Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Emerges as One of Fastest Climbers on FORTUNE 1000 Customer focus propels CDW to No. 560 VERNON HILLS, Ill. - April 6, 2000 - In FORTUNE magazine's annual financial ranking of American business giants, CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC) climbed 186 positions to No. 560. With one of the largest gains on the list, the business-to-business direct solutions provider of brand name computer products attributes its success to customer-centric business practices, as well as strong demand for technology and related services. The annual FORTUNE 1000 ranking, featured in the upcoming April 17 issue, ranks publicly traded U.S. companies based on revenue, profits, market value, number of employees and return to investors. Since its debut on the 1997 list, CDW has moved up 308 positions. The company achieved $2.56 billion net sales in 1999, up 48 percent from 1998, and has averaged a 45 percent sales growth rate and 55 percent earnings growth rate over the past five years. CDW's designated industry category was the No. 1 for both revenues per dollar of assets and revenues per dollar of equity. FORTUNE attributes this category's No. 1 position in part to the strong demand for computer products. Of the companies in this category, CDW ranked No. 1 for profits as a percentage of assets, in the top 10 for total return to investors and earnings per share and No. 12 in profits. No small strides for a company that was founded as a home-based business little more than 15 years ago. Now with more than 2,100 coworkers, Michael Krasny, founder and CEO attributes the company's success to the continued focus on customers. "Small- to medium-size businesses rely on us for their technology needs," said Krasny. "We have maintained our focus on what sets us apart, continually enhancing our business model with the business customer in mind." Every program the company institutes is with the customer in mind, from the company's e-business strategy that has developed CDW@work, an Internet interface with customers through customized extranet sites to the extensive three to six month training for its entire sales force. Implementing this philosophy does always follow traditional practice. CDW maintains that coworkers are the most important factor in its formula for success. "I have always believed that taking care of coworkers is a top priority," says Krasny. "If coworkers are happy, they will give excellent customer service. If customers are happy, then sales will follow and all the rest will fall into place." This unique corporate culture has led to the company's recognition as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" for two consecutive years on the list published in FORTUNE magazine. The annual FORTUNE 1000 list, ranks publicly traded U.S. companies based on revenue, profits, market value, number of employees and return to investors. About CDW Computer Centers, Inc. CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC - news), ranked No. 435 on the FORTUNE 500, offers complete, customized technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a leading source of technology products and services from companies such as Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Sony, Toshiba and other top name brands. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,700 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of $3.8 billion in 2000. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly trained account managers; purchasing via telephone, the award-winning www.cdw.com Web site, and customized CDW@work(TM) extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and, telephone and online technical support with its factory-trained and A+ certified technicians. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.cdw.com.