SharedGreetings Inc. Chooses Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers And Data Return; Online Greeting Card Company Selects Microsoft Internet Foundation Over Unix

Business Wire, Oct 25, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2000

Data Return Corporation (Nasdaq: DRTN), a leading global provider of managed hosting services, today announced it was chosen by SharedGreetings Inc. to create and operate the system architecture for its online greeting card service. SharedGreetings is expanding upon a highly successful model from Japan which combines online greeting cards with sweepstakes. Data Return and Catalyst Solution Partner Parks & Company has created a robust and economical Unix alternative built on Microsoft's .NET Enterprise Servers.

"We knew that building a Unix system suited for the US market could require extensive development," said James Fahey, CEO of SharedGreetings Inc. "We were delighted that Data Return and Parks & Company could build a robust, highly technical and scalable system -- in much less time with fewer human and technological resources than required on a Unix platform." The SharedGeetings Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers-based solution includes the Windows 2000 operating system, clustered high availability Web and application servers and clustered SQL Server 2000 servers.

Shared Greetings proved its new Microsoft-based system architecture in Data Return's Scalability Center in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas testing facility lets companies rigorously test applications prior to deployment on the Internet. "I was really impressed with the clear performance objectives and cleanly engineered environment at Data Return's Scalability Center," said Len Cayetano, vice president of engineering for SharedGreetings. "We could not have proven the model without going into a lab staffed by technology experts. As we expand, the Scalability Center will help SharedGreetings continue to prove and improve our system architecture."

Unlike other greeting card sites, SharedGreetings (www.sharedgreetings.com) combines a free online greeting card with the chance for both the sender and card recipient to each win one of the many prizes offered on the site. Visitors can choose from hundreds of greeting cards currently offered on the site and can also select from a broad selection of prizes ranging from gift certificates to trips. In October, SharedGreetings will award over 10,000 unique prizes to its visitors.

SharedGreetings' decision to switch from Unix to Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server-based solutions sends a strong message to the marketplace. "It's clear, a Windows 2000 platform supported by clustered SQL Server 2000 databases performs as well or better than a Unix-based system and can be deployed more quickly and cost-effectively," said Steve Murchie, group product manager, SQL Server 2000 at Microsoft Corp. "By partnering with Data Return, SharedGreetings can be confident its online business in the United States is supported by the industry's most seasoned technical experts."

Fahey summed up SharedGreetings' partnership with Data Return, saying, "Because Data Return focuses on infrastructure, we can focus on making the site the greatest it can be. We don't have to worry about managing our application or scaling servers. It makes sense to have one company manage the infrastructure so we can concentrate on our business model."

"Shared Greetings' unique business model has been proven in the Pacific Rim. The company's decision to bring this model to the U.S. and base it upon the Microsoft platform makes tremendously good business sense," said Sunny C. Vanderbeck, Data Return chairman and CEO. "We predict that as more companies perform cost and performance analyses of Unix-based systems vs. Microsoft deployments, we will continue to see platform switches such as the new Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server system architecture we've developed for SharedGreetings."

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, Pier 1 Imports, and 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.

About SharedGreetings Inc.

SharedGreetings (www.sharedgreetings.com) is the new paradigm in e-cards. SharedGreetings is an online greeting card service enhanced by a promotions component. Our unique patent pending integration of e-cards and promotions empowers the consumer by enabling them to send more than just a card. SharedGreetings users send a card as well as a chance to win a valuable prize. SharedGreetings is a strategic venture with Hakuhodo, Japan's No. 2 advertising agency. SharedGreetings is expecting to repeat the success of a similar service launched in Japan in 1996, which tallies about 2.9 million cards a year.