Inc. 500 Reveals USADATA as One of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies; USADATA, Inc.,...

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2003

Inc. Magazine, the premier publication for small and medium-sized businesses, released its 23rd annual Inc. 500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. USADATA, Inc., a provider of online applications

USADATA has previously been named to the Deloitte & Touche's New York Technology Fast 50 for 2002 and Computerworld's Top 100 Emerging Companies and is a prior recipient of the HBSC Entrepreneur Award.

"It is very satisfying that our client-focused approach, great products and exemplary customer service has continued to yield rewards and recognition for our company," said Ric Murphy, President and CEO of USADATA.

USADATA's Direct Marketing Portal automates acquisition and retention/cross-sell based direct marketing processes for large corporations with thousands of distributed sales agents or franchises. Using XML and Web technologies, USADATA's Direct Marketing Portal offers instant access to business and consumer data as well as outsourced mailing and printing services. This creates highly targeted lists and a higher return on marketing investments for organizations with decentralized networks of agents, brokers, sales representatives or franchisees.

The companies that made this list have thrived through continued stagnation in the economy, posting an average five-year sales growth of 1,312%. With aggregate revenue of $14.4 billion, Inc. 500 companies are a formidable market force. And while the United States shed 1.5 million jobs in 2002, Inc. 500 companies - half of which were launched with less than $20,000 - provided employment for 67,973 people.

"The entrepreneurs you'll find on the Inc. 500 have the type of attitude we need to get this economy moving again," said Inc. editor-in-chief John Koten. "For them, a tough market is not an excuse for poor performance, but an opportunity to innovate and rise above the competition."

The Inc. 500 ranks privately held companies according to sales growth over the past five years. With 75% of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from small businesses, the Inc. 500 is a prescient indicator of the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 500 has identified the next generation of world-class companies, with Microsoft, Stonyfield Farms, Timberland, Oracle, Princeton Review, Morningstar, E* Trade, Intuit and Domino's Pizza all appearing on the list before they became industry powerhouses.

To be eligible for this year's Inc. 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2002, have had at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1998, and their 2002 sales had to exceed 2001 sales. Inc. verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials. The Inc. 500 Special Issue will appear on newsstands October 14 and will be on display until January 2004.

About USADATA

USADATA's Direct Marketing Portal applications automate and improve direct marketing processes for organizations ranging from networks of thousands of decentralized users to a single, centralized user. Using XML and Web technologies, USADATA's portals offer effective prospecting tools as well as retention, cross-sell and up-sell objectives. USADATA's current clients include Allmerica Financial Corporation (NYSE: AFC), CruiseOne, The Hartford, MapInfo Corporation (Nasdaq: MAPS), MetLife (NYSE: MET), Mr. Handyman, Waddell and Reed, and Westfield Group. For more information, please call 1-800-599-5030 or visit www.USADATA.com.

About Inc.,

Inc., the only business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of fast-growing private companies, delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. It provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing and technology. Inc. is the premier publication that focuses on small-to-medium size businesses, which are responsible for more than half the nation's gross domestic product and 75% of its new jobs. And Inc. looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc., a Gruner + Jahr USA publication, inspires and informs, with cutting edge coverage that reflects our readers' energy, brashness and imagination.