PHOENIX – Avnet has been named a 2026 CIO 100 Award winner for an internally developed AI-driven sales support project. The annual CIO 100 Awards recognize organizations that exemplify excellence and innovation in information technology and deliver measurable business value.
Avnet’s AI project addresses a growing business challenge: efficiently managing a high volume of customer inquiries related to order status. By applying advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, Avnet improved the speed and consistency of customer communications while supporting teams during periods of supply chain disruption.
Developed in-house, the solution streamlines the handling of customer email inquiries by automating key steps in the response process, enabling faster turnaround times and reducing the need for manual intervention. As a result, the initiative is helping Avnet improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience.
“This recognition reflects our team’s focus on practical innovation that drives real business outcomes,” said Max Chan, Chief Information Officer, Avnet. “By applying AI in a thoughtful, targeted way, we’ve strengthened how we support customers while improving efficiency across the organization.”
For almost 30 years, the CIO 100 Awards have recognized innovative organizations that exemplify the highest level of strategic and operational excellence in IT.
“The CIOs we’re recognizing this year aren’t just keeping the lights on, they’re driving the business,” said Richard Smith, Head of Event Content, CIO 100 Awards & Conference. “AI, data, security, cloud; it all lands on the same desk now, and the best CIOs have stopped treating them as separate problems. The 2026 class shows what it looks like when you get that right.
Avnet will be formally honored with other award recipients at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards in August. Coverage of the 2026 US CIO 100 award-winning projects will be available online at www.cio100.com.
About Avnet
As a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, Avnet has served customers’ evolving needs for more than a century. Through regional and specialized businesses around the world, we support customers and suppliers at every stage of the product lifecycle. We help companies adapt to change and accelerate the design and supply stages of product development. With a unique viewpoint from the center of the technology supply chain, Avnet is a trusted partner that solves complex design and supply chain issues so customers can realize revenue faster. Learn more about Avnet at www.avnet.com.
