INGRAM MICRO LAUNCHES SMART BUSINESS RESELLER PROGRAM

Toshiba, Acer, AST, Cisco, Iomega, Netgear, Okidata Are Among Program's Sponsors.

SANTA ANA, Calif., June 1, 1998

Ingram Micro Inc., the world's leading wholesale distributor of technology products and services, today announced the launch of SMart Business, an innovative program designed to support resellers in the small- to medium-size business (SMB) market. Ingram Micro first announced its commitment to the SMB market in January 1998, and with this announcement brings to fruition a program that delivers on its promise to give resellers tools that will make them more effective in the SMB market. Ingram Micro started recruiting resellers for the program in March 1998 and has since enrolled more than 3,000 resellers.

SMart Business exemplifies Ingram Micro's corporate strategy for the small- to medium-size reseller market, a $22 billion market in 1997.* "This program embodies Ingram Micro's commitment to help our resellers be even more successful in this growing market segment," said Doug Antone, senior vice president at Ingram Micro.

"It is our goal to bridge the gap between resellers and manufacturers, allowing all parties to increase their presence in the SMB market," said Rick Sbrocca, senior director, general manager, SMart Business at Ingram Micro. "This program gives the SMB resellers the tools they need to increase their penetration of this emerging market."

Nearly 30 technology manufacturers are sponsoring the program. Premier sponsors include Acer America Corp.; AST Computer; Cisco Systems; Iomega Corp.; Netgear Inc., a Bay Networks corporation; Okidata Corp.; and Toshiba America Information Systems.

Rocco Valenti, vice president, Reseller Sales of Toshiba, said, "Ingram Micro's SMart Business program provides a direct conduit between key manufacturers, such as Toshiba, and participating resellers, enabling the resellers and, ultimately, end-user customers to benefit from the increased flow of information, availability of special financing programs, expanded tech support and much more."

SMart Business has been designed to fulfill the needs of the SMB reseller as determined by nationwide focus groups that identified the technology needs of this customer market segment. Enrollment is voluntary and free to SMB resellers. The program gives reseller participants access to:

• SMart Solutions for Small Business conferences -- Covering opportunities in the SMB market segment, including technology usage and implementation in small business, the SMart Business conferences will feature general sessions on specific vertical market segments and manufacturer presentations on the latest technologies and products. Conferences are scheduled for Los Angeles (Century City -- June 2, 1998), Boston (Westborough -- Oct. 20, 1998) and Chicago (Oak Brook -- Oct. 22, 1998). To register, resellers may call 1 (800) 821-2711.
• Marketing Tool Kit -- The SMart Business Marketing Tool Kit is a comprehensive resource to help resellers build their businesses. A $411 value, the kit was created in partnership with Inc. magazine and includes two CD-ROMs featuring templates for business marketing plan and budget development; a video on "do-it-yourself" marketing; two books, "301 Marketing Tips" and "Tips & Tactics for Marketing on the Internet," by Inc. magazine; and a booklet on vendor SMB programs featuring more than 30 manufacturers.
• SMart Business Newsletter -- This quarterly newsletter features articles on success stories, vertical markets and many other topics that help resellers grow their businesses. It also features vendor advertorial and product spotlights to keep resellers updated on the newest SMB products.
• SMart Business Web site (www.imsmart.com) -- Scheduled to go live in mid-1998, this site will give resellers the ability to interact with manufacturers and other resellers. Sections will include manufacturers' current product information and latest promotions, chat rooms and bulletin boards, and the latest SMart Business program news and event listings.
• Special SMB sessions at Ingram Micro Showcase '98 Roadshow seminars -- SMart Business resellers are invited to attend Ingram Micro's Showcase '98 Roadshow seminars, which now include new break-out sessions on the SMB marketplace. The one-day seminars, featuring a presentation on "Internet for SMB," will be held in Washington, D.C., (June 11, 1998); Chicago (Sept. 22, 1998); Anaheim, Calif., (Sept. 29, 1998); and Dallas (Oct. 20, 1998). An additional presentation on "Defining and Targeting the Small-to-Midsize Business Marketplace" will be held in Miami (June 18, 1998); Boston (Sept. 17, 1998); Chicago (Sept. 22, 1998); and Anaheim, Calif., (Sept. 29, 1998). Resellers can register online at www.ingrammicro.com/roadshows/.
• Increased product allocation -- Ingram Micro is providing increased allocation of constrained products to SMB resellers.
• Increased credit and financing options -- New credit options make it possible for SMB resellers to take advantage of opportunities as they arise by accessing financial services help desk and training, free flooring, financing for inventory purchases, accounts receivable financing, purchase order financing, special 45-day interest-free financing, emergency credit lines and automatic approvals for government and school district business. New leasing programs also give resellers the ability to offer more flexible terms to their customers.

Resellers participating in the SMart Business program are automatically enrolled in Ingram Micro's Premier VAR Plus program, which provides the following benefits:

• Personalized pricing -- As part of the Premier VAR Plus membership, resellers can take advantage of five levels of personalized pricing based on Ingram Micro sales volume.
• Increased Ingram Micro sales support -- Dedicated sales account support is available to qualified resellers, ensuring access to free help desk services, technical support and account representatives who understand their businesses.

Premier VAR Plus membership benefits also include discounts on vendor training; a dedicated telesales representative; free technical support and access to business and health insurance; car rentals; Reseller Central, which provides resellers with access to vendor logos and art for marketing use; third-party legal services; Sprint and MCI long-distance telephone service; a First USA credit card; On-Site Information Systems; an enhanced fax and telecommunications service; and discounts on air travel to Ingram Micro events through TravelCenter.

Additional SMart Business manufacturer sponsors include Adobe Systems Inc., APC, Asanti Technologies Inc., Autodesk, Brother International, Computer Associates, FileMaker Inc., Hayes Corp., Hitachi PC, KDS PC, Kingston Technology Co., Minolta, NEC Technologies, Newbridge Networks Inc., Quarterdeck Corp., Seagate Software, Stallion Technologies, Symantec, UMAX Technologies Inc. and Visioneer.

"The SMart Business program reinforces the partnership between Ingram Micro and the SMB reseller community, and is designed to further extend the relationship between our resellers and the manufacturers," Antone added.

Adding value to Ingram Micro's SMart Business program, VentureTech Network is a national network of technology resellers designed to service the SMB market. Primary manufacturer partners are 3Com Corp., Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp., Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. Reseller members offer premium computing products, high-technology expertise and value-added services.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's leading wholesale distributor of technology products and services, and a leading provider of assembly and integration services, with 1997 sales of more than $16.5 billion. The company and its affiliates operate in 31 countries, distributing more than 145,000 products to more than 100,000 resellers in 120 countries.

Contact:

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