Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Earns Recognition as One of 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in U.S. VERNON HILLS, Ill. - August 29, 2002 -CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDWC) earned a position on FORTUNE's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list, ranking No. 71. The leading provider of technology products and services to businesses and the public sector is the only Illinois-based company to be named to the list, which appears in the magazine's September 2 issue. One of the largest companies on the list, CDW is among an elite few that also appear on the FORTUNE 500 list. "We are honored to receive this recognition," said John A. Edwardson, CDW chairman and chief executive officer. "In this time of economic challenges and decreased IT spending, our customer focus and efficient business model have helped us to outpace the industry." CDW set record second quarter results with $1.057 billion in sales, and earnings per diluted share totaled $0.49, 6.2 percent and 2.1 percent increases respectively over the same period in 2001. FORTUNE has previously honored CDW on three other lists including its FORTUNE 500, Most Admired and 100 Best Companies to Work For in America. FORTUNE reported that CDW posted a three-year average of 38 percent EPS growth, 34 percent revenue growth and 29 percent total return to investors. As a result, CDW ranked No. 50 on total return to investors. All of FORTUNE's 100 fastest-growing companies met three criteria to be included in the list; at least $50 million in revenue over the past four quarters, a minimum market cap of $50 million and annual sales and earnings per share (EPS) growth of at least 25 percent over three consecutive years. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 414 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services from top name brands such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,800 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of approximately $4 billion in 2001. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly trained account managers; purchasing by fax, telephone, the company's award-winning www.cdw.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and phone and online technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff.