Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Recognized As Industry-Leading, Innovative IT User Company ranks highest among direct providers of computer products VERNON HILLS, Ill. - October 8, 1998 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDWC), a Fortune 1000 company and the country's leading direct solutions provider of computer products, today announced it was named to InformationWeek magazine's list of the most innovative users of information technology in the United States. CDW ranked No. 60 on the InformationWeek 500, placing them as the highest direct provider of computing systems. CDW was also recognized as No. 10 out of 61 in the magazine's retail and distribution channel, receiving gold medals for application development and E-Business. InformationWeek's list, showcased in its September 14 issue, is an industry report card, featuring the biggest and most innovative users and buyers of information technology. The annual ranking is the only one of its kind based on both the size and complexity of installed information technologies, as well as on its tangible business benefits. InformationWeek editors sought to identify and reward organizations with at least $1 billion in annual revenue that demonstrate a pattern of technological, process and business innovation. "We are proud to be recognized as an innovator for integrating information technology into business practices. CDW was founded on a passion for technology and today we use this technology to automate our systems and operate efficiently. Through technology, we translate these efficiencies into savings for our customers, said CDW's Jim Shanks, vice president of information technology. "The bottom line is, at CDW, we use the technology we sell." "This is one of the most prestigious honors an IT organization can receive," said Brian Gillooly, editor of InformationWeek. "It says to colleagues, competitors, and business partners that this is a company that recognizes the value of finding unconventional ways to link IT with the business to grow the company." About CDW CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDWC), a Fortune 1000 company, is the country's leading direct solutions provider, offering complete customized computing solutions for business and consumers nationwide. With competitive prices on a selection of more than 80,000 brand name computer products, CDW is the No. 1 authorized direct source of 3Com, Compaq, Computer Associates, IBM, Microsoft, Toshiba, and other top name brands. Founded in 1984 as a one-man, home-based business, CDW today employs more than 1,400 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of $1.4 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 1998. CDW's pioneering direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly-trained, knowledgeable account managers; telephone and online purchasing; custom configurations; next day shipping; and lifetime phone and online technical support, with close to 60 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. More information About CDW is available on the company's award-winning e-commerce Web site at www.cdw.com or by calling 888-CDW-7040.