University of Minnesota Partners with Netdirect on New Secure E-commerce Web Site.

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April, 26, 2000

U of MN Purchasing Departments, Students, Staff and Faculty

Statewide to Buy Technology Products Online

Leading business-to-business e-commerce company, Netdirect Corporation International(TM) (OTCBB:VTCO) and the University of Minnesota have announced the launch of a new, secure e-commerce Internet site for University purchasing departments, students, staff and faculty. The new site offers a vast selection of technology-related products and services at special educational pricing. The University of Minnesota is the first major educational institution in the country to transfer its technology product sales to an Internet site.

The University of Minnesota-Netdirect partnership will offer the entire University community, including its internal purchasing departments, an Internet site featuring 60,000 premier, name brand computer hardware products, 100,000 software titles and thousands of consumer electronic products (e.g., digital cameras, hand-held wireless devices, etc.). The new site, located at http://www.techmart.umn.edu, is expected to substantially replace the nearly $40 million in annual technology product sales that currently take place at the University.

"We're proud to have been chosen by one of the country's largest educational institutions to create their technology products site," said Greg Appelhof, Netdirect's President and CEO. "The University is demonstrating outstanding leadership in providing its communities with easy access to leading technology products at affordable prices."

Previously, technology-related products were sold in the University's bookstores. By moving the sale of these products online, the University community will have access to Netdirect's value-added services, which include detailed product and service information, product comparisons, free shipping and customer support. Additional Netdirect benefits include reliable product availability, extended warranties and on-site service contracts.

"This partnership further validates our company's strategy to provide value-added services and positive customer experiences to affinity groups and their members. We think this partnership offers promising potential for other educational institutions nationwide," added Appelhof.

In order to facilitate ease of purchase by University departments, Netdirect needed to integrate the University's complex internal purchase order system into an e-commerce system. Netdirect relied on a complete Microsoft platform, including IIS, COM, XML, SQL7, and ASP, to make the two systems operate seamlessly. "We're impressed with the way Netdirect and our partner CornerStone Consulting have applied Microsoft products to deploy this efficient and integrated business-to-business e-procurement solution," said Brian Lynch, e-Commerce Business Development Manager, Microsoft Corporation.

Netdirect and the University believe significant opportunities for growth will arise through proactive marketing to the University's more than 100,000 purchasing departments, students, staff and faculty members. Netdirect intends to maximize these relationships by working closely with the University to promote the site launch and conduct ongoing weekly and/or monthly product promotions.

The partnership enhances Netdirect's leadership position in business-to-business sales of technology-related products and services. Netdirect has several other co-branded and Community Techmart(TM) private label Web sites that provide customized e-commerce marketplaces for professional and consumer associations and corporations.

About Netdirect Corporation International

Netdirect is the e-commerce company that offers businesses and communities of interest a better way to purchase a full array of technology products with unprecedented, personalized customer service and affordable prices. The company generates revenue through product and service sales and advertising programs by creating technology marketplaces for businesses, associations and affinity groups that collectively reach millions of loyal business and consumer buyers. In addition, Netdirect operates several proprietary online sites, including www.netdirect.com, www.dtpdirect.com, and www.downloadstore.com.

Statements in this Press Release that are not purely historical are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Netdirect's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future generally, Netdirect's growth strategy, future sales and anticipated trends in Netdirect's business. All forward looking statements included in this Press Release are based on information known to Netdirect on the date hereof, and Netdirect assumes no obligation to update any such forward looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those in such forward looking statements as a result of a number of factors, most of which are out of the control of Netdirect, including, but not limited to, Netdirect 's early stage of development, its lack of profitability and cash flows and competition for the sale of hardware and software products both on and off the internet. There is also no assurance that Netdirect will achieve the profitability goals anticipated with the University of Minnesota Techmart site.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

About CornerStone Consulting

CornerStone Consulting is an information technology consulting firm based in Minneapolis, Minn. The company provides business driven solutions in three areas; Internet & e-Commerce, Data Warehousing, and Automated Web Performance Testing. CornerStone has a rapid development framework that helps customers drive quick business value, and speed time to market with high impact solutions. For more information contact Clint Sawinski at 612/598-9630, or [e-mail].