Cofix Announces Strategic Alliance With IdeaMall; Customers of PCMall and Other IdeaMall Divisions Will Now Be Able To Purchase IT Services Online.

Business/High-Tech Editors

LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Cofix, an infrastructure builder of online marketplaces for IT services, today announced a strategic alliance with IdeaMall, Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL), the parent company of PCMall, a large rapid response reseller of computer systems and related products to business customers in the U.S. The alliance will enable customers at PCMall and MacMall to purchase IT services from leading service providers via Cofix's SmartMarketplace, an online application that automatically matches the unique data from a given customer's computer system with a "smart" database of top-name service providers.

"This alliance gives us an opportunity to clearly differentiate ourselves from our competitors and add substantial value to our customers," said Scott Klein, President of IdeaMall, Inc. "It will enable us to offer services such as installation, maintenance, and upgrades on the products we sell, providing the kind of end-to-end solution that our business customers need and want."

Cofix's proprietary expert system helps business customers analyze their service needs, choose the most qualified service provider anywhere in the country, and complete the purchase over the Internet. Customers can either purchase flat-fee packaged services or generate comprehensive requests for proposal (RFP). Each RFP is sent to selected service providers chosen from a national network of 400 IT service providers that Cofix has established through strategic alliances with Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) and Tech Data (Nasdaq: TECD). The providers are primarily members of Ingram Micro's National Services Network and/or Tech Data's TechSelect program. Hand picked by Ingram Micro and Tech Data, these service providers are among the best companies in the US to perform IT service.

Because the entire process is handled electronically, both resellers and IT managers can more easily track service contracts and activities including purchase, use and renewal, employing Cofix as an unbiased resource. Cofix customers register their hardware, software and network assets using Cofix Power Tools, an ASP-based suite of asset management tools.

"Every business customer who purchases IT products needs associated services, and IdeaMall is the first reseller in the channel to recognize that," said Max Seybold, Cofix CEO. "By adding services to its product offerings at PCMall and its related Websites, IdeaMall is breaking new ground in helping streamline the acquisition, installation and maintenance of IT infrastructure for corporate technology buyers."

Customers of PCMall, MacMall and their Websites will be able to purchase IT services along with products from the Cofix-IdeaMall co-branded marketplace later this month.

About IdeaMall, Inc.:

IdeaMall Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL) is a leading rapid response reseller of computer products and systems. The company's portfolio of business units includes its core computer business under the PCMall and MacMall brands; its full service Linux business unit offering content, community and products under the eLinux brand; and its multi-category Internet retail business under the eCOST.com brand. IdeaMall sells its products using outbound telemarketing, its distinct "clicks and catalogs"' strategy, and marketing on the Web. The company also operates four primary Web sites, http://www.pcmall.com; http://www.macmall.com; http://www.eLinux.com; and http://www.ecost.com to sell products over the Internet. The company is based in Torrance, CA.

About Cofix, Inc.

Cofix, Inc. (http://www.cofix.com) is focused on saving businesses both time and money in managing their technology investments. Cofix's SmartMarketPlace enables businesses to analyze their IT service needs, compare and buy IT services. The core of the SmartMarketPlace is Cofix's SmartMarketEngine, which intelligently matches best offerings from the service providers with the buyers' needs. In addition, Cofix also provides an Application Service Provider (ASP) solution for small and mid size business to track and manage their technology infrastructure and investments. Cofix PowerTools, a suit of asset management tools, enables IT managers and business owners to efficiently organize and track their IT assets. The company is located in Los Gatos, CA. For more information, contact Cofix at 408/364-9700 x 311.