Data Return First Managed Hosting Provider To Offer Dynamic Content Caching; epicRealm To Provide Dynamic and Static Content Delivery.

Business/Technology Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000

Data Return Corporation (NASDAQ: DRTN), a leading global provider of managed hosting services, today announced it has entered into an agreement with epicRealm for dynamic and static content delivery services. Data Return also announced that it is the first managed hosting provider to include static caching services at no additional charge with all standard services. This announcement completes Data Return's three-tier network strategy that includes high capacity backbone services and multi-backbone private transit, as well as static and dynamic content delivery services.

"This agreement is significant because together, epicRealm and Data Return have the power to civilize the Internet for business," said John Ferguson, epicRealm president and chief executive officer. "Data Return is a strong leader in the managed hosting service provider arena - it already delivers world-class technical expertise and Internet infrastructure for Microsoft-based Web applications. By adding epicRealm services to these existing capabilities, the customers of Data Return clients gain a dramatically improved experience all the way to the edge of the Internet."

epicRealm is the first content delivery service provider to bring the proven benefits of a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to the full range of content types - including content dynamically generated from a database, SSL-encrypted content and static content.

With Data Return's new service offering, intelligent software monitors when new dynamic content is available and proactively updates the cached information to ensure freshness. This not only improves download times for end users, decreasing abandon rates - it also greatly reduces the amount of server processing required to handle a request. With dynamic content delivery, pages are served up much more quickly, ensuring a pleasant shopping experience and lower abandon rates.

"With the addition of epicRealm's content delivery services, Data Return can now provide its customers with the most complete network solution available in the managed hosting industry," said Sunny C. Vanderbeck, Data Return chairman and CEO. "Data Return will continue to lead the industry in the adoption of new Internet technologies that improve the performance and reliability of our customers' applications."

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 epicRealm

epicRealm owns and operates the world's only priority-driven Content Delivery Network dedicated to enabling e-business over the Internet. The company launched its global network in April 2000. It is backed by world-class IT venture capitalists and investment firms including Vantage Point Venture Partners in Silicon Valley and Lehman Brothers Venture Partners on Wall Street. It has formed technology alliances with several world-class IT companies, including IBM Corp., and Tivoli Systems Inc., as well as integrator alliances with such companies as IBM Global Services, EDS and Fujitsu-ICL. epicRealm is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. For more information, call [phone].

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 Future 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.

epicRealm, epicRealm Inc., the epicRealm logo, PriorityRealm and "e-business works here" are trademarks of epicRealm, Inc. All other company names, products and services are the property of their respective companies.