ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2005--Arrow OEM Computing Solutions (OCS), the division of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) that provides manufacturing, system integration, and supply-chain management services to industrial OEMs and intellectual property-based companies, today announced the launch of Platform Builder, a configuration tool that enables Arrow engineers to provide OEM customers with a comprehensive plan for building pre-qualified unbranded systems.
Platform Builder is ideal for OEMs looking to build long-life products that require minimal customization. One major advantage of Platform Builder is it speeds the customer's time to market, as all components are pre-configured, have been put through rigorous quality testing, and have all required FCC, CE, CSA and UL certifications. Therefore, prototypes are unnecessary. Platform Builder also reduces production costs by eliminating non-recurring expenses that often accompany customized products.
For example, if an OEM wants to integrate a next-generation Intel circuit board into an automatic teller machine, it simply works with an Arrow solutions architect to identify their specific requirements and review component options. Once the scope of the project is defined, the Arrow engineer enters the critical information (system requirements, current parts, desired parts, etc.) into Platform Builder.
The end result, which takes roughly 30 minutes to generate, is a quote that includes a plan for either how a new part can be integrated into an existing product or how a new system can be built. The quote also includes the total cost of the plan, available inventory and warranty services. Once approved, the quote is sent to Arrow's Logistics and Value-Added Center in Phoenix where the product is manufactured.
Other benefits of Platform Builder include:
-- The ability for OEMs to construct an off-the-shelf product configuration while still being able to leverage the expertise of an Arrow solution architect for customized features.
-- Platform Builder systems are built using top-quality components, including disk drives, video cards and storage devices, from the industry's leading suppliers including DFI, Intel, Iomega, Maxtor, Micron, Microsoft, Motorola, RadiSys and Sony.
 -- Upon end of life, Arrow can convert the platform into a custom build and manage the solution until the customer is ready to receive its next generation replacement. For example, if a particular motherboard is phased out, the customer can either choose to replace the component or ask Arrow to procure the discontinued part as part of a custom job.
In addition to offering its customers the benefits of Platform Builder, Arrow is also offering a complementary program called Platform Builder Plus. Platform Builder Plus enables Arrow's OEM customers to customize their Platform Builder configuration, replacing products upon request. Typical customizations are custom bios for motherboards, customer images for software applications and additional components such as video cards.
"As we all know, time to market is a critical factor in the success of any product," said Jennifer Johnson, director, OCS Technical Services. "Platform Builder gives OEMs the opportunity to easily produce or modify unbranded products and subsystems without wasting time or money on multiple revisions, complicated build plans and waiting for inventory."
About the North American Computer Products group of Arrow Electronics
The North American Computer Products group of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) is a leading distributor of enterprise and embedded computing systems to resellers and OEM customers in North America. Based in Englewood, CO, the group is comprised of four divisions that make up Enterprise Computing Solutions (Support Net, SBM, MOCA, Enterprise Storage Solutions) and OEM Computing Solutions, which serves complex and industrial OEM customers. Visit us at www.arrownacp.com.
Arrow Electronics is one of the world's largest distributors of electronic components and computer products and a leading provider of services to the electronics industry.
CONTACT: Arrow Electronics, Inc.
Ann Shiveley, 303-824-3762
Ashiveley@arrow.com
SOURCE: Arrow Electronics, Inc.
