
portfolio of design and supply chain services makes Avnet the go-to
guide for innovators who set the pace for technological change. For
nearly a century, Avnet has helped its customers and suppliers around
the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn
more about Avnet at: www.avnet.com.
Avnet
Maureen O’Leary, 480-643-7499
Maureen.OLeary@avnet.com
or
Brodeur Partners, for Avnet
Jamie Ernst, 480-308-0286
jernst@brodeur.com