BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP
S-1/A, 1997-09-16
COMPUTER STORAGE DEVICES
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1997
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-31873
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>                                  <C>
             NEW YORK                               3572                              13-3460176
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION         (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL               (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)       CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)             IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                           161 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013
                                 (212) 989-4455
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                  PHILIP BLACK
                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
                           161 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013
                                 (212) 989-4455
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
                  LEO SILVERSTEIN, ESQ.                                         JOHN W. WHITE, ESQ.
                   BROCK, FENSTERSTOCK,                                       CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
            SILVERSTEIN, MCAULIFFE & WADE, LLC                                    WORLDWIDE PLAZA
             ONE CITICORP CENTER, 56TH FLOOR                                     825 EIGHTH AVENUE
                    153 E. 53RD STREET                                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022                                          (212) 474-1000
                      (212) 371-2000
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================
                                                                                   PROPOSED
                                                                  PROPOSED         MAXIMUM
            TITLE OF EACH CLASS                   AMOUNT          MAXIMUM         AGGREGATE
               OF SECURITIES                      TO BE        OFFERING PRICE      OFFERING        AMOUNT OF
              TO BE REGISTERED                REGISTERED(1)     PER SHARE(2)     PRICE(1)(2)    REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Common Stock, $.01 par value................    6,325,000          $15.00        $94,875,000        $28,750
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Includes 825,000 shares which the Underwriters have the option to purchase
    to cover over-allotments, if any. See "Underwriting."
    
   
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee, of which
    $22,442 was previously paid.
    
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
     may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
     becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
     the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
     securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
     unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
     of any such State.
 
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
   
                               SEPTEMBER 16, 1997
    
PROSPECTUS
 
   
5,500,000 SHARES
    
 
BOXHILL LOGO
 
COMMON STOCK
($.01 PAR VALUE)
 
   
Of the 5,500,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), of Box Hill Systems Corp. ("Box Hill" or the "Company") offered hereby
(the "Shares"), 3,150,000 shares are being issued and sold by the Company and
2,350,000 shares are being sold by certain shareholders of the Company (the
"Selling Shareholders"). The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from
the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Shareholders. See "Principal
and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
   
Prior to this offering (the "Offering"), there has been no public market for the
Common Stock. It is currently anticipated that the initial public offering price
will be between $14.00 and $15.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion
of the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering
price.
    
 
The Common Stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "BXH," subject to official notice of issuance.
 
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SHARES BEING OFFERED
HEREBY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    PRICE TO       UNDERWRITING      PROCEEDS TO
                                     PUBLIC          DISCOUNT        COMPANY(1)       PROCEEDS TO
                                                                                        SELLING
                                                                                     SHAREHOLDERS
<S>                              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Per Share......................  $                $                $                $
Total(2).......................  $                $                $                $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company estimated
    at $700,000.
    
   
(2) The Company has granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
    to an aggregate of 825,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the Price to
    Public less the Underwriting Discount solely to cover over-allotments, if
    any. If the Underwriters exercise such option in full, the total Price to
    Public, Underwriting Discount, Proceeds to Company will be $          ,
    $          and $          , respectively. See "Underwriting."
    
 
The Shares are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, to
prior sale and to the Underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that delivery of the Shares will be made at the office of Salomon Brothers Inc,
Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York, or through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company, on or about             , 1997.
 
SALOMON BROTHERS INC                                       MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
The date of this Prospectus is             , 1997.
<PAGE>   3
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING STABILIZING AND SYNDICATE COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND THE IMPOSITION OF
A PENALTY BID. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     Certain statements contained in this "Prospectus Summary" and in "Risk
Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business," including statements regarding the
anticipated development and expansion of the Company's business, the intent,
belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers,
primarily with respect to the future operating performance of the Company and
the products it expects to offer and other statements contained herein regarding
matters that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements. Because
such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, the factors set forth in "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business."
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by and should be read in
conjunction with the more detailed information, financial statements, including
the notes thereto, and pro forma financial information appearing elsewhere in
this Prospectus. Prospective investors should carefully consider the information
set forth under "Risk Factors." Unless otherwise stated, or unless the context
otherwise requires, all information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of
the Underwriters' over-allotment option. All share totals stated herein reflect
a 3.3-for-1 stock split which will occur in connection with the Offering. See
"Glossary" for the Company's definitions of certain terms and acronyms used
herein.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Box Hill designs, manufactures, markets and supports high-performance data
storage systems for the Open Systems computing environment. The Company's
storage solutions encompass a broad range of scalable products and services
targeting high-end customers who demand high performance, high availability and
the highest level of customer and technical support. The Company has a history
of providing storage solutions that meet these requirements by combining
extensive design and implementation experience with leading edge technologies.
The Company was among the first to develop and successfully commercialize a
hot-swappable SCSI Disk Array storage system and a Redundant Array of
Inexpensive/Independent Disks ("RAID") storage system for UNIX. In addition, the
Company recently introduced the Fibre Box(R), one of the first Fibre Channel
storage systems, and is finalizing the development of its X/ORaid(TM) Module,
which takes advantage of the new RAID capabilities that are currently being
embedded in Fibre Channel drives. Box Hill is also a leader in providing
comprehensive "best of breed" backup solutions to the Open Systems marketplace.
 
     Demand for the Company's products is fueled by the rapid proliferation of
new data-intensive applications, such as video, the Internet, intranets,
multimedia, data warehousing and data mining, as well as the migration of
mission-critical applications off mainframe computers. These products are
targeted to the high end of the Open Systems market, which is characterized by
large capacity UNIX and Windows NT servers operating in multi-platform
environments, generally running mission-critical applications. International
Data Corporation ("IDC"), an independent market research firm, estimates that
the worldwide market for RAID storage systems in UNIX environments will grow at
a compounded annual growth rate of 19.3%, increasing from $6.3 billion in 1996
to $12.9 billion in 2000. In addition, IDC estimates that the worldwide market
for RAID storage systems in Windows NT environments will grow at a compounded
annual growth rate of 34.1%, increasing from $1.3 billion in 1996 to $4.3
billion in 2000.
 
     The Open Systems market's current storage options include Disk Arrays, RAID
storage systems and tape backup systems, each of which are generally attached to
hosts by the Small Computer Systems Interface ("SCSI"). Fibre Channel, an
emerging high-speed serial interface that has recently become commercially
available, enables the transfer of data between computers and peripherals at
substantially increased rates, over greatly increased cabling lengths and among
a greater number of host/device connections. Fibre Channel also enables industry
standard RAID functionality to be efficiently embedded
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
in Fibre Channel disk drives, thereby eliminating the necessity for traditional
RAID approaches that include CPU-intensive software RAID or an additional
hardware RAID controller. In addition, the Company envisions the development of
storage area networks ("SAN"s), enabled principally by Fibre Channel and
"clustering" software, such as Microsoft's "Wolfpack," that will add networking
capabilities to storage devices.
 
     The Company's family of products and services is intended to provide
high-end users in the Open Systems market with the following benefits: (i)
faster response times, greater capacities, higher availability of data and
minimum system downtime; (ii) reliable, high quality, well-integrated backup
systems designed to satisfy customers' individual needs; (iii) all-encompassing
solutions, including design consulting, installation, integration, training and
comprehensive, 24-hour, post-sales service and technical support, as well as
software-based management tools; (iv) systems specifically designed to be
compatible with a variety of UNIX and Windows NT platforms; and (v) scalable
systems designed to satisfy the changing information technology needs of
customers.
 
     The Company employs a direct marketing strategy targeted at data-intensive
industries, which to date primarily include financial services,
telecommunications, health care, government/defense and academia. Some of the
Company's customers include Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, AT&T, Bell Atlantic,
Lucent Technologies, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Lockheed Martin,
NASA, Columbia University and Rutgers University.
 
     Box Hill's objective is to continue its growth and enhance its position as
a leading independent provider of storage solutions to the Open Systems
marketplace. To achieve this objective, the Company plans to build upon its
record of successfully introducing and commercializing new products and
technologies that address the evolving data storage needs of its high-end
customer base. Key elements of this strategy are to maintain technological
leadership and innovation, focus on high-end markets in target industries,
expand geographically, focus on direct sales to end users and develop
relationships with OEM customers.
 
     The Company was incorporated in New York in April 1988. Its executive
offices are located at 161 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013 and its
telephone number is (212) 989-4455.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Common Stock Offered:
  By the Company......................................  3,150,000 shares
  By the Selling Shareholders.........................  2,350,000 shares
          Total.......................................  5,500,000 shares
Common Stock Outstanding After the Offering(1)........  13,050,000 shares
Use of Proceeds.......................................  The net proceeds to the Company from
                                                        the Offering will be used principally
                                                        to fund the Company's growth and
                                                        expansion plans, increase working
                                                        capital and for other general
                                                        corporate purposes. In addition, a
                                                        portion of the net proceeds will be
                                                        used to distribute to the current
                                                        shareholders the previously taxed,
                                                        but undistributed, S Corporation
                                                        earnings, which, as of June 30, 1997,
                                                        were approximately $10,500,000. See
                                                        "Use of Proceeds."
New York Stock Exchange Symbol........................  BXH
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) Excludes 1,645,797 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding stock options. See "Management -- Incentive Program" and Note 5
    of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 for a discussion of certain factors
that should be considered by prospective purchasers of the Shares being offered
hereby.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         SIX MONTHS
                                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                    -----------------------------------------------   -----------------
                                                     1992      1993      1994      1995      1996      1996      1997
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net revenues......................................  $27,608   $44,956   $55,232   $40,225   $50,027   $23,144   $32,228
Cost of goods sold................................   17,018    26,453    33,568    24,067    33,028    15,234    20,828
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Gross profit......................................   10,590    18,503    21,664    16,158    16,999     7,910    11,400
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Operating expenses:
  Shareholder officers' compensation..............    6,021    12,608    15,174     9,067     6,347     2,914     4,908
  Engineering and product development.............      659       975     1,420     1,634     2,071     1,036     1,082
  Sales and marketing.............................      955     1,569     2,405     3,150     5,325     2,479     3,285
  General and administrative......................      526       831     1,351     1,931     2,348     1,065     1,418
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total operating expenses..........................    8,161    15,983    20,350    15,782    16,091     7,494    10,693
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Operating income..................................    2,429     2,520     1,314       376       908       416       707
Interest expense (income), net....................      (16)      (80)       62        33      (144)      (43)      (22)
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Income before income taxes........................    2,445     2,600     1,252       343     1,052       459       729
Income taxes(1)...................................      238       459       426       311       226       103       160
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Net income(1).....................................  $ 2,207   $ 2,141   $   826   $    32   $   826   $   356   $   569
                                                    =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
Pro forma income before income taxes(2)...........                                          $ 6,124   $ 2,735   $ 4,999
Pro forma income taxes(3).........................                                            2,358     1,053     1,925
                                                                                            -------   -------   -------
Pro forma net income..............................                                          $ 3,766   $ 1,682   $ 3,074
                                                                                            =======   =======   =======
Pro forma net income per share(4).................                                          $   .32   $   .14   $   .26
                                                                                            =======   =======   =======
Shares used in computing pro forma net income per
  share(4)........................................                                           11,754    11,744    11,764
                                                                                            =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                           ---------------------------------------
                                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                                           ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(5)   AS ADJUSTED(6)
                                                                           -------   ------------   --------------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>       <C>            <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents................................................  $ 6,536     $  6,536        $ 37,814
Working capital (deficit)................................................    8,685       (1,201)         40,577
Total assets.............................................................   26,483       27,171          58,449
Shareholders' equity (deficit)...........................................    9,338         (474)         41,304
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) For the periods presented, the Company was an S Corporation and,
    accordingly, was not subject to federal and state income taxes. Income taxes
    consist of New York City taxes and state franchise taxes.
 
(2) Pro forma income before income taxes reflects a pro forma adjustment to
    reduce shareholder officers' compensation expense to reflect recently
    executed employment agreements with the Company's three shareholder officers
    which extend through December 31, 2000. The agreements provide for combined
    minimum annual base compensation for the three shareholder officers of
    $1,275,000. In addition, the shareholder officers are eligible for a
    combined annual bonus equal to 1.0% of the Company's net revenues in excess
    of $100,000,000, plus 8.0% of the Company's income before income taxes in
    excess of $20,000,000. See Notes 2 and 8 of Notes to the Company's Financial
    Statements and "Management -- Employment and Compensation Agreements."
 
(3) Pro forma income taxes have been computed as if the Company was subject to
    federal and state income taxes for all periods presented, based on the tax
    laws in effect during those periods. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's
    Financial Statements.
 
   
(4) Pro forma net income per share is computed by dividing pro forma net income
    by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the respective
    periods, adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock options, and after
    giving effect to the estimated number of shares that would be required to be
    sold (assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share) to fund
    a distribution to the current shareholders of all previously taxed, but
    undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000 had such
    distribution occurred on June 30, 1997. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's
    Financial Statements and "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend
    Policy."
    
 
(5) Adjusted to give pro forma effect to (i) a final S Corporation distribution
    to the current shareholders, representing all previously taxed, but
    undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000 had such
    distribution occurred on June 30, 1997 and (ii) a net deferred tax asset
    which will be recorded by the Company as a result of the termination of its
    S Corporation status, estimated at $688,000 had such termination occurred on
    June 30, 1997. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements and
    "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
   
(6) Adjusted to give effect to (i) the pro forma adjustments described in (5)
    above and (ii) the sale by the Company of 3,150,000 shares of Common Stock
    (assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share) and the
    application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds"
    and "Capitalization."
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
           CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     Certain statements contained in "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Business," including statements regarding the anticipated
development and expansion of the Company's business, the intent, belief or
current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers, primarily
with respect to the future operating performance of the Company and the products
it expects to offer and other statements contained herein regarding matters that
are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements. Because such
statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the factors
set forth in "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should consider carefully the risk factors set forth below
before making an investment in the Common Stock.
 
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCTS; INTRODUCTION OF FIBRE
CHANNEL PRODUCT LINE
 
     The Open Systems storage market in which the Company operates is
characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product introductions
and evolving industry standards. Customer preferences in that market are
difficult to predict. The introduction of products embodying new technologies by
the Company's competitors and the emergence of new industry standards could
render the Company's existing products as well as new products being introduced,
such as the Fibre Box(R), its recently introduced Fibre Channel storage system,
obsolete and unmarketable. The Company's success will depend upon its ability to
address the increasingly sophisticated needs of its customers and to develop and
introduce, on a timely basis, new competitive products (including new software
and enhancements to existing software) that keep pace with technological
developments and emerging industry standards and to enhance existing products.
The introduction of new and enhanced products such as the Fibre Box(R) also
requires that the Company manage transitions from older products in order to
minimize disruptions in customer orders and ensure that adequate supplies of new
products can be delivered to meet customer orders. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in identifying, managing, developing,
manufacturing or marketing product enhancements or new products that respond to
technological change or evolving industry standards, that the Company will not
experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development,
introduction or marketing of such products, or that its new products and product
enhancements will adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and
achieve market acceptance. Further risks inherent in new product introductions
include the uncertainty of price performance relative to products of
competitors, including competitors' responses to new introductions. The
Company's business and operating results could be materially and adversely
affected if the Company were to be unsuccessful, or to incur significant delays,
in developing and introducing new products or enhancements.
 
     The Company has begun shipping the Fibre Box(R) principally for customer
evaluation and has made limited sales to date. The Company does not anticipate
commencing significant commercial shipment of the Fibre Box(R) until 1998.
Currently, Fibre Box(R) is compatible only with Windows NT platforms, and there
can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in modifying the Fibre
Box(R) and its key components to be compatible with any of the UNIX platforms.
Moreover, the X/ORaid(TM) Module, a future optional component of the Fibre
Box(R) product line which activates RAID processors embedded on the Fibre
Channel disk drives, is currently in development, and there can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in bringing it to market. The failure of the
Fibre Box(R) and other new products to adequately meet current preferences of
the marketplace or achieve market acceptance could have a
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position and
results of operations. See "Business -- Current and Emerging Technologies."
 
DEPENDENCE ON LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS OF KEY COMPONENTS
 
     The Company relies on other companies to supply certain key components of
its products that are available only from limited sources in the quantities and
quality demanded by the Company. The Company purchases substantially all of its
disk drives and all of its Fibre Channel drives from Seagate Technology, Inc.
("Seagate"), its DLT tape drives only from Quantum Corporation ("Quantum") and
its hardware RAID controllers only from CMD Technology, Inc. ("CMD").
Approximately 35.6%, 52.7% and 39.4% of the Company's raw material purchases
were from Seagate and approximately 13.8%, 16.5% and 9.7% of the Company's total
raw material purchases were from Quantum in the years ended December 31, 1995
and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997, respectively. In addition,
the Company purchases substantially all of its raw materials pursuant to
purchase orders, rather than pursuant to long term purchase agreements, and
maintains minimum inventory levels. Quantum is the only supplier of DLT tape
drives, which are currently in tight supply, and Seagate is the only
manufacturer and distributor of Fibre Channel drives. If the Company faced a
shortage of DLT tape drives or Fibre Channel drives, manufacture and shipment of
certain of the Company's products could be delayed indefinitely, as long as
there continue to be no alternative sources of supply. Even if alternative
sources of supply became available, the incorporation of such components from
alternative suppliers and the manufacture and shipment of such products could be
delayed while modifications to such products and accompanying software were made
to accommodate the introduction of alternative suppliers' components. The
Company has experienced a shortage of DLT tape drives in the past, and there can
be no assurance that the Company will not experience shortages of these or other
components in the future. Although hardware RAID controllers are available from
other sources, the Company estimates that replacing CMD's hardware RAID
controllers with those of another supplier would involve several months of
hardware and software modification. The Company's reliance on the limited number
of suppliers for key components of its products, the absence of long term
purchase agreements in connection therewith, the fact that the Company maintains
minimum inventory levels and the fact that there is currently a significant
market demand for disk drives, tape drives and hardware RAID controllers involve
several risks in addition to inadequate supply. These risks include the
potential for price increases, selective supply allocations, late deliveries and
poor component quality. They are particularly significant with respect to
suppliers of disk drives because, in order to meet product performance or
individual customer requirements, the Company must obtain disk drives with
extremely high quality and capacity. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not experience shortages of key components in the future or that the
Company will not be subject to selective supply allocations and increased prices
of components. Any shortage of key components and any delay or other difficulty
in obtaining such components from other suppliers and integrating them into the
Company's products could materially and adversely affect the Company's business,
financial position and results of operations.
 
CONCENTRATION OF CUSTOMERS IN TARGETED INDUSTRIES AND THE UNIX MARKETPLACE
 
     The Company has historically targeted industries requiring high-end storage
products, and a material portion of the Company's revenues to date has been
derived from sales to customers in the financial services industry and the
telecommunications industry. In 1995, direct sales to customers in the financial
services and telecommunications industries constituted 55% and 9%, respectively,
of Box Hill's net revenues and in 1996, 42% and 18%, respectively. An economic
downturn in any industry targeted by the Company with a material concentration
of customers could result in a material decrease in revenues. In 1994, a severe
downturn in the bond market caused several of the Company's large customers in
the financial services industry to reduce significantly their purchasing. This
contributed to a material decrease in net revenues of 27% from 1994 to 1995.
 
     In addition, historically, a material percentage of the Company's revenues
in each year has been derived from a limited number of customers. For example,
in 1995, the Company's top five customers,
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
including distributors, accounted for approximately 36% of the Company's total
net revenues (a reduction from 45% in 1994). Similarly, in 1996, sales to the
top five customers (some of which were different from the top five in 1995)
represented approximately 36% of the Company's total net revenues. In 1995, two
customers (a major investment banking firm and a distributor in Tokyo) were each
responsible for more than 10% of the Company's revenues (24% in the aggregate).
In 1996 and 1997, no customer was responsible for 10% or more of the Company's
revenues, but in the six months ended June 30, 1997, direct sales to Lucent
Technologies Inc. and AT&T Corp. represented, in the aggregate, approximately
17% thereof. The Company generally does not enter into long-term contracts with
its customers, and customers generally have certain rights to extend or delay
the shipment of their orders or cancel orders without penalty. Loss of any one
or more principal customers or a material decrease in their orders could
materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial position and
results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
     Substantially all of the Company's revenues to date have been concentrated
in the UNIX marketplace, and within the UNIX marketplace, a significant portion
of the Company's revenues are associated with versions of UNIX manufactured by
Sun Microsystems, Inc. ("Sun Microsystems"). If Sun Microsystems were to change
its policy of supporting Open Systems computing environments and if the
Company's products were thereby rendered incompatible with Sun Microsystems'
products, the Company's business, financial position and results of operations
could be materially and adversely affected.
 
DIFFICULTIES IN MANAGING GROWTH
 
     The Company's growth and expansion may place a significant strain on its
administrative, operational and financial resources and increased demands on its
manufacturing, sales and customer service functions, especially as the Company
attempts to expand its geographic reach and becomes less reliant on the
financial services and telecommunications industries. The Company's operations
have been based in New York City since its incorporation, and its sales have
been effected primarily in the northeastern region of the United States. The
opening of new offices may result in the loss of benefits derived from the
concentration of marketing and technical support in the Company's New York
office and the close proximity of such resources to a significant portion of its
customer base. To manage its growth effectively, the Company will need to hire,
train, motivate and manage new management, technical and sales employees. In
connection with its planned geographical expansion, the Company will incur
travel, telecommunications and other incremental costs, as well as increased
human resources costs. The failure by the Company to generate sufficient
revenues to offset the costs of geographical expansion could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition. If the Company is able to successfully execute its expansion plans
but growth in demand for its products increases at a significantly higher rate
than anticipated, the Company may lack the production capacity necessary to
satisfy such demand in a timely fashion and its customers may experience
manufacturing or delivery delays or interruptions in service and support which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial
position. This risk may be exacerbated by the fact that the Company does not
have long term purchase agreements with customers and maintains minimal
inventory levels, making it difficult for the Company to forecast demand for its
products, optimize utilization of manufacturing capacity and avoid the
possibility that the Company's resources may be excessively burdened from time
to time if customers place orders for substantially more products than they
customarily require. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
manage expansion successfully or that the Company's infrastructure, including
but not limited to its systems, procedures and controls, will be adequate to
support such expansion. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to achieve commercial success and maintain client service and
support in a geographically expanded area of operations at levels that it
historically achieved and provided in a geographically concentrated area.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for Open Systems storage is intensely competitive. The Company
competes primarily with traditional suppliers of computer systems such as Compaq
Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company ("Hewlett-Packard"), Sun
Microsystems, International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM"), Data General
Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation, which market storage systems as
well as other computer products. The Company also competes against independent
storage system suppliers to the high-end Open Systems market, including EMC
Corporation, Network Appliance, Inc., Ciprico Inc. and MTI Technology
Corporation ("MTI"). In the area of tape backup, the Company competes with
suppliers of tape-based storage systems such as Datalink Corporation, MTI and
numerous resellers.
 
     Many of the Company's current and potential competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical, marketing, purchasing and other resources than the
Company, and as a result, may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging
technologies and changes in customer requirements, or devote greater resources
to the development, promotion and sale of products than the Company, or to
deliver competitive products at a lower end-user price. The Company also expects
that competition will increase as a result of industry consolidations. Current
and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative
relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the ability of
their products to address the needs of the Company's prospective customers.
Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors
may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. Increased competition
may result in price reductions, reduced operating margins and loss of market
share, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results or financial condition.
 
COMPETITIVE PRICING
 
     Competitive pricing pressures exist in the data storage market, and have
had and may in the future have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and
earnings. There also has been, and may continue to be, a willingness on the part
of certain large competitors to reduce prices in order to preserve or gain
market share, which cannot be foreseen by the Company. The Company believes that
pricing pressures are likely to continue as competitors develop more competitive
product offerings.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company's future operating results depend in significant part upon the
continued contributions of its officers and other key management and technical
personnel, particularly engineers, many of whom would be difficult to replace.
The Company's employees, including several members of its management team, may
voluntarily terminate their employment with the Company at any time, and
competition for qualified employees in the data storage industry is intense. The
Company has employment agreements with Dr. Benjamin Monderer and Ms. Carol
Turchin (who are husband and wife) and Mr. Mark Mays that run through December
31, 2000. Dr. Monderer, the Company's President, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Technical Officer, Ms. Turchin, a Director and Executive Vice President of the
Company, and Mr. Mays, a Director, Vice President and Secretary of the Company,
are co-founders of the Company. Although the employment agreements with each of
these officers and the Company's Compensation Plan and Agreement with Mr. Philip
Black, its Chief Executive Officer, contain non-competition and confidentiality
agreements (see "Management" and "Principal and Selling Shareholders"), there
can be no assurance that these provisions will be enforceable in whole or in
part. In addition, the Company does not maintain key-person insurance on any
executive officer in the Company, although the Company under its employment
agreements with Dr. Monderer and Ms. Turchin is required to obtain insurance on
each of their lives in the principal amount of $1,000,000 payable to his or her
spouse. The loss of any employee who is critical to the Company's success could
have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position and results
of operations of the Company. In addition, the Company's future operating
results depend in part upon its ability to attract, train, retain and motivate
qualified management, technical, manufacturing, sales and support personnel for
its operations. Competitive factors that could affect the
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
Company's ability to attract and retain such personnel include compensation,
benefits, equity incentives and geographic location. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in attracting or retaining such key
personnel, and the failure of the Company to recruit and retain additional key
personnel could materially and adversely affect the Company's business,
financial position and results of operations. See "-- Difficulties in Managing
Growth," "Business -- Employees" and "Management -- Employment and Compensation
Agreements."
 
LIMITED PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; RISK OF THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS OF
INFRINGEMENT
 
     The Company has no patent protection for its products and has attempted to
protect its proprietary software and other intellectual property rights through
copyrights, trade secrets and other measures. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company will be able to protect its proprietary software and
other intellectual property rights adequately or that competitors, all of whom
have legitimate access to any non-proprietary technical standards utilized by
the Company in any of its products or systems (such as those established by the
American National Standards Institute ("ANSI")) will not be able to develop
similar technology independently. For example, a number of the Company's
competitors are producing or plan to produce products that incorporate Fibre
Channel technology.
 
     The Company may from time to time be notified by third parties that it may
be infringing patents owned by or proprietary rights of third parties, although
no such claims are currently pending against the Company. If necessary, the
Company may have to seek a license under any such patent, or redesign or modify
its products and processes in order to avoid infringement of such patents. There
can be no assurance that such a license would be available on acceptable terms,
if at all, or that the Company could so avoid infringement of such patents, in
which case the Company's business, financial position and results of operations
could be materially and adversely affected.
 
     There has been substantial litigation in the computer industry regarding
intellectual property rights, and litigation may be necessary to protect the
Company's proprietary technology. It is also possible that companies in the
storage system market will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the
number of products and competitors in the Company's target markets grows. Any
such claims or litigation may be time-consuming and costly, cause product
shipment delays, require the Company to redesign or modify its products or
require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition. Despite the Company's efforts to protect its
proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the
Company's products or to obtain and use information that the Company regards as
proprietary. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect
proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States.
There can be no assurance that the Company's means of protecting its proprietary
rights will be adequate or that the Company's competitors will not independently
develop similar technology or duplicate the Company's products or design. See
"Business -- Proprietary Technology and Intellectual Property."
 
DEPENDENCE ON SINGLE FACILITY
 
     The Company believes that its success to date has been, and future results
of operations will be, dependent in large part upon its ability to manufacture
and deliver products promptly upon the receipt of orders and to provide prompt
and efficient service to its customers. As a result, any disruption of the
Company's day-to-day operations could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company. The Company's operations, including manufacturing, research, marketing,
customer service and distribution functions, are based in and managed from a
single facility in New York City. A fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster or
condition affecting the Company's facility could disable these functions. Any
such damage to, or other condition interfering with the operation of, this
facility would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial position and results of operations. See "Business -- Facilities."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
 
     The Company believes that its operating results may continue to fluctuate
annually and quarterly (and within quarters) due to a variety of factors, some
of which are beyond the Company's control, including: the level of competition
and the development of new products by competitors; developments and changes in
storage technology; levels of expenditures on research and development; the
ability of the Company to develop and introduce new products and product
enhancements on a timely basis and within the allocated budget; the Company's
success in expanding its sales and marketing programs, including its strategy to
increase OEM sales; acceptance of and demand for the Company's products
(including the Company's recently introduced Fibre Box(R) and any other new
products and product enhancements); changes in customers' storage requirements
or purchasing policies with respect to equipment and services related thereto;
the size, timing, cancellation or rescheduling of significant orders;
postponements or deferrals of orders for new products in anticipation of new
products or product enhancements; the mix of products and systems sold; changes
in pricing by the Company or any of its competitors; component costs and
availability, particularly with respect to those components for which the
Company has only one supplier; changes in Company strategy; general economic
trends; and other factors. For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
net revenues of the Company were $55.2 million, $40.2 million and $50.0 million,
respectively, and operating income of the Company before shareholder officers'
compensation was $16.5 million, $9.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
     The Company establishes expenditure levels for product development and
other operating expenses based in large part on expected future revenues.
However, for all of the reasons set forth above and because the market for the
Company's products is rapidly evolving and purchase decisions by customers may
be affected by budgetary considerations, sales for any future quarterly or
annual period cannot be predicted with a significant degree of accuracy and
period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon as indications of future
performance. The Company experienced increases in revenues at the end of each
quarter of 1996 and at the end of each of the first two quarters of 1997. If
revenues fall below expected levels, expenditure levels could be
disproportionately high as a percentage of revenues and operating results could
be materially and adversely affected. Fluctuations in operating results could
result in volatility in the price of the Common Stock.
 
WARRANTY EXPOSURE
 
     Products offered by the Company may contain defects in hardware, software
or workmanship that remain undetected or that may not become apparent until
after commercial shipment. As a general policy, the Company ships replacement
hardware components to customers in advance of receiving returns of defective
components under a standard warranty, which runs from one to five years. The
Company occasionally issues credit in lieu of replacing a piece of equipment.
Any loss or delay in customer or market acceptance attributable to such defects
or any material replacement or repair expenses due to any such defects could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position and
results of operations.
 
     The Company's standard warranties as to hardware products generally mirror
those the Company receives from its component suppliers. To the extent that the
Company designs and manufactures its own subassemblies, its own warranty is not
supported by a supplier warranty. If a supplier were to fail to meet its
warranty obligations to the Company, and to the extent that the Company designs
and manufactures it own subassemblies, the Company would be liable to its
customers under its own warranty. The Company's standard warranty also contains
a cap on damages and an exclusion of liability for consequential damages and for
negligent or improper use of the product. It is possible that the limitation of
liability provisions contained in the Company's warranties will not be
enforceable. There can be no assurance that suppliers will be willing or able to
cover warranty costs to the Company or its end users, that the Company's
warranty costs will not be significant in the future, or that the limitation of
liability provisions will be enforceable. Any such failure of a supplier to
honor its warranty obligations or
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
failure of liability limitations to be enforceable could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial position and results of operations.
See "Business -- Customer Service and Support."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
 
     Although sales of the Company's products outside of the United States to
date have represented less than 20% of net revenues, the Company intends to
expand its operations internationally. These efforts will require significant
management attention and financial resources. There can be no assurance that
said efforts will be successful. Although sales are effected in U.S. dollars,
international sales are subject to a number of risks, including longer payment
cycles, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, import and export
restrictions and tariffs, the burden of complying with a variety of foreign
laws, potentially adverse tax consequences, currency fluctuations, the
imposition of currency exchange or price controls, and political and economic
instability abroad. Additionally, proprietary rights and intellectual property
may be more difficult to protect outside of the United States. If the Company
increases its international sales, its total revenues may also be affected to a
greater extent by seasonal fluctuations resulting from lower sales that
typically occur during the summer months in Europe and other parts of the world.
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCRETION AS TO USE OF UNALLOCATED NET PROCEEDS
 
     The Company has not designated any specific use for a substantial portion
of the net proceeds payable to the Company from the sale of Common Stock
described in this Prospectus. The Company will use a portion of the proceeds to
distribute to the current shareholders all of the previously taxed, but
undistributed, S Corporation earnings of the Company. As of June 30, 1997, this
amount is estimated at $10,500,000. The actual amount of the distribution will
be adjusted to reflect the taxable income and any shareholder distributions from
July 1, 1997 through the termination of the S Corporation status. The Company
intends to use the balance of the net proceeds payable to the Company primarily
to fund its growth and expansion generally and to increase the Company's working
capital and for general corporate purposes which the management of the Company
will determine from time to time. Accordingly, the Board of Directors and
management of the Company will have significant flexibility in applying such
remaining proceeds of the Offering. The failure of the Company's management to
use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial position and results of operations. See "-- Prior S
Corporation Status and Distribution to Current Shareholders", "Use of Proceeds"
and "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
CONTROL BY CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
     Immediately following the consummation of the Offering, the three current
shareholders of the Company, each of whom is an officer and director of the
Company, will own beneficially approximately 57.9% of the outstanding Common
Stock (approximately 54.4% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full), based on shares outstanding at the date of the Prospectus.
These shareholders have entered into a voting agreement to vote these shares for
their elections as directors and to vote in accordance with the determination of
the holders of a majority of the shares they own on proposals to merge,
consolidate or sell substantially all the assets of the Company. As a result of
their share ownership they will be able to elect a majority of the Company's
Board of Directors and approve all matters requiring shareholder approval, and
will have significant control over the Company and the conduct of its business.
Such concentration of ownership and the voting agreement may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. See
"Principal and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the
Common Stock will develop or, if one develops, that it will be maintained. The
initial public offering price, which was established by negotiations among the
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
Company, the Selling Shareholders and the representatives of the Underwriters
(the "Representatives"), may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in
the trading market for the Common Stock. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of
the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price.
In addition, the market price of the Common Stock may be volatile. Factors such
as fluctuations in the Company's operating results, announcements of
technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors,
developments with respect to the proprietary rights of the Company or its
competitors, and general market conditions may have a significant effect on the
market price of the Common Stock.
 
PRIOR S CORPORATION STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION TO CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The Company elected to be treated as an S Corporation for federal and state
income tax purposes of its taxable years beginning on or after October 1, 1990.
Unlike a C Corporation, an S Corporation is generally not subject to income tax
at the corporate level; instead, the S Corporation's income is taxed on the
personal income tax returns of its shareholders. The Company's status as an S
Corporation will terminate prior to the closing of the offering hereby. If S
Corporation status were denied for any periods prior to this termination by
reason of a failure to satisfy the S Corporation election or eligibility
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the
Company would be subject to tax on its income as if it were a C Corporation for
these periods.
 
     In connection with the termination of the Company's S Corporation status,
the Company will make a distribution to the current shareholders of all
previously taxed, but undistributed, S Corporation earnings through the date of
the termination of the Company's S Corporation status. As of June 30, 1997, such
distribution amount is approximately $10,500,000. The actual amount of the
distribution will be adjusted to reflect the taxable income and any shareholder
distributions from July 1, 1997 through the termination of the S Corporation
status. Purchasers of Common Stock in this offering will not receive any of the
distributions described above. See "Use of Proceeds," and "Termination of S
Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
NO DIVIDENDS IN FORESEEABLE FUTURE
 
     The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future
and plans to retain all future earnings for use in the expansion and operation
of its businesses and for general corporate purposes. See "Termination of S
Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALES
 
   
     Immediately following the consummation of the Offering, the Company will
have outstanding 13,050,000 shares of Common Stock (13,875,000 shares
outstanding if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full),
including 7,550,000 outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the
current shareholders. The 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock to be sold by the
Company and the Selling Shareholders pursuant to the Offering (6,325,000 if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be eligible for
sale without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), in the public market after the consummation of the Offering.
Holders of the remaining 7,550,000 shares have agreed with the Underwriters not
to offer, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock for a
period of 270 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written
consent of Salomon Brothers Inc. Additionally, the Company and the officers and
directors who are not Selling Shareholders have agreed not to issue and sell
(other than issuances by the Company pursuant to the Incentive Program and the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and other than bona fide gifts to persons who agree
in writing to be bound by the terms of such restrictions) any shares of Common
Stock or other equity securities of the Company for a period of 180 days after
the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of Salomon
Brothers Inc. Following the expiration or waiver of the foregoing restrictions
on dispositions, 7,550,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the current
shareholders, each of whom is an affiliate of the Company, will be available for
sale into the public market pursuant to Rule 144 (including the volume and other
limitations set forth therein) and could impair the
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
Company's future ability to raise capital through an offering of its equity
securities. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock of the Company in the
public market, or the prospect of such sales, could materially and adversely
affect the market price of the Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock"
and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION
 
   
     The purchasers of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Offering will
experience dilution of $11.33 per share in the net tangible book value per share
of Common Stock from the initial offering price assuming an initial offering
price of $14.50 per share. See "Dilution."
    
 
BENEFITS OF THE OFFERING TO CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
     This Offering will provide substantial benefits to three current
shareholders of the Company, each of whom is a director and an executive officer
of the Company. Consummation of this Offering is expected to create a public
market for the Common Stock of the Company. This Offering will result for the
current shareholders, who paid a nominal amount for an aggregate of 9,900,000
shares of Common Stock, in a gain to them of approximately $31,690,000 from the
sale of an aggregate of 2,350,000 shares and a gross unrealized gain in the
aggregate of approximately $109.5 million assuming a public offering price of
$14.50 per share. In addition the Company will distribute to those shareholders
from the proceeds of the Company's offering all previously taxed but
undistributed S Corporation earnings of the Company, which as of June 30, 1997
amounted to approximately $10,500,000. See "-- No Prior Public Market, Possible
Volatility of Stock Price", "Dilution" and "Termination of S Corporation
Statutes and Dividend Policy."
    
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     Certain provisions of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York
("NYBCL") could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, and as a result discourage a third party from attempting to acquire,
control of the Company. Such provisions could limit the price that certain
investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Company's
Common Stock.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering (assuming an initial
public offering price of $14.50 per share), after deducting estimated
underwriting discount and expenses of the Offering payable by the Company, will
be approximately $41,750,000. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Shareholders. The principal
purposes of this Offering are to fund the Company's growth and expansion
generally, increase the Company's working capital and equity base, provide a
public market for its Common Stock, provide liquidity to shareholders and
facilitate future access to the public capital markets. The Company also plans
to use a portion of the net proceeds of this Offering payable to the Company to
fund the final S Corporation distribution to the current shareholders. This
distribution will constitute all of the previously taxed, but undistributed, S
Corporation earnings through the consummation of the Offering. As of June 30,
1997, the estimated taxed, but undistributed, S Corporation earnings of the
Company were approximately $10,500,000. The actual amount of the distribution
will be adjusted to reflect the taxable income and any shareholder distributions
from July 1, 1997 through the termination of the S Corporation status.
    
 
     Since the proceeds of the Offering will be applied over time, the actual
expenditure of such proceeds for any purpose could vary significantly from the
anticipated expenditures described above. Pending their use by the Company as
described above, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds of the Offering
in short-term, investment-grade instruments.
 
            TERMINATION OF S CORPORATION STATUS AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     On October 1, 1990, the Company elected to be treated as an S Corporation
and since then has been, and until immediately prior to the effective date of
the Offering will be, subject to taxation under Subchapter S under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As a result, the Company's
earnings have been taxed for federal and state income tax purposes directly to
the shareholders rather than to the Company. Upon conversion from S Corporation
to C Corporation status, the Company will become subject to federal and state
corporate income taxes.
 
     In connection with the termination of the Company's S Corporation status,
the Company will make a distribution to the current shareholders of all
previously taxed, but undistributed, S Corporation earnings through the date of
the termination of the Company's S Corporation status. As of June 30, 1997, such
distribution amount is approximately $10,500,000. The actual amount of the
distribution will be adjusted to reflect the taxable income and any shareholder
distributions from July 1, 1997 through the termination of the S Corporation
status. Following the termination of its S Corporation status, the Company will
record a net deferred tax asset on its balance sheet and record a corresponding
income tax benefit in its statement of income which will ultimately increase
retained earnings. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements.
 
     The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future
and plans to retain all of its future earnings for use in the expansion and
operation of its business and for general corporate purposes. The payment of
dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of
Directors of the Company and will depend upon, among other factors, the
Company's earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and general
business outlook at the time the dividend is considered as well as the impact of
the distribution of dividends on the Company's financial condition and tax
liabilities.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth as of June 30, 1997 (i) the actual
capitalization of the Company, (ii) the pro forma capitalization of the Company
after giving effect to the final S Corporation distribution to the current
shareholders and the recognition of a deferred tax asset resulting from the
termination of the Company's S Corporation status as if the distribution and
termination occurred on June 30, 1997, and (iii) the pro forma capitalization as
adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of 3,150,000 shares of Common
Stock (assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                            ACTUAL     PRO FORMA     AS ADJUSTED
                                                            ------     ---------     -----------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>           <C>
Indebtedness..............................................  $   --       $  --         $    --(1)
                                                            ======      ======          ======
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred Stock: $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
     authorized; no shares issued and outstanding(2)......  $   --       $  --         $    --
  Common Stock: $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares
     authorized; 9,900,000 shares issued and outstanding,
     actual and pro forma; and 13,050,000 shares issued
     and outstanding, as adjusted(3)......................      99          99             131
  Additional paid-in capital..............................      --          --          41,746
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit).................   9,239        (573)(4)        (573)(4)
                                                            ------      ------          ------
     Total shareholders' equity (deficit).................   9,338        (474)         41,304
                                                            ------      ------          ------
          Total capitalization............................  $9,338       $(474)        $41,304
                                                            ======      ======          ======
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company received a commitment in August 1997 from a bank to provide
    during the period following the Offering through April 30, 1998, a line of
    credit of up to $10,000,000 bearing interest at the bank's prime rate,
    pursuant to an agreement which will require the borrowings to be secured by
    a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets.
 
(2) Concurrent with the Company's conversion to C Corporation status immediately
    prior to the consummation of the Offering, the Company will amend its
    Certificate of Incorporation to authorize a class of Preferred Stock.
 
   
(3) Does not include the following shares of Common Stock: (i) 2,392,500 shares
    reserved for issuance upon exercise of options authorized under the
    Company's Incentive Program, (ii) 250,000 shares reserved for issuance under
    the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and (iii) 825,000 shares to be
    issued upon exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the
    Underwriters. See "Management -- Incentive Program" and "-- Employee Stock
    Purchase Plan" and Note 5 of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements.
    
 
(4) Adjusted to give pro forma effect to (i) a final S Corporation distribution
    to the current shareholders, representing all previously taxed, but
    undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000 had such
    distribution occurred on June 30, 1997 and (ii) a net deferred tax asset
    which will be recorded by the Company as a result of the termination of its
    S Corporation status, estimated at $688,000 had such termination occurred on
    June 30, 1997. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements and
    "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                                    DILUTION
 
   
     The net tangible book value of the Company as of June 30, 1997 was
$9,338,000, or $.94 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book value per share
is determined by dividing the Company's tangible net worth (tangible assets less
total liabilities) by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. After
giving effect to (i) the sale by the Company of 3,150,000 shares of Common Stock
offered hereby and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom
(after deducting estimated Offering expenses and the underwriting discount and
assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share), (ii) the final S
Corporation distribution to the current shareholders, estimated at $10,500,000,
had such distribution occurred on June 30, 1997, and (iii) the recognition of a
deferred tax asset, estimated at $688,000, resulting from the termination of the
Company's S Corporation status had such termination occurred on June 30, 1997,
the pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value of the Company at June 30,
1997 would have been $41,304,000, or $3.17 per share. This represents an
immediate dilution of $11.33 per share in the net tangible book value to new
investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in the Offering. The following table
illustrates this per share dilution:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                 <C>       <C>
    Assumed initial public offering price.............................            $14.50
      Net tangible book value at June 30, 1997........................  $ .94
      Decrease attributable to the final S Corporation distribution,
         net of increase attributed to the recognition of a deferred
         tax asset....................................................   (.99)
      Increase attributable to new investors..........................   3.22
                                                                        -------
                                                                            -
    Pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value after Offering....              3.17
                                                                                  --------
    Dilution per share to new investors...............................            $11.33
                                                                                  ========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The above table excludes shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options under the Company's Incentive Program. If all outstanding
options at June 30, 1997 with exercise prices less than the assumed initial
public offering price of $14.50 per share were exercised, the pro forma, as
adjusted, net tangible book value after the Offering would be $3.22 per share
and the dilution per share to new investors in this Offering would be $11.28 per
share.
    
 
     The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis
and after giving effect to the Offering, the number of shares of Common Stock
purchased from the Company, the total consideration paid to the Company and the
average price per share paid by the existing shareholders and to be paid by new
investors purchasing Common Stock in the Offering.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SHARES PURCHASED        TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                ---------------------    ----------------------    AVERAGE PRICE
                                  NUMBER      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT      PER SHARE
                                ----------    -------    -----------    -------    -------------
    <S>                         <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
    Current shareholders(1)...   9,900,000      75.9%    $     8,000       .02%       $  .001
    New investors(1)..........   3,150,000      24.1      45,675,000     98.98         14.50
                                   -------       ---        --------       ---     --------
              Total...........  13,050,000       100%     45,683,000       100%
                                   =======       ===        ========       ===
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(1) The above table does not give effect to the sale of Common Stock by the
    Selling Shareholders. The sale by the Selling Shareholders of 2,350,000
    shares in the Offering will reduce the number of shares held by current
    shareholders to 7,550,000, or approximately 57.9%, and will increase the
    number of shares held by new investors to 5,500,000, or approximately 42.1%,
    of the outstanding Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering.
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The selected historical financial data set forth below as of and for the
year ended December 31, 1996 has been derived from the Company's financial
statements audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected historical financial data
set forth below as of December 31, 1995 and for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995 has been derived from the Company's financial statements audited
by Perelson Weiner, independent auditors, included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
The selected historical financial data set forth below as of December 31, 1994
has been derived from the Company's financial statements audited by Perelson
Weiner, independent auditors, which are not included in this Prospectus. The
selected historical financial data set forth below as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1993 and for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and
1997 have been derived from unaudited financial statements of the Company which
have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in
the opinion of the Company, reflect all adjustments necessary (consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments) for the fair presentation of the Company's
financial position and results of operations for such periods. Results for
interim periods are not necessarily representative of the results to be expected
for a full year, and historical results are not necessarily indicative of the
results of operations to be expected in the future. The pro forma financial data
for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996
and 1997 give effect to (i) the Company's conversion to a C Corporation and (ii)
new employment agreements with the Company's shareholder officers. The pro forma
adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that
management of the Company believes are reasonable. All of the financial data set
forth below are qualified in their entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," the Company's audited financial statements, the
notes thereto, and the other financial and statistical information included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         SIX MONTHS
                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    ENDED JUNE 30,
                                              ---------------------------------------------------    ------------------
                                               1992       1993       1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net revenues................................  $27,608    $44,956    $55,232    $40,225    $50,027    $23,144    $32,228
Cost of goods sold..........................   17,018     26,453     33,568     24,067     33,028     15,234     20,828
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Gross profit................................   10,590     18,503     21,664     16,158     16,999      7,910     11,400
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Shareholder officers' compensation........    6,021     12,608     15,174      9,067      6,347      2,914      4,908
  Engineering and product development.......      659        975      1,420      1,634      2,071      1,036      1,082
  Sales and marketing.......................      955      1,569      2,405      3,150      5,325      2,479      3,285
  General and administrative................      526        831      1,351      1,931      2,348      1,065      1,418
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
        Total operating expenses............    8,161     15,983     20,350     15,782     16,091      7,494     10,693
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating income............................    2,429      2,520      1,314        376        908        416        707
Interest expense (income), net..............      (16)       (80)        62         33       (144)       (43)       (22)
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Income before income taxes..................    2,445      2,600      1,252        343      1,052        459        729
Income taxes(1).............................      238        459        426        311        226        103        160
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Net income(1)...............................  $ 2,207    $ 2,141    $   826    $    32    $   826    $   356    $   569
                                              =======    =======    =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
Pro forma income before income taxes(2).....                                              $ 6,124    $ 2,735    $ 4,999
Pro forma income taxes(3)...................                                                2,358      1,053      1,925
                                                                                          -------    -------    -------
Pro forma net income........................                                              $ 3,766    $ 1,682    $ 3,074
                                                                                          =======    =======    =======
Pro forma net income per share(4)...........                                              $   .32    $   .14    $   .26
                                                                                          =======    =======    =======
Shares used in computing pro forma net
  income per share (4)......................                                               11,754     11,744     11,764
                                                                                          =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AS OF DECEMBER 31,                       AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
                              ---------------------------------------------------    -----------------------
                               1992       1993       1994       1995       1996      ACTUAL     PRO FORMA(5)
                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...  $   675    $ 3,417    $ 2,037    $ 3,478    $   994    $ 6,536      $  6,536
Working capital (deficit)...    5,926      9,741     10,645      7,269      8,069      8,685        (1,201)
Total assets................    8,179     14,612     15,927     13,945     17,416     26,483        27,171
Shareholder loans payable...    1,200      3,000      3,401         --         --         --            --
Shareholders' equity
  (deficit).................    4,944      7,085      7,911      7,943      8,769      9,338          (474)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) For the periods presented, the Company was an S Corporation and,
    accordingly, was not subject to federal and state income taxes. Income taxes
    consist of New York City taxes and state franchise taxes.
 
(2) Pro forma income before income taxes reflects a pro forma adjustment to
    reduce shareholder officers' compensation expense to reflect recently
    executed employment agreements with the Company's three shareholder officers
    which extend through December 31, 2000. The agreements provide for combined
    minimum annual base compensation for the three shareholder officers of
    $1,275,000. In addition, the shareholder officers are eligible for a
    combined annual bonus equal to 1.0% of the Company's net revenues in excess
    of $100,000,000, plus 8.0% of the Company's income before income taxes in
    excess of $20,000,000. See Notes 2 and 8 of Notes to the Company's Financial
    Statements and "Management -- Employment and Compensation Agreements."
 
(3) Pro forma income taxes have been computed as if the Company was subject to
    federal and state income taxes for all periods presented, based on the tax
    laws in effect during those periods. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's
    Financial Statements.
 
   
(4) Pro forma net income per share is computed by dividing pro forma net income
    by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the respective
    periods, adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock options, and after
    giving effect to the estimated number of shares that would be required to be
    sold (assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share) to fund
    a distribution to the current shareholders of all previously taxed, but
    undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000, had such
    distribution occurred on June 30, 1997. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's
    Financial Statements and "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend
    Policy."
    
 
(5) Adjusted to give pro forma effect to (i) a final S Corporation distribution
    to the current shareholders, representing all previously taxed, but
    undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000 had such
    distribution occurred on June 30, 1997 and (ii) a net deferred tax asset
    which will be recorded by the Company as a result of the termination of its
    S Corporation status, estimated at $688,000 had such termination occurred on
    June 30, 1997. See Note 2 of Notes to the Company's Financial Statements and
    "Termination of S Corporation Status and Dividend Policy."
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Box Hill was founded in 1988, and in 1990, the Company elected to be taxed
as a Subchapter S Corporation under the Internal Revenue Code.
 
     Since its inception, Box Hill has focused exclusively on providing storage
solutions for high-end customers, primarily in the UNIX environment. The Company
initially focused on the financial services industry in response to that
industry's need for high-availability, high-performance, fault-tolerant storage
systems and high levels of customer and technical support. Box Hill leveraged
its position as a company focused exclusively on storage solutions to bring new
products to market faster than its competitors. As a result, Box Hill has
produced significant profits since inception and has financed its growth
primarily with cash generated from operations. The Company currently has no
indebtedness or other third-party financing.
 
     During 1993 and 1994, the Company experienced rapid sales growth with net
revenues doubling from $27.6 million in 1992 to $55.2 million in 1994. During
these years a significant portion of revenues came from sales to customers in
the financial services industry. In 1994, a severe downturn in the bond market
caused several of the Company's large customers in the financial services
industry to reduce significantly their purchasing. This contributed to a
decrease in net revenues of 27.2% to $40.2 million in 1995. As a result, the
Company realized that it needed to diversify its customer base to reduce the
risk associated with dependence on one industry. Box Hill then embarked on a
strategy to target other industries that were using Open Systems technology,
such as telecommunications. In 1994, direct sales to the financial services and
telecommunications industries represented 62% and 6% of the Company's revenues,
respectively. For the six months ended 1997, direct sales to customers in the
telecommunications industry had grown to 20%, while direct sales to the
financial services industry represented 37% of net revenues.
 
     During the early years of the Company's growth, its operating expenses were
exceptionally low, as measured against revenues. This was primarily due to a
level of management and administration that worked well for a smaller company
but was insufficient to support future revenue growth. In addition, the
Company's close proximity to a majority of its customer base created sales
efficiencies that could not be sustained in serving a more geographically
dispersed customer base. In 1995, the Company began hiring a professional senior
management team, commencing with its Chief Executive Officer, who joined the
Company in May of that year. In 1996, the Company hired a Vice President of
Sales, a Financial Controller and a North American Sales Director, and, in 1997,
a Chief Financial Officer. In addition, in 1995, certain of the Company's key
employees were promoted to management positions and expenses were incurred to
expand international sales, and, in 1996, a new sales office was opened in the
greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. As a consequence of these and other
changes, the Company's operating expenses (excluding shareholder officers'
compensation) grew from 9% of net revenues in 1994 to 17% and 20% of net
revenues in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Box Hill's manufacturing operations consist primarily of assembly and
integration of components and subassemblies into the Company's products with
certain of those subassemblies manufactured by independent contractors. The
Company's cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct material costs. On an
annual basis, between 1992 and 1996, gross margins have ranged from 41.2% in
1993 to 34.0% in 1996. In 1996, gross margins were lower partially as a result
of the Company's strategy to lower prices on its existing product line to adjust
to changing market conditions, as well as an unusually high level of sales of
certain low margin disk products to an international distributor. The Company
generally extends to its customers the warranties provided to the Company by its
suppliers. To date, the Company's suppliers have covered the majority of the
Company's warranty costs. There can be no assurance that such suppliers will
continue to cover such costs in the future, the failure of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations. On a quarterly and annual
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
basis the Company's gross margins have been and will continue to be affected by
a variety of factors, including competition, product configuration, product mix,
the availability of new products and product enhancements, and the cost and
availability of components. The Company's long-term strategy includes
maintaining or improving existing gross margins. See "Risk
Factors -- Fluctuations in Operating Results."
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements effective upon
consummation of the Offering with its three shareholder officers providing for
combined minimum annual base compensation of $1,275,000. The agreements and a
current agreement in force with the Company's Chief Executive Officer provide
that these four officers are to receive combined annual bonuses equal to 1.5% of
net revenues in excess of $100,000,000 and 12.0% of the amount of pre-tax income
which exceeds $20,000,000 for a fiscal year. In addition, the Company's
agreement with its Chief Executive Officer also provides for him to receive a
bonus of .05% of net revenues up to $100,000,000 and 1.12% of the pre-tax
income, as defined, up to $20,000,000. See "Management -- Employment and
Compensation Agreements."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth certain items from the Company's income
statements as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                                                     ENDED
                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,
                                                  -------------------------     ---------------
                                                  1994      1995      1996      1996      1997
                                                  -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenues....................................  100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Cost of goods sold..............................   60.8      59.8      66.0      65.8      64.6
                                                  -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Gross profit....................................   39.2      40.2      34.0      34.2      35.4
                                                  -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Operating expenses:
  Shareholder officers' compensation............   27.5      22.5      12.7      12.6      15.2
  Engineering and product development...........    2.6       4.1       4.1       4.5       3.4
  Sales and marketing...........................    4.4       7.8      10.6      10.7      10.2
  General and administrative....................    2.3       4.9       4.8       4.6       4.4
                                                  -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
          Total operating expenses..............   36.8      39.3      32.2      32.4      33.2
                                                  -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Operating income................................    2.4%      0.9%      1.8%      1.8%      2.2%
                                                  =====     =====     =====     =====     =====
</TABLE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
     Net revenues -- Net revenues increased 39.4% to $32.2 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1997, compared to $23.1 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1996. The increase resulted from an increase in volume, which was
partially offset by price reductions. The increase in volume was primarily the
result of the ramp up of new RAID products, which were introduced in November
1995. Net revenues from sales of RAID products increased $5.5 million, or
189.7%, to $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997, compared to $2.9
million for the six months ended June 30, 1996. Net revenues from sales of the
Company's traditional storage products and backup products also increased for
the six months ended June 30, 1997 compared to the six months ended June 30,
1996, primarily due to an increased sales staff in 1997.
 
     Gross profit -- Gross profit increased 44.3% to $11.4 million from $7.9
million for the comparable period of 1996. As a percentage of net revenues,
gross profit increased from 34.2% to 35.4%, principally as a result of decreases
in sales of certain low margin disk products.
 
     Shareholder officers' compensation -- Shareholder officers' compensation
consists of salaries and bonuses paid to the Company's three shareholder
officers. Shareholders officers' compensation increased 69.0% to $4.9 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 as compared to $2.9 million for the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
six months ended June 30, 1996. The increase in shareholder officers'
compensation is attributable to higher bonuses for the first half of 1997 as
compared to the first half of 1996. In connection with the Offering, the Company
will enter into new employment agreements with the shareholder officers. See
"Management -- Employment and Compensation Agreements".
 
     Engineering and product development -- Engineering and product development
expenses consist primarily of employee compensation, engineering equipment and
supply expenses and fees paid for third-party design services. To date, no
engineering and development expenses have been capitalized. Engineering and
product development increased slightly to $1.1 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 from $1.0 million for the comparable period of 1996. As a
percentage of net revenues, engineering and product development decreased to
3.4% for the first half of 1997 from 4.5% for the first half of 1996.
 
     Sales and marketing -- Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of
salaries and commissions, advertising and promotional costs and travel expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses increased 32.0% to $3.3 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 from $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
The increase was primarily due to an increase in the direct sales forces and
field service staff and increased commissions based on the increase in sales. As
a percentage of net revenues, sales and marketing expenses decreased slightly to
10.2% for the first half of 1997 from 10.7% for the first half of 1996.
 
     General and administrative -- General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of compensation to employees performing the Company's administrative
functions and expenditures for the Company's administrative facilities. General
and administrative expenses increased 27.3% to $1.4 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 from $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
The increase was due to an increase in support staff to support the Company's
growth. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses
decreased slightly to 4.4% for the first half of 1997 from 4.6% for the first
half of 1996.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Net revenues -- Net revenues increased 24.4% to $50.0 million for 1996,
compared to $40.2 million for 1995. The increase primarily resulted from an
increase in volume, mostly due to sales of new RAID products, which were
introduced in November 1995. Net revenues from sales of these RAID products were
$10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 and were derived principally
during the second half of the year. Net revenues from sales of these RAID
products were insignificant in 1995. The Company's penetration into new
industries, as well as an increase in sales force, contributed to the revenue
increase in 1996.
 
     Gross profit -- Gross profit increased 4.9% to $17.0 million for 1996 from
$16.2 million for 1995. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit decreased
from 40.2% to 34.0%. This decrease reflected the Company's strategy to lower
prices on its existing product line to adjust to changing market conditions, as
well as an unusually high level of sales of certain low margin disk products to
a distributor. The gross margin decline was partially offset by the contribution
provided by new features in the Company's RAID products.
 
     Shareholder officers' compensation -- Shareholder officers' compensation
decreased 30.8% to $6.3 million for 1996 from $9.1 million for 1995. The
decrease in shareholder officers' compensation in 1996 is attributable to lower
bonuses for 1996 as compared to 1995.
 
     Engineering and product development -- Engineering and product development
expenses increased 31.3% to $2.1 million for 1996 from $1.6 million for 1995.
The increase in engineering and product development was primarily due to
research and development work on the Fibre Box(R) in 1996. As a percentage of
net revenues, engineering and product development remained flat at 4.1%.
 
     Sales and marketing -- Sales and marketing expenses increased 65.6% to $5.3
million for 1996 from $3.2 million for 1995. As a percentage of net revenues,
sales and marketing increased to 10.6% from 7.8%. The increase was due to (i)
the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales in early 1996; (ii) an
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
increase in the direct sales force and field service staff; (iii) increased
commissions based on the increase in sales; and (iv) a full year of sales
service expenditures in Europe by an affiliated company which commenced
operations in the last quarter of 1995.
 
     General and administrative -- General and administrative expenses increased
21.1% to $2.3 million for 1996 from $1.9 million for 1995. The increase was due
to an increase in staff to support the Company's growth and the full salary
impact of the hiring of a Chief Executive Officer in late May 1995. As a
percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased
slightly to 4.8% from 4.9%.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Net revenues -- Net revenues decreased 27.2% to $40.2 million for 1995,
compared to $55.2 million for 1994. The decrease was primarily due to a severe
downturn in the bond market in 1994 that caused several of the Company's large
customers in the financial services industry to reduce significantly their
purchasing volumes in 1995. Sales to customers in the financial services
industry decreased 35.1% to $22.2 million for 1995 from $34.2 million for 1994.
 
     Gross profit -- Gross profit decreased by 25.3% to $16.2 million for 1995
from $21.7 million for 1994. The decrease was a direct result of the decrease in
net revenues. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased slightly
from 39.2% in 1994 to 40.2% in 1995.
 
     Shareholder officers' compensation -- Shareholder officers' compensation
decreased 40.1% to $9.1 million for 1995 from $15.2 million for 1994. The
decrease was due to lower bonuses in 1995 as compared to 1994.
 
     Engineering and product development -- Engineering and product development
increased 14.3% to $1.6 million for 1995 from $1.4 million for 1994 due to an
increase in engineering staff and compensation increases in 1995. As a
percentage of net revenues, engineering and product development increased to
4.1% from 2.6%.
 
     Sales and marketing -- Sales and marketing expenses increased 33.3% to $3.2
million for 1995 from $2.4 million for 1994 primarily due to an increase in the
direct sales force and field service support. As a percentage of net revenues,
sales and marketing increased to 7.8% from 4.4%.
 
     General and administrative -- General and administrative expenses increased
35.7% to $1.9 million for 1995 from $1.4 million for 1994 due to the hiring of a
Chief Executive Officer in late May 1995, the hiring of MIS and accounting
employees during 1995, and the full salary impact of employees who were hired
during 1994. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative
expenses increased to 4.9% in 1995 from 2.3% in 1994.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS
 
     The following table sets forth certain quarterly financial data for each of
the quarters in 1996 and the first and second quarters of 1997. This quarterly
information is unaudited, has been prepared on the same basis as the annual
financial statements and, in the opinion of the management of the Company,
reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary
for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The
operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for
any future period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,   MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,
                                    1996        1996         1996            1996         1997        1997
                                  ---------   --------   -------------   ------------   ---------   --------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                               <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>         <C>
Net revenues....................   $ 11,099   $ 12,045      $12,853        $ 14,030      $ 15,232   $ 16,996
Gross profit....................      4,203      3,707        3,947           5,142         5,213      6,187
Operating income................        280        136          152             340           534        173
Net income......................        231        125          154             316           464        105
Pro forma net income(1).........      1,053        629          794           1,290         1,394      1,680
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Pro forma net income reflects a pro forma adjustment for shareholder
    officers' compensation in excess of agreed upon future levels under new
    employment agreements and has been computed as if the Company was a C
    Corporation and had been subject to federal and state income taxes during
    all of the periods presented. See Notes 2 and 8 to the Company's Financial
    Statements and "Management -- Employment and Compensation Agreements."
 
     The Company's results of operations over the last six quarters ending June
30, 1997 reflect increases in net revenues each quarter. This revenue increase
was driven by higher sales of new RAID products and backup solutions, as well as
the Company's penetration into new targeted industries, principally
telecommunications.
 
     Gross margins ranged from approximately 38% in the first quarter of 1996 to
31% in the second and third quarters of 1996. Gross margins during the second
and third quarters of 1996 were adversely impacted by an unusually high level of
sales of low margin disk products to one distributor. Additionally, the
Company's price decreases, which were announced in late 1995, did not have a
significant impact on gross margins until beginning in the second quarter due to
the timing of customer orders. Gross margins for the fourth quarter of 1996 and
the first and second quarters of 1997 improved over the second and third
quarters of 1996, principally due to continually declining material costs and a
more favorable product mix.
 
     The Company does not believe that quarterly comparisons are necessarily
reflective of its overall performance. The Company's quarterly operating results
have varied in the past and may vary in the future depending on a number of
factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. These factors include
the timing of customer orders, changes in the Company's product and customer
mix, the introduction of new products by the Company or its competitors, pricing
pressures and economic conditions. In addition, the Company often incurs
significant development, sales and marketing expenses in anticipation of future
revenues. See "Risk Factors -- Fluctuations in Operating Results."
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     For the six months ended June 30, 1997, cash provided by operating
activities was $5.6 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of
$.8 million for the same period in 1996. The increase was primarily due to an
increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, primarily shareholder
officers' bonuses, and a smaller increase in accounts receivable for the six
months ended June 30, 1997 as compared to the same period of 1996, partially
offset by an increase in inventories. For the year ended December 31, 1996, cash
used in operating activities was $2.2 million compared to cash provided by
operating activities of $5.0 million for the same period in 1995. The change was
primarily due to an
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
increase in accounts receivable and inventories as a result of increased sales
volume, partially offset by increases in net income, accrued expenses and
customer deposits.
 
     Cash used in investing activities consists primarily of purchases of
property and equipment. Capital expenditures were $375,000, $284,000 and $92,000
for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June
30, 1997, respectively.
 
     As of June 30, 1997, working capital was $8,685,000 and cash and cash
equivalents was $6,536,000. In August 1997, a commercial bank committed to
provide the Company with a $10 million revolving line of credit. The commitment
is subject to the completion of the Offering. Under the proposed terms of the
commitment, borrowings will be collateralized by a pledge of substantially all
of the Company's assets, with borrowings greater than $5 million also to be
secured by short-term investments. Additionally, the Company will be required to
comply with certain financial covenants, as defined. The outstanding balance
under the revolver will be due on April 30, 1998. The Company presently expects
that the net proceeds of the Offering, together with cash generated from
operations and available under the revolver, should be sufficient to meet its
operating and capital requirements for at least the next twenty-four months.
However, the Company may need additional capital to pursue acquisitions or
significant capital improvements, neither of which is currently contemplated.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Company plans to make a distribution
to the current shareholders of all of the previously taxed, but undistributed, S
Corporation earnings, which as of June 30, 1997 were approximately $10,500,000.
The actual amount of the distribution will reflect the taxable income and any
shareholder distributions during the period from July 1, 1997 through the
effective date of the Offering. The Company plans to use a portion of the net
proceeds of the Offering to make the distribution. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     Box Hill designs, manufactures, markets and supports high-performance data
storage systems for the Open Systems computing environment. The Company's
storage solutions encompass a broad range of scalable products and services
targeting high-end customers. With data becoming an increasingly critical
business tool, these customers are demanding certain characteristics in their
storage systems, particularly high availability, high performance and fault
tolerance, as well as the highest level of customer and technical support. The
Company has a history of providing high-end storage solutions that meet these
requirements by combining extensive design and implementation experience with
leading edge technologies. The Company was among the first to develop and
successfully commercialize a hot-swappable SCSI Disk Array storage system and a
Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks ("RAID") storage system for
UNIX. In addition, the Company recently introduced the Fibre Box(R), one of the
first Fibre Channel storage systems, and is finalizing the development of its
X/ORaid(TM) Module, which takes advantage of the new RAID capabilities that are
currently being embedded in Fibre Channel drives. The Company employs a direct
marketing strategy targeted at data-intensive industries, which to date
primarily include financial services, telecommunications, health care,
government/defense and academia.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     The demand for Open Systems data storage is fueled by the rapid
proliferation of new data-intensive applications, such as video, the Internet,
intranets, multimedia, data warehousing and data mining, as well as the
migration of mission-critical applications off mainframe computers. Disk storage
systems, tape backup systems and software-based management tools designed to
operate on multiple platforms are becoming a strategic part of the MIS
environment. MIS purchase decisions are becoming "storage centric" and, in many
instances, capital expenditures on storage systems are equal to or greater than
those made on computer processing hardware.
 
     The high end of the Open Systems market is characterized by large capacity
UNIX and Windows NT servers operating in multi-platform environments, generally
running mission-critical applications. International Data Corporation ("IDC"),
an independent market research firm, estimates that the worldwide market for
RAID storage systems in UNIX environments will grow at a compounded annual
growth rate of 19.3%, increasing from $6.3 billion in 1996 to $12.9 billion in
2000. In addition, IDC estimates that the worldwide market for RAID storage
systems in Windows NT environments, will grow at a compounded annual growth rate
of 34.1%, increasing from $1.3 billion in 1996 to $4.3 billion in 2000.
 
     The Company believes that storage purchase decisions at the high end of the
Open Systems computing environment are based on a variety of factors, including
(i) response time, capacity and minimization of downtime; (ii) data protection;
(iii) all-encompassing solutions; (iv) multi-platform compatibility; and (v)
scalability.
 
  Current and Emerging Technologies
 
     The Open Systems market's current storage options include Disk Arrays, RAID
storage systems and tape backup systems, each of which are generally attached to
hosts by the Small Computer Systems Interface ("SCSI"). Fibre Channel, an
emerging high-speed serial interface that has recently become commercially
available, enables faster data transfer to Disk Arrays and RAID storage systems.
Fibre Channel also enables industry standard RAID functionality to be
efficiently embedded directly onto Fibre Channel disk drives.
 
     SCSI vs. Fibre Channel.  SCSI has been the dominant commercially available
interface, and is currently used in most Disk Array and RAID storage systems.
Its potential successor, Fibre Channel, is regarded by many industry
participants as the storage industry's next-generation interface, given the many
advantages it has over SCSI. Fibre Channel enables the transfer of data between
computers and
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
peripherals at substantially increased rates, over greatly increased cabling
lengths and among a greater number of host/device connections, as indicated in
the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          MAXIMUM
                                            DATA
                                          TRANSFER     MAXIMUM       MAXIMUM
                                            RATE       CABLING     HOST/DEVICE     RAID EMBEDDED
               INTERFACE                  (MB/SEC)     LENGTHS     CONNECTIONS     ON THE DRIVE
- ----------------------------------------  --------     -------     -----------     -------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>
SCSI....................................      20       25 m             16              No
Ultra SCSI..............................      40       25 m             16              No
Fibre Channel (Single Loop).............     100       10 km           126              Yes
Fibre Channel (Dual Loop)...............     200       10 km           126              Yes
</TABLE>
 
     Although the Fibre Channel interface has only recently become commercially
available and has essentially no market penetration (see "Risk Factors -- Rapid
Technological Change; Dependence on New Products; Introduction of Fibre Channel
Product Line"), a number of industry leaders, including Microsoft Corporation,
Seagate, Quantum, Fujitsu Limited, Adaptec, Inc., Emulex Corporation, Gadzoox
Networks, Inc., Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation and VLSI Technology, Inc.,
have indicated support for Fibre Channel technology and are producing or plan to
produce products that incorporate it. Seagate began shipping Fibre Channel disk
drives in the fourth quarter of 1996. In addition, the Fibre Channel Association
and the Fibre Channel Loop Community, trade associations formed to foster the
development of Fibre Channel technology, have more than 100 members, including
the Company and several of the foregoing industry leaders.
 
     RAID.  RAID storage systems address the need for high availability and
fault tolerance in disk storage systems. Traditionally, RAID functionality for
SCSI storage systems has been implemented in one of two ways: purely by software
on the host or by a hardware controller interposed between a host and a Disk
Array. These methods have different drawbacks: software-based RAID
implementations can slow down CPU processing time, while hardware
controller-based RAID implementations require an additional piece of hardware
which may be costly and is an additional point of failure. The recent advent of
Fibre Channel introduces a new RAID paradigm. Fibre Channel allows the major
RAID functions to be efficiently performed on disk drives themselves,
eliminating the need for burdensome CPU processing or a hardware RAID
controller.
 
  Future Trend: Storage Area Networks
 
     To address the growing demand for higher availability and increased
connectivity in Open Systems computing environments, the Company envisions the
development of storage area networks ("SAN"s) that will add networking
capabilities to storage devices. The Company believes that SANs will be enabled
principally by two emerging technologies: (i) Fibre Channel and (ii)
"clustering" software, such as Microsoft's "Wolfpack." Fibre Channel will allow
for a wider range of higher speed connections between and among a greater number
of hosts and storage devices in the SAN, and clustering software will allow for
the interconnection of multiple hosts to multiple storage devices (currently
commercially available systems typically only allow the attachment of one host
to one storage system). The Company believes that the high-performance,
high-availability features that clustering software is contemplated to possess
will enhance the ability of Windows NT, one of the Company's principal targeted
computing environments, to capture market share in high-end mission-critical
applications.
 
THE BOX HILL SOLUTION
 
     Box Hill develops and markets a comprehensive range of storage systems
designed to meet the requirements of the high-end Open Systems market. The
Company's family of products and services is intended to provide users with the
following benefits:
 
     High performance, high availability and fault tolerance.  Recognizing the
increased demand for faster response times, greater capacities, higher
availability of data and minimum system downtime, the Company has focused on
developing high-end, high-performance storage products using SCSI, Ultra
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
SCSI and Fibre Channel interfaces. The Company was among the first to develop
and successfully commercialize a hot-swappable SCSI Disk Array and a RAID
storage system for the UNIX environment. More recently, the Company was one of
the first to introduce a Fibre Channel storage system and is finalizing
development of what it believes will be the first Fibre Channel storage system
activating RAID functionality on the disk drives.
 
     High-performance backup.  To satisfy market demand for reliable,
high-quality backup products and systems, the Company offers a broad variety of
backup products, including tape library systems, backup software, training and
documentation. The Company has specialized expertise in the design and
implementation of effective, well-integrated backup solutions designed to
satisfy customers' individual needs, from departmental server systems to
enterprise network systems.
 
     All-encompassing solutions.  The Company delivers all-encompassing
solutions, including design consulting, installation, integration, training, and
comprehensive, 24-hour, post-sales service and technical support, as well as
software-based management tools. The Company employs a full staff of direct
sales personnel and applications engineers to assist customers in making
appropriate and effective storage system purchases and in addressing, analyzing
and solving complex, pre-deployment storage problems. This value-added
capability fosters customer loyalty and allows the Company to identify emerging
customer requirements for future data storage products.
 
     Multi-platform support.  As an independent provider of storage products,
Box Hill is well positioned to provide storage systems specifically designed to
be compatible with a variety of UNIX and Windows NT platforms. This
cross-platform capability allows end users to standardize on a single storage
system that can readily be reconfigured and redeployed at minimal cost as
operating systems or other Open System components change.
 
     Scalability.  The Company's products are designed using a flexible, modular
architecture allowing the Company to size and configure storage systems to the
application-specific requirements of individual customers. In addition, this
architecture allows the Company to resize and reconfigure these systems to adapt
to the changing needs of customers, while allowing them to retain capital value
in their underlying systems.
 
STRATEGY
 
     Box Hill's objective is to continue its growth and enhance its position as
a leading independent provider of storage solutions to the Open Systems
marketplace. To achieve this objective, the Company plans to build upon its
record of successfully introducing and commercializing new products and
technologies that address the evolving data storage needs of its high-end
customer base. Key elements of this strategy are:
 
     Maintain Technological Leadership and Innovation.  The Company intends to
continue developing and commercializing high-end SCSI, Ultra SCSI and Fibre
Channel-based storage solutions. The Company intends to capitalize on Fibre
Channel components and technology by adding enabling software to create products
for high-availability storage systems and future-envisioned SAN environments.
With respect to its backup products, the Company will continue to research and
integrate "best of breed" tape libraries and software, to develop its own
software, and to improve its expertise as a leader in backup integration.
 
     Focus on High-End Markets in Target Industries.  The Company intends to
continue to target users of UNIX and Windows NT computing environments who
require high-performance, high-availability and fault-tolerant storage
solutions, such as end users in data-intensive industries which, to date,
include financial services, telecommunications, health care, government/defense
and academia. In addition, it intends to expand its focus to include other
data-intensive vertical markets, such as video, multimedia and imaging. The
Company, as an independent provider of storage systems, believes that it is
better suited than captive providers are to address the multi-platform computing
requirements of these targeted high-end users.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
     Expand Geographically.  The Company was founded in New York City and
historically focused its sales efforts primarily in the northeastern region of
the United States. Having achieved commercial success in that region, the
Company plans to expand its geographic reach by increasing its direct sales
staff, opening additional offices in the United States and further developing a
network of international distributors to increase international sales.
 
     Focus on Direct Sales to End Users.  The Company believes that its direct
sales strategy maximizes the effectiveness of its sales efforts. In addition,
direct customer contact provides the Company with invaluable market feedback and
the ability to provide high-quality technical support and enhance customer
loyalty.
 
     Develop Relationships with OEM Customers.  The Company intends to augment
its traditional direct sales strategy by selling to select OEM customers in
situations where market dynamics are such that the Company would not otherwise
have access to these markets.
 
PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS
 
     Box Hill's family of products is a flexible, highly scalable set of
hardware and software storage solutions for Open Systems applications. The
Company's storage products feature modular building blocks that provide
customers with a variety of storage solutions ranging from SCSI Disk Array
configurations to multi-terabyte Ultra SCSI RAID storage systems to the Fibre
Channel RAID storage system, which is in the final stages of development. In
addition, Box Hill's backup products incorporate "best of breed" tape library
products and backup management software.
 
     STORAGE PRODUCTS.  The Company's principal disk storage products include
the Mod Box 5000(TM), the RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM) product line and the recently
introduced Fibre Box(R).
 
     Mod Box 5000(TM).  The Mod Box 5000(TM) is a modular, scalable,
hot-swappable, SCSI and Ultra SCSI capable Disk Array system which can be
configured with a wide range of storage devices. The Mod Box 5000(TM)
architecture supports both 3 1/2" and 5 1/4" device form factors, enabling Box
Hill to support the highest capacity drives, and is compatible with both UNIX
and Windows NT platforms.
 
     RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM). Box Hill integrates hardware RAID controllers with
the Mod Box 5000(TM) Disk Array to create the RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM) product
line. The Company also supplies remote monitoring and configuration software as
a key part of the RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM) system. This high-end, high-speed,
hot-swappable, SCSI and Ultra SCSI capable RAID storage system supports
redundant failover controllers and capacities up to 2.7 TB. The Company believes
that its RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM) is one of the fastest Ultra SCSI RAID storage
systems available for both UNIX and Windows NT platforms.
 
     Fibre Box(R).  The Company recently introduced the Fibre Box(R), one of the
first storage systems based on Fibre Channel technology. The Fibre Box(R)
enables data transfer rates of up to 200 MB per second, transmission distances
of up to 10 kilometers, connectivity of up to 126 host/device connections and
capacities up to 1.2 TB. In addition, the Fibre Box(R) contains up to eight 9 GB
Fibre Channel disk drives in an intelligent enclosure and features
hot-swappability, redundancy of key components, and automatic environmental
monitoring to enable failure prediction. Included with the Fibre Box(R) is the
Company's Fibre Box Array Explorer(TM) software program, which provides users
with the benefits of system monitoring and configuration, event reporting and
remote disk maintenance and administration.
 
     Fibre Box(R) with X/ORaid(TM) Module.  The Company is in the final stages
of developing what it believes will be the first Fibre Channel RAID storage
system activating RAID functionality directly on the disk drives. The Company's
X/ORaid(TM) Module will provide certain RAID capabilities by activating RAID
functionality embedded in each Fibre Channel disk drive.
 
     The Fibre Box(R) and the Fibre Box Array Explorer(TM) are compatible, and
the X/ORaid(TM) Module will be compatible, with Windows NT platforms and the
Company intends to make each of them compatible with UNIX platforms.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
     BACKUP PRODUCTS.  Box Hill's backup solutions consist of a variety of "best
of breed" tape libraries and enterprise-wide backup software from industry
leaders, proprietary Company software and comprehensive integration and
customization services that produce turnkey solutions. The Company believes it
has unique abilities to custom design system-wide and enterprise-wide backup
systems and effectively integrate "best of breed" hardware and software backup
products. The principal tape backup products offered by the Company include the
Magna Box, an enterprise-wide automated DLT library with capacities ranging from
800 GB to 41 TB, and the Echo Box, which, together with the Company's
proprietary Tape Mirroring Software, allows for the simultaneous real-time
creation of two sets of backup tapes, one for fast, local retrieval of data and
the other for remote, off-site storage.
 
     For a discussion of the risks associated with the development and
introduction of new products, see "Risk Factors -- Rapid Technological Change;
Dependence on New Products; Introduction of Fibre Channel Product Line."
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     Box Hill markets its products principally to high-end users in the Open
Systems market. The Company has placed major storage system installations
principally in data-intensive industries in which customers require
high-performance, high-availability, fault-tolerant storage solutions, such as
financial services, telecommunications, health care, government/defense and
academia. In addition, the Company intends to expand its focus to include other
data-intensive vertical markets, such as video, multimedia and imaging. The
Company enjoys strong relationships with its customers, which are reflected in
high levels of repeat business over many years.
 
     Some of the customers in each of the Company's targeted industries include:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                                  <C>
Financial Services                Telecommunications                   Health Care
- ------------------------------    ---------------------------------    ----------------------
Chase Manhattan Bank              AT&T                                 Abbott Laboratories
Merrill Lynch                     Bell Atlantic                        Bristol-Meyers Squibb
Salomon Brothers                  Lucent Technologies                  Hoffmann-LaRoche
Smith Barney                      NYNEX                                Pfizer
UBS Securities                    Sprint                               Warner-Lambert
 
Government/Defense                Academic Institutions
- ------------------------------    ---------------------------------
Lockheed Martin                   Columbia University
NASA                              New York University
National Institutes of Health     Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
TRW                               Rutgers University
U. S. Department of Justice       University of Pennsylvania
</TABLE>
 
     See "Risk Factors -- Concentration of Customers in Targeted Industries and
the UNIX Marketplace" for a discussion of the risks arising from a significant
portion of the Company's sales directed to the financial services and
telecommunications industries, sales to a limited number of customers accounting
for a material percentage of the Company's annual revenues, and the
concentration of sales to the UNIX marketplace.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     The Company's marketing strategy emphasizes direct sales to high-end users
of its storage and backup products. Prior to 1995, the Company conducted its
sales exclusively from its facility in New York City. The Company recently
launched an expansion program to penetrate new markets outside the northeastern
region of the United States. The Company intends to add new sales
representatives and applications engineers in various cities in the United
States and Canada. In 1996, the Company established a sales location in the
greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and, in 1997, commenced hiring
personnel in San Diego, San Francisco and Ottawa, Canada. The Company also
intends to
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
augment its traditional direct sales strategy by selling to select OEM customers
where market dynamics are such that the Company would not otherwise have access
to these markets. In addition, the Company's team of applications engineers,
generally highly qualified storage experts, complements the sales force by
providing pre-sales and pre-deployment consulting, installation services and
support.
 
     The Company's international marketing strategy has been to use distributors
located outside of the United States. The Company's foreign activities have
principally been conducted through distributors in the United Kingdom, Japan and
Hong Kong. Since 1996, the Company has embarked on a program of international
expansion, engaging distributors in Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Italy and Ireland.
The Company provides marketing and technical support services in connection with
European and Pacific Rim sales. The Company intends to continue international
expansion by developing distributor relationships in France, Germany,
Scandinavia and the Benelux countries. Sales to international distributors
located outside the United States represented approximately 17%, 16%, 18% and
15% of the Company's net revenues for 1994, 1995, 1996 and for the six months
ended June 30, 1997, respectively.
 
     For a discussion of the risks associated with expansion, see "Risk
Factors -- Difficulties in Managing Growth" and "-- Risks Associated with
International Operations."
 
ENGINEERING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company's research, engineering and development efforts are focused on
developing innovative solutions to the storage needs of the high end of the Open
Systems market. The Company has expertise in UNIX and Windows NT driver and
system software, data storage system design and integration, high-speed
interface design for SCSI, Ultra SCSI and Fibre Channel and design,
qualification and integration of disk drives, tape drives, robotics and other
storage components. For example, the Company was among the first to develop and
successfully commercialize a hot-swappable SCSI Disk Array and a RAID storage
system for the UNIX environment. More recently, the Company was among the first
to introduce a Fibre Channel storage system and is finalizing development of
what it believes will be the first Fibre Channel storage system activating RAID
functionality on the disk drives.
 
     The Company generally designs its products to have a modular architecture
that can be readily modified to respond to technological developments and
paradigm shifts in the Open Systems computing environment. This flexibility
allows the Company to focus research and development resources on specific
product innovations and advancements. The modular architecture of the products
meets customer needs with solutions tailored to their applications and products
that can be adapted to changes in technology and in their computing
environments.
 
     The Company is currently focusing considerable development efforts on Fibre
Channel storage systems. Projects include improvements to the features,
functions and performance of the Fibre Box(R) and the Fibre Box Array
Explorer(TM), and the development of the X/ORaid(TM) Module, a future component
of the Fibre Box(R) product line. The Company intends to capitalize on Fibre
Channel technology and components by adding systems software to create products
for high-availability storage systems and future-envisioned SAN environments.
See "Risk Factors -- Rapid Technological Change; Dependence on New Products;
Introduction of Fibre Channel Product Line" and "-- Limited Protection of
Proprietary Technology; Risk of Third-Party Claims of Infringement" for
discussions of the risks associated with the development of new products and
protection of technological developments.
 
     The Company's engineering design teams work cross-functionally with
marketing managers, applications, technical and production engineers and
customers to develop products and product enhancements. The Company employs a
full staff of applications engineers to assist customers in making appropriate
and effective storage system purchases and in addressing, analyzing and solving
complex pre-deployment storage problems. The Company's technical support
engineering team and production engineering team also contribute to the quality,
manufacturability and usability of products from design to deployment. This
value-added capability fosters customer loyalty and allows the Company to
identify emerging customer requirements for future data storage products.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
     Engineering and product development expenses of the Company (which do not
include compensation expenses for applications and technical support engineers,
which are recorded as sales and marketing expenses) for fiscal years 1994, 1995
and 1996 were $1.4 million, $1.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of
June 30, 1997, the Company had 19 full-time employees engaged in research and
development activities and, in addition, had 14 full-time applications and
technical support engineers.
 
CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT
 
     Recognizing that the provision of comprehensive, proactive and responsive
support is an essential element in establishing new customer accounts and
securing repeat business from existing customers, Box Hill is committed to
providing the highest levels of customer service and support aimed at
simplifying installation, reducing field failures, minimizing system downtime
and streamlining administration.
 
     Service revenues have not comprised a significant portion of the Company's
revenues. In certain geographical regions, and for an annual or quarterly fee,
the Company maintains a staff of on-call technical personnel who are available
to visit the customer's site within a few hours. In other geographical regions,
the Company indirectly provides the same level of support by using third-party
service companies. In all cases, Box Hill technical support engineers are
available by phone on a seven day, 24 hour basis.
 
     The Company provides standard warranties with all products sold which are
set forth in various documents and agreements which are delivered to customers
with each product. As a general policy, the Company ships replacement hardware
components to customers in advance of receiving returns of defective components
under a standard warranty, which runs from one to five years. The Company
occasionally issues credit in lieu of replacing a piece of equipment. A customer
may also contract for an extended warranty or on site maintenance support from
the Company on all products. See "Risk Factors -- Warranty Exposure."
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     Box Hill's manufacturing operations consist of assembly and integration of
components and subassemblies into the Company's products with certain of those
subassemblies manufactured by independent contractors. The units are assembled
to order and are subjected to a systems-level test and to firmware revision
controls to ensure performance to specification in the anticipated end-user
computing environment. Test results are identified by individual product serial
numbers and are logged to aid in technical support. The Company strives to
develop close relationships with its suppliers, exchanging critical information
and implementing joint corrective action programs to maximize the quality of its
components, reduce costs and reduce inventory investments.
 
     The Company relies on other companies to supply certain key components of
its products that are available only from limited sources in the quantities and
quality demanded by the Company. The Company purchases substantially all of its
disk drives and all of its Fibre Channel drives from Seagate, its DLT tape
drives only from Quantum and hardware RAID controllers only from CMD.
Approximately 35.6%, 52.7% and 39.4% of the Company's total raw material
purchases were from Seagate and approximately 13.8%, 16.5% and 9.7% of the
Company's total raw material purchases were from Quantum in the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997,
respectively. In addition, the Company purchases substantially all of its raw
materials pursuant to purchase orders, rather than pursuant to long term
purchase agreements, and maintains minimum inventory levels. Quantum is the only
supplier of DLT tape drives, which are currently in tight supply, and Seagate is
the only manufacturer and distributor of Fibre Channel drives. If the Company
faced a shortage of DLT tape drives or Fibre Channel drives, manufacture and
shipment of certain of the Company's products could be delayed indefinitely, as
long as there continue to be no alternative sources of supply. Even if
alternative sources of supply became available, the incorporation of such
components from alternative suppliers and the manufacture and shipment of such
products could be delayed while modifications to such products
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
and accompanying software were made to accommodate the introduction of
alternative suppliers' components. The Company has experienced a shortage of DLT
tape drives in the past, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience shortages of these or other components in the future. Although
hardware RAID controllers are available from other sources, the Company
estimates that replacing CMD's hardware RAID controllers with those of another
supplier would involve several months of hardware and software modification. See
"Risk Factors -- Dependence on Limited Number of Suppliers of Key Components"
for a discussion of the risks associated with the Company's reliance on a
limited number of suppliers for key components.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for Open Systems storage is growing and it is intensely
competitive. The Company competes primarily with traditional suppliers of
computer systems such as Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Sun
Microsystems, IBM, Data General Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation,
which market storage systems as well as other computer products. The Company
also competes against independent storage system suppliers to the high-end Open
Systems market, including EMC Corporation, Network Appliance, Inc., Ciprico Inc.
and MTI. In the area of tape backup, the Company competes with suppliers of
tape-based storage systems such as Datalink Corporation, MTI and numerous
resellers.
 
     Many of the Company's current and potential competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical, marketing, purchasing and other resources than the
Company, and as a result, may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging
technologies and changes in customer requirements, or devote greater resources
to the development, promotion and sale of products than the Company, or to
deliver competitive products at a lower end-user price. The Company also expects
that competition will increase as a result of industry consolidations. Current
and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative
relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the ability of
their products to address the needs of the Company's prospective customers.
Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors
may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. Increased competition
is likely to result in price reductions, reduced operating margins and loss of
market share, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results or financial condition. See "Risk
Factors -- Competition."
 
PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     Box Hill's success depends significantly upon its proprietary technology.
The Company has no patent protection for its products and has attempted to
protect its intellectual property rights through copyrights, trade secrets and
other measures. The Company seeks to protect its software, documentation and
other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws, which afford only
limited protection. The Company has registered its Box Hill(R) and Fibre Box(R)
trademarks and is claiming common law protection for and may seek to register
its RAID Box 5300 Turbo(TM), Mod Box 5000(TM), X/ORaid(TM) Module and Fibre Box
Array Explorer(TM) trademarks and other trademarks and logos as it deems
appropriate. The Company generally enters into confidentiality agreements with
its employees and with key vendors and suppliers. See "Risk Factors -- Limited
Protection of Proprietary Technology; Risk of Third-Party Claims of
Infringement" for a discussion of risks associated with attempting to secure and
maintain protection of proprietary rights and avoid claims of infringement of
the proprietary rights of others.
 
     The Company licenses certain Fibre Channel driver software under a
royalty-free license for use in connection with host bus adapters purchased by
the Company from the licensor. The license is irrevocable, non-transferable and
non-exclusive, and continues as long as the Company continues to use the
licensor's drivers or unless the Company terminates it or either party
materially breaches its obligations.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of June 30, 1997, Box Hill had a total of 135 employees, (substantially
all of whom are full-time), of whom 19 were engaged in engineering, research and
development; 14 in applications and technical support engineering; 48 in
marketing, sales and customer support; 35 in manufacturing; 19 in general
management and administration; and three shareholder officers.
 
     The Company has experienced no work stoppages and believes that its
employee relations are good. The Company's future performance depends in
significant part upon the continued service of its key technical and senior
management personnel. The Company provides incentives such as salary and
benefits, and will make stock option grants to attract and retain qualified
employees. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Key Personnel" and
"-- Difficulties in Managing Growth."
 
FACILITIES
 
     Box Hill's manufacturing, research and development and principal sales and
marketing operations are conducted from, and its administrative staff are
located in New York City at, a 44,000-square-foot leased facility, of which
approximately 10,000 square feet was added in 1997, occupied under a long term
lease, as amended, expiring in 2007. The Company also leases an office in
Vienna, Virginia, under a lease that expires in May 1998, to facilitate sales
efforts in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The rent for the year
ended December 31, 1996 for the two facilities aggregated approximately
$350,000. The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate for its
current needs.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is not party to any material legal proceedings.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
   
     The following table sets forth information concerning the Company's
directors, executive officers, and certain key employees, and their ages as of
September 16, 1997:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                          AGE     POSITION
- --------------------------    ---     -------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>     <C>
Philip Black..............    42      Chief Executive Officer and Director
Benjamin Monderer.........    39      Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                      Technical Officer
Carol Turchin.............    35      Executive Vice President and Director
Mark A. Mays..............    34      Vice President, Secretary and Director
Warren J. Fisher..........    40      Vice President -- Sales
Adam T. Temple............    39      Vice President -- Operations
Kenneth Pitz..............    45      Vice President -- Materials Management
R. Robert Rebmann, Jr.....    32      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Finis F. Conner...........    54      Director
Robert C. Miller..........    53      Director
Mischa Schwartz...........    71      Director
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
     Philip Black has been Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company
since May 1995. From 1976 to 1991 Mr. Black held a number of positions,
including Vice President, President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
of the Board at Tekelec, Inc., a publicly traded company, of which he was the
founder, engaged in the design, manufacturing and marketing of diagnostics
systems and network switching solutions. From March 1990 until August 1991 Mr.
Black served as Managing Director of Echelon Europe, of which he was a
co-founder. In September 1991 Mr. Black became the Chief Executive Officer and
Treasurer of Avalon Control Technologies, a company specializing in products and
services related to Echelon's LONWorks technology, and served in those
capacities until June 1994. In April 1994 Mr. Black became President and Chief
Executive Officer of Chevry, a backup software company, and served in those
capacities until he joined the Company.
 
     Benjamin Monderer, Eng.Sc.D., a co-founder of the Company, has been
President and a Director of the Company since its incorporation in 1988 and
became Chairman of the Board in July 1997. He is also Chief Technical Officer
and has served as Manager of Operations of the Company. Dr. Monderer had been a
member of the technical staff at Hewlett-Packard in 1980 and 1981 and was a
Research Scientist at Columbia University from 1986 to 1989. Dr. Monderer holds
a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Princeton University
and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Doctor of
Engineering Science from Columbia University. Dr. Monderer is married to Carol
Turchin.
 
   
     Carol Turchin, a co-founder of the Company, has been an executive officer
and a Director of the Company since its incorporation in 1988 and, in July 1997,
became Executive Vice President of the Company. She has also served as the
Company's Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Marketing. Ms. Turchin
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College. Ms. Turchin is married to
Benjamin Monderer.
    
 
     Mark A. Mays, a co-founder of the Company, has been Vice President,
Technical Consultant and a Director of the Company since its incorporation in
1988 and was appointed Secretary of the Company in July 1997. From 1985 to 1988,
Mr. Mays served as Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University. Mr. Mays
holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Electrical
Engineering from Columbia University.
 
     Warren J. Fisher has served as Vice President -- Sales of the Company since
January 1996. From November 1992 to December 1995, Mr. Fisher was the Vice
President -- Sales of QStar Technologies, Inc., a software development company.
From April 1991 to November 1992, he served as Regional Sales
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
Manager at Altos Computer Systems, a computer manufacturer, and from June 1984
until April 1991, served as Chief Executive Officer of a computer systems
integration division of George S. May International Company, a consulting
company. Mr. Fisher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering
and Management Science from Northwestern University and a Master of Business
Administration from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management.
 
     Adam T. Temple has served as Vice President -- Operations of the Company
since 1996. Mr. Temple joined the Company in 1991 and became Head of Operations
in 1992. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Temple served as Advisory Engineer
for IBM at the T.J. Watson Research Center from 1990 to 1991, as a member of the
Research Staff at Columbia University's Center for Telecommunications Research
from 1985 to 1990, and as an engineer at Raytheon Company's Submarine Signal
Division from 1979 to 1985. Mr. Temple holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University and a Master of Science in
Electrical Engineering from Columbia University.
 
     Kenneth Pitz has served as Vice President -- Materials Management of the
Company since 1996. Mr. Pitz has served in various management capacities since
he joined the Company in 1992. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pitz served in
various capacities of increasing responsibility at Lex Electronics (formerly
Schweber Electronics, which was purchased in 1991 by Arrow Electronics, Inc.)
from 1976 to 1992, including Product Line Manager, Operations Manager of a sales
office, Director of a division and, ultimately, Director of Customer Services
for the company.
 
     R. Robert Rebmann, Jr. has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company
since joining the Company in January 1997 and became Treasurer of the Company in
July 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rebmann served as Audit Manager for
Perelson Weiner (formerly Weiner Associates), a mid-sized regional public
accounting firm. Mr. Rebmann held various positions of increasing responsibility
at Perelson Weiner from 1986 until December 1996. Mr. Rebmann holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at
Binghamton and is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
     Finis F. Conner was elected a Director of the Company in July 1997. Mr.
Conner was until 1996 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Conner Peripherals, Inc. which he founded in 1986. A leading manufacturer of
3 1/2" Winchester disk drives used in personal computers, Conner Peripherals was
merged with Seagate in February 1996. Mr. Conner was a co-founder of Seagate,
and served as its Vice-Chairman from 1979 to 1985. From 1996 to the present, Mr.
Conner has been Chairman of the Board of Golf Media, Inc., a company engaged in
the design of internet web sites for the promotion of golf products, and since
February 1996, Mr. Conner has been a principal of the Conner Group, an
independent consulting organization.
 
     Robert C. Miller was elected a Director of the Company in August 1997. Mr.
Miller has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NeTpower,
which is engaged in the development and manufacture of systems for the Windows
NT market, since he founded the company in February 1993. Prior thereto, he was
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MIPS Technologies Inc., since
its acquisition by Silicon Graphics Inc. in June 1992 and during the five-year
period prior to such acquisition. Mr. Miller had been Senior Vice President of
the Information Systems Group of Data General and had held several positions
with IBM, the last of which was Director of IBM's Boulder, Colorado laboratory.
A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers ("IEEE")
Society, Mr. Miller holds six United States patents and has authorized a number
of publications related to computer architecture. He holds a Bachelor's degree
in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University, an M.S. in Thermodynamics
from Stanford University and is a registered Professional Engineer.
 
     Mischa Schwartz, Ph.D. was elected a Director in July 1997. Dr. Schwartz is
the Charles Batchelor Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Columbia
University. He was Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at
Columbia University from 1974 until retirement in July 1996. Prior to 1974, he
served as Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of
Brooklyn for 24 years, during a portion of which period he served as Head of the
Electrical Engineering Department. During his tenure at Columbia University he
served, in 1980 as a Visiting Scientist with IBM Research, from 1985 to 1988 as
Director of the Columbia University Center for Telecommunications, one of the
six
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
National Engineering Research Centers established in 1985 under major grants of
the National Science Foundation, and during 1986 as a Resident Consultant with
NYNEX Science and Technology. He has also served as a part time consultant on
wireless communication systems for IBM Research during 1994 and for AT&T Bell
Laboratories during 1995. Dr. Schwartz, the author or co-author of nine books
and more than 150 technical publications on communication theory, systems signal
processing and computer communication networks, is a member of the National
Academy of Engineering, a Fellow and former Director of the IEEE and former
Chairman of its Information Theory Group and Past President of the
Communications Society. He serves on the editorial board of several
communication journals including Networks and Telecommunication Systems. In
1984, he was cited by IEEE as one of the ten all-time outstanding Electrical
Engineering educators.
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     In July 1997, the Company adopted a compensation policy for its
non-employee directors. The policy provides that such directors shall receive an
annual fee of $25,000 payable in quarterly installments, and shall be reimbursed
for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the
Board of Directors or committees thereof. Directors who are employees of the
Company do not receive additional compensation for serving as directors.
 
     The Company granted, under its Incentive Program, in connection with their
elections as Directors of the Company, options to (i) Mr. Conner in July 1997 to
purchase 346,500 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $12.73 per share, and
(ii) to Mr. Miller and Dr. Schwartz in August 1997 to purchase 173,250 and
10,000 shares, respectively, of its Common Stock at the initial public offering
price per share. The five-year options vest ratably over sixteen quarters
commencing on October 1, 1997.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by or
paid for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996 for (i) the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
(ii) the Company's four most highly compensated other executive officers whose
salary, bonus and other compensation for such year exceeded $100,000.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)
                             -------------------------------------       LONG-TERM
                                                         OTHER          COMPENSATION
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                  ANNUAL             AWARDS        ALL OTHER
         POSITION*            SALARY      BONUS      COMPENSATION      (# OF OPTIONS)   COMPENSATION
- ---------------------------  --------   ----------   -------------     --------------   ------------
<S>                          <C>        <C>          <C>               <C>              <C>
Philip Black...............  $282,289   $   72,630       --                    --               --
  Chief Executive Officer
Benjamin Monderer..........   281,910    2,603,375            --               --               --
  Chairman of the Board;
     President; Chief
     Technical Officer
Carol Turchin..............   278,489    2,603,375            --               --               --
  Executive Vice President
Mark A. Mays...............   278,489      295,250            --               --               --
  Vice President, Secretary
Warren J. Fisher...........   101,392           --     $ 135,415(2)        13,530         $ 50,000(3)
  Vice President -- Sales
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 *  Reflects the position or positions of such officers as of August 25, 1997.
 
(1) Represents amounts paid in 1996.
 
(2) Represents commissions paid in 1996.
 
(3) Represents moving expenses paid in 1996.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements with Dr. Monderer, Ms.
Turchin and Mr. Mays. The agreements are for a term commencing with the date of
this Prospectus and ending December 31, 2000 and provide for annual base
compensation of $500,000, $425,000 and $350,000, respectively, for Dr. Monderer,
Ms. Turchin and Mr. Mays, for the period ending December 31, 1998 with the
compensation for the remaining two years to be not less than the prior year's
base compensation, adjusted for increases in the Consumer Price Index. The
agreements also provide for an annual bonus of (i) 0.5% of the net revenues in
excess of $100,000,000 for each of Dr. Monderer and Ms. Turchin and (ii) 4.0%,
2.5% and 1.5% of the net pre-tax income above $20,000,000, respectively, for Dr.
Monderer, Ms. Turchin and Mr. Mays, for any year ending during the term of the
agreements. The employment agreements with Dr. Monderer and Ms. Turchin provide
that the Company is to secure term life insurance on the life of each of them in
the amount of at least $1,000,000 for the benefit of his or her spouse. Each of
their employment agreements also provides that in the event of the employee's
death, the Company will pay the employee's spouse the employee's base
compensation for twelve months following such death at the rate payable
immediately prior to such death, plus the amount of any bonus which would have
been earned during the following 12 months, and that in event of termination due
to disability as defined in the agreement, the Company will pay his or her base
compensation for the twelve-month period following such termination at the rate
payable immediately prior to such termination.
 
     In May 1995, the Company entered into a Compensation Plan and Agreement
(the "Compensation Plan") with Mr. Philip Black. The Compensation Plan provides
that Mr. Black's employment with the Company is at will. The agreement provides
for an annual base salary of $275,000, plus a bonus, based on the Company's net
revenues and pre-tax income for the immediately prior calendar year, of: (i)
0.05% of the net revenues up to $100,000,000 plus 0.5% of the net revenues in
excess of $100,000,000 for the period and (ii) 1.12% of the pre-tax income, as
defined, up to $20,000,000, plus 4.0% of the pre-tax income above $20,000,000
for the period.
 
     The Compensation Plan may be terminated at the option of either the Company
or Mr. Black for convenience and without cause at any time upon 30 days prior
written notice. If so terminated by the Company, Mr. Black is entitled to a
severance payment equal to his annual salary and aggregate bonus for the
calendar year prior to the termination, but not more than $600,000 in the
aggregate. The employment agreements and the Compensation Plan contain a
non-competition covenant for a one-year period following termination of
employment.
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
     To date, there has been no exercise of stock options granted by the
Company. The only executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table who
was granted stock options during the year ended December 31, 1996 was Mr. Fisher
who received, on January 8, 1996, an option to purchase 13,530 shares of Common
Stock at a price of $.75 per share.
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the value of
unexercised options held by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Black, the only executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who held options as of December
31, 1996. None of those options is exercisable prior to consummation of the
Offering.
 
                         FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                SECURITIES UNDERLYING        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                      NAME                    OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END     AT FISCAL YEAR END(1)
    ----------------------------------------  --------------------------     ---------------------
    <S>                                       <C>                            <C>
    Philip Black............................            521,054                   $ 2,282,217
    Warren J. Fisher........................             13,530                        57,773
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Based on the fair market value of the Common Stock as of December 31, 1996
    of $5.02 as determined by the Company.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
 
     The Company's 1995 Incentive Program (the "Incentive Program"), adopted in
May 1995 and as amended in July 1997, permits the grant during the ten-year
period ending in May 2005 to officers, directors and employees of the Company
and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and to certain consultants and advisors
of the Company of options to purchase up to 2,392,500 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, subject to adjustment. As of August 25, 1997, there were
outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 1,645,797 shares of Common Stock
of the Company. None of the options is exercisable prior to the date of this
Prospectus.
 
     The Incentive Program authorizes the grant of incentive stock options
("ISO"), which may only be granted to employees of the Company or any subsidiary
or parent of the Company and non-qualified stock options ("Non-qualified
Options").
 
     The Incentive Program is administered and interpreted by the Board of
Directors or by one or more committees appointed by the Board of Directors (the
"Plan Administrator").
 
     The Board of Directors may, from time to time, amend, alter, suspend or
discontinue the Incentive Program, subject to required shareholder approval with
respect to amendments that would (1) increase the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock available for issuance under the Incentive Program, (2) reduce the
minimum option price, (3) effect any change inconsistent with Section 422 of the
Code or (4) extend the term of the Incentive Program.
 
     To qualify as an ISO, the option price at which the Common Stock may be
purchased will be the Fair Market Value (or, if the grantee is a 10%
shareholder, 110% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below)) of the Common
Stock at the time of the grant. Upon exercise of any ISO or Non-qualified
Option, the grantee may pay the option price (a) in cash, (b) by delivering
shares of Common Stock held by the grantee for at least six months which have a
Fair Market Value equal to the option price on the exercise date, (c) by
surrender of options with respect to shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the purchase price or (d) by delivering a combination of the foregoing with a
combined Fair Market Value equal to the option price.
 
     In the event of a change in control, merger, consolidation, combination or
other transaction in which shareholders of the Company will receive cash or
securities (other than Common Stock), or if such shareholders are offered cash
or securities in exchange for their Common Stock and such offer, if accepted,
would result in the offeror becoming the owner of (a) at least 50% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or (b) such lesser percentage
of the Common Stock as the Plan Administrator determines will materially and
adversely affect the market value of the Common Stock after such offer, the Plan
Administrator shall have the right (i) to accelerate the vesting of all options
such that they become fully exercisable immediately and/or (ii) adjust the
options by substituting the common stock of the surviving corporation, parent or
offeror.
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
     The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was adopted in August
1997, provides an opportunity for eligible employees of the Company to purchase
shares of Common Stock, at a discount, through regular period salary reductions.
A maximum of 250,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock
Purchase Plan.
 
     The first offering under the Stock Purchase Plan will begin on the
commencement of this Offering and end on March 31, 1998. Unless otherwise
determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, subsequent
offerings will commence on the first business day occurring on or after each
April 1 thereafter and will end on the last business day occurring on or before
the following March 31. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee
may, in its discretion, select a different offering period for any offering,
provided that the duration of the offering is not more than one year. All
employees who are customarily employed by the Company or a subsidiary designated
by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee for more than twenty
hours per week and have been so employed for at least
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
six months as of the first day of the applicable offering period are eligible to
participate in the Stock Purchase Plan.
 
     The maximum number of shares which may be purchased by a participating
employee of the Company during an offering will be determined by the Board of
Directors or the Compensation Committee. An employee may purchase shares under
the Stock Purchase Plan by authorizing payroll deductions of up to 10% of his
regular pay during this offering period. Unless the employee has previously
withdrawn from the offering, his accumulated payroll deductions will be used to
purchase Common Stock on the last business day of the period at a price equal to
85% of the price of the Common Stock on the offering date or the exercise date,
whichever is lower. Under applicable tax rules, an employee may purchase no more
than $25,000 of the fair market value worth of Common Stock in any calendar year
(determined on the first day of the offering period(s) in which such stock is
purchased); certain other tax limitations may apply.
 
     The Stock Purchase Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors or
the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee
may at any time amend the Stock Purchase Plan, subject to the approval of the
Company's stockholders if and to the extent required to comply with Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act or to preserve the favorable tax treatment of
participants, or discontinue the Stock Purchase Plan.
 
     The Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock
purchase plan" as defined in Section 423 of the Code, which provides that an
employee will not have income for federal income tax purposes at the start of an
offering or upon the purchase of shares of Common Stock at the end of an
offering, but generally will recognize ordinary income, in addition to capital
gain or loss, when the employee sells the shares.
 
THE 401(k) PLAN
 
     In August 1995 the Company adopted a salary deferral plan, the Box Hill
Systems Corp. 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan"), which is intended to qualify
under Section 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code. Company employees are eligible to
participate in the plan if they were employed as of August 1, 1995 or when they
attain the age of 21. Participants may make elective salary reduction
contributions to the 401(k) Plan of not less than 1% nor more than 15% of their
annual compensation, subject to a dollar limit established by law (which limit
was $9,500 in 1996). In addition, the Company may make a discretionary matching
contribution equal to a percentage of the employee's elected deferred amount and
may make one or both of two additional types of discretionary contributions,
neither of which is required, and each of which is to be determined annually by
the Company. To date, the Company has made no matching or other contributions
under the 401(k) Plan.
 
     Participants are fully vested at all times in the amounts they contribute
to the Plan and are always 100% vested upon early or normal retirement. The
Company's matching contributions are to vest at a rate of 20% in the first year
of service; the vested percentage then increases by 20 percentage points for
each successive year of service and participants are 100% vested by the end of
their fifth year. Participants are always fully vested in special and additional
discretionary contributions made by the Company to the Plan. Benefits under the
Plan generally are distributable after the age of 59 1/2 or become payable upon
separation from service, retirement, death or disability.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     Dr. Benjamin Monderer and Ms. Carol Turchin, officers, Directors and
shareholders of the Company, from time to time during the period from December
31, 1993 through December 31, 1994 made loans to the Company for working capital
purposes. The largest outstanding balance of such loans, which bore interest
rates from 8% to 10% per annum, was $3,401,000 as of December 31, 1994. The
loans were repaid in 1995, the last repayment, in the amount of $1,901,000,
having been made in June 1995. The related interest expense to the Company in
connection with such advances for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 was
$135,000 and $116,000, respectively.
 
     Dr. Monderer, Ms. Turchin and Mr. Mark Mays are the sole shareholders of
Box Hill Systems Europe, Ltd. ("Box Hill Europe"), which they formed in 1995 to
provide marketing and technical support services to the Company in connection
with European sales. They, along with Mr. Philip Black, are its directors. The
Company pays the operating expenses of Box Hill Europe's operations, which
consist solely of salaries for its employees and related expenses, plus a fee of
10% of total operating expenses, which fee is principally used to pay applicable
United Kingdom taxes. No sales of the Company's products or services are
effected through Box Hill Europe. None of Box Hill Europe's employees is an
officer or director or an affiliate of an officer or director of the Company.
For the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the six months ended June
30, 1996 and 1997, the Company expensed $99,000, $316,000, $157,000 and
$160,000, respectively, in connection with such operation. In addition, the
Company had accounts payable to Box Hill Europe of $55,000 and $65,000 as of
December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1997, respectively. The Company expects that Box
Hill Europe will continue to operate as a separate independent company after the
Offering.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock of the Company, after giving effect to the
Offering, by (i) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of
5% or more thereof, (ii) each director, (iii) each named Executive Officer and
(iv) all officers and directors as a group. All persons listed have sole voting
and investment power with respect to their shares unless otherwise indicated. As
indicated elsewhere in this Prospectus, each Selling Shareholder has held and
continues to hold certain positions with the Company. See "Management."
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     AMOUNT AND NATURE
                                  OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                      AMOUNT AND NATURE
                                      OF COMMON STOCK                       OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
                                    BEFORE THIS OFFERING                      AFTER THIS OFFERING
                                ----------------------------   NUMBER OF   -------------------------
                                               PERCENTAGE OF    SHARES                 PERCENTAGE OF
                                NUMBER OF       OUTSTANDING      BEING     NUMBER OF    OUTSTANDING
             NAME                 SHARES          SHARES        OFFERED     SHARES        SHARES
- ------------------------------- ----------     -------------   ---------   ---------   -------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>
Benjamin Monderer(1)(2)........  9,900,000          100.0%       881,250   7,550,000         57.9%
Carol Turchin(1)(2)............  9,900,000          100.0        881,250   7,550,000         57.9
Mark A. Mays(1)(3).............  9,900,000          100.0        587,500   7,550,000         57.9
Philip Black(4)................    234,475            2.3             --     234,475
Finis F. Conner(4).............     21,656         *                  --      21,656       *
Warren J. Fisher(4)............      4,736         *                  --       4,736       *
Robert C. Miller(4)............     10,828         *                  --      10,828       *
Mischa Schwartz(4).............        625         *                  --         625       *
Directors and Executive
  Officers as a group (11
  persons)(5).................. 10,190,433          100.0%     2,350,000   7,840,433         58.7%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  *  Less than one percent.
 
(1) The address of such person is c/o Box Hill Systems Corp., 161 Avenue of the
    Americas, New York, NY 10013.
 
   
(2) Beneficial ownership includes, before the Offering, 3,300,000 shares owned
    by such individual's spouse and 3,300,000 shares owned by Mr. Mays, and
    after the Offering 2,418,750 shares owned by such individual's spouse and
    2,712,500 shares owned by Mr. Mays, all of which shares are subject to the
    voting agreement described below, as to which shares such individual
    disclaims beneficial ownership.
    
 
   
(3) Beneficial ownership includes, before the Offering, an aggregate of
    6,600,000 shares owned by Dr. Monderer and Ms. Turchin, and after the
    Offering 2,418,750 shares owned by each thereof, all of which are subject to
    a voting agreement, described below, as to which shares Mr. Mays disclaims
    beneficial ownership.
    
 
(4) Beneficial ownership represents shares issuable upon exercise of options
    exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Prospectus.
 
(5) Beneficial ownership includes 290,433 shares issuable upon exercise of
    options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Prospectus by all
    directors and executive officers as a group and by the wife of an officer
    who is also an employee of the Company.
 
     On July 31, 1997, Dr. Monderer, Ms. Turchin and Mr. Mays entered into a
voting agreement with respect to the shares each owns, effective with the
consummation of the Offering. Pursuant to the agreement, such shareholders have
agreed to vote their respective shares for the election of each thereof as a
Director of the Company and will vote their shares in accordance with the
determination of the holders of a majority of their shares as to any proposal to
merge, consolidate, liquidate or sell substantially all the assets of the
Company. The agreement, which is to terminate on December 31, 2009, or upon the
deaths of Dr. Monderer and Ms. Turchin, prohibits the transfer of their shares
other than (i) to a member of the transferor's family who agrees to be bound by
the agreement, (ii) pursuant to a sale exempt from registration pursuant to Rule
144 under the Securities Act or (iii) in a merger, consolidation or sale of
substantially all the assets of the Company.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of the
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. After the closing of the Offering,
13,050,000 shares of the Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, assuming
no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. Concurrent with the
Company's conversion to C Corporation status immediately prior to consummation
of the Offering, the Company will amend its Certificate of Incorporation to
authorize a class of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. Upon closing of
the Offering, no shares of Preferred Stock will be issued and outstanding. The
following summary of the terms and provisions of the Company's capital stock
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, which have been filed as
exhibits to the Company's registration statement, of which this Prospectus is a
part, and applicable law.
    
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights for
the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive
ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available therefor, subject to preferences that may be applicable to any
outstanding Preferred Stock. In the event of a dissolution of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, after distribution to the holders of Preferred
Stock, if any, of amounts to which they may be preferentially entitled, the
holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets of the
Company legally available for distribution to its shareholders. None of the
holders of Common Stock has any preemptive, subscription, liquidation,
conversion or redemption rights, and no holders of Common Stock are subject to
further calls or assessments or rights of redemption by the Company. No sinking
funds are available to the holders of Common Stock. All outstanding shares of
Common Stock are, and all shares of Common Stock to be outstanding upon
completion of the Offering will be, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation immediately
prior to consummation of the Offering to authorize the class of Preferred Stock,
the Company's Board of Directors will have the authority to issue 5,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the powers,
designations, rights, preferences and restrictions thereof, including dividend
rights, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption terms, liquidation
preferences and the number of shares constituting each such series, without any
further vote or action by the Company's shareholders. The issuance of a series
of Preferred Stock in certain circumstances, based on the terms of the series,
may delay, deter or prevent a change in control of the Company, may discourage
bids for the Company's Common Stock at a premium over the market price of the
Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and
other rights of the holders of, the Common Stock. The Company currently has no
plans to issue any Preferred Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
 
     The Company's By-laws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors
and executive officers for their reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,
actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with his or her
defense of any action (except an action by the Company in its own right) to
which he or she becomes a party by reason of the fact that such individual
served as an officer or director of the Company or of any corporation in which
he or she served at the request of the Company, other than in connection with
acts committed in bad faith or resulting from active and deliberate dishonesty,
or in connection with which he or she personally gained in fact a financial
profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled. The
Company's employment agreements with Dr. Monderer, Ms. Turchin
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
and Mr. Mays, its Compensation Agreement with Mr. Black and its agreement with
Mr. Conner in connection with his appointment as a director contain
indemnification provisions consistent with the foregoing.
 
     The foregoing indemnification provisions do not eliminate a director's duty
of care, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as an
injunction or other forms of non-monetary relief would remain available. They
also do not affect a director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as
the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEW YORK LAW
 
     Section 912 of the NYBCL regulates "business combinations," a term covering
a broad range of transactions between "resident domestic corporations" (as
defined, which term would include the Company) and an interested shareholder,
which is defined as any person beneficially owning 20% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the resident domestic corporation or any affiliate
or associate of that owner. Under the statute, a resident domestic corporation
may not engage in any business combination with any interested shareholder,
unless (a) if the business combination is to occur within five years of the date
the shareholder acquired 20% or more ownership, either the business combination
or the stock acquisition was previously approved by the Board of Directors, or
(b) the business combination is approved by a majority of outstanding voting
stock (not including shares owned by the interested shareholder), which approval
may not be effectively given until approximately five years after the interested
shareholder first attained 20% ownership (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (c)
the business combination occurs after five years after the interested
shareholder's Stock Acquisition Date and the consideration paid to the
non-interested shareholders meets certain stringent conditions imposed by
section 912. The restrictions imposed by section 912 will not apply to a
corporation that amends its by-laws by the affirmative vote of a majority of its
outstanding voting stock (not including shares owned by the interested
shareholder) to "opt out" of section 912; however, an amendment will not be
effective for 18 months after the vote and will not apply to any business
combination where the Stock Acquisition Date precedes the amendment.
 
     At this time, the Company will not seek to "opt out" of section 912 and,
therefore, the restrictions imposed by section 912 will apply to the Company.
 
     Section 912 of the NYBCL may discourage other persons from making a tender
offer for, or acquisitions of, a number of shares of the Common Stock. This
could have the incidental effect of inhibiting changes in management and also
may prevent temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Common Stock that
often result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. In addition, the limited
liability provisions in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation with respect
to directors and the indemnification provisions in the Company's by-laws may
discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of
their fiduciary duty and also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of
derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an
action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited the Company and its
shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder's investment in the Company may be
adversely affected to the extent the Company pays the costs of settlement and
damage awards against the Company's directors and officers pursuant to the
indemnification provisions in the Company's by-laws.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock, and any sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the open market
may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
   
     Upon completion of the Offering, there will be an aggregate of 13,050,000
shares of Common Stock outstanding assuming (i) no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and (ii) no exercise of outstanding options to purchase
Common Stock. Of these shares, the 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock sold in this
Offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration
under the Securities Act, unless such shares are held by "affiliates" of the
Company, as that term is defined under the Securities Act and the regulations
promulgated thereunder. The remaining 7,550,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Restricted Shares") are held by the Selling Shareholders. The Restricted Shares
were sold by the Company in reliance on exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and are "restricted" securities within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
    
 
     The Company and each of its directors and officers including the Selling
Shareholders, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days (270 days in the case
of the Selling Shareholders) after the date of this Prospectus, they will not
offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or announce an offering of, any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock
(without the prior consent of Salomon Brothers Inc) provided that the Company
may issue and sell shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Incentive Program and
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
     Upon expiration of a period of 270 days from the date of this Prospectus,
all of the Restricted Shares will become eligible for sale subject to the
provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
 
   
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least one year, is entitled to sell, within any three-month period
commencing 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, a number of shares that
does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock (130,500 shares immediately after the Offering) or (ii) the average weekly
trading volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such
sale, subject to the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale and certain
other limitations and restrictions. In addition, a person who is not deemed to
have been an affiliate of the Company at any time during the 90 days preceding a
sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least
two years would be entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard
to the requirements described above.
    
 
   
     The Company intends to file registration statements under the Securities
Act to register shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under its Incentive
Program and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, thus permitting the resale of such
shares by non-affiliates in the public market without restriction under the
Securities Act. Such registration statements will become effective immediately
upon filing. As of September 16, 1997, options to purchase 1,645,797 shares of
Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.91 per share were
outstanding under the Company's Incentive Program.
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell to the Underwriters,
and each of the Underwriters, for whom Salomon Brothers Inc and Montgomery
Securities are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), has severally
agreed to purchase from the Company and the Selling Shareholders the number of
shares set forth opposite its name below.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                UNDERWRITER                           NUMBER OF SHARES
        ------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------
        <S>                                                           <C>
        Salomon Brothers Inc .......................................
        Montgomery Securities ......................................
                                                                            -------
                  Total.............................................      5,500,000
                                                                            =======
</TABLE>
    
 
     In the Underwriting Agreement, the several Underwriters have agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those covered by the
over-allotment option described below) if any such shares of Common Stock are
purchased. In the event of a default by any Underwriter, the Underwriting
Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the
non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may
be terminated. The Company and the Selling Shareholders have been advised by the
Representatives that the several Underwriters propose initially to offer such
shares of Common Stock at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in
excess of $          per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $          per share to other dealers.
After the initial offering, the public offering price and such concessions may
be changed.
 
   
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable during
the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 825,000
additional shares of Common Stock, at the public offering price less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The
Underwriters may exercise such option only to cover over-allotments in the sale
of the shares of Common Stock that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. To
the extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each Underwriter will
have a firm commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of
option shares proportionate to such Underwriter's initial commitment.
    
 
     The Selling Shareholders have agreed that they will not, without prior
written consent of Salomon Brothers Inc, offer, sell or contract to sell, or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned upon consummation of the Offering by
such person or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of
Common Stock during the period of 270 days after the date of this Prospectus,
other than shares of Common Stock disposed of as bona fide gifts. The Company
and its officers and directors other than the Selling Shareholders have agreed
that they will not, without the prior written consent of Salomon Brothers Inc,
offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or announce an offer of any shares of Common Stock, options or any
securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock during
the period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus; provided, however,
that the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to the Incentive
Program and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Company may issue Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of securities outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus. Salomon Brothers Inc in its sole discretion may release any of the
shares subject to the lock-up at any time without notice.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required
to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, may engage in
stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in
accordance with Rule 104 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the Common Stock so long as the
stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering
transactions
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
involve purchases of the Common Stock in the open market following completion of
this Offering to cover all or a portion of a syndicate short position created by
the Underwriters selling more shares of Common Stock in connection with this
Offering than they are committed to purchase from the Company and the Selling
Shareholders. In addition, the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters,
may impose "penalty bids" under contractual arrangements between the
Underwriters whereby they may reclaim from an Underwriter (or a dealer
participating in the Offering), for the account of the Underwriters, the selling
concession with respect to shares of Common Stock that are distributed in the
Offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the Underwriters in the
open market. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids may result in the maintenance of the price of the Common Stock at a
level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of the
transactions described in this paragraph is required and, if any are undertaken,
they may be discontinued at any time.
 
     The Representatives have informed the Company and the Selling Shareholders
that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise
discretionary authority.
 
     Prior to this Offering there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The price to the public for the Shares has been determined through
negotiations between the Company and the Selling Shareholders and the
Representatives and was based on, among other things, the Company's financial
and operating history and condition, the prospects of the Company and its
industry in general, the management of the Company and the market prices of
securities of companies engaged in businesses similar to those of the Company.
There can, however, be no assurance that the prices at which the Shares will
sell in the public market after this Offering will not be lower than the price
at which they are sold by the Underwriters.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Company by Brock, Fensterstock, Silverstein,
McAuliffe & Wade, LLC, New York, NY. Certain legal matters in connection with
this Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine &
Moore, New York, NY.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements and schedule as of December 31, 1996 and for the
year then ended included in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration
Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving
said reports. The financial statements and schedule as of December 31, 1995 and
for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 included in this Prospectus have
been audited by Perelson Weiner, independent auditors, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
 
                             CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS
 
     On January 6, 1997, the Company engaged Arthur Andersen LLP as its
independent public accountants to audit the financial statements as of December
31, 1996 and for the year then ended. The decision to change accountants was
approved by the Board of Directors. The auditor's report of Perelson Weiner as
of December 31, 1995 and for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995,
included elsewhere herein, does not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer
of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles. In connection with the audits of the company's financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and in the subsequent
interim period prior to the change, there were no disagreements with the former
auditors on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
which, if not resolved to the former auditor's satisfaction, would have caused
them to make reference to the subject matter in their report. Prior to retaining
Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company did not consult with Arthur Andersen LLP
regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial
statements, or any other matter.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (together with all
amendments, schedules and exhibits thereto, the "Registration Statement") under
the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which is included as part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all the information contained in the Registration Statement, certain
portions of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and
the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements made in the Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily
complete; with respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit
for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement
shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto may be inspected, without charge, at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
regional offices at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Room 1400,
Chicago, IL 60661, and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 or
on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
     The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing financial statements for each fiscal year audited by an independent
public accounting firm and quarterly reports for the first three quarters of
each fiscal year containing unaudited interim financial information.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
ANSI.......................  American National Standards Institute.
 
clustering software........  Clustering software allows a client software
                             application to interact with a cluster of host
                             servers, as if the cluster were a single host.
                             Clustering software is designed to increase both
                             availability (by providing alternative processing
                             capacity in the event of a host failure) and
                             scalability (by sharing resources among a number
                             hosts in the cluster).
 
CPU........................  Central Processing Unit. Refers to a
                             microprocessing chip in a host computer.
 
Disk Array.................  A storage system comprising a variable number of
                             disk drives externally attached by means of an
                             interface to a computer system.
 
DLT........................  Digital Linear Tape. A proprietary tape drive
                             product line designed and built by Quantum.
 
failover...................  A high-availability and data protection feature
                             that automatically transfers functions from a
                             failed device to a redundant device.
 
fault tolerance............  The capability of a system to withstand a degree of
                             failure and continue to perform its functions.
 
Fibre Channel..............  The name given to a new interface standard
                             developed by ANSI.
 
GB.........................  Gigabyte. 1,024 megabytes.
 
high availability..........  The capability of a system to perform its functions
                             with minimal downtime.
 
hot-swappable..............  The ability of components of a storage system, such
                             as disks, power supplies and fans, to be exchanged
                             while the system remains powered on.
 
MB.........................  Megabyte. 1,048,576 bytes, a unit of measurement
                             for data storage.
 
Open Systems...............  Computing environments incorporating computers that
                             act as servers interconnected over a network to
                             client workstations and a variety of other system
                             components and peripherals based on a series of
                             published or open interface specifications.
 
RAID.......................  Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks. A
                             Disk Array storage system with fault tolerant
                             capabilities.
 
SCSI.......................  Small Computer Systems Interface. The name given to
                             a commonly used interface standard developed by
                             ANSI.
 
TB.........................  Terabyte. 1,024 gigabytes.
 
Ultra SCSI.................  An advanced form of SCSI with increased performance
                             capabilities.
 
UNIX.......................  A popular multi-user computer operating system
                             commonly used in Open Systems.
 
Windows NT.................  A Microsoft computer operating system commonly used
                             in Open Systems.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants -- Arthur Andersen LLP.......................    F-2
Independent Auditors' Report -- Perelson Weiner.......................................    F-3
Balance Sheets........................................................................    F-4
Statements of Income..................................................................    F-5
Statements of Shareholders' Equity....................................................    F-6
Statements of Cash Flows..............................................................    F-7
Notes to Financial Statements.........................................................    F-8
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   53
 
   
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
    
 
To Box Hill Systems Corp.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Box Hill Systems Corp. (a
New York Corporation) as of December 31, 1996, and the related statements of
income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Box Hill Systems Corp. as of
December 31, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
   
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
    
 
Philadelphia, Pa.
March 21, 1997 (except with
  respect to the matter discussed
  in Note 9 as to which the
   
  date is September 16, 1997)
    
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   54
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors
Box Hill Systems Corp.
 
   
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Box Hill Systems Corp.,
an S corporation, as of December 31, 1995 and the statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
    
 
     We conducted our audits 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 disclosure 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 financial statements referred to above, present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Box Hill Systems Corp. as of
December 31, 1995 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
   
                                          PERELSON WEINER
    
 
New York, NY
January 30, 1997 (except with respect
to the matters discussed in Note 9
   
as to which the date is September 16, 1997)
    
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   55
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE INFORMATION)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 JUNE 30, 1997
                                                        DECEMBER 31,         ---------------------
                                                     -------------------                 PRO FORMA
                                                      1995        1996       ACTUAL      (NOTE 2)
                                                     -------     -------     -------     ---------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.......................   $ 3,478     $   994     $ 6,536      $ 6,536
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $162,
     $206 and $206................................     5,294       9,238      10,877       10,877
  Inventories.....................................     4,224       6,114       8,022        8,022
  Prepaid expenses and other......................       121         215         227          227
  Deferred income taxes...........................        --          --          --          614
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
          Total current assets....................    13,117      16,561      25,662       26,276
Property and equipment, net.......................       828         855         821          821
Deferred income taxes.............................        --          --          --           74
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
                                                     $13,945     $17,416     $26,483      $27,171
                                                     =======     =======     =======      =======
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable................................   $ 4,062     $ 5,152     $ 7,611      $ 7,611
  Accrued expenses................................       567       1,111       6,013        6,013
  Customer deposits...............................       795       1,346       2,126        2,126
  Deferred revenues...............................       424         883       1,227        1,227
  Distribution payable to shareholders............        --          --          --       10,500
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
          Total current liabilities...............     5,848       8,492      16,977       27,477
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
Deferred rent.....................................       154         155         168          168
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
 
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000
     shares authorized. None issued...............        --          --          --           --
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares
     authorized, 9,900,000 shares issued and
     outstanding..................................        99          99          99           99
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit).........     7,844       8,670       9,239         (573)
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
          Total shareholders' equity (deficit)....     7,943       8,769       9,338         (474)
                                                     -------     -------     -------      -------
                                                     $13,945     $17,416     $26,483      $27,171
                                                     =======     =======     =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   56
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            JUNE 30,
                                               -----------------------------    ------------------
                                                1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net revenues................................   $55,232    $40,225    $50,027    $23,144    $32,228
Cost of goods sold..........................    33,568     24,067     33,028     15,234     20,828
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
          Gross profit......................    21,664     16,158     16,999      7,910     11,400
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Shareholder officers' compensation........    15,174      9,067      6,347      2,914      4,908
  Engineering and product development.......     1,420      1,634      2,071      1,036      1,082
  Sales and marketing.......................     2,405      3,150      5,325      2,479      3,285
  General and administrative................     1,351      1,931      2,348      1,065      1,418
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                20,350     15,782     16,091      7,494     10,693
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
          Operating income..................     1,314        376        908        416        707
Interest income.............................        73         83        144         43         22
Interest expense............................      (135)      (116)        --         --         --
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
          Income before income taxes........     1,252        343      1,052        459        729
Income taxes................................       426        311        226        103        160
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Net income..................................   $   826    $    32    $   826    $   356    $   569
                                               =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
Pro forma data (unaudited) (Note 2):
  Pro forma income before income taxes......                         $ 6,124    $ 2,735    $ 4,999
  Pro forma income taxes....................                           2,358      1,053      1,925
                                                                     -------    -------    -------
  Pro forma net income......................                         $ 3,766    $ 1,682    $ 3,074
                                                                     =======    =======    =======
  Pro forma net income per share............                         $   .32    $   .14    $   .26
                                                                     =======    =======    =======
  Shares used in computing pro forma net
     income per share.......................                          11,754     11,744     11,764
                                                                     =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
    
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   57
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE INFORMATION)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   COMMON STOCK
                                               ---------------------      RETAINED
                                                SHARES        AMOUNT      EARNINGS          TOTAL
                                               ---------      ------      --------      -------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993.................    9,900,000       $ 99        $6,986          $ 7,085
  Net income...............................           --         --           826              826
                                               ---------       ----        ------           ------
Balance, December 31, 1994.................    9,900,000         99         7,812            7,911
  Net income...............................           --         --            32               32
                                               ---------       ----        ------           ------
Balance, December 31, 1995.................    9,900,000         99         7,844            7,943
  Net income...............................           --         --           826              826
                                               ---------       ----        ------           ------
Balance, December 31, 1996.................    9,900,000         99         8,670            8,769
  Net income (unaudited)...................           --         --           569              569
                                               ---------       ----        ------           ------
Balance, June 30, 1997 (unaudited).........    9,900,000       $ 99        $9,239          $ 9,338
                                               =========       ====        ======           ======
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   58
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               JUNE 30,
                                           ------------------------------      ------------------
                                            1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating Activities:
  Net income..........................     $  826      $   32      $  826      $  356      $  569
     Adjustments to reconcile net
       income to net cash provided by
       (used in) operating activities
       --
       Depreciation and
          amortization................        174         210         257         124         126
       Other..........................         21          21          45          --          13
       Changes in operating assets and
          liabilities --
            Accounts receivable.......       (421)      3,074      (3,989)     (2,361)     (1,639)
            Inventories...............     (1,680)        318      (1,890)        240      (1,908)
            Prepaid expenses and
               other..................        (44)        (50)        (94)       (134)        (12)
            Accounts payable..........       (680)        934       1,090        (842)      2,459
            Accrued expenses..........         50         102         545       2,635       4,902
            Customer deposits.........        717         (73)        551         232         780
            Deferred revenues.........         --         424         459         505         344
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
            Net cash provided by (used
               in) operating
               activities.............     (1,037)      4,992      (2,200)        755       5,634
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Investing Activities:
  Purchases of property and
     equipment........................       (519)       (375)       (284)       (146)        (92)
  Other...............................       (225)        225          --          --          --
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
            Net cash used in investing
               activities.............       (744)       (150)       (284)       (146)        (92)
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Financing Activities:
  Advances from (repayments to)
     shareholders.....................        401      (3,401)         --          --          --
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
            Net increase (decrease) in
               cash and cash
               equivalents............     (1,380)      1,441      (2,484)        609       5,542
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
  of period...........................      3,417       2,037       3,478       3,478         994
                                           ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
  period..............................     $2,037      $3,478      $  994      $4,087      $6,536
                                           ======      ======      ======      ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   59
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE INFORMATION)
 
         (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
Background
 
     Box Hill Systems Corp. (the "Company"), designs, manufactures, markets and
supports high performance data storage systems for the Open Systems computing
environment. The Company employs a direct marketing strategy aimed at
data-intensive industries which, to date, include financial services,
telecommunications, health care, government/defense and academia. The Company's
manufacturing operations consist primarily of assembly and integration of
components and subassemblies into the Company's products. The Company's
manufacturing, research and development and principal sales and marketing
operations are conducted from a single, leased facility in New York City.
 
Interim Financial Statements
 
     The financial statements as of June 30, 1997, and for the six months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1997, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, this
financial information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary to fairly present the financial information set forth.
The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1997, are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
Use of Accounting Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Revenue Recognition and Product Warranty
 
     The Company recognizes revenue on product sales when products are shipped.
Revenues are presented net of sales discounts and returns and allowances.
Revenues from maintenance contracts are deferred and recognized on a
straight-line basis over the contract term, generally twelve months. The Company
generally extends to its customers the warranties provided to the Company by its
suppliers. The Company provides for the estimated cost that may be incurred for
product warranties in the period the related revenue is recognized. To date, the
Company's suppliers have covered the majority of the Company's warranty costs.
There can be no assurance that such suppliers will continue to cover such costs
in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position and results of operations.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments purchased with
an original maturity of three months or less. Cash equivalents consist
principally of money market mutual funds.
 
Inventories
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and consist principally of purchased components used as raw materials.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   60
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Equipment and furniture are
depreciated using accelerated methods over their estimated useful lives (5 to 7
years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the
life of the lease. Significant improvements are capitalized and expenditures for
maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon the sale or
retirement of these assets, the applicable cost and related accumulated
depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in
the statements of income.
 
Advertising Costs
 
     The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. For the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
1997, advertising expense was $343, $383, $520, $221 and $249, respectively.
 
Product Development
 
     Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. In conjunction
with the development of its products, the Company incurs certain software
development costs. No costs have been capitalized pursuant to SFAS No. 86,
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise
Marketed," since the period between achieving technological feasibility and
completion of such software is relatively short and software development costs
qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant.
 
Income Taxes
 
     The Company has elected to be taxed as a Subchapter "S" Corporation under
the Internal Revenue Code and the New York State Tax Code. Accordingly, no
provision has been made for federal or state income taxes since the Company's
shareholders' are taxed directly on their proportionate share of the Company's
taxable income. Income taxes consist of New York City taxes and state franchise
taxes.
 
     Immediately preceding the Company's proposed initial public offering (see
Note 9), the Company will terminate its S Corporation status and will become
subject to federal and state income taxes. Upon terminating its S Corporation
status, the Company will record a tax benefit for the recognition of a net
deferred tax asset, estimated at $688 as of June 30, 1997 (see Note 2).
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
 
     Cash paid for interest was $135 and $116, for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995. Cash paid for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1994,
1995 and 1996, and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, was $485,
$355, $256, $113 and $95, respectively.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
     In 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation". SFAS No. 123 establishes financial accounting and reporting
standards for stock-based compensation plans. This statement also applies to
transactions in which an entity issues its equity instruments to acquire goods
and services from nonemployees. The Company adopted the disclosure requirements
of SFAS No. 123 relative to its employee stock compensation plan (see Note 5).
 
     In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share". This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 1997 and, when adopted, will
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   61
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
require restatement of prior years' earnings per share. The adoption of SFAS No.
128 will not have a material effect on the pro forma net income per share
reported in the accompanying financial statements.
 
2. PRO FORMA DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data
 
     The pro forma balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 1997 reflects (i)
a distribution payable to the shareholders of the Company of all previously
taxed, but undistributed, S Corporation earnings (estimated at $10,500 as of
June 30, 1997), and (ii) a net deferred tax asset which will be recorded by the
Company as a result of terminating its S Corporation status shortly before the
effective date of the Offering (estimated at $688 as of June 30, 1997). The
deferred income tax asset will represent the tax effect of the cumulative
differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of certain
assets and liabilities as of the termination of S Corporation status, and will
be recorded as an income tax benefit in the quarter in which the Offering is
completed. The actual deferred tax asset recorded will be adjusted to reflect
the effect of operations from July 1, 1997 through the termination of the S
Corporation status. In addition, the actual amount of the distribution will be
adjusted to reflect the taxable income and any shareholder distributions during
the same period.
 
     The significant items comprising the Company's pro forma net deferred tax
asset as of June 30, 1997, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                     <C>
        Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................     $  79
        Inventory reserves.................................................       228
        Accrued expenses and other.........................................       304
        Deferred rent......................................................        68
        Depreciation.......................................................         9
                                                                                 ----
                                                                                $ 688
                                                                                 ====
</TABLE>
 
Pro Forma Income Statement Data
 
     In connection with the proposed Offering, the Company entered into
employment agreements with three of its officers, who are the current
shareholders, which provide for a combined minimum annual base compensation of
$1,275, in addition to provisions for benefits, termination and certain
incentive compensation based on future revenues and earnings (see Note 9). For
informational purposes, pro forma income before income taxes for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 has been
presented to reflect the elimination of historical shareholder officers'
compensation expense in excess of the base salary amounts included in employment
agreements.
 
     Additionally, immediately preceding the Offering, the Company will
terminate its status as an S Corporation and will be subject to federal and
state income taxes. Accordingly, for informational purposes, the accompanying
statements of income for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 include a pro forma adjustment for the income taxes
which would have been recorded if the Company had been a C Corporation, based on
the tax laws in effect during the respective periods. The pro forma adjustment
for income taxes does not include a one-time income tax benefit related to the
recognition of a net deferred tax asset which will be recorded by the Company
upon terminating its S Corporation status (estimated at $688 as of June 30,
1997).
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   62
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The difference between the federal statutory income tax rate and the pro
forma effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 1996 is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                     <C>
        Federal statutory rate.............................................     34.0%
        State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit...............      6.2
        Other..............................................................     (1.7)
                                                                                -----
                                                                                38.5%
                                                                                =====
</TABLE>
 
Pro Forma Net Income Per Share
 
   
     Pro forma net income per share is computed by dividing pro forma net income
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the respective periods,
adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock options, and after giving
effect to the estimated number of shares that would be required to be sold
(assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share) to fund a
distribution to the current shareholders of all previously taxed, but
undistributed, S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500 had such
distribution occurred on June 30, 1997. Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, common stock equivalents issued by the
Company during the 12 months immediately preceding the Offering have been
included in the calculation of the shares used in computing pro forma net income
per share as if they were outstanding for all periods presented using the
treasury stock method.
    
 
3. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
 
     The Company's future results of operations involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could affect the Company's future operating results
and cause actual results to vary materially from expectations include, but are
not limited to, dependence on new products, dependence on a limited number of
suppliers of key components, reliance on a limited number of principal
customers, concentration of customers in targeted industries, difficulties in
managing growth, competition, competitive pricing, dependence on key personnel,
enforcement of the Company's intellectual property rights, dependence on a
single production facility, and an uneven pattern of quarterly results.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable.
The Company does not require collateral or other securities to support customer
receivables. The majority of the Company's net revenues are derived from sales
to customers in the financial services and telecommunications industries and a
significant amount of the Company's net revenues are derived from sales to
customers located in the New York City area. For the year ended December 31,
1994, two principal customers accounted for 12.8% and 10.4%, respectively, of
the Company's net revenues. For the year ended December 31, 1995, one of those
customers and a different principal customer accounted for 13.4% and 10.1%,
respectively, of the Company's net revenues. In 1996, and for the six months
ended June 30, 1997, no single customer accounted for greater than 10% of the
Company's net revenues.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   63
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Export Sales
 
     The following table summarizes export sales by geographical region:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SIX MONTHS
                                                --------------------------     ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                1994       1995       1996          1997
                                                ----       ----       ----     --------------
    <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>
    Asia......................................   8.4%      10.3%       9.1%          5.5%
    Europe....................................   7.6        4.7        8.3           8.7
    Other.....................................   0.6        0.8        0.6           0.5
                                                ----       ----       ----          ----
                                                16.6%      15.8%      18.0%         14.7%
                                                ====       ====       ====          ====
</TABLE>
 
Dependence on Suppliers
 
     The Company purchases substantially all of its disk drives, a critical
component of its storage products, from one supplier. Approximately 51.1%,
35.6%, 52.7% and 39.4% of the Company's total component purchases were made from
this supplier for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the
six months ended June 30, 1997, respectively. Additionally, the Company
purchases all of its DLT tape drives from another supplier, which is the only
source for such tape drives. Approximately 13.8%, 16.5% and 9.7% of the
Company's total component purchases were from this supplier for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997,
respectively. There are a limited number of suppliers for certain of the
Company's other components and management believes that other suppliers could
provide certain similar products on comparable terms. Any shortage of key
components and any delay or other difficulty in obtaining such components from
other suppliers and integrating them into the Company's products or lack of
supply from sole source suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position and results of operations.
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ------------------     JUNE 30,
                                                             1995        1996        1997
                                                            ------      ------     ---------
     <S>                                                    <C>         <C>        <C>
     Equipment and furniture.............................   $1,064      $1,325      $ 1,385
     Leasehold improvements..............................      405         428          460
                                                            ------      ------       ------
                                                             1,469       1,753        1,845
     Less -- Accumulated depreciation....................     (641)       (898)      (1,024)
                                                            ------      ------       ------
                                                            $  828      $  855      $   821
                                                            ======      ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation expense was $174, $210, $257, $124 and $126 for the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30,
1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
5. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     The Company's stock incentive plan ("the Plan"), adopted in May 1995 and as
amended in July 1997, provides for the granting of incentive and nonqualified
stock options to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants. The Company
has currently reserved 2,392,500 shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to
the Plan. The terms and conditions of grants of stock options are determined by
the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   64
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Information with respect to the options under the Plan is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            NUMBER OF        RANGE OF         WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                             SHARES       EXERCISE PRICES      EXERCISE PRICE
                                            ---------     ---------------     ----------------
     <S>                                    <C>           <C>                 <C>
     Balance, December 31, 1994...........         --       $        --            $   --
     Grants...............................  1,043,833         .64-  .75               .69
                                            ---------         ---------
     Balance, December 31, 1995...........  1,043,833         .64-  .75               .69
     Grants...............................     68,947         .83- 5.02              1.93
                                            ---------         ---------
     Balance, December 31, 1996...........  1,112,780         .64- 5.02               .77
     Grants...............................     23,100        5.03-10.61              8.22
     Forfeitures..........................    (19,833)        .75- 5.02              1.66
                                            ---------         ---------
     Balance, June 30, 1997...............  1,116,047       $ .64-10.61            $  .91
                                            =========         =========
</TABLE>
    
 
     At June 30, 1997, no options were exercisable and 1,276,453 options were
available for future grant. The options are exercisable 10 years from the date
of the grant, or vest ratably over five years from the grant date upon a sale of
the Company or a public offering of the Company's Common Stock, as defined (see
Note 9).
 
     In July 1997, the Company issued an option to a new director to purchase
346,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $12.73 per
share. In August 1997, the Company issued options to two new directors to
purchase an aggregate of 183,250 shares of Common Stock at the initial public
offering price per share. These options vest ratably over four years, beginning
in October 1997, and are exercisable through July 2002.
 
     The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees," and the related interpretations in accounting
for its stock option plan. The disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 were
adopted by the Company in 1996. Had compensation cost for the Plan been
determined based upon the fair value of the options at the date of grant, as
prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company's pro forma net income and pro forma net
income per share would have been reduced to the following amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                                YEAR ENDED          ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31,        JUNE 30,
                                                                   1996              1997
                                                               ------------      ------------
    <S>                                                        <C>               <C>
    Pro forma net income, as reported.....................       $  3,766          $  3,074
    Pro forma net income, as adjusted.....................          3,661             3,010
    Pro forma net income per share, as reported...........            .32               .26
    Pro forma net income per share, as adjusted...........            .31               .25
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average fair value of each stock option granted during the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30,
1997 was $.46, $1.86 and $5.43, respectively. As of June 30, 1997, the weighted
average remaining contractual life of each stock option outstanding was 8.3
years. The weighted average remaining contractual life of each stock option
granted during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the six months
ended June 30, 1997 was 7.6, 8.9 and 9.8
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   65
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
years, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ---------------------     JUNE 30,
                                                             1995         1996         1997
                                                           --------     --------     ---------
    <S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
    Risk-free interest rate.............................       6.1%         6.0%         6.1%
    Expected dividend yield.............................         --           --           --
    Expected life.......................................    7 years      7 years      7 years
    Expected volatility.................................        60%          60%          60%
</TABLE>
 
     Because additional option grants are expected to be made each year, the
above pro forma disclosures are not representative of pro forma effects of
reported net income for future years.
 
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     In connection with working capital needs, two shareholders made certain
advances to the Company which were repaid in 1995. The advances bore interest at
rates ranging from 8% to 10% per annum. The Company recorded interest expense of
$135 and $116 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively,
related to such advances.
 
     During 1995, the Company's shareholders formed an affiliated Company, Box
Hill Systems Europe Ltd. ("Box Hill Europe"), to provide marketing and technical
support services to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996,
and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, the Company expensed $99,
$316, $157 and $160, respectively, related to operating costs of Box Hill
Europe. The Company had a payable to Box Hill Europe of $55 and $65 as of
December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1997, respectively. The Company expects Box Hill
Europe to operate as a separate independent company after the Offering.
 
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Retirement Savings Plan
 
     Effective August 1, 1995, the Company established a retirement savings plan
under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan
covers all employees who were employed on the effective date of the plan or upon
the attainment of age 21. The Company can make discretionary contributions to
the plan. No contributions were made to the Plan for the years ended December
31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
   
     In August 1997, the Company adopted an employee stock purchase plan under
the provisions of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan provides
eligible employees of the Company with an opportunity to purchase shares of the
Company's Common Stock at 85% of fair market value, as defined. The Company has
reserved 250,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to this plan and
no shares have been issued.
    
 
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Operating Leases
 
     The Company leases its primary operating facility under a noncancelable
operating lease which expires in September 2007. The lease provides for a rent
abatement which is being amortized over the
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   66
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
life of the lease. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and
1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, was $135, $366, $369,
$179 and $201, respectively.
 
     Future minimum lease payments, on a cash basis, under all noncancelable
operating leases at December 31, 1996, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                    <S>                                             <C>
                    1997........................................    $   347
                    1998........................................        337
                    1999........................................        337
                    2000........................................        356
                    2001........................................        370
                    Thereafter..................................      1,464
                                                                     ------
                                                                    $ 3,211
                                                                     ======
</TABLE>
 
Employment Agreements
 
     The Company has an employment contract with its Chief Executive Officer
("CEO") which provides for base annual compensation, incentive bonus, benefits
and termination. Either the Company or the CEO may terminate the agreement at
any time with or without cause. However, if the Company terminates the agreement
without cause, the Company must continue to pay the CEO for a one-year period
subsequent to the termination. The agreement contains a non-competition covenant
for a one-year period following termination of employment.
 
     On July 15, 1997, the Company entered into employment agreements with its
three shareholder officers, which commence on the closing date of the Company's
initial public offering (see Note 9). The agreements provide for combined
minimum annual base compensation of $1,275, benefits termination,
non-competition and death benefits. The agreements extend through December 31,
2000. In addition, the shareholder officers are eligible for a combined annual
bonus equal to (i) 1.0% of the consolidated net revenues of the Company in
excess of $100 million, plus (ii) 8.0% of the Company's income before income
taxes in excess of $20 million, for any fiscal year during the agreement term.
 
Litigation
 
     The Company is involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the
ordinary course of business. Management believes that the outcome of such
litigation and claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
 
9. RECAPITALIZATION:
 
   
     The Company is contemplating an initial public offering of 5,500,000 shares
of its Common Stock, of which 2,350,000 will be sold by current shareholders. In
connection therewith, on July 3, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors and
shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
to be filed prior to the Offering authorizing 5,000,000 shares of $.01 par value
Preferred stock and authorized a 3.3-for-1 split of its Common Stock to be
effected prior to the Offering. The authorized Preferred Stock and the stock
split have been retroactively reflected in the accompanying financial
statements.
    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   67
 
NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING SHAREHOLDER OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER
TO, OR SOLICITATION OF, ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO
THE DATE HEREOF.
                            ------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    3
Risk Factors..........................    7
Use of Proceeds.......................   16
Termination of S Corporation Status
  and Dividend Policy.................   16
Capitalization........................   17
Dilution..............................   18
Selected Historical and Pro Forma
  Financial Data......................   19
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   21
Business..............................   27
Management............................   36
Certain Transactions..................   42
Principal and Selling Shareholders....   43
Description of Capital Stock..........   44
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   46
Underwriting..........................   47
Legal Matters.........................   48
Experts...............................   48
Change in Accountants.................   48
Additional Information................   49
Glossary..............................   50
Index to Financial Statements.........  F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
UNTIL           , 1997 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS REQUIREMENT
IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING
AS UNDERWRITERS OR WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
   
5,500,000 SHARES
    
 
BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
COMMON STOCK
($.01 PAR VALUE)
                                  BOXHILL LOGO
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
 
MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
PROSPECTUS
 
DATED           , 1997
<PAGE>   68
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
   
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
    
 
   
     The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting
compensation expected to be incurred) in connection with the offering described
in this Registration Statement. All of such amounts (except the SEC Registration
Fee and NASD Filing Fee) are estimated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                                    <C>
      SEC Registration Fee.................................................  $ 28,750
      NASD Filing Fee......................................................     9,988
      New York Stock Exchange Filing Fee...................................    62,450
      Printing and Engraving Costs.........................................   100,000
      Legal Fees and Expenses..............................................   145,000
      Accounting Fees and Expenses.........................................   325,000
      Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses.......................     3,500
      Miscellaneous........................................................    25,312
                Total......................................................  $700,000
</TABLE>
    
 
   
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
    
 
   
     The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that a director of
the Company shall not be liable to the Company or its shareholders for damages
for any breach of duty in such capacity unless a judgment or other final
adjudication adverse to such director establishes that his acts or omissions
were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law or that he or she personally gained in fact a financial profit or other
advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled or that his or her acts
violated Section 719 of the New York Business Corporation Law.
    
 
   
     The By-laws of the Company further provide that the Company shall indemnify
any officer or director of the Company for his or her reasonable expenses,
including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in
connection with his or her defense of any action (except an action by the
Company in its own right) to which he or she becomes a party by reason of the
fact that such individual served as an officer or director or employee of the
Company or of any corporation in which he or she served at the request of the
Company, unless judgment or final adjudication adverse to the officer or
director establishes that his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action so adjudicated, or that he or she personally gained in fact a financial
profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.
    
 
   
     Section 722 of the New York Business Corporation Law provides, in
substance, that New York corporations may indemnify their directors and officers
in connection with actions or proceedings (other than one by or in the right of
the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) brought against such
directors or officers, including actions brought against such directors or
officers by or in the right of any other corporation, by reason of the fact that
they are or were such directors or officers, against judgements, fines, amounts
paid in settlement and reasonable expenses.
    
 
   
     The Company's employment agreements with Dr. Benjamin Monderer, Ms. Carol
Turchin and Mr. Mark Mays, all executive officers and directors of the Company,
its compensation agreement with Mr. Philip Black, a director of the Company and
its Chief Executive Officer, and an agreement with Mr. Finis Conner, a director
of the Company, provide for the indemnification of those individuals to the
extent of the foregoing.
    
 
   
     Under Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement, the Representatives are
obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify officers, directors and
controlling persons of the Company against certain liabilities under the
Securities Act.
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   69
 
   
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
    
 
   
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
    
 
   
     The following information relates to securities of the Company issued or
sold within the past three years which were not registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"):
    
 
   
     (1) In May 1995 the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to
         increase the Company's authorized shares of Common Stock to 40,000,000,
         par value $.01 per share, and recapitalized its outstanding 15 shares
         held by Dr. Benjamin Monderer, Ms. Carol Turchin and Mr. Mark Mays into
         3,000,000 shares of Common Stock. In July 1997, the Board of Directors
         authorized an issuance to the shareholders prior to the consummation of
         the Offering of a dividend of 3.3 shares of Common Stock for each share
         held. In the opinion of the Company, the recapitalization and the stock
         dividend did not constitute offers or sales under the Securities Act.
    
 
   
     (2) During the period from May 1995 through August 25, 1997, the Company
         granted options to purchase an aggregate 1,645,797 shares of Common
         Stock (after giving retroactive effect to the share dividend) under its
         Incentive Program to 94 employees and three directors of the Company.
         The options included grants of options with respect to an aggregate of
         1,124,575 shares granted to officers and Directors as a group and to
         the wife of an officer who is also an employee. None of the options are
         exercisable prior to the commencement of the public offering of the
         shares being registered pursuant to this Registration Statement. The
         Company intends to register the shares subject to the Incentive Program
         on a Registration Statement on Form S-8 which will be filed shortly
         after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
    
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE.
 
(a) EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
 1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement*
 3.1     Certificate of Incorporation of the Company*
 3.2     Form of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation authorizing Preferred Stock to be
         filed prior to commencement of Offering*
 3.3     Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company*
 4.1     Form of Common Stock certificate of the Company*
 5.1     Opinion of Brock, Fensterstock, Silverstein, McAuliffe & Wade, LLC
10.1     Compensation Plan and Agreement between the Company and Philip Black*
10.2     Employment Agreement between the Company and Carol Turchin
10.3     Employment Agreement between the Company and Benjamin Monderer
10.4     Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark Mays
10.5     Incentive Program of the Company, as amended
10.6     License Agreement with Emulex Corporation*
10.7     Lease Agreement, dated as of December 23, 1993, as extended and modified, related to
         the Company's facilities in New York City*
10.8     Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.9     Voting Agreement dated July 31, 1997 among Dr. Monderer, Ms. Turchin and Mr. Mays*
11.1     Statement regarding computation of pro forma net income per share
16       Letter re: change in certifying accountants*
23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   70
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
23.2     Consent of Perelson Weiner
23.3     Consent of Brock, Fensterstock, Silverstein, McAuliffe & Wade, LLC (contained in
         Exhibit 5.1)
24       Power of Attorney (included with the signature page hereof)*
27       Financial Data Schedule*
</TABLE>
    
 
(b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
     Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts*
- ---------------
* Previously filed.
 
   
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
    
 
   
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
    
 
   
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
    
 
   
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it is declared effective.
    
 
   
          (2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment that contains a
     form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
    
 
   
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter,
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   71
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company has
duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York,
State of New York, on this 16th day of September, 1997.
    
 
                                          BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                                          By: /s/ BENJAMIN MONDERER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Benjamin Monderer
                                            President
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                     CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNED               DATE
- -----------------------------------      ----------------------------      -------------------
<C>                                      <S>                               <C>
 
       /s/ BENJAMIN MONDERER             Chairman of the Board,            September 16, 1997
- -----------------------------------      President and Chief
         Benjamin Monderer               Technical Officer
 
          CAROL TURCHIN*                 Executive Vice President and      September 16, 1997
- -----------------------------------      Director
           Carol Turchin
 
           PHILIP BLACK*                 Chief Executive Officer and       September 16, 1997
- -----------------------------------      Director
           Philip Black
 
           MARK A. MAYS*                 Vice President, Secretary         September 16, 1997
- -----------------------------------      and Director
           Mark A. Mays
 
      R. ROBERT REBMANN, JR.*            Chief Financial Officer and       September 16, 1997
- -----------------------------------      Treasurer (Principal
      R. Robert Rebmann, Jr.             Financial and Accounting
                                         Officer)
</TABLE>
    
 
*By: /s/ BENJAMIN MONDERER
     ------------------------------------------
     Benjamin Monderer
     (Attorney-in-Fact)
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   72
 
   
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
    
 
To Box Hill Systems Corp.:
 
   
     We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements of Box Hill Systems Corp. as of December 31, 1996 and
for the year then ended (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 9
as to which the date is September 16, 1997). Our audit was made for the purpose
of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The
schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to
be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a
whole.
    
 
   
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
    
 
Philadelphia, Pa.,
March 21, 1997
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   73
 
   
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
    
 
Board of Directors
Box Hill Systems Corp.
 
   
     We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the balance sheet of Box Hill Systems Corp. as of December 31, 1995 and the
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 and have issued our report thereon dated
January 30, 1997 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 9 as to
which the date is September 16, 1997). Our audit was made for the purpose of
forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The
schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial required to be
forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
    
 
   
                                          PERELSON WEINER
    
 
New York, New York
January 30, 1997
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   74
 
                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 BALANCE,        CHARGES     DEDUCTIONS     BALANCE,
                                               BEGINNING OF        TO           FROM         END OF
                                                  PERIOD         EXPENSE      RESERVE        PERIOD
                                               -------------     -------     ----------     --------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>         <C>            <C>
RESERVE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:
June 30, 1997 (unaudited)....................      $ 206          $  --         $ --          $206
December 31, 1996............................      $ 162          $  44         $ --          $206
December 31, 1995............................      $  54          $ 108         $ --          $162
December 31, 1994............................      $   5          $  49         $ --          $ 54
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   75
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                    DESCRIPTION                                    PAGE
- ------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----
<S>      <C>                                                                             <C>
 1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement*...............................................
 3.1     Certificate of Incorporation of the Company*..................................
 3.2     Form of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation authorizing Preferred Stock
         to be filed prior to commencement of Offering*................................
 3.3     Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company*..................................
 4.1     Form of Common Stock certificate of the Company*..............................
 5.1     Opinion of Brock, Fensterstock, Silverstein, McAuliffe & Wade, LLC............
10.1     Compensation Plan and Agreement between the Company and Philip Black*.........
10.2     Employment Agreement between the Company and Carol Turchin ...................
10.3     Employment Agreement between the Company and Benjamin Monderer ...............
10.4     Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark Mays........................
10.5     Incentive Program of the Company, as amended..................................
10.6     License Agreement with Emulex Corporation*....................................
10.7     Lease Agreement, dated as of December 23, 1993, as extended and modified,
         related to the Company's facilities in New York City*.........................
10.8     Employee Stock Purchase Plan..................................................
10.9     Voting Agreement dated July 31, 1997 among Dr. Monderer, Ms. Turchin and Mr.
         Mays*.........................................................................
11.1     Statement regarding computation of pro forma net income per share.............
16       Letter re: change in certifying accountants*..................................
23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP................................................
23.2     Consent of Perelson Weiner....................................................
23.3     Consent of Brock, Fensterstock, Silverstein, McAuliffe & Wade, LLC (contained
         in Exhibit 5.1)...............................................................
24       Power of Attorney (included with the signature page hereof)*..................
27       Financial Data Schedule*......................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
* Previously filed.

<PAGE>   1
                              [BROCK FENSTERSTOCK
                  SILVERSTEIN McAULIFFE & WADE LLC LETTERHEAD]


                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                               September 16, 1997

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

          Re: Box Hill Systems Corp.
              Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
              File No. 333-31873

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        As counsel to Box Hill Systems Corp., a New York corporation (the
"Registrant"), with respect to the above Registration Statement relating to
the registration of 6,325,000 shares of the Common Stock, $.01 par value (the
"Shares") of the Registrant to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement
between the Registrant and the shareholders of the Company designated in the
Registration Statement as "Selling Shareholders" and Salomon Brothers Inc and
Montgomery Securities as representatives of the underwriters of which 2,350,000
shares are being sold by the Selling Shareholders, we have examined copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and amendments thereto, By-laws of the
Registrant, as amended, minutes of relevant proceedings, unanimous consents of
Directors and shareholders of the Company and such other materials as we
determined pertinent.

        Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the 2,350,000 shares
being sold by the Selling Shareholders are, and the 3,975,000 balance of the
Shares when paid for and issued pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting
Agreement will be, legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

                                Very truly yours,



                                BROCK, FENSTERSTOCK, SILVERSTEIN,
                                McAULIFFE & WADE, LLC
                                

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         Employment Agreement dated as of July 3, 1997 between BOX HILL SYSTEMS
CORP., a New York corporation (the "Company") and Carol Turchin ("Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the employment of the
Executive and the Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company on
the terms and conditions hereinafter contained;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                  1. Employment. The Company hereby employs Executive as
Executive Vice President of the Company for the Term as defined in paragraph 2
to perform the duties described in Section 3 hereof.

                  2. Term. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7.2 or 8 hereof, the term of employment of Executive covered by this
Agreement shall commence on the date of the closing of the first offering of
securities of the Company which is registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended and shall continue through December 31, 2000 (the "Term").

                  3. Duties. Executive shall devote substantially all her time
to the affairs and business of the Company for which she will serve as Executive
President and perform the duties designated by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Executive shall use her best efforts to promote the interests and
welfare of the Company.

                  4. Salary; Bonus. 

                           (a) As her compensation hereunder, Executive shall be
paid by the Company a base salary of $425,000 per annum during the first 12
month period of the Term, with the compensation for each of the remaining 12
month periods to be determined by the Board of Directors but not to be less than
her base compensation for the preceding twelve month period adjusted for the
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the last month of the
immediately preceding twelve month period. For this purpose the Consumer Price
Index shall mean the Consumer Price Index U.S. City Average, All Items Figure
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, or any comparable Consumer Price
Index which shall be subsequently published to supersede such designated
Consumer Price Index. The base compensation shall be payable in equal biweekly
installments.

                           (b) The Company shall pay Executive a bonus within 30
days following the completion of the statement of income of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal year ending during the Term
as audited by the independent public accounting firm selected by the Company to
audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
<PAGE>   2
subsidiaries equal to (i) 0.5% of the consolidated net revenues of the Company
in excess of $100,000,000, and (ii) 2.5% of the amount by which the Pre-tax
Income for that year exceeds $20,000,000. Pre-tax Income shall mean the income
of the Company and its subsidiaries before provision for applicable federal,
state and local income taxes, all as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

                  5. Benefits. The Company shall be obligated to pay, provide or
secure or continue to provide, pay or secure, as the case may be, at its own
expense for Executive while employed by the Company pursuant to the Agreement
the following:

                           (i)   full coverage or reimbursement for all medical
and dental expenses incurred by Executive and her husband and children, but with
respect to each child not beyond the later of the date the child attains the age
of twenty-two (22) or the last day is a full-time student in a college or
graduate school;

                           (ii)  business accident insurance and accidental
death and disability insurance for the benefit of the beneficiary or
beneficiaries specified by the Executive in the amount or amounts provided by
the Company on behalf of its executives or key employees;

                           (iii) term insurance on the life of the Executive in
the principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 payable to such beneficiary or
beneficiaries as designated from time to time by the husband of the Executive,
which policy shall be assigned to the husband of Executive;

                           (iv)  a disability policy providing payment to the
Executive at the rate of at least $60,000 per annum during the period commencing
the day following the Disability Payment Period described in Section 7.2 and
ending not earlier than the date the Executive attains the age of sixty-five
(65); and

                           (v)   during each year of her employment a full-paid
four-week vacation.

                  6. Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for
all expenses normally reimbursed by the Company and reasonably incurred by her
in furtherance of her duties hereunder including, without limitation, travel,
meals, hotel accommodations and the like upon submission by her of vouchers or
an itemized list thereof prepared in compliance with such rules relating thereto
as the Board may, from time to time, adopt and as may be required in order to
permit such payments as proper deductions to the Company under the Internal
Revenue Code, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations
adopted pursuant thereto now or hereafter in effect.

                  7. Death; Disability.

                           7.1 In the event of Executive's death during the
Term, subject to this Agreement not having been terminated pursuant to Section
8, the Company shall pay to the Executive's widower or estate for the 12 month
period following such death the amount of the base


                                        2
<PAGE>   3
salary at the rate provided in Section 4 as of the date of death, plus the bonus
which would have been payable at the end of the fiscal year of the Company if
the Executive had survived such year end unless the death of the Executive is
prior to the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year, in which event the
bonus, if any, shall be the amount of bonus earned by the Executive with respect
to the fiscal year ended immediately prior to her death.

                           7.2 In the event of Executive's disability (as
hereinafter defined) for one- hundred and twenty (120) consecutive calendar days
or in the aggregate one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days during any twelve
(12) months of the Term, the Company shall have the right, by written notice to
Executive, to terminate this Agreement as of the date of such notice, except the
Company shall pay for an additional 12 month period (the "Disability Payment
Period") to the Executive or her legal representative as compensation in
addition to the benefits provided under a group Long Term Disability Policy
which the Company maintains during the term of this Agreement the base
compensation provided in Section 4 at the rate in effect immediately prior to
the Executive being disabled under this Section 7.2. "Disability" for the
purposes of this Agreement shall mean Executive's physical or mental disability
so as to render Executive incapable of carrying out Executive's essential duties
under this Agreement.

                  8. Termination. The Company shall have the right to discharge
Executive and terminate this Agreement for Cause (as hereinafter defined) by
written notice to Executive and this Agreement shall be deemed terminated as of
the date of such notice. For the purpose of this agreement, "Cause" shall mean
(a) conviction of a felony, (b) gross neglect or gross misconduct (including
conflict of interest) in the carrying out of Executive's duties, (c) repeated or
substantial failure, refusal or neglect to perform Executive's duties in
accordance with paragraph 3 hereof, (d) the engaging by Executive in a material
act or acts of dishonesty affecting the Company, or its subsidiaries, or (e)
drunkenness or the illegal use of drugs by Executive materially and repeatedly
interfering with performance of Executive's obligations under this Agreement. In
the event of a termination by the Company pursuant to this paragraph 8, the
Company shall not be under any further obligation to Executive hereunder except
to pay Executive, subject to the rights and remedies of the Company in the
circumstances, (i) salary and benefits accrued and payable up to the date of
such termination, and (ii) reimbursement for expenses accrued and payable under
paragraph 6 hereof through the date of termination.

                  9. Non-Competition.

                           9.1 Subject to the Company not then being in default
of its obligations under this Agreement, Executive, for a period ending one year
following the last day of her employment as an Executive by the Company (the
"Non-competition Period"), shall not perform services or otherwise act in any
capacity (including without limitation as an employee, independent contractor,
officer, director or consultant) for, or otherwise be engaged by or have any
financial interest in or affiliation with, any individual corporation,
partnership or any other entity involved in or connected with the business in
which the Company (for purposes of Sections 9, 10 and 11, "Company" shall also
include the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company) is engaged other


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
than for or on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that nothing contained
in this Section 9.1 shall prevent Executive from purchasing as an investment
securities of any corporation whose securities are regularly traded on any
national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, provided that
the amount of such securities along with securities held at or after such
purchase by other members of her family, including her parents, siblings and
members of their families do not aggregate at least 5% of the outstanding
securities of such corporation.

                           9.2 During the Non-competition Period and subject to
the Company's not being in default of this Agreement, Executive shall not
solicit or induce any Executive of the Company to leave the employ of the
Company.

                  10. Confidential Information.

                           10.1 Executive shall regard and preserve as
confidential all trade secrets and other proprietary information pertaining to
the business of the Company or its subsidiaries that Executive may obtain during
her employment; and, to the extent that such proprietary information shall not
become public knowledge, Executive shall not disclose to others, during her
employment or thereafter, any of such proprietary information.

                           10.2 Executive agrees that any inventions,
copyrightable material, secret processes, formulae, trademarks, products or
improvements that she may invent, produce, prepare, acquire or suggest during
the term of this Agreement, relating generally to any matter or thing connected
in any way with or relating to the work, products or projects carried on by
Executive for the Company shall become the absolute property of the Company; and
Executive further agrees to assign without further compensation all such
inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret processes, formulae,
trademarks, products and improvements and all rights thereto, domestic and
foreign, to the Company and to execute all documents whatsoever that may be
necessary to transfer to and vest in the Company all right, title and interest
in and to such inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret
processes, formulae, trademarks, products and improvements.

                           10.3 The Company shall own forever and throughout the
world (exclusively during the current and renewed or extended term of any patent
anywhere in the world and thereafter, non-exclusively) all rights of any kind or
nature now or hereafter known in and to all of the product of Executive's
services hereunder in any capacity and any and all parts thereof, including,
without limitation, patent, copyright and all other property or proprietary
rights in or to any ideas, concepts, designs, drawings, plans, prototypes or any
other similar creative works and to the product of any or all of such services.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that for the foregoing purposes, Executive is
performing her services as the Company's employee-for-hire. Without limiting the
generality of the previous sentence, Executive acknowledges and agrees that all
memoranda, notes, records and other documents made or compiled by Executive or
made available to Executive during the Term concerning the business of the
Company, shall be the property of the Company, and shall be delivered by
Executive to the Company, upon termination of this Agreement or at any other
time at the Company's request.



                                        4
<PAGE>   5
                  11. Indemnification.

                           (a) The Company agrees to indemnify Executive in the
event she is made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, and whether or not by or in the right of
the Company or any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign,
or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, by reason of the fact that she, her testator or intestate, is or was
a director or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type
or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type or kind,
domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of the Company, against
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including
attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action,
suit or proceeding, or any appeal therein, provided that (i) no indemnification
may be made to or on her behalf if a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to her establishes that her acts were committed in bad faith or were the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action so adjudicated, or that she personally gained in fact a financial profit
or other advantage to which she was not legally entitled; (ii) no
indemnification shall be required in connection with the settlement of any
pending or threatened action or proceeding, or any other disposition thereof
except a final adjudication, unless the Company has consented to such settlement
or other disposition, and (iii) the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify
her if and to the extent she is entitled to be indemnified under a policy of
insurance as such policy would apply in the absence of this Agreement .

                  Executive shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending any action
or proceeding, whether threatened or pending, in advance of the final
disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Executive to repay such amount to the Company to the extent, if any, she is
ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification.

                           (b) The Company agrees to maintain at its expense
insurance in the principal amount of at least $20,000,000 from a reputable and
financially capable insurance company insuring the officers and directors of the
Company, including the Executive, against all claims, actions, judgment, fines
and amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses arising from their acts
or omissions as officers or directors of the Company individually or
collectively, including claims or actions arising under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the securities laws of other jurisdictions or the common law other than
those which arise principally from acts or omissions by her in bad faith or
which were the result of her actions and deliberate dishonesty.

                  12. Remedies.

                           12.1 Nothing herein contained is intended to waive or
diminish any rights the Company may have at law or in equity at any time to
protect and defend its legitimate property


                                        5
<PAGE>   6
interests including its business relationship with third parties, the foregoing
provisions being intended to be in addition to and not in derogation or
limitation of any other rights the Company may have at law or in equity.

                           12.2 A breach by Executive of the provisions of
Section 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 of this Agreement may cause the Company
irreparable injury and damage. Executive therefore agrees that damages may be an
inadequate remedy and the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and/or other
equitable relief to prevent any breach of such Section of this Agreement and to
secure its enforcement, without being required to provide any security or post
any bond.

                  13. Notices. Any notices pertaining to this Agreement if to
the Company shall be addressed to Box Hill Systems Corp., 161 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10013 and if to the Executive at 2 Charlton Street,
#9C, New York, New York 10014. All notices shall be in writing and shall be
deemed duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified
mail, overnight or express mail or by telefax. If sent by registered or
certified mail, notice shall be deemed to have been received and effective three
days after mailing; if by overnight or express mail or by telefax, notice shall
be deemed received the next business day after being sent. Any party may change
its address for notice hereunder by giving notice of such change in the manner
provided herein.

                  14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties respecting the subject matter contained herein. No
modification of any provision hereof shall be effective except by a written
agreement signed by the parties hereto.

                  15. Miscellaneous.

                           (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
entirely made and performed therein.

                           (b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties, their respective successors, heirs and assigns
(where permitted).

                           (c) The waiver by one party hereto of any breach by
the other (the "Breaching Party") of any provision of this Agreement shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any other (prior or subsequent) breach by
the Breaching Party, and waiver of a breach of a provision in one instance shall
not be deemed a waiver of a breach of such provision in any other circumstance.




                                        6
<PAGE>   7
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as of
the year and date first above written.

                                        BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.


                                        By: /s/ Philip Black
                                           ---------------------------
                                        Name: Philip Black
                                        Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                        EXECUTIVE:


                                        /s/ Carol Turchin
                                        ------------------------------
                                            CAROL TURCHIN




                                        7

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3



                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         Employment Agreement dated as of July 3, 1997 between BOX HILL SYSTEMS
CORP., a New York corporation (the "Company") and Benjamin Monderer
("Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the employment of the
Executive and the Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company on
the terms and conditions hereinafter contained;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                  1. Employment. The Company hereby employs Executive as
President of the Company for the Term as defined in paragraph 2 to perform the
duties described in Section 3 hereof.

                  2. Term. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7.2 or 8 hereof, the term of employment of Executive covered by this
Agreement shall commence on the date of the closing of the first offering of
securities of the Company which is registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended and shall continue through December 31, 2000 (the "Term").

                  3. Duties. Executive shall devote substantially all his time
to the affairs and business of the Company for which he will serve as President
and perform the duties designated by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Executive shall use his best efforts to promote the interests and welfare of the
Company.

                  4. Salary; Bonus. 

                           (a) As his compensation hereunder, Executive shall be
paid by the Company a base salary of $500,000 per annum during the first 12
month period of the Term, with the compensation for each of the remaining 12
month periods to be determined by the Board of Directors but not to be less than
his base compensation for the preceding twelve month period adjusted for the
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the last month of the
immediately preceding twelve month period. For this purpose the Consumer Price
Index shall mean the Consumer Price Index U.S. City Average, All Items Figure
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, or any comparable Consumer Price
Index which shall be subsequently published to supersede such designated
Consumer Price Index. The base compensation shall be payable in equal biweekly
installments.

                           (b) The Company shall pay Executive a bonus within 30
days following the completion of the statement of income of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal year ending during the Term
as audited by the independent public accounting firm selected by the Company to
audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
equal to (i) 0.5% of the consolidated net revenues of the Company in excess of
<PAGE>   2
$100,000,000, and (ii) 4% of the amount by which the Pre-tax Income for that
year exceeds $20,000,000. Pre-tax Income shall mean the income of the Company
and its subsidiaries before provision for applicable federal, state and local
income taxes, all as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                  5. Benefits. The Company shall be obligated to pay, provide or
secure or continue to provide, pay or secure, as the case may be, at its own
expense for Executive while employed by the Company pursuant to the Agreement
the following:

                           (i)   full coverage or reimbursement for all medical
and dental expenses incurred by Executive and his wife and children, but with
respect to each child not beyond the later of the date the child attains the age
of twenty-two (22) or the last day is a full-time student in a college or
graduate school;

                           (ii)  business accident insurance and accidental
death and disability insurance for the benefit of the beneficiary or
beneficiaries specified by the Executive in the amount or amounts provided by
the Company on behalf of its executives or key employees;

                           (iii) term insurance on the life of the Executive in
the principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 payable to such beneficiary or
beneficiaries as designated from time to time by the wife of the Executive,
which policy shall be assigned to the wife of Executive;

                           (iv)  a disability policy providing payment to the
Executive at the rate of at least $60,000 per annum during the period commencing
the day following the Disability Payment Period described in Section 7.2 and
ending not earlier than the date the Executive attains the age of sixty-five
(65); and

                           (v)   during each year of his employment a full-paid
four-week vacation.

                  6. Expenses. The Company shall provide Executive with a new
model of a four door large sedan automobile to assist in the performance of his
duties and bear the rental, maintenance, parking and insurance expenses with
respect thereto and pay or reimburse Executive for all other expenses normally
reimbursed by the Company and reasonably incurred by him in furtherance of his
duties hereunder including, without limitation, travel, meals, hotel
accommodations and the like upon submission by him of vouchers or an itemized
list thereof prepared in compliance with such rules relating thereto as the
Board may, from time to time, adopt and as may be required in order to permit
such payments as proper deductions to the Company under the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations adopted
pursuant thereto now or hereafter in effect.


                                        2
<PAGE>   3
                  7. Death; Disability.

                           7.1 In the event of Executive's death during the
Term, subject to this Agreement not having been terminated pursuant to Section
8, the Company shall pay to the Executive's widow or estate for the 12 month
period following such death the amount of the base salary at the rate provided
in Section 4 as of the date of death, plus the bonus which would have been
payable at the end of the fiscal year of the Company if the Executive had
survived such year end unless the death of the Executive is prior to the end of
the first quarter of the fiscal year, in which event the bonus, if any, shall be
the amount of bonus earned by the Executive with respect to the fiscal year
ended immediately prior to his death.

                           7.2 In the event of Executive's disability (as
hereinafter defined) for one hundred and twenty (120) consecutive calendar days
or in the aggregate one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days during any twelve
(12) months of the Term, the Company shall have the right, by written notice to
Executive, to terminate this Agreement as of the date of such notice, except the
Company shall pay for an additional 12 month period (the "Disability Payment
Period") to the Executive or his legal representative as compensation in
addition to the benefits provided under a group Long Term Disability Policy
which the Company maintains during the term of this Agreement the base
compensation provided in Section 4 at the rate in effect immediately prior to
the Executive being disabled under this Section 7.2. "Disability" for the
purposes of this Agreement shall mean Executive's physical or mental disability
so as to render Executive incapable of carrying out Executive's essential duties
under this Agreement.

                  8. Termination. The Company shall have the right to discharge
Executive and terminate this Agreement for Cause (as hereinafter defined) by
written notice to Executive and this Agreement shall be deemed terminated as of
the date of such notice. For the purpose of this agreement, "Cause" shall mean
(a) conviction of a felony, (b) gross neglect or gross misconduct (including
conflict of interest) in the carrying out of Executive's duties, (c) repeated or
substantial failure, refusal or neglect to perform Executive's duties in
accordance with paragraph 3 hereof, (d) the engaging by Executive in a material
act or acts of dishonesty affecting the Company, or its subsidiaries, or (e)
drunkenness or the illegal use of drugs by Executive materially and repeatedly
interfering with performance of Executive's obligations under this Agreement. In
the event of a termination by the Company pursuant to this paragraph 8, the
Company shall not be under any further obligation to Executive hereunder except
to pay Executive, subject to the rights and remedies of the Company in the
circumstances, (i) salary and benefits accrued and payable up to the date of
such termination, and (ii) reimbursement for expenses accrued and payable under
paragraph 6 hereof through the date of termination.

                  9. Non-Competition.

                           9.1 Subject to the Company not then being in default
of its obligations under this Agreement, Executive, for a period ending one year
following the last day of his employment as an Executive by the Company (the
"Non-competition Period"), shall not perform


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
services or otherwise act in any capacity (including without limitation as an
employee, independent contractor, officer, director or consultant) for, or
otherwise be engaged by or have any financial interest in or affiliation with,
any individual corporation, partnership or any other entity involved in or
connected with the business in which the Company (for purposes of Sections 9, 10
and 11, "Company" shall also include the Company and the subsidiaries of the
Company) is engaged other than for or on behalf of the Company; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this Section 9.1 shall prevent Executive from
purchasing as an investment securities of any corporation whose securities are
regularly traded on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
market, provided that the amount of such securities along with securities held
at or after such purchase by other members of his family, including his parents,
siblings and members of their families do not aggregate at least 5% of the
outstanding securities of such corporation.

                           9.2 During the Non-competition Period and subject to
the Company's not being in default of this Agreement, Executive shall not
solicit or induce any Executive of the Company to leave the employ of the
Company.

                  10. Confidential Information.

                           10.1 Executive shall regard and preserve as
confidential all trade secrets and other proprietary information pertaining to
the business of the Company or its subsidiaries that Executive may obtain during
his employment; and, to the extent that such proprietary information shall not
become public knowledge, Executive shall not disclose to others, during his
employment or thereafter, any of such proprietary information.

                           10.2 Executive agrees that any inventions,
copyrightable material, secret processes, formulae, trademarks, products or
improvements that he may invent, produce, prepare, acquire or suggest during the
term of this Agreement, relating generally to any matter or thing connected in
any way with or relating to the work, products or projects carried on by
Executive for the Company shall become the absolute property of the Company; and
Executive further agrees to assign without further compensation all such
inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret processes, formulae,
trademarks, products and improvements and all rights thereto, domestic and
foreign, to the Company and to execute all documents whatsoever that may be
necessary to transfer to and vest in the Company all right, title and interest
in and to such inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret
processes, formulae, trademarks, products and improvements.

                           10.3 The Company shall own forever and throughout the
world (exclusively during the current and renewed or extended term of any patent
anywhere in the world and thereafter, non-exclusively) all rights of any kind or
nature now or hereafter known in and to all of the product of Executive's
services hereunder in any capacity and any and all parts thereof, including,
without limitation, patent, copyright and all other property or proprietary
rights in or to any ideas, concepts, designs, drawings, plans, prototypes or any
other similar creative works and to the product of any or all of such services.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that for the foregoing purposes, Executive is
performing his services as the Company's employee-for-hire. Without limiting the


                                        4
<PAGE>   5
generality of the previous sentence, Executive acknowledges and agrees that all
memoranda, notes, records and other documents made or compiled by Executive or
made available to Executive during the Term concerning the business of the
Company, shall be the property of the Company, and shall be delivered by
Executive to the Company, upon termination of this Agreement or at any other
time at the Company's request.

                  11. Indemnification.

                           (a) The Company agrees to indemnify Executive in the
event he is made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, and whether or not by or in the right of
the Company or any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign,
or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was
a director or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type
or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type or kind,
domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of the Company, against
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including
attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action,
suit or proceeding, or any appeal therein, provided that (i) no indemnification
may be made to or on his behalf if a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to him establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit
or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled; (ii) no indemnification
shall be required in connection with the settlement of any pending or threatened
action or proceeding, or any other disposition thereof except a final
adjudication, unless the Company has consented to such settlement or other
disposition, and (iii) the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify him if
and to the extent he is entitled to be indemnified under a policy of insurance
as such policy would apply in the absence of this Agreement.

                  Executive shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending any action
or proceeding, whether threatened or pending, in advance of the final
disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Executive to repay such amount to the Company to the extent, if any, he is
ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification.

                           (b) The Company agrees to maintain at its expense
insurance in the principal amount of at least $20,000,000 from a reputable and
financially capable insurance company insuring the officers and directors of the
Company including the Executive against all claims, actions, judgment, fines and
amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses arising from their acts or
omissions as officers or directors of the Company individually or collectively,
including claims or actions arising under the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
securities laws of other jurisdictions or the common law


                                        5
<PAGE>   6
other than those which arise principally from acts or omissions by him in bad
faith or which were the result of his actions and deliberate dishonesty.

                  12. Remedies.

                           12.1 Nothing herein contained is intended to waive or
diminish any rights the Company may have at law or in equity at any time to
protect and defend its legitimate property interests including its business
relationship with third parties, the foregoing provisions being intended to be
in addition to and not in derogation or limitation of any other rights the
Company may have at law or in equity.

                           12.2 A breach by Executive of the provisions of
Section 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 of this Agreement may cause the Company
irreparable injury and damage. Executive therefore agrees that damages may be an
inadequate remedy and the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and/or other
equitable relief to prevent any breach of such Section of this Agreement and to
secure its enforcement, without being required to provide any security or post
any bond.

                  13. Notices. Any notices pertaining to this Agreement if to
the Company shall be addressed to Box Hill Systems Corp., 161 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10013 and if to the Executive at 2 Charlton Street,
#9C, New York, New York 10014. All notices shall be in writing and shall be
deemed duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified
mail, overnight or express mail or by telefax. If sent by registered or
certified mail, notice shall be deemed to have been received and effective three
days after mailing; if by overnight or express mail or by telefax, notice shall
be deemed received the next business day after being sent. Any party may change
its address for notice hereunder by giving notice of such change in the manner
provided herein.

                  14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties respecting the subject matter contained herein. No
modification of any provision hereof shall be effective except by a written
agreement signed by the parties hereto.

                  15. Miscellaneous.

                           (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
entirely made and performed therein.

                           (b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties, their respective successors, heirs and assigns
(where permitted).

                           (c) The waiver by one party hereto of any breach by
the other (the "Breaching Party") of any provision of this Agreement shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any other (prior or subsequent) breach by
the Breaching Party, and waiver of a breach of a


                                        6
<PAGE>   7
provision in one instance shall not be deemed a waiver of a breach of such
provision in any other circumstance.


                                        7
<PAGE>   8
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as of
the year and date first above written.



                                        BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.


                                        By:  /s/ Philip Black
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Name: Philip Black
                                        Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                        EXECUTIVE:


                                         /s/ Benjamin Monderer
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 BENJAMIN MONDERER


                                        8


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         Employment Agreement dated as of July 3, 1997 between BOX HILL SYSTEMS
CORP., a New York corporation (the "Company") and Mark A. Mays ("Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the employment of the
Executive and the Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company on
the terms and conditions hereinafter contained;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                  1. Employment. The Company hereby employs Executive as Vice
President of the Company for the Term as defined in paragraph 2 to perform the
duties described in Section 3 hereof.

                  2. Term. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7.2 or 8 hereof, the term of employment of Executive covered by this
Agreement shall commence on the date of the closing of the first offering of
securities of the Company which is registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended and shall continue through December 31, 2000 (the "Term").

                  3. Duties. Executive shall devote substantially all his time
to the affairs and business of the Company for which he will serve as Vice
President and perform the duties designated by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Executive shall use his best efforts to promote the interests and
welfare of the Company.

                  4. Salary; Bonus. 

                           (a) As his compensation hereunder, Executive
shall be paid by the Company a base salary of $350,000 per annum during the
first 12 month period of the Term, with the compensation for each of the
remaining 12 month periods to be determined by the Board of Directors but not to
be less than his base compensation for the preceding twelve month period
adjusted for the increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the last
month of the immediately preceding twelve month period. For this purpose the
Consumer Price Index shall mean the Consumer Price Index U.S. City Average, All
Items Figure for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, published by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, or any comparable
Consumer Price Index which shall be subsequently published to supersede such
designated Consumer Price Index. The base compensation shall be payable in equal
biweekly installments.

                           (b) The Company shall pay Executive a bonus within 30
days following the completion of the statement of income of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal year ending during the Term
as audited by the independent public accounting firm completed fiscal year
ending during the Term as audited by the independent public
<PAGE>   2
accounting firm selected by the Company to audit the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries equal to 1.5% of the amount by
which the Pre-tax Income for that year exceeds $20,000,000. Pre-tax Income shall
mean the income of the Company and its subsidiaries before provision for
applicable federal, state and local income taxes, all as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                  5. Benefits. The Company shall be obligated or continue to
provide, pay or secure, at its own expense for Executive while employed by the
Company pursuant to the Agreement medical, health, disability and business
accident insurance coverage in the forms provided to him during the twelve
months ended June 30, 1997. Executive shall be entitled to a full-paid four-week
vacation during each year of his employment.

                  6. Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for
all other expenses normally reimbursed by the Company and reasonably incurred by
him in furtherance of his duties hereunder including, without limitation,
travel, meals, hotel accommodations and the like upon submission by him of
vouchers or an itemized list thereof prepared in compliance with such rules
relating thereto as the Board may, from time to time, adopt and as may be
required in order to permit such payments as proper deductions to the Company
under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time, and the rules and
regulations adopted pursuant thereto now or hereafter in effect.

                  7. Disability. In the event of Executive's disability (as
hereinafter defined) for ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or in the
aggregate one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days during any twelve (12)
months of the Term, the Company shall have the right, by written notice to
Executive, to terminate this Agreement as of the date of such notice.
"Disability" for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean Executive's physical
or mental disability so as to render Executive incapable of carrying out
Executive's essential duties under this Agreement.

                  8. Termination. The Company shall have the right to discharge
Executive and terminate this Agreement for Cause (as hereinafter defined) by
written notice to Executive and this Agreement shall be deemed terminated as of
the date of such notice. For the purpose of this agreement, "Cause" shall mean
(a) conviction of a felony, (b) gross neglect or gross misconduct (including
conflict of interest) in the carrying out of Executive's duties, (c) repeated or
substantial failure, refusal or neglect to perform Executive's duties in
accordance with paragraph 3 hereof, (d) the engaging by Executive in a material
act or acts of dishonesty affecting the Company, or its subsidiaries, or (e)
drunkenness or the illegal use of drugs by Executive materially and repeatedly
interfering with performance of Executive's obligations under this Agreement. In
the event of a termination by the Company pursuant to this paragraph 8, the
Company shall not be under any further obligation to Executive hereunder except
to pay Executive, subject to the rights and remedies of the Company in the
circumstances, (i) salary and benefits accrued and payable up to the date of
such termination, and (ii) reimbursement for expenses accrued and payable under
paragraph 6 hereof through the date of termination.

                  9. Non-Competition.



                                        2
<PAGE>   3
                           9.1 Subject to the Company not then being in default
of its obligations under this Agreement, Executive, for a period ending one year
following the last day of his employment as an Executive by the Company (the
"Non-competition Period"), shall not perform services or otherwise act in any
capacity (including without limitation as an employee, independent contractor,
officer, director or consultant) for, or otherwise be engaged by or have any
financial interest in or affiliation with, any individual corporation,
partnership or any other entity involved in or connected with the business in
which the Company (for purposes of Sections 9, 10 and 11, "Company" shall also
include the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company) is engaged other than
for or on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that nothing contained in
this Section 9.1 shall prevent Executive from purchasing as an investment
securities of any corporation whose securities are regularly traded on any
national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, provided that
the amount of such securities along with securities held at or after such
purchase by other members of his family, including his parents, siblings and
members of their families do not aggregate at least 5% of the outstanding
securities of such corporation.

                           9.2 During the Non-competition Period and subject to
the Company's not being in default of this Agreement, Executive shall not
solicit or induce any Executive of the Company to leave the employ of the
Company.

                  10. Confidential Information.

                           10.1 Executive shall regard and preserve as
confidential all trade secrets and other proprietary information pertaining to
the business of the Company or its subsidiaries that Executive may obtain during
his employment; and, to the extent that such proprietary information shall not
become public knowledge, Executive shall not disclose to others, during his
employment or thereafter, any of such proprietary information.

                           10.2 Executive agrees that any inventions,
copyrightable material, secret processes, formulae, trademarks, products or
improvements that he may invent, produce, prepare, acquire or suggest during the
term of this Agreement, relating generally to any matter or thing connected in
any way with or relating to the work, products or projects carried on by
Executive for the Company shall become the absolute property of the Company; and
Executive further agrees to assign without further compensation all such
inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret processes, formulae,
trademarks, products and improvements and all rights thereto, domestic and
foreign, to the Company and to execute all documents whatsoever that may be
necessary to transfer to and vest in the Company all right, title and interest
in and to such inventions, copyrightable material, trade secrets, secret
processes, formulae, trademarks, products and improvements.

                           10.3 The Company shall own forever and throughout the
world (exclusively during the current and renewed or extended term of any patent
anywhere in the world and thereafter, non-exclusively) all rights of any kind or
nature now or hereafter known in and to all of the product of Executive's
services hereunder in any capacity and any and all parts thereof, including,
without limitation, patent, copyright and all other property or proprietary
rights in or to any ideas, concepts,


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
designs, drawings, plans, prototypes or any other similar creative works and to
the product of any or all of such services. Executive acknowledges and agrees
that for the foregoing purposes, Executive is performing his services as the
Company's employee-for-hire. Without limiting the generality of the previous
sentence, Executive acknowledges and agrees that all memoranda, notes, records
and other documents made or compiled by Executive or made available to Executive
during the Term concerning the business of the Company, shall be the property of
the Company, and shall be delivered by Executive to the Company, upon
termination of this Agreement or at any other time at the Company's request.

                  11. Indemnification.

                           (a) The Company agrees to indemnify Executive in the
event he is made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, and whether or not by or in the right of
the Company or any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign,
or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was
a director or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type
or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
or officer of the Company or served any other corporation of any type or kind,
domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of the Company, against
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including
attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action,
suit or proceeding, or any appeal therein, provided that (i) no indemnification
may be made to or on his behalf if a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to him establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit
or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled; (ii) no indemnification
shall be required in connection with the settlement of any pending or threatened
action or proceeding, or any other disposition thereof except a final
adjudication, unless the Company has consented to such settlement or other
disposition, and (iii) the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify him if
and to the extent he is entitled to be indemnified under a policy of insurance
as such policy would apply in the absence of this Agreement.

                  Executive shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending any action
or proceeding, whether threatened or pending, in advance of the final
disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Executive to repay such amount to the Company to the extent, if any, he is
ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification.

                           (b) The Company agrees to maintain at its expense
insurance in the principal amount of at least $20,000,000 from a reputable and
financially capable insurance company insuring the officers and directors of the
Company including the Executive against all claims, actions, judgment, fines and
amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses arising from their acts or
omissions as officers or directors of the Company individually or collectively,
including


                                        4
<PAGE>   5
claims or actions arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the securities laws of
other jurisdictions or the common law other than those which arise principally
from acts or omissions by him in bad faith or which were the result of his
actions and deliberate dishonesty.

                  12. Remedies.

                           12.1 Nothing herein contained is intended to waive or
diminish any rights the Company may have at law or in equity at any time to
protect and defend its legitimate property interests including its business
relationship with third parties, the foregoing provisions being intended to be
in addition to and not in derogation or limitation of any other rights the
Company may have at law or in equity.

                           12.2 A breach by Executive of the provisions of
Section 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 of this Agreement may cause the Company
irreparable injury and damage. Executive therefore agrees that damages may be an
inadequate remedy and the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and/or other
equitable relief to prevent any breach of such Section of this Agreement and to
secure its enforcement, without being required to provide any security or post
any bond.

                  13. Notices. Any notices pertaining to this Agreement if to
the Company shall be addressed to Box Hill Systems Corp., 161 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10013 and if to the Executive at 24 Tall Pines
Drive, Weston, CT 06883 . All notices shall be in writing and shall be deemed
duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail,
overnight or express mail or by telefax. If sent by registered or certified
mail, notice shall be deemed to have been received and effective three days
after mailing; if by overnight or express mail or by telefax, notice shall be
deemed received the next business day after being sent. Any party may change
its address for notice hereunder by giving notice of such change in the manner
provided herein.

                  14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties respecting the subject matter contained herein. No
modification of any provision hereof shall be effective except by a written
agreement signed by the parties hereto.

                  15. Miscellaneous.

                           (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
entirely made and performed therein.

                           (b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties, their respective successors, heirs and assigns
(where permitted).

                           (c) The waiver by one party hereto of any breach by
the other (the "Breaching Party") of any provision of this Agreement shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver



                                        5
<PAGE>   6
of any other (prior or subsequent) breach by the Breaching Party, and waiver of
a breach of a provision in one instance shall not be deemed a waiver of a breach
of such provision in any other circumstance.




                                        6
<PAGE>   7
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as of
the year and date first above written.

                                        BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.


                                        By: /s/ Philip Black
                                           ----------------------------
                                        Name:   Philip Black
                                        Title:  Chief Executive Officer

                                        EXECUTIVE:


                                        /s/ Mark A. Mays
                                        -------------------------------
                                            MARK A. MAYS




                                        7

<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.5


                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.

                             1995 INCENTIVE PROGRAM

                             AS AMENDED AND RESTATED

                               AS OF JULY 3, 1997


                  The 1995 Incentive Program (the "Program") provides for the
grant to officers, directors and employees of Box Hill Systems Corporation and
its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), and certain
consultants to the Company, certain rights to acquire shares of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). The Company
believes that this Program will cause those persons to contribute materially to
the growth and success of the Company, thereby benefitting its stockholders.

                  1.       ADMINISTRATION.

                  The Program shall be administered and interpreted by the Board
of Directors of the Company or by one or more Committees appointed by the Board
of Directors of the Company from among its members (the "Plan Administrator").
The Board of Directors may appoint different Committees to handle different
duties under the Program. The Plan Administrator's decisions shall be final and
conclusive with respect to the interpretation and administration of the Program
and any Grant made under it.

<PAGE>   2
                  2.       OPTIONS.

                  Incentives under the Program shall consist of incentive stock
options and non-qualified stock options (collectively the "Options"). All
Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions set out herein and to such
other terms and conditions consistent with this Program as the Plan
Administrator deems appropriate. The Plan Administrator shall approve the form
and provisions of each Option. Options need not be uniform.

                  3.       ELIGIBILITY.

                  Options may be granted to any employee, officer, key
executive, director, professional or administrator, consultant or advisor to the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company selected by the Plan Administrator to
receive Options under the Program (persons so selected, the "Optionee(s)").

                  4.       SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANT.

                  (a) Shares Subject to Issuance or Transfer. Subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock (the "Shares") that may be issued or transferred under the Program is
725,000 Shares plus, (i) any Shares which are forfeited under the Program after
the Program becomes effective; plus (ii) any Shares surrendered to the Company
in payment of the exercise price of Options issued under the Program. The Shares
may be authorized but unissued Shares or Treasury Shares. The number of Shares
available for Options at any given time shall be reduced by the aggregate of all
Shares previously issued or transferred pursuant to the Program plus the
aggregate of all Shares which may become subject to issuance under
then-outstanding Options.

                  (b) Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Other
Events. Upon changes in the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock
dividend, stock split, reverse split,

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares,
separation, reorganization or liquidation, the number and class of Shares
available under the Program as to which Options may be granted (both in the
aggregate and to any one Optionee), the number and class of Shares under each
then-outstanding Stock Option and the Option Price per share of such options,
shall be correspondingly adjusted by the Plan Administrator, such adjustments to
be made in the case of outstanding Stock Options without change in the total
price applicable to such options. In the event of a merger, consolidation,
combination, reorganization or other transaction in which the Company will not
be the surviving corporation, or in which the Company will not be the surviving
corporation, or in which the Company becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
new corporation, a holder of Options under the Program shall be entitled to
options for that number of shares of stock in the new corporation which the
Optionee would have received had the Optionee exercised all of the unexercised
options available to the Optionee under the Program, whether or not then
exercisable, at the instant immediately prior to the effective date of such
transaction. Thereafter, adjustments as provided above shall relate to the
Options of the new corporation. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the
Option, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), merger,
consolidation, combination, reorganization or other transaction in which the
shareowners of the Company will receive cash or securities (other than Common
Stock) or in the event that an offer is made to the holders of Common Stock of
the Company to sell or exchange such Common Stock for cash, securities or stock
of another corporation and such offer, if accepted, would result in the offeror
becoming the owner of (a) at least 50% of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Company or (b) such lesser percentage of the outstanding Common Stock which the
Plan Administrator in its sole discretion determines will materially adversely
affect the market value of 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
the Common Stock after the tender or exchange offer, the Plan Administrator
shall have the right, but not the obligation, in the exercise of its business
judgment, prior to the shareowners' vote on such transaction or prior to the
expiration date (without extensions) of the tender or exchange offer, (i)
accelerate the time of exercise so that all Options which are outstanding shall
become immediately exercisable in full, without regard to any limitations of
time, performance or amount otherwise contained in the Program or in the Options
and/or (ii) determine that the Options shall be adjusted and make such
adjustments by substituting for Common Stock of the Company subject to Options,
common stock of the surviving corporation or offeror if such stock of such
corporation is publicly traded or, if such stock is not publicly traded, by
substituting common stock of a parent of the surviving corporation or offeror if
the stock of such parent is publicly traded, in which event the aggregate option
price shall remain the same and the number of shares subject to outstanding
Options shall be the number of shares which could have been purchased on the
closing day of such transaction or the expiration date of the offer with the
proceeds which would have been received by the Optionee if the Option had been
exercised in full prior to such transaction or expiration date and the Optionee
had exchanged all of such shares in the transaction or sold or exchanged all of
such shares pursuant to the tender or exchange offer. For purposes of this
Section 4(b), "Change in Control" means (i) any "person", as such term is used
in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act") (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any
corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareowners of the Company in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company),
is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
then outstanding securities without the approval of the Board of Directors of
the Company; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other
than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with
the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of
this sentence) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the
Company's shareowners was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the
period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; (iii) the
shareowners of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with
any other company, other than (1) a merger or consolidation which would result
in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or (2) a merger or consolidation
effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction)
in which no "person" (as hereinabove defined) acquires more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or (iv) the
shareowners of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company
or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets and properties.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
                  5.       OPTION GRANTS.

                  The Plan Administrator may grant options qualifying as
incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
("Incentive Stock Options"), or non-qualified options not entitled to special
tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"), as amended (collectively, "Stock Options"). The following provisions of
this Section 5 shall apply to such Stock Options:

                  (a) Exercise of Option. An Optionee may exercise an Option by
delivering a notice of exercise to the Company, either with or without
accompanying payment of the option price (the "Option Price"). The notice of
exercise, once delivered, shall be irrevocable.

   
                  (b) Satisfaction of Option Price. The Optionee shall pay the
Option Price in cash or by delivering shares of Common Stock which have been
owned by the Optionee for a minimum of six (6) months and which have a Fair
Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Option Price or by
surrendering the right to acquire such number of shares of Common Stock which
when multiplied by the amount by which the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on
the exercise date exceeds the Option Price equals the total amount of the
exercise price (the "Terminated Shares"), or a combination of cash and the
Terminated Shares. The Optionee shall pay the Option Price not later than thirty
(30) days after the date of a statement from the Company following exercise
setting forth the Option Price, Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the
exercise date, the number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered and
the number of Terminated Shares that may be surrendered in payment of the Option
Price, and the amount of withholding tax due, if any. If the Optionee fails to
pay the Option Price within the thirty (30) day period, the Plan Administrator
shall have the right to take whatever action it deems appropriate, including
voiding the option exercise. The Company shall not issue or transfer shares of
Common Stock upon exercise of an Option until the Option Price is fully paid.
    

                  (c) Share Withholding. With respect to any non-qualified
option, the Plan Administrator may, in its discretion and subject to such rules
as the Plan Administrator may adopt (including, without limitation, rules
relating to minimum holding periods for Common Stock), 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
permit the Optionee to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding tax
obligation which may arise in connection with the exercise of a non-qualified
option by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock having a
Fair Market Value equal to the amount of the withholding tax. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, as a condition of the grant of any Option to any officer or
director of the Company subject to the reporting requirements (a "Reporting
Person") of Section 16 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Plan Administrator shall require, upon the
exercise of any Option by any Reporting Person, at a time when the Company shall
be required to file periodic reports under Section 13 of the Exchange Act, that
the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of
such Option shall be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock having an
aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of the Reporting Person's
liability for any and all taxes required by law to be withheld.

                  (d) Price and Term. The Option Price per share, term and other
provisions of Options Optioned under the Program shall be specified in the
Option, as limited, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, by the provisions of
Section 5(e) below, if granted pursuant to such Section. In addition, the Plan
Administrator may prescribe such other conditions as it may deem appropriate,
which conditions shall be specified in the instrument of Option.

                  (e) Limits on Incentive Stock Options. The aggregate fair
market value of the stock covered by Incentive Stock Options granted under the
Program or any other stock option plan of the Company or any subsidiary or
parent of the Company that become exercisable for the first time by any employee
in any calender year shall not exceed $100,000. The aggregate Fair Market Value
will be determined at the time of the grant. The period for exercise of an
Incentive Stock

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
Option shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of the Option (or five
years if the Optionee is also a 10% stockholder). The Option Price at which
Common Stock may be purchased by the Optionee under an Incentive Stock Option
shall be the Fair Market Value (or 110% of the Fair Market Value if the Optionee
is a 10% stockholder) of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. Incentive
Stock Options may only be granted to employees of the Company or any subsidiary
or parent of the Company. Incentive Stock Options by their terms shall not be
transferrable by the Optionee other than by the laws of descent and
distribution, and shall be exercisable, during the lifetime of the Optionee,
only by the Optionee.

                  6.       AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PROGRAM.

                  (a) Amendment. The Board of Directors of the Company may from
time to time amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the Program, subject to any
requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule or
regulation, including Section required by applicable law, rule or regulation,
including Section 162(m) of the Code or, if the Common Stock is then listed or
admitted for trading on any United States securities exchange or on the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"),
any requirement for shareholder approval required under the rules of such
exchange or NASDAQ, as the case may be; provided, however, that no amendment
shall be made without shareholder approval if such amendment would (1) increase
the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this
Program (subject to Section 4(b)), (2) reduce the minimum Option Price, (3)
effect any change inconsistent with Section 422 of the Code or (4) extend the
term of this Program.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
                  (b) Termination of the Program. The Program shall terminate on
the tenth anniversary of its effective date unless terminated earlier by the
Board or unless extended by the Board.

                  (c) Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Options. A
termination or amendment of the Program that occurs after an Option has been
granted shall not result in the termination or amendment of the Option unless
the Optionee consents or unless the Plan Administrator acts under Section 7(d).
The termination of the Program shall not impair the power and authority of the
Plan Administrator with respect to outstanding Options. Whether or not the
Program has terminated, an outstanding Option may be terminated or amended under
Section 7(d) or may be amended by agreement of the Company and the Optionee on
terms consistent with the Program.

                  7.       GENERAL PROVISIONS.

                  (a) Prohibitions Against Transfer. Only an Optionee or his or
her authorized representative may exercise rights under an Option. Such persons
may not transfer those rights, except as to non-qualified option upon the
express written consent of the Company, which may be granted or denied in the
Company's discretion. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the
Options, when an Optionee dies, the personal representative of the Options may
exercise the rights. The Personal representative must furnish proof satisfactory
to the Plan Administrator of his or her right to receive the Option under the
Optionee's will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

                  (b) Suitable Options. The Plan Administrator may grant an
Option to an employee of another corporation who becomes eligible to receive the
Option by reason of a

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, share
exchange, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company in substitution
for an Option previously granted by such corporation (the "Original Options").
The terms and conditions of the substitute Option may vary from the terms and
conditions required by the Program and from those of the Original Options. The
Plan Administrator shall prescribe the exact provisions of the substitute
Options, preserving where possible the provisions of the Original Options.

                  (c) Subsidiaries. The term "subsidiary" means a corporation in
which the Company owns directly or indirectly 50% or more of the voting power.

                  (d) Compliance with Law. The Program, the exercise of Options,
and the obligations of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise
of Options shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any
governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Plan Administrator may
revoke any Option if it is contrary to law or modify an Option to bring it into
compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation.

                  (e) Ownership of Stock. An Optionee shall have no rights as a
stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares covered by an Option until
the Shares are issued to the Optionee or his representative on the Company's
books.

                  (f) No Right to Employment. The Program and the Options under
it shall not confer upon any Optionee the right to continue in the employment of
the Company or affect in any way the right of the Company to terminate the
employment of an Optionee at any time.

                  (g) Effective Date of the Program. The effective date of the
Program is May 23, 1995.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
                  (h) Fair Market Value. For the purposes of the Program, the
term Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the closing price of a share of
Common Stock of the Company on such date. The closing price shall be (i) if the
Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading on any national securities
exchange, or if not so listed or admitted for trading, is listed or admitted for
trading on NASDAQ, the last sale price of the Common Stock, regular way, or the
mean of the bid and asked prices thereof for any trading day on which no such
sale occurred, in each case as officially reported on the principal securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading or on
NASDAQ, as the case may be, or (ii) if not so listed or admitted for trading on
a national securities exchange or NASDAQ, the mean between the closing high bid
and low asked quotations for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as
reported by NASDAQ, or any similar system for the automated dissemination of
securities prices then in common use, if so quoted, as reported by any member
firm of the New York Stock Exchange selected by the Company; provided, however,
that if, by reason of extended or continuous trading hours on any exchange or in
any market or for any other reason, the time, with respect to any trading day,
of the close of trading for the purpose of determining the "last sale price" or
the "closing" bid and asked prices is not objectively determinable, the time on
such trading day used for the purpose of reporting any compilation of last sale
prices or closing bid and asked prices in The Wall Street Journal shall be the
time on such trading day as of which the "last sale price" or "closing" bid and
asked prices are determined for purposes of this definition. If the Common Stock
is quoted on a national securities or central market system in lieu of a market
or quotation system described above, the closing price shall be determined in
the manner set forth in clause (i) of the preceding sentence if actual
transactions are reported, and in the manner set forth in clause (ii) of the
preceding sentence

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
if bid and asked quotations are reported but actual transactions are not. If on
the date in question, there is no exchange or over-the-counter market for the
Common Stock, the "fair market value" of such Common Stock shall be determined
by the Plan Administrator acting in good faith. 

                  (i) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company
from the exercise of Options pursuant to the Program will be used for general
corporate purposes.

                  (j) No Obligation to Exercise Option. The granting of an
Option under the Program shall impose no obligation upon the Optionee to
exercise such option.

                  (k) Severability. If any provision of the Program, or any term
or condition of any Option granted or form executed or to be executed
thereunder, or any application thereof to any person or circumstances is
invalid, such provision, term, condition or application shall to that extent be
void (or, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, such provision, term or
condition may be amended so as to avoid such invalidity or failure), and shall
not affect other provisions, terms or conditions or applications thereof, and to
this extent such provisions, terms and conditions are severable.

                  (l) Option Agreement. Each grant under this Program shall be
evidenced by an option agreement (i.e., an instrument of Option) setting forth
the terms and conditions applicable to such Option. No Option shall be valid
until an agreement is executed by the Company and the Optionee and, upon
execution by each party and delivery of the agreement to the Company, such
Option shall be effective as of the effective date set forth in the Agreement.

                  (m) Restricted Shares. Each award made hereunder shall be 
subject to the requirement that if at any time the Company determines that the 
listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to 
such Option upon any securities exchange or under any 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any
other action is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with,
the delivery of shares thereunder, such shares shall not be delivered unless
such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action
shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to
the Company. The Company may require that certificates evidencing shares of
Common Stock delivered upon an exercise of any Option bear a legend indicating
that the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof by the holder is prohibited
except in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder.

                  (n) Program Controls. In the case of any conflict or
inconsistency between the terms of this Program and the terms of any instrument
of Option, the terms of this Program will control, unless the instrument of
Option expressly provides that the terms of such instrument of Option will
control.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8



                             Box Hill Systems Corp.

                        1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

         The following constitute the provisions of the 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Box Hill Systems Corp.

         1.       Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of
the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase
Common Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the
intention of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase
Plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.

         2.       Definitions.

                  (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company,
or a committee of the Board appointed in accordance with Section 13.

                  (b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                  (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

                  (d) "Company" shall mean Box Hill Systems Corp., and any
Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

                  (e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross
earnings paid in cash including commissions, overtime, shift premium, incentive
compensation, incentive payments, bonuses and other cash compensation, but
excluding any income received from the exercise of options.

                  (f) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries
which have been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion
as eligible to participate in the Plan.

                  (g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of
the Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at
least twenty (20) hours per week and at least six (6) months as of the first day
of the applicable offering period. For purposes of the Plan, the employment
relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on
sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period
of leave exceeds 90 days and the individual's right to re-employment is not
guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall
be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.


                                        1
<PAGE>   2
                  (h) "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each
Offering Period.

                  (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last trading day of each
Purchase Period, if any, or each Offering Period.

                  (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value
of Common Stock determined as follows:

                           (1)      If the Common Stock is listed on any
                                    established stock exchange or a national
                                    market system, including without limitation
                                    the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq
                                    SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
                                    its Fair Market Value shall be the closing
                                    sales price for such stock (or the closing
                                    bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on
                                    such exchange or system for the last market
                                    trading day prior to the time of
                                    determination, as reported in The Wall
                                    Street Journal or such other source as the
                                    Board deems reliable, or;

                           (2)      If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
                                    recognized securities dealer but selling
                                    prices are not reported, its Fair Market
                                    Value shall be the mean of the closing bid
                                    and asked prices for the Common Stock on the
                                    date of such determination, as reported in
                                    The Wall Street Journal or such other source
                                    as the Board deems reliable, or;

                           (3)      In the absence of an established market for
                                    the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
                                    thereof shall be determined in good faith by
                                    the Board.

                           (4)      For purposes of the Enrollment Date under
                                    the first Offering Period under the Plan,
                                    the Fair Market Value shall be the initial
                                    price to the public as set forth in the
                                    Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)
                                    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                                    with respect to the registration statement
                                    of the Company on Form S-1 filed with the
                                    Securities and Exchange Commission for the
                                    initial public offering of the Company's
                                    Common Stock (Registration Statement No.
                                    333-31873).

                  (k) "Offering Period" shall mean the period beginning with the
date an option is granted under the Plan and ending with the date determined by
the Board. During the term of the Plan, the duration of each Offering Period
shall be determined from time to time by the Board, provided that no Offering
Period may exceed twelve (12) months in duration. If determined by the Board, an
Offering Period may include one or more Purchase Periods. The first Offering
Period shall begin on the effective date of the foregoing Registration Statement
relating to the Company's


                                        2
<PAGE>   3
initial public offering of its Common Stock registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Effective Date") and shall end on March 31, 1998.

                  (l) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

                  (m) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the
Exercise Date, whichever is lower.

                  (n) "Purchase Period" shall mean the period commencing on an
Enrollment Date or after an Exercise Date and which is of such duration as the
Board shall determine.

                  (o) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.

                  (p) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or
foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company
or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter
organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

                  (q) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock
exchanges and the Nasdaq System are open for trading.

         3.       Eligibility.

                  (a) Any Employee who shall be employed by the Company on a
given Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

                  (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to
the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person
whose stock would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of
the Code) would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options
to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total
combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the
Company or of any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to
purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its
subsidiaries accrues at a rate which exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($25,000) worth of stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at
the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is
outstanding at any time.

         4.       Offering and Purchase Periods. The Plan shall be implemented
by consecutive, overlapping Offering Periods, each of which shall be of such
duration (not to exceed 12 months) as the Board shall determine from time to
time in its discretion, and each of which shall consist of such number of
Purchase Periods as the Board shall


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
determine from time to time in its discretion. The Plan shall continue until
terminated in accordance with Section 19 hereof. The initial Offering Period
shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on the last Trading Day on or
before March 31, 1998. Unless otherwise specified by the Board, or a Committee
of the Board (the "Committee") Offering Periods subsequent to the initial
Offering Period shall be six months in duration, without any Purchase Periods,
with the second Offering Period commencing on the first Trading Day on or after
April 1, 1998 and ending on the last Trading Day on or before September 30,
1998. The Board shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods
(including the commencement dates thereof) at any time or from time to time, and
shall have the power to implement multiple Purchase Periods within any Offering
Period, provided that (except as the shareholders may otherwise approve) any
such change shall be effected only with respect to Offering Periods commencing
after the date on which the change is made.

         5.       Participation.

                  (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan
by completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the
form of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's payroll office
prior to the applicable Enrollment Date.

                  (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the
first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in
the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

         6.       Payroll Deductions.

                  (a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during the Offering Period in an amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the
Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering
Period. The Board shall have the power to change the payroll deduction rate up
to a maximum rate of twenty percent (20%) at any time or from time to time;
provided that (except as the stockholders may otherwise approve) any such change
shall be effected only with respect to Offering Periods commencing after the
date the change is made.

                  (b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be
credited to his or her account under the Plan and shall be withheld in whole
percentages only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such
account.

                  (c) A participant may discontinue his or her participation in
the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase (subject to the limit
set forth in Section 6(a)) or decrease the rate of his or her payroll deductions
during the Offering Period by completing or filing with the Company


                                        4
<PAGE>   5
a new subscription agreement authorizing a change in payroll deduction rate. The
Board or Committee may, in its discretion, limit the number of participation
rate changes during any Offering Period. The change in rate shall be effective
with the first full payroll period following five (5) business days after the
Company's receipt of the new subscription agreement unless the Company elects to
process a given change in participation more quickly. A participant's
subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods
unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

                  (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to
comply with Section 423(b) (8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a
participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at such
time during any Purchase or Offering Period. Payroll deductions shall recommence
at the rate provided in such participant's subscription agreement at the
beginning of the first Offering Period, or, if applicable, first Purchase Period
which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless terminated by
the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

                  (e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part,
or at the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan
is disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of
Common Stock by the Employee.

         7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period,
each eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an
option to purchase on each Exercise Date during such Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price. In no event shall an Employee be
permitted to purchase during each Offering Period, or Purchase Period, if
applicable, more than $12,500 worth of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market
Value on the first day of such Offering Period; provided, however, that for the
first Offering Period under the Plan an Employee shall not be permitted to
purchase more than $25,000 worth of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value
on the first day of the first Offering Period; and provided further that such
purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 12
hereof, including limitations on purchases in subsequent offerings during the
same calendar year to assure compliance with Section 3(b). Exercise of the
option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has
withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof. The option shall expire on the last day
of the Offering Period.

         8. Exercise of Option.


                                        5
<PAGE>   6
                  (a) Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided
in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares shall be
exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full
shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent
Offering Period, or, if applicable, Purchase Period subject to earlier
withdrawal by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. Any other monies
left over in a participant's account after the Exercise Date shall be returned
to the participant. During a participant's lifetime, a participant's option to
purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.

                  (b) On any given Exercise Date, the number of shares with
respect to which options are to be exercised shall not exceed 125,000 shares
(which number gives effect to a 3.3 for 1 split of the Common Stock approved by
the Board in July 1997 to be effective immediately prior to the initial public
offering of the Common Stock of the Company), provided, however, for the
Exercise Date of the first Offering Period under the Plan, the number of shares
with respect to which options are to be exercised shall not exceed 100,000
shares (which number gives effect to a 3.3 for 1 split of the Common Stock
approved by the Board in July 1997 to be effective immediately prior to the
initial public offering of the Common Stock of the Company). If, on a given
Exercise Date, the number of shares with respect to which options are to be
exercised exceeds the share limit described in this subsection, the Company
shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase
in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be
equitable.

         9.  Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
which a purchase of shares occurs, the Company shall arrange the delivery to
each participant, as appropriate, of the shares purchased upon exercise of his
or her option.

         10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment.

                  (a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the
payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise
his or her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the
Company in the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll
deductions credited to his or her account shall be paid to such participant
promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for
the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll
deductions for the purchase of shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If
a participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not
resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant
delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement.

                  (b) Upon a participant's ceasing to be an Employee, for any
reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan and
the payroll deductions credited to such participant's account during the
Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the option shall be returned to
such participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons
entitled


                                        6
<PAGE>   7
thereto under Section 14 hereof, and such participant's option shall be
automatically terminated. The preceding sentence notwithstanding, a participant
who receives payment in lieu of notice of termination of employment shall be
treated as continuing to be an Employee for the participant's customary number
of hours per week of employment during the period in which the participant is
subject to such payment in lieu of notice.

                  (c) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall
not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar
plan which may hereafter be adopted by the company or in succeeding Offering
Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which
the participant withdraws.

         11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.

         12. Stock.

                  (a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock
which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 250,000 shares
(which number gives effect to a 3.3 for 1 split of the Common Stock approved by
the Board in July 1997 to be effective immediately prior to the initial public
offering of the Common Stock of the Company), subject to adjustment upon other
changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 18 hereof. If,
on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares with respect to which options are
to be exercised exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan, the
Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for
purchase in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall
determine to be equitable.

                  (b) The participant shall have no interest or voting right in
shares covered by his or her option until such option has been exercised.

                  (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan
shall be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the
participant and his or her spouse.

         13. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.

         14. Designation of Beneficiary.

                  (a) A participant may file a written designation of a
beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the
participant's account under the Plan in the event of such


                                        7
<PAGE>   8
participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date on which the option is
exercised but prior to delivery to such participant of such shares and cash. In
addition, a participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is
to receive any cash from the participant's account under the Plan in the event
of such participant's death prior to exercise of the option. If a participant is
married and the designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall
be required for such designation to be effective.

                  (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a
participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the
Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall
deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate
of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed
(to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver
such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or
relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to
the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

         15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

         16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the
Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and
the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

         17. Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each
participant in the Plan. Statements of account shall be given to participating
Employees at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of
payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the
remaining cash balance, if any.

         18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution,
Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

                  (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action
by the shareholders of the Company, the Reserves, as well as the price per share
and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan
which has not yet been exercised, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by
the Company, provided, however, that conversion of any


                                        8
<PAGE>   9
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall effect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

                  (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period shall terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Board.

                  (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the
Company with or into another corporation, any Offering Periods then in progress
shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date") and
any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date. The
New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed sale or
merger. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten (10)
business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the
participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the
participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date,
unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period
as provided in Section 10 hereof.

         19. Amendment or Termination.

                  (a) The Board may at any time and for any reason terminate or
amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof, no such termination can
affect options previously granted, provided that an Offering Period may be
terminated by the Board on any Exercise Date if the Board determines that the
termination of the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof, no amendment may make any
change in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of
any participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code
(or any successor rule or provision or any other applicable law or regulation),
the Company shall obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a
degree as required.

                  (b) Without shareholder consent and without regard to whether
any participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit
the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering
Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the
amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in
the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish
reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting
procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock
for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
participant's


                                        9
<PAGE>   10
Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Board
(or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable which are
consistent with the Plan.

         20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to
the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been
duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location,
or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.


         21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

             As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may
require the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

         22. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years unless sooner terminated under Section 19 hereof.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
                                    EXHIBIT A

                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.

                          EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT


_____ Original Application                             Enrollment Date: ________
_____ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate
_____ Change of Beneficiary (ies)

1.       ____________hereby elects to participate in the Box Hill Systems Corp.
         Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee Stock Purchase Plan") and
         subscribes to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock in
         accordance with this Subscription Agreement and the Employee Stock
         Purchase Plan.

2.       I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount
         of __% of my Compensation on each payday for the Offering Period on
         each payday for subsequent Offering Periods (from 1 to 10%). Such
         amounts shall be deducted each payday during the Offering Period in
         accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (Please note that no
         fractional percentages are permitted.)

3.       I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
         purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
         determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
         understand that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any
         accumulated payroll deductions will be used to automatically exercise
         my option.

4.       I have received a copy of the completed Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
         understand that my participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is
         in all respects subject to the terms of the Plan. I understand that my
         ability to exercise the option under this Subscription Agreement is
         subject to shareholder approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

5.       Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should
         be issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and spouse only): 
         ___________.

6.       I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant to
         the Plan within two (2) years after the Enrollment Date (the first day
         of the Offering Period during which I purchased such shares) or one
         (1)year after the Exercise Date, I will be treated for federal income
         tax purposes as having received ordinary income at the time of such
         disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value
         of the shares at the time such shares were purchased by me over the
         price which I paid for the shares. I hereby agree to notify the Company
         in writing within 30 days after the date of any disposition of my
         shares and I will make adequate provision for Federal, state or other
         tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the disposition


                                       11
<PAGE>   12
         of the Common Stock. The Company may, but will not be obligated to,
         withhold from my compensation the amount necessary to meet any
         applicable withholding obligation including any withholding necessary
         to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits
         attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by me. If I
         dispose of such shares at any time after the expiration of the two year
         and one year holding periods, I understand that I will be treated for
         federal income tax purposes as having received income only at the time
         of such disposition, and that such income will be taxed as ordinary
         income only to the extent of an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the
         excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of such
         disposition over the purchase price which I paid for the shares, or (2)
         15% of the lesser of the fair market value of the shares on the first
         day of the Offering Period or the fair market value of the shares on
         the Purchase Date. The remainder of the gain, if any, recognized on
         such disposition will be taxed as capital gain.

7.       I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase
         Plan. The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent
         upon my eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

8.       In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
         beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the
         Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

NAME:  (Please print) _________________________________________________________
                         (First)               (Middle)               (Last)

_________________________________   ___________________________________________
(Relationship)                      (Address)
                                    ___________________________________________

Employee's Social
Security Number:                    ___________________________________________

Employee's Address:                 ___________________________________________


                                    ___________________________________________


                                    ___________________________________________

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT
SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.

Dated: ______________               __________________________________________
                                    Signature of Employee

                                    __________________________________________
                                    Spouse's Signature (If beneficiary other
                                    than spouse)


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
                                    EXHIBIT B

                             BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORP.

                          EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                              NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL


         The undersigned participant in the Offering Period of the Box Hill
Systems Corp. Employee Stock Purchase Plan which began on _______, 19__ (the
"Enrollment Date") hereby notifies the Company that he or she hereby withdraws
from the Offering Period. He or she hereby directs the Company to pay to the
undersigned as promptly as practicable all the payroll deductions credited to
his or her account with respect to such Offering Period. The undersigned
understands and agrees that his or her option for such Offering Period will be
automatically terminated. The undersigned understands further that no further
payroll deductions will be made for the purpose of shares in the current
Offering Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate in
succeeding Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new Subscription
Agreement.

                                          Name and Address of Participant:

                                          ______________________________________

                                          ______________________________________

                                          ______________________________________

                                          Signature:

                                          ______________________________________

                                          Date: ________________________________


                                       13


<PAGE>   1


                                                                   Exhibit 11.1


                          BOX HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
                 PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE CALCULATION(1)


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              Year Ended          Six Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                           December 31, 1996        June 30, 1996             June 30, 1997
                           -----------------      -----------------        ------------------
<S>                          <C>                    <C>                      <C>

Pro forma net income......    $3,766,000             $1,682,000               $3,074,000
                              ==========             ==========               ==========

Weighted average number
of shares issued and
outstanding...............     9,900,000              9,900,000                9,900,000

Dilutive effect of stock
options (1)...............     1,075,541              1,065,785                1,084,959

Number of shares that would
be required to be sold in
the initial public offering
to fund the final S
Corporation distribution...      778,643                778,643                  778,643 
                              ----------             ----------               ----------

Adjusted weighted average
number of shares
outstanding................   11,754,184             11,744,428               11,763,602
                              ==========             ==========               ==========

Pro forma net income
per share..................   $.32                   $.14                     $.26
                             ==========             ==========               ==========
 
</TABLE>
    

   
(1) Pro forma net income per share is computed by dividing pro forma net income
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the respective
periods, adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock options, and after
giving effect to the estimated number of shares that would be required to be
sold (assuming an initial public offering price of $14.50 per share) to fund a
distribution to the existing shareholders of all previously taxed, but
undistributed S Corporation earnings, estimated at $10,500,000 had such
distribution occurred on June 30, 1997. Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, common stock equivalents issued by the
Company during the twelve months immediately preceding the Offering have been
included in the calculation of the shares used in computing pro forma net
income per share as if they were outstanding for all periods presented using
the treasury stock method.
    


<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Box Hill Systems Corp.:
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports and to all references to our firm included in or made a part of this
registration statement.
 
   
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
    
 
Philadelphia, Pa.
   
September 16, 1997
    

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
To the Board of Directors of Box Hill Systems Corp.
 
     As independent auditors, we hereby consent to the use of our report and to
all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this registration
statement.
 
                                          PERELSON WEINER
 
New York, NY
   
August 27, 1997
    


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