INGRAM MICRO MAKES SERVICE PUSH,
LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CENTER

Company provides full support for diverse IT environment

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 19, 1999

With a shifting focus on services, Ingram Micro Inc., the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced the launch of the Ingram Micro Technology Solutions Center (TSC), a technical-support service center for multivendor environments available online and via telephone. Ingram Micro will provide the service as an offering sold by its reseller customers to end users.

The TSC is a Web-based hardware and software support center created as a complement to traditional manufacturer service warranties. By offering one point of contact for solutions to technical problems, the TSC creates simpler troubleshooting for the end user as well as the reseller selling the service. For vendors, TSC reduces the cost of administering the warranties and extended warranties.

TSC is available 24 hours a day for comprehensive support of software and in-warranty hardware products including diagnosis, resolution and dispatch. Reseller and end-user customers may track service requests and usage using real-time on-line reports, affording increased communication between the two and allowing resellers more control over customer issues.

"Most of our reseller customers are selling multivendor solutions to their customers without having the capabilities to problem-solve for every piece of equipment and software," said Guy Abramo, senior vice president of Ingram Micro, marketing, worldwide and co-chair, eSolutions Group. "Not only does the Technology Solutions Center provide resellers with the ability to manage the complexity of the current technology environment, it gives them the ability to focus on sales and profitability."

The TSC service is sold like other Ingram Micro products using a SKU number. Once the service is purchased, designated equipment is registered for service by the reseller or its customer via a specially designed Web page allowing a TSC customer to call for any problem. TSC technicians evaluate the reported problem and can resolve the problem over the telephone in 70 percent of all cases. If on-site repair is required, the TSC will dispatch appropriate authorized warranty service for the reported equipment. The service supports products sold under warranty from leading manufacturers, including 3COM/U.S. Robotics, Cisco Systems, Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Nortel Networks, Tektronix and Toshiba. Additionally, TSC can provide software solutions for BackOffice, connectivity, network and desktop operating systems as well as 150 other industry-standard applications.

"We think Ingram Micro's Technology Solutions Center will create incredible opportunity for our business," said, John Moeller, technical services manager, Entre Information Systems and a member of Ingram Micro's National Service Network. "It will allow my business to take on service business that we may have turned down previously due to lack of staff or training time. We also will be able to identify sales opportunities through the reporting system provided by the service."

Benefits for Resellers

Ingram Micro reseller customers are afforded many benefits using TSC, including:

• Helps manage service business -- The TSC helps technology resellers manage their service business, allowing them to sell more product and increase margins.
• Solves hardware and software help desk demands -- Resellers are not required to maintain service staffing levels, which can require training and certification costs that drain resources.
• Support for leading hardware manufacturers -- 3Com, Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Nortel (Bay Networks), Tektronix, and Toshiba.
• Real-time tracking and database management - TSC provides up-to-the-minute online tracking of all service calls including status reports.
• Sales leads through tracking and reporting - Reporting of service calls provides need-based leads for hardware and software sales.
• Confidence and peace of mind - Technicians maintain the highest levels of certification.
• Increase account control and reporting - TSC allows resellers to own relationships with end users without giving business to possible competitors.

Benefits for End Users

Ingram Micro helps resellers provide the following benefits:

• Quick solutions to multivendor problems - Multivendor hardware, software and networking solutions, quickly and accurately via telephone or Internet.
• One-call resolution -- One place to call for diagnosis, resolution or dispatch for on-site repair.
• Design your own service contract
• Designate your service provider if dispatching is required

Customers may use the Technology Solutions Center by visiting the web site or calling 1 (888) TSC-9077.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, and is a leader in assembly and integration services with sales of $23.6 billion for the past four reported quarters. The company and its subsidiaries operate in 33 countries and distribute more than 225,000 products to more than 140,000 resellers in 130 countries.

Contact:

Cara Stewart
Ingram Micro Inc.
Media Relations
(714) 382-1404