CDW Computer Centers Breaks Into Fortune 500

    VERNON HILLS, Ill., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- After four consecutive years
 of steadily climbing the FORTUNE 1000 list, CDW Computer Centers, Inc.
 (Nasdaq:   CDWC) has moved into the ranks of the prestigious FORTUNE 500,
 earning the No. 435 position.  CDW, a leading direct provider of technology
 solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, had $3.8 billion in revenues
 in 2000, a 50 percent increase over the prior year.
     "We attribute this proud achievement to one of our core philosophies:
 trying to treat every customer as if they were our only customer," John A.
 Edwardson, CDW president and CEO, said.  "We made the list by remaining true
 to our business model, and that means giving our coworkers the tools and
 resources they need to provide our customers with great service, which
 translates into repeat business, referrals and ultimately increased sales."
     As further testament to the company's success, CDW ranks in the top
 10 percent of the FORTUNE 500 in three categories: No. 7 in Revenues Per
 Dollars of Assets; No. 17 in Growth in Profits (in the past five years); and
 No. 41 in Revenues Per Employee.   The FORTUNE 500 list consists of both
 privately held and public companies, including many traditional businesses
 that have decades of history.  A relatively young company at 16 years old, CDW
 has grown quickly, achieving a 45 percent compound annual growth rate in net
 sales over the last six years.
     "When I started CDW on my kitchen table in 1984, I never dreamed or had
 the goal of reaching the elite status of being a FORTUNE 500 company. My goal
 was strictly to implement technology and make my customers happy," said
 Michael P. Krasny, CDW's founder and chairman.  "Over the years, our coworkers
 have delivered the best in customer service, enabling the company to grow
 successfully.  It's a true win/win/win situation for our coworkers, our
 customers and the company," he added.
     CDW's success stems from its direct solutions provider(TM) business model
 and core "Circle of Service" philosophy, where everything revolves around the
 customer.  Each CDW customer has a personal account manager, who assesses
 customers' technology needs and recommends the best computing solution.  CDW
 can then customize the products and ship most orders the same day.  The
 company also offers technical support for the lifetime of the products
 purchased.  A one-stop source for technology solutions across an array of
 brands, CDW helps keep its customers abreast of the latest in technology
 products and trends through seminars featuring industry experts that are
 broadcast live on http://www.cdw.com .
     CDW has been successful in adapting to changing times.  In 1995, after 11
 years as an established direct-marketing business, CDW recognized that the
 Internet was also an ideal way to offer customers world-class service.  The
 company launched its award-winning Web site at http://www.cdw.com to
 complement its existing inside sales force.  The site offers customers free,
 customizable corporate extranets with which customers compare and buy
 products, as well as manage their IT purchasing and assets.
     Now, more than 59,000 businesses use the personalized CDW@work extranets
 to make and track their IT purchases.  In fact, as of the fourth quarter of
 2000, more than 57 percent of CDW's $3.8 billion in sales came from customers
 who have active extranet accounts.
     FORTUNE's selection criteria for the FORTUNE 500 listing are based upon a
 company's revenues, profits, assets, stockholder's equity, market value,
 earnings per share and total return to investors.
     CDW's FORTUNE 500 ranking appears in the publication's April 16, 2001
 issue.
 
     About CDW
     CDW(R) (Nasdaq:   CDWC) is a direct solutions provider(TM), offering
 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, Microsoft, 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
 http://www.cdw.com Web site and customized CDW@work extranets; custom
 configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and
 lifetime 24x7 phone and online technical support, with more than 80
 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff.
     Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.cdw.com .
 
 

SOURCE  CDW Computer Centers, Inc.

    VERNON HILLS, Ill., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- After four consecutive years
 of steadily climbing the FORTUNE 1000 list, CDW Computer Centers, Inc.
 (Nasdaq:   CDWC) has moved into the ranks of the prestigious FORTUNE 500,
 earning the No. 435 position.  CDW, a leading direct provider of technology
 solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, had $3.8 billion in revenues
 in 2000, a 50 percent increase over the prior year.
     "We attribute this proud achievement to one of our core philosophies:
 trying to treat every customer as if they were our only customer," John A.
 Edwardson, CDW president and CEO, said.  "We made the list by remaining true
 to our business model, and that means giving our coworkers the tools and
 resources they need to provide our customers with great service, which
 translates into repeat business, referrals and ultimately increased sales."
     As further testament to the company's success, CDW ranks in the top
 10 percent of the FORTUNE 500 in three categories: No. 7 in Revenues Per
 Dollars of Assets; No. 17 in Growth in Profits (in the past five years); and
 No. 41 in Revenues Per Employee.   The FORTUNE 500 list consists of both
 privately held and public companies, including many traditional businesses
 that have decades of history.  A relatively young company at 16 years old, CDW
 has grown quickly, achieving a 45 percent compound annual growth rate in net
 sales over the last six years.
     "When I started CDW on my kitchen table in 1984, I never dreamed or had
 the goal of reaching the elite status of being a FORTUNE 500 company. My goal
 was strictly to implement technology and make my customers happy," said
 Michael P. Krasny, CDW's founder and chairman.  "Over the years, our coworkers
 have delivered the best in customer service, enabling the company to grow
 successfully.  It's a true win/win/win situation for our coworkers, our
 customers and the company," he added.
     CDW's success stems from its direct solutions provider(TM) business model
 and core "Circle of Service" philosophy, where everything revolves around the
 customer.  Each CDW customer has a personal account manager, who assesses
 customers' technology needs and recommends the best computing solution.  CDW
 can then customize the products and ship most orders the same day.  The
 company also offers technical support for the lifetime of the products
 purchased.  A one-stop source for technology solutions across an array of
 brands, CDW helps keep its customers abreast of the latest in technology
 products and trends through seminars featuring industry experts that are
 broadcast live on http://www.cdw.com .
     CDW has been successful in adapting to changing times.  In 1995, after 11
 years as an established direct-marketing business, CDW recognized that the
 Internet was also an ideal way to offer customers world-class service.  The
 company launched its award-winning Web site at http://www.cdw.com to
 complement its existing inside sales force.  The site offers customers free,
 customizable corporate extranets with which customers compare and buy
 products, as well as manage their IT purchasing and assets.
     Now, more than 59,000 businesses use the personalized CDW@work extranets
 to make and track their IT purchases.  In fact, as of the fourth quarter of
 2000, more than 57 percent of CDW's $3.8 billion in sales came from customers
 who have active extranet accounts.
     FORTUNE's selection criteria for the FORTUNE 500 listing are based upon a
 company's revenues, profits, assets, stockholder's equity, market value,
 earnings per share and total return to investors.
     CDW's FORTUNE 500 ranking appears in the publication's April 16, 2001
 issue.
 
     About CDW
     CDW(R) (Nasdaq:   CDWC) is a direct solutions provider(TM), offering
 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, Microsoft, 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
 http://www.cdw.com Web site and customized CDW@work extranets; custom
 configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and
 lifetime 24x7 phone and online technical support, with more than 80
 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff.
     Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.cdw.com .
 
 SOURCE  CDW Computer Centers, Inc.