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CDW

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Employees 10,000+
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FY2014 Annual Report · CDW
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2014 Annual Report

CDW TODAY

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CDW’s integrated technology solutions and services help

250,000 business, government, education and healthcare

customers navigate an increasingly complex IT market

and maximize the return on their technology investment

FinAnciAl PeRFoRmAnce

(dollars in millions, except
per share data amounts)

Net Sales

Adjusted EBITDA**

Non-GAAP Net Income**

Non-GAAP Earnings per Share**

2011

2012

2013*

2014

$9,602

$10,128

$10,769

$12,075

$71 7

$199

$767 

$247

$1.44

$809

$314

$1.83

$907

$41 0

$2.37

3-YR
CAGR

7.9%

8.2%

27.3%

NA

Non-GAAP Earnings per Share*

Net Sales

$2.37

$12,075

$10,769

$1.83

+29.7%

+12.1%

2013

2014

2013

2014

* CDW went public on June 26, 2013

** Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Earnings per Share are Non-GAAP

financial measures. Please refer to Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 5 for
further information.

chAiRmAn’S letteR
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Fellow Shareholders,

At CDW, we see the world through the eyes of our customers and that perspective helps drive

our profitable growth year after year. Uniquely positioned between our 250,000 customers

and more than 1,000 world-class partners, we help our customers – from businesses to

schools and hospitals to government agencies – achieve their operating goals and maximize

the return on their technology investment.

Our proven business model is underpinned by the balance we have across our channels,

products and technologies. With five customer-facing channels, each with nearly $1 billion or

more in annual sales, and more than 100,000 products and services, we are well positioned to

take advantage of evolving market dynamics.

At our core, our team of more than 7,000 talented coworkers make it all happen. In 2014, we

once again saw the focus and drive of our coworkers – in every role across our organization –

uncover opportunities, exceed expectations of our customers and deliver results. I want

to thank each and every coworker for their relentless commitment to the success of our

customers and CDW.

Strong Financial Performance and Strategic Progress

In 2014, we again delivered both excellent financial results and strategic progress, significantly

outpacing the U.S. IT market while investing in the future growth of our business. While in the

past, our balanced channel portfolio helped offset the impact of macroeconomic or external

factors on our business, this year our channels fired on all cylinders as we met the needs of

our customers – both for transactional products and solutions – fueling market share growth.

At the same time, our variable cost structure helped us mitigate the impact of lower-margined

transactional products and deliver excellent profitability. Some of the key measures of our

financial performance this year include:

• Net sales of $12.1 billion, up 12.1 percent

• Adjusted EBITDA of $907 million, up 12.2 percent

• Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share of $2.37, up 29.7 percent

These strong financial results enabled us to take actions that support our capital allocation

priorities in 2014, including the authorization of a $500 million share repurchase program and

a 59 percent increase in our annual dividend to 27 cents per share. These results were also

recognized by the stock market, and we significantly outperformed the S&P 500, with CDW

stock price up 50.6 percent in the year.

thomas e. Richards
chairman and chief executive officer

In 2014, we once again
saw the focus and drive
of our coworkers –
in every role across
our organization –
uncover opportunities,
exceed expectations
of our customers and
deliver results. I want to
thank each and every
coworker for their
relentless commitment
to the success of our
customers and CDW.

CDW CORPORATION 1

chAiRmAn’S letteR (continued)
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In addition to a year of excellent financial progress, 2014

with nine NFL team implementations. And, our Services team

was a year of significant strategic progress driven by our

received several accolades in 2014, including being named

three-part strategy. First, we worked to profitably grow

Cisco Americas Services Partner of the Year and one of the

our share with existing and new customers, enhancing

“Top 10 Data Centers to Work For” by getvoip.com.

seller capacity and capability to make it easier to focus

on what matters most – meeting the needs of our

customers. We established new sales verticals in finance

and legal and refined our geographic segmentation with

the establishment of a new South region, getting us

closer to the unique needs of our customers. We also

made a 35 percent investment in U.K.-based IT solutions

provider, Kelway, enhancing our sellers’ abilities to meet

the international needs of our U.S.-based customers

and prospects.

A second key pillar of our strategy is to broaden our

solutions suite, enhancing our ability to deliver integrated

solutions. In 2014, we made significant strides in Cloud

computing. We expanded our solutions portfolio with

best-in-class offerings in categories such as security,

back-up and collaboration, including migration and

managed services. Our Aggregation Services practice

garnered numerous industry awards for our work sourcing

and deploying Cloud capabilities across a global set of

partners and facilities. We also dedicated a team of Cloud

Client Executives, professionals with the domain expertise

to support our customers’ efforts to evaluate, design and

implement Cloud solutions. At the same time, we expanded

our Mobility portfolio, launching an innovative Mobile App

culture of Performance and execution will Drive 2015

CDW will continue to execute against our strategy for growth

in 2015 and look to outpace the U.S. IT market by 200 to 300

basis points. Of course, our ability to execute depends entirely

on our coworkers and valued partners.

We have an outstanding team of coworkers and I consider

myself incredibly lucky to be a part of this organization.

Our culture of customer focus and execution, coupled with

competitive drive, fuels opportunity and success. And, we

have top-notch relationships with world-class partners –

both established and emerging – to solve our customers’

problems. Together, we are a powerful force.

In 2015, we will continue to invest in our infrastructure,

including the people, processes, technologies and facilities

needed to support our growth. Last year, we added more than

140 customer- facing coworkers, three-quarters of which are

in solutions and services roles. We intend to add customer-

facing coworkers to support the evolution of our go-to-market

strategy and ensure we can continue to deliver high-growth,

integrated solutions such as Data Center, Unified Communications

and Collaboration, Security, Mobility and Cloud. We’ll also

further enhance our international capabilities to support

U.S.- and Canada-based customers.

Marketplace for developers – a single, online destination

I am excited and optimistic about what's ahead for CDW.

that connects organizations with vetted, proven developers

IT budgets have stabilized and, combined with an expanding

of industry leading mobile apps for key business functions.

economy, provide increased opportunity to pursue our bold

We had nearly 200,000 visitors to our App Marketplace

vision of being the leading IT solutions and services provider

in 2014.

in the markets we serve.

The third component of our strategy is to expand our

Thank you for your continued confidence in our ability to

services capabilities. In 2014, we achieved another year

achieve our vision. Here’s to another year of meaningful,

of double-digit growth in Services Solutions, adding more

profitable growth at CDW.

than 65 coworkers to our services practice and opening

two new markets. Today, we have technical specialists,

service delivery and sales coworkers in more than 20 major

metro markets across the U.S., supported by a national

traveling team and a nationwide network of partnerships

with OEMs and local service providers to ensure we cover

the entire U.S. We continued deployment of our very

Thomas E. Richards

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

successful ultimate fan experience projects, most notably

March 24, 2015

2 CDW CORPORATION

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

or

Commission File Number 001-35985

CDW CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

200 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills, Illinois

(Address of principal executive offices)

26-0273989

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

60061

(Zip Code)

(847) 465-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
  ____________________________________________ 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    

  Yes    

  No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    

  Yes    

  No

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
  ____________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 
preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 
days.    

  Yes    

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be 
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant 
was required to submit and post such files).    

  Yes    

  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the 
best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-
K.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions 
of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    

  Yes    

  No

 
Table of Contents

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2014, the last business day of the 
registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $2,762.3 million, based on the per share closing sale price of $31.88 on that date.

As of February 20, 2015, there were 172,275,656 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for use in connection with its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed not later than 120 days after 
December 31, 2014, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Year Ended December 31, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item
PART I
Item 1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

PART II
Item 5.

Item 6.
Item 7.

Item 7A.

Item 8.

Item 9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

PART III
Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

PART IV
Item 15.

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities

Selected Financial Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SIGNATURES

Page

4

9

20

20

21

21

25

27

33

57

58

107

107

109

110

110

110

110

110

111

112

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Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other 
than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and 
other information, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These 
statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. We claim the protection of The Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all forward-looking statements in this report.

These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” 

“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will” and similar terms and phrases, 
including references to assumptions. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. 
Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements 
are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve those plans, intentions or expectations. All forward-looking 
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, 
are disclosed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report. All written and oral forward-looking 
statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary 
statements contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report as well as other cautionary 
statements that are made from time to time in our other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings and public 
communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of these risks and 
uncertainties.

We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. 

In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if 
substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The 
forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly 
update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise 
required by law.

3

Table of Contents

Item 1. Business

Our Company

PART I

CDW is a Fortune 500 company and a leading provider of integrated information technology (“IT”) solutions in the 

U.S. and Canada. We help our customer base of approximately 250,000 small, medium and large business, government, 
education and healthcare customers by delivering critical solutions to their increasingly complex IT needs. Our broad array of 
offerings ranges from discrete hardware and software products to integrated IT solutions such as mobility, security, data center 
optimization, cloud computing, virtualization and collaboration. We are technology "agnostic," with a product portfolio that 
includes over 100,000 products from more than 1,000 brands. We provide our products and solutions through sales force and 
service delivery teams consisting of nearly 4,600 coworkers, including more than 1,800 field sellers, highly-skilled technology 
specialists and advanced service delivery engineers.

We are a leading U.S. sales channel partner for many original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and software 

publishers (collectively, our “vendor partners”), whose products we sell or include in the solutions we offer. We believe we are 
an important extension of our vendor partners' sales and marketing capabilities, providing them with a cost-effective way to 
reach customers and deliver a consistent brand experience through our established end-market coverage and extensive customer 
access.

We provide value to our customers by simplifying the complexities of technology across design, selection, 
procurement, integration and management. Our goal is to have our customers, regardless of their size, view us as an 
indispensable extension of their IT staffs. We seek to achieve this goal by providing our customers with superior service 
through our large and experienced sales force and service delivery teams. Our multi-brand offering approach enables us to 
identify the products or combination of products that best address each customer's specific organizational IT requirements and 
to evolve our offerings as new technologies develop. 

We believe we offer the following value proposition to our customers and our vendor partners:

Our value proposition to our customers

Broad selection of products and multi-branded IT 
solutions

Our value proposition to our vendor partners
    Access to approximately 250,000 customers throughout 

the U.S. and Canada

    Value-added services with integration capabilities

    Large and established customer channels

Highly-skilled specialists and engineers

Strong distribution and implementation capabilities

Solutions across a very broad IT landscape

    Value-added solutions and marketing programs that 

generate end-user demand

Our customers include private sector businesses many of which employ fewer than 5,000 employees, government 

agencies and educational and healthcare institutions. We serve our customers through channel-specific sales teams and service 
delivery teams with extensive technical skills and knowledge of the specific markets they serve. This market segmentation 
allows us to customize our offerings and to provide enhanced expertise in designing and implementing IT solutions for our 
customers. We currently have five dedicated customer channels: medium/large business, small business, government, education 
and healthcare, each of which generated nearly $1 billion or more in net sales in 2014. The scale and diversity of our customer 
channels provide us with multiple avenues for growth and a balanced customer base to weather economic and technology 
cycles. 

4

  
Table of Contents

The following table provides information regarding our reportable segments and our customer channels:

Corporate Segment

Public Segment

Customer
Channels
 Target
Customers

Medium/
Large
Business
100 - 5,000
employees

Small
Business
10 - 100
employees

Government
Various federal,
state and local
agencies

Education
Higher
education
and K-12

Healthcare
Hospitals,
ambulatory service
providers and long-
term care facilities

Other
Advanced 
services 
customers plus 
Canada

2014 Net 
Sales 
(in billions)

$5.5

$1.0

$1.5

$1.8

$1.6

$0.7

For further information on our segments, including financial results, see Note 17 to the accompanying audited 

consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

We offer more than 1,000 brands, from well-established companies such as APC, Apple, Cisco, EMC, Google, 

Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, NetApp, Samsung, Symantec and VMware to emerging vendor partners such as 
Aerohive Networks, Box, Inc., Drobo, Jive, Nimble Storage, Nutanix, and Ruckus. In 2014, we generated over $1 billion of 
revenue for each of four of our vendor partners and over $100 million of revenue for each of 12 other vendor partners. We have 
received the highest level of certification from major vendor partners such as Cisco, EMC and Microsoft, which reflects the 
extensive product and solution knowledge and capabilities that we bring to our customers' IT challenges. These certifications 
also provide us with access to favorable pricing, tools and resources, including vendor incentive programs, which we use to 
provide additional value to our customers. Our vendor partners also regularly recognize us with top awards and select us to 
develop and grow new customer solutions.

History

CDW was founded in 1984. In 2003, we purchased selected U.S. assets and the Canadian operations of Micro 
Warehouse, which extended our growth platform into Canada. In 2006, we acquired Berbee Information Networks Corporation, 
a regional provider of technology products, solutions and customized engineering services in advanced technologies primarily 
across Cisco, IBM and Microsoft portfolios. This acquisition increased our capabilities in customized engineering services and 
managed services.

On October 12, 2007, CDW Corporation, an Illinois corporation, was acquired through a merger transaction by an 

entity controlled by investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC and Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. 
(the “Acquisition”). CDW Corporation continued as the surviving corporation and same legal entity after the Acquisition, but 
became a wholly owned subsidiary of VH Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

On December 31, 2009, CDW Corporation merged into CDWC LLC, an Illinois limited liability company owned by 
VH Holdings, Inc., with CDWC LLC as the surviving entity. This change had no impact on our operations or management. On 
December 31, 2009, CDWC LLC was renamed CDW LLC (“CDW LLC”). On August 17, 2010, VH Holdings, Inc. was 
renamed CDW Corporation (“Parent”), a Delaware corporation.

Throughout this report, the terms “the Company” and “CDW” refer to Parent and its 100% owned subsidiaries.

Prior to July 2, 2013, the date of our initial public offering (“IPO”), Parent was owned directly by CDW Holdings 
LLC ("CDW Holdings"), a company controlled by investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC and 
Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. (the "Sponsors"), certain other co-investors and certain members of CDW management.  
Before the IPO, Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC and Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. owned 46.0% and 40.6% of our 
common stock, respectively. After the IPO and through subsequent secondary offerings in fourth quarter of 2013 and during 
2014, the Sponsors' ownership has significantly decreased.  As of December 31, 2014, the Sponsors own 15.5% and 13.7% of 
our common stock, respectively. 

5

 
 
Table of Contents

On July 2, 2013, Parent completed the IPO of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, CDW Holdings 
distributed all of its shares of Parent's common stock to its members in June 2013 in accordance with the members' respective 
membership interests and was subsequently dissolved in August 2013. See Note 9 to the accompanying audited consolidated 
financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional discussion of the IPO.

On November 10, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 35% non-controlling equity interest in Kelway TopCo 

Limited ("Kelway"), a UK-based IT solutions provider, which has global supply chain relationships that enable it to conduct 
business in more than 100 countries. This investment strengthens our ability to provide a more comprehensive solution to our 
customers and enhances our ability to serve our existing multi-national customers. 

Our Market

We operate in the U.S. and Canadian IT markets, which are large and growing markets. According to IDC, the overall 

U.S. IT market generated approximately $675 billion in sales in 2014. We believe our addressable market in the U.S. in the 
indirect sales channel represents more than $215 billion in annual sales and for the year ended December 31, 2014, our U.S. net 
sales of $11.5 billion represented approximately 5% of that highly diverse and fragmented market. According to IDC, the 
overall Canadian IT market generated more than $50 billion in sales in 2014. We believe our addressable market in Canada in 
the indirect sales channel represents more than $11 billion in annual sales and for the year ended December 31, 2014, our net 
sales of $532 million in Canada represented approximately 5% of that market. We believe we have the largest market share in 
our addressable market, with our 2014 net sales exceeding the cumulative North American net sales of our four largest publicly 
traded sales channel competitors, based upon publicly available information for those companies. New technologies, including 
cloud, virtualization and mobility, coupled with the resulting increase in demand for data as well as aging infrastructure, are 
increasingly requiring businesses and institutions to seek integrated solutions to their IT needs. We expect this trend to continue 
for the foreseeable future, with end-user demand for business efficiency and productivity driving future IT spending growth.

Our Offerings

Our offerings range from discrete hardware and software products and services to complex integrated solutions that 

include one or more of these elements. We believe our customers increasingly view technology purchases as integrated 
solutions rather than discrete product and service categories and we estimate that approximately 47% of our net sales in 2014 
came from sales of product categories and services typically associated with solutions. Our hardware products include 
notebooks/mobile devices (including tablets), network communications, enterprise and data storage, video monitors, printers, 
desktop computers and servers. Our software products include application suites, security, virtualization, operating systems, 
network management and Software as a Service (“SaaS”) offerings. We also provide a full suite of value-added-services, which 
range from basic installation, warranty and repair services to custom configuration, data center and network implementation 
services, as well as managed services that include Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”) offerings. 

We also offer a variety of integrated solutions, such as:

•  Mobility: We assist our customers with the selection, procurement and integration of mobile security 

software, hardware devices such as smartphones, tablets and notebooks, and cellular wireless activation systems. We 
also provide mobile device management applications with policy and security management capabilities across a 
variety of mobile operating systems and platforms.

• 

Security: We assess our customers' security needs and provide them with threat prevention tools in order to 
protect their networks, servers and applications, such as anti-virus, anti-spam, content filtering, intrusion prevention, 
firewall and virtual private network services, and network access control. We also design and implement data loss 
prevention solutions, using data monitoring and encryption across a wide array of devices to ensure the security of 
customer information, personal employee information and research and development data. 

•  Data Center Optimization: We help our customers evaluate their data centers for convergence and 
optimization opportunities. Our data center optimization solutions consist of server virtualization, physical server 
consolidation, data storage management and energy-efficient power and cooling systems. 

•  Cloud Computing: We provide our customers with a broad portfolio of cloud-based solutions, which are 
technology delivered as a service. Our cloud offerings include: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), which delivers 
compute, networking, storage, and data center capabilities via the cloud; Software as a Service (SaaS), which connects 
users to cloud-based software applications; and Platform as a Service (PaaS), which enables development and ongoing 
maintenance of cloud-based solutions. We provide public cloud solutions which reside off customer premises on a 
public (shared) infrastructure, and private cloud solutions, which reside on customer premises. We also offer hybrid 
cloud solutions that deliver the benefits of both public and private solutions. Our migration, integration and managed 

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Table of Contents

services offerings help our customers simplify cloud adoption, as well as the ongoing management of cloud solutions 
across the entire IT lifecycle. Dedicated Cloud Client Executives work with our customers to architect cloud solutions 
that meet their organizational, technology and financial objectives.

•  Virtualization: We design and implement server, storage and desktop virtualization solutions. Virtualization 

enables our customers to efficiently utilize hardware resources by running multiple, independent, virtual operating 
systems on a single computer and multiple virtual servers simultaneously on a single server. Virtualization also can 
separate a desktop environment and associated application software from the hardware device that is used to access it, 
and provides employees with remote desktop access. Our specialists assist customers with the steps of implementing 
virtualization solutions, including evaluating network environments, deploying shared storage options and licensing 
platform software.

•  Collaboration: We provide our customers with communication tools that allow employees to share 
knowledge, ideas and information among each other and with clients and partners effectively and quickly. Our 
collaboration solutions unite communications and applications via the integration of products that facilitate the use of 
multiple enterprise communication methods including email, instant messaging, presence, social media, voice, video, 
hardware, software and services. We also host cloud-based collaboration solutions.  

While we believe customers increasingly view technology purchases as solutions rather than discrete product and 

service categories, the following table shows our net sales by major category, based upon our internal category classifications. 

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Year Ended December 31, 2013 (1)

Year Ended December 31, 2012 (1)

Percentage
of Total 
Net Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage
of Total 
Net Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage
of Total 
Net Sales

Notebooks/Mobile Devices

NetComm Products

Enterprise and Data Storage
(Including Drives)

Other Hardware
Software (2)
Services
Other (3)
Total net sales

Dollars in
Millions

$ 2,352.3

1,615.9

1,024.3

4,549.2

2,076.7

371.4

84.7

19.5% $

1,698.4

15.8% $

1,462.8

13.4

8.5

37.6

17.2

3.1

0.7

1,486.3

999.2

4,178.5

1,993.1

332.7

80.4

13.8

9.3

38.8

18.5

3.1

0.7

1,351.5

981.5

4,075.7

1,877.7

285.0

94.0

14.4%

13.3

9.7

40.3

18.5

2.8

1.0
100.0%  

$ 12,074.5

100.0% $ 10,768.6

100.0% $ 10,128.2

(1) 

(2) 

Amounts have been reclassified for changes in individual product classifications to conform to the presentation for the 
year ended December 31, 2014.

The decline in software as a percentage of total net sales is primarily driven by a higher proportion of revenue 
recorded on a net basis, including SaaS.

(3) 

Includes items such as delivery charges to customers and certain commission revenue.

Our Customers

We provide integrated IT solutions to approximately 250,000 small, medium and large business, government, 
education and healthcare customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Sales to the U.S. federal government, which are 
diversified across multiple agencies and departments, collectively accounted for approximately 7%, 7% and 10% of total net 
sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. However, there are several independent purchasing decision-makers across these 
agencies and departments. Excluding these sales to the federal government, we are not reliant on any one customer, as our next 
five largest customers cumulatively comprised approximately 3% of our net sales in 2014. 

Inventory Management

We utilize our IT systems to manage our inventory in a cost-efficient manner, resulting in a rapid-turn inventory 

model. We generally only stock items that have attained a minimum sales volume. 

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Our distribution process is highly automated. Once a customer order is received and credit approved, orders are 

automatically routed to one of our distribution centers for picking and shipping as well as configuration and imaging services. 
We operate two distribution centers: a 450,000 square foot facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and a 513,000 square foot facility in 
North Las Vegas, Nevada. We ship almost 37 million units annually on an aggregate basis from our two distribution centers. We 
believe that the location of our distribution centers allows us to efficiently ship products throughout the U.S. and provide timely 
access to our principal distributors. In addition, in the event of weather-related or other disruptions at one of our distribution 
centers, we are able to shift order processing and fulfillment from one center to the other quickly and efficiently, enabling us to 
continue to ship products in a timely manner. We believe that competitive sources of supply are available in substantially all of 
the product categories we offer. We continue to improve the productivity of our distribution centers as measured by key 
performance indicators such as units shipped per hour worked and bin accuracy.

We also have drop-shipment arrangements with many of our OEMs and wholesale distributors, which permit us to 

offer products to our customers without having to take physical delivery at either of our distribution centers. These 
arrangements generally represent approximately 40% to 50% of total net sales, including approximately 15% to 20% related to 
electronic delivery for software licenses.

Information Technology Systems

We maintain customized IT and unified communication systems that enhance our ability to provide prompt, efficient 

and expert service to our customers. In addition, these systems enable centralized management of key functions, including 
purchasing, inventory management, billing and collection of accounts receivable, sales and distribution. Our systems provide us 
with thorough, detailed and real-time information regarding key aspects of our business. This capability helps us to 
continuously enhance productivity, ship customer orders quickly and efficiently, respond appropriately to industry changes and 
provide high levels of customer service. We believe that our websites, which provide electronic order processing and advanced 
tools, such as order tracking, reporting and asset management, make it easy for customers to transact business with us and 
ultimately strengthen our customer relationships.

Product Procurement

We may purchase all or only some of the products that our vendor partners offer for resale to our customers or for 

inclusion in the solutions we offer. Each vendor partner agreement provides for specific terms and conditions, which may 
include one or more of the following: product return privileges, price protection policies, purchase discounts and vendor 
incentive programs, such as purchase or sales rebates and cooperative advertising reimbursements. We also purchase software 
from major software publishers for resale to our customers or for inclusion in the solutions we offer. Our agreements with 
software publishers allow the end-user customer to acquire software or licensed products and services.

In addition to purchasing products directly from our vendor partners, we purchase products from wholesale 
distributors for resale to our customers or for inclusion in the solutions we offer. These wholesale distributors provide logistics 
management and supply-chain services for us, as well as for our vendor partners. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we 
purchased 54% of the products we sold as discrete products or as components of a solution directly from our vendor partners 
and the remaining 46% from wholesale distributors. Purchases from our three largest wholesale distributors, Tech Data, 
SYNNEX and Ingram Micro each represented 9% of our total purchases. Sales of products manufactured by Apple, Cisco, 
EMC, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Microsoft, whether purchased directly from these vendor partners or from a wholesale 
distributor, represented in the aggregate 54% of our net sales in 2014. Sales of products manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and 
Cisco represented 18% and 14%, of our 2014 net sales, respectively.

Competition

The market for technology products and services is highly competitive. Competition is based on the ability to tailor 
specific solutions to customer needs, quality and breadth of product and service offerings, knowledge and expertise of sales 
force, customer service, price, product availability, speed of delivery and credit availability. Our competition includes:

• 

resellers such as Dimension Data, ePlus, Insight Enterprises, PC Connection, PCM, Presidio, Softchoice, World 
Wide Technology and many smaller resellers;

•  manufacturers who sell directly to customers, such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Apple; 

• 

• 

• 

large service providers and system integrators, such as IBM, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard and Dell;

e-tailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and TigerDirect.com;

cloud providers such as AT&T, Amazon Web Services and Box; and

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• 

retailers (including their e-commerce activities) such as Staples and Office Depot.

We expect the competitive landscape in which we compete to continue to change as new technologies are developed. 

While innovation can help our business as it creates new offerings for us to sell, it can also disrupt our business model and 
create new and stronger competitors. For a discussion of the risks associated with competition, see “Risk Factors” included 
elsewhere in this report.

Marketing

We market the CDW brand to both national and local audiences using a variety of channels that include online, 

broadcast, print, social and other media. This promotion is supported by integrated communication efforts that target decision-
makers, influencers and the general public using a combination of news releases, case studies, media interviews and speaking 
opportunities. We also market to current and prospective customers through integrated marketing programs that include 
behaviorally targeted email, print, online media, events and sponsorships, as well as broadcast media.

As a result of our relationships with our vendor partners, a significant portion of our advertising and marketing 
expenses are reimbursed through cooperative advertising reimbursement programs. These programs are at the discretion of our 
vendor partners and are typically tied to sales or purchasing volumes or other commitments to be met by us within a specified 
period of time. We believe that our national scale and analytical techniques that measure the efficacy of our marketing 
programs differentiate us from our competitors.

Coworkers

As of December 31, 2014, we employed 7,211 coworkers, none of whom is covered by collective bargaining 

agreements. We consider our coworker relations to be good.

Intellectual Property

The CDW trademark and certain variations thereon are registered or subject to pending trademark applications in the 
U.S., Canada and certain other jurisdictions. We believe our trademarks have significant value and are important factors in our 
marketing programs. In addition, we own registrations for domain names, including cdw.com and cdwg.com, for certain of our 
primary trademarks. We also have unregistered copyrights in our website content. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are many factors that affect our business, results of operations and cash flows, some of which are beyond our control. 
The following is a description of some important factors that may cause our actual results of operations and cash flows in 
future periods to differ materially from those currently expected or desired.

Risks Related to Our Business

General economic conditions could negatively affect technology spending by our customers and put downward pressure on 
prices, which may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations or cash flows.

Weak economic conditions generally, sustained uncertainty about global economic conditions, U.S. federal 

government spending cuts and the impact of new government programs, or a tightening of credit markets could cause our 
customers and potential customers to postpone or reduce spending on technology products or services or put downward 
pressure on prices, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows.

Our financial performance could be adversely affected by decreases in spending on technology products and services by our 
Public segment customers. 

Our sales to our Public segment customers are impacted by government spending policies, budget priorities and 

revenue levels. Although our sales to the federal government are diversified across multiple agencies and departments, they 
collectively accounted for approximately 7% of 2014 net sales. An adverse change in government spending policies (including 
ongoing budget cuts at the federal level), budget priorities or revenue levels could cause our Public segment customers to 
reduce their purchases or to terminate or not renew their contracts with us, which could adversely affect our business, results of 
operations or cash flows. For example, in 2013, as a result of sequestration and related budget uncertainty and the partial 
shutdown of the federal government for 16 days, we experienced significantly reduced Federal sales in our Public segment.

Our business depends on our vendor partner relationships and the availability of their products.

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We purchase products for resale from vendor partners, which include OEMs and software publishers, and wholesale 
distributors. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we purchased approximately 54% of the products we sold directly from 
vendor partners and the remaining amount from wholesale distributors. We are authorized by vendor partners to sell all or some 
of their products via direct marketing activities. Our authorization with each vendor partner is subject to specific terms and 
conditions regarding such things as sales channel restrictions, product return privileges, price protection policies, purchase 
discounts and vendor partner programs and funding, including purchase rebates, sales volume rebates, purchasing incentives 
and cooperative advertising reimbursements. However, we do not have any long-term contracts with our vendor partners and 
many of these arrangements are terminable upon notice by either party. A reduction in vendor partner programs or funding or 
our failure to timely react to changes in vendor partner programs or funding could have an adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations or cash flows. In addition, a reduction in the amount of credit granted to us by our vendor partners could 
increase our need for, and the cost of, working capital and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or 
cash flows, particularly given our substantial indebtedness. 

From time to time, vendor partners may terminate or limit our right to sell some or all of their products or change the 
terms and conditions or reduce or discontinue the incentives that they offer us. For example, there is no assurance that, as our 
vendor partners continue to sell directly to end users and through resellers, they will not limit or curtail the availability of their 
products to solutions providers like us. Any such termination or limitation or the implementation of such changes could have a 
negative impact on our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

Although we purchase from a diverse vendor base, in 2014, products we purchased from distributors Tech Data, 

SYNNEX and Ingram Micro each represented 9% of our total purchases. In addition, sales of Apple, Cisco, EMC, Hewlett-
Packard, Lenovo and Microsoft products comprise a substantial portion of our sales, representing approximately 54% of net 
sales in 2014. Sales of products manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and Cisco represented approximately 18% and 14%, 
respectively, of our 2014 net sales. The loss of, or change in business relationship with, any of these or any other key vendor 
partners, the diminished availability of their products, or backlogs for their products leading to manufacturer allocation, could 
reduce the supply and increase the cost of products we sell and negatively impact our competitive position.  

Additionally, the relocation of key distributors utilized in our purchasing model could increase our need for, and the 
cost of, working capital and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows. Further, the sale, spin-
off or combination of any of our vendor partners and/or certain of their business units, including any such sale to or 
combination with a vendor with whom we do not currently have a commercial relationship or whose products we do not sell, 
could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

Our sales are dependent on continued innovations in hardware, software and services offerings by our vendor partners and 
the competitiveness of their offerings, and our ability to partner with new and emerging technology providers. 

The technology industry is characterized by rapid innovation and the frequent introduction of new and enhanced 

hardware, software and services offerings, such as cloud-based solutions, including SaaS, IaaS and PaaS. We have been and 
will continue to be dependent on innovations in hardware, software and services offerings, as well as the acceptance of those 
innovations by customers. A decrease in the rate of innovation, or the lack of acceptance of innovations by customers, could 
have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, if we are unable to keep up with changes in technology and new hardware, software and services 
offerings, for example by providing the appropriate training to our account managers, sales technology specialists and 
engineers to enable them to effectively sell and deliver such new offerings to customers, our business, results of operations or 
cash flows could be adversely affected.

We also are dependent upon our vendor partners for the development and marketing of hardware, software and 
services to compete effectively with hardware, software and services of vendors whose products and services we do not 
currently offer or that we are not authorized to offer in one or more customer channels. In addition, our success is dependent on 
our ability to develop relationships with and sell hardware, software and services from new emerging vendors and vendors that 
we have not historically represented in the marketplace. To the extent that a vendor's offering that is highly in demand is not 
available to us for resale in one or more customer channels, and there is not a competitive offering from another vendor that we 
are authorized to sell in such customer channels, or we are unable to develop relationships with new technology providers or 
companies that we have not historically represented, our business, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely 
impacted. 

Substantial competition could reduce our market share and significantly harm our financial performance. 

Our current competition includes: 

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•  resellers, such as Dimension Data, ePlus, Insight Enterprises, PC Connection, PCM, Presidio, Softchoice, World Wide 

Technology and many smaller resellers;

•  manufacturers who sell directly to customers, such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Apple;

•  large service providers and system integrators, such as IBM, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard and Dell;

•  e-tailers, such as Amazon, Newegg and TigerDirect.com;

•  cloud providers, such as AT&T, Amazon Web Services and Box; and

•  retailers (including their e-commerce activities), such as Staples and Office Depot.

We expect the competitive landscape in which we compete to continue to change as new technologies are developed. 

While innovation can help our business as it creates new offerings for us to sell, it can also disrupt our business model and 
create new and stronger competitors. For instance, while cloud-based solutions present an opportunity for us, cloud-based 
solutions and technologies that deliver technology solutions as a service could increase the amount of sales directly to 
customers rather than through solutions providers like us, or could reduce the amount of hardware we sell, leading to a 
reduction in our sales and/or profitability. In addition, some of our hardware and software vendor partners sell, and could 
intensify their efforts to sell, their products directly to our customers. Moreover, traditional OEMs have increased their services 
capabilities through mergers and acquisitions with service providers, which could potentially increase competition in the 
market to provide comprehensive technology solutions to customers. If any of these trends becomes more prevalent, it could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

We focus on offering a high level of service to gain new customers and retain existing customers. To the extent we 

face increased competition to gain and retain customers, we may be required to reduce prices, increase advertising expenditures 
or take other actions which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, some of our 
competitors may reduce their prices in an attempt to stimulate sales, which may require us to reduce prices. This would require 
us to sell a greater number of products to achieve the same level of net sales and gross profit. If such a reduction in prices 
occurs and we are unable to attract new customers and sell increased quantities of products, our sales growth and profitability 
could be adversely affected.

The success of our business depends on the continuing development, maintenance and operation of our information 
technology systems. 

Our success is dependent on the accuracy, proper utilization and continuing development of our information 

technology systems, including our business systems, such as our sales, customer management, financial and accounting, 
marketing, purchasing, warehouse management, e-commerce and mobile systems, as well as our operational platforms, 
including voice and data networks and power systems. The quality and our utilization of the information generated by our 
information technology systems, and our success in implementing new systems and upgrades, affects, among other things, our 
ability to: 

•  conduct business with our customers, including delivering services and solutions to them;

•  manage our inventory and accounts receivable;

•  purchase, sell, ship and invoice our hardware and software products and provide and invoice our services efficiently 

and on a timely basis; and

•  maintain our cost-efficient operating model while scaling our business.

The integrity of our information technology systems is vulnerable to disruption due to forces beyond our control. 

While we have taken steps to protect our information technology systems from a variety of threats, including computer viruses, 
malware, phishing, social engineering, unauthorized access and other malicious attacks, both internal and external, and human 
error, there can be no guarantee that those steps will be effective. Furthermore, although we have redundant systems at a 
separate location to back up our primary systems, there can be no assurance that these redundant systems will operate properly 
if and when required. Any disruption to or infiltration of our information technology systems could significantly harm our 
business and results of operations. 

Breaches of data security could adversely impact our business. 

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Our business involves the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, 
including personal information of coworkers, customers and others. In addition, we operate data centers for our customers 
which host their technology infrastructure and may store and transmit both business-critical data and confidential information. 
In connection with our services business, our coworkers also have access to our customers' confidential data and other 
information. We have privacy and data security policies in place that are designed to prevent security breaches; however, as 
newer technologies evolve, we could be exposed to increased risk of breaches in security. Breaches in security could expose us, 
our customers or other individuals to a risk of public disclosure, loss or misuse of this information, resulting in legal claims or 
proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy of personal information, as well as the loss of 
existing or potential customers and damage to our brand and reputation. In addition, the cost and operational consequences of 
implementing further data protection measures could be significant. Such breaches, costs and consequences could adversely 
affect our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

The failure to comply with our Public segment contracts or applicable laws and regulations could result in, among other 
things, termination, fines or other liabilities, and changes in procurement regulations could adversely impact our business, 
results of operations or cash flows.

Revenues in our Public segment are derived from sales to governmental entities, educational institutions and 

healthcare customers, through various contracts and open market sales of products and services. Sales to Public segment 
customers are highly regulated. Noncompliance with contract provisions, government procurement regulations or other 
applicable laws or regulations (including but not limited to the False Claims Act and the Medicare and Medicaid Anti-Kickback 
Statute) could result in civil, criminal and administrative liability, including substantial monetary fines or damages, termination 
of government contracts or other Public segment customer contracts, and suspension, debarment or ineligibility from doing 
business with the government and other customers in the Public segment. In addition, contracts in the Public segment are 
generally terminable at any time for convenience of the contracting agency or group purchasing organization (“GPO”) or upon 
default. Furthermore, our inability to enter into or retain contracts with GPOs may threaten our ability to sell to customers in 
those GPOs and compete. The effect of any of these possible actions could adversely affect our business, results of operations 
or cash flows. In addition, the adoption of new or modified procurement regulations and other requirements may increase our 
compliance costs and reduce our gross margins, which could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations or 
cash flows. 

If we fail to provide high-quality services to our customers, or if our third-party service providers fail to provide high-quality 
services to our customers, our reputation, business, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.

Our service offerings include field services, managed services, warranties, configuration services, partner services and 

telecom services. Additionally, we deliver and manage mission critical software, systems and network solutions for our 
customers. We also offer certain services, such as implementation and installation services and repair services, to our customers 
through various third-party service providers engaged to perform these services on our behalf. If we or our third-party service 
providers fail to provide high quality services to our customers or such services result in a disruption of our customers' 
businesses, this could, among other things, result in legal claims and proceedings and liability. Moreover, as we expand our 
services and solutions business, we may be exposed to additional operational, regulatory and other risks. We also could incur 
liability for failure to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to the new services and solutions we provide to our 
customers. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our reputation with our customers, our brand and our business, results of 
operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.

If we lose any of our key personnel, or are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our business 
could be disrupted and our financial performance could suffer. 

Our success is heavily dependent upon our ability to attract, develop, engage and retain key personnel to manage and 

grow our business, including our key executive, management, sales, services and technical coworkers. 

Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the efforts of Thomas E. Richards, our Chairman and Chief 

Executive Officer, as well as the continued service and support of our other executive officers. Our future success also will 
depend on our ability to retain our customer-facing coworkers, who have been given critical CDW knowledge regarding, and 
the opportunity to develop strong relationships with, many of our customers. In addition, as we seek to expand our offerings of 
value-added services and solutions, our success will even more heavily depend on attracting and retaining highly skilled 
technology specialists and engineers, for whom the market is extremely competitive. 

Our inability to attract, develop and retain key personnel could have an adverse effect on our relationships with our 
vendor partners and customers and adversely affect our ability to expand our offerings of value-added services and solutions. 
Moreover, our inability to train our sales, services and technical personnel effectively to meet the rapidly changing technology 

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needs of our customers could cause a decrease in the overall quality and efficiency of such personnel. Such consequences could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

The interruption of the flow of products from suppliers could disrupt our supply chain.

A significant portion of the products we sell are manufactured or purchased by our vendor partners outside of the U.S., 

primarily in Asia. Political, social or economic instability in Asia, or in other regions in which our vendor partners purchase or 
manufacture the products we sell, could cause disruptions in trade, including exports to the U.S. Other events that could also 
cause disruptions to our supply chain include: 

•  the imposition of additional trade law provisions or regulations;

•  the imposition of additional duties, tariffs and other charges on imports and exports;

•  foreign currency fluctuations;

•  natural disasters or other adverse occurrences at, or affecting, any of our suppliers' facilities;

•  restrictions on the transfer of funds;

•  the financial instability or bankruptcy of manufacturers; and

•  significant labor disputes, such as strikes.

We cannot predict whether the countries in which the products we sell are purchased or manufactured, or may be 

purchased or manufactured in the future, will be subject to new or additional trade restrictions or sanctions imposed by the U.S. 
or foreign governments, including the likelihood, type or effect of any such restrictions. Trade restrictions, including new or 
increased tariffs or quotas, embargoes, sanctions, safeguards and customs restrictions against the products we sell, as well as 
foreign labor strikes and work stoppages or boycotts, could increase the cost or reduce the supply of product available to us and 
adversely affect our business, results of operations or cash flows.  In addition, our exports are subject to regulations and 
noncompliance with these requirements could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

A natural disaster or other adverse occurrence at one of our primary facilities or customer data centers could damage our 
business. 

Substantially all of our corporate, warehouse and distribution functions are located at our Vernon Hills, Illinois 
facilities and our second distribution center in North Las Vegas, Nevada. If the warehouse and distribution equipment at one of 
our distribution centers were to be seriously damaged by a natural disaster or other adverse occurrence, we could utilize the 
other distribution center or third-party distributors to ship products to our customers. However, this may not be sufficient to 
avoid interruptions in our service and may not enable us to meet all of the needs of our customers and would cause us to incur 
incremental operating costs. In addition, we operate three customer data centers and numerous sales offices which may contain 
both business-critical data and confidential information of our customers. A natural disaster or other adverse occurrence at any 
of the customer data centers or at any of our major sales offices could negatively impact our business, results of operations or 
cash flows. 

We are heavily dependent on commercial delivery services. 

We generally ship hardware products to our customers by FedEx, United Parcel Service and other commercial delivery 
services and invoice customers for delivery charges. If we are unable to pass on to our customers future increases in the cost of 
commercial delivery services, our profitability could be adversely affected. Additionally, strikes, inclement weather, natural 
disasters or other service interruptions by such shippers could adversely affect our ability to deliver products on a timely basis.

We are exposed to accounts receivable and inventory risks. 

We extend credit to our customers for a significant portion of our net sales, typically on 30-day payment terms. We are 

subject to the risk that our customers may not pay for the products they have purchased, or may pay at a slower rate than we 
have historically experienced, the risk of which is heightened during periods of economic downturn or uncertainty or, in the 
case of Public segment customers, during periods of budget constraints. 

We are also exposed to inventory risks as a result of the rapid technological changes that affect the market and pricing 

for the products we sell. We seek to minimize our inventory exposure through a variety of inventory management procedures 
and policies, including our rapid-turn inventory model, as well as vendor price protection and product return programs. 
However, if we were unable to maintain our rapid-turn inventory model, if there were unforeseen product developments that 

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created more rapid obsolescence or if our vendor partners were to change their terms and conditions, our inventory risks could 
increase. We also from time to time take advantage of cost savings associated with certain opportunistic bulk inventory 
purchases offered by our vendor partners or we may decide to carry high inventory levels of certain products that have limited 
or no return privileges due to customer demand or request. These bulk purchases could increase our exposure to inventory 
obsolescence. 

We could be exposed to additional risks if we continue to make strategic investments or acquisitions or enter into alliances.

We may continue to pursue transactions, including strategic investments, acquisitions or alliances, in an effort to 

extend or complement our existing business. These types of transactions involve numerous business risks, including finding 
suitable transaction partners and negotiating terms that are acceptable to us, the diversion of management's attention from other 
business concerns, extending our product or service offerings into areas in which we have limited experience, entering into new 
geographic markets, the potential loss of key coworkers or business relationships and successfully integrating acquired 
businesses, any of which could adversely affect our operations. 

In addition, our financial results could be adversely affected by financial adjustments required by accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in connection with these types of transactions where 
significant goodwill or intangible assets are recorded. To the extent the value of goodwill or identifiable intangible assets with 
indefinite lives becomes impaired, we may be required to incur material charges relating to the impairment of those assets.

Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly. 

We may experience significant variations in our future quarterly results of operations. These fluctuations may cause 

the market price of our common stock to be volatile and may result from many factors, including the condition of the 
technology industry in general, shifts in demand and pricing for hardware, software and services and the introduction of new 
products or upgrades. 

Our operating results are also highly dependent on our level of gross profit as a percentage of net sales. Our gross 

profit percentage fluctuates due to numerous factors, some of which may be outside of our control, including general 
macroeconomic conditions; pricing pressures; changes in product costs from our vendor partners; the availability of price 
protection, purchase discounts and incentive programs from our vendor partners; changes in product, order size and customer 
mix; the risk of some items in our inventory becoming obsolete; increases in delivery costs that we cannot pass on to 
customers; and general market and competitive conditions. 

In addition, our cost structure is based, in part, on anticipated sales and gross margins. Therefore, we may not be able 

to adjust our cost structure quickly enough to compensate for any unexpected sales or gross margin shortfall, and any such 
inability could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows. 

We are exposed to risks from legal proceedings and audits. 

We are party to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, which include commercial, 

employment, tort and other litigation. 

We are subject to intellectual property infringement claims against us in the ordinary course of our business, either 

because of the products and services we sell or the business systems and processes we use to sell such products and services, in 
the form of cease-and-desist letters, licensing inquiries, lawsuits and other communications and demands. In our industry, such 
intellectual property claims have become more frequent as the complexity of technological products and the intensity of 
competition in our industry have increased. Increasingly, many of these assertions are brought by non-practicing entities whose 
principal business model is to secure patent licensing revenue, but we may also be subject to suits from inventors, competitors 
or other patent holders who may seek licensing revenue, lost profits and/or an injunction preventing us from engaging in certain 
activities, including selling certain products and services. 

Because of our significant sales to governmental entities, we also are subject to audits by federal, state and local 
authorities. We also are subject to audits by various vendor partners and large customers, including government agencies, 
relating to purchases and sales under various contracts. In addition, we are subject to indemnification claims under various 
contracts. 

Current and future litigation, infringement claims, governmental proceedings, audits or indemnification claims that we 

face may result in substantial costs and expenses and significantly divert the attention of our management regardless of the 
outcome. In addition, current and future litigation, infringement claims, governmental proceedings, audits or indemnification 
claims could lead to increased costs or interruptions of our normal business operations. Litigation, infringement claims, 
governmental proceedings, audits or indemnification claims involve uncertainties and the eventual outcome of any litigation, 
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infringement claim, governmental proceeding, audit or indemnification claim could adversely affect our business, results of 
operations or cash flows. 

Failure to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to our operations could adversely impact our business, results of 
operations or cash flows.

Our operations are subject to numerous U.S. and foreign laws and regulations in a number of areas including, but not 
limited to, areas of labor and employment, advertising, e-commerce, tax, import and export requirements, anti-corruption, data 
privacy requirements, anti-competition, and environmental, health, and safety.  Compliance with these laws, regulations and 
similar requirements may be onerous and expensive, and they may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, further 
increasing the cost of compliance and doing business, and the risk of noncompliance.  We have implemented policies and 
procedures designed to help ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but there can be no guarantee against 
coworkers, contractors, or agents violating such laws and regulations or our policies and procedures.

We have significant deferred cancellation of debt income. 

As a result of a 2009 debt modification, we realized $395.5 million of cancellation of debt income (“CODI”). We 

made an election under Code Section 108(i) to defer this CODI from taxable income, pursuant to which we are also required to 
defer certain original issue discount (“OID”) deductions as they accrue. As of December 31, 2013, we had deferred 
approximately $114.5 million of OID deductions. Starting in 2014, we were required to include the deferred CODI and the 
deferred OID into taxable income ratably over a five-year period ending in 2018.  Because we have more CODI than the 
aggregate of our deferred OID on the relevant remaining debt instruments, we will have a future cash tax liability associated 
with our significant deferred CODI. We have reflected the associated cash tax liability in our deferred taxes for financial 
accounting purposes.

All of our deferred CODI will be accelerated into current taxable income if, prior to 2018, we engage in a so-called 

“impairment transaction” and the gross value of our assets immediately afterward is less than 110% of the sum of our total 
liabilities and the tax on the net amount of our deferred CODI and OID (the “110% test”) as determined under the applicable 
Treasury Regulations. An “impairment transaction” is any transaction that impairs our ability to pay the tax on our deferred 
CODI, and includes dividends or distributions with respect to our equity and charitable contributions, in each case in a manner 
that is not consistent with our historical practice within the meaning of the applicable Treasury Regulations.

Prior to 2018, our willingness to pay dividends or make distributions with respect to our equity could be adversely 

affected if, at the time, we do not meet the 110% test and, as a result, the payment of a dividend or the making of a distribution 
would accelerate the tax payable with respect to our deferred CODI. We believe that, based on our interpretation of applicable 
Treasury Regulations, the gross value of our assets exceeds 110% of the sum of our total liabilities and the tax on the net 
amount of our deferred CODI and OID as of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, we cannot assure 
you that this will continue to be true in the future.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could have important consequences to our business.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2014, we had $3.2 billion of total long-term debt 

outstanding, as defined by GAAP, and $332.1 million of obligations outstanding under our inventory financing agreements, and 
the ability to borrow an additional $935.6 million under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Revolving 
Loan”). Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following: 

•  making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness;

• 

• 

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments on our and 
our subsidiaries' debt, which reduces the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and 
other general corporate purposes;

requiring us to comply with restrictive covenants in our senior credit facilities and indentures, which limit the manner 
in which we conduct our business;

•  making it more difficult for us to obtain vendor financing from our vendor partners, including original equipment 

manufacturers and software publishers;

• 

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the industry in which we operate;

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•  placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to any of our less-leveraged competitors;

• 

• 

increasing our vulnerability to both general and industry-specific adverse economic conditions; and

limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, 
acquisitions or other general corporate requirements and increasing our cost of borrowing. 

Restrictive covenants under our senior credit facilities and, to varying degrees, our indentures may adversely affect our 
operations and liquidity. 

Our senior credit facilities and, to varying degrees, our indentures contain, and any future indebtedness of ours may 

contain, various covenants that limit our ability to, among other things: 

•  incur or guarantee additional debt;

•  pay dividends or make distributions to holders of our capital stock or to make certain other restricted payments or 

investments;

•  repurchase or redeem capital stock;

•  make loans, capital expenditures or investments or acquisitions;

•  receive dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries;

•  enter into transactions with affiliates;

•  create liens;

•  merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; 

•  transfer or sell assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; and

•  prepay, repurchase or redeem debt.

As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business and we may be unable 

to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. A breach of any of these covenants or 
any of the other restrictive covenants would result in a default under our senior credit facilities. Upon the occurrence of an 
event of default under our senior credit facilities, the lenders:

•  will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us;

•  could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding thereunder, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be 

due and payable; or 

•  could require us to apply all of our available cash to repay these borrowings.

The acceleration of amounts outstanding under our senior credit facilities would likely trigger an event of default 

under our existing indentures.

If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under our senior credit facilities could proceed against the 

collateral granted to them to secure our borrowings thereunder. We have pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral 
under our senior credit facilities. If the lenders under our senior credit facilities accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we 
cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay our senior credit facilities and our other indebtedness or the 
ability to borrow sufficient funds to refinance such indebtedness. Even if we were able to obtain new financing, it may not be 
on commercially reasonable terms, or terms that are acceptable to us.

In addition, under our Revolving Loan, we are permitted to borrow an aggregate amount of up to $1,250.0 million.  

However, our ability to borrow under our Revolving Loan is limited by a borrowing base and a liquidity condition. The 
borrowing base at any time equals the sum of up to 85% of CDW LLC and its subsidiary guarantors’ eligible accounts 
receivable (net of accounts reserves) (up to 30% of such eligible accounts receivable which can consist of federal government 
accounts receivable) plus the lesser of (i) 75% of CDW LLC and its subsidiary guarantors’ eligible inventory (valued at cost 
and net of inventory reserves) and (ii) the product of 85% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentage multiplied 
by eligible inventory (valued at cost and net of inventory reserves), less reserves (other than accounts reserves and inventory 

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reserves). The borrowing base in effect as of December 31, 2014 was $1,253.4 million, and therefore, did not restrict our ability 
to borrow under our Revolving Loan as of that date.

Our ability to borrow under our Revolving Loan is also limited by a minimum liquidity condition, which provides 

that, if excess cash availability is less than the lesser of (i) $125.0 million and (ii) the greater of (A) 10% of the borrowing base 
and (B) $100.0 million, the lenders are not required to lend any additional amounts under our Revolving Loan unless the 
consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement for our Revolving Loan) is at least 1.0 to 1.0. 
Moreover, our Revolving Loan provides discretion to the agent bank acting on behalf of the lenders to impose additional 
availability reserves, which could materially impair the amount of borrowings that would otherwise be available to us. We 
cannot assure you that the agent bank will not impose such reserves or, were it to do so, that the resulting impact of this action 
would not materially and adversely impair our liquidity.

We will be required to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness and, if not successful, we may be forced to take 
other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial and operating 

performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other 
factors beyond our control. Our outstanding long-term debt will impose significant cash interest payment obligations on us and, 
accordingly, we will have to generate significant cash flow from operating activities to fund our debt service obligations. We 
cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the 
principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources” included elsewhere in this report.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to 
reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional debt or equity capital, restructure or refinance our 
indebtedness, or revise or delay our strategic plan. We cannot assure you that we would be able to take any of these actions, that 
these actions would be successful and permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or satisfy our capital 
requirements, or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements, including our 
senior credit facilities and indentures. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity 
problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our 
senior credit facilities and the indenture governing our 8.5% Senior Notes due 2019 ("2019 Senior Notes") restrict our ability to 
dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain 
the proceeds which we could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations 
then due. Furthermore, the Sponsors have no obligation to provide us with debt or equity financing.

If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result:

•  our debt holders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable;

•  the lenders under our senior credit facilities could foreclose against the assets securing the borrowings from them and 

the lenders under our term loan facility could terminate their commitments to lend us money; and

•  we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. 

Despite our indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantially more debt, including secured 
debt. This could further increase the risks associated with our leverage. 

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of our senior 
credit facilities and indentures do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. To the extent that we incur additional 
indebtedness or such other obligations, the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness described above, including our 
possible inability to service our debt, will increase. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $935.6 million available 
for additional borrowing under our Revolving Loan after taking into account borrowing base limitations (net of $2.1 million of 
issued and undrawn letters of credit and $332.1 million of reserves related to our floorplan sub-facility).

Variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase 
significantly. 

Certain of our borrowings, primarily borrowings under our senior credit facilities, are at variable rates of interest and 
expose us to interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2014, we had $1,513.5 million of variable rate debt outstanding. If interest 
rates increase above 1% per annum, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though 
the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income would decrease. Although we have entered into interest rate cap 

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agreements on our term loan facility to reduce interest rate volatility, we cannot assure you we will be able to enter into interest 
rate cap agreements in the future on acceptable terms or that such caps or the caps we have in place now will be effective. 

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

Our common stock price may be volatile and may decline regardless of our operating performance, and holders of our 
common stock could lose a significant portion of their investment.

The market price for our common stock may be volatile. Our stockholders may not be able to resell their shares of 

common stock at or above the price at which they purchased such shares, due to fluctuations in the market price of our common 
stock, which may be caused by a number of factors, many of which we cannot control, including the risk factors described in 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the following:

• 

• 

• 

changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our common stock, our failure to meet these 
estimates or failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our common stock;

downgrades by any securities analysts who follow our common stock;

future sales of our common stock by our officers, directors and significant stockholders, including the Sponsors;

•  market conditions or trends in our industry or the economy as a whole;

• 

• 

• 

• 

investors’ perceptions of our prospects;

announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint ventures or capital commitments;

changes in key personnel; and

our limited public float in light of the Sponsors’ beneficial ownership of a majority of our common stock, which may 
result in the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our stockholders having a disproportionate positive or 
negative influence on the market price of our common stock.

In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue 

to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. In the past, securities 
class action litigation has followed periods of market volatility. If we were involved in securities litigation, we could incur 
substantial costs, and our resources and the attention of management could be diverted from our business.

The Sponsors have influence over significant corporate activities and their interests may not align with yours.

Madison Dearborn beneficially owns approximately 15.5% of our common stock and Providence Equity beneficially 

owns approximately 13.7% of our common stock as of February 20, 2015. As a result of their ownership, each Sponsor, so long 
as it holds a sizable portion of our outstanding common stock, will have substantial voting power with respect to matters 
submitted to a vote of stockholders.  In addition, so long as each Sponsor has representation on our board of directors, it will 
have the ability to exercise influence over decision-making with respect to our business direction and policies. Matters over 
which each of the Sponsors may, directly or indirectly, exercise influence include:

• 

the election of our board of directors and the appointment and removal of our officers;

•  mergers and other business combination transactions, including proposed transactions that would result in our 

stockholders receiving a premium price for their shares;

other acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or assets;

incurrence of indebtedness and the issuance of equity securities;

repurchase of stock and payment of dividends; and

the issuance of shares to management under our equity incentive plans.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, each Sponsor and its affiliates do not have any obligation 

to present to us, and each Sponsor may separately pursue, corporate opportunities of which it becomes aware, even if those 
opportunities are ones that we would have pursued if granted the opportunity.

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Future sales of our common stock, or the perception in the public markets that these sales may occur, may depress our stock 
price.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, 
could adversely affect the price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional 
shares. As of February 20, 2015, there were 172,275,656 shares of our common stock outstanding. The shares of our common 
stock sold in our initial public offering and in registered secondary offerings are freely tradable without restriction under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except that any shares of our common stock that may be acquired by 
our directors, executive officers and other affiliates, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may be sold only in 
compliance with certain volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

The remaining shares of our common stock, to the extent not previously sold pursuant to an exemption from 
registration, will continue to be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and subject to 
certain restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if they are registered under the 
Securities Act or are sold pursuant to an exemption from registration such as Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

As of February 20, 2015, the holders of approximately 53,000,000 shares of our common stock will continue to have 
the right to require us to register the sales of such shares under the Securities Act, under the terms of an agreement between us 
and the holders.

In the future, we may also issue our securities in connection with investments or acquisitions. The number of shares of 

our common stock issued in connection with an investment or acquisition could constitute a material portion of our then-
outstanding shares of our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law might discourage or delay acquisition attempts for us 
that you might consider favorable.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may 

make the acquisition of the Company more difficult without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which 
may be issued without stockholder approval, and which may include super voting, special approval, dividend, or other 
rights or preferences superior to the rights of the holders of common stock;

establish a classified board of directors so that not all members of our board of directors are elected at one time;

generally prohibit stockholder action by written consent, requiring all stockholder actions be taken at a meeting of our 
stockholders;

provide that special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by or at the direction of (i) our board of directors 
pursuant to a written resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the total number of directors that the 
Company would have if there were no vacancies;

establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to our board of directors or for proposing matters 
that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and

• 

provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our amended and restated bylaws.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also contains a provision that provides us with protections 

similar to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and will prevent us from engaging in a business combination 
with a person who acquires at least 15% of our common stock for a period of three years from the date such person acquired 
such common stock, unless board or stockholder approval is obtained prior to the acquisition. These anti-takeover provisions 
and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of the 
Company, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it 
more difficult for our stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions our 
stockholders desire.

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Conflicts of interest may arise because some of our directors are principals of our largest stockholders.

Paul Finnegan and Robin Selati, who are principals of Madison Dearborn, and Glenn Creamer and Michael 

Dominguez, who are managing directors of Providence Equity, serve on our board of directors. As of February 20, 2015, 
Madison Dearborn and Providence Equity each continue to hold a sizable portion of our outstanding common stock. The 
Sponsors and the entities respectively controlled by them may hold equity interests in entities that directly or indirectly 
compete with us, and companies in which they currently invest may begin competing with us. As a result of these relationships, 
when conflicts arise between the interests of Madison Dearborn or Providence Equity, on the one hand, and of other 
stockholders, on the other hand, these directors may not be disinterested. Although our directors and officers have a duty of 
loyalty to us under Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, transactions that we enter into in 
which a director or officer has a conflict of interest are generally permissible so long as (1) the material facts relating to the 
director’s or officer’s relationship or interest as to the transaction are disclosed to our board of directors and a majority of our 
disinterested directors approves the transaction, (2) the material facts relating to the director’s or officer’s relationship or 
interest as to the transaction are disclosed to our stockholders and a majority of our disinterested stockholders approve the 
transaction or (3) the transaction is otherwise fair to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that 
any principal, officer, member, manager and/or employee of a Sponsor or any entity that controls, is controlled by or under 
common control with a Sponsor (other than us or any company that is controlled by us) or a Sponsor-managed investment fund 
will not be required to offer any transaction opportunity of which they become aware to us and could take any such opportunity 
for themselves or offer it to other companies in which they have an investment, unless such opportunity is offered to them 
solely in their capacities as our directors.

We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase any of our common stock 
under our share repurchase program, and our indebtedness and certain tax considerations could limit our ability to 
continue to pay dividends on, or make share repurchases of, our common stock. If we do not continue to pay dividends, you 
may not receive any return on investment unless you are able to sell your common stock for a price greater than your 
purchase price.

We expect to continue to pay a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.0675 per share per quarter, or $0.27 per 
share per annum. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors.  Any 
determination to pay dividends on, or repurchase, shares of our common stock in the future will depend upon our results of 
operations, financial condition, business prospects, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, including those under our 
senior credit facilities and indentures, any potential indebtedness we may incur, restrictions imposed by applicable law, tax 
considerations and other factors our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on, or 
repurchase, shares of our common stock will be limited by restrictions on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions to 
our stockholders and on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to us, in each case, under the 
terms of our current and any future agreements governing our indebtedness.  There can be no assurance that we will continue to 
pay a dividend at the current rate or at all or that we will repurchase shares of our common stock.  If we do not pay dividends in 
the future, realization of a gain on your investment will depend entirely on the appreciation of the price of our common stock, 
which may never occur. See “--Risks Related to Our Business--We have significant deferred cancellation of debt income” for a 
discussion of certain tax considerations that could affect our willingness to pay dividends in the future.

We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from 
our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.

We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely 

dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The 
agreements governing the indebtedness of our subsidiaries impose restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or 
other distributions to us. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason 
could also limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of December 31, 2014, we owned or leased a total of 2.3 million square feet of space throughout the U.S. and 

Canada. We own two properties: a combined office and a 450,000 square foot distribution center in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and a 
513,000 square foot distribution center in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, we conduct sales, services and administrative 
activities in various leased locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including data centers in Madison, Wisconsin and 
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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We believe that our facilities are well maintained, suitable for our business and occupy sufficient space to meet our 
operating needs. As part of our normal business, we regularly evaluate sales center performance and site suitability. Leases 
covering our currently occupied leased properties expire at varying dates, generally within the next ten years. We anticipate no 
difficulty in retaining occupancy through lease renewals, month-to-month occupancy or replacing the leased properties with 
equivalent properties. We believe that suitable additional or substitute leased properties will be available as required. 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 

We are party to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, which include 

commercial, intellectual property, employment, tort and other litigation matters. We are also subject to audit by federal, state 
and local authorities, and by various partners, group purchasing organizations and customers, including government agencies, 
relating to purchases and sales under various contracts. In addition, we are subject to indemnification claims under various 
contracts. From time to time, certain of our customers file voluntary petitions for reorganization or liquidation under the U.S. 
bankruptcy laws. In such cases, certain pre-petition payments received by us could be considered preference items and subject 
to return to the bankruptcy administrator.

As of December 31, 2014, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss exceeding 

the amounts already recognized for these proceedings and matters, if any, has been incurred. However, the ultimate resolutions 
of these proceedings and matters are inherently unpredictable. As such, our financial condition and results of operations could 
be adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these proceedings or matters.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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Executive Officers

Name
Thomas E. Richards

Age Position

60 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Dennis G. Berger

50 Senior Vice President and Chief Coworker Services Officer

Neal J. Campbell

53 Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Christina M. Corley

47 Senior Vice President - Corporate Sales

Douglas E. Eckrote

50 Senior Vice President - Strategic Solutions and Services

Christine A. Leahy

50 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Christina V. Rother

51 Senior Vice President - Public and Advanced Technology Sales

Jonathan J. Stevens

45 Senior Vice President - Operations and Chief Information Officer

Matthew A. Troka

44 Senior Vice President - Product and Partner Management

Ann E. Ziegler

56 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas E. Richards serves as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, as a member of our board of 

directors and as a manager of CDW LLC. Mr. Richards has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 
2011 and was named Chairman on January 1, 2013. From September 2009 to October 2011, Mr. Richards served as our 
President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining CDW, Mr. Richards held leadership positions with Qwest 
Communications International Inc. ("Qwest"), a broadband Internet-based communications company. From 2008 to 2009, he 
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operation and 
performance of Qwest, and before assuming that role, was the Executive Vice President of the Business Markets Group from 
2005 to 2008. Mr. Richards also has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Communications Corporation 
and as Executive Vice President of Ameritech Corporation. Mr. Richards serves as a board member of Junior Achievement of 
Chicago, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richards also is a member of the Economic 
Club of Chicago and the Executives’ Club of Chicago. Mr. Richards is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he 
earned a bachelor’s degree and a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Science in 
Management as a Sloan Fellow. 

Dennis G. Berger serves as our Senior Vice President and Chief Coworker Services Officer. Mr. Berger joined CDW 

in September 2005 as Vice President-Coworker Services. In January 2007, he was named Senior Vice President and Chief 
Coworker Services Officer. Mr. Berger is responsible for leading CDW’s programs in coworker learning and development, 
benefits, compensation, performance management, coworker relations and talent acquisition. Prior to joining CDW, he served 
as Vice President of Human Resources at PepsiAmericas, a beverage company, from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Berger has also held 
human resources positions of increasing responsibility at Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., Pepsico, Inc. and GTE Corporation. 
Mr. Berger serves on the board of directors of Glenwood Academy, Anti-Defamation League of Chicago and Skills for 
Chicagoland’s Future. Mr. Berger is a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a graduate 
of John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis where he earned a Master of Business 
Administration.

Neal J. Campbell serves as our Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Mr. Campbell joined CDW in 

January 2011, and is responsible for the strategy and development of CDW’s advertising, public relations, channel marketing, 
marketing intelligence and research, merchandising, microsites, creative services and direct marketing content, along with 
relationship marketing, corporate communications and e-commerce initiatives including content development, online marketing 
and e-procurement. Prior to joining CDW, Mr. Campbell served as Chief Executive Officer of TrafficCast, a provider of real-
time and predictive traffic information to Google, Yahoo and others from 2008 to 2011. From 2006 to 2008, he served as 
Executive Vice President and General Manager-Strategic Marketing and Next Generation Products for ISCO International, a 
manufacturer of wireless telecommunications components. Mr. Campbell also spent 17 years with Motorola, most recently as 
Vice President and General Manager, GSM Portfolio Marketing and Planning for the company’s mobile device business. He 
currently serves as a board member of TrafficCast and Junior Achievement of Chicago, and is on the Executive Advisory 
Council of Bradley University. Mr. Campbell is a graduate of Bradley University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a 
graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where he earned a Master of Business Administration. 

Christina M. Corley serves as our Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales and is responsible for managing all 
aspects of our corporate sales force, including sales force strategy, structure, goals, operations, revenue generation and training 
and development. Prior to joining CDW in September 2011, Ms. Corley served as President and Chief Operating Officer of 
Zones, Inc., a provider of IT products and solutions, from 2006 to 2011. She served as Executive Vice President of Purchasing 
and Operations for Zones, Inc. from April 2005 to October 2006. She served as President of Corporate PC Source (“CPCS”), a 

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wholly owned subsidiary of Zones, Inc., from March 2003 to April 2005. Prior to its acquisition by Zones, Inc., Ms. Corley 
served as Chief Executive Officer of CPCS from 1999 to 2003. Ms. Corley began her career in sales and marketing, holding 
various positions at IBM, Dataflex and VisionTek. She currently serves as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of 
Chicago. Ms. Corley is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a bachelor’s degree and 
a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where she earned a Master of Business Administration 
in management and strategy.

Douglas E. Eckrote serves as our Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions and Services and is responsible for our 

technology specialist teams focusing on servers and storage, unified communications, security, wireless, power and cooling, 
networking, software licensing and mobility solutions. He also holds responsibility for CDW Canada, Inc. Mr. Eckrote joined 
CDW in 1989 as an account manager. Mr. Eckrote was appointed Director of Operations in 1996, Vice President of Operations 
in 1999 and Senior Vice President of Purchasing in April 2001. In October 2001, he was named Senior Vice President of 
Purchasing and Operations. He was named Senior Vice President of Operations, Services and Canada in 2006 and assumed his 
current role in 2009. Prior to joining CDW, Eckrote worked in outside sales for Arrow Electronics and Cintas Uniform 
Company. From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Eckrote served on the board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, 
completing the last two years as board chair, and served on the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Chapter 
Performance Committee from 2009-2014. Mr. Eckrote also served on the board of directors of the Center for Enriched Living 
from 2002-2011, serving as Vice President from 2004-2005, President from 2006-2008, board emeritus from 2009-2011 and 
currently serves as a trustee. Mr. Eckrote is a graduate of Purdue University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a graduate 
of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where he earned an Executive Master of Business 
Administration.

Christine A. Leahy serves as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and is responsible 
for our legal, corporate governance, enterprise risk management and ethics and compliance functions. She also is responsible 
for our international strategy and serves on the board of directors of Kelway, a UK-based technology solutions provider in 
which CDW has a minority investment.  Ms. Leahy joined CDW in January 2002.  Prior to that, Ms. Leahy served as a 
corporate partner in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP where she specialized in mergers and acquisitions, strategic 
counseling, corporate governance and securities law. Ms. Leahy serves on the board of trustees of Children’s Home and Aid. 
Ms. Leahy is a graduate of Brown University where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a graduate of Boston College Law 
School where she earned her Juris Doctor. She also completed the CEO Perspective and Women’s Director Development 
Programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Christina V. Rother serves as our Senior Vice President of Public and Advanced Technology Sales and is responsible 

for managing all aspects of our public sector and advanced technology sales forces, including sales force strategy, structure, 
goals, operations, revenue generation and training and development. Ms. Rother joined CDW in 1991 as an account manager. 
In 2002, she was appointed Vice President for Education and State and Local Sales. In 2005, she was chosen to lead our newly 
formed healthcare sales team. Beginning in 2006, Ms. Rother has held various positions ranging from Group Vice President of 
CDW Government LLC, President of CDW Government LLC and Senior Vice President of Sales. In September 2011, 
Ms. Rother assumed her current role as Senior Vice President of Public and Advanced Technology Sales. Prior to joining CDW, 
Ms. Rother held a number of sales positions with technology companies including Laser Computers and Price Electronics. 
Ms. Rother currently serves as chair of the board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Ms. Rother is a 
graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a bachelor’s degree.

Jonathan J. Stevens serves as our Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Stevens 
joined CDW in June 2001 as Vice President-Information Technology, was named Chief Information Officer in January 2002 
and Vice President-International and Chief Information Officer from 2005 until December 2006. In January 2007, he was 
named Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer and assumed his current role in November 2009. Mr. Stevens is 
responsible for the strategic direction of our information technology. Additionally, he holds responsibility for our distribution 
centers, transportation, facilities, customer relations and operational excellence practices.  Prior to joining CDW, Mr. Stevens 
served as regional technology director for Avanade, an international technology integration company formed through a joint 
venture between Microsoft and Accenture from 2000 to 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Stevens was a principal with Microsoft 
Consulting Services and led an information technology group for a corporate division of AT&T/NCR. He currently serves on 
the board of directors of SingleWire Software, LLC and Northeast Illinois Council: Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Stevens is a 
graduate of the University of Dayton where he earned a bachelor’s degree.

Matthew A. Troka serves as our Senior Vice President of Product and Partner Management. Mr. Troka is responsible 

for managing our relationships with all of our vendor partners. In addition, he directs the day-to-day operations of our 
purchasing department. Mr. Troka joined CDW in 1992 as an account manager and became a sales manager in 1995. From 
1998 to 2001, he served as Corporate Sales Director. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Troka was Senior Director of Purchasing. From 
2004 to 2006, Mr. Troka served as Vice President of Purchasing. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Troka was Vice President of Product 
and Partner Management. On March 3, 2011, Mr. Troka was elected Senior Vice President of Product and Partner Management. 

23

Table of Contents

Mr. Troka serves as a member of the board of directors of Encompass Championship Charities. Mr. Troka is a graduate of the 
University of Illinois where he earned a bachelor’s degree.

Ann E. Ziegler joined CDW in April 2008 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining CDW, 

Ms. Ziegler spent 15 years at Sara Lee Corporation (“Sara Lee”), a global consumer goods company, in a number of executive 
roles including finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategy and general management positions in both U.S. and international 
businesses. Most recently, from 2005 until April 2008, Ms. Ziegler served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President 
of Administration for Sara Lee Food and Beverage. Prior to joining Sara Lee, Ms. Ziegler was a corporate attorney at Skadden, 
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Ms. Ziegler serves on the board of directors of Hanesbrands, Inc, Groupon, Inc., and the board 
of governors of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. During the previous five years, Ms. Ziegler also served 
on the board of directors of Unitrin, Inc. Ms. Ziegler is a graduate of The College of William and Mary where she earned a 
bachelor’s degree and a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School where she earned her Juris Doctor.

24

Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities

Market Information

Our common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since June 27, 2013 under the symbol 

“CDW.” Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock. Shares sold in our initial public offering ("IPO") 
were priced at $17.00 per share on June 26, 2013. The following table sets forth the ranges of high and low sales prices per 
share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the cash dividends per share of common 
stock declared for the periods indicated.

Year ended December 31, 2014

Fourth quarter

Third quarter

Second quarter

First quarter

Year ended December 31, 2013

Fourth quarter

Third quarter

Second quarter (beginning June 27, 2013)

Holders

High

Low

Dividends
declared per
share

36.08 $

33.80 $

32.41 $

27.53 $

27.59 $

0.0675

30.07 $

0.0425

26.70 $

0.0425

22.72 $

0.0425

High

Low

Dividends
declared per
share

23.56 $

24.51 $

19.17 $

20.50 $

0.0425

18.26 $

17.38 $

—

—

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

As of February 20, 2015, there were 71 holders of record of our common stock. The number of beneficial stockholders 

is substantially greater than the number of holders of record because a portion of our common stock is held through brokerage 
firms.

Dividends

On February 10, 2015, we announced that our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common 

stock of $0.0675 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of 
business on February 25, 2015. 

We expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock in the future, but such payments remain 

at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, business 
prospects, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, any potential indebtedness we may incur, restrictions imposed by 
applicable law, tax considerations and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, our ability to pay 
dividends on our common stock will be limited by restrictions on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions to our 
stockholders and on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to us, in each case, under the terms of 
our current and any future agreements governing our indebtedness. For a discussion of our cash resources and needs and 
restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” included elsewhere in this report. For additional discussion of restrictions on 
our ability to pay dividends, see Note 7 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in 
this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On November 6, 2014, we announced that the board of directors approved a $500 million share repurchase program, 

which became effective immediately, under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market or 
through privately negotiated transactions, depending on share price, market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase 
program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares, and repurchases may be commenced or 

25

 
Table of Contents

suspended from time to time without prior notice. As of the date of this filing, no shares have been repurchased under the share 
repurchase program.

Stock Performance Graph

The information contained in this Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or 

"filed" or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the 
Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return, calculated on a dividend reinvested basis, on 

$100.00 invested at the opening of the market on June 27, 2013, the date our common stock first traded on the NASDAQ 
Global Select Market, through and including the market close on December 31, 2014, with the cumulative total return for the 
same time period of the same amount invested in the S&P MidCap 400 index and a peer group index. Our peer group index for 
2014 consists of the following companies: Accenture plc, Anixter International, Inc., Arrow Electronics, Inc., Avnet, Inc., CGI 
Group Inc., Genuine Parts Company, Henry Schein, Inc., Insight Enterprises, Inc., Owens & Minor, Inc., Patterson Companies, 
Inc., SYNNEX Corporation, United Stationers Inc., W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Wesco International, Inc. This peer group was 
selected based on a review of publicly available information about these companies and our determination that they met one or 
more of the following criteria: (i) similar size in terms of revenue and/or enterprise value (one-third to three times our revenue 
or enterprise value); (ii) operates in a business-to-business distribution environment; (iii) members of the technology industry; 
(iv) similar customers (i.e., business, government, healthcare, and education); (v) companies that provide services and/or 
solutions; and (vi) similar EBITDA and gross margins. 

 Shareholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of 

future shareholder returns.

26

Table of Contents

CDW Corp

S&P MidCap 400 index

CDW Peers

June 27, 2013

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

$

$

100

100

100

$

138

118

113

208

130

147

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

None.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data set forth below are not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should 

be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our 
audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report.

We have derived the selected financial data presented below as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for 

the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, 
which are included elsewhere in this report. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 have 
been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for those periods, which are not included in this 
report.

The following are some of the items affecting comparability of the selected financial data for the periods presented:

27

 
 
Table of Contents

• 

• 

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recorded net losses on 
extinguishments of long-term debt of $90.7 million, $64.0 million, $17.2 million, and $118.9 million, 
respectively. The losses represented the difference between the amount paid upon extinguishment, including 
call premiums and expenses paid to the debt holders and agents, and the net carrying amount of the 
extinguished debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs.  Refer to Note 7 to the 
accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional 
information on long-term debt.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses of 
$75.0 million.  Refer to Note 9 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this report for additional information on the IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses.

28

Table of Contents

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Years Ended December 31,

$ 12,074.5

$ 10,768.6

$ 10,128.2

$ 9,602.4

$ 8,801.2

Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

Income from operations

Interest expense, net

Net (loss) gain on extinguishments of long-term debt

Other income, net

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax (expense) benefit

Net income (loss)

Net income (loss) per common share:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital

Total assets
Total debt and capitalized lease obligations (1)

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

Other Financial Data:
Capital expenditures

Depreciation and amortization

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges  (2)
EBITDA (3)
Adjusted EBITDA (3)
Non-GAAP net income (4)

Statement of Cash Flows Data:
Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities
Investing activities

Financing activities

8,458.6

1,669.6

1,029.5

129.5

510.6
(307.4)
(17.2)
0.1

186.1
(67.1)
119.0

$0.82

$0.82

145.1

145.8

37.9

666.5

5,720.0

3,771.0

136.5

41.4

210.2

16.5%

1.6

703.7

766.6

247.1

10,153.2

1,921.3

1,110.3

138.0

673.0

(197.3)

(90.7)

2.7

387.7

(142.8)

$

244.9

$

$1.44

$1.42

170.6

172.8

9,008.3

1,760.3

1,120.9

130.8

508.6
(250.1)
(64.0)
1.0

195.5
(62.7)
132.8

$0.85

$0.84

156.6

158.7

$

344.5

985.4

6,099.9

3,190.0

936.5

$

188.1

810.9

5,924.6

3,251.2

711.7

$

$

$

55.0

$

47.1

$

207.9

15.9%

2.9

792.9

907.0

409.9

$

208.2

16.3%

1.8

653.8

808.5

314.3

$

$

435.0

$

(164.8)

(112.0)

366.3
(47.1)
(168.3)

$

$

8,018.9

1,583.5

7,410.4

1,390.8

990.1

122.7

470.7
(324.2)
(118.9)
0.7

28.3
(11.2)
17.1

$

932.1

106.0

352.7
(391.9)
2.0

0.2
(37.0)
7.8
(29.2)

$

$0.12

$0.12

$(0.20)

$(0.20)

144.8

144.9

144.4

144.4

99.9

$

538.1

5,967.7

4,066.0
(7.3)

36.6

675.4

5,943.8

4,290.0
(43.5)

45.7

$

204.9

16.5%

1.1

557.4

717.3

198.8

$

$

41.5

209.4

15.8%

(a)

564.3

601.8

85.7

423.7
(125.4)
(350.1)

$

317.4
(41.7)
(338.0)

214.7
(56.0)
(95.4)

(1) 

Excludes borrowings of $332.1 million, $256.6 million, $249.2 million, $278.7 million and $28.2 million, as of 
December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, under our inventory financing agreements. We do not 
include these borrowings in total debt because we have not in the past incurred, and in the future do not expect to 
incur, any interest expense or late fees under these agreements.

29

 
 
 
Table of Contents

(2) 

(3) 

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings before income taxes 
minus income from equity investments plus distributed income from equity investments and fixed charges. Fixed 
charges consist of interest expense and the portion of rental expense we believe is representative of the interest 
component of rental expense.

(a)  For the year ended December 31, 2010, earnings available for fixed charges were inadequate to cover fixed 

charges by $37.0 million.

EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), 
depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a measure defined in our credit agreements, is calculated 
by adjusting EBITDA for certain items of income and expense including (but not limited to) the following: (a) non-
cash equity-based compensation; (b) goodwill impairment charges; (c) sponsor fees; (d) certain consulting fees; 
(e) debt-related legal and accounting costs; (f) equity investment income and losses; (g) certain severance and 
retention costs; (h) gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt; (i) gains and losses from asset dispositions 
outside the ordinary course of business; and (j) non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual gains or losses or expenses.

We have included a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the table below. Both EBITDA and Adjusted 
EBITDA are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical 
measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are 
not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance 
with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used by other companies, 
even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide 
helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows including our ability to meet our future 
debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA also provides helpful 
information as it is the primary measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our credit agreements.

The following unaudited table sets forth reconciliations of net income (loss) to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted 
EBITDA for the periods presented:

(in millions)

Net income (loss)

Depreciation and amortization

Income tax expense (benefit)

Interest expense, net

EBITDA

Non-cash equity-based compensation

Sponsor fees

Consulting and debt-related professional fees
Net loss (gain) on extinguishments of long-
term debt
Litigation, net (i)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses
Other adjustments (ii)
Adjusted EBITDA

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

244.9

$ 132.8

$ 119.0

$

17.1

207.9

142.8

197.3

792.9

208.2

62.7

250.1

653.8

16.4

—

—

90.7

(0.9)

1.4

6.5

8.6

2.5

0.1

64.0
(4.1)
75.0

8.6

210.2

67.1

307.4

703.7

22.1

5.0

0.6

17.2

4.3

—

13.7

204.9

11.2

324.2

557.4

19.5

5.0

5.1

118.9

—

—

11.4

2010
$ (29.2)
209.4
(7.8)
391.9

564.3

11.5

5.0

15.1

(2.0)
—

—

7.9

$

907.0

$ 808.5

$ 766.6

$ 717.3

$ 601.8

(i)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(ii)  Other adjustments primarily include certain retention costs and equity investment income.

30

 
Table of Contents

The following unaudited table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities for 

the periods presented:

(in millions)

EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Income tax (expense) benefit

Interest expense, net

Net income (loss)

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

$

$

792.9
(207.9)
(142.8)
(197.3)
244.9

$

653.8
(208.2)
(62.7)
(250.1)
132.8

$

703.7
(210.2)
(67.1)
(307.4)
119.0

557.4
(204.9)
(11.2)
(324.2)
17.1

204.9

19.5

15.7
(10.2)
0.4

2.8

118.9

—
(158.3)
3.9

$

564.3
(209.4)
7.8
(391.9)
(29.2)

209.4

11.5

18.0
(4.3)
(1.3)
51.5
(2.0)
—

165.3

4.8

Depreciation and amortization

Equity-based compensation expense

Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt
premium, and debt discount, net

Deferred income taxes

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Realized loss on interest rate swap agreements

Net loss (gain) on extinguishments of long-term debt

Income from equity investments

Changes in assets and liabilities

Other non-cash items

207.9

16.4

6.4
(89.1)
0.3

—

90.7
(1.2)
(41.8)
0.5

208.2

46.6

8.8
(48.7)
—

—

64.0

—
(47.1)
1.7

210.2

22.1

13.6
(56.3)
—

—

17.2

—
(9.4)
1.0

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

435.0

$

366.3

$

317.4

$

214.7

$

423.7

31

 
Table of Contents

(4) 

Non-GAAP net income is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a 
numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes 
amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented 
in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used by 
other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. We believe that non-GAAP net income 
provides meaningful information regarding our operating performance and our prospects for the future. This 
supplemental measure excludes, among other things, charges related to the amortization of acquisition-related 
intangibles, non-cash equity-based compensation and gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt. The 
following unaudited table sets forth a reconciliation of net income (loss) to non-GAAP net income for the periods 
presented:

(in millions)
Net income (loss)

Amortization of intangibles (i)
Non-cash equity-based compensation
Litigation, net (ii)
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

Interest expense adjustment related to 
extinguishments of long-term debt (iii)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses (iv)
Debt-related refinancing costs (v)
Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (vi)

Non-GAAP net income

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

$

244.9

$

132.8

$

119.0

$

17.1

$

161.2

161.2

16.4
(0.6)
90.7

(1.1)
1.4

8.6
(6.3)
64.0

(7.5)
75.0

—
(103.0)
409.9

$

—
(113.5)
314.3

$

$

163.7

22.1

—

17.2

(3.3)
—

—
(71.6)
247.1

165.7

19.5

—

118.9

(19.4)
—

3.8
(106.8)
198.8

$

$

(29.2)
166.8

11.5

—
(2.0)

(0.7)
—

5.6
(66.3)
85.7

(i)  Includes amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and 

trade names.

(ii)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(iii) Reflects adjustments to interest expense resulting from debt extinguishments. Represents the difference 

between interest expense previously recognized under the effective interest method and actual interest paid.

(iv)  IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses consist of the following:

(in millions)

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Acceleration charge for certain equity
awards and related employer payroll taxes

RDU Plan cash retention pool accrual
Management services agreement
termination fee

Other expenses

IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses

$

$

— $

—

—

1.4

1.4

$

40.7

7.5

24.4

2.4

75.0

(v)  Represents fees and costs expensed related to the December 2010 and March 2011 amendments to our prior 

senior secured term loan facility.

(vi)  Based on a normalized effective tax rate of 39.0%.

32

Table of Contents

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the terms “we,” “us,” “the Company,” “our,” “CDW” and similar terms 
refer to CDW Corporation and its subsidiaries. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations” should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included 
elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks and 
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. See “Forward-
Looking Statements” above.

 Overview

CDW is a Fortune 500 company and a leading provider of integrated information technology (“IT”) solutions in the 

U.S. and Canada. We help our customer base of approximately 250,000 small, medium and large business, government, 
education and healthcare customers by delivering critical solutions to their increasingly complex IT needs. Our broad array of 
offerings ranges from discrete hardware and software products to integrated IT solutions such as mobility, security, data center 
optimization, cloud computing, virtualization and collaboration. We are technology "agnostic," with a product portfolio that 
includes more than 100,000 products from more than 1,000 brands. We provide our products and solutions through sales force 
and service delivery teams consisting of nearly 4,600 coworkers, including more than 1,800 field sellers, highly-skilled 
technology specialists and advanced service delivery engineers.

We are a leading U.S. sales channel partner for many original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and software 

publishers (collectively, our “vendor partners”), whose products we sell or include in the solutions we offer. We believe we are 
an important extension of our vendor partners' sales and marketing capabilities, providing them with a cost-effective way to 
reach customers and deliver a consistent brand experience through our established end-market coverage and extensive customer 
access. 

We have two reportable segments: Corporate, which is comprised primarily of private sector business customers, and 

Public, which is comprised of government agencies and education and healthcare institutions. Our Corporate segment is 
divided into a medium/large business customer channel, primarily serving customers with more than 100 employees, and a 
small business customer channel, primarily serving customers with up to 100 employees. We also have three other operating 
segments, CDW Advanced Services, Canada and Kelway TopCo Limited ("Kelway"), which do not meet the reportable 
segment quantitative thresholds and, accordingly, are combined together as “Other.” In November 2014, we acquired a 35% 
non-controlling equity interest in Kelway. See Note 15 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this report for additional details.

The CDW Advanced Services business consists primarily of customized engineering services delivered by technology 

specialists and engineers, and managed services that include Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”) offerings. Revenues from the 
sale of hardware, software, custom configuration and third-party provided services are recorded within our Corporate and 
Public segments.

We may sell all or only select products that our vendor partners offer. Each vendor partner agreement provides for 
specific terms and conditions, which may include one or more of the following: product return privileges, price protection 
policies, purchase discounts and vendor incentive programs, such as purchase or sales rebates and cooperative advertising 
reimbursements. We also resell software for major software publishers. Our agreements with software publishers allow the end-
user customer to acquire software or licensed products and services. In addition to helping our customers determine the best 
software solutions for their needs, we help them manage their software agreements, including warranties and renewals. A 
significant portion of our advertising and marketing expenses is reimbursed through cooperative advertising reimbursement 
programs with our vendor partners. These programs are at the discretion of our vendor partners and are typically tied to sales or 
purchasing volumes or other commitments to be met by us within a specified period of time.

Trends and Key Factors Affecting our Financial Performance

We believe the following trends may have an important impact on our financial performance:

•  Our Public segment sales are impacted by government spending policies, budget priorities and revenue 

levels. An adverse change in any of these factors could cause our Public segment customers to reduce their 
purchases or to terminate or not renew contracts with us, which could adversely affect our business, results of 
operations or cash flows. Although our sales to the federal government are diversified across multiple 

33

 
Table of Contents

agencies and departments, they collectively accounted for approximately 7%, 7% and 10% of our net sales 
for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In 2013, and through the second quarter 
of 2014, Public segment results were impacted by the combined and residual negative effects of 
sequestration, the partial shutdown of the federal government in 2013 and federal government budget 
uncertainty. However, with the finalization of federal budget allocations in early 2014, we began to see 
improvement in federal sales in the second quarter of 2014.  The momentum continued through the third 
quarter of 2014 in conjunction with the federal fiscal year-end.  This recovery continued into the fourth 
quarter of 2014 in connection with increased customer confidence that a federal budget for 2015 would be in 
place. 

•  An important factor affecting our ability to generate sales and achieve our targeted operating results is the 
impact of general economic conditions on our customers’ willingness to spend on information technology. 
While macroeconomic uncertainty drove a cautious approach to customer spending in the early part of 2013, 
uncertainty began to dissipate in the back half of 2013 and continued to dissipate throughout 2014. Our sales 
to small business customers increased in 2014 as a result of the improvement in the macroeconomic 
environment.  We will continue to closely monitor macroeconomic conditions during 2015. Uncertainties 
related to potential reductions in government spending, requirements associated with implementation of the 
Affordable Care Act, potential changes in tax and regulatory policy, weakening consumer and business 
confidence or increased unemployment could result in reduced or deferred spending on information 
technology products and services by our customers and result in increased competitive pricing pressures. 

•  We believe that our customers’ transition to more complex technology solutions will continue to be an 

important growth area for us in the future. However, because the market for technology products and services 
is highly competitive, our success at capitalizing on this transition will be based on our ability to tailor 
specific solutions to customer needs, the quality and breadth of our product and service offerings, the 
knowledge and expertise of our sales force, price, product availability and speed of delivery.  In 2014, market 
dynamics, including client device refresh and digital testing needs for K-12 students, drove customer demand 
for transactional products, primarily client devices, which include notebooks/mobile devices and desktops.  
Our diverse product suite of more than 100,000 products from over 1,000 leading and emerging brands and 
efficient, distribution capabilities enabled us to capitalize on this demand. While sales growth for 
transactional products was strong during the year, growth in solutions-focused products, including netcomm 
and software, also contributed to the increase in net sales during 2014. We expect the demand for client 
devices to moderate in 2015, both from the client device refresh slowing and a wind-down in preparation for 
digital testing requirements.

Key Business Metrics

Our management monitors a number of financial and non-financial measures and ratios on a regular basis in order to 

track the progress of our business and make adjustments as necessary. We believe that the most important of these measures 
and ratios include average daily sales, gross margin, operating margin, net income, Non-GAAP net income, net income per 
diluted share, Non-GAAP net income per diluted share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, return on invested capital, cash and 
cash equivalents, cash flow, net working capital, cash conversion cycle (defined to be days of sales outstanding in accounts 
receivable plus days of supply in inventory minus days of purchases outstanding in accounts payable, based on a rolling three-
month average), debt levels including available credit and leverage ratios, sales per coworker and coworker turnover. These 
measures and ratios are compared to standards or objectives set by management, so that actions can be taken, as necessary, in 
order to achieve the standards and objectives. Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP net income per diluted share and Adjusted 
EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these measures provide helpful information with respect to the 
company’s operating performance and cash flows including our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures, 
dividend payments, and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA also provides helpful information as it is the primary 
measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our senior credit facilities. See "Selected Financial Data" included 
elsewhere in this report for the definitions of Non-GAAP net income and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciliations to net income.

34

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The results of certain key business metrics are as follows:

(dollars in millions)

Net sales

Gross profit

Income from operations

Net income

Non-GAAP net income

Adjusted EBITDA

Average daily sales

Net debt (defined as total debt minus cash and cash equivalents)
Cash conversion cycle (in days) (1)

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

12,074.5

$

10,768.6

$

10,128.2

1,921.3

1,760.3

1,669.6

673.0

244.9

409.9

907.0

47.5

2,845.5

21

508.6

132.8

314.3

808.5

42.4

3,063.1

23

510.6

119.0

247.1

766.6

39.9

3,733.1

24

(1) 

Cash conversion cycle is defined as days of sales outstanding in accounts receivable plus days of supply in inventory 
minus days of purchases outstanding in accounts payable, based on a rolling three-month average. The prior periods 
have been revised to conform to the current definition.  

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

The following table presents our results of operations, in dollars and as a percentage of net sales, for the years ended 

December 31, 2014 and 2013: 

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

Income from operations

Interest expense, net

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

Other income, net

Income before income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Net Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Net Sales

$

12,074.5

100.0% $

10,768.6

100.0%

10,153.2

1,921.3

1,110.3

138.0

673.0

(197.3)
(90.7)
2.7

387.7

(142.8)

84.1

15.9

9.2

1.1

5.6

(1.6)
(0.8)
—

3.2

(1.2)

9,008.3

1,760.3

1,120.9

130.8

508.6

(250.1)
(64.0)
1.0

195.5

(62.7)

83.7

16.3

10.4

1.2

4.7

(2.3)
(0.6)
—

1.8

(0.6)

$

244.9

2.0% $

132.8

1.2%

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Net sales

The following table presents our net sales by segment, in dollars and as a percentage of total net sales, and the year-

over-year dollar and percentage change in net sales for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Total Net 
Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Total Net 
Sales

Dollar
Change

Percent
Change (1)

$

6,475.5

53.6% $

5,960.1

55.3% $

4,879.4

719.6

40.4

6.0

4,164.5

644.0

38.7

6.0

515.4

714.9

75.6

8.6%

17.2

11.7

$ 12,074.5

100.0% $ 10,768.6

100.0% $

1,305.9

12.1%

Corporate

Public

Other

Total net sales

(1) 

There were 254 selling days in both the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The following table presents our net sales by customer channel for our Corporate and Public segments and the year-

over-year dollar and percentage change in net sales for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Net sales of $150.1 
million for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been reclassified from the small business customer channel to the medium/
large customer channel to conform to the current period presentation. 

(dollars in millions)

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Dollar Change

Percent Change

Corporate:

Medium / Large

Small Business

Total Corporate

Public:

Government

Education

Healthcare

Total Public

$

$

$

$

5,485.4

990.1

6,475.5

$

$

5,052.7

907.4

5,960.1

$

$

1,449.4

$

1,250.6

$

1,824.0

1,606.0

1,449.0

1,464.9

4,879.4

$

4,164.5

$

432.7

82.7

515.4

198.8

375.0

141.1

714.9

8.6%

9.1

8.6%

15.9%

25.9

9.6

17.2%

Total net sales in 2014 increased $1,305.9 million, or 12.1%, to $12,074.5 million, compared to $10,768.6 million in 
2013. There were 254 selling days for both the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The increase in total net sales was 
primarily the result of continued growth in transactional products driven by notebooks/mobile devices and desktop computers 
as customers across all channels refreshed their client devices and K-12 customers continued to prepare for digital testing 
requirements, and the addition of more than 140 customer-facing coworkers, the majority in pre- and post-sale technical 
positions such as technical specialists and service delivery roles. Growth in solutions-focused products, including netcomm and 
software, also contributed to the increase in net sales during 2014.

Corporate segment net sales in 2014 increased $515.4 million, or 8.6%, compared to 2013, driven by sales growth in 

the medium/large customer channel. Within our Corporate segment, net sales to medium/large customers increased $432.7 
million, or 8.6%, between years primarily due to customers refreshing their client devices and making continued investments in 
technology infrastructure and a continued focus on seller productivity. This increase was led by growth in notebooks/mobile 
devices, netcomm products, software, and desktop computers. Net sales to small business customers increased $82.7 million, or 
9.1%, between years, driven by growth in notebooks/mobile devices and desktop computers due to customers refreshing their 
client devices.

Public segment net sales in 2014 increased $714.9 million, or 17.2%, between years, driven by strong performance 
across all channels. In 2013, and through the second quarter of 2014, Public segment results were impacted by the combined 
and residual negative effects of sequestration, the partial shutdown of the federal government in 2013 and federal government 
budget uncertainty. However, with the finalization of federal budget allocations in early 2014, we began to see improvement in 
federal sales in the second quarter of 2014 and saw continued momentum through the third quarter of 2014 in conjunction with 

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
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the federal fiscal year-end.  This recovery continued into the fourth quarter of 2014 in connection with increased customer 
confidence that a federal budget for 2015 would be in place. Net sales to government customers increased $198.8 million, or 
15.9%. The increase in net sales to the federal government was led by increases in sales of notebooks/mobile devices and 
desktop computers. The increase in net sales to state/local government customers was led by growth in sales of notebooks/
mobile devices, netcomm products, enterprise storage, and software due to a continued focus on public safety solutions. Net 
sales to education customers increased $375.0 million, or 25.9%, between years, led by growth in net sales to K-12 customers, 
reflecting increased sales of notebooks/mobile devices to support digital testing requirements.  Net sales to healthcare 
customers increased $141.1 million, or 9.6%, between periods, driven by growth in netcomm products, notebook/mobile 
devices, and desktop computers.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased $161.0 million, or 9.1%, to $1,921.3 million in 2014, compared to $1,760.3 million in 2013. As 

a percentage of total net sales, gross profit decreased 40 basis points to 15.9% during 2014, down from 16.3% in 2013. Gross 
profit margin was negatively impacted 30 basis points by unfavorable price/mix changes within product margin, as 
transactional product categories such as notebooks/mobile devices and desktops experienced a higher rate of net sales growth 
than our overall net sales growth, accompanied by continuing product margin compression in these product categories. 
Additionally, we experienced an unfavorable impact of 10 basis points from vendor funding in 2014. Although vendor funding 
dollars increased, it represented a lower percentage of net sales in 2014 compared to 2013. Vendor funding includes purchase 
discounts, volume rebates and cooperative advertising. 

The gross profit margin may fluctuate based on various factors, including vendor incentive and inventory price 

protection programs, cooperative advertising funds classified as a reduction of cost of sales, product mix, net service contract 
revenue, commission revenue, pricing strategies, market conditions and other factors, any of which could result in changes in 
gross profit margins.

Selling and administrative expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $10.6 million, or 0.9%, to $1,110.3 million in 2014, compared to 
$1,120.9 million in 2013. The overall decrease was largely driven by the absence of $74.3 million in costs incurred during 2013 
related to the completion of our IPO. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $31.4 million, or 14.3%, of certain 
coworker costs between years which was primarily due to higher compensation consistent with increased coworker count and 
attainment-based compensation accruals tied to annual performance. Total coworker count was 7,211, up 244 from 6,967 at 
December 31, 2013. In addition, sales payroll, including sales commissions and other variable compensation costs, increased 
$18.6 million, or 3.9% between years, consistent with higher sales and gross profit. Further offsetting the decrease in selling 
and administrative expenses was an increase in long-term compensation expense and equity compensation expense of $7.2 
million during 2014.

As a percentage of total net sales, selling and administrative expenses decreased 120 basis points to 9.2% in 2014, 

down from 10.4% in 2013. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was largely driven 
by a decline of 70 basis points in costs related to the IPO in 2013. Sales payroll as a percentage of net sales also decreased 30 
basis points during 2014 reflecting the lower cost to serve transactional sales compared to solutions-focused sales, consistent 
with our variable compensation cost structure. 

Advertising expense

Advertising expense increased $7.2 million, or 5.5%, to $138.0 million in 2014, compared to $130.8 million in 2013. 

As a percentage of net sales, advertising expense remained relatively consistent at 1.1% in 2014, compared to 1.2% in 2013. 
The dollar increase in advertising expense was due to a continued focus on advertising our solutions and products, which 
reinforces our reputation as a leading IT solutions provider.

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Table of Contents

Income from operations

The following table presents income from operations by segment, in dollars and as a percentage of net sales, and the 

year-over-year percentage change in income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Segments: (1)

Corporate

Public

Other
Headquarters (2)
Total income from operations

* Not meaningful

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Dollars in
Millions

Operating
Margin
Percentage

Dollars in
Millions

Operating
Margin
Percentage

Percent Change
in Income
from Operations

$

$

439.8

313.2

32.9

(112.9)

673.0

6.8% $

6.4

4.6

nm*

5.6% $

363.3

246.5

27.2
(128.4)
508.6

6.1%

5.9

4.2

nm*

4.7%

21.1%

27.1

20.9

12.0
32.3%  

(1) 

Segment income (loss) from operations includes the segment’s direct operating income (loss) and allocations for 
Headquarters’ costs, allocations for income and expenses from logistics services, certain inventory adjustments and 
volume rebates and cooperative advertising from vendors.

(2) 

Includes certain Headquarters’ function costs that are not allocated to the segments.

Income from operations was $673.0 million in 2014, an increase of $164.4 million, or 32.3%, compared to $508.6 
million in 2013. The increase in income from operations was driven by higher net sales and gross profit and the absence of 
IPO-related costs. Total operating margin percentage increased 90 basis points to 5.6% in 2014, from 4.7% in 2013. Operating 
margin percentage benefited from the decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales, which was 
driven by the absence of $74.3 million in costs related to our IPO in 2013, and was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit 
margin.

Corporate segment income from operations was $439.8 million in 2014, an increase of $76.5 million, or 21.1%, 
compared to $363.3 million in 2013. This increase was primarily driven by higher net sales and gross profit. Corporate segment 
operating margin percentage increased 70 basis points to 6.8% in 2014, from 6.1% in 2013. Operating margin percentage 
benefited from the decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales, which was driven by the 
absence of costs related to our IPO in 2013, and was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit margin.

Public segment income from operations was $313.2 million in 2014, an increase of $66.7 million, or 27.1%, compared 

to $246.5 million in 2013. This increase was primarily driven by higher net sales and gross profit. Public segment operating 
margin percentage increased 50 basis points to 6.4% in 2014, from 5.9% in 2013. Operating margin percentage benefited from 
the decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales, which was driven by the absence of costs 
related to our IPO in 2013, and was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit margin.

Interest expense, net

At December 31, 2014, our outstanding long-term debt totaled $3,190.0 million, compared to $3,251.2 million at 

December 31, 2013. We reduced our long-term debt during 2014 through refinancing activities to redeem our higher interest 
debt.  Net interest expense in 2014 was $197.3 million, a decrease of $52.8 million compared to $250.1 million in 2013. This 
decrease was primarily due to lower debt balances and effective interest rates for 2014 compared to 2013 as a result of debt 
repayments and refinancing activities completed during 2014 and 2013. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for a 
description of the significant debt refinancings in 2014.

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

During 2014, we recorded a net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt of $90.7 million compared to $64.0 million 

in 2013. 

In December 2014, we redeemed $541.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes. We recorded a
loss on extinguishment of debt of $36.9 million, representing the difference between the redemption price and the net carrying
amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized premium.

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In September 2014, we redeemed $234.7 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes. We recorded a
loss on extinguishment of debt of $22.1 million, representing the difference between the redemption price and the net carrying
amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized premium.

In August 2014, we redeemed all of the remaining $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.0% Senior 

Secured Notes due 2018 ("Senior Secured Notes"). We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $23.7 million, representing 
the difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for the remaining 
unamortized deferred financing costs.

In June 2014, we entered into the Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility ("Revolving Loan"), a new 

five-year $1,250.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility. The Revolving Loan replaces our previous 
revolving loan credit facility that was to mature on June 24, 2016. In connection with the termination of the previous facility, 
we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $0.4 million, representing a write-off of a portion of unamortized 
deferred financing costs.

In May 2014, we redeemed all of the remaining $42.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 12.535% Senior 

Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2017 ("Senior Subordinated Notes"). We recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term 
debt of $2.2 million, representing the difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased 
debt, adjusted for the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs.

In March 2014, we repurchased $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes. We recorded a

loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $2.7 million, representing the difference between the repurchase price and the net
carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs.

In January and February 2014, we redeemed $50.0 million aggregate principal amounts of the Senior Subordinated 

Notes. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $2.7 million, representing the difference between the 
redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred 
financing costs.

In October 2013, we redeemed $155.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. In 

connection with this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $8.5 million, representing the 
difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing costs.

In August 2013, we redeemed $324.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. In 

connection with this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $24.6 million, representing the 
difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing costs.

In July 2013, we redeemed $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes. In connection with 

this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $16.7 million, representing the difference between 
the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred 
financing costs.

In April 2013, we entered into a new seven-year, $1,350.0 million aggregate principal amount Senior Secured Term 
Loan Facility ("Term Loan"). Substantially all of the proceeds were used to repay the $1,299.5 million outstanding aggregate 
principal amount of the prior senior secured term loan facility. In connection with this refinancing, we recorded a loss on 
extinguishment of long-term debt of $10.3 million, representing a write-off of the remaining unamortized deferred financing 
costs related to the prior senior secured term loan facility.

In March 2013, we redeemed $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. We 
recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $3.9 million, representing the difference between the redemption price 
and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs.

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was $142.8 million in 2014, compared to $62.7 million in 2013. The effective income tax rate, 

expressed by calculating income tax expense or benefit as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 36.8% and 32.1% 
for 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

For 2014, the effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, 

including current year state income tax credits. For 2013, the effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate 
primarily due to state income taxes, including current year state income tax credits and an adjustment to deferred state income 
taxes due to changes in apportionment factors.  The higher effective tax rate for 2014 as compared to 2013 was primarily 
attributable to the favorable impact of changes in state tax apportionment factors had on deferred state income taxes in 2013 
and a lower rate impact of state income tax credits due to the increase in income before income taxes in 2014.

Net income

Net income was $244.9 million in 2014, compared to $132.8 million in 2013. Significant factors and events causing 

the net changes between the periods are discussed above.

Non-GAAP net income

Non-GAAP net income was $409.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $95.6 million, or 

30.4%, compared to $314.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. 

We have included a reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 below. 

Non-GAAP net income excludes, among other things, charges related to the amortization of acquisition-related intangible 
assets, non-cash equity-based compensation, and gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt. Non-GAAP net 
income is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a 
company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally 
included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP 
measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used 
to identify such measures. We believe that Non-GAAP net income provides helpful information with respect to our operating 
performance and cash flows including our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital 
requirements. 

40

Table of Contents

(in millions)

Net income

Amortization of intangibles (1)
Non-cash equity-based compensation
Litigation, net (2)
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

Interest expense adjustment related to extinguishments of 
long-term debt (3)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses (4)
Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (5)

Non-GAAP net income

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

244.9

$

161.2

16.4
(0.6)
90.7

(1.1)
1.4
(103.0)
409.9

$

132.8

161.2

8.6
(6.3)
64.0

(7.5)
75.0
(113.5)
314.3

$

$

(1)  Includes amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and trade 

names.

(2)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(3)  Reflects adjustments to interest expense resulting from debt extinguishments. Represents the difference between 

interest expense previously recognized under the effective interest method and actual interest paid.

(4)  IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses consist of the following:

(in millions)

Acceleration charge for certain equity awards and
related employer payroll taxes

RDU Plan cash retention pool accrual
Management services agreement termination fee
Other expenses

IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses

$

$

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

— $

—
—
1.4
1.4

$

40.7

7.5
24.4
2.4
75.0

(5)  Based on a normalized effective tax rate of 39.0%.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $907.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $98.5 million, or 12.2%, 
compared to $808.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. As a percentage of net sales, Adjusted EBITDA was 7.5% 
for both the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

We have included a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 

2013 in the tables below. EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense, income tax expense, 
depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a measure defined in our credit agreements, means EBITDA 
adjusted for certain items which are described in the table below. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are considered non-
GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, 
financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most 
directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by the Company 
may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. We 
believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash 
flows including our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Adjusted 
EBITDA also provides helpful information as it is the primary measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our 
credit agreements. 

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(in millions)

Net income

Depreciation and amortization

Income tax expense

Interest expense, net

EBITDA

Adjustments:

Non-cash equity-based compensation

Sponsor fee

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Litigation, net (1)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses (2)
Other adjustments (3)
Total adjustments

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

$

244.9

$

207.9

142.8

197.3

792.9

16.4

—

90.7
(0.9)
1.4

6.5

114.1

Adjusted EBITDA

$

907.0

$

(1)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(2)  As defined under Non-GAAP net income above. 

132.8

208.2

62.7

250.1

653.8

8.6

2.5

64.0
(4.1)
75.0

8.7

154.7

808.5

(3)  Other adjustments primarily include certain retention costs and equity investment income.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities for the years 

ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

(in millions)
EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Income tax expense

Interest expense, net

Net income

Depreciation and amortization

Equity-based compensation expense
Deferred income taxes

Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt premium, and
debt discount, net

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

Other

Changes in assets and liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

792.9
(207.9)
(142.8)
(197.3)
244.9

207.9

16.4
(89.1)

6.4

90.7
(0.4)
(41.8)
435.0

$

$

653.8
(208.2)
(62.7)
(250.1)
132.8

208.2

46.6
(48.7)

8.8

64.0

1.7
(47.1)
366.3

$

$

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Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

The following table presents our results of operations, in dollars and as a percentage of net sales, for the years ended 

December 31, 2013 and 2012: 

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

Income from operations

Interest expense, net

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

Other income, net

Income before income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income

Net sales

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Net Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Net Sales

$

10,768.6

100.0% $

10,128.2

100.0%

9,008.3

1,760.3

1,120.9

130.8

508.6

(250.1)
(64.0)
1.0

195.5

(62.7)

83.7

16.3

10.4

1.2

4.7

(2.3)
(0.6)
—

1.8

(0.6)

8,458.6

1,669.6

1,029.5

129.5

510.6

(307.4)
(17.2)
0.1

186.1

(67.1)

83.5

16.5

10.2

1.3

5.0

(3.0)
(0.2)
—

1.8

(0.7)

$

132.8

1.2% $

119.0

1.1%

The following table presents our net sales by segment, in dollars and as a percentage of total net sales, and the year-

over-year dollar and percentage change in net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

Dollars in
Millions

$

5,960.1
4,164.5
644.0
$ 10,768.6

Percentage of
Total Net 
Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage of
Total Net 
Sales

Dollar
Change

Percent
Change (1)

55.3% $
38.7
6.0

5,512.8
4,023.0
592.4
100.0% $ 10,128.2

54.4% $
39.7
5.9

100.0% $

447.3
141.5
51.6
640.4

8.1%
3.5
8.7
6.3%

Corporate
Public
Other
Total net sales

(1) 

There were 254 selling days in both the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

43

 
 
 
 
 
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The following table presents our net sales by customer channel for our Corporate and Public segments and the year-

over-year dollar and percentage change in net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Net sales of $150.1 
million and $124.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 have been reclassified from the small business 
customer channel to the medium/large customer channel to conform to the 2014 presentation. 

(in millions)

Corporate:

Medium / Large

Small Business

Total Corporate

Public:

Government

Education

Healthcare

Total Public

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

Dollar Change

Percent Change

$

$

$

$

5,052.7

907.4

5,960.1

$

$

4,572.7

940.1

5,512.8

$

$

480.0
(32.7)
447.3

1,250.6

$

1,394.1

$

1,449.0

1,464.9

1,192.3

1,436.6

4,164.5

$

4,023.0

$

(143.5)
256.7

28.3

141.5

10.5 %

(3.5)

8.1 %

(10.3)%

21.5

2.0

3.5 %

Total net sales in 2013 increased $640.4 million, or 6.3%, to $10,768.6 million, compared to $10,128.2 million in 

2012. There were 254 selling days for both the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The increase in total net sales was 
primarily the result of growth in hardware and software, a more tenured sales force, a continued focus on seller productivity 
across all areas of the organization and the addition of nearly 120 customer-facing coworkers, the majority in pre- and post-sale 
technical positions such as technical specialists and service delivery roles. Our total net sales growth for the year ended 
December 31, 2013 reflected growth in notebooks/mobile devices, netcomm products and software. Software gains were driven 
by growth in security, document management software and network management software, partially offset by a decline in 
application suites.

Corporate segment net sales in 2013 increased $447.3 million, or 8.1%, compared to 2012, driven by sales growth in 

the medium/large customer channel. Within our Corporate segment, net sales to medium/large customers increased 10.5% 
between years primarily due to certain of these customers increasing their IT spending, a more tenured sales force, a continued 
focus on seller productivity and additional customer-facing coworkers, the majority in pre- and post-sale technical positions 
such as technical specialists and service delivery roles. This increase was led by unit volume growth in netcomm products and 
growth in notebooks/mobile devices and software. Partially offsetting the growth in the medium/large customer channel was a 
3.5% decline in net sales to small business customers, due to certain of these customers taking a more cautious approach to 
spending as macroeconomic and regulatory uncertainty impacted decision-making. This decrease was led by unit volume 
declines in notebooks/mobile devices, partially offset by growth in netcomm products.

Public segment net sales in 2013 increased $141.5 million, or 3.5%, between years, driven by strong performance in 
the education customer channel. Net sales to education customers increased $256.7 million, or 21.5%, between years, led by 
growth in net sales to K-12 customers, reflecting increased sales of notebooks/mobile devices to support new standardized 
digital testing requirements that will take effect in 2014. Net sales to government customers decreased $143.5 million, or 
10.3%, in 2013 compared to 2012 due to reductions and delays in federal government spending following sequestration, 
uncertainty over future budget negotiations and the partial shutdown of the federal government. The government customer 
channel net sales decline was led by decreases in sales of enterprise storage and notebooks/mobile devices, partially offset by 
growth in software. Net sales to healthcare customers increased $28.3 million, or 2.0%, between years, driven by growth in 
notebooks/mobile devices and desktop computers.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased $90.7 million, or 5.4%, to $1,760.3 million in 2013, compared to $1,669.6 million in 2012. As a 

percentage of total net sales, gross profit decreased 20 basis points to 16.3% in 2013, down from 16.5% in 2012. Gross profit 
margin was negatively impacted 30 basis points by unfavorable price/mix changes within product margin, as we experienced 
product margin compression in transactional product categories such as desktops and notebooks. Partially offsetting this 
decrease was an increase of 10 basis points due to a higher mix of net service contract revenue. Net service contract revenue, 
including items such as third-party services and warranties, has a positive impact on gross profit margin as our cost paid to the 
vendor or third-party service provider is recorded as a reduction to net sales, resulting in net sales being equal to the gross profit 
on the transaction.

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The gross profit margin may fluctuate based on various factors, including vendor incentive and inventory price 

protection programs, cooperative advertising funds classified as a reduction of cost of sales, product mix, net service contract 
revenue, commission revenue, pricing strategies, market conditions and other factors, any of which could result in changes in 
gross profit margins.

Selling and administrative expenses

Selling and administrative expenses increased $91.3 million, or 8.9%, to $1,120.9 million in 2013, compared to 

$1,029.5 million in 2012. As a percentage of total net sales, selling and administrative expenses increased 20 basis points to 
10.4% in 2013, up from 10.2% in 2012. Sales payroll, including sales commissions and other variable compensation costs, 
increased $28.9 million, or 6.4%, between years, consistent with higher sales and gross profit. Additionally, selling and 
administrative expenses for 2013 included IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses of $75.0 million, as follows:

• 

Pre-tax charges of $36.7 million related to the acceleration of the expense recognition for certain equity awards and 
$4.0 million for the related employer payroll taxes. See Note 10 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial 
statements for additional discussion of the impact of the IPO on our equity awards.

•  A pre-tax charge of $24.4 million related to the payment of a termination fee to affiliates of the Sponsors in connection 

with the termination of the management services agreement with such entities.

•  A pre-tax charge of $7.5 million related to compensation expense in connection with the Restricted Debt Unit Plan. 
See Note 12 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of this charge.  

•  Other IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses of $2.4 million.

We did not record any IPO- or secondary-offering related expenses during 2012. Partially offsetting these increases in 

2013 was the favorable resolution of a class action legal proceeding in which we were a claimant, which reduced selling and 
administrative expenses by $10.4 million in 2013 compared to 2012. Total coworker count increased by 163 coworkers, from 
6,804 at December 31, 2012, to 6,967 at December 31, 2013.

Advertising expense

Advertising expense increased $1.3 million, or 0.9%, to $130.8 million in 2013, compared to $129.5 million in 2012. 

As a percentage of net sales, advertising expense was 1.2% in 2013, compared to 1.3% in 2012. The dollar increase in 
advertising expense was due to a continued focus on advertising our solutions and products, which reinforces our reputation as 
a leading IT solutions provider.

Income from operations

The following table presents income from operations by segment, in dollars and as a percentage of net sales, and the 

year-over-year percentage change in income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Segments: (1)

Corporate

Public

Other
Headquarters (2)
Total income from operations

* Not meaningful

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Dollars in
Millions

Operating
Margin
Percentage

Dollars in
Millions

Operating
Margin
Percentage

Percent Change
in Income
from Operations

$

$

363.3

246.5

27.2

(128.4)

508.6

6.1% $

5.9

4.2

nm*

4.7% $

349.0

246.7

18.6
(103.7)
510.6

6.3%

6.1

3.1

nm*

5.0%

4.1 %

(0.1)

46.3

(23.8)
(0.4)%  

(1) 

Segment income (loss) from operations includes the segment’s direct operating income (loss) and allocations for 
Headquarters’ costs, allocations for logistics services, certain inventory adjustments, and volume rebates and 
cooperative advertising from vendors.

(2) 

Includes Headquarters’ function costs that are not allocated to the segments.

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Income from operations was $508.6 million in 2013, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 0.4%, compared to $510.6 million 
in 2012. The decrease in income from operations was driven by higher selling and administrative expenses primarily resulting 
from $75.0 million of IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses recorded during 2013, mostly offset by higher net sales 
and gross profit. Total operating margin percentage decreased 30 basis points to 4.7% in 2013, from 5.0% in 2012. Operating 
margin percentage was negatively impacted by the increase in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales 
and gross profit margin compression, partially offset by a decrease in advertising expense as a percentage of net sales.

Corporate segment income from operations was $363.3 million in 2013, an increase of $14.3 million, or 4.1%, 

compared to $349.0 million in 2012. Corporate segment operating margin percentage decreased 20 basis points to 6.1% in 
2013, from 6.3% in 2012. Results for 2013 included $26.4 million of IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses, which 
reduced Corporate segment operating margin by 40 basis points. Higher sales and gross profit dollars offset the effect of IPO- 
and secondary-offering related expenses on income from operations for 2013.

Public segment income from operations was $246.5 million in 2013, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 0.1%, compared to 
$246.7 million in 2012. Public segment operating margin percentage decreased 20 basis points to 5.9% in 2013, from 6.1% in 
2012. Results for 2013 included $14.4 million of IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses, which reduced Public segment 
operating margin by 30 basis points. Higher sales and gross profit dollars nearly offset the effect of IPO- and secondary-
offering related expenses on income from operations for 2013. 

Interest expense, net

At December 31, 2013, our outstanding long-term debt totaled $3,251.2 million, compared to $3,771.0 million at 

December 31, 2012. We reduced long-term debt throughout the year primarily through the use of a portion of the net proceeds 
from the IPO and cash flows provided by operating activities. Net interest expense in 2013 was $250.1 million, a decrease of 
$57.3 million compared to $307.4 million in 2012. This decrease was primarily due to lower debt balances and effective 
interest rates for 2013 compared to 2012 as a result of debt repayments and refinancing activities completed during 2012 and 
2013. 

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt

During 2013, we recorded a net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt of $64.0 million compared to $17.2 million 

in 2012.  

In October 2013, we redeemed $155.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. In 

connection with this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $8.5 million, representing the 
difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing costs.

In August 2013, we redeemed $324.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. In 

connection with this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $24.6 million, representing the 
difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing costs.

In July 2013, we redeemed $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes. In connection with 

this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $16.7 million, representing the difference between 
the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred 
financing costs.

In April 2013, we entered into a new seven-year, $1,350.0 million aggregate principal amount Term Loan. 
Substantially all of the proceeds were used to repay the $1,299.5 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the prior 
senior secured term loan facility. In connection with this refinancing, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt 
of $10.3 million, representing a write-off of the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to the prior senior 
secured term loan facility.

In March 2013, we redeemed $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. We 
recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $3.9 million, representing the difference between the redemption price 
and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs.

In December 2012, we redeemed $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes. We 

recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $7.8 million representing the difference between the redemption price 
and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs.

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In February and March 2012, we purchased or redeemed the remaining $129.0 million of 11.0% Senior Exchange 
Notes due 2015 and 11.5%/12.25% Senior PIK Election Exchange Notes due 2015 (together, the "Senior Notes due 2015"), 
funded with the issuance of an additional $130.0 million of Senior Notes due 2019. As a result, we recorded a loss on 
extinguishment of long-term debt of $9.4 million, representing the difference between the purchase or redemption price of the 
Senior Notes due 2015 and the net carrying amount of the purchased debt, adjusted for the remaining unamortized deferred 
financing costs.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was $62.7 million in 2013, compared to $67.1 million in 2012. The effective income tax rate was 

32.1% and 36.0% for 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

For 2013, the effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, 

including current year state income tax credits and an adjustment to deferred state income taxes due to changes in 
apportionment factors. For 2012, the effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to favorable 
adjustments to state tax credits which were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of adjustments to deferred state income 
taxes due to changes in state tax laws and non-deductible expenses, primarily equity-based compensation and meals and 
entertainment. The lower effective tax rate for 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily driven by the favorable impact of 
adjustments to deferred state income taxes due to changes in state tax apportionment factors and lower non-deductible 
expenses.

Net income

Net income was $132.8 million in 2013, compared to $119.0 million in 2012. Significant factors and events causing 

the net changes between the periods are discussed above.

Non-GAAP net income

Non-GAAP net income was $314.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $67.2 million, or 

27.2%, compared to $247.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. 

We have included a reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 below. 

Non-GAAP net income excludes, among other things, charges related to the amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, 
non-cash equity-based compensation, IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses and gains and losses from the early 
extinguishment of debt. Non-GAAP net income is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP 
financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or 
includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented 
in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used by other 
companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. We believe that Non-GAAP net income provides 
helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows including our ability to meet our future debt 
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. 

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Table of Contents

(in millions)

Net income

Amortization of intangibles (1)
Non-cash equity-based compensation
Litigation, net (2)
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Interest expense adjustment related to extinguishments of 
long-term debt (3)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses (4)
Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (5)

Non-GAAP net income

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

$

$

132.8
161.2
8.6
(6.3)
64.0

(7.5)
75.0
(113.5)
314.3

$

$

119.0
163.7
22.1
—
17.2

(3.3)
—
(71.6)
247.1

(1)  Includes amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and trade 

names.

(2)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(3)  Reflects adjustments to interest expense resulting from debt extinguishments. Represents the difference between 

interest expense previously recognized under the effective interest method and actual interest paid.

(4)  IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses consist of the following:

(in millions)

Acceleration charge for certain equity awards and
related employer payroll taxes

RDU Plan cash retention pool accrual
Management services agreement termination fee
Other expenses

IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses

$

$

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

40.7

$

7.5
24.4
2.4
75.0

$

—

—
—
—
—

(5)  Based on a normalized effective tax rate of 39.0%.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $808.5 million in 2013, an increase of $41.9 million, or 5.5%, compared to $766.6 million in 

2012. As a percentage of net sales, Adjusted EBITDA was 7.5% and 7.6% in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We have included a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2013 and 2012 in the table below. EBITDA 

is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted 
EBITDA, which is a measure defined in our credit agreements, means EBITDA adjusted for certain items which are described 
in the table below. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-
GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flows that either 
excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated 
and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used 
by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted 
EBITDA provide helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows including our ability to meet 
our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA also provides helpful 
information as it is the primary measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our credit agreements. 

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Table of Contents

(in millions)

Net income
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax expense
Interest expense, net
EBITDA

Adjustments:

Non-cash equity-based compensation
Sponsor fee
Consulting and debt-related professional fees
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Litigation, net (1)
IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses (2)
Other adjustments (3)
Total adjustments

$

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

$

132.8
208.2
62.7
250.1
653.8

8.6
2.5
0.1
64.0
(4.1)
75.0
8.6
154.7

119.0
210.2
67.1
307.4
703.7

22.1
5.0
0.6
17.2
4.3
—
13.7
62.9

Adjusted EBITDA

$

808.5

$

766.6

(1)  Relates to unusual, non-recurring litigation matters.

(2)  As defined under Non-GAAP net income above. 

(3)  Other adjustments primarily include certain retention costs and equity investment income.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities for the years 

ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. 

(in millions)
EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization
Income tax expense
Interest expense, net

Net income

Depreciation and amortization
Equity-based compensation expense
Deferred income taxes
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt premium, and
debt discount, net

Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Other
Changes in assets and liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities

Seasonality

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

653.8
(208.2)
(62.7)
(250.1)
132.8
208.2
46.6
(48.7)

8.8
64.0
1.7
(47.1)
366.3

$

$

703.7
(210.2)
(67.1)
(307.4)
119.0
210.2
22.1
(56.3)

13.6
17.2
1.0
(9.4)
317.4

$

$

While we have not historically experienced significant seasonality throughout the year, sales in our Corporate 

segment, which primarily serves private sector business customers, are typically higher in the fourth quarter than in other 
quarters due to customers spending their remaining technology budget dollars at the end of the year. Additionally, sales in our 
Public segment have historically been higher in the third quarter than in other quarters primarily due to the buying patterns of 
the federal government and education customers.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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Overview

We finance our operations and capital expenditures through a combination of internally generated cash from 

operations and from borrowings under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility. We believe that our current 
sources of funds will be sufficient to fund our cash operating requirements for the next year. In addition, we believe that, in 
spite of the uncertainty of future macroeconomic conditions, we have adequate sources of liquidity and funding available to 
meet our longer-term needs. However, there are a number of factors that may negatively impact our available sources of funds. 
The amount of cash generated from operations will be dependent upon factors such as the successful execution of our business 
plan and general economic conditions.

Long-Term Debt Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we had significant debt refinancings. In connection with these 

refinancings, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $90.7 million in our consolidated statement of 
operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 7 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements 
included elsewhere in this report for additional details.

Share Repurchase Program 

On November 6, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase program 

effective immediately under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market or through privately 
negotiated transactions, depending on share price, market conditions and other factors.  The share repurchase program does not 
obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares, and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time 
to time without prior notice. As of the date of this filing, no shares have been repurchased under the share repurchase program.

Dividends

A summary of 2014 dividend activity for our common stock is shown below: 

Dividend Amount
$0.0425

Declaration Date
February 12, 2014

$0.0425

$0.0425

$0.0675

May 8, 2014

July 31, 2014

Record Date
February 25, 2014

May 27, 2014

 Payment Date
March 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

August 25, 2014

September 10, 2014

November 6, 2014

November 25, 2014

December 10, 2014

On February 10, 2015, we announced that our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common 

stock of $0.0675 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of 
business on February 25, 2015. 

The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our 

results of operations, financial condition, business prospects, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, any potential 
indebtedness we may incur, restrictions imposed by applicable law, tax considerations and other factors that our board of 
directors deems relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock will be limited by restrictions on our 
ability to pay dividends or make distributions to our stockholders and on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or 
make distributions to us, in each case, under the terms of our current and any future agreements governing our indebtedness.

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Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities were as follows:

(in millions)

Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

Investing activities

Net change in accounts payable - inventory financing

Other financing activities

Financing activities

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

$

435.0
(164.8)

$

366.3
(47.1)

317.4
(41.7)

75.5
(187.5)
(112.0)

7.4
(175.7)
(168.3)

(29.5)
(308.5)
(338.0)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(1.8)
156.4

$

(0.7)
150.2

$

0.3
(62.0)

$

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2014 increased $68.7 million compared to 2013. Net income adjusted for 

the impact of non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense and net loss on 
extinguishments of long-term debt was $476.8 million during 2014, compared to $413.4 million during 2013. The increase in 
cash of $63.4 million reflected stronger operating results in 2014 compared to 2013. Net changes in assets and liabilities 
reduced cash by $41.8 million in 2014 compared to a reduction of $47.1 million in 2013, resulting in a change of $5.3 million 
between periods. The decrease in inventory balances year over year contributed to a $111.7 million increase in cash flows 
which was primarily due to the timing of inventory receipts and earlier than expected inventory shipments at the end of 2014 
due to accelerated customer roll-outs.   Partially offsetting the increase in cash flows from inventory was a decline in cash 
inflows from accounts payable of $102.4 million driven by the timing of inventory receipts at the end of 2014 versus 2013.    

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2013 increased $48.9 million compared to 2012. Net income adjusted for 

the impact of non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense and net loss on 
extinguishments of long-term debt was $413.4 million during 2013, compared to $326.8 million during 2012, an increase of 
$86.6 million. The increase in cash of $86.6 million reflected stronger operating results in 2013 compared to 2012. Net changes 
in assets and liabilities reduced cash by $47.1 million in 2013 compared to a reduction of $9.4 million in 2012, resulting in a 
change of $37.7 million between periods. While changes in assets and liabilities were relatively flat during 2012, during 2013, 
accounts receivable and accounts payable balances decreased and increased cash by $170.8 million and $146.1 million, 
respectively, primarily as a result of accelerated sales growth during the final month of 2013. Merchandise inventory also 
increased during 2013 to support strong sales order volume near the end of 2013.  

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In order to manage our working capital and operating cash needs, we monitor our cash conversion cycle, defined as 

days of sales outstanding in accounts receivable plus days of supply in inventory minus days of purchases outstanding in 
accounts payable, based on a rolling three-month average. The following table presents the components of our cash conversion 
cycle:

(in days)

Days of sales outstanding (DSO) (1)
Days of supply in inventory (DIO) (2)
Days of purchases outstanding (DPO) (3)

Cash conversion cycle

December 31,

2014

2013

2012

42

13
(34)
21

44

14
(35)
23

42

14
(32)
24

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of trade accounts receivable, net at the end of the period 
divided by average daily net sales for the same three-month period. Also incorporates components of other 
miscellaneous receivables.
Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of inventory at the end of the period divided by average 
daily cost of goods sold for the same three-month period.  The prior period has been revised to conform to the current 
definition.  
Represents the rolling three-month average of the combined balance of accounts payable-trade, excluding cash 
overdrafts, and accounts payable-inventory financing at the end of the period divided by average daily cost of goods 
sold for the same three-month period.

The cash conversion cycle decreased to 21 days at December 31, 2014 compared to 23 days at December 31, 2013, 

primarily driven by improvement in DSO. The decline in DSO was primarily driven by improved collections and early 
payments from certain customers.  Additionally, the timing of inventory receipts at the end of 2014 had a favorable impact on 
DIO and an unfavorable impact on DPO. 

The cash conversion cycle decreased to 23 days at December 31, 2013 compared to 24 days at December 31, 2012. 

The increase in DSO was primarily driven by an increase in receivables for third-party services such as software assurance and 
warranties. These services have an unfavorable impact on DSO as the receivable is recognized on the balance sheet on a gross 
basis while the corresponding sales amount in the statement of operations is recorded on a net basis. The DPO increase was 
primarily due to an increase in payables for third-party services, which offsets the related increase in DSO discussed above. 
These services have a favorable impact on DPO as the payable is recognized on the balance sheet without a corresponding cost 
of sales in the statement of operations because the cost paid to the vendor or third-party service provider is recorded as a 
reduction to net sales. The timing of quarter-end payments also had a favorable impact on DPO at December 31, 2013. 

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $117.7 million in 2014 compared to 2013. We paid $86.8 million in the 

fourth quarter of 2014 to acquire a 35% non-controlling interest in Kelway.  Additionally, capital expenditures increased $7.9 
million to $55.0 million from $47.1 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily for improvements to our information 
technology systems during both years.

Net cash used in investing activities increased $5.4 million in 2013 compared to 2012. Capital expenditures were 

$47.1 million and $41.4 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily for improvements to our information technology 
systems during both years.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $56.3 million in 2014 compared to 2013. The decrease was primarily 

driven by several debt refinancing transactions during each period and our July 2013 IPO, which generated net proceeds of 
$424.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts, expenses and transaction costs. The net impact of our debt transactions 
resulted in cash outflows of $161.3 million and $569.4 million during 2014 and 2013, respectively, as cash was used in each 
period to reduce our total long-term debt. See Note 7 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this report for a description of the debt transactions impacting each period. 

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $169.7 million in 2013 compared to 2012. The decrease was primarily 

driven by various debt transactions during each period and our July 2013 IPO, which generated net proceeds of $424.7 
million after deducting underwriting discounts, expenses and transaction costs. The net impact of our debt transactions resulted 

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in cash outflows of $569.4 million and $310.6 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively, as cash was used in each period to 
reduce our total long-term debt. 

Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements

As of December 31, 2014, we had total indebtedness of $3.2 billion, of which $1.5 billion was secured indebtedness.

At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants under our various credit agreements and indentures.  

Under the indenture governing the 8.5% Senior Notes due 2019, which contains the most restrictive restricted payment 
provisions in our various credit agreements and indentures, we are generally restricted from paying dividends and making other 
restricted payments.  For the purpose of determining restricted payment capacity, consolidated net income or loss includes 
certain adjustments that are defined in the applicable indenture.  At December 31, 2014, the amount of cumulative consolidated 
net income free of restrictions under our credit agreements and indentures was $230.3 million. 

See Note 7 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for further 

details regarding our debt and each of the transactions described below.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the following events occurred with respect to our debt structure:

•  On January 22, 2014 and February 21, 2014, we redeemed $30.0 million and $20.0 million aggregate principal 

amounts of the 12.535% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2017, respectively.

•  On March 20, 2014, we repurchased and subsequently canceled $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 
8.5% Senior Notes due 2019 from an affiliate of Providence Equity in a privately-negotiated transaction on an 
arms’ length basis.

•  On May 9, 2014, we redeemed all of the remaining $42.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 12.535% 

Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2017.

•  On June 6, 2014, we entered into a new five-year $1,250.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit 

facility which will mature on June 6, 2019. 

•  On August 5, 2014, we completed the issuance of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% Senior 

Notes due 2022 which will mature on August 15, 2022.

•  On September 5, 2014, we redeemed all of the remaining $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 

12.535% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2017, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of 
redemption.  

•  On September 5, 2014, we redeemed $234.7 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.5% Senior Notes due 

2019, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of redemption. 

•  On December 1, 2014, we completed the issuance of $575.0 million principal amount of 5.5% Senior Notes due 

2024 which will mature on December 1, 2024.

•  On December 31, 2014, we redeemed $541.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.5% Senior Notes due 

2019, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of redemption. 

Inventory Financing Agreements

We have entered into agreements with certain financial intermediaries to facilitate the purchase of inventory from 

various suppliers under certain terms and conditions. These amounts are classified separately as accounts payable-inventory 
financing on the consolidated balance sheets. We do not incur any interest expense associated with these agreements as 
balances are paid when they are due. See Note 5 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this report for further details.

Contractual Obligations

We have future obligations under various contracts relating to debt and interest payments, operating leases and asset 

retirement obligations. The following table presents our estimated future payments under contractual obligations that existed as 
of December 31, 2014, based on undiscounted amounts.

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(in millions)

Term Loan (1)
Senior Notes due 2019 (2)
Senior Notes due 2022 (2)
Senior Notes due 2024 (2)
Operating leases (3)
Asset retirement obligations (4)
Total

Payments Due by Period

Total

< 1 year

1-3 years

4-5 years

> 5 years

$ 1,767.8

$

696.6

889.0

891.3

127.5

0.5

64.4

42.8

37.0

31.6

19.1

—

$

127.3

$

125.3

$ 1,450.8

85.7

72.0

63.3

31.4

0.5

568.1

72.0

63.3

26.4

—

—

708.0

733.1

50.6

—

$ 4,372.7

$

194.9

$

380.2

$

855.1

$ 2,942.5

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Includes future principal and cash interest payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. 
Interest payments for variable rate debt were calculated using interest rates as of December 31, 2014. Excluded from 
these amounts are the amortization of debt issuance and other costs related to indebtedness.
Includes future principal and cash interest payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. 
Interest on the Senior Notes is calculated using the stated interest rates. Excluded from these amounts are the 
amortization of debt issuance and other costs related to indebtedness. 
Includes the minimum lease payments for non-cancelable leases of properties and equipment used in our operations.  
Additionally, included in these amounts are future minimum lease payments commencing in the fourth quarter of 2016 
that relate to a new lease entered into in December 2014 for our future headquarters in Lincolnshire, Illinois.  Also 
reflected in these amounts is the future expiration of two leases in the first quarter of 2016 for facilities currently in 
use by us which we plan to consolidate into the new headquarters location and accordingly, these leases will not be 
renewed.  
Represent commitments to return property subject to operating leases to original condition upon lease termination.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future 

effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital 
expenditures or capital resources.

Inflation

Inflation has not had a material impact on our operating results. We generally have been able to pass along price 

increases to our customers, though certain economic factors and technological advances in recent years have tended to place 
downward pressure on pricing. We also have been able to generally offset the effects of inflation on operating costs by 
continuing to emphasize productivity improvements and by accelerating our overall cash conversion cycle. There can be no 
assurances, however, that inflation would not have a material impact on our sales or operating costs in the future. 

Commitments and Contingencies

The information set forth in Note 14 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, 

Item 8 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make use of certain 

estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. 
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the 
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are 
not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In Note 1 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements, we include a discussion of the significant 

accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We believe the following are the most 
critical accounting policies and estimates that include significant judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements. 
We consider an accounting policy or estimate to be critical if it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time 
they were made, and if changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of 
operations.

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Revenue Recognition

  We are a primary distribution channel for a large group of vendors and suppliers, including OEMs, software publishers 

and wholesale distributors. We record revenue from sales transactions when title and risk of loss are passed to our customer, 
there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement for sale, delivery has occurred and/or services have been rendered, the sales 
price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Our shipping terms typically specify F.O.B. destination, 
at which time title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. 

Revenues from the sales of hardware products and software products and licenses are generally recognized on a gross 

basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as sales and the acquisition cost of the product recorded as cost of sales. 
These items can be delivered to customers in a variety of ways, including (i) as physical product shipped from our warehouse, 
(ii) via drop-shipment by the vendor or supplier, or (iii) via electronic delivery for software licenses. At the time of sale, we 
record an estimate for sales returns and allowances based on historical experience. Our vendor partners warrant most of the 
products we sell. 

  We leverage drop-shipment arrangements with many of our vendors and suppliers to deliver products to our customers 

without having to physically hold the inventory at our warehouses, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs. We 
recognize revenue for drop-shipment arrangements on a gross basis upon delivery to the customer with contract terms that 
typically specify F.O.B. destination. We recognize revenue on a gross basis as the principal in the transaction because we are 
the primary obligor in the arrangement, we assume inventory risk if the product is returned by the customer, we set the price of 
the product charged to the customer, we assume credit risk for the amounts invoiced, and we work closely with our customers 
to determine their hardware and software specifications. These arrangements generally represent approximately 40% to 50% of 
total net sales, including approximately 15% to 20% related to electronic delivery for software licenses. 

Revenue from professional services is either recognized as provided for services billed at an hourly rate or recognized 

using a proportional performance model for services provided at a fixed fee. Revenue from cloud computing solutions 
including Software as a Service ("SaaS") and Infrastructure as a Service ("IaaS") arrangements, as well as data center services 
such as managed and remote managed services, server co-location, internet connectivity and data backup and storage, is 
recognized over the period service is provided.

  We also sell certain products for which we act as an agent. Products in this category include the sale of third-party 
services, warranties, software assurance (“SA”) and third-party hosted SaaS and IaaS arrangements. SA is a product that allows 
customers to upgrade, at no additional cost, to the latest technology if new applications are introduced during the period that the 
SA is in effect. These sales do not meet the criteria for gross sales recognition, and thus are recognized on a net basis at the time 
of sale. Under net sales recognition, the cost paid to the vendor or third-party service provider is recorded as a reduction to 
sales, resulting in net sales being equal to the gross profit on the transaction. 

Our larger customers are offered the opportunity by certain of our vendors to purchase software licenses and SA under 
enterprise agreements (“EAs”). Under EAs, customers are considered to be compliant with applicable license requirements for 
the ensuing year, regardless of changes to their employee base. Customers are charged an annual true-up fee for changes in the 
number of users over the year. With most EAs, our vendors will transfer the license and bill the customer directly, paying 
resellers such as us an agency fee or commission on these sales. We record these fees as a component of net sales as earned and 
there is no corresponding cost of sales amount. In certain instances, we bill the customer directly under an EA and account for 
the individual items sold based on the nature of the item. Our vendors typically dictate how the EA will be sold to the customer. 

From time to time, we sell some of our products and services as part of bundled contract arrangements containing 
multiple deliverables, which may include a combination of the products and services. For each deliverable that represents a 
separate unit of accounting, total arrangement consideration is allocated based upon the relative selling prices of each element. 
The allocated arrangement consideration is recognized as revenue in accordance with the principles described above. Selling 
prices are determined by using vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if it exists. Otherwise, selling prices are 
determined using third party evidence (“TPE”). If neither VSOE or TPE is available, we use our best estimate of selling prices.

  We record freight billed to our customers as net sales and the related freight costs as a cost of sales.

Deferred revenue includes (1) payments received from customers in advance of providing the product or performing 

services, and (2) amounts deferred if other conditions of revenue recognition have not been met. 

We perform an analysis of the estimated number of days of sales in-transit to customers at the end of each period 

based on a weighted-average analysis of commercial delivery terms that includes drop-shipment arrangements. This analysis is 
the basis upon which we estimate the amount of sales in-transit at the end of the period and adjust revenue and the related costs 

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to reflect only what has been received by the customer. Changes in delivery patterns may result in a different number of 
business days used in making this adjustment and could have a material impact on our revenue recognition for the period.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using a weighted-average cost method. 

Price protection is recorded when earned as a reduction to the cost of inventory. We decrease the value of inventory for 
estimated obsolescence equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value, based upon an 
aging analysis of the inventory on hand, specifically known inventory-related risks, and assumptions about future demand and 
market conditions. If future demand or actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, 
additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Vendor Programs

We receive incentives from certain of our vendors related to cooperative advertising allowances, volume rebates, bid 

programs, price protection and other programs. These incentives generally relate to written agreements with specified 
performance requirements with the vendors and are recorded as adjustments to cost of sales or inventory, depending on the 
nature of the incentive. Vendors may change the terms of some or all of these programs, which could have an impact on our 
results of operations.

We record receivables from vendors related to these programs when the amounts are probable and reasonably 
estimable. Some programs are based on the achievement of specific targets, and we base our estimates on information provided 
by our vendors and internal information to assess our progress toward achieving those targets. If actual performance does not 
match our estimates, we may be required to adjust our receivables. We record reserves for vendor receivables for estimated 
losses due to vendors’ inability to pay or rejections by vendors of claims; however, if actual collections differ from our 
estimates, we may incur additional losses that could have a material impact on gross margin and operating income.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to periodic testing for impairment at the reporting unit level. Our reporting 

units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as our operating segments. We are required to perform an 
evaluation of goodwill on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The annual test 
for impairment is conducted as of December 1. We have the option of performing a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's 
fair value from the last quantitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting unit's goodwill is 
impaired or performing a quantitative assessment by comparing a reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying amount. 
Under the quantitative assessment, testing for impairment of goodwill is a two-step process. The first step compares the fair 
value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair 
value, the second step compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill to 
determine the amount of impairment loss. Fair value of a reporting unit is determined by using a weighted combination of an 
income approach and a market approach, as this combination is considered the most indicative of the reporting units’ fair value 
in an orderly transaction between market participants. Under the income approach, we determine fair value based on estimated 
future cash flows of a reporting unit, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall 
level of inherent risk of a reporting unit and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn. Under the market 
approach, we utilize valuation multiples derived from publicly available information for peer group companies to provide an 
indication of how much a knowledgeable investor in the marketplace would be willing to pay for a company. We have weighted 
the income approach and the market approach at 75% and 25%, respectively.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit (and the allocation of that fair value to individual assets and liabilities 

within the reporting unit to determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the event a step two analysis is required) is 
judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include 
primarily, but are not limited to, discount rate, terminal growth rate, selection of appropriate peer group companies and control 
premium applied, and forecasts of revenue growth rates, gross margins, operating margins, and working capital requirements. 
The allocation requires analysis to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities including, among others, customer 
relationships, trade names, and property and equipment. Any changes in the judgments, estimates, or assumptions used could 
produce significantly different results. Although we believe our assumptions are reasonable, actual results may vary 
significantly and may expose us to material impairment charges in the future.

Intangible assets include customer relationships, trade names, internally developed software and other intangibles. 

Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The 
cost of software developed or obtained for internal use is capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated 
useful life of the software. These intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 

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indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an 
estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying 
amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the 
asset’s carrying amount over its fair value.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from 

the inability of our customers to make required payments. We take into consideration historical loss experience, the overall 
quality of the receivable portfolio and specifically identified customer risks. If actual collections of customer receivables differ 
from our estimates, additional allowances may be required which could have an impact on our results of operations.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 

reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences 
are expected to reverse. We perform an evaluation of the realizability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. This 
evaluation requires us to use estimates and make assumptions and considers all positive and negative evidence and factors, such 
as the scheduled reversal of temporary differences, the mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and prudent 
and feasible tax planning strategies.

We account for unrecognized tax benefits based upon our assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not 

to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from 
unrecognized tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to 
unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The information set forth in Note 2 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, 

Item 8 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Subsequent Events

The information set forth in Note 20 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, 

Item 8 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risks

Our market risks relate primarily to changes in interest rates. The interest rates on borrowings under our senior secured 

asset-based revolving credit facility and our senior secured term loan facility are floating and, therefore, are subject to 
fluctuations. In order to manage the risk associated with changes in interest rates on borrowings under our senior secured term 
loan facility, we have entered into interest rate derivative agreements to economically hedge a portion of the cash flows 
associated with the facility. Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to 
manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

We utilize interest rate caps for the purpose of limiting current and future exposure to interest rate risk on our floating-

rate debt under the senior secured term loan facility. 

As of December 31, 2014 we have ten interest rate cap agreements in effect through January 14, 2015 with a 
combined notional amount of $1,150.0 million which entitled the Company to payments from the counterparty of the amount, 
if any, by which three-month LIBOR exceeds a weighted average rate of 2.4% during the agreement period.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into 14 additional interest rate cap agreements with a combined 

notional amount of $1,000.0 million. These interest rate cap agreements have not been designated as cash flow hedges of 
interest rate risk for GAAP accounting purposes. The entire $1,000.0 million notional amount entitles us to payments from the 
counterparty of the amount, if any, by which three-month LIBOR exceeds 2.0% during the agreement period. The interest rate 
cap agreements are effective from January 14, 2015 through January 14, 2017.  See Note 7 to the accompanying audited 
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details.

See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital 

Resources - Contractual Obligations” for information on cash flows, interest rates and maturity dates of our debt obligations.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page
59

60

61

62

63

64

65

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
CDW Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CDW Corporation and subsidiaries as of 

December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' 
equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the 
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility 
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on 
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial 
position of CDW Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations 
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic 
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), CDW Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 26, 2015

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.7 and $5.4, respectively

Merchandise inventory

Miscellaneous receivables

Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Equity investments

Goodwill

Other intangible assets, net

Deferred financing costs, net

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable-trade

Accounts payable-inventory financing

Current maturities of long-term debt

Deferred revenue

Accrued expenses:

Compensation

Interest

Sales taxes

Advertising

Income taxes

Other

Total current liabilities

Long-term liabilities:

Debt

Deferred income taxes

Other liabilities

Total long-term liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

Shareholders’ equity:

Preferred shares, $0.01 par value, 100.0 shares authorized, and no shares issued or outstanding for both periods

Common shares, $0.01 par value, 1,000.0 shares authorized; 172.2 and 172.0 shares issued, respectively; 172.2 and 172.0
shares outstanding, respectively

Paid-in capital

Accumulated deficit

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

December 31,

2014

2013

$

344.5

$

188.1

1,561.1

1,451.0

337.5

155.6

54.7

2,453.4

137.2

86.7

2,217.6

1,168.8

33.0

3.2

382.0

146.3

46.1

2,213.5

131.1

—

2,220.3

1,328.0

30.1

1.6

$

6,099.9

$

5,924.6

$

$

704.0

332.1

15.4

81.3

662.8

256.6

45.4

94.8

130.1

112.2

28.1

29.1

34.0

0.2

31.8

29.2

33.2

6.3

113.7

1,468.0

130.3

1,402.6

3,174.6

3,205.8

475.0

45.8

563.5

41.0

3,695.4

3,810.3

—

1.7

—

1.7

2,711.9

2,688.1

(1,760.5)

(1,971.8)

(16.6)

936.5

(6.3)

711.7

$

6,099.9

$

5,924.6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses
Advertising expense
Income from operations
Interest expense, net
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Other income, net
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income

Net income per common share:
Basic
Diluted

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted

Cash dividends declared per common share

Years Ended December 31,

2014
$ 12,074.5
10,153.2
1,921.3
1,110.3
138.0
673.0
(197.3)
(90.7)
2.7
387.7
(142.8)
244.9

$

2013
$10,768.6
9,008.3
1,760.3
1,120.9
130.8
508.6
(250.1)
(64.0)
1.0
195.5
(62.7)
132.8

$

2012
$10,128.2
8,458.6
1,669.6
1,029.5
129.5
510.6
(307.4)
(17.2)
0.1
186.1
(67.1)
119.0

$

$
$

1.44
1.42

$
$

0.85
0.84

$
$

0.82
0.82

170.6
172.8

156.6
158.7

145.1
145.8

$

0.1950

$ 0.0425

$

—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)

Net income
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax benefit of $0.5 million,
$0 million, and $0 million, respectively)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Comprehensive income

$

$

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

244.9

$

132.8

$

119.0

(10.3)
(10.3)
234.6

$

(6.7)
(6.7)
126.1

$

2.5
2.5
121.5

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2011

Equity-based compensation expense

Investment from CDW Holdings LLC

Repurchase of common shares

Accrued charitable contribution related to the
MPK Coworker Incentive Plan II, net of tax

Net income

Incentive compensation plan units withheld for
taxes

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at December 31, 2012

Equity-based compensation expense

Issuance of common shares

Repurchase of common shares

Dividends declared

Reclassification to goodwill for accrued
charitable contributions

Incentive compensation plan units withheld for
taxes

Net income

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at December 31, 2013

Equity-based compensation expense

Stock options exercised

Excess tax benefits from equity-based
compensation

Coworker stock purchase plan

Dividends declared

Net income

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at December 31, 2014

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Deficit

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive 
(Loss) Income

Total
Shareholders’
(Deficit)
Equity

— $ —

144.9

$

1.4

$ 2,184.7

$

(2,191.3) $

(2.1) $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.3

—

—

—

— $ —

145.2

$

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

26.8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.4

—

0.3

—

—

—

—

—

—

22.1

2.8

—

(1.4)

—

(0.5)

—

—

—

(0.7)

—

119.0

—

—

$ 2,207.7

$

(2,073.0) $

46.6

424.4

—

—

9.4

—

—

—

—

—

(0.2)

(7.3)

—

(24.1)

132.8

—

— $ —

172.0

$

1.7

$ 2,688.1

$

(1,971.8) $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

16.4

1.3

0.3

5.8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(33.6)

244.9

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.5

0.4

—

—

—

—

—

—

$

(6.7)

(6.3) $

—

—

—

—

—

—

(10.3)

— $ —

172.2

$

1.7

$ 2,711.9

$

(1,760.5) $

(16.6) $

(7.3)

22.1

2.8

(0.7)

(1.4)

119.0

(0.5)

2.5

136.5

46.6

424.7

(0.2)

(7.3)

9.4

(24.1)

132.8

(6.7)

711.7

16.4

1.3

0.3

5.8

(33.6)

244.9

(10.3)

936.5

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Equity-based compensation expense
Deferred income taxes
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt premium, and debt discount, net
Net loss on extinguishments of long-term debt
Income from equity investments
Other
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Merchandise inventory
Other assets
Accounts payable-trade
Other current liabilities
Long-term liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Payment for equity investment
Payment of accrued charitable contribution related to the MPK Coworker Incentive Plan II
Premium payments on interest rate cap agreements
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facility
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Payments to extinguish long-term debt
Payments of debt financing costs
Investment from CDW Holdings LLC, net
Net change in accounts payable-inventory financing
Proceeds from issuance of common shares
Proceeds from stock option exercises
Proceeds from Coworker Stock Purchase Plan
Dividends paid
Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation
Payment of incentive compensation plan withholding taxes
Repurchase of common shares
Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents – end of period

Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information:

Interest paid
Taxes paid, net of taxes refunded
Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Capital expenditures accrued in accounts payable-trade

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

244.9

$

132.8

$

119.0

207.9
16.4
(89.1)
0.3
6.4
90.7
(1.2)
0.5

(117.6)
44.2
(18.7)
43.7
1.7
4.9
435.0

(55.0)
(86.8)
(20.9)
(2.1)
(164.8)

—
—
(15.4)
1,175.0
(1,299.0)
(21.9)
—
75.5
—
1.3
5.8
(33.6)
0.3
—
—
(112.0)

(1.8)

156.4

188.1

208.2
46.6
(48.7)
—
8.8
64.0
—
1.7

(170.8)
(67.5)
(10.1)
146.1
64.1
(8.9)
366.3

(47.1)
—
—
—
(47.1)

63.0
(63.0)
(51.1)
1,535.2
(2,047.4)
(6.1)
—
7.4
424.7
—
—
(7.3)
0.6
(24.1)
(0.2)
(168.3)

(0.7)

150.2

37.9

344.5

$

188.1

$

210.2
22.1
(56.3)
—
13.6
17.2
—
1.0

(10.4)
7.1
(3.8)
0.8
(2.1)
(1.0)
317.4

(41.4)
—
—
(0.3)
(41.7)

289.0
(289.0)
(201.0)
135.7
(243.2)
(2.1)
2.8
(29.5)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(0.7)
(338.0)

0.3

(62.0)

99.9

37.9

(195.8) $
(241.2) $

(267.6) $
(82.5) $

(302.7)
(123.2)

0.6

$

0.2

$

0.5

$

$
$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. 

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

CDW Corporation ("Parent") is a Fortune 500 company and a leading provider of integrated information technology 
(“IT”) solutions to small, medium and large business, government, education and healthcare customers in the U.S. and 
Canada. The Company's offerings range from discrete hardware and software products to integrated IT solutions such 
as mobility, security, data center optimization, cloud computing, virtualization and collaboration.

Throughout this report, the terms “the Company” and “CDW” refer to Parent and its 100% owned subsidiaries.

Parent has two 100% owned subsidiaries, CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation. CDW LLC is an Illinois limited 
liability company that, together with its 100% owned subsidiaries, holds all material assets and conducts all business 
activities and operations of the Company. On August 6, 2010, CDW Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation, 
was formed for the sole purpose of acting as co-issuer of certain debt obligations as described in Note 18 and does not 
hold any material assets or engage in any business activities or operations.

CDW Corporation was previously owned directly by CDW Holdings LLC ("CDW Holdings"), a company controlled 
by investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC ("Madison Dearborn") and Providence Equity 
Partners L.L.C. ("Providence Equity," and together with Madison Dearborn, the "Sponsors"), certain other co-
investors and certain members of CDW management. On July 2, 2013, Parent completed an initial public offering 
("IPO") of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, CDW Holdings distributed all of its shares of Parent's 
common stock to its members in June 2013 in accordance with the members’ respective membership interests and was 
subsequently dissolved in August 2013. See Note 9 for additional discussion of the IPO.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and 
Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Parent and its 100% owned subsidiaries. 
All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make use 
of certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of 
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenue and expenses during the reported periods. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on 
various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form 
the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other 
sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all deposits in banks and short-term (original maturities of three months or less), 
highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are so near maturity that there is 
insignificant risk of changes in value due to interest rate changes.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and typically do not bear interest. The Company 
provides allowances for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from the 
inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company takes into consideration the overall quality of the 
receivable portfolio along with specifically-identified customer risks.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using a weighted-average cost method. 
Price protection is recorded when earned as a reduction to the cost of inventory. The Company decreases the value of 
inventory for estimated obsolescence equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market 
value, based upon an aging analysis of the inventory on hand, specifically known inventory-related risks, and 
assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Miscellaneous Receivables

Miscellaneous receivables generally consist of amounts due from vendors. The Company receives incentives from 
vendors related to cooperative advertising allowances, volume rebates, bid programs, price protection and other 
programs. These incentives generally relate to written vendor agreements with specified performance requirements 
and are recorded as adjustments to cost of sales or inventory, depending on the nature of the incentive.

Property and Equipment 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The Company calculates depreciation 
expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are 
amortized over the shorter of their useful lives or the initial lease term. Expenditures for major renewals and 
improvements that extend the useful life of property and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and 
repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property and 
equipment:

Classification
Machinery and equipment

Building and leasehold improvements

Computer and data processing equipment

Computer software

Furniture and fixtures

Estimated
Useful Lives

5 to 10 years

5 to 25 years

3 to 5 years

3 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

The Company has asset retirement obligations associated with commitments to return property subject to operating 
leases to its original condition upon lease termination. The Company’s asset retirement liability was $0.5 million as of 
December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

Equity Investments

If the Company is not required to consolidate its investment in another entity because it does not have control, the 
Company uses the equity method if it (i) can exercise significant influence over the other entity and (ii) holds common 
stock of the other entity.  Under the equity method, investments are carried at cost, plus or minus the Company’s share 
of equity in the increases and decreases in the investee’s net assets after the date of acquisition and adjustments for 
basis differences.  The Company’s share of the net income or loss of equity method investees is included in other 
income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company is required to perform an evaluation of goodwill on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances 
indicate a potential impairment. The annual test for impairment is conducted as of December 1. The Company’s 
reporting units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as its operating segments. The Company has 
the option of performing a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's fair value from the last quantitative assessment 
to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting unit's goodwill is impaired or performing a quantitative 
assessment by comparing a reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying amount. Under the quantitative 
assessment, testing for impairment of goodwill is a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of a 
reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair 
value, the second step compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that 
goodwill to determine the amount of impairment loss. Fair value of a reporting unit is determined by using a weighted 
combination of an income approach and a market approach, as this combination is considered the most indicative of 
the Company’s fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants. This assessment uses significant 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions. Any changes in the judgments, estimates or assumptions used could 
produce significantly different results. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company 
concluded its goodwill was not impaired.  See Note 4 for more information on the Company’s evaluations of goodwill 
for impairment.

Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful 
lives. The cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use is capitalized and amortized on a straight-
line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. These intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when 
indicators are present using undiscounted cash flows. The Company uses the undiscounted cash flows, excluding 
interest charges, to assess the recoverability of the carrying value of such assets. To the extent carrying value exceeds 
the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded based upon the excess of the carrying value over fair 
value. In addition, each quarter, the Company evaluates whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the 
remaining estimated useful life of each of these intangible assets. If the Company were to determine that a change to 
the remaining estimated useful life of an intangible asset was necessary, then the remaining carrying amount of the 
intangible asset would be amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. During the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no impairment existed with respect to the Company’s intangible assets with 
determinable lives and no significant changes to the remaining useful lives were necessary. The following table shows 
estimated useful lives of definite-lived intangible assets:

Classification
Customer relationships

Trade name

Internally developed software

Other

Deferred Financing Costs

Estimated 
Useful Lives

11 to 14 years

20 years

3 to 5 years

1 to 10 years

Deferred financing costs, such as underwriting, financial advisory, professional fees and other similar fees are 
capitalized and recognized in interest expense over the estimated life of the related debt instrument using the effective 
interest method or straight-line method, as applicable.

Derivatives

The Company has entered into interest rate cap agreements for the purpose of economically hedging its exposure to 
fluctuations in interest rates. These derivatives are recorded at fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance 
sheets.

The Company’s interest rate cap agreements are not designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Changes in 
fair value of the derivatives are recorded directly to interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of 
operations.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined under GAAP as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an 
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy has been established 
for valuation inputs to prioritize the inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair 
value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of the three levels which is 
determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1 – observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

Level 2 – inputs are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or 
similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant 
assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full 
term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market 
participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based 
techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in shareholders’ equity under accumulated other comprehensive 
(loss) income.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are as follows:

(in millions)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

Revenue Recognition

December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$ (16.6) $
$ (16.6) $

(6.3) $
(6.3) $

0.4
0.4  

The Company is a primary distribution channel for a large group of vendors and suppliers, including original 
equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), software publishers and wholesale distributors. The Company records revenue 
from sales transactions when title and risk of loss are passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an 
arrangement for sale, delivery has occurred and/or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or 
determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company's shipping terms typically specify F.O.B. 
destination, at which time title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.

Revenues from the sales of hardware products and software products and licenses are generally recognized on a gross 
basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as sales and the acquisition cost of the product recorded as cost of 
sales. These items can be delivered to customers in a variety of ways, including (i) as physical product shipped from 
the Company's warehouse, (ii) via drop-shipment by the vendor or supplier, or (iii) via electronic delivery for software 
licenses. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimate for sales returns and allowances based on historical 
experience. The Company's vendor partners warrant most of the products the Company sells.

The Company leverages drop-shipment arrangements with many of its vendors and suppliers to deliver products to its 
customers without having to physically hold the inventory at its warehouses, thereby increasing efficiency and 
reducing costs. The Company recognizes revenue for drop-shipment arrangements on a gross basis upon delivery to 
the customer with contract terms that typically specify F.O.B. destination.

Revenue from professional services is either recognized as provided for services billed at an hourly rate or recognized 
using a proportional performance model for services provided at a fixed fee. Revenue from cloud computing solutions 
including Software as a Service ("SaaS") and Infrastructure as a Service ("IaaS") arrangements, as well as data center 
services such as managed and remote managed services, server co-location, internet connectivity and data backup and 
storage, is recognized over the period service is provided.

The Company also sells certain products for which it acts as an agent. Products in this category include the sale of 
third-party services, warranties, software assurance (“SA”) and third-party hosted SaaS and IaaS arrangements. SA is a 
product that allows customers to upgrade, at no additional cost, to the latest technology if new applications are 
introduced during the period that the SA is in effect. These sales do not meet the criteria for gross sales recognition, 
and thus are recognized on a net basis at the time of sale. Under net sales recognition, the cost paid to the vendor or 
third-party service provider is recorded as a reduction to sales, resulting in net sales being equal to the gross profit on 
the transaction.

The Company's larger customers are offered the opportunity by certain of its vendors to purchase software licenses 
and SA under enterprise agreements (“EAs”). Under EAs, customers are considered to be compliant with applicable 
license requirements for the ensuing year, regardless of changes to their employee base. Customers are charged an 
annual true-up fee for changes in the number of users over the year. With most EAs, the Company's vendors will 
transfer the license and bill the customer directly, paying resellers such as the Company an agency fee or commission 
on these sales. The Company records these fees as a component of net sales as earned and there is no corresponding 
cost of sales amount. In certain instances, the Company bills the customer directly under an EA and accounts for the 
individual items sold based on the nature of the item. The Company's vendors typically dictate how the EA will be 
sold to the customer.

From time to time, the Company sells some of its products and services as part of bundled contract arrangements 
containing multiple deliverables, which may include a combination of products and services. For each deliverable that 
represents a separate unit of accounting, total arrangement consideration is allocated based upon the relative selling 

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

prices of each element. The allocated arrangement consideration is recognized as revenue in accordance with the 
principles described above. Selling prices are determined by using vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if it 
exists. Otherwise, selling prices are determined using third party evidence (“TPE”). If neither VSOE or TPE is 
available, the Company uses its best estimate of selling prices.

The Company records freight billed to its customers as net sales and the related freight costs as a cost of sales.  

Deferred revenue includes (1) payments received from customers in advance of providing the product or performing 
services, and (2) amounts deferred if other conditions of revenue recognition have not been met.

The Company performs an analysis of the estimated number of days of sales in-transit to customers at the end of each 
period based on a weighted-average analysis of commercial delivery terms that includes drop-shipment arrangements. 
This analysis is the basis upon which the Company estimates the amount of sales in-transit at the end of the period and 
adjusts revenue and the related costs to reflect only what has been received by the customer. Changes in delivery 
patterns may result in a different number of business days used in making this adjustment and could have a material 
impact on the Company's revenue recognition for the period.

Sales Taxes

Sales tax amounts collected from customers for remittance to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis in 
the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Advertising

Advertising costs are generally charged to expense in the period incurred. Cooperative reimbursements from vendors 
are recorded in the period the related advertising expenditure is incurred. The Company classifies vendor 
consideration as a reduction to cost of sales.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company measures all equity-based payments using a fair-value-based method and records compensation 
expense over the requisite service period using the straight-line method in its consolidated financial statements. 
Estimated forfeiture rates have been developed based upon historical experience.

Interest Expense

Interest expense is typically recognized in the period incurred at the applicable interest rate in effect. For increasing-
rate debt, the Company determines the periodic interest cost using the effective interest method over the estimated 
outstanding term of the debt. The difference between interest expense recorded and cash interest paid is reflected as 
short-term or long-term accrued interest in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s Canadian subsidiary 
is the local currency, the Canadian dollar. The functional currency of the Company's equity investment in Kelway 
TopCo Limited ("Kelway") is the local currency, the British pound sterling.  Assets and liabilities of the Canadian 
subsidiary and the Company’s share of assets and liabilities in Kelway are translated at the spot rate in effect at the 
applicable reporting date and the consolidated results of operations of the Canadian subsidiary and the Company’s 
share of the net income or loss of Kelway are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable 
period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) 
income, which is reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 
reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the 
differences are expected to reverse. The Company performs an evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets on 
a quarterly basis. This evaluation requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions and considers all 
positive and negative evidence and factors, such as the scheduled reversal of temporary differences, the mix of 
earnings in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits based upon its assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely 
than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax 
benefits resulting from unrecognized tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and recognizes interest 
and penalties, if any, related to its unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

2. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Stock Compensation - Performance Share Awards

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 
2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” which amended the standard on how to account for share-based 
payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service 
period. Under this ASU, a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period is required to be 
treated as a performance condition that affects the vesting of the award and should not be reflected in estimating the 
fair value of the award at the grant date. This ASU is effective for the first quarter of 2016 with early adoption 
permitted. The Company already accounts for performance shares utilizing the method outlined by this ASU and is not 
impacted by the new standard.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which outlines a single 
comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and 
supersedes the most current revenue recognition standard. This ASU is effective for the Company for the first quarter 
of 2017 and early adoption is not permitted.  This ASU allows for either a full retrospective adoption approach or a 
modified retrospective adoption approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this ASU will have on 
its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

3. 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

(in millions)

Land
Machinery and equipment
Building and leasehold improvements
Computer and data processing equipment
Computer software
Furniture and fixtures
Construction in progress
Property and equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net

December 31,

2014

2013

$

$

27.7
54.3
105.1
65.6
10.6
21.7
24.7
309.7
172.5
137.2

$

$

27.7
53.0
104.8
61.2
30.9
21.6
10.9
310.1
179.0
131.1

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded disposals of $32.0 million, $7.9 million and $12.2 million, 
respectively, to remove assets that were no longer in use from property and equipment. The Company recorded a pre-
tax loss of $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $0.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for certain disposed assets 
that were not fully depreciated.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $25.8 million, $27.2 million and 
$32.0 million, respectively.

4. 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As described in Note 1, the Company is required to perform an evaluation of goodwill on an annual basis or more 
frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The annual test for impairment is conducted as of 
December 1. The Company’s reporting units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as its operating 
segments. The Company has two reportable segments: Corporate, which is comprised primarily of business customers, 

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and Public, which is comprised of government entities and education and healthcare institutions. The Company also 
has three other operating segments, CDW Advanced Services, Canada, and Kelway, which do not meet the reportable 
segment quantitative thresholds and, accordingly, are combined together as “Other” for segment reporting purposes. 
The Company has the option of performing a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's fair value from the last 
quantitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting unit's goodwill is impaired or 
performing a quantitative assessment by comparing a reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying amount. 
Under the quantitative assessment, testing for impairment of goodwill is a two-step process. The first step compares 
the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting 
unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying 
amount of that goodwill to determine the amount of impairment loss. Fair value of a reporting unit is determined by 
using a weighted combination of an income approach and a market approach, as this combination is considered the 
most indicative of the Company’s fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants. Under the income 
approach, the Company determined fair value based on estimated future cash flows of a reporting unit, discounted by 
an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of a reporting unit and 
the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn. Under the market approach, the Company utilized valuation 
multiples derived from publicly available information for guideline companies to provide an indication of how much a 
knowledgeable investor in the marketplace would be willing to pay for a company. The valuation multiples were 
applied to the reporting units. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the 
use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, gross margins, operating margins, 
discount rates and future market conditions, among others. 

December 1, 2014 Evaluation

The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill as of December 1, 2014 by utilizing a quantitative 
assessment for all reporting units. All reporting units passed the first step of the goodwill evaluation (with the fair 
value exceeding the carrying value by 169%, 147%, 276% and 78% for the Corporate, Public, Canada and CDW 
Advanced Services reporting units, respectively) and, accordingly, the Company was not required to perform the 
second step of the goodwill evaluation.

To determine the fair value of the reporting units, the Company used a 75%/25% weighting of the income approach 
and market approach, respectively. Under the income approach, the Company estimated future cash flows of each 
reporting unit based on internally generated forecasts for the remainder of 2014 and the next six years. The Company 
used a 3.5% long-term assumed consolidated annual revenue growth rate for periods after the six-year forecast. The 
estimated future cash flows for the Corporate and Public reporting units were discounted at 9.0%; cash flows for the 
Canada and CDW Advanced Services reporting units were discounted at 9.3% and 11.5%, respectively, based on the 
future growth rates assumed in the discounted cash flows. Discount rates utilized during the 2014 goodwill evaluation 
declined compared to those used in 2013 as a result of the market performance of the Company's common stock and a 
lower equity risk premium with the exception of CDW Advanced Services. The discount rate for CDW Advanced 
Services increased to account for additional forecast risk.

December 1, 2013 Evaluation

The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill as of December 1, 2013 by utilizing a quantitative 
assessment for all reporting units. All reporting units passed the first step of the goodwill evaluation (with the fair 
value exceeding the carrying value by 107%, 82%, 167% and 168% for the Corporate, Public, Canada and CDW 
Advanced Services reporting units, respectively) and, accordingly, the Company was not required to perform the 
second step of the goodwill evaluation.

To determine the fair value of the reporting units, the Company used a 75%/25% weighting of the income approach 
and market approach, respectively. Under the income approach, the Company estimated future cash flows of each 
reporting unit based on internally generated forecasts for the remainder of 2013 and the next six years. The Company 
used a 3.5% long-term assumed consolidated annual revenue growth rate for periods after the six-year forecast. The 
estimated future cash flows for the Corporate and Public reporting units were discounted at 10.0%; cash flows for the 
Canada and CDW Advanced Services reporting units were discounted at 10.3% and 10.5%, respectively, based on the 
future growth rates assumed in the discounted cash flows. Discount rates utilized during the 2013 goodwill evaluation 
declined compared to those used in 2012 as a result of the market performance of the Company's common stock and a 
lower equity risk premium.  

December 1, 2012 Evaluation

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The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill as of December 1, 2012 by utilizing a quantitative 
assessment for all reporting units. All reporting units passed the first step of the goodwill evaluation (with the fair 
value exceeding the carrying value by 49%, 44%, 104% and 17% for the Corporate, Public, Canada and CDW 
Advanced Services reporting units, respectively) and, accordingly, the Company was not required to perform the 
second step of the goodwill evaluation.

To determine the fair value of the reporting units, the Company used a 75%/25% weighting of the income approach 
and market approach, respectively. Under the income approach, the Company estimated future cash flows of each 
reporting unit based on internally generated forecasts for the remainder of 2012 and the next six years. The Company 
used a 3.5% long-term assumed consolidated annual revenue growth rate for periods after the six-year forecast. The 
estimated future cash flows for the Corporate and Public reporting units were discounted at 11.5%; cash flows for the 
Canada and CDW Advanced Services reporting units were discounted at 11.8% and 12.0%, respectively, based on the 
future growth rates assumed in the discounted cash flows.

The following table presents the change in goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

(in millions)

Balances as of December 31, 2012:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment charges

2013 Activity:

Translation adjustment
Contingent consideration (2)

Balances as of December 31, 2013:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment charges

2014 Activity:

Translation adjustment

Balances as of December 31, 2014:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment charges

Corporate

Public

Other (1)

Consolidated

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,794.4
(1,571.4)
1,223.0

$

$

1,261.4
(354.1)
907.3

$

$

107.3
(28.3)
79.0

$

$

4,163.1
(1,953.8)
2,209.3

— $

— $

8.8

8.8

2,803.2
(1,571.4)
1,231.8

$

$

$

4.0

4.0

1,265.4
(354.1)
911.3

$

$

$

(2.1) $
0.3
(1.8) $

(2.1)
13.1

11.0

105.5
(28.3)
77.2

$

$

4,174.1
(1,953.8)
2,220.3

— $

— $

— $

— $

(2.7) $
(2.7) $

(2.7)
(2.7)

2,803.2
(1,571.4)
1,231.8

$

$

1,265.4
(354.1)
911.3

$

$

102.8
(28.3)
74.5

$

$

4,171.4
(1,953.8)
2,217.6

(1) 

(2) 

Other is comprised of CDW Advanced Services, Canada, and Kelway reporting units. There is no goodwill 
attributable to the Kelway reporting unit.

During 2013, the Company recorded a $13.1 million net-of-tax addition to goodwill in connection with the 
settlement of the MPK Coworker Incentive Plan II and related charitable contribution. The charitable 
contribution was accounted for as additional purchase price (goodwill) in accordance with pre-2009 business 
combinations accounting guidance. See Note 10 for additional discussion of this transaction.

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The following table presents a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

(in millions)

December 31, 2014
Customer relationships

Trade name

Internally developed software

Other

Total

December 31, 2013
Customer relationships

Trade name

Internally developed software

Other

Total

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Net Carrying
Amount

$

1,859.7

$

1,012.1

$

421.0

110.1

3.2

152.0

58.9

2.2

847.6

269.0

51.2

1.0

$

$

2,394.0

$

1,225.2

$

1,168.8

1,860.8

$

872.8

$

421.0

128.5

3.1

130.9

79.8

1.9

988.0

290.1

48.7

1.2

$

2,413.4

$

1,085.4

$

1,328.0

During 2014, the Company recorded disposals of $41.7 million to remove fully amortized internally developed 
software assets that were no longer in use from intangible assets. 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $182.1 
million, $181.0 million and $178.2 million, respectively.

Estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:

(in millions)

Years ending December 31,
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

$ 180.7

172.8

167.1

160.4

158.9

5. 

Inventory Financing Agreements

The Company has entered into agreements with certain financial intermediaries to facilitate the purchase of inventory 
from various suppliers under certain terms and conditions, as described below. These amounts are classified separately 
as accounts payable-inventory financing on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not 
incur any interest expense associated with these agreements as balances are paid when they are due. 

The following table presents the amounts included in accounts payable-inventory financing:

(in millions)

Revolving Loan inventory financing agreement

Other inventory financing agreements

Accounts payable-inventory financing

December 31,

2014

2013

$

$

330.1

2.0

332.1

$

$

256.1

0.5

256.6

As described in Note 7, in June 2014, the Company entered into a new senior secured asset-based revolving credit 
facility, which incorporates the previous inventory floorplan sub-facility and, among other changes, removes the 
$400.0 million limit on the size of the floorplan sub-facility. In connection with the floorplan sub-facility, the 
Company maintains an inventory financing agreement on an unsecured basis with a financial intermediary to facilitate 

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the purchase of inventory from this vendor (the “Revolving Loan inventory financing agreement”). Amounts 
outstanding under the Revolving Loan inventory financing agreement are unsecured and non-interest bearing.

The Company also maintains other inventory financing agreements with financial intermediaries to facilitate the 
purchase of inventory from certain vendors. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts owed under other inventory 
financing agreements of $2.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were collateralized by the inventory purchased 
under these financing agreements and a second lien on the related accounts receivable.

6. 

Lease Commitments

The Company is obligated under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office facilities that generally 
provide for minimum rent payments and a proportionate share of operating expenses and property taxes and include 
certain renewal and expansion options. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, rent expense under 
these lease arrangements was $21.4 million, $20.7 million and $22.4 million, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments are as follows:

(in millions)

Years ending December 31,
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments (1)

$

19.1

15.3

16.1

13.6

12.8

50.6

$

127.5

(1)  Included in these amounts are future minimum lease payments commencing in the fourth quarter of 2016 that relate to a new 
lease entered into in December 2014 for the Company’s future headquarters in Lincolnshire, Illinois.  Also reflected in these 
amounts is the future expiration of two leases in the first quarter of 2016 for facilities currently in use by the Company which the 
Company plans to consolidate into the new headquarters location and accordingly, these leases will not be renewed.  

7. 

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt was as follows:

(dollars in millions)

Senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility
Senior secured term loan facility
Unamortized discount on senior secured term loan facility
Senior secured notes due 2018
Senior notes due 2019
Unamortized premium on senior notes due 2019
Senior notes due 2022
Senior notes due 2024
Senior subordinated notes due 2017
Total long-term debt
Less current maturities of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

(1) 

Interest rate at December 31, 2014. 

Interest Rate (1)

2014

2013

December 31,

—% $

3.25%

—%
8.5%

6.0%
5.5%
—%

$

— $

1,513.5
(3.7)
—
503.9
1.3
600.0
575.0
—
3,190.0
(15.4)
3,174.6

$

—
1,528.9
(4.4)
325.0
1,305.0
4.2
—
—
92.5
3,251.2
(45.4)
3,205.8

At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under its various credit agreements and 
indentures as described below. Under the indenture governing the 8.5% Senior Notes due 2019, which contains the 

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most restrictive restricted payment provisions in the Company’s various credit agreements and indentures, CDW LLC 
and its restricted subsidiaries are generally restricted from paying dividends and making other restricted payments. For 
the purpose of determining restricted payment capacity, consolidated net income or loss includes certain adjustments 
that are defined in the applicable indenture. At December 31, 2014, the amount of cumulative consolidated net income 
free of restrictions under the credit agreements and indentures ("Restricted Payment Capacity") was $230.3 million. 

Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolving Loan”)

At December 31, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Loan, $2.1 million of 
undrawn letters of credit and $312.3 million reserved related to the floorplan sub-facility.    

On June 6, 2014, the Company entered into the Revolving Loan, a new five-year $1,250.0 million senior secured 
asset-based revolving credit facility, with the facility being available to the Company for borrowings, issuance of 
letters of credit and floorplan financing for certain vendor products.  The Revolving Loan matures on June 6, 2019, 
subject to an acceleration provision discussed below.  The Revolving Loan replaces the Company’s previous revolving 
loan credit facility that was to mature on June 24, 2016.  The Revolving Loan (i) increases the overall revolving credit 
facility capacity available to the Company from $900.0 million to $1,250.0 million, (ii) increases the maximum 
aggregate amount of increases that may be made to the revolving credit facility from $200.0 million to $300.0 million, 
(iii) maintains a maturity acceleration provision based upon excess cash availability whereby the Revolving Loan may 
mature 45 days prior to the final maturity of any then outstanding senior debt if excess cash availability does not 
exceed the outstanding borrowings of the subject maturing debt at the time of the test plus $150.0 million, (iv) 
decreases the fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility from either 37.5 or 50 basis points, depending 
on the amount of utilization, to 25 basis points, (v) decreases the applicable interest rate margin by 50 basis points, and 
(vi) amends the existing inventory floorplan sub-facility as discussed below.  In connection with the termination of the 
previous facility, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $0.4 million in the consolidated 
statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing a write-off of a portion of unamortized 
deferred financing costs.  Fees of $6.4 million related to the Revolving Loan were capitalized as deferred financing 
costs and are being amortized over the five-year term of the facility on a straight-line basis. 

The Revolving Loan incorporates the previous inventory floorplan sub-facility and related Revolving Loan inventory 
financing agreement while removing the previous $400.0 million limit on the size of the floorplan sub-facility and the 
in-transit reserve of 15% of open orders.  At December 31, 2014, the financial intermediary reported an outstanding 
balance of $312.3 million under the Revolving Loan inventory financing agreement. The amount included on the 
Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 as accounts payable-inventory financing related to the 
Revolving Loan inventory financing agreement of $330.1 million includes a $17.8 million accrual for amounts in 
transit. 

Borrowings under the Revolving Loan bear interest at a variable interest rate plus an applicable margin. The interest 
rate margin is based on one of two indices, either (i) LIBOR, or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) with the ABR 
being the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points or (c) the one-month 
LIBOR plus 1.00%. The applicable margin varies (1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR borrowings and 0.50% to 1.00% for 
ABR borrowings) depending upon average daily excess cash availability under the agreement evidencing the 
Revolving Loan and is subject to a reduction of 0.25% if, and for as long as, CDW LLC's corporate credit rating from 
Standard & Poor’s Rating Services is BB or better and CDW LLC's corporate family rating from Moody’s Investors 
Service, Inc. is Ba3 or better (in each case with stable or better outlook).

Under the new Revolving Loan, the Company is permitted to borrow an aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million; 
however, its ability to borrow under the Revolving Loan is limited by a borrowing base. The borrowing base is (a) the 
sum of the products of the applicable advance rates on eligible accounts receivable and on eligible inventory as 
defined in the agreement less (b) any reserves.  At December 31, 2014, the borrowing base was $1,253.4 million based 
on the amount of eligible inventory and accounts receivable balances as of November 30, 2014. The Company could 
have borrowed up to an additional $935.6 million under the Revolving Loan at December 31, 2014. 

The ability to borrow under the Revolving Loan also remains limited by a minimum liquidity condition which 
provides that, if excess cash availability is less than the lesser of (i) $125.0 million and (ii) the greater of (A) 10.0% of 
the borrowing base and (B) $100.0 million, the lenders are not required to lend any additional amounts under the 
Revolving Loan unless the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as described in the agreement evidencing the 
Revolving Loan) is at least 1.00 to 1.00.

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CDW LLC is the borrower under the Revolving Loan. All obligations under the Revolving Loan are guaranteed by 
Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries. Borrowings under the 
Revolving Loan are collateralized by a first priority interest in inventory (excluding inventory collateralized under the 
inventory floorplan arrangements as described in Note 5), deposits, and accounts receivable, and a second priority 
interest in substantially all other assets. The Revolving Loan contains negative covenants that, among other things, 
place restrictions and limitations on the ability of Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, 
domestic subsidiaries to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other 
indebtedness, make distributions or other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make 
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, or engage in certain transactions with affiliates. The Revolving 
Loan also includes maintenance of a minimum average daily excess cash availability requirement. Should the 
Company fall below the minimum average daily excess cash availability requirement for five consecutive business 
days, the Company becomes subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio until such time as the daily excess cash 
availability requirement is met for 30 consecutive business days.

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility

On April 29, 2013, the Company entered into a seven-year, $1,350.0 million aggregate principal amount senior 
secured term loan facility (the "Term Loan"). The Term Loan was issued at a price that was 99.75% of par, which 
resulted in a discount of $3.4 million. Substantially all of the proceeds from the Term Loan were used to repay the 
$1,299.5 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the prior senior secured term loan facility (the "Prior Term 
Loan Facility"). In connection with this refinancing, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term 
debt of $10.3 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. This loss 
represented a write-off of the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to the Prior Term Loan Facility. 

On July 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $190.0 million aggregate principal amount under the Term 
Loan at a price that was 99.25% of par, which resulted in a discount of $1.4 million. Such proceeds were used to 
redeem a portion of outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes. The discounts are reported on the consolidated balance 
sheet as a reduction to the face amount of the Term Loan and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of 
the related debt. Fees of $6.1 million related to the Term Loan were capitalized as deferred financing costs and are 
being amortized over the term of the facility using the effective interest method.

The Company is required to pay quarterly principal installments equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the 
Term Loan, with the remaining principal amount payable on the maturity date of April 29, 2020. The quarterly 
principal installment payments commenced during the quarter ended June 30, 2013. At December 31, 2014, the 
outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan was $1,513.5 million, excluding $3.7 million in unamortized discount. 

Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest at either (a) the alternate base rate ("ABR") plus a margin or (b) LIBOR 
plus a margin; provided that for the purposes of the Term Loan, LIBOR shall not be less than 1.00% per annum at any 
time ("LIBOR Floor"). The margin is based upon a net leverage ratio as defined in the agreement governing the Term 
Loan, ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% for ABR borrowings and 2.25% to 2.50% for LIBOR borrowings. The total net 
leverage ratio was 3.1 at December 31, 2014. An interest rate of 3.25%, LIBOR Floor plus a 2.25% margin, was in 
effect during the three-month period ended December 31, 2014.

In order to manage the risk associated with changes in interest rates on borrowings under the Term Loan, the Company 
has entered into interest rate cap agreements. The Company had ten interest rate cap agreements in effect through 
January 14, 2015 with a combined notional amount of $1,150.0 million which entitled the Company to payments from 
the counterparty of the amount, if any, by which three-month LIBOR exceeds a weighted average rate of 2.4% during 
the agreement period.  The fair value of these interest rate cap agreements was zero at both December 31, 2014 and 
2013.

In connection with the expiration of the ten interest rate cap agreements noted above, during the year ended 
December 31, 2014, the Company entered into 14 additional interest rate cap agreements with a combined notional 
amount of $1,000.0 million.  Under these agreements, the Company made premium payments totaling $2.1 million to 
the counterparties in exchange for the right to receive payments equal to the amount, if any, by which three-month 
LIBOR exceeds 2.0% during the agreement period.  These interest rate cap agreements are effective from January 14, 
2015 through January 14, 2017.  The fair value of these interest rate cap agreements was $1.7 million at December 31, 
2014.  

The Company's interest rate cap agreements have not been designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk for 
GAAP accounting purposes. The interest rate cap agreements are recorded at fair value on the Company’s 

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consolidated balance sheet in Other Assets each period, with changes in fair value recorded directly to interest expense 
in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  The fair value of the Company’s interest rate cap agreements 
is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The valuation of the interest rate cap agreements is derived by using 
a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates rise above the 
strike rates of the caps. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the interest rate cap agreements, including the 
period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including LIBOR curves and implied volatilities. The 
Company also incorporates insignificant credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the respective 
counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. The counterparty credit spreads are based on 
publicly available credit information obtained from a third party credit data provider.

See Note 20 for a description of the interest rate cap agreements entered into during the first quarter of 2015.

On January 30, 2013, the Company made an optional prepayment of $40.0 million aggregate principal amount 
outstanding under the Prior Term Loan Facility. The optional prepayment satisfied the excess cash flow payment 
provision of the Prior Term Loan Facility with respect to the year ended December 31, 2012.

CDW LLC is the borrower under the Term Loan. All obligations under the Term Loan are guaranteed by Parent and 
each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries. The Term Loan is collateralized by a 
second priority interest in substantially all inventory (excluding inventory collateralized under the inventory floorplan 
arrangements as described in Note 5), deposits, and accounts receivable, and by a first priority interest in substantially 
all other assets. The Term Loan contains negative covenants that, among other things, place restrictions and limitations 
on the ability of Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries to dispose of 
assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, make distributions or 
other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers or 
consolidations, or engage in certain transactions with affiliates.

8.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (“Senior Secured Notes”)

At December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding Senior Secured Notes. 

On August 5, 2014, the proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes discussed below, along with cash on 
hand, were deposited with the trustee to redeem all of the remaining $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 
Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 106.061% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest through the date of redemption.  On the same date, the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes was 
satisfied and discharged.  The redemption date was September 5, 2014.  In connection with this redemption, the 
Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $23.7 million in the consolidated statement of 
operations for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was comprised of $4.0 million for the write-off of the 
unamortized deferred financing fees, a redemption premium of $13.0 million and a make-whole interest payment of 
$6.7 million.

On July 2, 2013, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the IPO to redeem $175.0 million aggregate 
principal amount of Senior Secured Notes. The redemption price of the Senior Secured Notes was 108.0% of the 
principal amount redeemed, plus $0.7 million of accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The Company 
used cash on hand to pay such accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with this redemption, the Company recorded 
a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $16.7 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year 
ended December 31, 2013. This loss represented $14.0 million in redemption premium and $2.7 million for the write-
off of a portion of the remaining deferred financing costs related to the Senior Secured Notes.

8.5% Senior Notes due 2019 (“2019 Senior Notes”)

At December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal amount of 2019 Senior Notes was $503.9 million, excluding $1.3 
million in unamortized premium. The 2019 Senior Notes mature on April 1, 2019.

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On December 1, 2014, the proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Senior Notes discussed below, along with cash on 
hand, were deposited with the trustee to redeem $541.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes 
at a redemption price of 106.202% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the 
date of redemption.  The redemption date was December 31, 2014.  In connection with this redemption, the Company 
recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $36.9 million in the consolidated statement of operations for 
the year ended December 31, 2014, which was comprised of $4.7 million for the write-off of a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing fees, a redemption premium of $23.0 million, and a make-whole interest payment of 
$10.6 million, partially offset by $1.4 million for the write-off of a portion of the unamortized premium. 

On August 5, 2014, the proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes discussed below, along with cash on 
hand, were deposited with the trustee to redeem $234.7 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes 
at a redemption price of 108.764% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the 
date of redemption.  The redemption date was September 5, 2014.  In connection with this redemption, the Company 
recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $22.1 million in the consolidated statement of operations for 
the year ended December 31, 2014, which was comprised of $2.2 million for the write-off of a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing fees, a redemption premium of $10.0 million, and a make-whole interest payment of 
$10.6 million, partially offset by $0.7 million for the write-off of a portion of the unamortized premium. 

On March 20, 2014, the Company repurchased and subsequently canceled $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 
the 2019 Senior Notes from an affiliate of Providence Equity in a privately negotiated transaction on an arms' length 
basis at a price of 109.75% of the principal amount. Cash on hand was used to fund the repurchase of $25.0 million 
aggregate principal amount, $2.4 million of repurchase premium and $1.0 million in accrued and unpaid interest to the 
date of repurchase. In connection with this repurchase, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term 
debt of $2.7 million in the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. 
This loss represented $2.4 million in repurchase premium and $0.3 million for the write-off of a portion of the 
unamortized deferred financing costs related to the 2019 Senior Notes.

CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation are the co-issuers of the 2019 Senior Notes. Obligations under the 2019 
Senior Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% 
owned, domestic subsidiaries. The 2019 Senior Note indenture contains negative covenants that, among other things, 
place restrictions and limitations on the ability of Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, 
domestic subsidiaries to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other 
indebtedness, make distributions or other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make 
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, or engage in certain transactions with affiliates. The 2019 Senior 
Notes do not contain any financial covenants.

6.0% Senior Notes due 2022 ("2022 Senior Notes")

On August 5, 2014, CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation, as co-issuers, completed the issuance of $600.0 
million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Senior Notes at par.  Fees of $8.0 million related to the 2022 Senior Notes 
were capitalized as deferred financing costs and are being amortized over the term of the notes on a straight-line basis.  
The 2022 Senior Notes will mature on August 15, 2022 and bear interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum, payable semi-
annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year.  The first interest payment date was February 15, 2015.

CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation are the co-issuers of the 2022 Senior Notes and the obligations under the 
notes are guaranteed by Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, wholly owned, domestic subsidiaries.  The 
2022 Senior Notes indenture contains negative covenants that, among other things, place restrictions and limitations 
on the ability of Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries to enter into 
sale and lease-back transactions, incur additional secured indebtedness, and create liens.  The indenture governing the 
2022 Senior Notes does not contain any financial covenants.

5.5% Senior Notes due 2024 ("2024 Senior Notes")

On December 1, 2014, CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation, as co-issuers, completed the issuance of $575.0 
million aggregate principal amount of 2024 Senior Notes at par.  Fees of $7.5 million related to the 2024 Senior Notes 
were capitalized as deferred financing costs and are being amortized over the term of the notes on a straight-line basis.  
The 2024 Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.50% per annum, payable 
semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.  The first interest payment date will be June 1, 2015.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation are the co-issuers of the 2024 Senior Notes and the obligations under the 
notes are guaranteed by Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, wholly owned, domestic subsidiaries.  The 
2024 Senior Notes indenture contains negative covenants that, among other things, place restrictions and limitations 
on the ability of Parent and each of CDW LLC's direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries to enter into 
sale and lease-back transactions, incur additional secured indebtedness, and create liens.  The indenture governing the 
2024 Senior Notes does not contain any financial covenants.

12.535% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2017 (“Senior Subordinated Notes”)

At December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes. 

On May 9, 2014, the Company redeemed all of the remaining $42.5 million aggregate principal amount of Senior 
Subordinated Notes at a redemption price that was 104.178% of the principal amount redeemed. Cash on hand was 
used to fund the redemption of $42.5 million aggregate principal amount, $1.8 million in redemption premium and 
$0.4 million in accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In connection with this redemption, the 
Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $2.2 million in the consolidated statement of 
operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. This loss represented $1.8 million in redemption premium and $0.4 
million for the write-off of the remaining deferred financing costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes.

On January 22, 2014 and February 21, 2014, the Company redeemed $30.0 million and $20.0 million aggregate 
principal amounts of Senior Subordinated Notes, respectively, at redemption prices that were 104.178% of the 
principal amounts redeemed. Cash on hand was used to fund the redemptions of $50.0 million aggregate principal 
amount, $2.1 million in redemption premiums and $1.9 million in aggregate accrued and unpaid interest to the dates of 
redemption. In connection with these redemptions, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt 
of $2.7 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. This loss 
represented $2.1 million in redemption premiums and $0.6 million for the write-off of a portion of the remaining 
deferred financing costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes. 

On October 18, 2013, the Company redeemed $155.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated 
Notes at a redemption price that was 104.178% of the principal amount redeemed. A combination of cash on hand and 
the net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock related to the underwriters' exercise in full of the 
overallotment option granted to them in connection with the IPO, in the amount of $56.0 million, was used to fund the 
redemption of $155.0 million aggregate principal amount, $6.5 million of redemption premium and $0.2 million in 
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. See Note 9 for additional discussion of the underwriters' 
overallotment option. In connection with this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-
term debt of $8.5 million in the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 
2013. This loss represented $6.5 million in redemption premium and $2.0 million for the write-off of a portion of the 
remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes. 

On August 1, 2013, the Company redeemed $324.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes 
at a redemption price that was 106.268% of the principal amount redeemed. The Company used a portion of the net 
proceeds from the IPO to redeem $146.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes and 
incremental borrowings of $190.0 million under the Term Loan to redeem $178.0 million aggregate principal amount 
of Senior Subordinated Notes. The Company used cash on hand to pay $12.0 million of accrued and unpaid interest to 
the date of redemption. In connection with this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-
term debt of $24.6 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. This loss 
represented $20.3 million in redemption premium and $4.3 million for the write-off of a portion of the remaining 
deferred financing costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes.

On March 8, 2013, the Company redeemed $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes at 
a redemption price that was 106.268% of the principal amount redeemed. Cash on hand was used to fund the 
redemption of $50.0 million aggregate principal amount, $3.1 million of redemption premium and $2.5 million in 
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In connection with this redemption, the Company recorded a 
loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $3.9 million in the Company's consolidated statement of operations for 
the year ended December 31, 2013. This loss represented $3.1 million in redemption premium and $0.8 million for the 
write-off of a portion of the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Long-Term Debt Maturities

As of December 31, 2014, the maturities of long-term debt were as follows:

(in millions)
Years ending December 31,
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Thereafter

Fair Value

$

15.4

—

—

—

503.9

2,673.1

$ 3,192.4

The fair value of the Company's long-term debt instruments at December 31, 2014 was $3,208.7 million. The fair 
value of the 2019 Senior Notes, the 2022 Senior Notes, and the 2024 Senior Notes was estimated using quoted market 
prices for identical assets or liabilities that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered 
active. The fair value of the Term Loan was estimated using dealer quotes for identical assets or liabilities in markets 
that are not considered active. Consequently, the Company's long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair 
value hierarchy. 

At December 31, 2014, the carrying value of the Company's long-term debt was $3,192.4 million, excluding $1.3 
million in unamortized premium and $3.7 million in unamortized discount.

Deferred Financing Costs 

The following table summarizes the deferred financing costs activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 
2013:

(in millions)

Beginning balance

Additional costs capitalized

Recognized in interest expense

Write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs

Ending balance

December 31,

2014

2013

30.1

$

21.9
(6.4)
(12.6)
33.0

$

53.2

6.1
(9.1)
(20.1)
30.1

$

$

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining life of unamortized deferred 
financing costs was 6.6 and 4.9 years, respectively.

8. 

Income Taxes

Income before income taxes was taxed under the following jurisdictions:

(in millions)

Domestic
Foreign
Total

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

$

366.6
21.1
387.7

$

$

179.4
16.1
195.5

$

$

170.3
15.8
186.1

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Components of income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

(in millions)

Current:

Federal
State
Foreign
Total current
Deferred:

Domestic
Foreign

Total deferred
Income tax expense

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

$

206.8
19.3
5.8
231.9

(89.0)
(0.1)
(89.1)
142.8

$

$

96.7
10.1
4.6
111.4

(48.6)
(0.1)
(48.7)
62.7

$

$

110.3
8.0
5.1
123.4

(56.2)
(0.1)
(56.3)
67.1

The reconciliation between the statutory tax rate expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes and the 
effective tax rate is as follows:

(dollars in millions)

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Statutory federal income tax rate
State taxes, net of federal effect
Equity-based compensation
Effect of rates different than statutory
Other

Effective tax rate

$

$

135.7
6.5
1.1
(1.9)
1.4
142.8

35.0% $
1.6
0.3
(0.5)
0.4
36.8% $

68.4
(5.0)
1.5
(1.4)
(0.8)
62.7

35.0% $
(2.6)
0.7
(0.7)
(0.3)
32.1% $

65.1
0.4
5.7
(1.4)
(2.7)
67.1

35.0%
0.2
3.1
(0.8)
(1.5)
36.0%

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred income tax liability is presented below:

(in millions)

Deferred Tax Assets:

Deferred interest

State net operating loss and credit carryforwards, net

Payroll and benefits

Rent

Accounts receivable

Equity compensation plans

Trade credits

Other

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

Software and intangibles

Deferred income

Property and equipment

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

Net deferred tax liability

81

December 31,

2014

2013

$

$

32.9

18.8

27.0

5.5

6.3

6.5

1.5

5.0

43.5

21.1

16.2

6.4

5.4

1.6

1.5

7.1

103.5

102.8

425.3

116.2

22.5

15.3

579.3

—

486.2

145.5

25.0

11.6

668.3

—

$

475.8

$

565.5

 
 
 
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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company has state income tax net operating loss carryforwards of $124.0 million, which will expire at various 
dates from 2015 through 2033 and state tax credit carryforwards of $19.6 million, which expire at various dates from 
2016 through 2019.  

The Company has not provided for U.S. federal income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings of its 
international subsidiary because such earnings are reinvested and it is currently intended that they will continue to be 
reinvested indefinitely. At December 31, 2014, the Company has not provided for federal income taxes on earnings of 
approximately $66.6 million from its international subsidiary. 

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to review by domestic and foreign taxing authorities, 
including the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). In general, the Company is no longer subject to audit by the IRS for 
tax years through 2010 and state, local or foreign taxing authorities for tax years through 2009. Various other taxing 
authorities are in the process of auditing income tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company does 
not anticipate that any adjustments from the audits would have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, 
results of operations or cash flows.

The Company accrues net interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in its 
consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no 
liability recorded for the payment of interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits and did not recognize any 
such interest and penalty expense.  

9. 

Shareholders' Equity

The Company declared and paid cash dividends per common share during the periods presented as follows:

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Dividends Per Share

Amount

2014:

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2013:

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$

$

0.0425

0.0425

0.0425

0.0675

$

7.3

7.3

7.3

11.7

— $ —

—

—

0.0425

—

—

7.3

See Note 20 for a discussion of the dividend declared during the first quarter of 2015. Future dividends will be subject 
to the approval of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s results of operations, 
financial condition, business prospects, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, any potential indebtedness the 
Company may incur, restrictions imposed by applicable law, tax considerations and other factors that the Company’s 
Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock will be 
limited by restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to the Company, in each 
case, under the terms of certain current and future agreements governing the Company’s indebtedness.

On November 6, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a $500.0 million share 
repurchase program effective immediately under which the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock in 
the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, depending on share price, market conditions and other 
factors.  The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of 
shares, and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice. As of the date of this 
filing, no shares have been repurchased under the share repurchase program.

On January 1, 2014, the first offering period under the Company's Coworker Stock Purchase Plan (the “CSPP”) 
commenced. The CSPP provides the opportunity for eligible coworkers to acquire shares of the Company's common 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

stock at a 5% discount from the closing market price on the final day of the offering period. There is no compensation 
expense associated with the CSPP.

On July 2, 2013, the Company completed an IPO of 23,250,000 shares of common stock. On July 31, 2013, the 
Company completed the sale of an additional 3,487,500 shares of common stock to the underwriters of the IPO 
pursuant to the underwriters' July 26, 2013 exercise in full of the overallotment option granted to them in connection 
with the IPO. Such shares were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Company's 
Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 26, 2013. The shares of 
common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CDW.” The Company's shares of 
common stock were sold to the underwriters at a price of $17.00 per share in the IPO and upon the exercise of the 
overallotment option, which together generated aggregate net proceeds of $424.7 million to the Company after 
deducting underwriting discounts, expenses and transaction costs. 

The Company has completed the following secondary public offerings, whereby certain selling stockholders sold 
shares of common stock to the underwriters. The Company did not receive any proceeds from these sales of shares. 

Secondary
Offering Shares

Completion Date of
Secondary Offering

15,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

15,000,000

15,000,000

11/19/2013

3/12/2014

5/28/2014
   9/8/2014 (2)
12/8/2014

Overallotment 
Shares (1)
2,250,000

1,500,000

2,250,000

—

Completion
Date of
Overallotment
Shares
12/18/2013

Secondary 
Offering 
Expenses 
(in millions)
0.6
$

3/12/2014

6/4/2014

$

$

— $

0.4

0.5

0.3

0.2

2,250,000

12/8/2014

$

(1) Under each underwriting agreement, the selling stockholders granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for thirty days, to 
purchase up to the additional amount of shares noted. 

(2) The option to purchase additional shares was not exercised in connection with the September 2014 secondary offering.  

The following pre-tax IPO-related expenses and secondary-offering-related expenses were included within selling and 
administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.

(in millions)

Acceleration charge for certain equity awards 
and related employer payroll taxes(1)

RDU Plan cash retention pool accrual(2)

Management services agreement termination 
fee(3)
Other expenses (4)

Year Ended December 31,

2014

2013

$

— $

—

—

1.4

IPO- and secondary-offering-related expenses $

1.4

$

40.7

7.5

24.4

2.4

75.0

(1) See Note 10 for additional discussion of the impact of the IPO on the Company's equity awards.

(2) See Note 12 for additional discussion of this transaction. 

(3) Represents the payment of a termination fee to affiliates of the Sponsors in connection with the termination of the management 
services agreement with such entities. 

(4) Other expenses include secondary-offering expenses of $1.4 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 
and 2013, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In June 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors and the Company's sole shareholder at that time, CDW Holdings, 
approved the reclassification of the Company’s Class A common shares and Class B common shares into a single class 
of common shares and a 143.0299613-for-1 stock split, effective immediately. The par value of the common shares 
was maintained at $0.01 per share. All references to common shares and per share amounts in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the reclassification and stock split on a retroactive 
basis.

In June 2013, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of 
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01. No shares of preferred stock have been issued or are 
outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Additionally, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation increased the 
number of authorized common shares to 1,000,000,000.

10. 

Equity-Based Compensation

The 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2013 LTIP”) provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified 
stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, bonus stock and performance awards. 
The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2013 LTIP is 11,700,000 shares of the 
Company's common stock, in addition to the 3,798,508 shares of restricted stock granted in exchange for unvested 
Class B Common Units in connection with the Company's IPO, as discussed below. As of December 31, 2014, 
7,541,891 shares were available for issuance under the 2013 LTIP which was approved by the Company's pre-IPO 
shareholders. Authorized but unissued shares are reserved for issuance in connection with equity-based awards.

The following table summarizes equity-based compensation expense, which is included in selling and administrative 
expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

(in millions)

Year Ended December 31,

Equity-based compensation expense

Income tax benefit

Total (net of tax)

2014

2013 (1)

2012 (2)

$

$

16.4

(5.1)

11.3

$

$

46.6
(16.5)
30.1

$

$

22.1
(2.3)
19.8

(1)  Includes pre-tax expense of $36.7 million related to the accelerated vesting of certain equity awards granted 
prior to our IPO.  All unvested awards granted pursuant to the MPK Coworker Incentive Plan II (the “MPK 
Plan”) vested in connection with the IPO as discussed further below in the section labeled "MPK II Units."

(2)  Includes pre-tax expense of $6.6 million in connection with the modification of Class B Common Unit 

awards granted pursuant to the CDW Holdings LLC 2007 Incentive Equity Plan to the Company’s former 
Chief Executive Officer, as discussed further below in the section labeled "Class B Common Units."

The total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards was $28.9 million at December 31, 2014 and is 
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.

Stock Options

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted 1,245,513 stock options under the 2013 LTIP. These 
options vest annually over three years and have a contractual term of 10 years. The exercise price of a stock option is 
equal to the fair value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. The Company uses the 
Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted. The Black-Scholes option 
pricing model incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rates and 
dividend yields. The weighted-average assumptions used to value the stock options granted during the years ended 
December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Weighted-average grant date fair value
Weighted-average volatility (1)
Weighted-average risk-free rate (2)
Dividend yield
Expected term (in years) (3)

$

Year Ended December 31,

2014

2013

$

7.23
30.00%
1.77%
0.70%
6.0

4.75
35.00%
1.58%
1.00%
5.4

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Based upon an assessment of the two-year, five-year and implied volatility for the Company’s selected peer 
group, adjusted for the Company’s leverage.

Based on a composite U.S. Treasury rate.

Calculated using the simplified method. The simplified method defines the expected term as the average of 
the option’s contractual term and the option’s weighted-average vesting period. The Company utilizes this 
method as it has limited historical stock option data that is sufficient to derive a reasonable estimate of the 
expected stock option term.

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:

Number of
Options

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

Options

Granted

Forfeited/Expired

Exercised

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

1,280,255

1,245,513
(31,209)
(73,487)
2,421,072

$17.00

24.40

21.33

17.00

$20.75

Exercisable at December 31, 2014

576,963

$17.00

Vested and expected to vest at December 31,
2014

2,378,364

$20.74

8.3

7.2

8.3

$34.9

$10.5

$34.3

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.0 
million and zero, respectively. 

Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs")

Restricted stock units represent the right to receive unrestricted shares of the Company's stock at the time of vesting. 
RSUs generally cliff-vest at the end of four years.

The following table summarizes the Company's RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:

Number of Units

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2014

1,351,572

$

Granted

Vested/Settled

Forfeited

25,895

(5,984)

(126,781)

Nonvested at December 31, 2014

1,244,702

$

17.04

24.29

17.00

17.04

17.19

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CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 
$24.29 and $17.03, respectively. The aggregate fair value of RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 
2014 and 2013, was $0.2 million and zero, respectively. 

Performance Share Units ("PSUs")

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted 417,784 PSUs under the 2013 LTIP which cliff-vest 
on December 31, 2016. The percentage of shares that shall vest will range from 0% to 200% of the number of PSUs 
granted based on the Company's performance against a cumulative adjusted free cash flow measure and cumulative 
non-GAAP net income per diluted share measure over a three-year performance period. The weighted-average grant-
date fair value of the PSUs granted during the period was $24.40 per unit. During the year ended December 31, 2014, 
6,204 PSUs were forfeited at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $24.29. As of December 31, 2014, 411,580 
PSUs were outstanding at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $24.40. No units vested during the year ended 
December 31, 2014.

Restricted Stock

In connection with the IPO, CDW Holdings distributed all of its shares of the Company's common stock to its existing 
members in accordance with their respective membership interests. Common stock received by holders of Class B 
Common Units in connection with the distribution is subject to any vesting provisions previously applicable to the 
holder's Class B Common Units. Class B Common Unit holders received 3,798,508 shares of restricted stock with 
respect to Class B Common Units that had not yet vested at the time of the distribution. For the year ended 
December 31, 2014, 2,321,973 shares of such restricted stock vested/settled and 9,546 shares were forfeited. As of 
December 31, 2014, 260,514 shares of restricted stock were outstanding. The aggregate fair value of restricted stock 
that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $68.6 million and $26.7 million, respectively. 

Pre-IPO Equity Awards

Prior to the IPO, the Company had the following equity-based compensation plans in place:

Class B Common Units

The Board of Managers of CDW Holdings adopted the CDW Holdings LLC 2007 Incentive Equity Plan (the “Plan”) 
for coworkers, managers, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Plan permitted a 
committee designated by the Board of Managers of CDW Holdings (the “Committee”) to grant or sell to any 
participant Class A Common Units or Class B Common Units of CDW Holdings in such quantity, at such price, on 
such terms and subject to such conditions that were consistent with the Plan and as established by the Committee.

The Class B Common Units that were granted vested daily on a pro rata basis between the date of grant and the fifth 
anniversary thereof and were subject to repurchase by, with respect to vested units, or forfeiture to, with respect to 
unvested units, the Company upon the coworker's separation from service as was set forth in each holder’s Class B 
Common Unit Grant Agreement.

On June 30, 2011, the Board of Managers approved the terms of a modified Class B Common Unit grant agreement 
with the Company's former Chief Executive Officer, who retired as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective 
October 1, 2011 but continued to serve as Chairman of the Board through December 31, 2012. As a result of this 
modification, the Company recorded incremental equity-based compensation expense of $6.6 million during the year 
ended December 31, 2012. 

The grant date fair value of Class B Common Unit grants was calculated using the Option-Pricing Method. This 
method considered Class A Common Units and Class B Common Units as call options on the total equity value, 
giving consideration to liquidation preferences and conversion of the preferred units. Such Class A Common Units and 
Class B Common Units were modeled as call options that gave their owners the right, but not the obligation, to buy 
the underlying equity value at a predetermined (or exercise) price. Class B Common Units were considered to be call 
options with a claim on equity value at an exercise price equal to the remaining value immediately after the Class A 
Common Units and Class B Common Units with a lower participation threshold were liquidated. The Option-Pricing 
Method is highly sensitive to key assumptions, such as the volatility assumption. As such, the use of this method can 
be applied when the range of possible future outcomes is difficult to predict.

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The following table summarizes the assumptions and resulting fair value of the Class B Common Unit grants for the 
years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Assumptions
Weighted-average grant date fair value
Weighted-average volatility (1)
Weighted-average risk-free rate (2)
Dividend yield

$

Years Ended December 31,

2013

2012

$

119.00
65.50%
0.18%
0.00%

125.65
65.26%
0.19%
0.00%

(1) 

Based upon an assessment of the two-year, five-year and implied volatility for the Company’s selected peer 
group, adjusted for the Company’s leverage.

(2) 

Based on a composite U.S. Treasury rate.

MPK II Units

Contemporaneous with the Acquisition, the Company agreed with Michael P. Krasny, CDW Corporation founder, 
former chairman and CEO and significant selling shareholder, to establish the MPK Plan for the benefit of all of the 
coworkers of the Company other than members of senior management who received incentive equity awards under the 
Plan.

The MPK Plan established an “account” for each eligible participant which was notionally credited with a number of 
Class A Common Units of CDW Holdings LLC on October 15, 2007, the day the plan was established. The notional 
units credited to participants' accounts were to cliff-vest at the end of ten years, subject to acceleration upon the 
occurrence of certain events. Notional units granted under the MPK Plan were valued on the grant date at $1,000 per 
unit, the fair value equivalent of the Class A Common Units at the time the awards were granted.

On July 2, 2013, the Company completed an IPO of its common shares. Under the terms of the MPK Plan, vesting 
accelerated for all unvested units upon completion of the IPO. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $36.7 
million for compensation expense related to the acceleration of the expense recognition for MPK Plan units in the year 
ended December 31, 2013. In connection with the completion of the IPO, the Company distributed common stock to 
each participant and withheld the number of shares of common stock equal to the required tax withholding for each 
participant. The Company paid required withholding taxes of $24.0 million to federal, state and foreign taxing 
authorities. This amount is reported as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows and as an 
increase to accumulated deficit in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity for the year ended December 31, 
2013. In addition, the Company paid $4.0 million of employer payroll taxes that are included as an operating activity 
in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The following table sets forth a summary of pre-IPO equity plan activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:

Outstanding at January 1, 2013

Granted

Forfeited
Converted/Settled (1)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013

Vested at December 31, 2013

Class B
Common Units

MPK Plan
Units

216,483

400

(860)

(216,023)

—

—

66,137

—
(2,228)
(63,909)
—

—

(1) 

As discussed above, the Class B Common Units and MPK Plan Units were converted/settled into shares of 
the Company's common stock upon completion of the IPO. The converted Class B Common Units, to the 
extent unvested at the time of the IPO, relate to the grants of restricted stock disclosed above. 

In connection with the establishment of the MPK Plan, the Company agreed to make charitable contributions in 
amounts equal to the net income tax benefits derived from payouts to participants under the MPK Plan (net of any 

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related employer payroll tax costs). The contributions of these amounts are due by March 15 of the calendar year 
following the year in which the Company realizes the benefits of the deductions. This arrangement has been accounted 
for as contingent consideration. Pre-2009 business combinations were accounted for under a former accounting 
standard which, among other aspects, precluded the recognition of certain contingent consideration as of the business 
combination date. Instead, under the former accounting standard, contingent consideration is accounted for as 
additional purchase price (goodwill) at the time the contingency is resolved. As of December 31, 2013, the Company 
accrued $20.9 million related to this arrangement within other current liabilities, as the Company realized the tax 
benefit of the compensation deductions during the 2013 tax year. The Company made the related cash contribution 
during the first quarter of 2014.

11. 

Earnings Per Share

The numerator for both basic and diluted earnings per share is net income. The denominator for basic earnings per 
share is the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The 2013 denominator was 
impacted by the common shares issued during both the IPO and the underwriters' exercise in full of the overallotment 
option granted to them in connection with the IPO. Because such common shares were issued on July 2, 2013 and 
July 31, 2013, respectively, they are only partially reflected in the 2013 denominator. Such shares are fully reflected in 
the 2014 denominator. See Note 9 for additional discussion of the IPO. 

The dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, Coworker Stock Purchase Plan 
units and MPK Plan units is reflected in the denominator for diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock 
method.

The following is a reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares:

Years Ended December 31,

(in millions)

2014

2013

2012

Weighted-average shares - basic

Effect of dilutive securities

Weighted-average shares - diluted

170.6

2.2

172.8

156.6

2.1

158.7

145.1

0.7

145.8

There was an insignificant amount of potential common shares excluded from diluted earnings per share for the years 
ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, as their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

12. 

Deferred Compensation Plan

On March 10, 2010, in connection with the Company’s purchase of $28.5 million principal amount of its outstanding 
senior subordinated debt, the Company established the Restricted Debt Unit Plan (the “RDU Plan”), an unfunded 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The total number of RDUs that could be granted under the RDU Plan was 
28,500. As of December 31, 2014, 28,500 RDUs were outstanding. RDUs vested daily on a pro rata basis over the 
three-year period from January 1, 2012 (or, if later, the date of hire or the date of a subsequent RDU grant) through 
December 31, 2014. All outstanding RDUs were vested as of December 31, 2014. Participants have no rights to the 
underlying debt.

The total amount of compensation available to be paid under the RDU Plan was initially to be based on two 
components, a principal component and an interest component. The principal component credits the RDU Plan with a 
notional amount equal to the $28.5 million face value of the Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Debt Pool"), together 
with certain redemption premium equivalents as noted below. The interest component credited the RDU Plan with 
amounts equal to the interest that would have been earned on the Debt Pool from March 10, 2010 through maturity on 
October 12, 2017, except as discussed below. Interest amounts for 2010 and 2011 were deferred until 2012, and 
thereafter, interest amounts were paid to participants semi-annually on the interest payment due dates. 

The Company used a portion of the IPO proceeds together with incremental borrowings to redeem $324.0 million of 
the total Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding on August 1, 2013. In connection with the IPO and the partial 
redemption of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Company amended the RDU Plan to increase the retentive value of 
the plan. In accordance with the original terms of the RDU Plan, the principal component of the RDUs converted to a 
cash-denominated pool upon the redemption of the Senior Subordinated Notes. In addition, the Company added $0.1 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

million and $1.4 million to the principal component in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as 
redemption premium equivalents in accordance with the terms of the RDU plan. 

Under the terms of the amended RDU Plan, upon the partial redemption of outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes, the 
RDUs ceased to accrue the proportionate related interest component credits. The amended RDU Plan provides 
participants the opportunity to share on a pro rata basis in cash retention pools payable to participants who satisfy 
certain retention requirements. The aggregate amount of the retention pools was determined to be $15.0 million based 
upon the amount of interest component credits that would have been allocated to the RDU Plan if the Senior 
Subordinated Notes had remained outstanding from August 1, 2013 through maturity. The Company recorded a pre-
tax charge of $7.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 for payment of the first cash retention pool. The 
second cash retention pool payment is expected to be made to participants who remain employed through 
December 31, 2015 in the first quarter of 2016. Participants continued to accrue an interest component credit for the 
proportionate amount of Senior Subordinated Notes while outstanding, payable on the aforementioned semi-annual 
due dates; such payments, however, will be deducted from the second retention pool payment amount of $7.5 million.

Unrecognized compensation expense as of December 31, 2014 of approximately $5 million is expected to be 
recognized through 2015 and approximately $3 million in 2016 through 2017. Payments under the RDU Plan may be 
impacted if certain significant events occur or circumstances change that would impact the financial condition or 
structure of the Company.

Compensation expense of $8.8 million, $16.8 million, and $8.4 million related to the RDU Plan was recognized in the 
years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had 
$30.4 million and $21.8 million of liabilities related to the RDU Plan recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, 
respectively.

Payment of the principal component of the RDU Plan is expected to be made on October 12, 2017, unless accelerated 
due to a sale of the Company.

13. 

Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan

The Company has a profit sharing plan that includes a salary reduction feature established under the Internal Revenue 
Code Section 401(k) covering substantially all coworkers. Company contributions to the profit sharing plan are made 
in cash and determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 
2012, the amounts charged to expense for this plan totaled $21.9 million, $17.3 million and $14.6 million, 
respectively. 

14. 

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business, which include 
commercial, intellectual property, employment, tort and other litigation matters. The Company is also subject to audit 
by federal, state and local authorities, and by various partners, group purchasing organizations and customers, 
including government agencies, relating to purchases and sales under various contracts. In addition, the Company is 
subject to indemnification claims under various contracts. From time to time, certain customers of the Company file 
voluntary petitions for reorganization or liquidation under the U.S. bankruptcy laws. In such cases, certain pre-petition 
payments received by the Company could be considered preference items and subject to return to the bankruptcy 
administrator.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss 
exceeding the amounts already recognized for these proceedings and matters, if any, has been incurred. However, the 
ultimate resolutions of these proceedings and matters are inherently unpredictable. As such, the Company’s financial 
condition and results of operations could be adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution 
of one or more of these proceedings or matters.

15. 

Equity Investments

On November 10, 2014, the Company acquired a 35% non-controlling interest in Kelway, a UK-based IT solutions 
provider, which has global supply chain relationships that enable it to conduct business in over 100 countries. The 
Company paid $86.8 million to acquire its ownership interest in Kelway, with the option to purchase the remaining 
65% between June 2015 and June 2017. The Company accounts for its investment in Kelway using the equity method. 
As of December 31, 2014, the amount assigned to goodwill and definite-lived intangible assets related to the 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company's 35% non-controlling equity investment in Kelway was $119.2 million, which represented the excess of the 
purchase price plus liabilities assumed less tangible assets acquired. 

16. 

Related Party Transactions

The Company had previously entered into a management services agreement with the Sponsors pursuant to which they 
had agreed to provide it with management and consulting services and financial and other advisory services. Pursuant 
to such agreement, the Sponsors received an annual management fee of $5.0 million and reimbursement of out-of-
pocket expenses incurred in connection with the provision of such services. Such amounts were classified as selling 
and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations. The management services agreement 
included customary indemnification and provisions in favor of the Sponsors.

On July 2, 2013, the Company completed an IPO of its common stock. Using a portion of the net proceeds from the 
IPO, the Company paid a $24.4 million termination fee to affiliates of the Sponsors in connection with the termination 
of the management services agreement with such entities that was effective upon completion of the IPO. The 
Company paid an annual management fee of $2.5 million and $5.0 million in the years ended December 31, 2013 and  
2012, respectively. There was no management fee paid for the year ended December 31, 2014. 

On March 20, 2014, the Company repurchased and subsequently canceled $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 
the 2019 Senior Notes from an affiliate of Providence Equity. See Note 7 for additional information related to this 
transaction.

17. 

Segment Information

Segment information is presented in accordance with a “management approach,” which designates the internal 
reporting used by the chief operating decision-maker for making decisions and assessing performance as the source of 
the Company's reportable segments. The Company's segments are organized in a manner consistent with which 
separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding 
how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company has two reportable segments: Corporate, which is comprised primarily of business customers, and 
Public, which is comprised of government entities and education and healthcare institutions. The Company also has 
three other operating segments, CDW Advanced Services, Canada and Kelway, which do not meet the reportable 
segment quantitative thresholds and, accordingly, are combined together as “Other.”  In November 2014, the Company 
acquired a 35% non-controlling equity interest in Kelway. See Note 15 for additional information on Kelway.

The Company has centralized logistics and headquarters functions that provide services to the segments. The logistics 
function includes purchasing, distribution and fulfillment services to support both the Corporate and Public segments. 
As a result, costs and intercompany charges associated with the logistics function are fully allocated to both of these 
segments based on a percent of sales. The centralized headquarters function provides services in areas such as 
accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and coworker services. Headquarters' function costs that are not 
allocated to the segments are included under the heading of “Headquarters” in the tables below. Depreciation expense 
is included in Headquarters as it is not allocated among segments or used in measuring segment performance.

IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses primarily relating to coworker compensation were included within 
operating segment results for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 9 for additional discussion of IPO- and 
secondary-offering related expenses.

The Company allocates resources to and evaluates performance of its segments based on net sales, income (loss) from 
operations and Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure as defined in the Company's credit agreements. However, the 
Company has concluded that income (loss) from operations is the more useful measure in terms of discussion of 
operating results, as it is a GAAP measure.

Segment information for total assets and capital expenditures is not presented, as such information is not used in 
measuring segment performance or allocating resources between segments.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Selected Segment Financial Information

The following table presents information about the Company’s segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 
and 2012:

(in millions)
2014:
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations
Depreciation and amortization expense

2013:
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations(1)
Depreciation and amortization expense

2012:
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations
Depreciation and amortization expense

Corporate

Public

Other

Headquarters

Total

$ 6,475.5
439.8
(96.3)

$ 4,879.4
313.2
(43.8)

$ 5,960.1
363.3
(97.3)

$ 4,164.5
246.5
(44.0)

$ 5,512.8
349.0
(97.6)

$ 4,023.0
246.7
(44.0)

$

$

$

$

$

$

719.6
32.9
(8.8)

644.0
27.2
(8.6)

592.4
18.6
(9.3)

— $ 12,074.5
673.0
(207.9)

(112.9)
(59.0)

— $ 10,768.6
508.6
(208.2)

(128.4)
(58.3)

— $ 10,128.2
510.6
(210.2)

(103.7)
(59.3)

(1) Includes $75.0 million of IPO- and secondary-offering related expenses, as follows: Corporate $26.4 million; Public $14.4 
million; Other $3.6 million; and Headquarters $30.6 million. 

Major Customers, Geographic Areas, and Product Mix

Net sales to the federal government were $884.2 million, $764.4 million and $964.7 million and accounted for 
approximately 7%, 7% and 10% of total net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net sales to customers outside 
of the U.S., primarily in Canada, were approximately 4% of the Company's total net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012. 
Approximately 1% of the Company’s long-lived assets were located outside of the U.S. as of December 31, 2014 and 
2013.

The following table presents net sales by major category for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. 
Categories are based upon internal classifications. Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 have 
been reclassified for certain changes in individual product classifications to conform to the presentation for the year 
ended December 31, 2014.

Year Ended
December 31, 2014

Year Ended
December 31, 2013

Year Ended
December 31, 2012

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage
of Total Net
Sales

Dollars in
Millions

Percentage
of Total Net
Sales

Dollars in
Millions

2,352.3
1,615.9

1,024.3

4,549.2

2,076.7

371.4

84.7

19.5% $
13.4

8.5

37.6

17.2

3.1

0.7

1,698.4
1,486.3

999.2

4,178.5

1,993.1

332.7

80.4

15.8% $
13.8

9.3

38.8

18.5

3.1

0.7

1,462.8
1,351.5

981.5

4,075.7

1,877.7

285.0

94.0

Percentage
of Total Net
Sales

14.4%
13.3

9.7

40.3

18.5

2.8

1.0

$

12,074.5

100.0% $

10,768.6

100.0% $

10,128.2

100.0%

Notebooks/Mobile Devices
NetComm Products

$

Enterprise and Data Storage
(Including Drives)
Other Hardware

Software

Services
Other (1)
Total net sales

(1) 

Includes items such as delivery charges to customers and certain commission revenue.

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18. 

Supplemental Guarantor Information

The 2019 Senior Notes, the 2022 Senior Notes, and the 2024 Senior Notes are, and, prior to being redeemed in full, 
the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Senior Secured Notes, were guaranteed by Parent and each of CDW LLC’s 
direct and indirect, 100% owned, domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All guarantees by Parent and 
Guarantor Subsidiaries are and were joint and several, and full and unconditional; provided that guarantees by the 
Guarantor Subsidiaries (i) are subject to certain customary release provisions contained in the indentures governing 
the 2019 Senior Notes, the 2022 Senior Notes, and the 2024 Senior Notes, and (ii) were subject to certain customary 
release provisions contained in the indentures governing  the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Senior Secured Notes 
until such indentures were satisfied and discharged in 2014. CDW LLC's Canada subsidiary (the “Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiary”) does not guarantee the debt obligations. CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation, as co-issuers, are 
100% owned by Parent, and each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary is 100% owned by 
CDW LLC. 

On May 9, 2014, all of the remaining $42.5 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes was 
redeemed in full and the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes was satisfied and discharged. See Note 7 
for more information.  

On August 5, 2014, CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation, as co-issuers, completed the issuance of $600.0 
million  aggregate principal amount of 2022 Senior Notes, which is guaranteed by Parent and the Guarantor 
Subsidiaries. The proceeds from this issuance, along with cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the remaining 
$325.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes and to redeem $234.7 million aggregate 
principal amount of the 2019 Senior Notes.  The indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes was concurrently 
satisfied and discharged. See Note 7 for more information.

On December 1, 2014, CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation, as co-issuers, completed the issuance of $575.0 
million aggregate principal amount of 2024 Senior Notes, which is guaranteed by Parent and the Guarantor 
Subsidiaries. The proceeds from this issuance, along with cash on hand, were used to redeem $541.4 million aggregate 
principal amount of the 8.5% Senior Notes. See Note 7 for more information. 

The following tables set forth condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 
consolidating statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, condensed 
consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and 
condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, in 
accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The consolidating financial information includes the accounts of CDW 
Corporation (the “Parent Guarantor”), which has no independent assets or operations, the accounts of CDW LLC (the 
“Subsidiary Issuer”), the combined accounts of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the accounts of the Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiary, and the accounts of CDW Finance Corporation (the “Co-Issuer”) for the periods indicated. The 
information was prepared on the same basis as the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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(in millions)
Assets

Current assets:

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2014

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

Cash and cash equivalents

$ — $

346.4

$

— $

Accounts receivable, net

Merchandise inventory

Miscellaneous receivables

Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Equity investments

Goodwill

Other intangible assets, net
Deferred financing costs, net

Other assets

Investment in and advances to
subsidiaries

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

4.3

—

—

56.1

11.0

413.5

80.5

86.7

751.8

320.0
33.0

3.2

932.2

2,784.5

1,479.1

333.9

93.3

46.0

1,952.3

55.5

—

1,439.0

843.6
—

0.4

—

24.6

82.0

3.6

6.2

1.5

117.9

1.2

—

26.8

5.2
—

1.4

—

$ — $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

Total assets

$ 936.5

$ 4,473.2

$ 4,290.8

$

152.5

$ — $

(26.5) $
—

344.5

1,561.1

—

—
(3.8)
(30.3)
—

—

—

—
—
(6.1)

337.5

155.6

54.7

2,453.4

137.2

86.7

2,217.6

1,168.8
33.0

3.2

(3,716.7)
—
(3,753.1) $ 6,099.9

Liabilities and Shareholders’
Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable-trade

$ — $

23.9

$

671.9

$

34.7

$ — $

(26.5) $

704.0

Accounts payable-
inventory financing

Current maturities of long-
term debt

Deferred revenue

Accrued expenses

Total current liabilities

—

—

—

—

—

—

332.1

15.4

—

137.8

177.1

— 3,174.6

—

—

146.7

42.6

—

79.9

193.6

1,277.5

—

331.3

3.7

Long-term liabilities:

Debt

Deferred income taxes

Other liabilities

Total long-term
liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity

— 3,363.9

335.0

936.5

932.2

2,678.3

106.2

—

—

1.4

7.9

44.0

—

1.3

1.0

2.3

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
(4.1)
(30.6)

—
(4.3)
(1.5)

332.1

15.4

81.3

335.2

1,468.0

3,174.6

475.0

45.8

(5.8)

3,695.4

(3,716.7)

936.5

$ 936.5

$ 4,473.2

$ 4,290.8

$

152.5

$ — $

(3,753.1) $ 6,099.9

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(in millions)
Assets
Current assets:

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2013

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

Cash and cash equivalents

$ — $

196.5

$

— $

Accounts receivable, net

Merchandise inventory

Miscellaneous receivables

Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Goodwill

Other intangible assets, net

Deferred financing costs, net

Other assets

Investment in and advances to
subsidiaries

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4.9

—

—

49.9

10.7

257.1

69.7

751.9

338.5

30.1

1.4

706.8

2,909.4

1,375.9

378.9

91.0

33.4

1,879.2

59.6

1,439.0

982.8

—

0.1

—

14.0

75.1

3.1

5.4

5.1

102.7

1.8

29.4

6.7

—

0.9

—

$ — $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total assets

$ 711.7

$ 4,358.1

$ 4,360.7

$

141.5

$ — $

(22.4) $
—

188.1

1,451.0

—

—
(3.1)
(25.5)
—

—

—

—
(5.7)

382.0

146.3

46.1

2,213.5

131.1

2,220.3

1,328.0

30.1

1.6

(3,616.2)
—
(3,647.4) $ 5,924.6

Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable-trade

$ — $

21.4

$

637.3

$

26.5

$ — $

(22.4) $

662.8

Accounts payable-
inventory financing

Current maturities of long-
term debt

Deferred revenue

Accrued expenses

Total current liabilities

—

—

—

—

—

Long-term liabilities:

Debt

Deferred income taxes
Other liabilities

Total long-term
liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and
shareholders’ equity

—

256.6

45.4

—

163.5

230.3

— 3,205.8

—

—

178.3

36.9

—

89.9

175.1

1,158.9

—

388.4

3.6

— 3,421.0

392.0

711.7

706.8

2,809.8

—

—

4.9

7.5

38.9

—

1.6

1.4

3.0

99.6

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
(3.1)
(25.5)

—
(4.8)
(0.9)

256.6

45.4

94.8

343.0

1,402.6

3,205.8

563.5

41.0

(5.7)

3,810.3

(3,616.2)

711.7

$ 711.7

$ 4,358.1

$ 4,360.7

$

141.5

$ — $

(3,647.4) $ 5,924.6

94

 
— $ 12,074.5

— 10,153.2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,921.3

1,110.3

138.0

673.0
(197.3)

(90.7)
—

2.7

387.7
(142.8)

—
(744.9)
(744.9) $

244.9

—

244.9

Table of Contents

(in millions)

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidating Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ — $

— $ 11,542.3

$

532.2

$ — $

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

(Loss) income from operations

Interest (expense) income, net

Net loss on extinguishments of
long-term debt

Management fee

Other income, net

(Loss) income before income taxes

Income tax benefit (expense)

(Loss) income before equity in
earnings of subsidiaries

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

112.8

—

(112.8)

(197.7)

(90.7)

3.9

1.2

(396.1)

141.0

(255.1)

500.0

9,684.9

1,857.4

962.3

134.0

761.1

0.1

—

—

1.5

762.7
(278.1)

484.6

—

468.3

63.9

35.2

4.0

24.7

0.3

—
(3.9)
—

21.1
(5.7)

15.4

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

244.9

Net income

$ 244.9

$

244.9

$

484.6

$

15.4

$ — $

95

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidating Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ — $

— $ 10,293.3

$

475.3

$ — $

— $ 10,768.6

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
(568.5)
(568.5) $

9,008.3

1,760.3

1,120.9

130.8

508.6
(250.1)

(64.0)
—

1.0
195.5
(62.7)

132.8

—

132.8

(in millions)
Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

(Loss) income from operations

Interest (expense) income, net

Net loss on extinguishments of
long-term debt

Management fee

Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income before income taxes

Income tax benefit (expense)

(Loss) income before equity in
earnings of subsidiaries

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

—

—

24.4

—

(24.4)

—

—

—

—
(24.4)

9.2

(15.2)

148.0

—

—

103.9

—

(103.9)

(250.6)

(64.0)

4.3

(0.5)
(414.7)

142.2

(272.5)

420.5

8,592.1

1,701.2

957.3

126.8

617.1

0.2

—

—

1.2
618.5
(209.5)

409.0

—

416.2

59.1

35.3

4.0

19.8

0.3

—
(4.3)
0.3
16.1
(4.6)

11.5

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

Net income

$ 132.8

$

148.0

$

409.0

$

11.5

$ — $

96

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in millions)
Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Advertising expense

(Loss) income from operations

Interest (expense) income, net

Net loss on extinguishments of
long-term debt

Management fee

Other income (expense), net
(Loss) income before income taxes

Income tax benefit (expense)

(Loss) income before equity in
earnings of subsidiaries

Consolidating Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$

— $

— $ 9,683.0

$

445.2

$ — $

— $ 10,128.2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

103.7

—

(103.7)

(308.0)

(17.2)

3.8

—
(425.1)

210.6

8,071.5

1,611.5

891.6

125.1

594.8

0.4

—

—

0.2
595.4
(272.6)

(214.5)

322.8

387.1

58.1

34.2

4.4

19.5

0.2

—
(3.8)
(0.1)
15.8
(5.1)

10.7

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

(452.5)

8,458.6

1,669.6

1,029.5

129.5

510.6
(307.4)

(17.2)
—

0.1
186.1
(67.1)

119.0

—

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

119.0

333.5

—

Net income

$ 119.0

$

119.0

$

322.8

$

10.7

$ — $

(452.5) $

119.0

97

 
Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year Ended December 31, 2014

(in millions)
Comprehensive income

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ 234.6

$

234.6

$

484.6

$

5.1

$ — $

(724.3) $

234.6

98

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year Ended December 31, 2013

(in millions)
Comprehensive income

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ 126.1

$

141.3

$

409.0

$

4.8

$ — $

(555.1) $

126.1

99

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year Ended December 31, 2012

(in millions)
Comprehensive income

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ 121.5

$

121.5

$

322.8

$

13.2

$ — $

(457.5) $

121.5

100

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Repayments of long-term debt

—

(15.4)

(in millions)
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities

Cash flows from investing
activities:

Capital expenditures

Payment for equity
investments

Payment of accrued charitable
contribution related to the
MPK Coworker Incentive Plan
II
Premium payments on interest
rate cap agreements

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing
activities:

Proceeds from issuance of
long-term debt

Payments to extinguish long-
term debt

Payment of debt financing
costs

Net change in accounts
payable-inventory financing

Proceeds from stock option
exercises
Proceeds from Coworker stock
purchase plan
Dividends paid

Excess tax benefits from
equity-based compensation
Advances to/from affiliates

Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents

Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents –
beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents – end of
period

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ — $ (120.4) $

547.7

$

11.8

$ — $

(4.1) $

435.0

(47.9)

(7.1)

—

—

—
(7.1)

—

—

—

—

75.5

—

—

—

—
(616.1)

—

—

—

—

—

(86.8)

(20.9)

(2.1)

(157.7)

— 1,175.0

— (1,299.0)

(21.9)

—

1.3

5.8

—

0.3

581.9

—

—

—

—

(33.6)

—

33.6

—

—

—

—

428.0

(540.6)

—

149.9

196.5

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.6

0.6

(1.8)

10.6

14.0

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(55.0)

(86.8)

(20.9)

(2.1)
(164.8)

(15.4)

1,175.0

(1,299.0)

(21.9)

75.5

1.3

5.8
(33.6)

0.3

—

(112.0)

(1.8)

(4.1)

156.4

(22.4)

188.1

$ — $

346.4

$

— $

24.6

$ — $

(26.5) $

344.5

101

 
Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2013

(in millions)
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities

Cash flows from investing
activities:

Capital expenditures

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing
activities:

Proceeds from borrowings
under revolving credit facility

Repayments of borrowings
under revolving credit facility

Repayments of long-term debt

Proceeds from issuance of
long-term debt

Payments to extinguish long-
term debt

Payment of debt financing
costs

Net change in accounts
payable-inventory financing

Payment of incentive
compensation plan
withholding taxes
Net proceeds from issuance of
common shares

Dividends paid

Advances to/from affiliates

Other financing activities

Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents

Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents –
beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents – end of
period

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ (15.2) $ (130.3) $

508.8

$

5.5

$ — $

(2.5) $

366.3

(40.8)

(40.8)

(6.2)
(6.2)

(0.1)
(0.1)

—

—

—

—

—

—

7.4

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

63.0

(63.0)

(51.1)

(6.1)

—

— 1,535.2

— (2,047.4)

(4.0)

(19.6)

(0.5)

424.7

(7.3)

(402.2)

—

—

—

892.6

0.4

—

—
(490.4)
—

15.2

319.6

(502.6)

—

—

—

—

148.5

48.0

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(0.5)

(0.7)

4.2

9.8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(47.1)
(47.1)

63.0

(63.0)
(51.1)

1,535.2

(2,047.4)

(6.1)

7.4

(24.1)

424.7
(7.3)
—

0.4

(168.3)

(0.7)

(2.5)

150.2

(19.9)

37.9

$ — $

196.5

$

— $

14.0

$ — $

(22.4) $

188.1

102

Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2012

(in millions)
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities

Cash flows from investing
activities:

Capital expenditures

Premium payments on interest
rate cap agreements

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing
activities:

Proceeds from borrowings
under revolving credit facility

Repayments of borrowings
under revolving credit facility

Repayments of long-term debt

Proceeds from issuance of
long-term debt

Payments to extinguish long-
term debt

Payment of debt financing
costs

Net change in accounts
payable-inventory financing

Advances to/from affiliates

Other financing activities

Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents

Net (decrease) increase in cash and
cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents –
beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents – end of
period

Parent
Guarantor

Subsidiary
Issuer

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary

Co-Issuer

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated

$ — $ (204.3) $

514.2

$

1.3

$ — $

6.2

$

317.4

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(27.0)

(14.0)

(0.3)

(27.3)

—
(14.0)

(0.4)

—
(0.4)

289.0

(289.0)

(201.0)

135.7

(243.2)

(2.1)

—

486.0

2.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

(29.5)
(486.5)
—

177.5

(516.0)

—

—

(54.1)

(15.8)

102.1

15.8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.5

—

0.5

0.3

1.7

8.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(41.4)

(0.3)
(41.7)

289.0

(289.0)
(201.0)

135.7

(243.2)

(2.1)

(29.5)
—

2.1

(338.0)

0.3

6.2

(62.0)

(26.1)

99.9

$ — $

48.0

$

— $

9.8

$ — $

(19.9) $

37.9

103

 
Table of Contents

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. 

Selected Quarterly Financial Results (unaudited)

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

2014

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Net Sales Detail:

Corporate:

Medium/Large

Small Business

Total Corporate

Public:

Government

Education

Healthcare

Total Public

Other

Net sales
Gross profit

Income from operations

Net income
Net income per common share  (1):
Basic
Diluted

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Net Sales Detail:

Corporate:

Medium/Large (2)
Small Business (2)
Total Corporate

Public:

Government

Education

Healthcare
Total Public

Other

Net sales

Gross profit
Income from operations (3)
Net income (loss)(3)
Net income (loss) per common share (1)(3):
Basic

Diluted

(1)  

$

1,274.8

$

1,395.4

$

1,374.8

$

1,440.3

230.8

1,505.6

254.2

321.6

394.1

969.9

176.8

$
$

2,652.3
425.2

$
$

135.8

50.9

0.30
0.30

260.8

1,656.2

313.1

527.0

431.5

1,271.6

178.2

3,106.0
496.9

188.2

86.6

$
$

0.51
0.50

2013

247.9

1,622.7

441.3

632.8

394.7

1,468.8

174.6

3,266.1
507.3

184.7

55.6

0.33
0.32

$
$

$
$

250.7

1,691.0

440.8

342.6

385.7

1,169.1

190.0

3,050.1
491.9

164.3

51.8

0.30
0.30

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$

1,180.5

$

1,308.5

$

1,241.3

$

1,322.3

223.4

1,403.9

252.3

232.2

362.3
846.8

161.0

2,411.7

402.0

120.1

28.3

0.19

0.19

$

$

228.9

1,537.4

295.7

420.6

366.3
1,082.6

159.3

2,779.3

451.6

153.6

46.7

0.32

0.32

$

$

224.5

1,465.8

375.3

513.4

355.9
1,244.6

153.9

2,864.3

458.4

92.9
(2.2)

(0.01)
(0.01)

$

$

230.7

1,553.0

327.3

282.8

380.4
990.5

169.8

2,713.3

448.3

142.0

60.0

0.35

0.35

$

$

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. 
Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted per share information may not equal annual basic and 
diluted net income (loss) per share.

104

 
 
Table of Contents

(2) 

(3) 

CDW CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Net sales for the corporate channels (medium/large and small business) have been restated for all periods 
presented above to conform with the new corporate hierarchy presented for first quarter of 2014.

The third quarter of 2013 included pre-tax IPO-related charges of $74.1 million. See Note 9 for additional 
discussion of the IPO. 

20. 

Subsequent Events

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company entered into six interest rate cap agreements with a combined notional 
amount of $400.0 million.  Under the agreements, the Company made premium payments totaling $0.5 million to the 
counterparties in exchange for the right to receive payments equal to the amount, if any, by which three-month LIBOR 
exceeds 2.0% during the agreement period.  The interest rate cap agreements are effective from January 14, 2015 
through January 14, 2017.

On February 10, 2015, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend on the Company's 
common stock of $0.0675 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of 
the close of business on February 25, 2015. Future dividends will be subject to the approval of the Company's board of 
directors.

105

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SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 

(in millions)
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Year Ended December 31, 2012

Reserve for sales returns:
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Year Ended December 31, 2012

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Deductions

Balance at
End of
Period

$

$

$

$

5.4
5.4
5.4

5.1
4.4
4.5

$

$

5.4
2.8
3.9

36.2
35.0
33.2

(5.1) $
(2.8)
(3.9)

(36.2) $
(34.3)
(33.3)

5.7
5.4
5.4

5.1
5.1
4.4

106

 
 
 
 
 
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 

Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in 
Rule13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end 
of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure 
controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information 
required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, and that information is 
accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as 
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over 
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial 
statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the 
risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 

2014. Management based this assessment on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013 framework).” 

Based on its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s internal control over 

financial reporting is effective.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements 

of the Company and the Company's internal control over financial reporting and has included their reports herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended 

December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
CDW Corporation

We have audited CDW Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, 
based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). CDW Corporation and subsidiaries’ management is responsible 
for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control 
over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal 
control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal 
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in 
the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding 
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the 
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, CDW Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over 

financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated balance sheets of CDW Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 2014 of CDW Corporation and subsidiaries and our report dated February 26, 2015 
expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 26, 2015

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

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Item 10. Directors, Managers, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

We have adopted The CDW Way Code, our code of business conduct and ethics, that is applicable to all of our 

coworkers. Additionally, within The CDW Way Code is a Financial Integrity Code of Ethics that sets forth an even higher 
standard applicable to our executives, officers, members of our internal disclosure committee and all managers and above in 
our finance department. A copy of this code is available on our corporate website at www.cdw.com. If we make any substantive 
amendments to this code or grant any waiver from a provision to our chief executive officer, principal financial officer or 
principal accounting officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a report on Form 8-
K.

See Part I - “Executive Officers” for information about our executive officers, which is incorporated by reference in 

this Item 10. Other information required under this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy 
statement for our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders on May 13, 2015 (“2015 proxy statement”), which we will file with the 
SEC on or before 120 days after our 2014 fiscal year-end.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information required under this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the 2015 proxy statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information required under this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the 2015 proxy statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information required under this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the 2015 proxy statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information required under this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the 2015 proxy statement.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) 

Financial Statements and Schedules

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

(1) 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) 

Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Page

59
60
61

62
63
64
65

Page

106

All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts 
sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the 
consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(b) 

Exhibits

The information required by this Item is set forth on the exhibit index that follows the signature page of this report.

111

 
 
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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly 
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

Date:

February 26, 2015

CDW CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Richards

Thomas E. Richards
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the 
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Thomas E. Richards
Thomas E. Richards

   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer) and Director

/s/ Ann E. Ziegler
Ann E. Ziegler

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)

/s/ Virginia L. Seggerman    Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
Virginia L. Seggerman

/s/ Steven W. Alesio

  Director

Steven W. Alesio

/s/ Barry K. Allen

  Director

Barry K. Allen

/s/ Benjamin D. Chereskin   Director

Benjamin D. Chereskin

/s/ Glenn M. Creamer

  Director

Glenn M. Creamer

/s/ Michael J. Dominguez
Michael J. Dominguez

   Director

/s/ Paul J. Finnegan
Paul J. Finnegan

/s/ David W. Nelms
David W. Nelms

/s/ Robin P. Selati
Robin P. Selati

   Director

  Director

  Director

/s/ Donna F. Zarcone
Donna F. Zarcone

  Director

112

   February 26, 2015

February 26, 2015

   February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

   February 26, 2015

   February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

  February 26, 2015

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  Description

EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

4.1

4.2

  Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CDW Corporation, previously filed as Exhibit 
3.1 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) 
and incorporated herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated By-Laws of CDW Corporation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 with CDW 
Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Articles of Organization of CDW LLC, previously filed as Exhibit 3.3 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 
filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CDW LLC, previously filed as Exhibit 3.4 
with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated 
herein by reference.

  Certificate of Incorporation of CDW Finance Corporation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.5 with CDW 
Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  By-Laws of CDW Finance Corporation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.6 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 
filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CDW Technologies, Inc., previously filed as Exhibit 3.7 
with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated 
herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated By-Laws of CDW Technologies, Inc., previously filed as Exhibit 3.8 with CDW 
Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Articles of Organization of CDW Direct, LLC, previously filed as Exhibit 3.9 with CDW Corporation's Form 
S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CDW Direct, LLC, previously filed as 
Exhibit 3.10 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Articles of Organization of CDW Government LLC, previously filed as Exhibit 3.11 with CDW 
Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CDW Government LLC, previously filed 
as Exhibit 3.12 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Articles of Incorporation of CDW Logistics, Inc., previously filed as Exhibit 3.14 with CDW Corporation's 
Form S-3 filed on July 31, 2014 (Reg. No. 333-197744) and incorporated herein by reference.

  By-Laws of CDW Logistics, Inc., previously filed as Exhibit 3.14 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed 
on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Specimen Common Stock Certificate, previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment 
No. 3 to Form S-1 filed on June 25, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Indenture, dated as of August 5, 2014, by and among CDW LLC, CDW Finance Corporation, the guarantors 
party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 with CDW 
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

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Exhibit
Number
4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

4.12

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

  Description
  Form of 6% Senior Note (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1), previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 with CDW 
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

Senior Note Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2011, between CDW Escrow Corporation and U.S. Bank 
National Association as trustee, previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on 
April 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Senior Note Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2011, by and among CDW LLC, CDW Finance 
Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee, previously filed as 
Exhibit 4.2 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Second Senior Note Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2011, by and among CDW LLC, CDW 
Finance Corporation, CDW Escrow Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National 
Association as Trustee, previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on May 23, 
2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Third Senior Note Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 17, 2012, by and among CDW LLC, CDW 
Finance Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee, previously 
filed as Exhibit 4.5 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2012 and incorporated herein 
by reference.

  Fourth Senior Note Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2012, by and among CDW LLC, CDW 
Finance Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee, previously 
filed as Exhibit 4.3 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2012 and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Form of Senior Note (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.5), previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 with CDW 
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Base Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2014, by and among CDW LLC, CDW Finance Corporation, CDW 
Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee, previously filed as 
Exhibit 4.1 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 1, 2014 and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2014, by and among CDW LLC, CDW Finance 
Corporation, CDW Corporation the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee, 
previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 1, 2014 and 
incorporated herein by reference.

Form of 5.5%  Senior Note (included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 4.12), previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 with 
CDW Corporation's Form  8-K filed on December 1, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2014, by and among CDW 
LLC, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, GE 
Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation, as floorplan funding agent, and the joint lead arrangers, joint 
bookrunners, co-collateral agents, co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents party thereto, 
previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2014 (Reg. No. 
333-197744) and incorporated herein by reference.

Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2013, by and among CDW LLC, the lenders from time to time 
party thereto, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the joint lead arrangers, 
joint bookrunners, co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents party thereto, previously filed as 
Exhibit 10.1 with CDW Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2013, by and among CDW LLC, the lenders 
from time to time party thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, 
previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 
2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

Incremental Amendment, dated as of July 31, 2013, by and among CDW LLC, the lenders party thereto and 
Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 with CDW Corporation’s Form 
8-K filed on August 1, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

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Exhibit
Number
10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

  10.13§

10.14§

10.15§

10.16§

  10.17§

  10.18

  Description
Third Amendment to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 12, 2013, by and among CDW LLC, 
the lenders from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral 
agent, previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 with CDW Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2013 and 
incorporated herein by reference.

Second Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated April 29, 2013, by and among 
CDW LLC, the guarantors party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent, previously filed as 
Exhibit 10.2 with CDW Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Management Services Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2007, by and between CDW Corporation, 
Madison Dearborn Partners V-B, L.P. and Providence Equity Partners L.L.C., previously filed as Exhibit 
10.9 with CDW Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Termination Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2013, by and among CDW Corporation, Madison Dearborn 
Partners V-B, L.P. and Providence Equity Partners L.L.C., previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 with CDW 
Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Registration Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2007, by and among VH Holdings, Inc., CDW Holdings 
LLC, Madison Dearborn Capital Partners V-A, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners V-C, L.P., Madison 
Dearborn Partners V Executive-A, L.P., Providence Equity Partners VI L.P., Providence Equity Partners VI-
A L.P., and the other securityholders party thereto, previously filed as Exhibit 10.10 with CDW Corporation's 
Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Withdrawal from Registration Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2013, by and between CDW 
Corporation and Paul S. Shain, previously filed as Exhibit 10.10 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-K filed 
on March 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Withdrawal from Registration Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2013, by and among CDW Corporation, 
James R. Shanks and BOS Holdings, LLC, previously filed as Exhibit 10.11 with CDW Corporation’s Form 
10-K filed on March 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Withdrawal from Registration Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2014, by and between CDW Corporation, 
John A. Edwardson and Whispering Pines Capital LLC , previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 with CDW 
Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

Amended and Restated Compensation Protection Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2014, by and among 
CDW Corporation, CDW LLC and Thomas E. Richards, previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 with CDW 
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference. 

  Form of Compensation Protection Agreement (executive officers other than Thomas E. Richards), previously 
filed as Exhibit 10.2 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014 and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Form of Noncompetition Agreement under the Compensation Protection Agreement, previously filed as 
Exhibit 10.3 with CDW Corporation's Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014 and incorporated herein by 
reference.

  Letter Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2011, by and between CDW Direct, LLC and Christina M. 
Corley, previously filed as Exhibit 10.31 with CDW Corporation's Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2012 and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between CDW Corporation and its directors and officers, 
previously filed as Exhibit 10.32 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 
2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2013, by and among CDW Corporation, Madison Dearborn 
Capital Partners V-A, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners V-C, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners 
V Executive-A, L.P., Providence Equity Partners VI L.P., Providence Equity Partners VI-A L.P. and the other 
securityholders party thereto, previously filed as Exhibit 10.33 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 
to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

115

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Exhibit
Number
  10.19§

  10.20§

  10.21§

  10.22§

  10.23§

  10.24§

  10.25§

  10.26§

  10.27§

  10.28§

  10.29§

  10.30§

  Description
  CDW Corporation 2013 Senior Management Incentive Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.34 with CDW 
Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  CDW Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.35 with CDW 
Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  CDW Corporation Coworker Stock Purchase Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.36 with CDW 
Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

  Form of CDW Corporation Option Award Notice and Stock Option Agreement (executed by Thomas E. 
Richards), previously filed as Exhibit 10.37 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed 
on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Form of CDW Corporation Option Award Notice and Stock Option Agreement (executed by Neal J.
Campbell and Christina M. Corley), previously filed as Exhibit 10.38 with CDW Corporation’s Amendment
No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on June 14, 2013 (Reg. No. 333-187472) and incorporated herein by reference.

  Form of CDW Corporation Restricted Stock Award Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement (executed 
by Thomas E. Richards, Dennis G. Berger, Douglas E. Eckrote, Christine A. Leahy, Jonathan J. Stevens and 
Ann E. Ziegler), previously filed as Exhibit 10.12 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 
2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Form of CDW Corporation Restricted Stock Award Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement (executed 
by Neal J. Campbell, Christina M. Corley, Christina V. Rother and Matthew A. Troka), previously filed as 
Exhibit 10.13 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2013 and incorporated herein by 
reference.

CDW Amended and Restated Restricted Debt Unit Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 with CDW 
Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

Form of CDW Restricted Debt Unit Grant Notice and Agreement (executed by Thomas E. Richards, Dennis 
G. Berger, Douglas E. Eckrote, Christine A. Leahy, Jonathan J. Stevens and Ann E. Ziegler), previously filed 
as Exhibit 10.23 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) and 
incorporated herein by reference.

Form of CDW Restricted Debt Unit Grant Notice and Agreement (executed by Neal J. Campbell, Christina 
M. Corley, Christina V. Rother and Matthew A. Troka and to be used for certain future grantees), previously 
filed as Exhibit 10.24 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on September 7, 2010 (Reg. No. 333-169258) 
and incorporated herein by reference.

Form of Stock Option Agreement (executive officers) under the CDW Corporation 2013 Long-Term 
Incentive Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2014 
and incorporated herein by reference.

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (executive officers) under the CDW Corporation 2013 
Long-Term Incentive Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on 
May 12, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

  10.31§*

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (executive officers) under the CDW Corporation 2013 Long-
Term Incentive Plan.

  10.32§

12.1*

21.1

Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the CDW Corporation 2013 
Long-Term Incentive Plan, previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 with CDW Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on 
May 12, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

  Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

  List of subsidiaries, previously filed as Exhibit 21.1 with CDW Corporation's Form S-4 filed on April 13, 
2012 (Reg. No. 333-180715) and incorporated herein by reference.

116

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Exhibit
Number
23.1*

31.1*

31.2*

  Description
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934.

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1**

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

32.2**

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

________________
* 
** 
§ 

Filed herewith
These items are furnished and not filed.
A management contract or compensatory arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 601 of 
Regulation S-K.

117

INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CDW again delivered market-leading
results for fiscal 2014, in line with our
business outlook for the year

7,200

Coworkers focused on serving the needs
of our customers, including field sellers,
highly skilled technology specialists and
advanced service delivery engineers
for deeper customer relationships and
cross-selling opportunities

100,000

Full range of technology
solutions including hardware
and software products
from 1 ,000+ brands

5

Customer channels
each with revenues near
or above $1 billion

$12.075B

Net Sales representing growth
of 12.1 percent over fiscal 2013

250,000

Customers in the U.S. and Canada
who benefit from CDW’s
broad portfolio and
deep technical expertise

CDW CORPORATION 3

LEADERSHIP
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Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Thomas E. Richards
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas E. Richards
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dennis G. Berger
Senior Vice President and Chief Coworker Services Officer

Neal J. Campbell
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Christina M. Corley
Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales

Douglas E. Eckrote
Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions and Services

Christine A. Leahy
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Christina V. Rother
Senior Vice President of Public and Advanced Technology Sales

Jonathan J. Stevens
Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Information Officer

Matthew A. Troka
Senior Vice President of Product and Partner Management

Ann E. Ziegler
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steven W. Alesio
Operating Partner/Advisor,
Providence Equity Partners LLC

Barry K. Allen
Operating Partner/Advisor,
Providence Equity Partners LLC

James A. Bell
Retired Executive Vice President,
The Boeing Company

Benjamin D. Chereskin
President,
Profile Capital Management LLC

Glenn M. Creamer
Senior Managing Director,
Providence Equity Partners LLC

Michael J. Dominguez
Managing Director,
Providence Equity Partners LLC

Paul J. Finnegan
Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC

David W. Nelms
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Discover Financial Services

Robin P. Selati
Managing Director,
Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC

Donna F. Zarcone
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Economic Club of Chicago

4 CDW CORPORATION

COMPANY INFORMATION
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Company Headquarters
CDW Corporation
200 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
(847) 465-6000

Annual Meeting
The 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at
26125 N. Riverwoods Blvd., Mettawa, Illinois, at 7:30 a.m. CDT
on Wednesday, May 13, 2015.

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
155 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-1787

Common Stock Listing
The company’s common stock is listed on NASDAQ under
the trading symbol CDW

Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent
Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
Email: web.queries@computershare.com
Telephone: (800) 736-3001 (toll free)

(781) 575-3100 (toll number)

Investor Relations Contact
Sari L. Macrie
Vice President, Investor Relations
(847) 968-0238
investorrelations@cdw.com

Upon written request to Investor Relations, we will provide,
free of charge, a copy of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014.

CDW’s Annual Report, Form10-K, Form10-Q, proxy statement
and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
can be accessed on investor.cdw.com under SEC filings

Media Relations Contact
Mary Viola
(847) 968-0743
mary.viola@cdw.com

Forward Looking Statements
This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” related
to CDW Corporation’s future plans and expectations and, as such,
involves risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical
facts, including statements about future revenue growth, EBITDA,
net income and cash flow, as well as other statements about
CDW’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as
well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to,
management. Because such statements are based on expectations as
to future economic performance and are not statements of fact, actual
results may differ materially from those projected. CDW undertakes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise
required by law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) is the term used to
refer to the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting.
GAAP includes the standards, conventions and rules accountants
follow in recording and summarizing transactions and in the preparation
of financial statements. In addition to reporting financial results in
accordance with GAAP, CDW has provided certain non-GAAP financial
measures, which it believes are useful to help investors better
understand its operating performance and cash flows, including
its ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditures and
working capital requirements, as well as its competitive position.

These non-GAAP financial measures include earnings before interest,
taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), Adjusted EBITDA,
non-GAAP net income and return on invested capital (“ROIC”).

Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA as further adjusted to exclude unusual
items and other adjustments as described in CDW’s SEC filings.

Non-GAAP net income is net income as adjusted to exclude unusual
items and other adjustments as described in CDW’s SEC filings.

Non-GAAP earnings per share is non-GAAP net income per fully
diluted share as described in CDW’s SEC filings.

ROIC is net after-tax operating profit (adjusted to exclude unusual
items and other adjustments) divided by average working capital and
property and equipment. In addition to the reasons described above,
CDW believes ROIC is a meaningful metric because it measures how
effectively it uses capital to generate operating income.

Each non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in context
with the most applicable GAAP financial measure and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures.
Further, CDW’s non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated
differently from similarly titled measures of other companies. Therefore,
CDW encourages you to understand the methods and calculations used
by other companies before comparing non-GAAP financial measures.

The printer and paper utilized for this report have been certified
by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), which promotes
environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically
viable management of the world’s forests. This report is on paper
made from mixed sources of post-industrial recycled and virgin fiber.

CDW CORPORATION 5

CDW Corporation
200 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061