DATAWORKS CORP
424B4, 1996-12-04
COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN
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<PAGE>   1
                                                   This filing is made pursuant 
                                                   to Rule 424(b)(4) under the
                                                   Securities Act of 1933
                                                   in connection with 
                                                   Registration No. 333-15825

   
                                2,000,000 SHARES
    
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
   
     All of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold
by DataWorks Corporation ("DataWorks" or the "Company"). The Company's Common
Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "DWRX." On
December 3, 1996, the last reported sale price for the Common Stock was $21.00
per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
    
 
   
     Of the 2,000,000 shares being sold in the offering, up to an aggregate of
88,000 shares will be purchased by certain affiliates of the Company at the
public offering price for investment purposes and not for resale.
    
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED
HEREBY.
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
      REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Price to         Underwriting        Proceeds to
                                     Public           Discount(1)        Company(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>              <C>                 <C>

Per Share......................       $21.00             $1.15             $19.85
Total(3).......................     $42,000,000       $2,300,000         $39,700,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information concerning indemnification of the
    Underwriters and other matters.
 
(2) Before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company, estimated at
    $300,000.
 
   
(3) The Company and certain shareholders of the Company (the "Selling
    Shareholders") have granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase
    up to 112,735 and 187,265 additional shares, respectively, of Common Stock,
    solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the Underwriters exercise this
    option in full, the Price to Public will total $48,300,000, the Underwriting
    Discount will total $2,645,000, the Proceeds to Company will total
    $41,937,790 and the proceeds to the Selling Shareholders will total
    $3,717,210. See "Underwriting."
    
 
   
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters named
herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and to their right to reject
any order in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the certificates
representing such shares will be made against payment therefor at the office of
Montgomery Securities on or about December 9, 1996.
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
                             FURMAN SELZ
 
                                                 SOUNDVIEW FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
 
   
                                December 4, 1996
    
<PAGE>   2
 
                      MULTIPLE ERP SOLUTIONS. ONE VISION.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                          <C>
Upper Tier                   Enterprise                   The transition to a new or enhanced
                             Client Server(1)             enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
                             [Picture of one              solution is one of the most costly and
                             skyscraper.]                 troublesome challenges faced by growing
                                                          mid-range discrete manufacturing companies.
                                                          DataWorks addresses this challenge with a
                                                          family of ERP solutions that offers these
                                                          growing companies a product migration path.
Mid-Tier                     Data Flo                     DataWorks' technologically advanced,
                             Man Fact II                  easy-to-use solutions offer the flexibility
                             [Picture of two large        required by mid-range discrete manufacturing
                             buildings.]                  companies. The Company's ERP solutions
                                                          utilize certain complementary core
                                                          technologies, enabling customers to make a
                                                          cost-effective transition among the Company's
                                                          ERP solutions. Customers can also benefit
                                                          from the advantages of a long-term
                                                          relationship with a single software vendor.
Lower Tier                   [Picture of two small        DataWorks' ERP solutions are targeted to the
                             buildings.]                  diverse information requirements of mid-range
                                                          manufacturing organizations. DataWorks
                                                          develops markets, implements and supports ERP
                                                          solutions for mid-range discrete
                                                          manufacturing companies with annual revenues
                                                          between $3 million and $1 billion.
                                                          (1) Under development
[Picture of a diagonal arrow pointing upward, with the
  word "Migration" diagonally alongside.]
</TABLE>
 
                              DATAWORKS (LOGO)(@)
                       A POWERFUL WAY OF WORKING TOGETHER
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS (IF ANY) OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET
MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      A FAMILY OF ERP SOLUTIONS
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          VISTA                                    VANTAGE
<S>                       <C>                                      <C> 
OVERVIEW                  Vista is an easy-to-use, Windows-        Vantage is an easy-to-use, Windows- 
                          based ERP software package that          based ERP software package with
                          provides a cost-effective solution for   flexible order-handling capabilities to
                          job shops with up to $5 million in       support a mix of custom and standard
                          revenues. Vista fully integrates 13      part orders and multilevel assemblies.
                          core business functions and features     Vantage is designed for the rapid 
                          single or multi-level bill of material   deployment, minimal support and
                          capabilities. The Design Ware feature    price/performance requirements of
                          permits users to define their own        custom and mixed-mode manufacturers
                          screens, add fields, change colors,      with revenues typically in the $3
                          hide fields, change grid sizes, and      million to $25 million range.
                          drag choices from menus to the desk-
                          top.
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS   + Drag-and-drop, "what-if" graphical     + Drag-and-drop, "what-if" production
                            scheduling                               scheduling
                          + Paperless control of order, job and    + Order/job linking for blanket orders;
                            part tracking                            multiple customer to multiple order
                          + VistaTouch touch-screen data             linking
                            collection                             + VantagePoint touch-screen data 
                                                                     collection
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EASE OF USE HIGHLIGHTS    + Point-and-click navigation             + Knowledge-based "web" navigation
                          + User-defined menus, screens and        + On-line help and tutorial
                            reports                                + Easy import and export supporting
                          + Cut, copy and paste with Windows and     many file types
                            non-Windows applications
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS INFRASTRUCTURE         Minimal                                  Minimal
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE RANGE               $10,000 to $30,000                       $25,000 to $100,000
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPLOYMENT PERIOD         1 to 3 months                            1 to 3 months
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES CYCLE               1 to 3 months                            1 to 3 months
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

[ This is the first page of a two-page foldout. The text in the overview row
  above is set over a picture of two workmen.]
<PAGE>   4
FOR MID-RANGE MANUFACTURERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Enterprise
ManFact II                                    DataFlo                                   Client Server
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                         <C>
ManFact II is an open systems,                DataFlo is an open systems,                ECS is an object-oriented advanced
client/server based ERP system for            client/server based ERP system for         client/server solution that is currently
project-oriented job shops and                high volume repetitive and discrete        under development. ECS is designed to
make-to-order manufacturers with              manufacturers with revenues typical-       support "best of breed" application
revenues typically in the $25 million         ly in the $25 million to $200 million      integration, advanced multitier
to $200 million range. ManFact II             range. DataFlo offers 34 sophisticat-      client/server technology, a graphical
features robust functionality, facili-        ed modules and includes the special        development environment and applica-
tates rapid deployment and results in         functionality required by mixed-           tions logic that is fully integrated to the
low customer IS maintenance                   mode manufacturers, such as repeti-        workflow manager for custom transac-
requirements.                                 tive manufacturing of subassemblies        tion routing, security, messaging and
                                              and configure-to-order assembly of         escalation. ECS is designed for manu-
                                              finished products.                         facturers with revenues typically in the
                                                                                         $200 million to $1 billion range.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Complete ERP solution for large             + A comprehensive ERP solution for         + Multi-tier client/server architecture
  job shop manufacturers operating              repetitive/just in time                  + Object oriented
  in a project-oriented environment             manufacturers                            + Real-time, distributed applications
+ Seamless integration with desktop           + Seamless integration with desktop        + Database independence
  PC and Macintosh productivity                 PC and Macintosh productivity            + High performance manufacturing,
  tools                                         tools                                      logistics, distribution and financial
+ Integrated, user-friendly tools meet        + Integrated, user-friendly tools meet       applications
  specific customer requirements                specific customer requirements
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Graphical user interface                    + Graphical user interface                 + Graphical client interface
+ User-oriented tools for creation of         + User-oriented tools for creation of      + User-definable navigation
  custom screens, menus, reports                custom screens, menus, reports           + Customizable workflow and security
  and alerts                                    and alerts                               + Windows and HTML-enabled help
+ On-line documentation, CAD                  + On-line documentation, CAD                 with wizards
  drawings, photographs and video               drawings, photographs and video
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited                                       Limited                                     Significant
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$125,000 to $750,000                          $125,000 to $750,000                        $500,000 to $3 million(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 to 9 months                                 3 to 9 months                               (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 to 9 months                                 3 to months                                 (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- -----------------------

(1) The Company's ECS system is currently under development and, although the
    Company intends to commence customer shipments of the product in late 1997,
    there can be no assurances that the Company will commence such shipments on
    a timely basis, or at all, or if timely shipped, that the ECS system will
    achieve market acceptance. As ECS is currently under development, data on
    average deployment period and sales cycle is unavailable and the indicated
    price range is estimated.


[This is the second page of a two-page foldout. The text in the overview row
 above is set over a picture of two workmen.]    
<PAGE>   5
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, contained
elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference. Except as
otherwise noted, all information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting."
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the sections entitled "Risk
Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business," as well as those discussed elsewhere in
this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     DataWorks Corporation ("DataWorks" or the "Company") develops, markets,
implements and supports open systems, client/server-based Enterprise Resource
Planning ("ERP") software for mid-range discrete manufacturing companies with
annual revenues between $3 million and $1 billion. The Company's products and
services facilitate enterprise-wide management of resources and information and
allow mid-range manufacturers to reduce order fulfillment cycle times, improve
operating efficiencies and measure critical company performance against defined
plan objectives. DataWorks' products enable its customers to manage
make-to-stock and make-to-order production methods, as well as multiple hybrid
or "mixed mode" production methods, within a single manufacturing site or across
multiple sites. The Company's products also help customers adapt to growth,
changing levels of operations, and business process re-engineering, which is
becoming commonplace among manufacturing concerns.
 
     The business needs and resource requirements of mid-range manufacturers
tend to be considerably different than those of larger companies. Companies in
this market typically have small information systems departments, budget
constraints and limited experience with the advanced technologies inherent in
ERP systems. DataWorks segments the mid-range manufacturing market into three
distinct sectors: the lower tier segment (companies with annual revenues of $3
million to $25 million), the mid-tier segment ($25 million to $200 million) and
the upper tier segment ($200 million to $1 billion). The Company's family of ERP
solutions is designed to provide a product migration path to address the
changing needs of growing companies in the mid-range manufacturing market. The
Company's principal products have been DataFlo and ManFact II, open systems
client/server-based products that are targeted at mid-tier manufacturers and
which accounted for 73.4% of the Company's revenues in the first nine months of
1996. The Company has broadened its product line to serve the lower tier segment
of the mid-range market with Vista and Vantage. Vista and Vantage are
easy-to-use, Windows-based products that the Company acquired through its recent
acquisition of DCD Corporation ("DCD"). The Company also has under development
its Enterprise Client Server ("ECS") system, an object oriented, multi-tier
client/server-based product that is designed for the upper tier segment of the
mid-range market. The Company intends to commence customer shipments of ECS in
late 1997.
 
     The Company has designed its product family to be affordable and to
incorporate a broad range of applications, depth of functionality, ease of use
and an ability to be rapidly deployed. The Company's products are comprised of
modules that provide and integrate feature-rich applications and that can be
configured to comprehensively support a customer's business. DataWorks provides
turnkey solutions by integrating its application software products with third
party hardware, operating systems, and database and other software products. The
Company offers a suite of development tools and a full complement of services to
help its customers maximize the benefits of the Company's software products and
efficiently implement the Company's ERP solutions. These services include
initial system implementation, consultation, customer support desk and
maintenance activities, technical and programming services, and periodic
enhancement releases of software products.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
     The Company's objective is to be the leading provider of business
information solutions and related products and services to mid-range
manufacturers within selected markets. To accomplish this objective, the Company
intends to: (i) continue to develop new modules and incorporate new
functionality into its products such as Internet integration, business objects,
decision support, manufacturing execution systems support and Object EDI (a
cross-product universal transaction processing protocol); (ii) continue to focus
on achieving high levels of customer satisfaction; (iii) offer its DCD and ECS
products to its targeted market segments; and (iv) leverage its sophisticated
sales and marketing system to increase DataWorks' presence in the lower tier and
international markets.
 
     The Company principally focuses on six discrete, dynamic industries within
its target market: industrial equipment; computer/office equipment; consumer
electronics; instrumentation and controls; medical/dental products; and
transportation/aerospace products. Companies in these "highly engineered
product" industries are typically characterized by complex bills of material,
sophisticated manufacturing processes and a greater need for post-sales
monitoring and tracking. The Company utilizes a sophisticated, multi-phased
sales and marketing approach to enable account representatives to qualify and
track prospective clients, monitor sales efforts and provide valuable management
information, all of which enhances the Company's new customer success rate. The
Company sells its products in the United States primarily through a direct sales
force. The Company currently has 14 offices across the United States, and to
date has derived substantially all of its revenues from its domestic sales
efforts. The Company also has a wholly owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom,
and plans to expand its international sales and service operations. As of
September 30, 1996, DataWorks products were licensed to more than 3,000
customers.
 
     The Company was incorporated in California in 1986. The Company's executive
offices are located at 5910 Pacific Center Boulevard, Suite 300, San Diego,
California 92121, and its telephone number is (619) 546-9600.
 
                              THE DCD ACQUISITION
 
     In September 1996, the Company acquired DCD in a stock-for-stock
transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. Accordingly, the financial
results of DCD have been consolidated with the financial results of the Company
included in this Prospectus. In connection with the acquisition, the
shareholders of DCD received approximately 1.8 million shares of the Common
Stock of the Company, which constituted approximately 22.6% of the outstanding
Common Stock immediately after the acquisition.
 
     DCD designs, develops, markets and supports software for use by lower tier
mid-range manufacturers in the make-to-order manufacturing industry. The
principal products acquired by DataWorks in the transaction were Vista and
Vantage. The Company believes that this acquisition allows it to achieve several
important strategic objectives, including both the addition of complementary
products to better serve various markets and a significant expansion of the
Company's customer and revenue base.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company...................  2,000,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering....  9,816,764 shares (1)
Use of proceeds.......................................  For working capital, general
                                                        corporate purposes and possible
                                                        acquisitions and joint ventures
Nasdaq National Market symbol.........................  DWRX
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 1996.
    Excludes (i) 810,610 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding stock options under the Company's stock option plans and an
    aggregate of 632,220 shares available for future issuance thereunder, (ii)
    an aggregate of 70,608 shares available for issuance under the Company's
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (iii) 36,314 shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                                   ENDED
                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               ---------------------------   -----------------
                                                1993      1994      1995      1995      1996
                                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Revenues...................................  $15,522   $23,081   $43,011   $29,229   $42,285
  Gross profit...............................    9,029    14,242    27,240    18,605    27,309
  Income from operations.....................    1,219       686     6,491     3,916     2,614(1)
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item....      719      (191)    3,374     1,690     1,479
  Net income (loss)..........................  $   719   $  (348)  $ 2,357   $ 1,063   $ 1,479
                                               =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
  Net income, as adjusted....................                                          $ 4,017(2)
                                                                                       =======
PER SHARE INFORMATION:
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item....  $   .19   $  (.05)  $   .61   $   .31   $   .18
  Extraordinary item.........................       --      (.04)     (.18)     (.11)       --
                                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
  Net income (loss)..........................  $   .19   $  (.09)  $   .43   $   .20   $   .18
                                               =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
  Net income, as adjusted....................                                          $   .49(2)
                                                                                       =======
  Shares used in per share computations(3)...    3,844     4,021     5,523     5,384     8,179
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                      ------------------------
                                                                      ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(4)
                                                                      -------   --------------
<S>                                                                   <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................................  $ 8,866      $ 48,266
  Working capital...................................................   15,142        54,542
  Total assets......................................................   44,566        83,966
  Total shareholders' equity........................................   25,259        64,659
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) After deducting costs associated with the acquisition of DCD of $3,656,000.
 
(2) Excluding costs and related tax effects associated with the acquisition of
    DCD, net income and earnings per share for the nine months ended September
    30, 1996 would have been $4.0 million and $.49 per share, respectively.
 
(3) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describing the
    determination of the number of shares used in computing per share
    information.
 
   
(4) As adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of shares of Common
    Stock offered hereby and the application of the estimated net proceeds
    therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the
following risk factors should be considered carefully before purchasing the
Common Stock offered hereby.
 
     Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results. The Company has experienced
significant fluctuations in its revenues and operating results from quarter to
quarter and anticipates that it will continue to experience such quarterly
fluctuations. The Company's revenues and operating results have generally been
higher in the fourth quarter than in any preceding quarter of the year. The
Company believes that fourth quarter revenues are positively impacted by
year-end capital purchases by some large corporate customers, as well as by the
Company's sales compensation plans. Seasonal factors, which the Company believes
are common in the computer software industry, are likely to increase as the
Company focuses on larger corporate accounts. As a result of these seasonal
factors, first quarter revenues in any year are typically lower than revenues in
the immediately preceding fourth quarter. In addition, the Company's revenues
occur predominantly in the third month of each quarter and tend to be
concentrated in the latter half of that third month. Accordingly, the Company's
quarterly results of operations are difficult to predict, and delays in product
delivery or in closings of sales near the end of a quarter could cause quarterly
revenues and, to a greater degree, net income to fall substantially short of
anticipated levels. Factors that may contribute to such fluctuations in addition
to seasonal factors include: the number of new orders and product shipments; the
size and timing of individual orders; the timing of shipment of hardware or
database software by third party vendors necessary in order for the Company to
recognize revenues; the timing of introduction of products or product
enhancements by the Company, the Company's competitors or other providers of
hardware, software and components for the Company's market; competition and
pricing in the software industry; market acceptance of new products; reduction
in demand for existing products and shortening of product life cycles as a
result of new product introductions by competitors; product quality problems;
customer order deferrals in anticipation of new products; changes in customer
budgets; changes in Company strategy; changes in Company operating expenses;
personnel changes; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in
the mix of products sold; conditions or events in the manufacturing industry;
and general economic conditions.
 
     The Company's sales figures for DataFlo and ManFact II, the Company's
principal products, generally reflect a relatively high amount of revenues per
order. The loss or delay of individual orders for these products, therefore,
could have a more significant impact on the revenues and quarterly results of
the Company than on those of companies with higher sales volumes and lower
revenues per order. The Company's software products generally are shipped as
orders are received, and revenues are recognized upon delivery of the products,
provided no significant vendor obligations exist and collection of the related
receivable is deemed probable. As a result, software license revenues in any
quarter are substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that
quarter. The timing of license revenues derived from sales of the Company's
DataFlo and ManFact II products is difficult to predict because of the length of
the sales cycle for these products, which is typically three to nine months from
the initial contact. Because the Company's operating expenses are based on
anticipated revenue trends and because a high percentage of the Company's
expenses are relatively fixed, a delay in the recognition of revenue from a
limited number of license transactions could cause significant variations in
operating results from quarter to quarter and could result in losses. To the
extent such expenses precede, or are not subsequently followed by, increased
revenues, the Company's operating results would be materially adversely
affected. In addition, the achievement of anticipated revenues is substantially
dependent on the ability of the Company to attract, on a timely basis, and
retain skilled personnel, especially sales, service and implementation
personnel. See "-- Ability to Recruit Sales, Service and Implementation
Personnel" and "-- Dependence on Key Employees." As a result of these factors,
revenues for any quarter are subject to significant variation, and the Company
believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations are not
necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future
performance. Fluctuations in operating results may also result in volatility in
the price of the Company's Common Stock. See "-- Possible Volatility of Stock
Price" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations -- Quarterly Results."
 
     Integration of DataWorks and DCD Operations. The Company acquired DCD in
September 1996. The process of rationalizing management services, administrative
organizations, facilities, management informa-
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
tion systems and other aspects of operations, while managing a larger and
geographically expanded entity, presents a significant challenge to the
management of DataWorks. There can be no assurance that the integration process
will be successful or that the anticipated benefits of the business combination
will be fully realized. The dedication of management resources to such
integration may detract attention from the day-to-day business of the Company.
The difficulties of integration may be increased by the necessity of
coordinating geographically separated organizations, integrating personnel with
disparate business backgrounds and combining different corporate cultures.
Integrating the two companies has caused the Company to incur certain additional
expenses, and there can be no assurance that there will not continue to be
substantial costs associated with the integration process, that such activities
will not result in a decrease in revenues or that there will not be other
material adverse effects of these integration efforts. Such effects could
materially reduce the earnings of the Company. The Company incurred acquisition
and related costs totaling $3.7 million in the third quarter of 1996. There can
be no assurance that DataWorks will not incur additional charges in the current
quarter and subsequent quarters to reflect costs associated with the
acquisition.
 
   
     Competition. The business information systems industry is intensely
competitive, rapidly changing and significantly affected by new product
offerings and other market activities. A number of companies offer products
similar to the Company's products, which are directed at the market for ERP
systems. Many of the Company's existing competitors, as well as a number of
potential competitors, have more established and larger marketing and sales
organizations, significantly greater financial and technical resources and a
larger installed base of customers than the Company. In addition, potential
customers that have a large installed base of legacy systems may resist
committing the time and resources necessary to convert to an open systems-based
client/server software product. The Company has no proprietary barriers to entry
which would limit competitors from developing similar products or selling
competing products in the Company's markets. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that such competitors will not offer or develop products that are
superior to the Company's products or that achieve greater market acceptance. In
addition, suppliers of relational database management systems ("RDBMS") or
companies that develop management information software applications for large
multinational manufacturers are beginning to market to the upper tier of the
mid-range market targeted by the Company or otherwise develop applications that
compete effectively in the Company's markets. Furthermore, the Company intends
to focus its marketing and product development efforts increasingly toward the
upper end of its target market, which could result in increased competition. As
a result, competition (including price competition) is likely to increase
substantially, which may result in price reductions and loss of market share. In
addition, potential customers may increasingly demand that ERP systems
incorporate certain popular RDBMS software not currently integrated into certain
of DataWorks' product offerings that are offered by its competitors. As the
client/server computing market expands, a large number of companies, some with
significantly greater resources than the Company, may enter the market or
increase their market share by acquiring or entering into alliances with
competitors of the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully against its competitors or that the competitive
pressures faced by the Company will not adversely affect its financial
performance.
    
 
     The Company has a large number of competitors that vary in size, primary
computer platforms and overall product scope. Within its market, the primary
competition comes from independent software vendors in four distinct groups
including (i) large multinational system developers in the upper tier of the
Company's mid-range market, including Baan Company, Oracle Corporation
("Oracle") and qad, Inc., (ii) companies offering high levels of functionality
on the AS/400 platform such as System Software Associates, Inc. and J.D. Edwards
Company, (iii) traditional mid-range market sector firms such as ROI Systems and
Symix Systems, Inc., and (iv) lower priced PC network-based offerings from
companies such as Fourth Shift Corporation, Lilly Software Associates and Macola
Software, Inc. There is also a large number of regional manufacturing software
suppliers that leverage as competitive advantages their concentrated local
support, reputation and, typically, lower price.
 
     The Company's principal market is highly fragmented and consists of a few
large multinational suppliers and a much larger number of small regional
competitors. The Company believes that its industry will experience
consolidation as business information systems become more complex and as more
manufacturers adopt sophisticated business information systems, forcing smaller
companies in the industry to specialize or
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
merge with their competitors. In order to compete effectively in the broad
markets which the Company presently targets, the Company will need to continue
to grow and attain sufficient size to ensure that it can develop new products on
a timely basis in response to evolving technology and new customer demands and
can sell such products to a variety of manufacturing industries worldwide. No
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to grow sufficiently to
enable it to compete effectively. The Company anticipates that a significant
source of future competition may be from larger manufacturing software companies
that may tailor their products for the mid-range market. Only a few of the
larger and better capitalized software systems companies currently compete in
the Company's targeted market. There can be no assurance that such companies
will not develop products that are superior to the Company's products or that
achieve greater market acceptance. See "Business -- Competition."
 
     Ability to Recruit Sales, Service and Implementation Personnel. The ability
to achieve anticipated revenues is substantially dependent on the ability of the
Company to attract on a timely basis and retain skilled personnel, especially
sales, service and implementation personnel. In addition, the Company believes
that its future success will depend in large part on its ability to attract and
retain highly skilled technical, managerial, marketing and professional services
personnel to ensure the quality of products and services provided to its
customers. Competition for such personnel, in particular for product
development, sales and implementation personnel, is intense, and the Company
competes in the market for such personnel against numerous companies, including
larger, more established companies with significantly greater financial
resources than the
Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
attracting and retaining skilled personnel. The Company's inability to attract
and retain qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operations. See "-- Dependence on Key Employees" and
"-- Rapid Technological Change and New Products."
 
     Introduction of ECS System. The Company currently anticipates commencing
customer shipments of its ECS system in late 1997. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company will commence such shipments in 1997, or at all.
Furthermore, the Company has limited experience in selling products to customers
in the upper tier of the mid-range manufacturing market and anticipates that
selling products to such customers will result in a longer sales cycle and will
require a different strategy than that employed by the Company in selling
products to customers in the mid-tier market. For example, as part of its upper
tier marketing strategy, the Company is exploring potential relationships with
third party integrators to facilitate implementation of the ECS system. There
can be no assurance that any such relationships will be formed or, if formed,
will prove beneficial to the Company. Accordingly, even if customer shipments of
the ECS system are timely commenced, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in effectively marketing the ECS system or that the ECS
system will achieve market acceptance. See "-- Rapid Technological Change and
New Products" and "Business -- Products -- Upper Tier: Enterprise Client
Server."
 
     Management of Growth. The Company's business has grown rapidly, both
internally and through acquisitions, with total revenues increasing to $42.3
million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 from $29.2 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1995. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to manage its recent growth and assimilate its new employees and
products successfully. To manage its growth effectively, the Company will be
required to expand, train and manage its employee base, enhance its operating
and financial systems, and effectively expand its product line. If the Company
continues to grow, there can be no assurance that the management skills and
systems currently in place will be adequate or that the Company will be able to
manage any additional growth effectively. See "-- Integration of DataWorks and
DCD Operations."
 
     Dependence on Key Employees. The Company's continued success depends to a
significant extent upon its ability to retain certain key employees, including
Stuart W. Clifton, Norman R. Farquhar, Mark S. Howlett and Robert W. Brandel.
The loss of certain key employees or the Company's inability to attract and
retain other qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operations. See "-- Ability to Recruit Sales, Service and
Implementation Personnel," "-- Rapid Technological Change and New Products,"
"Business -- Employees" and "Management -- Directors and Executive Officers."
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
     Rapid Technological Change and New Products. The market for the Company's
software products is characterized by rapid technological advances, evolving
industry standards, changes in end-user requirements and frequent new product
introductions and enhancements. The introduction of products embodying new
technologies, such as the planned introduction of the ECS system, and the
emergence of new industry standards, could render the Company's existing
products and products currently under development obsolete and unmarketable.
Accordingly, the Company's future success will depend upon its ability to
enhance its current products and develop and introduce new products that keep
pace with technological developments, satisfy varying end-user requirements and
achieve market acceptance. Any failure by the Company to anticipate or respond
adequately to technological developments or end-user requirements, or any
significant delays in product development or introduction, could damage the
Company's competitive position and have an adverse effect on revenues. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing
new products, including the ECS system, or product enhancements on a timely
basis or that the Company will not experience significant delays in the future,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that new products or product
enhancements developed by the Company will achieve market acceptance. The
Company may need to increase the size of its product development staff in the
near term to meet these challenges. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in hiring and training an adequate number of qualified
product development personnel to meet its needs. See "-- Introduction of ECS
System," "-- Dependence on Key Employees" and "Business -- Product Development."
 
     Software programs as complex as those offered by the Company may contain
undetected errors or "bugs" when first introduced or as new versions are
released that, despite testing by the Company, are discovered only after a
product has been installed and used by customers. There can be no assurance that
errors will not be found in future releases of the Company's software, or that
any such errors will not impair the market acceptance of these products and
adversely affect operating results. Problems encountered by customers installing
and implementing new releases or with the performance of the Company's products
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations.
 
     Dependence on Manufacturing Industry. The Company's business depends
substantially upon the capital expenditures of mid-range discrete manufacturers,
which in part depend upon the demand for such manufacturers' products. A
recession or other adverse events affecting the manufacturing industry in the
United States or other markets served by the Company could affect such demand,
forcing manufacturers in the Company's target markets to curtail or postpone
capital expenditures on business information systems. Any such change in the
amount or timing of capital expenditures in its target markets could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations.
 
     Dependence on Third Party Software and Hardware. Most of the Company's
products incorporate and use software products and computer hardware and
equipment developed by other entities. The relational database management
systems currently used in the Company's products are those which the Company
believes are best suited for the particular applications required by the
mid-range discrete manufacturers. These RDBMS have been developed by UniData,
Inc. ("UniData"), VMark Software, Inc. ("VMark"), Progress Software Corporation
and Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"). The operating systems on which the
Company's products can function (UNIX, SCO-UNIX, UnixWare, VMS and Microsoft NT)
have been developed or are owned by Novell Corporation ("Novell"), Digital
Equipment Corporation ("DEC") and Microsoft. The computer hardware and related
equipment sold as part of the Company's turnkey systems are manufactured by
Hewlett-Packard Company ("Hewlett-Packard"), International Business Machines
Corporation ("IBM"), DEC and others. There can be no assurance that all of these
entities will remain in business, that such entities will continue to support
these product lines, that their product lines will remain viable or that these
products will otherwise continue to be available to the Company. If any of these
entities ceases to do business or abandons or fails to enhance a particular
product line, the Company may need to seek other suppliers. This could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Company's current suppliers will not
significantly alter their pricing in a manner adverse to the Company. See
"Business -- Products."
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
     Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights. The Company relies on a
combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, employee and
third-party nondisclosure agreements and other industry standard methods for
protecting ownership of its proprietary software. There can be no assurance,
however, that, in spite of these precautions, an unauthorized third party will
not copy or reverse-engineer certain portions of the Company's products or
obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. The Company
provides the source code for its application software under licenses to its
customers to enable them to customize the software to meet particular
requirements. Although the Company's source code license contains
confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions, there can be no assurance that
such customers will take adequate precautions to protect the Company's source
code or other confidential information. In addition, the laws of some foreign
countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as
do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the mechanisms
used by the Company to protect its software will be adequate or that the
Company's competitors will not independently develop software products that are
substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's software products.
 
     The Company has and may from time to time receive notices from third
parties claiming that the Company's products infringe upon third party
proprietary rights. The Company expects that, as the number of software products
in the industry increases and the functionality of these products further
overlaps, software products will increasingly be subject to such claims. Any
such claim, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation and require
the Company to enter into royalty or licensing arrangements. Such royalty or
license arrangements, if required, may not be available, if at all, on terms
acceptable to the Company. See "Business -- Intellectual Property."
 
     Product Liability. Because the Company markets and sells its software
products on a turnkey basis, which includes rendering professional consulting
services, the Company incurs significant risks of professional and other
liability. No assurance can be given that the limitations of liability set forth
in the Company's license agreements or other contracts would be enforceable or
would otherwise protect the Company from liability for damages to a customer
resulting from a defect in one of the Company's products or arising as a result
of professional services rendered by the Company. Such a claim, if successful
and of sufficient magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operations.
 
     Influence of Existing Shareholders. Following this offering, the Company's
executive officers, directors and their affiliates will, in the aggregate,
beneficially own approximately 26.9% of the Company's outstanding shares of
Common Stock. As a result, these shareholders, if acting together, would be able
to influence matters requiring approval by the shareholders of the Company,
including the election of a majority of the directors. The voting power of these
shareholders under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company. The Company has entered into
agreements with its executive officers and directors indemnifying them against
losses they may incur in legal proceedings arising from their service to the
Company. See "Management" and "Principal Shareholders."
 
     Possible Volatility of Stock Price. The market price of the Company's
Common Stock has fluctuated since its initial public offering in October 1995.
The price of the Company's stock may be subject to significant fluctuations in
the future in response to variations in quarterly operating results of the
Company, announcements of new products by the Company or by its competitors, and
general trends in the software industry, as well as fluctuations in the stock
market that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies.
Also, the Company's revenues or operating results in future quarters may be
below the expectations of public market securities analysts and investors, which
could cause the price of the Company's stock to decline, perhaps substantially.
Such stock price and market fluctuations could adversely affect the Company.
Further, there can be no assurance that the market price of the Company's Common
Stock will not decline below the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus.
 
     Effect of Certain Charter Provisions. The Company's Board of Directors has
the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock and to
determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges of those shares without
any further vote or action by the shareholders. The rights of the holders of
Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of
the holders of any Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The
issuance of Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection with
possible
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it
more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company. The Company has no present plan to issue any shares of
Preferred Stock.
 
     Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Registration Rights. Sales of substantial
numbers of shares of Common Stock in the public market following this offering
could adversely affect the market price for the Common Stock. Upon completion of
this offering, the Company will have outstanding an aggregate of 9,816,764
shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
option and no exercise of outstanding options, based upon the number of shares
outstanding as of September 30, 1996. Upon completion of this offering, in
addition to the 2,000,000 shares sold in this offering, 3,741,901 shares will be
freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Beginning on the date of public
announcement of the Company's financial results for the year ended December 31,
1996, 26,304 shares issued in connection with the Company's acquisition of DCD
will be eligible for sale. Beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus,
3,979,075 shares held by certain officers, directors and shareholders, who have
agreed not to sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Common Stock without the consent of Montgomery Securities, will be eligible for
sale subject, in the case of "affiliates" of the Company, as that term is
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, to the volume and other
limitations of Rule 144. The remaining 69,484 shares of Common Stock held by
existing shareholders are subject to the volume and other limitations of Rule
144. The holders of outstanding warrants to purchase 36,314 shares and holders
of approximately 1,824,293 shares of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to
certain demand and piggyback registration rights. If such holders, by exercising
their demand and piggyback registration rights, cause a large number of shares
to be registered and sold in the public market, such sales may have an adverse
effect on the market price for the Common Stock.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be $39,400,000
($41,637,790 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full),
after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock, if any, by the Selling Shareholders pursuant to the Underwriters'
over-allotment option. See "Principal Shareholders -- Selling
Shareholders -- Exercise of Over-Allotment Option."
    
 
     The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for
additional working capital, general corporate purposes, including expansion of
general sales and marketing and customer support activities, international
expansion and possible acquisitions and joint ventures. The amounts actually
expended by the Company for working capital purposes will vary significantly
depending upon a number of factors, including future revenue growth, if any, the
amount of cash generated by the Company's operations and the progress of the
Company's product development efforts. Hence, the Company's management will
retain broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds from this
offering. In addition, the Company may make one or more acquisitions of, or
joint ventures with, complementary technologies, products or businesses which
broaden or enhance the Company's current product offerings. However, the Company
has no specific plans, agreements or commitments, oral or written, and is not
currently engaged in any negotiations for any such acquisition or joint venture.
Pending the uses described above, the net proceeds will be invested in interest-
bearing, investment-grade securities.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company's Common Stock has traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "DWRX" since October 27, 1995. The following table sets forth for the
periods indicated the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  HIGH      LOW
                                                                 ------    ------
        <S>                                                      <C>       <C>
          1996
          Fourth Quarter (through December 3)..................  $34.25    $21.00
          Third Quarter........................................   28.00     15.75
          Second Quarter.......................................   19.50     11.50
          First Quarter........................................   14.50     10.25
          1995
          Fourth Quarter (from October 27).....................  $15.00    $10.75
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     As of September 30, 1996, there were 69 holders of record of the Common
Stock. On December 3, 1996, the closing sales price of the Company's Common
Stock was $21.00 per share.
    
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common
Stock. DCD, in 1994 and 1995 (prior to its acquisition by DataWorks), paid
dividends of approximately $393,000 and $649,000, respectively, to its employee
stock ownership plan. The Company's banking facilities contain certain
restrictions and limitations, including the prohibition against payment of
dividends. The Company currently intends to retain any future earnings for use
in its business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
September 30, 1996 and as adjusted to give effect to the receipt by the Company
of the net proceeds from the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock
offered hereby after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering
expenses payable by the Company.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                         -----------------------
                                                                         ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED
                                                                         -------     -----------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                               SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, no par value:
     5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding,
     actual and as adjusted............................................       --            --
  Common Stock, no par value:
     25,000,000 shares authorized; 7,816,764 shares issued and
     outstanding, actual; 9,816,764 shares issued and outstanding, as
     adjusted(1).......................................................  $26,894       $66,294
  Accumulated deficit..................................................   (1,635)       (1,635)
                                                                         -------       -------
          Total shareholders' equity...................................   25,259        64,659
                                                                         -------       -------
          Total capitalization.........................................  $25,259       $64,659
                                                                         =======       =======
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes, as of September 30, 1996, (i) 810,610 shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under the Company's
    stock option plans and an aggregate of 632,220 shares available for future
    issuance thereunder, (ii) an aggregate of 70,608 shares available for
    issuance under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (iii) 36,314
    shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. See
    Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated statement of
operations data for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the
consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1994 and 1995 are derived from,
and are qualified by reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated
statement of operations data for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1995
and 1996 and the consolidated balance sheet data at September 30, 1996 are
derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this Prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years
ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 and the consolidated balance sheet data at
December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993 are derived from unaudited consolidated
financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated
financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited
consolidated financial statements and contain all adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the
Company's results of operations and financial position for such periods. The
results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or future
periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                                     ENDED
                                                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                  -------------------------------------------------------     -------------------
                                                   1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
<S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Software licenses.............................  $ 4,126     $ 4,580     $ 6,692     $11,627     $22,874     $15,952     $24,459
  Hardware......................................    2,274       1,843       4,089       3,765       6,743       4,189       3,718
  Maintenance and other services................    3,335       3,525       4,741       7,689      13,394       9,088      14,108
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
      Total revenues............................    9,735       9,948      15,522      23,081      43,011      29,229      42,285
Cost of revenues:
  Software licenses.............................      142         190         272       1,192       2,153       1,513       1,912
  Hardware......................................    1,587       1,381       2,474       2,930       5,288       3,291       2,745
  Maintenance and other services................    2,458       3,448       3,747       4,717       8,330       5,820      10,319
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
      Total cost of revenues....................    4,187       5,019       6,493       8,839      15,771      10,624      14,976
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Gross profit....................................    5,548       4,929       9,029      14,242      27,240      18,605      27,309
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing...........................    2,349       2,760       3,843       7,404      12,057       8,328      12,738
  Research and development......................      989       1,065       1,230       2,521       3,214       2,309       3,137
  General and administrative....................    2,076       2,586       2,350       3,202       5,032       3,718       5,164
  Acquisition and related costs.................       --          --          --          --          --          --       3,656
  ESOP contribution.............................      100         199         387         429         446         334          --
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
      Total operating expenses..................    5,514       6,610       7,810      13,556      20,749      14,689      24,695
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Income (loss) from operations...................       34      (1,681)      1,219         686       6,491       3,916       2,614
Other income (expense), net.....................     (187)       (224)       (500)     (1,141)     (1,337)     (1,313)        315
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item............................     (153)     (1,905)        719        (455)      5,154       2,603       2,929
Credit (provision) for income taxes.............       --          --          --         264      (1,780)       (913)     (1,450)
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.........     (153)     (1,905)        719        (191)      3,374       1,690       1,479
Extraordinary item, net of income taxes.........       --          --          --         157       1,017         627          --
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Net income (loss)...............................  $  (153)    $(1,905)    $   719     $  (348)    $ 2,357     $ 1,063     $ 1,479(1)
                                                  =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
Per share information:
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item.......  $  (.06)    $  (.71)    $   .19     $  (.05)    $   .61     $   .31     $   .18
  Extraordinary item............................       --          --          --        (.04)       (.18)       (.11)         --
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
  Net income (loss).............................  $  (.06)    $  (.71)    $   .19     $  (.09)    $   .43     $   .20     $   .18(1)
                                                  =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
Shares used in per share computations(2)........    2,691       2,691       3,844       4,021       5,523       5,384       8,179
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1991        1992        1993        1994        1995             1996
                                                    -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -----------------
                                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.........................  $   570     $   491     $   636     $ 1,458     $13,005          $ 8,866
Working capital (deficit).........................   (2,417)     (5,068)     (5,211)     (3,882)     15,985           15,142
Total assets......................................    3,700       2,315       4,212      15,139      38,153           44,566
Long-term debt, less current portion..............       73       2,476       1,501       7,832          --               --
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)..............   (1,485)     (6,883)     (5,650)     (5,357)     22,892           25,259
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Excluding costs and related tax effects associated with the acquisition of
    DCD, net income and earnings per share for the nine months ended September
    30, 1996 would have been $4.0 million and $.49 per share, respectively.
 
(2) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describing the
    determination of the number of shares used in computing per share
    information.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Except for the historical information contained herein, the following
discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
discussed in this report. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, without limitation, those discussed in the sections
entitled "Risk Factors" and "Business," as well as those discussed elsewhere in
this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     DataWorks was incorporated in 1986 and develops, markets, implements and
supports open systems, client/server-based ERP software for mid-range discrete
manufacturing companies with annual revenues between $3 million and $1 billion.
In May 1994, DataWorks acquired Madic-Compufact Corporation ("MCC") principally
for cash in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. DataWorks believes that
its acquisition of MCC allowed it to achieve several important strategic
objectives, including the addition of a complementary product to better serve
the make-to-order market and a significant expansion of DataWorks' customer and
revenue base. Because the acquisition of MCC was accounted for as a purchase,
the financial results of MCC prior to June 1994 are not included in DataWorks'
financial results. The MCC acquisition has had a significant effect on
DataWorks' subsequent financial results.
 
     In September 1996, the Company acquired DCD Corporation ("DCD") in a
stock-for-stock transaction that was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests.
The financial results of DCD have been included in the financial results of the
Company included in this Prospectus. DataWorks believes that its acquisition of
DCD allowed it to achieve several important strategic objectives, including the
ability to better serve the lower tier of mid-range manufacturers, within and
outside the six "highly engineered product" industries on which the Company has
focused historically. The acquisition also allowed the Company to expand
geographically and to increase its customer and revenue base. The DCD
acquisition had a significant effect on DataWorks' financial results.
 
     Due to intense competition in the computer hardware market and an
increasing tendency for customers, particularly new accounts, to elect to
purchase hardware directly from third party vendors, the Company has experienced
declining hardware revenues as a percentage of each system it sells and
declining profit margins with respect to such hardware revenues. Recently, gross
profit from hardware sales has not been a significant part of the Company's
total gross profit, and the Company believes this trend will continue.
 
     The Company believes that its success has been due in part to its strategy
of focusing marketing and development resources on six "highly engineered
product" industries within the mid-range discrete manufacturing market sector.
The Company is unaware that any of its competitors is specifically targeting the
same group of industries. There can be no assurance that competitors with
significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the
Company will not target these particular industries.
 
     To date, substantially all of DataWorks' revenues have been derived from
domestic operations. Internationally, DataWorks established a wholly-owned
subsidiary in the United Kingdom in 1994 to serve its European operations.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage
of total revenues represented by certain consolidated statement of operations
data:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEARS ENDED              ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         -----------------------    --------------
                                                         1993     1994     1995     1995     1996
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
<S>                                                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Revenues:
  Software licenses....................................   43.2%    50.4%    53.2%    54.6%    57.8%
  Hardware.............................................   26.3     16.3     15.7     14.3      8.8
  Maintenance and other services.......................   30.5     33.3     31.1     31.1     33.4
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
       Total revenues..................................  100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0
Cost of revenues:
  Software licenses....................................    1.8      5.2      5.0      5.2      4.5
  Hardware.............................................   15.9     12.7     12.3     11.3      6.5
  Maintenance and other services.......................   24.1     20.4     19.4     19.9     24.4
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
       Total cost of revenues..........................   41.8     38.3     36.7     36.4     35.4
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Gross profit...........................................   58.2     61.7     63.3     63.6     64.6
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..................................   24.8     32.1     28.0     28.5     30.1
  Research and development.............................    7.9     10.9      7.5      7.9      7.5
  General and administrative...........................   15.1     13.9     11.7     12.7     12.2
  Acquisition and related costs........................     --       --       --       --      8.6
  ESOP contribution....................................    2.5      1.8      1.0      1.2       --
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
       Total operating expenses........................   50.3     58.7     48.2     50.3     58.4
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Income from operations.................................    7.9      3.0     15.1     13.3      6.2
Other income (expense), net............................   (3.3)    (4.9)    (3.1)    (4.5)     0.7
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
  item.................................................    4.6     (1.9)    12.0      8.8      6.9
Credit (provision) for income taxes....................     --      1.1     (4.1)    (3.1)    (3.4)
Extraordinary item, net of income taxes................     --     (0.7)    (2.4)    (2.1)      --
                                                         -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Net income (loss)......................................    4.6%    (1.5)%    5.5%     3.6%     3.5%
                                                         =====    =====    =====    =====    =====
</TABLE>
 
  COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995,
  AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
     Total Revenues. DataWorks' principal sources of revenues consist of
software license fees and related services, including software maintenance,
consulting and custom programming. In addition, DataWorks resells third party
hardware and operating systems software to provide turnkey systems solutions.
 
   
     Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased 44.7%
to $42.3 million from $29.2 million for the same period in 1995. This increase
in revenues was primarily due to an increase in sales of software licenses to
new accounts and an overall increase in maintenance and other service revenues.
Total revenues increased 86.3% to $43.0 million in 1995 from $23.1 million in
1994 . This increase was due primarily to significant growth in software license
fees and related service fees resulting from the expansion of DataWorks'
customer base and the availability of the Vista and Vantage products, which were
released in mid-1994.
    
 
     Software License Revenues. Revenues from DataWorks' noncancellable software
licenses are recognized upon delivery of the products, provided that no
significant Company obligations remain and collection of the related receivable
is deemed probable. DataWorks' Vista product line, which represented
approximately 14% and 12% of software license revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and approximately 15% and 8% of
software license revenues in 1995 and 1994, respectively, carries a 30-day
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
money back guarantee. DataWorks books this revenue upon shipment and believes
that it maintains adequate reserves to cover typical returns, which average
approximately 12%.
 
     Software license revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
increased 53.3% to $24.5 million from $16.0 million for the same period in 1995.
This growth was attributable to increased marketing efforts, expansion of the
sales force and increased functionality in both the Vista and Vantage products.
Software license revenues increased 96.7% to $22.9 million in 1995 from $11.6
million in 1994. This increase resulted from a combination of factors,
including, (i) the continued effects of regionalization and expansion of the
sales force and the increase in marketing activities, (ii) the expansion of
DataWorks' product offerings, including the addition of new software application
modules, (iii) the added product functionality of existing software application
modules and (iv) the increased customer base from the acquisition of MCC in May
1994.
 
     Cost of Software License Revenues. The cost of software license revenues
consists primarily of the cost of software products and firmware security
devices provided by third party suppliers and sold with DataWorks' systems. The
cost of software license revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
increased 26.4% to $1.9 million from $1.5 million for the same period in 1995
and 80.6% to $2.2 million in 1995 from $1.2 million in 1994. These increases
were directly related to the increase in software license revenues. The cost of
software license revenues represented approximately 8% and 9% of software
license revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, and 9% and 10% of software license revenues for 1995 and 1994,
respectively. This decrease in software license cost, as a percentage of
software license revenues, was due primarily to reductions in database costs on
a per user basis.
 
     Hardware Revenues. Hardware revenues include computers (primarily servers),
data collection equipment, peripherals and related network and communications
products purchased from third party vendors and sold through DataWorks to its
customers.
 
     Hardware revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 declined
11.2% to $3.7 million from $4.2 million for the same period in 1995. This
represented approximately 9% of total revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, as compared to approximately 14% of total revenues for the
same period in 1995, reflecting an increasing tendency for new customers, who
purchase smaller systems, to purchase hardware directly from third party
vendors. Hardware revenues increased 79.1% to $6.7 million in 1995 from $3.8
million in 1994, representing approximately 16% of total revenues for both 1994
and 1995. This increase in hardware revenues was due, in part, to the
acquisition of MCC and its existing customer base as well as the overall
increase in sales transactions. Due to intense competition in the computer
hardware market and an increasing tendency for new customers to purchase
hardware directly from third party vendors, DataWorks has experienced declining
hardware revenues as a percentage of new account systems.
 
     Cost of Hardware Revenues. The cost of hardware revenues consists primarily
of the cost of the computers (primarily servers), data collection equipment,
peripherals and related network and communications products purchased from third
party vendors.
 
     The Company attempts to maintain a 20% gross profit on hardware sales.
Recently, gross profit from hardware sales has not been a significant part of
DataWorks' total gross profit, and DataWorks believes this trend will continue.
 
     Maintenance and Other Service Revenues. Maintenance and other service
revenues include fees primarily from software maintenance, consulting, education
and custom programming services. Software maintenance revenues are generally
prepaid and recognized ratably over the period of the maintenance agreement.
Consulting, education and custom programming revenues are generally paid and
recognized as the services are performed.
 
     Maintenance and other service revenues for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 increased 55.2% to $14.1 million from $9.1 million for the same period
in 1995. This growth was due primarily to the increase in new customers, and
increased capacity created by the growth in DataWorks' service organization.
Maintenance and other service revenues increased 74.2% to $13.4 million in 1995
from $7.7 million in 1994.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
This increase was the result of the increased number of new accounts recorded
during this period and increased activity within DataWorks' existing account
base, including the addition of MCC customers.
 
     Cost of Maintenance and Other Service Revenues. DataWorks provides its
software maintenance, consulting and custom programming services through a
professional in-house staff. The cost of these services is primarily based on
salaries and a portion of DataWorks' overhead cost. Cost of maintenance and
other service revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased
77.3% to $10.3 million from $5.8 million for the same period in 1995. This
increase was primarily due to the continued expansion of the DataWorks'
professional service organization required to support growth in new customer
accounts. Gross profit, as a percentage of maintenance and other service
revenues, decreased to 26.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 from
36.0% for the same period in 1995 due primarily to the delay between the time of
incurring the cost associated with hiring a significant number of new service
personnel and the generation of revenue from services provided by such
personnel. The cost of maintenance and other service revenues increased 76.6% to
$8.3 million in 1995 from $4.7 million in 1994. This increase primarily
reflected the increased costs associated with the acquisition of the MCC service
staff in June 1994, the initial staffing increases to support the establishment
of regional training centers in Chicago and Boston and a general increase in
salaries to remain competitive within the industry.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit increased 46.8% to $27.3 million from $18.6
million and increased to 64.6% from 63.6% as a percentage of total revenues for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 as compared to the same period in 1995.
Gross profit increased 91.3% to $27.2 million from $14.2 million and increased
to 63.3% from 61.7% as a percentage of total revenues in 1995 as compared to
1994. These increases were due primarily to an increase in gross profit in
software sales and an increase in software revenues as a percentage of total
revenues.
 
     Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 increased 53.0% to $12.7 million from $8.3
million for the same period in 1995, and increased as a percentage of revenues
to 30.1% from 28.5% for the same periods. These increases were attributable to
DataWorks' expansion of its direct sales force, increased marketing efforts,
travel, commissions and other expenses related directly to the increased sales
activity. Sales and marketing expenses increased 62.8% to $12.1 million in 1995
from $7.4 million in 1994. This increase reflected the expansion of DataWorks'
sales and marketing staff, additional marketing required for the introduction of
Vista and Vantage and increased sales activity in this period. As a percentage
of total revenues, sales and marketing expenses decreased to 28.0% in 1995 from
32.1% in 1994, due primarily to the increase in total revenues during 1995.
DataWorks expects sales and marketing expenses will continue to increase in
absolute dollars as it continues to expand its sales and marketing programs.
 
     Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses are
comprised primarily of salaries and a portion of DataWorks' overhead for its
in-house staff and amounts paid to outside consultants, as appropriate, to
supplement the product development efforts of its in-house staff. Research and
development expenses are charged to operations as incurred. Certain software
production costs related to DataWorks' ECS product, however, are capitalized as
required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting for
Software Cost." Amortization of these costs will begin when the product is
available for general release, which is expected in late 1997. DataWorks does
not capitalize development software costs for any product other than ECS. As of
September 30, 1996, the amount capitalized for ECS was approximately $3.7
million.
 
   
     Gross research and development expenditures for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 increased 52.0% to $5.0 million from $3.3 million for the
same period in 1995, representing approximately 11.8% and 11.2%, respectively,
of total revenues. Gross research and development expenditures in such periods
included amounts for capitalized software totaling $1.8 million and $970,000,
respectively. The increase in gross expenditures was due primarily to the
employment of additional development personnel and reflects DataWorks' belief
that investments in research and development are necessary to maintain a
competitive position in its targeted market. Gross research and development
expenditures increased 52.0% to $4.5 million in 1995 from $3.0 million in 1994.
Gross research and development expenditures in such periods included
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
amounts for capitalized software totaling $1.3 million and $475,000,
respectively. The increase in gross expenditures resulted primarily from the
inclusion of MCC expenditures in 1995 that were not included in the first five
months of 1994. For the foreseeable future, DataWorks anticipates continued
increased expenditures on research and development for both the enhancement of
current products and the addition of new products.
 
     General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased 38.9% to $5.2 million
from $3.7 million as compared to the same period in 1995. This increase was due
primarily to the increase in administrative staff and the related facility costs
necessary to support the growth of DataWorks. General and administrative
expenses increased 57.2% to $5.0 million in 1995 from $3.2 million in 1994. This
increase was due primarily to the expansion of DataWorks' administrative staff
arising, in part, from the increase in business activity following the MCC
acquisition, and the amortization of certain intangibles in connection with that
acquisition.
 
     Acquisition and Related Costs. Acquisition and related costs of $3.7
million represent the transaction costs incurred in connection with the
acquisition of DCD. These costs included investment banking fees, legal and
accounting fees and expenses necessary to integrate and combine the operations
of the two companies. There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur
additional charges in future periods to reflect costs associated with the
acquisition and the integration of the two companies.
 
     ESOP Contributions and Dividends. DCD established the ESOP in 1992 for the
benefit of all of its employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. The
ESOP was assumed by DataWorks in connection with its acquisition of DCD. In
1992, DCD obtained financing from a commercial bank and advanced proceeds to the
ESOP in order to purchase certain shares from a selling shareholder. See Note 4
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
     Other Income and Expense. Interest expense relates primarily to long-term
debt, the amortization of debt discount and issue costs with respect to prior
financings and debt associated with the ESOP. DataWorks reported net interest
income of approximately $315,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
as compared to net interest expense of approximately $1.3 million for the same
period in 1995. The net interest income for the first nine months of 1996
relates primarily to the income from the investment of a portion of the net
proceeds from DataWorks' initial public offering in October 1995. The interest
expense recorded for the same period in 1995 relates primarily to long-term
debt, the amortization of debt discount and issue costs with respect to prior
financings, and the ESOP obligation. With the exception of the ESOP obligation,
all long-term debt was retired with a portion of the proceeds from the initial
public offering. Interest expense increased 17.2% to $1.3 million in 1995 from
$1.1 million in 1994. This increase was due primarily to debt financing obtained
in connection with the MCC acquisition. In 1995, DataWorks repaid in full all
outstanding debt incurred in connection with prior financings from the proceeds
of DataWorks' Series A Preferred Stock financing and initial public offering.
With the prepayment of such indebtedness, DataWorks recognized an extraordinary
expense of approximately $1.0 million, net of income tax benefit, arising from
the write-off of the unamortized debt issue cost, debt discount and the other
related fees. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In 1995,
DataWorks repaid in full the ESOP obligation through cash flows from operations.
 
     Income Taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, DataWorks'
effective tax rate was 49.5%, due primarily to the non-deductibility of certain
of the DCD acquisition and related costs. The effective tax rate for such period
without the acquisition and related costs would have been approximately 40%.
DataWorks' effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 was
35%. DataWorks realized tax benefits in 1994 and 1995 from the deduction of
certain tax credits and from contributions and dividends paid on Common Stock
held by the ESOP used to make ESOP debt service payments, which have reduced
DataWorks' effective tax rate in those periods. See Note 6 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS
 
     The following tables set forth certain unaudited financial information of
the Company for the seven quarters ended September 30, 1996. This quarterly
information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated
financial statements and, in the opinion of management, includes all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The operating
results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future
period.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           QUARTERS ENDED
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            MAR. 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPT. 30,   DEC. 31,   MAR. 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPT. 30,
                                              1995       1995       1995        1995       1996       1996       1996
                                            --------   --------   ---------   --------   --------   --------   ---------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  Software licenses.......................   $3,740     $5,569     $ 6,643     $6,922     $6,758     $9,077     $ 8,624
  Hardware................................    1,072      1,579       1,538      2,554      1,247      1,441       1,030
  Maintenance and other services..........    2,654      3,044       3,390      4,306      4,145      4,810       5,153
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
    Total revenues........................    7,466     10,192      11,571     13,782     12,150     15,328      14,807
Cost of revenues:
  Software licenses.......................      382        442         689        640        566        809         537
  Hardware................................      902      1,185       1,204      1,997        928      1,065         752
  Maintenance and other services..........    1,714      1,912       2,194      2,510      2,965      3,694       3,660
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
    Total cost of revenues................    2,998      3,539       4,087      5,147      4,459      5,568       4,949
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
Gross profit..............................    4,468      6,653       7,484      8,635      7,691      9,760       9,858
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.....................    2,326      2,905       3,097      3,729      3,499      4,529       4,710
  Research and development................      737        764         808        905        929      1,014       1,194
  General and administrative..............    1,048      1,354       1,316      1,314      1,543      1,891       1,730
  Acquisition and related costs...........       --         --          --         --         --         --       3,656
  ESOP contribution.......................      111        112         111        112         --         --          --
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
    Total operating expenses..............    4,222      5,135       5,332      6,060      5,971      7,434      11,290
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
Income (loss) from operations.............      246      1,518       2,152      2,575      1,720      2,326      (1,432)
Other income (expense), net...............     (449)      (461)       (403)       (24)       130        108          77
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item......................     (203)     1,057       1,749      2,551      1,850      2,434      (1,355)
Credit (provision) for income taxes.......       89       (376)       (626)      (867)      (916)    (1,205)        671
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item...     (114)       681       1,123      1,684        934      1,229        (684)
Extraordinary item, net of income taxes...       --         --         627        390         --         --          --
                                             ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------      ------
Net income (loss).........................   $ (114)    $  681     $   496     $1,294     $  934     $1,229     $  (684)(1)
                                             ======     ======      ======     ======     ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) Excluding costs and related tax effects associated with the acquisition of
    DCD, net income for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 would have been
    $1.4 million.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE
                                                                       FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            MAR. 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPT. 30,   DEC. 31,   MAR. 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPT. 30,
                                              1995       1995       1995        1995       1996       1996       1996
                                            --------   --------   ---------   --------   --------   --------   ---------
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  Software licenses.......................     50.1%      54.6%      57.4%       50.2%      55.6%      59.2%      58.2%
  Hardware................................     14.4       15.5       13.3        18.5       10.3        9.4        7.0
  Maintenance and other services..........     35.5       29.9       29.3        31.3       34.1       31.4       34.8
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
    Total revenues........................    100.0      100.0      100.0       100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0
Cost of revenues:
  Software licenses.......................      5.1        4.3        6.0         4.6        4.7        5.3        3.6
  Hardware................................     12.1       11.6       10.4        14.5        7.6        6.9        5.1
  Maintenance and other services..........     23.0       18.8       19.0        18.2       24.4       24.1       24.7
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
    Total cost of revenues................     40.2       34.7       35.3        37.3       36.7       36.3       33.4
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
Gross profit..............................     59.8       65.3       64.7        62.7       63.3       63.7       66.6
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.....................     31.2       28.5       26.8        27.0       28.8       29.5       31.8
  Research and development................      9.9        7.5        7.0         6.6        7.6        6.6        8.1
  General and administrative..............     14.0       13.3       11.3         9.6       12.7       12.4       11.6
  Acquisition and related costs...........       --         --         --          --         --         --       24.7
  ESOP contribution.......................      1.4        1.1        1.0         0.8         --         --         --
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
    Total operating expenses..............     56.5       50.4       46.1        44.0       49.1       48.5       76.2
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
Income (loss) from operations.............      3.3       14.9       18.6        18.7       14.2       15.2       (9.6)
Other income (expense), net...............     (6.0)      (4.5)      (3.5)       (0.2)       1.0        0.7        0.5
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item......................     (2.7)      10.4       15.1        18.5       15.2       15.9       (9.1)
Credit (provision) for income taxes.......      1.2       (3.7)      (5.4)       (6.3)      (7.5)      (7.9)       4.5
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item...     (1.5)       6.7        9.7        12.2        7.7        8.0       (4.6)
Extraordinary item, net of income taxes...       --         --       (5.4)       (2.8)        --         --         --
                                             ------     ------     ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
Net income (loss).........................     (1.5)%      6.7%       4.3%        9.4%       7.7%       8.0%      (4.6)%(1)
                                             ======     ======     ======      ======     ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) Excluding costs and related tax effects associated with the acquisition of
    DCD, net income as a percentage of total revenues for the quarter ended
    September 30, 1996 would have been 9.5%.
 
     DataWorks' 1996 quarterly results reflect significant increases in total
revenues and a greater proportion of software license revenues to total
revenues, in each quarter of 1996 as compared to the corresponding quarters of
1995. As a result, gross profit percentages increased in 1996. Software license
revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 reflect the inclusion of three new
customers, each with significant software content and contract values in excess
of $1 million. Quarterly hardware revenues have varied directly with software
sales, with relatively minor variations as a percentage of revenues, other than
in the fourth quarter of 1995, when the anomalous result was attributable to the
product mix of transactions in that quarter. Hardware revenues as a percentage
of total revenues continued to decline on a quarterly basis as more new
customers, who purchase smaller systems, purchased hardware directly from third
party vendors. Service revenues increased in each quarter of 1996 as compared to
the same periods in 1995. Gross profit on services in the 1996 quarters was
adversely affected, primarily from the delay between the time of incurring the
cost associated with hiring a significant number of new service personnel and
the generation of revenue from services provided by such personnel.
 
     Operating expenses generally increased as DataWorks expanded and continued
to invest in its infrastructure to support its growth. These costs are primarily
fixed in nature and cannot be adjusted on a quarterly basis to align with the
potential volatility of DataWorks' revenues. Sales and marketing expenses
generally have increased in absolute dollars and, since the third quarter of
1995, as a percentage of revenues on a sequential quarter basis, due primarily
to the continued expansion of the sales force and the increase in marketing
activities, travel, commissions and other expenses related directly to the
increased sales activity. These
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
expenses tend to be higher in the fourth quarter as compared to the first
quarter due to variable expenses and commissions related to revenues. The
increase in general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 1996
from the fourth quarter of 1995 reflected the increase in administrative
personnel and the related expenses necessary to manage the growth of DataWorks.
 
     Research and development expenses have increased in absolute dollars in
each quarter of 1995 and 1996, due primarily to the employment of additional
development personnel, reflecting DataWorks' belief that investments in research
and development are necessary to maintain a competitive position in its targeted
markets. DataWorks continues to capitalize the production costs related to the
ECS product.
 
     Acquisition and related costs of $3.7 million incurred in the third quarter
of 1996 represent transaction costs incurred in connection with the acquisition
of DCD in September 1996. These costs included investment banking fees, legal
and accounting fees and expenses necessary to integrate and combine the
operations of the two companies. Excluding these costs and related tax effects,
net income for the quarter would have been approximately $1.4 million, compared
to $496,000 for the same quarter of 1995. In the third and fourth quarters of
1995, the Company recorded extraordinary charges of $627,000 and $390,000,
respectively, in connection with prepayments of certain debt obligations.
 
     The Company has experienced significant fluctuations in its revenues and
operating results from quarter to quarter and anticipates that it will continue
to experience such quarterly fluctuations. The Company's revenues and operating
results have generally been higher in the fourth quarter than in any preceding
quarter of the year. The Company believes that fourth quarter revenues are
positively impacted by year-end capital purchases by some large corporate
customers, as well as by the Company's sales compensation plans. Seasonal
factors, which the Company believes are common in the computer software
industry, are likely to increase as the Company focuses on larger corporate
accounts. As a result of these seasonal factors, first quarter revenues in any
year are typically lower than revenues in the immediately preceding fourth
quarter. In addition, the Company's revenues occur predominantly in the third
month of each quarter and tend to be concentrated in the latter half of that
third month. Accordingly, the Company's quarterly results of operations are
difficult to predict, and delays in product delivery or in closings of sales
near the end of a quarter could cause quarterly revenues and, to a greater
degree, net income to fall substantially short of anticipated levels. Factors
that may contribute to such fluctuations in addition to seasonal factors
include: the number of new orders and product shipments; the size and timing of
individual orders; the timing of shipment of hardware or database software by
third party vendors necessary in order for the Company to recognize revenues;
the timing of introduction of products or product enhancements by the Company,
the Company's competitors or other providers of hardware, software and
components for the Company's market; competition and pricing in the software
industry; market acceptance of new products; reduction in demand for existing
products and shortening of product life cycles as a result of new product
introductions by competitors; product quality problems; customer order deferrals
in anticipation of new products; changes in customer budgets; changes in Company
strategy; changes in Company operating expenses; personnel changes; fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in the mix of products sold;
conditions or events in the manufacturing industry; and general economic
conditions.
 
     The Company's sales figures for DataFlo and ManFact II, the Company's
principal products, generally reflect a relatively high amount of revenues per
order. The loss or delay of individual orders for these products, therefore,
could have a more significant impact on the revenues and quarterly results of
the Company than on those of companies with higher sales volumes and lower
revenues per order. The Company's software products generally are shipped as
orders are received, and revenues are recognized upon delivery of the products,
provided no significant vendor obligations exist and collection of the related
receivable is deemed probable. As a result, software license revenues in any
quarter are substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that
quarter. The timing of license revenues derived from sales of the Company's
DataFlo and ManFact II products is difficult to predict because of the length of
the sales cycle for these products, which is typically three to nine months from
the initial contact. Because the Company's operating expenses are based on
anticipated revenue trends and because a high percentage of the Company's
expenses are relatively fixed, a delay in the recognition of revenue from a
limited number of license transactions could cause significant variations in
operating results from quarter to quarter and could result in losses. To the
extent such expenses
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
precede, or are not subsequently followed by, increased revenues, the Company's
operating results would be materially adversely affected. In addition, the
achievement of anticipated revenues is substantially dependent on the ability of
the Company to attract, on a timely basis, and retain skilled personnel,
especially sales, service and implementation personnel. As a result of these
factors, revenues for any quarter are subject to significant variation, and the
Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations
are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of
future performance. Fluctuations in operating results may also result in
volatility in the price of the Company's Common Stock.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Prior to its initial public offering in October 1995, DataWorks had funded
its operations primarily through long-term debt, term loans, bank lines of
credit directly tied to DataWorks' available accounts receivable and the sale of
Series A Preferred Stock. In September 1995, DataWorks also established a
banking facility (up to a maximum of $6.0 million, secured by substantially all
of the Company's assets, at the bank's prime rate) expiring in June 1997. As of
September 30, 1996, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.
DCD also has a $1 million line of credit secured by substantially all of the
assets of DCD, expiring in July 1997.
 
     In October 1995, DataWorks completed an initial public offering of
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock at $13.00 per share, of which 1,600,000 shares
were sold by DataWorks for net proceeds of approximately $18.0 million. The net
proceeds received by DataWorks were used to repay outstanding indebtedness in
the aggregate amount of $9.2 million. The remaining proceeds were used for
general corporate purposes and to increase working capital.
 
     Effective January 1996, DataWorks purchased certain assets of Arrowkey
Systems ("Arrowkey") for $450,000. In addition, DataWorks may be required to pay
Arrowkey up to $75,000 annually through 1998 if certain sales levels of Arrowkey
software products are achieved. Arrowkey software products provide shop floor
data collection systems, which are integrated into the Company's DataFlo
product.
 
   
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, operating activities required
cash of approximately $499,000, primarily to support increases in accounts
receivable resulting from the growth in software licensing activity. DataWorks'
principal uses of cash for investing activities were for capital equipment of
approximately $2.2 million, the funding of DataWorks' ECS product of
approximately $1.8 million and the purchase of certain software products from
Arrowkey of $450,000. The increase in capital equipment was due, in part, to
increases in personnel and the relocation of the Company's Orange County,
California facility. Financing activities from the exercise of stock options and
from stock purchased by employees through DataWorks' Employee Stock Purchase
Plan provided cash of approximately $888,000 during the nine months ended
September 30, 1996.
    
 
     As of September 30, 1996, DataWorks had cash and cash equivalents totaling
approximately $8.9 million. DataWorks' principal commitments as of September 30,
1996 consisted primarily of leases on facilities and equipment. There were no
material commitments for capital expenditures.
 
     DataWorks' capital resources may be used to support working capital
requirements, product development, capital equipment requirements and possible
acquisitions of businesses, products or technologies complementary to DataWorks'
current business. DataWorks believes that the net proceeds from this offering,
current cash reserves and cash flow from operations are sufficient to fund its
operations at least through 1997. However, during this period or thereafter the
Company may require additional financing. There can be no assurance that such
additional financing will be available on terms favorable to the Company, or at
all.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     DataWorks develops, markets, implements and supports open systems,
client/server-based Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software for mid-range
discrete manufacturing companies with annual revenues between $3 million and $1
billion. The Company's products and services facilitate enterprise-wide
management of resources and information and allow mid-range manufacturers to
reduce order fulfillment cycle times, improve operating efficiencies and measure
critical company performance against defined plan objectives. DataWorks'
products enable its customers to manage make-to-stock and make-to-order
production methods, as well as multiple hybrid or "mixed mode" production
methods, within a single manufacturing site or across multiple sites. The
Company's products also help customers adapt to growth, changing levels of
operations, and business process re-engineering, which is becoming commonplace
among manufacturing concerns.
 
     The business needs and resource requirements of mid-range manufacturers
tend to be considerably different than those of larger companies. Companies in
this market typically have small information systems ("IS") departments, budget
constraints and limited experience with the advanced technologies inherent in
ERP systems. DataWorks segments the mid-range manufacturing market into three
distinct sectors: the lower tier segment (companies with annual revenues of $3
million to $25 million), the mid-tier segment ($25 million to $200 million) and
the upper tier segment ($200 million to $1 billion). The Company's family of ERP
solutions is designed to provide a product migration path to address the
changing needs of growing companies in the mid-range manufacturing market. The
Company's principal products have been DataFlo and ManFact II, open systems
client/server-based products that are targeted at mid-tier manufacturers and
which accounted for 73.4% of the Company's revenues in the first nine months of
1996. The Company has broadened its product line to serve the lower tier segment
of the mid-range market with Vista and Vantage. Vista and Vantage are
easy-to-use Windows-based products, which the Company acquired through its
recent acquisition of DCD Corporation ("DCD"). The Company also has under
development its Enterprise Client Server ("ECS") system, an object oriented,
multi-tier client/server-based product that is designed for the upper tier
segment of the mid-range market. The Company intends to commence customer
shipments of ECS in late 1997.
 
     The Company has designed its product family to be affordable and to
incorporate a broad range of applications, depth of functionality, ease of use
and an ability to be rapidly deployed. The Company's products are comprised of
modules that provide and integrate feature-rich applications and that can be
configured to comprehensively support a customer's business. DataWorks provides
turnkey solutions by integrating its application software products with third
party hardware, operating systems, and database and other software products. The
Company offers a suite of development tools and a full complement of services to
help its customers maximize the benefits of the Company's software products and
efficiently implement the Company's ERP solutions. These services include
initial system implementation, consultation, customer support desk and
maintenance activities, technical and programming services, and periodic
enhancement releases of software products.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
   
     Manufacturers worldwide are attempting to re-engineer their businesses as
they react to increasing global competitive pressures, demanding vendor-customer
relationships and rapidly changing market requirements. In implementing these
re-engineering efforts, manufacturing companies in the mid-range sector are
increasingly orienting their operations to respond to customer needs by
shortening product development and delivery cycles, enhancing product quality
and providing products configured to meet customer requirements. To achieve
these objectives, manufacturers must increase the efficiency of their
operations, within the limits of budgetary constraints, by increasing the
productivity of personnel and the efficient management of assets throughout
their enterprises. Manufacturing companies also require the flexibility to
modify and expand operations in response to market demand. All of these factors
contribute to the need for information systems that offer enterprise-wide
availability and integrated use of a broad range of accurate and current
information that enables manufacturers to respond more quickly to their
customers and to manage their organizations more efficiently. The IS needs of
manufacturers depend to some degree on the nature of their manufacturing
processes, which may include make-to-stock, in which parts are assembled into
finished products based on a
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
standard bill order; make-to-order, in which parts are assembled into a finished
product based on customer specifications; and configure-to-order, in which the
final assembly of parts can be configured to create many different models and
styles based on customer orders. Firms using configure-to-order production
methods are referred to as mixed mode manufacturers because they assemble
products using elements of both make-to-stock and make-to-order. Mixed mode
manufacturing can create significant market advantages for companies embracing
this latest production process approach but is extremely difficult to implement
properly without responsive information systems.
 
   
     Since the early 1970s, there has been a steady evolution of manufacturing
software systems available from third party developers or developed internally
by the manufacturers themselves. Initially, Material Requirements Planning
("MRP") systems were introduced to allow manufacturers to manage the flow of
materials at various stages of the manufacturing process. These MRP systems were
superseded in the 1980s by a more expansive Manufacturing Resource Planning
("MRP II") approach that incorporates labor and equipment planning for the
production process as part of a materials planning methodology. More recently,
in response to the evolving needs of manufacturing companies, there has been a
significant shift away from the traditional MRP II planning-oriented systems in
favor of more comprehensive ERP systems that provide actual enterprise-wide
management of resources, integration of more sophisticated forecasting and
reporting and the capability to measure the quality levels and delivery cycle
responsiveness. ERP systems based on open systems, client/server platforms offer
further advantages to manufacturers by providing access to information
throughout the manufacturing enterprise on a timely basis, providing a wider
distribution of applications and databases and permitting the integration of a
diverse array of new software components and technologies as they become
available. Effectively designed ERP systems are also scalable to permit
deployment of localized information systems resources within departments and
individual business units or across an enterprise, as well as to provide
adequate support for organizational growth.
    
 
     Despite its virtues, open systems, client/server-oriented ERP solutions
have not historically been readily available to manufacturers in the mid-range
sector. There are several key contributing factors that have traditionally
precluded mid-size companies from reaping the full benefits of the new
technologies which have been made available to larger manufacturing firms in
recent years. In complex, diverse manufacturing environments, many ERP systems
require a significant IS staff, either internal to the organization or
contracted at substantial expense from outside the company, and a high level of
expertise to establish the proper design and configuration of a client/server
system that meets a company's specific needs. Implementation of these systems
has often been lengthy and costly. In addition, large global ERP suppliers have
continued to price their products beyond the financial capabilities of the
typical mid-size firm.
 
     In order to achieve their business process re-engineering ("BPR")
objectives, mid-range manufacturers need the benefits of open systems,
client/server ERP solutions that are affordable and can be quickly implemented
with minimal disruption to business and maintained with a limited IS staff.
These ERP systems must also provide sufficient depth of functionality and
flexibility to enable manufacturers to respond to varying customer needs and
offer scalability for growth in operations. The demand for a new generation of
turnkey ERP solutions that address the needs of the mid-range manufacturing
market is significant and growing.
 
     Multi-billion dollar manufacturing enterprises increasingly are seeking the
efficiencies and competitive advantages of electronically tying together in a
supply chain sources of raw materials, component products, and certain
outsourced manufacturing processes. Many of the "feeder" suppliers of these
products and services to the multi-billion dollar manufacturing enterprise are
companies in the mid-range manufacturing market. These companies require systems
to address their market diversity, scalability, and localized information
systems requirements, along with the committed ERP vendor development resources
to electronically link these systems into a wide area network for electronic
supply chain management.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
THE DATAWORKS SOLUTION
 
     DataWorks offers open systems, client/server-based ERP software that
enables discrete manufacturing companies to re-engineer their businesses to
compete more effectively, while responding to the specific needs and limitations
of the mid-range market. The Company's current and planned products are designed
to meet the ERP needs of all tiers of mid-range manufacturing companies. As
companies in the lower and mid-tier grow, their enterprise-wide management
requirements change, and DataWorks provides an efficient migration path to more
complex ERP solutions. The Company believes that mid-sized manufacturers in its
targeted industry segments represent a significantly higher growth sector than
the general manufacturing community at large. The principal elements of the
Company's ERP solutions are as follows:
 
  - OPEN SYSTEMS AND ADVANCED RDBMS ARCHITECTURE
 
     The Company's family of products addresses the dynamic environment faced by
mid-sized manufacturers through a commitment to open systems architecture.
DataWorks' software products operate on most major client/server hardware
platforms and operating systems, including Microsoft NT and UNIX, wide area
networks ("WANs"), local area networks ("LANs") and prominent user interfaces,
including Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh and ASCII. The Company uses
advanced relational database management systems ("RDBMS") that are best suited
for the particular application required by mid-range manufacturers, including
Microsoft Foxpro, Progress, UniData and VMark uniVerse.
 
  - BREADTH AND DEPTH OF PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS
 
     The Company's products are intended to address the application needs of
customers throughout the mid-range market. By utilizing certain core
technologies throughout its product line, the Company enables a customer to
migrate from product to product to address the changing needs of the customer's
enterprise. The Company's products are comprised of modules that provide and
integrate feature-rich applications in the areas of (i) Business Planning and
Engineering, (ii) Sales, Distribution and Customer Service, (iii) Production and
Material Operations and (iv) Finance and Administration. New application modules
are introduced periodically and are compatible with the current in-field
software release. In addition, the Company's development and implementation
support tools provide an interface to an increasing number of third party
application products that can be seamlessly integrated into the Company's ERP
products through application programming interface ("API") technology.
 
  - RAPID DEPLOYMENT
 
     By offering rapid product deployment and migration among its product lines,
the Company seeks to minimize the business interruption to companies that
typically results from the introduction of a new or expanded ERP system, thereby
enabling such companies to more quickly realize the benefits of a new or
expanded ERP system. Dataworks utilizes a highly responsive implementation
planning process and focused consulting and training services to design ERP
solutions that are "right sized" to satisfy the functionality and rapid
deployment needs of diverse customers while remaining within the varied but
generally limited budgets of such customers. For example, by utilizing these
deployment tools and procedures, the Company is able to complete the
enterprise-wide deployment of DataFlo and ManFact II in three to nine months.
Vista, the Company's least expensive ERP system, is virtually self-installable
through system level training techniques familiar to most personal computer
users, and Vantage can be deployed within one to three months. The Company
anticipates deployment of the ECS system will take significantly longer than
that of DataFlo and ManFact II, but will be tailored so that it can be
effectively accomplished without significantly disrupting the customer's
operations.
 
  - FLEXIBILITY/ADAPTABILITY/SCALABILITY
 
     A critical element to achieving initial user acceptance of a new system and
facilitating rapid implementation is the ability to adapt the Company's standard
software to conform more closely to the particular needs of users. The Company's
products permit ready adaptation of the DataWorks systems to meet initial needs
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
during the implementation phase and respond to a customer's unique system
refinements and ongoing changes in production and operational processes once the
system is fully in service. The Company's customers can start with a small
number of local concurrent users and expand to many hundreds of concurrent users
across LANs and WANs over several years utilizing the same ERP solution from the
Company. In addition to accommodating new modules and potential significant
growth of users without sacrificing performance, the scalability of the
Company's ERP solutions and the ability to migrate within the Company's product
family allow mid-range manufacturers to change levels of operations and expand
application functionality to accommodate growth.
 
  - SUPERIOR PRICE/PERFORMANCE
 
     The Company seeks to achieve superior price and performance by providing
its mid-range manufacturing customers with the "right sized" system and
associated functionality to meet their ERP needs while satisfying their
budgetary constraints. The Company's ERP systems emphasize standard application
modules that require minimum customization, advanced yet cost-effective RDBMS
and other technologies and highly user-oriented fourth generation language
("4GL") development environments. Furthermore, the Company has standardized the
implementation process and supported it with the Company's proprietary software
tools, resulting in cost effective and rapid initial deployment of its ERP
products.
 
THE DATAWORKS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's objective is to be the leading provider of business
information solutions and related products and services to mid-range
manufacturers within selected markets. The Company's strategy to achieve this
objective incorporates the following elements:
 
  - PROVIDE COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND PRODUCT MIGRATION PATH
 
     The Company offers products in each tier of the mid-range manufacturing
market to address a broad range of customer needs and provide a product
migration path to address the changing needs of growing companies. The Company
offers products for both make-to-order and repetitive manufacturers, and seeks
to support new manufacturing processes such as demand-flow production and agile
manufacturing. The Company complements its product offerings with a full suite
of implementation and consulting services, education, training and software
tools to assist customers in deriving the maximum benefit from the Company's
products. By providing comprehensive solutions, the Company is able to work more
closely with customers, sell additional modules or products, and provide
additional services in an ongoing course of business.
 
  - FOCUSED MARKET STRATEGY
 
     The Company targets mid-range manufacturing companies with annual revenues
between $3 million and $1 billion and historically has focused its efforts on
discrete, rather than process, manufacturers. In the mid-tier of the mid-range
market, sales of the Company's DataFlo and ManFact II product solutions have
targeted six primary "highly engineered product" manufacturing sectors:
industrial equipment; computer/office equipment; consumer electronics;
instrumentation and controls; medical/dental products; and
transportation/aerospace products. This approach has enabled DataWorks to better
understand the needs of its customers and to use that knowledge to tailor
products and services to those needs. The Company plans to continue to rely on
its experience and reputation in these select markets to enhance its competitive
position. The Company intends to leverage its expertise in these six sectors to
market and sell its ECS system currently under development to customers in the
upper tier of the mid-range market. The Company further plans to leverage its
expertise to enhance sales of its Vista and Vantage products, which are
currently focused on a wide range of manufacturers in the lower tier, to
emerging growth oriented discrete manufacturers in those six primary
manufacturing sectors.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
  - MAINTAIN TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP
 
     DataWorks believes it is a technology leader in the mid-range manufacturing
market, as it was one of the first companies to offer ERP client/server
solutions for mid-range manufacturers and to introduce full ERP solutions on
Microsoft NT. The Company's products are designed to utilize the most effective
open systems technologies such as client/server architectures, RDBMS, GUIs and
operating systems for the mid-range market. The Company incorporates common
technology across its product line in order to leverage its development
resources and ensure compatibility among products. The Company seeks to develop
new modules and incorporate new functionality into its products such as Internet
integration, business objects, decision support, manufacturing execution systems
("MES") support, and Object EDI, a cross-product universal transaction
processing protocol.
 
  - ACHIEVE HIGH LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
 
     DataWorks is committed to consistently achieving high levels of customer
satisfaction with the Company's ERP systems. The Company focuses on delivering
high-quality products that address specific application needs, are easy to
implement and enable increased productivity. The Company also designs its
applications and development tools to permit end-users to easily customize
systems to fit their specific needs, which enhances end-user productivity and
overall satisfaction with the DataWorks products and services.
 
  - COMPREHENSIVE SALES AND MARKETING PROCESS
 
     The Company has developed a sophisticated sales and marketing system to
enhance its new customer success rate. The Company utilizes a multi-phased sales
approach consisting of telemarketing sales for initial qualification, account
representatives, systems engineers and the active involvement of senior
management. The Company's prospecting system enables account representatives to
appropriately qualify prospective customers and track active prospects in
significant detail through three stages of sales cycle management, and provides
valuable management information to measure performance of its sales force and
monitor ongoing sales efforts. The Company intends to leverage its sophisticated
sales and marketing system to increase DataWorks' presence in the lower tier and
international markets in an effort to enhance sales and increase new customer
success rates. The Company believes its sales processes and prospect management
system provide it with a significant competitive advantage.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
PRODUCTS
 
     The business needs and resource requirements of mid-sized manufacturers
tend to be considerably different than those of larger companies. Customers in
this market generally have small IS departments, budget constraints and limited
experience with the advanced technologies inherent in ERP systems. DataWorks has
designed its product family to be affordable and to incorporate a broad range of
applications, depth of functionality, ease of use and an ability to be deployed
rapidly. The Company has products or is developing products with features
intended to address the particular needs of each of the lower tier, mid-tier and
upper tier of the mid-range market.
 
     The following chart describes the Company's principal existing and planned
ERP solutions and typical customer profiles relating to each of them:




 
                                     graph




 
(1) ECS is currently under development and, although the Company intends to
    commence customer shipments of the product in late 1997, there can be no
    assurance that the Company will commence such shipments on a timely basis,
    or at all, or if timely shipped, that the ECS system will achieve market
    acceptance. As ECS is currently under development, data on average
    deployment period and sales cycle is unavailable and the indicated price
    range is estimated. See "Upper Tier: Enterprise Client Server."
 
  LOWER TIER: VISTA AND VANTAGE
 
     DataWorks, through DCD, offers Vista and Vantage for its customers with
annual revenues typically between $3 million and $25 million. These products are
better suited for the lower tier segment of mid-range manufacturers who, as
compared to customers who use DataFlo or ManFact II, have less developed IS
infrastructures and lower IS budgets, require shorter deployment periods, and
often seek established, user-friendly products.
 
     Vista is an easy-to-use, Windows-based ERP software package that provides a
cost-effective solution for job shops with up to $5 million in revenues. Vista
fully integrates 13 core business modules and features single or multilevel
bills of material capabilities. The DesignWare feature permits users to, among
other things,
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
define their own screens, add fields, change colors, hide fields, change grid
sizes and drag choices from menus to the desktop.
 
     Vantage is an easy-to-use, Windows-based ERP software package with flexible
order-handling capabilities to support a mix of custom and standard part orders
and multilevel assemblies and comprises 15 fully integrated business modules.
Vantage is optimized for the rapid deployment, minimal support and
price/performance requirements of custom and mixed-mode manufacturers in the $5
million to $25 million revenue range.
 
     Vista and Vantage, like DataFlo and ManFact II, are comprised of groups of
modules that can be differently configured and comprehensively support a
customer's business processes. The following chart describes the Vista and
Vantage modules, and the discussion below points out certain key characteristics
of the Vista and Vantage modules:
 
                  VISTA AND VANTAGE APPLICATION MODULE GROUPS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

BUSINESS PLANNING       SALES DISTRIBUTION      PRODUCTION AND MATERIAL        FINANCE AND
 AND ENGINEERING       AND CUSTOMER SERVICE           OPERATIONS              ADMINISTRATION
- -----------------      --------------------     -----------------------       --------------
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                          <C>
- - Bills of Material       - Estimating          - Inventory Management        - Accounts Payable
- - Scheduling              - Order Entry         - Job Control                 - Accounts Receivable
- - Shop Vision             - Quoting             - Purchasing/Receiving        - General Ledger
                                                - Shop Floor Data             - Payroll
                                                  Collection                  - Report Writer
</TABLE>

 
     Business Planning and Engineering Group. In Vista and Vantage, Business
Planning and Engineering allows the production manager to control the sales and
shop priorities through a visual scheduling manager. Indented bills of material
support provide the ability to retain product information for repeat orders, and
"what if" scheduling provides the ability to simulate the impact of new orders
and schedule changes.
 
     Sales, Distribution and Customer Service Group. Estimating, quoting and
sales order processing is tightly integrated in the products, supporting the
requirement for rapid cost estimating and order commitment. Order-to-job linking
provides rapid access to production status and delivery information.
 
     Production and Material Operations Group. Priorities established in
scheduling are realized in manufacturing job processing. These controls present
real-time status reporting based on data collection inputs and provide
just-in-time material purchasing and availability. Visual job "wizards" allow
paperless management and instant review of job history, job status and
inventory.
 
     Finance and Administration Group. Vista's and Vantage's Finance and
Administration Group enables associated product costs and revenues to be
recorded to the General Ledger module as subsidiary ledgers of the Accounts
Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Shop Floor Data Collection modules.
 
     Prices of Vista and Vantage applications are based on the specific product
line, the modules purchased and the number of concurrent users. The average
sales prices of Vista and Vantage are $12,000 and $60,000, respectively. As of
September 30, 1996, these two products, cumulatively, were licensed to
approximately 970 customers.
 
  MID-TIER: DATAFLO AND MANFACT II
 
     DataWorks historically has focused its marketing, product development and
services resources on "highly engineered product" companies with annual revenues
typically between $25 million and $200 million in six principal industries:
industrial equipment; computer/office equipment; consumer electronics;
instrumentation and controls; medical/dental products; and
transportation/aerospace products. DataWorks has two principal
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
   
application software products that address the needs of its customers in this
mid-tier. DataFlo is directed toward manufacturers generally making high-volume
products, often utilizing repetitive/just-in-time ("JIT") techniques, that are
either make-to-stock or configure-to-order, and which may have some smaller
make-to-order requirements. DataFlo also supports customers who have mixed-mode
manufacturing techniques. ManFact II is oriented toward make-to-order or
engineer-to-order manufacturers that typically have diverse project management
and project costing requirements, as well as a smaller element of make-to-stock
requirements. DataFlo was developed by DataWorks, and ManFact II was acquired in
connection with the purchase of MCC in June 1994.
    
 
     The DataFlo and ManFact II systems are comprised of groups of modules that
comprehensively support a manufacturing company's business process. These
modules provide and integrate feature-rich applications, are built upon a common
set of design and development standards and tools, and share a common database
architecture. Both DataFlo and ManFact II are highly modular in nature and can
be scaled from small to large configurations on a variety of platforms
supporting the Microsoft NT and UNIX operating systems. These enterprise-wide
systems can be implemented in a variety of multi-currency, multi-company and
multi-plant environments networked through client and host-based configurations.
 
     The following chart describes the DataFlo and ManFact II modules, and the
discussion below points out certain key characteristics of the DataFlo and
ManFact II modules:




 
                                     graph




 
     Business Planning and Engineering Group. The Business Planning and
Engineering Group enables manufacturing companies to create high-level business
plans from current and historical sales, production and purchasing data. These
plans are used to generate specific product and product family forecasts, as
well as capacity models that flow into final and sub-assembly manufacturing,
scheduling and purchase plans. Engineering and configuration management define
material and routing structures to planning and production and provide
visibility to anticipate and coordinate product changes.
 
     Sales, Distribution and Customer Service Group. The Sales, Distribution and
Customer Service Group allows a manufacturer to estimate, quote and take orders
for standard, configured and custom, "one-of-a-kind"
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
   
products. The sales made are integrated with the Business Planning and
Engineering modules and provides actual versus plan reporting. Shipments, order
status and invoicing can be transmitted directly to the customer via electronic
data interchange ("EDI"). Return material, field service and Help Desk
applications are available on line to customer service providing detail service
analysis and call tracking.
    
 
   
     Production and Material Operations Group. The Production and Material
Operations Group provides a means to record, track and measure production,
material, labor, quality and cost flows throughout the manufacturing and
purchasing processes. Inventory tracking is provided by company, plant,
warehouse and location with full traceability. Traditional work order, as well
as rate and cell-based JIT production is supported and fully integrated with
detailed shop floor and quality control reporting. Blanket and contract orders,
EDI and detailed supplier analysis reporting is provided in the purchasing
application.
    
 
     Finance and Administration Group. The Finance and Administration Group
flows from the operational modules included in the groups described above. All
associated costs and revenues are captured to the General Ledger module as
subsidiary ledgers of the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll,
Inventory Management, Shop Floor Data Collection, Shipping/Returned Material and
Cost Accounting modules. The costing systems support both actual and standard
cost methodologies with additional capabilities for unlimited cost simulation,
modeling and reporting. The Financial modules support both distributed and
consolidated processing in a multi-company environment and provide complete
foreign currency and tax capabilities.
 
     The average price of DataWorks' DataFlo and ManFact II ERP systems
(exclusive of hardware) sold to new customer sites in DataWorks' target market
increased to approximately $268,000 in the first nine months of 1996 from
approximately $197,000 in 1995. As of September 30, 1996, these two products,
cumulatively, were licensed to over 450 customers at more than 650 customer
sites.
 
  UPPER TIER: ENTERPRISE CLIENT SERVER
 
     The Company has under development the ECS system, which has been designed
to address the ERP needs of the upper tier of the mid-range manufacturing
market. This upper tier consists of companies with annual revenues ranging from
$200 million to $1 billion. These organizations typically have substantial IS
staff because supporting a variety of both standard and custom applications in a
dynamic, multi-national corporation requires a significant investment in
information services. These enterprises are better able to invest in the tools
and technology necessary to support a complex, fully distributed client/server
computing environment and to provide the depth of staff and technological
expertise to maintain a more "customized" application set.
 
     DataWorks believes its ECS system will provide valuable depth to its
product family and will enable the Company to provide a product for the upper
tier that is complementary to its mid-tier products, DataFlo and ManFact II.
Generally, DataWorks believes that products currently offered by ERP vendors
serving Fortune 1000 firms that might potentially compete with the Company in
the upper tier of the mid-range manufacturing market are complex and expensive,
and usually require a multi-year "custom implementation" process. The Company
believes the ECS system can be competitive with the products currently offered
by large ERP system vendors by offering technology superiority, a more open
solution, competitive pricing and shorter, less costly deployment periods. The
Company intends that the ECS system, in addition to providing DataWorks with a
product solution for the upper tier of the mid-range market, will also provide a
migration path for the Company's current customers using DataFlo or ManFact II
that may outgrow those ERP systems and require the features of the ECS system.
 
     The ECS system is a second generation client/server application for
manufacturing, planning, inventory, engineering, distribution, service and
finance. While the DataFlo and ManFact II systems provide a tightly coupled 4GL
tool set and database architecture, ECS is built on tools and database
architectures from established market leaders, such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle
and Sybase, to promote flexibility and technology independence. The Company
believes that the flexible and independent ECS system architecture can be
managed with the significant IS resources of typical upper tier manufacturers.
ECS employs an object oriented, three-tier client/server architecture, in which
the business logic, database and presentation layers can
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
be allocated independently across multiple processors (servers or clients). This
distributed model allows large corporations to deploy a series of smaller,
departmental or company servers to replace their existing mainframe computers.
DataWorks' ECS system has been designed to be database independent, initially
supporting the Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
 
     The Company currently anticipates commencing customer shipments of its ECS
system in late 1997. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will
commence such shipments in 1997, or at all. Furthermore, the Company has limited
experience in selling products to customers in the upper tier of the mid-range
manufacturing market and anticipates that selling products to such customers
will result in a longer sales cycle and will require a different strategy than
that employed by the Company in selling products to customers in the mid-tier
market. For example, as part of its upper tier marketing strategy, the Company
is exploring potential relationships with third party integrators to facilitate
implementation of the ECS system. There can be no assurance that any such
relationships will be formed or, if formed, will prove beneficial to the
Company. Accordingly, even if customer shipments of the ECS system are timely
commenced, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
effectively marketing the ECS system or that the ECS system will achieve market
acceptance.
 
CORE FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES
 
     The Company provides certain core technologies for the mid-range market
across its entire product line, and offers certain development and
implementation support tools to facilitate customization and deployment of the
Company's products.
 
  PORTABILITY AND SCALABILITY
 
     DataWorks provides its products on all major versions of Microsoft NT and
UNIX operating systems. These environments enable the Company's products to have
extensive portability and scalability.
 
  DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
 
     DataWorks has enabled each of its products with a sophisticated 4GL
development environment that allows the Company's software to be tailored to the
unique needs of users while ensuring the integrity of the database and
applications. DataWorks' products support a Windows-based GUI providing
consistent, familiar desktop interfaces and connectivity to a wide variety of
third party products. Traditional screens and reports are managed as templates
and forms to provide flexible user views into the database.
 
     The database and development environments of products designed for the
lower tier of the mid-range market are tightly integrated to minimize cost and
support requirements. Vista provides VB Forms, a powerful form design tool that
supports user definable screen generation. Vantage is written in the Progress
4GL and database, which provides a powerful, graphical development tool set. To
serve the mid-tier, DataWorks' Object Preview is an object based development
tool based on the Borland Delphi graphical development environment. Through
Object Preview, DataWorks is able to support products across multiple operating
systems from a single object code library. The ECS system, designed for the
upper tier, supports Powersoft's Powerbuilder 5.0 and Optima enterprise
development suite as the foundation of the Company's client/server
infrastructure ("CSI") development tool product. CSI's "object libraries" are
designed to support the complex development and deployment requirements of a
global enterprise, and are intended to ensure a consistent look and feel to all
functions of the ECS system.
 
  RDBMS
 
     DataWorks' products are designed to run on databases that are best suited
for the particular applications required by customers, including Microsoft
Foxpro and SQL Server, Progress, UniData, VMark uniVerse, Oracle and Sybase.
SQL, ODBC and sophisticated file transfer capabilities provide immediate access
to foreign databases and other host applications. DataWorks has chosen these
relational databases in order to maximize the throughput of its customers'
transactions, to provide realistic models of business data and to maximize price
and performance under the budget constraints of its customers in each tier of
the mid-range market.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
  SMARTLINKS
 
     DataWorks' SmartLinks interface to third party applications provides a
standard parameterized interface mechanism between DataFlo and ManFact II
products and associated data and modules within selected third party
applications. Links have been established to a broad range of third party
applications, such as Microsoft Office and Autodesk AutoCad, for computer aided
design, scanned images, database graphics, word processing, spreadsheets,
multimedia, sales contact management, forecasting and project planning. The
Company plans to expand the SmartLinks capabilities to its other products.
 
DEPLOYMENT TOOLS
 
     DataWorks' SmartTools data conversion system is a means for new customers,
implementation consultants or existing customers to convert data from either
legacy systems or third party applications, and process that data through the
business rules of the Company's ERP systems. SmartTools can greatly shorten the
time needed to build conversion routines and significantly increases conversion
accuracy. SmartTools electronically takes conversion data from the legacy system
and simulates the data being entered through a keyboard or generated
programmatically by the DataWorks system.
 
THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS
 
  DATABASES
 
   
     DataWorks separately licenses database products to its customers. Microsoft
Foxpro and Progress support the Vista and Vantage product lines, respectively,
and the UniData and VMark uniVerse databases support the Dataflo and ManFact II
products. ECS has been designed as a database independent application, and
initially will support the Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
    
 
  CLIENT TOOLS
 
     The Company's products support PC-based GUIs that manage application
presentation, desktop tools and network communications, and facilitate the
client workstation. DataWorks incorporates client GUI and development tools such
as Microsoft Foxpro, Progress, Borland Delphi and Sybase Powerbuilder.
 
  HARDWARE
 
     As part of its turnkey solutions, at the request of a customer DataWorks
can provide complete third party computer hardware systems and related computer
peripherals. In such situations hardware is either shipped directly from the
third party vendor or DataWorks resells the products. The Company does not
typically carry hardware inventory in either case. DataWorks implements its ERP
systems on a number of hardware platforms, including Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Data
General, DEC and Intel Pentium and other x86-based systems. Configurations may
be host-based, server-oriented, or full client/server with highly networked
solutions, in which DataWorks may participate in providing network hardware
solutions. Additionally, DataWorks offers peripherals, factory data-collection
equipment and communications equipment for resale to its customers.
 
  NETWORKS
 
     DataWorks supports a wide variety of network communication protocols as
part of its turnkey product support. DataWorks has support agreements with
regional and national communications suppliers and network suppliers to
facilitate the design and implementation of these environments.
 
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
 
     DataWorks offers a full complement of services that allow its customers to
maximize the benefits of DataWorks' software products, including project
management, consulting, implementation, education and training, professional
programming, system integration and support, maintenance and customer service.
DataWorks' services are not typically included in the price of its software.
Maintenance support is billed annually in advance, while implementation,
consulting and programming services are billed monthly as incurred.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
  IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT PROGRAM
 
     DataWorks offers its customers an Implementation Support Program ("ISP")
with their initial system order or significant upgrade to an existing system
installation. ISP provides a variety of project management and consulting
services to assist in rapid implementation and deployment of DataWorks' business
solutions. Services offered include a variety of site-specific technical and
consulting services to assist in all phases of the implementation process.
DataWorks may also provide assistance in integrating its products with the
customer's other software, such as automated systems and devices for factory
automation and shop floor data collection. In addition, DataWorks offers "first
call" support that allows customers to call DataWorks with service inquiries. As
part of the implementation of its software, DataWorks employs a pilot program
that allows certain of its customers to simulate running their businesses with
the new software prior to full-scale "live" implementation of the new system.
The entire implementation process, and specifically the pilot programs, are
greatly aided by DataWorks' SmartTools product. Pilot program simulations for
more complex businesses are conducted in an integrated series of hands-on
classroom exercises that emphasize system controls and procedures, using a
database generated by SmartTools that accurately represents the customer's
business. By simulating a number of relevant business scenarios, the pilot
program gives key users valuable experience with DataWorks' software, generates
involvement in and commitment to the new system and provides a means to track
the progress of the implementation of the system before actual full-scale use.
 
  CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM
 
     DataWorks offers its customers a Comprehensive Support Program ("CSP"). The
cost of CSP is based on a percentage of list price of the DataWorks software
purchased and is generally billed annually in advance. Through CSP, DataWorks
provides product enhancements and updates that maintain the customers' software
and documentation to the then-current standard release level licensed and
supported by DataWorks. CSP also includes hotline telephone support during
extended business hours for questions regarding software use. This support is
available to customers up to 24 hours per day, seven days per week, as a
separately priced option.
 
  EDUCATION AND TRAINING
 
     DataWorks offers education and training services that provide customers
with a formalized program to ensure that applications are implemented and
utilized in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Customers are also offered a
variety of software installation, technical support and user training services,
both on-site and in DataWorks' regional training centers. Customized education
and training programs are also available to meet customers' specific development
needs.
 
  PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES
 
     DataWorks provides an array of on-site and classroom implementation and
training services that are tailored to the complexity of each of the Company's
ERP systems. The implementation of Vista typically requires an on-site
consulting service, while the implementation of Vantage typically only requires
such services on a limited basis. Each new customer site is assigned an Account
Manager who coordinates DataWorks' activities with the customer. These
activities include project management, hardware/software installation
scheduling, classroom education scheduling, on-site training, conversion
planning and pilot simulation supervision. Windows-based project management
software maintains a detailed project plan, resource list, and schedule of
events for each phase of the implementation. Designed to meet the return on
investment objectives of the customer, the project plan is the customer's key
feedback and monitoring mechanism for managing the success of the
implementation. The Account Manager and an assigned team are responsible for
guiding the new customer from initial installation through successful operation
of the system in a live environment. The Account Manager is also the initial
point of contact to introduce other DataWorks resources to the customer.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
  PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMING SERVICES
 
     DataWorks provides professional programming services, including custom
applications analysis, design, development, training and deployment for most of
its ERP solutions. Custom software projects may range from simple report
development to designing and programming complete applications and integrating
legacy systems. Throughout the project, software and design reviews are provided
to the customer as defined in the project specification. Upon project
completion, custom software is delivered under revision control to a test
database where compliance testing is conducted by the customer. The revision
control tools within DataFlo and ManFact II allow testing, deployment and
management of new enhancements without affecting current software releases. All
software enhancements of DataFlo and ManFact II, regardless of scope, are
created using the Object Preview development environment and conform to
DataWorks' published guidelines for standards and conventions.
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
     DataWorks' product development efforts are focused on enhancement of its
existing products and introduction of its ECS system. See "-- Products -- Upper
Tier: Enterprise Client Server." At September 30, 1996, DataWorks had
approximately 114 full-time employees in product development.
 
   
     DataWorks plans to continue to enhance its Vista, Vantage, DataFlo and
ManFact II application products and to develop its ECS system to suit the
evolving needs of the manufacturing market served by DataWorks. In particular,
DataWorks intends to pursue improved functionality on existing application
modules and the creation of new modules. In addition to applications
development, DataWorks will seek to improve and expand Object Preview, its
object development environment, with two fundamental objectives: continued user
empowerment with emphasis on ease-of-use, and increased flexibility to make
changes to the base products to suit specific customer requirements.
Internet/Intranet enabled applications will continue to be a focus of
development throughout the entire product line. The DataWorks Open Integration
Environment will expand traditional supply chain EDI communication protocols
with Object EDI and encapsulated "business objects." DataWorks expects to
continue to enhance the capabilities of its MES and factory data collection
applications to address the increasing focus on real time, wireless data
collection and acquisition. The Company also expects to enhance its strategic
planning and decision support capabilities through offerings in the area of
third party report writers, data warehousing and data mining products. DataWorks
plans to continue to expand its API and object frameworks across all products
thereby enhancing each systems ability to access the global supply chain.
    
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
  DOMESTIC
 
     The Company sells its products in the United States primarily through a
direct sales force. As of September 30, 1996, the Company has 114 full-time and
40 part-time employees in its domestic sales organization, including sales
representatives, pre-sale consultants, telemarketers and sales management
personnel.
 
     The key components of DataWorks' domestic sales strategy include
sophisticated prospect development and sales cycle management processes.
DataWorks uses a combination of electronic prospective client databases,
computer aided telemarketing and field sales methodologies to identify potential
candidates for its ERP systems from within its targeted markets who are in the
early stages of searching for a new business management system. This process
accounts for a large percentage of the Company's new accounts and lessens the
need for the sales force to engage in territory prospecting activities of its
own. Prospective DataWorks customers are monitored through a comprehensive
prospect management system that breaks the sales cycle into several phases, each
with multiple measurement points, to properly assess the prospective client
base.
 
     The Company's domestic sales strategy also emphasizes a "regionalization"
concept. DataWorks believes a strong local presence is an important factor in
addressing the needs of mid-range manufacturers and establishing mutually
beneficial long-term relationships. Under the Company's regionalization
approach, the
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
 
Company has decentralized much of its client development activity, customer
services and customer account responsibilities. DataWorks has regional centers
in Irvine, California; San Jose, California; Chicago, Illinois; Boston,
Massachusetts; and Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, DataWorks has local offices in
10 other locations across the United States. DataWorks intends to open two
additional full-service regional centers by late 1997.
 
  INTERNATIONAL
 
     DataWorks currently addresses the international market with direct sales
efforts through its wholly-owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom, and through
product-specific distributor agreements in Australia and Canada. To date, the
Company has not generated a material amount of revenue through these distributor
agreements. DataWorks plans to increase its international sales efforts through
expanded direct sales and additional distribution arrangements, each to be
supported by the Company's domestically developed prospect development and sales
cycle management processes.
 
COMPETITION
 
   
     The business information systems industry is intensely competitive, rapidly
changing and significantly affected by new product offerings and other market
activities. A number of companies offer products similar to the Company's
products, which are directed at the market for ERP systems. Many of the
Company's existing competitors, as well as a number of potential competitors,
have more established and larger marketing and sales organizations,
significantly greater financial and technical resources and a larger installed
base of customers than the Company. In addition, customers who have a large
installed base of legacy systems may resist committing the time and resources
necessary to convert to an open systems, client/server-based software product.
The Company has no proprietary barriers to entry which would limit competitors
from developing similar products or selling competing products in the Company's
markets. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such competitors will not
offer or develop products that are superior to the Company's products or that
achieve greater market acceptance. In addition, suppliers of RDBMS or companies
that develop management information software applications for large
multinational manufacturers are beginning to market to the upper tier of the
mid-range market targeted by the Company or otherwise develop applications that
compete effectively in the Company's markets. Furthermore, the Company intends
to expand its marketing and product development efforts toward the upper end of
its target market, which could result in increased competition. As a result,
competition (including price competition) is likely to increase substantially,
which may result in price reductions and loss of market share. In addition,
potential customers may increasingly demand that ERP systems incorporate certain
popular RDBMS software not currently integrated into certain of DataWorks'
product offerings that are offered by its competitors. As the client/server
computing market expands, a large number of companies, some with significantly
greater resources than the Company, may enter the market or increase their
market share by acquiring or entering into alliances with competitors of the
Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete
successfully against its competitors or that the competitive pressures faced by
the Company will not adversely affect its financial performance.
    
 
   
     The Company has a large number of competitors that vary in size, primary
computer platforms and overall product scope. Within its market, the primary
competition comes from independent software vendors in four distinct groups
including (i) large multinational system developers in the upper tier of the
Company's mid-range market, including Baan Company, Oracle and qad, Inc., (ii)
companies offering high levels of functionality on the AS/400 platform such as
System Software Associates, Inc. and J.D. Edwards Company, (iii) traditional
mid-range market sector firms such as ROI Systems and Symix Systems, Inc., and
(iv) lower priced PC network-based offerings from companies such as Fourth Shift
Corporation, Lilly Software Associates and Macola Software, Inc. There is also a
large number of regional manufacturing software suppliers who leverage as
competitive advantages their concentrated local support, reputation and,
typically, lower price.
    
 
     The Company's principal market is highly fragmented and consists of a few
large multinational suppliers and a much larger number of small, regional
competitors. The Company believes that its industry will experience
consolidation as business information systems become more complex and as more
manufacturers
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
adopt sophisticated business information systems, forcing smaller companies in
the industry to specialize or merge with their competitors. In order to compete
effectively in the broad markets which the Company presently targets, the
Company will need to continue to grow and attain sufficient size to ensure that
it can develop new products on a timely basis in response to evolving technology
and new customer demands and can sell such products to a variety of
manufacturing industries worldwide. No assurance can be given that the Company
will be able to grow sufficiently to enable it to compete effectively.
 
     The Company believes its use of open systems technologies is an important
competitive factor. The Company also believes that the number of competitors
offering open systems solutions will grow significantly over the next several
years. Additionally, the Company believes that the typical mid-range customer
desires an easy-to-use, highly functional 4GL environment, fully integrated
throughout the ERP system, which the Company has provided through its internally
produced development tool set. The Company anticipates that a significant source
of future competition may be from larger manufacturing software companies that
may tailor their products for the mid-range market. Only a few of the larger and
better capitalized software systems companies currently compete in the Company's
targeted market. There can be no assurance that such companies will not develop
products that are superior to the Company's products or that achieve greater
market acceptance.
 
     The principal elements affecting the buying decision of customers in the
mid-range sector are comprehensive application functionality that addresses a
wide range of business areas, rapid system deployment, ease-of-use, strong
performance, quality of customer support, a fully integrated application set
supported by a user-oriented 4GL development environment that allows for easy
modification to applications where needed, price and customer references. It is
also mandatory that the ERP system be enhanced on a regular basis throughout the
license or maintenance term and that such product enhancements be properly
supported by necessary revision control software provided by the vendor. In
order to be successful in the future, the Company must respond effectively to
customer needs and properly select and incorporate those technologies and
application functionalities that will meet the challenges posed by competitors'
innovations. To accomplish this critical objective, the Company must continue to
invest in enhancing its current products and, when necessary, introduce new
products to remain competitive. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to continue to invest in such enhancements or new products, or introduce
such enhancements or new products in a timely fashion or at all.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     DataWorks regards its products as proprietary trade secrets and
confidential information. DataWorks relies on a combination of copyright,
trademark and trade secret laws, employee and third party nondisclosure
agreements and other industry standard methods for protecting ownership of its
proprietary software. There can be no assurance, however, that, in spite of
these precautions, an unauthorized third party will not copy or reverse-engineer
certain portions of DataWorks' products or obtain and use information that
DataWorks regards as proprietary. In addition, the laws of some foreign
countries do not protect DataWorks' proprietary rights to the same extent as do
the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the mechanisms
used by DataWorks to protect its software will be adequate or that DataWorks'
competitors will not independently develop software products that are
substantially equivalent or superior to DataWorks' software products.
 
     DataWorks licenses products to end users under license agreements which are
generally in standard form, although each license is individually negotiated and
may contain variations. The standard form agreement allows the end user to use
the products solely on the end user's computer equipment for the end user's
internal purposes, and the end user is generally not permitted to sublicense or
transfer the products. DataWorks licenses the source code for its application
software to its customers to enable them to customize the software to meet
particular requirements. DataWorks' standard form agreement includes a
confidentiality clause protecting the products. In the event of termination of
the license agreement, the end user remains responsible for any accrued and
unpaid license fees and confidentiality obligations. However, there can be no
assurance that such customers will take adequate precautions to protect
DataWorks' source code or other confidential information.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
     None of DataWorks' software is patented. DCD has one patent application
pending, but there can be no assurances that a patent will be issued or that, if
a patent is issued, it will provide the Company with competitive advantages or
will not be challenged by others. DataWorks believes that it has all necessary
rights to market its products, although there can be no assurance that third
parties will not assert infringement claims in the future. DataWorks may receive
notices from third parties claiming that DataWorks' products infringe third
party proprietary rights. DataWorks expects that, as the number of software
products in the industry increases and the functionality of these products
further overlaps, software products will increasingly be subject to such claims.
Any such claim, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation and
require DataWorks to enter into royalty or license arrangements. Such royalty or
license arrangements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to
DataWorks or at all.
 
     DataWorks believes that, due to the rapid pace of innovation within the
computer industry, factors such as technological and creative skill of
personnel, knowledge and experience of management, name recognition, maintenance
and support of software products, the ability to develop, enhance, market and
acquire software products and services, and strategic relationships in the
industry are more important in establishing and maintaining a leading position
within the industry than are patent, copyright and other legal protections for
intellectual property.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At September 30, 1996, DataWorks had 464 full-time employees, including 124
in sales and marketing, 114 in product development, 189 in support services and
37 in finance and administration. DataWorks also has 53 part-time employees,
primarily in the telemarketing area. DataWorks' employees are not represented by
any collective bargaining organization, and DataWorks has never experienced a
work stoppage. DataWorks believes that its relations with its employees are
good. The loss of certain key employees or DataWorks' inability to attract and
retain other qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on
DataWorks' business and operations.
 
PROPERTY
 
     DataWorks leases approximately 38,000 square feet of office space for its
corporate headquarters in San Diego, California, under a lease expiring in 1999.
DataWorks leases approximately 25,000 square feet of office space for its Los
Angeles/Orange County division in Irvine, California, under a lease expiring in
2001. The Company also leases approximately 23,000 square feet of office space
in Minneapolis, Minnesota for DCD, under a lease expiring in March 1997. The
Company has been provided with the option to extend the term of its lease in
Minnesota until March 2002.
 
     DataWorks also has approximately 14,000 square feet of office space under
lease and rental agreements in various locations across the United States in
support of its regional activities, and approximately 1,200 square feet of
office space in the United Kingdom for its United Kingdom subsidiary.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     DataWorks is not a party to any material legal proceedings.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 1996
regarding the directors and executive officers of DataWorks:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            NAME                AGE                                POSITION
- ----------------------------    ----    ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>     <C>
Stuart W. Clifton                52     Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Norman R. Farquhar               50     Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Mark S. Howlett                  50     Executive Vice President
Robert W. Brandel                46     Vice President, General Manager of DCD
Rick E. Russo                    45     Vice President, Finance and Secretary
Nathan W. Bell                   36     Director
Finis F. Conner                  53     Director
Ronald S. Parker                 51     Director
</TABLE>
 
     Stuart W. Clifton has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and as
Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 1987, when he and Mr. Howlett
acquired control of DataWorks. Between 1971 and 1987, Mr. Clifton held various
management positions at Triad Systems Corporation, a vertical distribution
software company, in which he was involved from its inception, most recently as
Executive Vice President and General Manager.
 
     Norman R. Farquhar has served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of DataWorks since February 1996 and as a director of
DataWorks since August 1995. From April 1993 to December 1995, Mr. Farquhar
served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of
Wonderware Corporation, a manufacturer of software for the industrial automation
industry. From December 1991 to April 1993, he was Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of MTI Technology Corporation, a developer of
system-managed storage solutions. From November 1987 to December 1991, he was
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Amperif Corporation, a
manufacturer of cache-based data storage subsystems.
 
     Mark S. Howlett has served as Executive Vice President of DataWorks since
January 1987, when he and Mr. Clifton acquired control of DataWorks. In 1981, he
joined Triad Systems Corporation, where he became its National Sales Manager.
 
     Robert W. Brandel has served as Vice President, General Manager of DCD and
an executive officer of the Company since the Company's acquisition of DCD in
September 1996. From 1992 to September 1996, he served as President and a
director of DCD. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Brandel was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Network Communications Corporation, a networking
diagnostics company.
 
     Rick E. Russo has served as Vice President, Finance since July 1994 and as
Secretary since April 1995. From February 1992 to July 1994, Mr. Russo served as
Chief Financial Officer of MCC. Prior to joining DataWorks, Mr. Russo served
from 1985 to 1991 as Vice President of Finance for Media Duplication Services
Ltd., a subsidiary of Polaroid Corporation which provided software manufacturing
services. Mr. Russo is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
     Nathan W. Bell has served as a director of DataWorks since April 1995. Mr.
Bell is a founding general partner of Pacific Private Capital ("PPC"), the
general partner of Pacific Mezzanine Fund, L.P. ("PMF"), an investment firm
formed in March 1994. Mr. Bell currently serves as a director and is the Chief
Executive Officer of Kleer Vu Plastics Corporation, a manufacturer of photograph
albums. From January 1990 to March 1994, Mr. Bell was the managing director of
BW Capital Corporation, an investment firm.
 
     Finis F. Conner has served as a director of DataWorks since April 1995.
From 1986 to February 1996, Mr. Conner served as the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Conner Peripherals, Inc., a supplier of disk management
systems and related products. He also serves as a director of Gyration, Inc.
 
     Ronald S. Parker has served as a director of DataWorks since July 1994. Mr.
Parker has served as Chairman of the Board of Parker, Mulcahy & Associates
("PMA"), an investment firm, since May 1992. From March 1991 to April 1992, he
was Executive Vice President, Corporate Banking Group, of Security Pacific Bank
in Los Angeles. From January 1984 to March 1991, he was Executive Vice
President, Corporate Banking Group, of Wells Fargo Bank in Los Angeles. He also
serves as a director of CU Bancorp, California United Bank, USC School of
Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center Development Board, CNA Sales Group, Inc. and
Performance Marketing, Inc.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   43
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership
of DataWorks' Common Stock as of September 30, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect
the sale by the Company of the shares offered hereby, by: (i) each director;
(ii) each of the executive officers; (iii) all executive officers and directors
of DataWorks as a group; and (iv) all those known by DataWorks to be beneficial
owners of more than five percent of its Common Stock.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERCENTAGE
                                                                                   BENEFICIALLY
                                                                                     OWNED(1)
                                                                   SHARES      ---------------------
                                                                 BENEFICIALLY   BEFORE       AFTER
            DIRECTOR, OFFICERS AND 5% SHAREHOLDERS                OWNED(1)     OFFERING     OFFERING
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  ----------    --------     --------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>
Stuart W. Clifton(2)(3)........................................   1,076,882      13.8%        11.0%
Nathan W. Bell(4)..............................................     324,652       4.2%         3.3%
Mark S. Howlett(5).............................................     317,123       4.1%         3.2%
Ronald S. Parker(6)............................................     198,096       2.5%         2.0%
Finis F. Conner(7).............................................      26,155         *            *
Norman R. Farquhar(3)(8).......................................      41,762         *            *
Rick E. Russo(9)...............................................      17,069         *            *
Robert W. Brandel (3)..........................................     667,188       8.5%         6.8%
Employee Stock Ownership Plan..................................     899,491      11.5%         9.2%
All executive officers and directors as a group
  (8 persons)(10)..............................................   2,668,927      33.7%        26.9%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  *  Less than one percent.
 
 (1) This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and
     principal shareholders, and upon Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise indicated in the
     footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where
     applicable, DataWorks believes that each of the shareholders named in this
     table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
     indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on
     7,816,764 shares outstanding on September 30, 1996 and assume the sale of
     2,000,000 shares offered hereby (excluding the Underwriters'
     over-allotment) upon the completion of this offering.
 
 (2) Includes 10,833 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1996.
 
 (3) Excludes 899,491 shares beneficially owned by the ESOP for which Messrs.
     Clifton, Farquhar and Brandel serve as trustees. Each of such trustees
     disclaims beneficial ownership of the ESOP shares.
 
   
 (4) Includes 69 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant held by Mr. Bell,
     3,458 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant held by PMF and 313,097
     shares held by PMF. Mr. Bell is a general partner of PPC, which is the
     general partner of PMF. He disclaims beneficial ownership of securities
     held by PMF, except to the extent of his pro rata interest therein.
     Includes 624 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1996.
    
 
 (5) Includes 7,222 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1996.
 
 (6) Includes 85,504 shares held by PMA, of which Mr. Parker is Chairman of the
     Board and a majority shareholder, 93,387 shares held by DataWorks Partners
     IV, L.P., of which PMA is a general partner, and warrants to purchase up to
     8,197 shares of Common Stock. Includes 624 shares subject to options
     exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 1996.
 
 (7) Includes 6,917 shares of Common Stock and 345 shares issuable upon exercise
     of a warrant held by a trust of which Mr. Conner is a trustee and 18,893
     shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 1996.
 
 (8) Includes 41,762 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1996.
 
 (9) Includes 10,873 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1996.
 
(10) Includes 491,988 shares held by entities affiliated with directors of
     DataWorks, 90,831 shares subject to options held by officers and directors
     exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 1996 and 12,069 shares issuable
     upon exercise of warrants held by directors and entities affiliated with
     directors. See notes (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9).
 
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS -- EXERCISE OF OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION
 
   
     If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, the
Company and certain shareholders of the Company will sell an aggregate of
112,735 and 187,265 shares, respectively, of Common Stock in this offering. In
such instance, the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned after
this offering by the following individuals and entities will be as follows:
10.9% for Mr. Clifton; 3.3% for Mr. Bell; 3.2% for Mr. Howlett; 2.0% for Mr.
Parker; less than one percent for Messrs. Conner, Farquhar and Russo; 6.7% for
Mr. Brandel; 9.1% for the ESOP; and 26.7% for all executive officers and
directors as a group. See "Underwriting" for a description of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option.
    
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   44
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
   
     The Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, to
purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below
opposite their respective names, at the public offering price less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters are
subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriters are committed
to purchase all of such shares, if any are purchased.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                   UNDERWRITER                      SHARES
        --------------------------------------------------------   ---------
        <S>                                                        <C>
        Montgomery Securities...................................     900,000
        Furman Selz LLC.........................................     550,000
        SoundView Financial Group, Inc..........................     550,000
                                                                   ---------
          Total.................................................   2,000,000
                                                                   =========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The Underwriters have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose
initially to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public on the terms set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The Underwriters may allow to
selected dealers a concession of not more than $0.65 per share; and the
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession of not more
than $0.10 per share to certain other dealers. After the shares of Common Stock
are released for sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms
may be changed by the Underwriters. The Common Stock is offered subject to
receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters and to certain other conditions,
including the right to reject orders in whole or in part.
    
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have granted an option to the
Underwriters, exercisable during the 30-day period after the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to a maximum of 300,000 additional shares of Common
Stock to cover over-allotments, if any, at the same price per share as the
initial 2,000,000 shares to be purchased by the Underwriters. To the extent that
the Underwriters exercise this option, the Underwriters will be committed,
subject to certain conditions, to purchase such additional shares in
approximately the same proportion as set forth in the above table. The
Underwriters may purchase such shares only to cover over-allotments made in
connection with this offering.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company and the Selling
Shareholders will indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities,
including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or will contribute to
payments the Underwriter may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
   
     The holders of approximately 3,979,075 shares of Common Stock prior to this
offering, including the Company's officers and directors, have agreed, subject
to certain limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days from the date of this
Prospectus that they will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose the shares of
Common Stock held by them, any options to purchase shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock
without the prior written consent of Montgomery Securities or each of the
Underwriters. In addition, the Company has agreed for a period of 90 days after
the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of Montgomery
Securities or each of the Underwriters, issue, offer, sell, grant options to
purchase or otherwise dispose of any equity securities or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for equity securities, except under the Company's 1987
Stock Option Plan, 1995 Equity Incentive Plan, 1995 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
    
 
   
     The Underwriters have informed the Company and the Selling Shareholders
that the Underwriters will not confirm sales to any accounts over which they
exercise discretionary authority in excess of 5% of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby.
    
 
   
     Of the 2,000,000 shares being sold in this offering, up to an aggregate of
88,000 shares will be purchased by certain affiliates of the Company at the
public offering price for investment purposes and not for resale.
    
 
     In connection with the acquisition of DCD, DataWorks retained Furman Selz
LLC to act as its financial advisor and paid customary fees to Furman Selz LLC
for its advisory services, including the rendering of an opinion regarding the
fairness of the consideration paid to the shareholders of DCD, from a financial
point of view, to DataWorks.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   45
 
     In connection with this offering, the Underwriters and selling group
members (if any) may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common
Stock on Nasdaq immediately prior to the commencement of sales in this offering,
in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended ("Exchange Act"). Passive market making consists of displaying bids on
Nasdaq that are limited by the bid prices of independent market makers and
completing purchases in response to order flow at prices limited by such bids.
Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are limited to a specified
percentage of the passive market maker's average daily trading volume in the
Common Stock during a specified prior period. Purchases by the passive market
maker must be discontinued for any day on which such limit is reached. Passive
market making may stabilize the market price of the Common Stock at a level
above that which might otherwise prevail and, if commenced, may be discontinued
at any time.
 
   
     The public offering price of the Common Stock has been determined by
negotiations among the Underwriters and the Company, and was based largely upon
the market price for the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
   
     The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock will be passed upon for
the Company and the Selling Shareholders by Cooley Godward LLP, San Diego,
California. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by
Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation, Menlo Park, California.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of DataWorks Corporation at December
31, 1994 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1995, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein which, as to each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, is based in part on the report of Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. The financial statements referred to
above are included in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of
such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
following Regional Offices: Chicago Regional Office, Suite 1400, Northwest
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and New York
Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintains a site on the World Wide
Web that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding the Company. The address for such site is
http://www.sec.gov.
 
     Additional information regarding the Company and the shares offered hereby
is contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits thereto
filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). For further information pertaining to the Company and the
shares, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits
thereto, which may be inspected without charge at, and copies thereof may be
obtained at prescribed rates from, the office of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   46
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1996, the Company's Proxy Statement for the
1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed pursuant to Rule 14a-6 of the Exchange
Act, the Company's Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement dated September 13, 1996,
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-11741) filed on
September 11, 1996, the Company's Form 8-K filed by the Company on October 8,
1996, and the description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 20, 1995, each as filed by
the Company with the Commission, are hereby incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus except as superseded or modified herein. All documents filed by the
Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of
the offering of the shares offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The
Company will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such
person, a copy of any and all of the documents that have been or may be
incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to such documents which
are not specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Such
requests should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer at the Company's
principal executive offices at 5910 Pacific Center Boulevard, Suite 300, San
Diego, California 92121 (telephone (619) 546-9600).
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   47
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors...................................    F-2
Report of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.............................    F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and September 30, 1996
  (unaudited).......................................................................    F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994
  and 1995 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)........    F-5
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended
  December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
  (unaudited).......................................................................    F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994
  and 1995 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)........    F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................    F-8
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   48
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
DataWorks Corporation
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DataWorks
Corporation as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial
statements are the responsibility of DataWorks' management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
did not audit the financial statements of DCD Corporation, a company acquired
during 1996 in a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests, which
statements reflect total assets of $2,719,940 and $6,628,433 as of December 31,
1994 and 1995, respectively, and total revenues of $4,582,470, $6,322,925 and
$11,482,867 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished
to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to data included for DCD
Corporation, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the consolidated financial position of DataWorks Corporation at December 31,
1994 and 1995, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Diego, California
February 1, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   49
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors
  and Stockholders of
  DCD Corporation
 
     In our opinion, the balance sheet and the related statements of operations,
of stockholders' equity (deficit) and of cash flows (not presented separately
herein) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of DCD
Corporation at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above. We have not audited the financial statements of DCD Corporation for any
period subsequent to December 31, 1995.
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 5, 1996
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   50
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ---------------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         1994            1995             1996
                                                      -----------     -----------     -------------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>
                                              ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................  $ 1,457,933     $13,004,609      $  8,865,647
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $227,734, $712,835 and $633,650 in
     1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively..............    5,546,572      12,759,059        18,247,601
  Deferred income taxes.............................      527,351       2,011,072         2,011,072
  Other current assets..............................      439,236       1,381,229         3,327,516
                                                      -----------     -----------       -----------
     Total current assets...........................    7,971,092      29,155,969        32,451,836
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net..............      752,062       2,196,790         3,666,912
Receivable from officer.............................       91,000         206,000           155,300
Capitalized software costs, net.....................      517,641       1,852,115         4,091,967
Intangible assets, net..............................    4,959,487       4,617,417         4,029,449
Other assets........................................      847,313         125,045           170,858
                                                      -----------     -----------       -----------
                                                      $15,138,595     $38,153,336      $ 44,566,322
                                                      ===========     ===========       ===========
                          LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..................................  $ 2,317,139     $ 3,072,961      $  6,562,878
  Accrued compensation..............................    1,136,744       1,891,946         2,221,168
  Other accrued liabilities.........................      925,506       2,352,246         2,122,485
  Deferred revenue..................................    3,862,809       5,853,941         6,403,010
  Obligations under line of credit..................    2,750,991              --                --
  Notes payable and current portion of long-term
     debt...........................................      445,999              --                --
  Payables to shareholder...........................       50,000              --                --
  Current portion of ESOP notes payable.............      364,284              --                --
                                                      -----------     -----------       -----------
     Total current liabilities......................   11,853,472      13,171,094        17,309,541
Long-term debt......................................    7,108,578              --                --
Deferred rent.......................................      137,506         160,822           133,587
Deferred income taxes...............................      673,200       1,929,189         1,864,128
ESOP note payable, less current portion.............      723,219              --                --
Commitments
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, no stated par value:
     Authorized shares -- 25,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares -- 3,883,571,
       7,425,128 and 7,816,764 in 1994, 1995 and
       1996, respectively...........................      551,932      26,006,540        26,894,466
  Accumulated deficit...............................   (4,821,809)     (3,114,309)       (1,635,400)
  Receivable from ESOP..............................   (1,087,503)             --                --
                                                      -----------     -----------       -----------
     Total shareholders' equity (deficit)...........   (5,357,380)     22,892,231        25,259,066
                                                      -----------     -----------       -----------
                                                      $15,138,595     $38,153,336      $ 44,566,322
                                                      ===========     ===========       ===========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   51
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                                      ENDED
                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  ---------------------------------------   -------------------------
                                     1993          1994          1995          1995          1996
                                  -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues:
  Software licenses.............  $ 6,691,705   $11,627,367   $22,873,643   $15,951,600   $24,459,317
  Hardware......................    4,089,287     3,765,089     6,742,935     4,189,409     3,717,717
  Maintenance and other
     services...................    4,740,985     7,688,992    13,394,128     9,087,903    14,108,228
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
          Total revenues........   15,521,977    23,081,448    43,010,706    29,228,912    42,285,262
Cost of revenues:
  Software licenses.............      271,658     1,191,573     2,153,428     1,513,512     1,911,787
  Hardware......................    2,473,963     2,930,223     5,288,369     3,290,912     2,745,190
  Maintenance and other
     services...................    3,747,076     4,716,972     8,329,510     5,819,556    10,318,815
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
          Total cost of
            revenues............    6,492,697     8,838,768    15,771,307    10,623,980    14,975,792
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Gross profit....................    9,029,280    14,242,680    27,239,399    18,604,932    27,309,470
Operating expenses:
  Selling and marketing.........    3,842,986     7,404,052    12,056,969     8,328,288    12,738,206
  Research and development......    1,230,249     2,520,802     3,214,040     2,309,219     3,137,032
  General and administrative....    2,349,646     3,201,965     5,031,440     3,717,715     5,164,143
  Acquisition and related
     costs......................           --            --            --            --     3,656,112
  ESOP contribution.............      387,363       429,397       445,550       334,162            --
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
          Total operating
            expenses............    7,810,244    13,556,216    20,747,999    14,689,384    24,695,493
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Income from operations..........    1,219,036       686,464     6,491,400     3,915,548     2,613,977
Interest income (expense),
  net...........................     (500,235)   (1,141,054)   (1,337,287)   (1,312,228)      314,555
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Income (loss) before income
  taxes and extraordinary
  item..........................      718,801      (454,590)    5,154,113     2,603,320     2,928,532
Credit (provision) for income
  taxes.........................           --       263,874    (1,780,433)     (913,476)   (1,449,623)
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Income (loss) before
  extraordinary item............      718,801      (190,716)    3,373,680     1,689,844     1,478,909
Extraordinary item, net of
  income taxes..................           --      (157,229)   (1,017,154)     (627,170)           --
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net income (loss)...............  $   718,801   $  (347,945)  $ 2,356,526   $ 1,062,674   $ 1,478,909
                                   ==========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
Per share information:
  Income (loss) before
     extraordinary item.........  $       .19   $      (.05)  $       .61   $       .31   $       .18
  Extraordinary item............           --          (.04)         (.18)         (.11)           --
                                   ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
  Net income (loss).............  $       .19   $      (.09)  $       .43   $       .20   $       .18
                                   ==========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
Shares used in per share
  computations..................    3,844,000     4,021,000     5,523,000     5,384,000     8,179,000
                                   ==========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   52
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993 AND
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     TOTAL
                                     PREFERRED STOCK            COMMON STOCK                                     SHAREHOLDERS'
                                  ----------------------   -----------------------   ACCUMULATED   RECEIVABLE       EQUITY
                                   SHARES      AMOUNT       SHARES       AMOUNT        DEFICIT      FROM ESOP      (DEFICIT)
                                  --------   -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                               <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992.....       --   $        --   3,725,996   $   372,835   $(4,705,156)  $(2,550,000)   $(6,882,321)
  Dividends declared on common
    stock........................       --            --          --            --      (94,376 )          --         (94,376)
  Repayment of ESOP receivable...       --            --          --            --           --       607,142         607,142
  Net income.....................       --            --          --            --      718,801            --         718,801
                                  --------   -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------
Balance at December 31, 1993.....       --            --   3,725,996       372,835   (4,080,731 )  (1,942,858 )    (5,650,754)
  Issuance of common stock upon
    exercise of warrants.........       --            --      11,537           300           --            --             300
  Issuance of common stock in
    connection with the
    acquisition of
    Madic-Compufact..............       --            --     146,038         3,797           --            --           3,797
    Issuance of warrants to
      purchase shares of common
      stock......................       --            --          --       175,000           --            --         175,000
  Dividends declared on common
    stock........................       --            --          --            --     (393,133 )          --        (393,133)
  Repayments of ESOP
    receivable...................       --            --          --            --           --       855,355         855,355
  Net loss.......................       --            --          --            --     (347,945 )          --        (347,945)
                                  --------   -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994.....       --            --   3,883,571       551,932   (4,821,809 )  (1,087,503 )    (5,357,380)
  Issuance of common stock to
    comply with certain
    antidilution provisions......       --            --       2,246            --           --            --
  Issuance of warrants to
    purchase shares of common
    stock........................       --            --          --        29,000           --            --          29,000
    Issuance of Series A
      preferred stock, net.......  864,696     5,937,563          --            --           --            --       5,937,563
  Issuance of common stock upon
    exercise of warrants.........       --            --   1,050,843     1,475,436           --            --       1,475,436
  Issuance of common stock upon
    exercise of stock options....       --            --      23,772         9,144           --            --           9,144
  Conversion of Series A
    preferred stock upon initial
    public
    offering..................... (864,696)   (5,937,563)    864,696     5,937,563           --            --              --
  Issuance of common stock upon
    initial public offering,
    net..........................       --            --   1,600,000    18,003,465           --            --      18,003,465
  Dividends declared on common
    stock........................       --            --          --            --     (649,026 )          --        (649,026)
  Repayments of ESOP
    receivable...................       --            --          --            --           --     1,087,503       1,087,503
  Net income.....................       --            --          --            --    2,356,526            --       2,356,526
                                  --------   -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995.....       --            --   7,425,128    26,006,540   (3,114,309 )          --      22,892,231
  Issuance of common stock upon
    exercise of stock options
    (unaudited)..................       --            --     312,244        66,656           --            --          66,656
  Issuance of common stock under
    Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan (unaudited).............       --            --      79,392       821,270           --            --         821,270
  Net income (unaudited).........       --            --          --            --    1,478,909            --       1,478,909
                                  --------   -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------
Balance at September 30, 1996
  (unaudited)....................       --   $        --   7,816,764   $26,894,466   $(1,635,400)  $       --     $25,259,066
                                  ========   ===========   =========   ===========   ===========   ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   53
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                          ENDED
                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                      ---------------------------------------   -------------------------
                                                         1993          1994          1995          1995          1996
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).................................    $   718,801   $  (347,945)  $ 2,356,526   $ 1,062,674   $ 1,478,909
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
  Provision for doubtful accounts and returns.....         80,496       415,963       900,483       526,713       923,128
  Depreciation and amortization of intangible
    assets........................................        275,566       801,204     1,226,796     1,108,346     1,410,620
  Amortization of debt discount and debt issue
    costs.........................................             --       255,251       213,702       195,590            --
  Reduction of advances to officers charged to
    operating expenses............................             --       199,701       108,500       108,500            --
  Notes payable issued for professional
    services......................................        244,661       314,087            --            --            --
  Deferred rent expense...........................        (10,732)      (18,595)       23,316        27,831       (27,235)
  Deferred income taxes...........................             --      (416,051)     (227,732)     (326,094)      (65,061)
  Extraordinary item, non-cash portion............             --       157,229       886,020       225,033            --
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
    of effects from purchase of Madic-Compufact
    Corporation:
    Accounts receivable...........................     (1,451,098)   (2,664,823)   (8,112,970)   (6,504,771)   (6,411,670)
    Deferred revenue..............................        315,265     1,880,802     1,991,133     1,955,974       549,069
    Other current assets..........................         31,566      (105,720)     (885,681)     (745,072)   (1,946,287)
    Accounts payable..............................        212,883        34,779       755,823       887,527     3,489,917
    Accrued compensation..........................       (404,411)      291,133       533,490      (808,325)      329,222
    Other accrued liabilities.....................       (261,766)       68,763     1,220,855     2,815,204      (229,761)
    Accrued ESOP contribution.....................       (128,021)      (38,221)           --            --            --
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities......................................       (376,790)      827,557       990,261       529,130      (499,149)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of equipment, furniture and fixtures....       (145,502)     (506,999)   (1,562,936)   (1,212,376)   (2,232,775)
Additions to capitalized software costs...........             --      (474,887)   (1,334,474)     (971,573)   (2,299,851)
Payment for purchase of Madic-Compufact
  Corporation, net of cash acquired of $155,445...        (75,638)   (5,113,248)           --            --            --
Increase in intangible assets.....................             --            --      (310,000)     (124,993)           --
Advances to officers..............................       (128,290)      (91,000)     (223,500)     (143,000)       50,700
Other assets......................................        (24,347)       54,233      (114,860)     (385,738)      (45,813)
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net cash used in investing activities.............       (373,777)   (6,131,901)   (3,545,770)   (2,837,680)   (4,527,739)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in obligations under lines
  of credit.......................................             --     2,750,991    (2,750,991)      498,770            --
Proceeds from notes payable.......................      7,199,456     7,095,336     1,250,000     1,250,000            --
Repayments of notes payable.......................     (5,635,906)   (1,920,099)   (6,409,160)   (2,038,623)           --
Deferred debt issue costs.........................       (315,943)     (975,325)     (164,249)     (104,902)           --
Repayment of payables to shareholder..............       (258,013)     (431,000)      (50,000)      (50,000)           --
Issuance of common stock, net.....................             --           300    18,188,048            --       887,926
Issuance of Series A preferred stock, net.........             --            --     4,687,563     4,711,320            --
Dividend paid on common stock.....................        (94,376)     (393,133)     (649,026)     (273,213)           --
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities.........        895,218     6,127,070    14,102,185     3,993,352       887,926
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.........        144,651       822,726    11,546,676     1,684,802    (4,138,962)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period..........................................        490,556       635,207     1,457,933     1,457,933    13,004,609
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period........    $   635,207   $ 1,457,933   $13,004,609   $ 3,142,735   $ 8,865,647
                                                      ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest..........    $   511,848   $   866,129   $ 1,308,715   $ 1,052,711   $    40,616
                                                      ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
Cash paid during the period for income taxes......    $    27,436   $    19,677   $   473,790   $   376,134   $ 1,677,659
                                                      ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   54
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     DataWorks Corporation ("DataWorks") is a California corporation which
develops, markets, implements and supports open systems, client/server-based
Enterprise Resource Planning software for mid-range discrete manufacturing
companies.
 
     As described more fully in Note 2, on September 27, 1996, the Company
acquired DCD Corporation (DCD). The acquisition was accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests and, accordingly, the consolidated financial statements
reflect the combined financial position and operating results for the Company
and DCD for all periods presented. In addition, the consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of DataWorks and its wholly-owned subsidiaries
Madic-Compufact Corporation ("Madic") from May 27, 1994 (Note 2) and DataWorks
(Europe) Ltd. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
 
  Interim Financial Information (Unaudited)
 
     The financial statements at September 30, 1996 and for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 are unaudited, but include all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which management
considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at such
date and the operating results and cash flows for those periods. Results for
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or
any future periods.
 
  Reclassifications
 
     Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform with the current year classifications.
 
  Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments
with remaining maturities, when acquired, of three months or less. DataWorks
evaluates the financial strength of institutions at which significant
investments are made and believes the related credit risk is limited to an
acceptable level.
 
     DataWorks has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," and has
classified its investments as available-for-sale in accordance with that
standard.
 
     Available-for-sale securities are carried at amounts which approximate fair
value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in a separate
component of shareholders' equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in
value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, in available-for-sale
securities are included in investment income. The cost of securities sold is
based on the specific identification method.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   55
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Included in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1995 and September
30, 1996 were approximately $11.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively,
invested in a mutual fund classified as available-for-sale. The mutual fund
invests in U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies.
As of December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, the difference between amortized
cost and the estimated fair value of the investment was not material.
 
  Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures
 
     Equipment, furniture and fixtures are recorded at cost. DataWorks provides
for depreciation on equipment, furniture and fixtures using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to five
years.
 
  Capitalized Software Costs
 
     In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise
Marketed," costs incurred in the research and development of new software
products and significant enhancements to existing software products are charged
against operations as incurred until the technological feasibility of the
product has been established. After technological feasibility has been
established, direct production costs, including programming and testing, are
capitalized. Amortization of these costs will begin when the product becomes
available for sale.
 
     Capitalized software costs are amortized using the greater of the amount
computed using the ratio of current product revenues to estimated total product
revenues or the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the
products. It is possible that estimated total product revenues, the estimated
economic life of the product, or both will be reduced in the future. As a
result, the carrying amount of capitalized software costs may be reduced in the
future, which could result in material charges to the results of operations in
future periods.
 
  Intangible Assets
 
     Intangible assets arose primarily from the acquisition of Madic (see Note
2). The excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets purchased
(goodwill) is being amortized over 10 years. The customer list and non-compete
agreement are being amortized over 10 and 3 years, respectively. Periodically,
management assesses whether there has been a permanent impairment in the value
of intangible assets and the amount of such impairment by comparing anticipated
undiscounted future cash flows from operating activities with the carrying value
of intangible assets. Management also considers other factors such as current
operating results, as well as the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition
and other economic conditions.
 
  Debt Issuance Costs
 
     Costs incurred to obtain financing were capitalized (included in other
assets at December 31, 1994) and were amortized over the life of the related
debt using the interest method.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenue is derived from licensing software, the sale of hardware,
maintenance, implementation and installation, consulting and custom programming
charges. Contract revenue related to software licenses and hardware sales is
recognized upon delivery of the products, provided that no significant vendor
obligations remain and the collection of the related receivable is deemed
probable, net of estimated future returns. Maintenance contract revenue is
recognized ratably over the period the service is provided. Revenue from
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   56
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
implementation and installation, consulting and custom programming is billed and
recognized as the services are provided. Amounts billed but not recognized are
deferred in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. DataWorks' policy is
in compliance with the provisions of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants Statement of Position 91-1, "Software Revenue Recognition."
 
  Research and Development
 
     Costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.
 
  Interest Expense
 
     Interest expense includes amounts due under DataWorks' various loan
agreements, amortization of debt issue costs and amortization of debt discount.
 
  Stock Options
 
     Effective January 1, 1996, DataWorks adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 ("FAS 123"), "Accounting and Disclosure of
Stock-Based Compensation." As allowed under FAS 123, DataWorks has elected to
follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees" (APB 25) and related interpretations in accounting for its
employee stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of DataWorks'
employee stock options has not been less than the market price of the underlying
stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense has been recognized. The
adoption of FAS 123 had no effect on DataWorks' financial position or results of
operations.
 
  Accounting Standard on Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
     Effective January 1, 1996, DataWorks adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of."
The adoption in 1996 had no material effect on DataWorks' financial statements.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     DataWorks sells its products primarily to manufacturing companies located
throughout the United States. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the
customer's financial condition and terms of DataWorks' sales normally require a
significant up-front cash deposit. DataWorks estimates its potential losses on
trade receivables on an ongoing basis and provides for anticipated losses in the
period in which the revenues are recognized. Actual losses may differ from
DataWorks' estimates, which could have a material impact on DataWorks' results
of operations in future periods.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     DataWorks accounts for income taxes using the liability method as
prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.
 
  Net Income (Loss) Per Share
 
     For periods subsequent to the completion of the initial public offering
(the "IPO") in October 1995, income per share information is computed using the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common share
equivalents arising from outstanding stock options and warrants using the
treasury stock method.
 
     Prior to the IPO, net income (loss) per share is computed pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which require
that common stock and convertible preferred shares
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   57
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
issued by DataWorks during the twelve months immediately preceding the IPO, plus
the number of common equivalent shares which were granted during the same period
pursuant to the grant of stock options and warrants, be included in the
calculation of the shares used in computing net income (loss) per share as if
these shares were outstanding for all periods presented using the treasury stock
method.
 
     For net income (loss) per share purposes, only those common shares held by
the Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") which are allocated to participants
and committed to be released are considered to be outstanding.
 
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
     On September 27, 1996, the Company acquired DCD, a Minnesota corporation,
which designs, develops, markets and supports management software for use by
lower tier mid-range manufacturers in the make to order manufacturing industry.
The acquisition has been accounted for under the pooling-of-interests method of
accounting. Accordingly, the historical financial statements for periods prior
to the consummation of the combination have been restated as though the
companies had been combined.
 
     Total revenues and net income (loss) of DataWorks and DCD for the periods
preceding the acquisition were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DATAWORKS          DCD          COMBINED
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>
Year ended December 31, 1993
     Total revenues.................................  $10,939,507     $ 4,582,470     $15,521,977
     Net income.....................................      624,425          94,376         718,801
Year ended December 31, 1994
     Total revenues.................................   16,758,523       6,322,925      23,081,448
     Net income (loss)..............................     (903,389)        555,444        (347,945)
Year ended December 31, 1995
     Total revenues.................................   31,527,839      11,482,867      43,010,706
     Net income.....................................      575,474       1,781,052       2,356,526
Nine months ended September 30, 1995
     Total revenues.................................   21,729,782       7,499,130      29,228,912
     Net income.....................................       15,963       1,046,711       1,062,674
Nine months ended September 30, 1996
     Total revenues.................................   31,055,299      11,229,963      42,285,262
     Net income.....................................    1,187,103         291,806       1,478,909
</TABLE>
 
     In January 1996, DataWorks purchased certain assets of Arrowkey Systems
("Arrowkey") for $450,000. In addition, DataWorks may be required to pay up to
$75,000 annually through 1998 if certain sales levels of Arrowkey software
products are achieved. The owner of Arrowkey is an employee of DataWorks.
 
     Effective May 27, 1994, DataWorks completed the acquisition of the
outstanding stock of Madic, a company which was dedicated to developing,
marketing and licensing integrated manufacturing and financial software
applications. The purchase price was $5,348,128, including acquisition costs of
$203,753, and 146,038 shares of common stock. The transaction was accounted for
as a purchase and DataWorks' statements of operations include the results of
operations of Madic from the date of acquisition.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   58
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
     The purchase price, including related acquisition costs, has been allocated
to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on
their respective fair value on the date of acquisition as follows:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                          <C>            <C>
    Cash.......................................................                 $   155,445
    Trade accounts receivable, net.............................                   1,713,721
    Equipment, furniture and fixtures..........................                     174,470
    Intangibles:
      Customer list............................................  $3,300,000
      Goodwill.................................................   1,530,643
      Non-compete agreement....................................     500,000       5,330,643
                                                                 ----------
    Other......................................................                      96,043
                                                                                -----------
      Total assets.............................................                   7,470,322
    Liabilities assumed........................................                  (2,122,194)
                                                                                -----------
      Net assets acquired......................................                 $ 5,348,128
                                                                                ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The following unaudited pro forma combined results of operations of
DataWorks and Madic for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994 have been
prepared assuming that the acquisition of Madic had occurred at the beginning of
the periods presented. This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative
of the results that would have occurred nor is it indicative of future results.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                ---------------------------
                                                                   1993            1994
                                                                -----------     -----------
    <S>                                                         <C>             <C>
    Revenues..................................................  $23,589,000     $26,816,000
    Operating income..........................................    1,291,000       1,082,000
    Loss before extraordinary item............................     (167,000)       (206,000)
    Net loss..................................................     (384,000)       (422,000)
    Loss per share:
      Loss before extraordinary item..........................         (.04)           (.05)
      Net loss................................................         (.10)           (.10)
</TABLE>
 
3. FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
 
  Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures
 
     Equipment, furniture and fixtures consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ---------------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1994            1995             1996
                                                  -----------     -----------     -------------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
    Computer equipment..........................  $ 1,101,859     $ 2,237,581      $  3,262,764
    Office furniture, fixtures and equipment....      799,039       1,606,442         2,814,035
                                                  -----------     -----------       -----------
                                                    1,900,898       3,844,023         6,076,799
    Less accumulated depreciation...............   (1,148,836)     (1,647,233)       (2,409,887)
                                                  -----------     -----------       -----------
                                                  $   752,062     $ 2,196,790      $  3,666,912
                                                  ===========     ===========       ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   59
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
  Intangible Assets
 
     Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ---------------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1994            1995             1996
                                                  -----------     -----------     -------------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
    Customer list...............................   $3,300,000     $ 3,300,000      $  3,300,000
    Goodwill....................................    1,530,643       1,530,643         1,530,643
    Covenant not to compete.....................      500,000         810,000           810,000
    Other.......................................       22,319          51,243                --
                                                   ----------     -----------       -----------
                                                    5,352,962       5,691,886         5,640,643
    Less accumulated amortization...............     (393,475)     (1,074,469)       (1,611,194)
                                                   ----------     -----------       -----------
                                                   $4,959,487     $ 4,617,417      $  4,029,449
                                                   ==========     ===========       ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Other Accrued Liabilities
 
     Other accrued liabilities consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -----------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                       1994          1995            1996
                                                     --------     ----------     -------------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>
    Income taxes payable...........................  $132,500     $1,010,722      $   654,310
    Other..........................................   793,006      1,341,524        1,468,175
                                                     --------     ----------       ----------
                                                     $925,506     $2,352,246      $ 2,122,485
                                                     ========     ==========       ==========
</TABLE>
 
4. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND RECAPITALIZATION
 
     DCD established an ESOP in 1992 for the benefit of all employees meeting
certain eligibility requirements. On November 13, 1992, DCD obtained financing
of $2,550,000 from a commercial bank and advanced the proceeds to the ESOP which
purchased 899,640 shares of common stock from a DCD shareholder.
 
     DCD recorded the funds advanced to the ESOP as a "Receivable from ESOP"
which was a reduction of shareholders' equity. As DCD made discretionary
contributions and dividends to the ESOP, these amounts were used to repay the
"Receivable from ESOP" and the related ESOP note payable. As the principal
amount of the loan was repaid, the "Receivable from ESOP" was reduced
accordingly. The amount of the repayments during 1993, 1994 and 1995 were
$607,142, $855,355 and $1,087,503, respectively.
 
     During 1995, the ESOP note payable and "Receivable from ESOP" were paid in
full. At December 31, 1994, the ESOP note payable was due in quarterly principal
payments of $91,000 plus interest paid monthly at 90% of the commercial bank's
prime rate (7.65% at December 31, 1994). The ESOP note payable was secured by
the assets of DCD and a $500,000 personal guarantee of the selling shareholder.
The note was subject to various loan covenants. DCD was in compliance with these
covenants at December 31, 1994 or had obtained the necessary waivers.
 
     During 1993, DCD paid $111,576 of interest expenses, contributed $384,745
to the ESOP and incurred $2,618 of other ESOP related expenses. During 1994, DCD
paid $95,138 of interest expense, contributed $424,001 to the ESOP and incurred
$5,396 of other ESOP-related expenses. During 1995, DCD paid $56,408
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   60
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
of interest expense, contributed $438,477 to the ESOP and incurred $7,073 of
other ESOP-related expenses. During 1993, 1994 and 1995, DCD also paid dividends
of $94,376, $393,133 and $649,026, respectively, on common stock owned by the
ESOP. At December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the ESOP had released and allocated
227,680, 529,573 and 899,640 shares, respectively.
 
5. FINANCING
 
  Line of Credit
 
     In September 1995, DataWorks secured a new banking facility which provides
for borrowings up to a maximum of $6,000,000 to finance eligible receivables (as
defined). The facility bears interest at the bank's prime rate (8.5% at December
31, 1995) and has an expiration date of June 30, 1997. Substantially all of the
assets of DataWorks are collateral for the borrowings under the facility. At
December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, DataWorks had no borrowings
outstanding under the banking facility.
 
     The agreement for the banking facility contains certain restrictions and
limitations on DataWorks' operations, including restrictions on capital
expenditures, advances to certain officers, sale of assets, mergers or other
forms of business combinations, as well as the prohibition against payment of
dividends. The agreement also contains covenants which require DataWorks to
maintain certain levels of liquidity (as defined), net worth, profitability and
debt service coverage.
 
     At December 31, 1995, DCD had a line of credit agreement with a bank which
provides for borrowings up to $225,000 at 1.50% over the bank's base rate, which
was 9.5% at December 31, 1995. Borrowings under the line of credit were secured
by the Company's accounts receivable. No amounts were outstanding under the line
of credit at December 31, 1994 or 1995. The agreement was subject to various
loan covenants. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at December
31, 1995 or had obtained the necessary waivers. The line of credit agreement
expired on June 30, 1996.
 
     In July 1996, DCD secured a line of credit agreement with a bank which
provides for borrowings up to $1,000,000 at 1% over the bank's base rate.
Borrowings under the line are secured by DCD's accounts receivable, inventory,
equipment and intangible assets. The agreement is subject to various loan
covenants. The line of credit expires on July 31, 1997 and no borrowings were
outstanding at September 30, 1996.
 
     Long-term Debt
 
     Long-term debt obligations of DataWorks consisted of the following at
December 31, 1994:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                        <C>
    Senior term note payable; repaid in September 1995.......................  $2,000,000
    Subordinated notes payable to shareholders, net of unamortized discount
      of $154,583 at December 31, 1994; settled in August and November,
      1995...................................................................   5,322,417
    Other notes payable......................................................     232,160
                                                                               ----------
                                                                                7,554,577
    Less current portion.....................................................    (445,999)
                                                                               ----------
                                                                               $7,108,578
                                                                               ==========
</TABLE>
 
     In November 1995, upon completion of the initial public offering, the
subordinated notes payable were settled for a cash payment of $4,177,000 and
outstanding warrants (with an exercise price of $4.24 per share) were exercised
by exchanging the remaining principal of the note ($1,300,000) for 306,373
shares of common stock.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   61
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Effective April 19, 1995, DataWorks modified its subordinated loan
agreement to provide for additional cash financing of $1,250,000. In August
1995, $1,250,000 of subordinated notes payable were converted into Series A
preferred stock.
 
     In connection with the payment of the note payable in May 1994 for
$1,340,000, the repayment of the senior term note payable in September 1995, and
settlement of the subordinated notes payable in August and November 1995, the
related unamortized debt issue costs and debt discount were written off. In
addition, DataWorks also incurred prepayment and other cash charges related to
the payment of the senior term note. In accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, these write-offs and cash charges, net of the related
income tax benefits, have been reported as extraordinary items in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The composition of the
extraordinary items are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER           NINE
                                                                    31,                  MONTHS
                                                          -----------------------        ENDED
                                                            1994          1995         SEPTEMBER
                                                          --------     ----------         30,
                                                                                          1995
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>            <C>
Write-off of unamortized debt issue costs and debt
  discount..............................................  $248,229     $  886,020      $  225,033
Cash prepayment penalty and other cash charges..........        --        837,967         837,967
                                                          --------     ----------      ----------
                                                           248,229      1,723,987       1,063,000
Income tax effect.......................................   (91,000)      (706,833)       (435,830)
                                                          --------     ----------      ----------
                                                          $157,229     $1,017,154      $  627,170
                                                          ========     ==========      ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Payables to Shareholder
 
     At December 31, 1994, DataWorks had payables to DataWorks' President and
principal shareholder for $50,000 at an interest rate of 15%. The loan was
repaid in September 1995.
 
     Interest expense incurred on amounts due to shareholders totaled $6,050,
$171,628, $54,597 and $6,050 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, respectively. Related
accrued interest was $59,535 at December 31, 1994.
 
6. INCOME TAXES
 
     The (provision) credit for income taxes consists of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                 ---------------------------------------
                                                   1993          1994           1995
                                                 ---------     ---------     -----------
        <S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
        Current
          Federal..............................  $      --     $(119,729)    $  (981,956)
          State................................         --       (32,448)       (269,284)
                                                 ---------     ---------     -----------
                                                        --      (152,177)     (1,251,240)
        Deferred
          Federal..............................         --       392,210        (474,248)
          State................................         --        23,841         (54,945)
                                                 ---------     ---------     -----------
                                                        --       416,051        (529,193)
                                                 ---------     ---------     -----------
                                                 $      --     $ 263,874     $(1,780,433)
                                                 =========     =========      ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   62
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in recognizing
certain income and expense items for financial reporting and tax reporting
purposes. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    ---------------------------
                                                                       1994            1995
                                                                    -----------     -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Difference in tax basis of acquired intangibles.................  $(1,404,100)    $(1,155,309)
  Capitalized software costs......................................           --        (723,700)
  Other...........................................................      (75,300)             --
                                                                    -----------     -----------
Total deferred tax liabilities....................................   (1,479,400)     (1,879,009)
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss and credit carryforwards.....................    1,156,200       1,258,600
  Deferred revenue and expenses...................................      143,635         471,342
  Allowance for doubtful accounts and product returns.............       27,157         182,772
  Vacation accrual................................................           --          20,767
  Commission accrual..............................................        6,559          27,411
                                                                    -----------     -----------
Total deferred tax assets.........................................    1,333,551       1,960,892
                                                                    -----------     -----------
Net deferred tax liabilities......................................  $  (145,849)    $    81,883
                                                                    ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The effective income tax rate varied from the statutory federal rate as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          --------------------------------------
                                                            1993          1994          1995
                                                          ---------     --------     -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>          <C>
Income tax benefit (provision) at statutory rate........  $(244,392)    $154,604     $(1,752,405)
State income tax benefit (provision), net of federal
  benefits..............................................    (43,129)      (9,915)       (244,024)
Benefit of tax credits and carryforwards................    249,771           --         104,766
ESOP dividend tax benefit...............................     37,750      158,826         256,365
Permanent differences and other.........................         --      (39,641)       (145,135)
                                                          ---------     --------      ----------
                                                          $      --     $263,874     $(1,780,433)
                                                          =========     ========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1995, DataWorks has net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $2,328,000 for federal income tax purposes which will begin to
expire in 2005 if not utilized to offset taxable income. DataWorks also has
California income tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $379,000
which will also begin to expire in 1998 if not utilized to offset taxable
income. In addition, DataWorks has research and development credit carryforwards
of approximately $300,000 for federal purposes and approximately $138,000 for
state purposes which begin to expire at the same time as the net operating loss
carryforwards. In accordance with Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue
Code, a change in ownership of greater than fifty percent of a corporation
within a three-year period places an annual limitation on the corporation's
ability to utilize its existing carryforwards. Upon the closing of DataWorks'
initial public offering an ownership change occurred; however, the limitation
will not have a material effect on DataWorks' ability to utilize its
carryforwards.
 
     For the nine month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, income taxes
have been provided based on the estimated annual effective tax rate applied to
pretax income for the interim period. For the nine months ended September 30,
1996, the effective tax rate was 49.5% due primarily to the non-deductibility of
certain of the DCD acquisition costs.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   63
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
7. RECEIVABLE FROM OFFICER
 
     At December 31, 1994 and 1995 and September 30, 1996, the receivable from
officer is from one of DataWorks' principal officers and shareholders and
consists of net advances totaling $91,000, $206,000, and $155,300, respectively.
The advances will be repaid or offset against any future performance bonuses
earned and approved by the Board of Directors.
 
8. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     DataWorks leases its corporate and regional office facilities under
noncancellable operating leases that expire from 1996 to 2001. Two of DataWorks'
corporate office lease agreements provides for deferred payment terms. For
financial reporting purposes, rent expense is recorded on the straight-line
basis over the term of the lease. Accordingly, deferred rent in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets represents the difference between rent expense
accrued and amounts paid under the lease agreement.
 
     Annual future minimum payments for the years ending December 31, are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                <C>
        1996.............................................................  $  962,045
        1997.............................................................     609,764
        1998.............................................................     488,523
        1999.............................................................     300,852
        2000 and thereafter..............................................      74,039
                                                                           ----------
                                                                           $2,435,223
                                                                           ==========
</TABLE>
 
     During 1996, DataWorks entered into new facilities lease agreements,
increasing the annual rental obligations included above by approximately
$300,000 per year for five years.
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was
$374,508, $478,892 and $931,153, respectively, and $681,210 and $831,175 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Series A Preferred Stock
 
     In August 1995, DataWorks received an aggregate of $6,250,000 through the
sale of Series A preferred stock of which $1,250,000 was obtained through the
conversion of subordinated notes payable. The Series A preferred stock was
issued at $7.23 per share and was automatically converted into 864,696 shares of
common stock upon closing of DataWorks' initial public offering.
 
     DataWorks is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock; no
shares are outstanding.
 
  Stock Option Plans
 
     DataWorks has an Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") under which 1,650,000
shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to eligible employees,
directors and consultants of DataWorks. The Plan provides for awards in the form
of options, stock bonuses, restricted shares or stock appreciation rights
("SARs"). The terms of any stock awards under the Plan, including vesting
requirements, are determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the
provisions of the Plan. Options under the Plan are either incentive stock
options ("ISOs") or nonstatutory stock options ("NSOs"). The exercise price of
the ISOs is not less than the fair market value on the date of grant and the
exercise price of the NSOs is determined by the Board of Directors.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   64
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
Options granted under the Plan generally become exercisable over a period of
four years and the maximum term of options granted is ten years.
 
     On September 13, 1995, DataWorks adopted the Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") under which 75,000 shares of common stock
are reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted by DataWorks to
non-employee members of the board of directors. The exercise price of the
options will be at the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.
Options granted under the Directors' Plan will become exercisable over four
years and expire ten years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 1995 and
September 30, 1996, 0 and 15,000 shares, respectively, were granted under the
Directors' Plan.
 
     In addition, DataWorks has outstanding options to purchase an additional
53,845 shares of common stock which were issued outside of the plans.
 
     A summary of stock option transactions, including those outside the plans,
is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         AVERAGE PRICE
                                                    SHARES          OPTION PRICE           PER SHARE
                                                   ---------     -------------------     -------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>     <C>  <C>        <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1992.................    256,716     $  .16   to  $  .26        $   .18
  Granted........................................    137,500                  $  .26        $   .26
                                                   ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993.................    394,216     $  .16   to  $  .26        $   .21
  Granted........................................     76,923                  $  .39        $   .39
                                                   ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1994.................    471,139     $  .16   to  $  .39        $   .23
  Granted........................................    392,415     $  .65   to  $11.50        $  5.58
  Cancelled......................................    (38,461)                 $  .39        $   .39
  Exercised......................................    (23,772)    $  .16   to  $  .39        $   .38
                                                   ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995.................    801,321     $  .16   to  $11.50        $  2.96
  Granted (unaudited)............................    325,252     $11.06   to  $25.75        $ 13.59
  Cancelled (unaudited)..........................     (3,719)    $ 2.86   to  $11.50        $  5.32
  Exercised (unaudited)..........................   (312,244)    $  .16   to  $ 5.20        $   .35
                                                   ---------
Outstanding at September 30, 1996 (unaudited)....    810,610     $  .16   to  $25.75        $  8.26
                                                   =========
</TABLE>
 
     As of December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, 352,721 and 221,807,
respectively, of the options are vested and exercisable.
 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
     On September 13, 1995, DataWorks adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Purchase Plan") under which 150,000 shares of common stock are reserved
for sale to employees. DataWorks' Board of Directors may grant eligible
employees the right to purchase a fixed number of shares of common stock (up to,
but not exceeding 15%, of each employee's earnings) over a fixed offering period
(not to exceed 27 months) at the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of the
stock on the grant date or 85% of the fair market value on the purchase date or
dates specified on the date of grant.
 
  Warrants
 
     In connection with various financing arrangements, DataWorks issued
warrants to purchase 1,382,183 shares of DataWorks' common stock at prices
ranging from $0.026 to $8.68 per share. In connection with the completion of the
initial public offering in November 1995, 1,345,869 warrants were converted to
1,050,843
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   65
 
                             DATAWORKS CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND PERTAINING TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1996
   AND THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
shares of common stock for cash proceeds of $175,439 and the settlement of
$1,300,000 of subordinated notes payable.
 
     At December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, warrants to purchase 36,314
shares of common stock at $8.68 per share remain outstanding. The warrants
expire in August 2000.
 
  Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
 
     The following shares of common stock are reserved for future issuance:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                     1995             1996
                                                                 ------------     -------------
    <S>                                                          <C>              <C>
    Stock options:
      Granted and outstanding..................................      801,321          810,610
      Reserved for future grants...............................      977,524          632,220
                                                                   ---------        ---------
                                                                   1,778,845        1,442,830
    Warrants...................................................       36,314           36,314
    Employee stock purchase plan...............................      150,000           70,608
                                                                   ---------        ---------
                                                                   1,965,159        1,549,752
                                                                   =========        =========
</TABLE>
 
10. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
     Effective July 1, 1994, DataWorks established a 401(k) defined contribution
retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") covering all employees. The Retirement
Plan provides for voluntary employee contributions from 1% to 15% of annual
compensation (as defined). DataWorks may contribute such amounts as determined
by the Board of Directors. Participants vest in employer contributions over five
years at a rate of 20% for each year of service. There were no employer
contributions to the Retirement Plan during the years ended December 31, 1995 or
1994.
 
     In addition, DCD has a profit sharing plan which provides for an annual
contribution not to exceed the maximum allowed as a deduction under the Internal
Revenue Code. The plan covers substantially all employees after specified
periods of service and the attainment of minimum age requirements. Each year's
contribution is determined by the Board of Directors. No Company contributions
to the plan were declared or made during 1993, 1994 or 1995.
 
     Effective July 1996, DCD established a 401(k) defined contribution
retirement plan (the "DCD plan") covering all employees of DCD. The DCD plan
provides for voluntary employee contributions from 1% to 15% of annual
compensation (as defined). DCD may match these contributions at 50% on the first
6% of employee contributions. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, DCD
contributions to the plan totaled $22,500.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   66
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
  No dealer or any other person has been authorized to give any information or
to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus, and,
if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Company or by the Underwriters. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities other than the Common Stock to which it relates in any jurisdiction
where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of
this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company or
that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to
the date hereof.
 
                          ----------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                          ----------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Page
                                        -----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................     3
Risk Factors...........................     6
Use of Proceeds........................    12
Price Range of Common Stock............    12
Dividend Policy........................    12
Capitalization.........................    13
Selected Consolidated Financial Data...    14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................    15
Business...............................    24
Management.............................    40
Principal Shareholders.................    41
Underwriting...........................    42
Legal Matters..........................    43
Experts................................    43
Available Information..................    43
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference............................    44
Index to Financial Statements..........   F-1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                2,000,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                          ----------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ----------------------------
                             MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
                                  FURMAN SELZ
 
                              SOUNDVIEW FINANCIAL
                                  GROUP, INC.
 
   
                                December 4, 1996
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------


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