Hard Drives International was founded in 1988 by Eric and Tim Crown.
Originally a mail-order company selling computer storage, the company developed into a showcase while credit card companies did not serve mail-order start-ups.
In 1991, the company changed its name to Insight Enterprises, and the distribution included a full range of computers and accessories.
The company held its first public offering in January 1995. Insight became an international company when it acquired TC Computers, based in Montreal, Canada, in 1997. In April 1998, Insight signed an agreement to acquire Choice Peripherals Ltd. and Plusnet Technologies Ltd., an Internet service provider and a website development and a hosting company. Operating as Force 9.
The acquisition extended Insight's operations to Europe.