Avnet Preps for IoT Push With New VP

Written by Edward
January 14, 2016

Avnet distributes electronic components, computer products and embedded technology to customers in more than 115 countries.

**Editor’s Note: Click here to see which channel people were on the move in December.**

Technology distributor Avnet has selected Eric Williams to develop a global strategy to design, develop and drive edge-to-enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) offerings.

Williams has been named vice president of IoT for Avnet worldwide. He tells Channel Partners that IoT has the “power to transform every industry, and it presents a tremendous opportunity for Avnet, as well as our customers and suppliers.”

“Avnet is perfectly positioned to develop complete IoT solutions from edge to the enterprise based on our global reach, deep relationships with technology manufacturers and proven technical expertise,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with the Avnet teams around the world to deploy a global strategy that will help our customers fully unlock the potential of IoT.”{ad}

Williams previously served in a number of executive leadership positions in the technology industry and most recently was a strategic advisor for CABA Technologies and Moon Inc., where he focused on the intelligent LED market.

He’s also held positions with Arrow Electronics, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, IBM Group and Bell Industries.

“The pace of change in today’s global business environment demands agility and imagination,” said Rick Hamada, Avnet’s CEO. “Given our total breadth of resources, both our customers and suppliers are asking us to develop new solutions combining multiple elements of technology from the edge to the enterprise. In Eric, we have found an executive with global experience and a proven ability to design, develop and implement innovative programs with positive results.”

Gartner forecasts that 6.4 billion connected things will be in use globally this year, up 30 percent from 2015, and will reach 20.8 billion by 2020. This year, 5.5 million new things will get connected every day.

Gartner also estimates that IoT will support total services spending of $235 billion this year, up 22 percent from 2015.

First, distributors needed to find their way in a cloud world; now come IoT and other new technologies that continue to raise the stakes for Avnet and its distributor rivals.