Data Return Enrolls 100 Companies in Catalyst Partner Program; ASP and Solution Providers Leverage Data Return's Managed Infrastructure Services.

Business/Technology Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000

Data Return Corporation (NASDAQ:DRTN), a leading global provider of managed hosting services, today announced it has enrolled 100 partners in the Catalyst Partner Program introduced last month during Microsoft's Fusion 2000 show in Atlanta, Ga. The Catalyst Partner Program is targeted toward ASPs and Solution Partners focused on the Microsoft platform and is designed to expand business opportunities for Data Return's partners, providing a fully managed infrastructure to deploy customers' ASP and e-Business initiatives.

Luminant Worldwide Corporation, Syntex Management Systems, Inc., Cytura and The Stratis Group were among the first to take advantage of Data Return's Catalyst Partner Program. These participants will have the ability to offer broad based, effective e-Business ready solutions for customers with the security of a fully managed hosted platform through their affiliation with the program.

As one of the world's largest and most experienced Internet professional services firms, Luminant helps its clients capitalize on their e-Business investments by leveraging innovative, rapidly delivered e-Business concepts. Luminant's multidisciplinary teams work with clients to define successful strategies and architect, implement and support solutions to execute those strategies. "After extensive research into the advanced hosting industry, Luminant decided to select Data Return as our preferred partner for the Microsoft Platform," said Calvin Carter, director of Ongoing Services for Luminant. Luminant's involvement in the Solution Partner Program takes our relationship with Data Return to the next level and we believe this integrated service offering will enable Luminant to deliver on its promise of giving customers the ability to take full advantage of their e-Business potential."

Syntex Management Systems is a premier provider of performance management solutions. Through its core competency of custom business application development, Syntex works with clients through a rigorous, phased project process, providing analysis and conceptual design, detail design, construction, testing, quality assurance, implementation, rollout, maintenance and support of line of business applications, many of which are now being evaluated for distribution under the ASP model. "Syntex chose to join Data Return's Catalyst Partner Program to provide an end-to-end solution for our customers, while ensuring we remain focused on delivering custom business application development services to our clients," said Joe Stough, President of Syntex Management Systems, Inc. "We work closely with clients to provide the most effective solution available, considering the clients' cost, schedule and feature requirements. Data Return's fully managed infrastructure services complete the package for our customers."

"We are pleased that in just one month over 100 Partners have chosen to join Data Return's Catalyst Partner Program," said David A. George, Data Return's director of business development. "Solution Providers and ASPs such as Luminant, Syntex, Cytura and Stratis are leading the way toward providing the most complete solution for customers who want Internet-enabled custom applications based on Microsoft technologies."

About Data Return

Recognized by Microsoft as the Windows 2000 Global Hosting Partner of the Year, Data Return specializes in providing high-availability managed hosting services for companies whose applications are based on Microsoft technologies. These services are utilized by many leading enterprises including Microsoft, Compaq Computer Corporation, RadioShack.com, Texas Instruments, Pier 1 Imports, and World Bank. Data Return also provides managed infrastructure services for the rapidly growing market of Application Service Providers (ASPs). Data Return strategic investors and Global Alliance Partners include Microsoft, Compaq Computer Corporation, and Level 3 Communications. For more information, visit www.datareturn.com.

About Luminant

Luminant Worldwide Corporation is one of the world's largest and most experienced Internet professional services firms. Working as partners with its clients, Luminant helps Global 1000 companies and emerging Internet-centric businesses maximize business results through innovative, rapidly delivered e-Business concepts. Its multidisciplinary professionals work with clients to define successful strategies and then architect, implement and support solutions to execute those strategies.

Clients include Administaff, Inc., Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc., Compaq, The Container Store, Dr. Pepper, Enron Corp., IBM Corporation, MasterCard International, Microsoft, Partsbase.com, Showtime Networks, Inc. and United Airlines. Based in Dallas, Luminant has principal locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Seattle. For more information, visit www.luminant.com.

This press release contains forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks, including changes in external competitive market factors, changes in or an inability to execute Data Return's business strategy, unanticipated changes in the hosting industry, the economy in general and changes in the use of the Internet. Data Return cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties summarized under the heading "Factors Affecting Operating Results" in Data Return's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended March 31, 2000 and are updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Data Return does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Data Return is a trademark of Data Return Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.