Premier Farnell plc today announced it has launched a new corporate website further enhancing its global strategy of becoming a leading web-based company.

The website, which has been produced by global3digital, went live this week and has a number of improved functions including an interactive map showing the company’s global locations, a new careers section, improved financial and governance information and the opportunity to interact via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other social networks.

Additionally, Premier Farnell also launched its online annual report for the year to 31 January 2012. Viewers of the website are able to access or download the new report, or individual sections of it, on each page of the new website. The report can also be viewed by going to http://annualreport2012.premierfarnell.com.

Last year Premier Farnell was awarded Best Board Disclosure – FTSE 250 at the ICSA Hermes Transparency in Governance Awards 2011.

» Contact details for Farnell

element14 has teamed with CadSoft Computer GmbH to invite engineers to take part in the EAGLE Design Competition between 01 May to 31 August 2012.

Electronic design engineers and enthusiasts will need to submit their innovative design projects to win prizes with a pot value of $7000. The competition, which is powered by Microchip and hosted on the element14 Community, aims to bring the most innovative design engineering communities together using CadSoft EAGLE’s Version 6.

To enter the competition applicants must ensure that all designs use EAGLE Version 6 and that a Microchip MCU or DSC is integrated in the design. After registering on the element14 Community, users can submit a screenshot of their layout and add a description of their project on the competition page. Users who do not have an EAGLE license can download a free 30-days trial version on www.element14.com/eagle-freemium to participate in the contest.

“EAGLE is an established PCB design software tool in the engineering community used globally by customers from large companies to students and individuals,” said Thomas Liratsch, General Manager of CadSoft. “A large number of universities, schools and colleges have an EAGLE license in place and numerous well known brands love and use our award winning software every day. This gave us the perfect reason not to limit the competition to a special target group or topic. We have varied users with great ideas and are excited to see their submissions.”
“The choice of MCU remains critical to most product developments so we are delighted to partner with CadSoft in the EAGLE Design Challenge,” said Mike McGlade, Channel Manager of Microchip. “Microchip’s extensive range of 8/16/32-Bit MCUs/DSCs will cater for both novice and expert entrants in this contest.”

The prizes:
1. DELL Alienware M17x r3 + EAGLE version 6 Professional incl. all three modules
2. MICROCHIP – DV164037 – KIT, EVAL, ICD3 W/ EXPLORER 16 & DM163022-1 8-Bit development board + EAGLE Version 6 Professional incl. all three modules
3. EAGLE Version 6 Standard incl. all three modules

The outcome of the competition will feature peer-voting from the element14 community. Members of the leading global technology community can “like” entries and comment on the submission. Based on the community “likes” and comments, a judging panel consisting of CadSoft, Premier Farnell and Microchip representatives along with independent EAGLE expert Prof. Dr. Francesco Volpe from the University of Applied Sciences in Aschaffenburg will pick the winners.

Judging criteria include clarity in description of the product, the electronic concept, the design complexity, the design quality and the functionality.

» Contact details for Farnell

Premier Farnell plc today announced a stocking deal for Linear Technology Corporation’s latest LTC2389-18, the industry’s fastest 18-bit SAR ADC (analog-to-digital converter). Premier Farnell’s customers all over the globe will now have access to the ADC converter that achieves best-in-class signal to noise ratio (99.8dB) and lowest total harmonic distortion (-116dB) at sample rates up to 2.5Msps with no cycle latency.

Linear Technology Corporation designs, manufactures and markets a broad line of standard high performance analog integrated circuits, including a range of applications like telecommunications, networking products, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

The addition of the LTC2389-18 means customers can now benefit from an all-in-one SAR ADC with the highest AC and DC performance and value added features like pin-configurable input ranges, integrated reference and reference buffer, internal oscillator and serial or parallel interface options that allow customers the flexibility of managing a single part number for multiple applications. The LTC2389-16 is the 16-bit resolution alternative planned to be released following the LTC2389-18. With 96dB SNR and ±0.75LSB INL at 2.5Msps, the LTC2389-16 is also a best in class part in terms of speed and performance. The LTC2389-18 and LTC2389-16 are well suited for demanding designs that require maximum signal swings at low power levels in noisy industrial environments.

Customers will be able to access the latest product via Premier Farnell’s operating businesses of Farnell element14 (Europe), Newark element14 (USA) and element14 (APAC) and participate in discussions, collaborate, watch tutorials and read detailed product information via the dedicated Linear Technology page on the element14 Community.

“We are pleased to work with a leading manufacturer like Linear Technology and offer a product that is well suited for a wide variety of design applications,” said Marianne Culver, Global Head of Product Marketing and Supply Chain at Premier Farnell. “With Linear Technology’s broad application base we will be distributing this product to a wide range of customers across the globe.”

Summary of Features: LTC2389-18
- 2.5Msps Throughput Rate
- ±3LSB INL (Max)
- Guaranteed 18-Bit, No Missing Codes
- Pin-Configurable Analog Input Range:
- ±VREF Fully Differential
- 0V to VREF Pseudo-Differential Unipolar
- ±VREF/2 Pseudo-Differential Bipolar
- 99.8dB (Fully Differential)/95.2dB (Pseudo-Differential) SNR (Typ) at fIN = 2kHz
- -116dB (Fully Differential) /-112 dB (Pseudo-Differential) THD (Typ)fIN=2kHZ
- Guaranteed Operation to 125°C
- Single 5V Supply
- Internal 20ppm/°C (Max) Reference
- Internal Reference Buffer
- 162.5mW Power Dissipation at 2.5Msps
- No Pipeline Delay, No Cycle Latency
- 1.8V to 5V I/O Voltages
- Parallel and Serial I/O Interface
- Internal Conversion Clock
- 48-Pin 7mm × 7mm LQFP & QFN Packages

» Contact details for Farnell

Farnell element14 has added an extensive range of ABCIRP connectors from TT electronics to its portfolio. The rugged connectors and accessories have already achieved successful implementation in a number of industrial, military and rail transport applications.

The high performance modular bayonet ABCIRP connectors feature a low fire hazard thermoplastic insulator, which is removable for repositioning and reorientation. Contacts are retained in the insulator by means of a unique beryllium copper spring clip.

Farnell element14 customers across Europe will now benefit from this new range that is operational from -55°C to +125°C and is built to Mil-C-5015 specifications.

» Contact details for Farnell

element14 has announced that it has now received over 100,000 confirmed orders for the Raspberry Pi computer since the product was launched at the end of February.

With delivery of the credit card sized computer now underway element14 wants to reassure customers that everything that can be done is being done to get their Raspberry Pi’s to them as soon as possible.

Mike Buffham, Director of Product and EDE at element14 said: “We have over 100,000 confirmed orders for the Raspberry Pi and can confirm that all of those who ordered before 18th April will definitely receive their Raspberry Pi before the end of June 2012. We appreciate customers are desperate to get their hands on a Raspberry Pi and want to reassure them that we are working on this as quickly as we can. As soon as we have the precise information our customers want about their individual delivery date they will be the first to know.”

So far, following the first delivery of Raspberry Pi computers to element14’s global distribution centres late last week, customers in 30 countries have received their Pi, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam have taken delivery of the “must have” gadget of the year.

The next shipment of Raspberry Pi’s are expected to arrive early in the first week of May and will be sent out to customers worldwide as quickly as possible using element14’s well established global supply chain network. These will be distributed strictly in the order that commitments were received within each region.

Any customer ordering a Raspberry Pi after 18th April can expect a delivery date of July 2012 onwards.

Additionally, element14 have announced they may revert to collecting registrations of interest from time to time on new orders whilst they await updated delivery information from their manufacturers. This is to avoid further confusion and ensure new customers placing orders are given accurate delivery information.

Since the global distribution deal was announced on Feb 29 the element14 Community has been supporting conversations, debate and sharing of knowledge and information from the flood of enthusiastic developers and first-time programmers keen to get the most from their Raspberry Pi. Last week element14 held a Raspberry Pi Masterclass with Eben Upton, co-founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, for 15 school children from Leeds.

» Contact details for Farnell

element14 has today announced the arrival of its first batch of Raspberry Pi computers. To celebrate this, Raspberry Pi’s founder Eben Upton held a one-to-one masterclass with a group of teenage students to showcase how the ground-breaking credit card sized computer works.

The company have today started sending out the computers to the first UK-based customers with more being sent out early next week.

Eben Upton, co-founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, commented: “This is a really exciting time as we get ready to start to send out the first batch of Raspberry Pi’s. I am really pleased today to have taken these youngsters through how simple it is to use the Raspberry Pi and I can only hope that they will get hooked on it and become the programmers of tomorrow. With all the advice and support available on the element14 Community they should not be shy of trying new things, making mistakes and looking for help.”

Chris Haworth, President of CPC, a Premier Farnell company, which provided the equipment for today’s masterclass said: “The amount of interest and buzz the Raspberry Pi has generated all over the world is immense. We are delighted that the first batch has arrived today and delivered to us by none other than Eben himself. The most important thing now is to get the Raspberry Pi out to customers and we have started doing that this afternoon.”

There has been huge anticipation of the arrival of the Raspberry Pi and the youngsters will have a chance to see how simple it is to program with the mini computer. The possibilities of what can be done on a Raspberry Pi are only limited by the imagination. Eben talked through the simple set up procedure, running the boot up script, use the script editor and begin to create applications using the Python scripts that are pre-supplied with the software download.
All the youngsters who attended today’s exclusive event were given a Raspberry Pi by Eben Upton and CPC provided a pack of a screen, cables and connections needed to get up and running as soon as they get home.

Since the global distribution deal that was announced on Feb 29, the element14 Community has been supporting conversations, debate and sharing of knowledge and information from the flood of enthusiastic developers and first-time programmers keen to get the most from their Raspberry Pi.

» Contact details for Farnell

Neil Harrison, President Europe, Farnell Element14 (on right) and Peter Jeutter, Senior Director Distribution Sales, EMEA Atmel (on left) conclude the signing of a full-line distribution agreement. The extensive range of Atmel’s advanced devices and development kits will now be available from Farnell element14.

» Contact details for Farnell

Lineage Power today announced it has entered a distribution agreement with Farnell element14, a leading high service distributor of electronics components and solutions. The agreement gives Farnell element14’s customers across Europe access to Lineage Power’s end-to-end, Total Efficiency™ architecture AC-DC power supplies and DC power converters.

“The addition of Lineage Power’s embedded power solutions to our distribution portfolio demonstrates our commitment to meet the increasing demands of the design engineering community,” said Mike Buffham, Director of Product and Supplier Management at Farnell element14. “We are proud to offer our OEM customers access to truly innovative solutions that reduce time to market.”
The new contract will benefit Farnell element14 customers all across Europe with access to online technical support and collaboration via the online element14 community.

“With their market reach and industry expertise, Farnell element14 is an ideal distribution partner for us, as we share their commitment to supplying innovative, high quality power electronics to the OEM marketplace,” said Jeff Frank, global vice president of sales for Lineage Power. “Working together, we can offer customers in Europe the required size, efficiency, and cost advantages while dramatically reducing risk and improving reliability.”

» Contact details for Farnell

Farnell element14 has today announced the addition of over 100 new switch products from Wurth Elektronik to its range. The high quality dual-inline packaged (DIP) and tactile switches will significantly broaden the options available to design engineers working in a wide range of applications.

Amongst the new additions are Wurth’s WS-RAT Rotary DIP switches that measure 7mm x 7mm and have an operating temperature range of -60 to +125° C, and the WS-TSW range of 12mm x 12mm tact switches suitable for use between -40 and +85°C. with a contact rating of up to 50 mA.

All Wurth Elektronik switches offered by Farnell element14 have a lead free construction, are RoHS compliant, and are available for same day shipping.

» Contact details for Farnell

Farnell element14 has scooped the ECMOD Direct Commerce Award for the best online business in the Business-to-Business category.

The awards, which have been actively supporting ecommerce retailing for more than a decade, honour the very best online businesses via this award. The judges looked at the entrants’ websites, digital advertising & marketing initiatives, adoption of mobile, customer feedback tools, social media, along with business performance.

Judges recognised Farnell element14 for the high levels of innovation and competitiveness in the digital space with the overall web strategy featuring as a key differentiator.

Particularly impressing the judging panel was the recent announcement of the Farnell and element14 brands uniting. Bringing together the European transactional and community offerings under a single brand, Farnell element14, which combines its proposition to provide end to end engineering solutions for their customers.

“This is clearly a big win for us and a fabulous recognition of all the work that’s been put into creating a seamless online proposition for our customers,” said Alan Paterson, Marketing Director, Farnell element14. “The internet has changed the way our customers perceive us which is why the business is keeping pace with the very latest technology and working practices of our customers. This award demonstrates our passion to simplify our customers’ design processes when they are seeking information, solutions and products. We will continually innovate and become a business that’s devoted to enrich our customers’ multi-channel experience.”

The ECMOD Awards have spearheaded the recognition of business excellence for organisations engaged in direct-to-customer retailing across traditional and newly emerging channels. With categories designed for those targeting sales to businesses as well as for those selling to consumers, these awards also seek to celebrate the achievements of businesses of all scales and at all stages of development.

» Contact details for Farnell