Data Return Provides Secure Network Environment For e-Commerce Customers; Data Return Delivers Managed Internet Infrastructure to Meridian One Technologies Inc.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2001

Data Return Corporation (Nasdaq:DRTN), today announced a new three-year contract with Meridian One Technologies Inc. for managed hosting services. Citing security expertise as a primary reason for partnering with Data Return, Meridian One elected to include a Real-Time Intrusion Detection System (RIDS) with the deployment. This additional layer of security will ensure all of Meridian One's merchant customers remain secure in the knowledge that their business and client information is safe.

"Partnering with Data Return for our network infrastructure gives us a high level of confidence and allows us to focus our resources and efforts on what we do best -- innovative software development that enables merchants to run their businesses effectively on the Internet," said Omar Sayed, founder and CEO for Meridian One. "We are very excited to work with Data Return's seasoned professionals, and believe this will prove to be a long and valuable relationship for both companies."

By outsourcing the deployment and management of its entire network to Data Return, Meridian One can provide its customers with a highly secure, stable environment and concentrate on the business of developing innovative software solutions. In addition, Data Return's turnkey deployment methodology ensures the company can get its latest software offerings to e-commerce business customers in real-time, thus remaining a step ahead of the competition.

Meridian One has created a sophisticated Web-based platform that allows for the automated assembly and growth of a business on the Web. This platform consists of hundreds of sophisticated software "components" that a merchant can choose from when building its Internet presence. In turn, this automated component approach allows the merchant to quickly grow the site with minimal time, cost and effort.

"Clearly, Internet security and a stable network environment are at the forefront of IT professionals' minds as they carefully select outsourcing partners," said Robert A. Prosen, Data Return COO. "We are confident we can match Meridian One's pace and provide them with a secure environment as they work toward their goal of providing merchants everywhere a single place on the Internet from which they can conduct their entire business."

To learn more about Data Return's RIDS security offerings, visit www.datareturn.com.

About Meridian One Technologies Inc.

Meridian One Technologies Inc. is a software company that has created a sophisticated Web-based platform that allows for the automated assembly and growth of a business on the Web. Its platform consists of hundreds of "components" that a merchant can choose from when building its Internet presence. This automated component approach also allows the merchant to quickly grow its site with minimal cost and effort. It is Meridian One's goal to provide merchants a single place on the Internet from where all business is conducted.

About Data Return

Recognized as the Microsoft Windows 2000 Global Hosting Partner of the Year 2000, 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, H&R Block, The World Bank and Fossil. 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.

This press release contains forward-looking information. Statements made in this press release that state Data Return's or management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of "future events" are forward-looking statements. 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 "Risk Factors" in Data Return's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2001, and are updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of Data Return as of the date of this release, and Data Return disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Data Return's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based.

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