Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW InformationWeek Recognizes CDW For Integration Of IT Innovation, Customer Service CDW Ranks in Top Five of New "Innovation 100: The Customer" List VERNON HILLS, Ill. December 20, 2000 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), the country's direct solutions provider of brand-name computing products, ranks fifth in InformationWeek's "Innovation 100: The Customer" list in the magazine's December 11, 2000 issue. New this year, "Innovation 100" recognizes companies that proactively use information technology (IT) to support business, "engage their customers" and "deepen customer ties," according to the magazine. Co-developed by InformationWeek and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, "Innovation 100" rankings are based on a survey of IT and business professionals familiar with their company's customer-centric initiative. "CDW's primary goal is to make our customer's day a little easier, whether that involves facilitating more efficient communication or providing better service. We use technology as an integral part of that process," Jim Shanks, CIO, CDW said. "Also, it's important to seek new technology applications that improve the flow of information to and from our vendors and among our coworkers - this ultimately enhances the customer experience." As part of InformationWeek's "Innovation 100" coverage, Shanks is quoted in a sidebar story entitled "CDW Thinks Everyone's a Customer." In the article, he discusses the importance of internally marketing the company's efficient, customer-friendly Internet tools - a critical aspect of maximizing efficiencies and the benefits that technology offers to the customer experience. CDW has employed many technology-driven programs that enhance customer care. For instance, the company offers its customers personalized, secure CDW@Work extranets, which feature side-by-side product comparisons and allow customers to get online quotes and prepare orders for approval. In addition, the extranets offer e-service chat, levels of purchase authorization within an organization and real-time availability status of the account support team. Customers' personal account managers review all extranet orders to ensure quality and product compatibility. CDW has received additional accolades for being a technology innovator that implements new ideas from both its customers and coworkers to improve efficiency. Recent industry recognition includes a No. 19 ranking in ComputerWorld's "Best Places to Work in IT" and a No. 23 ranking in InformationWeek's "InfoWeek 500" list of top 500 IT innovators. 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.