EXHIBIT 99.2

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         In connection with the Annual Report of Bell Microproducts, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, James E. Illson, Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section.1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

         Dated:  March 31, 2003

                                                /s/ James E. Illson
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Chief Financial Officer