Ingram Micro Provides One Stop For Microsoft Windows XP Solutions

From Its Technical Support Lifeline To Expert Logistics Capabilities, Ingram Micro Supports The Largest Microsoft Launch Since Windows 95

SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2001 - As the technology world looks to tomorrow's launch of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system as a catalyst for renewed IT demand, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and services, has mobilized its technical support, sales consulting and logistics teams to create a single source for helping customers integrate the new operating system into an array of products and technology platforms.

With more than 130 technical support specialists trained across all technology categories and a sales consulting team armed with information to integrate Windows XP into multi-vendor solutions, Ingram Micro can help customers fully understand how to capitalize on the year's most important product launch. By focusing on the integration of Windows XP into existing IT platforms, as well as selling product bundles around the operating system, Ingram Micro is helping customers develop technology solutions for multimedia, wireless networking and security.

"The Microsoft Windows XP launch represents a major event for the technology industry, and Ingram Micro is uniquely positioned to support all channel customers with its broad line of services," said Kevin Murai, president, Ingram Micro U.S. "The strength of our go-to-market engine spans technical product expertise to the industry's best logistics infrastructure. We believe we have the right combination of offerings to give customers results with this new technology platform."

Ingram Micro has trained its entire technical support team in all technology categories to help customers plan complex design integration for Windows XP and assist in troubleshooting issues. From wireless networking to security to multimedia and gaming, Ingram Micro has the advantage of expertise developed across many technology platforms to assist customers with virtually any need associated with building solutions around Windows XP.

"To help our customers be successful, it's not enough to simply segment Windows XP technical service into a single area of support," said Bill Brooks, senior director of technical support, Ingram Micro U.S. "We are taking a solution-centric focus to ensure that our technical support team can help customers build technology platforms with the new operating system, as well as help them with installation and design issues. We provide the whole solution, with entire technology problems solved together."

"Tomorrow's launch of Windows XP represents the arrival of a new standard of computing," said John Frederiksen, general manager of marketing for Windows at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft is excited to have the support of Ingram Micro to deliver the great new computing experiences to our customers."

In addition, Ingram Micro's U.S. IM-Logistics division is the fulfillment engine behind Windows XP packaged software products for Microsoft's retail direct channel customers at more than 7,500 retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada. IM-Logistics has provided a specialized offering of logistics services to ensure the product arrives at retail locations in time for the launch. IM-Logistics is also providing services, including order management, customer service, returns/reverse logistics, accounts receivable, merchandising and IT support, for the Windows XP launch.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro Inc. is the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services. The company operates in 36 countries with sales of $30.7 billion for the fiscal year 2000. Ingram Micros global regions provide the distribution of technology products and services, marketing development and supply chain management services to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and 1,700 manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction through innovation in the IT supply chain. Visit www.ingrammicro.com/corp.