INGRAM MICRO TO ACQUIRE INTELLIGENT ELECTRONICS' RESELLER NETWORK DIVISION
Deal Boosts Company's Ties to Key Manufacturers: Offers New Product Opportunities for Small, Medium and Large Resellers

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 30, 1997
Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM) announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Intelligent Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INEL) indirect business, its Reseller Network Division (RND).

The agreement will give Ingram Micro, the world's largest wholesale distributor of technology products and services, an important new revenue source as well as strengthen the company's relationships to resellers through new programs, better access to key manufacturers and improved operations. Ingram Micro will also become the primary wholesaler to IE's XLSource division, an authorized direct sales organization and reseller for products of more than 80 technology manufacturers, for an initial term of up to three years.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ingram Micro will pay a total of $78 million, subject to adjustment, in a combination of cash and assumption of liabilities in excess of current assets. Pending regulatory review and IE stockholder approval, the transaction should be completed this summer.

"This acquisition reinforces Ingram Micro's commitment to profitable growth, and to improve the productivity and efficiency of our associates and business partners," said Sanat Dutta, president of Ingram Micro U.S. "By providing our reseller customers with better access to products, programs and services, we will help them become more competitive and ultimately more profitable."

According to Richard D. Sanford, chairman and CEO of IE, "As a result of the transaction the company will gain a single focus on the direct business market."

RND Business Model
The RND business model -- also known as "wholesale aggregation" or "master reseller" -- is complementary to Ingram Alliance, which was introduced in 1994 and offers resellers access to products from the industry's leading hardware manufacturers under specialized terms. The RND, based in Englewood, Colorado, primarily serves five key manufacturers -- Apple Computer Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Toshiba America Information Systems --manufacturers with strong relationships to Ingram Micro and Ingram Alliance.

"We are firmly committed to adopt, enhance and build on RND's premier service programs, including the National Service Network, the Business Technology Centers, and the Intelligent Systems Group affiliates," said Doug Antone, president of Ingram Alliance.

"A Good Move"
Reactions from the high-tech reseller community on the Ingram Micro-IE RND acquisition have been positive.

Jeff Tietzer, president of OnLine Connecting Point said, "The combination of Intelligent Electronics' long-term customer base and the capabilities provided by the Intelligent Systems Group, coupled with Ingram Micro 's distribution capabilities and successful track record of execution, should be a big plus for the channel."

About Intelligent Electronics Company
IE owns 80 percent of the outstanding common stock of XLConnect, Inc. and 100 percent of XLSource and RND. XLConnect is a professional services organization that sells directly to business nationwide and is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the stock symbol XLCT. XLSource is a nationwide sales organization which provides technology products directly to businesses. IE, XLSource and XLConnect are headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.

About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale distributor of technology products and services, with 1996 sales of more than $12 billion. The company operates in 19 countries and distributes more than 36,000 products to over 100,000 resellers in 120 countries.

Contact:

Kimmerly W. Strohm
Investor Relations
Ingram Micro Inc.
714-566-1000 ext. 24400

Kirsten Frosh
Media Relations
Ingram Micro Inc.
714-566-1000 ext. 22727

Kent Redding
Director of Marketing Communications
Intelligent Electronics, Inc.
303-486-5251

Fran Barsky
Director of Investor Relations
Intelligent Electronics, Inc.
610-458-6562