Business Data Services and Ingram Micro Re-Engineer Business-to-Business Auction System; Upgraded System Increases Online Auction Events, Streamlines Auction Process.

GLASTONBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1999--

Business Data Services (BDS), a leading developer of Web-enabled, business-critical systems, and Ingram Micro Inc., the world's leading wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced that upgrades to Ingram Micro's online auction system have increased the number of auction events 60 percent, and have extended many key auction processes. Ingram Micro's auction Web site, Auction Block, is a real-time, online bidding service that allows resellers to purchase new, unopened products that are not returnable to the manufacturer.

"While reviewing the initial specifications for the upgraded auction system, Ingram Micro's commitment to their customers became readily clear to us," said Jack Hughes, chairman of BDS. "As a leading distributor, Ingram Micro has regularly set the standard for technology innovation and building systems with their customers' real needs in mind. Auction Block is no exception. In fact, it includes features that go steps beyond what their customers might expect to use or benefit from."

Ingram Micro teamed with BDS earlier this year to re-engineer an existing Auction Block business-to-business commerce site; the upgraded site went live on June 1. The auction system now provides Ingram Micro with:

--Flexibility, to change/upgrade application servers in the future with minor modifications

--Scalability, to expand across multiple servers as the site grows

--Portability, to port the auction system to other server platforms

For resellers, the upgraded auction site provides a rich variety of innovative, technically advanced features that streamline the auction process:

--Hot Auction -- The primary auction for the week, which is highlighted on the main auction page.

--BidPlacer -- A feature that allows resellers to specify a maximum bid. BidPlacer automatically bids by indicated increments, keeping bidders in the auction even while they are not able to actively participate. BidPlacer stops placing bids once it reaches a maximum price.

--MultiBid -- Exclusive to Ingram Micro, Auction Block allows a reseller to bid on multiple auctions with a click of a button.

--Preview Future Auction -- Resellers can view future auctions before they are open.

--Automated Ordering -- When the auctions are closed, orders are automatically submitted to the Ingram Micro mainframe. BDS developed many new features for Auction Block using the Gemstone Application Server. Gemstone will serve as the backbone for future applications at Ingram Micro.

"With BDS' development assistance, our customers now are technologically empowered to set the parameters for their target purchases, and to efficiently and cost-effectively fulfill their IT requirements," said Rick Kish, senior vice president and chief information officer of Ingram Micro. "By automating many of the tasks associated with auctions, we are putting the buying power back into the hands of our reseller customers," Kish said.

About Business Data Services

Business Data Services (BDS) is a systems development firm with a proven track record in delivering business-critical Internet, data warehouse, and on-line transaction processing systems to leading companies in the retail, distribution, financial and manufacturing industries. BDS' technology solutions support companies such as barnesandnoble.com, priceline.com, Best Buy, Columbia House, Perkin-Elmer and Ingram Micro. Headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn., BDS has offices throughout the U.S. Detailed information on BDS can be found on the World Wide Web at www.bdsinc.com, or by calling [phone].

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, and a leader of assembly and integration services with sales of $26.5 billion for the past four reported quarters. The company and its subsidiaries operate in 34 countries and distribute more than 225,000 products to more than 140,000 resellers in 130 countries. Ingram Micro can be found at www.ingrammicro.com.