Datalink.net and Application Design Associates to Deliver Wireless Messaging to the Bottling Industry.

Business/High-Tech Editors

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2000

Datalink.net (Nasdaq:XLNK) today announced that Application Design Associates, Inc. (ADA) has adopted Cross Communications, Inc's. HipLink(TM) wireless gateway software to provide an advanced, integrated wireless messaging solution to the soft drink bottling industry.

Cross Communications is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Datalink.net.

ADA provides software solutions for several of the largest U.S. soft drink bottling operations, including Coca Cola and Pepsico. ADA's customer base represents approximately 40 percent of the total North American soft drink franchise volume, a market worth more than $3.9 billion. ADA's Vendor Maintenance Management System (VMMS) tracks more than 1.2 million vending, fountain and snack assets, representing more than 20 percent of the total number of pieces of cold drink equipment machines in the U.S.

One key component of VMMS is that it manages more than 1.9 million annual shop and field work orders for soft drink vending machine repair services. ADA will integrate Cross Communications' HipLink wireless gateway software with VMMS to immediately dispatch work orders to more than 1200 field service technicians. HipLink locates the nearest technician and service can be performed quickly and efficiently, minimizing vending machine downtime and increasing bottling vendors' sales.

"Augmenting VMMS capabilities with the HipLink wireless gateway software will enable us to gain significant improvements in call dispatching and work order processing," said John Hibben, ADA president. "We integrated the HipLink with ease, and the efficiency, speed and convenience of wireless communications will enable our customers to considerably reduce operating expenses and improve customer service."

"Our partnership with ADA is another example of how wireless platforms are extending into traditional industries such as the soft drink bottling and vending machine market," said Kim Wold, president of Cross Communications. "We see steadily increasing demand for our wireless solutions across many industries, utilizing Datalink.net's strategic guidance and wireless capabilities we will continually develop new wireless information solutions and services to meet these diverse requirements."

Application Design Associates, Inc.

ADA designs, develops and markets operational software solutions to the Bottling Industry. Solutions include the Vending Maintenance Management System (VMMS), the Fleet Maintenance Management System (FMMS) and the Plant Maintenance Management System (PMMS). All solutions are implemented in an Open System Environment. Other technologies supported include both conventional and RF handheld computers, bar codes, and digital pagers. ADA maintains its corporate headquarters at 6021 S. Syracuse Way, No. 302 in Englewood, Colorado, 80111.

Cross Communications, Inc.

Cross Communications, Inc. is a leading wireless data communications solutions provider deploying advanced wireless enterprise messaging and monitoring solutions since its inception in 1995. Today, its premier software line, HipLink Production Paging/PCS software, supporting communications to any wireless device, is available on UNIX, Windows(R) and other networked computing platforms, and is installed in over 1,000 sites around the globe. HipLink is customer-premise-based software, offering plug-and-play functionality to thousands of commercial application software packages. Many of these applications can OEM HipLink to deliver a complete solution direct to their customers. Cross Communications can be reached at 630/964-0800 or via email at [e-mail] and can be found online at www.crosscom.com.

Datalink.net -- The Wireless Architects(TM)

Datalink.net powers a new generation of wireless devices, enabling enterprises and consumers to customize, interact with and respond to critical business data. As a pioneering wireless application service provider and infrastructure architect, Datalink.net has become the top provider of consumer wireless data and the first company to deliver real-time wireless financial information.

In conjunction with Chase Manhattan Bank, Datalink.net developed Global Market Pro(TM), a wireless application for traders and financial professionals. Through its acquisition of Cross Communications, the company serves a portfolio of marquee customers, including AOL, AT&T, Bank of America, Citibank, EDS, Motorola and Qualcomm. Datalink.net is based in San Jose, CA with research facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia and offices in Chicago and New York. For more information: http://www.datalink.net.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "intends," "believes" and similar expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies, successful integration of acquisitions, the ability to secure additional sources of finance, the ability to reduce operating expenses, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.