Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW's Growth Spurs Expansion VERNON HILLS, Ill. - October 21, 1999 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), the country's leading direct solutions provider of brand name computer products, today announced it has signed a 10-year lease for the eighth and ninth floors of 120 S. Riverside Plaza in downtown Chicago to accommodate the rapid growth of its sales force. The lease also provides for certain expansion and renewal options. Among the first adopters of the Internet, launching its site, www.cdw.com, in 1995, CDW has successfully integrated e-commerce into its direct model, while also expanding and developing its signature sales force. The 72,000 square-foot office space will be designed as a sales office for a portion of the company's growing base of sales account managers. Recognized as the best sales force in the computer and software industry, CDW account managers are known for their personalized one-on-one relationships with customers, knowledgeable advice across brand name technology products and integration of e-commerce in serving their customers. The company's sales force is expected to increase to approximately 1,100 account managers by the end of 2000, an increase of more than 75 percent since the end of 1998. "Adding an office downtown provides a new dimension for CDW as an employer, and will allow us to continue to meet our future workforce and facility requirements," said Greg Zeman, CDW president. "We will appeal to and be able to attract and retain those coworkers and future coworkers who have expressed the desire to work downtown or suburban locations and avail themselves of the transportation, living and other amenities inherent in the City of Chicago. As we have grown from a home-based business to a FORTUNE 1000 company, this step in our evolution represents our continued investment in our greatest asset -- our coworkers." Initial occupancy is expected in April 2000 and, at capacity, the office will accommodate more than 500 account managers. The new location builds on the success of CDW's Vernon Hills, Illinois and Buffalo Grove, Illinois sales offices that currently house more than 740 account managers. As one of Chicagoland's largest and fastest-growing public companies, CDW's new sales office is being enthusiastically received by the downtown community. "We are proud to play a part in CDW's future, as they expand in downtown Chicago," said Richard M. Daley, mayor of Chicago. "We work very hard to create not only a city that people want to live and work in, but one which supports technology today for Chicago's tomorrow. CDW's move downtown demonstrates that Chicago has the infrastructure and resources to support major technology-orientated companies that are leading the e-commerce revolution." 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. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.