3Com Named Supplier of Modems and Network Interface Cards for Ingram Micro's Unbranded PCs.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 1999--

Ingram Micro and 3Com Join Forces To Deliver 3Com's Leading Internet 

and Network Connectivity Products to Small

and Medium-Sized Businesses

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) and Ingram Micro, Inc., today announced an agreement that will make 3Com the modem and network interface card (NIC) provider for Ingram Micro's models of unbranded systems. As part of the agreement, Ingram Micro's Frameworks(tm), Total Integration Services joins the 3Com Connected(tm) program and will immediately ship 3Com's award-winning modems and NICs with its complete line of Frameworks unbranded systems. These systems will carry the 3Com Connected logo, certifying that end users have easy access to the Internet or network with reliable, industry-leading connections from 3Com.

"We know that businesses of all sizes are turning to `white box' systems to save money without compromising performance," said Douglas R. Antone, executive vice president, Ingram Micro and president, Frameworks. "Offering our unbranded solutions with 3Com's leading modems and NICs helps our resellers combine high performance systems with instant Internet and network connections at competitive prices."

Small and Medium Size Businesses Turning to White Boxes

According to Access Media International, lesser-known and unbranded systems account for an estimated thirty percent of all U.S. PC sales and an estimated forty percent of PC sales to small and medium sized businesses. Recognizing the growing opportunity for selling unbranded systems, Ingram Micro can provide resellers solutions with 3Com's high quality connectivity products.

"Ingram Micro's unbranded systems coupled with the 3Com Connected program is a winning combination for resellers selling to the small and medium business market," said Wendy Walleigh, director of the 3Com Connected brand and partner program. "As a 3Com Connected participant, Ingram Micro is able to provide a real advantage to its resellers, reducing the hassles of connectivity installation with 3Com's trusted, reliable products, while freeing up time for projects that contribute more to their profits and that are of greater value for their customers."

Why 3Com Connected

The 3Com Connected program is an aggressive, multi-million dollar channel development and marketing program that teams 3Com with leading PC manufacturers, national resellers and distributors. 3Com Connected labeled systems allow resellers and PC manufacturers to provide network- and Internet-ready PCs, laptops and servers. For end users, 3Com Connected participants deliver the connectivity benefits of reduced integration costs, lower overall cost of ownership, and faster access to the network and Internet. The 3Com Connected program ensures that all 3Com(R) networking products are configured in advance for optimum performance with Ingram Micro's unbranded systems allowing quick delivery of 3Com Connected labeled systems to resellers and customers.

3Com to Participate in System Builder Summit

3Com will be participating with Ingram Micro in this year's System Builder Summit at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona from February 1-4, 1999. The System Builder Summit is a roundtable forum to develop and expand partnerships between the top system builders in North America and technology vendors like 3Com.

About Ingram Micro

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale distributor of technology products and services, and a leading provider of assembly and integration services with sales of $20.9 billion for the past four reported quarters. The company and its affiliates operate in 31 countries and distribute more than 190,000 products to more than 115,000 resellers in 120 countries. Ingram Micro can be found at www.ingrammicro.com.

About 3Com Corporation

With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com - More connected(tm). For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

Note to Editors: 3Com is a registered trademark and 3Com Connected and More connected are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Frameworks is a trademark of Ingram Micro, Inc. All other company and brand names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.