Data Return to Provide Managed Hosting for Visual Studio .NET Code-Sharing Web Service; New Tool Add-In Enables Reduced Development Time Through Source Code Sharing.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2001

Building on its expertise in Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server applications, Data Return Corporation (Nasdaq:DRTN) today announced a partnership with Vertigo Software to support the Visual Studio.NET CodeSwap Web site, www.vscodeswap.com. This partnership further reinforces Data Return's leadership in providing a higher standard of service for Microsoft's .NET platform. Data Return, a global provider of managed hosting services, will ensure the highest availability for the CodeSwap site by providing server and network hardware, system setup and configuration, system backup, 24x7 monitoring and maintenance, technical support and storage of the code source libraries. The CodeSwap site went live with Data Return on June 19, 2001.

Developers now have a place to easily connect with each other to publish and find source code snippets. CodeSwap is a new add-in tool to the recently released Beta 2 version of Visual Studio .NET, which provides a complete development environment for building XML Web services and applications on the Microsoft .NET Framework.

"Data Return has proven its ability to successfully deploy and manage .NET applications," said David Mendlen, lead product manager for Visual Studio .NET at Microsoft Corp. "Because of Data Return's strategic relationship with Microsoft, the company has been able to test and deploy many of its customers on pre-release versions of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server applications. By the time the application is in its final market release, Data Return is one step ahead of the competition, having already gone through the deployment process many times before."

Developers can download the CodeSwap tool free of charge from the Web site managed by Data Return. Users can reduce time-to-market by decreasing development time as Visual Studio .NET CodeSwap allows them to share code snippets online through a simple three step process:

-- Code authors write a brief summary describing their code and then add it to
their list of shared snippets, which are uploaded through the CodeSwap Web
Service.

-- When developers search for code, their computer makes a Web Service call to
the CodeSwap server, which stores all the descriptions and code that are
available online.

-- When a developer finds a useful piece of code, they simply download it
directly from the centralized Data Return server.

"Data Return was our managed hosting partner of choice for this innovative Web site," said Scott Stanfield, CEO, Vertigo Software. "We've had an ongoing and successful relationship with Data Return as they've deployed and managed many applications for us, including IBuySpy.com, which started with an Alpha version of ASP .NET. Time and time again, Data Return has proven its understanding of the .NET Framework, allowing us to take full advantage of all available features."

"Managing the Visual Studio .NET CodeSwap Web site is part of Data Return's ongoing commitment to the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server platform," said Jason Lochhead, CTO for Data Return. "Our focus on Microsoft technologies ensures the highest standard of managed hosting for our customers, allowing them to stay ahead of the curve because they always have access to the latest advances. This is critical for them as they seek to maintain their competitive edge."

Along with VisualStudio .NET, Data Return currently supports and can assist customers in the development phase on the following seven Microsoft .NET enterprise servers in its Scalability Center:

-- BizTalk Server 2000

-- Commerce Server 2000

-- ASP.NET

-- Exchange 2000

-- SQL Server 2000

-- Application Center 2000

-- Windows 2000

About Vertigo Software Inc.

Vertigo Software Inc. has been a leading provider of software development and consulting services on the Microsoft platform since 1997. Our long-standing relationship with Microsoft building best-practice solutions, provides us with unique opportunities and early exposure to technology-knowledge that we leverage for our customers. We specialize in Windows DNA and .NET application development, performance and scalability consulting, B2B and EAI solutions with BizTalk Server 2000, and user-interface design. Our skilled team of engineers and interface designers consistently deliver high-quality solutions that come through for our clients.

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, H&R Block and The 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.

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 "Factors Affecting Operating Results" in Data Return's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended March 31, 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.