RS Components Wins 'Most Popular Software Platform/Development Tool' Category at EEPW Editor Choice Awards in China

Awards commend free, online RS DesignSpark community, DesignSpark PCB software and 3D CAD tools

SHANGHAI, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has been named as the winner in the 'Most Popular Software Platform/Development Tool' category at the Electronic Engineering and Product World (EEPW) Editor Choice Awards in China. The company was recognised for its comprehensive range of free online design tools, including its multi-award winning DesignSpark PCB software.

From left to right, Eric Lee, Technical Marketing Manager Asia Pacific, Electronics, RS Components; Clement Zheng, Country Manager for China, RS Components

Selected from a shortlist of six leading industry finalists within the category, RS Components received the accolade for its range of design resources launched across the last 18 months. Highlights include the DesignSpark online design community and free DesignSpark PCB software tool, as well as its vast library of free downloadable 3D CAD models. The innovative DesignSpark PCB software was highly commended by a panel of independent industry judges who cited it as an exceptional model that should inspire other companies to develop online platforms to support electronics design engineers. The panel was also impressed by the ease-of-use and robust functionality of these design tools, all provided free-of-charge.

DesignSpark PCB is part of the company’s technical marketing strategy to connect with electronics design engineers at their virtual design bench, and provides the first professional standard, fully featured and unrestricted schematic capture and PCB layout tool developed for open use at zero cost. More than 100,000 users have downloaded the multi-award winning DesignSpark PCB since its launch in July 2010, with the tool proving to be one of the most popular free PCB design software packages available. RS Components released Version 3 of the tool in November this year to provide extra functionality for users.

Accepting the award at a ceremony at Peking University, Clement Zheng, Country Manager for China, RS Components, commented, “We are delighted to be recognised in these awards for our commitment to providing engineers in the region with sophisticated yet simple-to-use free online design tools. There are substantial growth opportunities in China and it is important for engineers to know they can depend on support from RS Components throughout their product design cycles.”

Eric Lee, Technical Marketing Manager, Electronics, Asia Pacific, RS Components, added, “RS Components has been quick to respond to the changing needs of engineers who increasingly rely on the Internet to complete their designs. Our free, online resources have transformed the find, design and buy experience for these customers and we are very pleased to see our efforts receiving recognition.”

About RS Components

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. Through operations in 32 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group serves 1.6 million customers worldwide and distributes 550,000 products ranging from semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to maintenance and repair. The Group ships more than 46,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year to 31 March 2011 had revenues of GBP1.18bn.

For more information, please visit the website at www.rs-components.com.

Further information is available via these links:

Twitter: @RSElectronics; @alliedelec; @designsparkRS
Tweet: RS Components
Hashtags: #ecommerce #electronics
RS Components on Linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Relevant Links:

Electrocomponents plc
www.electrocomponents.com

RS Components
www.rs-components.com

DesignSpark
http://www.designspark.com