INACOM CORP
8-K, 2000-01-07
PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  -------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                 January 4, 2000
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                                  InaCom Corp.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                        0-16114                      47-0681813
(State or other               (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of               File Number               Identification No.)
incorporation)

10810 Farnam Drive, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska                  68154
         (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code
                                 (402) 758-3900

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




<PAGE>

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On January 4, 2000, InaCom Corp. issued a press release announcing that
it had  entered  into an  agreement  for the sale of certain  assets to, and the
assumption  of certain liabilities by, Compaq Computer Corporation.  InaCom  and
Compaq  also  agreed  to enter into a supply and services agreement (attached to
the  purchase  agreement  as  Exhibit C) which will provide InaCom access to the
product  customization  and  logistics capabilities of the assets sold to Compaq
and  provide  for  Compaq's  use of InaCom's lifecycle and professional services
offerings.  Copies of  the purchase agreement and the press release are attached
as exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

    (c)    Exhibits.

           The following exhibits are filed with this Form 8-K:

              2.1   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2000 by
                    and between InaCom Corp. and Compaq Computer Corporation.

             99.1 Press Release dated January 4, 2000.

<PAGE>

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                        INACOM CORP.

January 6, 2000                         /s/ Thomas Fitzpatrick
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Thomas Fitzpatrick
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Finance Officer



                                   EXHIBIT 2.1

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                 January 4, 2000

                                     between

                          COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION,

                                    ITY CORP.

                                       and

                                  INACOM CORP.

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                             ----------------------

                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   Definitions

Section 1.01.  Definitions.....................................................1

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                Purchase and Sale

Section 2.01.  Purchased Assets................................................4
Section 2.02.  Excluded Assets.................................................4
Section 2.03.  Assumed Liabilities.............................................4
Section 2.04.  Excluded Liabilities............................................4
Section 2.05.  Assignment of Contracts and Rights..............................5
Section 2.06.  Purchase Price; Allocation of Purchase Price....................6
Section 2.07.  Closing.........................................................6
Section 2.08.  Closing Statement...............................................7
Section 2.09.  Adjustment of Purchase Price....................................9

                                    ARTICLE 3

                    Representations and Warranties of Seller

Section 3.01.  Corporate Existence and Power..................................11
Section 3.02.  Corporate Authorization........................................11
Section 3.03.  Governmental Authorization.....................................11
Section 3.04.  Noncontravention...............................................12
Section 3.05.  Required and Other Consents....................................12
Section 3.06.  Financial Statements...........................................12
Section 3.07.  Absence of Certain Changes.....................................12
Section 3.08.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities............................14
Section 3.09.  Material Contracts.............................................14
Section 3.10.  Litigation.....................................................15
Section 3.11.  Compliance with Laws and Court Orders..........................16
Section 3.12.  Properties.....................................................16
Section 3.13.  Sufficiency of and Title to the Purchased Assets...............17
Section 3.14.  Intellectual Property..........................................17
Section 3.15.  Licenses and Permits...........................................18
Section 3.16.  Finders' Fees..................................................18
Section 3.17.  Environmental Compliance.......................................19
Section 3.18.  Year 2000 Compliance ..........................................20




<PAGE>

                                                                            Page

Section 3.19.  No Transfer of Substantially All of Seller's Assets............20
Section 3.20.  Financing......................................................21

                                    ARTICLE 4

                     Representations and Warranties of Buyer

Section 4.01.  Corporate Existence and Power..................................21
Section 4.02.  Corporate Authorization........................................21
Section 4.03.  Governmental Authorization.....................................21
Section 4.04.  Noncontravention...............................................22
Section 4.05.  Finders' Fees..................................................22

                                    ARTICLE 5

                               Covenants of Seller

Section 5.01.  Conduct of the Business........................................22
Section 5.02.  Access to Information; Confidentiality.........................23
Section 5.03.  Seller's Sales Personnel.......................................24
Section 5.04.  ICG Alliance...................................................24
Section 5.05.  Leasehold Defaults.............................................24
Section 5.06.  Use of Proceeds................................................24

                                    ARTICLE 6

                               Covenants of Buyer

Section 6.01.  Access.........................................................25
Section 6.02.  Products for Seller's Franchisees..............................25

                                    ARTICLE 7

                          Covenants of Buyer and Seller

Section 7.01.  Further Assurances.............................................25
Section 7.02.  Certain Filings................................................26
Section 7.03.  Public Announcements...........................................26
Section 7.04.  Trademarks; Tradenames.........................................26
Section 7.05.  Warn Act.......................................................27
Section 7.06.  Notices of Certain Events......................................27
Section 7.07. Operating Agreements............................................27

<PAGE>

                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                   Tax Matters

Section 8.01.  Tax Definitions................................................28
Section 8.02.  Tax Matters....................................................28
Section 8.03.  Tax Cooperation; Allocation of Taxes...........................28

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                Employee Benefits

Section 9.01.  Employee Benefits Representations..............................30
Section 9.02.  Employees and Offers of Employment.............................31
Section 9.03.  Seller's Employee Benefit Plans................................32
Section 9.04.  Buyer Benefit Plans............................................34
Section 9.05.  Inactive Employees.............................................35
Section 9.06.  Severance Benefits.............................................35
Section 9.07.  COBRA..........................................................36
Section 9.08.  Continuation of Certain Administrative Services and
                  Insurance Coverage..........................................36
Section 9.09.  Short Term Disability..........................................37
Section 9.10.  Foreign Benefit Plans..........................................37
Section 9.11.  Cooperation....................................................38
Section 9.12.  No Third Party Beneficiaries...................................38

                                   ARTICLE 10

                              Conditions to Closing

Section 10.01.  Conditions to Obligations of each Party.......................39
Section 10.02.  Conditions to Obligation of Buyer.............................39
Section 10.03.  Conditions to Obligation of Seller............................40

                                   ARTICLE 11

                            Survival; Indemnification

Section 11.01.  Survival......................................................41
Section 11.02.  Indemnification...............................................41
Section 11.03.  Procedures....................................................42

<PAGE>

                                                                            Page

                                   ARTICLE 12

                                   Termination

Section 12.01.  Grounds for Termination.......................................42
Section 12.02.  Effect of Termination.........................................43

                                   ARTICLE 13

                                  Miscellaneous

Section 13.01.  Notices.......................................................43
Section 13.02.  Amendments and Waivers........................................44
Section 13.03.  Fees and Expenses.............................................45
Section 13.04.  Successors and Assigns........................................45
Section 13.05.  Governing Law.................................................45
Section 13.06.  Jurisdiction..................................................45
Section 13.07.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..........................................45
Section 13.08.  Counterparts; Third Party Beneficiaries.......................46
Section 13.09.  Entire Agreement..............................................46
Section 13.10.  Bulk Sales Laws...............................................46
Section 13.11.  Parent Guarantee..............................................46
Section 13.12.  Schedules.....................................................46




<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     ASSET  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  dated as of January 4, 2000
among Compaq Computer Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Parent") (solely for
purposes of Section  13.11),  ITY Corp.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Buyer") and
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Parent,  and InaCom Corp.,  a Delaware  corporation
("Seller").

         The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   Definitions

         Section 1.01.  Definitions.

          (a) The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

         "affiliate"  means,  with  respect  to any  person,  any  other  person
directly or indirectly controlling,  controlled by, or under common control with
such other person.

         "Business" has the meaning set forth in Schedule 1.01.

         "Lien"  means,  with  respect to any property or asset,  any  mortgage,
lien, pledge, charge,  security interest,  encumbrance or other adverse claim of
any kind in respect of such property or asset.

         "knowledge"  means (i) with  respect  to  Seller  (A) for  purposes  of
Section 5.01,  the actual  knowledge of Gerald  Gagliardi,  Jon Wellman,  Thomas
Fitzpatrick,  Bill  Fairfield,  William Janeway or Dick Anderson and (B) for all
other purposes,  the actual knowledge of Gerald Gagliardi,  Jon Wellman,  Thomas
Fitzpatrick,  Bill Fairfield,  William Janeway,  David Guenthner,  Mike Steffan,
Dick Oshlo or Dick  Anderson;  and (ii) with  respect to any other  person,  the
actual knowledge of such person.

         "Material  Adverse  Effect"  means a  material  adverse  effect  on the
condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets or results of operations of
the Business or the Purchased  Assets and Assumed  Liabilities,  except any such
effect  resulting  from or arising in  connection  with (i)  changes in economic
conditions in the United States generally,  (ii) changes or conditions affecting
the computer products or services industry  generally or (iii) changes resulting
from any adverse

<PAGE>

action  taken by any  customer or  supplier  of the  Business as a result of the
announcement of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, provided
that Seller has used reasonable best efforts to maintain its  relationship  with
such customer or supplier, and has notified Buyer about such adverse action.

         "person"  means  an  individual,   corporation,   partnership,  limited
liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including
a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

         "subsidiary"  means,  with  respect to any person,  any entity of which
securities or other ownership  interests having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions
are at any time directly or indirectly owned by such person.

          (b) A reference  in this  Agreement  to any  statute  shall be to such
statute  as  amended  from  time  to  time  and to  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

          (c) Each of the  following  terms is defined in the  Section set forth
opposite such term:

Term                                                               Section

- ----                                                               -------
Accounting Referee                                                   2.06
Agreement                                                          preamble
Apportioned Obligations                                              8.03
Assumed Liabilities                                                  2.03
Balance Sheet                                                        2.08
Balance Sheet Date                                                   3.07
Base Net Worth                                                       2.09
Business Employees                                                   9.02
Business Intellectual                                                3.14
Business Trademarks and Tradenames                                   7.04
Buyer                                                              preamble
Buyer 401(k) Plans                                                   9.03
Closing                                                              2.07
Closing Date                                                         2.07
Closing Net Worth                                                    2.08
Closing Plan Year                                                    9.03
Closing Statement                                                    2.08
Code                                                                 8.01
Confidentiality Agreement                                            5.02
Configuration Employee                                               9.02
Contracts                                                            2.01




<PAGE>

Term                                                               Section

- ----                                                               -------
Damages                                                             11.02
Employee Plan                                                        9.01
ERISA                                                                9.01
ERISA Affiliate                                                      9.01
Excess Payment                                                       2.09
Exchange Agreement                                                   3.03
Excluded Assets                                                      2.02
Excluded Liabilities                                                 2.04
Final Net Worth                                                      2.09
HSR Act                                                              3.03
Inactive Business Employee                                           9.05
Indemnified Party                                                   11.03
Indemnifying Party                                                  11.03
Intellectual Property Rights                                         3.14
IT Employee                                                          9.02
Make-Up Payment                                                      2.09
Marketing Employee                                                   9.02
Other Consents                                                       3.05
Parent                                                             preamble
Permits                                                              3.15
Permitted Liens                                                      3.12
Post-Closing Tax Period                                              8.03
Pre-Closing Tax Period                                               8.01
Property Rights                                                      3.14
Purchased Assets                                                     2.01
Purchase Price                                                       2.06
Real Property                                                        3.12
Required Consents                                                    3.05
Seller                                                             preamble
Seller 401(k) Plans                                                  9.01
Seller FSA                                                           9.04
Seller Indebtedness                                                  3.20
Tax                                                                  8.01
Tax Allocation Statement                                             2.06
Taxing Authority                                                     8.01
Transfer Taxes                                                       8.03
Transferred Employee                                                 9.02
WARN Act                                                             7.05





<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                Purchase and Sale

         Section  2.01.  Purchased  Assets.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in
Sections  2.02  and  2.05  and  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  Buyer  agrees to  purchase  from  Seller and Seller  agrees to sell,
convey,   transfer,   assign  and  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  sold,  conveyed,
transferred,  assigned and delivered,  to Buyer at the Closing, all right, title
and interest of Seller and its subsidiaries in, to and under

          (a)  the  assets,   properties   and  business,   of  every  kind  and
description,  held or used primarily in connection with the Business as the same
shall exist on the Closing Date, and

          (b) the assets,  properties and businesses  described on Schedule 2.01
(the items in clauses (a) and (b) collectively, the "Purchased Assets"),

in the case of tangible  Purchased  Assets,  free and clear of all Liens,  other
than Permitted Liens and Liens disclosed on Schedule 3.12(b).

         Section 2.02. Excluded Assets.  Notwithstanding anything else contained
in this Agreement,  the Purchased Assets shall not include all right,  title and
interest of Seller and its subsidiaries in, to and under the assets,  properties
and businesses described on Schedule 2.02 (such excluded assets,  properties and
businesses being referred to as the "Excluded Assets").

         Section  2.03.  Assumed  Liabilities.  Except as otherwise  provided in
Section 2.04 and subject to the terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,  Buyer
agrees,  effective as of Closing,  to assume all  liabilities  or obligations of
Seller and its subsidiaries of any kind, character or description (whether known
or unknown, accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)

          (a)  primarily  relating  to or  arising  out  of the  conduct  of the
Business or the ownership or use of the Purchased Assets, or

          (b)  described on Schedule 2.03 or to be assumed by Buyer in Article 8
or  Article 9 (the  items in  clauses  (a) and (b)  collectively,  the  "Assumed
Liabilities").

          Section  2.04.  Excluded  Liabilities.  Notwithstanding  anything else
contained in this  Agreement,  Buyer is not assuming any liability or obligation
of Seller or any of its  subsidiaries  (or any predecessor  thereof or any prior
owner of all or part of any of  their  businesses,  properties  and  assets)  of
whatever nature,

<PAGE>

whether presently in existence or arising hereafter,  known or unknown, accrued,
absolute,  contingent or otherwise,  other than the Assumed  Liabilities and, in
any event, Buyer is not assuming any of the following:

          (a)  except  as  provided  in  Article  8  with  respect   Apportioned
Obligations and transfer taxes,  any liability or obligation for Taxes of Seller
or any of  its  subsidiaries  or any  member  of any  consolidated,  affiliated,
combined or unitary group of which Seller or any of its  subsidiaries  is or has
been a member, arising on or prior to the Closing Date;

          (b) except to the extent  provided  in Article 9, all  liabilities  or
obligations relating to employees or their compensation or benefits;

          (c) any liability or obligation  under any  indebtedness  for borrowed
money  (other than in respect of the  Agreement  for  Wholesale  Financing  with
Deutsche  Financial  Services Corp. dated as of December 24, 1998, as amended on
May 25, 1999 and December 23, 1999);

          (d)   any liability or obligation described on Schedule 2.04;

          (e)   any liability or obligation relating to Excluded Assets; and

          (f) any  liability  or  obligation  arising  under or  relating to any
Environmental Law which does not primarily relate to or arise out of the conduct
of the Business or the ownership or use of the Purchased Assets.

All such  liabilities  and  obligations  not  being  assumed  by Buyer  shall be
retained  by  and  remain   liabilities   and  obligations  of  Seller  and  its
subsidiaries (the "Excluded Liabilities").

         Section  2.05.  Assignment  of Contracts  and Rights.  Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,  this Agreement shall not constitute
an  agreement  to assign any  Purchased  Asset or any right or  benefit  arising
thereunder  or  resulting  therefrom  if an  attempted  assignment,  without the
consent  of  a  third  party  thereto,   would  constitute  a  breach  or  other
contravention  thereof  or in any way  adversely  affect  the rights of Buyer or
Seller or their  affiliates  thereunder.  Buyer and Seller  will use  reasonable
efforts (but  without any payment of money) to obtain any  required  consents to
the assignment of the Purchased Assets to Buyer as Buyer may reasonably request.
If such consent is not obtained,  or if an attempted assignment thereof would be
ineffective or would adversely affect the rights  thereunder so that Buyer would
not in fact  receive  all such  rights,  Seller  and Buyer will  cooperate  in a
mutually agreeable arrangement under which Buyer

<PAGE>

would obtain the benefits and assume the  obligations  thereunder  in accordance
with this Agreement.

         Section 2.06.  Purchase Price;  Allocation of Purchase  Price.  (a) The
purchase price for the Purchased Assets (the "Purchase Price") is $369.5 million
in cash.  The Purchase Price shall be paid as provided in Section 2.07 and shall
be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.09.

          (b) As soon as practicable  after the  determination  of the Final Net
Worth,  the Buyer shall deliver to the Seller a statement  (the "Tax  Allocation
Statement"), allocating the Purchase Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.09
(plus  Assumed  Liabilities,  to the extent  properly  taken into account  under
Section 1060 of the Code) among the Purchased  Assets in accordance with Section
1060 of the Code.  If within 30 days after the  delivery  of the Tax  Allocation
Statement  the Seller  notifies the Buyer in writing that the Seller  objects to
the  allocation  set forth in the Tax  Allocation  Statement,  the Buyer and the
Seller shall use commercially  reasonable efforts to resolve such dispute within
30 days.  In the event that the Buyer and the Seller are unable to resolve  such
dispute  within  30 days,  the  Buyer  and the  Seller  shall  jointly  retain a
nationally  recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Referee") to resolve the
disputed items. Upon resolution of the disputed items, the allocation  reflected
on the Tax Allocation  Statement  shall be adjusted to reflect such  resolution.
The costs, fees and expenses of the Accounting Referee shall be borne equally by
Buyer and Seller.

          (c)  Seller  and  Buyer  agree to (i) be  bound by the Tax  Allocation
Statement and (ii) act in accordance  with the Tax  Allocation  Statement in the
preparation, filing and audit of any Tax return.

          (d) Not later  than 30 days  prior to the  filing of their  respective
Forms 8594 relating to this  transaction,  each party shall deliver to the other
party a copy of its Form 8594.

          Section 2.07. Closing. The closing (the "Closing") of the purchase and
sale of the  Purchased  Assets and the  assumption  of the  Assumed  Liabilities
hereunder  shall  take  place at the  offices  of  Davis  Polk &  Wardwell,  450
Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, as soon as possible, but in no event later
than 10 business days, after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article
10, or at such other time or place as Buyer and Seller may agree. "Closing Date"
means the date of the Closing. At the Closing:

          (a) Buyer shall  deliver to Seller the Purchase  Price in  immediately
available funds by wire transfer to an account of Seller with a bank in New York

<PAGE>

City designated by Seller,  by notice to Buyer,  not later than three days prior
to the Closing Date,

          (b) Seller and Buyer shall  enter into an  Assignment  and  Assumption
Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and

          (c)  Seller  shall  deliver  to  Buyer  such  deeds,  bills  of  sale,
assignments  and  other  good  and  sufficient  instruments  of  conveyance  and
assignment as the parties and their  respective  counsel  shall deem  reasonably
necessary  to vest in Buyer all  right,  title and  interest  of Seller  and its
subsidiaries  in,  to and  under  the  Purchased  Assets.  Such  instruments  of
conveyance and assignment  shall not contain any  representation  or warranty or
covenant in addition to those contained herein; nor shall the parties' rights or
obligations thereunder be different from those contained herein.

         Section 2.08. Closing Statement.  (a) As promptly as practicable but in
no event later than 30 days after the Closing Date,  Seller will close its books
and records relating to the Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities in order to
permit  Buyer to prepare the  Closing  Statement.  As  promptly  as  practicable
thereafter  but no later  than 60 days  after  the  closing  of such  books  and
records,  Buyer  will cause to be  prepared  and  delivered  to Seller a closing
statement of Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities (the "Closing  Statement")
together  with  a  report  of  Buyer's  independent  accountant  thereon,  and a
certificate based on such Closing Statement setting forth Buyer's calculation of
Closing Net Worth. The Closing  Statement shall (x) fairly present the Purchased
Assets and Assumed  Liabilities  as at the close of business on the Closing Date
in accordance with U.S.  generally accepted  accounting  principles applied on a
basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the audited balance sheet
of Seller included in Seller's  Supplemental  Consolidated  Financial Statements
included  in  Seller's  report on Form 8-K/A  dated  March 3, 1999 (the  "Seller
8-K"),  (y) be prepared in  accordance  with  accounting  policies and practices
consistent with those used in the  preparation of such financial  statements and
(z) include line items  substantially  consistent with those in the statement of
Purchased Assets and Assumed  Liabilities as of November 27, 1999 referred to in
Section 3.06 (the "Balance Sheet").  "Closing Net Worth" means the excess of the
book  value  of the  Purchased  Assets  over  the  book  value  of  the  Assumed
Liabilities as reflected on the Closing  Statement.  The Closing Statement shall
exclude:  (i) all assets that in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting
principles  would  be  classified  as  intangible  assets,  including,   without
limitation,  goodwill,  patents,  trademarks,  deferred expenses and unamortized
debt discount;  (ii) all liabilities for which Buyer is indemnified  pursuant to
this Agreement and the receivable arising from such indemnification  obligation;
and (iii) the effect (including the Tax effect) of any act, event or transaction
occurring after the Closing (but prior to the close of

<PAGE>

business on the Closing Date) and not in the ordinary  course of business of the
Business.  For  purposes of the Closing  Statement,  the amount of any  accounts
payable due to, or any accounts  receivable  due from,  Buyer or its  affiliates
will be  determined  by  agreement  between  Buyer and  Seller,  or absent  such
agreement,  through  arbitration.  In auditing  the Closing  Statement,  Buyer's
independent  accountant will follow generally  accepted  auditing  standards and
such other procedures as are customary including,  as appropriate,  conducting a
physical inventory and verifying third party receivables and payables.

          (b) If Seller disagrees with Buyer's  calculation of Closing Net Worth
delivered pursuant to Section 2.08(a), Seller may, within 30 days after delivery
of the  documents  referred  to in  Section  2.08(a),  deliver a notice to Buyer
disagreeing with such calculation and setting forth Seller's calculation of such
amount.  Any such notice of disagreement shall specify those items or amounts as
to which  Seller  disagrees,  and Seller shall be deemed to have agreed with all
other items and amounts  contained in the Closing  Statement and the calculation
of Closing Net Worth delivered pursuant to Section 2.08(a).

          (c) If a notice of  disagreement  shall be duly delivered  pursuant to
Section  2.08(b),  Buyer and Seller  shall,  during the 15 days  following  such
delivery,  use their  reasonable  commercial  efforts to reach  agreement on the
disputed items or amounts in order to determine,  as may be required, the amount
of Closing Net Worth,  which  amount  shall not be less than the amount  thereof
shown in Buyer's  calculations  delivered  pursuant to Section  2.08(a) nor more
than the amount  thereof  shown in Seller's  calculation  delivered  pursuant to
Section  2.08(b).  If during such  period,  Buyer and Seller are unable to reach
such  agreement,  they shall promptly  thereafter  cause the Accounting  Referee
promptly  to review this  Agreement  and the  disputed  items or amounts for the
purpose of  calculating  Closing  Net Worth.  In making  such  calculation,  the
Accounting  Referee  shall  consider  only those items or amounts in the Closing
Statement  or Buyer's  calculation  of Closing Net Worth as to which  Seller has
disagreed. The Accounting Referee shall deliver to Buyer and Seller, as promptly
as practicable,  a report setting forth such  calculation.  Such report shall be
final and  binding  upon Buyer and  Seller.  The cost of such  review and report
shall be borne  (i) by Buyer if the  difference  between  Final  Net  Worth  and
Closing  Net Worth as set forth in  Buyer's  calculation  of  Closing  Net Worth
delivered  pursuant to Section  2.08(a) is greater than the  difference  between
Final Net Worth and Closing Net Worth as set forth in  Seller's  calculation  of
Closing Net Worth delivered  pursuant to Section 2.08(b),  (ii) by Seller if the
first  such  difference  is less  than the  second  such  difference  and  (iii)
otherwise equally by Buyer and Seller. "Final Net Worth" means Closing Net Worth
(x) as shown in Buyer's calculation  delivered pursuant to Section 2.08(a) if no
notice of  disagreement  with  respect  thereto is duly  delivered  pursuant  to
Section 2.08(b); or (y) if such a notice of disagreement is

<PAGE>

delivered,  (A) as agreed by Buyer and Seller pursuant to Section 2.08(c) or (B)
in  the  absence  of  such  agreement,  as  shown  in the  Accounting  Referee's
calculation  delivered  pursuant to Section  2.08(c);  provided that in no event
shall  Final Net Worth be less than  Buyer's  calculation  of Closing  Net Worth
delivered  pursuant  to Section  2.08(a) or more than  Seller's  calculation  of
Closing Net Worth delivered pursuant to Section 2.08(b).

          (d) Buyer and Seller  agree that they will,  and agree to cause  their
respective  independent  accountants to, cooperate and assist in the preparation
of the Closing  Statement  and the  calculation  of Closing Net Worth and in the
conduct of the audits and reviews  referred to in this Section  2.08,  including
without  limitation,  the making  available  to the extent  necessary  of books,
records, work papers and personnel.

         Section 2.09.  Adjustment of Purchase Price.  (a) The parties will make
payments as follows:

          (i) If Final Net Worth  exceeds  $335.9  million,  Buyer  shall pay to
         Seller,  in the manner and with  interest as  provided  in 2.09(b),  an
         amount equal to such excess (the "Excess Payment").

         (ii) If Final Net Worth is less than $335.9  million,  Seller shall pay
         to Buyer,  in the  manner  and with  interest  as  provided  in Section
         2.09(b), an amount equal to the sum of

                       (A) the lesser of (x) $19.5  million  and (y) 110% of the
                  excess of $335.9 million over Final Net Worth, and

                       (B) the excess,  if any, of $275  million  over Final Net
                  Worth (the "Make-Up Payment").

          (b) Any payment  pursuant to Section  2.09(a)  shall be made within 10
days after  determination  of Final Net Worth (the "Final  Payment Date") by the
paying  party  causing  such  payment  to be  credited  to such  account  of the
receiving party as may be designated by such receiving  party. The amount of any
payment to be made  pursuant to this Section 2.09 shall bear  interest  from and
including  the Closing Date to but  excluding  the date of payment at a rate per
annum   equal  to  LIBOR  plus  1.0%.   For  these   purposes,   "LIBOR"   means
"USD-LIBOR-ISDA"  (as  defined  in the 1991 ISDA  Definitions  published  by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association) with a "Designated Maturity" of
one month under such  definition  and reset every month.  Such interest shall be
payable  at the  same  time as the  payment  to which it  relates  and  shall be
calculated  daily on the  basis of a year of 365 days and the  actual  number of
days elapsed.

<PAGE>

         Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the  contrary,  the parties  agree
that:

          (i) All payments  pursuant  Section  2.09(a)  shall be made in cash or
         other immediately  available funds except as provided in clause (ii) or
         (iii) below.

         (ii) The Excess Payment shall,  at the option of Buyer,  be paid in (A)
         accounts  receivable  that are, as of the Final  Payment  Date,  not in
         dispute and not aged over 60 days and are valued on a basis  consistent
         with the Closing Statement or inventory that has been received from the
         original  manufacturer  no longer  than three  weeks prior to the Final
         Payment Date and valued at the lower of cost or market  (including  any
         purchase price protection  received  thereon),  in each case that would
         have  otherwise  constituted  Purchased  Assets or otherwise  arises in
         connection  with the Business  after the  Closing,  (B) cash or (C) any
         combination  thereof. To the extent that any such items are transferred
         to Seller, they shall be treated as Excluded Assets.

        (iii) The Make-Up  Payment  shall,  at the option of Seller,  be paid in
         Specified Current Assets, cash or any combination  thereof.  "Specified
         Current Assets" means, in each case free and clear of all Liens,

                           (x) accounts receivable that (A) are, as of the Final
                  Payment  Date,  not in dispute and not aged over 60 days,  (B)
                  are not accounts  receivable  due from IBM,  Hewlett  Packard,
                  Dell or Toshiba and (C) are valued on a basis  consistent with
                  the Closing Statement, or

                           (y) product  inventory  that (A) has been received by
                  Seller  from the  original  manufacturer  no longer than three
                  weeks prior to the Final Payment Date, (B) is not IBM, Hewlett
                  Packard,  Dell or Toshiba  inventory  and (C) is valued at the
                  lower  of  cost  or  market   (including  any  purchase  price
                  protection received thereon).

         During the 60-day period after the Final  Payment Date,  Buyer will use
         reasonable and customary  efforts to collect such  receivables and sell
         such inventory in the ordinary  course of business.  At the end of such
         period,  Seller  will pay to Buyer in cash the  excess,  if any, of the
         Make-Up Payment (less the amount of such payment made in cash) over the
         amounts  actually  realized by Buyer from such accounts  receivable and
         inventory  not to exceed the value used in making the Make-Up  Payment.
         Buyer shall assign such unsold inventory and uncollected accounts

<PAGE>

         receivable  to Seller.  Buyer  shall not waive any rights  against  the
         account debtor in respect of any accounts receivable so assigned.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                    Representations and Warranties of Seller

         Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as of the date hereof and as of
the Closing Date that:

         Section 3.01.  Corporate  Existence and Power.  Seller is a corporation
duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all  corporate  powers and all  material  governmental
licenses,  authorizations,  permits, consents and approvals required to carry on
its  business as now  conducted.  Seller is duly  qualified  to do business as a
foreign  corporation  and is in good  standing in each  jurisdiction  where such
qualification is necessary,  except for such matters as would not,  individually
or in the  aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Seller has  heretofore
delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of the certificate of  incorporation
and bylaws of Seller as currently in effect.

         Section 3.02.  Corporate  Authorization.  The  execution,  delivery and
performance by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby are  within  Seller's  corporate  powers and have been duly
authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action  on the  part of  Seller.  This
Agreement  constitutes  a valid and binding  agreement of Seller.  In connection
with the  authorization  of this Agreement,  the Seller's Board of Directors has
received an opinion of Goldman, Sachs & Co. to the effect that the consideration
to be paid pursuant to this  Agreement is fair to Seller from a financial  point
of view.

         Section  3.03.  Governmental  Authorization.  Except  as set  forth  in
Schedule  3.03,  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  by  Seller of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby require
no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental  body, agency or
official  other than (i)  compliance  with any  applicable  requirements  of the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"); (ii) any
actions  or  filings  which,  if not taken or made,  would  not have a  Material
Adverse  Effect  or  materially  adversely  affect  the  ability  of  Seller  to
consummate on the  transactions  contemplated  hereby;  and (iii) any filings or
notices not required to be made or given until after the Closing Date.

<PAGE>

         Section 3.04.  Noncontravention.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.04,
the  execution,  delivery and  performance  by Seller of this  Agreement and the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby do not and will not (i)
violate the  certificate  of  incorporation  or bylaws of Seller,  (ii) assuming
compliance with the matters referred to in Section 3.03,  violate any law, rule,
regulation,  judgment, injunction, order or decree, (iii) assuming the obtaining
of all Required and Other  Consents,  constitute a default under or give rise to
any  right  of  termination,  cancellation  or  acceleration  of  any  right  or
obligation or to a loss of any benefit relating to the Business or the Purchased
Assets or Assumed  Liabilities  to which  Seller or any of its  subsidiaries  is
entitled under any agreement or other  instrument or (iv) result in the creation
or imposition of any Lien on any Purchased Asset, except, in the case of clauses
(ii),  (iii) and (iv),  for such  matters as would not have a  Material  Adverse
Effect.

         Section 3.05.  Required and Other Consents.  (a) Schedule  3.05(a) sets
forth each  agreement  or other  instrument  binding  upon  Seller or any of its
subsidiaries or any Permit  requiring a consent or other action by any person as
a result of the execution,  delivery and performance of this  Agreement,  except
such consents or actions as would not, individually or in the aggregate,  have a
Material  Adverse  Effect  if not  received  or taken by the  Closing  Date (the
"Required Consents").

          (b) Schedule  3.05(b)  sets forth each other  consent or action by any
person (the "Other  Consents")  under such  agreements or other  instruments  or
Permits  that  is  necessary  with  respect  to  the  execution,   delivery  and
performance of this Agreement.

         Section 3.06. Financial Statements.  The November 27, 1999 statement of
Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities attached hereto as Schedule 3.06 fairly
presents  the  Purchased  Assets  and  Assumed  Liabilities  as at such  date in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
consistent  with those used in the  preparation of the audited  balance sheet of
Seller  included  in the Seller  8-K.  The  revenues,  gross  margins,  pre-coop
selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  and  earnings  before taxes for
Company  42/Distribution-Operations  business  for each month in the nine months
ended September 25, 1999 fairly present such items in all material respects on a
consistent basis.

         Section  3.07.  Absence  of Certain  Changes.  Except as  disclosed  on
Schedule 3.07,  since November 30, 1999 (the "Balance Sheet Date") or, after the
date hereof, in respect of transactions required by this Agreement, the Business
has been  conducted in the ordinary  course  consistent  with past practices and
there has not been:

<PAGE>

          (a) any event,  occurrence,  development or state of  circumstances or
facts which has had or could reasonably be expected to have,  individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

          (b) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
distribution  with  respect  to any shares of  capital  stock of Seller,  or any
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by Seller or any of its subsidiaries
of any  outstanding  shares of capital stock or other equity  securities  of, or
other ownership interests in, Seller or any of its subsidiaries;

          (c) any  incurrence,  assumption  or guarantee by Seller or any of its
subsidiaries  of any  indebtedness  for borrowed  money that will  constitute an
Assumed Liability;

          (d) any  creation  or other  incurrence  of any Lien on any  Purchased
Asset  other  than in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with past
practices;

          (e) any damage,  destruction  or other  casualty  loss (whether or not
covered by  insurance)  affecting  the  Business or any  Purchased  Asset which,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  has had or could  reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (f) any  transaction or commitment  made, or any contract or agreement
entered into, by Seller or any of its  subsidiaries  relating to the Business or
any Purchased Asset  (including the acquisition or disposition of any assets) or
any relinquishment by Seller or any of its subsidiaries of any contract or other
right, in either case,  material to the Business or Purchased Assets and Assumed
Liabilities,  other than  transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of
business   consistent  with  past  practices  and  those  contemplated  by  this
Agreement;

          (g) any change in any method of accounting  or accounting  practice by
Seller with  respect to the  Business,  except for any such  change  required by
reason of a concurrent change in generally accepted accounting principles;

          (h) any increase in  compensation  payable to any  Business  Employee,
other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; or

          (i)  any  material  labor  dispute,   other  than  routine  individual
grievances,  or any activity or  proceeding  by a labor union or  representative
thereof to organize any Business  Employees,  which Business  Employees were not
subject to a collective  bargaining  agreement at the Balance Sheet Date, or any
material lockouts,  strikes,  slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or
with respect to Business Employees.

<PAGE>

         Section  3.08.  No  Undisclosed  Material  Liabilities.  There  are  no
liabilities  or  obligations  of the  Business  of any  kind  (whether  known or
unknown,  accrued,  contingent,  absolute or otherwise)  that will constitute an
Assumed  Liability  and  there is no  existing  condition,  situation  or set of
circumstances  which could reasonably be expected to result in such a liability,
other than:

          (a)   liabilities or obligations provided for in the Balance Sheet or
disclosed in the notes thereto;

          (b)   liabilities disclosed on Schedule 3.08; and

          (c)  liabilities  or  obligations  incurred in the ordinary  course of
business  consistent  with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date,  which in
the aggregate are not material to the Business.

         Section 3.09. Material Contracts.  (a) Except as disclosed in Schedules
3.09, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15 or 9.01,  neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is a
party to or bound by any of the  following  agreements  that will  constitute  a
Purchased Asset or an Assumed Liability:

              (i) any lease of  personal  property  (other  than  forklifts  and
         related  equipment)  providing for annual rentals of $50,000 or more or
         any lease of real property;

              (ii)  any  agreement  committing  Seller  to  purchase  materials,
         supplies,  goods,  services,  equipment or other assets  providing  for
         either (A)  annual  payments  by Seller of $100  million or more or (B)
         aggregate payments by Seller of $200 million or more;

              (iii) any agreement committing Seller to sell materials, supplies,
         goods,  services,  equipment or other assets  providing  for either (A)
         annual  payments  to Seller  of $50  million  or more or (B)  aggregate
         payments to Seller of $100 million or more;

              (iv) any partnership,  joint venture or other similar agreement or
         arrangement;

              (v) any  agreement  relating  to the  prospective  acquisition  or
         disposition of any business (whether by merger,  sale of stock, sale of
         assets or otherwise);

<PAGE>

              (vi) any agreement  relating to indebtedness for borrowed money or
         the  deferred  purchase  price of  property  (in either  case,  whether
         incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset), except any such
         agreement  (A)  with an  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  not
         exceeding $10 million and which may be prepaid on not more than 30 days
         notice  without  the  payment  of any  penalty  and  (B)  entered  into
         subsequent  to the  date of this  Agreement  as  permitted  by  Section
         3.07(c);

              (vii) any option, license, franchise or similar agreement;

              (viii) any sales agency,  dealer, sales representative,  marketing
         or other similar  agreement  that, in the  aggregate,  accounted for at
         least 80% of Seller's revenues from resellers for the nine months ended
         September 25, 1999;

              (ix) any agreement that limits the freedom of Seller or any of its
         subsidiaries  to compete in any line of  business or with any person or
         in any area or to own,  operate,  sell,  transfer,  pledge or otherwise
         dispose of or encumber any Purchased  Asset or which would so limit the
         freedom of Buyer after the Closing Date;

              (x)  any  agreement  with  or for  the  benefit  of  any  officer,
         director, 5% or more shareholder or affiliate of Seller; or

              (xi) any other agreement, commitment, arrangement or plan not made
         in the ordinary course of business that is material to the Business.

          (b) Each  agreement  disclosed  in any  Schedule to this  Agreement or
required  to be  disclosed  pursuant  to this  Section  is a valid  and  binding
agreement  of Seller and is in full force and effect,  and none of Seller or any
of its subsidiaries  or, to the knowledge of Seller,  any other party thereto is
in  default  or  breach  in any  material  respect  under  the terms of any such
agreement,  and,  to the  knowledge  of  Seller,  no event or  circumstance  has
occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both,  would constitute any event
of  default  thereunder,  except  for such  matters as would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.  True and complete copies of each such agreement,  including all
amendments and modifications thereto, have been delivered to Buyer.

         Section 3.10.  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10, there
is no action,  suit,  investigation  or proceeding  pending  against,  or to the
knowledge  of Seller,  threatened  against or  affecting,  the  Business  or any
Purchased Asset before any court or arbitrator or any governmental  body, agency
or official which would

<PAGE>

reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.11.  Compliance  with Laws and Court  Orders.  Except as set
forth  in  Schedule  3.11,  neither  Seller  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is in
violation of, or has violated, any applicable law, rule,  regulation,  judgment,
injunction, order or decree applicable to the Purchased Assets or the conduct of
the  Business,  except for such  matters as would  not,  individually  or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.12. Properties. (a) Schedule 3.12(a) correctly lists all real
property  used or held  primarily in  connection  with the  Business,  including
leasehold  interests  (the "Real  Property"),  and any Liens thereon (other than
Permitted Liens or Liens disclosed on Schedule 3.12(b)),  specifying in the case
of leases or subleases, the name of the lessor or sublessor.

          (b) Seller has good and marketable, indefeasible, fee simple title to,
or in the case of leased  property,  valid leasehold  interests in, all tangible
Purchased Assets (whether real, personal or otherwise)  reflected on the Balance
Sheet or acquired after the Balance Sheet Date, except for properties and assets
sold since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business  consistent
with past practices. No tangible Purchased Asset is subject to any Lien, except:

          (i)   Liens disclosed on Schedule 3.12(b);

         (ii)   Liens securing Assumed Liabilities; or

        (iii)  Liens  that do not  materially  detract  from  the  value of such
       Purchased Asset, or materially interfere with any present or intended use
       of such  Purchased  Asset  (clauses (ii) - (iii) of this Section  3.12(b)
       are, collectively, the "Permitted Liens").

          (c) There are no  developments  affecting any of the Purchased  Assets
pending or, to the knowledge of Seller  threatened,  which are reasonably likely
to materially detract from the value,  materially  interfere with any present or
intended use or materially  adversely affect the marketability of such Purchased
Assets.

          (d) Except for the Excluded  Assets,  the Real  Property  includes all
real property as is used or held primarily in connection with the conduct of the
business and operations of the Business as heretofore conducted.

          (e) Except as disclosed in Schedule  3.12 and except as would not have
a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the plants, buildings, structures and equipment

<PAGE>

included  in the  Purchased  Assets  have  no  defects,  are in  good  operating
condition  and  repair  and have  been  reasonably  maintained  consistent  with
standards  generally followed in the industry (giving due account to the age and
length  of use of same,  ordinary  wear and tear  excepted),  are  adequate  and
suitable  for  their  present  and  intended  uses and,  in the case of  plants,
buildings  and  other  structures  (including,  without  limitation,  the  roofs
thereof),  are  structurally  sound;  (ii)  none of the  structures  on the Real
Property  encroaches upon real property of another  person,  and no structure of
any other person encroaches upon any Real Property; (iii) the Real Property, and
its  continued  use,  occupancy and  operation as currently  used,  occupied and
operated, does not constitute a nonconforming use under all applicable building,
zoning,  subdivision  and  other  land use and  similar  laws,  regulations  and
ordinances;  and (iv)  there  has been no  actual  or,  to  Seller's  knowledge,
threatened  taking of all or any portion of the Real Property by eminent  domain
or similar  governmental  power,  and no condemnation  proceedings are currently
pending or, to Seller's knowledge, threatened with respect to the Real Property.

         Section 3.13.  Sufficiency  of and Title to the Purchased  Assets.  (a)
Except for the Excluded  Assets,  the  Purchased  Assets  constitute  all of the
property and assets used or held  primarily in connection  with the Business and
are adequate to conduct the Business as currently conducted.

          (b) Upon consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby, Buyer
will have acquired  good and  marketable  title in and to, or a valid  leasehold
interest (on the terms of the existing agreement as in effect on the date hereof
assuming  that the subject  asset is used in the same manner as it is  currently
used by Seller) in, each of the tangible Purchased Assets, free and clear of all
Liens,  except for Permitted Liens and Liens disclosed in Schedule 3.12(b),  and
all of the right,  title and interest of Seller and its  subsidiaries  in and to
any intangible Purchased Assets.

         Section 3.14.  Intellectual  Property.  Except for the Excluded Assets,
Seller and its  subsidiaries  have  sufficient  rights to use,  whether  through
ownership, licensing or otherwise, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names,  copyrights,  trade secrets,  processes and other proprietary rights that
are necessary for the Business as now conducted  (collectively the "Intellectual
Property  Rights").  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, none of Seller or any
of its  subsidiaries  has assigned,  hypothecated  or otherwise  transferred  or
encumbered any of the Intellectual  Property Rights and none of the Intellectual
Property  Rights purport to grant sole or exclusive  licenses or other rights to
any other  person,  including,  without  limitation  sole or exclusive  licenses
limited  to  specific  fields of use.  To the best of  Seller's  knowledge,  the
patents owned by Seller or its  subsidiaries  relating to the Business are valid
and enforceable and any patent

<PAGE>

issuing from patent applications of Seller or its subsidiaries will be valid and
enforceable.  Except  as  disclosed  in  Schedule  3.14,  (i) to the best of the
Seller's  knowledge,  there is no infringement by any other person of any of the
Intellectual   Property  Rights,   and  (ii)  neither  Seller  nor  any  of  its
subsidiaries  has entered into any agreement to indemnify any person against any
charge of  infringement  of any of the  Intellectual  Property Rights except for
such matters as would not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Material
Adverse Effect. To the best of Seller's knowledge, neither Seller nor any of its
subsidiaries  has  violated or  infringed  in  connection  with the Business any
intellectual  property right of any other person,  and neither Seller nor any of
its  subsidiaries  has received any  communication  alleging that it violates or
infringes the  intellectual  property  right of any other person.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.14, neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries has been sued
or is being sued or has reason to believe that it may be sued for  infringing in
connection with the Business any intellectual  property right of another person.
None of the processes, techniques and formulae, research and development results
or other  know-how or show-how  relating to the Business,  the value of which to
the Business is contingent upon maintenance of the confidentiality  thereof, has
been disclosed by Seller or any affiliate thereof to any person other than those
persons  who  have a need  to  know  thereof  and who  are  bound  to hold  such
information in confidence pursuant to confidentiality agreements or by operation
of law.

         Section 3.15.  Licenses and Permits.  Schedule 3.15 correctly describes
each material governmental license,  authorization,  consent and approval to the
extent  relating to the Business (the  "Permits")  together with the name of the
government  agency or entity  issuing  such  Permit.  Except as set forth on the
Schedule  3.15,  (i) the Permits  are valid and in full force and  effect,  (ii)
Seller is not in default,  and no condition  exists that with notice or lapse of
time or both would constitute a default, under the Permits and (iii) none of the
Permits will, assuming the related Required Consents have been obtained prior to
the Closing Date, be terminated or impaired or become terminable, in whole or in
part, as a result of the transactions  contemplated hereby. Upon consummation of
such transactions,  Buyer will,  assuming the related Required Consents or Other
Consents, as the case may be, have been obtained prior to the Closing Date, have
all of the right,  title and interest in all Permits  primarily  relating to the
Business (other than Excluded Assets).

         Section 3.16. Finders' Fees. Except for Goldman Sachs & Co., whose fees
will be paid by Seller, there is no investment banker,  broker,  finder or other
intermediary  which has been  retained by or is  authorized  to act on behalf of
Seller who might be entitled to any fee or  commission  in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

<PAGE>

         Section 3.17. Environmental Compliance.  (a) Except for such matters as
would  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect or as

disclosed in Schedule 3.17:

              (i) no written notice of violation or liability,  demand,  request
         for  information,  citations,  summons or order has been  received,  no
         complaint  has  been  filed,  no  penalty  has  been  assessed  and  no
         investigation, action, claim, suit, proceeding or review is pending, or
         to the  knowledge of Seller or any of its  subsidiaries,  threatened by
         any  governmental  entity or other  person with  respect to any matters
         relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities
         and relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law;

              (ii) no  Hazardous  Substance  has been  discharged,  disposed of,
         dumped,  injected,  pumped,  deposited,  spilled,  leaked,  emitted  or
         released  at  any of the  Purchased  Assets  or  Real  Property  or any
         property now or previously  owned,  leased or operated by Seller or any
         of its subsidiaries and used in connection with the Business, except in
         compliance with applicable  Environmental  Laws or where such would not
         reasonably be expected to result in liability  under any  Environmental
         Law; and

              (iii) Seller and each of its subsidiaries  have all  environmental
         permits  necessary for the Business and the Purchased  Assets to comply
         with applicable Environmental Laws and are in compliance with the terms
         of such permits and all applicable Environmental Laws, and there are no
         Environmental Liabilities.

          (b) There has been no environmental investigation, study, audit, test,
review or other  analysis  conducted of which Seller or any of its  subsidiaries
has knowledge and possession in relation to the Business or the Purchased Assets
which has not been  delivered  to  Parent  at least  two days  prior to the date
hereof.

          (c)  Except as  disclosed  to Buyer in writing on or prior to the date
hereof,  neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries owns, leases or operates any
real property in respect of the Business or the  Purchased  Assets in New Jersey
or Connecticut.

          (d) For purposes of this Section,  the following  terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:

         "Seller" and  "subsidiary"  shall include any entity which is, in whole
or in part, a predecessor of Seller or any of its subsidiaries;

<PAGE>

         "Environmental  Laws" means any  federal,  state,  local or foreign law
(including,   without  limitation,   common  law),  treaty,  judicial  decision,
regulation,  rule, judgment, order, decree,  injunction,  permit or governmental
regulation,  or any binding agreement with any governmental authority,  relating
to the  environment  or the  effect  of the  environment  on  human  health,  or
regulating the discharge,  release,  disposal or emission to the  environment of
pollutants,  contaminants,  wastes  or  chemicals  or  any  toxic,  radioactive,
ignitable,  corrosive,  reactive or otherwise  hazardous  substances,  wastes or
materials;

         "Environmental   Liabilities"   means  any  and  all   liabilities   or
obligations  of the  Business or the  Purchased  Assets or Assumed  Liabilities,
whether accrued, contingent,  absolute,  determined,  determinable or otherwise,
arising under any Environmental Law;

         "Hazardous  Substances"  means  any  pollutant,  contaminant,  waste or
chemical or any toxic, radioactive,  ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise
hazardous  substance,  waste or material,  or any  substance,  waste or material
having any  constituent  elements  displaying of the foregoing  characteristics,
including, without limitation, petroleum, its derivatives, by-products and other
hydrocarbons, which in any event is regulated under Environmental Laws.

         Section 3.18. Year 2000 Compliance . Seller has conducted an assessment
of its and its subsidiaries'  internal operating systems,  processes,  software,
hardware and equipment  relating to the Business and based upon this  assessment
has developed a plan designed to ensure that the same are Year 2000 Compliant on
or before  December 31,  1999.  To the  knowledge  of Seller,  such plan will be
implemented and  successfully  completed on or before December 31, 1999, and the
implementation  and  completion  of such plan will not have a  Material  Adverse
Effect.  The term "Year 2000  Compliant",  as used  herein,  shall mean that the
applicable systems,  processes,  software,  hardware and/or equipment is able to
perform the  following  functions  without human  intervention:  (a) handle date
information before,  during and after January 1, 2000, including but not limited
to accepting date input,  providing date output, and performing  calculations on
dates or portions of dates;  (b) function  accurately  and without  interruption
before,  during  and after  January 1, 2000,  without  any change in  operations
associated  with  the  advent  of the new  century;  (c)  respond  to  two-digit
year-date  input  in a way  that  resolves  the  ambiguity  as to  century  in a
disclosed, defined and predetermined manner; and (d) store and provide output of
date information in ways that are unambiguous as to century.

         Section 3.19. No Transfer of Substantially All of Seller's Assets.  The
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement (i) do not require the approval of
Seller's stockholders under Delaware law and (ii) do not constitute the

<PAGE>

conveyance,  transfer or lease of all or  substantially  all of Seller's  assets
substantially  as  an  entirety  under  the  agreements  governing  the  6  3/4%
Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2016 issued by a subsidiary of Seller
and the 6 3/4 Trust Convertible Preferred Securities related thereto.

         Section  3.20.  Financing.  Seller has received and furnished a copy to
Buyer of an executed Third Amendment and Waiver dated as of January 4, 2000 (the
"Amendment and Waiver") to Seller's Credit  Agreement dated as of April 9, 1999,
as amended (the "Credit Agreement")  attached as Schedule 3.20 hereto. As of the
date hereof, Seller has no knowledge,  after reasonable inquiry, of any facts or
circumstances  that  would  result  in any of the  conditions  set  forth in the
Amendment and Waiver not being satisfied.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                     Representations and Warranties of Buyer

         Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as of the date hereof and as of
the Closing Date that:

         Section 4.01.  Corporate  Existence  and Power.  Buyer is a corporation
duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all  corporate  powers and all  material  governmental
licenses,  authorizations,  permits, consents and approvals required to carry on
its business as now conducted.

         Section 4.02.  Corporate  Authorization.  The  execution,  delivery and
performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the  consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby are within the corporate powers of Buyer and have been duly
authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action  on the  part  of  Buyer.  This
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Buyer.

         Section 4.03. Governmental Authorization.  The execution,  delivery and
performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the  consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby  require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
governmental  body,  agency  or  official  other  than (i)  compliance  with any
applicable  requirements  of the HSR Act; (ii) any actions or filings which,  if
not  taken or  made,  would  not  have a  material  adverse  effect  on Buyer or
materially  adversely effect the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby; and (iii) any filings or notices not required to be made or
given until after the Closing Date.

<PAGE>

         Section 4.04. Noncontravention. The execution, delivery and performance
by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby do not and will not (i)  violate  the  certificate  of  incorporation  or
bylaws of Buyer,  (ii)  assuming  compliance  with the  matters  referred  to in
Section 4.03, violate any law, rule, regulation,  judgment, injunction, order or
decree,  or  (iii)  constitute  a  default  under or give  rise to any  right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation of Buyer or
to a loss of any benefit to which Buyer is entitled under any agreement or other
instrument  binding upon Buyer,  except, in the case of (ii) and (iii), for such
matters  as would  not  materially  adversely  effect  the  ability  of Buyer to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         Section  4.05.  Finders'  Fees.  Except for  Greenhill  & Co.,  LLC and
Salomon  Smith  Barney  Inc.,  whose  fees  will be paid by  Buyer,  there is no
investment banker,  broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained
by or is  authorized  to act on behalf of Buyer who might be entitled to any fee
or commission  from Seller or any of its  affiliates  upon  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                               Covenants of Seller

         Seller agrees that:

         Section 5.01.  Conduct of the Business.  From the date hereof until the
Closing  Date,  Seller and its  subsidiaries  shall  conduct the Business in the
ordinary  course  consistent  with past practice and shall use their  reasonable
commercial   efforts  to  preserve   intact  the  business   organizations   and
relationships  with third  parties  and to keep  available  the  services of the
present  employees  of the  Business.  Without  limiting the  generality  of the
foregoing,  from the date hereof  until the Closing Date and except as otherwise
required by this Agreement or the Fulfillment Agreement between Buyer and Seller
dated as of the date hereof (the "Fulfillment Agreement"),  Seller will not, and
will not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

          (a) with respect to the Business,  acquire a material amount of assets
from any other  person,  other than  purchases  of  materials or products in the
ordinary course of business;

<PAGE>

          (b) sell, lease,  license or otherwise dispose of any Purchased Assets
except (i)  pursuant  to  existing  contracts  or  commitments  and (ii) sale of
inventory in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;

          (c) except in the ordinary course  consistent with Seller's  customary
practices,   will  not  with  respect  to  the  Business  collect  any  accounts
receivable, delay payment of any accounts payable or sell any inventory;

          (d) terminate the employment of any Business  Employee (except for (i)
terminations  of  employment in connection  with the  restructuring  of Seller's
business as publicly announced prior to the date hereof,  which terminations are
itemized  in  Schedule  5.01(d),  (ii)  termination  by an  employee  and  (iii)
termination for cause);

          (e)   agree or commit to do any of the foregoing; or

          (f) take or agree or commit to take any action that,  to the knowledge
of Seller,  would or is likely to make any  representation or warranty of Seller
hereunder  inaccurate in any respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Closing
Date.

         Section 5.02. Access to Information; Confidentiality. (a) From the date
hereof  until the Closing  Date,  Seller will (i) give Buyer and its  authorized
representatives  reasonable  access to the  properties,  books and  records  and
employees  of  Seller  and its  subsidiaries  relating  to the  Business  or the
Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities and such financial and other information
relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets or Assumed  Liabilities as such
persons may  reasonably  request and (ii)  instruct the  employees,  counsel and
financial advisors of Seller to cooperate with Buyer in its investigation of the
Business  or the  Purchased  Assets or Assumed  Liabilities.  Any  investigation
pursuant to this  Section  shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere
unreasonably   with  the  conduct  of  the   business  of  Seller  or  otherwise
unreasonably harm such business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall not
have access to personnel records of Seller relating to individual performance or
evaluation  records,  medical  histories or other  information which in Seller's
good faith opinion is sensitive or the  disclosure of which could subject Seller
to risk of liability. No investigation by Buyer or other information received by
Buyer shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty
or agreement given or made by Seller hereunder.  The foregoing information shall
be held in confidence to the extent  required by, and in  accordance  with,  the
provisions  of the letter  agreement  dated as of November 9, 1999 between Buyer
and Seller (the"Confidentiality Agreement") which shall continue in effect.

<PAGE>

          (b) After the Closing,  Seller and its affiliates  will hold, and will
use their  reasonable  commercial  efforts to cause their  respective  officers,
directors, employees,  accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and agents to
hold, in confidence,  unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative
process  or by  other  requirements  of  law,  all  confidential  documents  and
information   concerning  the  Business  or  the  Purchased  Assets  or  Assumed
Liabilities,  except to the extent  that such  information  can be shown to have
been (i) in the public  domain  through no fault of Seller or its  affiliates or
(ii) later lawfully acquired by Seller on a non-confidential  basis from sources
other than those related to its prior ownership of the Business.  The obligation
of Seller and its affiliates to hold any such information in confidence shall be
satisfied if they  exercise the same care with  respect to such  information  as
they  would  take  to  preserve  the   confidentiality   of  their  own  similar
information.

         (c) After the Closing Date,  Seller will give Buyer and its  authorized
representatives reasonable access to properties, books and records and employees
of Seller to the extent  necessary  to permit  Buyer to  determine  any  matters
relating to its rights or obligations hereunder or any other reasonable business
purpose relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities;
provided that any such access by Buyer shall not unreasonably interfere with the
conduct of the business of Seller or otherwise harm such business.

         Section  5.03.  Seller's  Sales  Personnel.  Seller agrees that for the
period from the date  hereof  until the  Closing  Date,  Seller will review with
Buyer any plans of Seller or its subsidiaries to terminate the employment of any
of Seller's and its subsidiaries' sales and marketing employees.

         Section 5.04.  ICG Alliance.  At the request of Buyer,  Seller will use
reasonable  commercial  efforts to ensure that Buyer becomes a member of the ICG
Services alliance prior to the Closing.

         Section 5.05.  Leasehold  Defaults.  Seller will as of the Closing cure
any payment defaults under any leases of Real Property.

         Section  5.06.  Use of  Proceeds.  Seller  will  use a  portion  of the
Purchase  Price for the  repayment  of Seller  Indebtedness  and will retain the
balance, if any, in Seller for use in its ongoing business.

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 6

                               Covenants of Buyer

         Buyer agrees that:

         Section 6.01.  Access.  After the Closing Date,  Buyer will give Seller
and its authorized  representatives  reasonable access to the properties,  books
and records and employees of Buyer and its  affiliates  relating to the Business
to the extent necessary to permit Seller to determine any matter relating to its
rights  and  obligations  hereunder  or any other  reasonable  business  purpose
relating to any period ending on or before the Closing  Date;  provided that any
such access by Seller shall not  unreasonably  interfere with the conduct of the
business of Buyer and its affiliates.

         Section  6.02.  Products  for  Seller's  Franchisees.  Buyer  will  use
reasonable  efforts  to  provide  product  to  Seller  for  resale  to  Seller's
franchisees,  but only to the  extent  such  product is  available  to Buyer for
resale,  on terms  consistent  with those  Buyer  offers to  similarly  situated
resellers

                                    ARTICLE 7

                          Covenants of Buyer and Seller

         Buyer and Seller agree that:

         Section  7.01.  Further  Assurances.  (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and
conditions of this  Agreement,  Buyer and Seller will use their  reasonable best
efforts to take,  or cause to be taken,  all  actions  and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary or desirable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  (including,  in the
case of Seller,  the condition in Section  10.03(b)).  Seller and Buyer agree to
execute and deliver such other  documents,  certificates,  agreements  and other
writings  and to take such other  actions as may be  necessary  or  desirable in
order to consummate or implement expeditiously the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement and to vest in Buyer good and  marketable  title to the Purchased
Assets.

          (b)  Seller  hereby  constitutes  and  appoints,  effective  as of the
Closing  Date,  Buyer and its  successors  and  assigns  as the true and  lawful
attorney of Seller with full power of  substitution  in the name of Buyer, or in
the name of Seller but for the benefit of Buyer,  (i) to collect for the account
of Buyer any items of Purchased  Assets and (ii) to institute  and prosecute all
proceedings which Buyer

<PAGE>

may in its sole  discretion deem proper in order to assert or enforce any right,
title or  interest  in,  to or under  the  Purchased  Assets,  and to  defend or
compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of the Purchased
Assets.  Buyer  shall be  entitled  to retain for its own  account  any  amounts
collected  pursuant to the foregoing  powers,  including any amounts  payable as
interest in respect thereof.

         Section 7.02.  Certain  Filings.  Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with
one another (i) in determining whether any action by or in respect of, or filing
with, any governmental body, agency,  official or authority is required,  or any
actions, consents, approvals or waivers are required to be obtained from parties
to  any  material  contracts,   in  connection  with  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and (ii) in taking such actions or
making any such filings, furnishing information required in connection therewith
and seeking timely to obtain any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers.

         Section 7.03. Public  Announcements.  The parties agree to consult with
each other before issuing any press release or making any public  statement with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and, except as
may be required by  applicable  law or any listing  agreement  with any national
securities  exchange,  will not issue any such  press  release  or make any such
public statement prior to such consultation.

         Section 7.04. Trademarks; Tradenames. (a) Except as set forth otherwise
in this Section 7.04, after the Closing,  (i) Seller and its subsidiaries  shall
not use any of the marks or names used primarily in the Business as set forth on
Schedule  7.04(a) the "Business  Trademarks and  Tradenames") and (ii) Buyer and
its  subsidiaries  shall not use any of the marks or names set forth on Schedule
7.04(b) (the "Seller Trademarks and Tradenames").

          (b) After the  Closing,  Buyer  shall have the right to sell  existing
inventory  and  to  use  existing  packaging,  labeling,  containers,  supplies,
advertising  materials,  technical data sheets and any similar materials bearing
any Seller  Trademarks and Tradenames  until the earlier of (i) six months after
the Closing Date and (ii) the date existing  stocks are  exhausted.  Buyer shall
have the right to use the Seller  Trademarks and Tradenames in advertising  that
cannot be changed by Buyer using  reasonable  efforts for a period not to exceed
90 days after the Closing Date.  Buyer shall comply with all applicable  laws or
regulations in any use of packaging or labeling containing the Seller Trademarks
and Tradenames.

         (c) Buyer shall not be  obligated to change the Seller  Trademarks  and
Tradenames on goods in the hands of dealers,  distributors  and customers at the
time of the  expiration of a time period set forth in subsection  7.04(b) above.
The

<PAGE>

obliteration of the Seller  Trademarks and Tradenames shall be deemed compliance
with the covenant not to use the Seller  Trademarks and  Tradenames  pursuant to
this Section  7.04 with respect to the property to which such Seller  Trademarks
and Tradenames were not affixed.

          (d) Buyer agrees to cease using the Seller  Trademarks  and Tradenames
on buildings,  cars,  trucks and other fixed assets as soon as possible within a
period not to exceed six months after the Closing Date.

          (e) Seller  agrees that its consent to the  amendment  or extension of
this Section will not be unreasonably  withheld if Buyer cannot exhaust existing
inventory within six months of the Closing Date.

         Section 7.05. Warn Act. The parties agree to cooperate in good faith to
determine  whether any notification may be required under the Worker  Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act (the "WARN Act") as a result of the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement.  Buyer will be  responsible  for providing any
notification  that may be  required  under  the WARN  Act  with  respect  to any
Transferred Employees. Seller will be responsible for providing any notification
that may be required  under the WARN Act with  respect to any  employees  of the
Business that are not Transferred Employees.

         Section  7.06.  Notices  of  Certain  Events.  Buyer and  Seller  shall
promptly notify each other of:

          (a) any notice or other  communication  from any person  alleging that
the  consent  of such  person  is or may be  required  in  connection  with  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

          (b) any  notice  or  other  communication  from  any  governmental  or
regulatory agency or authority in connection with the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement.

         Section 7.07.  Operating  Agreements.  On the date hereof,  the parties
entered  into the  Fulfillment  Agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit B. At
Closing,  the parties  will enter into  definitive  agreements  on the terms set
forth in Schedule 7.07  relating to the sharing of (1) Tech Center,  (2) Gateway
Building, (3) Corporate Headquarters and (4) Corporate IT Function.

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                   Tax Matters

         Section 8.01. Tax  Definitions.  The following  terms,  as used herein,
have the following meanings:

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

         "Pre-Closing  Tax Period"  means (i) any Tax period ending on or before
the Closing Date and (ii) with respect to a Tax period that commences before but
ends after the Closing Date,  the portion of such period up to and including the
Closing Date.

         "Tax" means (i) any tax,  governmental  fee or other like assessment or
charge of any kind whatsoever  (including,  without  limitation,  withholding on
amounts paid to or by any person, together with any interest,  penalty, addition
to tax or additional  amount  imposed by any  governmental  authority (a "Taxing
Authority")  responsible  for  the  imposition  of any  such  tax  (domestic  or
foreign), or (ii) liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described
in (i) as a result of being  party to any  agreement  or any  express or implied
obligation to indemnify any other person.

         Section 8.02.  Tax Matters.  Seller hereby represents and warrants to
Buyer that

          (a) Seller has timely paid all Taxes which will have been  required to
be paid on or prior to the date hereof, the non-payment of which would result in
a Lien on any Purchased Asset, would otherwise  adversely affect the Business or
would constitute an Assumed Liability.

          (b) Seller has  established,  in accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied  on a basis  consistent  with that of  preceding
periods,  adequate  reserves for the payment of, and will timely pay, all Taxes,
which arise from or with respect to the Purchased Assets or the operation of the
Business and are incurred in or attributable to the Pre-Closing Tax Period,  the
non-payment  of which  would  result  in a Lien on any  Purchased  Asset,  would
otherwise   adversely  affect  the  Business  or  would  constitute  an  Assumed
Liability.

         Section  8.03.  Tax  Cooperation;  Allocation  of Taxes.  (a) Buyer and
Seller agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request, as
promptly  as  practicable,  such  information  and  assistance  relating  to the
Business and the Purchased  Assets or Assumed  Liabilities  (including,  without
limitation,  access to books and  records) as is  reasonably  necessary  for the
filing of all Tax

<PAGE>

returns,  the making of any election  relating to Taxes, the preparation for any
audit by any Taxing Authority, and the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit
or proceeding  relating to any Tax.  Buyer and Seller shall retain all books and
records with respect to Taxes  pertaining  to the  Purchased  Assets and Assumed
Liabilities  for a period of at least six years  following  the Closing Date. At
the end of such period, each party shall provide the other with at least 10 days
prior written notice before destroying any such books and records,  during which
period the party receiving such notice can elect to take possession,  at its own
expense,  of such books and records.  Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each
other  in the  conduct  of any  audit  or  other  proceeding  relating  to Taxes
involving the Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities or the Business.

          (b) All real property  taxes,  personal  property taxes and similar ad
valorem  obligations  levied with respect to the Purchased  Assets for a taxable
period which includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date (collectively,  the
"Apportioned  Obligations")  shall be apportioned between Seller and Buyer based
on the number of days of such taxable  period  included in the  Pre-Closing  Tax
Period and the number of days of such  taxable  period  after the  Closing  Date
(with  respect to any such  taxable  period,  the  "Post-Closing  Tax  Period"),
provided,  however,  that  Seller  shall not be  responsible  for any  increased
assessments resulting from the transactions contemplated hereby. Seller shall be
liable for the  proportionate  amount of such taxes that is  attributable to the
Pre-Closing Tax Period,  and Buyer shall be liable for the proportionate  amount
of such taxes that is attributable to the Post-Closing Tax Period.

          (c)  All  excise,   sales,  use,  value  added,   registration  stamp,
recording, documentary,  conveyancing,  franchise, property, transfer, gains and
similar  Taxes,  levies,  charges  and  fees  (collectively,  "Transfer  Taxes")
incurred in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement
shall be borne equally by Seller and Buyer.  Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in
providing each other with any appropriate  resale exemption  certifications  and
other similar  documentation.  The party that is required by  applicable  law to
make the filings,  reports,  or returns with respect to any applicable  Transfer
Taxes shall do so, and the other party shall  cooperate with respect  thereto as
necessary.

          (d)  Apportioned  Obligations  and Transfer Taxes described in Section
8.03(b) or 8.03(c) shall be timely paid, and all applicable filings, reports and
returns shall be filed, as provided by applicable law. The paying party shall be
entitled to  reimbursement  from the non-paying party in accordance with Section
8.03(b) or (c), as the case may be. Upon receipt of any bill for, or payment of,
any such Apportioned  Obligation or Transfer Tax, the paying party shall present
a statement to the non-paying party setting forth the amount of reimbursement to
which the paying party is entitled under Section 8.03(b) or (c), as the case may
be,

<PAGE>

together with such supporting  evidence as is reasonably  necessary to calculate
the amount to be reimbursed.  The non-paying party shall make such reimbursement
promptly  but no  event  later  than  10 days  after  the  presentation  of such
statement.  Any payment not made within such time shall bear  interest at a rate
set forth in Section 2.09(b) for each day until paid.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                Employee Benefits

         Section  9.01.   Employee  Benefits   Representations.   Seller  hereby
represents  and  warrants  to Buyer as of the date  hereof and as of the Closing
Date, that:

         (a) Schedule  9.01(a) lists each material  "employee  benefit plan", as
defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974
("ERISA"),  each  material  employment,  severance  or similar  contract,  plan,
arrangement or policy and each other  material plan or  arrangement  (written or
oral) providing for compensation, bonuses, profit-sharing, stock option or other
stock  related  rights or other forms of  incentive  or  deferred  compensation,
vacation benefits,  insurance (including any self-insured arrangements),  health
or medical  benefits,  employee  assistance  program,  disability  or sick leave
benefits, workers' compensation,  supplemental unemployment benefits,  severance
benefits and  post-employment or retirement  benefits  (including  compensation,
pension,  health,  medical  or life  insurance  benefits)  which is  maintained,
administered  or contributed to by Seller or any ERISA  Affiliate and covers any
person who is a Business  Employee,  as defined in Section  9.02 (any such plan,
arrangement or policy,  an "Employee  Plan").  Copies of each Seller 401(k) Plan
(as defined in Section  9.01(b)) and each other  Employee Plan that provides for
severance,  vacation,  sick leave or deferred  compensation  and all  amendments
thereto and written  interpretations  thereof have been furnished to Buyer.  For
purposes of this  Agreement,  "ERISA  Affiliate"  of Seller shall mean any other
entity which,  together with Seller, would be treated as a single employer under
Section  414 of the  Code.  Since  December  31,  1998,  except  as set forth in
Schedule  9.01(a),  no employee benefit plan or arrangement,  including  without
limitation any Employee  Plan, or  modification  thereto,  has been adopted that
would, individually or in the aggregate,  increase materially the operating cost
of the Business.

         (b) No Employee  Plan is a  multiemployer  plan,  as defined in Section
3(37) of ERISA,  and no Employee  Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA.  Neither
Seller nor any of Seller's  ERISA  Affiliates  has incurred any liability  under
Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with the termination of any plan covered
or

<PAGE>

previously  covered by Title IV of ERISA that could  become,  after the  Closing
Date,  an  obligation of Buyer or any of its  affiliates.  The InaCom  Employees
Retirement  Savings Plan and Trust,  the Vanstar  Corporation  401(k) Plan,  the
Office  Products of Minnesota Inc.  401(k) Plan, the National  Technology  Group
401(k)  Plan,  the  Computerland  401(k) Plan and the Mentor  Technologies  Ltd.
401(k) Plan (the "Seller  401(k)  Plans") have been  determined  to be qualified
under  Section  401(a) of the Code and nothing has occurred with respect to such
plans since such  determination  that could  reasonably be expected to result in
the loss of such qualification or exemption from tax. Each plan loan outstanding
under the  Seller  401(k)  Plans is fully  secured by the  vested  Plan  account
balance of the applicable  participant,  and each such loan has been extended on
such  terms  and  administered  in such a  manner  as to  avoid  treatment  as a
distribution under Section 72(p) of the Code.

         (c) Neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or subject
to, or is currently negotiating in connection with entering into, any collective
bargaining  agreement or other contract or  understanding  with a labor union or
labor organization.

         (d) Neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries  has, in connection with
the  Business,  engaged any  individual  as an  independent  contractor  or made
payments  for  services to be  performed  by any  individual  as an  independent
contractor  who should be  considered,  under  applicable  law,  an  employee of
(rather than an independent contractor to) Seller or any of its subsidiaries.

         Section 9.02. Employees and Offers of Employment.  For purposes of this
Agreement, "Business Employees" shall mean the individuals described in Schedule
9.02. As soon as practicable  after the date hereof,  Seller shall provide Buyer
with a list containing the names of all of the Business  Employees,  and through
the Closing  Date Seller  shall  periodically  revise such list to include  each
Business  Employee  newly  hired by  Seller  or its  affiliate,  and to  reflect
termination of employment or similar personnel changes. At Closing, Buyer or its
affiliate shall offer employment,  in a comparable position and at the same rate
of salary (or, if applicable,  base hourly rate), to each Business  Employee who
is actively employed as of the Closing Date, and each inactive Business Employee
who is on approved  leave on the Closing  Date  because of jury duty,  family or
medical leave,  sick leave,  short-term  disability,  vacation or military duty;
provided,  however, that nothing contained herein is intended to confer upon any
Business Employee any right to continued employment after the Closing Date. Each
Business Employee who accepts (or is deemed to accept)  employment with Buyer on
the  Closing  Date is  referred to herein as a  "Transferred  Employee".  Seller
hereby agrees that neither Seller nor any affiliate shall (i) rehire or continue
to employ any Business  Employee at any time prior to the first  anniversary  of
the Closing Date; or (ii)

<PAGE>

offer any  Business  Employee  any  severance  or  similar  benefits  payable on
termination of such Employees' employment by Seller or its affiliate;  provided,
that this  clause  (ii) shall not apply with  respect to any  Business  Employee
unless Buyer offers such Employee  employment in accordance with this Article 9,
at a location no greater than 50 miles from that in effect at the Closing Date.

         Section 9.03.  Seller's Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Seller shall retain
all obligations  and liabilities  under the Employee Plans and any other benefit
plan or  arrangement  of Seller or its  affiliate in respect of each employee or
former  employee  (including any  beneficiary  thereof) who is not a Transferred
Employee.  Except as  expressly  set  forth  herein,  Seller  or its  designated
affiliate  shall retain all  liabilities  and obligations in respect of benefits
accrued by Transferred  Employees under the Employee Plans and any other benefit
plan or arrangement of Seller or its affiliate, and neither Buyer nor any of its
affiliates  shall have any liability with respect  thereto.  Except as expressly
set forth herein,  no assets of any Employee Plan shall be  transferred to Buyer
or any of its  affiliates  or to any  plan of  Buyer  or any of its  affiliates.
Seller  shall  take  all  actions   necessary   (including  any  necessary  plan
amendments)  to cause  accrued  benefits  or  account  balances  of  Transferred
Employees  under the Seller  401(k)  Plans to be fully  vested as of the Closing
Date, and to provide that  Transferred  Employees  shall be entitled to the full
benefit of any matching  contribution under the Seller 401(k) Plans for the plan
year that includes the Closing Date (the "Closing  Plan Year")  attributable  to
amounts  actually  deferred prior to the Closing Date by  Transferred  Employees
under the Seller  401(k)  Plans  during  the  Closing  Plan Year,  to the extent
consistent  with the governing  plan  documents and the past practice of Seller,
excluding:

              (i) any discretionary  matching contribution  determined after the
         Closing Date; and

              (ii) any nondiscretionary  matching contribution the allocation of
         which to a participant's  account is conditioned on such  participant's
         being employed at the end of the Closing Plan Year.

          (b)  In  the  event  that  Seller   reasonably   determines  that  the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  constitute an event  described in
Section  401(k)(10)(A)(ii) of the Code, Seller shall take all actions necessary:
(i) to permit Transferred  Employees to elect to take distributions  (subject to
applicable  law) of their  accounts  thereunder in accordance  with the terms of
such plans; and (ii) to the extent Transferred  Employees so elect, to roll over
the amounts  received  from the Seller  401(k) Plans  (including,  to the extent
permissible  under  applicable  law,  any  outstanding  loans) to an  individual
retirement  account  or to one or more  defined  contribution  retirement  plans
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code

<PAGE>

and  maintained by Buyer or one of its  affiliates  (the "Buyer 401(k)  Plans").
Buyer shall cause the Buyer  401(k)  Plans to accept  such  rollovers,  provided
Buyer receives evidence reasonably acceptable to it that the Seller 401(k) Plans
are  qualified  under the  applicable  provisions of the Code. In the event that
Buyer and Seller reasonably determine that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement do not constitute an event described in Section  401(k)(10)(A)(ii)  of
the Code,  then as soon as  practical  following  receipt by Buyer and Seller of
favorable determination letters or Buyer's certification to Seller, and Seller's
certification  to Buyer,  in a manner  reasonably  acceptable to both Seller and
Buyer,  that Buyer's 401(k) Plans and Seller's  401(k) Plans are qualified under
the  applicable  provisions  of the Code,  Seller  shall  cause the  trustee  of
Seller's  401(k)  Plans  to  transfer,  solely  in the  form of  cash  or  notes
representing outstanding participant loans, assets representing the full account
balances  of the  Transferred  Employees,  together  with  the  appropriate  net
investment return (including unrealized  appreciation or depreciation)  thereon,
reduced by any  necessary  benefit  or  withdrawal  payments  made in respect of
Transferred  Employees  prior to the actual date of transfer,  to the trustee of
Buyer's 401(k) Plans.

          (c)  With  respect  to  the  Transferred   Employees   (including  any
beneficiary or dependent  thereof),  Seller shall retain (i) all liabilities and
obligations arising under any group life, accident,  medical,  dental or similar
arrangement  (whether  or not  insured)  to the extent  that such  liability  or
obligation  relates to claims that are covered by such arrangements and incurred
(whether or not reported),  prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) all  liabilities
and  obligations  arising  under any worker's  compensation  arrangement  to the
extent such  liability or  obligation  relates to claims  incurred  prior to the
Closing Date,  including  liability for any  retroactive  worker's  compensation
premiums  attributable  to such period.  With respect to  Transferred  Employees
(including beneficiaries or dependents thereof), Buyer or its affiliate shall be
responsible, in accordance with the terms of its benefit plans and arrangements,
for (I) all liabilities and obligations arising under any group life,  accident,
medical,  dental or similar  arrangement  (whether or not insured) to the extent
that such  liability  or  obligation  relates to claims that are covered by such
arrangements  and  incurred  (whether or not  reported)  on or after the Closing
Date,  and (II) all  liabilities  and  obligations  arising  under any  worker's
compensation  arrangement to the extent such liability or obligation  relates to
claims  incurred  on or after the  Closing  Date,  including  liability  for any
retroactive workers'  compensation  premiums  attributable to such period. Buyer
shall assume all  liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller under any vacation or
sick leave plan or  arrangement  with respect to Transferred  Employees,  to the
extent such  liabilities  are  reflected on the Closing  Statement.  Buyer shall
assume all liabilities of Seller under any  nonqualified  deferred  compensation
plan or  arrangement  with  respect to  Transferred  Employees,  but only to the
extent such  liabilities are funded by means of a rabbi trust; and Seller shall,
as soon as

<PAGE>

practicable  after the Closing  Date,  pay to Buyer,  by wire transfer in a cash
lump sum, the full amount of such funding.

         For  purposes of this Section  9.03(c),  claims shall be deemed to have
been incurred:

          (A) with respect to all death or dismemberment  claims,  on the actual
         date of death or dismemberment;

          (B) with  respect to all  disability  claims on the date the  claimant
         became unable to (x) perform his or her regular  duties of  employment,
         in the  case  of an  employee  claimant,  or  (y)  perform  the  normal
         day-to-day  responsibilities  that  would  reasonably  be  expected  of
         someone  of  similar  age and  lifestyle,  in the  case of a  dependent
         claimant;

          (C) with  respect  to sick  leave  claims,  on each day for which sick
         leave benefits are payable to the claimant;

          (D) with respect to all medical,  drug or dental  claims,  on the date
         the service was received or the supply was  purchased by the  claimant;
         provided,   however,   a  medical   claim   relating  to  a  claimant's
         hospitalization shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the claimant
         was first hospitalized; and

          (E) with  respect to  workers'  compensation  claims,  on the date the
         incident occurred.

         Section  9.04.  Buyer  Benefit  Plans.  As of the  Closing  Date,  each
Transferred Employee shall become a participant in all employee benefit plans of
Buyer (or comparable  employee benefit plans of its affiliate) on the same terms
and  conditions  as similarly  situated  employees of Buyer,  to the extent such
Transferred  Employee  satisfies the applicable  eligibility  requirements under
such plans.  Transferred  Employees  shall  participate  under Buyer's  "welfare
plans"  (within  the meaning of Section  3(1) of ERISA) as of the  Closing  Date
without any waiting periods, evidence of insurability, or the application of any
preexisting physical or mental condition  restrictions (except, in each case, to
the extent  applicable and unsatisfied  under Seller's welfare plans, and except
to the extent otherwise  required for coverage by Buyer's  long-term  disability
insurance carrier); and, to the extent relevant,  Buyer shall provide credit for
claims  incurred  during  2000 and prior to the  Closing  Date for  purposes  of
applying deductibles, co-payments, out-of-pocket maximums, and benefit maximums.
Buyer or one of its  affiliates  will  recognize all service of the  Transferred
Employees  with  Seller or any of its  affiliates,  only for  purposes  of:  (i)
eligibility to participate and vesting,

<PAGE>

under those employee benefit plans (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA)
in which the Transferred Employees are eligible to participate,  and are in fact
participating,  on and after the Closing Date; and (ii) level of benefits, under
any vacation or sick leave plan in which the Transferred  Employees are eligible
to participate,  and are in fact  participating,  on and after the Closing Date.
With respect to any  Transferred  Employee who  participates in an Employee Plan
which is a  "flexible  spending  arrangement,"  within the  meaning of  Proposed
Treasury  Regulation ss. 1.125-2 (a "Seller FSA"),  Buyer or its affiliate shall
permit such  Transferred  Employee to continue to participate  after the Closing
Date in a flexible  spending account  maintained by Buyer, and shall credit such
Transferred  Employee with an account balance  equivalent to that which applied,
as of the Closing Date, to the Transferred  Employee under the applicable Seller
FSA. As soon as practicable  after the Closing Date,  either Seller shall pay to
Buyer the amount described in "X" below, or Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount
described in "Y" below, whichever is applicable, in either case by wire transfer
in a cash lump sum.  For this  purpose,  "X" shall mean the  amount,  if any, by
which the aggregate amount deferred  through such date by Transferred  Employees
under the Seller  FSAs  during the plan year in which the  Closing  Date  occurs
exceeds  aggregate  claims  paid for such  year on  behalf  of such  Transferred
Employees under the Seller FSAs; and "Y" shall mean the amount, if any, by which
aggregate claims paid for such year on behalf of Transferred Employees under the
Seller FSAs exceeds the aggregate  amount  deferred  through the Closing Date by
Transferred Employees under the Seller FSAs during such year.

         Section  9.05.  Inactive  Employees.  Seller shall retain all liability
with respect to Business  Employees who are absent from active employment on the
Closing Date other than for the reasons  expressly  stated in the third sentence
of Section 9.02 (any such employee, an "Inactive Business Employee"). Subject to
applicable law, if any Inactive  Business  Employee  returns  directly from such
leave of  absence  to  active  employment,  then from and after the date of such
return  such  Inactive  Business  Employee  shall be  treated  as a  Transferred
Employee  under this  Article 9,  applying  this  Article  with  respect to such
Inactive  Business  Employee by substituting the date of his or return to active
employment for the Closing Date, where applicable hereunder.

         Section 9.06.  Severance Benefits.  Buyer agrees that, in the event any
Transferred   Employee  is  terminated  by  Buyer  during  the  one-year  period
immediately  following  the Closing Date,  Buyer shall provide such  Transferred
Employee  with a severance  benefit  which is not less than the cash  separation
payment that would have been  provided for by Seller's  severance pay policy and
the severance  agreements  between Seller and certain  Transferred  Employees as
listed in Schedule 9.06, had such Transferred Employee been terminated under the
same circumstances by the Seller immediately prior to the Closing Date, but only

<PAGE>

to the extent the terms of such  severance pay policy and  severance  agreements
have been fully disclosed to Buyer prior to the date hereof.

         Section  9.07.   COBRA.   Seller  shall  retain  all   obligations  and
liabilities  arising  under  Section  601 of ERISA or Section  4980B of the Code
which result from the termination of employment of any employee of Seller or its
affiliate,  including  without  limitation  any such  obligations or liabilities
which result from the  termination of employment of any Business  Employee on or
prior to the Closing.  Buyer shall have sole  responsibility for all obligations
and liabilities  arising under Section 601 of ERISA or Section 4980B of the Code
with respect to all  Transferred  Employees,  and "qualified  beneficiaries"  of
Transferred  Employees,  for whom a  "qualifying  event" has occurred  after the
Closing Date. The terms "qualified  beneficiaries"  and "qualifying event" shall
have the meaning  ascribed to them under  Section 4980B of the Code and Sections
601-608 of ERISA.

         Section  9.08.  Continuation  of Certain  Administrative  Services  and
Insurance Coverage. To the extent (i) requested by Buyer in writing prior to the
Closing Date and (ii) the Closing occurs within 30 days (or, if the Seller fails
to comply with its obligations  under the last sentence of this Section 9.08, 60
days)  after  the  date  of this  Agreement  (such  30- or  60-day  period,  the
"Post-Signing  Period"),  Seller  agrees  to (A)  continue  to  provide  certain
administrative  services in respect of the  Transferred  Employees as reasonably
necessary for Buyer to conduct the  Business,  which shall be limited to payroll
services,  record  keeping  services and claims  processing  services and (B) to
cover Transferred  Employees under the Employee Plans which constitute  "welfare
plans"  within  the  meaning  of  Section  3(1) of ERISA and which  provide  for
insurance coverage,  to the extent such coverage is permitted under the terms of
such  plans  and the  applicable  insurance  contracts,  and to  provide  claims
processing  services in respect of the  Transferred  Employees in both cases for
the duration of the  Post-Signing  Period or, in either case, until such earlier
time as Buyer or its  designated  affiliate can assume  responsibility  for such
insurance  and  administrative  services in an orderly  manner.  Buyer agrees to
reimburse Seller, within seven business days after its receipt from Seller of an
invoice with respect to such services, for any and all of Seller's costs and all
other expenses  reasonably  incurred in continuing to provide such insurance and
administrative services, including, without limitation, insurance premiums, cost
of direct claims  reimbursement  under any  self-insured  plans and a reasonable
share of all other  related  administrative  and other costs and expenses of any
nature whatsoever.  Such continuation of insurance and  administrative  services
shall not affect the allocation of liabilities  and  obligations as set forth in
this  Article  9. Buyer  shall use all  reasonable  efforts to arrange  for such
insurance and administrative  services as promptly as possible in order to avoid
using Seller's services under this Section; and Seller shall use all reasonable

<PAGE>

efforts to provide Buyer, as promptly as possible,  with computer tapes, data or
other payroll or other information  necessary for Buyer to assume responsibility
for such insurance and administrative services.

         Section 9.09.  Short Term Disability.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary in this Article 9, the following provisions shall apply with respect to
any  Business  Employee who is absent from work on the Closing Date by reason of
short-term  disability,  within the  meaning  of the  applicable  Employee  Plan
covering such Business  Employee (an "STD Employee"):  At Closing,  Buyer or its
affiliate shall offer  employment,  contingent on returning to work, to each STD
Employee in accordance with the third sentence of Section 9.02, and Seller shall
comply with the requirements set forth in the last sentence of Section 9.02 with
respect to such STD Employee  (substituting  such STD Employee's Return Date, as
defined below, for the Closing Date). The date on which any STD Employee returns
directly from disability leave of absence to active employment shall be referred
to hereunder as such STD Employee's  "Return Date". Any STD Employee who accepts
Buyer's or its  affiliate's  offer of  employment  as of his or her Return  Date
shall be treated as a Transferred  Employee  under this Article 9, applying this
Article with respect to such STD Employee by substituting his or her Return Date
for the Closing Date where applicable  hereunder.  Until his or her Return Date,
each STD Employee  shall  continue to be employed by Seller or its affiliate and
covered under the Employee  Plans and other benefit  arrangements  of Seller and
its affiliates in accordance with their terms.  Until each STD Employee's Return
Date,  Buyer or its  affiliate  shall  reimburse  Seller  or its  affiliate  for
one-half of the cost of any  employee  benefit  incurred on or after the Closing
Date with  respect to such STD  Employee  which is: (i) incurred in the ordinary
course of business  under an Employee  Plan;  and (ii) not provided  through the
purchase of insurance.  For this purpose,  medical and dental  benefits shall be
treated as provided through the purchase of insurance. Seller shall not take any
action that would impair or diminish the coverage of any STD Employee  under any
applicable plan or policy of insurance.

         Section  9.10.  Foreign  Benefit  Plans.  Buyer  and  Seller  agree  to
cooperate  and to take  all  actions  reasonably  necessary  to  effectuate  the
transfer,  where (i)  permissible  and consistent  with common  practice or (ii)
required  by law,  from Seller or one of its  affiliates  to Buyer or one of its
affiliates  (or  from  a  plan  or  trust  maintained  by  Seller  or one of its
affiliates to a plan or trust  maintained by Buyer or one of its  affiliates) of
assets (and  corresponding  liabilities)  attributable to Transferred  Employees
under any  Employee  Plan  maintained  primarily  for the  benefit of  employees
resident  outside  the  United  States  ("Non-U.S.   Business  Employees").  Any
liability  that Buyer or its affiliate is required by law to assume with respect
to Non-U.S.  Business  Employees by virtue of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement which is not fully offset

<PAGE>

by a transfer of assets pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be reflected as
a  liability  on  the  Closing  Statement;  provided,  that  if  such  liability
(determined  without  reduction  for any such  transfer of assets) as reasonably
computed  by the  parties no later than  seven  days prior to the  Closing  Date
exceeds  $500,000 in the  aggregate,  Buyer may elect,  on notice given no later
than five days before the Closing  Date, to assume such excess or cause all such
Non-U.S.  Business  Employees not to be treated as Business  Employees (in which
case such  Non-U.S.  Business  Employees  shall be made  available by Seller for
secondment  to  Buyer  after  the  Closing  Date,  at  Buyer's   election,   the
post-closing  employment-related costs of such seconded employees to be borne by
Buyer);  provided,  that  Seller may  nevertheless  cause such  employees  to be
treated as Business Employees if it, upon notice given to Buyer on or before the
Closing Date, pays such excess to Buyer. Seller shall promptly (and in any event
no later  than 10 days  after  the date  hereof)  furnish  Buyer  with  full and
complete  information  concerning  the  identities and locations of the Non-U.S.
Business  Employees  (nothing in this  sentence  being deemed to limit  Seller's
ability to hire  employees in the  ordinary  course of its  business);  benefit,
compensation,  severance and similar  plans,  commitments  or  obligations  with
respect thereto; and workers councils or similar organizations applicable to the
Non-U.S. Business Employees.

         Section  9.11.  Cooperation.  Seller and Buyer agree to cooperate  with
each other in good faith in  effectuating  the provisions of this Article 9, and
to furnish each other promptly with such  information  concerning  employees and
employee benefit plans, arrangements or policies as is necessary and appropriate
to carry out the terms hereof. Without limiting the foregoing,  Seller agrees to
provide  Buyer  with a  reasonable  opportunity  to  communicate  with  Business
Employees prior to the Closing Date.

         Section  9.12.  No Third  Party  Beneficiaries.  No  provision  of this
Article  9 shall  create  any third  party  beneficiary  or other  rights in any
employee or former employee  (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof) of
Seller or of any of its  subsidiaries  in respect of  continued  employment  (or
resumed  employment) with either Buyer or any of its affiliates and no provision
of this Article 9 shall create any such rights in any such persons in respect of
any benefits that may be provided,  directly or  indirectly,  under any Employee
Plan or any plan or arrangement  which may be established by Buyer or any of its
affiliates.  No provision of this  Agreement  shall  constitute a limitation  on
rights to amend,  modify or  terminate  after the Closing Date any such plans or
arrangements of Buyer or any of its affiliates.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 10

                              Conditions to Closing

         Section 10.01. Conditions to Obligations of each Party. The obligations
of Buyer and Seller to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions:

         (a) Any  applicable  waiting  period  under the HSR Act relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated.

         (b) No provision of any  applicable  law or regulation and no judgment,
injunction,  order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction shall prohibit
or enjoin the consummation of the Closing.

         (c) Buyer and the Board of Directors  of Seller  shall have  received a
customary  opinion of a nationally  recognized  investment  banking or appraisal
firm, in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer and such Board ,
regarding  the  solvency of Seller after the  Closing,  including  that the fair
value of Seller's assets would exceed Seller's liabilities, Seller would be able
to pay its debts as they become due and Seller's  remaining capital would not be
unreasonably small for its business.

         Section  10.02.  Conditions to Obligation of Buyer.  The  obligation of
Buyer to consummate the Closing is subject to the  satisfaction of the following
further conditions:

         (a) (i) Seller shall have performed in all material respects all of its
obligations  hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing
Date and (ii) the  representations  and  warranties of Seller  contained in this
Agreement,  disregarding all  qualifications  and exceptions  contained  therein
relating to materiality or Material  Adverse Effect,  shall be true at and as of
the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such date with only such exceptions as
would not in the  aggregate  reasonably  be expected to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

         (b) There shall not be any injunction,  judgment,  order or decree of a
court of competent jurisdiction entered, or any law, rule or regulation enacted,
adopted,  amended  or  deemed  applicable  that  prohibits  the  Closing  or  is
reasonably  likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  or a  material  adverse
effect on Buyer and its  affiliates , taken as a whole,  or the ability of Buyer
to own and exercise control over the Business after the Closing;

<PAGE>

         (c) The Amendment and Waiver shall have become effective  (assuming the
Closing  hereunder  shall  have  occurred),  or  Seller  shall  have at  Closing
available  funds  sufficient  (i) to effect  all  necessary  refinancing  of all
outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreement that is required as a result
of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and to pay all related fees
and expenses and (ii) to provide reasonable working capital to Seller's business
after the Closing.

         (d) Execution and delivery by Seller of the Services,  Supply and Sales
Agreement  in the  form  and  substance  set  forth as  Exhibit  C  hereto  (the
"Services, Supply and Sales Agreement");

         (e) (i) Seller shall have received all Required Consents,  in each case
in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to Buyer and without imposing any
incremental costs on Buyer, and no such consent, authorization or approval shall
have been revoked or be subject to  revocation  and (ii)  material  terms of any
lease of Real  Property  not subject to a Required  Consent  shall not have been
changed to impose any incremental costs to Buyer.

         (f) Buyer  shall have (i)  obtained  at its sole cost an ALTA  extended
coverage form of leasehold owner's title insurance policies, or binders to issue
the same,  dated the Closing Date and in amounts  satisfactory to Buyer insuring
or committing to insure,  at ordinary  premium rates without any requirement for
additional  premiums,  title to the Real Property as indicated by an asterisk in
Schedule  3.12(a),  free and clear of any Liens,  except for Permitted Liens and
Liens disclosed on Schedule 3.12(b);  provided that the condition in this clause
(i) will be deemed  satisfied  without  regard  to any  Liens  that may exist on
landlord's  interest and (ii) received  evidence  reasonably  satisfactory to it
that all Liens on any of the  Purchased  Assets  arising  under any of  Seller's
indebtedness for borrowed money that is not an Assumed Liability shall have been
released,  including without limitation duly executed partial releases under all
applicable UCC financing statements.

         (g) Buyer shall have  received on or before the Closing Date an opinion
of Willkie Farr & Gallagher and an opinion of Richards Layton & Finger,  in each
case in the form provided to Buyer prior to the date hereof.

         Section  10.03.  Conditions to Obligation of Seller.  The obligation of
Seller to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction of the following
further conditions:

          (a) (i) Buyer shall have performed in all material respects all of its
obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing

<PAGE>

Date and (ii) the  representations  and  warranties  of Buyer  contained in this
Agreement shall be true in all material  respects at and as of the Closing Date,
as if made at and as of such date.

         (b) The Amendment and Waiver shall have become effective  (assuming the
Closing  hereunder  shall have  occurred),  or Seller shall have  refinanced all
outstanding  indebtedness  under  the  Credit  Agreement  on  terms  that in the
aggregate are not, in Seller's reasonable  judgment,  materially more adverse to
Seller than the terms under the Amendment and Waiver.

         (c) Execution  and delivery by Buyer of the Services,  Supply and Sales
Agreement in the form and substance set forth as Exhibit C hereto.

                                   ARTICLE 11

                            Survival; Indemnification

         Section  11.01.  Survival.  The  representations  and warranties of the
parties  hereto  contained  in this  Agreement  or in any  certificate  or other
writing  delivered  pursuant hereto or in connection  herewith shall not survive
the Closing;  provided  that the  representations  and  warranties  contained in
Section 3.13 shall survive indefinitely.

         Section 11.02. Indemnification. (a) Seller hereby indemnifies Buyer and
its affiliates and their respective  directors,  officers,  employees and agents
against and agrees to hold each of them harmless from any and all damage,  loss,
liability  and  expense  (including  reasonable  expenses of  investigation  and
reasonable  attorneys' fees and expenses in connection with any action,  suit or
proceeding) ("Damages") incurred or suffered by any such person arising out of:

          (i)   any  misrepresentation  or  breach  of  warranty  made by Seller
     contained in Section 3.13;

         (ii) any breach of covenant or  agreement  made or to be  performed  by
     Seller pursuant to this Agreement; or

        (iii) any Excluded Liability.

            (b) Buyer hereby  indemnifies  Seller and its  affiliates  and their
respective directors,  officers, employees and agents against and agrees to hold
each of them harmless from any and all Damages  incurred or suffered by any such
person arising out of:

<PAGE>

          (i)   any breach of covenant or  agreement  made or to be performed by
     Buyer pursuant to his Agreement; or

         (ii) any Assumed Liability.

         Section  11.03.  Procedures.  The party seeking  indemnification  under
Section  11.02 (the  "Indemnified  Party")  agrees to give prompt  notice to the
party  against  whom  indemnity  is sought  (the  "Indemnifying  Party")  of the
assertion of any claim, or the commencement of any suit, action or proceeding in
respect of which  indemnity may be sought under such Section.  The  Indemnifying
Party may at the request of the Indemnified Party participate in and control the
defense  of any  such  suit,  action  or  proceeding  at its  own  expense.  The
Indemnifying  Party shall not be liable under Section  11.02 for any  settlement
effected  without its consent of any claim,  litigation or proceeding in respect
of which indemnity may be sought hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE 12

                                   Termination

         Section 12.01.  Grounds for Termination.  This Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

          (a)   by mutual written agreement of Seller and Buyer; or

          (b)   by either Seller or Buyer,

               (i) if the Closing shall not have been  consummated  on or before
          March 31, 2000;  provided that the right to terminate  this  Agreement
          pursuant to this  Section  12.01(b)(i)  shall not be  available to any
          party whose breach of any provision of this  Agreement  results in the
          failure of the Closing to be consummated by such time; or

               (ii)  if  there  shall  be  any  law  or  regulation  that  makes
          consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  illegal  or
          otherwise   prohibited  or  if   consummation   of  the   transactions
          contemplated  hereby would violate any  nonappealable  final judgment,
          injunction, order or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction.

         The party  desiring  to  terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant to clause
12.01(b) shall give notice of such termination to the other party.

<PAGE>

         Section 12.02.  Effect of Termination.  If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section  12.01,  this  Agreement  shall become void and of no effect
with  no  liability  on the  part of any  party  hereto;  provided  that no such
termination  shall relieve any party of any liability or damages  resulting from
(i) any  action  taken by such  party  that,  to such  party's  knowledge  after
reasonable  inquiry,  would, or would likely result in a, breach of any covenant
hereunder or (ii) any inaccuracy in the  representations  and warranties of such
party as of the date  hereof  that would  constitute  a failure  to satisfy  the
conditions in Section  10.02(a)(ii) or  10.03(a)(ii),  as applicable,  if at the
date  hereof  such  party  had or would  have  had,  after  reasonable  inquiry,
knowledge of such inaccuracy.  The provisions of Section 13.03, 13.05, 13.06 and
13.07 shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 12.01.

                                   ARTICLE 13

                                  Miscellaneous

         Section 13.01. Notices. All notices,  requests and other communications
to any party hereunder shall be in writing  (including  facsimile  transmission)
and shall be given, if to Parent or Buyer, to:

         Compaq Computer Corporation

         20555 S.H. 249 MS110701
         Houston, Texas 77070-2698
         Attention: Wendy Caswell
         Fax: (281) 518-8642

with copies to:

         Compaq Computer Corporation

         20555 S.H. 249 MS110701
         Houston, Texas 77070-2698
         Attention: Thomas C. Siekman
         Fax: (281) 518-8209

<PAGE>

         and

         Davis Polk & Wardwell
         450 Lexington Avenue
         New York, New York  10017

         Attention: Christopher Mayer, Esq.
         Fax: (212) 450-4800

if to Seller, to:

         InaCom Corp.
         10810 Farnam, Suite 200
         Omaha, Nebraska 68154

         Attention: Chief Financial Officer
         Fax: (402) 758-3602

         with a copy to:

         Willkie Farr & Gallagher
         787 Seventh Avenue
         New York, New York 10019
         Attention: Jack H. Nusbaum, Esq.
         Fax: (212) 728-8111

All such notices,  requests and other communications shall be deemed received on
the date of receipt by the recipient  thereof if received prior to 5 p.m. in the
place of  receipt  and  such  day is a  business  day in the  place of  receipt.
Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have
been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.

         Section  13.02.  Amendments  and  Waivers.  (a) Any  provision  of this
Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such  amendment or waiver is
in writing  and is signed,  in the case of an  amendment,  by each party to this
Agreement,  or in the case of a waiver,  by the party against whom the waiver is
to be effective.

          (b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver  thereof nor shall any single or
partial  exercise  thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein
provided  shall be  cumulative  and not  exclusive  of any  rights  or  remedies
provided by law.

<PAGE>

         Section 13.03. Fees and Expenses.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement,  all costs and expenses  incurred in connection  with this  Agreement
shall be paid by the  party  incurring  such  cost or  expense.  If the  Closing
occurs,  Buyer and Seller shall share  equally the cost of obtaining the opinion
referenced in Section 10.01(c).

         Section 13.04. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their
respective successors and assigns;  provided that no party may assign,  delegate
or otherwise  transfer  any of its rights or  obligations  under this  Agreement
without the consent of each other party  hereto,  except that Buyer may transfer
or  assign,  in  whole  or from  time to  time  in  part,  to one or more of its
affiliates,  the right to purchase all or a portion of the Purchased Assets, but
no such transfer or assignment will relieve Buyer of its obligations hereunder.

         Section 13.05.  Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the law of the State of New York without regard to
the conflicts of law rules of such state.

         Section 13.06. Jurisdiction.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this  Agreement,  the parties  hereto agree that any suit,  action or proceeding
seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in
connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
brought in the United  States  District  Court for the Southern  District of New
York or any New York  State  court  sitting  in New York  City,  so long as such
courts  shall  have  subject  matter  jurisdiction  over  such  suit,  action or
proceeding,  and  each  of  the  parties  hereby  irrevocably  consents  to  the
jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate  appellate courts therefrom)
in any such suit,  action or proceeding and irrevocably  waives,  to the fullest
extent  permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the
laying of the venue of any such suit,  action or proceeding in any such court or
that any such suit,  action or proceeding which is brought in any such court has
been  brought in an  inconvenient  forum.  Process  in any such suit,  action or
proceeding may be served on any party  anywhere in the world,  whether within or
without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each
party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section  13.01
shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

         Section 13.07.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES  ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL  PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY.

<PAGE>

         Section 13.08. Counterparts; Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement
may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original,
with the same effect as if the signatures  thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument.  This Agreement shall become  effective when each party hereto shall
have  received  a  counterpart  hereof  signed by the  other  party  hereto.  No
provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any person other than the
parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

         Section  13.09.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement,  the  Fulfillment
Agreement, the Services, Supply and Sales Agreement, the agreements contemplated
by  Section  7.07  and  the  Confidentiality  Agreement  constitute  the  entire
agreement  between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter of this
Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,  both oral and
written,  between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  of this
Agreement.

         Section 13.10.  Bulk Sales Laws.  Buyer and Seller each hereby waive
compliance by Seller with the provisions of the "bulk sales", "bulk transfer" or
similar laws of any state.

         Section  13.11.  Parent  Guarantee.  Parent  hereby agrees to guarantee
Buyer's  obligations to Seller,  in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
for  payment  of the  Purchase  Price  under  Article 2 and any  indemnification
amounts under Section 11.02(b).

         Section 13.12. Schedules.  Reference to any Schedule in Article 3 shall
be deemed a  reference  to the  applicable  section of the  disclosure  schedule
provided by Seller to Buyer on or prior to the date hereof.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly  executed by their  respective  authorized  officers as of the day and year
first above written.

                                    INACOM CORP.

                                    By:   /s/ Gerald A. Gagliardi

                                          --------------------------------
                                          Gerald A. Gagliardi
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer


                                    COMPAQ COMPUTER
                                        CORPORATION

                                    By:   /s/ Michael J. Winkler
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Michael J. Winkler
                                          Senior Vice President and
                                          Group Manager


                                    ITY CORP.

                                    By:   /s/ Michael J. Winkler

                                          --------------------------------
                                          Michael J. Winkler
                                          President

 <PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

         ASSIGNMENT  AND  ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT,  dated as of ________ __, 2000,
between  InaCom  Corp.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Seller"),  and ITY Corp.,  a
Delaware corporation ("Buyer").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS,  Buyer and Seller have concurrently  herewith  consummated the
purchase by Buyer of the Purchased  Assets  pursuant to the terms and conditions
of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of  January  __,  2000  (the  "Asset
Purchase  Agreement";  terms  defined in the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  and not
otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined);

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement,  Buyer has agreed to
assume certain liabilities and obligations of Seller;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the sale of the Purchased Assets
and in  accordance  with the terms of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  Buyer and
Seller agree as follows:

           1. (a) Seller does hereby sell, transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer
all of the right,  title and  interest of Seller in, to and under the  Purchased
Assets; provided that no sale, transfer, assignment or delivery shall be made of
any or any material  portion of any of the agreements or Permits if an attempted
sale,  assignment,  transfer or delivery,  without the consent of a third party,
would constitute a breach or other contravention thereof or in any way adversely
affect the rights of Buyer or Seller thereunder.  The foregoing sale,  transfer,
assignment and delivery is made without representation,  warranty or recourse of
any kind, except as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

          (b) Buyer does  hereby  accept all the right,  title and  interest  of
Seller in, to and under all of the Purchased  Assets  (except as aforesaid)  and
Buyer assumes and agrees to pay,  perform and discharge  promptly and fully when
due all of the Assumed Liabilities.

<PAGE>

            2. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York,  without  regard to the  conflicts of law
rules of such state.

            3. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,  each
of which  shall be deemed to be an  original,  but all of which  together  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                       INACOM CORP.

                                 By:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


                                       ITY CORP.

                                 By:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

<PAGE>


                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                                                              January 4, 2000

Gerald Gagliardi

President and Chief Executive Officer
Inacom Corporation
10810 Farnam Drive

Omaha, NE  68514

Dear Gerry:

         This  letter of  understanding  sets  forth the  understanding  between
Compaq  Computer  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Compaq"),  and Inacom
Corporation,  a Delaware corporation ("Inacom"),  regarding Compaq's desire that
Inacom  provide,  and  Inacom's  desire to provide,  certain  configuration  and
distribution  services  ("Services") with respect to certain Compaq products and
services  for major and small and medium  business  accounts  in North  America.
Compaq and Inacom agree to cooperate and use their reasonable commercial efforts
to  negotiate  in good faith a definitive  fulfillment  agreement  ("Fulfillment
Agreement")  governing the Services,  on terms  mutually-agreeable to Compaq and
Inacom.

         1. Inacom agrees that, from and after the date of this letter until the
Expiration  Date (as  defined  below),  it will not  execute  any  agreement  or
arrangement regarding the provision of configuration or distribution services to
any person or entity that could  reasonably be expected to, either  individually
or in the aggregate,  following the Expiration Date require  utilization of more
than 7.5% of Inacom's potential configuration or distribution capacity.

         2. Each of Compaq and Inacom  agree that it will bear its own  expenses
and costs with regard to the transactions  contemplated by this letter including
without limitation the fees and expenses of its legal counsel.

         3. This letter of understanding shall expire on the earlier to occur of
(a) the  closing of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated of even date  herewith
between  Compaq and Inacom;  and (b)  February 6, 2000 (the  earlier to occur of
such dates, the "Expiration  Date") unless the Fulfillment  Agreement shall have
been executed and delivered  prior to such date, in the case of which  execution
and delivery the Fulfillment Agreement shall supersede this letter.

         4. This  letter  of  understanding  shall be  subject  to that  certain
Confidentiality Agreement dated November 9, 1999, between Compaq and Inacom.

         5.  If the  foregoing  accurately  summarizes  our  understanding  with
respect to the  proposed  Fulfillment  Agreement,  please  date and  execute the
enclosed  duplicate  original  of  this  letter  and  return  the  same  to  the
undersigned not later than January 4, 2000. This letter of understanding  may be
executed in multiple  counterparts,  but all of which together shall  constitute
but one and the same instrument.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION

                                   By: ____________________________
                                        Name: Michael J. Winkler
                                        Title: Senior Vice President and Group
                                        Manager, Commercial Personal
                                        Computing Group


AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED
AS OF January 4, 2000

INACOM CORPORATION

By: _________________________________
Name:    Gerald A. Gagliardi
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>


                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                      SERVICES, SUPPLY AND SALES AGREEMENT

         SERVICES,  SUPPLY AND SALES  AGREEMENT (THE  "AGREEMENT"),  dated as of
________  __,  2000,  by and between  COMPAQ  COMPUTER  CORPORATION,  A DELAWARE
CORPORATION  ("COMPAQ"),  ITY Corp., a Delaware  corporation  and a WHOLLY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARY  OF  COMPAQ  ("COMPAQ  SUB"),  AND  INACOM  CORPORATION,  A  DELAWARE
CORPORATION ("INACOM").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS,  Compaq Sub and Inacom  have  entered  into an Asset  Purchase
Agreement dated as of January __, 2000 (THE "ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT");

         WHEREAS,  the execution of this  Agreement is a condition to Compaq Sub
acquiring,  and Inacom  disposing  of, the  Purchased  Assets (as defined in the
Asset Purchase Agreement) in connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.

                             AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE

         SECTION 1.1. Services Agreement.  Compaq agrees to assist Inacom in the
generation  of  incremental  revenues  from  its  service  business  during  the
three-year  period  following the closing of the Asset Purchase  Agreement.  The
revenue will be derived from the following (as summarized on Exhibit 1):

          1. Compaq shall  outsource an additional $10 million,  $20 million and
$25 million in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively over the 1999 levels for on-site
warranty work, subject to the provisions of Section 7 below.  Compaq's intent is
to move as much on-site  warranty  work to Inacom as possible.  It is understood
that any business  above the committed  amount will depend on the  percentage of
Compaq's business that is direct to end-user.

          2. Compaq shall  provide $50 million,  $75 million and $100 million of
service  revenue  to Inacom in 2000,  2001 and 2002  respectively  over the 1999
levels for the ongoing  delivery and management of the service  obligation  sold
with Compaq hardware to customers, subject to the provisions of Section 7 below.
Compaq's intent is to build a service revenue stream for Inacom from the sale of
desktop,  laptop and workstation  products from Compaq to all customers.  In all
cases, the volume of service revenue above the Compaq  commitment will depend on
the sale of  Compaq  branded  services  with the  product  sale,  which  will be
influenced in turn by the percentage of Compaq's  business that is direct to end
user and the value of the Compaq brand for service sold by other resellers.
<PAGE>

          3. Compaq shall  outsource  to Inacom an  additional  $5 million,  $10
million and $20 million in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively over the 1999 levels
for call handling and off-site  support,  subject to the provisions of Section 7
below.

          4. Compaq shall  provide $15  million,  $25 million and $35 million of
service revenue to Inacom in 2000, 2001 and 2002  respectively  over 1999 levels
for the delivery and ongoing management of service  obligations from the sale of
Inacom  services,  such as asset management  services by Compaq,  subject to the
provisions of Section 7 below.  Compaq's  intent is to expand  Compaq's  service
portfolio by adding  Inacom's  asset  management  service  offerings  and direct
delivery of that business to Inacom.

          5. Compaq commits to designate  Inacom as a "Premier  Service  Partner
for  Distributed  Infrastructure  Services".  Compaq also  commits to provide $5
million, $10 million and $15 million of professional services  subcontracting to
Inacom in 2000,  2001 and 2002  respectively  over 1999  levels,  subject to the
provisions  of  Section  7 below.  Compaq's  intent  is to refer  and  recommend
personal  computer  integration  opportunities  to  Inacom  and  utilize  Inacom
capabilities,  such as MCSE resources,  to support Compaq  Professional  Service
projects.

          6. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 1.1, "COMPAQ'S INTENT" shall mean that
Compaq  will use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to direct  revenue to Inacom
above Compaq's revenue commitment.

          7. The  obligations  set forth in this Section 1.1 shall be subject to
Inacom's ability to  competitively  price its services (which for these purposes
shall  not  require  Inacom to be the  lowest-priced  service  provider)  and to
satisfy Service Level Agreements for service  capabilities  and performance,  as
mutually  agreed to by the parties.  In addition,  it is agreed that Inacom will
offer  Compaq its most  favored  customer  fees,  i.e.  the lowest fees which it
charges any of its customers,  for the services  described in this Section 1.1 ,
except in the instance where lower pricing is offered to "meet  competition"  in
response  to a  documented  lower  bid,  as such  term is  commonly  used in the
relevant industry.

         SECTION 1.2.  Supply.  In connection  with Inacom's  computer  services
business, Compaq Sub and Inacom agree as follows:

         The parties  agree that when Inacom places an order with Compaq Sub for
hardware and Procurement Services, as defined below, Compaq Sub will invoice the
amount directed by Inacom and collect from the customer for the invoiced amount;
provided that Inacom,  acting as an agent of Compaq Sub, shall have entered into
an agreement with the customer  relating to the acquisition of such hardware and
Procurement Services, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Compaq Sub.
Such agreement  shall include a grant of a purchase  money security  interest in
favor of Compaq or Compaq  Sub,  as  appropriate,  on all  hardware  and related
software licenses supplied by Compaq Sub. From these collected  amounts,  Compaq
Sub will retain its sales price for hardware and Procurement  Services,  and pay
the remaining proceeds to Inacom as an agency fee. As used herein, "sales price"
shall mean, (i) with respect to hardware,  Compaq's  actual cost  (excluding the
impact of volume incentive rebates) with respect to third party hardware and US1
or TOSS price,  whichever is applicable,  with respect to Compaq's hardware, and
(ii) with respect to Procurement Services,  the fees as per the Fee Schedule. In
the event that the invoiced amounts are insufficient to cover the sales price of
the hardware and Procurement  Services as per the Fee Schedule  (defined below),
Inacom agrees to pay the difference to Compaq Sub. The scope of Inacom's  agency
is as set forth in Exhibit 2.
<PAGE>

          1.  Inacom  agrees to make  Compaq Sub its  preferred  provider of the
procurement services listed in Exhibit 3 ("Procurement Services"),  meaning only
that Inacom shall direct at least 75% of its  requirements  for such services to
Compaq Sub. The obligations set forth in this Section 1.2(1) shall be subject to
Compaq  Sub's  ability  to  competitively  price its  services  (which for these
purposes shall not require Compaq Sub to be the lowest-priced  service provider)
and  to  satisfy  Service  Level   Agreements  for  service   capabilities   and
performance, as mutually agreed to by the parties.

          2.  Inacom will pay a fee to Compaq Sub for the  Procurement  Services
based on the fee schedule,  attached  hereto as Exhibit 4 (the "Fee  Schedule").
Compaq  Sub  agrees  to  provide  Inacom  with a fixed  rate  structure  for the
Procurement Services, which does not depend on rebates for volume attainment. In
any event,  Compaq Sub will offer  Inacom the most favored  procurement  service
customer fees of Compaq Sub or any of its affiliates, i.e. the lowest fees which
it charges  any of its  customers  for the  Procurement  Services  except in the
instance where lower pricing is offered to "meet  competition"  in response to a
documented  lower bid, as such term is commonly  used in the relevant  industry.
Upon reasonable  notice,  Compaq Sub will give Inacom's  independent third party
auditor access,  on a quarterly  basis, to Compaq and  multi-vendor  sales price
information  at the SKU level,  including  but not  limited to product  cost and
freight  information,  for the sole purpose of verifying Compaq Sub's pricing of
the Procurement Services.  All such information shall be subject to the terms of
the Confidentiality and Non-disclosure Agreement executed by the parties.

          3. In the  event  that  Compaq  Sub  must  go  outside  of the  normal
distribution  agreements with third party vendors in order to obtain third party
products,  it will absorb  commercially  reasonable  increases in product  costs
associated with such  procurement.  If Compaq Sub determines that such costs are
not commercially  reasonable,  Compaq Sub will offer Inacom the right to procure
such  products from its own channels.  Inacom shall be  responsible  for product
sourcing cost increases resulting from instances where Compaq has a distribution
agreement with a particular vendor, but product is unavailable,  provided Inacom
has agreed to incur such additional costs.

          4.  Compaq  and Compaq  Sub agree  that any  marketing  funds or other
vendor funding (including rebates) provided to Compaq by third party vendors for
sales of product to  customers  where  Inacom  acted as agent,  shall be paid to
Inacom  within a reasonable  time  following  receipt by Compaq,  provided  that
Inacom agrees to independently satisfy any vendor requirements for such funding.

          5. Inacom will provide Compaq Sub with a list of current and potential
accounts and Compaq Sub will determine a credit limit and any other  appropriate
limitations  or  requirements  for each such account.  To the extent that Inacom
sells products within each customer's  credit limit,  Compaq Sub will assume the
credit risk.  However, to the extent that Inacom sells products in excess of any
customer's  credit limit,  Inacom must bear the credit risk.  Inacom agrees that
all payment terms for its customer invoices shall be net 30 days from receipt of
invoice by customer.

          6.  As part of its  Procurement  Services,  Compaq  Sub  will  provide
invoice and collection  services for accounts  receivable on product procured by
customers  through Inacom from Compaq Sub under the name of Compaq Sub or Inacom
(as  agent  for  Compaq  Sub),  whichever  Inacom  prefers.  These  invoice  and
collection  services  will only be  available  for hardware  and/or  Procurement
Services.  Inacom agrees to pay agreed upon fees for customer  invoices that are
not paid when due in accordance with the Fee Schedule, to the extent the payment
period is in excess of the payment period  calculated  into the  assumptions for
the Fee Schedule. Compaq's obligation for collections of accounts receivables in
this provision is only effective for hardware and Procurement Services delivered
by Compaq and sold by Inacom after the close of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
<PAGE>

          7. Inacom will not bear any inventory price protection risk. If Inacom
or a customer  requires Compaq Sub to hold inventory  beyond the normal stocking
period,  then Inacom agrees to pay to Compaq Sub a price  protection risk fee in
accordance  with the Fee Schedule to the extent the inventory  holding period is
in  excess  of the  inventory  price  protection  element  calculated  into  the
assumptions for the Fee Schedule.

         SECTION 1.3.  Sales Agreement.

          1.  Compaq and Inacom  will  jointly  develop  Compaq-branded  service
offerings for end users ("Services"). These services will be performed by Inacom
and will be sold through the Compaq sales force.

          2.  Compaq  and  Inacom  will  jointly  develop  and agree on rules of
engagement,  which will include, among other things, Relationship Management and
Joint  Account  Planning.  Compaq and Compaq Sub agree (and agree to cause their
affiliates) not to directly  solicit,  the Inacom  customers with contracts that
include  the  purchase  of Compaq  hardware  or a  demonstrated  run-rate of the
purchase of Compaq  hardware,  as set forth in Exhibit 5, where Compaq's  direct
product  sales and services  offerings  are  competitive  with those  offered by
Inacom as of the date  hereof,  for a period  of one year from the date  hereof,
provided the customer continues to purchase Compaq product from Inacom.

                                   ARTICLE II.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 2.1. Definitive  Agreements;  Binding Effect. The parties agree
to use their  reasonable  best efforts to complete  definitive  agreements  with
respect to the matters described in Article 1 within 30 days of the date hereof.
Until superseded by such definitive agreements,  this Agreement shall be binding
on the parties.

         SECTION 2.2. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to
any party hereunder shall be in writing (including  facsimile  transmission) and
shall be given,

         If to Inacom, to:

                  Inacom Corporation
                  Attention: Dick Anderson
                  2001 Westside Parkway

                  Suite 260
                  Alpharetta, GA  30004

         If to Compaq or Compaq Sub, to:

                  Compaq Computer Corporation

                  20555 SH 249
                  Houston, TX 77070
                  Attention: Mike Pocock
                  Facsimile:
<PAGE>

All such notices,  requests and other communications shall be deemed received on
the date of receipt by the recipient  thereof if received prior to 5 p.m. in the
place of  receipt  and  such  day is a  business  day in the  place of  receipt.
Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have
been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.

         SECTION  2.3.  Amendments  and  Waivers.  (a)  Any  provision  of  this
Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such  amendment or waiver is
in writing  and is signed,  in the case of an  amendment,  by each party to this
Agreement,  or in the case of a waiver,  by the party against whom the waiver is
to be effective.

         (b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right,  power or
privilege  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver  thereof nor shall any single or
partial  exercise  thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein
provided  shall be  cumulative  and not  exclusive  of any  rights  or  remedies
provided by law.

         SECTION 2.4.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective
successors and assigns; provided that no party may assign, delegate or otherwise
transfer  any of its rights or  obligations  under this  Agreement  without  the
consent of each other party hereto.

         SECTION 2.5. Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire
agreement  among the  parties  with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes  all prior  agreements  and  understandings,  both oral and  written,
between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

         SECTION 2.6.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the law of the State of New York without regard to
the conflicts of law rules of such state.

         SECTION 2.7.  Counterparts;  Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement
may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original,
with the same effect as if the signatures  thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument.  This Agreement shall become  effective when each party hereto shall
have  received  a  counterpart  hereof  signed by the  other  party  hereto.  No
provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any person other than the
parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

         SECTION 2.8. Term. The term of this Agreement  shall be for a period of
three (3) years from the date of execution.  Following the first  anniversary of
the date of  execution of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  the parties  agree to
renegotiate pricing for Procurement  Services for pricing periods to be mutually
agreed to by the  parties to the extent  necessary  to ensure  that  pricing for
Procurement Services remains competitively priced in the marketplace for each of
the parties.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                            Inacom Corporation

                            By: _____________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:
                                Date:

                            Compaq Computer Corporation

                            By: _____________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:
                                Date:


                            ITY Corp.

                            By: _____________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:
                                Date:

<PAGE>

SERVICES, SUPPLY & SALES AGREEMENT

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 1

                               REVENUE COMMITMENTS

Compaq agrees that it shall purchase the following  aggregate  service  revenues
over 1999  levels  from  Inacom  over the  course of the next  three  years.  In
addition,   Compaq  shall  be  obligated  to  satisfy  the  individual  services
categories within plus or minus twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenue targets
outlined  below,  provided  that Compaq  shall be  required  to achieve  revenue
commitments  in the  aggregate.  Compaq  estimates  that  it  will  achieve  the
aggregate revenue commitment for 2000 on the following basis: $10M in 1Q00; $20M
in 2Q00; $25M in 3Q00;  $30M in 4Q00,  provided that Compaq shall be required to
achieve the 2000 revenue commitment in the aggregate.

<TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

INCREMENTAL REVENUE SOURCE                2000                2001              2002
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>               <C>

1. Outsourcing of on-site warranty work   $10 million         $20 million       $25 million
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

2. Ongoing delivery and management of     $50 million         $75 million       $100 million
service obligations sold with Compaq

hardware

- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

3. Outsourcing of call handling and       $5 million          $10 million       $20 million
off-site support
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

4. Delivery and ongoing management of     $15 million         $25 million       $35 million
service obligations
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

5. Designation as "Premier Service        $5 million          $10 million       $15 million
Partner for Distributed Infrastructure
Services and subcontracting for
professional services
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------

Aggregate Revenue Commitment              $85 million         $140 million      $195 million
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 2

                                 SCOPE OF AGENCY

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 3

                              PROCUREMENT SERVICES

Compaq Sub agrees to offer the following  Procurement  Services pursuant to this
Agreement:

                 PROGRAM  DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT  PROGRAM DESIGN Scope of Work
                 Statement of Work Process Alignment Transition & Implementation

                 TECHNOLOGY SELECTION

                 Provide   evaluation   hardware  Establish  hardware  standards
                 Identification  and  cataloging  of existing  images Create and
                 implement design process Design software images Create software
                 images  Create   proof-of-concept   system  Test  and  validate
                 proof-of-concept  system GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT Single point
                 of  accountability  International  standards ORDER  FULFILLMENT
                 ACCOUNT SETUP Create account(s)  Implement  financing methods &
                 processes    PRICING   AND    AVAILABILITY    90-Day   forecast
                 Client-specific      purchasing      Client-owned     inventory
                 Pre-customized   inventory   Special  bid  pricing  Create  and
                 maintain  client-specific  pricing profiles Assign and maintain
                 client-specific  SKUs Create and maintain  convenience  bundles
                 PRE-SALES CONSULTING Create & provide client-specific web-based
                 catalog  Provide  configuration  manual  Provide live pre-sales
                 support  (standards  only) Provide live pre-sales  support (any
                 products)  Provide  on-site  pre-sales  support ORDER  CREATION
                 Create    adhoc   system   order   Create   adhoc   order   for
                 upgrade/peripheral/supplies  Create  refresh plan Obtain Client
                 internal   approval   Generate   purchase  order  ORDER  ENTRY,
                 CONFIRMATION,  ETAS Provide  web-based order entry tool Provide
                 centralized  order entry  contact  Provide  on-site order entry
                 contact  Provide X.12 EDI  connection  to client  system Review
                 order for completeness  Review order for technical  correctness
                 Review  order  for  credit   availability   Release   order  on
                 fulfillment  system  Verbally  confirm  order and ETA to client
                 contact  Electronically confirm order and ETA to client contact
                 ORDER  MANAGEMENT  Ensure  product  acquisition  and allocation
                 Answer  order  status  inquires  Escalate  issues  Advance ship
                 notification  (ASN)  Returns  and DOAs  Track  and  review  SLA
                 compliance Measure and report client satisfaction MANUFACTURING
                 AND CUSTOMIZATION Manage image and instructions Assemble system
                 (JMAS)   Customize   hardware   Third-party   component   setup
                 Partition/format  fixed disk drives Asset tagging and recording
                 Custom labeling or bar-coding Install software Operating System
                 Shrink-wrapped applications Proprietary applications Image load
                 Personalized  system  settings IP address  Workgroup name Other
                 Perform dial-out and/or leased line connectivity  testing Apply
                 client-specific  data  via  dial-out  or  leased  line  Burn-in
                 Troubleshoot  and repair image issues  Perform  client-specific
                 quality check LOGISTICS Pick and pack/repack  products  Special
                 overpack  Design  packing  per  client  specifications  Acquire
                 packaging Pack orders per client specifications Ensure shipment
                 integrity   Ship/Deliver  products  Standard  ground  Three-day
                 Two-day  Next-day  Crisis  transport  service  Carrier-specific
                 delivery  Time/place  specific delivery INVOICING AND REPORTING
                 Customized   packing  list  Provide   proof-of-delivery   (POD)
                 confirmation  Standard  invoice  Summary  invoice  EDI  invoice
                 Invoice  acceptance   Payment  generation   (standard)  Payment
                 generation  (EFT) REPORTS  Product  Purchase  Purchase  history
                 Standard vs.  non-standard  By  manufacturer  By business  unit
                 Standards  price  list Order  Management  Daily  Status  Report
                 Backorder   report  -  open  orders   Proof-of-delivery   (POD)
                 Notification  SLA Performance  order  turnaround SLA attainment
                 Invoices  Invoices billed  Invoices paid Asset  Management feed
                 Client Satisfaction

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 4

                                  FEE SCHEDULE

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 5

                               SPECIFIED CUSTOMERS

<PAGE>


                                  Schedule 1.01
                           Definition of the Business

         The Business  means the  following  businesses  currently  conducted by
Seller and its subsidiaries:

        o        Configuration and distribution operations, including:
                 o         Distribution center and distribution services
                 o         Configuration and configuration support
                 o         Central sales
                 o         Project and technology project management
                 o         Purchasing
                 o         Quality assurance
                 o         Traffic
                 o         Memphis distribution and configuration activities
                 o         Microsoft project
                 o         Asset recovery
                 o         Bid desk
                 o         Client services
                 o         Operations - International
                 o         Loss prevention
         o       Reseller  business,  other than (1) obligations under franchise
                 and TMS franchise agreements and (2) in Latin America

         o       Tangible  assets and  liabilities of Government  services unit,
                 but not including Sysorex goodwill.1

         o       Information  technology  systems and applications,  but only to
                 the extent allocated to Buyer under Section 7.07.

         o       International Operations as follows:

                 o         Project  management   activities  located  in  Omaha,
                           Nebraska and, if any, in Luxembourg

                 o         Canadian  operations (solely through Buyer's purchase
                           of  Seller's  19%  interest  in  InaCom   Information
                           Systems, Ltd., a Canadian entity).2

         o       Boston Computer Exchange

         The Business does not include the following (the "Excluded Business"):

         o         Services organization, excluding procurement.

- --------
     1 Buyer has an option  within three weeks of the date hereof to delete this
item from the  definition  of  "Business" if Buyer  reasonably  concludes  after
review  and upon  notice  to  Seller  on or prior to the end of such  three-week
period that  contracts  representing  a  substantial  portion of the  Government
business are not  assignable  without  consent and not likely to be consented to
within a customary period of time needed for obtaining such consents,  including
novations if necessary.

     2 Buyer has an option  within two weeks of the date  hereof to delete  this
item from the definition of the "Business".

<PAGE>

         o        Product and service field sales force.
         o        Communications group.

         o        Franchisees (including TMS) business,  including sales offices
                  and equity investments in or loans or advances to franchisees.

         o        Latin American reseller business.
         o        Rentals business.

         o        Europe business.

<PAGE>

                                  Schedule 2.01
                                Purchased Assets

<TABLE>

           Item                                          Purchased Assets
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>

Cash and Cash               o None
Equivalents
- -----------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts Receivable
- -------------------
o Trade                     o All   non-direct    product   accounts
                              receivable,  other than those  arising  out of (1)
                              Communications  group,  (2) Latin  America and (3)
                              Europe
                            o Government receivables
                            o Boston Computer Exchange receivables.
o Vendor                    o All accounts receivable due from Compaq.
o Securitization            o None.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventory
- ---------
                            o All product  inventory,  other than  non-committed
                              inventory  related to the  following  vendors  and
                              businesses:   IBM,  HP,  Dell,   Toshiba  and  the
                              Excluded Business (as defined on Schedule 1.01)
                            o All HP printer inventory.
                            o All committed product inventory.
                            o Boston Computer Exchange inventory.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Current Assets
- --------------------
o Prepaids                  o None.
o Deferred Taxes            o None.
o Other                     o None.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Item                                          Purchased Assets
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>
Fixed Assets                o All assets primarily used by the Business or the
- ------------                  Transferred Employees.
                            o Leasehold  interests  and  all  fixed  assets  and
                              equipment associated with the following:

                                   o Distribution and configuration  centers and
                                     central  sales  call  centers in (1) Omaha,
                                     Nebraska,  (2) Indianapolis,  Indiana,  (3)
                                     Swedesboro,  New  Jersey  and (4)  Ontario,
                                     California.

                                   o Tech center in Omaha,  Nebraska,  excluding
                                     personnel  and assets not  associated  with
                                     information technology or distribution. See
                                     Section 7.07 for  allocation of use of this
                                     facility.3

                                   o Gateway  building in Omaha,  Nebraska.  See
                                     Section 7.07 for  allocation of use of this
                                     facility.

                                   o Corporate  headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
                                     See Section 7.07 for  allocation  of use of
                                     this facility.

                                   o Livermore, California facility.

                                   o Memphis, Tennessee facility.

                                   o Boston  Computer  Exchange.

                                   o Distribution center in Singapore.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangibles                 o None.
- -----------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets
- ------------
o Other                     o 19% interest in InaCom Information Systems,  Ltd.,
                              a  Canadian   entity,   and  option  to   purchase
                              remainder.4
o Deferred Taxes            o None.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------
     3 If landlord  consent to transfer of the Tech Center has not been received
by Closing,  the Tech Center  shall  become an Excluded  Asset and Seller  shall
sublease it to Buyer.

     4 Buyer has option  within two weeks of the date hereof to delete this item
from the  definition  of "Purchased  Assets" and to add it to the  definition of
"Excluded Assets". If this item is to be included,  Buyer will purchase Seller's
19% equity interest in InaCom Information Systems,  Ltd., and not the underlying
assets.

<PAGE>

                                  Schedule 2.02
                                 Excluded Assets

<TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Item                                         Excluded Assets
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
Cash and cash              o All.
equivalents
- -----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts Receivable
- -------------------
o Trade                     o All direct product accounts receivable (other than
                              Government   receivables   and   Boston   Computer
                              Exchange receivables).

                            o All  accounts   receivable   arising  out  of  (1)
                              Communications  group,  (2) Latin  America and (3)
                              Europe.
o Vendor                    o All accounts  receivable other than those due from
                              Compaq.
o Securitization            o All.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventory
- ---------
                           o All non-committed  product inventory related to the
                             following  vendors and  businesses:  IBM, HP, Dell,
                             Toshiba and the Excluded Business.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Current Assets
- --------------------
o Prepaids                 o All.
o Deferred Taxes           o All.
o Other                    o All.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Assets
- ------------               o All assets primarily used by the Excluded Business.
                           o Leasehold   interests  and  all  fixed  assets  and
                             equipment associated with the following:
                                 o Services call centers in (1) Tempe,  Arizona,
                                   (2) Atlanta, Georgia and (3) Omaha, Nebraska.
                                 o Branch offices.
                                 o Wharton repair facility.
                                 o South Building in Omaha, Nebraska.
                                 o Atlanta Facilities.
                           o Corporate airplane.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangibles
- -----------                o All intangibles (including goodwill and InaCom name
                             and logo).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
Other Assets
- ------------
o Other                    o All  losses,   loss  carryforwards  and  rights  to
                             receive  refunds,  credits  and loss  carryforwards
                             with  respect  to any and all Taxes of Seller  that
                             constitute  Excluded  Liabilities,   including  any
                             interest receivable with respect thereto.
                           o Stock  in any  subsidiary  of  Seller,  other  than
                             pursuant to Buyer's option on the Canadian entity.
                           o Desktops for all employees  other than  Transferred
                             Employees.
                           o Any receivables from Seller.
o Deferred Taxes           o All.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Other                    o Monies or other properties  received by Seller as a
                             result of affirmative claims made by Seller against
                             third parties for the matters set forth in Schedule
                             3.10.
                           o Authorizations to do business.
                           o If  Buyer   elects  not  to  acquire  the  Canadian
                             interest or the Government  unit,  those items will
                             become Excluded Assets.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                  Schedule 2.03
                               Assumed Liabilities

<TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Item                                       Assumed Liabilities
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>
Accounts Payable           o All  accounts  payable  related  to  the  following
- ----------------             vendors and businesses:  Compaq, Microsoft, Ingram,
                             Tech Data, 3Com,  Lexmark,  other 3rd party product
                             vendors, reseller business, and Boston Computer
                             Exchange business.
                           o Liabilities   under  the  Agreement  for  Wholesale
                             Financing  with Deutsche  Financial  Services Corp.
                             dated as of December  24,  1998,  as amended on May
                             25, 1999 and December 23, 1999.
                           o Government payables.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes Payable                 None.
- -------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Current
Liabilities
- -----------
o Accrued liabilities     o See Article 9 relating to compensation and benefits.
o Taxes payable.          o None.
o Accrued other           o See Article 9 relating to compensation and benefits.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Term Debt            o None.
- --------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock           o None.
- ---------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                  Schedule 2.04
                              Excluded Liabilities

<TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Item                                      Excluded Liabilities
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>

Accounts Payable           o All  accounts  payable  related  to  the  following
- ----------------             vendors and businesses: IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell,
                             Toshiba,  Lucent,  rental  business,  international
                             businesses,   Inacom  Latin  America,   Oracle  A/P
                             (administrative payables).
                           o Liabilities under Agreement for Inventory Financing
                             with IBM Credit  Corporation  dated as of April 27,
                             1998.
                           o Accounts  payable to Compaq or its  affiliates  for
                             which  checks  have  been  written,   but  not  yet
                             released to Buyer by Seller  (provided  such checks
                             will be delivered in the ordinary course).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes Payable                 All.
- -------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Current
Liabilities
- -----------
o Accrued liabilities      o All,  other than as  provided in Article 9 relating
                             to compensation and benefits.
                           o All  intangibles  or  liabilities  associated  with
                             Sysorex.
o Taxes payable.           o All.
o Accrued other            o All,  other than as  provided in Article 9 relating
                             to compensation and benefits.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Term Debt             o All.
- --------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock            o All.
- ---------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
- -----                      o Any liabilities relating to any Vanstar litigation.
                           o Any liabilities  relating to earn out or contingent
                             payment   obligations   arising  from   pre-closing
                             acquisitions.
                           o Any  liabilities  relating to  litigation  (whether
                             pending,   threatened  or  settled)   disclosed  in
                             Schedule 3.10.
                           o Computer Associates software license obligations.
                           o Any payable to Seller.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                Schedule 5.01(d)

Conduct of the Business.
- -----------------------
                  None.

                                  Schedule 7.04

Trademarks; Trade Names.
- -----------------------
         (a)      None.

         (b)      Any and all  trademarks  and trade names of the Seller and its
affiliates,  including,  but not limited  to,  InaCom and  derivatives  thereof,
INACOMP, VALCOM, and VANSTAR.


<PAGE>
                                  Schedule 7.07

                             Information Technology
                 Physical Separation and Sharing of Common Costs

         Both  Inacom  and  Compaq  (the  "Parties")  recognize  that  while the
Information  Technology  infrastructure  is  being  physically  separated,  both
Parties will be required to share the cost of certain personnel and assets.  All
cost sharing will be based on actual direct costs,  with no markup or loading of
indirect costs of any sort.

         During  the  period  beginning  on the  signing  date and ending on the
Closing Date, the Parties undertake to initiate and complete a classification of
all Information  Technology  personnel and assets as either (a) dedicated solely
to the  Business  (the  "Business  Personnel  and  the  Business  Assets"),  (b)
dedicated solely to the Excluded Business (the "Excluded  Business Personnel and
the Excluded Business Assets"),  or (c) jointly supporting both the Business and
the Excluded Business (the "Joint Personnel and Joint Assets").

         Excluded  Business  Personnel  remain  employees of Inacom and Excluded
Business Assets become Excluded Assets at the Closing Date. Each Party will bear
the cost of their respective personnel and assets.

         With respect to Joint  Personnel and Joint Assets (a) the Parties agree
to jointly prepare a time schedule within which to achieve physical  separation,
and (b) share the costs of such  personnel and assets,  using a percentage to be
determined monthly, during the period that such personnel and assets are jointly
employed. As Joint Personnel or Joint Assets are no longer required,  each Party
will  share  equally  in the  termination  cost of the  Joint  Personnel  or the
disposal  cost of the Joint Asset.  If either  party  elects to assume  complete
responsibility  for a Joint Personnel or Joint Asset,  such party will settle up
with the other based on the original classification or accounting at the Closing
Date.

         In any  event,  both  Parties  agree  that  time is of the  essence  in
achieving  separation and that in any event,  all separation  activities will be
completed no later than 12 months after the Closing Date.

<PAGE>

                             Administrative Services
                            Jointly Provided Services

         The  Parties  recognize  that  subsequent  to  closing,  the  temporary
services of administrative support personnel will be required until such time as
complete  physical  separation  can be achieved.  The Parties agree to share the
cost of such personnel based on periodic estimates of the amount of time devoted
to each.  All cost sharing will be based on actual  direct  salary,  benefit and
insurance costs, with no markup or loading of indirect costs of any sort.

         During  the  period  beginning  on the  signing  date and ending on the
Closing  Date,  Inacom and Compaq (the  "Parties")  undertake  to  initiate  and
complete a classification of all Administrative  Support personnel as either (a)
dedicated  solely to the Business  (the  "Business  Personnel"),  (b)  dedicated
solely to the Excluded  Business (the  "Excluded  Business  Personnel"),  or (c)
jointly  supporting  both the  Business and the  Excluded  Business  (the "Joint
Personnel").

         Excluded  Business  Personnel and Joint Personnel  remain  employees of
Inacom at the Closing  Date.  Each Party will bear the cost of their  respective
personnel and assets.

         With  respect  to Joint  Personnel  (a) the  Parties  agree to  jointly
prepare a time schedule  within which to achieve  physical  separation,  and (b)
share  the  costs  of  such  personnel,  using  a  percentage  to be  determined
quarterly,  during the period that such personnel are jointly employed. As Joint
Personnel  are  no  longer  required,  each  Party  will  share  equally  in the
termination  cost of the  Joint  Personnel.  If  either  party  elects to assume
complete responsibility for Joint Personnel,  such party will settle up with the
other based on the original classification or accounting at the Closing Date.

         In any  event,  both  Parties  agree  that  time is of the  essence  in
achieving  separation and that in any event,  all separation  activities will be
completed no later than 12 months after the Closing Date.

                            Shared Space Arrangements

         In all matters  related to leased space in the  Corporate  Headquarters
and Gateway Buildings, each Party shall take reasonable steps to help reduce the
costs to be borne by the other Party.

<PAGE>

         With respect to the Gateway building,  each Party will bear the cost of
leased space  attributable to the space occupied by the Business or the Excluded
Business,  as applicable,  at the date hereof.  Subtenant  rentals will directly
offset  the cost of the  leased  space  for the  Party to which  the  space  was
attributed at the date hereof.

         With respect to the Corporate Headquarters, Seller will reimburse Buyer
for its pro rata portion of the building occupied by Excluded Business Personnel
and its share of Joint Personnel at the date hereof.  The pro rata portion is to
be based on a fraction,  the numerator of which is the sum of Excluded  Business
Personnel plus Seller's share of Joint  Personnel  occupying the building at the
date hereof and the denominator of which is the total number of Seller Employees
occupying the building at the date hereof.  The resulting  fraction will be used
to allocate the net cost of the building  until the lease term expires.  The net
cost of the  building  is defined as the total lease cost less  subtenant  lease
payments.

         With respect to the Tech Center in Chalco Hills:

         o     With  respect to the  portion of the  building  not  occupied  by
               Information  Technology  personnel and assets at the date hereof,
               Seller will  reimburse  Buyer it pro rata portion of the building
               occupied by Excluded Business Personnel.  The pro rata portion is
               be based on a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the  square
               footage of such space occupied by Excluded Business  Personnel at
               the date hereof and the  denominator of which is the total square
               footage of the building (excluding the square footage occupied by
               Information  Technology personnel and assets) at the date hereof.
               The  resulting  fraction will be used to allocate the net cost of
               the building  until the lease term  expires.  Buyer agrees to use
               reasonable  best efforts to take over space vacated by Seller and
               to the extent it does so utilize  the vacated  space,  adjust the
               fraction downward.

         o     With  respect to the space  occupied  by  Information  Technology
               personnel and assets,  Seller will  reimburse  Buyer its pro rata
               portion of the building occupied by Excluded  Business  Personnel
               and its share of Joint  Personnel.  The pro rata portion is to be
               based  on a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which  is the  sum of
               Excluded Personnel plus Seller's share of Joint Personnel and the
               denominator  of which is the sum of Excluded  Business  Personnel
               plus Business Personnel plus Joint Personnel.



<PAGE>
                                Schedule 9.01(a)

Employee Benefits.

InaCom Employees Retirement Savings Plan and Trust

InaCom Medical, Dental, Short-Term Disability and Employee Assistance Plan

InaCom Managed Care Plan

InaCom Life, A D & D & Long Term Disability Plan

InaCom Crop Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

InaCom Health Care Reimbursement Plan

InaCom Before-Tax Premium Payment Plan

Office Products of Minnesota Inc. 401(k) Plan

InaCom Executive Deferred Compensation Plan

InaCom Corp. 1997 Stock Plan

InaCom Severance Pay Policy

InaCom 1994 Stock Plan

InaCom Corp 1990 Stock Plan

Valcom, Inc. 1987 Stock Option Plan

Group Insurance Plan for Employees of Vanstar Corporation

Vanstar Corporation Section 401(k) Plan

National Technology Group 401(k) Plan

Computerland 401(k) Plan

Mentor Technologies Ltd. 401(k) Plan

InaCom Paid Time Off Policy

See Section 3.07(3).

<PAGE>
                                  Schedule 9.02
                               Business Employees

         The term "Business  Employees" means any person  primarily  employed in
connection with the Business, including:

         1.       Order management/central sales (approximately 806 employees,
                  including 160 employees resident in branch offices);

         2.       Procurement services (approximately 780 employees);

         3.       Configuration centers  (Indianapolis;  Omaha; Ontario, CA; and
                  Swedesboro, NJ (approximately 450 employees in total);

         4.       Boston computer exchange (approximately 10 employees);

         5.       Bid desk unit (approximately 10 employees);

         6.       Reseller group (approximately 40 employees);

         7.       IT systems and applications to the extent provided in Schedule
                  1.01 (approximately 150 employees);

         8.       Memphis  center   exclusively   devoted  to  Federal   Express
                  (approximately 30 employees);

         9.       Government unit (approximately 130 employees); and

         10.      Human   resource,   finance   and   marketing   communications
                  functions,  but only those employees  directly and exclusively
                  involved   in  support   of  the   categories   listed   above
                  (approximately 30 employees).

         11.      Configuration  and Logistics Project  Management  resources in
                  US, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong.
<PAGE>
                                                         1
                                  Schedule 9.06

Severance Benefits.
- ------------------

         See InaCom Severance Pay Policy applicable to all of Seller's employees
attached hereto as Exhibit 9.06.


<PAGE>



Tuesday January 4, 4:05 pm Eastern Time

Inacom Sells Product  Customization and Logistics  Operations to Compaq Computer
Corporation

Sale Accelerates InaCom's eBusiness Infrastructure Solutions Focus

Additional  Long-Term  Services  Agreement Ensures Inacom Access To Multi-Vendor
Product  Customization  and  Logistics  and Provides For Compaq  Utilization  of
Inacom Services

OMAHA,  NEB--JAN.  4, 2000-- INACOM CORP. (NYSE:ICO - NEWS) announced today that
it has entered  into a definitive  agreement  with Compaq  Computer  Corporation
(NYSE:CPQ - news) to sell certain operations and assets  principally  related to
InaCom's product customization and logistics capabilities.  Under the agreement,
Compaq will pay $370 million in cash for these operations.

Inacom and Compaq also agreed to enter into a  three-year  Services,  Supply and
Sales  Agreement.  This  agreement  will give  Inacom full access to the product
customization  and  logistics  capabilities  that are being sold to Compaq.  The
agreement  will  also  provide  for  Compaq's  use  of  InaCom's  lifecycle  and
professional   services  offerings  over  the  same  three-year   period.   This
arrangement is expected to provide substantial  incremental services revenues to
Inacom.

"The sale of these  operations  is  perfectly  aligned with  InaCom's  strategic
position  as  the  multi-vendor  eBusiness  infrastructure  expert,"  said  G.A.
Gagliardi, Inacom President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "This transaction
allows us to retain our  entry-point to the client - our sales force,  technical
professionals  and the  multi-vendor  procurement and  customization  capability
while  eliminating the significant  working capital  requirements of the product
business.  Both Inacom and Compaq stand to benefit from achieving  critical mass
as Compaq moves increased volumes through the facilities."

"Following  this  transaction,  Inacom will have the optimal  business  model to
design and manage reliable,  secure eBusiness infrastructures for corporations,"
Gagliardi  added.  "Specifically,  Inacom will  continue to benefit  from having
relationships with more than 35% of Fortune 500 corporations;  more than 800,000
seats under management;  and more than 30 long-term,  full outsource accounts as
well as 6,000 technical  professionals.  All of these elements will be maximized
within the framework of an attractive economic and operational structure."

"This  purchase makes great  strategic  sense for Compaq because it gives us the
right  capabilities  quickly  and  cost-effectively,"  said  Michael  Cappellas,
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Compaq Computer Corporation. "We'll
be better equipped to meet the diverse and changing needs of our U.S.  customers
- -  particularly  our major accounts which clearly want to go direct - increasing
our potential for profitable growth."

About Inacom

INACOM CORP. (NYSE:ICO - NEWS) is an eBusiness Infrastructure Management expert.
The company architects, builds and manages solutions that optimize corporations'
return on IT investments.  InaCom's client  portfolio  includes more than 35% of
Fortune 500 corporations.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking  statements based on certain
assumptions and information  currently available to management.  Such statements
are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the
Company's 1998 10-K Report that could cause actual results to differ  materially
from the results discussed herein.



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