Avnet Launches Public Sector Training Plan For VARs

The program, called GovPath University, follows a similar Avnet plan for the healthcare vertical. Avnet, of Phoenix, Ariz., made the announcement at the FOSE conference in Washington, D.C.

Mike AtLee, national director, Avnet Technology Solutions Americas, Government and Education Solutions group, said the first 3-day GovPath session focusing on state, local and education markets is slated for June in Washington, D.C.

"These sessions are for solution providers that have some level of government knowledge in one of the markets [federal, state or local] and want to accelerate their business," he said.

Atlee said that there will be separate sessions for federal and SLED. Within the specific programs will be separate classes for Avnet's major OEM partners participating in the events. Additionally, the program will direct solution providers to specific opportunities in the government market. "Who [in the public sector] is looking at virtualization? Who's looking at consolidation? Who is looking at disaster recovery?" he said. "We want to take the [market data] tools, drive it down, match it to the channel's needs and where the vendor is going and then develop a business plan while you are in the class."

Atlee stressed that the tools and plans are based on real opportunities in the public sector market. He noted too, that despite economic uncertainty, the public sector IT outlook remains strong. "What's interesting about the government market, even when we are having a tough time from an economic standpoint, in many case it requires them to serve their constituencies more, not less," he said. "From a state and local standpoint, you'll hear 'I've got no budget increase.' That doesn't mean they aren't spending money, it just means they are not getting an increase. So all the more reason to utilize technology effectively and offer the right kinds of programs to stretch their dollars."