With Gartner predicting that virtualization will be the highest-impact trend changing infrastructure and operations through 2012, Avnet Technology Solutions furthered its commitment to enable its value-added reseller partners to excel in this fast-growth market. Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet announced a dedicated training program called VirtualPath University for value-added resellers in the United States. Based on Avnet's successful HealthPath University and GovPath University programs, VirtualPath University provides partners with virtualization market understanding, knowledge, technology drivers and tools.

"VirtualPath University is a key element of our strategy to arm partners with the expertise needed to accelerate their growth in this exploding market," said Tim FitzGerald, Virtualization and Consolidation solutions leader, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "The curriculum includes information and resources that our partners need to develop successful virtualization practices. They'll be challenged in classes with labs and role-playing exercises aimed at helping them execute more effectively when they return to their companies."

VirtualPath University is designed to shorten the ramp-up time for partners to develop virtualization practices and help them quickly begin generating demand for their expertise. The three-day comprehensive training program educates partners on:

• The fundamentals of understanding virtualization and its place in the market
• Business trends affecting the IT marketplace
• How virtualization solutions fit into the IT fabric of companies
• The features and compelling business benefits of virtualization solutions
• Aligning virtualization solutions with business challenges and pain points

The class work will be supported by a step-by-step interactive toolkit. This toolkit outlines each component of the virtualization sales cycle and includes resource information on how to execute more effectively on the workshop concepts.

"Virtualization is a booming market and holds a great deal of opportunity; however, it requires a very unique skill set," said Steve Giondomenica, president, CMI (Chouinard & Myhre., Inc.). "VirtualPath University is a great way to get Avnet's partners quickly up to speed on the market. Avnet's training programs provide a practical approach to building our skills and also let us start identifying real-world opportunities. We have been extremely impressed with Avnet's university system and thank them for their continued investments in these programs to enable our success."

VirtualPath University is one of many resources available through Avnet's VirtualPath Practice, a dedicated portfolio of services, programs, technology, and tools designed to provide partners with the resources needed to succeed in virtualization and consolidation. By providing market-specific training and resources, Avnet makes it easier for partners to build virtualization practices in this market and capitalize on new opportunities to grow their businesses.

The first VirtualPath University class is scheduled for September 8-10 in Roseland, N.J. For more information and to register, please visit www.ats.avnet.com/virtualpathuniversity.