Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Launches New Magalog with Cutting-edge Format and Content Top execs from Compaq, Computer Associates, 3Com and Hewlett-Packard featured in new publication VERNON HILLS, Ill. September 18, 2000 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), the country's direct solutions provider, is launching a new initiative focused on easing the workload for business technology purchasers. Today the company announced the launch of its new 'magalog': a hybrid of magazine-style editorial and traditional catalog product information designed to help businesses keep up with evolving technology. The publication is an industry first. Titled CDW SolutionsTM, the publication is a natural outgrowth of the company's focus on providing tightly-integrated products, services and information to its customers. "We are always looking for ways to add value for our customers. In an industry that changes so rapidly, keeping up with new technology developments can be a challenge for businesses," said Michael Krasny, CEO of CDW. "As a multi-brand technology source, we have a unique place in the industry - we've got our finger on the pulse of both the manufacturers and small- to medium-sized business customers. We're translating all that knowledge into a brand new magalog that provides timely technology information and details on new products in the market." With this new vehicle CDW brings a broad industry perspective to its customers. Included in CDW SolutionsTM are interviews with industry leaders like Compaq CEO Michael Capellas and Computer Associates founder and chairman Charles B. Wang, and articles outlining new technologies and products. After two pilot issues with limited circulation, CDW is officially launching CDW SolutionsTM to all customers with the current issue. This issue features an interview with Eric Benhamou, Chairman and CEO of 3Com on his view of "Radical Simplicity." Additional articles cover virtual private networks (VPN) and Intel® SpeedStep technology. Upcoming issues will feature an interview with Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and articles on BluetoothTM technology and digital convergence. "Just as our company has evolved, our main publication has now evolved to better reflect what our customers need," said Joe Kremer, CDW's vice president of marketing. "CDW has always provided top-notch information and technology products to our customers through our team of highly skilled account managers. We wanted to make sure that our information-based approach was integrated into all our customer communications." Other recent initiatives designed to help CDW customers stay ahead of the technology curve include CDW's Customer Technology Seminars. Bringing together industry leaders like Compaq and Novell to discuss technology trends such as the appliance server market, CDW hosts customers in Chicago at the site of the discussion and also broadcasts the seminars over the Internet via CDW.com Also helping customers with resource planning is CDW FocusTM, a series of newsletters looking at new trends and hot-button issues in the industry. Past issues have covered such topics as the launch and implementation of Windows® 2000, new wireless networking technology and the recent rash of network security breaches and their potential fixes. About CDW 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.