CDW Corporation

CDW Corporation
Name	CDW Corporation
Type	Public
Industry	Information technology
Founded	1984
Founder	Michael Krasny
Headquarters	Vernon Hills, Illinois
Key people	Christopher Numrich
Products	IT hardware, software, services

CDW Corporation is an American provider of technology products and services serving business, government, education, and healthcare customers. Founded in 1984, the company grew from a mail-order reseller into a multinational distributor and solutions integrator offering hardware, software, cloud, and managed services. CDW operates in a competitive landscape alongside firms from the Fortune 500 and technology vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and Dell Technologies while engaging with public sector entities like the United States Department of Defense and educational institutions including the University of California system.

History

CDW's origins trace to 1984 when entrepreneur Michael Krasny launched a catalog-based reseller amid the era of the IBM PC, Commodore 64, and the rise of Microsoft Windows. During the 1980s and 1990s CDW expanded as the personal computing revolution accelerated alongside vendors such as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Apple Inc.. The company navigated the Dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and accessed public markets via an initial public offering, joining lists like the NASDAQ Composite. Strategic shifts included international expansion into markets served by companies like Edward Jones and Staples as well as investments aligning with enterprise trends exemplified by Oracle Corporation and SAP SE. In the 2000s and 2010s CDW adjusted to cloud computing driven by platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and VMware. Corporate milestones involved leadership changes similar to peers such as HPE executives and transactions that mirrored larger consolidation trends among distributors like Ingram Micro and Tech Data.

Business operations and services

CDW sells IT products from manufacturers including Lenovo, Acer Inc., Asus, Samsung Electronics, and NVIDIA alongside software publishers such as Adobe Inc., Symantec, and VMware. Its services portfolio covers deployment, lifecycle management, and security solutions that reference standards used by National Institute of Standards and Technology, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, and frameworks promoted by ISACA. The company supports customers across sectors represented by organizations like Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins University, and municipalities such as City of Chicago while delivering managed services competing with firms like Accenture, Deloitte, and Capgemini. Channel and partner programs reflect relationships found in ecosystems with Cisco Partner Network, Microsoft Partner Network, and Amazon Partner Network participants.

Corporate structure and leadership

CDW operates as a publicly traded corporation with a board and executive team drawn from technology and distribution backgrounds similar to leaders at Broadcom Inc., Xerox, and Square, Inc.. Chief executives and officers have previously served at companies such as IBM, Oracle Corporation, and Staples, Inc.; board members include directors with experience from institutions like Harvard Business School and corporate governance ties to exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange. Corporate functions incorporate legal teams familiar with regulations including the Securities Act of 1933 and reporting practices aligned with standards from the Financial Accounting Standards Board and audit firms in the roster of the Big Four accounting firms.

Financial performance

CDW's revenue trajectory has reflected demand cycles similar to technology distributors monitored by indices such as the S&P 500 and analysts from firms like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan Chase. Financial reporting compares metrics used by General Electric and Cisco Systems, including gross margin, operating income, and free cash flow; investors evaluate performance against peers like Arrow Electronics and Wesco International. Capital market activity has included public offerings and secondary transactions that attracted institutional shareholders such as Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Credit relations and ratings are influenced by agencies including Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's while treasury practices follow guidelines similar to those applied by multinational corporations such as 3M.

Acquisitions and partnerships

CDW's growth strategy features acquisitions and alliances resembling moves by distributors such as Ingram Micro and managed services consolidators like Insight Enterprises. Past transactions involved purchasing niche providers to expand capabilities in areas adjacent to offerings from ServiceNow, Splunk, and CrowdStrike. Strategic partnerships include reseller agreements and OEM relationships with firms like Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Dell Technologies, and cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Collaborations also extend to public sector procurement vehicles similar to GSA Schedule arrangements and education-focused consortia that include systems like SUNY and Ivy League institutions.

Corporate responsibility and awards

CDW participates in corporate responsibility initiatives in domains addressed by organizations such as United Nations Global Compact, EPA, and Goodwill Industries. Environmental and sustainability efforts align with standards from groups like ISO and reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative. The company has received recognition in rankings and awards similar to Fortune's Best Workplaces, CR Magazine lists, and regional honors issued by chambers such as the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Philanthropic work has partnered with nonprofits like American Red Cross, DonorsChoose, and Habitat for Humanity while workforce development programs mirror collaborations seen with institutions like Northern Illinois University and workforce boards across states including Illinois.

Category:Companies based in Illinois Category:Information technology companies of the United States