BMW Achieves Ultimate Web-Driving Experience With Data Return; Data Return Provides BMW and Fallon Highest Availability for Heavily Trafficked BMWFilms.com Web Site

    DALLAS--Aug. 1, 2001--Data Return Corporation continues its perfect track record as the managed hosting provider for BMW USA and BMW Films Web sites as BMW continues to receive unprecedented Web traffic after the release of its fifth film in `The Hire.' BMW and Fallon, BMW's agency of record, developed the innovative series of films as a unique way to reach the heavily wired BMW aficionado.
    Data Return provided the technology for each of the BMW films produced by acclaimed motion picture directors Guy Ritchie, John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-Wai and the newest film by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, ensuring the films can be accessed 24x7 and downloaded without interruption. According to Fallon, Data Return was the only managed hosting provider able to handle this important contract because of its superior network infrastructure and ability to meet the complex technical requirements of BMW's Web sites.
    Data Return maintains a high level of availability for the BMW sites through its proprietary Business Continuity Services (BCS) technology, which anticipates high traffic windows and uses multi-site clustering for built-in redundancy. BCS solutions provide seamless load balancing across geographically dispersed sites and prevent interruption of customer transactions by supporting advanced latency-proof database content replication.
    "By leveraging Data Return's Business Continuity Services, BMW can be confident that each visitor to the BMW sites has the most unique and dynamic Internet experience from anywhere, anytime," said Jason A. Lochhead, Data Return's co-founder and CTO. "We are certain that users of the fully interactive BMW sites are having the same ultimate driving experience cruising the Web as they have on the open road."
    Using its highly flexible, modular infrastructure services, Data Return was able to deploy, test and initiate operations across three geographically dispersed sites to create a BCS solution in only seven calendar days -- a process that would have taken much longer using traditional deployment methods. Based on prior testing in Data Return's Scalability Center, Fallon was able to gauge the amount of bandwidth needed to support the BMW applications, determine how many concurrent users could be served, and establish a plan for growth to parallel expected user demand. Additionally, a Strategic Web Account Team (SWAT) was leveraged to guarantee the strength of the technology by monitoring the sites and providing round-the-clock support.
    "When Fallon approached Data Return on behalf of BMW and stated the project scope, we were impressed at how high the bar was for this deployment," admits Sunny C. Vanderbeck, chairman and CEO of Data Return. "Based on our past experience, no other provider has taken on a project of this magnitude. BMW has broken new ground with `The Hire' series -- providing its viewers a revolutionary hybrid of art, entertainment and technology."

    About Fallon

    Fallon Minneapolis, one of the world's most critically acclaimed, creatively driven branding companies, manages the consumer voice of some of the world's leading brands. Fallon is BMW's agency of record. Fallon Minneapolis is a part of Fallon Worldwide, the second global network of Publicis Groupe, based in Paris. Additional information can be found at www.fallon.com.

    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 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.