The amalgamation of the two specialist embedded businesses in Abacus and Avnet looks set to produce a potent force in the embedded solutions market. The business will be called Avnet Embedded.
Avnet's acquisition of Abacus Group has given the company instant pan-European market coverage. Speaking at the Embedded World exhibition in Nuremberg, Martin Brooks, the newly appointed vice president of Avnet Embedded points to regional strengths both companies will bring to the merger.
"Abacus Embedded has established itself in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavian markets," he told the Disti Blog, "while in its first year Avnet Embedded has been successful in Germany, Italy and East Europe."
Brooks and his team are now in talks with both companies supplier base. Likely to emerge from these negotiations is a mix of pan-European agreements and local deals which will meet specific market requirements. Key among these supplier talks will be the strong Abacus relationship with the Microsoft Embedded software line. Avnet boasts hardware suppliers including Advantech, Digi International and Varitronix.
Brooks says the Avnet Embedded team will boast a team of product specialists embracing displays, touch screen and processor technologies.
Customer support will be paramount, especially in today's market where Brooks sees the make or buy threshold undergoing change. "As the price of boards comes down and the complexity goes up, customers are looking to off-the-shelf solutions," he says. "We will be able to help customers make the right decision for their application."
With a raft of third party support on tap including design houses, consultancies and manufacturers, Avnet Embedded will be able to undertake complete projects for customers. It is experience the Abacus team has tucked under its belt, most notably for Camelot, the company which runs the National Lottery in the UK.
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