INGRAM MICRO LAUNCHES ePROCUREMENT HUB FOR GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION BUYERS

Ingram Micros PartnershipAmerica.com Serves As An e-Commerce Infomediary To Expedite Government And Education IT Purchasing Decisions

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 31, 2000

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced the introduction of PartnershipAmerica.com, an online technology purchasing hub connecting government and education information technology (IT) buyers with national technology solution providers to expedite purchasing decisions.

Key features include time-saving price comparison tools, the industrys broadest variety of technology products, order fulfillment and accuracy for a complete online purchase experience for the government and education customer. The site provides an advanced request for quote (RFQ) and price comparison system from a catalog of more than 280,000 products, including discounts from more than 300 manufacturer partners.

With a long history of providing services and support for the government and education market, Ingram Micro is in a prime position to deliver an e-commerce tool that automates IT purchasing decisions, while enabling our technology solution providers to connect with the needs of this sector, said Pamela Smith, vice president, channel development, Ingram Micro U.S. As the public sector migrates to the digital economy, e-procurement is becoming a necessary gateway for doing business. Our intent is to bring our wholesale distribution services to the Web with solution provider storefronts backed by Ingram Micro to enable the most efficient e-procurement of technology products offered to date.

In the short-term, business-to-government/education (B2G/B2E) transactions are handled through 20 eStores offered by qualified technology solutions providers, known as eProviders, on PartnershipAmerica.com. Real-time online quotes are generated by technology solution providers and can be reviewed, ranked and accepted online by the government and education buyer.

PartnershipAmerica.com Builds Commerce Through Collaboration

The Partnership America hub is designed to help technology decision-makers find products and services in two ways. Buyers looking for a specific product are able to comparison shop eProvider sites for the best value from a robust catalog. Additionally, visitors looking for guidance on complex technology purchases are able to get online or personal assistance from the top technology solutions providers specializing in public sector procurement.

In addition to sophisticated e-procurement technology, Ingram Micro has developed PartnershipAmerica.com to offer unparalleled service and content features tailored to the needs of the government and education sector. These include robust search features and detailed reporting. The search tool allows searches by keyword, SKU, category, manufacturer, contract, location or brand name. Other unique site functions include decision-making content such as shared best practices, case studies, product promotions, product reviews, news and events.

About Partnership America

The Ingram Micro Government and Education Divisions Partnership America program connects resellers, value-added resellers, systems integrators and vendors with the government and education IT market through a wide range of services. Offerings include bid pricing, proposal support, state/local and federal programs, state term schedule support, dedicated account managers, technology refreshment, credit services and configuration support. Since its inception in 1995, Ingram Micros Partnership America program has grown to feature 300 product vendors.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro Inc., headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the worlds largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, and is a leader in assembly and integration services with sales of more than $29 billion for the past four quarters. The company and its subsidiaries operate in 34 countries and distribute more than 280,000 products to more than 175,000 resellers.

For more information, contact:

Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide:
Carrie Brooks or Becky Vieira
(949) 260-1300, ext. 239 or 231

Ingram Micro Inc.:
Jennifer Marchetta, Media Relations
(714) 382-2692