Exhibit 3



                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                  ANICOM, INC.
         (Original Certificate of Incorporation filed December 28, 1994)


         Anicom, Inc. (the "Corporation"),  a corporation organized and existing
under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"DGCL") does hereby certify that the Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of
the  Corporation  set forth  below  has been duly  adopted  in  accordance  with
Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL:


                                    ARTICLE I

         The name of the corporation is Anicom, Inc.


                                   ARTICLE II

         The  address  of the  Corporation's  registered  office in the State of
Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington,  County of
New Castle,  Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is
The Corporation Trust Company.


                                   ARTICLE III

         The nature of the  business to be conducted or promoted is to engage in
any lawful act or activity for which  corporations  may be  organized  under the
DGCL.


                                   ARTICLE IV

         A. The Corporation  shall have authority to issue the following classes
of stock, in the number of shares and at the par value as indicated opposite the
name of the class:
 
                                         SHARES          PAR VALUE
                  CLASS                AUTHORIZED        PER SHARE
          -------------------         ------------      ----------- 
              Common Stock             10,000,000          $.001

             Preferred Stock            1,000,000          $.01



         B.  The  designations   and  the  powers,   preferences  and  relative,
participating,   optional  or  other  rights  of  the  capital   stock  and  the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:







         1.       Common Stock.

                  a.  Voting  Rights:  Except as  otherwise  required  by law or
         expressly  provided herein, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall
         be entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of
         the stockholders of the Corporation.

                  b. Dividends: Subject to the rights of the holders, if any, of
         preferred  stock,  the  holders of Common  Stock  shall be  entitled to
         receive  dividends  at  such  times  and  in  such  amounts  as  may be
         determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

                  c.  Liquidation  Rights:  In the  event  of  any  liquidation,
         dissolution  or winding up of the  Corporation,  whether  voluntary  or
         involuntary,  after  payment or provision  for payment of the debts and
         other  liabilities of the Corporation and the  preferential  amounts to
         which the holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be
         entitled upon dissolution, liquidation of winding up, the assets of the
         Corporation   available  for  distribution  to  stockholders  shall  be
         distributed ratably among the holders of the shares of Common Stock.


         2.       Preferred Stock.

                  Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
         series.  Subject  to  the  other  provisions  of  this  Certificate  of
         Incorporation,  the Board of  Directors is  authorized,  subject to any
         limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of and issue
         shares of the  Preferred  Stock in series,  and by filing a certificate
         pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware,  to establish  from time
         to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to
         fix the  designation,  powers,  preferences and rights of the shares of
         each such series and any  qualifications,  limitations or  restrictions
         thereof.  The number of  authorized  shares of  Preferred  Stock may be
         increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then
         outstanding)  by the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of
         the Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of any Preferred Stock,
         or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required
         pursuant to the certificate or certificates establishing such series of
         Preferred Stock.


                                    ARTICLE V

         The  business  and  affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed by or
under the direction of a board of directors  consisting of not less than six (6)
nor more than fifteen (15) directors.  The exact number shall be determined from
time to time by resolution  adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors in office at the time of adoption of such resolution.  Initially,  the
number  of  directors  shall be eight  (8) and shall  consist  of the  following
persons:  Alan B. Anixter,  Scott C. Anixter, Carl E. Putnam, Donald C. Welchko,
William R. Anixter, Ira J. Kaufman, Michael Segal and Lee B. Stern.







                                       -2-





         The directors  shall be divided into three  classes,  Class I, Class II
and Class III; with Class I having three members, Class II having three members,
and Class  III  having  two  members.  Class I shall  initially  consist  of the
following directors: Scott C. Anixter, Carl E. Putnam and Lee B. Stern. Class II
shall initially  consist of the following  directors:  Alan B. Anixter,  Michael
Segal and Donald C. Welchko.  Class III shall initially consist of the following
directors:  William R. Anixter and Ira J. Kaufman. The initial term of office of
the Class I, Class II and Class III directors shall expire at the annual meeting
of stockholders in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. Beginning in 1996, at each
annual meeting of stockholders,  successors to the class of directors whose term
expires at that annual  meeting  shall be elected for a three-year  term. If the
number of directors is changed,  any increase or decrease  shall be  apportioned
among the  classes by the Board of  Directors  so as to  maintain  the number of
directors  in each  class  as  nearly  equal  as  reasonably  possible,  and any
additional  director of any class  elected to fill a vacancy  resulting  from an
increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the
remaining  term of that  class.  In no case  will a  decrease  in the  number of
directors  shorten the term of any incumbent  director even though such decrease
may result in an inequality of the classes until the  expiration of such term. A
director  shall hold office until the annual meeting of the year in which his or
her term  expires  and until his or her  successor  shall be  elected  and shall
qualify, subject,  however, to prior death,  resignation,  retirement or removal
from office. Any director may be removed,  with or without cause, by the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. Except
as required by law or the provisions of this Certificate of  Incorporation,  all
vacancies on the board of directors  and  newly-created  directorships  shall be
filled by the board of  directors.  Any  director  elected to fill a vacancy not
resulting  from an  increase  in the  number of  directors  shall  have the same
remaining term as that of his or her predecessor.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing,  whenever the holders of any one or more
classes or series of preferred  stock issued by the  Corporation  shall have the
right,  voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or
special  meeting of  stockholders,  the  election,  term of  office,  filling of
vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the terms
of this  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and any  resolutions  of the  Board  of
Directors applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided
into  classes  pursuant  to this  Article  V.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the shares entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors shall be required to amend, alter or
repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article V.


                                   ARTICLE VI

         (a) Written  Consent.  Any action  required or permitted to be taken by
the stockholders of the Corporation shall be effected at a duly called annual or
special  meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and shall not be effected by
consent in writing by the holders of  outstanding  stock pursuant to Section 228
of the DGCL or any other provision of the DGCL.

         (b)  Special   Meetings.   Special  meetings  of  stockholders  of  the
Corporation  may be called upon not less than ten nor more than 60 days' written
notice by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority
of the Board of  Directors  or at the  request in  writing  of the  stockholders
owning at least ten percent (10%) of the entire capital stock of the corporation
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.




                                       -3-






         (c) Amendment.  Notwithstanding  anything contained in this Certificate
of  Incorporation  to the contrary,  the  affirmative  vote of the holders of at
least  two-thirds  of the shares  entitled to vote  generally in the election of
directors shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or to adopt any provision
inconsistent with this Article VI.


                                   ARTICLE VII

         In furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred by statute,
the Board of Directors is expressly  authorized to make, alter,  amend or repeal
the By-Laws of the  Corporation.  The By-Laws of the Corporation may be altered,
amended,  or repealed,  or new By-Laws may be adopted, by the Board of Directors
in accordance  with the  preceding  sentence or by the vote of the holders of at
least  two-thirds of the voting power of the shares of the Corporation  entitled
to be cast  generally  in the  election  of  directors  at an annual or  special
meeting of stockholders,  provided that if such alteration, amendment, repeal or
adoption of new By-Laws is effected at a duly called special meeting,  notice of
such  alteration,  amendment,  repeal or adoption of new By-Laws is contained in
the notice of such special meeting.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

         No stockholder of the Corporation  shall by reason of holding shares of
any  class of stock  have any  cumulative  voting  right.  At all  elections  of
directors   of  the   corporation,   or  at  elections   held  under   specified
circumstances, each holder of stock or of any class or classes or of a series or
series  thereof  shall  only be  entitled  to one vote for each share of capital
stock held by such stockholder.


                                   ARTICLE IX

         A  director  of the  Corporation  shall not in the  absence of fraud be
disqualified  by his office from  dealing or  contracting  with the  Corporation
either as a vendor,  purchaser or otherwise, nor in the absence of fraud shall a
director  of the  Corporation  be liable to account to the  Corporation  for any
profit  realized  by him from or through  any  transaction  or  contract  of the
Corporation  by  reason of the fact that he, or any firm of which he is a member
or any  corporation  of which he is an  officer,  director or  stockholder,  was
interested in such  transaction or contract if such  transaction or contract has
been  authorized,  approved  or  ratified  in a manner  provided in the DGCL for
authorization, approval or ratification of transactions or contracts between the
Corporation  and  one or  more of its  directors  or  officers  or  between  the
Corporation  and  any  other  corporation,  partnership,  association  or  other
organization  in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers or have a financial interest.


                                    ARTICLE X

         Meetings  of  stockholders  may be held  within or without the State of
Delaware as the ByLaws may  provide.  The books of the  Corporation  may be kept
outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated  from
time to time by the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  or in the By-Laws of
the Corporation.  Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the
By-Laws of the Corporation so provide.





                                       -4-




                                   ARTICLE XI

         Whenever  a  compromise  or  arrangement   is  proposed   between  this
Corporation  and  its  creditors  or any  class  of  them  and/or  between  this
Corporation  and its  stockholders  or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction  within the State of Delaware may, on the  application in a summary
way of this  Corporation  or of any  creditor or  stockholder  thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers  appointed for this  Corporation  under
the  provisions of Section 291 of the DGCL or on the  application of trustees in
dissolution or of any receiver or receivers  appointed for the Corporation under
the  provisions  of Section 279 of the DGCL order a meeting of the  creditors or
class of creditors and/or the stockholders or class of stock of the Corporation,
as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs.  If
a majority in number representing two-thirds the value of the creditors or class
of  creditors   and/or  the  stockholders  or  class  of  stockholders  of  this
Corporation,  as the case may be, agree to any  compromise or  arrangement or to
any  reorganization  of this  Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or
arrangement,  the said  compromise  or  arrangement  of the said  reorganization
shall,  if sanctioned by the Court to which the said  application has been made,
be  binding  on all the  creditors  or  class  of  creditors  and/or  on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders,  of this Corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.


                                   ARTICLE XII

         A.       Indemnification of  Officers and  Directors:  The  Corporation
         shall:

                  (a) indemnify,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by the DGCL,
         any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
         any  threatened,  pending  or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,
         whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an
         action  by or in the  right of the  Corporation)  by reason of the fact
         that such  person is or was a  director,  or is or was  serving  at the
         request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
         another  corporation,   partnership,  joint  venture,  trust  or  other
         enterprise,  or if such  person  has  previously  been  designated  for
         indemnification  by  the  resolution  of the  Board  of  Directors,  an
         officer,  employee  or  agent  of  the  Corporation,  against  expenses
         (including  attorneys'  fees),  judgments,  fines and  amounts  paid in
         settlement   actually  and  reasonably   incurred  by  such  person  in
         connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in
         good faith and in a manner such person reasonably  believed to be in or
         not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect
         to any  criminal  action  or  proceeding,  had no  reasonable  cause to
         believe such person's  conduct was  unlawful.  The  termination  of any
         action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,  conviction,
         or upon a plea of nolo  contendere  or its  equivalent,  shall not,  of
         itself,  create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
         and in a manner which such person  reasonably  believed to be in or not
         opposed to the best interests of the Corporation,  and, with respect to
         any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
         such person's conduct  was unlawful; and

                               



                                       -5-





         

                  (b)  indemnify  any  person  who  was  or  is a  party  or  is
         threatened to be made a party to any  threatened,  pending or completed
         action  or suit by or in the  right of the  Corporation  to  procure  a
         judgment  in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was
         a director, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
         director,   officer,   employee   or  agent  of  another   corporation,
         partnership,  joint  venture,  trust  or other  enterprise,  or if such
         person  has  previously  been  designated  for  indemnification  by the
         resolution of the Board of Directors, an officer,  employee or agent of
         the Corporation,  against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually
         and  reasonably  incurred  by him in  connection  with the  defense  or
         settlement  of such action or suit if such  person  acted in good faith
         and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
         to  the  best  interests  of  the   Corporation   and  except  that  no
         indemnification  shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
         as to which such  person  shall have been  adjudged to be liable to the
         Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or
         the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
         application that,  despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
         all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
         entitled to indemnity for such expenses  which the Court of Chancery or
         such other court shall deem proper; and

                  (c) indemnify any director,  or, if such person has previously
         been designated for  indemnification  by the resolution of the Board of
         Directors,  an officer,  employee or agent against expenses  (including
         attorneys'  fees)  actually and  reasonably  incurred by such person in
         connection  therewith,  to the  extent  that  such  director,  officer,
         employee or agent of the  Corporation has been successful on the merits
         or otherwise in defense of any action,  suit or proceeding  referred to
         in Article  XII.A.  (a) and (b),  or in defense of any claim,  issue or
         matter therein; and

                  (d) make any indemnification  under Article XII.A. (a) and (b)
         (unless  ordered by a court) only as  authorized  in the specific  case
         upon a determination  that  indemnification  of the director,  officer,
         employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because such director,
         officer,  employee or agent has met the applicable  standard of conduct
         set forth in Article XII.A.  (a) and (b). Such  determination  shall be
         made  (1) by the  board of  directors  by a  majority  vote of a quorum
         consisting  of directors  who were not parties to such action,  suit or
         proceeding,  or (2) if such a quorum  is not  obtainable,  or,  even if
         obtainable  a  quorum  of  disinterested   directors  so  directs,   by
         independent  legal  counsel  in  a  written  opinion,  or  (3)  by  the
         stockholders of the Corporation; and

                  (e)  pay  expenses  incurred  by  a  director  or  officer  in
         defending a civil or criminal action,  suit or proceeding in advance of
         the final  disposition of such action,  suit or proceeding upon receipt
         of an  undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay
         such amount if it shall  ultimately be determined that such director or
         officer  is  not  entitled  to be  indemnified  by the  Corporation  as
         authorized  in this Article XII.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
         Corporation  shall  not be  obligated  to pay  expenses  incurred  by a
         director  or  officer  with  respect  to any  threatened,  pending,  or
         completed   claim,   suit   or   action,   whether   civil,   criminal,
         administrative, investigative or otherwise





                                       -6-





         ("Proceedings")  initiated  or brought  voluntarily  by a  director  or
         officer and not by way of defense  (other than  Proceedings  brought to
         establish or enforce a right to indemnification under the provisions of
         this  Article XII unless a court of competent  jurisdiction  determines
         that each of the material assertions made by the director or officer in
         such  proceeding  were not made in good faith or were  frivolous).  The
         Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify the director or officer
         for any  amount  paid in  settlement  of a  Proceeding  covered  hereby
         without  the  prior  written   consent  of  the   Corporation  to  such
         settlement; and

                  (f) not deem the  indemnification  and advancement of expenses
         provided  by, or granted  pursuant  to, the other  subsections  of this
         Article  XII  exclusive  of any  other  rights to which  those  seeking
         indemnification  or  advancement  of expenses may be entitled under any
         by-law,  agreement,  vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
         otherwise,  both as to action in such director's or officer's  official
         capacity  and as to action  in  another  capacity  while  holding  such
         office; and

                  (g) have the  right,  authority  and  power  to  purchase  and
         maintain  insurance  on behalf of any person who is or was a  director,
         officer, employee or agent of the Corporation,  or is or was serving at
         the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee or
         agent of another  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or
         other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and
         incurred  by such person in any such  capacity,  or arising out of such
         person's status as such,  whether or not the Corporation would have the
         power to  indemnify  such  person  against  such  liability  under  the
         provisions of this Article XII; and

                  (h) deem the  provisions  of this Article XII to be a contract
         between the Corporation and each director, or appropriately  designated
         officer,  employee  or agent who  serves in such  capacity  at any time
         while this Article XII is in effect and any repeal or  modification  of
         this  Article  XII shall not  affect  any  rights or  obligations  then
         existing  with  respect  to any  state  of  facts  then or  theretofore
         existing or any action,  suit or proceeding  theretofore  or thereafter
         brought  or  threatened  based in whole or in part upon  such  state of
         facts.  The  provisions of this Article XII shall not be deemed to be a
         contract between the Corporation and any directors, officers, employees
         or agents of any other  Corporation  (the "Second  Corporation")  which
         shall  merge  into or  consolidate  with  this  Corporation  when  this
         Corporation  shall be the surviving or resulting  Corporation,  and any
         such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Second Corporation
         shall be indemnified to the extent  required under the DGCL only at the
         discretion of the board of directors of this Corporation; and

                  (i) continue the  indemnification  and advancement of expenses
         provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article XII, unless otherwise
         provided when authorized or ratified,  as to a person who has ceased to
         be a director,  officer, employee or agent of the Corporation and shall
         inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such
         a person.

         B.  Elimination of Certain  Liability of Directors:  No director of the
Corporation  shall be personally  liable to the Corporation or its  stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary  duty as a director,  except for



                                       -7-





liability  (i)  for  any  breach  of  the  director's  duty  of  loyalty  to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional  misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (iv)
for any  transaction  from  which the  director  derived  an  improper  personal
benefit.  If the  DGCL is  amended  to  authorize  the  further  elimination  or
limitation  of liability of  directors,  then the liability of a director of the
Corporation,  in  addition to the  limitation  on  personal  liability  provided
herein,  shall be limited to the fullest  extent  permitted by the amended DGCL.
Any  repeal or  modification  of this  Article  XII by the  stockholders  of the
Corporation  shall be  prospective  only,  and shall not  adversely  affect  any
limitation on the personal  liability of a director of the Corporation  existing
at the time of such repeal or modification.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

         The  Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  may  adopt a  resolution
proposing  to amend,  alter,  change or repeal any  provision  contained in this
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  in the manner now or  hereafter  prescribed  by
statute.


         IN  WITNESS   WHEREOF,   the   Corporation  has  caused  this  Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Secretary, all on
February 16, 1995.



                                                   ANICOM, INC.

                                                   By:  /s/ Carl E. Putnam
                                                        ------------------
                                                        Carl E. Putnam
                                                        President



By: /s/ David R. Shevitz
    --------------------
    David R. Shevitz
    Secretary



















                                       -8-





                              CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

                                       OF

                PINNACLE WIRE & CABLE, INC., an Ohio corporation

                                  WITH AND INTO

                      ANICOM, INC., a Delaware corporation

                                * * * * * * * * *

         The undersigned corporation DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

         FIRST:          That the name and state of incorporation of each of the
constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

NAME                                                      STATE OF INCORPORATION
- ----------------------------------------------------      ----------------------
Pinnacle Wire & Cable, Inc. (the merged corporation)            Ohio
Anicom, Inc. (the surviving corporation)                        Delaware


         SECOND:  That the agreement of merger between the parties to the merger
has been approved, adopted, certified,  executed and acknowledged by each of the
constituent  corporations in accordance with the  requirements of Section 252 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

         THIRD:          The name of the surviving corporation of the  merger is
Anicom, Inc.

         FOURTH:         That the Certificate of Incorporation  of  Anicom, Inc.
which is surviving the merger, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of  the
surviving corporation.

         FIFTH:          That the executed agreement of merger is on file at the
principal  place of business of the surviving  corporation.  The address of said
principal  place of  business  is 6133 N. River Road,  Suite 410,  Rosemont,  IL
60018.






         SIXTH:          That a copy of the Plan and Agreement of Merger will be
furnished on requested and without cost to any  stockholder  of any  constituent
corporation.

         SEVENTH:        The  authorized   capital   stock   of   each   foreign
corporation which is a party to the merger is as follows:


Corporation              Class         Number of Shares      Par Value Per Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinnacle Wire &
Cable, Inc.
(Ohio)                   Common               100                   $5.00



         EIGHTH:         This  Certificate  of  Merger  shall  be  effective  at
5:00 p.m. (Delaware time) on July 31, 1995.



Dated: July 28, 1995                    ANICOM, INC.



                                        By:   /s/ Donald C. Welchko
                                               -------------------------------- 

                                              Name:    Donald C. Welchko
                                              Title:   Chief Financial Officer


                                                   





                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                                  ANICOM, INC. 


         ANICOM, INC., a corporation  organized and existing under and by virtue
of the General Corporation law of the State of Delaware (the "Act"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT:
         1.       In accordance  with the  provisions of Section 242 of the Act,
                  an  amendment  to the  Certificate  of  Incorportion  of  this
                  Corporation has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of
                  this  Corporation and by the  stockholders of this Corporation
                  at a Special Meeting of Stockholders.

         2.       Said  amendment  amends  subparagraph  A of  Article  4 of the
                  Certificate of Incorporation so that, as amended, subparagraph
                  A of Article 4 shall read in its entirety as follows:

                  "A.      The corporation shall have the authority to issue the
         following classes of stock, in the number of  shares  and  at  the  par
         value as indicated opposite the name of the class:

                                         No. Shares          Par Value
                     Class               Authorized          Per Share

                  Common Stock           30,000,000          $.001

                  Preferred Stock         1,000,000          $.01"


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has caused this certificate to be
duly executed this 25th day of September, 1996.


                                        By       /s/ Carl Putnam
                                                 -------------------------- 
                                                 Carl Putnam, President and
                                                  Chief Operating Officer








                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
               AND RIGHTS OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
                                       OF
                                  ANICOM, INC.


         Anicom, Inc. (the "Company" or "Issuer"),  a corporation  organized and
existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby
certify that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the
Company by the Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended,  of the Company,  and
pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  at a  meeting  duly  held,  adopted
resolutions   providing  for  the   designations,   preferences   and  relative,
participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications,  limitations or
restrictions  thereof,  of  Twenty-Seven  Thousand  (27,000)  shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, of the Company, as follows:
                  RESOLVED,  that the  Company  is  authorized  to issue  27,000
         shares of Series A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  $.01 par value (the
         "Series A Preferred  Shares"),  which shall have the following  powers,
         designations, preferences and other special rights:

                  (1)      Dividends and Liquidation Preference.

                           (a) Generally.  The holders of the Series A Preferred
         Shares   shall  be  entitled  to  receive  on  each  share  issued  and
         outstanding,   out  of  assets  legally  available  for  such  purpose,
         cumulative  preferential  dividends  which  shall  accrue and  compound
         annually, commencing to accrue on the date of issuance of such Series A
         Preferred  Share and  receipt by the  Company of all the full  purchase
         price due therefor (the "Issuance Date") at the rate of:

                                    (i) 5% per annum  during  the first five (5)
                  years commencing on the Issuance Date; and

                                    (ii)  15%  per   annum   during   the  years
                  commencing on the fifth anniversary of the Issuance Date,







                                       -1-





         of the Liquidation  Preference (as defined below); such dividends shall
         be cumulative,  and accrue daily, whether or not earned,  declared,  or
         legally  available for payment,  from and after the Issuance Date up to
         and including the date the Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be
         outstanding. Accrued dividends shall be payable, quarterly, in arrears,
         in cash or in shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per
         share (the "Common Stock") at the Company's option,  valued at the then
         applicable  Average  Trading Price (as defined below) ending on the day
         prior to the date of issuance of such shares; provided that such shares
         have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and
         listed for  trading on the  principal  securities  exchange  or trading
         market where the  Company's  Common Stock is then listed or traded (the
         "Dividend  Shares").   The  liquidation  preference  of  the  Series  A
         Preferred  Shares  shall be  $1,000.00  per share plus any  accrued and
         unpaid dividends (the "Liquidation Preference").

                           (b)  Special  Dividend  Adjustment.   Notwithstanding
         Section  1(a)(i)  above,  the dividend  payable by the Company shall be
         subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 8.3(a) of that certain Series
         A Convertible  Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 21, 1997 by
         and among the Company and certain investors set forth therein.

                  (2) Voting Rights.  On matters subject to voting by holders of
         the Common  Stock,  holders  of Series A  Preferred  Shares  shall vote
         together with the holders of Common Stock,  on an as converted basis at
         the then  applicable  Conversion  Ratio (as defined  below) (as if such
         shares  of  Series  A  Preferred   Shares  had  been  fully   converted
         immediately  prior to the date on which a date of  record  is taken for
         such vote,  or, if no record is taken,  the date as of which the record
         holders of the Common Stock  entitled to vote are to be  determined) as
         one class.  The Series A  Preferred  Shares will not be entitled to any
         voting  rights as a  separate  class  other  than with  respect  to any
         proposed  amendments  to the  terms  and  conditions  of the  Series  A
         Preferred  Shares  that would be adverse to the holders of the Series A
         Preferred Shares.

                  (3) Redemption.  At any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary
         of the Issuance Date,  Issuer,  at its option,  may redeem all, but not
         less than all, of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Shares for an
         amount (the "Redemption Price") equal to the Liquidation  Preference as
         of  the  effective  date  of  such   redemption  by  giving  notice  (a
         "Redemption  Notice") to each  holder of Series A Preferred  Shares and
         the  Company's  transfer  agent not less than thirty (30) days nor more
         than sixty  (60) days prior to the date on which such  shares are to be
         redeemed.  Such Notice of Redemption at the  Company's  election  shall
         indicate (A) the date that such redemption is to become effective,  (B)
         the  applicable  Redemption  Price,  (C) where and how  payment  of the
         Redemption  Price  will be made,  and (D) the then  current  Conversion
         Price. The Redemption Price may be paid, at Issuer's option,  either in
         cash or shares of Common  Stock valued at ninety  percent  (90%) of the
         Average  Trading Price (defined below) as of the effective date of such
         redemption; provided, that (i) such





                                       -2-





         shares  have been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
         amended and listed for trading on the principal  securities exchange or
         trading  market  where the  Company's  Common  Stock is then  listed or
         traded,  and (ii) prior to giving such a Redemption  Notice,  if Issuer
         elects  to  redeem  with  Common   Stock,   Issuer  will  first  obtain
         stockholder approval of the issuance to the extent then required by the
         rules and  regulations of the NASD or of such other  national  exchange
         upon which Issuer's  Common Stock is then traded.  Notice of redemption
         having  been given as  aforesaid,  dividends  on the Series A Preferred
         Shares  shall  cease  to  accrue  as of  the  effective  date  of  such
         redemption  unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Redemption
         Price.

                  (4)  Conversion  of Series A  Preferred  Shares.  The Series A
         Preferred  Shares shall be  convertible  into shares of Common Stock on
         the following terms and conditions:

                           (a) Conversion by Holder.  Upon written notice to the
         Company by the holder  thereof,  each Series A Preferred Share shall be
         convertible  at any time into a number of fully paid and  nonassessable
         shares  (calculated  to the nearest  whole share) of Common Stock to be
         determined by dividing the  Liquidation  Preference by the then current
         Conversion Price (the "Conversion Ratio").

                           (b) Mandatory  Conversion.  The outstanding  Series A
         Preferred  Shares will be deemed to have been  converted into shares of
         Common Stock at the  Conversion  Ratio  automatically  without  further
         action  required of the Issuer or holders  thereof,  upon the following
         terms and conditions:

                                   (i)       If,  at any time  during  the first
                                             twelve  (12) months  following  the
                                             Issuance Date, the Average  Trading
                                             Price  of the  Common  Stock  is at
                                             least 130% of the Conversion Price,
                                             then    33-1/3%    of   the    then
                                             outstanding   Series  A   Preferred
                                             Shares  will  convert  into  Common
                                             Stock,   such   conversion   to  be
                                             allocated    among   the    holders
                                             thereof,  on a pro rata basis based
                                             upon their respective holdings.

                                   (ii)      If,  at any time  during  the first
                                             twenty-four  (24) months  following
                                             the  Issuance   Date,  the  Average
                                             Trading  Price of the Common  Stock
                                             is   equal   to  or   exceeds   the
                                             percentage of the Conversion  Price
                                             set   forth    below,    then   the
                                             corresponding   percentage  of  the
                                             then outstanding Series A Preferred
                                             Shares  will  convert  into  Common
                                             Stock,   such   conversion   to  be
                                             allocated    among   the    holders
                                             thereof,  on a pro rata basis based
                                             upon their respective holdings:




                                       -3-





         Average Trading Price as a           Percentage of Series A Preferred
       Percentage of Conversion Price              Shares to be Converted
      --------------------------------        -------------------------------- 

                    160%                                   662/3%

                    190%                                    100%



                                   (iii)     If, at any time  after  the  second
                                             anniversary  of the Issuance  Date,
                                             the  Average  Trading  Price of the
                                             Common Stock is equal to or exceeds
                                             the  percentage  of the  Conversion
                                             Price  set  forth  below  for  each
                                             corresponding  year  following  the
                                             Issuance  Date,  then  100%  of the
                                             then outstanding Series A Preferred
                                             Shares  will  convert  into  Common
                                             Stock:


                    Year           Average Trading Price as a Percentage of
                                               Conversion Price
                ----------         ---------------------------------------- 
                     3                               140%

                     4                               150%

                     5                               175%


         Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  no mandatory  conversion  shall occur
unless and until the shares of Common  Stock to be issued  have been  registered
under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  and listed for trading on the
principal securities exchange or trading market where the Company's Common Stock
is then  listed  or  traded.  Immediately  upon the  occurrence  of a  mandatory
conversion,  the Company will notify all holders of Series A Preferred Shares of
the mandatory conversion.

                           (c)     Certain Definitions.

                                   (i)  "Conversion  Price" means eight  dollars
         and  sixty-two  and one-half  cents  ($8.625);  provided  that,  if the
         Average Trading Price as of the second anniversary of the Issuance Date
         is less than eight dollars and sixty-two and one-half  cents  ($8.625),
         then the  Conversion  Price shall  thereafter be adjusted  downward but
         never upward to equal the greater of the Average  Trading  Price or six
         dollars ($6.00), subject to the terms and conditions of Section 4(d).

                                   (ii) "Average  Trading Price" means,  as of a
         given  date,  an amount  equal to the  arithmetic  average  of the last
         closing  sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq  National  Market
         (the  "Nasdaq-NM")  for the ten (10) day period ending one day prior to
         the date of  determination as reported by Bloomberg  Financial  Markets
         ("Bloomberg"), or, if the Nasdaq-NM is not the principal trading market
         




                                       -4-





         for such security, the last closing  sale price of such security on the
         principal  securities exchange or trading market where such security is
         listed or traded  for the ten (10) day  period  ending one day prior to
         the date of determination as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing
         do not  apply,  the last  closing  bid  price of such  security  in the
         over-the-counter  market  on the  electronic  bulletin  board  for such
         security  for the ten (10) day period  ending one day prior to the date
         of determination as reported by Bloomberg,  or, if no closing bid price
         is reported for such  security by  Bloomberg,  the last  closing  trade
         price of such  security as reported by Bloomberg or, if no last closing
         trade price is reported for such security by Bloomberg,  the average of
         the bid prices for the ten (10) day period  ending one day prior to the
         date of  determination  of any  market  makers  for  such  security  as
         reported in the "pink sheets" by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.

                           (d)  Adjustment  to  Conversion  Price.  In  order to
         prevent dilution of the conversion  rights granted to holders of Series
         A Preferred Shares  hereunder,  the Conversion Price will be subject to
         adjustment from time to time pursuant to this Section 4(d).

                                   (i)  Adjustment for Dilutive  Events.  If and
         whenever  on or after the  original  date of  issuance  of the Series A
         Preferred  Shares the Company  issues or sells,  or in accordance  with
         Section  4(d)(ii)  below is  deemed  to have  issued  or  sold,  in one
         transaction or a series of related  transactions,  any shares of Common
         Stock for  consideration  per share less than the  Conversion  Price in
         effect immediately prior to the time of such issue or sale (a "Dilutive
         Event"),  then forthwith upon the occurrence of any such Dilutive Event
         the Conversion  Price will be reduced so that the  Conversion  Price in
         effect immediately following the Dilutive Event will equal the quotient
         derived  by  dividing  (i)  the  sum  of (x)  the  product  derived  by
         multiplying the Conversion  Price in effect  immediately  prior to such
         Dilutive Event times 27,000,000,  plus (y) the product of (A) the Price
         Per  Share  in  the   Dilutive   Event,   times  (B)  three  times  the
         consideration  received by the Company in such Dilutive  Event, by (ii)
         the sum of (x)  27,000,000,  plus (y)  three  times  the  consideration
         received  by the  Company  in the  Dilutive  Event;  provided  that the
         Conversion  Price will not be reduced  pursuant to this sentence if the
         foregoing  calculation results in a Conversion Price in excess of $8.15
         (the "Threshold Price"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by
         the  Company of any  equity  securities  to  management,  directors  or
         employees  of the  Company  pursuant  to plans and  options to purchase
         equity  securities issued in accordance with such plans approved by the
         Board and in effect as of the date of the first  issuance of the Series
         A Preferred Shares shall not constitute a Dilutive Event.

                                   (ii) Common  Stock  Deemed  Outstanding.  For
         purposes of  determining  the  adjusted  Conversion  Price  pursuant to
         Section  4(d)(i)  above the  following  events shall be deemed to be an
         issuance and sale of Common Stock by the Company:


                                       -5-





                                   (A) Issuance of Rights or Options. If (i) the
         Company in any manner  grants any rights or options to subscribe for or
         to purchase shares of Common Stock or any securities  convertible  into
         or  exchangeable  for shares of Common  Stock  (such  rights or options
         referred to herein as "Options" and such  convertible  or  exchangeable
         stock or securities referred to herein as "Convertible Securities") and
         (ii) the Price Per Share of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon the
         exercise  of  such  Options  or upon  conversion  or  exchange  of such
         Convertible  Securities  is less  than the  Conversion  Price in effect
         immediately prior to the time of the granting of such Options, then (x)
         the  total  maximum  amount  of such  Common  Stock  issuable  upon the
         exercise of such  Options or upon  conversion  or exchange of the total
         maximum number of Convertible  Securities issuable upon the exercise of
         such  Options  will be deemed to be Common Stock issued and sold by the
         Company,  and (y) the  consideration  received pursuant to the Dilutive
         Event  will  equal the Price  Per Share  times the  number of shares of
         Common Stock so deemed issued and sold by the Company.  For purposes of
         this Section  4(d)(ii)(A),  the "Price Per Share" will be determined by
         dividing (i) the total  amount,  if any,  received or receivable by the
         Company as  consideration  for the granting of such  Options,  plus the
         minimum  aggregate  amount of additional  consideration  payable to the
         Company  upon  exercise of all such  Options,  plus in the case of such
         Options which relate to Convertible  Securities,  the minimum aggregate
         amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon
         the issuance or sale of such Convertible  Securities and the conversion
         or  exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the total  maximum  number of shares of
         Common  Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of such Options or upon the
         conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities issuable upon
         the exercise of such Options.  No further  adjustment of the Conversion
         Price will be made when Convertible Securities are actually issued upon
         the exercise of such  Options or when Common  Stock is actually  issued
         upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such
         Convertible Securities.

                                   (B) Issuance of  Convertible  Securities.  If
         (i)  the  Company  in  any  manner  issues  or  sells  any  Convertible
         Securities  and (ii) the Price  Per  Share of  shares  of Common  Stock
         issuable upon such  conversion or exchange is less than the  Conversion
         Price in effect  immediately  prior to the time of such  issue or sale,
         then (x) the maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon
         conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities will be deemed to
         be  Common  Stock  issued  and  sold  by  the  Company,   and  (y)  the
         consideration  received  pursuant to the Dilutive  Event will equal the
         Price Per Share  times the  number of shares of Common  Stock so deemed
         issued  and  sold by the  Company.  For the  purposes  of this  Section
         4(d)(ii)(B),  the "Price Per Share" will be  determined by dividing (i)
         the total amount received or receivable by the Company as consideration
         for the issue or sale of such Convertible Securities,  plus the minimum
         aggregate  amount of additional  consideration,  if any, payable to the
         Company  upon the  conversion  or exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the total
         maximum  number of shares of Common Stock  issuable upon the conversion
         or exchange of all such Convertible  Securities.  No further adjustment
         of the  Conversion  Price will be made when  Common  Stock is  actually
         issued upon

                                       -6-





         the conversion or exchange of such Convertible  Securities,  and if any
         such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise
         of any Options for which  adjustments to the Conversion  Price had been
         or are to be made  pursuant to Section  4(d)(ii)(A)  above,  no further
         adjustment of the Conversion Price will be made by reason of such issue
         or sale.

                                   (C)  Change  in  Option  Price or  Conversion
         Rate.  If at any  time  there  is a change  in (i) the  purchase  price
         provided for in any Options, (ii) the additional consideration, if any,
         payable upon the conversion or exchange of any Convertible  Securities,
         or (iii) the rate at which any  Convertible  Securities are convertible
         into or  exchangeable  for Common Stock,  then the Conversion  Price in
         effect at the time of such change will be readjusted to the  Conversion
         Price which would have been in effect had those Options or  Convertible
         Securities  still  outstanding at the time of such change  provided for
         such  changed  purchase  price,  additional  consideration  or  changed
         conversion  rate,  as the case  may be,  at the time  such  Options  or
         Convertible Securities were initially granted, issued or sold.

                                   (D) Calculation of Consideration Received. If
         any shares of Common Stock,  Option or Convertible  Security are issued
         or  sold  or  deemed  to  have  been  issued  or  sold  for  cash,  the
         consideration received therefor or the Price Per Share, as the case may
         be,  will be deemed to be the net amount  received  or to be  received,
         respectively,  by the  Company  therefor.  In case any shares of Common
         Stock,  Options  or  Convertible  Securities  are  issued or sold for a
         consideration  other than cash, the amount of the  consideration  other
         than cash received by the Company or the non-cash  portion of the Price
         Per  Share,  as the  case  may  be,  will  be the  fair  value  of such
         consideration received or to be received, respectively, by the Company;
         except where such consideration  consists of securities,  in which case
         the amount of consideration  received or to be received,  respectively,
         by the Company will be the Average Trading Price thereof as of the date
         of  receipt.  If any shares of Common  Stock,  Options  or  Convertible
         Securities  are  issued  in  connection  with any  merger  in which the
         Company  is the  surviving  corporation,  the  amount of  consideration
         therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net
         assets and business of the non-surviving corporation as is attributable
         to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible  Securities,  as
         the case may be.  The fair value of any  consideration  other than cash
         and  securities  will be  determined  jointly  by the  Company  and the
         holders of a majority of the outstanding  Series A Preferred Shares. If
         such parties are unable to reach agreement  within a reasonable  period
         of time, the fair value of such  consideration will be determined by an
         independent  appraiser  jointly selected by the Company and the holders
         of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.

                                   (E)  Integrated  Transactions.  In  case  any
         Option is  issued  in  connection  with the  issuance  or sale of other
         securities  of  the  Company,   together   comprising   one  integrated
         transaction in which no specific consideration is





                                       -7-




         allocated  to such  Option by the parties  thereto,  the Option will be
         deemed to have been issued for a consideration of $.01.

                                   (F)  Record  Date.  If the  Company  takes  a
         record of the holders of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them
         (i) to receive a dividend  or other  distribution  payable in shares of
         Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (ii) to subscribe
         for  or  purchase  shares  of  Common  Stock,  Options  or  Convertible
         Securities,  then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the
         issuance  or sale of the  shares  of Common  Stock  deemed to have been
         issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or upon the making
         of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of
         subscription or purchase, as the case may be.

                                   (iii)  Adjustment  of  Conversion  Price upon
         Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock.  If the Company at any time
         subdivides (by any stock split,  stock  dividend,  recapitalization  or
         otherwise)  one or more  classes  of its  outstanding  shares of Common
         Stock  into a greater  number of  shares,  the  Conversion  Price,  the
         Threshold  Price and the amounts set forth in Section 4(c)(i) in effect
         immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately  reduced,
         and if the Company at any time combines (by combination,  reverse stock
         split or otherwise)  one or more classes of its  outstanding  shares of
         Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price, the
         Threshold  Price and the amounts set forth in Section 4(c)(i) in effect
         immediately   prior  to  such  combination   will  be   proportionately
         increased.

                                   (iv)    Reorganization,     Reclassification,
         Consolidation,  Merger or Sale. Any  recapitalization,  reorganization,
         reclassification,  consolidation,  merger, sale of all or substantially
         all of the  Company's  assets to another  Person (as defined  below) or
         other  transaction  which is  effected  in such a way that  holders  of
         Common  Stock  are  entitled  to  receive  (either   directly  or  upon
         subsequent  liquidation) stock, securities or assets with respect to or
         in exchange for Common Stock is referred to herein as "Organic Change."
         Prior to the consummation of any Organic Change,  the Company will make
         appropriate  provision  to ensure  that (I) each of the  holders of the
         Series A Preferred Shares will thereafter have the right to acquire and
         receive  in lieu of or  addition  to (as the case may be) the shares of
         Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and receivable upon the
         conversion of such holder's Series A Preferred  Shares,  such shares of
         stock, securities or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to
         or in  exchange  for the number of shares of Common  Stock  immediately
         theretofore  acquirable  and  receivable  upon the  conversion  of such
         holder's  Series A Preferred  Shares had such Organic  Change not taken
         place and (II) each of the  holders of Series A  Preferred  Shares will
         continue  to have the same  rights and  preferences,  in any  surviving
         entity,  as those which apply to the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant
         to  this  Certificate.   In  any  such  case,  the  Company  will  make
         appropriate   provision  with  respect  to  such  holders'  rights  and
         interests  to ensure  that the  provisions  of this  Section  4(d) will
         thereafter be applicable




                                       -8-




         to the Series A Preferred Shares.  The Company will not effect any such
         consolidation,  merger  or  sale,  unless  prior  to  the  consummation
         thereof,  the  successor  entity (if other than the Company)  resulting
         from  consolidation  or merger or the  entity  purchasing  such  assets
         assumes,  by  written  instrument,  the  obligation  to deliver to each
         holder of Series A Preferred Shares such shares of stock, securities or
         assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such holder may
         be entitled to acquire.  "Person" shall mean an  individual,  a limited
         liability  company, a partnership,  a joint venture,  a corporation,  a
         trust,  an   unincorporated   organization  and  a  government  or  any
         department or agency thereof.

                               (v)     Notices.

                                   (A)  Immediately  upon any  adjustment of the
         Conversion  Price, the Company will give written notice thereof to each
         holder of Series A Preferred Shares, setting forth in reasonable detail
         and certifying the calculation of such adjustment.

                                   (B) The Company will give  written  notice to
         each  holder of Series A  Preferred  Shares at least  twenty  (20) days
         prior to the date on which  the  Company  closes  its  books or takes a
         record (I) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common
         Stock, (II) with respect to any pro rata subscription  offer to holders
         of Common Stock or (III) for determining rights to vote with respect to
         any Organic  Change,  dissolution or  liquidation;  provided that in no
         event  shall  such  notice be  provided  to such  holder  prior to such
         information being made known to the public.

                                   (C) The Company will also give written notice
         to each holder of Series A Preferred  Shares at least  twenty (20) days
         prior  to  the  date  on  which  any  Organic  Change,  dissolution  or
         liquidation will take place.

                                   (D) The Company shall give written  notice to
         the  holders  of the  Series A  Preferred  Shares  promptly  after  the
         occurrence of the automatic conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares
         into Common Stock as set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

                           (e)  Mechanics  of  Conversion.  Subject  to  and  in
         compliance with all federal and state  securities  laws, the conversion
         of Series A Preferred  Shares pursuant to this Section 4 will be deemed
         to have been effected (and the holder  thereof will be deemed to be the
         registered   holder  of  the  Conversion   Shares),   automatically  if
         conversion is pursuant to Section 4(b),  or, if converted at the option
         of the holder of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 4(a), by
         and on the date of surrender of certificates  representing the Series A
         Preferred  Shares being converted to the Company at its principal place
         of business,  together with the Notice of Conversion attached hereto as
         Exhibit I. As soon as practicable,  but in no event later than five (5)
         business  days after  such  conversion,  the  Company  shall  cause the
         transfer agent



                                       -9-




         to  deliver  to  the  registered   holder  thereof  (a)  a  certificate
         representing the shares of Common Stock to which the holder is entitled
         as a result of such conversion,  and (b) a new certificate for Series A
         Preferred  Shares  for the  unconverted  shares of  Series A  Preferred
         Shares, if any, represented by the surrendered certificate. The Company
         shall at all times  reserve for issuance a sufficient  number of shares
         of Common Stock to be issued as  Conversion  Shares,  and upon issuance
         thereof, the Conversion Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

                           (f) Record Holder.  The person or persons entitled to
         receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of Series
         A  Preferred  Shares  shall be treated  for all  purposes as the record
         holder or  holders  of such  shares of Common  Stock on the  Conversion
         Date.

                  (5)  Change of  Control.  If at any time  there is a Change of
         Control  (as  defined  below)  of  the  Company,   the  Company  shall,
         immediately  following the occurrence of any such event,  send a notice
         to each holder offering to repurchase the Series A Preferred Shares (or
         at each holder's  option,  any portion  thereof) for an amount equal to
         the  Liquidation  Preference  on the  date of such  repurchase.  If any
         holder  desires to accept  such offer in whole or in part,  such holder
         must advise the Company of such  acceptance  within thirty (30) days of
         the date of receiving  such notice.  The Company shall then  repurchase
         the Series A  Preferred  Shares or  portion  thereof  so  tendered  for
         repurchase  by such holder by paying the  purchase  price to the holder
         (or any person or persons  designated by such holder in such acceptance
         notice), in immediately  available funds, within ten (10) business days
         of the  Company's  receipt of such  holder's  acceptance  notice.  If a
         holder  tenders  only a portion  of such  holder's  Series A  Preferred
         Shares, the holder shall deliver such certificate of Series A Preferred
         Shares to the Company and the Company  then shall issue to the holder a
         new certificate of Series A Preferred Shares,  representing the portion
         of the Series A Preferred  Shares not  repurchased by the Company.  For
         purposes of this Section, "Change of Control" means any event or series
         of events by which (i) any person or group (as defined in Rule 13d-1 of
         the Exchange  Act) obtains a majority (by voting or  otherwise)  of the
         securities  of the Company  ordinarily  having the right to vote in the
         election of  directors;  (ii) during any two year period  commencing at
         any time on or after the Closing Date, individuals who at the beginning
         of such period constituting the Board of Directors cease for any reason
         to  constitute  a majority of the Board of  Directors;  (iii) any sale,
         lease,  exchange or other  transfer (in one  transaction or a series of
         related  transactions) of all, or substantially  all, the assets of the
         Company;  (iv) the merger or  consolidation of the Company with or into
         another  corporation  or the  merger of  another  corporation  into the
         Company with the effect that  immediately  after such  transaction  any
         beneficial  owner shall have become the beneficial  owner of securities
         of  the  surviving   corporation   of  such  merger  or   consolidation
         representing a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding
         securities of the surviving corporation  ordinarily having the right to
         vote  in the  election  of  directors;  or (v) the  adoption  of a plan
         leading   to  the   liquidation   or   dissolution   of  the   Company.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not





                                      -10-




         be obligated to repurchase  the Series A Preferred  Shares  pursuant to
         the terms of this  Section 5 if such  repurchase  in the opinion of the
         Company's  then  current  auditors,   would  jeopardize  the  "pooling"
         accounting  treatment of the transaction  giving rise to such Change of
         Control.

                  (6) Taxes.  The Company  shall pay any and all taxes which may
         be imposed  upon it with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common
         Stock upon the  conversion  of the Series A Preferred  Shares as herein
         provided.  The  Company  shall not be  required in any event to pay any
         transfer or other taxes by reason of the  issuance of such Common Stock
         in names  other  than  those in which  the  Series A  Preferred  Shares
         surrendered for conversion are registered on the Company's records, and
         no such conversion or issuance of Common Stock shall be made unless and
         until the person  requesting  such issuance has paid to the Company the
         amount of any such tax, or has  established to the  satisfaction of the
         Company and its transfer agent, if any, that such tax has been paid.

                  (7) Liquidation,  Dissolution, Winding-Up. In the event of any
         voluntary or involuntary liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the
         Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled
         to  receive  in cash out of the  assets of the  Company,  whether  from
         capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders
         (the "Preferred Funds"), before any amount shall be paid to the holders
         of any of the capital  stock of the Company of any class junior in rank
         to the Series A Preferred  Shares in respect of the  preferences  as to
         the  distributions  and payments on the  liquidation,  dissolution  and
         winding up of the Company, an amount per Series A Preferred Share equal
         to the  Liquidation  Preference;  provided that, if the Preferred Funds
         are  insufficient to pay the full amount due to the holders of Series A
         Preferred  Shares,  then each holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall
         receive a percentage of the Preferred Funds equal to the full amount of
         Preferred  Funds  payable to such  holder as a  percentage  of the full
         amount of Preferred  Funds payable to all holders of Series A Preferred
         Shares.  The  purchase  or  redemption  by the  Company of stock of any
         class,  in any manner  permitted  by law,  shall not,  for the purposes
         hereof, be regarded as a liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the
         Company.  Neither the  consolidation  or merger of the Company  with or
         into any other Person,  nor the sale or transfer by the Company of less
         than  substantially all of its assets,  shall, for the purposes hereof,
         be  deemed  to be a  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up of  the
         Company.  No holder of Series A Preferred  Shares  shall be entitled to
         receive  any  amounts  with  respect  thereto  upon  any   liquidation,
         dissolution  or  winding  up of the  Company  other  than  the  amounts
         provided for herein.

                  (8)  Repurchases  of Series A  Preferred  Stock by the Issuer.
         Neither the Issuer nor any of its  subsidiaries  shall  repurchase  any
         outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock unless the Issuer on the
         same terms  either (i) offers to purchase  all of the then  outstanding
         shares of Series A Preferred Stock or (ii) offers to purchase shares of
         Series  A  Preferred  Stock  from  the  holders  in  proportion  to the
         respective  number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock held by each
         holder. In any such



                                   -11-




         repurchase by the Issuer or any of its  subsidiaries,  if all shares of
         Series A Preferred Stock are not being repurchased,  then the number of
         shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be repurchased shall be allocated
         among all shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock  held by  holders  which
         accept  the  Issuer's  repurchase  offer so that the shares of Series A
         Preferred Stock are repurchased  from such holders in proportion to the
         respective  number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock held by each
         such  holder  which  accepts  the  Issuer's  offer  (or in  such  other
         proportion  as agreed  by all such  holders  who  accept  the  Issuer's
         offer).

                  (9)  Shares to be  Retired.  Any  share of Series A  Preferred
         Stock  converted,  redeemed,  repurchased or otherwise  acquired by the
         Corporation shall be retired and canceled and may not be reissued.

                  (10) No Fractional  Shares. In connection with any conversion,
         liquidation,  redemption,  or  otherwise,  the Company shall only issue
         Common Stock in denominations equal to the nearest, lower whole number;
         fractional  shares due holders will be  allocated  their cash value and
         paid by the Company to the holder by check.

                  (11)  Preferred  Rank.  All  shares  of  Common  Stock and all
         additional  shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be of junior
         rank to all Series A Preferred  Shares in respect to the preferences as
         to  dividends  and  distributions  and payments  upon the  liquidation,
         dissolution  and winding up of the Company and the rights of the shares
         of Common  Stock and of any shares of preferred  stock,  other than the
         Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall be  subject  to the  preferences  and
         relative rights of the Series A Preferred Shares.

                  (12) Vote to Change  the Terms of Series A  Preferred  Shares.
         The  affirmative  vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose or the
         written  consent  without a  meeting  of the  holders  of not less than
         two-thirds  (2/3) of the then  outstanding  Series A  Preferred  Shares
         (excluding  any  Series  A  Preferred  Shares  held by the  Company  or
         affiliates of the Company)  shall be required for the Company to amend,
         alter,  change or repeal any of the powers,  designations,  preferences
         and rights of the Series A Preferred Shares.

                  (13) Lost or Stolen Certificates.  Upon receipt by the Company
         of evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction
         or mutilation  of any preferred  stock  certificates  representing  the
         Series  A  Preferred  Shares,  and  (in  the  case of  loss,  theft  or
         destruction)  of any  indemnification  undertaking by the holder to the
         Company  that is  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Company,  and  upon
         surrender and  cancellation of the preferred stock  certificate(s),  if
         mutilated,  the Company shall  execute and deliver new preferred  stock
         certificate(s) of like tenor and date.  However,  the Company shall not
         be  obligated  to  re-issue  such  lost  or  stolen   preferred   stock
         certificates  if  holder  contemporaneously  requests  the  Company  to
         convert such Series A Preferred Shares into Common Stock.




                                      -12-





         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company has caused  this  certificate  to be
signed by Donald C. Welchko , its Chief Financial  Officer and Vice President as
of the 21st day of May 1997.

                                        ANICOM, INC.


                                        By: /s/ Donald C. Welchko  
                                           --------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President and CFO   
                                              -----------------------































                              

                                      -13-





                                    EXHIBIT I

                                  ANICOM, INC.
                              NOTICE OF CONVERSION


Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations,  Preferences and Rights of
Convertible  Preferred Stock, Series A, of Anicom, Inc. (the "Designation").  In
accordance with and pursuant to the Designation,  the undersigned  hereby elects
to convert the number of shares of Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Series A, par
value $.001 (the "Series A Preferred"),  of Anicom, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the  "Company"),  indicated below into shares of Common Stock,  par value $.001
(the "Common  Stock"),  of the Company,  by tendering  the stock  certificate(s)
representing  the share(s) of Series A Preferred  specified below as of the date
specified below:

         Date of Conversion ________________________________________________
 
         Number of shares of Series A   
         Preferred to be converted:   ______________________________________

         Stock certificates no(s). of Series A
         Preferred to be converted:   ______________________________________
                                                                               

Please confirm the following information:

         Conversion Price:               ___________________________________
                                             
         Number of shares of Common Stock
         to be issued:                   ___________________________________  

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Series A Preferred shares are being
converted in the following name and to the following address:
         Issue to:                       ___________________________________
                                                                            
                                         ___________________________________

                                         ___________________________________

         Phone No. of converting holder: ___________________________________
                                                                        
         Duly executed:                  By_________________________________
                                                                     
         Name & Title:                   ___________________________________
                                                                          
         Dated:                          ___________________________________









                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                                  ANICOM, INC.


         ANICOM, INC., a corporation  organized and existing under and by virtue
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Act"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT:

         1.       In accordance  with the  provisions of Section 242 of the Act,
                  an  amendment  to the  Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation of this Corporation has been duly adopted by the
                  Board of Directors of this Corporation and by the stockholders
                  of this Corporation at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

         2.       Said  amendment  amends  subparagraph  A of  Article  4 of the
                  Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation so that, as
                  amended,  subparagraph  A of  Article  4  shall  read  in  its
                  entirety as follows:

                  "Authorized  Shares. The total number of shares of all classes
                  of stock which the  Corporation  shall have authority to issue
                  is sixty-one million (61,000,000) shares,  consisting of sixty
                  million  (60,000,000)  shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value
                  per share (the "Common  Stock"),  and one million  (1,000,000)
                  shares of  Preferred  Stock,  $.01 par  value  per share  (the
                  "Preferred Stock")."

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has caused this certificate to be
duly executed this 2nd day of June, 1997.




                                       By    /s/ Carl E. Putnam
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Carl E. Putnam, President and Chief
                                             Operating Officer










                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                                  ANICOM, INC.


         ANICOM, INC., a corporation  organized and existing under and by virtue
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Act"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT:

         1.       In accordance  with the  provisions of Section 242 of the Act,
                  an  amendment  to the  Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation of this Corporation has been duly adopted by the
                  Board of Directors of this Corporation and by the stockholders
                  of this Corporation at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

         2.       Said  amendment  amends  subparagraph A of Article Four of the
                  Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation so that, as
                  amended,  subparagraph  A of  Article  Four  shall read in its
                  entirety as follows:

                  "Authorized  Shares. The total number of shares of all classes
                  of stock which the  Corporation  shall have authority to issue
                  is one hundred one million (101,000,000) shares, consisting of
                  one  hundred  million  (100,000,000)  shares of Common  Stock,
                  $.001  par  value  per share  (the  "Common  Stock"),  and one
                  million  (1,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value
                  per share (the "Preferred Stock")."

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has caused this certificate to be
duly executed this 17th day of July, 1998.

                                       ANICOM, INC.




                                       By    /s/ Carl E. Putnam
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Carl E. Putnam, President and Chief
                                             Operating Officer










                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
               AND RIGHTS OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
                                       OF
                                  ANICOM, INC.


         Anicom,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  a  corporation  organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,  does hereby certify
that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company
by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, and pursuant to
Section 151 of the General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,  the Board
of  Directors  of the  Company  at a  meeting  duly  held,  adopted  resolutions
providing  for  the  designations,   preferences  and  relative,  participating,
optional or other rights,  and the  qualifications,  limitations or restrictions
thereof,  of Twenty Thousand  (20,000) shares of Series B Convertible  Preferred
Stock, of the Company, as follows:
                  RESOLVED,  that the  Company  is  authorized  to issue  20,000
         shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred
         Stock"), $.01 par value (the "Series B Preferred Shares"),  which shall
         have the following powers, designations,  preferences and other special
         rights:

                  (1) Dividends and Liquidation  Preference.  The holders of the
         Series B  Preferred  Shares  shall be entitled to receive on each share
         issued  and  outstanding,  out of  assets  legally  available  for such
         purpose,  cumulative  preferential  dividends  which  shall  accrue and
         compound  quarterly on each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1
         (each, a "Dividend  Reference Date"),  commencing to accrue on the date
         of issuance of such Series B Preferred  Share (the "Issuance  Date") at
         the rate of three percent (3%) per annum of the Liquidation  Preference
         (as defined  below);  such dividends  shall be  cumulative,  and accrue
         daily,  whether  or not  earned,  declared,  or legally  available  for
         payment,  from and after the Issuance Date up to and including the date
         the Series B Preferred  Shares shall no longer be outstanding.  Accrued
         dividends  shall be payable,  in  arrears,  in cash on each March 1 and
         September 1, beginning March 1, 1999 (each, a "Dividend Payment Date").
         The  liquidation  preference of the Series B Preferred  Shares shall be
         $1,000.00 per share plus any

                                                        


                                      -1-





         accrued and unpaid  dividends  through the date of payment (in the case
         of a redemption or Liquidation) or conversion,  as the case may be (the
         "Liquidation Preference").

                  (2) Voting Rights.  The Series B Preferred  Shares will not be
         entitled to any voting rights of any kind,  whether as a separate class
         or together with other classes or series of securities, except that the
         holders of the  Series B  Preferred  Shares  shall be  entitled  to the
         following  rights:  (i) the Series B Preferred  Shares  shall vote as a
         separate class with respect to any proposed amendments to the terms and
         conditions  of the Series B  Preferred  Shares that would be adverse to
         the  holders  of the  Series B  Preferred  Shares;  (ii) so long as the
         Initial  Holder  or its  Permitted  Transferees  own  any  of the  then
         outstanding  Series B Preferred Shares,  following the occurrence of an
         Event of Noncompliance  and until such Event of Noncompliance is cured,
         the Initial Holder or its Permitted Transferees shall, collectively, be
         entitled  to vote  together  with the holders of Common  Stock,  as one
         class, on an as converted basis at the then applicable Conversion Ratio
         (as defined  below) all Series B Preferred  Shares  beneficially  owned
         thereby (as if such Series B Preferred  Shares had been fully converted
         immediately  prior to the date on which a date of  record  is taken for
         such vote,  or, if no record is taken,  the date as of which the record
         holders of Common Stock entitled to vote are to be  determined);  (iii)
         the right to elect the Series B Directors to the extent provided for in
         Section  3(e)  hereof;  (iv)  so  long  as the  Initial  Holder  or its
         Permitted  Transferees  own  any  of  the  then  outstanding  Series  B
         Preferred Shares,  the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
         the then outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares,  voting as a separate
         class and as a single voting group, shall be necessary for authorizing,
         effectuating or validating any Adverse  Organic Change;  (v) so long as
         the Initial  Holder or its  Permitted  Transferees  own any of the then
         outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares,  in the event that the Company
         desires to purchase or redeem in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares
         of any class of Junior  Securities in one or more  transactions  during
         any twelve (12) consecutive  month period (the "5% Threshold"),  before
         purchasing  or  redeeming  any Junior  Securities  in excess of such 5%
         Threshold  during any such  calendar  quarter,  the Company shall first
         offer to purchase or redeem from the Initial  Holder and its  Permitted
         Transferees all of the outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares owned by
         the Initial  Holder and its Permitted  Transferees  at a price equal to
         the Liquidation  Preference as of such date; and (vi) such other voting
         rights as may be provided by law.


                  (3)      Redemption.

                           (a) Mandatory Redemption. On the fifth anniversary of
         the Issuance Date (the "Mandatory  Redemption Date"), the Company shall
         redeem all (but,  subject to Section 3(e) hereof, not less than all) of
         the then  outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares for a price per share
         (the "Redemption Price") equal to the Liquidation Preference as of such
         date. The Redemption  Price shall be paid in cash to the holders of the
         Series B Preferred Shares on the Mandatory Redemption Date,




                                       -2-





         provided   that  if  any  holder  has  not  delivered  to  the  Company
         certificates  representing the Series B Preferred Shares on or prior to
         the Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company shall send written notice to
         each such holder that the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date has occurred and
         shall pay the  Redemption  Price to each such  holder  within  ten (10)
         business days of receipt of its share certificate(s).

                           (b) Redemption at Company's Option. At any time after
         the third anniversary of the Issuance Date, the Company, at its option,
         may redeem all (but not less than all), of the then outstanding  Series
         B Preferred  Shares for a price per share equal to the Redemption Price
         as of the Company Redemption Date by giving notice (a "Call Notice") to
         each holder of Series B Preferred  Shares not less than sixty (60) days
         prior to the Company  Redemption  Date. Such Call Notice shall indicate
         (A) the date that such redemption is to become  effective (the "Company
         Redemption  Date"),  (B) the  applicable  Redemption  Price,  (C) where
         payment of the Redemption  Price will be made, and (D) the then current
         Conversion Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Series B Preferred
         Shares may be converted in accordance with Section 4 hereof at any time
         after a Call Notice has been given, but prior to the Company Redemption
         Date.  On and after the  Company  Redemption  Date,  the  holder of any
         Series B  Preferred  Shares  shall  have no  further  rights  except to
         receive, upon surrender of the certificate(s) representing the Series B
         Preferred Shares, the Redemption Price; provided,  however, that if the
         holder of any Series B Preferred  Shares  delivers  the  certificate(s)
         representing  the Series B Preferred  Shares held by such holder to the
         Company on the Company  Redemption  Date or within  three (3)  business
         days  thereafter  and  the  Company  fails  to pay to such  holder  the
         Redemption  Price with respect to such Series B Preferred Shares within
         thirty (30) days after the Company  Redemption  Date,  then such holder
         will  retain all of its rights as a  shareholder  with  respect to such
         Series B Preferred Shares,  including the accrual of dividends from the
         Redemption Date until such payment is made; provided further,  however,
         that if the  holder  of any  Series B  Preferred  Shares  delivers  the
         certificate(s)  representing the Series B Preferred Shares held by such
         holder to the  Company  after the third  (3rd)  business  day after the
         Company  Redemption Date,  except as set forth in the following clause,
         then such  holder  shall not retain any of its rights as a  shareholder
         with respect to such Series B Preferred  Shares,  including the accrual
         of  dividends;  provided  further,  however,  that if the holder of any
         Series B Preferred Shares delivers the certificate(s)  representing the
         Series B Preferred  Shares held by such holder to the Company after the
         third  (3rd)  business  day after the Company  Redemption  Date and the
         Company fails to pay to such holder the  Redemption  Price with respect
         to such Series B  Preferred  Shares  within  thirty (30) days after the
         date on which such  certificate(s)  have been  delivered to the Company
         (the "Tender Date"),  then such holder will retain all of its rights as
         a shareholder  with respect to such Series B Preferred  Shares from the
         Tender  Date  until  such  payment is made,  including  the  accrual of
         dividends from the Tender Date until such payment is made.

                           (c)  Scheduled  Redemption at Holder's  Option.  Each
         holder of Series B Preferred  Shares,  at its  option,  may require the
         Company to redeem all (but



                                       -3-





         not less than all), of the then  outstanding  Series B Preferred Shares
         beneficially  owned by such  holder for a price per share  equal to the
         Redemption Price as of the effective date of such redemption (i) at any
         time after the third  anniversary of the Issuance Date by giving notice
         to the Company not less than fifty (50) days prior to the date on which
         such  shares  are to be  redeemed  or (ii) at any  time  following  the
         occurrence of an Event of Noncompliance which has not been cured by the
         Company by giving  notice to the Company not less than one (1) business
         day prior to the date on which such shares are to be redeemed.

                           (d)  Special  Redemption  at  Holder's  Option.  As a
         condition  to the issuance or sale by the Company of any Senior or Pari
         Passu  Securities (as defined below),  the Company shall give notice (a
         "Senior or Pari  Passu  Securities  Issuance  Notice")  to the  Initial
         Holder and its Permitted Transferees, so long as the Initial Holder and
         its  Permitted  Transferees  own any of the then  outstanding  Series B
         Preferred  Shares,  not less than ten (10)  business  days prior to the
         date on which such Senior or Pari Passu  Securities are to be issued or
         sold,  describing  in  reasonable  detail  the  powers,   designations,
         preferences  and  other  special  rights of such  Senior or Pari  Passu
         Securities.  Following  any such  notice,  the  Initial  Holder and its
         Permitted Transferees,  so long as the Initial Holder and its Permitted
         Transferees own any of the then outstanding  Series B Preferred Shares,
         at their collective  option, may require the Company to redeem all (but
         not less than all) of the then  outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares
         then held by the Initial  Holder and its  Permitted  Transferees  for a
         price per share equal to the Redemption  Price as of the effective date
         of such  redemption  by giving  notice (a "Special  Put Notice") to the
         Company  within  five (5)  business  days of the receipt by the Initial
         Holder  and its  Permitted  Transferees  of the  Senior  or Pari  Passu
         Securities  Issuance  Notice.  Upon receipt of such Special Put Notice,
         the Company shall be obligated to redeem all (but not less than all) of
         the then outstanding Series B Preferred Shares then held by the Initial
         Holder and its Permitted Transferees on a date no later than sixty (60)
         days  after the date upon  which the  Senior or Pari  Passu  Securities
         Issuance  Notice was received by the Initial  Holder and its  Permitted
         Transferees.

                           (e)  Insufficient  Funds;  Failure to Redeem.  If the
         funds of the  Company  legally  available  for  redemption  of Series B
         Preferred  Shares are insufficient to redeem the total number of Series
         B  Preferred  Shares to be  redeemed,  those  funds  which are  legally
         available will be used to redeem the maximum  possible number of Series
         B  Preferred  Shares  ratably  among the  holders of such  shares to be
         redeemed  based  upon the  aggregate  Redemption  Price of the Series B
         Preferred Shares held by each such holder. Thereafter,  when additional
         funds of the Company are legally available for the redemption of Series
         B  Preferred  Shares,  such funds will be used to redeem the balance of
         the Series B Preferred  Shares  which the Company  became  obligated to
         redeem but which it has not redeemed (such  redemptions to be made on a
         monthly  basis).  In case  fewer  than the  total  number  of  Series B
         Preferred  Shares  represented by any  certificate  are redeemed in any
         installment,  a new certificate  representing  the number of unredeemed
         Series B Preferred Shares will be

                                                   



                                       -4-





         issued  to the  holder  without  cost to  such  holder  promptly  after
         surrender  of  the  certificate  representing  the  redeemed  Series  B
         Preferred  Shares.  So long as the  Initial  Holder  and its  Permitted
         Transferees are,  collectively,  the owners of at least 20% of the then
         outstanding  Series B Preferred  Shares, if the Company fails to redeem
         all of the then outstanding  Series B Preferred Shares on or before any
         redemption  date,  whether  due to the  lack  of  sufficient  funds  or
         otherwise, and such failure to redeem is not cured in full on or before
         the tenth (10th) business day following written notice from the Initial
         Holder and its  Permitted  Transferee to the Company of such failure to
         redeem,  thereafter,  the Initial Holder and its Permitted  Transferees
         shall,  collectively,  be entitled to elect two members of the Board of
         Directors  (the  "Series B  Directors")  who shall be entitled to serve
         until the earlier of (i) the redemption of all of the then  outstanding
         Series B Preferred Shares  beneficially owned by the Initial Holder and
         its  Permitted  Transferees,  or (ii) the date as of which the  Initial
         Holder and its Permitted Transferees no longer are,  collectively,  the
         owners  of at least  20% of the  then  outstanding  Series B  Preferred
         Shares.  The  Company  covenants  and  agrees to amend its  bylaws,  if
         necessary, and take such other actions as may be necessary to allow the
         Initial Holder and its Permitted  Transferees to,  collectively,  elect
         the  Series  B  Directors  upon  the  occurrence  of the  circumstances
         described in this Section 3(e).

                  (4)  Conversion  of Series B  Preferred  Shares.  The Series B
         Preferred  Shares shall be  convertible  into shares of Common Stock on
         the following terms and conditions:

                           (a) Conversion by Holder.  Upon written notice to the
         Company by the holder  thereof,  each Series B Preferred Share shall be
         convertible  at any time into a number of fully paid and  nonassessable
         shares  (calculated  to the nearest  whole share) of Common Stock to be
         determined by dividing the  Liquidation  Preference by the then current
         Conversion Price (the "Conversion Ratio").

                           (b) Mandatory  Conversion.  If, at any time following
         the  Issuance  Date,  the  Average  Trading  Price of the Common  Stock
         exceeds the  percentage of the Conversion  Price set forth below,  then
         the corresponding number of Series B Preferred Shares will convert into
         Common Stock at the then  applicable  Conversion  Ratio  automatically,
         without further action required of the Company or holders thereof, such
         conversion  to be  allocated  among the  holders  thereof on a pro rata
         basis based upon their respective holdings:


        Average Trading Price as a              Number of Series B Preferred
      Percentage of Conversion Price               Shares to be Converted
     --------------------------------       --------------------------------- 

                   130%                      6,667 (less any Series B Preferred
                                                Shares previously converted)






                                       -5-







                  160%                      13,333 (less any Series B Preferred
                                               Shares previously converted)
                  190%
                                            20,000 (less any Series B Preferred
                                                Shares previously converted)


                           (c)  Adjustment  to  Conversion  Price.  In  order to
         prevent dilution of the conversion  rights granted to holders of Series
         B Preferred Shares  hereunder,  the Conversion Price will be subject to
         adjustment from time to time pursuant to this Section 4(c).

                                    (i)  Adjustment  of  Conversion  Price  upon
         Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock.  If the Company at any time
         subdivides (by any stock split,  stock  dividend,  recapitalization  or
         otherwise)  one or more  classes  of its  outstanding  shares of Common
         Stock into a greater number of shares,  the Conversion  Price in effect
         immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately  reduced,
         and if the Company at any time combines (by combination,  reverse stock
         split or otherwise)  one or more classes of its  outstanding  shares of
         Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,  the Conversion  Price in
         effect  immediately  prior to such combination will be  proportionately
         increased.

                                    (ii)    Reorganization,    Reclassification,
         Consolidation,  Merger or Sale. Any  recapitalization,  reorganization,
         reclassification,  consolidation,  merger, sale of all or substantially
         all of the  Company's  assets to  another  Person or other  transaction
         which is  effected  in such a way that  holders  of  Common  Stock  are
         entitled to receive (either  directly or upon  subsequent  liquidation)
         stock,  securities  or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common
         Stock  is  referred  to  herein  as  "Organic  Change."  Prior  to  the
         consummation of any Organic Change,  the Company will make  appropriate
         provision  to ensure that each of the holders of the Series B Preferred
         Shares will thereafter have the right to acquire and receive in lieu of
         or  addition  to (as the  case  may  be) the  shares  of  Common  Stock
         immediately  theretofore  acquirable and receivable upon the conversion
         of such  holder's  Series B  Preferred  Shares,  such  shares of stock,
         securities  or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in
         exchange  for  the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock   immediately
         theretofore  acquirable  and  receivable  upon the  conversion  of such
         holder's  Series B Preferred  Shares had such Organic  Change not taken
         place.  In any such case, the Company will make  appropriate  provision
         with respect to such  holders'  rights and interests to ensure that the
         provisions  of this Section 4(c) will  thereafter  be applicable to the
         Series B Preferred Shares. The Company will not effect any such Organic
         Change,  unless prior to the consummation thereof, the successor entity
         (if other than the Company)  resulting from  consolidation or merger or
         the entity purchasing such assets assumes, by written  instrument,  the
         obligation to deliver to each holder of Series B Preferred  Shares such
         shares  of stock,  securities  or assets  as,  in  accordance  with the
         foregoing provisions, such holder may be entitled to acquire.





                                       -6-






                                    (iii)   Notices.

                                            (A) Immediately  upon any adjustment
         of the Conversion  Price,  the Company will give written notice thereof
         to  each  holder  of  Series  B  Preferred  Shares,  setting  forth  in
         reasonable detail and certifying the calculation of such adjustment.

                                            (B) The  Company  will give  written
         notice to each holder of Series B Preferred Shares at least twenty (20)
         days prior to the date on which the Company  closes its books or sets a
         record date (I) with respect to any dividend or  distribution  upon the
         Common Stock, (II) with respect to any pro rata  subscription  offer to
         holders of Common  Stock or (III) for  determining  rights to vote with
         respect to any Organic Change or Liquidation; provided that in no event
         shall such notice be provided to such holder prior to such  information
         being made known to the public.

                                            (C)  The  Company   will  also  give
         written  notice to each  holder of Series B  Preferred  Shares at least
         twenty  (20)  days  prior to the date on which  any  Organic  Change or
         Liquidation will take place.

                                            (D) The Company  shall give  written
         notice to the holders of the Series B Preferred  Shares  promptly after
         the  occurrence of the  automatic  conversion of the Series B Preferred
         Shares into Common Stock as set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

                           (d)  Mechanics  of  Conversion.  Subject  to  and  in
         compliance with all federal and state  securities  laws, the conversion
         of Series B Preferred  Shares pursuant to this Section 4 will be deemed
         to have been effected (and the holder  thereof will be deemed to be the
         registered   holder  of  the  Conversion   Shares),   automatically  if
         conversion is pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof,  or, if converted at the
         option of the holder of Series B Preferred  Shares  pursuant to Section
         4(a)  hereof,   by  and  on  the  date  of  surrender  of  certificates
         representing  the Series B  Preferred  Shares  being  converted  to the
         Company at its principal place of business, together with the Notice of
         Conversion  attached hereto as Exhibit I. As soon as practicable  after
         such conversion,  the Company shall cause the transfer agent to deliver
         to the  registered  holder thereof (a) a certificate  representing  the
         shares of Common  Stock to which the holder is  entitled as a result of
         such  conversion,  and (b) a new  certificate  for  Series B  Preferred
         Shares for the unconverted shares of Series B Preferred Shares, if any,
         represented by the  surrendered  certificate.  The Company shall at all
         times  reserve  for  issuance a  sufficient  number of shares of Common
         Stock to be issued as Conversion Shares, and upon issuance thereof, the
         Conversion Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

                           (e) Record Holder.  The person or persons entitled to
         receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of Series
         B Preferred Shares




                                       -7-





         shall be treated for all  purposes  as the record  holder or holders of
         such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

                  (5)      Transferability

                           (a)  Right  of  First  Offer.  Prior  to  selling  or
         otherwise  disposing  (each,  a  "Transfer")  of any Series B Preferred
         Shares to any  Person,  other than a Permitted  Transferee,  the holder
         proposing  to make such  Transfer  (the  "Transferring  Holder")  shall
         deliver a written notice (an "Offer Notice") to the Company.  The Offer
         Notice  shall  disclose in  reasonable  detail the  proposed  number of
         Series B Preferred  Shares to be  transferred  (the  "Offered  Series B
         Preferred  Shares")  and  the  proposed  terms  and  conditions  of the
         Transfer. The Company may elect to purchase all (but not less than all)
         of the Offered Series B Preferred  Shares at the price and on the terms
         specified therein by delivering  written notice of such election to the
         Transferring  Holder  within  ten (10)  business  days  (the  "Election
         Period")  after the  delivery of the Offer  Notice.  If the Company has
         elected to purchase all of the Offered  Series B Preferred  Shares from
         the  Transferring   Holder,  the  transfer  of  such  shares  shall  be
         consummated  within thirty (30) days after the Company's  notice of its
         intent to  purchase  such  shares on the terms and upon the  conditions
         specified in the Offer  Notice.  To the extent that the Company has not
         elected to purchase all of the Offered Series B Preferred  Shares,  the
         Transferring   Holder  may,  within  forty-five  (45)  days  after  the
         expiration of the Election Period, transfer all (but not less than all)
         of such  Offered  Series B Preferred  Shares to one or more  Persons in
         concurrent  transactions  at a price no less  than the  price per share
         specified in the Offer Notice and on other terms no more favorable than
         offered to the Company in the Offer  Notice.  Prior to any  transfer of
         any Offered Series B Preferred  Shares after such  forty-five  (45) day
         period has expired,  such Offered Series B Preferred Shares shall first
         be offered to the Company under this Section 5(a).

                           (b) Securities Law  Restrictions.  In addition to the
         terms set forth in Section 5(a) hereof,  the Series B Preferred  Shares
         may not be  transferred,  except  pursuant to an exemption or exclusion
         from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended,  which does not  require  the filing by the  Company  with the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  of any  registration  statement,
         offering  circular or other document,  in which case, the  Transferring
         Holder shall first  supply to the Company an opinion of counsel  (which
         opinion and counsel  shall be reasonably  satisfactory  to the Company)
         that such  exemption or exclusion is  available;  provided that no such
         opinion of counsel  shall be required with respect to a transfer by the
         Initial Holder to a Permitted Transferee.

                           (c)  Legend.  Each  certificate  evidencing  Series B
         Preferred Shares shall be stamped or otherwise  imprinted with a legend
         in substantially the following form:




                                       -8-





                  "THESE    SECURITIES   ARE   SUBJECT   TO    RESTRICTIONS   ON
                  TRANSFERABILITY  AND  RESALE  AND  MAY NOT BE  TRANSFERRED  OR
                  RESOLD OTHER THAN TO A PERMITTED TRANSFEREE EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
                  AN AVAILABLE  EXEMPTION OR EXCLUSION FROM  REGISTRATION  UNDER
                  THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933,  AS  AMENDED,  PROVIDED  THAT AN
                  OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE  SATISFACTORY TO THE
                  COMPANY, HAS BEEN GIVEN BY COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
                  TO THE EFFECT THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.  IN ADDITION,
                  THESE    SECURITIES   ARE   SUBJECT   TO    RESTRICTIONS    ON
                  TRANSFERABILITY  AND RESALE  PURSUANT  TO THE  CERTIFICATE  OF
                  DESIGNATIONS,  PREFERENCES  AND RIGHTS OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE
                  PREFERRED STOCK, OF THE COMPANY (THE  "DESIGNATIONS").  A COPY
                  OF SUCH DESIGNATIONS  SHALL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE
                  COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST."

                  (6)      Certain Definitions.

                  "Adverse   Organic   Change"   means   any   recapitalization,
         reorganization, reclassification,  consolidation, merger or sale of all
         or substantially all of the Company's assets to another Person or other
         transaction  which is effected  in such a way that  holders of Series B
         Preferred  Stock are  entitled  to  receive  (either  directly  or upon
         subsequent  liquidation) stock,  securities or assets,  other than cash
         per share equal to the  Liquidation  Preference or other than shares of
         capital  stock of the Company or  successor  entity  having  rights and
         preferences  no less  favorable to those provided to the holders of the
         Series B Preferred Shares prior to such transaction.

                           "Average Trading Price" means, as of a given date, an
         amount equal to the  arithmetic  average of the last closing sale price
         of the Common Stock on the Principal Market for the Measurement  Period
         as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets, absent manifest error.

                           "Conversion   Price"   means   $14.25,   subject   to
         adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof.

                           "Conversion  Date" means, as to any particular Series
         B Preferred Shares,  the date such shares are  automatically  converted
         pursuant to Section 4(b) and in the case of a  conversion  by a holder,
         the date on which such holder delivers to the Company the  certificates
         representing the Series B Preferred Stock being converted or such later
         date as may be specified by such holder in the Notice of Conversion.





                                       -9-






                           "Conversion  Shares"  means  shares of the  Company's
         Common  Stock,  US $.001 par value,  issuable  upon  conversion  of the
         Series B Preferred Shares, as provided in Section 4 hereof.

                           "Event of  Noncompliance"  means the  failure  by the
         Company to (i)  declare a dividend  pursuant to Section 1 hereof on any
         Dividend  Reference  Date,  (ii) pay a dividend  pursuant  to Section 1
         hereof on any Dividend  Payment Date or (iii) pay the Redemption  Price
         when due, in any such case, which failure continues for a period of ten
         (10) business  days  following  notice  thereof to the Company from the
         holders of the Series B Preferred Shares.

                           "Initial  Holder" means the Person to whom the Series
         B Preferred Shares are initially issued by the Company.

                           "Junior   Securities"   shall  mean   shares  of  the
         Company's  Common  Stock,  US $.001 par value per share,  and any other
         class of capital stock of the Company which by its terms is subordinate
         in liquidation preference and payment of dividends to the rights of the
         holders of the Series B Preferred Stock.

                           "Measurement  Period"  means a ten  (10)  consecutive
         trading day  period,  provided  that if the  aggregate  trading  volume
         reported by Bloomberg  Financial Markets (absent manifest error) during
         such period is less than 1,300,000  shares of Common Stock,  additional
         trading  days  will  be  added  to the  Measurement  Period  until  the
         Measurement  Period covers the first to occur of (A) aggregate  trading
         volume of 1,300,000  shares of Common Stock, or (B) twenty  consecutive
         trading  days with an  aggregate  trading  volume  of at least  450,000
         shares of Common Stock.

                           "Permitted Transferee" means (i) Ronald Stern (or, in
         the  event of  Ronald  Stern's  death or  permanent  incompetency,  his
         personal  representative  for  purposes  of the  administration  of his
         estate or the  protection  and  management  of his  assets) or (ii) any
         other  Person,  directly  or  indirectly,  controlled  by, or under the
         common control of, Ronald Stern as of the date of any Transfer thereto.

                           "Person"  means an  individual,  a limited  liability
         company,  a partnership,  a joint venture,  a corporation,  a trust, an
         association  or  other  entity  or  organization,   an   unincorporated
         organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.

                           "Principal  Market"  means  the  quotation  system or
         national  exchange from among the Nasdaq National Market,  the New York
         Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange,  or any successor to any
         of the  foregoing,  upon  which  the  largest  volume  of shares of the
         Company's  Common Stock shall have traded during the sixty (60) trading
         days prior to the date of determination.





                                      -10-





                           "Senior  or Pari Passu  Securities"  means any equity
         securities (or any securities  convertible into or exchangeable for any
         equity  securities) which are senior or pari passu in rank and priority
         with the Series B Preferred  Shares in respect to the preferences as to
         dividends, distributions or redemptions or payments upon a Liquidation.
 
                 (7) Taxes.  The Company  shall pay any and all taxes which may
         be imposed  upon it with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common
         Stock upon the  conversion  of the Series B Preferred  Shares as herein
         provided.  The  Company  shall not be  required in any event to pay any
         transfer or other taxes by reason of the  issuance of such Common Stock
         in names  other  than  those in which  the  Series B  Preferred  Shares
         surrendered for conversion are registered on the Company's records, and
         no such conversion or issuance of Common Stock shall be made unless and
         until the person  requesting  such issuance has paid to the Company the
         amount of any such tax, or has  established to the  satisfaction of the
         Company and its transfer agent, if any, that such tax has been paid.

                  (8) Liquidation,  Dissolution, Winding-Up. In the event of any
         voluntary or involuntary liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the
         Company (a "Liquidation"), the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares
         shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the  Company,
         whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its
         stockholders (the "Preferred  Funds"),  before any amount shall be paid
         to the  holders  of any  Junior  Securities,  an  amount  per  Series B
         Preferred Share equal to the Liquidation Preference;  provided that, if
         the Preferred Funds are  insufficient to pay the full amount due to the
         holders  of Series B  Preferred  Shares,  then each  holder of Series B
         Preferred  Shares shall  receive a percentage  of the  Preferred  Funds
         equal to the full amount of Preferred Funds payable to such holder as a
         percentage of the full amount of Preferred Funds payable to all holders
         of Series B Preferred Shares. The purchase or redemption by the Company
         of stock of any class,  in any manner  permitted by law, shall not, for
         the  purposes  hereof,  be  regarded  as  a  Liquidation.  Neither  the
         consolidation  or merger of the Company with or into any other  Person,
         nor the sale or transfer by the Company of less than  substantially all
         of its  assets,  shall,  for the  purposes  hereof,  be  deemed to be a
         Liquidation.  No holder of Series B Preferred  Shares shall be entitled
         to receive any amounts with respect thereto upon any Liquidation  other
         than the amounts provided for herein.

                  (9)  Shares to be  Retired.  Any  share of Series B  Preferred
         Stock  converted,  redeemed,  repurchased or otherwise  acquired by the
         Company shall be retired and canceled and may not be reissued.

                  (10) No Fractional  Shares. In connection with any conversion,
         Liquidation,  redemption,  or  otherwise,  the Company shall only issue
         Common Stock in denominations equal to the nearest, lower whole number;
         fractional  shares due holders will be  allocated  their cash value and
         paid by the Company to the holder by check.



                                      -11-






                  (11)  Preferred  Rank.  All shares of Common Stock shall be of
         junior  rank  to all  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  in  respect  to the
         preferences  as to dividends  and  distributions  and  payments  upon a
         Liquidation  and the  rights of the  shares of  Common  Stock  shall be
         subject  to  the  preferences  and  relative  rights  of the  Series  B
         Preferred Shares.

                  (12) Lost or Stolen Certificates.  Upon receipt by the Company
         of evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction
         or mutilation  of any preferred  stock  certificates  representing  the
         Series  B  Preferred  Shares,  and  (in  the  case of  loss,  theft  or
         destruction)  of any  indemnification  undertaking by the holder to the
         Company  that is  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Company,  and  upon
         surrender and  cancellation of the preferred stock  certificate(s),  if
         mutilated,  the Company shall  execute and deliver new preferred  stock
         certificate(s) of like tenor and date.  However,  the Company shall not
         be  obligated  to  re-issue  such  lost  or  stolen   preferred   stock
         certificates  if  holder  contemporaneously  requests  the  Company  to
         convert such Series B Preferred Shares into Common Stock.

                  (13) Shareholder Action. Except as otherwise set forth herein,
         any  matter to be voted upon by the  holders of the Series B  Preferred
         Shares may be  approved  by the  written  consent  of the  holders of a
         majority of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Shares.

                  (14) Additional Series B Preferred Shares.  The Company hereby
         covenants and agrees that, other than the Series B Preferred Shares, it
         shall  not  authorize  or  issue  any  additional  shares  of  Series B
         Preferred Stock.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company has caused  this  certificate  to be
signed by Donald C. Welchko, its Vice President as of the 18th day of September,
1998.


                                  ANICOM, INC.


                                                     By: /s/ Donald C. Welchko
                                                         ---------------------
                                                     Title: Vice President
                                                           -------------------


                                                     



                                      -12-




                                    EXHIBIT I

                                  ANICOM, INC.
                              NOTICE OF CONVERSION


Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations,  Preferences and Rights of
Series B Convertible  Preferred Stock of Anicom,  Inc. (the  "Designation").  In
accordance with and pursuant to the Designation,  the undersigned  hereby elects
to convert the number of shares of Series B  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  par
value $.01 (the "Series B Preferred"),  of Anicom,  Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the  "Company"),  indicated below into shares of Common Stock,  par value $.001
(the "Common  Stock"),  of the Company,  by tendering  the stock  certificate(s)
representing  the share(s) of Series B Preferred  specified below as of the date
specified below:

         Date of  Conversion                   _________________________________

         Number of shares of Series B 
         Preferred to be converted:            _________________________________

         Stock certificates no(s). of Series B
         Preferred to be converted:            _________________________________

Please confirm the following information:

         Conversion Price:                     _________________________________
                                                                                
         Number of shares of Common Stock
         to be issued:                         _________________________________
                                                                                

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Series B Preferred Shares are being
converted in the following name and to the following address:

         Issue to:                             _________________________________

                                               _________________________________

                                               _________________________________

         Phone No. of converting holder:       _________________________________
                                                                    
         Duly executed:                        By_______________________________
                                                                    
         Name & Title:                         _________________________________
                                                                    
         Dated:                                _________________________________