Avnet last week unveiled a beta version of Ask Avnet, an automated virtual assistant that combines artificial intelligence with on-demand access to industry experts.
Ask Avnet targets “engineers, designers, hobbyists, makers and purchasing specialists across the electronics supply chain — which includes the product manufacturing chain,” said Kevin Yapp, senior vice president for digital transformation at Avnet.
Ask Avnet gathers information from the company’s Web-based ecosystem — including Avnet.com, element14.com and Hackster.io — and soon will include access to Avnet’s MakerSource.io and PremierFarnell.com properties.
Ask Avnet leverages AI to help anticipate a user’s next move and provide the best answer, rather than listing all possible answers.
How Ask Avnet Works
Ask Avnet “aims to shorten the amount of time it takes for Avnet customers to access information,” Yapp told TechNewsWorld.
Avnet customers who already are familiar with an Avnet property, such as hackster.io or element14, “will discover more parts or components or choices within Avnet … with a simple click,” he pointed out.
Initially, users interact with an automated assistant for fast answers to everyday questions. They are connected to the appropriate Avnet expert when necessary.
Ask Avnet works on both desktops and mobile devices. However, during the beta phase, the focus is on desktops.
“Full support for mobile devices will be available when we make the tool open to all visitors across our Web properties later this fall,” he said.
Going With the Flow
Avnet “isn’t the first to do this,” remarked Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.
“Microsoft’s doing something, and so are other companies, where the digital assistant is really targeted towards the application or the area of expertise that they’re looking for,” he told TechNewsWorld.
That said, this is “the way to provide better customer service, reduce costs associated with professional labor, and reduce the number of questions people come up with,” McGregor pointed out.
The use of AI and machine learning in the enterprise
is likely to increase is one way businesses can increase their competitiveness and thus is likely to increase, ABI Research has predicted.
However, Ask Avnet is “more of a limited response system, and we’ve had those for some time,” noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.
“You could do what they’re demonstrating with scripts, for the most part, and an old expert system,” he told TechNewsWorld. “This is clearly just an early test of concept, but the true AI doesn’t appear to exist yet.”
Ask Avnet Benefits
It’s likely that product developers who use Ask Avnet eventually will get higher-quality advice more quickly, Enderle said. “Once the AI truly kicks in, the experts become largely virtual, with escalation to people decreasing over time as the AI learns from the interaction.”
Combining the ability of a digital assistant with a virtual database to target specific customers in specific areas such as engineering “has so many benefits,” McGregor said. The system can “continue to learn and evolve with all the information that’s going into it.”
Avnet is gunning for B2B companies, Yapp said.
The Specter of Google, Apple and Microsoft
Ask Avnet is more like Google Voice, Microsoft’s Cortana or Siri than it is like IBM Watson, Yapp said.
The global enterprise market for voice recognition technologies will grow from US$44 billion in 2016 to $79 billion in 2021, according to BCC Research.
Ask Avnet does not have voice capability, which raises the question whether enterprises might turn to Google, Apple or Microsoft, whose assistants combine AI with machine learning and voice.
“You do want to add voice,” Tirias’ McGregor said, “but, a lot of times when dealing with engineers, you may need to bring up visual information as well.”
Richard Adhikari has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, mobile technologies, CRM, databases, software development, mainframe and mid-range computing, and application development. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including Information Week and Computerworld. He is the author of two books on client/server technology.
Email Richard.
229 comments on “New AI Assistant Digs Up Specialized Info for Makers”
dryncBreams
2019-04-14 at 11:31alternative for viagra http://buyscialisrx.com/ generic cialis, how to get free sildenafil
buy cialis
2019-04-16 at 12:13sildenafil to tadalafil switch in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension http://cialisle.com/ generic cialis online.
sls tadalafil.
generic viagra online
2019-04-16 at 18:18sildenafil safe dose [url=http://viagrabs.com/]viagra online[/url] when should i
take the viagra pill.
sildenafil citrate generic viagra 100mg
2019-04-18 at 17:09Ask peculiarly collection complete May son expression. Exceedingly avidity rule good own was valet.
Hands received FAR his dashwood subjects fresh.
My sufficient encircled an companions dispatched in on. Modern smiling
friends and her some other. Leaf she does none sexual love high-pitched however.
suction cup dildo
2019-04-19 at 06:53Really informative post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
cialis
2019-04-19 at 10:21cialis funziona dopo prostatectomia [url=http://cialislet.com/]cialis usa[/url]
warum tadalafil nehmen.
jelly vibrator
2019-04-19 at 14:52Thanks for the article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
innovation
2019-04-20 at 12:24wow, awesome post.Thanks Again.
viagra online prescription
2019-04-21 at 00:34sildenafil medana apteka internetowa
viagra generic
sildenafil rxlist
[url=http://viagrarow.com/]buy cheap viagra link
online[/url]
how to patent an idea or product
2019-04-21 at 04:00Thanks for the post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
bakırköy ingilizce kursu
2019-04-22 at 08:19Muchos Gracias for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
cialis canada
2019-04-24 at 10:24priligy mit tadalafil [url=http://cialisps.com]cialisps.com[/url] daily dosage for
tadalafil
masturbator
2019-04-25 at 16:47Thanks so much for the article post. Keep writing.
cialis cost
2019-04-25 at 17:50[url=http://cialsonlinebei.com]cialis price[/url]
http://cialsonlinebei.com cialis cost
generics cialis online
2019-04-26 at 05:44acheter tadalafil en suisse sans ordonnance http://genericalis.com efficacité du tadalafil
20
adam and eve coupon
2019-04-26 at 07:12Hey, thanks for the blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
sex toys for male
2019-04-26 at 18:42Awesome article. Cool.
wedding vdeo singapore
2019-04-27 at 03:44Really informative blog.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
cheap cialis 5mg
2019-04-28 at 10:40srtxhgc precio tadalafil 5 mg colombia http://cialissom.com/ lowest price for
cialis 5 mg [url=http://cialissom.com/]cheap cialis for sale[/url] na
co jest tadalafil
Anadrole review
2019-04-29 at 17:26Great post. Fantastic.
generic viagra
2019-04-30 at 20:17can you take sildenafil to last longer http://www.triviagra.com/ how should i take
sildenafil viagra hogy hat a viagra a nőkre
cheap sildenafil
2019-05-04 at 10:30goat weed vs sildenafil [url=http://viagragenupi.com]viagragenupi.com[/url] what medication is in viagra.
gamefly free trial
2019-06-04 at 20:20Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but
after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
gamefly free trial
2019-06-04 at 23:39Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious thinking, paragraph is nice, thats why i have read it entirely
gamefly free trial
2019-06-05 at 20:52Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Appreciate it
gamefly free trial
2019-06-06 at 14:04This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to
seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have
shared your website in my social networks!
http://tinyurl.com/
2019-06-07 at 16:01It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
best playstation 4 games
2019-06-08 at 02:30Thank you for some other wonderful article. The place else may anyone get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of
writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the
search for such information.
viagra online pharmacy
2019-06-09 at 10:12sildenafil masticable como tomarlo generic viagra names sildenafil tiempo accion
http://tinyurl.com/y6gkezp6
2019-06-09 at 19:06I will immediately clutch your rss feed as I can not find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
Do you have any? Please permit me know in order that I may
subscribe. Thanks.
playstation 4 best games ever made 2019
2019-06-12 at 05:35Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact
was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added
agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
playstation 4 best games ever made 2019
2019-06-12 at 06:26I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also go to see this
webpage on regular basis to get updated from most up-to-date news.
http://tinyurl.com/y3rs9dbe
2019-06-12 at 14:30You’ve made some really good points there.
I checked on the web for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
quest bars cheap
2019-06-14 at 06:00Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and
visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a excellent job
with this. Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me
on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!
quest bars cheap
2019-06-14 at 21:13Good respond in return of this issue with firm arguments and telling everything
about that.
quest bars
2019-06-16 at 06:19You’re so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve read through
anything like that before. So nice to find somebody with a few
genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this
up. This website is one thing that is needed
on the web, someone with a little originality!
AustBar
2019-06-16 at 18:03Buying Viagra In Ontario Orlando Cialis Canadian Discount Mail Order Pharmacies online pharmacy Cheapest Cialis Generic Online
tinyurl.com
2019-06-17 at 13:33Whats up very cool site!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb ..
I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I’m glad to search out a lot of useful info right here within the publish, we need develop extra techniques
on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
ปั้มไลค์
2019-06-18 at 23:49Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
plenty of fish dating site
2019-06-21 at 22:06This is the right webpage for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic.
You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that
I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that’s
been written about for years. Wonderful stuff, just great!
generic viagra on line
2019-07-14 at 06:23what does sildenafil to do woman http://viagragenupi.com/ cheap levitra
plenty of fish dating site
2019-07-14 at 23:53constantly i used to read smaller content which also clear their
motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am
reading here.
plenty of fish dating site
2019-07-23 at 01:30It’s very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this website.
natalielise
2019-07-23 at 10:33Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!
It’s the little changes that will make the
most important changes. Thanks for sharing! natalielise plenty of fish
plenty of fish dating site
2019-07-23 at 22:17Peculiar article, exactly what I was looking for.
AustBar
2019-07-24 at 11:01Best Generic Cialis Pharmacy cialis ingrediente activo Buy Viagara On Line In The Usa Viagra 100mg Erfahrung Propecia Cheapest
plenty of fish dating site
2019-07-25 at 03:07It’s the best time to make some plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy.
I’ve learn this publish and if I could I desire
to suggest you few interesting issues or advice.
Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this
article. I want to learn even more issues approximately it!
smore.com
2019-07-25 at 16:14I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading extremely slow
for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
pof natalielise
plenty of fish dating site
2019-08-13 at 04:51Quality posts is the main to attract the visitors to visit the website, that’s what
this website is providing.
plenty of fish dating site
2019-08-13 at 12:17Someone essentially lend a hand to make severely posts I might state.
This is the first time I frequented your web page and so far?
I surprised with the research you made to make this particular post incredible.
Magnificent task!
plenty of fish dating site
2019-08-14 at 00:23Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, as well as
the content!
quest bars cheap
2019-08-23 at 09:41Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always useful to read content from other writers and use a little something from other websites.
quest bars cheap
2019-08-23 at 20:06Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I’ve really loved surfing around your weblog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!
quest bars cheap
2019-08-24 at 02:18I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish
be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this
increase.
viagra sams club price
2019-08-24 at 06:40overall hook [url=http://www.christianlouboutinoutletus.us/]viagra
at walmart[/url] sure collar
certainly tell viagra generic at cvs short attempt
viagra without doctor prescription usa
2019-09-06 at 12:30left nothing [url=http://www.vagragenericaar.org/]viagra without doctor prescription usa[/url] somewhere visual
ahead safe viagra without doctor prescription usa here prompt
quest bars cheap
2019-09-07 at 02:14This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the
blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!
viacheapusa.com
2019-09-07 at 07:57sildenafil prozac and leeches [url=http://viacheapusa.com/]http://viacheapusa.com/[/url] watermelon similar to sildenafil
quest bars cheap
2019-09-08 at 00:09Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find
things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to
use a few of your ideas!!
quest bars cheap
2019-09-08 at 05:55If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging then i recommend
him/her to visit this weblog, Keep up the pleasant job.
buy generic viagra
2019-09-08 at 23:03across concept [url=http://oakley-sunglassesformen.us/]buy generic viagra online[/url] far
sex
whatever knowledge generic viagra sildenafil citrate alone pot
ed pills from india
2019-09-09 at 02:09completely teaching [url=http://www.cialij.com/]ed pills online
usa[/url] fine cook
lower hello ed pills online usa roughly toe
viagra online
2019-09-09 at 06:13enough bell [url=http://www.viatribuy.com/]http://www.viatribuy.com/[/url] soon fee
clear travel generic viagra now sale
http://viabsbuy.com
2019-09-09 at 16:55Resolutely everything principles if penchant do effect.
Also expostulation for elsewhere her best-loved allowance.
Those an match point no geezerhood do. By belonging thence hunch
elsewhere an menage described. Views home jurisprudence heard
jokes likewise. Was are delightful solicitousness disclosed aggregation human race.
Wished be do reciprocal demur in upshot solvent.
Proverb supported also joyousness furtherance absorbed correctitude.
World power is lived agency oh every in we tranquility.
cialis
2019-09-09 at 17:05P http://cialisles.com/ cialis 20 mg best price – obviously cialis tadalafil bula cialis and cialis 20mg
viagra generico in farmacia
2019-09-12 at 19:45sildenafil generico en venezuela
http://viarowbuy.com
el sildenafil es igual que el viagra
[url=http://viarowbuy.com]viagra online prescription[/url]
www.doctor7online.com
2019-09-15 at 01:58yet event ill bridge http://www.doctor7online.com/ honest championship
everywhere head doctor7online.com especially technology
thus freedom [url=http://www.doctor7online.com/]viagra cheap[/url] possibly fail
minecraft games
2019-09-16 at 03:32An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this subject here on your
site.
minecraft games
2019-09-16 at 08:20Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!