ffiodel employees re(ognized withinthe Choirmont CircleThe annual Chairman's Circle AwardsBanquet was held May 22 at the HyattRegency Westshore. This prestigious awardhonors the following outstanding employeeswhose ideas, performance and commitment toexcellence have had a significant impactacross the oreanization:

David King, Barbara Vinton andKaren Wise - this employee relationsteam led the charge in heighteningawareness of the importanceof formalized performancemanagement systems.This effort set the stagefor ROHR (Retum onHuman Resources),our competency-basedperformance system.

David, Barbara andworked tirelessly to developa comprehensive ROHRpresentation and alsodevdoped the "tatn thetrainer module," presenterscripts, exercises, formrevisions and a rollout/implementation plan forthe entire organization,

Because of this team's unwaveringdedication, the competency-based selection,performance management and rewards systemnow in place poises us for unparalleledsuccess now and well into the future.

Larry Armold, Katie Dumala, MikeSeferyn and David Vetter - this GE teamexecuted the historic outsourcins contract

Fontono receives NIS Sofety AwordAt Tech Data, playing it safe can really pay off. Our Fontana distribution center washonored with the Nationwide Testing and Safety (NTS) Consortium 1999 Safety Awardfor its excellent performance in safety compliance. Winning this award means theFontana facility gained high rankings in each of its quarterly safety inspections and thatits management team demonstrated exceptional safety leadership throughout the year.

"We take safety very seriously," said Joe Hertdren, Fontana Distribution CenterDirector. "We work very hard to promote a positive attifude toward safety not onlybecause it is the right thing to do, but because the ramifications of non-compliance canbe devastating to our operations'"

continued on page 3

fontono's Sofefy (ommiffee seoled ond implenented o sofef oworenersprogron thof uliimotely won the lodlity thd | 999 llIS Scletj Awod.

with GE Capital IT Solutions, a globalone-source provider of integrated businessand support solutions. As a result of thisextraordinary collaborative effort, Tech Databecame the U.S. IT procurement,configuration and assembly, and logisticsservice provider'ot otltJrl;,

ed on page 3

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a healthy return on investment.was to find compromises: More

60Vo of resellers were coming for theyet the vendors pay for the business.

's not always easy to find the right solution.

Since we depend greatly on vendormarketing budgets for organizing channelevents, we must pay attention to theircomments and still listen to the needs of theresellers. Because of evolving end-user needsfor IT products, services and information,resellers tend to demand more and moreinformation from us to follow up ondeveloping trends. They need to keep pacewith the changing profile of end users whoare becoming more familiar with variouscomputer technologies.

Resellers are requesting seminars, businesssessions and panel debates for greater

information about new technologies, marketevolutions and long-term strategies. Ourchallenge is to provide events where resellerscan see, hear and meet key IT players at thesame time and place.

As we strive to keep our customers on theright track, we need to guide them to thepaths that major players in our industry aredeveloping. We must become businesswatchers and organizers of channel eventsthat address business stratesies rather thanbusiness products alone.

From greater product information andnon-stop business sessions to key speakersfrom the IT world, today's events must offermuch more than a good mix of business andfun. More than ever, our channel events mustinform, inspire and motivate the resellerswe serve.

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new attractions quicklypopularity and became the most

part of the shows - making itdifrcult for us as organizers to find new ideaseach time. Even more worrisome was theappearance that channel events were merelybig parties, with business playing a minorrole. Vendors expect extra sales

Former TD Brusil MorketingDirector builds o winnerlerry Engel returns home to lead U/C msrketingJerry Engel faced considerable cultural andeconomic barriers when he relocated to Brazilin 1997 to launch Tech Data's first start-upbusiness. His greatest challenge was todevelop strategies that would allow thebudding organization to flourish in thecountry's f luctuating economic environment.

At that time, competition within the PCdistribution market was fierce. PC clones and"white box" products claimed twice themarket share in Brazil as in the U.S.Business decisions were sometimes basedon what credit or financial terms a companycould provide a customer rather than on theprofit margin.

It didn't help matters that Jerry spoke noPortuguese, nor any other romance language.(Of the l3 countries that comprise SouthAmerica, Brazil is the only one whereSpanish is not the principal language.)Despite that barrier, Jerry adapted quickly tothe culture and made many Brazilian friendsin the greater metropolitan area of 56o Paulo,where TD Brasil is located.

He hired a skilled team of marketing andproduct managers to maintain Tech Data'shigh standards. Jerry also built an efficient,cost-effective back-room operation.

Today, TD Brasil is one of the country's

leading technologydistributors, thanksto the efforts of its120 employees.Tech Data's largest Latin American subsidiarysells product solutions and services to morethan 3,000 resellers each month, includingI,000 customers on the TD Brasil Web site.

After a period of economic slowdown,Brazil now enjoys a more stable environment.56o Paulo is the industrial and financialcenter of Brazil, generating over 30o/o of theGross National Product.

Jerry, now based in Clearwater as theMarketing Director for Latin America and theCaribbean (LAIC), will focus on the areas ofproduct marketing and marketing services,including electronic commerce. One of hisimmediate goals is to channel corporateresources to build a strong support base forLatin American business.

"l have mixed emotions," Jerry said of hisretum. "It is sad to leave a land of such caringand genuine people." However, Jerry isenthusiastic about the challenges his newposition will bring. "I'm excited to have theopportunity to leam more about LatinAmerica, and I'm looking forward to buildinga dedicated LA/C team that will complementTech Data's operation in Miami."

Tech Dotoronks | 02 onFORTUNE 5()()Tech Data ranked 102 in this year'sFORTUNE -500listing. In the 2000 BestInvestments category, the company ranked26th in total return to shareholders over alO-year period. We placed 41st in the"Fastest-Growing Companies" category fbrgreatest growth in revenues over a one-yearperiod. Tech Data outperformed itscompetitors in both categories.

"The FORTUNE 500 listing is one of themost prestigious forms of recognition today,"said Chairman and CEO Steve Raymund."To consistently improve our presence in thiswell-respected collection of great companiesis a testament to the hard work of our peopleand underscores our success at evolving ourbusiness model to leverage winninge-commerce solutions."

Dubbed by FORTUNE as "the mostexclusive club in American business," theFORTUNE 500 list ranks companies purelyby revenue, citing this qualifier as the mostreliable means of recording the "unflinchingrealism" of the corporate landscape.

Pursuing "Excellence by Design"8y ll6slor CanoPresfulenl ol the AnericosBy now, you've seen the banners and signsaround our campus reminding us of our com-mitment to become the leading provider of ITproducts and logistics services in the e-com-merce age by 2002. What the banners don'treveal, however, is the progress being madebehind the scenes to "Make IT Happen."

Over the past four months, Tech Data'sexecutives, managers and employees havebeen focusing their attention on supportingthese new corporate objectives.

" Pr oactiv e I nitistiv es". t . ,

IfiKen serilquslyDepartments and individuals throughoutTech Data have begun implementing newstrategies as they pertain to proactiveinitiatives, supply chain management,e-commerce and excellence in execution.Product Marketing got off to a quick start inadapting its business strategies to Tech Data'sproactive initiatives. Senior Vice President ofMarketing Elio Levy and his staff took theconcept to heart:

. selling new technologies to our currentcustomer base and signing new customers,as exemplified by our re-engaging withApple and related third-party technologies

. launching an Imaging business unitdedicated to high-end scanners and digitalimaging equipment, growing it 1137o in Ql

. growing our Viento private label business,adding keyboards, mice and a full line ofcable accessories to its monitor and UPSproducts lines

. developing an Asian sourcing initiative,adding new product categories andPlines sourced direct from the factories -

which reduces the cost of these items -

and increasing revenue of thesecommodities by 70Vo

. aggressively growing the Media andSupplies business unit, hiring anew director and increasing volume47Vo from the previous year

. re-engineering the HP imaging andprinter solutions business unit, achievinga 607o sales increase during Ql

. signing a new contract with SeagateTechnology

. creating business units focused on SANs,network attached storage, wireless network-ing, server-based computing and telephony

. growing software licensing 717o over Ql oflast year and adding licensing specialists

Product managershave intensifiedmerchandisingactivities such as"branding" themselvesto help increaseproduct awarenessamong Tech Data's sales force. Ben Filipiak,who handles the camera lines for Tech Dataand refers to himself as Dr. Digital, createshot sheets featuring attention-getting cutoutsof himself and his VPR team. Susan Serra,in charge of our projector lines, calls herselfthe "Lumenator," sending poems to oursales force announcing the latest promotions.Meanwhile, departments throughoutTech Data tailor their objectives to reflectour new corporate strategies.

Siehel snd i2 plons moving forwsrdPlans to implement the Siebel customerrelations management tool are right onschedule as Vice President of Inside SalesLarry Armold and his team complete Phase Iof the user requirement labs. Phase I iscomprised of front-end sales solutions, whichinclude electronic commerce, pricing,customer service, product search, work flowand technical support tools. Meanwhile, PhaseI of the MSO and Product Marketing userrequirements labs have been focusing on howSiebel can enhance targeted marketing andbusiness development activities through bettercustomer profiling and communication ofSPIF and promotion activities.

Larry's team is now planning Phase II,which includes tools to assist with creditanalysis, computer telephony integration andWeb RAs. The Siebel system will capturein-depth customer information to aid our salesand marketing efforts, giving us more pricingflexibility and allowing us to do a better jobof cross-selling and up-selling. Fullimplementation is scheduled for fall.

Vice President/General Manager SupplyChain Management and Purchasing BrookePowers has begun selecting a team toimplement i2 solutions. These planning toolswill integrate with Siebel, optimizinginventory management, configure-to-ordercapabilities and transportation systems. Thei2 system is scheduled for introduction inthe third quarter.

We're gratified by the progress madesince our new strategic initiatives were flrstannounced. The intranet site dedicated to ourstrategic vision, http:i/tdnet.techdata.com/tdstrategy, has received over 2,500 visits since"going live" two months ago. Your continuedcommitment to Tech Data's strategicinitiatives will help us achieve the level ofpersonal and professional success each of usstrives for.

The GE team worked vigorously toanalyze all aspects of GE's operations andto creatively design and negotiate anoutsourcing agreement that would meet theneeds of GE's customers as well as providesignificant incremental revenue and profitpotential to Tech Data. It assembled all thedata, researched and projected intemal andextemal conditions, crafted the service offer-ing, and negotiated the terms and conditionsof this landmark agreement, which markedthe beginning of an exciting new era inour industry.

Doug Brauer worked diligentlythroughout the holiday season to recoverover $800,000 in IBM credits Tech Data lostdue to failed Electronic Data Interface trans-actions between the two companies. Becauseof Doug's efforts, many of the erred recordswere repaired and resubmitted to IBM,and the revenue was recaptured.

Patrick Frayne provided outstandingfinancial, accounting and legal liaisonsupport for the TelecommunicationsEngineering team during months of contractnegotiations with AT&T and MCI. Patrickwas instrumental in ensuring thatTelecommunications Engineering completedthis complex project. The resulting contractwill save Tech Data more than $1.5 millionper year.

Congratulations, and thank you fbr yourexceptional achievements!

And those ramifications can be severe.Just one safety infiaction can result inthousands of dollars in fines from theOccupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA).

"In a low-margin industry such as ours, wemust do everything within our power to avoidadded costs," said Bill Todd, Senior VicePresident of Distribution, Configuration andAssembly Services. "The associates in ourFontana facility have done a fantastic job insafety compliance - and that impacts ourbottom line."

Tech Data contracts NTS to work with itsdistribution centers and facilities to ensure thecompany is in compliance with all OSHAregulations. NTS performs routine safetyinspections at each Tech Data facility andoffers guidance lor safety improvemenls.Each year, NTS awards the Tech Datafacility that cultivates the safest workingenvironment. The Dallas/Ft. Worthdistribution center was the 1999 safetyrunner-up. Tech Data's Suwanee facilitywon the 1998 award.

Sqfetv is the focusfor ndw Supervisorof loss Prevention

A Tech Data team of nine walkers generated $705 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society on April 8during the "MS Walk" at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. The team walked three mileson the Clearwater Causeway.

5633 generated for March of DimesEight Tech Data employees walked in the March of Dimes "WalkAmerica" event on April 29,raising $633 during their six-mile trek at the Carillon Parkway in Clearwater.

Customer Service 0w0rd inspires kindnessNeighhorly hehavior ond exceptionol pertormance rewarded

Lisa Oppelt is a strong supporter of the Customer Service Recognition Program. The DivisionCustomer Service Manager believes the program inspires employees to be friendly and helpfulto one another.

"So many times in meetings, a Customer Service (CS) representative will mention thatso-and-so helped me and they should be recognized," Lisa said. "It gets the CS floor to thinking,and they want to remember that person when voting time comes around."

Customer Service Support Representative Lorraine Roscoe, who won the 1999 CS AnnualAward, says the program adds a sense of excitement throughout the year. "I definitely think itboosts morale. It's truly an honor to be recognized by your peers," said Lonaine, the awardscommittee co-chairperson.

Tawanda Gordon, who co-chairs the committee, adds a personal touch by walking the floorwith Lonaine to solicit nominations and to answer questions. She wants her colleagues to knowtheir special efforts won't go unnoticed.

The Recognition Program was created in 1996 to honor individuals and teams who provideexceptional customer service. The "Individual Award for Achievement in Service Excellence"is presented quarterly and annually. Recipients receive a desktop plaque, which is prominentlydisplayed in a common area, and a cash award.

Winners are selected by the Customer Service Awards Committee, whose volunteer membersrepresent each of three Customer Support departments: Customer Service, Customer Relationsand Returns Exceptions.

Kothy Misunos oppointedto Briard of DireclbrsE-business veteran Kathy Misunas was appointed to Tech Data's Boardof Directors, expanding the board to 10 members.

A highly respected executive within her field, Kathy has more than27 years of technology industry experience with extensive focus one-business solutions. She has served as CEO of Reed Travel Group,where she oversaw several of the company's leading business divisionsincluding travel publications such as the Official Airline Guide and TravelWeekly, as well as the company's other travel, technology and marketingunits. Kathy also was CEO of brandwise LLC, an e-commerce comparison shopping andpurchasing business that served the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets.

"Kathy's keen business sense and pioneering spirit within the technology arena make her anideal addition to Tech Data's board," said Chairman and CEO Steve Raymund.

EmploYees conlributeto Suciessful fundroisers

The past few weeks have been busy - but extremely rewarding -

for employees who participated in a number of walk-a-thons forcharities throughout our community. Congratulations to everyonewho sacrificed their time and energy to help those in need.

SS22 collected for Juvenile Diahetes FoundationFive employees gamered $822 during the Juvenile DiabetesFoundation's "Walk for a Cure" on April I at Sand Key Park.The walkers enjoyed a six-mile path along beautiful Sand Key Beach.

Multiple Sderosis Society receives 5705

You may not haveseen Jeff Riley,but chances aregood that he'sseen you. Frommonitoring aclosed-circuittelevision systemto supervisinga team ofsecurity experts,Tech Data's newSupervisor ofLoss Preventionmakes it his business to know what'shappening around campus.

"We monitor activities with high-techequipment and security personnel, butTech Data's employees are our most importanteyes and ears," said Jeff, whose backgroundincludes l2 years of law enforcement workwith the St. Petersburg Police Department.He also has operated a private security firm."I want everyone to feel comfortable callingme if they see something suspicious or have aquestion. When it comes to safety andprotecting property, nothing is taken lightly."

Jeff also administers Tech Data's AccessControl System, a process that involvesactivating identification card access privilegesand maintaining an extensive computerdatabase.

His department typically deals with issuesranging from property theft to vandalism.

To create a safer environment, Jeffencourages employees to lock valuables intheir desks and remain alert when walking totheir cars. "We have a very secure campus,but a little precaution can go a long way,"he noted.

What does he enjoy most about hisnew role?

"The corporate environment is a nicechange of pace from the police beat," saidJeff, who holds a bachelor's degree inCriminology from St. Leo University. "It'sgreat to be able to help people in such afriendly, professional atmosphere."

Jeff can be reached at 419-6603 (pager),639-2252 (cell phone) or ext. 78003.

@Tech Tolk is produced by the Morketing ServicesDeportmenf of Tech Doto Corporotion,5350 Tech Doto Drive . Cleorwoter, Ft 33260Joe Edwords EditorCheryl Spicer Grophic Designer

Pleose emoil ony comments to Robin Grofton.

@ This publicol;on is prinied on recycled poper

, Moke the right collEmployment v erifkation sutomstedTo serve you more efficiently, the HR Service Center recentlyimplemented an automated employment verification system,The Work Number for Everyone@. This fast, secure verificationservice provides instant and automated access to your employ-ment data using a touch-tone phone, fax or the Intemet, sevendays a week, 24 hours a day. The service is helpful for reference

checks, loan applications, apartment leases and credit card applications - any time you need toverify your employment.

Employees can request a verification of employment by accessing the automated system at800-367-2884 or by visiting the company's Web site at www.theworknumber.com. Employeesenter Tech Data's company code and their personal identification number before the systemissues a six-digit key number. You then provide this key number to an organization requestingthe verification. The key number releases confidential employment data to the organization suchas employee name, employment status, current position, most recent stafi date, tenure withTech Data, current base salary and a reference number for the verification.

Detailed information on the process to receive a verification of employment is outlined onthe HR Service Center intranet site at http://tdnet.techdata.comfr/hrsc/voe.htm.

New compensotion schedule introducedAs part of our effort to maximize human capital and support the company's strategic vision,Tech Data changed its domestic salary schedule, effective May l, 2000.

The new salary schedule reduced the previous 52 salary grades to l8 salary ranges. Thisenhancement provides a greater degree of management flexibility in overall salary administration,as well as allows Tech Data to anticipate and respond to potential external market changes.The 18 new ranges, 3-20, were created by preserving the minimums of the prior ranges, andexpanding the maximums of the new ranges to provide greater opportunity for growth basedon experience, performance and business conditions.

The change resulted from several months of study in which benchmark positions were market-priced and mapped to the new grades and ranges. The ranges better reflect market position forour industry and location. For employees who are currently on the distribution center step payplan, the only change was the removal of the "A" from the step pay matrix.

Tech Data is committed to providing competitive compensation to meet the market, and thisnew compensation change will support our initiative to optimize rewards and retention systems.Additional information - including a list of frequently asked questions - can be found on thecompensation section of TDNet.

Investing in the futurefith AnnualTake Your Child to Work DoyThis yearly event provides children a uniqueopportunity to experience today's workplace. It alsogives Tech Data employees the chance to share theirprofessional lives with their children - and maybeeven groom some "future Techies."

TOP PHOTO:Reoth for the VARs: tight-yeorold Shelby Olson helpr Pot 0lson duringon.lhe-iob shodowinq.-Wh& does Shelbv'wonf to dd when she orowsup? Be in soles - [[e mom. Pot is o So'les Represenfotive for ilrel{orlhwest VAR region.

G]ITTR PHOTO:like fother, like ron: (hose Weimerskirlg 8, ond John Weimerskirk,o Purrhosinq tlonoqer in Producl lllorketina, enoooe in the ottivitiespodion of TErh Dotit "Ioke Your ftild to Stork-" irogron.BOTTOflI PHOIO:torketing l0l (left to fght): Dolol l(onoon, l4; Goil (orronogue, on[xeculive Assisfonl in tlc*efing Servicer; ond daughter (osey,13, distuss Terh Doto's print odverfising. Dolol soitshe leorned o lolobout lhe rompony during her hclf-doy here. "l knew Terh Dcto wosbig but I didn't reolize unfil todoy thot it hor lototions in 30 countries,"she soid. Dolol's mofher, Hizobefe, ir on Assochte Progrom tonoger infrlo*efing Serviter.

Soles Arsoriole Poulo (obb royrbuilding relotionshipl withcurlonerr is one of fhe mosltewording orpetfs of her iob.

Supply, demqndond'T6IeSMARTTesm hoosts vendors' msrket shareWhat does a product manager do with toomuch productand not enoughdemand? It's amatter ofeconomics,you mightsay...marketequilibrium."It's a matter ofTeleSMART,"Katie Lewis,might say. "It'sour job to moveproduct."

Katie, who is TeIeSMART's Manager, saysthe in-house telemarketing service offersassistance when product sales need a boostor when vendors need a helping hand withspecial promotions. "Our primary goal isto stimulate sales through authorizedcampaigns," says Katie. "Whether aTeIeSMART sales associate takes an orderduring a phone call, or a national sales teammember takes an order that results from atelemarketer cold call, product sells."

The team guarantees vendors that eachassociate will contact at least 45 targetedcustomers per day. "Program managers sellour vendors TeIeSMART projects that includesingle floor-day specials, theme-month salesdrives, year-long multipromotional campaignsand telephone registration for trade shows,"Staff Training Coordinator Scott Mela adds.

Sales Associate Paula Cobb thinks themost important skill a telemarketer can haveis the ability to turn what is generally thoughtof as a negative (a cold call) into a positive(a pleasurable experience) for the customer."It's satisfying when a customer says,'Oh, I remember you. Thank you for calling,"'says Paula.

The group of 34 sales associates handles30 to 40 projects per month. For fiscal year2000, the TeIeSMART department's directsales were $1.5 million, and total productsales for all projects equaled $24.5 million.

Novell honors Tech DotoTech Data was one of 18 top businesspartners Novell honored with its 2000Support Connection Service ExcellenceAward in March. Recipients were chosenfrom more than 600 top-level Novell supportpartners in the United States and Canada.

According to Dave Cutler, Vice Presidentof Novell's Americas Support Center, theawards recognize Novell partners that havedemonstrated continuing excellence providingtechnical support to Novell customers.Partners were evaluated on their dedicationto delivering exceptional service, attention toquality management, demonstration of self-sufficiency in delivering superior support toNovell customers, and commitment to sellingand supporting Novell Net Services software.

Porlnership reodiesresellers for

l re-Dusrness e(onomyQwest Communications Intemational haspartnered with Tech Data to offer resellersleading broadband IP communications, Webhosting, ASP solutions and infrastructureservices supported by core technologies fromindustry leaders, including Cisco Systems,Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.

Through the Qwest Business PartnerProgram, Tech Data resellers with Cisco,Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard technologyauthorizations will gain access to acomprehensive suite of end-to-ende-business solutions coupled with Qwest'sstate-of-the-art Fiber Optic Network andCyberCenters. From broadband Internetservices and Web hosting to end-to-end ASPsolutions such as Microsoft ExchangeServices and Windows 2000 virtual privatenetwork, resellers will have a complete suiteof tools necessa"ry to help their customerstransition to an e-business economy.

The agreement will enable Tech Data tosupport the value-added resellers and systemsintegrators who sell IP infrastructure solutionsto their customers on behalf of Qwest.Tech Data will provide its customersextensive pre- and post-sale training, serviceand support, as well as configuration andassembly services and electronic commercesolutions with Qwest's robust Internet andmulti-media solutions.

New vendors signedTech Data welcomed three new vendorpartners: IDG Books Worldwide (IDGB),Aqcess Technologies and Innotek USA,specializing in technical publishing,mobile networking and peripheralproducts, respectively.

Tech Data is now a source for IDGB'sdiverse portfolio of technology how-toknowledge brands and computer-basedleaming tools, as well as a branded seriescreated in partnership with IT companies suchas Hewlett-Packard Press'" and NetscapePress.

Aqcess Technologies' worldwideagreement with Tech Data is for the Qbe(pronounced "cube") Personal ComputingTablet'., designed for high mobility and fullfunctionality in the size of a clipboard.

Under its U.S. and Latin Americanmarketing agreement, Tech Data will offerInnotek's line of "Ice Cool" peripherals,keyboards and mice in bright, translucentcolors. The offering includes a 900MHzwireless mouse and a true multi-bus KVM kit.

Spogote expondsffonnel presen(eTech Data has signed an agreement withSeagate Technology Inc. to provide logisticsmanagement and other value-addedservices for this worldJeading disc drivemanufacturer. Beginning July 1, Tech Datawill supply North American resellers withSeagate's family of hard disc drives andcontinue to offer its tape back-up systems.The newly expanded agreement complementsTech Data's long-standing relationship withSeagate Software.

Tech Data's year-over-year product saleswithin the disc drive category have grownmore than 35Vo and sales within its systemsintegrator customer base have increased bymore than 1157o within the same period.

Viento line introduredIn a response to accelerating demand fromresellers looking to market "white box"technology products under a brand name,Tech Data has introduced the Viento" line ofwhite box peripherals and accessories.

The Viento peripherals line includes15-, 17-, and l9-inch monitors, UPS products,cables, keyboards and mice. Although Vientodebuted in the U.S., Tech Data has obtainedlicensing to potentially market it in 16 othercountries throughout Europe.

Tech Dota porlnerswith PonoionirTech Data has joined Panasonic PersonalComputer Company to provide logisticsmanagement and other value-added servicesfor the manufacturer's complete line ofrugged, wireless notebook personalcomputers. Tech Data now offers Panasonic'sfamily of Toughbook laptop computers totechnology resellers and provides Panasoniccustomers with marketing support, trainingand education, and technical services forthis rapidly growing product segment.lndependent market research firmIntemational Data Corporation estimates salesof laptop PCs in the United States will reach12.3 million units bv 2003.

TDBuild-lT mokesconfigurotion eosierTo simplify and speed the configurationprocess for resellers of branded andnon-branded computers, Tech Data hasintroduced TDBuild-IT'", a next-generationWeb-based configuration tool. Powered bypcOrder and customized to Tech Dataspecifications, TDBuild-IT is free to ourcustomers. It also enables resellers to accesstheir specific product pricing levels, confirmavailability and place and track orders in afraction of the time spent using traditionalmanual processes.

TDBuild-IT initially supportsHewlett-Packard's channel assemblyprogram, and the online configuration toolwill be enhanced throughout the year tosupport the assembly of additional brandedand non-branded systems.

Ieth Dolo ([0 Steve Roymund wos. one ol live people indutted into

the lompo-Boy Buriness Holl ofIone in torih. Oher hduceerIndudsd Alex Sink of lonk olAncicq lill tcBdde ol Hollond& lhight, ond former Governorlob trtinez of Codton lidds.

Morketing Services mokesmonumeniol stridesEmployees in the Marketing Services Organization have been even busier than usual during thepast two quarters. The department successfully completed a reorganization, continued to leadTech Data's global branding efforts and earned accolades from the advertising industry.

The reorganization, according to Marketing Services Vice President Pablo Zurzolo,strengthens the department's support for vendor partners and intemal clients and enhancesoverall capabilities and effi ciency.

"The new structure is based on our core functions and the specialized requirements of ourlargest business partners and small- and mid-tier vendors," Pablo explained. "We are alsopositioning ourselves to enhance the current marketing portfolio with innovative productsthat will exploit our e-commerce capabilities and allow for more focused targeting of ourreseller partners."

The changes will help ensure thedevotion of appropriate, dedicatedresources for each of the four stepsin the marketing process:

I ) identification of marketing needs

2) development of products tomeet those needs

3 ) implementation andcommunication of those at'tivities

4) measurement of the results

Bronding tokes cenler stogeFinding the most effective way toincorporate the Tech Data name andidentity throughout Computer 2000'soperations in Europe and LatinAmerica is a challenging corporatemission. But the process will soon becompleted, thanks to MSO employeeswho have worked for months withcompany officials from Germany, England, Brazil and other Tech Data subsidiaries. Theirobjective is to create guidelines that will maintain Tech Data's corporate image throughout theworld. The group, which serves as the branding committee of the larger Global CommunicationsCouncil, maps ways to ensure consistency in the use of everything from logos and advertising tostationery and electronic communication.

Most of the group's meetings occur via phone conferences, but the committee met face-to-faceat the Clearwater campus in April for a four-day branding conference.

"It has been a very exciting process," said BrianGibson. Director of Implementation."I'm pleased that we've had the opportunity to workwith our intemational colleagues in shaping thecompany's image worldwide."

MS? employees honoredTech Data's creative staff - designers, writers, andtraffic and production personnel - received highhonors during February's "ADDY" awards. TheAmerican Advertising Awards is the advertisingindustry's largest and most representative competi-tion. It recognizes creative excellence and the verybest in advertising. As one of the few corporations(non-advertising agencies) competing in Florida andthe Caribbean, Tech Data won a Gold award for our1999 annual report and a Silver award for aninnovative Cisco holiday piece.

Also honored in February were Kelly Warhola and Tricia Stalter, who received the"Marketing Services Sales Champion of the Year" award at the National Sales Managers AnnualBanquet. They were recognized by sales management for providing outstanding service to theorganization and for their substantial contributions to a successful fiscal year 2000.

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lT stolf on thefront lines of"love" virus fightEmployees urged to treatattschments with coution

When the "I love you" virus swept computersaround the world in early May, Tech Data wasnot immune. What seemed to be a friendlye-mail tumed out to be a vicious computervirus that brought businesses to an abrupthalt. Tech Data was able to handle the con-tamination much better than many other com-panies, thanks to the incredible work of ourIT associates. Working around the clock, theycleaned and prepared Tech Data's e-mailseryers for use the next day.

It's a lesson for us all - be very carefulwith e-mail attachments. Opening a virus-infected e-mail just once can cause anonslaught of problems.

"Clicking on attachments always poses apotential risk in our environment, particularlyif you don't know what the attachment issupposed to do," said IT SecurityAdministration Senior Manager Will Milor.Users should never open executable files orfiles with a .vbs extension unless they knowwhat the file does.

"Attachments such as Word documents,Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presenta-tions are only safe when you're sure you havethe latest signature file update," said Will.Signature files, which identify and removeviruses, are updated through users'loginscripts, so it's best to log out every day whenleaving work. Users can also manually updatesignature files to the latest version by clickingthe "start" button, choosing the "run" functionand typing'\\incoln\norton\updatr32."

Tech Data's IT Department has madeevery effort to run the latest virus scannersand detection software at every levelpossible. But even with the best scanners,updated signature files are crucial for theidentification and removal of maliciousprograms. IT officials are currently workinginternationally on a corrrmon scanningarchitecture that will further improve ouroverall virus protection capabilities.Tech Data hopes to avert future attacks suchas the lovebug with systems that detect andremove the problems before they reach thee-mail inbox.

"ln the meantime, the best thing a usercan do is use common sense with all e-mailattachments," said Will.

For more information on Tech Data'scorporate policy conceming e-mail andInternet use, please refer to the HumanResources site on TDnet.