Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Increases Revenue and Earnings Guidance for Third Quarter 2002 VERNON HILLS, Ill. - September 5, 2002 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDWC) today announced that the company is increasing its revenue guidance for the third quarter 2002 to a range of $1.125 billion to $1.145 billion. The company is increasing its earnings per share guidance for the third quarter to a range of $0.58 to $0.61 per diluted share. CDW's previous guidance for the third quarter 2002 was $1.080 billion to $1.130 billion revenue and $0.50 to $0.53 earnings per diluted share. Chairman and chief executive officer John A. Edwardson said, "We are anticipating a strong quarter based on our preliminary results to date. Our sales of Microsoft products were particularly strong in July due to changes in their licensing programs and are the main contributor to our increase in guidance. We are seeing strength in our other product lines as well. Non-Microsoft software revenue increased approximately 30 percent and revenue for all other products increased approximately 7 percent for the first two months of the quarter compared with that timeframe in 2001. "We continue to be cautious regarding our expectations for macro technology spending. However, we remain confident that we will continue to gain market share through outstanding customer service," Edwardson stated. This release contains statements that are forward-looking (that is, not historical in nature), including statements concerning the Company's projected sales and earnings per share. Such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. The following risks and uncertainties, among others, may have an impact on the accuracy of forward-looking statements contained in this release: the continued acceptance of the Company's distribution channel by vendors and customers, the continuing development, maintenance and operation of our IT systems, the timely availability and acceptance of new products, continuation of key vendor relationships and support programs, changes and uncertainties in economic conditions that could affect the rate of IT spending by our customers, changes in pricing by our vendors, and the ability of the Company to hire and retain qualified account managers. Additional discussion regarding these and other factors affecting the Company's business and prospects is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.