Data Return Works With Microsoft to Deliver Industry-Leading Exchange 2000 ASP Service Offering.

Business/Technology Editors

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2000

Data Return Works Closely with Microsoft to

Streamline Exchange 2000 Messaging Platform as a Hosted Service

Data Return Corporation (Nasdaq: DRTN), a leading provider of managed hosting services for the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform, today announced it is working closely with Microsoft to help fine-tune the Exchange 2000 platform for ASP requirements. Data Return is planning to offer Exchange 2000-based services as soon as the product is made commercially available. By taking advantage of advances in performance and scalability in Exchange 2000 Server, Data Return will offer its customers a more robust hosted messaging solution.

Data Return has been working with Microsoft on Exchange 2000 to define the functionality and scalability needed for a cost effective, high-performance messaging product. Advances in Exchange 2000 scalability such as active/active clustering and multiple database support combined with the ability to implement a multi-tiered distributed architecture will enable Data Return to deliver a highly scalable and available messaging and collaboration product for its customers.

"One of the most significant advantages for both Data Return and its customers will be the new Outlook Web Access included in the Exchange 2000 offering," said Jason A. Lochhead, Data Return CTO. "This will allow us to provide a full-featured, lower cost outsourced Exchange solution for our customers by limiting the investment required for additional bandwidth and/or circuits."

Data Return's existing Exchange customers will have the option to upgrade in order to take advantage of Exchange 2000 Servers enhanced functionality. In addition, Data Return is currently working with customers to develop state-of-the-art applications using the new Web Storage System features of Exchange 2000.

"We are pleased to work with Data Return to make Exchange 2000 available as a hosted managed service," said Kevin Breunig, group product manager of Business Productivity Group Marketing at Microsoft Corp. "Data Return's expertise as an application infrastructure provider on the Windows 2000 platform will enable the company to provide its customers with a high-availability solution built around a reliable, scalable messaging and collaboration infrastructure."

About Data Return

Managing over 1,600 applications for more than 1,000 companies worldwide, Data Return (Nasdaq: DRTN) is a leading provider of advanced managed hosting services based on Microsoft technologies. Data Return customers include Microsoft, Compaq Computer Corporation, Fossil, Alibre, Executive Software, PlanetOutdoors.com, Berlitz Languages, Sensormatic Electronics, Boeing Company and First USA Bank. Data Return also is a full-service Application Infrastructure Provider (AIP) that is enabling Independent Software Vendors to rapidly become Application Service Providers (ASPs). Strategic partners and equity shareholders in Data Return include Microsoft Corp., Compaq Computer Corp. and Level 3 Communications. For more information, visit www.datareturn.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 "Risk Factors" in Data Return's Prospectus dated October 27, 1999 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 trademark of Data Return Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.