News release

Compaq Launches Enhanced Program for Partner Sales Referrals

To expand its partnership base and deliver services and solutions more broadly into commercial markets, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) has announced a simplified referral program in the United States. The Compaq Referral Program—formerly known as the Compaq Agent Program—compensates a broad base of partners, such as resellers, system integrators, consultants, business associations and other IT professionals, for sales of Compaq products, services and solutions directly resulting from their referrals and recommendations to end customers.

The Compaq Referral Program provides complete fulfillment and back office services that allow partners to focus on their core business. Through this simplified approach, Referral Partners earn commissions by influencing the sale of Compaq products without incurring issues of credit, inventory or related costs. Compaq Referral Partners will receive resources and advantages of the most comprehensive sales referral program in the industry, including pre-sales support, technical support, marketing material, extranet sites, training and online commission statements.

"The Compaq Referral Program makes it easier than ever for a diverse group of partners to generate a revenue stream for influencing sales while giving customers access to the latest products, solutions and services from Compaq," said Dan Vertrees, vice president, Compaq North America Partner Sales and Marketing.

New Compaq Referral Partners

Compaq recently announced that the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) is a member in the Compaq Referral Program. The NBCC represents 64,000 Black owned businesses and provides an advocacy that reaches all 640,000 Black owned businesses. About 190 affiliated chapters are locally based throughout the nation as well as international affiliate chapters based in Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana and Jamaica. Members of the NBCC can access the program at http://www.nationalbcc.org.

In April, Compaq also signed a similar agreement with the 54,000-member Latin Business Association (LBA) in Los Angeles, CA. This organization represents the business interests of more than 440,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in Southern California. LBA members can have access to the program at http://www.lbausa.com.

For more information and to enroll as a partner in the Compaq Referral Program, visit the Compaq Web site at http://www.compaq.com/referral or contact the Compaq Referral Program Office at (888) 887-1890, option 3.

Compaq Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.