MICROMUSE INC
10-K, 1999-12-28
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
Previous: MICROMUSE INC, DEF 14A, 1999-12-28
Next: BOSTON PROPERTIES INC, 424B3, 1999-12-28




================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                ----------------
                                    FORM 10-K
                                ----------------

|X|   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

                  For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1999

|_|   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

         For the transition period from ____________ to ____________ .

                          Commission File No. 000-23783

                                 MICROMUSE INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                        94-3288385
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

                               139 Townsend Street
                         San Francisco, California 94107
                                 (415) 538-9090
        (Address of Principal Executive Office, including ZIP code, and
                               telephone number)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                          Common Stock, $.01 par value
                                (Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES |X| No |_|

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. |_|

The aggregate market value of the Registrant's common stock, $.01 par value,
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on November 30, 1999 was approximately
$1.8 billion. As of November 30, 1999, there were 16,305,242 shares of
Registrant's common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Registrant's definitive proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") to
be mailed to stockholders in connection with its 1999 annual meeting of
stockholders scheduled to be held on January 26, 2000, are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this report. Except as expressly incorporated by
reference, the Registrant's Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be part of
this report.

================================================================================

                                 MICROMUSE INC.
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                     PART I

Item 1.   Business                                                             3
Item 2.   Properties                                                           9
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings                                                    9
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                  9

                                     PART II

Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
            Matters                                                           10
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data                                             11
Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
            Results of Operations                                             12
Item 7a.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
            Derivatives and Financial Instruments                             26
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                         27
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
            Financial Disclosures                                             42

                                    PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                  42
Item 11.  Executive Compensation                                              43
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management      43
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                      43

                                     PART IV

Item 14   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K     43

Signatures                                                                    44

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                     PART I

This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the
results discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such differences include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in customer
demand, the Company's ability to manage its growth, risks associated with
competition and risks identified in the Company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those discussed elsewhere in
this Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors."

Item 1. Business

Micromuse develops, markets and supports a family of scalable, highly
configurable, rapidly deployable software solutions that enable fault and
Service-Level Management ("SLM") -- the effective monitoring and management of
multiple elements underlying an Information Technology infrastructure, including
network devices, computing systems and applications, and the mapping of these
elements to the business services they impact. Our Netcool(R) product suite
collects, normalizes and consolidates high volumes of event information from
heterogeneous network management environments into an active database that
de-duplicates and correlates the resulting data in real-time, and then rapidly
distributes graphical views of the information to operators and administrators
responsible for monitoring service levels. Netcool's unique architecture allows
for the rapid, programmerless association of devices and specific attributes of
those devices to the business services they impact. This readily enables
administrators to create and modify their service views during systems
operations to monitor particular business services, rapidly identify which users
are affected by which network faults, pinpoint sources of network problems,
automate operator responses, facilitate problem resolution and report on the
results. We market and distribute to customers through our own sales force,
OEMs, value-added resellers and systems integrators. We have distribution
agreements with Cisco Systems, CTC (Itochu), Datacraft, Ericsson Data Services,
Lucent Technologies, N.E.T., Unisphere (Siemens), and Vanstar. As of September
30, 1999, we had over 440 customers operating in and serving a variety of
industries. Customers include AirTouch, America Online, AT&T, BT, Cable &
Wireless, Cellular One, Charles Schwab, Deutsche Telekom, GEIS, GTE, ICG
Communications, ITC^DeltaCom, JC Penney, MCI Worldcom, MindSpring Enterprises
and a number of financial investment concerns.

Products and Technology

Micromuse provides a suite of software products that enable fault and SLM. Our
Netcool fault and SLM solution includes Netcool/OMNIbus and its components for
event management: Netcool/Reporter for service-level reporting; Netcool/Internet
Service Monitors for the proactive management of internet services;
Netcool/FireWall-1 for real-time security; Netcool/Fusion for cross-platform
fault isolation and to maintain the availability of mainframe-based services and
business processes; Netcool/NTSM for maintaining the availability of Microsoft
Windows NT(R) -based resources; Netcool/Impact for impact analysis and to
facilitate policy-based management and associated related technical services.
Netcool/OMNIbus for collection, consolidation, de-duplication and correlation of
information from a wide range of network management platforms and devices and
then presents user-configurable views of subsets of network data.
Netcool/Reporter uses this data to provide real-time and historical reporting.
Netcool/Internet Service Monitors collect response and availability data from
several frequently implemented Internet/Intranet services and forward this
information to Netcool/OMNIbus for integration with other service data. Since
customers can quickly associate each network element (a network device,
computing system or application) with a particular service, Netcool products
enable companies to efficiently set up, monitor, manage and report on Service
Level Agreements ("SLA").

Netcool/OMNIbus

Netcool/OMNIbus is based on a three-tier, client/server architecture and is a
core application of the product suite. Netcool/OMNIbus consists of four
components: Netcool/OMNIbus Probes, the Netcool/ OMNIbus ObjectServer,
Netcool/OMNIbus Desktops, and Netcool/OMNIbus Gateways. Probes collect event
information from existing network management systems, as well as event messages
from network devices, computing systems, applications or legacy systems. The
Probes then normalize and feed this event data into the ObjectServer, an
object-oriented, memory-resident active database. At the ObjectServer, the event
data is de-duplicated, correlated and associated with other event data. By
manipulating the data in the ObjectServer through the Desktops, users can design
customized views of event data to monitor segments of the network or services
that span the entire network. Gateways permit data to be shared between multiple
ObjectServers for load balancing or fail-over facilities, exported to common
relational database management systems (Oracle or Sybase) for historical service
level views, or integrated with other applications such as Remedy's helpdesk
application.


                                       3
<PAGE>

Probes

Probes are the first tier of Netcool's three-tier architecture. Probes are
primarily passive software interfaces that collect network event data (including
messaged network data such as faults, alerts, and traps) from elements on the
network or from domain-based network management systems. These Probes can
collect information presented from either management platforms and devices
(e.g., HP OpenView, Cabletron SPECTRUM, Cisco StrataView Plus, and Newbridge
46020) and standard protocols such as screen oriented ASCII character streams,
application log files (e.g., syslog) TL1, SMNP, or any other method of
management information provision. They recognize Management Information Base
("MIB") information from switches and routers from leading vendors, including
Nortel, Cabletron, Cisco, 3Com and N.E.T. Probes use rules and lookup tables to
categorize and add information to events. As a result, network data collected by
the Probes is normalized into a common alert format and then passed to the
ObjectServer.

ObjectServer

The ObjectServer, which is the second tier of Netcool's three-tier architecture,
is a real-time, object-oriented, memory-resident, active database which stores
and manages the collected network events. The ObjectServer consolidates,
associates and de-duplicates normalized data from the Probes, converting events,
such as faults and alarms, into event objects that can be easily manipulated to
create associations and filters. The active components of the ObjectServer
include its de-duplication capability and its ability to correlate event objects
with other event objects, make decisions on information, automate operator
responses and facilitate problem resolution. The ObjectServer, which has been
designed and optimized for handling large volumes of events messages, can
process hundreds of alarms per second and can collect data from multiple Probes
concurrently. The ObjectServer architecture also permits multiple authenticated
users to view all the events throughout the enterprise. In addition, since one
network fault can impact several locations in a distributed environment and can
therefore trigger multiple events, the ObjectServer is designed to automatically
de-duplicate repeated events so that network operators can easily identify the
root cause. We believe that the ObjectServer architecture provides us with a
competitive advantage in both the speed with which it collects network events
and the ability to associate event information with the services it manages.

Desktops

The Desktop, the third tier in Netcool's three-tier architecture, is an
integrated suite of software tools designed for use by operators and
administrators to create filters, customize views of network event data, monitor
several services simultaneously, and automatically resolve service problems.
Network operators can quickly build filters by responding to simple onscreen
queries about user preferences. They can also associate events with services
through the use of simple "drag-and-drop" technology that automatically creates
the Boolean logic and SQL required to retrieve the data from the ObjectServer.
In this way, non-programmers can manipulate the data in the ObjectServer to
custom-design views of event data. In addition, each operator can use Desktops
to resolve element problems directly or automate responses to common network
problems when critical thresholds are reached.

Operators can use Desktops to monitor services through EventLists, the EventList
Console or ObjectiveView. The EventList presents a configurable spreadsheet-like
view of the de-duplicated faults and acts as the primary interface through which
operators access problem resolution tools. The EventList Console depicts a
concise view of the EventLists for several services while the ObjectiveView
provides a graphical view of the network or services that depend upon it.
Administrators can use Desktops to configure the ObjectServer and the operator's
desktop environments. Desktops run on multiple computing platforms, including
UNIX/ Motif, Microsoft Windows NT, or Web browsers via Java applications.

Gateways

Gateways are interfaces to other Micromuse products or to third-party
applications that allow sharing of Netcool event data. For example, multiple
Netcool ObjectServers can share data using a Gateway to offer customers
load-balancing and fail-over facilities. In addition, event data can be exported
through Gateways to databases such as Oracle or Sybase for historical analysis
and reporting or to trouble-ticketing packages such as Remedy's help desk
application.

Netcool/Reporter

Netcool/Reporter is a Java-based application that generates reports on the
real-time and historical availability of network services, applications,
business processes or any customer-defined grouping of IT resources (both
physical and logical). Netcool/Reporter is designed to leverage archived data
from service profiles created within Netcool/OMNIbus, and to allow operators to
report on SLA


                                       4
<PAGE>

compliance. Netcool/ Reporter can produce availability data in several graphical
formats, including spreadsheets, 2D or 3D charts, and billing forms.
Netcool/Reporter provides both Service Level Reports and generic reports.
Service Level Reports allow operators to define individualized service levels by
designing their own report metrics. They can also be tailored to precisely match
the service level availability criteria described by SLAs. Generic reports are
pre-configured reports that use event time and frequency categories as the
primary variables.

Netcool/Internet Service Monitors

Netcool/Internet Service Monitors are software applications that collect and
analyze real-time response and availability data about internet services
including HTTP (Web servers), FTP (file transfer), SMTP and POP3 (e-mail), NNTP
(news), DNS (directory services), and RADIUS (dial-in security and accounting).
Netcool/Internet Service Monitors collect response and availability data,
compare it with user-defined threshold levels, and then forward fault
information to Netcool/ OMNIbus when thresholds are exceeded. The resulting
information can be combined with other network fault data to provide companies
with detailed information about services that incorporate Internet-based
elements. Netcool/Internet Service Monitors can be configured through the World
Wide Web through an HTML interface and are designed to integrate easily with
networks managed by Netcool/OMNIbus.

Netcool/FireWall-1

The Netcool/FireWall-1 Probe is a real-time security application designed to
help managers in secure operations centers resolve network-related events before
they disrupt business services or cause a security breach. By monitoring
operations, Netcool/FireWall-1 adds an extra layer of security to the NOC. In
addition, it supports existing enterprise-wide security management policies.

The Netcool/FireWall-1 Probe collects security information from Check Point
Software's FireWall-1 platform and integrates it with Netcool ObjectServer data
from other sources, providing a complete end-to-end view of enterprise events.
It lets security operations personnel view all security events together in
precise service-specific views. Netcool/FireWall-1 generates events when
security policy is changed on any firewall, if a new firewall is added, or if a
firewall is stopped or started.

Netcool/Fusion

Netcool/Fusion bridges the SLM gap between IBM mainframe environments and the
global Network Operations Center ("NOC"). It provides NOC operators with a
window into the mainframe's systems management, enabling them to perform
cross-platform fault isolation and maintain the availability of mainframe-based
services and business processes.

Micromuse designed Netcool/Fusion to streamline operations and reduce costs by
consolidating multiple, disparate event streams. Typically, IBM mainframe-type
alerts (from VTAM sessions, MVS subsystems, etc.) are consolidated with messages
other network-based services such as IP/SNMP traps, UNIX syslog messages, NT
events, and other sources.

Netcool/NTSM

The Netcool/NTSMs suite is designed to maintain the availability of Microsoft
Windows NT(R) -based resources. NT management architectures are typically
resource consumptive, difficult to deploy, and expensive, making resource
management difficult especially in organizations with large, distributed
networks.

Netcool/NTSMs collect NT events from the NOC in real-time. Specifically,
Netcool/NTSMs capture performance, availability, status, log, and security data
from NT applications and resources.

Netcool/Impact

Netcool/Impact is a new application that leverages the power of the Netcool
ObjectServer. It is designed to help Netcool EventList operators answer three
fundamental questions when faced with a critical event:

      1)    WHAT specific business processes, applications, and people are
            affected? (Impact Analysis)
      2)    HOW do I prioritize work to handle the most critical tasks first?
            (Response and Prioritization)
      3)    WHO is responsible at this moment in time for this problem and what
            policy do they follow to fix it as rapidly as possible?
            (Policy-Based Fault Management)


                                       5
<PAGE>

Netcool/Impact provides impact analysis and facilitates policy-based management
of real-time events and operator-initiated queries by leveraging data from
different data sources and using it to define and enforce policies.

Sales and Marketing

We market our software and services primarily through our direct sales
organization with offices in San Francisco; Dallas; New York; Washington, D.C.;
London; Paris; Vienna, Austria; Frankfurt; and Sydney. Additionally, we have a
growing channel consisting of OEMs, value-added resellers and systems
integrators.

Typically, the sales process will include an initial sales presentation, a
product demonstration; at times a proof of concept evaluation, a closing meeting
and a purchase process. The sales process typically takes three to six months.
Companies often purchase Netcool products to manage their internal data network
initially and upon its demonstrated effectiveness subsequently make additional
and larger purchases. A majority of our sales are from repeat customers who
generally purchase additional software as their networks expand, or as
additional sites within a customer learn of the services provided by, and the
benefits of, Netcool.

We have a number of marketing programs designed to inform potential customers
about the capabilities and benefits of our products. Our marketing efforts
include technical leadership, participation in industry trade shows, technical
conferences and technology seminars, preparation of competitive analyses, sales
training, publication of technical and educational articles in industry journals
and advertising.

Although we increased the size of our sales organization during the year ended
September 30, 1999, we experienced difficulty in recruiting a sufficient number
of qualified sales people during that period. If we are to achieve significant
revenue growth in the future, we must both train successfully the members of our
existing sales force and recruit additional sales personnel. Competition for
such persons is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to
either retain and adequately train our current sales force or attract qualified
sales personnel in the future. During the last fiscal year, we promoted Mike
Donahue to Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Operations, who is expected
to be heavily involved, among other things, in the recruitment of additional
sales personnel. Consequently, we are expected to have additional management
capacity to assist in the recruitment of additional sales personnel. If we are
unable to hire such people on a timely basis, our business, operating results or
financial condition could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors -- We Need to
Expand and Improve the Productivity of Our Sales Force, Technical Services and
Customer Support Organization."

To achieve significant growth in revenues in the future we must continue to
improve the performance of our network of distribution partners. Our network of
distribution partners currently includes VARs, systems integrators and OEM
partners, including Cisco, CTC (Itochu), Datacraft, Ericsson Data Services,
Lucent Technologies, N.E.T., Unisphere (Siemens) and Vanstar Corporation. Such
partners license our products at a discount to list price for re-licensing and
may provide training, support and technical and customer services to the end
users of the our products. At times, members of our technical services
organization will assist a channel partner with training and technical support.
We offer a comprehensive channel-partnering program consisting of training,
certification, technical support, priority communications regarding upcoming
activities and products, and joint sales and marketing activities. There can be
no assurance that we will be able to continue to attract and retain VARs,
systems integrators and OEMs or that such organizations will be able to market
and sell our products effectively. In addition, there can be no assurance that
our existing or future channel partners will continue to represent our products.
See "Risk Factors -- We Need to Expand Our Distribution Channels; We Depend on
Third-Party Relationships."

Because we first sold our software in the United Kingdom and were previously
domiciled in London, sales of our software outside of the United States (i.e.,
"international sales") have historically comprised a significant portion of our
total revenue. International sales accounted for 29%, 39% and 48% of total
revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. We believe that a majority
of these international sales were made to customers in the United Kingdom and
Europe. While we believe there are significant opportunities in Europe, we
expect international revenues from Europe as a percentage of total revenues to
decline in future periods as we more fully exploit opportunities in the United
States and in the Pacific Rim. See "Risk Factors -- We have Risks Associated
With International Licensing and Operations."

Technical Services

Our technical services organization provides customers with a full range of
support services including pre-sales demonstrations, evaluations,
implementations, consulting services, training and ongoing technical support. In
addition, the technical services


                                       6
<PAGE>

organization serves a variety of internal functions, including drafting support
and training documentation, product management, product testing, research and
development related to specific customer industries. We believe that superior
technical services and support are critical to customer satisfaction and the
development of customer relationships.

Our recent growth and the expansion of the customer base of Netcool have
increased the demands on our technical services organization. Competition for
qualified technical personnel is intense. There can be no assurance that the
current resources in our technical services organization will be sufficient to
manage any future growth in our business. The failure to expand our technical
services organization at least commensurate with the expansion in the installed
base of Netcool products would have a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results and financial condition. See "Risk Factors -- We Need to
Expand and Improve the Productivity of Our Sales Force, Technical Services and
Customer Support Organization" and "-- We Depend on Key Personnel."

Customer Support

The customer support organization is responsible for providing ongoing technical
support for our customers after implementation of the product and for training
the next generation of our software engineers and technical services personnel.
Based on feedback by customers, we believe that the quality and responsiveness
of our customer support organization provides it with a significant competitive
advantage.

For an annual fee, a customer will receive toll-free telephone and email
support, as well as new releases of our products. We offer two support packages
to our customers: 8 hours a day, 5 days a week support or 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week support. While support personnel generally answer the technical support
calls and resolve most problems over the phone, we will deploy any one of our
technical support personnel in the event that an on-site visit is necessary.

Research and Development

We believe that our future success depends in large part on our ability to
continue to enhance existing products and develop new products that maintain
technological and operational competitiveness and leadership and deliver rapid
ROI to our customers. We have historically developed and expect to continue to
develop our products in conjunction with our existing and potential customers.
Extensive product development input is obtained through customers, through our
monitoring of end-user needs and changes in the marketplace and through
partnerships with leading research institutes such as Cambridge University
Centre for Communication Systems Research.

Our research and development organization is composed of two related engineering
groups. The core technology group is responsible for the enhancement of
Netcool/OMNIbus, including our real-time technologies and the exploration of new
directions and applications of our core ObjectServer, Probe, Gateway and Desktop
technologies. The application development group is responsible for designing and
developing off-the-shelf products that leverage the technologies developed by
the core technology group. While both groups work closely with customers, the
application development group depends on customer contact and partnerships for
the rapid development of new fault and SLM products. Both research and
development groups work closely with our technical services organization and our
marketing organization to incorporate customer feedback and market requirements
into their product development agendas.

We have made and intend to continue to make substantial investments in research
and development. Our total expenses for research and development for fiscal
1999, 1998 and 1997 were $9.5 million, $5.5 million and $2.0 million,
respectively. Since we anticipate that we will continue to commit substantial
resources to research and development in the future, product development
expenses are expected to increase in absolute dollars in future periods. To
date, our development efforts have not resulted in any capitalized software
development costs.

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technologies,
evolving industry standards, changing regulatory environments, frequent new
product introductions and rapid changes in customer requirements. The
introduction or announcement of products by the Company or our competitors
embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and
practices can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. As a result,
the life cycles of our products are difficult to estimate. Our future success
will depend on our ability to enhance our existing products and to develop and
introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products and product
features that keep pace with technological developments and emerging industry
standards and that address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our
customers. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in developing
and marketing new products or product features that respond to technological
change or evolving industry standards, that we will not experience difficulties
that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and
marketing of these new products and


                                       7
<PAGE>

features, or that our new products or product features will adequately meet the
requirements of the marketplace and achieve market acceptance. In particular,
the widespread adoption of the Telecommunications Management Network ("TMN")
architecture for managing telecommunications networks would force us to adapt
our products to such standard, and there can be no assurance that this could be
done on a timely or cost-effective basis, if at all. In addition, to the extent
that any product upgrade or enhancement requires extensive installation and
configuration, current customers may postpone or forgo the purchase of new
versions of our products. If we are unable, for technological or other reasons,
to develop and introduce enhancements of existing products or new products in a
timely manner, our business, operating results and financial condition will be
materially adversely affected. See "Risk Factors --We Need to Manage New
Products, Transitions and Rapid Technological Change; We Depend on Third-Party
Software Platforms." In addition, software products as complex ours may contain
defects or failures when introduced or when new versions or enhancements are
released. For example, the initial commercial release of Netcool/Reporter had
features and performance characteristics that had limited market appeal. See
"Risk Factors -- Product Defects Would Impair Our Business."

Competition

Our products are designed for use in the evolving SLM and enterprise network
management markets. Competition in these markets is intense and is characterized
by rapidly changing technologies, new and evolving industry standards, frequent
new product introductions and rapid changes in customer requirements. Our
current and prospective competitors offer a variety of solutions to address the
SLM and enterprise network management markets and generally fall within the
following five categories: (i) customer's internal design and development
organizations that produce SLM and network management applications for their
particular needs, in some cases using multiple instances of products from
hardware and software vendors such as Sun Microsystems, Inc. ("Sun"),
Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP") and Cabletron Systems, Inc. ("Cabletron"); (ii)
vendors of network and systems management frameworks including Computer
Associates International, Inc. ("CA"), Compaq TeMIP and International Business
Machines Corporation ("IBM"); (iii) vendors of network and systems management
applications including HP, BMC Software, Inc, Sun and IBM; (iv) providers of
specific market applications; and (v) systems integrators serving the
telecommunications industry which primarily provide programming services to
develop customer specific applications including TCSI Corporation (formerly
Teknekron Communications Systems, Inc.) and Objective Systems Integrators, Inc.
("OSI"). In the future, as we enter new markets, we expect that such markets
will have additional, market-specific competitors. In addition, because there
are relatively low barriers to entry in the software market, we have become
aware of new and potential entrants in portions of our market space and we
expect additional competition from these and other established and emerging
companies. Increased competition may result in price reductions and may result
in reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could materially
adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Some of our existing and potential customers and distributors continuously
evaluate whether to design and develop their own network operations support and
management applications or purchase them from outside vendors. Sometimes these
customers internally design and develop their own software solutions for their
particular needs and therefore may be reluctant to purchase products offered by
independent vendors such as ours. As a result, we must continuously educate
existing and prospective customers as to the advantages of our products versus
internally developed network operations support and management applications.

Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories
and have significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other
resources, as well as greater name recognition and a larger customer base, than
we do. As a result, they may be able to devote greater resources to the
development, promotion, sale and support of their products or to respond more
quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements
than we can. Existing competitors could also increase their market share by
bundling products having management functionality offered by our products with
their current applications. Moreover, our current and potential competitors may
increase their share of the SLM market by strategic alliances and/or the
acquisition of competing companies. In addition, network operating system
vendors could introduce new or upgrade and extend existing operating systems or
environments that include management functionality offered by our products,
which could render our products obsolete and unmarketable. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future
competitors or that competitive pressures faced by us will not materially
adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights

Our success and ability to compete is dependent in significant part upon our
proprietary software technology. We rely on a combination of trade secret,
copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and
technical measures to protect our proprietary rights and, in the future,
patents.. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized
parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use
information that we regard as proprietary. There can be no assurance that the
steps taken by us to protect our proprietary technology will prevent
misappropriation of such technology, and such protections may


                                       8
<PAGE>

not preclude competitors from developing products with functionality or features
similar to our products. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret
protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries. While we
believe that our products and trademarks do not infringe upon the proprietary
rights of third parties, there can be no assurance that we will not receive
future communications from third parties asserting that our products infringe,
or may infringe, the proprietary rights of third parties. We expect that
software product developers will be increasingly subject to infringement claims
as the number of products and competitors in our industry segment grows and the
functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit could be time-consuming, result in costly
litigation and diversion of technical and management personnel, cause product
shipment delays or require us to develop non-infringing technology or enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the event
of a successful claim of product infringement against us and our failure or
inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or
similar technology, our business, operating results or financial condition could
be materially adversely affected.

We rely on certain software that we license from third parties, including
software that is integrated with internally developed software and used in our
products to perform key functions. There can be no assurance that these
third-party software licenses will continue to be available to us on
commercially reasonable terms or at all. Although we believe alternative
software is available from other third-party suppliers, the loss of or inability
to maintain any of these software licenses or the inability of the third parties
to enhance in a timely and cost-effective manner their products in response to
changing customer needs, industry standards or technological developments could
result in delays or reductions in our product shipments until equivalent
software could be developed internally or identified, licensed and integrated,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results
and financial condition. See "Risk Factors -- We Rely Upon Proprietary
Technology; We Risk Third-Party Claims of Infringement."

Employees

As of September 30, 1999, we had 321 employees. None of our employees are
represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced work
stoppages. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

We believe that our future success will depend in large part on our ability to
attract and retain highly-skilled managerial, sales, technical services,
customer support and product development personnel. We have at times experienced
and continue to experience difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel.
Competition for qualified personnel in the software industry is intense, and
there can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining
such personnel. Failure to attract and retain key personnel could materially
adversely affect on our business, operating results or financial condition. See
"Risk Factors -- We Need to Manage Growth; We Need to Improve Our
Infrastructure," "-- We Need to Expand and Improve Productivity of Our Sales
Force, Technical Services and Customer Support Organization" and "-- We Depend
on Key Personnel."

Item 2. Properties

Our headquarters are located in 11,235 square feet of office space in San
Francisco, under a lease that expires in April 2002. Our principal product
development operations as well as our European headquarters are located in
approximately 30,077 square feet of office space in London pursuant to a lease
that expires in April 2009. We also maintain offices in New York City; Dallas;
Washington D.C.; Paris; Vienna, Austria; Frankfurt and Sydney. We believe that
our current facilities are adequate for our needs through the next twelve
months, and that, should it be needed, suitable additional space will be
available to accommodate expansion of our operations on commercially reasonable
terms, although there can be no assurance in this regard. See Note 10 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company is not a party to any material legal proceeding.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.


                                        9
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is traded publicly on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "MUSE." The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high
and low closing prices of the common stock since the Company went public at
$12.00 per share on February 13, 1999*:

                                1999                      1998
                       ----------------------    ----------------------
                          High         Low          High         Low
                       ----------  ----------    ----------  ----------
      September 30       $66.00      $44.50        $41.13      $13.75
      June 30             51.25       32.63         40.81       21.50
      March 31*           46.00       20.56         26.63       18.88
      December 31*        23.88        8.00

On November 30, 1999, the closing price of the common stock on the Nasdaq
National Market was $114.38 per share. As of November 30, 1999, there were
approximately 93 holders of record (not including beneficial holders of stock
held in street name) of the common stock.

Dividend Policy

We did not declare or pay any cash dividends on our capital stock during fiscal
1999, 1998 and 1997 and do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. We
anticipates that all future earnings, if any, generated from operations will be
retained by us to develop and expand our business. Any future determination with
respect to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of
Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our operating results,
financial condition and capital requirements, the terms of then-existing
indebtedness, general business conditions and such other factors as the Board of
Directors deems relevant.


                                       10
<PAGE>

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year ended September 30,
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:                                                       1999        1998        1997        1996        1995
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    License                                                   $ 43,692    $ 22,432    $  6,968    $  3,374    $  1,077
    Maintenance and services                                    14,378       5,829       2,324       1,141         369
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
       Total revenues                                           58,070      28,261       9,292       4,515       1,446
Cost of revenues:
    License                                                      2,379       1,320         523         311         163
    Maintenance and services                                     7,465       3,491       1,042         384         102
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
       Total cost of revenues                                    9,844       4,811       1,565         695         265
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
          Gross profit                                          48,226      23,450       7,727       3,820       1,181

Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing                                         27,420      15,710       8,970       1,768         728
    Research and development                                     9,453       5,535       2,042       1,582         708
    General and administrative                                   5,998       4,521       4,244         996         584
    Executive recruiting costs                                     720          --          --          --          --
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
       Total operating expenses                                 43,591      25,766      15,256       4,346       2,020
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
          Income (loss) from operations                          4,635      (2,316)     (7,529)       (526)       (839)

Other income (expense):
    Interest income                                               3480       1,840          64           8          --
    Interest expense                                              (341)       (312)     (1,268)       (212)       (106)
    Other                                                          952         100        (200)         25          --
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
       Income (loss) before income taxes                         8,726        (688)     (8,933)       (705)       (945)

Income taxes                                                       840         150          --         100          --
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
    Income (loss) from continuing operations                     7,886        (838)     (8,933)       (805)       (945)

Discontinued operations:
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations                      --          --        (104)        569         711
    Gain on disposition                                             --          --       1,161          --          --
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
       Net income (loss)                                         7,886        (838)     (7,876)       (236)       (234)

Accretion on redeemable convertible preferred stock                 --      (1,334)       (755)         --          --
                                                              ========================================================
    Net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock   $  7,886    $ (2,172)   $ (8,631)   $   (236)   $   (234)
                                                              ========================================================

Per share data:
    Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations
       applicable to holders of common stock                  $   0.50    $  (0.07)   $  (1.52)   $  (0.14)   $  (0.17)
    Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations
       applicable to holders of common stock                  $   0.45    $  (0.07)   $  (1.52)   $  (0.14)   $  (0.17)
    Basic net income (loss) applicable to holders of common
       stock                                                  $   0.50    $  (0.18)   $  (1.35)   $  (0.04)   $  (0.04)
    Diluted net income (loss) applicable to holders of
       common stock                                           $   0.45    $  (0.18)   $  (1.35)   $  (0.04)   $  (0.04)

Weighted average shares used in computing:
    Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing
       operations applicable to holders of common stock         15,909      11,794       6,373       5,954       5,498
    Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing
       operations applicable to holders of common stock         17,504      11,794       6,373       5,954       5,498
    Basic net income (loss) per share applicable to holders
       of common stock                                          15,909      11,794       6,373       5,954       5,498
    Diluted net income (loss) per share applicable to
       holders of common stock                                  17,504      11,794       6,373       5,954       5,498
</TABLE>


                                       11
<PAGE>

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
(In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               As of September 30,
                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                1999       1998       1997        1996        1995
                                              ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
     Cash and cash equivalents                $ 35,058   $ 22,798   $ 13,741    $    594    $     12
     Working capital (deficiency)               62,991     58,193     13,181        (847)       (383)
     Total assets                               90,605     80,644     22,740       9,107       5,767
     Redeemable convertible preferred stock         --         --     22,865          --          --
     Total stockholders' equity (deficit)       70,006     67,718     (7,234)       (222)       (203)
</TABLE>

Quarterly Financial Data:
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     1999:                                                        4th Quarter    3rd Quarter    2nd Quarter    1st Quarter
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
        Revenues                                                  $    19,196    $    15,422    $    12,624    $    10,828
        Gross profit                                                   15,903         12,847         10,465          9,011
        Income from operations                                          2,513          1,348            224            550
        Net income applicable to holders of common stock                2,142          2,377          2,048          1,319
        Diluted net income per share                              $      0.12    $      0.14    $      0.12    $      0.08

<CAPTION>
     1998:                                                        4th Quarter    3rd Quarter    2nd Quarter    1st Quarter
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
        Revenues                                                  $     9,644    $     7,593    $     6,195    $     4,829
        Gross profit                                                    8,139          6,478          5,081          3,752
        Income (loss) from operations                                     150           (357)          (756)        (1,353)
        Net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock           900            161         (1,040)        (2,193)
        Diluted net income (loss) per share                       $      0.05    $      0.01    $     (0.10)   $     (0.35)

<CAPTION>
     1997:                                                        4th Quarter    3rd Quarter    2nd Quarter    1st Quarter
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
        Revenues                                                  $     3,671    $     2,684    $     1,711    $     1,226
        Gross profit                                                    3,079          2,226          1,423            999
        Loss from operations                                           (3,492)          (798)        (2,464)          (775)
        Net loss applicable to holders of common stock                 (3,249)        (1,528)        (2,985)          (869)
        Diluted net loss per share                                $     (0.50)   $     (0.23)   $     (0.49)   $     (0.13)
</TABLE>

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
"Selected Financial Data" and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This document contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual
results may differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking
statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not
limited to, fluctuations in customer demand, our ability to manage our growth,
risks associated with competition and risks identified in our most recent
Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those
discussed in this Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors."

Overview

Micromuse develops, markets and supports a family of scalable, highly
configurable, rapidly deployable software solutions that enable fault and SLM.
The Company was founded in 1989 in London, England, and initially operated a
systems integration business, reselling computer hardware and software products
and providing consulting services, principally for managing networks. Leveraging
our expertise in network management, we developed our Netcool/OMNIbus software,
which we began shipping in January 1995. In March 1997, the Company was
reorganized in Delaware and relocated its headquarters from London to San
Francisco. In connection with the reorganization, we raised $4.9 million through
the sale of equity securities and arranged a $3.0 million credit facility. In
September 1997, we raised an additional $15.9 million through the sale of equity
securities and sold our systems integration business for approximately $400,000,
net of fees. In order to further the growth of the Netcool business, we
completed an initial public offering of common stock on February 12, 1998,
raising approximately $34.2 million, net of fees and expenses. With the proceeds
from the


                                       12
<PAGE>

financings and the sale of the systems integration business, we expanded
operations and substantially increased development, sales and administrative
headcount for the Netcool business. On July 28, 1998, we completed a follow-on
offering of common stock, raising approximately $22.9 million, net of fees and
expenses. To accommodate recent growth, to compete effectively and manage future
growth, if any, we will be required to continue to implement and improve
operational, financial and management information systems, procedures and
controls on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage our
workforce.

Our consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect the
discontinuation of the operations associated with our systems integration
business. In connection with such sale, the purchaser indemnified us for
work-in-process under existing contracts, warranty claims under completed
contracts and maintenance agreements, but we retained liability for completed
contracts. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
information concerning this restatement.

Other than those from discontinued operations, all of our revenues have been
derived from licenses for our Netcool family of products and related
maintenance, training and consulting services. We currently expect that
Netcool-related revenues will continue to account for all or substantially all
of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, our future operating
results are dependent upon continued market acceptance of our Netcool products
and enhancements thereto.

As of September 30, 1999, we had licensed our Netcool products to more than 440
customers worldwide. We license our software through our direct sales force,
OEMs and value-added resellers. License revenues from OEMs and resellers
combined, which are recognized upon the shipment to the OEMs and value-added
reseller, accounted for approximately 34%, 26% and 11% of our total license
revenues for fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Our ability to achieve
significant additional revenue growth in the future will depend substantially on
our success in recruiting and training sufficient sales and technical services
personnel, maintaining our current distribution relationships and establishing
additional relationships with OEMs, resellers and systems integrators.

As a result of our multinational operations and sales, our operating results are
subject to significant fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates of
certain currencies, particularly the British pound, in relation to the U.S.
dollar. For example, while our United States headquarters is located in San
Francisco, California, our principal product development operations are located
in London, England. As a result, a substantial portion of our costs and expenses
are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For the fiscal years
ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, license, maintenance and service
revenues outside of the United States accounted for 29%, 39% and 48% of our
total revenues, respectively. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. Although we will continue to monitor our exposure to currency
fluctuations, there can be no assurance that exchange rate fluctuations will not
have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Subsequent Event

On November 2, 1999, the Company entered into, and subsequently closed, an
agreement to acquire Calvin Alexander Networking, Inc. ("CAN"), a privately-held
company that develops leading-edge network auto-discovery technology. Under the
terms of the acquisition agreement, Micromuse will issue approximately $42
million worth of its common stock to acquire CAN, based on the closing price on
November 2, 1999. The transaction is to be accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting and is to be treated as a tax-free reorganization for
federal income tax purposes. Certain agreements have been made to promote the
retention and motivation of CAN employees. A portion of the consideration for
the transaction is subject to a one-year lock-up agreement and a one-year price
guarantee.


                                       13
<PAGE>

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain items in our consolidated statements of
operations as a percentage of total revenues, except as indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year ended September 30,
                                                              ----------------------------
As a Percentage of Total Revenues:                             1999       1998       1997
                                                              ----------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
    License                                                     75.2%      79.4%      75.0%
    Maintenance and services                                    24.8%      20.6%      25.0%
                                                              ----------------------------
       Total revenues                                          100.0%     100.0%     100.0%
Cost of revenues:
    License                                                      4.1%       4.7%       5.6%
    Maintenance and services                                    12.9%      12.3%      11.2%
                                                              ----------------------------
       Total cost of revenues                                   17.0%      17.0%      16.8%
                                                              ----------------------------
          Gross profit                                          83.0%      83.0%      83.2%

Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing                                         47.2%      55.6%      96.5%
    Research and development                                    16.3%      19.6%      22.0%
    General and administrative                                  10.3%      16.0%      45.7%
    Executive recruiting costs                                   1.2%        --         --
                                                              ----------------------------
       Total operating expenses                                 75.0%      91.2%     164.2%
                                                              ----------------------------
          Income (loss) from operations                          8.0%      (8.2)%    (81.0)%
Other income (expense):
    Interest income                                              6.0%       6.5%       0.7%
    Interest expense                                            (0.6)%     (1.1)%    (13.6)%
    Other                                                        1.6%       0.4%      (2.2)%
                                                              ----------------------------
       Income (loss) before income taxes                        15.0%      (2.4)%    (96.1)%

Income taxes                                                     1.4%       0.6%       0.0%
                                                              ----------------------------
    Income (loss) from continuing operations                    13.6%      (3.0)%    (96.1)%
Discontinued operations:
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations                   0.0%       0.0%      (1.1)%
    Gain on disposition                                          0.0%       0.0%      12.4%
                                                              ----------------------------
       Net income (loss)                                        13.6%      (3.0)%    (84.8)%

Accretion on redeemable convertible preferred stock              0.0%      (4.7)%     (8.1)%
                                                              ----------------------------
    Net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock     13.6%      (7.7)%    (92.9)%
                                                              ============================

As a Percentage of Related Revenues:
Cost of license revenues                                         5.4%       5.9%       7.5%
Cost of maintenance and services revenues                       51.9%      59.9%      44.8%
</TABLE>

Revenues

Our total revenues are derived from license revenues for our Netcool family of
products, as well as associated maintenance, consulting and training services
revenues. License revenues are recognized upon the acceptance of a purchase
order and shipment of the software provided that the fee is fixed and
determinable, the arrangement does not involve significant customization of the
software and collection of the resulting receivable is probable. Allowances for
credit losses and for estimated future returns are provided for upon shipment.
Credit losses and returns to date have not been material. Maintenance revenues
from ongoing customer support and product upgrades are deferred and recognized
ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement, typically twelve months.
Payments for maintenance fees (on initial order or on renewal) are generally
made in advance and are nonrefundable. Revenues for consulting and training
services are recognized as the services are performed. See Note 1 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. We have recognized revenue, for all periods
prior to and including September 30, 1997, in accordance with the American
Institute of Certified


                                       14
<PAGE>

Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 91-1 entitled
Software Revenue Recognition. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1999 and
1998, we have recognized revenue in accordance with AICPA SOP No. 97-2 entitled
Software Revenue Recognition. There was no material change to our accounting for
revenue as a result of the adoption of AICPA SOP No. 97-2.

Our total revenues increased to $58.1 million in fiscal 1999 from $28.3 million
in fiscal 1998 and $9.3 million in fiscal 1997. License revenues increased to
$43.7 million in fiscal 1999 from $22.4 million in fiscal 1998 and $7.0 million
in fiscal 1997, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of product
licenses sold and in average transaction size, reflecting the increased
acceptance of Netcool/OMNIbus, the expansion of our sales organization and the
growing sales of Netcool/Internet Service Monitors, Netcool/Impact and
Netcool/Reporter . Maintenance and services revenues increased to $14.4 million
in fiscal 1999 from $5.8 million in fiscal 1998 and $2.3 million in fiscal 1997,
as a result of providing maintenance and services to a larger installed base in
each successive year. The percentage of our total revenues attributable to
software was 75%, 79% and 75% in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Maintenance and services revenues accounted for 25%, 21% and 25% in fiscal 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.

Revenues from U.S. operations were 71%, 61% and 45% of total revenues in fiscal
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, reflecting the expansion of our U.S.
operations. International revenues include all revenues other than those from
the United States. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

To date, our revenues have resulted primarily from sales to the
telecommunications industry, ISPs and investment banks. License revenues from
telecommunications industry customers and ISPs combined accounted for 79%, 68%
and 58% of our total license revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. License revenues from investment banks accounted for 7%, 12% and
15% of total license revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. No
one customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue in fiscal 1999.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of license revenues consists primarily of technology license fees paid to
third-party software vendors and the costs of software media, packaging and
production. Cost of license revenues decreased as a percentage of license
revenues to 5% in fiscal 1999 from 6% in fiscal 1998 and 8% in fiscal 1997, as a
result of economies of scale.

Cost of maintenance and service revenues consists primarily of personnel-related
costs incurred in providing maintenance, consulting and training to customers.
Cost of maintenance and service revenues decreased as a percentage of
maintenance and service revenues to 52% in fiscal 1999 from 60% in fiscal 1998,
principally due to economies of scale. The increase from 1997 to 1998 was
primarily due to increased personnel, facilities and travel costs associated
with growth in the customer support and technical services organization. We
expect that maintenance and services costs will continue to increase in dollar
amounts in future periods as we continue to hire additional customer support and
technical services personnel and expand our maintenance, consulting and training
activities.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions and
bonuses earned by personnel engaged in sales, technical presales and marketing
activities, as well as the costs of trade shows, public relations, marketing
materials and other marketing activities. Sales and marketing expenses increased
to $27.4 million in fiscal 1999 from $15.7 million in fiscal 1998 and $9.0
million in fiscal 1997. The increases in both fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998
reflected the hiring of additional personnel in connection with the building of
our sales force. Sales and marketing expenses represented 47%, 56% and 97% of
total revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These percentage
reductions were primarily due to the increased scale of operations. We expect
that sales and marketing expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollar
amounts in future periods as we continue to hire additional sales, technical
services and marketing personnel, to increase marketing activities and to build
our indirect sales channel.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and other
personnel-related expenses and costs of computer systems and software
development tools. Research and development expenses increased to $9.5 million
in fiscal 1999 from $5.5 million in fiscal 1998 and $2.0 million in fiscal 1997.
The increase in research and development expenses in each year was primarily
attributable to increased personnel, additional facilities and an increase in
the computer systems and software development tools required by the additional
personnel. In addition to expanding our research and development facility in
London, we established a research and


                                       15
<PAGE>

development team focused on application development in our New York office in
fiscal 1997. Research and development expenses represented 16%, 20% and 22% of
total revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These percentage
reductions were primarily due to the increased scale of operations. We expect
that our research and development costs will increase in absolute dollar amounts
as we continue to enhance and extend our core technologies and product lines. To
date, all research and development costs have been expensed as incurred. See
Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs for
administration, finance, information systems and human resources, as well as
professional fees. General and administrative expenses increased to $6.0 million
in fiscal 1999 from $4.5 million in fiscal 1998 and $4.2 million in fiscal 1997.
These increases in each year were primarily due to increased staffing,
facilities costs and associated expenses necessary to manage and support our
increased scale of operations and, in fiscal 1997, an additional increase was
due to compensation expenses related to bonus shares issued. General and
administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 10%, 16% and 46%
in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decreases in general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues in fiscal 1999 and
1998 were primarily attributable to the growth in total revenues and a reduction
in professional fees related to the reorganization in fiscal 1997. We expect
that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollar
amounts as we expand our administrative staff, add infrastructure and incur
additional costs related to the growth of our business.

Executive Recruiting Costs

The executive recruiting costs include a charge related to the fair value of the
warrant issued to the executive search firm to purchase 26,667 shares of our
common stock at a price of $29.63 per share, cash fees paid to the executive
search firm and certain relocation costs.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income in fiscal 1999 includes the interest earned from the proceeds
raised from the public offerings, foreign exchange gains and losses, and the
insurance proceeds related to the death of the former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. The interest earned in fiscal 1998 was partially offset by
the imputed interest expense related to the fiscal 1997 issuance of a warrant to
purchase 1.5 million shares of Series A preferred stock at a per share exercise
price of $2.00 issued in connection with the provision of a line of credit to
the Company. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

The fiscal 1999 income tax provision reflects the utilization of prior years'
net operating loss carryforwards. The fiscal 1998 income tax provision consisted
primarily of state and local taxes.

Discontinued Operations

In July 1997, the Company adopted a formal plan to discontinue its Systems
Integration division based in England. In September 1997, the Company sold the
division for approximately $400,000 in cash, net of fees. The disposition of the
division has been accounted for as a discontinued operation in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and prior consolidated financial
statements have been restated to reflect the discontinuation of the Systems
Integration business. Revenue from discontinued operations was $15.7 million and
$14.0 million, respectively, in fiscal 1997 and 1996. The income (loss) from
discontinued operations of ($104,000) and $569,000 in fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively, represents the operation's operating income, net of taxes. The
gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $1.2 million in fiscal 1997
represents the gain on disposal of the operation including net income from
operations of $256,000 from the measurement date to the disposal date. See Note
2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 1999, we had $35.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and
$34.7 million in marketable securities. The net increase in cash and cash
equivalents in fiscal 1999 was due primarily to net income of $7.9 million, the
net proceeds from the maturity and purchase of investments, and the increase in
accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenues. These sources of cash
and


                                       16
<PAGE>

cash equivalents were partially offset by the purchase of treasury stock,
capital expenditures, and the increase in accounts receivable and prepaid
expenses and other current assets. The increase in accounts receivable, accounts
payable and accrued expenses reflects the growth in the business while the
increase in prepaid expense and other current assets includes a prepayment of
technology license fees to a third-party software vendor, rental deposits and
prepaid value added taxes.

The net increase in cash and cash equivalents in fiscal 1998 was due primarily
to the proceeds from the issuance of common stock, the increase in deferred
revenues and the repayment of a related-party loan. These increases were
partially offset by the purchase of marketable securities, treasury stock,
capital expenditures, and the net loss of $0.8 million. The increase in deferred
revenues includes additional maintenance plans related to the growing installed
base of customers. Net cash used in operating activities in fiscal 1997 was
primarily attributable to a net loss of $7.9 million offset partially by the
proceeds from the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock.

As of September 30, 1999, the Company's principal commitments consisted of
obligations under operating leases. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.

We believe that our current cash balances and the cash flows generated by
operations, if any, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for
working capital and capital expenditures for the next 12 months. Thereafter, if
cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy our liquidity
requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or convertible debt
securities or obtain credit facilities. The decision to sell additional equity
or debt securities could be made at anytime and would likely result in
additional dilution to our stockholders. A portion of our cash may be used to
acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products or to obtain the right
to use complementary technologies. From time to time, in the ordinary course of
business, we evaluate potential acquisitions of such businesses, products or
technologies.

Year 2000 Compliance and Euro Conversion

We have designed and tested our products to be Year 2000 compliant. However,
there can be no assurance that our current products do not contain undetected
errors or defects associated with Year 2000 date functions that may result in
material costs to us. In addition, certain components of our products process
timestamp information from third-party applications or local operating systems.
As a result, if such third-party applications or local operating systems are not
Year 2000 compliant, our products that process such timestamp information may
not be Year 2000 compliant. Our evaluation of Year 2000-related risks and
corrective actions in connection with such third-party applications, internally
developed products and local operating systems is largely completed but will be
ongoing.

In our standard license agreements, we provide certain warranties to licensees
that our software routines and programs are Year 2000 compliant. If any of our
licensees experience Year 2000 problems, such licensees could assert claims for
damages against us. Any such claims or litigation could result in substantial
costs and diversion of our resources even if ultimately decided in our favor.
Some commentators have stated that a significant amount of litigation will arise
out of Year 2000 compliance issues, and we are aware of a growing number of
lawsuits against other software vendors. Because of the unprecedented nature of
such litigation, it is uncertain to what extent we may be affected by it.

Based on work done to date and our best estimates, we have not incurred material
costs and do not expect to incur future material costs in addressing the Year
2000 issue in our systems and products.

Our Year 2000 internal readiness program primarily covers: information
technology-based office facilities, data and voice communications, building
management and security systems, taking inventory of hardware, software and
embedded systems, assessing business and customer satisfaction risks associated
with such systems, creating action plans to address known risks, executing and
monitoring action plans, and contingency planning. Although we do not currently
believe that we will experience material disruptions in our business associated
with preparing our internal systems for the Year 2000, there can be no
assurances that we will not experience serious unanticipated negative
consequences and/or material costs caused by undetected errors or defects in the
technology used in our internal systems, which are composed of third-party
software, third-party hardware that contains embedded software and our own
software products. The most reasonably likely worst case scenarios would
include: (i) corruption of data contained in our internal information systems,
(ii) hardware failure and (iii) the failure of infrastructure services provided
by government agencies and other third parties (e.g., electricity, phone
service, water transport, internet services, etc.). Contingency plans to
include, among other things, manual "work-arounds" for software and hardware
failures, as well as substitution of systems, if necessary.


                                       17
<PAGE>

Various European countries introduced a single currency (known as the Euro) in
January 1999. We have conducted a review of our internal information systems to
identify the systems that could be affected by such Year 2000 and Euro
conversion requirements. Further, to accommodate our recent growth, we will be
required to continue to implement and improve a variety of operational,
financial and management information systems, procedures and controls on a
timely basis. In particular, we will be required to improve our accounting and
financial reporting systems, which currently require substantial management
effort and will be required to implement a U.S.-based financial and accounting
system.

                                  RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information in this Form 10-K, the following risk
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and our
business. The following factors, in addition to the other information contained
in this Form 10-K, should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and
our prospects. This Form 10-K (including without limitation the following Risk
Factors) contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) regarding the Company and our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends,"
"plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations
of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not
the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K.
Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as the development of
new products, enhancements or technologies, possible changes in legislation and
other statements regarding matters that are not historical are forward-looking
statements.

Although forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K reflect the good faith
judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and
factors we currently know about. Consequently, forward-looking statements are
inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes
may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences in results and outcomes include, but are not limited to, those
discussed below and in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" as well as those discussed elsewhere in
this Form 10-K. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the this Form
10-K. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking
statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after
the date of the Form 10-K.

We have a Limited Operating History as a Software Company and are Uncertain of
Future Operating Results

Although we began offering services for the network and systems integration
market in 1989, we first shipped our internally developed software product,
Netcool/OMNIbus, for the fault and SLM market in January 1995. Accordingly, we
have only a limited operating history as a developer and provider of SLM
software upon which an evaluation of our business and prospects can be based.
Only recently has our software business been profitable. Our limited operating
history and rapidly changing product development, installation, maintenance and
market dynamics make the prediction of future results of operations difficult if
not impossible. The Company's prospects must be considered in light of the
risks, costs and difficulties frequently encountered by emerging companies,
particularly companies in the competitive software industry. Although we have
achieved recent revenue growth, there can be no assurance that we can generate
substantial additional revenue growth on a quarterly or annual basis, or that
any revenue growth that is achieved can be sustained. In addition, we have
increased, and plan to increase further, our operating expenses in order to hire
experienced senior managers, develop new distribution channels, increase our
sales and marketing efforts, implement and improve operational, financial and
management information systems, broaden technical services and customer support
capabilities, fund higher levels of research and development and expand
administrative resources in anticipation of future growth. To the extent that
increases in such expenses are not subsequently followed by increased revenues,
our business, operating results and financial condition would be materially
adversely affected. In view of the rapidly evolving nature of our business and
markets and our limited operating history in historic and newly evolving
markets, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of financial results are
not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of
future performance. As of September 30, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of
$3.5 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."

We have Experienced Variability of Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality

We continue to realize a significant portion of license revenues in the last
month of a quarter, frequently in the last weeks or even days of a quarter. As a
result, license revenues in any quarter are difficult to forecast because it is
substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that quarter. Moreover,
our sales cycles, from initial evaluation to delivery of software, vary
substantially from customer to customer. In addition, our expense levels are
based in part on our expectations of future orders and sales, which, given our
limited operating history, are extremely difficult to predict. A substantial
portion of our operating expenses is related to personnel,


                                       18
<PAGE>

facilities, and sales and marketing programs. The level of spending for such
expenses cannot be adjusted quickly and is, therefore, relatively fixed in the
short term. If revenues fall below our expectations in a particular quarter, our
operating results could be materially adversely affected. See "We have a Lengthy
Sales Cycle."

The number and timing of large individual sales has been difficult for us to
predict, and large individual sales have, in some cases, occurred in quarters
subsequent to those we anticipated, or have not occurred at all. There can be no
assurance that the loss or deferral of one or more significant sales would not
have a material adverse effect on our quarterly operating results. In addition,
our business has experienced and may continue to experience significant
seasonality. Historically, a disproportionate amount of our annual revenues have
been generated by sales of our products during our fourth fiscal quarter. There
can be no assurance that this trend will or will not continue.

Significant components of our quarterly operating results have fluctuated
significantly at times in the past, and will likely fluctuate significantly at
some times in the future, as a result of a number of factors, many of which are
outside our control. These factors include changes in the demand for our
software products and services; the size and timing of specific sales; the
timing of new hires; the level of product and price competition that we
encounter; changes in the mix of, and lack of demand from, distribution channels
through which products are sold; the length of sales cycles; spending patterns
and budgetary resources of our customers on network management software
solutions; the success of our new customer generation activities; introductions
or enhancements of products, or delays in the introductions or enhancements of
our products and those of our competitors; market acceptance of new products;
our ability to anticipate and effectively adapt to developing markets and
rapidly changing technologies; the mix of products and services sold; changes in
our sales incentives; changes in the renewal rate of support agreements; the mix
of international and domestic revenue; product life cycles; software defects and
other product quality problems; our ability to attract, retain and motivate
qualified personnel; changes in the mix of sales to new and existing customers;
the extent of industry consolidation; expansion of our international operations;
and general domestic and international economic and political conditions.

Based on all of the foregoing, we believe that future revenue, expenses and
operating results are likely to vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter. As a
result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of operating results are not necessarily
meaningful or indicative of future performance. Furthermore, we believe it is
possible that in some future quarter our operating results will be below the
expectations of public market analysts or investors. In such event, or in the
event that adverse conditions prevail, or are perceived to prevail, with respect
to our business or generally, the market price of our Common Stock would likely
be materially adversely affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

We Need to Manage Growth; We Need to Improve Our Infrastructure

We have recently experienced a period of rapid revenue and customer growth and a
substantial expansion in the number of our personnel and in the scope and the
geographic area of our operations. We have grown from 176 employees on September
30, 1998 to 321 employees on September 30, 1999 and currently plan to continue
to recruit more staff. This growth has resulted in new and increased
responsibilities for management personnel and has placed and continues to place
a significant strain upon our management, operating and financial systems and
resources. Moreover, members of our management team, including, without
limitation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief
Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Operations, Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Senior Vice President, Human
Resources have been in their current positions with the Company for a limited
period of time. To accommodate recent growth, to compete effectively and manage
future growth, if any, we will be required to continue to implement and improve
a variety of operational, financial and management information systems,
procedures and controls on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and
manage our work force. In particular, we will be required to improve our
accounting and financial reporting systems, which currently require substantial
management effort, and to successfully manage an increasing number of
relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. These demands will
require the addition of new management personnel, and we are currently in the
process of recruiting individuals to fill important management positions such as
the Vice President, Marketing. Further, we are will need to continue to develop
a U.S.-based financial and accounting system. Our future success will depend to
a significant extent on the recruitment and retention of these key personnel,
the implementation and improvement of operational, financial and management
systems and the ability of our current and future executive officers to operate
effectively, both independently and as a group. There can be no assurance that
we will be able to execute on a timely and cost-effective basis all that is
necessary to successfully manage any growth, and any failure to do so could have
a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial
condition.


                                       19
<PAGE>

We Need to Expand and Improve the Productivity of Our Sales Force, Technical
Services and Customer Support Organization

To increase market penetration, we continue to hire additional sales personnel.
Based on our experience, such personnel are in high demand, difficult to recruit
and retain and it takes at least nine months, if not longer, for a salesperson
to become fully productive. Although we increased the size of our sales
organization during fiscal 1999, we experienced difficulty in recruiting a
sufficient number of qualified sales people during the period. There can be no
assurance that we will be successful in recruiting additional sales personnel or
increasing the productivity of our sales personnel, and the failure to do so
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or
results of operations. As a result of the recent expansion of the installed base
of Netcool/OMNIbus and the release of our Netcool/Reporter, Netcool/Internet
Service Monitors, Netcool/FireWall-1, Netcool/Fusion, Netcool/NTSM, and
Netcool/Impact, the demands on our technical services and customer support
resources have grown rapidly. See "Product Defects Would Impair our Business."
We believe that a high level of technical services, training and customer
support is essential to maintaining our competitive position. We will be
required to significantly expand our technical services and customer support
organizations and similar third-party capabilities if we are to achieve
significant additional revenue growth. Competition for additional qualified
technical personnel to perform the required functions is intense. There can be
no assurance that our technical services and customer support resources will be
sufficient to manage any future growth in our business, and any failure to
expand our technical services and customer support organizations commensurate
with any expansion of the installed base of the above products would have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial
condition.

We Need to Expand Our Distribution Channels; We Depend on Third-Party
Relationships

A key element of our business strategy is to develop relationships with leading
network equipment and telecommunications providers and to expand the third-party
channel of distribution. We are currently investing, and plan to continue to
invest, significant resources to develop these relationships and channels of
distribution, which could adversely affect our ability to generate profits.
Third-party distributors accounted for approximately 34%, 26% and 11% of our
total revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to attract additional distributors that will be
able to market our products effectively. Many of our agreements with third-party
distributors are nonexclusive, and many of the companies with which we have
agreements also have similar agreements with our competitors or potential
competitors. Our third-party distributors have significantly greater sales and
marketing resources than we do, and there can be no assurance that their sales
and marketing efforts will not conflict with our direct sales efforts. In
addition, although sales through third-party distributors result in reduced
sales and marketing expense with respect to such sales, we sell our products to
third-party distributors at reduced prices, resulting in lower gross margins on
such third-party sales. We believe that our success in penetrating markets for
our fault and SLM applications depends substantially on our ability to maintain
our current distribution relationships, in particular, those with Cisco Systems
("Cisco"), Lucent Technologies ("Lucent") Unishpere (Siemens) and others, to
cultivate additional distribution relationships and to cultivate alternative
distribution relationships if distribution channels change. There can be no
assurance that network equipment and telecommunications providers and
distributors will not discontinue their relationships with us, compete directly
with us or form additional competing arrangements with our competitors or that
we will be able to expand our distribution relationships beyond what currently
exists. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."

We Operate in an Emerging Market; We Rely on Telecommunication Carriers and
Other Service Providers; We are Uncertain of the Demand for Fault and SLM
Products

The market for our products is in an early stage of development and is very
dynamic. Although the rapid expansion and increasing complexity of computer
networks in recent years and the resulting emergence of SLAs has increased the
demand for fault and SLM software products, the awareness of and the need for
such products is a recent development. Because the market for these products is
only beginning to develop, it is difficult to assess the size of this market,
the appropriate features and prices for products to address this market, the
optimal distribution strategy and the competitive environment that will develop.
Failure of the SLM market to grow at anticipated rates or our failure to
properly assess and address the demands from such market would have a material
adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Telecommunications carriers, including ISPs, that deliver advanced
communications services to their customers have accounted for approximately 79%,
68% and 58% of our total revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In addition, these providers are the central focus of our sales strategy. There
can be no assurance that telecommunications carriers and other service providers
will be able to market their communications services successfully, that SLM will
gain widespread market acceptance or that telecommunications carriers and other
service providers will use our products in the deployment of their services.
Delays in the introduction of advanced services, such as network management
outsourcing, failure of such services to gain widespread market acceptance or
the decision of telecommunications carriers and other service providers not to
use our products in the deployment of these services would have a material
adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. There
can be no assurance we will be able to penetrate these markets further. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations".


                                       20
<PAGE>

Our Markets are Extremely Competitive

Our products are designed for use in the evolving fault and SLM and enterprise
network management markets. Competition in these markets is intense and is
characterized by rapidly changing technologies, new and evolving industry
standards, frequent new product introductions and rapid changes in customer
requirements. Our current and prospective competitors offer a variety of
solutions to address the fault and SLM and enterprise network management markets
and generally fall within the following five categories: (i) customer's internal
design and development organizations that produce SLM and network management
applications for their particular needs, in some cases using multiple instances
of products from hardware and software vendors such as Sun Microsystems, Inc.
("Sun"), Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP") and Cabletron Systems, Inc.
("Cabletron"); (ii) vendors of network and systems management frameworks
including Computer Associates International, Inc. ("CA") and International
Business Machines Corporation ("IBM"); (iii) vendors of network and systems
management applications including HP, BMC Software, Inc, Sun and IBM; (iv)
providers of specific market applications; and (v) systems integrators serving
the telecommunications industry which primarily provide programming services to
develop customer specific applications including TCSI Corporation (formerly
Teknekron Communications Systems, Inc.) and Objective Systems Integrators, Inc.
("OSI"). As we enter new markets, we have seen that such markets have
additional, market-specific competitors. In addition, because there are
relatively low barriers to entry in the software market, we have become aware of
new and potential entrants in portions of our market space and we expect
additional competition from these and other established and emerging companies.
Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions and may result in
reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could materially
adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Many of our existing and potential customers and distributors continuously
evaluate whether to design and develop their own network operations support and
management applications or purchase them from outside vendors. Sometimes these
customers internally design and develop their own software solutions for their
particular needs and therefore may be reluctant to purchase products offered by
independent vendors such as ours. As a result, we must continuously educate
existing and prospective customers as to the advantages of our products versus
internally developed network operations support and management applications.

Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories
and have significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other
resources, as well as greater name recognition and a larger customer base, than
we do. As a result, they may be able to devote greater resources to the
development, promotion, sale and support of their products or to respond more
quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements
than we can. Existing competitors could also increase their market share by
bundling products having management functionality offered by our products with
their current applications. Moreover, our current and potential competitors may
increase their share of the fault and SLM market by strategic alliances and/or
the acquisition of competing companies. In addition, network operating system
vendors could introduce new or upgrade and extend existing operating systems or
environments that include management functionality offered by our products,
which could render our products obsolete and unmarketable. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future
competitors or that competitive pressures faced by us will not materially
adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Product Defects Would Impair Our Business

Software products as internally complex as those identified in this Report
frequently contain errors or defects, especially when first introduced or when
new versions or enhancements are released. Despite our extensive product
testing, we have in the past released versions of Netcool/OMNIbus with defects
and have discovered software errors in certain of our products after their
introduction. For example, version 3.0 of Netcool/OMNIbus, released in 1996, had
a number of material defects. Version 1.0 of Netcool/Reporter, released in 1998,
had features and performance characteristics that limited market acceptance. A
significant portion of our technical personnel resources were required to
address these defects. We could continue to experience delays in or failure of
market acceptance of products, or damage to our reputation or relationships with
our customers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, operating results or financial condition. See "We Need to Expand and
Improve the Productivity of Sales Force, Technical Services and Customer Support
Organization." Additionally, there can be no assurance that, despite our testing
and that by current and potential customers, defects and errors will not be
found in new versions or enhancements of our products after commencement of
commercial shipments which could have a material adverse effect upon our
business, operating results or financial condition. See "Year 2000 and Euro
Conversion Issues Could Impair Our Business".

Since our products are used by our customers to monitor and address network
problems and avoid failures of the network to support critical business
functions, any design defects, software errors, misuse of our products,
incorrect data from network elements or other potential problems within or out
of our control that may arise from the use of our products could result in
financial or other damages to our customers. Such customers could seek damages
from us for any such losses, which, if successful, could have a material adverse


                                       21
<PAGE>

effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Although we
maintain product liability insurance, there can be no assurance that such
insurance will adequately cover, if at all, any such claims. Further, although
our license agreements with our customers typically contain provisions designed
to limit our exposure to potential claims as well as any liabilities arising
from such claims, such provisions may not effectively protect us against such
claims and the liability and costs associated therewith. Accordingly, any such
claim could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of
operations or financial condition.

We have a Lengthy Sales Cycle

Our software is generally used for division- or enterprise-wide,
business-critical purposes and involves significant capital commitments by
customers. Potential customers generally commit significant resources to an
evaluation of available enterprise software and require us to expend substantial
time, effort and money educating them about the value of our solutions.
Licensing of our software products often require an extensive sales effort
throughout a customer's organization because decisions to license such software
generally involve the evaluation of the software by a significant number of
customer personnel in various functional and geographic areas, each often having
specific and conflicting requirements. A variety of factors, including actions
by competitors and other factors over which we have little or no control, may
cause potential customers to favor a particular supplier or to delay or forego a
purchase. As a result of these and other factors, the sales cycle for our
products are long, typically about three to nine months. As a result of the
length of the sales cycle for our software products, our ability to forecast the
timing and amount of specific sales is limited, and the delay or failure to
complete one or more large license transactions could have a material adverse
effect on our business, operating results or financial condition and cause our
operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. See "We Have
Experienced Variability of Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality".

We Depend on Key Personnel

Our success is substantially dependent upon a limited number of key management,
sales, product development, technical services and customer support personnel.
The loss of the services of one or more of such key employees could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of
operations. We do not generally have employment contracts with key personnel. In
addition, our success will be dependent upon our continuing ability to attract,
train and retain additional highly qualified management, sales, product
development, technical services and customer support personnel. We have at times
and continue to experience difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel. Because
we face intense competition in our recruiting activities, there can be no
assurance that we will be able to attract and/or retain qualified personnel.
Failure to attract and retain the necessary qualified personnel on a timely
basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or
financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."

We Must Successfully Integrate Acquisitions

On November 2, 1999, we entered into an agreement to acquire Calvin Alexander
Networking, Inc., a developer of network autodiscovery technology. Acquisitions
of companies, products or technologies entail numerous risks, including: an
inability to successfully assimilate acquired operations and products; diversion
of management's attention; loss of key employees of acquired companies;
substantial transaction costs; and substantial additional costs charged to
operations as a result of the failure to consummate acquisitions. Some of the
products we acquire may require significant additional development before they
can be marketed and may not generate revenue at levels we anticipate. Moreover,
our future acquisitions, if any, may result in dilutive issuances of our equity
securities, the incurrence of debt, large one-time write-offs and creation of
goodwill or other intangible assets that could result in amortization expense.
We cannot guarantee that our efforts to consummate or integrate acquisitions
will be successful. If our efforts are not successful, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed.

We Rely on a Specific Product

All of our revenues have been derived from licenses for our Netcool family of
products and related maintenance, training and consulting services. We currently
expect that Netcool/OMNIbus-related revenues will continue to account for a
substantial percentage of our revenues beyond fiscal 2000 and for the
foreseeable future thereafter. Although we've introduced Netcool/Reporter,
Netcool/Internet Service Monitors, Netcool/FireWall-1, Netcool/Fusion,
Netcool/NTSM, and Netcool/Impact, our future operating results, particularly in
the near term, are significantly dependent upon the continued market acceptance
of Netcool/OMNIbus, improvements to Netcool/OMNIbus and new and enhanced
Netcool/OMNIbus applications. There can be no assurance that Netcool/OMNIbus
will continue to achieve market acceptance or that we will be successful in
developing, introducing or marketing improvements to Netcool/OMNIbus or new or
enhanced products. The life cycles of Netcool/OMNIbus, including the
Netcool/OMNIbus applications, are difficult to estimate due in large part to the
recent emergence of many of our markets, the effect of future product
enhancements and competition. A decline in the demand for Netcool/OMNIbus as a
result of competition, technological change or other factors would have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial
condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations".

We Rely on Certain Customers

To date, a significant portion of our revenues in any particular period has been
attributable to a limited number of customers. Although no one customer
accounted for more than 10% of revenues in fiscal 1999, entities affiliated with
MCI/WorldCom accounted for 10% and 18% of our total revenue in fiscal 1998 and
1997, respectively. We expect that we will continue to be dependent upon a
limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues in future
periods. As a result of this concentration of sales, our business, operating
results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the
failure of anticipated orders from significant customers to materialize or by
deferrals or cancellations of orders by significant customers. In addition,
there can be no assurance that revenues from customers that have accounted for
significant revenues in past periods, individually or as a group, will continue,
or if continued, will reach or exceed historical levels in any future period.
The terms of our agreements with our customers typically contain


                                       22
<PAGE>

a one-time license fee and a prepayment of one year of maintenance fees. The
maintenance agreement is renewable annually at the option of the customer and
there are no minimum payment obligations or obligations to license additional
software. Therefore, there can be no assurance that any of our current customers
will generate significant revenues in future periods. For example, pre-existing
customers may be part of, or become part of, large organizations that
standardize using a competitive product. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".

We have Risks Associated With International Licensing and Operations

License, maintenance and service revenues outside of the United States accounted
for 29%, 39% and 48% of our total revenues in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. We expect that international license, maintenance and consulting
revenues will continue to account for a significant portion of our total
revenues in future periods. Currency exchange fluctuations in countries in which
we license our products or conducts operations historically have had, and in the
future could continue to have, a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results or financial condition by resulting in pricing levels that are
not competitive or expense levels that adversely impact profitability. In such
event, gains and losses on the conversion to United States dollars of accounts
receivable and accounts payable arising from international operations may
contribute to fluctuations in our operating results. We intend to enter into
additional international markets and to continue to expand our operations
outside of the United States by expanding our direct sales force and pursuing
additional strategic relationships. Such expansion will require significant
management attention and expenditure of significant financial resources and
could adversely affect our ability to generate profits. To the extent that we
are unable to establish additional foreign operations in a timely manner, our
growth, if any, in international sales will be limited, and our business,
operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We maintain a significant portion of our operations, including the bulk of our
software development operations, in the United Kingdom. Our international
operations and revenues involve a number of inherent risks, including longer
receivables collection periods and greater difficulty in accounts receivable
collection, difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations, an even
lengthier sales cycle than with domestic customers, the impact of possible
recessionary environments in economies outside the United States, unexpected
changes in regulatory requirements, including a slowdown in the rate of
privatization of telecommunications service providers, reduced protection for
intellectual property rights in some countries and tariffs and other trade
barriers. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sustain or increase
revenues derived from international licensing and service or that the foregoing
factors will not have a material adverse effect on our future international
license, service and other revenue, and, consequently, on our business,
operating results or financial condition. We pay the expenses of our
international operations in local currencies and do not currently engage in
hedging transactions with respect to such obligations. In addition, sales in
Europe and certain other parts of the world typically are adversely affected in
the quarter ending September 30, as many customers reduce their business
activities during the summer months. If our international sales become a greater
component of total revenue, these seasonal factors may have a more pronounced
effect on our operating results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations".

We Need to Manage New Products, Transitions and Rapid Technological Change; We
Depend on Third-Party Software Platforms

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technologies,
evolving industry standards, changing regulatory environments, frequent new
product introductions and rapid changes in customer requirements. The
introduction or announcement of products by the Company or our competitors
embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and
practices can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. As a result,
the life cycles of our products are difficult to estimate. Our future success
will depend on our ability to enhance our existing products and to develop and
introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products and product
features that keep pace with technological developments and emerging industry
standards and address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers.
Historically, we have used our close working relationship with large customers
to define our product development direction. There can be no assurance that we
will be successful in developing and marketing new products or product features
that respond to technological change or evolving industry standards, that we
will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful
development, introduction and marketing of these new products and features, or
that our new products or product features will adequately meet the requirements
of the marketplace and achieve market acceptance. In particular, the widespread
adoption of the TMN architecture for managing telecommunications networks would
force us to adapt our products to such standard, and there can be no assurance
that this could be done on a timely or cost-effective basis, if at all. In
addition, to the extent that any product upgrade or enhancement requires
extensive installation and configuration, current customers may postpone or
forgo the purchase of new versions of our products. If we are unable, for
technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce enhancements of
existing products or new products in a timely manner, our business, operating
results and financial condition will be materially adversely affected. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the introduction or announcement of new
product offerings by us or one or more of our competitors will not cause
customers to defer licensing of our existing products. Any such deferment of
purchases could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results or financial condition.


                                       23
<PAGE>

Our products are designed to operate on a variety of hardware and software
platforms employed by our customers in their networks. We must continually
modify and enhance our products to keep pace with changes in hardware and
software platforms and database technology. As a result, uncertainties related
to the timing and nature of new product announcements, introductions or
modifications by systems vendors, particularly Sun, IBM, HP, Cabletron and Cisco
and by vendors of relational database software, particularly Oracle Corporation
("Oracle") and Sybase, Inc. ("Sybase"), could materially adversely impact our
business, operating results or financial condition. For example, we are
modifying certain of our products to operate with the Linux operating system.
The failure of our products to operate effectively across the various existing
and evolving versions of hardware and software platforms and database
environments employed by customers could have a material adverse effect on our
business, operating results or financial condition.

We Rely Upon Proprietary Technology; We Risk Third-Party Claims of Infringement

Our success and ability to compete is dependent in significant part upon our
proprietary software technology. We rely on a combination of trade secret,
copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and
technical measures to protect our proprietary rights. Despite our efforts to
protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects
of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.
There can be no assurance that the steps taken by us to protect our proprietary
technology will prevent misappropriation of such technology, and such
protections may not preclude competitors from developing products with
functionality or features similar to our products. In addition, effective
copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain
foreign countries. While we believe that our products and trademarks do not
infringe upon the proprietary rights of third parties, there can be no assurance
that we will not receive future communications from third parties asserting that
our products infringe, or may infringe, the proprietary rights of third parties.
We expect that software product developers will be increasingly subject to
infringement claims as the number of products and competitors in our industry
segment grows and the functionality of products in different industry segments
overlaps. Any such claims, with or without merit could be time-consuming, result
in costly litigation and diversion of technical and management personnel, cause
product shipment delays or require us to develop non-infringing technology or
enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing
agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at
all. In the event of a successful claim of product infringement against us and
our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the
infringed or similar technology, our business, operating results or financial
condition could be materially adversely affected.

We have Risks Associated With Third-Party Licenses

We rely on certain software that we license from third parties, including
software that is integrated with internally developed software and used in our
products to perform key functions. There can be no assurance that these
third-party software licenses will continue to be available to us on
commercially reasonable terms or at all. Although we believe that alternative
software is available from other third-party suppliers, the loss of or inability
to maintain any of these software licenses or the inability of the third parties
to enhance in a timely and cost-effective manner their products in response to
changing customer needs, industry standards or technological developments could
result in delays or reductions in product shipments by us until equivalent
software could be developed internally or identified, licensed and integrated,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results
and financial condition.

Year 2000 and Euro Conversion Issues Could Impair Our Business

We have designed and tested our products to be Year 2000 compliant. However,
there can be no assurance that our current products do not contain undetected
errors or defects associated with Year 2000 date functions that may result in
material costs to us. In addition, certain components of our products process
timestamp information from third-party applications or local operating systems.
As a result, if such third-party applications or local operating systems are not
Year 2000 compliant, our products that process such timestamp information may
not be Year 2000 compliant. Our evaluation of Year 2000-related risks and
corrective actions in connection with such third-party applications, internally
developed products and local operating systems is largely completed but will be
ongoing.

In our standard license agreements, we provide certain warranties to licensees
that our software routines and programs are Year 2000 compliant. If any of our
licensees experience Year 2000 problems, such licensees could assert claims for
damages against us. Any such claims or litigation could result in substantial
costs and diversion of our resources even if ultimately decided in our favor.
Some commentators have stated that a significant amount of litigation will arise
out of Year 2000 compliance issues, and we are aware of a growing number of
lawsuits against other software vendors. Because of the unprecedented nature of
such litigation, it is uncertain to what extent we may be affected by it.


                                       24
<PAGE>

Based on work done to date and our best estimates, we have not incurred material
costs and do not expect to incur future material costs in addressing the Year
2000 issue in our systems and products.

Our Year 2000 internal readiness program primarily covers: information
technology-based office facilities, data and voice communications, building
management and security systems, taking inventory of hardware, software and
embedded systems, assessing business and customer satisfaction risks associated
with such systems, creating action plans to address known risks, executing and
monitoring action plans, and contingency planning. Although we do not currently
believe that we will experience material disruptions in our business associated
with preparing our internal systems for the Year 2000, there can be no
assurances that we will not experience serious unanticipated negative
consequences and/or material costs caused by undetected errors or defects in the
technology used in our internal systems, which are composed of third-party
software, third-party hardware that contains embedded software and our own
software products. The most reasonably likely worst case scenarios would
include: (i) corruption of data contained in our internal information systems,
(ii) hardware failure and (iii) the failure of infrastructure services provided
by government agencies and other third parties (e.g., electricity, phone
service, water transport, internet services, etc.). Contingency plans to
include, among other things, manual "work-arounds" for software and hardware
failures, as well as substitution of systems, if necessary.

Various European countries introduced a single currency (known as the Euro) in
January 1999. We have conducted a review of our internal information systems to
identify the systems that could be affected by such Year 2000 and Euro
conversion requirements. Further, to accommodate our recent growth, we will be
required to continue to implement and improve a variety of operational,
financial and management information systems, procedures and controls on a
timely basis. In particular, we will be required to improve our accounting and
financial reporting systems, which currently require substantial management
effort and will be required to implement a U.S.-based financial and accounting
system.

Our Stock Price is Volatile

The market price of our Common Stock has been and is likely to continue to be
highly volatile and may be significantly affected by factors such as actual or
anticipated fluctuations in our operating results, announcements of
technological innovations, new products or new contracts by us or our
competitors, developments with respect to copyrights or proprietary rights,
adoption of new accounting standards affecting the software industry, general
market conditions and other factors. In addition, the stock market has from time
to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have
particularly affected the market price for the common stock of technology
companies. These types of broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the
market price of our Common Stock. In the past, following periods of volatility
in the market price of a company's securities, securities class action
litigation has often been initiated against such company. Such litigation could
result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and
resources that could have a material adverse effect upon our business, operating
results or financial condition.

General Economic and Market Conditions May Impair Our Business

Segments of the software industry have experienced significant economic
downturns characterized by decreased product demand, price erosion, work
slowdowns and layoffs. Our operations may in the future experience substantial
fluctuations from period to period as a consequence of general economic
conditions affecting the timing of orders from major customers and other factors
affecting capital spending. Although we have a diverse client base, we target
certain vertical markets. Therefore, any economic downturns in general or in the
targeted vertical segments in particular would have a material adverse effect on
our business, operating results and financial condition.

Anti-takeover Effects of Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws and Delaware Law

Certain provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and
certain provisions of Delaware law could delay or make difficult a merger,
tender offer or proxy contest involving us. Our authorized but unissued capital
stock includes 5.0 million shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors is
authorized to provide for the issuance of such preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the designations, preferences, powers and relative,
participating, optional or other rights and restrictions thereof. Accordingly,
we may in the future issue a series of preferred stock, without further
stockholder approval, that will have preference over the Common Stock with
respect to the payment of dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the Company. Further, Section 203 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware (as amended from time to time, the "DGCL"), which is
applicable to us, prohibits certain business combinations with certain
stockholders for a period of three years after they acquire 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of a corporation. In addition, the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors is divided into two
classes of directors with each class serving a staggered two-year term. The
classification of the Board of Directors has the effect of generally requiring
at least two annual stockholder meetings, instead of one, to replace a majority
of the


                                       25
<PAGE>

Board members. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect holders of the Common
Stock or discourage or make difficult any attempt to obtain control of us.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Derivatives
and Financial Instruments

Foreign Currency Hedging Instruments

We transact business in various foreign currencies. Accordingly, we are subject
to exposure from adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. This
exposure is primarily related to local currency denominated revenues and
operating expenses in the U.K. However, as of September 30, 1999, no hedging
contracts were outstanding.

We currently do not use financial instruments to hedge local currency
denominated operating expenses in the U.K. Instead, we believe that a natural
hedge exists, in that local currency revenues will substantially offset the
local currency denominated operating expenses. We assess the need to utilize
financial instruments to hedge currency exposures on an ongoing basis.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes,
nor do we hedge our foreign currency exposure in a manner that entirely offsets
the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates. We regularly review our
hedging program and may as part of this review determine at any time to change
our hedging program.

Fixed Income Investments

Our exposure to market risks for changes in interest rates relate primarily to
investments in debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies and corporate
debt securities. We place our investments with high credit quality issuers and,
by policy, limits the amount of the credit exposure to any one issuer.

Our general policy is to limit the risk of principal loss and ensure the safety
of invested funds by limiting market and credit risk. All highly liquid
investments with less than three months to maturity are considered to be cash
equivalents; investments with maturities between three months or less are
considered cash equivalents; investments with maturities between three and
twelve months are considered to be short-term investments; investments with
maturities in excess of twelve months are considered to be long-term
investments. The weighted average pre-tax interest rate on the investment
portfolio is approximately 5.5%. We do not expect any material loss with respect
to our investment portfolio.


                                       26
<PAGE>

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS
                                                                            As of September 30,
                                                                           --------------------
                                                                             1999        1998
                                                                           --------    --------
<S>                                                                        <C>         <C>
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                             $ 35,058    $ 22,798
     Short-term investments                                                  34,689      40,452
     Accounts receivable                                                      9,613       6,495
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                3,871       1,374
     Deferred income taxes                                                      359          --
                                                                           --------    --------
         Total current assets                                                83,590      71,119
     Property and equipment, net                                              5,984       2,968
     Long-term investments                                                       --       6,557
     Deferred income taxes                                                    1,031          --
                                                                           --------    --------
                                                                           $ 90,605    $ 80,644
                                                                           ========    ========
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                                                      $  4,210    $  2,073
     Accrued expenses                                                         4,798       3,327
     Income taxes payable                                                     1,919          --
     Deferred revenue                                                         9,672       7,526
                                                                           --------    --------
         Total current liabilities                                           20,599      12,926

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized;
         no shares issued and outstanding                                        --          --
     Common stock; $0.01 par value; 60,000 shares authorized; 16,163 and
         16,049 shares outstanding as of September 30, 1999
         and 1998, respectively                                                 162         160
     Additional paid-in capital                                              73,747      79,159
     Deferred compensation                                                     (103)       (159)
     Accumulated other comprehensive losses                                    (286)        (42)
     Accumulated deficit                                                     (3,514)    (11,400)
                                                                           --------    --------
         Total stockholders' equity                                          70,006      67,718
                                                                           --------    --------
                                                                           $ 90,605    $ 80,644
                                                                           ========    ========
</TABLE>

          See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       27
<PAGE>

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year ended September 30,
                                                                       --------------------------------
Revenues:                                                                1999        1998        1997
                                                                       --------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
    License                                                            $ 43,692    $ 22,432    $  6,968
    Maintenance and services                                             14,378       5,829       2,324
                                                                       --------------------------------
       Total revenues                                                    58,070      28,261       9,292
Cost of revenues:
    License                                                               2,379       1,320         523
    Maintenance and services                                              7,465       3,491       1,042
                                                                       --------------------------------
       Total cost of revenues                                             9,844       4,811       1,565
                                                                       --------------------------------
          Gross profit                                                   23,450       7,727      48,226
Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing                                                  27,420      15,710       8,970
    Research and development                                              9,453       5,535       2,042
    General and administrative                                            5,998       4,521       4,244
    Executive recruiting costs                                              720          --          --
                                                                       --------------------------------
       Total operating expenses                                          43,591      25,766      15,256
                                                                       --------------------------------
          Income (loss) from operations                                  (2,316)     (7,529)      4,635
Other income (expense):
    Interest income                                                        3480       1,840          64
    Interest expense                                                       (341)       (312)     (1,268)
    Other                                                                   952         100        (200)
                                                                       --------------------------------
       Income (loss) before income taxes                                   (688)     (8,933)      8,726
Income taxes                                                                840         150          --
                                                                       --------------------------------
    Income (loss) from continuing operations                               (838)     (8,933)      7,886
Discontinued operations:
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations                               --          --        (104)
    Gain on disposition                                                      --          --       1,161
                                                                       --------------------------------
       Net income (loss)                                                   (838)     (7,876)      7,886
Accretion on redeemable convertible preferred stock                          --      (1,334)       (755)
                                                                       --------------------------------
    Net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock            $  7,886    $ (2,172)   $ (8,631)
                                                                       ================================

Per share data:
    Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to
       holders of common stock                                         $   0.50    $  (0.07)   $  (1.52)
    Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations applicable
       to holders of common stock                                      $   0.45    $  (0.07)   $  (1.52)
    Basic net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock      $   0.50    $  (0.18)   $  (1.35)
    Diluted net income (loss) applicable to holders of common stock    $   0.45    $  (0.18)   $  (1.35)

Weighted average shares used in computing:
    Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations
       applicable to holders of common stock                             15,909      11,794       6,373
    Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations
       applicable to holders of common stock                             17,504      11,794       6,373
    Basic net income (loss) per share applicable to holders of
       common stock                                                      15,909      11,794       6,373
    Diluted net income (loss) per share applicable to holders of
       common stock                                                      17,504      11,794       6,373
</TABLE>

          See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       28
<PAGE>

            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                          Total
                                 Common stock   Additional    Treasury stock     Deferred     Cumulative              stockholders'
                              -----------------   paid-in  -------------------     stock     translation  Accumulated    equity
                                Shares   Amount   capital    Shares     Amount  Compensation  adjustment    deficit     (deficit)
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>     <C>      <C>           <C>    <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Balance as of September 30,
  1996                           6,100  $    61  $    264        --   $     --    $     --     $     50    $   (597)    $   (222)
Bonus shares issued                450        5     1,138        --         --          --           --          --        1,143
Stock options exercised             36       --       130        --         --          --           --          --          130
Compensation expense
  related to stock transfer         --       --       210        --         --          --           --          --          210
Treasury stock purchased            --       --        --      (120)      (300)         --           --          --         (300)
Issuance of common stock           120        1       419        --         --          --           --          --          420
Deferred compensation
  related to grants of stock
  options                           --       --       229        --         --        (229)          --          --           --
Amortization of deferred
  employee compensation             --       --        --        --         --          14           --          --           14
Foreign currency
  translation adjustment            --       --        --        --         --          --            2          --            2
Net loss                            --       --        --        --         --          --           --      (7,876)      (7,876)
Accretion on redeemable
  convertible preferred stock       --       --        --        --         --          --           --        (755)        (755)
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30,      6,706       67     2,390      (120)      (300)       (215)          52      (9,228)      (7,234)
                                                                                                                            1997
Stock options exercised            120        1       261        --         --          --           --          --          262
Issuance of common stock
  under stock purchase plan         62        1       628        --         --          --           --          --          629
Issuance of common stock in
  public offerings, net of
  related costs                  3,332       33    51,739       898      5,300          --           --          --       57,072
Treasury stock purchased            --       --        --      (778)    (5,000)         --           --          --       (5,000)
Conversion of Series B and
  C preferred stock              4,488       45    22,566        --         --          --           --          --       22,611
Exercise of Series A
  warrants                       1,341       13     1,575        --         --          --           --          --        1,588
Amortization of deferred
  employee compensation             --       --        --        --         --          56           --          --           56
Foreign currency
  translation adjustment            --       --        --        --         --          --          (94)         --          (94)
Net loss                            --       --        --        --         --          --           --        (838)        (838)
Accretion on redeemable
  convertible preferred stock       --       --        --        --         --          --           --      (1,334)      (1,334)
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30,
  1998                          16,049      160    79,159        --         --        (159)         (42)    (11,400)      67,718
Stock options exercised            111        1    (5,403)      378      7,215          --           --          --        1,813
Issuance of common  stock
  under stock purchase plan          3        1      (874)      122      2,325          --           --          --        1,452
Treasury stock purchased            --       --        --      (500)    (9,540)         --           --          --       (9,540)
Compensation expense
  related to issuance of a
  warrant                           --       --       462        --         --          --           --          --          462
Tax benefit related to the
  exercise of stock options         --       --       403        --         --          --           --          --          403
Amortization of deferred
  employee compensation             --       --        --        --         --          56           --          --           56
Foreign currency
  translation adjustment            --       --        --        --         --          --         (244)         --         (244)
Net income                          --       --        --        --         --          --           --       7,886        7,886
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30,     16,163  $   162  $ 73,747        --   $     --    $   (103)    $   (286)   $ (3,514)    $ 70,006
                              =====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

          See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       29
<PAGE>

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Year ended September 30,
                                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                                1999       1998       1997
                                                                              ------------------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                                                          $  7,886   $   (838)  $ (7,876)
   Adjustments  to reconcile  net income (loss) to net cash
      provided by (used in) operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                              1,580      1,201        669
      Loss on disposal of assets                                                    --         --         51
      Debt issuance costs                                                           --         --      1,350
      Amortization of deferred compensation                                         56         56         14
      Compensation expense related to stock transfers                               --         --        330
      Compensation expense related to bonus shares issued                           --         --      1,143
      Compensation expense related to issuance of warrant                          462         --         --
      Tax benefit related to the exercise of stock options                         403         --         --
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                                                   (3,118)    (2,034)     1,221
          Inventories                                                               --         --        399
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets                             (2,582)      (354)       315
          Related party loan                                                        85      1,068       (994)
          Deferred income taxes                                                 (1,390)        --         --
          Accounts payable                                                       2,137       (581)    (1,394)
          Accrued expenses                                                       1,471        194      2,162
          Income tax liability                                                   1,919         --         --
          Deferred revenues                                                      2,146      6,204        150
                                                                              ------------------------------
              Cash  provided by (used in) operating activities                  11,055      4,916     (2,460)
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures                                                         (4,596)    (1,719)    (2,147)
   Purchase of investments                                                     (58,552)   (57,831)        --
   Proceeds from the maturity of investments                                    70,872     10,822         --
                                                                              ------------------------------
                 Cash provided by (used in) investing activities                 7,724    (48,728)    (2,147)
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Bank overdraft                                                                   --         --     (1,351)
   Proceeds from short-term notes                                                   --         --      2,500
   Payment of short-term notes                                                      --         --     (3,775)
   Payment of long-term notes                                                       --         --       (268)
   Payment of capital lease obligations                                             --         --       (244)
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net                                   3,265     57,963        430
   Purchase of treasury stock                                                   (9,540)    (5,000)      (300)
   Proceeds from issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock                 --         --     20,760
                                                                              ------------------------------
              Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   (6,275)    52,963     17,752
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                     (244)       (94)         2
                                                                              ------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                       12,260      9,057     13,147
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                  22,798     13,741        594
                                                                              ------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                      $ 35,058   $ 22,798   $ 13,741
                                                                              ==============================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
   Cash paid during the year-- interest                                       $     51   $     36   $    154
   Noncash financing activities:
      Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock                     $     --   $  1,334   $    755
      Exercise of warrants to purchase redeemable convertible Series A
          preferred stock for common stock                                    $     --   $  1,588   $     --
      Conversion of redeemable convertible Series B and C preferred stock to
          common stock                                                        $     --   $ 22,611   $     --
</TABLE>

          See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       30
<PAGE>

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Micromuse Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") develops, markets and
supports a family of scaleable, highly configurable, rapidly deployable software
solutions for the effective monitoring and management of multiple elements
underlying an enterprise's information technology infrastructure. The Company
maintains its U.S. headquarters in California and its European headquarters in
London, England.

Micromuse plc was incorporated in England in 1989 and operated in the United
States through its subsidiary, Micromuse USA Inc., a Texas corporation. In 1997,
Micromuse plc became a subsidiary of Micromuse Inc., a Delaware corporation. The
Company entered into a stock exchange agreement with the stockholders of the
English corporation in March 1997. The Company's Board of Directors approved an
exchange of one share in the English corporation for 5.9365 shares in the
Delaware corporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Delaware
corporation authorized 60.0 million shares of common stock at $0.01 par value
per share and approximately 6.0 million shares of preferred stock at $0.01 par
value per share. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
retroactively restated to give effect to the reorganization and exchange of
common stock.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated 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 condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from these estimates.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a purchased maturity of
90 days or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to credit risk consist
of cash and cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. At September
30, 1999, the Company had investments in excess of insured amounts of
approximately $34.0 million. Trade receivables potentially subject the Company
to concentrations of credit risk. The Company closely monitors extensions of
credit and has not experienced significant credit losses in the past. Credit
losses have been provided for in the consolidated financial statements and have
been within management's expectations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable
and accounts payable approximates their respective carrying amounts defined as
the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction
between willing parties.


                                       31
<PAGE>

Investments

The Company has invested in certain marketable securities that are categorized
as held-to-maturity. At September 30, 1999, the Company had invested $18.3
million in cash and money market funds, $13.6 million in debt securities issued
by U.S. government corporations and agencies and $37.8 million in equity
securities. The aggregate fair value of these investments, which are accounted
for using the amortized cost-basis of accounting, approximates their respective
carrying value defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged
in a current transaction between willing parties. Securities with maturities
between three and twelve months are considered to be short-term investments,
while securities with maturities in excess of twelve months are considered to be
long-term investments.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets, typically three years for equipment and furniture.
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful
lives of the respective assets or the lease term.

Revenue Recognition

License revenues are recognized upon the acceptance of a purchase order and
shipment of the software provided that the fee is fixed and determinable, the
arrangement does not involve significant customization of the software and
collection of the resulting receivable is probable. Allowances for credit losses
and for estimated future returns are provided for upon shipment. Credit losses
and returns to date have not been material. Maintenance revenues from ongoing
customer support and product upgrades are deferred and recognized ratably over
the term of the maintenance agreement, typically twelve months. Payments for
maintenance fees (on initial order or on renewal) are generally made in advance
and are nonrefundable. Revenues for consulting and training services are
recognized as the services are performed. In October 1997, the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition ("SOP 97-2"). SOP 97-2 generally requires revenue
earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements, such as software
products, upgrades, enhancements, post-contract customer support, installation
and training, to be allocated to each element based on the relative fair value
of the elements. The fair value of an element must be based on evidence that is
specific to the vendor. The revenue allocated to software products, including
specified upgrades or enhancements, generally is recognized upon delivery of the
products. The revenue allocated to post-contract customer support generally is
recognized ratably over the term of the support, and revenue allocated to
service elements generally is recognized as the services are performed. If
evidence of the fair value for all element arrangement does not exist, all
revenue from the arrangement is deferred until such evidence exists or until all
elements are delivered. SOP 97-2 was adopted effective October 1, 1997. There
was no material change to the Company's accounting for revenue as a result of
the adoption of SOP 97-2.

Research and Development Cost

Development costs related to software products are expensed as incurred until
the technological feasibility of the product has been established. Technological
feasibility in the Company's circumstances occurs when a working model is
completed. After technological feasibility is established, additional costs
would be capitalized. The Company believes its process for developing software
is essentially completed concurrent with the establishment of technological
feasibility, and, accordingly, no research and development costs have been
capitalized to date.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to
be recovered or settled. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if
necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits that are not expected
to be realized.


                                       32
<PAGE>

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation arrangements using the
intrinsic value method. As such, compensation expense is recorded when on the
date of grant the fair value of the underlying common stock exceeds the exercise
price for stock options or the purchase price for issuance or sales of common
stock.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the local
currency. The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign
subsidiaries to U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of
the year. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange
for the year. Translation adjustments and the effects of exchange rate changes
on intercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature are included in
stockholders' equity (deficit) in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and
losses resulting from foreign currency transactions denominated in a currency
other than the functional currency are included in income and have not been
significant to the Company's consolidated operating results in any year.

Per Share Data

Basic per share amounts are calculated using the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted per share amounts are
calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during
the period and, when dilutive, the weighted-average number of potential common
shares from the assumed conversion of the redeemable convertible preferred stock
and the exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock using the
treasury stock method. Excluded from the computation of the diluted loss per
share for the years ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 were approximately 4.5
million shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock and options to acquire
1.5 million and 1.3 million shares of common stock, respectively, with a
weighted-average exercise price of $4.78 and $2.38 per share, respectively,
because their effect would be anti-dilutive. A reconciliation of the numerators
and denominators used in the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share
amounts for fiscal 1999 follows:

                                                      Year ended September 30,
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                       1999      1998      1997
                                                    ---------------------------
Numerator for basic and diluted net income (loss)
     applicable to holders of common stock          $ 7,886  $ (2,172)  $(8,631)
                                                    ===========================
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per
     share - weighted-average shares outstanding     15,909    11,794     6,373
Dilutive effect of:
    Common stock options                              1,568        --        --
    Warrant                                              27        --        --
                                                    ---------------------------
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share  17,504    11,794     6,373
                                                    ===========================

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Effective October 1, 1998, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's (the "FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130"). SFAS 130
establishes new rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income
(loss) and its components; however, the adoption of SFAS 130 had no impact on
our net income (loss) or stockholders' equity. This Statement requires foreign
currency translation adjustments, which prior to adoption were reported
separately in stockholders' equity (deficit), to be included in other
comprehensive income (loss). Prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the requirements of SFAS 130.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 addresses the accounting for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts. Under SFAS


                                       33
<PAGE>

No. 133, entities are required to carry all derivative instruments in the
balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a
derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as
part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it. The
Company must adopt SFAS No. 133 by October 1, 2001. The Company does not
anticipate that SFAS No. 133 will have an effect on its financial statements.

In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP 98-1"). This SOP applies to
software that is acquired or developed solely for an entity's internal use and
requires the capitalization of qualifying costs in software application
development activities, which include design, coding, installation hardware and
testing. Capitalization of qualifying costs incurred in development stage
activities begins when the entity has committed to fund a particular internal
computer software project and the entity considers it probable that the
committed software will be used to perform the intended function, provided that
the entity has completed the preliminary project stage activities. Preliminary
project stage activities include the conceptual formulation and evaluation of
alternatives and the determination of the existence of needed technology.
Qualifying capitalizable computer software costs include the external direct
costs of materials and services and the payroll related costs of employees who
are directly involved with the internal project. All other costs related to the
project are expensed as incurred.

SOP 98-1 will be effective for internal use computer software costs incurred in
future years commencing with our fiscal year beginning October 1, 1999. The
Company has followed an accounting policy of expensing as incurred all costs
related to software developed for internal use and intends to continue this
policy until the effective date of SOP 98-1. The Company has not yet determined
whether the adoption of SOP 98-1 will have a material effect on our financial
position or results of operations.

In December 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position No. 98-9, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to
Certain Arrangements ("SOP 98-9"), which requires the recognition of revenue
using the "residual method" in a multiple element arrangement when fair value
does not exist for one or more of the delivered elements in the arrangement.
Under the "residual method", the total fair value of the undelivered elements is
deferred and subsequently recognized in accordance with SOP 97-2. The Company
will adopt SOP 98-9 by October 1, 1999 and does not expect a material change to
its accounting for revenues as a result of the provisions of SOP 98-9.

Note 2. Discontinued Operations

In July 1997, the Company adopted a formal plan to discontinue its Systems
Integration division based in England. In September 1997, the Company sold the
division for approximately $400,000 in cash, net of fees. The disposition of the
division has been accounted for as a discontinued operation in accordance with
APB Opinion No. 30 and prior period consolidated financial statements have been
restated to reflect the discontinuation of the Systems Integration business.
Revenues from discontinued operations were $15.7 million in fiscal 1997. The
loss from discontinued operations of $104,000 in fiscal 1997 represents the
operation's operating loss. The gain on disposal of discontinued operations of
$1.2 million in fiscal 1997 represents the gain on disposal of the operation
including net income from operations of $256,000 from the measurement date to
the disposal date.

Note 3. Balance Sheet Components (in thousands):

                                                      As of September 30,
                                                     --------------------
      Property and equipment:                          1999        1998
                                                     --------------------

         Computer equipment                          $  6,413     $ 4,450
         Furniture and fixtures                         1,342       1,096
         Leasehold improvements                         1,507         138
         Other                                          1,212         350
                                                     --------------------
                                                       10,474       6,034
         Accumulated depreciation                      (4,490)     (3,066)
                                                     --------------------
                                                     $  5,984     $ 2,968
                                                     ====================
      Accrued expenses:
           Payroll and commission related            $  2,844     $ 1,693
           Other                                        1,954       1,634
                                                     --------------------
                                                     $  4,798     $ 3,327
                                                     ====================


                                       34
<PAGE>

Note 4. Related Party Transactions

In July 1997, the Company repurchased, from a stockholder who was an officer and
a director, 120,000 shares of common stock at $2.50 per share for a total price
of $300,000.

In November 1997, the Company repurchased, from a stockholder who was an officer
and a director, 777,605 shares of common stock at $6.43 per share for a total
price of $5.0 million. The stockholder used a portion of the proceeds to repay
an interest-free loan from the Company.

Note 5. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity
(Deficit)

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

A $3.0 million line of credit was made available to the Company in March 1997.
Interest under the line of credit was at no more than prime plus 2% and funds
drawn were to be used to finance an acquisition or other vehicle of growth as
approved by the Board of Directors. The $3.0 million line of credit was
available as of September 30, 1997. If exercised, the line of credit became due
and payable upon the earliest of a qualified public offering, a qualified
acquisition, or expiration of the Series A warrant issued in conjunction with
the line of credit. During fiscal 1997, the Company drew down $1.0 million,
which was repaid as of September 30, 1997. The warrant expired on the earlier of
March 2002, or the closing date of a public offering, merger, or acquisition of
the Company. The warrant issued in conjunction with the line of credit allowed
the holder to purchase 1.5 million shares of the Series A preferred stock at an
exercise price of $2.00 per share. The warrant was initially recorded at fair
value of $1.4 million, which was included in the carrying value of the Series A
preferred stock and treated as a debt issuance cost. This cost was amortized to
interest expense over the period from the date of issuance to the anticipated
date of the initial public offering, which resulted in a non-cash interest
charge of $300,000 and $1.1 million in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Under
the terms of the initial public offering, all the outstanding shares of Series B
and Series C preferred stock were converted into 2.0 million shares and 2.4
million shares of common stock, respectively, upon the closing of the IPO. In
addition, a warrant to purchase Series A preferred stock was converted into 1.5
million shares of common stock.

Common Stock

In March 1997, approximately 450,000 shares of common stock were issued to
stockholders as bonuses. The Company recorded compensation expense of
approximately $1.1 million for the fair market value of such shares. During
fiscal 1997, the principal stockholders transferred shares of common stock to
certain employees. The Company recorded compensation expense of $210,000 for the
difference between the fair market value and the transfer price of the common
stock.

In February 1998, the Company raised $34.2 million of net proceeds from the sale
of 3.2 million shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to its IPO.

In July 1998, the Company raised $22.9 million of net proceeds from the sale of
1.0 million shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to a follow-on public
offering.

Treasury Stock

In July 1997, the Company repurchased, from a stockholder who is an officer and
a director, 120,000 shares of common stock at $2.50 per share for a total price
of $300,000.

In November 1997, the Company repurchased, from a stockholder who is an officer
and a director, 777,605 shares of common stock at $6.43 per share for a total
price of $5.0 million. The stockholder used a portion of the proceeds to repay
an interest-free loan from the Company.

In October 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1.5
million shares, or approximately 9% of our outstanding common stock. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had repurchased 0.5 million shares of its
outstanding common stock for approximately $9.5 million pursuant to the
repurchase program. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock and are
available for


                                       35
<PAGE>

general corporate purposes including issuance under our stock option and
employee stock purchase plans. In January 1999, the Company announced the
termination of the repurchase program. As of September 30, 1999, all the shares
of treasury stock had been reissued.

Stock Option Plan

Under the Company's 1997 and 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plans (the
"Plans"), options to purchase shares of common stock may be granted to
employees, officers, directors and consultants (officers and directors are not
eligible for grants under the 1998 Plan). Because the warrant to purchase 1.5
million shares of Series A was exercised upon the IPO, options to purchase an
additional 166,666 shares of common stock were reserved under the Plans. The
Plans provides for the issuance of incentive and non-statutory options that must
be granted at an exercise price not less than 100% and 85% of the fair market
value of the common stock on the date of grant, respectively (110% if the person
to whom the option is granted is a 10% stockholder). Incentive options may only
be granted to employees under the 1997 Plan. Options generally vest over four
years from the date of grant. The options expire between five and ten years from
the grant date, and any vested options must normally be exercised within three
months after termination of employment. The Plans are administered by the
Company's Board of Directors and its Compensation Committee.

A summary of the status of the Company's options under the Plans is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Outstanding options
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
                                           Number of   Weighted-average   Weighted-average
                                             shares     exercise price       fair value
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Balance as of September 30, 1996             575,379           $   2.43             $   --
  Granted at greater than market value       269,992               2.50               1.25
  Granted at market value                    640,856               2.55               0.43
  Exercised                                  (36,320)              3.50                 --
  Canceled                                  (137,821)              3.31                 --
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30, 1997           1,312,086               2.38                 --
  Granted at market value                    465,924              10.86               6.76
  Exercised                                 (119,324)              2.06                 --
  Canceled                                  (178,295)              4.88                 --
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30, 1998           1,480,391               4.78                 --
  Granted at market value                  2,241,963              27.50              15.87
  Exercised                                 (488,860)              3.76                 --
  Canceled                                  (122,380)             12.12                 --
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
Balance as of September 30, 1999           3,111,114           $  21.02             $   --
                                       ===================================================
</TABLE>

As of September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, there were 474,168; 502,094 and 267,687
fully vested and exercisable shares, with weighted-average exercise prices of
$6.51, $2.46 and $1.97, respectively. As of September 30, 1999, approximately
477,890 shares were available for grant. The following table summarizes
information concerning outstanding and exercisable options under the Plans
outstanding as of September 30, 1999:

                             Outstanding
                -------------------------------------         Exercisable
                              Weighted-     Weighted-  -------------------------
  Range of                     Average       average                Weighted-
  exercise       Number of  Remaining life  exercise     Number      average
   prices          shares     (in years)      price    of shares  exercise price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.03 - $8.00      864,826            5.76   $  4.00     407,080         $  3.38
 8.50 - 25.13      792,056            8.14     12.86      26,087           19.02
25.50 - 35.13    1,028,400            8.96     29.95      40,990           29.60
35.31 - 50.00      274,111            7.31     43.85          11           39.00
50.38 - 65.50      151,721            7.74     58.60          --              --
                ----------                              --------
        Total    3,111,114            7.66   $ 21.02     474,168         $  6.51
                ==========                              ========


                                       36
<PAGE>

The Company uses the intrinsic value-based method to account for all of its
employee stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has
been recognized for its stock options in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements because the fair value of the underlying common stock equals or
exceeds the exercise price of the stock options at the date of grant, except
with respect to certain options issued in 1996 and during fiscal 1997. The
Company has recorded deferred stock compensation expense of $167,000 and
$229,000 for the difference at the grant date between the exercise price and the
fair value of the common stock underlying the options issued in September 1996
and fiscal 1997, respectively. The $167,000 was amortized in fiscal 1996 as the
options were fully vested upon issuance and $14,000, $56,000 and $56,000 of the
$229,000 was amortized in fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, as the
options vest over four years.

Had compensation cost for the Company's stock options been determined in a
manner consistent with SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation",
the Company's fiscal 1999 net income would have decreased by $4.7 million while
the fiscal 1998 and 1997 net loss would have increased by $733,000 and $47,000,
respectively, and the diluted earnings (loss) per share would have been $0.18,
$(0.25) and $(1.36) for fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during 1999,
1998 and 1997 was $15.87, $6.76 and $0.67, respectively, on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes pricing model (for fiscal 1999 and 1998) and the minimum
value method (for fiscal 1997), with the following weighted assumptions: 1999 --
expected dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 5.8%, expected
volatility of 70%, expected forfeiture rate of 30% and expected life of four
years; 1998 -- expected dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 5.6%,
expected volatility of 80%, expected forfeiture rate of 25% and expected life of
four years; 1997 -- expected dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of
6.28%, and expected life of three years.

The per share weighted-average fair values of Employee Stock Purchase Plan
shares granted during fiscal 1999 and 1998 were $6.41 and $4.88, respectively,
calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted
assumptions: 1999 - expected dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of
5.3%, expected volatility of 70%, and expected life of 0.5 years; 1998 expected
dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 5.2%, expected volatility of
80%, and expected life of 0.5 years.

In July 1997, 120,000 shares were issued to two directors at $2.50 per share,
under the 1997 Plan. The Company has recorded stock compensation expense of
$120,000, for the difference between the issuance price and the fair market
value of the common stock.

1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In January 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Company's 1998 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP") to provide employees of the Company with an
opportunity to purchase common stock through payroll deductions. Under the ESPP
300,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance as of September
30, 1999. The ESPP became effective at the time of the IPO. All full-time
regular employees who are employed by the Company are eligible to participate in
the.

Eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their total cash compensation to
the ESPP. Amounts withheld are applied at the end of every six-month
accumulation period to purchase shares of common stock, but not more than 1,250
shares per accumulation period. The value of the common stock (determined as of
the beginning of the offering period) that may be purchased by any participant
in a calendar year is limited to $25,000. Participants may withdraw their
contributions at any time before stock is purchased.

The purchase price is equal to 85% of the lower of (a) the market price of
common stock immediately before the beginning of the applicable offering period
or (b) the market price of common stock at the time of the purchase. In general,
each offering period is 24 months long, but a new offering period begins every
six months. Thus, up to four overlapping offering periods may be in effect at
the same time. An offering period continues to apply to a participant for the
full 24 months, unless the market price of common stock is lower when a
subsequent offering period begins. In that event, the subsequent offering period
automatically becomes the applicable period for purposes of determining the
purchase price. The first accumulation and offering periods commenced on
February 13, 1998, the effective date of the IPO. The first accumulation period
ended on July 31, 1998, and the first offering period will end on January 31,
2000. A total of 126,259 and 61,596 shares of the Company's common stock were
issued under the ESPP in fiscal 1999 and 1998, respectively, at prices ranging
from $10.20 per share to $ 25.98 per share.


                                       37
<PAGE>

Note 6. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was as follows (in thousands):

                                        Year ended September 30,
                                   --------------------------------
      Current:                       1999         1998        1997
                                   --------------------------------
         Federal                   $    28      $    83     $    --
         State                          73           67          --
         Foreign                     1,634           --          --
                                   --------------------------------
           Total Current           $ 1,735      $   150     $    --
      Deferred:
         Federal                   $  (712)     $    --     $    --
         State                         (41)          --          --
         Foreign                      (142)          --          --
                                   --------------------------------
           Total Deferred          $  (895)     $    --     $    --
                                   --------------------------------
                                   $   840      $   150     $    --
                                   ================================

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of deferred tax assets are presented below (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                As of September 30,
                                                                ------------------
                                                                  1999       1998
                                                                ------------------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>
Various accruals and reserves not deductible for tax purposes   $   295    $   521
Net operating loss carry-forwards                                 3,794      2,448
Property and equipment                                              117        109
Other                                                                64        177
AMT credit carry-forwards                                           126         58
                                                                ------------------
     Total deferred tax assets                                    4,396      3,313
Valuation allowance                                              (3,006)    (3,313)
                                                                ------------------
          Net deferred tax assets                                 1,390    $    --
                                                                ==================
</TABLE>

Income (loss) before income taxes was comprised as follows (in thousands):

                              Year ended September 30,
                          -------------------------------
                           1999        1998         1997
                          -------------------------------
      United States       $1,373     $   667      $(4,931)
      International        7,353      (1,355)      (4,002)
                          -------------------------------
                Total     $8,726     $  (688)     $(8,933)
                          ===============================

Total income tax expense from continuing operations differs from expected income
tax expense (computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate of
34% to profit (loss) before taxes), as follows (in thousands):

                                                       Year ended September 30,
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          1999    1998     1997
                                                       ------------------------
Income tax expense (benefit) at federal statutory rate $ 2,837   $(234) $(2,532)
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit       21      44       --
Permanent differences                                       63      56       --
(Utilized) unutilized losses                            (1,222)    284    2,514
Change in deferred tax asset                              (859)     --       --
Other                                                       --      --       18
                                                       ------------------------
                                                       $   840   $ 150  $    --
                                                       ========================


                                       38
<PAGE>

As of September 30, 1999, the Company had net operating losses for federal and
state purposes of approximately $9.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively,
available to offset taxable income in future years. The federal net operating
losses will expire, if not utilized, in 2019. The state net operating losses
will expire, if not utilized, in 2004. Federal and state tax laws impose
substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards
in the event of an "ownership change," as defined in Section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Company has not yet determined whether an ownership change
occurred due to significant stock transactions in each of the reporting years
disclosed. If an ownership change has occurred, utilization of the net operating
loss carry-forwards could be significantly reduced. Additionally, loss
carry-forwards of either Micromuse Inc. or Micromuse USA Inc. cannot be utilized
against future profits generated by the other company.

Note 7. Defined Contribution Plan

In February 1998, the Company adopted a defined contribution plan (the "Plan")
in the United States pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code
(the "Code"). All eligible full and part-time employees of the Company who meet
certain age requirements may participate in the Plan. Participants may
contribute up to 20% of their pre-tax compensation, but not in excess of the
maximum allowable under the Code. The Plan allows for discretionary
contributions by the Company. Such matching contributions vest based on the
participant's length of service. In addition, the Company may make
profit-sharing contributions at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The
Company made no contributions during fiscal 1999 and 1998.

Note 8. Geographic and Segment Information

During 1999 the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 131, Disclosure about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. SFAS No. 131 establishes
standards for the reporting by public business enterprises of information about
operating segments, products and services, geographic areas, and major
customers. The method for determining what information to report is based on the
way that management organizes the operating segments within the Company for
making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance.

The Company's chief operating decision-maker is considered to be the Company's
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). The CEO reviews financial information presented
on a consolidated basis accompanied by information by geographic region for
purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.
Therefore, the Company operates as a single operating segment: Fault and Service
Level Management Software.

The Company markets its products primarily from its operations in the United
States. International sales are primarily to customers in France, Germany and
the United Kingdom. Information regarding operations in different geographic
regions is as follows (in thousands):

                                                      Year ended September 30,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1999      1998       1997
                                                   ----------------------------
      Revenues:
        United States                              $41,208  $ 17,242   $  4,810
        International                               16,862    11,019      4,482
                                                   ----------------------------
                Total                              $58,070  $ 28,261   $  9,292
                                                   ============================
      Income (loss) from continuing operations:
        United States                              $ 2,297  $    517   $ (4,931)
        International                                5,589    (1,355)    (4,002)
                                                   ----------------------------
                Total                              $ 7,886  $   (838)  $ (8,933)
                                                   ============================

                                                        As of September 30,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                    1999      1998       1997
                                                   ----------------------------
      Identifiable assets:
        United States                              $79,208  $ 71,377   $ 15,398
        International                               11,397     9,267      7,342
        Assets related to discontinued operations       --        --         --
                                                   ----------------------------
                Total                              $90,605  $ 80,644   $ 22,740
                                                   ============================

Intercompany transfers between geographic areas are accounted for using the
transfer prices in effect for subsidiaries.


                                       39
<PAGE>

Note 9. Commitments

The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable
operating leases. The lease agreements expire at various dates during the next
10 years.

Rent expense was approximately $1,408,800, $907,925 and $538,000 for the years
ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Future minimum lease
payments under non-cancelable operating leases will be approximately $1.8
million, $1.6 million, $1.2 million, $937,000, $937,000 and $997,000 for each of
the years in the five-year period and thereafter, respectively.

Note 10. Management

In February 1999, the Company announced that Gregory Q. Brown would join the
Company as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and on February 17,
1999, he joined the Company as a full-time employee. The Company incurred
approximately $0.7 million of executive recruiting costs related to the hiring
of Mr. Brown. Included in this amount was a charge related to the fair value of
the warrant issued to the executive search firm to purchase 26,667 shares of our
common stock at a price of $29.63 per share, cash fees paid to the executive
search firm and certain relocation costs. The charge for the warrant was
determined in a manner consistent with SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" by using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following
assumptions: expected dividend yield of 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 5.5%,
expected volatility of 50%, and expected life of seven years.

Note 11. Subsequent Event

On November 2, 1999, the Company entered into, and subsequently closed, an
agreement to acquire Calvin Alexander Networking, Inc. ("CAN"), a privately-held
company that develops leading-edge network auto-discovery technology. Under the
terms of the acquisition agreement, Micromuse will issue approximately $42
million worth of its common stock to acquire CAN, based on the closing price on
November 2, 1999. The transaction is to be accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting and is to be treated as a tax-free reorganization for
federal income tax purposes. Certain agreements have been made to promote the
retention and motivation of CAN employees. A portion of the consideration for
the transaction is subject to a one-year lock-up agreement and a one-year price
guarantee.


                                       40
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Micromuse Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Micromuse Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1999. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.

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 provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Micromuse Inc. and
subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended September 30, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

KPMG LLP
Mountain View, California
October 23, 1999, except as to Note 11 which is as of November 2, 1999


                                       41
<PAGE>

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosures

None.

                                    PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table provides certain information regarding the executive
officers of the Company as of September 30, 1999:

Name                 Age   Position
- -----------------    ---   ----------------------------------------------------
Gregory Q. Brown      39   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen A. Allott     41   President and Chief Financial Officer
James B. De Golia     50   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Michael Donohue       40   Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Operations
Peter Shearan         35   Senior Vice President, Technical Services

Gregory Q. Brown was named Chairman and CEO of Micromuse Inc. on February 17,
1999. His 19 years of high-tech experience includes leadership positions in the
telecommunications, data networking, cable TV and computer software industries.
From September 1996 until joining Micromuse Inc., Brown served as president of
Ameritech Custom Business Services, a unit of Ameritech Corporation that
provides large business customers with custom communications and information
technology. This $1.4 billion unit served many Fortune 500 companies as a single
source for the provisioning and management of network and desktop-based voice,
data, video, and local-access services. For the three years prior to his
position at Custom Business Services, Brown was president of Ameritech New Media
Inc. As president, Brown was responsible for all of Ameritech's consumer cable
TV operations. Additionally Brown was a member of the board of directors of
Americast, the video programming joint venture involving Ameritech, The Walt
Disney Company, GTE, Bell South, and Southern New England Telephone. Before
joining Ameritech in 1987, Brown held a variety of sales and marketing positions
with AT&T in Detroit Michigan for five years. He also worked for the IBM Company
in various sales and support capacities in the early 1980s. Mr. Brown received
his degree in Economics from Rutgers University in June 1982.

Stephen A. Allott was appointed to the Board of Directors and named President in
October 1998. Mr. Allott has served as Chief Financial Officer since July 1998.
Mr. Allott served as the Company's Senior Vice President, Finance from September
1997 to July 1998. From June 1997 to September 1997, Mr. Allott served as Vice
President, Global Telco Industry. From April 1996 to September 1997, Mr. Allott
served as Managing Director, Micromuse Europe. From September 1995 to April 1996
he served as the Company's Business Development Director. Mr. Allott has also
been a director of Micromuse plc since March 1996. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Allott served as a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company from
September 1990 to September 1995. From May 1988 to September 1990, Mr. Allott
served as United Kingdom legal counsel for Sun Microsystems, UK. Mr. Allott
received his M.A., Law from Trinity College, Cambridge and was called to the
English Bar at Gray's Inn.

James B. De Golia became Senior Vice President in September 1999 having joined
Micromuse in January 1999 as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
Previously, Mr. De Golia was Vice President and General Counsel of N.E.T. Prior
to that, Mr. De Golia was Counsel at Xerox Corporation. He received his B.A.
from the University of California at Irvine and his J.D. from the University of
California, Hastings College of the Law.

Michael Donohue, joined Micromuse as Vice President, Western Region Sales in
December 1998. He was promoted to his present position to direct Micromuse's
North American direct and channels sales forces in March 1999. Before joining
Micromuse, Mr. Donohue held senior vice president and corporate officer
positions at Computer Associates. At Computer Associates, Mr. Donohue was
responsible for selling to organizations with revenues in excess of $100 million
in the western states. In addition, he was part of the sales team that launched
the CA Unicenter(R) enterprise management software line.

Peter Shearan has served as the Company's Senior Vice President, Technical
Services since April 1998. From February 1996 to March 1998, Mr. Shearan served
as the Company's Vice President, Technical Services. From November 1995 to
February 1996, Mr. Shearan served as Senior Consultant in the Company's Netcool
Business Development department. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Shearan
served as a systems manager for British Telecommunications from June 1984 to
November 1995. Mr. Shearan received his Qualifications in Computer Science from
Southbank University, London.


                                       42
<PAGE>

The information regarding Directors who are nominated for re-election required
by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled
"Proposal No. 1 -- Election of Directors" of the Proxy Statement.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference from the
section entitled "Executive Compensation" of the Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from the
section entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management" of the Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference from the
section entitled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" of the Proxy
Statement.

                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)(1) Financial Statements

            See the Consolidated Statements beginning on page 27 of this Form
            10-K.

      (2) Financial Statement Schedule

            See the Financial Statement Schedule at page 45 of this Form 10-K.

      (3) Exhibits

            See Exhibit Index at page 46 of this Form 10-K.

(b) Current report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 1998.

(c) See Exhibit Index at page 46 of this Form 10-K.

(d) See the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 27 and Financial
Statement Schedule at page 45 of this Form 10-K.


                                       43
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                             MICROMUSE INC.


                             By:             /s/ Stephen A. Allott
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                Stephen A. Allott
                                 Director, President and Chief Financial Officer
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)
                                            Date: December 28, 1999

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons, on behalf of the Registrant in
the capacities indicated:

          Name                           Title                       Date


/s/ Gregory Q. Brown      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer December 28, 1999
- -------------------------    (Principal Executive Officer)
(Gregory Q. Brown)


/s/ Stephen A. Allott           Director, President and        December 28, 1999
- -------------------------       Chief Financial Officer
(Stephen A. Allott)          (Principal Financial Officer)


/s/ Michael E.W. Jackson                Director               December 28, 1999
- -------------------------
(Michael E.W. Jackson)


/s/ David C. Schwab                     Director               December 28, 1999
- -------------------------
(David C. Schwab)


/s/ Kathleen M.H. Wallman               Director               December 28, 1999
- -------------------------
(Kathleen M.H. Wallman)


                                       44
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE II

                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                  Year Ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Balance at    Charged to               Balance at
                                                Beginning    Costs and                  End of
Description                                     of Period     Expenses    Deductions    Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
Year Ended September 30, 1999:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns        $153          $411        $(282)       $282
Year Ended September 30, 1998:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns          --           178          (25)        153
Year Ended September 30, 1997:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns          --            --           --          --
</TABLE>


                                       45
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                                   Description
- ------                                   -----------

2.1+        Agreement for the sale of the systems integration business of
            Micromuse plc by and among Micromuse plc, Horizon Open Systems (UK)
            Limited and Horizon Computer Services Limited, dated as of September
            16, 1997.

3.1++       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
            to date.

3.2++       Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.

4.1++       Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 10.4.

4.2+        Specimen Common Stock certificate.

10.1+       Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between the Registrant and
            its directors and officers.

10.2        1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan and forms of agreements
            thereunder, as amended.

10.3+       1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.4+       Amended and Restated Investors' Rights Agreement by and among the
            Registrant and certain stockholders of the Registrant, dated as of
            September 8, 1997.

10.5+       Office lease dated as of March 25, 1997, by and between the
            Registrant and SOMA Partners, L.P.

10.6+       Office lease dated as of March 3, 1997, by and between Micromuse
            plc, Marldown Limited and Christopher J. Dawes.

10.7+       Office lease dated as of March 3, 1993, by and between Micromuse
            plc, Guildquote Limited and Christopher J. Dawes.

10.8+       Agreement for the sale of the systems integration business of
            Micromuse plc dated as of September 16, 1997. Reference is made to
            Exhibit 2.1.

10.9        1998 Non-Officer Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan and forms of
            agreements thereunder.

10.10       Employment Agreement as of February 17, 1999, by and between Gregory
            Q. Brown and Micromuse Inc.

10.11       Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Micromuse Inc.,
            CAN Acquisition Corp. and Calvin Alexander Networking, Inc.

21.1+       Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1        Report on Schedule and Consent of Independent Auditors 27.1
            Financial Data Schedule

- ----------

+     Incorporated by reference from the exhibit of the same number in the
      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
      333-42177) as filed with the SEC on February 12, 1998.

++    Incorporated by reference from the exhibit of the same number in the
      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
      333-58975) as filed with the SEC on July 28, 1998.


                                       46



                                  Exhibit 10.11

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                  BY AND AMONG

                                 MICROMUSE INC.,

                             CAN ACQUISITION CORP.,

                       CALVIN ALEXANDER NETWORKING, INC.,

                          ADAM FORBES AND MICHAEL WOOD


                                November 2, 1999
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

ARTICLE I THE MERGER.........................................................1
      1.1  The Merger........................................................1
      1.2  Closing; Effective Time...........................................2
      1.3  Effect of the Merger..............................................2
      1.4  Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws..............................2
      1.5  Directors and Officers............................................2
      1.6  Effect on Capital Stock...........................................2
      1.7  Surrender of Certificates.........................................4
      1.8  No Further Ownership Rights in Target Capital Stock...............5
      1.9  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates............................6
      1.10  Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.......................6
      1.11  Tax-Free Reorganization..........................................6

ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET..........................6
      2.1  Organization, Standing and Power..................................7
      2.2  Capital Structure.................................................7
      2.3  Authority.........................................................7
      2.4  Financial Statements..............................................8
      2.5  Absence of Certain Changes........................................8
      2.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................9
      2.7  Litigation........................................................9
      2.8  Restrictions on Business Activities...............................9
      2.9  Governmental Authorization........................................9
      2.10  Title to Property................................................9
      2.11  Intellectual Property...........................................10
      2.12  Taxes...........................................................11
      2.13  Employee Benefit Plans..........................................13
      2.14  Employees and Consultants.......................................14
      2.15  Related-Party Transactions......................................15
      2.16  Insurance.......................................................15
      2.17  Compliance with Laws............................................16
      2.18  Brokers'and Finders'Fees........................................16
      2.19  Voting Agreement; Irrevocable Proxies...........................16
      2.20  Vote Required...................................................16
      2.21  No Breach of Material Contracts.................................16
      2.22  Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus..............16
      2.23  Complete Copies of Materials....................................17
      2.24  Review of Acquiror's SEC Filings................................17
      2.25  Board Approval..................................................17
      2.26  Section 203 of Delaware Law Not Applicable......................17
      2.27  Dissenter's Rights..............................................17
      2.28  Representations Complete........................................17


                                       i
<PAGE>

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB.......17
      3.1  Organization, Standing and Power.................................18
      3.2  Capital Structure................................................18
      3.3  Authority........................................................19
      3.4  SEC Documents; Financial Statements..............................20
      3.5  Absence of Certain Changes.......................................20
      3.6  Litigation.......................................................20
      3.7  Compliance with Laws.............................................21
      3.8  Board Approval...................................................21
      3.9  Representations Complete.........................................21

ARTICLE IV CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME..............................21
      4.1  Conduct of Business of Target....................................21
      4.2  Notices..........................................................24

ARTICLE V ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.............................................24
      5.1  No Solicitation..................................................24
      5.2  Preparation of Information Statement/Proxy Statement.............25
      5.3  Stockholders Meeting or Consent Solicitation.....................25
      5.4  Access to Information............................................25
      5.5  Public Disclosure................................................26
      5.6  Consents; Cooperation............................................26
      5.7  Update Disclosure; Breaches......................................27
      5.8  Voting and Proxy Agreements......................................27
      5.9  Assignment of Target Lease.......................................27
      5.10  Assignment and Recruitment of Developers........................27
      5.11  Legal Requirements..............................................28
      5.12  Additional Agreements; Commercially Reasonable Efforts..........28
      5.13  Employee Benefits...............................................28
      5.14  Intentionally Left Blank........................................28
      5.15  Registration Requirements.......................................28
      5.16  Issuance of Additional Shares...................................33
      5.17  "Market Stand-Off"Agreement.....................................34

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.........................................35
      6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger.....35
      6.2  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Target...................36
      6.3  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror and
           Merger Sub ......................................................36

ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.....................38
      7.1  Termination......................................................38
      7.2  Effect of Termination............................................39
      7.3  Expenses.........................................................39
      7.4  Amendment........................................................39
      7.5  Extension; Waiver................................................39


                                       ii
<PAGE>

ARTICLE XIII INDEMNIFICATION................................................40
      8.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants............40
      8.2  Indemnity........................................................40
      8.3  Intentionally Left Blank.........................................41
      8.4  Intentionally Left Blank.........................................41

ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................41
      9.1  Notices..........................................................41
      9.2  Interpretation...................................................42
      9.3  Counterparts.....................................................42
      9.4  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries...................42
      9.5  Severability.....................................................43
      9.6  Remedies Cumulative..............................................43
      9.7  Governing Law....................................................43
      9.8  Assignment.......................................................43
      9.9  Rules of Construction............................................43

SCHEDULES

Target Disclosure Letter
Acquiror Disclosure Letter


                                      iii
<PAGE>

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A                   Certificate of Merger
Exhibit B                   Intentionally Omitted
Exhibit C                   Voting and Proxy Agreements
Exhibit D-1, D-2 and D-3    Founders' Employment Agreements
Exhibit E                   Key Employee Employment Agreements
Exhibit F                   Non-Competition Agreements


                                       iv
<PAGE>

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

            This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of November 2, 1999, by and among Micromuse Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Acquiror"), CAN Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Merger
Sub"), Calvin Alexander Networking, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Target"), and
each of the undersigned stockholders of Target (each a "Target Stockholder" or
"Founder") and, collectively, the "Target Stockholders" or "Founders"). Certain
other capitalized terms used in this Agreement are as defined herein.

                                    RECITALS

            WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub
believe it is in the best interests of their respective companies and the
stockholders of their respective companies that Target and Merger Sub combine
into a single company through the statutory merger of Target with and into
Merger Sub (the "Merger") and, in furtherance thereof, have approved the Merger.

            WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger, among other things, each
outstanding share of common stock of Target, par value $0.01 per share and each
outstanding share of preferred stock of Target, par value $0.01 per share
(collectively, the "Target Capital Stock"), shall be converted into cash and/or
shares of common stock of Acquiror, $0.01 par value (the "Acquiror Common
Stock"), at the rates set forth herein.

            WHEREAS, Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub desire to make certain
representations and warranties and other agreements in connection with the
Merger.

            WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the Merger
qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and
representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

            1.1 The Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2)
and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
Certificate of Merger attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Certificate of
Merger"), and the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware ("Delaware Law"), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
Target, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Target
shall continue as the surviving corporation. Target as the surviving corporation
after the Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Surviving
Corporation."
<PAGE>

            1.2 Closing; Effective Time. The closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby (the "Closing") shall take place as soon as practicable
after the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article
VI hereof or at such other time as the parties hereto agree (the date on which
the Closing shall occur, the "Closing Date"). The Closing shall take place at
the offices of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP,
155 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025, or at such other location
as the parties hereto agree. On the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall cause
the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant
provisions of Delaware Law (the time and date of such filing being the
"Effective Time" and the "Effective Date," respectively).

            1.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the
Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of Target and Merger Sub shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Target and
Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.

            1.4 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.

                  (a) At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of
Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
amended as provided by Delaware Law and such Certificate of Incorporation.

                  (b) The Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended.

            1.5 Directors and Officers. At the Effective Time, the directors of
Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the
Surviving Corporation, to hold office until such time as such directors resign,
are removed or their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified. The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, to hold office until such
time as such officers resign, are removed or their respective successors are
duly elected or appointed and qualified.

            1.6 Effect on Capital Stock. By virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of Acquiror, Merger Sub, Target, the Target Stockholders or
the holders of any of Target's securities:

                  (a) Conversion of Target Capital Stock. The total amount of
consideration (consisting of shares of Acquiror Common Stock valued as set forth
below and cash) to be issued in exchange for the acquisition by Acquiror of all
outstanding target capital stock ("Outstanding Target Stock") shall be equal to
thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) (the "Total Consideration").

                  (b) The amount of Total Consideration allocable to the
outstanding Target Series A Preferred Stock (the "Series A Consideration") shall
be $3,000,000 and the


                                       2
<PAGE>

amount of the Series A Consideration to be allocated to each holder of Target
Series A Preferred Stock shall equal the product of the Series A Consideration
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Target Series A Preferred Stock owned by such holder and the denominator of
which is the total number of shares of Target Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding. On or before the fifth (5th) day preceding the Closing Date each
holder of Target Series A Preferred Stock may elect to receive in cash all or
any portion of such holder's allocated amount of the Series A Consideration by
delivering a written notice of such election, setting forth the amount to be
received in cash, to Acquiror. The portion of such holder's allocated amount of
the Series A Consideration which such holder does not so elect to receive in
cash, if any, shall be received in shares of Acquiror Common Stock, the number
of which shall be determined by dividing (A) the amount by which the holder's
total allocated amount of the Series A Consideration exceeds the amount of cash,
if any, that the holder elects to receive, by (B) $68.36 (the "Stock Price"). At
the Effective Time, each holder's shares of Target Series A Preferred Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares to be cancelled pursuant to Section 1.6(d) and Dissenting Shares (as
defined in Section 1.6(h)) will be canceled and extinguished, and all such
shares converted automatically into (i) the amount of cash and (ii) the number
of shares of Acquiror Common Stock determined as set forth above, such shares of
Acquiror Common Stock being hereinafter referred to in the aggregate as the
"Series A--Stock Consideration."

                  (c) The amount of Total Consideration allocable to the
outstanding Target Common Stock (the "Common Stock Consideration") shall be
$27,000,000. The Common Stock Consideration shall be comprised of 394,968 shares
of Acquiror Common Stock (the "Common Stock - Stock Consideration") obtained by
dividing (A) the Common Stock Consideration by (B) the Stock Price. At the
Effective Time, each share of Target Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be cancelled
pursuant to Section 1.6(d) and Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 1.6 (h))
will be canceled and extinguished and converted automatically into the right to
receive a number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the Common Stock -
Stock Consideration divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares of
Target Common Stock.

                  (d) Cancellation of Target Capital Stock Owned by Acquiror or
Target. At the Effective Time, all shares of Target Capital Stock that are owned
by Target as treasury stock, each share of Target Capital Stock owned by
Acquiror or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror or Target
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished
without any conversion thereof.

                  (e) Capital Stock of Merger Sub. At the Effective Time, each
share of Common Stock, no par value, of Merger Sub ("Merger Sub Common Stock"),
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to
evidence ownership of one share of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

                  (f) Adjustments to Exchange Ratio. Each exchange ratio
calculated as provided in this Section 1.6 shall be adjusted to reflect fully
the effect of any stock split, reverse split, stock dividend (including any
dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Acquiror Common Stock or
Target Capital Stock), reorganization, recapitalization or other like


                                       3
<PAGE>

change with respect to Acquiror Common Stock or Target Capital Stock occurring
after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time.

                  (g) Fractional Shares. No fraction of a share of Acquiror
Common Stock will be issued, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares of Target
Capital Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of
Acquiror Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Acquiror
Common Stock to be received by such holder) shall receive from Acquiror an
amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent) equal to the product of (i)
such fraction, multiplied by (ii) the Stock Price.

                  (h) Dissenters' Rights. If, as of the Effective Time, holders
of the issued and outstanding Target Capital Stock are entitled to dissenters'
rights under Delaware Law and have properly exercised and not lost such
dissenters' rights with respect to dissenting shares in connection with the
Merger, such shares of Target Capital Stock ("Dissenting Shares") shall not be
converted into and shall not represent a right to receive the merger
consideration, but shall be converted into the right to receive such
consideration as may be determined to be due with respect to such dissenting
shares.

            1.7 Surrender of Certificates.

                  (a) Exchange Agent. ChaseMellon Shareholder Services shall act
as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger.

                  (b) Acquiror to Provide Common Stock. Promptly after the
Effective Time, Acquiror shall make available to the Exchange Agent for exchange
in accordance with this Article I, through such reasonable procedures as
Acquiror may adopt, the cash and shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable
pursuant to Section 1.6 in exchange for shares of Target Capital Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

                  (c) Exchange Procedures. Promptly after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates (the "Certificates") that immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Target Capital Stock, whose
shares were converted into the right to receive cash and shares of Acquiror
Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) pursuant to Section 1.6,
(i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
receipt of the Certificates by the Exchange Agent, and shall be in such form and
have such other provisions as Acquiror may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange
for cash and certificates representing shares of Acquiror Common Stock (and cash
in lieu of fractional shares). Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation
to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by
Acquiror, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly
executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (in such amounts
as are determined for such holder pursuant to Section 1.6) cash, if applicable,
and a certificate, if applicable, representing the number of whole shares of
Acquiror Common Stock and payment in lieu of fractional shares, if applicable,
and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until so
surrendered, each outstanding Certificate that, prior to the Effective Time,


                                       4
<PAGE>

represented shares of Target Capital Stock will be deemed from and after the
Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, other than the payment of dividends,
to evidence the ownership of the number of full shares of Acquiror Common Stock
into which such shares of Target Capital Stock shall have been so converted, if
any, and the right to receive an amount in cash, if any, determined in
accordance with Section 1.6, including cash in lieu of fractional shares.

                  (d) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No
dividends or other distributions with respect to Acquiror Common Stock with a
record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any
unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock
represented thereby until the holder of record of such Certificate surrenders
such Certificate. Subject to applicable law, following surrender of any such
Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificates
representing whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued in exchange therefor,
without interest, at the time of such surrender, the amount of any such
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
that would have been previously payable (but for the provisions of this Section
1.7(d)) with respect to such shares of Acquiror Common Stock.

                  (e) Transfers of Ownership. If any certificate for shares of
Acquiror Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the
Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a
condition of the issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered is
properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such exchange will have paid to Acquiror or any agent designated by
it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a
certificate for shares of Acquiror Common Stock in any name other than that of
the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or established to the
satisfaction of Acquiror or any agent designated by it that such tax has been
paid or is not payable.

                  (f) No Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Section 1.7, none of the Exchange Agent, the Surviving Corporation or any
party hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid to a
public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law.

                  (g) Dissenting Shares. The provisions of this Section 1.7
shall also apply to Dissenting Shares that lose their status as such, except
that the obligations of Acquiror under this Section 1.7 shall commence on the
date of loss of such status and the holder of such shares shall be entitled to
receive in exchange for such shares the cash and number of shares of cash and/or
Acquiror Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.6
hereof.

            1.8 No Further Ownership Rights in Target Capital Stock. All cash
and/or shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of
shares of Target Capital Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including
any cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) shall be deemed to have been issued
in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Target Capital
Stock, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of
the Surviving Corporation of shares of Target Capital Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
Time, Certificates are presented


                                       5
<PAGE>

to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and
exchanged as provided in this Article I.

            1.9 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any
Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall
issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, cash and/or such
shares of Acquiror Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) as may
be required pursuant to Section 1.6; provided, however, that Acquiror may, in
its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the
owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such
sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against Acquiror, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent with respect
to the Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

            1.10 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time
after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with
full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges,
powers and franchises of Target and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of
Target and Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective
corporations or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such lawful and necessary
action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

            1.11 Tax-Free Reorganization. The Merger is intended to be a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and this Agreement
is intended to be a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of the
regulations promulgated under Section 368 of the Code.

                                   ARTICLE II

      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET AND THE TARGET STOCKHOLDERS

            Target and the Target Stockholders represent and warrant to Acquiror
that the statements contained in this Article II are true and correct, except as
set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by Target and the Target
Stockholders to Acquiror prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
(the "Target Disclosure Letter"). The Target Disclosure Letter shall be arranged
in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in
this Article II, and except as set forth in the proviso that follows, the
disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify only the corresponding paragraph in
this Article II; provided, however, that any item disclosed under any paragraph
of the Target Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be disclosed with respect to
every other applicable paragraph if the disclosure in respect of such one
paragraph of the Target Disclosure Letter is sufficient on its face to
reasonably inform the reader of the Target Disclosure Letter of the information
required to be disclosed in respect of other paragraphs of the Target Disclosure
Letter. Any reference in this Article II to an agreement being "enforceable"
shall be deemed to be qualified to the extent such enforceability is subject to
(i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium
and the relief of


                                       6
<PAGE>

debtors, and (ii) the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief
and other equitable remedies.

            2.1 Organization, Standing and Power. Target is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization. Target has the corporate power to own its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would have a Material
Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 9.2) on Target. Target has delivered to
Acquiror a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
or other charter documents, as applicable, of Target, each as amended to date.
Target is not in violation of any of the provisions of its Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent organizational documents. Target has no
subsidiaries. Target does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar
interest in, or any interest convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for, any
equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or
other business association or entity.

            2.2 Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Target
consists of 2,600,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and
400,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 200,000
are designated as Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of which there were
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, one million eight
hundred thousand (1,800,000) shares of Common Stock, and 200,000 shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A. There are no other outstanding shares of
capital stock or voting securities and no outstanding commitments to issue any
shares of capital stock or voting securities after the date of this Agreement.
All outstanding shares of Target Capital Stock are duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are free of any liens or encumbrances
other than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders
thereof, and are not subject to preemptive rights, rights of first refusal,
rights of first offer or similar rights created by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Target or any agreement to which Target is a party or
by which it is bound. Except for the rights created pursuant to this Agreement
there are no other options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements
of any character to which Target is a party or by which it is bound obligating
Target to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem, or cause to be issued,
delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any shares of Target capital stock or
obligating Target to grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of, change the price
of, or otherwise amend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right,
commitment or agreement. There are no contracts, commitments or agreements
relating to the voting, purchase or sale of Target Capital Stock (i) between or
among Target on the one hand and any of its stockholders on the other, and (ii)
to Target's knowledge, among any of Target's stockholders or between any of
Target's stockholders and any third party, except for the stockholders
delivering Voting Agreements (as defined in Section 2.19 below). All outstanding
Common Stock was issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state
securities laws.

            2.3 Authority.

                  (a) Target has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger (collectively, the
"Transaction Documents") and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
the thereby. The execution and delivery this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents and the consummation of the transactions


                                       7
<PAGE>

contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Target, subject only to the approval of the
Merger by Target's stockholders. This Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Target and Target
Stockholders and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Target and
Target Stockholders, enforceable against Target and Target Stockholders in
accordance with their terms.

                  (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents by Target do not, and the consummation and performance of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with, or
result in any violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of
time, or both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of any obligation or loss of any benefit under, or require a
consent to assignment or a novation under (i) any provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target, as amended, or (ii) any contract,
agreement, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree,
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Target or any of its
properties or assets.

                  (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality ("Governmental
Entity") is required by or with respect to Target in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for
(i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger, together with the required
officers' certificates; (ii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
state securities laws and the securities laws of any foreign country; (iii) such
filings as may be required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR"); and (iv) such other consents, authorizations,
filings, approvals and registrations that, if not obtained or made, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on Target and would not prevent, or materially
alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            2.4 Financial Statements. The financial statements of Target,
including the notes thereto, provided to Acquiror (the "Target Financial
Statements") fairly present the financial condition and the related statements
of operations, of stockholder's equity, and of cash flows of Target at the dates
and during the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of unaudited
statements, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments).

            2.5 Absence of Certain Changes. Since September 30, 1999, (the
"Target Balance Sheet Date"), Target has conducted its business in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred: (i) any change,
event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance) that has resulted in,
or might reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect on
Target; (ii) any acquisition, sale or transfer of any material asset of Target;
(iii) any change in accounting methods or practices (including any change in
depreciation or amortization policies or rates) by Target or any revaluation by
Target of any of its assets; (iv) any declaration, setting aside, or payment of
a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares of Target, or any
direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by Target of any of
its shares of capital stock; (v) any material contract entered into by Target,
other than


                                       8
<PAGE>

as provided to Acquiror, or any material amendment or termination of, or default
under, any material contract to which Target is a party or by which it is bound;
(vi) any amendment or change to the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Target; (vii) any increase in or modification of the compensation or benefits
payable or to become payable by Target to any of its directors, employees or
consultants, or (viii) any negotiation or agreement by Target to do any of the
things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii) (other than
negotiations with Acquiror and its representatives regarding the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement).

            2.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Target has no material
obligations or liabilities of any nature (matured or unmatured, fixed or
contingent) other than (i) those set forth or adequately provided for in the
balance sheet of Target as of September 30, 1999, (the "Target Balance Sheet
Date"), (ii) those incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Target
Balance Sheet Date in amounts consistent with prior periods, and (iii) those
incurred in connection with the execution of this Agreement.

            2.7 Litigation. There is no private or governmental action, suit,
proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation pending before any agency, court
or tribunal, foreign or domestic, or, to the knowledge of Target, threatened
(including allegations that could form the basis for future action) against
Target or any of its properties or officers or directors (in their capacities as
such), nor does Target have any reason to expect that any such activity, threat
or allegation will be forthcoming. There is no judgment, decree or order against
Target, or, to the knowledge of Target, any of its directors or officers (in
their capacities as such), that could prevent, enjoin, or materially alter or
delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. All
litigation to which Target is a party (or, to the knowledge of Target,
threatened to become a party) is disclosed in the Target Disclosure Letter.
Target does not have any plans to initiate any litigation, arbitration or other
proceeding against any third party.

            2.8 Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no agreement,
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Target that has or could
reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any
current business practice of Target, any acquisition of property by Target or
the conduct of business by Target as currently conducted by Target.

            2.9 Governmental Authorization. Target has obtained each federal,
state, county, local or foreign governmental consent, license, permit, grant, or
other authorization of a Governmental Entity (i) pursuant to which Target
currently operates or holds any interest in any of its properties or (ii) that
is required for the operation of Target's business or the holding of any such
interest ((i) and (ii) herein collectively called "Target Authorizations"), and
all of such Target Authorizations are in full force and effect, except where the
failure to obtain or have any such Target Authorizations could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

            2.10 Title to Property. Target has good and marketable title to all
of its properties, interests in properties and assets, real and personal,
necessary for the conduct of its business as presently conducted or which are
reflected in the Target Balance Sheet or acquired after the Target Balance Sheet
Date (except properties, interests in properties and assets sold or otherwise
disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the Target Balance Sheet
Date), or


                                       9
<PAGE>

with respect to leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests therein,
in each case free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges or
encumbrances of any kind or character, except (i) the lien of current taxes not
yet due and payable, (ii) such imperfections of title, liens and easements as do
not and will not materially detract from or interfere with the use of the
properties subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair
business operations involving such properties and (iii) liens securing debt that
are reflected on the Target Balance Sheet. The plants, property and equipment of
Target that are used in the operations of its business are in good operating
condition and repair. All properties used in the operations of Target are
reflected in the Target Balance Sheet to the extent generally accepted
accounting principles require the same to be reflected. Target does not own or
lease any real property except as identified in Section 2.10 of the Target
Disclosure Letter.

            2.11 Intellectual Property.

            (a) Target owns or is licensed for, and in any event possesses
sufficient rights with respect to, all Intellectual Property (defined below)
that is used, exercised, or exploited ("Used") in, or that may be necessary for,
its business as currently conducted ("Target Intellectual Property," which term
will also include all other Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to Target
now or in the past) without any conflict with or infringement or
misappropriation of any rights or property of others ("Infringement"). Such
ownership, licenses and rights are exclusive (A) except with respect to
Inventions (defined below) in the public domain that are not important
differentiators of Target's business and (B) except with respect to standard,
generally commercially available, "off-the-shelf" third party products that are
not part of any current product, service or Intellectual Property offering of
Target. No Target Intellectual Property was conceived or developed directly or
indirectly with or pursuant to government funding or a government contract.
"Intellectual Property" means (i) inventions (whether or not patentable); trade
names, trade marks, service marks, logos and other designations ("Marks"); works
of authorship; mask works; data; technology, know-how, trade secrets, ideas and
information; designs; formulas; algorithms; processes; schematics; computer
software (in source code and/or object code form); and all other intellectual
and industrial property of any sort ("Inventions") and (ii) patent rights; Mark
rights; copyrights; mask work rights; sui generis database rights; trade secret
rights; moral rights; and all other intellectual and industrial property rights
of any sort throughout the world, and all applications, registrations, issuances
and the like with respect thereto ("IP Rights"). All copyrightable matter within
Target Intellectual Property has been created by persons who were employees of
Target at the time of creation and no third party has or will have "moral
rights" or rights to terminate any assignment or license with respect thereto.
Target has not received any communication alleging or suggesting that or
questioning whether Target has been or may be engaged in, liable for or
contributing to any Infringement, nor does Target have any reason to expect that
any such communication will be forthcoming.

            (b) To the extent included in Target Intellectual Property (but
excluding Intellectual Property licensed to Target only on a nonexclusive
basis), Schedule 2.11(b) lists (by name, number, jurisdiction, owner and, where
applicable, the name and address of each inventor) all patents and patent
applications; all registered and unregistered Marks; and all registered and, if
material, unregistered copyrights and mask works; and all other issuances,
registrations, applications and the like with respect to those or any other IP
Rights. No cancellation, termination, expiration or abandonment of any of the
foregoing (except natural expiration or termination at the end of the full
possible term, including extensions and renewals) is anticipated


                                       10
<PAGE>

by Target. Target is not aware of any material questions or challenges (or any
specific basis therefor) with respect to the validity of any of the foregoing
issued or registered IP Rights (or any part or claim thereof).

            (c) There is, to the knowledge of Target, no unauthorized Use,
disclosure, infringement or misappropriation of any Target Intellectual Property
by any third party, including, without limitation, any employee or former
employee of Target.

            (d) Target has taken all necessary and appropriate steps to protect
and preserve the confidentiality of all Target Intellectual Property with
respect to which Target has exclusivity and that is not otherwise disclosed in
published patents or patent applications or registered copyrights ("Target
Confidential Information"). All use by and disclosure to employees or others of
Target Confidential Information has been pursuant to the terms of valid and
binding written confidentiality and nonuse/restricted-use agreements. Except as
set forth in Schedule 2.11(d), Target has not disclosed or delivered to any
third party, or permitted the disclosure or delivery to any escrow holder or
other person any part of any source code.

            (e) Each current and former employee and contractor of Target who is
or was involved in, or who has contributed to, the creation or development of
any Target Intellectual Property has executed and delivered (and to the
knowledge of Target is in compliance with) an enforceable agreement in
substantially the form of Target's standard Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement (in the case of an employee) or Target's standard
Consulting Agreement (in the case of a contractor).

            (f) To Target's knowledge, Target is not Using, and it will not be
necessary to Use, (i) any Inventions of any of its past or present employees or
contractors (or people currently intended to be hired) made prior to or outside
the scope of their employment by Target or (ii) any confidential information or
trade secrets of any former employer of any such person.

            2.12 Taxes.

                  (a) All Tax returns, statements, reports, declarations and
other forms and documents (including without limitation estimated Tax returns
and reports and material information statements, returns and reports) required
to be filed with any Tax authority with respect to any Taxable period ending on
or before the Effective Time, by or on behalf of Target (collectively, "Tax
Returns" and individually a "Tax Return"), have been or will be completed and
filed when due (including any extensions of such due date) and all amounts shown
due on such Tax Returns on or before the Effective Time have been or will be
paid on or before such date. The Target Balance Sheet (i) fully accrue all
actual and contingent liabilities for Taxes with respect to all periods through
the Balance Sheet Date, and Target has not and will not incur any Tax liability
in excess of the amount reflected on such Target Balance Sheet with respect to
such periods (excluding any amount thereof that reflects timing differences
between the recognition of income for purposes of GAAP and for Tax purposes),
and (ii) properly accrues in accordance with GAAP all material liabilities for
Taxes payable after September 30, 1999, with respect to all transactions and
events occurring on or prior to such date. All information set forth in the
notes to the Target Financial Statements relating to Tax matters is true,
complete and accurate in all material respects. No material Tax liability since
September 30, 1999, has been or will be incurred by Target other than in the
ordinary course of business, and adequate provision


                                       11
<PAGE>

has been made by Target for all Taxes since that date in accordance with GAAP on
at least a quarterly basis.

                  (b) Target has previously provided or made available to
Acquiror true and correct copies of all Tax Returns. Target has withheld and
paid to the applicable financial institution or Tax authority all amounts
required to be withheld. Target (or any member of any affiliated or combined
group of which Target has been a member) has not granted any extension or waiver
of the limitation period applicable to any Tax Returns that is still in effect.
There is no material claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding, or (to the
knowledge of Target) investigation now pending or (to the knowledge of Target)
threatened against or with respect to Target in respect of any Tax or
assessment. No notice of deficiency or similar document of any Tax authority has
been received by Target, and there are no liabilities for Taxes (including
liabilities for interest, additions to Tax and penalties thereon and related
expenses) with respect to the issues that have been raised (and are currently
pending) by any Tax authority that could, if determined adversely to Target,
materially and adversely affect the liability of Target for Taxes. There are no
liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon the
assets of Target. Target has never been a member of an affiliated group of
corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code. Target is in full
compliance with all the terms and conditions of any Tax exemptions or other
Tax-sharing agreement or order of a foreign government and the consummation of
the Merger will not have any adverse effect on the continued validity and
effectiveness of any such Tax exemption or other Tax-sharing agreement or order.
Neither Target nor any person on behalf of Target has entered into or will enter
into any agreement or consent pursuant to the collapsible corporation provisions
of Section 341(f) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or
foreign income tax law) or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (or any
corresponding provision of state, local or foreign income tax law) apply to any
disposition of any asset owned by Target. None of the assets of Target is
property that Target is required to treat as being owned by any other person
pursuant to the so-called "safe harbor lease" provisions of former Section
168(f)(8) of the Code. None of the assets of Target directly or indirectly
secures any debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a) of the
Code. None of the assets of Target is "tax-exempt use property" within the
meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code. Target has not made and will not make a
deemed dividend election under Treas. Reg. ss.1.1502-32(f)(2) or a consent
dividend election under Section 565 of the Code. Target has never been a party
(either as a distributing corporation as a corporation that has been
distributed) to any transaction intended to qualify under Section 355 of the
Code or any corresponding provision of state law. Target has not participated in
(and will not participate in) an international boycott within the meaning of
Section 999 of the Code. No Target stockholder is other than a United States
person within the meaning of the Code. Target does not have and has not had a
permanent establishment in any foreign country, as defined in any applicable tax
treaty or convention between the United States of America and such foreign
country and Target has not engaged in a trade or business within any foreign
country. Target has never elected to be treated as an S-corporation under
Section 1362 of the Code or any corresponding provision of federal or state law.
Target is not party to any joint venture, partnership, or other arrangement or
contract that could be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Target is not currently and never has been subject to the reporting requirements
of Section 6038A of the Code. There is no agreement, contract or arrangement to
which Target is a party that could, individually or collectively, result in the
payment of any amount that would not be deductible by reason of Sections 280G
(as determined without regard


                                       12
<PAGE>

to Section 280G(b)(4)), 162(a) (by reason of being unreasonable in amount), 162
(b) through (p) or 404 of the Code. Target is not a party to or bound by any Tax
indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement (whether written or unwritten
or arising under operation of federal law as a result of being a member of a
group filing consolidated Tax returns, under operation of certain state laws as
a result of being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable laws of other
states or foreign jurisdictions) that includes a party other than Target nor
does Target owe any amount under any such Agreement. Target is not, and has not
been, a United States real property holding corporation (as defined in Section
897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. Other than by reason of the Merger, Target has not
been and will not be required to include any material adjustment in Taxable
income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 263A
of the Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax laws as a
result of transactions, events or accounting methods employed prior to the
Merger.

                  (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have
the following meanings: "Tax" (and, with correlative meaning, "Taxes" and
"Taxable") means any and all taxes including, without limitation, (i) any net
income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales,
use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, value added, net worth, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium,
property, environmental or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax
governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever,
together with any interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount
imposed by any Governmental Entity (a "Tax authority") responsible for the
imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign), (ii) any liability for the
payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a
member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable
period or as the result of being a transferee or successor thereof and (iii) any
liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as
a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person. As
used in this Section 2.12, the term "Target" means Target and any entity
included in, or required under GAAP to be included in, any of the Target
Financial Statements.

            2.13 Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) For all purposes under this Section 2.13 "ERISA Affiliate"
shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) that, together with Target,
is treated as a single employer under Section 4001(b) of ERISA or Section 414 of
the Code. Target has no ERISA Affiliates and does not maintain, is not a party
to, does not contribute to and is not obligated to contribute to, and employees
or former employees of Target and their dependents or survivors do not receive
benefits under, any of the following (whether or not set forth in a written
document):

                        (i) Any employee benefit plan, as defined in section
3(3) of ERISA;

                        (ii) Any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive,
restricted stock, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right,
phantom stock, supplemental pension, executive compensation, cafeteria benefit,
dependent care, director or employee loan,


                                       13
<PAGE>

fringe benefit, sabbatical, severance, termination pay or similar plan, program,
policy, agreement or arrangement; or

                        (iii) Any plan, program, agreement, policy, commitment
or other arrangement relating to the provision of any benefit described in
section 3(1) of ERISA to former employees or directors or to their survivors,
other than procedures intended to comply with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA").

                  (b) Target has not terminated, suspended, discontinued
contributions to or withdrawn from any employee pension benefit plan, as defined
in section 3(2) of ERISA, including (without limitation) any multiemployer plan,
as defined in section 3(37) of ERISA.

                  (c) Neither Target nor any ERISA Affiliate has any accumulated
funding deficiency under section 412 of the Code or any termination or
withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA, except to the extent that any such
liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

            2.14 Employees and Consultants.

                  (a) Target has provided Acquiror with a true and complete list
of all individuals employed by Target as of the date hereof and the position and
base compensation payable to each such individual. Schedule 2.14 of the Target
Disclosure Letter contains a description of any written or oral employment
agreements, consulting agreements or termination or severance agreements to
which Target is a party.

                  (b) Target is not a party to or subject to a labor union or a
collective bargaining agreement or arrangement and is not a party to any labor
or employment dispute.

                  (c) The consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
will not result in (i) any amount becoming payable to any employee, director or
independent contractor of Target, (ii) the acceleration of payment or vesting of
any benefit, option or right to which any employee, director or independent
contractor of Target may be entitled, (iii) the forgiveness of any indebtedness
of any employee, director or independent contractor of Target or (iv) any cost
becoming due or accruing to Target or the Acquiror with respect to any employee,
director or independent contractor of Target.

                  (d) Target is not obligated and upon consummation of the
Merger will not be obligated to make any payment or transfer any property that
would be considered a "parachute payment" under section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

                  (e) To the knowledge of Target, no employee of Target has been
injured in the work place or in the course of his or her employment except for
injuries that are covered by insurance or for which a claim has been made under
workers' compensation or similar laws.

                  (f) Target has complied in all material respects with the
verification requirements and the record-keeping requirements of the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986 ("IRCA"); to the knowledge of Target, the
information and documents on which Target


                                       14
<PAGE>

relied to comply with IRCA are true and correct; and there have not been any
discrimination complaints filed against Target pursuant to IRCA, and to the
knowledge of Target, there is no basis for the filing of such a complaint.

                  (g) Target has not received or been notified of any complaint
by any employee, applicant, union or other party of any discrimination or other
conduct forbidden by law or contract, nor to the knowledge of Target, is there a
basis for any complaint, except such complaints as could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (h) Target's action in complying with the terms of this
Agreement will not violate any agreements with any of Target's employees.

                  (i) Target has filed all required reports and information with
respect to its employees that are due prior to the Closing Date and otherwise
has complied in its hiring, employment, promotion, termination and other labor
practices with all applicable federal and state law and regulations, including
without limitation those within the jurisdiction of the United States Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor and state
and local human rights or civil rights agencies, except to the extent that any
such failure to file or comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Target. Target has filed and shall file any such reports and information that
are required to be filed prior to the Closing Date.

                  (j) Target is not aware that any of its employees or
contractors is obligated under any agreement, commitments, judgment, decree,
order or otherwise (an "Employee Obligation") that could reasonably be expected
to interfere with the use of his or her best efforts to promote the interests of
Target or that could reasonably be expected to conflict with any of Target's
business as conducted. Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement nor
the conduct of Target's business as conducted, will, to Target's knowledge,
conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of,
or constitute a default under, any Employee Obligation.

            2.15 Related-Party Transactions. No employee, officer, or director
of Target or member of his or her immediate family is indebted to Target, nor is
Target indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or guarantee credit) to
any of them. To Target's knowledge, none of such persons has any direct or
indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which Target is
affiliated or with which Target has a business relationship, or any firm or
corporation that competes with Target, except to the extent that employees,
officers, or directors of Target and members of their immediate families own
stock in publicly traded companies that may compete with Target. No member of
the immediate family of any officer or director of Target is directly or
indirectly interested in any material contract with Target.

            2.16 Insurance. Target has policies of insurance and bonds of the
type and in amounts customarily carried by persons conducting businesses or
owning assets similar to those of Target. There is no material claim pending
under any of such policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned,
denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies or bonds. All premiums
due and payable under all such policies and bonds have been paid and Target is
otherwise in compliance with the terms of such policies and bonds. Target has no
knowledge of any threatened termination of, or material premium increase with
respect to, any of such policies.


                                       15
<PAGE>

            2.17 Compliance with Laws. Target has complied with, is not in
violation of, and has not received any notices of violation with respect to, any
federal, state, local or foreign statute, law or regulation with respect to the
conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except
for such violations or failures to comply as could not be reasonably expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

            2.18 Brokers' and Finders' Fees. Target has not incurred, nor will
it incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees
or agents' commissions or investment bankers' fees or any similar charges in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

            2.19 Voting Agreement; Irrevocable Proxies. All of the persons
and/or entities deemed "Affiliates" of Target within the meaning of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act who are also officers or directors have
agreed in writing to vote for approval of the Merger pursuant to a Voting and
Proxy Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (collectively, the "Voting
Agreements").

            2.20 Vote Required. The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Target Common Stock is the only vote of the holders
of any of Target's Capital Stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.

            2.21 No Breach of Material Contracts. The Target has performed all
of the obligations required to be performed by it and is entitled to all
benefits under, and is not alleged to be in default in respect of any material
contract. Each of the material contracts is in full force and effect, unamended,
and there exists no default or event of default or event, occurrence, condition
or act, with respect to Target or to Target's knowledge with respect to the
other contracting party, or otherwise that, with or without the giving of
notice, the lapse of the time or the happening of any other event or conditions,
could reasonably be expected to (A) become a default or event of default under
any material contract, which default or event of default could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target or (B) result in the loss
or expiration of any material right or option by Target (or the gain thereof by
any third party) under any material contract or (C) the release, disclosure or
delivery to any third party of any part of the source code. True, correct and
complete copies of all material contracts have been delivered to the Acquiror.

            2.22 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The written
information supplied by Target expressly for the purpose of inclusion in the
registration statement on Form S-8 or Form S-3 (or such other or successor form
as shall be appropriate) pursuant to which the issuance of the shares of
Acquiror Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will be registered with the SEC
(the "Registration Statement") shall not at the time the Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto) is declared effective by the
SEC contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.
If at any time prior to the Effective Time any event or information should be
discovered by Target that should be set forth in an amendment to the
Registration Statement, Target shall promptly inform Acquiror and Merger Sub.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Target makes no representation, warranty or


                                       16
<PAGE>

covenant with respect to any information supplied by Acquiror or Merger Sub that
is contained in any of the foregoing document.

            2.23 Complete Copies of Materials. Target has delivered or made
available true and complete copies of each document that has been requested in
writing by Acquiror or its counsel in connection with their technical, legal and
accounting review of Target.

            2.24 Review of Acquiror's SEC Filings. Target has reviewed
Acquiror's SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.4 below) and has had an
opportunity to inquire about the disclosure contained therein.

            2.25 Board Approval. The Board of Directors of Target has (i)
approved this Agreement and the Merger, (ii) determined that the Merger is in
the best interest of the stockholders of Target and is on terms that are fair to
such stockholders and (iii) recommended that the stockholders of Target approve
this Agreement and the Merger.

            2.26 Section 203 of Delaware Law Not Applicable. The Board of
Directors of Target has taken all actions so that the restrictions contained in
Section 203 of the Delaware Law applicable to a "business combination" (as
defined in Section 203) will not apply to the execution, delivery or performance
of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

            2.27 Dissenter's Rights. No securityholder of Target is or will be
entitled to exercise dissenter's or appraisal rights in connection with the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            2.28 Representations Complete. None of the representations or
warranties made by Target herein or in any Schedule hereto, including the Target
Disclosure Letter, or certificate furnished by Target pursuant to this
Agreement, when all such documents are read together in their entirety, contains
or will contain at the Effective Time any untrue statement of a material fact,
or omits or will omit at the Effective Time to state any material fact necessary
in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which made, not misleading.

                                  ARTICLE III

            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

            Acquiror and Merger Sub represent and warrant to Target and the
Target Stockholders that the statements contained in this Article III are true
and correct, except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter delivered by Acquiror
to Target to prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the
"Acquiror Disclosure Letter"). The Acquiror Disclosure Letter shall be arranged
in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in
this Article III, and the disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify only the
corresponding paragraph in this Article III. Any reference in this Article II to
an agreement being "enforceable" shall be deemed to be qualified to the extent
such enforceability is subject to (i) laws of general application relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and the relief of


                                       17
<PAGE>

debtors, and (ii) the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief
and other equitable remedies. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Acquiror"
will be deemed to include (and each representation and warranty will apply
separately and collectively to) Acquiror and each of Acquiror's subsidiaries,
unless the context otherwise requires.

            3.1 Organization, Standing and Power. Each of Acquiror and its
subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of Acquiror
and its subsidiaries has the corporate power to own its properties and to carry
on its business as now being conducted and is duly qualified to do business and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified
and in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Acquiror
has delivered a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Acquiror and Merger Sub, each as amended to date, to Target. Neither
Acquiror nor Merger Sub is in violation of any of the provisions of its
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. Acquiror is the owner of all outstanding
shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries and all such shares are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary are owned by Acquiror free and
clear of all liens, charges, claims or encumbrances or rights of others. There
are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, rights,
exchangeable or convertible securities or other commitments or agreements of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
of any such subsidiary, or otherwise obligating Acquiror or any such subsidiary
to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such
securities. Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Documents (as defined in
Section 3.4), Acquiror does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar
interest in, or any interest convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for, any
equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or
other business association or entity.

            3.2 Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Acquiror
consists of sixty million (60,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
and five million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, of
which there were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 1999, sixteen
million one hundred sixty two thousand four hundred thirty-three (16,162,433)
shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock. There are no other
outstanding shares of capital stock or voting securities of Acquiror other than
shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued after September 30, 1999, upon (i) the
exercise of options issued under Acquiror's 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance
Plan (the "Acquiror Stock Option Plan") or (ii) the exercise of subscription
rights outstanding as of such date under the Acquiror 1998 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Acquiror ESPP"). The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub
consists of 1,000 shares of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, all of which are
issued and outstanding and are held by Acquiror. All outstanding shares of
Acquiror have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are
nonassessable and free of any liens or encumbrances other than any liens or
encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders thereof and are not subject
to preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights created by
statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Acquiror or Merger Sub or
any agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which it is
bound. As of September 30, 1999, Acquiror had reserved (i) four million two
hundred thirty-two thousand six hundred (4,232,600) shares of Common Stock for
issuance to employees, directors and independent contractors pursuant to the
Acquiror Stock Option Plan, of which approximately four million


                                       18
<PAGE>

three hundred forty thousand four hundred seventy-nine (4,340,479) shares have
been issued pursuant to option exercises, and approximately three million seven
hundred twelve thousand five hundred forty-three (3,712,543) shares are subject
to outstanding, unexercised options, and (ii) three hundred thousand (300,000)
shares of Common Stock for issuance to employees pursuant to the Acquiror ESPP,
of which one hundred eighty-six thousand six hundred five (186,605) shares have
been issued and as of September 30, 1999. Other than as set forth above and the
commitment to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement; there are
no other options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any
character to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which either of them
is bound obligating Acquiror or Merger Sub to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase
or redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any
shares of the capital stock of Acquiror or Merger Sub or obligating Acquiror or
Merger Sub to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right,
commitment or agreement. The shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the
Merger will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable,
will not be subject to any preemptive or other statutory right of stockholders,
will be issued in compliance with applicable U.S. Federal and state securities
laws and will be free of any liens or encumbrances other than any liens or
encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders thereof.

            3.3 Authority.

                  (a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub. This Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents have been duly executed and delivered by each of Acquiror and Merger
Sub and constitute the valid and binding obligations of each of Acquiror and
Merger Sub, enforceable against Acquiror and Merger Sub in accordance with their
terms.

                  (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents do not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with, or result in any
violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or loss of a benefit under, or require a consent to assignment or
a novation under (i) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries, as amended, or (ii) any material
mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument, permit,
concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries
or their properties or assets.

                  (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity, is required
by or with respect to Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents by
Acquiror or the consummation by Acquiror of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger, together
with the required officers' certificates, (ii) the filing of a Form 8-K with the
SEC and National


                                       19
<PAGE>

Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") within 15 days after the Closing
Date, (iii) any filings as may be required under applicable state securities
laws and the securities laws of any foreign country, (iv) such filings as may be
required under HSR, (v) the filing with the Nasdaq National Market of a
Notification Form for Listing of Additional Shares with respect to the shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Target Capital Stock in
the Merger and upon exercise of the options under the Target Stock Option Plans
assumed by Acquiror, and (vi) such other consents, authorizations, filings,
approvals and registrations that, if not obtained or made, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror and would not prevent, materially alter or
delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other
Transaction Documents.

            3.4 SEC Documents; Financial Statements. True and complete copies of
each statement, report, registration statement (with the prospectus in the form
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act), definitive proxy
statement, and other filing filed with the SEC by Acquiror prior to the
Effective Time are available to Target on the SEC's web site (collectively, the
"Acquiror SEC Documents") at www.sec.gov. All documents required to be filed as
exhibits to the Acquiror SEC Documents have been so filed, and all material
contracts so filed as exhibits are in full force and effect, except those that
have expired in accordance with their terms, and neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries is in default thereunder. As of their respective filing dates, the
Acquiror SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements
of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, and none of the Acquiror SEC
Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not misleading, except to the extent corrected by a subsequently filed Acquiror
SEC Document. The financial statements of Acquiror, including the notes thereto,
included in the Acquiror SEC Documents (the "Acquiror Financial Statements")
fairly present the consolidated financial condition and the related consolidated
statements of operations, of stockholder's equity, and of cash flows of Acquiror
at the dates and during the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments), complied as to
form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with
the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as of their
respective dates, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis consistent throughout the periods
indicated and consistent with each other (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements included in Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Qs, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC).

            3.5 Absence of Certain Changes. Since September 30, 1999 (the
"Acquiror Balance Sheet Date"), Acquiror has conducted its business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred any
change, event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance) that has
resulted in, or might reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse
Effect on Acquiror.

            3.6 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Documents,
there is no private or governmental action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration
or investigation pending before any agency, court or tribunal, foreign or
domestic, or, to the knowledge of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries,
threatened against Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or any of their respective officers or directors (in their
capacities as such)


                                       20
<PAGE>

that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. There is no judgment, decree or order
against Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Acquiror or
any of its subsidiaries, any of their respective directors or officers (in their
capacities as such) that could prevent, enjoin, or materially alter or delay any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Acquiror does not have
any plans to initiate any litigation, arbitration or other proceeding against
any third party.

            3.7 Compliance with Laws. Each of Acquiror and its subsidiaries has
complied with, are not in violation of, and have not received any notices of
violation with respect to, any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law or
regulation with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or
operation of its business, except for such violations or failures to comply as
could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

            3.8 Board Approval. The Board of Directors of Acquiror and Merger
Sub have approved this Agreement and the Merger.

            3.9 Representations Complete. None of the representations,
warranties or statements made by Acquiror or Merger Sub herein or in any
Schedule hereto, including the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, or certificate
furnished by Acquiror pursuant to this Agreement, or the Acquiror SEC Documents,
when all such documents are read together in their entirety, contains or will
contain at the Effective Time any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits
or will omit at the Effective Time to state any material fact necessary in order
to make the statements contained herein or therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which made, not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                       CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME

            4.1 Conduct of Business of Target. During the period from the date
of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the Closing Date, Target agrees (except to the extent expressly
contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to in writing by Acquiror), to
carry on Target's business in the usual, regular and ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted. Target further agrees (i)
to pay debts and Taxes when due, (ii) subject to Acquiror's consent to the
filing of material Tax Returns, if applicable, to pay or perform other
obligations when due, (iii) to use all reasonable efforts consistent with past
practice and policies to preserve intact Target's present business
organizations, keep available the services of Target's present officers and key
employees and preserve Target's relationships with customers, suppliers,
distributors, licensors, licensees, and others having business dealings with
Target, to the end that Target's goodwill and ongoing businesses shall be
unimpaired at the Closing Date and (iv) to provide all assistance reasonably
requested by Acquiror's independent accountants to audit or review the Financial
Statements (provided that Acquiror shall pay the fees and expenses of such
accountants in conducting such audit or review). Target agrees to promptly
notify Acquiror of any event or occurrence not in the ordinary course of
Target's business, and of any event that could have a Material Adverse Effect on
Target. Without limiting the foregoing, except as expressly


                                       21
<PAGE>

contemplated by this Agreement, Target shall not cause or permit any of the
following, or allow, cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to do, cause or
permit any of the following, without the prior written consent of Acquiror:

                  (a) Charter Documents. Cause or permit any amendments to its
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;

                  (b) Dividends; Changes in Capital Stock. Declare or pay any
dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or
property) in respect of any of its capital stock, or split, combine or
reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its
capital stock, or repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any
shares of its capital stock, except at cost from former employees, directors and
consultants in accordance with agreements providing for the repurchase of shares
in connection with any termination of service to it;

                  (c) Material Contracts. Enter into any material contract,
agreement, license or commitment, or violate, amend or otherwise modify or waive
any of the terms of any of its material contracts, agreements or licenses;

                  (d) Stock Option Plans, etc. Adopt any stock option plan or
accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability or vesting of options
or other rights granted under its existing stock plans, if any, or authorize
cash payments in exchange for any options or other rights granted under any of
such plans;

                  (e) Issuance of Securities. Issue, deliver or sell or
authorize or propose the issuance, delivery or sale of, or purchase or propose
the purchase of, any shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into,
or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or
commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares or other
convertible securities (provided, however, that Target shall prior to the
Closing issue to its employees the number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite their names on the Target Disclosure Letter previously delivered to
Acquiror);

                  (f) Intellectual Property. Transfer to or license any person
or entity, or otherwise extend, amend or modify, any Target Intellectual
Property, other than the grant of non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice;

                  (g) Exclusive Rights. Enter into or amend any agreements
pursuant to which any other party is granted exclusive marketing, manufacturing
or other exclusive rights of any type or scope with respect to any of its
products or technology;

                  (h) Dispositions. Sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of
or encumber any of its properties or assets that are material, individually or
in the aggregate, to its business, taken as a whole;

                  (i) Indebtedness. Incur or commit to incur any indebtedness
for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt
securities or guarantee any debt securities of others;


                                       22
<PAGE>

                  (j) Leases. Enter into any operating lease requiring payments
in excess of $10,000;

                  (k) Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or satisfy in an
amount in excess of $10,000 in any one case or $25,000 in the aggregate, any
claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise) arising other than in the ordinary course of business,
other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in the Financial Statements;

                  (l) Capital Expenditures. Incur or commit to incur any capital
expenditures in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate;

                  (m) Insurance. Materially reduce the amount of any insurance
coverage provided by existing insurance policies;

                  (n) Termination or Waiver. Terminate or waive any right of
substantial value, other than in the ordinary course of business;

                  (o) Employee Benefits; Severance. Take any of the following
actions: (i) increase or agree to increase the compensation payable or to become
payable to its officers or employees, except for increases in salary or wages of
non-officer employees in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with
past practices, (ii) grant any additional severance or termination pay to, or
enter into any employment or severance agreements with, any officer or employee,
(iii) enter into any collective bargaining agreement or (iv) establish, adopt,
enter into or amend in any material respect any bonus, profit sharing, thrift,
compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan, trust, fund,
policy or arrangement for the benefit of any directors, officers or employees;

                  (p) Lawsuits. Commence a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding
other than (i) for the routine collection of bills, or (ii) for a breach of this
Agreement;

                  (q) Acquisitions. Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or
by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association
or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or
agree to acquire any assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate,
to its and its subsidiaries' business, taken as a whole;

                  (r) Taxes. Make any material tax election other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, change any
material tax election, adopt any tax accounting method other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, change any tax
accounting method, file any tax return (other than any estimated tax returns,
immaterial information returns, payroll tax returns or sales tax returns) or any
amendment to a tax return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax
claim or assessment or consent to any Tax claim or assessment, incur any Tax
liability in excess of the amount reflected on the Target Balance Sheet with
respect to all periods through the Target Balance Sheet Date, provided that
Acquiror shall not unreasonably withhold or delay approval of any of the
foregoing actions;


                                       23
<PAGE>

                  (s) Revaluation. Revalue any of its assets, including without
limitation writing down the value of inventory or writing off notes or accounts
receivable, other than in the ordinary course of business; or

                  (t) Other. Take or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any
of the actions described in Sections 4.1(a) through (s) above, or any action
that would make any of its representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement untrue or incorrect or prevent it from performing or cause it not to
perform its covenants hereunder.

            4.2 Notices. Target shall give all notices and other information
required to be given to the employees of Target, any collective bargaining unit
representing any group of employees of Target, and any applicable government
authority under the National Labor Relations Act, the Internal Revenue Code, the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and other applicable law in
connection with the transactions provided for in this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

            5.1 No Solicitation.

                  (a) From and after the date of this Agreement until the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time, neither
Target nor Target Stockholders shall, directly or indirectly, through any
officer, director, employee, financial advisor, attorney, representative or
agent, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage any inquiries or proposals that
constitute, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a proposal or offer for
a merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all
of the assets, sale of shares of capital stock (including without limitation by
way of a tender offer) or similar transactions involving Target, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (any of the foregoing inquiries or
proposals being referred to in this Agreement as a "Takeover Proposal"), (ii)
engage in negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide any non-public
information to any person or entity relating to, any Takeover Proposal, or (iii)
agree to, approve or recommend any Takeover Proposal. In addition, from and
after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Target and Target
Stockholders shall discontinue any existing discussions or negotiations in
progress with any third party about a potential Takeover Proposal.

                  (b) Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any
violations of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph by any officer,
director, employee, financial advisor, attorney, representative or agent, if
acting on behalf of Target or Target Stockholders, shall be deemed to be a
breach of this Section 5.1 by Target and Target Stockholders.

                  (c) Target and Target Stockholders shall notify Acquiror
immediately (and no later than 24 hours) after Target (or its advisors or
agents) becomes aware of any Takeover Proposal or any request for information in
connection with a Takeover Proposal or for access to the properties, books or
records of Target by any person or entity that informs Target or Target
Stockholders that it is considering making, or has made, a Takeover Proposal.
Such


                                       24
<PAGE>

notice shall be made orally and in writing and shall indicate in reasonable
detail the identity of the offeror and the terms and conditions of such
proposal, inquiry or contact.

            5.2 Preparation of Information Statement/Proxy Statement. As soon as
practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Target shall prepare, with
the cooperation of Acquiror, an Information Statement/Proxy Statement for the
stockholders of Target to approve this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Information
Statement/Proxy Statement shall constitute a disclosure document for the offer
and issuance of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be received by the
holders of Target Capital Stock in the Merger. Acquiror and Target shall each
use all reasonable efforts to cause the Information Statement/Proxy Statement to
comply with applicable federal and state securities laws requirements. Each of
Acquiror and Target agrees to provide promptly to the other such information
concerning its business and financial statements and affairs as, in the
reasonable judgment of the providing party or its counsel, may be required or
appropriate for inclusion in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement, or in
any amendments or supplements thereto, and to cause its counsel and auditors to
cooperate with the other's counsel and auditors in the preparation of the
Information Statement/Proxy Statement. Target will promptly advise Acquiror, and
Acquiror will promptly advise Target, in writing if at any time prior to the
Effective Time either Target or Acquiror shall obtain knowledge of any facts
that might make it necessary or appropriate to amend or supplement the
Information Statement/Proxy Statement in order to make the statements contained
or incorporated by reference therein not misleading or to comply with applicable
law. The Information Statement/Proxy Statement shall contain the recommendation
of the Board of Directors of Target that the Target stockholders approve the
Merger and this Agreement and the conclusion of the Board of Directors that the
terms and conditions of the Merger are fair and reasonable to the shareholders
of Target. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, Target
shall not include in the Information Statement/ Proxy Statement any information
with respect to Acquiror or its affiliates or associates, the form and content
of which information shall not have been approved by Acquiror prior to such
inclusion.

            5.3 Stockholders Meeting or Consent Solicitation. Target shall
promptly after the date hereof take all actions necessary to either (i) call a
meeting of its stockholders to be held for the purpose of voting upon this
Agreement and the Merger (the "Target Stockholders Meeting") or (ii) commence a
consent solicitation to obtain such approvals. Target will, through its Board of
Directors, recommend to its stockholders approval of such matters as soon as
practicable after the date hereof. Target shall use all reasonable efforts to
solicit from its stockholders proxies or consents in favor of such matters.

            5.4 Access to Information.

                  (a) Target shall afford Acquiror and its accountants, counsel
and other representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours during
the period prior to the Effective Time to (i) all of Target's and its
subsidiaries' properties, books, contracts, commitments and records, and (ii)
all other information concerning the business, properties and personnel of
Target and its subsidiaries as Acquiror may reasonably request. Target agrees to
provide to Acquiror and its accountants, counsel and other representatives
copies of internal financial statements promptly upon request.


                                       25
<PAGE>

                  (b) Subject to compliance with applicable law, from the date
hereof until the Effective Time, each of Acquiror and Target shall confer on a
regular and frequent basis with one or more representatives of the other party
to report operational matters of materiality and the general status of ongoing
operations.

                  (c) No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation
pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall affect or be deemed to modify any
representation or warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations
of the parties to consummate the Merger; provided, however, that nothing herein
shall limit Target's obligation to update the Target Disclosure Letter pursuant
to Section 5.7 hereof.

            5.5 Public Disclosure. Unless otherwise required by law, prior to
the Closing Date, no disclosure (whether or not in response to an inquiry) shall
be made by any party hereto regarding the subject matter of this Agreement
unless approved by Acquiror prior to release. Any public announcement by
Acquiror regarding the subject matter of this Agreement shall be delivered to
Target prior to release.

            5.6 Consents; Cooperation.

                  (a) Each of Acquiror and Target shall promptly apply for or
otherwise seek, and use all reasonable efforts to obtain, all consents and
approvals required to be obtained by it for the consummation of the Merger and
shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary consents, waivers and
approvals under any of its material contracts in connection with the Merger for
the assignment thereof or otherwise. The parties hereto will consult and
cooperate with one another, and consider in good faith the views of one another,
in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs,
arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party
hereto in connection with proceedings under or relating to HSR or any other
federal or state antitrust or fair trade law.

                  (b) Each of Acquiror and Target shall use all reasonable
efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by any
Governmental Entity with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement under the HSR, the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as
amended, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and any other Federal,
state or foreign statutes, rules, regulations, orders or decrees that are
designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect
of monopolization or restraint of trade (collectively, "Antitrust Laws"). In
connection therewith, if any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is
instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement as violative of any Antitrust Law, each of
Acquiror and Target shall cooperate and use all commercially reasonable efforts
vigorously to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have
vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or
other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent (each an "Order"), that
is in effect and that prohibits, prevents, or restricts consummation of the
Merger or any such other transactions, unless by mutual agreement Acquiror and
Target decide that litigation is not in their respective best interests.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, it is
expressly understood and agreed that Acquiror shall have no obligation to
litigate or contest any administrative or judicial action or proceeding or any
Order beyond the earlier of (i) the date specified in Section 7.1(b) (or any
later date permitted


                                       26
<PAGE>

pursuant to the proviso in Section 7.1(b)) or (ii) the date of a ruling
preliminarily enjoining the Merger issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Each of Acquiror and Target shall use all reasonable efforts to take such action
as may be required to cause the expiration of the notice periods under the HSR
or other Antitrust Laws with respect to such transactions as promptly as
possible after the execution of this Agreement.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Acquiror nor Target
shall be required to agree, as a condition to any approval, to divest itself of
or hold separate any subsidiary, division or business unit that is material to
the business of such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the
divestiture or holding separate of which would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on (A) the business, properties, assets, liabilities,
financial condition or results of operations of such party and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole or (B) the benefits intended to be derived as a result of the
Merger.

            5.7 Update Disclosure; Breaches. From and after the date of this
Agreement until the Effective Time, each party hereto shall promptly notify the
other party, by written update to its Disclosure Letter, of (i) the occurrence
or non-occurrence of any event that would be likely to cause any condition to
the obligations of any party to effect the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement not to be satisfied, or (ii) the failure of
Target or Acquiror, as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it pursuant to this
Agreement that would be likely to result in any condition to the obligations of
any party to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement not to be satisfied. The delivery of any notice pursuant to this
Section 5.7 shall not cure any breach of any representation or warranty
requiring disclosure of such matter prior to the date of this Agreement or
otherwise limit or affect the remedies available hereunder to the party
receiving such notice.

            5.8 Voting and Proxy Agreements. Upon execution of this Agreement,
Target shall, on behalf of Acquiror and pursuant to the request of Acquiror,
cause each of the Affiliates of Target to execute and deliver to Acquiror a
Voting and Proxy Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached
hereto.

            5.9 Assignment of Target Lease. Each of Acquiror and Target will,
and will cause their respective subsidiaries to, take all reasonable actions
necessary to transfer Target's lease for the property located at 39 Broadway,
New York, New York to Acquiror. In connection with such transfer, Acquiror shall
assume the existing personal guarantee in the amount of approximately $390,000
connected with such lease.

            5.10 Assignment and Recruitment of Developers. Within a reasonable
time after the Closing Acquiror will use all reasonable efforts to assign three
(3) developers to the Surviving Corporation. In addition, within six (6) months
following the Closing, Acquiror will, and will cause its subsidiaries to, take
all reasonable actions to recruit three (3) additional developers for the
Surviving Corporation.

            5.11 Legal Requirements. Each of Acquiror and Target will, and will
cause their respective subsidiaries to, take all reasonable actions necessary to
comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on them with
respect to the consummation of the


                                       27
<PAGE>

transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly cooperate with and
furnish information to any party hereto necessary in connection with any such
requirements imposed upon such other party in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will take all reasonable
actions necessary to obtain (and will cooperate with the other parties hereto in
obtaining) any consent, approval, order or authorization of, or any
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or other
person, required to be obtained or made in connection with the taking of any
action contemplated by this Agreement.

            5.12 Additional Agreements; Commercially Reasonable Efforts. Each of
the parties agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the appropriate vote
of stockholders of Target described in Section 5.3, including cooperating fully
with the other party, including by provision of information. In case at any time
after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Corporation with
full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and
franchises of either of the constituent corporations, the proper officers and
directors of each party to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action.

            5.13 Employee Benefits. Acquiror shall take such reasonable actions,
to the extent permitted by Acquiror's benefits program, as are necessary to
allow eligible employees of Target to participate in the benefit programs of
Acquiror, or alternative benefits programs in the aggregate substantially
comparable to those applicable to employees of Acquiror on similar terms, as
soon as practicable after the Closing Date. To the extent permitted by
Acquiror's benefit plans, from and after the Closing Date, Acquiror shall grant
all employees of Target credit for all service (to the same extent as service
with Acquiror is taken into account with respect to similarly situated employees
of Acquiror) with Target prior to the Closing Date for (i) eligibility purposes
and (ii) for purposes of vacation accrual after the Closing Date as if such
service with Target was service with Acquiror.

            5.14 Intentionally Left Blank.

            5.15 Registration Requirements.

                  (a) As soon as reasonably practicable and in any event no
later than thirty (30) business days after the Closing, Acquiror shall prepare
and file a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act to
register the resale of the "Registrable Securities" and thereafter shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to secure the effectiveness of such registration
statement. The "Registrable Securities" shall include: (i) up to twenty percent
(20%) of the Series A--Stock Consideration of each of the holders of the then
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the election of each such
holder, with such irrevocable election to be made in writing not fewer than five
(5) days prior to the Closing; (ii) up to seventy percent (70%) of the Common
Stock Consideration payable to each of the holders of Target Common Stock other
than the Target Founders at the election of each such holder, with such
irrevocable election to be made in writing not fewer than five (5) days prior to
the Closing; and (iii) a number of shares of the Common Stock--Stock
Consideration equal to two million dollars ($2,000,000) divided by the Stock
Price payable to each of the Target


                                       28
<PAGE>

Founders. As provided in Section 5.16 below, all of the Registrable Securities
shall not be deemed to be "Guarantee Shares."

                  (b) Acquiror shall pay all Registration Expenses (as defined
below) in connection with any registration qualification or compliance
hereunder, and each holder of Registrable Securities ("Holder") shall pay all
Selling Expense (as defined below) and other expenses that are not Registration
Expenses relating to the Registrable Securities resold by such Holder.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses, except for Selling Expenses,
incurred by Acquiror in complying with the registration provisions herein
described, including, without limitation, all registration, qualification and
filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel
for Acquiror, blue sky fees and expenses and the expense of any special audits
incident to or required by any such registration. "Selling Expenses" shall mean
all selling commissions, underwriting fees (if any) and stock transfer taxes
applicable to the Registrable Securities and all fees and disbursements of
counsel for any Holder.

                  (c) In the case of any registration effected by Acquiror
pursuant to these registration provisions. Acquiror will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to: (i) keep such registration effective until the earlier of
(A) twelve (12) months after the Closing Date or (B) such date as Acquiror shall
be satisfied that the then-current Holders may sell all of their Registrable
Securities then outstanding within a three (3) month period; (ii) prepare and
file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement
and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statements as may
be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement; (iii)
furnish such number of prospectuses and other documents incident thereto,
including any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus, as a Holder from
time to time may reasonably request; (iv) use its commercially reasonable
efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration
statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as
shall be reasonably requested by the Holders, provided that Acquiror shall not
be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do
business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states
or jurisdictions; (v) cause all such Registrable Securities registered as
described herein to be listed on each securities exchange and quoted on each
quotation service on which similar securities issued by Acquiror are then listed
or quoted; (vi) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable
Securities registered pursuant to such registration statement and a CUSIP number
for all Registrable Securities; and (vii) otherwise use its commercially
reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
SEC, and make available to its security holders, within a reasonably practicable
date, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months,
but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first month after the
effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall
satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

                  (d) With a view to making available to the holders the
benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any other rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell Registrable
Securities to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on
Form S-3, Acquiror hereby covenants and agrees to: (i) make and keep public
information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at
all times after the closing; (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all
reports and other


                                       29
<PAGE>

documents required of Acquiror under the Securities Act and Exchange Act; and
(iii) furnish to any Holder, as long as the Holder owns any Registrable
Securities forthwith upon request, (A) a written statement by Acquiror that it
has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Acts
and the Exchange Act, (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarter report of
Acquiror, and (C) such other information as may be reasonably requested in order
to avail any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the
selling of any such Registrable Securities without registration or pursuant to
such Form S-3.

                  (e) Indemnification.

                        (i) To the extent permitted by law, Acquiror will
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Act)
for such Holder, its officers, directors, shareholders or partners and each
person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of
the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which
they may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or
state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following
statements, omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"): (A) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such
registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus
contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, (B) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein,
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (C) any violation
or alleged violation by Acquiror of the Act, the Exchange Act, any state
securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Act, the Exchange
Act or any state securities law; and Acquiror will pay to each such Holder,
underwriter or controlling person, as incurred, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, or liability, or action; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5.15(e)(i) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, liability, or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of Acquiror (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld), nor shall Acquiror be liable in any such case for any
such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out
of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such
registration by any such Holder, underwriter or controlling person.

                        (ii) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder
will indemnify and hold harmless Acquiror, each of its directors, each of its
officers who has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who
controls Acquiror within the meaning of the Act, any underwriter, any other
Holder selling securities in such registration statement and any controlling
person of any such underwriter or other Holder, against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing persons
may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state
law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to
the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly
for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will pay, as
incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any person intended
to be indemnified pursuant to this


                                       30
<PAGE>

subsection 5.15(e)(ii), in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this subsection 5.15(e)(ii) shall not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld; provided, that, in no event shall any indemnity
under this subsection 5.15(e)(ii) exceed the net proceeds from the offering
received by such Holder, except in the case of willful fraud by such Holder.

                        (iii) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
under this Section 5.15(e) of notice of the commencement of any action
(including governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section
5.15(e), deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement
thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and,
to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified
party (together with all other indemnifying parties which may be represented
without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate
counsel, with the reasonable fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying
party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by
the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party
represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written
notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of
any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall
relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under
this Section 5.15(e), but the omission so to deliver written notice to the
indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any
indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 5.15(e). No indemnifying
party, in defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the
consent of each indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment of enter
into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the
giving by the claimant or plaintiff to the indemnified party of a release from
all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

                        (iv) If the indemnification provided for in this Section
5.15(e) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an
indemnified party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense
referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or
expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other
in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations; provided, that, in no event shall any contribution by a Holder
under this subsection 5.15(e)(iv) exceed the net proceeds from the offering
received by such Holder, except in the case of willful fraud by such Holder. The
relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified
party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.


                                       31
<PAGE>

                        (v) The obligation of Acquiror and Holders under this
Section 5.15(e) shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable
Securities in a registration statement under this Section 5.15(e) and otherwise.

                  (f) If any Holder shall propose to sell any Registrable
Securities pursuant to the registration statement, it shall notify Acquiror of
its intent to do so at least three (3) full trading days prior to such sale, and
the provision of such notice to Acquiror shall conclusively be deemed to
establish an agreement by such Holder to comply with the registration provisions
herein described. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, such notice shall
be deemed to constitute a representation that any information previously
supplied by such Holder is accurate as of the date of such notice.

                  (g) Subject to Section 5.15(h), when a Holder is entitled to
sell and gives notice of its intent to sell pursuant to the registration
statement, Acquiror shall use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish within
one (1) trading day (and shall in any event furnish within three (3) trading
days) to such Holder confirmation that no such supplement or amendment is
required or a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of
such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the
Holders of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the
light of the circumstances then existing.

                  (h) If at any time after a registration statement becomes
effective, Acquiror advises the Holders in writing that the registration
statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or any prospectus comprising a part of such
registration statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading or the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate
development that, in the reasonable discretion of Acquiror, makes it appropriate
to suspend the availability of the registration statement and the related
prospectus, Acquiror shall give notice to the Holders that the availability of
the registration statement is suspended and the Holders shall suspend any
further sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement
until the Holders have been informed in writing that the registration statement
is available, provided that Acquiror may not suspend the availability of the
registration statement unless affiliates of the Acquiror who are subject to
Acquiror's insider trading policies are also precluded from trading in
Acquiror's Common Stock. Acquiror shall be entitled to exercise its right to
suspend the availability of the registration statement for a period exceeding
not more than sixty (60) consecutive days, or a total of one hundred twenty
(120) days within any consecutive three hundred sixty (360) day period. In
addition, each Holder who becomes an employee of Acquiror shall be subject to
Acquiror's insider trading policy to the extent applicable.

                  (i) The registration rights provided in this Section 5.15
shall terminate with respect to a particular Holder if the Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder have been held for the necessary holding period
under Rule 144 and all shares of Registrable Securities held by such Holder may
be sold pursuant to Rule 144 in any three (3) month period. Upon the


                                       32
<PAGE>

termination of registration rights pursuant to this Section 5.15, Acquiror shall
have the right to withdraw the registration statement, or any portion thereof,
covering the Registrable Securities held by such particular Holder.

            5.16 Issuance of Additional Shares. The term "Guarantee Shares"
shall mean the shares of Acquiror Common Stock that are (x) (i) Series A--Stock
Consideration or (ii) Common Stock--Stock Consideration and that are not (y) (A)
Registrable Securities and/or (B) the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock
issued as part of the Common Stock--Stock Consideration equal to six million
dollars ($6,000,000) divided by the Stock Price (the "Delayed Release Shares").
Promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days after October 12, 2000 (the
"Second Installment Date"), Acquiror shall issue a number of additional shares
of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the greater of zero or the following formula
(the "Second Installment Shares"):

                                ((A)($68.36)/B)-A

            Where:

                  A =   The number of Guarantee Shares issued at the Closing and
                        held by the original holder thereof or such holder's
                        heirs as of the Second Installment Date.

                  B =   The greater of (i) $26.00 or (ii) the closing price of
                        Acquiror Common Stock on October 12, 2000.

provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the aggregate number of Second Installment Shares that can be issued pursuant to
this Agreement shall not exceed the total number of shares included in the
Series A - Stock Consideration and the Common Stock - Stock Consideration
combined. Each holder of Guarantee Shares shall receive a number of Second
Installment Shares equal to the total number of Second Installment Shares
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of such
holder's Guarantee Shares and the denominator of which shall be the total number
of Guarantee Shares outstanding. Fractional shares shall be handled in
accordance with the principles set forth in Section 1.6(g). Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, the right to receive Second Installment
Shares shall not be transferable except by will or intestacy and upon any
transfer of Guarantee Shares except by will or intestacy prior to the Second
Installment Date such shares shall no longer be Guarantee Shares pursuant to
this Section 5.16 and the right to receive Second Installment Shares shall be
inapplicable to such Guarantee Shares. The per share and price per share numbers
set forth in this Section 5.16 shall be appropriately adjusted for stock splits,
stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like.


                                       33
<PAGE>

            5.17 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement.

                  (a) Each Target Stockholder hereby agrees that he will not,
and Target and each Target Stockholder hereby agrees to use its and his best
efforts to cause each other stockholder of Target to agree that he, she or it
will not, without the prior written consent of Acquiror, during the period
commencing on the Closing and ending on the date twelve (12) months from the
Closing: (i) lend, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or
contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option,
right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or
indirectly, any Guarantee Shares originally issued to such Target Stockholder
pursuant to this Agreement (or hereafter acquired) or any securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Guarantee Shares, or (ii) enter into any
swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of the Guarantee Shares, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Acquiror Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In
order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to the Guarantee Shares of each Target Stockholder
(and the shares or securities of every other person subject to the foregoing
restriction) until the end of such period.

                  (b) Each Target Stockholder hereby agrees that he will not,
without the prior written consent of Acquiror, during the period commencing on
the Closing and ending on the date nine (9) months from the Closing: (i) lend,
offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
Delayed Release Shares originally issued to such Target Stockholder pursuant to
this Agreement (or hereafter acquired) or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Delayed Release Shares, or (ii) enter into any
swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of the Delayed Release Shares, whether
any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by
delivery of Acquiror Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose
stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Delayed Release Shares of each
Target Stockholder (and the shares or securities of every other person subject
to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period.

                  (c) Each Target Stockholder hereby agrees that he will not,
without the prior written consent of Acquiror, during the period commencing on
the date nine (9) months from the Closing and ending on the date twelve (12)
months from the Closing: (i) lend, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell
any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell,
grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of, directly or indirectly, two-thirds (2/3) of the Delayed Release Shares
originally issued to such Target Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement (or
hereafter acquired) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Delayed Release Shares, or (ii) enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Delayed Release Shares, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Acquiror Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In
order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to the Delayed Release Shares of


                                       34
<PAGE>

each Target Stockholder (and the shares or securities of every other person
subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period.

                  (d) Each Target Stockholder hereby agrees that he will not,
without the prior written consent of Acquiror, during the period commencing on
the date twelve (12) months from the Closing and ending on the date twenty-four
(24) months from the Closing: (i) lend, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell,
sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to
sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or
dispose of, directly or indirectly, one-third (1/3) of the Delayed Release
Shares originally issued to such Target Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement
(or hereafter acquired) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Delayed Release Shares, or (ii) enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Delayed Release Shares, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Acquiror Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In
order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to the Delayed Release Shares of each Target
Stockholder (and the shares or securities of every other person subject to the
foregoing restriction) until the end of such period.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

            6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger.
The respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to consummate and
effect this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject
to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by agreement of all the
parties hereto:

                  (a) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall
have been approved and adopted by the holders of a majority of the shares of
Target Capital Stock and the holders of a majority of the shares of the
Preferred Stock of Target outstanding as of the record date set for the Target
shareholders meeting or solicitation of shareholder consents, and any agreements
or arrangements that may result in the payment of any amount that would not be
deductible by reason of Section 280G of the Code shall have been approved by
such number of shareholders of Target as is required by the terms of Section
280G(b)(5)(B).

                  (b) No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No temporary
restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by
any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect, nor
shall any proceeding brought by an administrative agency or commission or other
governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, seeking any of
the foregoing be pending; nor shall there be any action taken, or any statute,
rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the
Merger, which makes the consummation of the Merger illegal. In the event an
injunction or other order shall have been issued, each party agrees to use its
reasonable diligent efforts to have such injunction or other order lifted.


                                       35
<PAGE>

                  (c) Governmental Approval. Acquiror and Target and their
respective subsidiaries shall have timely obtained from each Governmental Entity
all approvals, waivers and consents, if any, necessary for consummation of or in
connection with the Merger and the several transactions contemplated hereby,
including such approvals, waivers and consents as may be required under the
Securities Act and under state Blue Sky laws.

                  (d) Intentionally Left Blank.

            6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Target. The obligations
of Target to consummate and effect this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Effective Time of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived,
in writing, by Target:

                  (a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Except as
disclosed in the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, (i) the representations and
warranties of Acquiror in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects (except for such representations and warranties that are
qualified by their terms by a reference to materiality which representations and
warranties as so qualified shall be true in all respects) on and as of the
Effective Time as though such representations and warranties were made on and as
of such time and (ii) Acquiror shall have performed and complied in all material
respects with all covenants, obligations and conditions of this Agreement
required to be performed and complied with by them as of the Effective Time.

                  (b) No Stop Order. The SEC shall not have issued any stop
order preventing the sale of any Common Stock of Acquiror.

                  (c) Disclosure Letter. Target shall have received a Disclosure
Letter of Acquiror and Merger Sub reasonably satisfactory to Target.

            6.3 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror and Merger
Sub. The obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub to consummate and effect this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by Acquiror and Merger Sub:

                  (a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Except as
disclosed in the Target Disclosure Letter: (i) the representations and
warranties of Target and Target Stockholders in this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all material respects (except for such representations and warranties
that are qualified by their terms by a reference to materiality which
representations and warranties as so qualified shall be true in all respects) on
and as of the Effective Time as though such representations and warranties were
made on and as of such time and (ii) Target and Target Stockholders shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, obligations
and conditions of this Agreement required to be performed and complied with by
it and them as of the Effective Time.

                  (b) Certificate of Target. Acquiror shall have been provided
with a certificate, dated the Effective Date, executed on behalf of Target by
its President and Chief


                                       36
<PAGE>

Financial Officer to the effect that, as of the Effective Time, the conditions
provided for in subsection (a) above have been satisfied.

                  (c) Third Party Consents. Acquiror shall have been furnished
with evidence satisfactory to it of the consent or approval of those persons
whose consent or approval shall be required in connection with the Merger under
the contracts of Target set forth on the Target Disclosure Letter.

                  (d) Intentionally Left Blank.

                  (e) Injunctions or Restraints on Merger and Conduct of
Business. No proceeding brought by any administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, seeking to
prevent the consummation of the Merger shall be pending. In addition, no
temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory
restraint provision limiting or restricting Acquiror's conduct or operation of
the business of Target and its subsidiaries, following the Merger shall be in
effect, nor shall any proceeding brought by an administrative agency or
commission or other Governmental Entity, domestic or foreign, seeking the
foregoing be pending.

                  (f) Legal Opinion. Acquiror shall have received a legal
opinion from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, Target's legal counsel, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror.

                  (g) Intentionally Left Blank.

                  (h) Employment Agreements; Non-Compete. Each of Michael Wood,
Adam Forbes and Angus Forbes shall have agreed to be employed by Acquiror after
the Closing Date and shall have entered into employment agreements with Acquiror
in the form attached hereto as Exhibits D-1, D-2 and D-3, respectively (the
"Founders' Employment Agreements"). Each other employee of Target who shall have
agreed to be employed by Acquiror after the Closing Date shall have entered into
employment agreements with Acquiror in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E
(the "Key Employee Employment Agreements") and non-competition agreements in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

                  (i) No Material Adverse Changes. There shall not have occurred
any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
properties, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, business,
operations or results of operations of Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.

                  (j) Resignation of Officers and Directors. The officers and
directors of Target in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall have
resigned as officers and directors of Target effective as of the Effective Time.

                  (k) Intentionally Left Blank.


                                       37
<PAGE>

                  (l) Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreements. All of
the employees of Target shall have entered into a Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreements in a form reasonably acceptable to Acquiror.

                  (m) Securities Exemption. The Acquiror shares to be issued in
the Merger shall be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.

                  (n) Due Diligence/Disclosure Letter. Acquiror shall have
received a Disclosure Letter of Target and Target Stockholders reasonably
satisfactory to Acquiror. Acquiror shall have completed its legal, financial and
technical due diligence review of Target to its reasonable satisfaction;
provided, however, that such due diligence review must be completed on or prior
to the date that is two-weeks from the date of this Agreement.

                  (o) Stockholders' Representations Agreement. Each stockholder
of Target shall have executed the Stockholders' Representations Agreement in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit G (the "Stockholders' Representations
Agreement"). Michael Wood shall have agreed to act as Purchaser Representative
(as such term is defined in the Stockholders' Representations Agreement).

                                  ARTICLE VII

                   TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

            7.1 Termination. At any time prior to the Effective Time, whether
before or after approval of the matters presented in connection with the Merger
by the shareholders of Target, this Agreement may be terminated:

                  (a) by mutual consent duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Acquiror and Target;

                  (b) by either Acquiror or Target, if, without fault of the
terminating party, the Closing shall not have occurred by February 27, 2000
(provided, a later date may be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto, and
provided further that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section
7.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has
been the cause or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before
such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this
Agreement);

                  (c) by Acquiror, if (i) Target shall breach any
representation, warranty, obligation or agreement hereunder (except, in all such
cases, where such breaches of such representations and warranties, individually
or in the aggregate, have not substantially impaired nor reasonably would be
expected to substantially impair, Acquiror's ability after the Closing to
continue to develop, produce, sell and distribute the products and services that
are material to Acquiror's business in a manner that has resulted in or would
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror) and
such breach shall not have been cured (if capable of being cured) within five
(5) business days of receipt by Target of written notice of such breach, or (ii)
the Board of Directors of Target shall have withdrawn or modified its
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger in a manner adverse to Acquiror
or shall have resolved to do any


                                       38
<PAGE>

of the foregoing; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement by
Acquiror under this Section 7.1(c) shall not be available to Acquiror where
Acquiror is at that time in material breach of this Agreement; or

                  (d) by Target, if Acquiror shall breach any representation,
warranty, obligation or agreement hereunder (except, in all such cases, where
such breaches of such representations and warranties, individually or in the
aggregate, have not substantially impaired nor reasonably would be expected to
substantially impair, Acquiror's ability after the Closing to continue to
develop, produce, sell and distribute the products and services that are
material to Acquiror's business in a manner that has resulted in or would
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror) and
such breach shall not have been cured (if capable of being cured) within five
(5) days following receipt by Acquiror of written notice of such breach;
provided that the right to terminate this Agreement by Target under this Section
7.1(d) shall not be available to Target where Target is at that time in material
breach of this Agreement; or

                  (e) by Target or Acquiror if any permanent injunction or other
order of a court or other competent authority preventing the consummation of the
Merger shall have become final and nonappealable.

            7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void
and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of Acquiror or Target
or their respective officers, directors, shareholders or affiliates, except to
the extent that such termination results from the willful breach by a party
hereto of any of its representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this
Agreement; provided that, the provisions of Section 5.5 (Public Disclosure),
Section 7.3 (Expenses) and this Section 7.2 shall remain in full force and
effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.

            7.3 Expenses. Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs
and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its
advisors, accountants and legal counsel) shall be paid by the party incurring
such expense; provided, however, that if the Merger is consummated, any expenses
of legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors of Target or its
stockholders incurred in connection with the post letter of intent portion of
the Merger in excess of $110,000 (the "Excess Acquisition Expenses") shall be
deducted from the Acquiror Common Stock deliverable at the Closing. If either
Acquiror or Target receives any invoices for Excess Acquisition Expenses after
the Closing, such Excess Acquisition Expenses paid shall be promptly reimbursed
by the Target Stockholders.

            7.4 Amendment. The boards of directors of the parties hereto may
cause this Agreement to be amended at any time by execution of an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto; provided, that an
amendment made subsequent to adoption of the Agreement by the shareholders of
Target shall not be made except as permitted by law.

            7.5 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time any
party hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto,
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the


                                       39
<PAGE>

representations and warranties made to such party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any
agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

            8.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
Notwithstanding any investigation conducted before or after the Closing Date,
and notwithstanding any actual or implied knowledge or notice of any facts or
circumstances that Acquiror, Merger Sub, Target or the Target Stockholders may
have as a result of such investigation or otherwise, Acquiror, Merger Sub,
Target and the Target Stockholders will be entitled to rely upon the other
party's representations, warranties, agreements and covenants set forth in this
Agreement. The obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub with respect to their
representations, warranties, agreements and covenants will survive the Closing
and continue in full force and effect until the date twenty-four (24) months
following the Closing Date (the "Termination Date"), at which time, subject to
this Article VIII, the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants of
Acquiror and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement and any liability of the
Acquiror and Merger Sub with respect to such representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants will terminate. The obligations of Target and Target
Stockholders with respect to their representations, warranties, agreements and
covenants will survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect until
the date twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date (the "Termination
Date"), at which time, subject to this Article VIII, the representations,
warranties, agreements and covenants of Target and Target Stockholders set forth
in this Agreement (other than any such Tax Provisions (as defined below)) and
any liability of the Target Stockholders with respect to such representations,
warranties, agreements and covenants will terminate. Any representations,
warranties, agreements or covenants of Target or the Target Stockholders
relating to Tax matters (collectively, "Tax Provisions") and any liability of
the Target Stockholders with respect thereto will survive the Closing and
continue in full force and effect until the later of the Termination Date or the
termination of the applicable statute of limitations thereto (the "Tax
Provisions Termination Date"), at which time such representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants and any liability of Target and Target Stockholders
with respect to such representations, warranties, agreements and covenants will
terminate. If a claim is made by either party prior to the expiration of any
representations, warranties, agreements or covenants, such claim shall survive
until such claim is finally resolved.

            8.2 Indemnity. From and after the Effective Time of the Merger, and
subject to the provisions and limits of Section 8.1, Acquiror and the Surviving
Corporation (on or after the Closing Date) shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Target Stockholders against, and reimbursed for, any actual
liability, damage, loss, obligation, demand, judgment, fine, penalty, cost or
expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and the costs of
investigation incurred in defending against or settling such liability, damage,
loss, cost or expense or claim therefor and any amounts paid in settlement
thereof, imposed on or reasonably


                                       40
<PAGE>

incurred by Acquiror or the Surviving Corporation as a result of any breach of
any representation, warranty or covenant on the part of Target and/or Target
Stockholders under this Agreement (collectively the "Damages"). "Damages" as
used herein is not limited to matters asserted by third parties, but includes
Damages incurred or sustained by Acquiror in the absence of claims by a third
party. In determining the amount of any Damages attributable to a breach, any
materiality or knowledge standard contained in a representation, warranty or
covenant shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror and the
Surviving Corporation shall not be entitled to indemnification for Damages
caused by violations of covenants of the Target undertaken at the direction or
control of Acquiror after the Closing.

            8.3 Intentionally Left Blank.

            8.4 Intentionally Left Blank.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

            9.1 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial
delivery service, or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent via facsimile (with confirmation of receipt) to the parties
at the following address (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):

                  (a)   if to Acquiror or Merger Sub, to:

                        Micromuse Inc.
                        139 Townsend Street
                        San Francisco, CA 94107
                        Attention: James B. De Golia
                        Facsimile No.:  (415) 538-9091
                        Telephone No.: (415) 538-9090

                        with a copy to:

                        Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
                        Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
                        155 Constitution Drive
                        Menlo Park, CA 94025
                        Attention:  Robert V. Gunderson, Jr.
                        Facsimile No.: (650) 321-2400
                        Telephone No.: (650) 321-2800

                  (b)   if to Target or the Target Stockholders, to:


                                       41
<PAGE>

                        c/o Michael Wood
                        39 Broadway, 6th Floor
                        New York, NY  10004

                        with a copy to:

                        Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
                        919 Third Avenue
                        New York, NY  10022
                        Attention:  Bruce Rabb
                        Facsimile No.: (212) 715-9100
                        Telephone No.: (212) 715-8000

            9.2 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
Exhibits, such reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. The words "include," "includes" and "including" when used
herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words "without
limitation." In this Agreement, any reference to any event, change, condition or
effect being "material" with respect to any entity or group of entities means
any material event, change, condition or effect related to the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties, assets (including intangible assets),
liabilities, business, prospects, operations or results of operations of such
entity or group of entities. In this Agreement, any reference to a "Material
Adverse Effect" with respect to any entity or group of entities means any event,
change or effect that is materially adverse to the condition (financial or
otherwise), properties, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities,
business, prospects, operations or results of operations of such entity and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. In this Agreement, any reference to a party's
"knowledge" means such party's actual knowledge after due inquiry of officers,
directors and other employees of such party and its subsidiaries reasonably
believed to have knowledge of such matters. The phrase "made available" in this
Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available if
requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available. The
phrases "the date of this Agreement," "the date hereof," and terms of similar
import, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be deemed to refer to
November 2, 1999. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

            9.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.

            9.4 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement,
the other Transaction Documents and the documents and instruments and other
agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto,
including the Exhibits, the Schedules, including the Target Disclosure Letter
and the Acquiror Disclosure Letter (a) constitute the entire agreement among the
parties with respect to the


                                       42
<PAGE>

subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, except for the non-disclosure agreement by and between the parties dated
October 14, 1999, which shall continue in full force and effect, and shall
survive any termination of this Agreement or the Closing, in accordance with its
terms; (b) are not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or
remedies hereunder, except for the rights of the Target Stockholders to receive
the consideration set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

            9.5 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement,
or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such
provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably
to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace
such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and
enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic,
business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

            9.6 Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided herein, any
and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed
cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by
law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy
will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

            9.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to
applicable principles of conflicts of law. Each of the parties hereto
irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court located within
New York County, New York, in connection with any matter based upon or arising
out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated herein, agrees that process
may be served upon them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of New
York for such persons and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any
objection which they might otherwise have to such jurisdiction and such process.

            9.8 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties
hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties
and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

            9.9 Rules of Construction. The parties hereto agree that they have
been represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of
this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation,
holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or
other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or
document.


                                       43
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub have caused this
Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, and the Target Stockholders have executed this Agreement, all
as of the date first written above.


                                       "TARGET":


                                       By:______________________________________
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                       "ACQUIROR":


                                       By:______________________________________
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                       "MERGER SUB":


                                       By:______________________________________
                                             President and Secretary


                                       "TARGET STOCKHOLDERS":


                                       _________________________________________
                                       Adam Forbes


                                       _________________________________________
                                       Michael Wood


            SIGNATURE PAGE TOP AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION



                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

             REPORT ON SCHEDULE AND CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Micromuse Inc. and subsidiaries:

The audits referred to in our report dated October 23, 1999, except as to Note
11 which is as of November 2, 1999, included the related financial statement
schedule as of September 30, 1999, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended September 30, 1999, included in the annual report on Form 10-K of
Micromuse Inc. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
financial statement schedule based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects
the information set forth therein.

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement No.
333-46649 on Form S-8 of Micromuse Inc. and subsidiaries of our reports dated
October 23, 1999, except as to Note 11 which is as of November 2, 1999, relating
to the consolidated balance sheets of Micromuse Inc. and subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended September 30, 1999, and related schedule, which
reports appear in the September 30, 1999, annual report on Form 10-K of
Micromuse Inc.

KPMG LLP
Mountain View, California
December 28, 1999


                                       47


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND
ON PAGE 27 AND 28 OF THIS FORM 10K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000


<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                         YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                              35,058
<SECURITIES>                                        34,689
<RECEIVABLES>                                        9,895
<ALLOWANCES>                                          (282)
<INVENTORY>                                              0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    83,590
<PP&E>                                              10,474
<DEPRECIATION>                                      (4,490)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      90,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               20,599
<BONDS>                                                  0
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                            73,909
<OTHER-SE>                                          (3,903)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        90,605
<SALES>                                             43,692
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    58,070
<CGS>                                                2,379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       53,435
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       411
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      31
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      8,726
<INCOME-TAX>                                          (840)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  7,886
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         7,886
<EPS-BASIC>                                         0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.50



</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission