CompuCom Partners With Compaq to Deliver New Breed of Support Services.

Business/Technology Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2001

Partnership Demonstrates the Quality of CompuCom's Support as

First Authorized Carepaq Service Provider

CompuCom Systems, Inc., (Nasdaq:CMPC), a leading digital infrastructure solutions provider, today announced a "first-of-kind" partnership with Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) to sell and support the Compaq CarePaq warranty on servers, providing clients with an extended level of service support.

As the first solutions provider to sell and deliver Compaq CarePaq services, CompuCom offers clients a single point-of-contact and the security of a manufacturer-backed warranty. This partnership is expected to minimize downtime for businesses by combining CompuCom's desktop and network outsourcing expertise with the extensive Compaq Carepaq warranty.

Delivered through CompuCom, the Compaq CarePaq offers an upgraded level of support to provide 24 by 7 service, and same day technician dispatch for problem resolution to Compaq customers. Leveraging CompuCom's long history of providing warranty service on a wide range of Compaq products, this new partnership agreement delivers the benefits of a shared "diagnose before dispatch" philosophy, and a mutual commitment to quality to joint customers.

"This agreement demonstrates Compaq's commitment to providing services and solutions with partners to help customers meet their business goals. We chose CompuCom as the first company to deliver service on our CarePaqs because they have an excellent reputation as a support provider, and have demonstrated the ability to evolve and grow with our joint business initiatives. CompuCom also has national service delivery capabilities and a large, satisfied client base, which is critical to the successful delivery of CarePaq support services," said Larry Trichel, Director of North American Customer Services Channel Sales. "More importantly, CompuCom has made training and engineering investments to support this co-delivery model and is committed to its success. "

"This partnership reflects the level of confidence that Compaq has in our ability to deliver services on the CarePaq brand," said Ed Coleman, President and CEO of CompuCom. "By delivering service for Compaq's CarePaq Program, we are extending the scope of our desktop and network outsourcing services, and increasing operational efficiencies for our clients by providing them with a single point of contact. "

In today's IT complex market, this partnership provides Compaq customers with the caliber of service support that only a proven infrastructure services expert such as CompuCom can provide, with the security of a Compaq-backed warranty. CompuCom's "diagnose before dispatch" approach provides Compaq product users with smarter, quicker and more efficient problem resolution, by avoiding dispatching a field technician unnecessarily.

About CompuCom Systems, Inc.

CompuCom Systems, Inc. is a leading digital infrastructure solutions provider. CompuCom's clients include Fortune 1000 enterprises, vertical industry leaders, major technology equipment providers, leading edge systems integrators and wireless technology providers. CompuCom's technology solutions reach more than one million end users a year, helping companies master complex technologies. CompuCom leverages people, process and technology to offer best in class solutions that enable, optimize and operate the digital technology infrastructure. CompuCom is a Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE) partner company, and is accessible via the Internet at www.compucom.com.

Certain statements contained in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, and as a result could have an adverse impact on CompuCom's business, financial condition and operating results. These factors include, among other things, revenue generation, customer acceptance, management of growth and future acquisitions, attraction and retention of key management and technical personnel, competition, vendor's direct marketing initiatives, dependence on vendors and reliance upon vendor programs potential fluctuations in operating results, working capital financing, and the matters discussed in CompuCom's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other public filings and disclosures. Readers should refer to those documents and should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.