Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Wins National Better Business Bureau Award For Outstanding Marketplace Ethics VERNON HILLS, Ill. September 25, 2000 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC) has been awarded the 2000 Better Business Bureau National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the large company category. Judged by an independent panel of business and ethics experts, the BBB Torch Award is the bureau's top honor. The award was established in 1996, and previous winners in the large company category have included such companies as Sony Electronics and IBM. "Winning this award is a true honor for all of us at CDW," said Michael P. Krasny, chairman and CEO of CDW. "From our first customer more than 16 years ago, to the customers we help today, we've remained committed to conducting business with the utmost integrity. We've found that being ethical and honest is not only the right thing to do, it's simply good business." Of the more than 2,000 companies that entered this year's local BBB award contest, 100 were chosen to compete on a national level in four categories based upon company size. The award recognizes all 24 finalists as companies that adhere to honest sales and business practices, uphold fair competition in the marketplace, pursue total customer satisfaction and achieve top quality in product or service. "The winners of this year's Better Business Bureau National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics are noteworthy for the extraordinary energy, imagination and talent they devote to exceeding the expectations of their customers, employees, suppliers, stakeholders, and surrounding communities," said Calvin J. Collier, chair of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and senior vice president and general council/corporate affairs, Kraft Foods, Inc. "They are proof positive that businesses that do good, will do well, particularly in today's competitive marketplace." CDW attributes its success to its customer-centered business model, using technology to improve communication and customer service, and most importantly, to the dedication and innovation of CDW's coworkers. Customers are at the core of the company's unique Circle of Service model, which maintains that every CDW coworker has an impact on customer service and satisfaction. This thinking has led the company to become an innovator in workplace practices, based upon the belief that happy coworkers make for happy customers. The company grounds its business practices in its "Philosophies of Success," which is a collection of business principles that the company shares with coworkers, customers, suppliers, shareholders and the local community. Examples of these philosophies include: Success means never being satisfied," "People do business with people they like," and "It's only good if it's win/win." By keeping honesty, integrity and these founding principles at the core of everyday operations, CDW has moved rapidly up the ranks of America's most successful companies in the past 16 years. The company is No. 560 on the FORTUNE 1000 list for 2000; No. 6 on the Business Week InfoTech 100 ranking; and for the past two years was named to the list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" as reported in FORTUNE magazine. 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.