Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Launches Training Offerings For Tech Industry Professionals New "Learning Solutions" Lineup Offers More Than 1,000 Courses, Including Certification Programs VERNON HILLS, Ill. - Nov. 5, 2001 - Imagine a line of work where half of someone's skills become outdated in a few years. That's the case in the information technology (IT) field, where professionals face a constant need to update their skills. To help its customers overcome this challenge, CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services to businesses, government agencies and educational institutions, today launched "Learning Solutions," a comprehensive lineup of technology training services. Approximately 50 percent of an IT professional's skills will become outdated in three to five years, according to a 2000 Merrill Lynch study on technology learning and education. CDW's new Learning Solutions offerings are designed to help IT pros update and develop their skills by offering more than 1,000 courses, from vendor-authorized certification programs (Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix and others) to technical and application courses, customized technology training and even business skills instruction. Course offerings include instructor-led classes, self-paced e-learning programs, hands-on "e-labs" and live, instructor-led webcasts. CDW is working with two leading training providers, Productivity Point International and KnowledgeNet, to offer customers this comprehensive array of training options. "Our customers are asking us to provide additional products and services, such as technology training, because it makes their day easier to turn to one source they know and trust for all their technology needs," said Maria Sullivan, CDW vice president of training. "With Learning Solutions, we help our customers get the most out of their technology investments by offering the training to enhance the IT professional's skill set so they can ensure their technology systems are performing at their full potential." CDW customers can choose from the following offerings from Productivity Point International: Instructor-led certification classes - Industry-certified instructors lead vendor-authorized certification programs from Microsoft, Citrix, Lotus, Novell and others. Self-paced e-learning courses - Online education with Web collaboration and distance learning focusing on technical and application education. Business skills and project management training are also offered. More than 900 courses are available. e-Labs - Online labs offer technical students the ability to develop real-world configuration and administration skills on servers, routers and switches. Custom Learning Solutions - Customized classes, designed using training experts and consultants, to create an education program specific to a customer's technical training needs. Customers can also enroll in Cisco network and design certification courses as well as Microsoft certification courses from KnowledgeNet. These courses are delivered through a dynamic, Web-based classroom experience allowing trainees to interact with instructors, classmates and technical support in real time. The training will also include hands-on simulations. CDW plans to add more courses from additional vendors to complement the current offerings. The addition of Learning Solutions is the company's latest move in addressing multiple aspects of its customers' technology lifecycle needs, from purchase of equipment through transition to upgrading systems. In August 2001, CDW introduced a new lineup of technology services, performed by third-party providers such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne. These offerings include a new mix of custom on-site services, ranging from computer and LAN/WAN installations to consulting, project management, and even equipment disposal, as well as a new array of standardized services, such as extended warranties, on-site response and accident coverage. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 435 on the Fortune 500, is a direct solutions provider of 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, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Toshiba and other top name brands. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services provided directly by firms such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne and for training programs provided by KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. 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 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 pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.