Applied Digital Solutions Names Kevin McLaughlin Vice President, National Sales.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2000

McLaughlin to head national sales force

focusing on CTII(TM) deployments

Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSX) today announced that Kevin McLaughlin has been named Vice President, National Sales.

In this newly created position, McLaughlin will oversee a sales force dedicated to identification of opportunities for the deployment of CTII(TM) systems.

Mr. McLaughlin has over 20 years experience in executive level sales leadership in high technology hardware, software and consulting services. His previous positions have included Senior Vice President of Sales for SCB Computer Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCBI) and Regional Director for Applicon, Inc., a Schlumberger, Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) Company.

Richard J. Sullivan, Chairman and CEO of Applied Digital, commented on Mr. McLaughlin's appointment: "We are extremely pleased to have someone with Kevin's credentials head up our national sale force. His experience in sales and marketing of hardware, software, and consulting services gives him an immediate understanding of the special value of CTII(TM) to our clients. His understanding of the relationships between the various aspects of the communications paradigm will help him when bringing our four technology groups to bear on single source e-business solutions."

About the CTII(TM) Initiative

Applied Digital Solutions has successfully focused its strategic direction and organized the company into four core business groups: Internet, Telephony, Network and Applications. As part of this successful transformation, the company has positioned itself as a leading-edge provider of Computer Telephony Internet Integration (CTII) services. This CTII focus differentiates Applied Digital Solutions in the e-business solutions marketplace. With CTII, Applied Digital provides the full range of services and skills that companies need to conduct business online. Through its four integrated business groups, Applied Digital designs and deploys complete, front-to-back, web-enabled e-business systems -- all with a single point of contact for the customer.

About Destron Fearing Corporation

Destron Fearing Corporation has been in the microchip and scanning business since 1945. For over 50 years, Destron Fearing has developed, manufactured and marketed a broad range of identification products. The company owns patents worldwide in microchip technology and is a leader in the world evolution of radio frequency identification. The company's net sales increased in fiscal 1999 by 47 percent to $18.5 million. Net income totaled $3.5 million, after an extraordinary item related to debt restructuring. For more information about Destron Fearing Corporation, visit the company's website at: http://www.destronfearing.com .

About Applied Digital Solutions, Inc.

Applied Digital Solutions is a leading edge, single-source provider of e-business solutions. The company differentiates itself in the marketplace by enabling e-business through Computer Telephony Internet Integration (CTII(TM)). With five-year revenue growth (from 1994 to 1998) of 64,012%, Applied Digital Solutions is ranked as the fifth fastest-growing technology company by Deloitte & Touche in its 1999 Technology Fast 500 listing. For more information, visit the Company's web site at http://www.adsx.com .

Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.