SERENA SOFTWARE INC
S-1/A, 1999-02-09
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 9, 1999
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-67761
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 UNITED STATES
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                 --------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
    
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 --------------
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
            DELAWARE                             7372                            94-2669809
 (State or other jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial             (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)       Classification Code Number)          Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
                        500 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, 2ND FLOOR
                       BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 94010-1904
                                 (650) 696-1800
 
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                RICHARD A. DOERR
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                        500 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, 2ND FLOOR
                       BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 94010-1904
                                 (650) 696-1800
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                               ------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
          DOUGLAS H. COLLOM                          CARLA S. NEWELL
          ROBERT F. KORNEGAY                        DOUGLAS T. SHEEHY
           MARK B. BAUDLER                            JOHN F. DIETZ
        PRIYA CHERIAN HUSKINS              GUNDERSON DETTMER STOUGH VILLENEUVE
   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI             FRANKLIN & HACHIGIAN, LLP
       PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION                   155 CONSTITUTION DRIVE
          650 PAGE MILL ROAD                   MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
   PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050                   (650) 321-2400
            (650) 493-9300
 
                                ----------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                ----------------
 
        If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act
of 1933, check the following box. / /
 
        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. / /
                                ----------------
 
        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 SUCH SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 9, 1999
    
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
UNDERWRITERS MAY NOT CONFIRM SALES OF THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT
SOLICITING OFFERS TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE
IS NOT PERMITTED.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                                6,000,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
        This is an initial public offering of common stock by SERENA Software,
Inc. Of the 6,000,000 shares of common stock being sold in this offering,
4,000,000 shares are being sold by SERENA Software and 2,000,000 shares are
being sold by the selling stockholders. SERENA Software will not receive any of
the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. The estimated
initial public offering price will be between $9.00 and $11.00 per share.
 
                                 --------------
 
        There is currently no public market for the common stock. The shares of
common stock have been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol SRNA.
 
                                 --------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PER SHARE      TOTAL
                                                                 -----------------  ---------
<S>                                                              <C>                <C>
Initial public offering price..................................          $          $
Underwriting discounts and commissions.........................          $          $
Proceeds to SERENA Software, before expenses...................          $          $
Proceeds to the selling stockholders, before expenses..........          $          $
</TABLE>
 
        SERENA Software has granted the underwriters an option for a period of
30 days to purchase up to 900,000 additional shares of common stock.
 
                                 --------------
 
         INVESTING IN THE COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7.
                                 -------------
 
        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
HAMBRECHT & QUIST
                 SG COWEN
                                                      SOUNDVIEW TECHNOLOGY GROUP
 
           , 1999
<PAGE>
                  [Description of Inside Front Cover Graphic]
 
        The caption "SERENA" is centered at the top of the inside front cover
page. Below "SERENA" the caption "FULL.CYCLE SOFTWARE" appears. Below these two
captions there is a large circle with a smaller circle comprised of arrows
appearing within the larger circle. The caption "Software Application" is
super-imposed on the top-half of the outer circle. The caption "Life Cycle" is
super-imposed on the bottom-half of the outer circle. At the twelve o'clock
position, the word "request" is super-imposed on an arrow comprising the
top-most portion of the smaller inner circle. Moving clockwise, the words
"analysis development testing production" are super-imposed on an arrow
comprising most of the right-half of the inner circle. Continuing to move
clockwise, the word "deployment" is super-imposed on an arrow at the six o'clock
position of the inner circle. Still moving clockwise, the words "tracking
problem detection reporting" are super-imposed on an arrow comprising most of
the left-half of the inner circle. Centered at the bottom of the page, the
caption "Solutions for Managing Software Change" appears. The entire above-
described graphic is superimposed against a background consisting of scaled-back
photographs of groups of people.
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PAGE
                                                                  -----
<S>                                                            <C>
Prospectus Summary...........................................           4
 
Risk Factors.................................................           7
 
Forward Looking Statements...................................          20
 
Use of Proceeds..............................................          21
 
Dividend Policy..............................................          21
 
Capitalization...............................................          22
 
Dilution.....................................................          23
 
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.........................          24
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of Operations..............          25
 
Business.....................................................          38
 
Management...................................................          53
 
Certain Transactions.........................................          62
 
Principal and Selling Stockholders...........................          64
 
Description of Capital Stock.................................          66
 
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..............................          68
 
Underwriting.................................................          70
 
Legal Matters................................................          72
 
Experts......................................................          72
 
Change in Auditors...........................................          72
 
Additional SERENA Information................................          72
 
Index to Financial Statements................................         F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
        Information contained on SERENA's Web site does not constitute part of
this prospectus.
 
        COMPAREX, CHANGE MAN, STARTOOL and SYNCTRAC are registered United States
trademarks of SERENA. SERNET, FULL.CYCLE, CDF, CONCURRENT DEVELOPMENT FACILITY,
STARWARP and SER(POWER) and the SERENA logo are also trademarks of SERENA. This
prospectus also contains trademarks and tradenames of other companies.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
        THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS SELECTED INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. THIS SUMMARY MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHOULD
CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE
PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY, INCLUDING "RISK FACTORS" AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS,
BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION.
                                     SERENA
        SERENA is a leading provider of software change management, or SCM,
products and services used to manage and control software change for
organizations whose business operations are dependent on managing information
technology, or IT. In our 18 year history, we have developed highly effective
solutions for managing software change that enable our customers to improve
their return on IT investments by increasing programmer productivity and
reducing application development and IT infrastructure maintenance costs. A key
challenge for IT managers is managing software change throughout the business
organization, including new version releases, "bug fixes," upgrades and
application introductions. Our products help IT managers manage software changes
to applications by automating the software application life cycle. IT managers
use our products to track software changes during the software application
design and development process, manage separate programming teams who are
concurrently developing and enhancing applications, and oversee the deployment
of software applications. Any software change, if not managed effectively, has
the potential to cause system outages or corrupt data which can result in
disruption and lost business.
        Successful management of IT infrastructure requires managing rapid and
unpredictable technological change within increasingly complex and diverse
computing environments. Business issues such as competitive pressures, short
time-to-market windows, regulatory changes and Year 2000 and European Monetary
Union conversions introduce additional requirements for managing change. Our
products are designed to assist businesses in addressing these types of
complexities by automating the management of changes to software applications.
        Our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite creates an IT environment that
improves product consistency, enhances software integrity, protects valuable
software assets and facilitates concurrent application development efforts by
separate programming teams. The FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite is designed
to support the mainframe platform and, to date, all of our software license
revenue has been attributable to the sale of these mainframe products. As of
October 31, 1998, our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products have been installed in over
2,000 data centers worldwide, and our customers include 36 of the Fortune 50
companies such as Chase Manhattan, Citigroup, General Electric, IBM, MetLife,
Merrill Lynch and Prudential. Our SER(POWER) professional services enable
customers to customize our products to fully address their specific SCM
requirements.
        We intend to maintain our technology leadership in providing SCM
solutions for the mainframe and to use the proprietary technology and expertise
incorporated in our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products to develop our SCM product
suite for the desktop, FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP. This will enable us to provide
customers with a complete SCM solution across the IT organization. We released
an initial version of our first desktop product, DETECT+RESOLVE, in December
1998. Managing software change on the mainframe and desktop platforms have many
similarities. These similarities include the need to develop and enforce
consistent software change policies and procedures and a process to control all
types of software changes. Software changes occur in all phases of the
application life cycle, from the initial business request through development,
testing and production and into maintenance and support phases.
        In 1998, we initiated a strategic expansion of our sales, marketing and
professional services capabilities. This strategic expansion has included hiring
additional direct sales personnel, initiating a telesales effort, recruiting
additional third party distributors and increasing our professional services
staff. In addition, we are also expanding our target market internationally to
include companies within the Global 2000.
        In September 1998, we acquired Optima Software, or Optima, which had
served as the primary distributor of our flagship product, CHANGE MAN, for over
ten years. This acquisition significantly increased our sales, marketing and
professional services capabilities and enabled us to sell and market CHANGE MAN
as part of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite.
        Our headquarters are located at 500 Airport Boulevard, 2(nd) Floor,
Burlingame, California 94010-1904, and our telephone number is (650) 696-1800.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Common stock offered by SERENA...............  4,000,000 shares
Common stock offered by the selling
stockholders.................................  2,000,000 shares
Common stock to be outstanding after this
offering.....................................  24,204,250 shares
Use of proceeds..............................  For working capital, general corporate
                                               purposes and potential strategic investments
                                               or acquisitions. See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol................  SRNA
</TABLE>
 
                               ------------------
        UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS TAKES INTO
ACCOUNT A 3-FOR-2 STOCK SPLIT EFFECTED IN JULY 1998 AND A 3-FOR-2 STOCK SPLIT
EFFECTED IN NOVEMBER 1998. ALL INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS RELATING TO
OUTSTANDING SHARES OF SERENA COMMON STOCK OR OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SERENA COMMON
STOCK IS BASED UPON INFORMATION AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1998. PRO FORMA INFORMATION
GIVES EFFECT TO SERENA'S SEPTEMBER 1998 ACQUISITION OF OPTIMA AS IF SUCH
ACQUISITION OCCURRED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD PRESENTED. UNLESS OTHERWISE
INDICATED, THE INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
THE POSSIBLE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO THE UNDERWRITERS
PURSUANT TO THEIR OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION.
        PLEASE SEE "CAPITALIZATION" FOR A MORE COMPLETE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE
OUTSTANDING SHARES OF SERENA COMMON STOCK AND OPTIONS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
        THE SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA PRESENTED BELOW IS
DERIVED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERENA AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED JANUARY
31, 1998 AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 HAVE BEEN AUDITED BY KPMG
LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
        THE PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 SUMMARIZED
BELOW HAS BEEN DERIVED FROM THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE PRO FORMA COMBINED
QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA SUMMARIZED BELOW IS DERIVED FROM UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME NOT INCLUDED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. THE PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA GIVES EFFECT TO SERENA'S
ACQUISITION OF OPTIMA AS IF IT HAD OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 1, 1997.
        THE AS ADJUSTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA SUMMARIZED BELOW
REFLECTS THE APPLICATION OF THE NET PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE 4,000,000
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED BY THE COMPANY AT AN ASSUMED INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE OF $10.00 AND AFTER DEDUCTING THE UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND
COMMISSIONS AND ESTIMATED OFFERING EXPENSES.
                   SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                                    FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,
                                             --------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                                            1998                               1998
                                                                   ----------------------             ----------------------
                                               1996       1997      ACTUAL     PRO FORMA     1997      ACTUAL     PRO FORMA
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
  Revenue..................................  $  10,744  $  17,454  $  32,147   $  41,315   $  20,489  $  31,146   $  36,899
  Operating income.........................        184      1,025      7,693       6,846       4,891      7,419       8,333
  Net income...............................  $     277  $     862  $   4,761   $   3,454   $   3,281  $   4,394   $   4,687
  Net income per share:
    Basic..................................  $    0.02  $    0.05  $    0.31   $    0.19   $    0.21  $    0.27   $    0.25
    Diluted................................  $    0.02  $    0.05  $    0.31   $    0.19   $    0.21  $    0.26   $    0.24
  Shares used to compute net income per
    share:
    Basic..................................     15,750     15,750     15,248      18,436      15,290     16,145      18,735
    Diluted................................     15,750     15,750     15,272      18,460      15,290     17,122      19,712
</TABLE>
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                QUARTER ENDED
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  APR. 30,     JULY 31,     OCT. 31,     JAN. 31,     APR. 30,     JULY 31,
                                                    1997         1997         1997         1998         1998         1998
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
PRO FORMA COMBINED QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF
  INCOME DATA:
  Revenue......................................   $   7,181    $   8,988    $   9,844    $  15,302    $  10,835    $  12,449
  Operating income.............................         508        1,169        2,121        3,048        2,054        2,588
  Net income...................................   $     144    $     554    $   1,233    $   1,523    $     988    $   1,451
  Net income per share:
    Basic......................................   $    0.01    $    0.03    $    0.07    $    0.08    $    0.05    $    0.08
    Diluted....................................   $    0.01    $    0.03    $    0.07    $    0.08    $    0.05    $    0.07
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  OCT. 31,
                                                    1998
                                                 -----------
<S>                                              <C>
PRO FORMA COMBINED QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF
  INCOME DATA:
  Revenue......................................   $  13,615
  Operating income.............................       3,691
  Net income...................................   $   2,248
  Net income per share:
    Basic......................................   $    0.12
    Diluted....................................   $    0.11
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 OCTOBER 31, 1998
                                                                                              ----------------------
                                                                                               ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                              ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................  $  16,878   $  53,228
  Working capital...........................................................................     12,884      49,234
  Total assets..............................................................................     52,438      88,788
  Total liabilities and deferred revenue....................................................     17,557      17,557
  Total stockholders' equity................................................................     34,881      71,231
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
        YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ALL OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE PURCHASING OUR COMMON STOCK.
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING RISKS COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, OPERATING
RESULTS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION AND COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF YOUR
INVESTMENT.
 
THERE ARE MANY FACTORS, INCLUDING SOME BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THAT MAY CAUSE
  FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
   
        Our quarterly operating results have varied greatly in the past and may
vary greatly in the future depending upon a number of factors described below
and elsewhere in this "Risk Factor" section of the prospectus, including many
that are beyond our control. As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter
comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful, and you
should not rely on them as an indication of our future performance.
    
 
        Our software license revenue in any quarter depends on orders booked and
shipped in the last month, weeks or days of that quarter. At the end of each
quarter, we typically have either minimal or no backlog of orders for the
subsequent quarter. If a large number of orders or several large orders do not
occur or are deferred, our revenue in that quarter could be substantially
reduced. This would materially adversely affect our operating results and could
impair our business in future periods. Because we do not know when, or if, our
potential customers will place orders and finalize contracts, we cannot
accurately predict our revenue and operating results for future quarters.
 
   
        Historically, a majority of our revenues have been attributable to the
licenses of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME software products. Changes in the mix of
software products and services sold by us, including the mix between higher
margin software products and lower margin maintenance and services, could
materially affect our operating results for future quarters as could the
percentage of software products sold which require us to pay a sublicense fee to
a third party.
    
 
SEASONAL TRENDS IN SALES OF OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS MAY AFFECT OUR QUARTERLY
  OPERATING RESULTS
 
        We have experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonality in
sales of our software products. These seasonal trends materially affect our
quarter-to-quarter operating results. Revenue and operating results in our
quarter ending January 31 are typically higher relative to our other quarters,
because many customers make purchase decisions based on their calendar year-end
budgeting requirements. In addition, our January quarter tends to reflect the
effect of the incentive compensation structure for our sales organization, which
is based on satisfaction of fiscal year-end quotas. As a result, we have
historically experienced a substantial decline in revenue in the first quarter
of each fiscal year relative to the preceding quarter. We are also currently
attempting to expand our presence in international markets, particularly in
Europe. We expect our quarter ending October 31 to reflect the effects of summer
slowing of international business activity and spending activity generally
associated with that time of year, particularly in Europe. To the extent that
our revenue in Europe or other parts of the world increase in future periods, we
expect our period-to-period revenues to reflect any seasonal buying patterns in
these markets.
 
WE EXPECT THAT OUR OPERATING EXPENSES WILL INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FUTURE
  AND THESE INCREASED EXPENSES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS
  AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
        Although SERENA has been profitable in recent years, we may not remain
profitable on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. We anticipate that our
expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we:
 
        - Increase our sales and marketing activities, including expanding our
          United States and international direct sales forces and extending our
          telesales efforts
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
        - Develop our technology, including our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP suite of SCM
          products for the desktop platform
 
        - Broaden our professional services offerings and delivery capabilities
 
        - Expand our distribution channels
 
        - Pursue strategic relationships and acquisitions
 
   
        With these additional expenses, in order to maintain our current levels
of profitability, we will be required to increase our revenue correspondingly.
Any failure to significantly increase our revenue as we implement our product,
service and distribution strategies would materially adversely affect our
business, quarterly and annual operating results and financial condition.
Although our revenue has grown in recent years, we do not believe that we will
maintain this rate of revenue growth. In addition, we may not experience any
revenue growth in the future, and our revenue could in fact decline. Our efforts
to expand our software product suites, sales and marketing activities, direct
and indirect distribution channels and professional service offerings and to
pursue strategic relationships or acquisitions may not succeed or may prove more
expensive than we currently anticipate. As a result, we cannot predict our
future operating results with any degree of certainty.
    
 
OUR FUTURE REVENUE IS SUBSTANTIALLY DEPENDENT UPON OUR INSTALLED CUSTOMER BASE
  RENEWING MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND LICENSING ADDITIONAL
  SERENA SCM PRODUCTS; OUR FUTURE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE REVENUE
  IS DEPENDENT ON FUTURE SALES OF OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
 
   
        We depend on our installed customer base for future revenues from
maintenance renewal fees and licenses of additional SCM products. If our
customers do not purchase additional products or cancel or fail to renew their
maintenance agreements this could materially adversely affect our business and
future quarterly and annual operating results. The terms of our standard license
arrangements provide for a one-time license fee and a prepayment of one year of
software maintenance and support fees. The maintenance agreements are renewable
annually at the option of the customers and there are no minimum payment
obligations or obligations to license additional software. Therefore, our
current customers may not necessarily generate significant maintenance revenue
in future periods. In addition, our customers may not necessarily purchase
additional products, upgrades or professional services. Our professional service
revenue and maintenance revenue are also dependent upon the continued use of
these services by our installed customer base. Any downturn in our software
license revenue would have a negative impact on the growth of our professional
service revenue and maintenance revenue in future quarters.
    
 
WE HAVE RELIED AND EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON SALES OF OUR FULL.CYCLE
  MAINFRAME PRODUCTS FOR OUR REVENUE
 
   
        Historically, all of our software license revenue has resulted from the
sale of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products. Any factors adversely affecting the
pricing of, demand for or market acceptance of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME
products, such as competition or technological change, could materially
adversely affect our business and quarterly and annual operating results. In
particular, CHANGE MAN and COMPAREX, two of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products,
have been responsible for a substantial majority of our revenue. In fiscal 1997,
1998 and the nine months ended October 31, 1998, sales of CHANGE MAN and
COMPAREX together accounted for approximately 72%, 82% and 71% of our software
license revenue, respectively. We expect that these products will continue to
account for a large portion of our software license revenue for the foreseeable
future. Our future operating results depend on the continued market acceptance
of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products, including future enhancements.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
IF THE SCM MARKET DOES NOT EVOLVE AS WE ANTICIPATE, OUR BUSINESS WILL BE
  ADVERSELY AFFECTED
 
   
        If we fail to properly assess and address the SCM market or if our
products and services fail to achieve market acceptance for any reason, our
business and quarterly and annual operating results would be materially
adversely affected. The SCM market is in an early stage of development. IT
organizations have traditionally addressed SCM needs internally and have only
recently become aware of the benefits of third-party SCM solutions as their SCM
requirements have become more complex. Since the market for our products is
still evolving, it is difficult to assess the competitive environment or the
size of the market that may develop. Our future financial performance will
depend in large part on the continued growth in the number of businesses
adopting third-party SCM products and the expansion of their use on a
company-wide basis. The SCM market for third-party products may grow more slowly
than we anticipate. In addition, technologies, customer requirements and
industry standards may change rapidly. If we cannot improve or augment our
products as rapidly as existing technologies, customer requirements and industry
standards evolve, our products or services could become obsolete. The
introduction of new or technologically superior products by competitors could
also make our products less competitive or obsolete. As a result of any of these
factors, our position in existing markets or potential markets could be eroded.
    
 
OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ON THE CONTINUED MARKET FOR IBM AND IBM-COMPATIBLE
  MAINFRAMES
 
   
        We are substantially dependent upon the continued use and acceptance of
IBM and IBM-compatible mainframes and growth of this market. If the role of the
mainframe does not increase as we anticipate, or if it in any way decreases,
this would materially adversely affect our business, future quarterly and annual
operating results and financial condition. Additionally, if there is a wide
acceptance of other platforms or if new platforms emerge that provide enhanced
enterprise server capabilities, our business and future operating results may be
materially adversely affected. All of our software license revenue to date has
been attributable to sales of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products. We expect that,
for the foreseeable future, substantially all of our software license revenue
will continue to come from sales of our mainframe products. As a result, future
sales of our existing products and associated maintenance revenue and
professional service revenue will depend on continued use of mainframes.
Recently there has been a trend away from the use of centralized mainframes in
enterprise computing environments to more decentralized client/server networks.
Although some IT organizations are using mainframes as large enterprise servers,
this practice is relatively new and still emerging and may not continue.
    
 
OUR INTRODUCTION OF SERENA SCM PRODUCTS FOR THE DESKTOP MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL
 
   
        We are currently developing our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite that is
designed to support the desktop platform. If we do not successfully develop,
market, sell and support our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products, this would materially
adversely affect our business and our future quarterly and annual operating
results. Historically, all of our products have been designed for the mainframe
platform, and all of our software license revenue, maintenance revenue and
professional services revenue to date have been attributable to licenses for
these mainframe products. We do not have experience developing, marketing,
selling or supporting desktop products. Developing, marketing and selling our
desktop products will require significant resources that we may not have. Our
sales and marketing organizations have historically focused exclusively on sales
of our products for the mainframe and have limited experience marketing and
selling desktop products. Additionally, we do not have any experience in
providing support services for desktop products. Competition for experienced
software engineers, sales personnel, and support staff is intense and if we fail
to attract qualified personnel this would impair our ability to support our
FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products. Many of our competitors have substantially greater
experience providing desktop compatible software products, and many also have
significantly greater financial and organizational resources than we do.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
WE MAY EXPERIENCE DELAYS IN DEVELOPING OUR PRODUCTS WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
  OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        If we are unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop and
introduce new and improved products in a timely manner, this could materially
adversely affect our business and future quarterly and annual operating results.
We have experienced product development delays in new version and update
releases in the past and may experience similar or more significant product
delays in the future. To date, none of these delays has materially affected our
business. Difficulties in product development could delay or prevent the
successful introduction or marketing of new or improved products or the delivery
of new versions of our products to our customers. In particular, we may
experience delays in introducing our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite. While we
anticipate releasing initial versions of our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products, other
than Detect and Resolve which we released in December 1998, before the end of
calendar 1999. Any delay in releasing our new desktop products, for whatever
reason, would impair our revenue growth.
    
 
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN OUR BUSINESS IN RECENT PERIODS AND OUR
  ABILITY TO MANAGE THIS GROWTH AND ANY FUTURE GROWTH WILL AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        Our ability to compete effectively and to manage our recent growth, any
future growth and our future quarterly and annual operating results will depend
in part on our ability to implement and expand operational, customer support and
financial control systems and to train and manage our employees. We may not be
able to augment or improve existing systems and controls or implement new
systems and controls in response to future growth, if any. Any failure to manage
growth could materially adversely affect our business. Our business has grown
substantially in recent periods, with total revenue increasing from $17.5
million in fiscal 1997 to $32.1 million in fiscal 1998 and from $20.5 million in
the nine months ended October 31, 1997 to $31.1 million for the nine months
ended October 31, 1998. In connection with this revenue growth, beginning in
fiscal 1998 and continuing in fiscal 1999, we began a strategic expansion of our
sales, marketing and professional service activities. This expansion included
our September 1998 acquisition of Optima which significantly increased the size
of our sales, marketing and professional service organizations. This growth has
resulted, and any future growth will result, in new and increased
responsibilities for management personnel.
    
 
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE OPTIMA INTO OUR BUSINESS
 
        Our acquisition of Optima, which was completed in September 1998, will
require integrating the businesses and operations of the two companies. Prior to
the acquisition, Optima had been the primary distributor of the CHANGE MAN
product for over ten years. As a result, Optima was responsible for a
substantial portion of our software license revenues. If we do not successfully
integrate Optima into our business, this may materially adversely affect our
business, in particular our ability to sell CHANGE MAN to prospective customers,
and future operating results. Additionally, we may never achieve the anticipated
synergies from the acquisition of Optima, including marketing, distribution or
other operational benefits. Integrating Optima into our existing business may
prove difficult given that the two companies are geographically separated, have
different corporate cultures and have personnel with different business
backgrounds. Potential problems with this integration could include:
 
        - The inability to retain a sufficient number of Optima's key employees,
          including its existing sales force and professional service personnel
 
        - Difficulties in standardizing sales quotas, territories and incentive
          compensation plans for sales personnel
 
        - The lack of focus on achieving our core business objectives if
          management pays excessive attention to the integration process
 
        - Impairment of relationships with clients and employees
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
WE WILL NEED TO EXPAND OUR DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS IN ORDER TO EXPAND OUR BUSINESS
  AND A NUMBER OF FACTORS MAY HINDER OUR ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL
 
   
        If we fail to significantly expand our direct sales and telesales force,
our ability to sell our products into new markets and to increase our product
penetration into our existing markets will be impaired. Failure to expand our
distribution channels through any of these means could materially adversely
affect our business and our future quarterly and annual operating results. In
addition, our ability to achieve revenue growth in future periods will be
heavily dependent on our ability to integrate Optima's direct sales force with
our business and on our success in recruiting and training sufficient direct
sales personnel. Historically, we have had a relatively small direct sales staff
and Optima served as our primary distribution channel for CHANGE MAN. We are
planning to significantly expand our direct sales efforts in North America and
Europe and while we are investing, and plan to continue to invest, substantial
resources on this expansion, we have at times experienced, and expect to
continue to experience, difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified direct
sales personnel. In addition to expanding our direct sales efforts, we are also
currently investing, and we intend to continue to invest, substantial resources
in selling our products through telesales personnel. We also intend to extend
our distribution channels by partnering with leading helpdesk management,
software distribution application and system framework providers and may also
attempt to develop additional sales and marketing channels through system
integrators, original equipment manufacturers and other partners.
    
 
WE WILL NEED TO EXPAND OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION IN ORDER TO EXPAND
  OUR BUSINESS AND A NUMBER OF FACTORS MAY HINDER OUR ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
  GOAL
 
        Our existing professional services and customer support organizations
may not be sufficient to manage any future growth in our business. The failure
to expand our professional services and customer support organizations or to
integrate Optima's professional services personnel into our professional
services organization could materially adversely affect our business. While we
intend to significantly expand our professional services and customer support
organizations, including providing these services for both desktop and mainframe
applications and systems, we may not be able to do so. Competition for
additional qualified technical personnel to perform these services is intense.
 
        We believe that providing high quality consulting, training, customer
support and education is essential to maintaining our competitive position. If
we are unable to provide comprehensive consulting and support services to our
existing and prospective customers, this may materially adversely affect our
business and ability to sell our products. Consulting services and customer
support are critical to our future success because the market for third party
SCM solutions is still evolving, and many organizations have limited experience
using third party SCM solutions. Customers have only recently begun to look to
third party providers for SCM solutions as the complexity of computer networks
and number of applications has increased.
 
WE INTEND TO EXPAND OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND MAY ENCOUNTER A NUMBER OF
  PROBLEMS IN DOING SO; THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH
  INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  We intend to expand the scope of
our international operations and currently have subsidiaries in the United
Kingdom and in Germany. If we are unable to expand our international operations
successfully and in a timely manner, this could materially adversely affect our
business and quarterly and annual operating results. Our continued growth and
profitability will require continued expansion of our international operations,
particularly in Europe. In addition, in calendar 1999, we intend to open
additional international offices, including at least one additional European
office. We have only limited experience in marketing, selling and supporting our
products internationally. Additionally, we do not have any experience in
developing foreign language versions of our products. Such development
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
may be more difficult or take longer than we anticipate. We may not be able to
successfully market, sell, deliver and support our products internationally.
 
   
        RISKS OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  International sales represented
approximately 15% of our total revenue in both fiscal 1997 and 1998 and
approximately 19% of total revenue for the nine months ended October 31, 1998.
Our international revenue is attributable principally to our European
operations. Our international operations are, and any expanded international
operations will be, subject to a variety of risks associated with conducting
business internationally that could materially adversely affect our business and
future quarterly and annual operating results, including the following:
    
 
    - Difficulties in staffing and managing international operations
 
    - Problems in collecting accounts receivable
 
    - Longer payment cycles
 
    - Fluctuations in currency exchange rates
 
    - Seasonal reductions in business activity
      during the summer months in Europe
      and certain other parts of the world
 
    - Recessionary environments in foreign economies
 
    - Increases in tariffs, duties, price controls
      or other restrictions on foreign currencies
      or trade barriers imposed by foreign
      countries
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN THE VALUE OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES COULD RESULT IN CURRENCY
  TRANSACTION LOSSES FOR SERENA
 
   
        A majority of our international business is conducted in foreign
currencies, principally the British pound. Fluctuations in the value of foreign
currencies relative to the U.S. dollar have caused and will continue to cause
currency transaction gains and losses. We cannot predict the effect of exchange
rate fluctuations upon future quarterly and annual operating results. We may
experience currency losses in the future. To date, we have not adopted a hedging
program to protect SERENA from risks associated with foreign currency
fluctuations.
    
 
SERENA IS SUBJECT TO INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE SCM INDUSTRY AND WE EXPECT TO
  FACE INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE FUTURE, INCLUDING COMPETITION IN THE SCM
  DESKTOP MARKET
 
   
        We may not be able to compete successfully against current and/or future
competitors and such inability would materially adversely affect our business,
quarterly and annual operating results and financial condition. The market for
our products is highly competitive and diverse. Moreover, the technology for SCM
products may change rapidly. New products are frequently introduced, and
existing products are continually enhanced. Competition may also result in
changes in pricing policies by SERENA or our competitors which could materially
adversely affect our business and future quarterly and annual operating results.
Competitors vary in size and in the scope and breadth of the products and
services that they offer. Many of our current and potential competitors have
greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. As a
result, they may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies
and changes in customer requirements. They may also be able to devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can.
    
 
        EXISTING COMPETITION.  We currently face competition from a number of
sources, including:
 
        - Customers' internal IT departments
 
        - Providers of SCM products that compete directly with CHANGE MAN and
          COMPAREX such as Computer Associates, PLATINUM technology, IBM and
          smaller private companies
 
        - Providers of SCM application development programmer productivity and
          system management products such as Compuware, IBM and smaller private
          companies
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
        FUTURE COMPETITION.  We may face competition in the future from
established companies who have not previously entered the mainframe SCM market
or from emerging software companies. Barriers to entry in the software market
are relatively low. Increased competition may materially adversely affect our
business and future quarterly and annual operating results due to price
reductions, reduced gross margins and reduction in market share. Established
companies may not only develop their own mainframe SCM solutions, but they may
also acquire or establish cooperative relationships with our current
competitors, including cooperative relationships between large, established
companies and smaller private companies. Because larger companies have
significant financial and organizational resources available, they may be able
to quickly penetrate the mainframe SCM market through acquisitions or strategic
relationships and may be able to leverage the technology and expertise of
smaller companies and develop successful SCM products for the mainframe. We
expect that the software industry, in general, and providers of SCM solutions,
in particular, will continue to consolidate. It is possible that new competitors
or alliances among competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market
share.
    
 
   
        BUNDLING OR COMPATIBILITY RISKS.  Our ability to sell our products also
depends, in part, on the compatibility of our products with other third party
products, particularly those provided by IBM. Developers of these third party
products may change their products so that they will no longer be compatible
with our products. These third party developers may also decide to bundle their
products with other SCM products for promotional purposes. If that were to
happen, our business and future quarterly and annual operating results may be
materially adversely affected as we may be priced out of the market or no longer
be able to offer commercially viable products.
    
 
   
        COMPETITION IN THE DESKTOP SCM MARKET.  We anticipate that we will also
face significant competition as we develop, market and sell our FULL.CYCLE
DESKTOP products. If we are unable to successfully penetrate the desktop SCM
market, our business and future quarterly and annual operating results will be
materially adversely affected. We do not have experience in developing, selling,
marketing or supporting desktop products since all of our products to date have
been designed to support the mainframe. Penetrating the existing desktop SCM
market will be difficult. Competitors in the desktop market include PLATINUM
technology, Micro Focus/INTERSOLV, Microsoft, Novadigm, Novell, Rational
Software and other smaller private companies.
    
 
REDUCED CUSTOMER FOCUS AND SPENDING ON YEAR 2000 REMEDIATION AND EMU CONVERSION
  COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SALES OF CERTAIN OF OUR PRODUCTS; CUSTOMER USE OF
  OUR PRODUCTS FOR YEAR 2000 AND EMU ISSUES MAY NOT LEAD TO INCREASED SALES OF
  OUR OTHER PRODUCTS
 
   
        Our business may be adversely affected if customers focus less on Year
2000 remediation and European Monetary Unit, or EMU, conversion issues and sales
of our STARWARP and COMPAREX products decline as a result. We have derived a
portion of our recent software license revenue and professional services revenue
from products designed to help customers resolve SCM problems for specific
business issues such as those related to Year 2000 remediation and EMU
conversion. Our STARWARP product, which is our primary Year 2000 and EMU
readiness product, accounted for 7% of our software license revenue for the nine
months ended October 31, 1998, although it did not account for any software
license revenue in fiscal 1998. Certain customers have also licensed COMPAREX to
assist them in testing Year 2000 remediations and EMU conversions. In addition,
while sales of STARWARP and COMPAREX have benefited from increased customer
spending on Year 2000 readiness, we believe sales of our CHANGE MAN product have
been and will continue to be adversely affected by customer focus on Year 2000
issues. Customers with limited IT budgets who face material Year 2000 issues are
spending their limited resources remediating these Year 2000 problems instead of
investing in more general IT products, such as CHANGE MAN.
    
 
        Market acceptance of our products and services will depend, in large
part, on whether customers use our products as part of their overall IT
management strategy in addition to using them to resolve SCM problems related to
specific business issues. Market acceptance of our products to address general
IT business needs as well as to resolve specific business issues, such as Year
2000 remediation or EMU conversion, is critical to our business and future
success. If customers do not expand their use of our
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
products, implement new software products introduced by us or do not use our
related maintenance and support services to address their general IT business
requirements as well as specific issues, this will materially adversely affect
our business and our ability to sell our products.
 
ANY DELAYS IN OUR NORMALLY LENGTHY SALES CYCLES COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT
  FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
        Our sales cycle typically takes six to 18 months to complete and varies
from product to product. Any delay in the sales cycle of a large license or a
number of smaller licenses could result in significant fluctuations in our
quarterly operating results. The length of the sales cycle may vary depending on
a number of factors over which we may have little or no control, including the
size of a potential transaction and the level of competition that we encounter
in our selling activities. Additionally, the emerging market for SCM products
and services contributes to the lengthy sales process in that during the sales
cycle we often have to teach potential customers about the use and benefits of
our products. In certain circumstances, we license our software to customers on
a trial basis to assist the customers in their evaluation of our products. Our
sales cycle can be further extended for product sales made through third party
distributors.
 
CERTAIN OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE LICENSED FROM THIRD PARTIES OR ARE JOINTLY-OWNED
  WITH THIRD PARTIES; OUR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THESE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THIRD
  PARTIES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        STARTOOL AND STARWARP.  We license our STARTOOL and STARWARP products on
an exclusive worldwide basis from A. Bruce Leland, one of our employees. The
termination of our licenses for the STARTOOL or STARWARP products would
materially adversely affect our business and quarterly and annual operating
results. Mr. Leland holds all proprietary rights with respect to the STARTOOL
and STARWARP technology, including any derivative works or enhancements of the
existing STARTOOL and STARWARP products. Our licenses for these products are
terminable by Mr. Leland upon 30 days notice in the event certain conditions
occur, including our failure to pay sublicense fees to Mr. Leland on a timely
basis or any other material breach by us of the license agreement. Should the
licenses for the STARTOOL and STARWARP products terminate, we may not be able to
replace these products which could materially adversely affect our business and
future quarterly and annual operating results. Licenses of STARTOOL accounted
for 12% of our software license revenue for fiscal 1998 and the nine months
ended October 31, 1998. Licenses of STARWARP accounted for 7% of our software
license revenue for the nine months ended October 31, 1998, but did not account
for any software license revenue in fiscal 1998. For a description of our
license agreements for the STARTOOL and STARWARP products, see
"Business--Intellectual Property."
    
 
   
        SYNCTRAC.  We share ownership rights in our SYNCTRAC technology for
mainframe platforms with High Power Software. Although we have historically had
primary responsibility for marketing, licensing and supporting SYNCTRAC, High
Power Software has the ability to jointly direct these efforts. If in the future
we are unable to reach agreement with High Power Software on the direction or
evolution of the product, our ability to market or promote the product may be
compromised. This could have a material adverse effect on our business and
future quarterly and annual operating results. Sales of SYNCTRAC accounted for
3% of our software license revenue in fiscal 1998 and 5% of our software license
revenue in the nine months ended October 31, 1998. For a description of rights
associated with our joint ownership of the SYNCTRAC technology for the mainframe
see "Business--Intellectual Property."
    
 
OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN KEY PERSONNEL ARE CRITICAL TO OUR BUSINESS
  AND SUCH OFFICERS AND KEY PERSONNEL MAY NOT REMAIN WITH SERENA IN THE FUTURE
 
        Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service
of our senior executives and certain other key employees, including certain
sales, consulting, technical and marketing personnel. If we lost the services of
one or more of our executives or key employees, including if one or more of our
executives or key employees decided to join a competitor or otherwise compete
directly or indirectly with
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
SERENA, this could materially adversely affect our business. In particular, we
have historically relied on the experience and dedication of our product
authors. With the exception of Douglas D. Troxel, SERENA's founder, Chief
Technology Officer and Chairman of SERENA's board of directors, the employment
of all of our senior and key employees, including key product authors, is at
will. Mr. Troxel's employment is on a year-to-year basis. In addition, we do not
maintain key man life insurance on our employees and have no plans to do so.
 
OUR NEW EXECUTIVE TEAM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY WORK TOGETHER TO MEET OUR
  BUSINESS OBJECTIVES, WHICH WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        Almost all of our executive officers, including our President and Chief
Executive Officer, our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and
certain other operating vice presidents have been employed by the Company for a
relatively short period of time. In addition, both of our non-employee directors
have been appointed to the board of directors since the beginning of February
1998. Since joining SERENA, the new management team has devoted substantial
efforts to significantly expanding our sales, marketing and professional
services activities. This management team has not worked together previously and
may not be able to successfully implement this strategy. The failure of the
management team to address SERENA's business objectives would materially
adversely affect our business and our future quarterly and annual operating
results.
    
 
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE PERSONNEL WE NEED TO SUCCEED
 
   
        Our future success will likely depend in large part on our ability to
attract and retain additional experienced sales, technical, marketing and
management personnel. In addition, we will need to attract and retain sufficient
numbers of qualified software engineers, as well as sales and marketing and
support personnel, and successfully develop, market and support our FULL.CYCLE
DESKTOP product suite which is currently in development. Competition for such
personnel in the computer software industry is intense, and in the past we have
experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially developers
and sales personnel. We expect competition for qualified personnel to remain
intense, and we may not succeed in attracting or retaining such personnel. If we
do not, this could materially adversely affect our business and future quarterly
and annual operating results. In addition, new employees generally require
substantial training in the use of our products. This training will require
substantial resources and management attention.
    
 
        INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  We intend to expand the scope of our
international operations and these plans will require us to attract experienced
management, service, marketing, sales and support personnel for our
international offices. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not
be able to attract or retain such experienced personnel.
 
   
        NON-U.S. CITIZENS WORKING IN THE UNITED STATES.  To achieve our business
objectives, we may recruit and employ skilled technical professionals from other
countries to work in the United States. Limitations imposed by federal
immigration laws and the availability of visas could materially adversely affect
our ability to attract necessary qualified personnel. This may have a material
adverse effect on our business and future quarterly and annual operating
results.
    
 
   
SERENA'S CURRENT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OWN A MAJORITY OF OUR STOCK; NO
  CORPORATE ACTIONS REQUIRING STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL, INCLUDING ANY POTENTIAL
  CHANGE OF CONTROL EVENTS, WILL BE ABLE TO BE CONSUMMATED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL
  OF THIS GROUP
    
 
        The ability of SERENA's officers and directors to prevent a potential
change of control event may discourage potential bids to acquire SERENA unless
the terms of acquisition are approved by these officers and directors. Upon
completion of this offering, SERENA's officers, directors and persons or
entities directly related to these individuals will together beneficially own
approximately 65.2% of the outstanding shares of SERENA. In particular, Douglas
D. Troxel, SERENA's founder, the Chairman of SERENA's board of directors and
SERENA's Chief Technology Officer, will own approximately 57.4% of
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
the outstanding shares. As a result, Mr. Troxel, in particular, and SERENA's
officers and directors, in general, will be able to control most matters
requiring stockholder approval. These matters would include the election of
SERENA directors and any approval of potential mergers, consolidations or sales
of all or substantially all of the assets of SERENA.
 
   
POTENTIAL YEAR 2000 PROBLEMS WITH OUR SOFTWARE OR OUR INTERNAL OPERATING SYSTEMS
  COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
    
 
        SERENA SOFTWARE.  If any of our licensees experience Year 2000 problems
as a result of their use of our software products, those licensees could assert
claims for damages which, if successful, could materially adversely affect our
business, future operating results and financial condition. In the ordinary
course of our business, we test and evaluate our software products. We believe
that our software products are generally Year 2000 compliant, meaning that the
use or occurrence of dates on or after January 1, 2000 will not materially
affect the performance of our software products or the ability of our products
to correctly create, store, process and output information of data involving
dates. However, we may learn that certain of our software products do not
contain all necessary software routines and codes necessary for the accurate
calculation, display, storage and manipulation of data involving dates. In
addition, in certain cases, we have warranted that the use or occurrence of
dates on or after January 1, 2000 will not adversely affect the performance of
our products with respect to four digit date dependent data or the ability to
create, store, process and output information related to such data.
 
   
        THIRD PARTY EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE. We use third party equipment and
software that may not be Year 2000 compliant. If this third party equipment or
software does not operate properly with regard to the Year 2000, we may incur
unexpected expenses to remedy any problems. These costs may materially adversely
affect our business. In addition, if our key systems, or a significant number of
our systems, failed as a result of Year 2000 problems we could incur substantial
costs and disruption of our business.
    
 
        For a more detailed description of our Year 2000 preparedness
assessment, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Year 2000 Compliance."
 
OUR INDUSTRY CHANGES RAPIDLY DUE TO EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS AND OUR FUTURE
  SUCCESS WILL DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE SOPHISTICATED NEEDS
  OF OUR CUSTOMERS
 
   
        Our future success will depend on our ability to address the
increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers by supporting existing and
emerging hardware, software, database and networking platforms. We will have to
develop and introduce enhancements to our existing products and new products on
a timely basis to keep pace with technological developments, evolving industry
standards and changing customer requirements. We expect that we will have to
respond quickly to rapid technological change, changing customer needs, frequent
new product introductions and evolving industry standards that may render
existing products and services obsolete. As a result, our position in existing
markets or potential markets could be eroded rapidly by product advances. The
life cycles of our products are difficult to estimate. Our growth and future
financial performance will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing
applications, develop and introduce new applications that keep pace with
technological advances, meet changing customer requirements and respond to
competitive products. We expect that our product development efforts will
continue to require substantial investments. We may not have sufficient
resources to make the necessary investments. Any of these events could have a
material adverse effect on our business, quarterly and annual operating results
and financial condition.
    
 
   
WE RELY HEAVILY ON OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WHICH OFFER ONLY LIMITED
  PROTECTION AGAINST POTENTIAL INFRINGERS; IF WE CANNOT PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL
  PROPERTY RIGHTS, THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
    
 
        Our success will be heavily dependent upon proprietary technology. We
rely primarily on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark laws, trade
secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our
proprietary rights. These means of protecting our proprietary rights may not
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
be adequate. We submitted four patent applications for our technology in 1998,
and each of these applications is still pending. These patents may never be
issued. Even if these patents are issued, they may not provide sufficiently
broad protection or they may not prove enforceable in actions against alleged
infringers. Despite precautions that we take, it may be possible for
unauthorized third parties to copy aspects of our current or future products or
to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. In particular, we
may provide our licensees with access to our data model and other proprietary
information underlying our licensed applications. Additionally, our competitors
may independently develop similar or superior technology. Policing unauthorized
use of software is difficult and some foreign laws do not protect our
proprietary rights to the same extent as United States laws. Litigation may be
necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect
our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary
rights of others. Litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of
resources and could materially adversely affect our business, future operating
results and financial condition.
 
   
THIRD PARTIES IN THE FUTURE COULD ASSERT THAT OUR PRODUCTS INFRINGE THEIR
  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS; THERE
  COULD BE POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE PENDING COMPUWARE CLAIM
    
 
        Third parties may claim that our current or future products infringe
their proprietary rights. Any claims of this type could affect our relationships
with existing customers and may prevent future customers from licensing our
products. Because we are dependent upon a limited number of products, any such
claims with or without merit, could be time consuming, result in costly
litigation, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into royalty or
licensing agreements. Royalty or license agreements may not be available on
acceptable terms or at all. We expect that software product developers will
increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number of products and
competitors in the software industry segment grows and the functionality of
products in different industry segments overlaps. As a result of these factors,
infringement claims could materially adversely affect our business.
 
        In September 1998, Compuware Corporation, or Compuware, filed suit
against SERENA in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Michigan seeking unspecified compensatory damages, costs and attorneys fees, and
injunctive relief based on allegations of copyright infringement, trade secret
misappropriation and various tort claims related to the sale of our STARTOOL and
STARWARP products. Compuware served the complaint on SERENA on November 18,
1998. Due to the nature of litigation generally and because the lawsuit brought
by Compuware is at an early stage, management cannot ascertain the availability
of injunctive relief or other equitable remedies or estimate the total expenses,
possible damages or settlement value, if any, that may ultimately be incurred in
connection with Compuware's suit. However, management believes, based on the
advice of counsel, that SERENA has meritorious defenses to the allegations
contained in Compuware's complaint. We believe that this matter will not have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
This litigation could be time consuming and costly, and there can be no
assurance that SERENA will necessarily prevail given the inherent uncertainties
of litigation. In the event that we do not prevail in litigation, we could be
prevented from selling our STARTOOL and STARWARP products or be required to
enter into royalty or licensing agreements or pay monetary damages. Such royalty
or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable
to SERENA or at all. In the event of a successful claim against us, our
business, future operating results or financial condition could be materially
adversely affected.
 
ERRORS IN OUR PRODUCTS OR THE FAILURE OF OUR PRODUCTS TO CONFORM TO
  SPECIFICATIONS COULD RESULT IN OUR CUSTOMERS DEMANDING REFUNDS FROM US OR
  ASSERTING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST US
 
        Because our software products are complex, they often contain errors or
"bugs" that can be detected at any point in a product's life cycle. While we
continually test our products for errors and work with customers through our
customer support services to identify and correct bugs in our software, we
expect that errors in our products will continue to be found in the future.
Although many of these errors may prove to be immaterial, certain of these
errors could be significant. Detection of any significant errors may result in,
among other things, loss of, or delay in, market acceptance and sales of our
products,
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
diversion of development resources, injury to our reputation, or increased
service and warranty costs. These problems could materially adversely affect our
business and future quarterly and annual operating results. In the past we have
discovered errors in certain of our products and have experienced delays in
shipment of our products during the period required to correct these errors.
These delays have principally related to new version and product update
releases. To date none of these delays have materially affected our business.
However, product errors or delays in the future, including any product errors or
delays associated with the introduction of our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products could
be material. In addition, in certain cases we have warranted that our products
will operate in accordance with specified customer requirements. If our products
fail to conform to such specifications, customers could demand a refund for the
software license fee paid to us or assert claims for damages.
    
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS ASSERTED AGAINST US IN THE FUTURE COULD ADVERSELY
  AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
 
   
        We may be subject to claims for damages related to product errors in the
future. While we carry insurance policies covering this type of liability, these
policies may not provide sufficient protection should a claim be asserted. A
material product liability claim could materially adversely affect our business.
Our license agreements with our customers typically contain provisions designed
to limit exposure to potential product liability claims. SERENA's standard
software licenses provide that if our products fail to perform, we will correct
or replace such products. If these corrective measures fail, we may be required
to refund the license fee for such non-performing product. However, our standard
license agreement limits our liability for non-performing products to the amount
of license fee paid, if the license has been in effect for less than one year,
or to the amount of the licensee's current annual maintenance fee, if the
license is more than one year old. Our standard license also provides that
SERENA shall not be liable for indirect or consequential damages caused by the
failure of our products. Such limitation of liability provisions may, however,
not be effective under the laws of certain jurisdictions to the extent local
laws treat certain warranty exclusions as unenforceable. Although we have not
experienced any product liability claims to date, the sale and support of our
products entail the risk of such claims. In particular, issues relating to Year
2000 compliance have increased awareness of the potential adverse effects of
software defects and malfunctions.
    
 
   
OUR UNDESIGNATED PREFERRED STOCK MAY INHIBIT POTENTIAL ACQUISITION BIDS FOR
  SERENA; THIS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE FOR SERENA COMMON STOCK AND
  THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
    
 
        Upon completion of the offering, SERENA's board of directors will have
the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more
series. The board of directors can fix the price, rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions of such preferred stock without any further vote or
action by SERENA's stockholders. However, the issuance of shares of preferred
stock may delay or prevent a change in control transaction without further
action by the SERENA stockholders. As a result, the market price of the SERENA
common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of SERENA common
stock may be adversely affected. The issuance of preferred stock may result in
the loss of voting control to others. SERENA has no current plans to issue any
shares of preferred stock.
 
   
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS MAY INHIBIT POTENTIAL ACQUISITION
  BIDS FOR SERENA; THIS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE FOR SERENA COMMON
  STOCK AND PREVENT CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SERENA
    
 
        Certain provisions of SERENA's charter documents specify certain
procedures for nominating directors and submitting proposals for consideration
at stockholder meetings. These provisions could discourage potential acquisition
proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control transaction and they
could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for
SERENA's shares. As a result, these provisions may prevent the market price of
SERENA common stock from reflecting the effects of actual or rumored takeover
attempts. These provisions may also prevent changes in the management of SERENA.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
DELAWARE LAW MAY INHIBIT POTENTIAL ACQUISITION BIDS FOR SERENA; THIS MAY
  ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE FOR SERENA COMMON STOCK AND PREVENT CHANGES
  IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SERENA
    
 
        Certain provisions of Delaware law may inhibit potential acquisition
bids for SERENA. SERENA is subject to the antitakeover provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, which regulates corporate acquisitions. The
Delaware law prevents certain Delaware corporations, which will include SERENA,
from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a "business combination" with any
"interested stockholder" for three years following the date that such
stockholder became an interested stockholder. For purposes of Delaware law, a
"business combination" includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation
involving SERENA and the interested stockholder and the sale of more than 10% of
SERENA's assets. In general, Delaware law defines an "interested stockholder" as
any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting
stock of a corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling
or controlled by such entity or person. Under Delaware law, a Delaware
corporation may "opt out" of the antitakeover provisions. SERENA does not intend
to "opt out" of these antitakeover provisions of Delaware Law.
 
THE SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SHARES THAT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SALE IN THE NEAR
  FUTURE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE FOR SERENA COMMON STOCK
 
   
        Sales of a substantial number of shares of SERENA's common stock in the
public market following this offering could materially adversely affect the
market price for SERENA common stock. The number of shares of common stock
available for sale in the public market is limited by restrictions under federal
securities law and under certain agreements that SERENA's stockholders have
entered into with the underwriters. Those agreements restrict SERENA's
stockholders from selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of their shares for a
period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written
consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC. Hambrecht & Quist LLC may, however, in its
sole discretion, release all or any portion of the common stock from the
restrictions of the lockup agreements. However, Hambrecht & Quist LLC has no
current plans to do so. Based on the 20,204,250 shares of SERENA common stock
outstanding as of October 31, 1998, and the 4,000,000 shares being sold by
SERENA in this offering, as a result of the restrictions of federal securities
law and the agreements SERENA's stockholders have entered into with the
underwriters, no shares other than the 6,000,000 shares offered hereby will be
eligible for sale as of completion of this offering.
    
 
   
        The following table indicates approximately when the 18,204,250 shares
of SERENA common stock that are not being sold in the offering but which will be
outstanding at the time the offering is complete will be eligible for sale into
the public market:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
           ELIGIBILITY OF RESTRICTED SHARES
              FOR SALE IN PUBLIC MARKET
  At effective date                                                0
  180 days after effective date                               16,516,750
  After 180 days post-effective date                           1,687,500
</TABLE>
    
 
   
        Most of the restricted shares that will become eligible for sale at the
180th date after the date of this prospectus or afterward will be subject to
certain volume limitations because they will be held by affiliates of SERENA.
    
 
   
        Additionally, of the shares issuable upon exercise of options to
purchase SERENA common stock outstanding as of October 31, 1998, approximately
253,267 shares will be vested and eligible for sale on the 180th date following
the completion of this offering.
    
 
   
        For a further description of the eligiblity of shares for sale into the
public market following the offering see "Management--Shares Eligible for Future
Sale."
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
NEW INVESTORS IN SERENA COMMON STOCK WILL EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL
  DILUTION
 
        The initial public offering price is substantially higher than the book
value per share of common stock. Investors purchasing common stock in this
offering will, therefore, incur immediate dilution of $7.94 in net tangible book
value per share of common stock. This dilution figure deducts the estimated
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by SERENA from the initial public offering price. Investors will incur
additional dilution upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.
 
OUR STOCK WILL LIKELY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL PRICE AND VOLUME FLUCTUATIONS
  DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS, CERTAIN OF WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL
 
   
        Stock prices and trading volumes for many software companies fluctuate
widely for a number of reasons, including some reasons which may be unrelated to
their businesses or results of operations. This market volatility as well as
general domestic or international economic, market and political conditions,
could materially adversely affect the market price of SERENA's common stock
without regard to SERENA's operating performance. In addition, SERENA's
operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and
investors. If this were to occur, the market price of SERENA's common stock
would likely significantly decrease.
    
 
   
WE WILL HAVE BROAD DISCRETION AS TO USE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS OFFERING AND
  WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO INVEST THESE PROCEEDS TO YIELD A SIGNIFICANT RETURN
    
 
   
        SERENA will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from
this offering and we may not be able to invest these proceeds to yield a
significant return. Our primary purpose is to create a public market for our
common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, we do not plan to use the
proceeds from this offering other than for working capital and general corporate
purposes. We may also use the proceeds in future strategic acquisitions of, or
investments in, businesses that offer products, services and technologies that
further our ability to provide SCM products and services to businesses or
increase our ability to sell our products and services to new markets. Until the
need arises to use the proceeds, we plan to invest the net proceeds in
investment grade, interest-bearing securities.
    
 
                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
        Certain statements under the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Risk
Factors," "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business," and elsewhere in this
prospectus are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements contained in the prospectus
that are not historical facts. When used in this prospectus, the words
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates"
and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements, including our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and
other factors discussed under "Risk Factors."
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
        SERENA will receive net proceeds of $36,350,000 from the sale of
4,000,000 shares of common stock (and an additional $8,370,000 from the sale of
900,000 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full)
at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share after deducting
underwriting commissions and discounts of $2,800,000 (and an additional $630,000
if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and estimated
expenses of $850,000. SERENA will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
common stock by the selling stockholders.
 
        The principal purpose of this offering is to create a public market for
the common stock of SERENA. We intend to use the proceeds of the offering for
working capital, general corporate purposes and potential strategic investments
or acquisitions that complement our products, services, technologies or
distribution channels. Pending such uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds
of the initial public offering in investment grade interest-bearing securities.
 
   
        We expect that future acquisitions, if any, could provide for
consideration to be paid in cash, shares of SERENA common stock, or a
combination of cash and SERENA common stock. If the consideration for an
acquisition transaction is paid in common stock, this would further dilute
existing stockholders. Any amortization of goodwill or other assets resulting
from an acquisition transaction could materially impair our operating results
and financial condition.
    
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
        SERENA has never declared or paid any cash dividends on shares of its
common stock. We intend to retain any future earnings for future growth and do
not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
        The following table sets forth the capitalization of SERENA at (a)
October 31, 1998, after giving effect to a three-for-two stock split effected in
July 1998 and a three-for-two stock split effected in November 1998 and (b) as
adjusted to give effect to SERENA's receipt of the estimated net proceeds from
the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock offered by SERENA at an assumed
initial public offering price of $10.00 per share and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom.
 
        The outstanding share information includes 1,896,750 shares issued under
restricted stock agreements under the 1997 Plan. The outstanding share
information excludes 2,153,250 shares of common stock that were reserved for
issuance upon exercise of stock options under the 1997 Plan as of October 31,
1998, of which 800,610 options were outstanding at such date at a per share
weighted average exercise price of $3.60. In addition, in connection with this
offering, our board of directors has approved:
 
   
    - an increase of 500,000 shares in the number of shares reserved under the
      1997 Stock Plan
    
   
    - a reserve of 150,000 shares for options under the 1999 Director Option
      Plan
    
 
   
    - a reserve of 225,000 shares for options under the 1999 Employee Stock
      Purchase Plan
    
 
   
        In this prospectus we refer to these equity incentive plans as the 1997
Plan, the Director Plan and the Purchase Plan as appropriate.
    
 
        The capitalization information set forth in the table below is qualified
by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed Consolidated
Financial Statements of SERENA and notes thereto and the Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this
prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           OCTOBER 31, 1998
                                                                        ----------------------
                                                                         ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                        ---------  -----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>
Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred Stock: $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no
      shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted...........  $      --   $      --
    Common Stock: $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized;
      20,204,250 issued and outstanding, actual; 24,204,250 shares
      issued and outstanding, as adjusted.............................         20          24
    Additional paid-in capital........................................     27,018      63,364
    Deferred stock-based compensation.................................     (1,445)     (1,445)
    Notes receivable from stockholders................................     (1,922)     (1,922)
    Accumulated other comprehensive losses............................        (19)        (19)
    Retained earnings.................................................     11,229      11,229
                                                                        ---------  -----------
        Total stockholders' equity and capitalization.................  $  34,881   $  71,231
                                                                        ---------  -----------
                                                                        ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
        The tangible book value of SERENA as of October 31, 1998 was $13.4
million, or approximately $0.66 per share. Net tangible book value per share
represents the amount of SERENA's total assets less total liabilities, divided
by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. Dilution in net tangible
book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid
by purchasers of shares of common stock in the offering made hereby and the net
tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after the completion
of this offering. After giving effect to the sale of the 4,000,000 shares of
common stock offered by SERENA hereby at an assumed initial public offering
price of $10.00 per share and after deducting the estimated underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by SERENA, the
net tangible book value of SERENA at October 31, 1998 would have been $49.7
million, or approximately $2.06 per share. This represents an immediate increase
in net tangible book value of $1.40 per share to existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $7.94 per share to new
investors of common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this
dilution on a per share basis:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>        <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share......................             $   10.00
    Net tangible book value per share as of October 31, 1998.........  $    0.66
    Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new
      investors......................................................       1.40
                                                                       ---------
Net tangible book value per share after offering.....................                  2.06
                                                                                  ---------
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors.......             $    7.94
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
 
        The following table sets forth, on a pro forma basis as of October 31,
1998, the differences between the number of shares of common stock purchased
from SERENA, the total effective cash consideration paid and the average price
per share paid by existing holders of common stock and by the new investors,
before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering
expenses payable by SERENA, at an assumed initial public offering price of
$10.00 per share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SHARES PURCHASED      TOTAL CONSIDERATION       AVERAGE
                                 --------------------  -----------------------      PRICE
                                  NUMBER     PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT      PER SHARE
                                 ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
Existing stockholders..........  20,204,250      83.5% $    1,003         0.0%    $    0.00
New investors..................  4,000,000       16.5  40,000,000       100.0%        10.00
                                 ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------
        Total..................  24,204,250     100.0% $40,001,003      100.0%
                                 ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------
                                 ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
To the extent that any shares are issued upon exercise of options that were
outstanding at October 31, 1998 or granted after that date, or reserved for
future issuance under SERENA's stock plans, there will be further dilution to
new investors. "Management--Incentive Stock Plans," "Description of Capital
Stock" and Notes 6 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of
SERENA.
 
        Sales by the selling stockholders in this offering will reduce the
number of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders to 18,204,250 or
approximately 75.2% (approximately 72.5%, if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full) of the total number of shares of common stock
outstanding upon the closing of this offering and will increase the number of
shares held by new public investors to 6,000,000 or approximately 24.8%
(6,900,000 shares, or approximately 27.5%, if the underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full) of the total number of shares of common stock
outstanding after this offering. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
        The selected historical consolidated financial data presented below are
derived from the consolidated financial statements of SERENA Software, Inc. and
its subsidiaries. The financial statements for each of the three years ended
January 31, 1998 and the nine months ended October 31, 1998 have been audited by
KPMG LLP, independent auditors. The selected historical consolidated financial
data for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 have been derived from unaudited
consolidated financial statements that include, in the opinion of management,
all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that SERENA
considers necessary for a fair presentation of SERENA's results of operations
for that period. The statement of income unaudited pro forma financial
information below has been derived from the unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro
forma statement of income data give effect to SERENA's September 1998
acquisition of Optima as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the
earliest period presented, February 1, 1997. The selected unaudited pro forma
financial information below does not represent what SERENA's results of
operations would have been if the Optima acquisition had occurred on the date
indicated, or the results of operations of SERENA and Optima as a combined
company for any future period. The selected consolidated financial data set
forth below is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction
with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations," the Consolidated Financial Statements of SERENA and Optima and
notes thereto and the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The
operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of
the results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any other period.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,                         NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                           --------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------
                                                                                 1998                                 1998
                                                                       ------------------------             ------------------------
                             1994       1995       1996       1997      ACTUAL      PRO FORMA      1997      ACTUAL      PRO FORMA
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
  DATA:
  Revenue:
    Software licenses....  $   3,055  $   3,627  $   4,606  $   8,229  $  17,839    $  22,962    $  10,237  $  16,685    $  18,672
    Maintenance..........      3,171      4,141      5,679      8,730     12,258       12,691        8,831     12,098       13,201
    Professional
      services...........        160        370        459        495      2,050        5,662        1,421      2,363        5,026
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
      Total revenue......      6,386      8,138     10,744     17,454     32,147       41,315       20,489     31,146       36,899
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Cost of revenue:
    Software licenses....        379        479        552      1,298      1,087        1,024          701      1,266        1,534
    Maintenance..........      1,461      2,190      2,434      3,503      4,009        4,009        2,777      3,185        3,185
    Professional
      services...........        166        282        344        406      1,717        4,156        1,189      2,057        3,914
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
      Total cost of
        revenue..........      2,006      2,951      3,330      5,207      6,813        9,189        4,667      6,508        8,633
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
      Gross profit.......      4,380      5,187      7,414     12,247     25,334       32,126       15,822     24,638       28,266
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Operating expenses:
    Sales and
      marketing..........      1,354      1,866      2,505      4,605      7,947       11,394        5,244      8,956       10,280
    Research and
      development........      1,539      1,837      2,998      4,321      5,518        5,518        3,774      3,220        3,220
    General and
      administrative.....        935      1,312      1,727      2,296      3,296        5,577        1,913      2,786        3,303
    Stock-based
      compensation.......         --         --         --         --        880          880           --      2,071        2,071
    Amortization of
      intangible
      assets.............         --         --         --         --         --        1,911           --        186        1,059
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
      Total operating
        expenses.........      3,828      5,015      7,230     11,222     17,641       25,280       10,931     17,219       19,933
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Operating income.......        552        172        184      1,025      7,693        6,846        4,891      7,419        8,333
  Interest and other
    income, net..........         --         93        160        115        321          210          223        571          581
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Income before income
    taxes................        552        265        344      1,140      8,014        7,056        5,114      7,990        8,914
  Income taxes...........         36         10         66        278      3,253        3,602        1,833      3,596        4,227
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Net income.............  $     516  $     255  $     278  $     862  $   4,761    $   3,454    $   3,281  $   4,394    $   4,687
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Net income per share:
    Basic................  $    0.03  $    0.02  $    0.02  $    0.05  $    0.31    $    0.19    $    0.21  $    0.27    $    0.25
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
    Diluted..............  $    0.03  $    0.02  $    0.02  $    0.05  $    0.31    $    0.19    $    0.21  $    0.26    $    0.24
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Shares used to compute
    net income
    per share:
    Basic................     15,750     15,750     15,750     15,750     15,248       18,436       15,290     16,145       18,735
    Diluted..............     15,750     15,750     15,750     15,750     15,272       18,460       15,290     17,122       19,712
</TABLE>
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           JANUARY 31,
                                                                      -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................................  $     708  $   1,953  $   2,840  $   4,031  $   9,024
  Working capital...................................................        472        434        429        618      6,942
  Total assets......................................................      2,734      4,327      6,717      9,233     20,567
  Total liabilities and deferred revenue............................      2,054      3,400      5,508      7,187     13,582
  Total shareholders' equity........................................        680        927      1,209      2,046      6,985
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                      OCTOBER 31,
                                                                      -----------
                                                                         1998
                                                                      -----------
 
<S>                                                                   <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................................   $  16,878
  Working capital...................................................      12,884
  Total assets......................................................      52,438
  Total liabilities and deferred revenue............................      17,557
  Total shareholders' equity........................................      34,881
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    THE FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERENA AND THE NOTES THERETO AND THE PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. OUR DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BASED UPON
CURRENT EXPECTATIONS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, SUCH AS OUR PLANS,
OBJECTIVES, EXPECTATIONS AND INTENTIONS. SERENA'S ACTUAL RESULTS AND THE TIMING
OF CERTAIN EVENTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET
FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS," "BUSINESS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    SERENA is a leading provider of products and services for managing and
controlling software change throughout the software application life cycle.
SERENA was founded in 1980 and we introduced our first SCM product, COMPAREX, in
1981. Since then, SERENA has developed a full suite of FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME
products, including our flagship product CHANGE MAN, which was introduced in
1988. IT managers use our products to track software changes during the software
application design and development process, manage separate programming teams
who are concurrently developing and enhancing applications, and oversee the
deployment of the software applications.
 
    Prior to fiscal 1998, SERENA focused primarily on product development while
relying on third party distributors for the majority of our sales, marketing and
professional services activities. In fiscal 1998, SERENA hired a President and
Chief Executive Officer who initiated a strategic expansion of our sales,
marketing and professional service capabilities. This strategic expansion
includes hiring additional direct sales personnel, initiating a telesales
effort, recruiting additional third party distributors and increasing our
professional services staff. We also broadened our professional management team
to implement and manage the strategic expansion initiatives. New management
hires since the beginning of fiscal 1998 include our Vice Presidents for
Worldwide Marketing, Research and Development, Finance and Administration,
International Operations, Services, Sales and North American Consulting
Services. Moreover, both of our non-employee directors were appointed to the
board of directors during fiscal 1999. See "Risk Factors-- Our New Executive
Team May Not Be Able to Successfully Work Together to Meet Our Business
Objectives, Which Would Adversely Affect Our Business."
 
    In September 1998, we acquired Optima, the primary distributor of our
flagship CHANGE MAN product for over ten years. In certain markets, Optima had
been the exclusive distributor of CHANGE MAN. This acquisition significantly
expanded our professional services and sales and marketing capabilities and
enabled us to market CHANGE MAN as part of the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product
suite. As a result of the acquisition, we are able to market CHANGE MAN and our
other FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products through our distribution channels as well as
the historical distribution channels of Optima. We have taken over the sales and
marketing and professional service organizations of Optima and continue to be
responsible for the maintenance costs related to CHANGE MAN from Optima's
licensing transactions. The Optima acquisition was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting and the results of operations of Optima are
included in SERENA's historical results after the acquisition date. The pro
forma results of operations include the historical financial statements of
SERENA and those of Optima and give effect to the acquisition as if it had
occurred on February 1, 1997, the beginning of the earliest pro forma period
presented. Any failure to successfully integrate Optima into our business could
have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial
results. See "Risk Factors--We May Be Unable to Successfully Integrate Optima
into Our Business."
 
    SERENA has grown rapidly in recent years as total revenue has increased from
$6.4 million in fiscal 1994 to $32.1 million in fiscal 1998. The growth in total
revenue has been primarily attributable to increased demand for our FULL.CYCLE
MAINFRAME products as a result of greater awareness of and need
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
for third party SCM solutions. We derive our revenue from software licenses,
maintenance and professional services.
 
    Currently, all of our software license revenue is derived from our
FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products. Customers typically purchase the FULL.CYCLE
MAINFRAME products under Million Instructions Per Second, or MIPS-based,
perpetual licenses. Mainframe software products and applications are usually
priced based on hardware computing capacity. MIPS is a capacity measurement used
by hardware manufacturers to rate computer size to determine the amount of
capacity for running applications and supporting users. The higher a hardware's
MIPS capacity, the more expensive a software license will be. Software products
are also typically priced based on a perpetual license agreement, which entitles
a customer to use the product on an ongoing basis. Initial license transactions
generally include one year of software maintenance and support. Revenue from
license agreements, excluding maintenance revenue included with the license, is
recognized upon receipt and acceptance of a signed contract and delivery of the
software, provided the related fee is fixed and determinable, collectibility of
the revenue is probable and the arrangement does not involve significant
customization of the software. Software license revenue is particularly
dependent on new licenses of our CHANGE MAN and COMPAREX products. In fiscal
1997, 1998 and in the nine months ended October 31, 1998, sales of CHANGE MAN
and COMPAREX together accounted for approximately 72%, 82% and 71% of SERENA's
software license revenue, respectively. Any factors adversely affecting the
pricing of, demand for or market acceptance of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME
products, such as competition or technological change, could materially
adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Of
particular importance is the continued role of mainframe computers in a
decentralized computing environment. We believe that the mainframe will continue
to be an integral part of the distributed computing environment and its role in
such environment will increase. See "Risk Factors--We Have Relied and Expect to
Continue to Rely on Sales of Our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME Products for Our Revenue"
and "Our Business is Dependent on the Continued Market for IBM and
IBM-Compatible Mainframes."
 
    In recognition of the established benefits of desktop computing in the
distributed enterprise environment, we are also using the proprietary technology
and expertise in SCM solutions for the mainframe to the design and development
of desktop-oriented products. See "Business--Strategy" and "--Products Under
Development."
 
    We also provide ongoing maintenance, which includes technical support,
version upgrades and enhancements, for an annual fee of approximately 17% of the
current list price of the licensed product. We recognize maintenance revenue
over the term of the contracts, typically one year, on a straight-line basis.
Over 95% of our customers who were eligible to renew their maintenance
agreements in calendar year 1997 did so. There can be no assurance that SERENA
will maintain this rate of renewal. See "Risk Factors--Our Future Revenue is
Substantially Dependent Upon Our Installed Customer Base Renewing Maintenance
Agreements for Our Products and Licensing Additional SERENA SCM Products; Our
Future Professional Service and Maintenance Revenue is Dependent on Future Sales
of Our Software Products."
    Professional services revenue is derived from our SER(POWER) consulting and
educational services, including implementation and integration of licensed
software, specialized consulting services such as "best practices" design,
development and deployment of SCM solutions, and education courses for SERENA's
products. Our professional services are typically billed on a time and materials
basis and revenue is recognized as the related services are performed.
 
    Historically, SERENA's revenue has primarily been attributable to sales in
North America. In fiscal 1997, 1998 and the nine months ended October 31, 1998,
revenue attributable to sales in North America accounted for approximately 85%,
85% and 81% of SERENA's total revenue, respectively. Our plan is to expand our
international operations significantly, particularly in Europe, as we believe
international markets represent a significant growth opportunity. Consequently,
we anticipate that international revenue will increase as a percentage of total
revenue in the future. Our expansion of our international operations will be
subject to a variety of risks that could materially adversely affect our
business, operating results and
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
financial condition. See "Risk Factors--We Intend to Significantly Expand Our
International Operations And May Encounter a Number of Problems Doing So: There
Are Also a Number of Factors Associated with International Operations that Could
Potentially Adversely Affect Our Business." In North America, SERENA's revenue
is generally denominated in United States dollars while international sales are
generally denominated in local currencies, principally the British pound. As
SERENA's international sales and operations expand, we anticipate that our
exposure to foreign currency fluctuations will increase. See "Risk
Factors--Fluctuations in the Value of Foreign Currencies Could Result in
Currency Transaction Losses for SERENA."
 
    Maintenance revenue and professional services revenue have lower operating
margins than software license revenue. In addition, we license the technology
for our STARTOOL and STARWARP products and jointly own the technology for our
SYNCTRAC product and consequently we have sublicense fee obligations on the
revenue we recognizes in connection with license and maintenance transactions
involving these products. As a result, our license revenue for our STARTOOL,
STARWARP and SYNCTRAC products has a lower operating margin than license revenue
from other products. We expect operating expenses to increase substantially in
the future as we continue to develop new and enhanced versions of our products,
including our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite, increase our sales and marketing
activities, expand our distribution channels, increase our professional services
capabilities and pursue strategic relationships and acquisitions. Any failure by
SERENA to significantly increase revenue as we implement these initiatives would
materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial
condition. See "Risk Factors--We Expect that Our Operating Expenses Will
Increase Substantially in the Future and These Increased Expenses May Hurt Our
Future Operating Results and Financial Condition."
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
HISTORICAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth the historical results of operations for
SERENA expressed as a percentage of total revenue. SERENA's historical operating
results are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period and
include the results of Optima from September 25, 1998, the acquisition date.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              FISCAL YEAR
                                                           ENDED JANUARY 31,             OCTOBER 31,
                                                    -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                      1996       1997       1998       1997       1998
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses...............................       42.8%      47.2%      55.5%      50.0%      53.6%
  Maintenance.....................................       52.9       50.0       38.1       43.1       38.8
  Professional services...........................        4.3        2.8        6.4        6.9        7.6
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total revenue.................................      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses...............................        5.1        7.4        3.4        3.4        4.1
  Maintenance.....................................       22.7       20.1       12.5       13.6       10.2
  Professional services...........................        3.2        2.3        5.3        5.8        6.6
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total cost of revenue.........................       31.0       29.8       21.2       22.8       20.9
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Gross profit....................................       69.0       70.2       78.8       77.2       79.1
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.............................       23.3       26.4       24.7       25.6       28.8
  Research and development........................       27.9       24.8       17.2       18.4       10.3
  General and administrative......................       16.1       13.1       10.3        9.3        8.9
  Stock-based compensation........................         --         --        2.7         --        6.7
  Amortization of intangible assets...............         --         --         --         --        0.6
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses......................       67.3       64.3       54.9       53.3       55.3
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating income..................................        1.7        5.9       23.9       23.9       23.8
Interest and other income, net....................        1.5        0.6        1.0        1.1        1.8
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes........................        3.2        6.5       24.9       25.0       25.6
Income taxes......................................        0.6        1.6       10.1        9.0       11.5
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income........................................        2.6%       4.9%      14.8%      16.0%      14.1%
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
REVENUE
 
    SERENA derives revenue from software licenses, maintenance and professional
services. SERENA's total revenue increased 52% from $20.5 million for the nine
months ended October 31, 1997 to $31.1 million for the nine months ended October
31, 1998.
 
    SOFTWARE LICENSES.  Software license revenue increased 63% from $10.2
million for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 to $16.7 million for the nine
months ended October 31, 1998, representing 50% and 54% of total revenue,
respectively. The increase in software license revenue is generally attributable
to increased demand for new licenses of FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products as a
result of greater customer awareness of and need for third party SCM solutions
and, to a lesser extent, an increase in sales force productivity and personnel.
In particular, sales of the COMPAREX product grew significantly, with software
license revenue attributable to COMPAREX increasing from $4.3 million in the
nine months ended October 31, 1997 to $7.6 million in the nine months ended
October 31, 1998.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
    MAINTENANCE.  Maintenance revenue increased 37% from $8.8 million for the
nine months ended October 31, 1997 to $12.1 million for the nine months ended
October 31, 1998, representing 43% and 39% of total revenue, respectively. The
dollar increase reflects the growth in software license revenue, as new software
licenses generally include one year of maintenance, renewals of maintenance
agreements by existing customers and, to a lesser extent, maintenance price
increases on renewals of maintenance agreements by existing customers.
Maintenance revenue increased at a slower rate than license revenue because
license revenue is generally recognized upon contract signing and delivery of
the software whereas maintenance revenue is deferred and amortized over the
contractual term of the arrangement.
 
    PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.  Professional services revenue increased 66% from
$1.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 to $2.4 million for the
nine months ended October 31, 1998, representing 7% and 7% of total revenue,
respectively. The dollar increase is attributable to greater consulting
opportunities resulting from our expanded customer base and, to a lesser extent,
increases in our consulting service capabilities. The acquisition of Optima on
September 25, 1998 resulted in the recording of additional professional services
revenue in the final month of the nine month period ended October 31, 1998,
accounting for approximately 40% of the total $1.0 million increase in
professional service revenue.
 
COST OF REVENUE
 
    Cost of revenue consists of cost of software licenses, cost of maintenance
and cost of professional services. Cost of revenue was $4.7 million and $6.5
million for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, representing 23%
and 21% of total revenue, respectively. The decline in cost of revenue as a
percentage of total revenue is attributable to the increase in higher margin
software license revenue as a percentage of total revenue.
 
    SOFTWARE LICENSES.  Cost of software licenses consists principally of
sublicense fees associated with our STARTOOL, STARWARP and SYNCTRAC products.
Cost of software licenses was $0.7 million and $1.3 million for the nine months
ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, representing 7% and 8% of total software
licenses revenue, respectively. The increase in cost of software licenses as a
percentage of license revenue is due to the increase in the sublicense fee
bearing license revenue as a percentage of total license revenue.
 
    MAINTENANCE.  Cost of maintenance consists primarily of salaries, bonuses
and other costs associated with our customer support organizations, and to a
lessor extent, sublicense fees associated with our STARTOOL, STARWRAP and
SYNCTRAC maintenance sales and renewals. Cost of maintenance was $2.8 million
and $3.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1998,
representing 31% and 26% of total maintenance revenue, respectively. The dollar
increase in cost of maintenance is due to increases in sublicense fees and costs
associated with supporting our customer support organization. Sublicense fees
are paid to owners of third party products for providing maintenance
enhancements and code fixes.
 
    PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.  Cost of professional services consists of salaries,
bonuses and other costs associated with supporting our professional services
organization. Cost of professional services was $1.2 million and $2.1 million
for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, representing 84% and 87% of
professional services revenue, respectively. The dollar increase in cost of
professional services revenue is attributable to increased expenses associated
with supporting the professional services organization including additions of
personnel and other infrastructure costs.
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of
salaries, commissions and bonuses, payroll taxes, profit sharing expenses and
employee benefits as well as travel, entertainment and marketing expenses. Sales
and marketing expenses were $5.2 million and $9.0 million for the nine months
ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, representing 26% and 29% of total revenue,
respectively. These increases are due primarily to our expansion of our direct
sales and marketing organization in these periods and, to a lesser extent, the
development of our telesales efforts. We expect sales and marketing expenses to
increase as we continue to hire additional sales and marketing personnel as we
transition away from relying primarily on third parties to sell and market our
products.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses consist
primarily of salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes, profit sharing expenses and
employee benefits and costs attributable to research and development activities.
Research and development expenses were $3.8 million and $3.2 million for the
nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, representing 18% and 10% of total
revenue, respectively. These reductions in research and development expenses are
attributable principally to the restructuring of compensation arrangements with
SERENA's founder and Chief Technology Officer. We expect research and
development expenses to increase as we continue to hire additional research and
development personnel to develop our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite and our
SERNET ENTERPRISE products.
 
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes, profit sharing expenses and
benefits and certain non-allocable administrative costs, including legal and
accounting fees and bad debts. General and administrative expenses were $1.9
million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1998,
representing 9% of total revenue in both periods. The dollar increase is
primarily related to costs associated with the expansion of our administrative
infrastructure in order to support our increased sales, marketing, consulting
and maintenance activities. We expect general and administrative expenses to
increase as we expand our infrastructure and incur additional costs as a result
of being a public company.
 
    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION.  In the quarter ended January 31, 1998, SERENA
recorded deferred stock-based compensation of $4.0 million in connection with
the issuance of restricted stock and grant of options to purchase common stock
in January 1998. An additional $0.4 million of deferred stock-based compensation
was recorded in the nine months ended October 31, 1998 for stock-based awards
granted during this period. Deferred stock-based compensation is generally being
amortized over the 36 to 48 month vesting periods of the related award. This
amortization is being recorded in a manner consistent with Financial Accounting
Standard Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 28. Of the total deferred stock-
based compensation, approximately $2.1 million was amortized in the nine month
period ended October 31, 1998. We expect to amortize an additional $0.4 million
in the remainder of fiscal 1999, $0.8 million in fiscal 2000, $0.2 million in
fiscal 2001 and $0.1 million in fiscal 2002. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements of SERENA.
 
   
    AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS.  In the quarter ended October 31, 1998,
we recorded intangible assets of $21.7 million in connection with the
acquisition of Optima in September 1998. The intangible assets are being
amortized over periods of one year or less on $0.5 million and fifteen years on
the remaining $21.2 million. Of the total intangible assets, approximately $0.2
million was amortized in the nine month period ended October 31, 1998. We expect
to amortize an additional $0.6 million in the remainder of fiscal 1999, $1.6
million in fiscal 2000, and $1.4 million in each fiscal year thereafter until
fully amortized in fiscal 2014. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements of SERENA.
    
 
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME, NET
 
    Interest and other income, net is generated primarily from the interest
earned on cash and cash equivalents. Interest and other income, net increased
from $0.2 million in the nine month period ended October 31, 1997 to $0.6
million in the nine month period ended October 31, 1998, principally as the
result of increased cash and cash equivalent balances in the latter period.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Income taxes were $1.8 million and $3.6 million for the nine months ended
October 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine
months ending October 31, 1997 and 1998 were 36% and 45%, respectively. The
increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the $2.1 million in
nondeductible stock-based compensation and, to a lesser extent, the $0.2 million
nondeductible amortization of intangible assets arising from the acquisition of
Optima. The nondeductible expense associated with stock-based compensation will
decline ratably over the next three years.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
 
REVENUE
 
    SERENA's total revenue was $10.7 million, $17.5 million and $32.1 million in
fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, representing year-to-year increases of
62% between 1996 and 1997 and 84% between 1997 and 1998.
 
    SOFTWARE LICENSES.  Software license revenue was $4.6 million, $8.2 million
and $17.8 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 43%, 47% and 56%
of total revenue, respectively. The increases are generally attributed to
increased demand for new licenses of FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products as a result
of greater customer awareness of and need for third party SCM solutions and, to
a lesser extent, software license price increases. In particular, sales of our
COMPAREX and CHANGE MAN products grew significantly.
 
    MAINTENANCE.  Maintenance revenue was $5.7 million, $8.7 million and $12.3
million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 53%, 50% and 38% of total
revenue, respectively. The dollar increases reflect both growth in software
license revenue, as new licenses generally include one year of maintenance,
renewals of maintenance agreements by existing customers and, to a lesser
extent, maintenance price increases. Maintenance revenue decreased as a
percentage of total revenues due to the growth in software license revenue which
is generally recognized upon contract signing and delivery of the software
whereas maintenance revenue is deferred and amortized over the contractual term
of the arrangement, usually one year.
 
    PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.  Professional services revenue was $0.5 million, $0.5
million and $2.0 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 4%, 3% and
6% of total revenue, respectively. The dollar increases are attributable to
greater consulting opportunities resulting from our larger installed customer
base and our expanded consulting service capabilities.
 
COST OF REVENUE
 
    Cost of revenue, which consists of cost of software licenses, cost of
maintenance and cost of professional services, was $3.3 million, $5.2 million
and $6.8 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 31%, 30% and 21% of
total revenue, respectively. The dollar increases are due primarily to increased
expenses associated with professional services revenue and maintenance revenue,
including personnel additions to support professional services and maintenance
revenue growth, and software sublicense fees. The decrease in cost of revenue as
a percentage of total revenue in fiscal 1998 from prior years is due in part to
the $0.3 million and $1.3 million in fees paid by SERENA in fiscal 1996 and
1997, respectively, to complete the termination of a third party distributor
agreement for our COMPAREX product.
 
    SOFTWARE LICENSES.  Cost of software licenses was $0.6 million, $1.3 million
and $1.1 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 12%, 16% and 6% of
total software licenses revenue, respectively. The dollar increase in fiscal
1997 over 1996 and the dollar decrease in fiscal 1998 over 1997 are
predominately due to fees paid in fiscal 1996 totaling $0.1 million and in
fiscal 1997 totaling $0.6 million in connection with the termination of a third
party distributor agreement for our COMPAREX product. The decrease in cost of
revenue as a percentage of total revenue is also attributable to the increase in
higher margin software license revenue as a percentage of total revenue.
 
    MAINTENANCE.  Cost of maintenance was $2.4 million, $3.5 million and $4.0
million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 43%, 40% and 33% of total
maintenance revenue. The dollar increases are predominately due to increased
expenses associated with our customer support organization including personnel
additions needed to support the maintenance revenue growth. As a percentage of
total maintenance revenue, cost of maintenance decreased as the rate of increase
in costs associated with supporting our customer support organizations was less
than the rate of increase in maintenance revenue.
 
    PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.  Cost of professional services was $0.3 million, $0.4
million and $1.7 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 75%, 82%
and 84% of total professional services revenue. The
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
dollar increases year over year are predominately due to increased expenses
associated with our professional services organization and infrastructure
including personnel additions needed to support the professional services
revenue growth. As a percentage of total professional services revenue, cost of
professional services has increased each year as we focus on expanding our
consulting business organization.
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses were $2.5 million, $4.6
million and $7.9 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, representing 23%, 26%
and 25% of total revenue, respectively. The dollar increases in each fiscal year
are due primarily to our expansion of our sales organization which began in
fiscal 1998. The dollar increase from fiscal 1996 to fiscal 1997 is attributable
to increased salaries, commissions and profit sharing expenses and additional
marketing expenses.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses were $3.0
million, $4.3 million and $5.5 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998,
representing 28%, 25% and 17% of total revenue, respectively. The dollar
increases in each fiscal year are due primarily to increased payroll costs,
including profit sharing expenses and increased bonus compensation to SERENA's
founder and Chief Technology Officer and, to a lesser extent, costs associated
with the evaluation of third party software products. Research and development
expenses have decreased as a percentage of total revenue as SERENA's revenue has
continued to increase at a faster rate than research and development expenses
have increased.
 
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses were $1.7
million, $2.3 million and $3.3 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998,
representing 16%, 13% and 10% of total revenue, respectively. The dollar
increases in each fiscal year are primarily due to salary, bonus, commission,
payroll tax, profit sharing and employee benefit costs associated with the
expansion of our administrative infrastructure in order to support our increased
sales, marketing, professional services and maintenance activities. The decrease
in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue is
principally attributable to SERENA's revenue growth during this period.
 
    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION.  In the quarter ended January 31, 1998, SERENA
recorded aggregate deferred stock-based compensation of $4.0 million in
connection with the issuance of restricted stock and grant of options to
purchase common stock in January 1998. Deferred stock-based compensation is
generally being amortized over the 36 to 48 month vesting periods of the related
awards. This amortization is being recorded in a manner consistent with FASB
Interpretation No. 28. Of the total deferred stock-based compensation,
approximately $0.9 million was amortized in fiscal 1998.
 
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME, NET
 
    Interest and other income, net was $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.3
million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. Interest and other income,
net has fluctuated from period to period based on SERENA's cash balances.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Income taxes were $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $3.3 million for fiscal
1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The effective tax rate was 19%, 24% and 41%
in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. SERENA's effective income tax rate
has historically benefited from the United States research and experimentation
tax credit and tax benefits generated from export sales made from the United
States. SERENA's effective income tax rate has increased year over year
predominantly due to higher marginal tax rates resulting from substantially
higher pretax profits and the recording of $0.9 million in nondeductible
stock-based compensation recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
SELECTED UNAUDITED HISTORICAL QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR SERENA
    
 
   
    The following table sets forth selected unaudited condensed combined
statement of income data for SERENA for the seven quarters ended October 31,
1998. This data should be read in conjunction with SERENA's Consolidated
Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and nine months
ended October 31, 1998 and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
prospectus. Because of the acquisition of Optima, the information set forth
below is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been
reported if the Optima acquisition had been consummated at the beginning of the
earliest period indicated or that SERENA may report in the future.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               QUARTER ENDED
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  APR. 30,     JUL. 31,     OCT. 31,     JAN. 31,     APR. 30,    JUL. 31,
                                                    1997         1997         1997         1998         1998        1998
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................   $   2,645    $   3,860    $   3,733    $   7,601    $   4,341   $   5,648
  Maintenance..................................       2,751        2,938        3,143        3,426        3,652       4,083
  Professional services........................         224          562          634          630          647         545
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total revenue..............................       5,620        7,360        7,510       11,657        8,640      10,276
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................         109          351          241          386          251         443
  Maintenance..................................         826        1,005          945        1,233          892       1,138
  Professional services........................         191          390          609          527          597         496
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total cost of revenue......................       1,126        1,746        1,795        2,146        1,740       2,077
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Gross profit.................................       4,494        5,614        5,715        9,511        6,900       8,199
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................       1,705        1,834        1,705        2,703        2,380       3,327
  Research and development.....................       1,053        1,316        1,406        1,743        1,000       1,073
  General and administrative...................         727          601          585        1,383          805         887
  Stock-based compensation.....................          --           --           --          880          906         652
  Amortization of intangible assets............          --           --           --           --           --          --
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total operating expenses...................       3,485        3,751        3,696        6,709        5,091       5,939
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating income...............................       1,009        1,863        2,019        2,802        1,809       2,260
Interest and other income, net.................          70           60           93           98          151         193
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Income before income taxes.....................       1,079        1,923        2,112        2,900        1,960       2,453
Income taxes...................................         383          698          752        1,420          862       1,080
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Net income.....................................   $     696    $   1,225    $   1,360    $   1,480    $   1,098   $   1,373
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  OCT. 31,
                                                    1998
                                                 -----------
 
<S>                                              <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................   $   6,696
  Maintenance..................................       4,363
  Professional services........................       1,171
                                                 -----------
    Total revenue..............................      12,230
                                                 -----------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................         572
  Maintenance..................................       1,155
  Professional services........................         964
                                                 -----------
    Total cost of revenue......................       2,691
                                                 -----------
  Gross profit.................................       9,539
                                                 -----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................       3,249
  Research and development.....................       1,147
  General and administrative...................       1,094
  Stock-based compensation.....................         513
  Amortization of intangible assets............         186
                                                 -----------
    Total operating expenses...................       6,189
                                                 -----------
Operating income...............................       3,350
Interest and other income, net.................         227
                                                 -----------
Income before income taxes.....................       3,577
Income taxes...................................       1,654
                                                 -----------
Net income.....................................   $   1,923
                                                 -----------
                                                 -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth selected unaudited pro forma condensed
combined statement of income data for the seven quarters ended October 31, 1998,
both in dollar amounts and as a percentage of revenue. This information gives
effect to the Optima acquisition as a purchase as if such acquisition had
occurred as of February 1, 1997. This data has been prepared on the same basis
and includes the same adjustments as the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Statements of Income for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and nine months
ended October 31, 1998 and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
prospectus. For pro forma purposes, SERENA's consolidated statement of
operations for each of the seven quarters ended October 31, 1998 give effect to
the Optima acquisition as if it had occurred on February 1, 1997. Because of the
significance of the Optima acquisition, the related party transactions between
SERENA and Optima and the application of purchase accounting, we believe
SERENA's historical operating results are not indicative of its future operating
results. We believe the information below presents in the most concise and
efficient manner possible operating results of the combined entity. The pro
forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been
reported if the Optima acquisition had been consummated at the beginning of the
earliest period indicated or that SERENA may report in the future.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               QUARTER ENDED
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  APR. 30,     JUL. 31,     OCT. 31,     JAN. 31,     APR. 30,    JUL. 31,
                                                    1997         1997         1997         1998         1998        1998
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................   $   3,514    $   4,591    $   5,009    $   9,848    $   5,097   $   6,625
  Maintenance..................................       2,774        3,013        3,275        3,629        3,953       4,477
  Professional services........................         893        1,384        1,560        1,825        1,785       1,347
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total revenue..............................       7,181        8,988        9,844       15,302       10,835      12,449
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................          50          383          326          265          421         490
  Maintenance..................................         827        1,005          945        1,232          892       1,138
  Professional services........................         650          940        1,185        1,381        1,299       1,219
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total cost of revenue......................       1,527        2,328        2,456        2,878        2,612       2,847
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Gross profit.................................       5,654        6,660        7,388       12,424        8,223       9,602
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................       2,424        2,523        2,440        4,007        2,897       3,869
  Research and development.....................       1,053        1,316        1,406        1,743        1,000       1,073
  General and administrative...................       1,116        1,099        1,018        2,344        1,013       1,067
  Stock-based compensation.....................          --           --           --          880          906         652
  Amortization of intangible assets............         553          553          403          402          353         353
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total operating expenses...................       5,146        5,491        5,267        9,376        6,169       7,014
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating income...............................         508        1,169        2,121        3,048        2,054       2,588
Interest and other income, net.................          39           24           55           92          149         192
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Income before income taxes.....................         547        1,193        2,176        3,140        2,203       2,780
Income taxes...................................         403          639          943        1,617        1,215       1,329
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Net income.....................................   $     144    $     554    $   1,233    $   1,523    $     988   $   1,451
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................        48.9%        51.1%        50.9%        64.4%        47.0%       53.2%
  Maintenance..................................        38.7         33.5         33.3         23.7         36.5        36.0
  Professional services........................        12.4         15.4         15.8         11.9         16.5        10.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total revenue..............................       100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................         0.7          4.3          3.3          1.7          3.9         3.9
  Maintenance..................................        11.5         11.2          9.6          8.1          8.2         9.2
  Professional services........................         9.1         10.4         12.0          9.0         12.0         9.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total cost of revenue......................        21.3         25.9         24.9         18.8         24.1        22.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Gross profit.................................        78.7         74.1         75.1         81.2         75.9        77.1
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................        33.8         28.1         24.8         26.2         26.7        31.1
  Research and development.....................        14.6         14.6         14.3         11.4          9.2         8.6
  General and administrative...................        15.5         12.2         10.3         15.3          9.4         8.6
  Stock-based compensation.....................          --           --           --          5.7          8.4         5.2
  Amortization of intangible assets............         7.7          6.2          4.1          2.6          3.3         2.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total operating expenses...................        71.6         61.1         53.5         61.2         57.0        56.3
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating income...............................         7.1         13.0         21.6         20.0         18.9        20.8
Interest and other income, net.................         0.5          0.3          0.5          0.6          1.4         1.6
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Income before income taxes.....................         7.6         13.3         22.1         20.6         20.3        22.4
Income taxes...................................         5.6          7.1          9.6         10.6         11.2        10.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Net income.....................................         2.0%         6.2%        12.5%        10.0%         9.1%       11.7%
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  OCT. 31,
                                                    1998
                                                 -----------
 
<S>                                              <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................   $   6,950
  Maintenance..................................       4,771
  Professional services........................       1,894
                                                 -----------
    Total revenue..............................      13,615
                                                 -----------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................         623
  Maintenance..................................       1,155
  Professional services........................       1,396
                                                 -----------
    Total cost of revenue......................       3,174
                                                 -----------
  Gross profit.................................      10,441
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................       3,514
  Research and development.....................       1,147
  General and administrative...................       1,223
  Stock-based compensation.....................         513
  Amortization of intangible assets............         353
                                                 -----------
    Total operating expenses...................       6,750
                                                 -----------
Operating income...............................       3,691
Interest and other income, net.................         240
                                                 -----------
Income before income taxes.....................       3,931
Income taxes...................................       1,683
                                                 -----------
Net income.....................................   $   2,248
                                                 -----------
                                                 -----------
 
<S>                                              <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses............................        51.1%
  Maintenance..................................        35.0
  Professional services........................        13.9
                                                 -----------
    Total revenue..............................       100.0
                                                 -----------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses............................         4.6
  Maintenance..................................         8.5
  Professional services........................        10.2
                                                 -----------
    Total cost of revenue......................        23.3
                                                 -----------
  Gross profit.................................        76.7
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................        25.8
  Research and development.....................         8.4
  General and administrative...................         9.0
  Stock-based compensation.....................         3.8
  Amortization of intangible assets............         2.6
                                                 -----------
    Total operating expenses...................        49.6
                                                 -----------
Operating income...............................        27.1
Interest and other income, net.................         1.8
                                                 -----------
Income before income taxes.....................        28.9
Income taxes...................................        12.4
                                                 -----------
Net income.....................................        16.5%
                                                 -----------
                                                 -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
   
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA QUARTERLY RESULTS
    
 
   
    SERENA's historical and pro forma software license revenue for the quarter
ended January 31, 1998 reflects $2.5 million in revenue from a large licensing
transaction with one customer. Pro forma professional services revenue for the
quarters ended January 31, 1998 and April 30, 1998 reflect increased consulting
services resulting from a single consulting arrangement. Historical and pro
forma operating expenses for the quarter ended January 31, 1998 increased in
relation to prior quarters due to the recording of $0.9 million in stock-based
compensation expense and increases in payroll costs such as commissions, bonuses
and profit sharing expenses which increased significantly in proportion to
revenue during the same period. Research and development expenses in the pro
forma quarterly results do not differ substantially on a dollar basis from
SERENA's historical results because Optima operated as a third party reseller,
marketing and consulting organization which did not undertake any research and
development efforts. Pro forma operating expenses also include the amortization
of intangibles associated with the purchase accounting treatment of the Optima
acquisition totaling $21.7 million, of which $0.8 million and $1.6 million will
be amortized in fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively. The remaining $19.4 million
will be amortized on a straight-line basis until fiscal 2014. We determined to
use this period after considering that Optima has sold CHANGE MAN profitably
since 1988, CHANGE MAN is an integral part of many large company IT
infrastructures for managing change to mainframe applications, and customers who
purchase and implement CHANGE MAN make a considerable investment, not only in
the software, but in the creation of an automated and consistent software change
management process. Moreover, we believe this investment has a long lasting
effect on IT environments, and annual maintenance releases of CHANGE MAN have
consisted principally of bug fixes and updates, including updates to remain
compatible with the stable IBM MVS operating system, which was introduced over
20 years ago. SERENA's actual financial statements reflect the amortization of
these intangibles beginning with the effective date of the Optima acquisition.
Historical and pro forma quarterly results beginning with the quarter ended
January 31, 1998 also include stock-based compensation incurred in connection
with the issuance of restricted stock and the grant of certain stock options.
The pro forma and historical effective tax rate reflects the nondeductibility of
the amortization of goodwill associated with the Optima acquisition and the
stock-based compensation.
    
 
   
    Our quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the past and
may vary significantly in the future depending on a number of factors, many of
which are beyond our control. These factors are described in the Risk Factors
section of this prospectus.
    
 
    We have experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonality in
sales of our software products. We have described these seasonal trends under
the risk factor captioned "Seasonal Trends in Sales of Our Software Products May
Affect Our Quarterly Operating Results."
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Since SERENA's inception, we have financed our operations and met our
capital expenditure requirements through cash flows from operations. At October
31, 1998, SERENA had $16.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. Cash flows
provided by operating activities were $1.5 million, $2.6 million, $5.7 million
and $9.9 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the nine months ended
October 31, 1998, respectively. SERENA's cash flows provided by operating
activities exceeded net income during each of these periods principally due to
cash collections in advance of revenue recognition for maintenance contracts and
the inclusion of noncash expenses, such as depreciation and stock-based
compensation in net income, partially offset by growth in accounts receivable
during most periods. Cash used in investing activities were predominantly
related to the purchase of computer equipment and office furniture and equipment
and totaled $0.6 million, $1.4 million, $0.0 million and $0.7 million in fiscal
1996, 1997 and 1998, and the nine months ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
Cash used in financing activities related to the repurchase of $0.7 million in
common stock in fiscal 1997 from a resigning executive officer of SERENA and the
repayment of $1.4 million of notes payable assumed in the acquisition of Optima.
See "Certain Transactions." There were no financing activities in fiscal 1996 or
1997 or, as of the date of this prospectus, in fiscal 1999.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    At October 31, 1998, SERENA did not have any material commitments for
capital expenditures and has no revolving credit agreement or other term loan
agreements with any bank or other financial institution.
 
    At October 31, 1998, SERENA had working capital of $12.9 million and
accounts receivable, net of allowances, of $10.6 million. Total deferred revenue
increased to $11.5 million at October 31, 1998 from $7.9 million at January 31,
1998 primarily as a result of increased billings of maintenance fees.
 
    We believe that the net proceeds from the offering and cash from operations
will satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at
least the next twelve months.
 
EFFECT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
    The FASB recently issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
133, or SFAS No. 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING
ACTIVITIES. SFAS No. 133 addresses the accounting for derivative instruments,
including derivative instruments embedded in other contracts. Under SFAS No.
133, entities are required to carry all derivative instruments in the balance
sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e. gains or
losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and
qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding
it. We must adopt SFAS No. 133 by October 1, 1999. We do not anticipate that
SFAS No. 133 will have an impact on our financial statements.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
    Many computer systems and software products are coded to accept only two
digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields will need to accept
four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As
a result, many companies' software and computer systems may need to be upgraded
or replaced in order to comply with such Year 2000 requirements.
 
    In the ordinary course of our business, we test and evaluate our software
products. We believe that our software products are generally Year 2000
compliant, meaning that the use or occurrence of dates on or after January 1,
2000 will not materially affect the performance of such software products or the
ability of such products to correctly create, store, process and output
information of data involving dates. However, we may learn that certain of our
software products do not contain all necessary software routines and codes
necessary for the accurate calculation, display, storage and manipulation of
data involving dates. In addition, in certain cases, we have warranted that the
use or occurrence of dates on or after January 1, 2000 will not adversely affect
the performance of our products with respect to four digit date dependent data
or the ability to create, store, process and output information related to such
data. If any of our licensees experience Year 2000 problems as a result of their
use of our software products, those licensees could assert claims for damages.
Our standard licensing agreement provides that if our products do not perform to
their specifications, we will correct such problems or issue replacement
software. If these corrective measures fail, we may refund the license fee
associated with the non-performing product. Our standard software license
agreement limits our liability to the amount of the license fee paid, if the
license has been in effect for less than one year, or for the amount of the
license's annual maintenance renewal fee, if the license is more than one year
old. To date we have not received any Year 2000 related claims on our software
products.
 
    Although SERENA does not have a formal plan to address Year 2000 issues,
management is currently addressing Year 2000 problems as they relate to our
internal operating systems. We anticipate that our review of Year 2000 issues
and any remediation efforts will continue throughout calendar 1999. Our Year
2000 review of our internal operating systems is concentrated on our internal
accounting and customer service systems, the systems we believe are most
important to our business. We have found our internal accounting software to be
Year 2000 compliant. We are still reviewing our customer service internal
operating systems. If any Year 2000 issues are uncovered with respect to the
customer service systems or
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
our other internal systems, we believe these problems will be able to be
resolved without material difficulty or cost as replacement systems are
available on commercially reasonable terms.
 
    In view of our Year 2000 review and remediation efforts to date, and the
limited activities that remain to be completed, we do not consider contingency
planning to be necessary at this time. To date costs related to Year 2000 issues
have not been material, and we do not believe such costs will be material in the
future.
 
    We have sought assurances from the suppliers of all third party equipment
and software that we believe is critical to our business that their products are
Year 2000 compliant. While SERENA has received several assurances as to the Year
2000 compliance of these third party products, we generally do not have any
contractual rights with the third party providers should these equipment or
software fail due to Year 2000 issues. If this third party equipment or software
does not operate properly with regard to the Year 2000, we may incur unexpected
expenses to remedy any problems. These expenses could potentially include
purchasing replacement hardware and software.
 
    In addition, the purchasing patterns of our customers and potential
customers may be affected by Year 2000 issues. Many companies are spending
significant resources to correct their current software systems for Year 2000
compliance. While sales of certain of our products, in particular STARTOOL,
STARWARP and COMPAREX, have benefited from increased customer spending on Year
2000 readiness, we believe sales of our CHANGE MAN product have been and will
continue to be adversely affected by customer focus on Year 2000 issues.
Customers with limited IT budgets who face material Year 2000 issues are
spending their limited resources remediating these Year 2000 problems instead of
investing in more general IT products such as CHANGE MAN. Market acceptance of
SERENA's products to address general IT business needs as well as resolution of
specific business issues such as Year 2000 readiness is critical to our business
and future success.
 
   
    For risks concerning SERENA related to Year 2000 see "Risk
Factors--Potential Year 2000 Problems with Our Software or Our Internal
Operating Systems Could Adversely Affect Our Business" and "Reduced Customer
Focus and Spending on Year 2000 Remediation and EMU Conversion Could Adversely
Affect the Sales of Certain of Our Products; Customer Use of Our Products for
Year 2000 and EMU Issues May Not Lead to Increased Sales of Our Other Products."
    
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS SECTION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS RELATING
TO FUTURE EVENTS OR THE FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SERENA, WHICH INVOLVE
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS,
INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    SERENA is a leading provider of SCM products and services for managing and
controlling software change throughout the software application life cycle. In
our 18 year history, we have developed substantial technological expertise in
the design and implementation of robust, flexible and reliable SCM solutions. IT
managers use our products to track software changes during the software
application design and development process, manage separate programming teams
who are concurrently developing and enhancing applications, and oversee the
deployment of the software applications. Our SCM solutions are designed to
improve customers' return on IT investment by increasing programmer productivity
and reducing application development and IT infrastructure maintenance costs. As
of October 31, 1998, our products have been installed in over 2,000 data centers
worldwide and our customers include 36 of the Fortune 50 companies such as Chase
Manhattan, Citigroup, General Electric, IBM, MetLife, Merrill Lynch and
Prudential.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    The evolution of enterprise computing from centralized, mainframe-based
computing to distributed, client/server computing has added substantial
complexity in recent years to the management of IT infrastructures. Today's IT
environment is characterized by distributed information systems, applications
and networks, comprising a wide range of hardware platforms, operating systems,
databases, development tools, networking protocols and packaged and internally
developed software. This distributed computing environment has fueled a
proliferation of applications disseminated throughout the enterprise as
departments and individual users have been empowered to independently sponsor
applications. These often disparate applications must be continually maintained
and often reprogrammed to be compatible with emerging technologies. The advent
of the Internet, intranets and extranets has added further complexity by
stimulating the development of new applications, extending the reach of
applications throughout and beyond the enterprise while introducing additional
networking requirements.
 
    In connection with the developments associated with the distributed
computing environment, the mainframe has continued to be a critical component of
IT infrastructures. Many IT organizations maintain applications that are vital
to their business on the mainframe because of its unmatched performance,
reliability and security. International Data Corporation, or IDC, a leading IT
research firm, reports in a recent survey that a majority of IT system managers
surveyed will continue to deploy new applications on mainframes when
appropriate. In addition, the exponential growth of Internet-based applications
has fueled a dramatic increase in the volume of traffic and transactions
processed, requiring extensive processing capacity and high levels of
availability. IT managers are realizing the benefits of reinvesting in
mainframes to address the need for high performance servers as Internet usage
increases.
 
    Successful management of IT infrastructures requires the ability to manage
rapid and unpredictable technological change within increasingly complex and
heterogeneous computing environments. Business issues such as competitive
pressures, short time-to-market windows, regulatory changes and Year 2000 and
EMU conversions introduce additional requirements for change within IT
infrastructures.
 
    A key challenge for IT organizations is managing software change throughout
the enterprise, including new version releases, bug fixes, upgrades and
application introductions. Any software change, if not managed effectively, has
the potential to cause system outages or corrupt data which could result in
disruption throughout the enterprise and lost business. For example, a single,
undetected error in a software update
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
could have catastrophic results in such critical systems as airline flight
planning and securities trading. Change in software applications can occur at
all phases of the software application life cycle, from design and analysis to
development, through testing and production and into post-deployment support and
maintenance.
 
    Policies and practices for managing and controlling change throughout the
software application life cycle include:
 
        - tracking and auditing application modifications
 
        - integrating application components throughout the development, testing
          and production processes
 
        - managing multiple application versions to ensure the integrity of
          changes
 
        - managing the software application development efforts of separate
          programming teams working concurrently on the same application
 
        - identifying and implementing common changes across applications and
          systems
 
        - establishing automated processes for approving changes to software
          applications and for ensuring that an approved change is made before
          programmers attempt to execute additional changes to an application
 
        - controlling the deployment of applications into the existing IT
          environment
 
        - linking the pre- and post-deployment phases through processes that
          ensure that problems with applications are tracked so that bugs can be
          fixed or new applications developed
 
        - controlling application restoration and de-installation
 
    Historically, organizations have attempted to address their SCM requirements
internally either with paper based, manually implemented policies and procedures
or by developing their own software solutions. These internal solutions
generally require substantial IT resources, have lengthy implementation cycles,
frequently fail and are not cost effective. To overcome the costs and risks
associated with internally developed software change management solutions, many
organizations are now seeking commercially developed SCM solutions that enable
them to cost effectively manage and control change throughout the software
application life cycle and across the enterprise. We believe sophisticated SCM
solutions are required as organizations face increasingly complex and
distributed IT infrastructures, limited IT resources, remote IT project teams
and tight budget constraints. Ovum, a provider of independent IT computing
research, estimates that the global market for SCM products and services in 1998
will exceed $1 billion and will grow at a compound annual rate of approximately
34% to reach $3.4 billion by 2002. We believe that a successful SCM solution
must incorporate broad functionality and flexibility, be easy to use and
implement, promote best practices development and implementation and improve
return on IT investment.
 
THE SERENA SOLUTION
 
    SERENA provides a full suite of software change management products and
services for managing and controlling change throughout the software application
life cycle. Throughout our 18 year history, we have developed substantial
technological expertise in the design and implementation of robust, flexible and
reliable SCM solutions. Our product suite automates the management of the
software application life cycle and creates an IT environment that facilitates
concurrent development efforts by separate programming teams, improves process
consistency, enhances software integrity and protects valuable software assets.
In addition, the adaptability of our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite combined
with our comprehensive SER(POWER) consulting services enable customers to
customize our products to fully address their specific
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
SCM requirements. Our products and services are designed to improve customers'
return on IT investments by increasing programmer productivity and reducing
application development and IT infrastructure maintenance costs.
 
    BROAD FUNCTIONALITY.  SERENA's FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite provides
customers with a wide range of SCM functionality for large scale, complex
computing environments. This product suite supports a comprehensive set of
software application development and life cycle management functions, including:
 
          - change detection and tracking through application development,
            testing and production
 
          - concurrent development by separate programming teams
 
          - merging capabilities for multiple application versions
 
- - impact analysis
 
- - online approvals
 
- - test data generation
 
- - test results comparison
 
- - file and data management and synchronization
 
    HIGH LEVEL OF ADAPTABILITY, EASE OF USE AND IMPLEMENTATION.  The FULL.CYCLE
MAINFRAME product suite provides configuration flexibility to enable easy and
quick implementation within customers' IT environments. This product suite
integrates with existing IT applications, systems, development tools, operating
systems, databases, programming languages, security systems, libraries and
inventory lists. The FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products are highly adaptable to
customers' SCM processes and procedures and can be customized for specific
customer requirements. In contrast, SERENA believes that most other commercially
available SCM products are inflexible and require IT organizations to modify
their current IT environments, requiring substantial IT resources and lengthy
implementation cycles.
 
    COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTING SERVICES.  We complement our product offerings with
our comprehensive SER(POWER) professional services, which leverage SERENA's
expertise in the design and implementation of SCM solutions. Through the
identification of products, methods and procedures that address specific
customer SCM requirements, our consultants help clients design and implement
best practice change and configuration management.
 
    IMPROVED RETURN ON IT INVESTMENT.  The FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite
automates the software application life cycle, streamlining the process of
administering change and moving changes through an IT organization and allowing
incremental changes to be efficiently processed. By managing and controlling
change more effectively and efficiently, the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite
enables customers to reduce application development costs and improve the
quality of new releases by quickly implementing applications, reducing
programmer downtime, shortening approval time, eliminating manual errors and
improving application testing and debugging.
 
STRATEGY
 
    SERENA's objective is to be the leader in providing SCM products and
services for managing and controlling change throughout the software application
life cycle and across the enterprise. Key components of our strategy include:
 
    MAINTAIN TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP.  SERENA is a technology leader in providing
robust, flexible and reliable SCM solutions for the mainframe. To strengthen and
extend our SCM solutions, we plan to continue to invest in research and
development to expand the features and functionality of our mainframe product
suite.
 
    EXTEND SCM SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE.  We are developing FULL.CYCLE
DESKTOP, an integrated SCM product suite for the desktop, which will incorporate
the proprietary technology and expertise found in our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME
products. Managing software change on the mainframe and desktop
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
platforms has many similarities. These similarities include the need to develop
and enforce consistent software change policies and procedures and a process to
control all types of software changes. Software change occurs throughout all
phases of the application life cycle from the initial business request for a new
software application through development, testing and production and into the
maintenance and support phases. We introduced the first of our FULL.CYCLE
DESKTOP products, DETECT+RESOLVE, in December 1998 and plan to release initial
versions of other FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products by the end of calendar 1999.
Additionally, we intend to use our SERNET technology to link SERENA's SCM
solutions across customers' mainframe and desktop environments. We plan to
enhance our mainframe and desktop product suites by adding new features and
integrating our solutions with leading help desk, software distribution and
management frameworks in order to link SERENA's SCM solutions to the
post-deployment phase of the software application life cycle.
 
    LEVERAGE CUSTOMER BASE.  Most of our customers are large, sophisticated
organizations with complex information systems in distributed computing
environments. We intend to make additional sales of our products, options and
services to our existing customers to help them meet their changing SCM
requirements and expanding computer capacity needs. In particular, we plan to
broaden our telesales efforts to reduce sales cycles and provide a more rapid
response to customer product requests.
 
    CONTINUE TO EXPAND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OFFERINGS.  The complex and
strategic nature of software change management provides SERENA with a
significant opportunity to consult with customers to help them successfully
develop, implement and execute SERENA's SCM solutions. We intend to expand our
SER(POWER) professional services offerings for the mainframe to include services
for applications and systems on the desktop platform.
 
    EXPAND GLOBAL SALES.  SERENA believes that international markets and
companies within the Global 2000 represent a significant growth opportunity as
businesses increasingly recognize the need for effective SCM solutions. We
intend to expand the scope of our international operations, particularly in
Europe, and have established subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and in Germany.
 
    PURSUE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS AND ACQUISITIONS.  We continue to pursue
strategic relationships that will augment or expand our SCM product offerings
and distribution channels. In particular, we intend to extend our product
offerings and distribution channels by partnering with leading help desk
management, software distribution and system framework providers. In addition,
we intend to evaluate strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities for
products and technologies that complement or extend our existing product suites
or that offer access to additional distribution channels. The acquisition of
Optima, for example, significantly broadens our professional services and sales
and marketing organizations and enables us to market CHANGE MAN as part of our
FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite.
 
PRODUCTS
 
    SERENA develops, markets and supports a full suite of mainframe SCM products
for managing and controlling change throughout the software application life
cycle. SERENA's current product offerings support the industry standard IBM
mainframe platforms, including MVS, and are marketed under the brand name
FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME. This product suite automates the software application life
cycle and creates an IT environment that facilitates concurrent development
efforts by separate programming teams, improves process consistency, enhances
software integrity and protects valuable software assets. Our products
significantly improve programmer productivity, reduce software application
development costs and improve customers' return on IT investments.
 
    In addition, we are developing a SCM product suite for the desktop
environment that will support Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT desktop platforms.
These products will be marketed under the brand name FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP.
Together the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME and FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products will be
marketed under the brand name FULL.CYCLE ENTERPRISE.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
    Customers typically purchase our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products under
MIPS-based, perpetual licenses. A description of MIPS-based licenses is included
in the "Overview" section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. List prices for our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME
products, which include one year of software maintenance and support, range from
$20,000 to $800,000.
 
    The following products comprise the FULL.CYCLE Mainframe product suite:
<TABLE>
<S>            <C>            <C>          <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      YEAR PRODUCT
 
<CAPTION>
                   FIRST         LAST
PRODUCT NAME    INTRODUCED     RELEASED                       BRIEF DESCRIPTION
<S>            <C>            <C>          <C>
CHANGE MAN            1988          1997   Provides automated infrastructure to control and manage
                                           software change
COMPAREX              1981          1998   Performs data comparison for application testing and
                                           software quality
CDF                   1994          1997   Merges versions of programs to enable concurrent
                                           development
STARTOOL              1989          1998   Facilitates complex file and data management tasks
STARWARP              1997          1998   Addresses data aging problems by converting data to new
                                           formats
SYNCTRAC              1993          1998   Detects, tracks and synchronizes changes in MVS data
                                           sets
</TABLE>
 
    CHANGE MAN, our flagship product, is a comprehensive SCM solution that
provides an automated infrastructure to help customers manage and control change
throughout the software application life cycle. CHANGE MAN manages change by
coupling application development and production control and provides developers
and their managers with the assurance of technological control and integrity
throughout the development process enabling them to focus on software quality
and production reliability. CHANGE MAN automates the entire software application
life cycle, by providing:
 
          - impact analysis
 
          - version control
 
          - promotion of fixed code into production
 
          - online management of approvals and authorizations
 
- - management of concurrent development efforts by separate programming teams
 
- - code freezing to prevent further development while testing
 
- - auditing and automating the backout of changes
 
By using CHANGE MAN, customers can realize many benefits, including:
 
          - improving programmer productivity
 
          - reducing production downtime
 
          - ensuring approval integrity
 
          - improving application availability
 
- - accommodating multiple testing levels
 
- - eliminating manual errors
 
- - shortening approval time
 
CHANGE MAN is a flexible, compatible SCM solution that supports multiple
operating systems and database platforms and integrates easily with customers'
existing IT environments by using standard IBM programming languages and working
with existing customer security systems, libraries and inventory lists.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
    COMPAREX is a comparison SCM product used for efficient application testing
and software quality assurance. COMPAREX performs fast, accurate, single-step
comparisons of the contents of libraries, directories, files or databases by
performing line-by-line byte-level comparisons. COMPAREX performs several
functions, including:
 
          - supporting a variety of data types
 
          - providing sophisticated comparison algorithms for both data and text
 
          - minimizing the scope of comparisons by utilizing keywords to compare
            specific portions of a file
 
- - providing direct interfaces to most major databases
 
- - producing detailed reports on the comparison differences
 
COMPAREX provides increased flexibility, accuracy and control of change testing
by:
 
          - enabling the comparison of data in dissimilar positions
 
          - providing single-step direct database comparisons
 
- - eliminating time-consuming manual change verifications and providing detailed
  audit trails
 
Its flexibility to handle any type of comparison problem enables COMPAREX to be
used in the testing and validation phase of a wide range of application
development projects, including Year 2000 and EMU conversions.
 
    CONCURRENT DEVELOPMENT FACILITY, OR CDF, facilitates the management of
multiple versions of software by providing a comprehensive comparison tool that
can merge up to eight versions of source code into a single version, and
produces a report that compares the different versions and clearly identifies
differences and conflicts. CDF can reduce application development costs by
enabling separate programming teams to work concurrently on the same parts of an
application. By merging different versions of a program's source code to provide
a consolidation of each team's changes, CDF greatly reduces implementation time
and improves the quality of new releases. CDF can be closely integrated with
CHANGE MAN to provide enhanced concurrent development capabilities.
 
    STARTOOL is used for complex file and data management tasks and has
extensive editing tools. STARTOOL provides a comprehensive workbench of
utilities that may be used for application and system testing or conversion and
recovery support. STARTOOL enables users to perform many data management tasks,
including:
 
          - locating and replacing data and data sets
 
          - automatically tracking changes to applications or systems
 
- - recreating lost source code
 
- - diagnosing and mapping recovery strategies for file-related problems
 
    STARTOOL expedites the testing of modified programs by creating test data
without requiring the rewrite or debugging of one-time programs or the use of
utility programs that do not interface with end-users.
 
    STARWARP addresses data aging by providing a method for converting or
"warping" data stored in a particular format, including dates, currency and
other business fields into new formats. For example, STARWARP enables over 400
date fields to be converted into new formats to resolve Year 2000 issues.
STARWARP minimizes the need to write batch programs for each file-aging
situation and enables programmers to create test data by automating the process
of specifying default values for data fields.
 
    SYNCTRAC detects, tracks and synchronizes change in multiple environments to
improve system integrity and recoverability. SYNCTRAC provides centralized
control to software change implementation and distribution after applications
are initially deployed. SYNCTRAC speeds development and problem resolution by
<PAGE>
configuration security for the production environment by using fingerprinting
technology to audit and track changes enabling system programmers to repair
unauthorized changes and to facilitate the replication of authorized changes to
remote environments.
 
PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
 
    We are leveraging the proprietary technology and expertise incorporated in
our mainframe SCM product suite to develop an integrated SCM product suite for
the desktop. Our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite will support the Windows
95/98/NT desktop platforms and is designed to be integrated with leading third
party software distribution, desktop management and help desk software products.
With our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME and FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suites, we will be
able to provides customers a complete SCM solution across an IT enterprise.
DETECT+RESOLVE, the first of our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products, remotely detects
software configuration problems on the desktop and resolve the problems
automatically over the network with functionality similar to SYNCTRAC. The
FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite will also include a comprehensive desktop SCM
product with functionality similar to CHANGE MAN; a comparison product used for
efficient application testing and software quality assurance with functionality
similar to COMPAREX; and a product that can reconcile multiple versions of
applications which capability is needed in collaborative development efforts
with functionality similar to CDF. We released DETECT+RESOLVE in December 1998
and plan to introduce initial versions of other FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP products by
the end of calendar 1999. We may be unable, for technological or other reasons,
to develop and introduce these products in a timely manner. Any failure by us to
successfully develop, market, sell and support the FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product
suite would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results
and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--Our Introduction of SERENA SCM
Products for the Desktop May Not Be Successful" and "--We May Experience Delays
in Developing Our Products Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business."
 
TECHNOLOGY
 
    SERNET provides a common platform for the continued enhancement of our
existing products and the rapid development of future products. SERNET serves as
a repository for our key technologies and provides our product suites with:
 
          - a common, stable infrastructure
 
          - a set of common services for product suite integration
 
          - an interface that promotes third party integration
 
- - a communications module for cross platform interconnectivity
 
- - a common set of modules including licensing management, file access and
  security
 
    Although SERNET has existed for some time as an embedded technology in many
of the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products, we are currently developing three stand
alone products that will be marketed under the brand name SERNET ENTERPRISE.
SERNET CONNECT, SERNET MAINFRAME and SERNET DESKTOP will use the SERNET
technology to facilitate interaction among our FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME and
FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suites. The SERNET ENTERPRISE products will be
designed to integrate with customer and third party technology where
interconnectivity is required. We currently expect an initial version of each
SERNET ENTERPRISE product to be released in the first half of calendar 1999.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
    The following diagram illustrates SERENA's FULL.CYCLE ENTERPRISE SCM
environment which will be comprised of the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME product suite,
the planned FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP product suite and the SERNET CONNECT
communications module.
 
Graphic depicting SERENA's FULL.CYCLE Enterprise SCM environment which is
comprised of the FULL.CYCLE Mainframe product suite, the FULL.CYCLE Desktop
product suite (which product suite is currently under development) and the
SERNET Communication module. The graphic appears in a box. The title of the
graphic, which appears centered inside the box under the top line of the box, is
'FULL.CYCLE Enterprise.' Two rectangles with white space between them appear
beneath the FULL.CYCLE Enterprise title. The title of the left rectangle,
'FULL.CYCLE Mainframe,' appears approximately in the middle of the left
rectangle. Beneath the 'FULL.CYCLE Mainframe' title the following product names
appear: Change Man, COMPAREX, CDF, SyncTrac, StarTool and StarWarp. The title of
the right triangle, 'FULL.CYCLE Desktop,' appears approximately in the middle of
the rectangle. Beneath the 'FULL.CYCLE Desktop' title the following product
names appear: Change*, Compare*, Merger+Reconcile* and Detect+Resolve. Beneath
this list of product names, at the bottom of the rectangle, appears the caption
'*Under Development.' The two FULL.CYCLE Mainframe and FULL.CYCLE Desktop
rectangles are connected at the bottom by the words 'SERNET Connect' surrounded
by a rectangle with an arrow on either end of the rectangle intruding into the
FULL.CYCLE Mainframe and FULL.CYCLE Desktop rectangles. At the top of the
FULL.CYCLE Mainframe rectangle, in the upper-left corner, a short cylinder with
'Application and Data' appearing beneath the cylinder is connected on its right
side by three lines to a figure labeled 'Mainframe' appearing in the upper-right
corner of the FULL.CYCLE Mainframe. The figure labeled 'Mainframe' is connected
on its right by a single line to a figure--sitting in the white space between
the FULL.CYCLE Mainframe and FULL.CYCLE Desktop rectangles, directly above the
SERNET Connect figure below--that looks like a computer monitor and attached
keyboard with the caption 'Application Development/ System Administration'
appearing above the figure and the caption 'Centralized Management' appearing
below the figure. This figure is connected on its right by a line to two figures
sitting side by side in the upper left corner of the FULL.CYCLE Desktop
rectangle. Each of these two figures looks like a computer monitor and attached
keyboard and is connected to the other by a single line. The caption 'Desktop'
appears above these two figures and the caption 'Client or Server' appears below
these two figures. The right-most of these two figures is connected on its right
by three lines to a short cylinder labeled 'Application and Data' appearing in
the upper-right corner of the FULL.CYLCE Desktop rectangle.
 
In addition to SERNET, we have developed a number of other SCM technologies
which are embedded in our products, including:
 
    - A comparison engine detecting differences and tracking changes as small as
      individual bit values. This technology enables customers to compare
      extremely large volumes of data rapidly from a diverse set of sources
      including databases, indexed files and flat file structures. The primary
      product that uses this technology is COMPAREX.
 
    - A merge engine processing changes made to the same source code program by
      different development teams that enables parallel development teams to
      apply changes to an application concurrently, while determining whether
      the changes are compatible. The primary product that uses this technology
      is CDF.
 
    - A fingerprinting technology enabling application or system changes to be
      detected with a high level of granularity by reducing each data file in a
      system to a unique eight-byte token or "fingerprint" which changes if any
      bit is altered. Fingerprinting allows programmers and systems managers to
      quickly determine which changes have led to operational errors, thereby
      facilitating timely problem detection and resolution. Substantially all of
      SERENA's products use this technology.
 
    - An object factory technology consolidating desktop components into single
      objects and collecting them in class libraries, allowing for code re-use
      and enabling customers to develop inventories containing proven, tested
      and reliable codes, thereby facilitating the rapid development and
      deployment of products to the desktop. The object factory technology has
      an open interface structure of class libraries that can be incorporated
      with original equipment manufacturer tool kits. SERENA uses this
      technology to develop new SCM products or to upgrade existing products.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
 
    Our services group provides technical consulting, education, customer
support and product maintenance to help customers maximize the utilization of
SERENA's FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products. We offer our consulting and education
services under the SER(POWER) brand name.
 
    CONSULTING.  SERENA provides a comprehensive range of consulting services to
our customers. Our consultants review customers' existing IT systems and
applications and make recommendations for changing those systems and
applications and customizing SERENA's SCM products so that customers can fully
realize the benefits of the FULL.CYCLE MAINFRAME products. In addition to
helping customers customize, install and deploy our software products, our
consulting services may also include process reengineering and developing
interfaces with customers' databases, third party proprietary software
repositories or programming languages.
 
    We also offer customers more specialized consulting services. These
specialized consulting services expand SERENA's SER(POWER) professional services
to include our BEST PRACTICES CONSULTING SERVICES, which provide customers with
expertise and assistance in defining and developing a best practice change and
configuration management architecture and in identifying corresponding products,
methods and procedures. In addition, our YEAR 2000 SERVICES and EUROPEAN
MONETARY UNION SERVICES assist customers in achieving Year 2000 and EMU
conversion readiness. Our consultants work with customers' IT organizations to
identify and prioritize the critical success factors that are required for
effective Year 2000 and EMU conversion solutions, to manage corresponding system
and application changes and to automate the necessary testing processes.
SERENA's consulting services are typically billed on a time and materials basis.
 
    EDUCATION.  We offer hands-on training courses for the implementation and
administration of our products. Product training is provided on a periodic basis
at our headquarters in Burlingame, California, at our offices in London and also
at customer sites throughout the United States and Europe. We also offer custom
course development and CD-ROM based multimedia education for certain of our
products. We bill our education services on a per class basis.
 
    CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND PRODUCT MAINTENANCE.  We have a staff of customer
service personnel who provide technical support to customers. We offer technical
support services 24 hours a day, seven days a week via our Internet site, toll
free telephone lines, electronic mail, bulletin board service and facsimile
lines. Customers are notified about the availability of regular maintenance and
enhancement releases via Internet-based electronic mail. Initial product license
fees include one year of product software maintenance and support. Thereafter,
customers are entitled to receive software updates, maintenance releases and
technical support for an annual maintenance fee equivalent to approximately 17%
of the current list price of the licensed product. Over 95% of our customers who
were eligible to renew their maintenance agreements during calendar year 1997
did so. There can be no assurance that we will maintain this rate of renewal.
See "Risk Factors--Our Future Revenue is Substantially Dependent Upon Our
Installed Customer Base Renewing Maintenance Agreements for Our Products and
Licensing Additional SERENA SCM Products; Our Future Professional Service and
Maintenance Revenue is Dependent on Future Sales of Our Software Products."
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    SERENA believes that the ability to introduce new and enhanced products to
customers will be a key factor for future success. As part of our efforts to
generate ideas for enhancing our existing products and for developing new ones,
we maintain an ongoing dialogue with our customers who are continually facing
new SCM challenges in their evolving IT environments. SERENA has devoted and
expects to continue to devote significant resources to developing new and
enhanced products, including the FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP and SERNET ENTERPRISE
product suites.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
    Most of our technical personnel have been employed by SERENA for a
substantial length of time and their significant knowledge base contributes to
SERENA's ability to understand and address customers' SCM requirements. We
believe that attracting and retaining talented software developers who
understand the customers' problems is an important component of product
development activities. We encourage our developers to assume responsibility for
the design and delivery of our products through our product authorship incentive
program that rewards our developers with commissions based on the market success
of the applications they design, write, market and support. Competition for
developers is intense and any failure by us to continue to attract and retain
qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--We May Not Be Able
to Recruit and Retain the Personnel We Need to Succeed."
 
    SERENA's research and development expenses were $3.0 million, $4.3 million,
$5.5 million and $3.2 million in fiscal 1996, 1997 and 1998 and the nine months
ended October 31, 1998, representing 28%, 25%, 17% and 10% of total revenues,
respectively. The reduction in research and development expenses for the nine
months ended October 31, 1998, is attributable principally to the restructuring
of compensation arrangements with SERENA's founder and Chief Technology Officer.
We expect the research and development expenses will increase as we hire
additional research and development personnel to develop its FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP
and SERNET ENTERPRISE products. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
    We believe that our ability to develop and introduce enhancements to our
products and new products on a timely basis is a key success factor. We expect
that we will have to respond quickly to rapid technological change, changing
customer needs, frequent new product introductions and evolving industry
standards that may render existing products and services obsolete. SERENA has in
the past devoted and expects in the future to continue to devote a significant
amount of resources to developing new and enhanced products. We currently have a
number of product development initiatives underway. There can be no assurance
that any enhanced products, new products or product suites will be embraced by
existing or new customers. The failure of these products to achieve market
acceptance would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--Our Industry Changes Rapidly
Due to Evolving Technology Standards And Our Future Success Will Depend on Our
Ability to Continue to Meet the Sophisticated Needs of Our Customers."
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
CUSTOMERS
 
    The following is a representative list of our customers that have purchased
at least $100,000 in software licenses, maintenance and professional services
since the beginning of fiscal 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
ABN AMRO Service Company, Inc.                 State of California, Health & Welfare
Aegon USA, Inc.                                Agency Data Center
Aetna Life Insurance Company                   International Business Machines
Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.             Corporation
American Express Financial Corp.               Integrated Systems Solution
Ameritech Services, Inc.                       Corporation
Ames Department Stores, Inc.                   Manulife Financial
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.                MCI WorldCom Communications
Bank of Nova Scotia                            Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.                        Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
BellSouth Information Services                 National City Corp.
CGI Telecom Information and Services, Inc.     NationsBanc Services, Inc.
The Chase Manhattan Corporation                Policy Management Systems Corporation
Citigroup, Inc.                                The Prudential Insurance Company of
Computer Sciences Corporation                  America
Credit Communal de Belgique                    Rensselaer County Industries
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation         Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
First Union National Bank                      Sears Canada Inc.
Fortis Inc.                                    U.S. Sprint Communications Company,
The Franklin Mint                              L.P.
General Electric Company                       Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Hartford Fire Insurance Company                Washington Mutual, Inc.
                                               Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
                                               Zurich Insurance Company
</TABLE>
 
    The following are examples of customers who use our products and
professional services for managing enterprise level applications for large
organizations.
 
    CREDIT COMMUNAL DE BELGIQUE is the Belgian banking institution of the Dexia
Group, a leader in the financing of public service facilities in Europe,
composed of Credit Local de France, Credit Communal, Banque International a
Luxembourg and Dexia Public & Project Finance International Bond. Credit
Communal sought an SCM solution that could standardize its software application
development procedures, provide versioning capability and enable concurrent
development efforts by multiple programming teams. Credit Communal chose CHANGE
MAN because of its broad functionality, ease of use and implementation,
adaptability and customization capabilities to address specific SCM
requirements. CHANGE MAN provides Credit Communal with an automated software
change infrastructure enabling Credit Communal to better manage and control its
software application development environments. Additionally, Credit Communal has
integrated CDF with CHANGE MAN to provide enhanced concurrent development
capabilities and has integrated SYNCTRAC to manage and synchronize software in
their production and test systems. Credit Communal also uses these products for
Year 2000 and EMU readiness.
 
    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a
commercial bank serving more than 16 million customers. Before purchasing CHANGE
MAN, First Union used an internally developed SCM solution which did not have
versioning or concurrent development capabilities. First Union chose CHANGE MAN
because of its broad functionality, ease of use and implementation and
versioning and concurrent capabilities. CHANGE MAN has improved First Union's
control of its software application development process including synchronizing
source to load modules and protecting source code. First Union also uses
COMPAREX and CDF to increase programmer productivity by identifying differences
between versions of code.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    In North America, the United Kingdom and Germany, we market our software
primarily through our direct sales organization. SERENA's North American sales
organization includes personnel in the metropolitan areas of Boston, Chicago,
Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Francisco and Toronto.
 
    Our direct sales force works closely with customers to understand and
address their SCM needs. In particular, we plan to broaden our telesales efforts
to reduce sales cycles and provide a rapid response to customer product
requests.
 
    In addition to our direct sales and telesales efforts, we have established
relationships with distributors and resellers located in North America, Europe,
Israel and South Africa. In addition to marketing and selling our software,
these distributors and resellers provide technical support as well as
educational and consulting services.
 
    We market our products through seminars, industry conferences, trade shows,
advertising, direct mailing efforts and our Internet site. In addition, we have
developed programs that promote an active exchange of information between us and
our existing customers. These programs include customer meetings with our senior
management at our Executive Briefing Center and focus group meetings with
customers to evaluate product positioning. We plan to continue to expand our
marketing organization to broaden our market presence.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The market for our products is highly competitive and diverse. The
technology for SCM products may change rapidly. New products are frequently
introduced and existing products are continually enhanced. Competitors vary in
size and in the scope and breadth of the products and services that they offer.
Many of our current and potential competitors have greater financial, technical,
marketing and other resources than we have. As a result, they may be able to
respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer
requirements. They may also be able to devote greater resources to the
development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. We may not be
able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.
 
    EXISTING COMPETITION.  We face competition from a number of sources,
including:
 
        - Customers' internal IT departments
 
        - Providers of SCM products that compete directly with SERENA's CHANGE
          MAN and COMPAREX products such as Computer Associates, PLATINUM
          technology, IBM and smaller private companies
 
        - Providers of SCM application development programmer productivity and
          system management products such as Compuware, Microsoft, IBM and
          smaller private companies
 
    FUTURE COMPETITION.  Barriers to entry in the software market are relatively
low. As a result, we may face competition in the future from established
companies who have not previously entered the mainframe SCM market or from
emerging software companies. These companies may not only develop their own
mainframe SCM solutions, but they may also acquire or establish cooperative
relationships with our current competitors, including cooperative relationships
between large, established companies and smaller private companies. Because
larger companies have significant financial and organizational resources
available, they may be able to quickly penetrate the mainframe SCM market
through acquisitions or strategic relationships and may be able to leverage the
technology and expertise of smaller companies and develop successful SCM
products for the mainframe. We expect that the software industry, in general,
and providers of SCM solutions, in particular, will continue to consolidate. It
is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors may emerge and
rapidly acquire significant market share.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
    BUNDLING OR COMPATIBILITY RISKS.  Our ability to sell our products also
depends, in part, on the compatibility of our products with other third-party
products, particularly those provided by IBM. Developers of these third-party
products may change their products so that they will no longer be compatible
with our products. These third-party developers may also decide to bundle their
products with other SCM products for promotional purposes. This could materially
adversely affect our business and future operating results as we may be priced
out of the market or no longer able to offer commercially viable products.
 
    COMPETITION IN THE DESKTOP SCM MARKET.  We anticipate that we will also face
significant competition as we develop, market and sell our FULL.CYCLE DESKTOP
products. We do not have experience in developing, selling, marketing or
supporting desktop products since all of our products to date have been designed
to support the mainframe. Penetrating the existing desktop SCM market will be
difficult. Competitors in the desktop market include PLATINUM technology, Micro
Focus/INTERSOLV, Microsoft, Novadigm, Novell, Rational Software and smaller
private companies.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
    Our success will be heavily dependent upon proprietary technology. We rely
primarily on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark laws, trade
secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our
proprietary rights. Such laws provide only limited protection. We submitted four
patent applications for our technology in 1998 and each of these applications is
still pending. These patents may never be issued. Even if these patents are
issued, they may not provide sufficiently broad protection or they may not prove
enforceable in actions against alleged infringors. Despite precautions that we
take, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy aspects of our
current or future products or to obtain and use information that we regard as
proprietary. In particular, we may provide our licensees with access to our data
model and other proprietary information underlying our licensed applications.
Such means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate.
Additionally, our competitors may independently develop similar or superior
technology. Policing unauthorized use of software is difficult and some foreign
laws do not protect SERENA's proprietary rights to the same extent as United
States laws. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our
intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the
validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation could result
in substantial costs and diversion of SERENA's resources and could materially
adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
 
    Third parties may claim that our current or future products infringe their
proprietary rights. In September 1998, Compuware Corporation filed a lawsuit
against SERENA alleging copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation
and various tort claims related to the sale of our STARTOOL and STARWARP
products. See "Litigation" and "Risk Factors--Third Parties in the Future Could
Assert That Our Products Infringe Their Intellectual Property Rights, Which
Could Adversely Affect Our Business; There Could Be Potential Adverse Affects of
the Pending Compuware Claim." We may receive additional claims in the future and
any such claims could affect our relationships with existing customers and may
prevent future customers from licensing its products. Because we are dependent
upon a limited number of products, any such claims, including the Compuware
claim, with or without merit, could be time consuming, result in costly
litigation, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into royalty or
licensing agreements. Royalty or license agreements may not be available on
acceptable terms or at all. We expect that software product developers will
increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number of products and
competitors in the software industry segment grows and the functionality of
products in different industry segments overlaps. As a result of these factors,
infringement claims could materially adversely affect our business, operating
results and financial condition.
 
    We license our STARTOOL and STARWARP products on an exclusive, world-wide
basis from A. Bruce Leland, one of our employees. Mr. Leland holds all
proprietary rights with respect to the STARTOOL and STARWARP technology,
including any derivative works or enhancements of the existing STARTOOL and
STARWARP products. Sales of STARTOOL accounted for 12% of SERENA's software
licensing revenue for fiscal
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
1998 and for the nine months ended October 31, 1998, respectively. Licenses of
STARWARP accounted for 7% of SERENA's software licensing revenue for nine months
ended October 31, 1998 and did not account for any software license revenues in
fiscal 1998. Our licenses to copy, market and distribute STARTOOL and STARWARP
are exclusive, worldwide and nontransferable. We pay sublicense fees of
approximately 36% on net revenue recognized from license and maintenance
agreements related to STARTOOL and STARWARP. SERENA's licenses for these
products are terminable by Mr. Leland upon 30 days notice in the event certain
conditions occur, including if we fail to pay sublicense fees on a timely basis
or otherwise materially breach the license agreement. SERENA owns the trademarks
for both STARTOOL and STARWARP.
 
    We share ownership rights in our SYNCTRAC technology for mainframe platforms
with High Power Software, a developer of data protection software for the
mainframe. Sales of the SYNCTRAC product accounted for 3% and 5% of SERENA's
software license revenue in fiscal 1998 and in the nine months ended October 31,
1998, respectively. High Power Software receives 50% of all software license
revenue and maintenance revenue derived from licenses of the SYNCTRAC product
for mainframe platforms. Although we have primary responsibility for marketing,
licensing and supporting SYNCTRAC, High Power Software has the ability to
jointly direct marketing, sales and support efforts regarding the product. We
own the SYNCTRAC technology for deployment on non-mainframe platforms and do not
share this ownership with High Power Software or any other third party.
 
    If our licenses for our STARTOOL and STARWARP technologies terminated or our
relationship with High Power Software worsened with regard to the joint
direction of marketing, sales and support efforts for SYNCTRAC, this could
materially adversely affect our business and operating results. See "Risk
Factors-- Certain of Our Products Are Licensed From Third Parties or Are
Jointly-Owned with Third Parties; Our Failure To Maintain These Arrangements
with Third Parties Could Adversely Affect Our Business."
 
LITIGATION
 
    In September 1998, Compuware Corporation, or Compuware, filed suit against
SERENA in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
seeking unspecified compensatory damages, costs and attorneys fees, and
injunctive relief based on allegations of copyright infringement, trade secret
misappropriation and various tort claims related to the sale of our STARTOOL and
STARWARP products. Compuware served the complaint on SERENA on November 18,
1998. Due to the nature of litigation generally and because the lawsuit brought
by Compuware is at an early stage, management cannot ascertain the availability
of injunctive relief or other equitable remedies or estimate the total expenses,
possible damages or settlement value, if any, that may ultimately be incurred in
connection with Compuware's suit. However, management believes, based on the
advice of counsel, that SERENA has meritorious defenses to the allegations
contained in Compuware's complaint. We believe that this matter will not have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
This litigation could be time consuming and costly, and there can be no
assurance that SERENA will necessarily prevail given the inherent uncertainties
in litigation. In the event that we do not prevail in litigation, we could be
prevented from selling our STARTOOL and STARWARP products or be required to
enter into royalty or licensing agreements or pay monetary damages. Such royalty
or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable
to SERENA or at all. In the event of a successful claim against us, our
business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely
affected.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of October 31, 1998, SERENA had 186 full-time employees, 30 of whom were
engaged in research and development, 62 in sales and marketing, 64 in
consulting, education and customer and document support, and 30 in finance,
administration and operations. Our future performance depends in significant
part upon the continued service of its key technical, sales and senior
management personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of our key
employees could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and
financial condition. Our future success also depends on its continuing ability
to attract, train
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
and retain highly qualified technical, sales and managerial personnel.
Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to retain our
key personnel in the future. None of our employees are represented by a labor
union. We have not experienced any work stoppages and consider our relations
with our employees to be good.
 
FACILITIES
 
    Our principal administrative, sales, marketing, consulting, education,
customer support and research and development facilities are located at our
headquarters in Burlingame, California. SERENA currently occupies an aggregate
of approximately 26,000 square feet of office space in the Burlingame facility
under the terms of various leases, the first of which terminates, unless
renewed, in December 2001. Management believes its current facilities will be
adequate to meet SERENA's needs for at least the next twelve months. We believe
that suitable additional facilities will be available in the future as needed on
commercially reasonable terms.
 
    SERENA also leases office space for sales and marketing in Sacramento,
California and Atlanta, Georgia, has subsidiaries in Canada, the United Kingdom
and Germany.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
executive officers and directors of SERENA as of the date of this prospectus.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                      AGE      POSITION
- ------------------------------------      ---      ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>
Douglas D. Troxel...................          54   Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology
                                                   Officer
Richard A. Doerr....................          56   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Marianne M. Elkholy.................          48   Vice President, Worldwide Marketing
Kevin C. Parker.....................          42   Vice President, Research and Development
Robert I. Pender, Jr................          41   Vice President, Finance and Administration,
                                                   Chief
                                                   Financial Officer and Secretary
Sydney S. Phelan....................          48   Vice President, North American Consulting
                                                   Services
Roger A. Richardson.................          38   Vice President, International Operations
Anthony G. Stayner..................          43   Vice President, Services
Vita A. Strimaitis..................          38   Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant
                                                   Secretary
Mark E. Woodward....................          40   Vice President, Sales
Alan H. Hunt (a)(b).................          56   Director
Jerry T. Ungerman (a)(b)............          54   Director
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(a)  Member of Audit Committee
 
(b) Member of Compensation Committee
 
    DOUGLAS D. TROXEL is the founder of SERENA and has served as the Chairman of
SERENA's board of directors since April 1980 and SERENA's Chief Technology
Officer since April 1997. From June 1980 to April 1997, Mr. Troxel served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of SERENA. Mr. Troxel holds a B.S. in
mathematics from Iowa State University.
 
    RICHARD A. DOERR has served as SERENA's President, Chief Executive Officer
and as a member of SERENA's Board of Directors since April 1997. From April 1995
until October 1996, Mr. Doerr was Vice President of Sales, Service and
Distribution for Wall Data Incorporated, a software connectivity company. From
October 1991 until October 1994, Mr. Doerr was Vice President, Worldwide
Operations for Oracle Corporation, a developer of relational database management
software. From August 1986 until October 1991, Mr. Doerr was Vice President,
Western Area and U.S. Healthcare Industry for Digital Equipment Corporation, a
developer of networking solutions for computer environments. Mr. Doerr holds a
B.S. from California Polytechnic State University.
 
    MARIANNE M. ELKHOLY has served as SERENA's Vice President, Worldwide
Marketing since October 1997. From April 1997 until August 1997, Ms. Elkholy was
Vice President, Marketing for Virtual Integration Technology, Inc., a developer
of data warehousing and information delivery solutions. From March 1994 until
February 1997, Ms. Elkholy was Executive Director of Marketing for Informix
Corporation, a developer of relational database management software. From March
1990 until March 1994, Ms. Elkholy was a Director of Marketing for Oracle
Corporation, a developer of relational database management software. Ms. Elkholy
holds a B.S. and an M.S. in mathematics from Marywood College.
 
    KEVIN C. PARKER has served as SERENA's Vice President, Research and
Development since November 1998. From October 1997 until November 1998, Mr.
Parker served as SERENA's Director of Technology Development. From November 1995
until April 1997, Mr. Parker was Director of Product Development for Command
Technology Corporation, a developer of mainframe-style programmer's tools. From
November 1989 until November 1995, Mr. Parker was Managing Director of IT
Independent Training Limited, a developer of software training products.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
    ROBERT I. PENDER, JR. has served as SERENA's Vice President, Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since December 1997. From
December 1996 until August 1997, Mr. Pender was Vice President, Finance of
Mosaix, Inc., a customer interaction software company. From April 1993 until
December 1996, Mr. Pender served in a variety of positions, most recently as
Chief Financial Officer, with ViewStar Corporation, a client/server workflow
software company that was acquired by Mosaix, Inc. in December 1996. Mr. Pender
holds a B.A. in accounting from Baylor University and an M.S. in financial
planning and tax from Golden Gate University.
 
    SYDNEY S. PHELAN has served as SERENA's Vice President, North American
Consulting Services since September 1998. From August 1992 until September 1998,
Ms. Phelan was a Vice President with Optima Software, Inc., a distributor of
change management software that was acquired by SERENA in September 1998. Ms.
Phelan holds a B.A. in English and psychology from the University of
Connecticut.
 
   
    ROGER A. RICHARDSON has served as SERENA's Vice President, International
Operations since May 1998. From January 1998 to May 1998, Mr. Richardson served
as SERENA's Vice President, European Operations. From February 1997 until
October 1997, Mr. Richardson was Director of European Operations for True
Software Inc., a developer of SCM products. From February 1996 until January
1997, Mr. Richardson was a director with Sequalogic Plc, a contract agency. From
April 1993 until January 1996, Mr. Richardson held various business management
positions, most recently as Vice President, Northern Europe, at Legent, Inc., a
developer of SCM products.
    
 
    ANTHONY G. STAYNER has served as SERENA's Vice President, Services since
September 1998. From June 1998 until September 1998, Mr. Stayner served as
SERENA's Vice President, Professional Services. From February 1996 until January
1998, Mr. Stayner was Director of Product Marketing, Services Business Unit for
Network Associates, Inc., a network security and performance management company.
From November 1994 until February 1996, Mr. Stayner was the Principal for
Stayner & Associates, a marketing and management consulting services firm. From
March 1992 until November 1994, Mr. Stayner was the Vice President of Marketing
for Common Ground Software, a developer of software for the distribution of
electronic documents across multiple platforms. Mr. Stayner holds a B.A. in
economics and mathematics from the University of California, Davis, a J.D. from
the University of California, Berkeley and a M.B.A. from Stanford University.
 
    VITA A. STRIMAITIS has served as SERENA's Vice President, General Counsel
and Assistant Secretary since July 1997. Ms. Strimaitis also served as SERENA's
Director of Licensing from September 1996 until July 1997. From April 1995 until
February 1996, Ms. Strimaitis was Vice President and General Counsel for
Financial Benefit Group, an annuity insurance company. From August 1994 until
April 1995, Ms. Strimaitis was a Senior Corporate Attorney for Uniforce Staffing
Services, a professional services resources company. From June 1986 until
January 1993, Ms. Strimaitis was Assistant General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary for Pioneer Financial Services, Inc., an insurance holding company.
Ms. Strimaitis holds a B.A. in political science and psychology from Loyola
University and a J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law.
 
    MARK E. WOODWARD has served as SERENA's Vice President, Sales since November
1998. From August 1997 until November 1998, Mr. Woodward was Senior Vice
President, Sales for Live Picture, Inc., a developer of Internet imaging
technology. From August 1995 until August 1997, Mr. Woodward was Vice President,
Sales for McAfee Associates, a network management firm. From March 1989 until
August 1995, Mr. Woodward was Vice President, Sales for Legent Inc., a developer
of SCM products.
 
    ALAN H. HUNT has served as a member of SERENA's Board of Directors since
February 1998. From October 1995 to January 1998, Mr. Hunt was the President and
Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Peregrine
Systems, Inc., a provider of infrastructure management software solutions. From
July 1994 until November 1995, Mr. Hunt was President and Chief Executive
Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of XVT Software Inc., a
development tools software company. From March 1991 until May 1994, Mr. Hunt was
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (North America)
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
for BMC Software, Inc., a vendor of software system utilities for IBM mainframe
computing environments. Mr. Hunt holds a B.S. in business administration and
industrial management from San Jose State College.
 
    JERRY T. UNGERMAN has served as a member of SERENA's Board of Directors
since December 1998. Since October 1998, Mr. Ungerman has served as an Executive
Vice President of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a developer of
computer network security access software. From July 1971 to October 1998, Mr.
Ungerman was the Executive Vice President of Operations of Hitachi Data Systems
Corp., a provider of computer networking and data storage solutions for
computing environments. Mr. Ungerman holds a B.S.B. in Business from the
University of Minnesota.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES
 
    We have established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The
Audit Committee reviews the internal accounting procedures of SERENA and
consults with and reviews the services provided by our independent auditors. The
Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the board of directors the
compensation and benefits of all officers of SERENA and establishes and reviews
general policies relating to compensation and benefits of employees of SERENA.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining salaries,
incentives and other forms of compensation for directors, officers and other
employees of SERENA and administering various incentive compensation and benefit
plans. The Compensation Committee consists of Alan H. Hunt and Jerry T.
Ungerman. Richard A. Doerr, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
SERENA, participates in all discussions and decisions regarding salaries and
incentive compensation for all employees and consultants of SERENA, except that
he is excluded from discussions regarding his own salary and incentive
compensation. No interlocking relationship exists between any member of SERENA's
Compensation Committee and any member of any other company's board of directors
or compensation committee.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    We reimburse each member of our board of directors for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings. No member of our
board of directors currently receives any additional cash compensation. At the
time Mr. Hunt became a member of the board of directors, SERENA granted Mr. Hunt
56,250 shares of common stock pursuant to a restricted stock purchase agreement
at a purchase price per share of $1.44. Under the terms of that agreement,
SERENA has a right to repurchase any unvested shares in the event Mr. Hunt's
membership in the board of directors should terminate. One quarter of Mr. Hunt's
shares will vest upon the first anniversary of his membership on the board of
directors, and 1/36 of the remaining shares will vest monthly thereafter. At the
time Mr. Ungerman became a member of our board of directors, SERENA granted Mr.
Ungerman an option to purchase up to 25,000 shares of common stock at a purchase
price of $9.00 per share under the 1997 Plan. One quarter of Mr. Ungerman's
options will vest upon the first anniversary of his membership on the board of
directors, and 1/36 of his remaining options vest monthly thereafter. See
"Certain Transactions."
 
    SERENA's 1999 Director Option Plan provides that options will be granted to
non-employee directors pursuant to an automatic nondiscretionary grant
mechanism. Each new non-employee director is automatically granted an option to
purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at the time he or she is first elected to
the board of directors. Each non-employee director will subsequently be granted
an option to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock at the beginning of each
fiscal year. Each such option will be granted at the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of grant. Options granted to non-employee directors
under the Director Plan will become exercisable over four years, with one
quarter of the shares subject to the option vesting after one year and the
remaining shares vesting ratably in monthly installments thereafter. See "Stock
Plans--1999 Director Option Plan."
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
   
    The table below and footnotes thereto set forth in summary form information
concerning the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid for services rendered
to SERENA in all capacities during the fiscal years ended January 31, 1998 and
1999 by our President and Chief Executive Officer and our next four most highly
compensated executive officers whose salary and bonus for fiscal 1999 exceeded
$100,000. These executives are referred to as the Named Executive Officers
elsewhere in this prospectus. Other than the salary and bonus described in the
table below, we did not pay any executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table any fringe benefits, perquisites or other compensation in
excess of 10% of such executive officer's salary and bonus during fiscal 1999.
Bonus and commission figures for fiscal 1999 represent bonus and commissions
earned and paid in fiscal 1999 only and do not include bonus and commissions
earned in fiscal 1999 to be paid in fiscal 2000 as these figures are not
currently available. Bonus and commission figures for fiscal 1998 include
bonuses and commissions earned and paid in fiscal 1998 as well as bonuses and
commissions earned in fiscal 1998 but paid in fiscal 1999.
    
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION                                                   ALL OTHER
                                                                    LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS              COMPENSATION
                                          --------------------  -------------------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>
                                                                RESTRICTED   RESTRICTED   SECURITIES      MATCHING      GROUP LIFE
                               FISCAL                              STOCK        STOCK     UNDERLYING       401(K)        INSURANCE
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION     YEAR       SALARY      BONUS    AWARDS ($)   AWARDS (#)   OPTIONS (#)   CONTRIBUTIONS    PREMIUMS
- ---------------------------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------------  -----------
Richard A. Doerr...........        1999   $ 200,000  $ 274,500          --           --           --      $   6,400      $   2,400
 President and Chief               1998     156,154    429,620   1,334,250    1,334,250(2)         --         1,333          1,013
 Executive Officer
 
Douglas D. Troxel..........        1999     324,000    126,750          --           --           --          5,940         10,243
  Chief Technology Officer         1998     324,000  1,063,500          --           --           --          5,190         10,264
 
Marianne M. Elkholy........        1999     150,000     34,065          --           --           --          6,400            653
 Vice President, Worldwide         1998      50,000(1)    42,500    184,500     184,500(2)         --         1,500            192
 Marketing
 
Robert I. Pender, Jr.......        1999     150,000    115,500          --           --           --          6,400            383
 Vice President, Finance           1998      25,000(1)    15,000    184,500     184,500(2)         --           500             34
 and Administration, Chief
 Financial Officer and
 Secretary
 
Roger A. Richardson........        1999     120,030    100,563          --           --       45,000             --             --
 Vice President,                   1998       3,495(1)        --         --          --           --             --             --
 International Operations
 
<CAPTION>
<S>                          <C>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION    MISC.
- ---------------------------  ---------
Richard A. Doerr...........  $      --
 President and Chief                --
 Executive Officer
Douglas D. Troxel..........     15,468(3)
  Chief Technology Officer      16,165
Marianne M. Elkholy........         --
 Vice President, Worldwide          --
 Marketing
Robert I. Pender, Jr.......         --
 Vice President, Finance            --
 and Administration, Chief
 Financial Officer and
 Secretary
Roger A. Richardson........         --
 Vice President,                    --
 International Operations
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
(1) Represents salary paid in fiscal 1998 when Ms. Elkholy, Mr. Pender and Mr.
    Richardson were not employed by SERENA for the entire fiscal year.
    
 
   
(2) Mr. Doerr, Ms. Elkholy and Mr. Pender purchased these shares in January 1998
    under the 1997 Plan at a purchase price of $1.00 per share. Mr. Doerr's
    shares vest over three years with one-third of his shares vesting on the
    first anniversary of his initial employment date and the remaining shares
    vesting ratably monthly thereafter. The shares issued to the officers other
    than Mr. Doerr vest over four years with one-quarter of the shares vesting
    on the first anniversary of the executive officer's initial employment date
    and the remaining shares vesting ratably monthly thereafter. See
    "--Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements" and "Certain
    Transactions."
    
 
   
(3) Fiscal 1999 figure includes $10,243 in personal life insurance premiums,
    $906 in legal fees related to estate planning and $4,319 in personal car
    expenses paid by SERENA; fiscal 1998 figure includes $10,264 in personal
    life insurance premiums and $5,901 in personal car expenses paid by SERENA.
    
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
   
                     OPTION GRANTS DURING LAST FISCAL YEAR
    
 
   
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1999,
including the potential realizable value over the 10 year term of the options
based on assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded annually.
These amounts are based on certain assumed rates of appreciation in accordance
with the rules of the SEC and do not represent SERENA's estimate of future stock
price. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will be dependent on the
future performance of SERENA common stock. In fiscal 1999, SERENA granted
options to acquire up to an aggregate of 1,324,525 shares to employees and
directors, all under the 1997 Plan and all at an exercise price equal to not
less than the fair market value of SERENA's common stock on the date of granted
as determined in good faith by the board of directors. Optionees may pay the
exercise price by cash, check, promissory note, delivery of already-owned shares
of SERENA's common stock or pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure. Options
under the 1997 Plan vest over four years with 25% of the shares subject to
option vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining
option shares vesting ratably monthly thereafter. The Named Executive Officers
other than Roger A. Richardson all purchased restricted shares of SERENA common
stock under the 1997 Plan in fiscal 1998. See "Employment Agreement and Change
in Control Arrangements."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                       VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                            ------------------------------------------------------    ANNUAL RATES OF
                                             NUMBER OF     PERCENT OF                                      STOCK
                                            SECURITIES    TOTAL OPTIONS                              PRICE APPRECIATION
                                            UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO      EXERCISE                  FOR OPTIONS TERMS
                                              OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN     PRICE PER   EXPIRATION   --------------------
NAME                                          GRANTED      FISCAL 1999       SHARE        DATE         5%         10%
- ------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Richard A. Doerr..........................          --             --%     $      --           --   $      --  $      --
Douglas D. Troxel.........................          --             --             --           --          --         --
Marianne M. Elkholy.......................          --             --             --           --          --         --
Robert I. Pender, Jr......................          --             --             --           --          --         --
Roger A. Richardson.......................      45,000            3.4           1.45     2/1/2008      41,035    103,992
</TABLE>
    
 
   
             AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
    
 
   
    No named Named Executive Officer exercised any stock option during the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1999. The following table sets forth certain
information regarding stock options held as of January 31, 1999 by the Named
Executive Officers. The "Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at February
1, 1999" is based upon a value of $10.00 per share, the assumed initial public
offering price, minus the per share exercise price, multiplied by the number of
shares underlying the option. The Named Executive Officers other than Roger A.
Richardson all purchased restricted shares of SERENA common stock under the 1997
Plan in fiscal 1998. See "Employment Agreement and Change in Control
Arrangements."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                             UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED       VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                             OPTIONS AT JANUARY 31,       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                                                      1999                AT JANUARY 31, 1999
                                                           --------------------------  --------------------------
NAME                                                       EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Richard A. Doerr.........................................          --            --     $      --    $        --
Douglas D. Troxel........................................          --            --            --             --
Marianne M. Elkholy......................................          --            --            --             --
Robert I. Pender, Jr.....................................          --            --            --             --
Roger A. Richardson......................................      11,250        33,750        96,188        288,563
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
INCENTIVE STOCK PLANS
 
   
    1997 STOCK PLAN.  The 1997 Plan was initially adopted by the board of
directors and approved by our stockholders in October 1997. In connection with
this offering, the board of directors approved the amendment and restatement of
the 1997 Plan in November 1998 and the stockholders approved the amendment in
January 1999. The 1997 Plan provides for the grant to employees of incentive
stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or
the Code, and for the grant to employees, directors and consultants of
nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase rights, or SPRs. Unless terminated
sooner, the 1997 Plan will terminate automatically in November 2007. As of
October 31, 1998, a total of 2,153,250 shares of common stock were reserved for
issuance pursuant to the 1997 Plan, of which options to acquire 800,610 shares
were issued and outstanding as of that date. Additionally, 1,896,750 shares had
been previously issued pursuant to SPR's. In November 1998, our board of
directors approved an increase of 500,000 shares reserved under the 1997 Plan.
The 1997 Plan provides for annual increases in the number of shares available
for issuance thereunder, on the first day of each fiscal year, effective
beginning fiscal 2001, equal to the LESSER of:
    
 
        - 2 1/2% of the outstanding shares of common stock on the last day of
          the prior
 
   
           fiscal year OR
    
 
   
        - such amount as may be determined by the board
    
 
    The 1997 Plan may be administered by the board of directors or a committee
of the board, which committee shall, in the case of options intended to qualify
as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code, consist of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code. The 1997 Plan is presently administered by the board of
directors. The plan administrator has the power to determine the terms of the
options or SPRs granted, including the exercise price, the number of shares
subject to each option or SPR, the exercisability thereof, and the form of
consideration payable upon such exercise. In addition, the plan administrator
has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 1997 Plan, provided that no
such action may affect any share of common stock previously issued and sold or
any option previously granted under the 1997 Plan.
 
    Options and SPRs granted under the 1997 Plan are not generally transferable
by the optionee, and each option and SPR is exercisable during the lifetime of
the optionee only by such optionee. Options granted under the 1997 Plan must
generally be exercised within three months of the end of optionee's status as an
employee or consultant of SERENA, or within 12 months after such optionee's
termination by death or disability, but in no event later than the expiration of
the option's ten year term. In the case of SPRs, unless the plan administrator
determines otherwise, the restricted stock purchase agreement entered into in
connection with the exercise of the SPR shall grant SERENA a repurchase option
exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser's
employment with SERENA for any reason (including death or disability). The
purchase price for shares repurchased pursuant to restricted stock purchase
agreements shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by
cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to SERENA. The repurchase
option shall lapse at a rate determined by the plan administrator. The exercise
price of all incentive stock options granted under the 1997 Plan must be at
least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
The exercise price of nonstatutory stock options and SPRs granted under the 1997
Plan is determined by the plan administrator, but with respect to nonstatutory
stock options intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the exercise price must at least be equal
to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. With respect
to any participant who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power
of all classes of SERENA's outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of any
incentive stock option granted must equal at least 110% of the fair market value
on the grant date and the term of such incentive stock option must not exceed
five years. The term of all other options granted under the 1997 Plan may not
exceed ten years.
 
    The 1997 Plan provides that in the event of a merger or consolidation of
SERENA with or into another corporation, a sale of substantially all of SERENA's
assets or certain other changes in control of SERENA, the optionee shall have
the right to exercise all of the optioned stock, including shares as to which it
would not otherwise be exercisable.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
   
    1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.  SERENA's Purchase Plan was adopted by
the board of directors in November 1998 and approved by the stockholders in
January 1999. The Purchase Plan will become effective simultaneously with the
effectiveness of this offering. A total of 225,000 shares of common stock has
been reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan. In addition, the Purchase
Plan provides for annual increases in the number of shares available for
issuance under the Purchase Plan, on the first day of each fiscal year,
effective beginning fiscal 2001, equal to the LESSER of:
    
 
        - 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock on the last day of the
          prior
 
   
           fiscal year OR
    
 
   
        - such amount as may be determined by the board
    
 
    The Purchase Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the
Code, contains consecutive, overlapping 24 month offering periods. The offering
periods generally start on the first trading day on or after December 1 and June
1 of each year, except for the first such offering period will commence on the
first trading day on or after the effective date of this offering and will end
on the last trading day on or before November 30, 2000.
 
   
    Employees are eligible to participate if they are customarily employed by
SERENA or any participating subsidiary for at least 20 hours per week and more
than five months in any calendar year. However, an employee may be not be
granted an option to purchase stock under the Purchase Plan if such an employee
is an individual:
    
 
        - who immediately after grant owns stock possessing 5% or more of the
          total
 
   
           combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of
     SERENA OR
    
 
        - whose rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans
          of
 
   
           SERENA accrues at a rate which exceeds $25,000 worth of stock for
     each calendar year
    
 
    The Purchase Plan permits participants to purchase common stock through
payroll deductions of up to 10% of the participant's "compensation."
Compensation is defined as the participant's base straight time gross earnings,
bonuses and commissions but excludes payments for overtime, profit sharing
payments, shift premium payments, incentive compensation and incentive payments.
The maximum number of shares a participant may purchase during a single offering
period is 25,000 shares.
 
    Amounts deducted and accumulated by the participant are used to purchase
shares of common stock at the end of each offering period. The price of stock
purchased under the Purchase Plan is 85% of the lower of the fair market value
of the common stock at the beginning or end of the offering period. Participants
may end their participation at any time during an offering period, and they will
be paid their payroll deductions to date. Participation ends automatically upon
termination of employment with SERENA.
 
    Rights granted under the Purchase Plan are not transferable by a participant
other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise
provided under the Purchase Plan. The Purchase Plan provides that, in the event
of a merger of SERENA with or into another corporation or a sale of
substantially all of SERENA's assets, each outstanding option may be assumed or
substituted for by the successor corporation. If the successor corporation
refuses to assume or substitute for the outstanding options, the offering period
then in progress will be shortened, and a new exercise date will be set. The
1999 Purchase Plan will terminate in November 2009. The board of directors has
the authority to amend or terminate the Purchase Plan, except that, subject to
certain exceptions described in the Purchase Plan, no such action may adversely
affect any outstanding rights to purchase stock under the Purchase Plan.
 
   
    1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN.  Non-employee directors are entitled to
participate in the Director Plan. The Director Plan was adopted by the board of
directors in November 1998 and approved by the stockholders in January 1999, but
it will not become effective until the date of this offering. The Director Plan
has a term of ten years, unless terminated sooner by the board. A total of
150,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the
Director Plan. In addition, the Director Plan provides for an annual increase,
on the first day of each fiscal year, effective beginning fiscal 2001, equal to
the LESSER of:
    
 
        - 1/2% of the outstanding shares of common stock on the last day of the
          prior
 
   
           fiscal year OR
    
 
   
        - such amount as may be determined by the board
    
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    The Director Plan provides for the automatic grant of 25,000 shares of
common stock to each non-employee director at the time he or she is first
elected to the Board of Directors. He or she shall automatically be granted a
subsequent option to purchase 5,000 shares on the first day of each fiscal year,
if on such date he or she shall have served on the board for at least six
months. Each option grant under the Director Plan shall have a term of 10 years
and the shares subject to the option shall vest over four years, with one
quarter of the shares subject to option vesting after one year and the remaining
shares vesting ratably in monthly installments thereafter. The exercise price of
all options shall be 100% of the fair market value per share of the common
stock, generally determined with reference to the closing price of the common
stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant.
 
    In the event of a merger of SERENA or the sale of substantially all of the
assets of SERENA, each option shall become fully vested and exercisable for a
period of 30 days from the date the board notifies the optionee of the option's
full exercisability, after which period the option shall terminate. Options
granted under the Director Plan must be exercised within three months of the end
of the optionee's tenure as a director of SERENA, or within 12 months after such
director's termination by death or disability, but in no event later than the
expiration of the option's ten year term. No option granted under the Director
Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent
and distribution, and each option is exercisable, during the lifetime of the
optionee, only by such optionee.
 
    401(k) PLAN.  SERENA has adopted a tax-qualified employee savings and
retirement plan, the 401(k) Plan, for eligible U.S. employees. Eligible
employees may elect to defer a percentage of their eligible compensation in the
401(k) Plan, subject to the statutorily prescribed annual limit. We may make
matching contributions on behalf of all participants in the 401(k) Plan in an
amount determined by our board of directors. We may also make additional
discretionary profit sharing contributions in such amounts as determined by the
board of directors, subject to statutory limitations. Matching and
profit-sharing contributions, if any, are subject to a vesting schedule; all
other contributions are at all times fully vested. The 401(k) Plan, and the
accompanying trust, is intended to qualify under Sections 401(k) and 501 of the
Code so that contributions by employees or by SERENA to the 401(k) Plan, and
income earned (if any) on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until
withdrawn from the 401(k) Plan, and so that contributions by SERENA, if any,
will be deductible by SERENA when made. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan, at
the direction of each participant, invests the assets of the 401(k) Plan in any
of a number of investment options.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
    On April 21, 1997, SERENA entered into an at-will employment agreement with
Richard A. Doerr, our President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of
SERENA's Board of Directors. The employment agreement provides for Mr. Doerr to
receive an annual base salary of $200,000, subject to annual review for
increases, and an annual cash bonus based on the achievement of individual and
company performance objectives. In the event Mr. Doerr is terminated without
cause, Mr. Doerr will be entitled to receive severance payments equal to six
month's base salary. Pursuant to the employment agreement, in January 1998, Mr.
Doerr and SERENA entered into a restricted stock purchase agreement under which
Mr. Doerr purchased 1,334,250 shares of SERENA's common stock under the 1997
Plan at a purchase price of $1.00 per share. Mr. Doerr paid the purchase price
for his restricted shares in the form of a full recourse promissory note secured
by the purchased common stock. The promissory note bears interest at an annual
rate of 5.9%. SERENA holds a repurchase option on the unvested shares should Mr.
Doerr terminate his employment with SERENA. This repurchase right lapses with
respect to one third of the shares subject to the agreement on the first year
anniversary of Mr. Doerr's initial employment and lapses with respect to the
remaining shares on a monthly basis over the succeeding two years. In the event
of a change in control transaction, SERENA's right to repurchase any unvested
shares will lapse.
 
    SERENA and Douglas D. Troxel, SERENA's founder, Chief Technology Officer and
the Chairman of the board of directors, are parties to an employment agreement
that automatically renews each June unless Mr. Troxel is terminated for cause.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
   
    In January 1998, Marianne M. Elkholy, our Vice President, Worldwide
Marketing, and Robert I. Pender, Jr., our Vice President, Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary purchased 184,500 and
184,500 shares of common stock, respectively, at a purchase price of $1.00 per
share under restricted stock purchase agreements. Each executive officer paid
the purchase price for his or her shares in the form of full recourse promissory
notes secured by the purchased common stock. These promissory notes bear
interest at the annual rate of 5.9%. SERENA holds a repurchase option on
unvested shares should the individual executive officers terminate their
relationship with SERENA. This repurchase right lapses with respect to one
quarter of the shares subject to the agreements on the first anniversary of
their hire date, and the remaining shares vest on a monthly basis over the
succeeding three years. In the event of a change in control transaction,
SERENA's right to repurchase unvested shares will lapse.
    
 
   
    In February 1998, in connection with his initial employment with SERENA,
Roger A. Richardson, our Vice President, International Operations, was granted
an option to purchase 45,000 shares of SERENA common stock at an exercise price
per share of $1.45 under the 1997 Plan. The option shares vest over four years
with 25% of the shares vesting on the one year anniversary of the grant and the
remaining shares vesting ratably monthly thereafter. Under the 1997 Plan, in the
event of a change of control transaction, vesting of options and restricted
stock issued under the 1997 Plan will automatically accelerate such that options
will become fully exercisable, including with respect to shares for such options
which would otherwise be unvested, and any outstanding repurchase options
relating to restricted stock will lapse. See "Stock Plans--1997 Stock Plan."
    
 
LIMITATIONS ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
   
    Our Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of directors to the
maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors
of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach
of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for any of the
following acts:
    
 
   
        - any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
          stockholders
    
 
   
        - acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
          misconduct or a knowing violation of law
    
 
   
        - unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
          redemptions
    
 
   
        - any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
          benefit
    
 
    Such limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the
federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable
remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
 
    SERENA's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we will
indemnify our directors and executive officers and may indemnify our other
corporate agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that
indemnification under our Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence
on the part of indemnified parties. Our Bylaws also permit us to secure
insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any
liability arising out of his or her actions in such capacity, regardless of
whether the Bylaws would permit indemnification.
 
    We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive
officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in SERENA's Bylaws.
These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of SERENA's
directors and executive officers for certain expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in
any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of SERENA,
arising out of such person's services as a director or executive officer of
SERENA, any subsidiary of SERENA or any other company or enterprise to which the
person provides services at the request of SERENA. We believe that these
provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons
as directors and executive officers.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
   
    Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of September
23, 1998, SERENA acquired Optima. In connection with the acquisition, SERENA
issued 3,187,500 shares of common stock, for an aggregate consideration of
$21,420,000, in exchange for all of Optima's issued and outstanding common
stock. The terms of our acquisition of Optima, including the aggregate
consideration paid, were determined by negotiations among the Chief Executive
and Chief Financial Officers of SERENA and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer of Optima, with the companies' respective financial and
accounting advisors. The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Optima
collectively held 85% of the outstanding shares of Optima common stock prior to
the acquisition. The number of shares issued in connection with the Optima
acquisition was determined based upon the current and anticipated financial
performance of Optima and its perceived value relative to SERENA's business. The
number of shares of SERENA common stock issued in the acquisition was based on
the percentage ownership of SERENA common stock issued in the acquisition by the
former Optima shareholders on a post-acquisition basis, and was not based on a
specific dollar value. After the principal terms of the acquisition were agreed
to, including the number of shares to be issued in the transaction, our board of
directors determined a fair market value for the shares of SERENA common stock
mainly for accounting purposes. In connection with such valuation, SERENA
retained an independent appraiser. The per share "fair market" valuation for
SERENA common stock issued in the acquisition was determined to be $6.72.
Douglas D. Troxel, SERENA's founder, Chief Technology Officer and the Chairman
of SERENA's board of directors, held 15% of the outstanding shares of Optima
prior to the acquisition. Mr. Troxel did not participate at all in the
negotiations regarding the Optima acquisition. Pursuant to the acquisition, Mr.
Troxel was issued 478,125 shares of SERENA common stock for an aggregate
consideration of $3,213,000. Donald A. Murphy, who served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Optima and held 70% of Optima's common stock prior to the
acquisition, was issued, 2,231,250 shares of SERENA common stock in the name of
the Murphy Family Trust for an aggregate consideration of $14,994,000. By virtue
of the Optima acquisition, Mr. Murphy and the Murphy Family Trust became
beneficial owners of more than 5% of SERENA's outstanding common stock. Of the
2,231,250 shares of SERENA common stock issued to the Murphy Family Trust,
367,500 are subject to an escrow arrangement in favor of SERENA to satisfy any
breaches of representations and warranties made by Optima or certain of its
shareholders under the acquisition agreement. The escrow terminates in March
2000.
    
 
   
    Prior to our acquisition of Optima in September 1998, Optima was the primary
distributor of our flagship CHANGE MAN product for over ten years. Pursuant to a
distribution agreement between Optima and SERENA, Optima, or its
subdistributors, licensed and sold maintenance contracts for CHANGE MAN to end-
user customers. For fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the six months ended June
30, 1998, Optima recorded an aggregate of $7,076,889, $11,007,066, $16,946,652
and $9,185,549, respectively, in software license revenue and maintenance
revenue from transactions related to licenses of and maintenance agreements for
CHANGE MAN. We were entitled to sublicense fees of 40% and 75% based upon
Optima's initial sales of software licenses and maintenance renewal agreements,
respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, Optima's
royalty expenses were $3,809,276, $5,856,783, and $8,972,882, respectively. Mr.
Troxel and Mr. Murphy held 15% and 70%, respectively, of the outstanding shares
of common stock of Optima prior to the acquisition.
    
 
    In March 1996, SERENA made an unsecured loan in the principal amount of
$250,000 to Mr. Troxel. The loan accrued interest at the rate of 10.5% per year
and was repaid in full in October 1998. In November 1996, SERENA made an
additional loan of $500,000 to Mr. Troxel. The loan accrued interest at a rate
of 10% and was repaid in full in July 1997. In July 1998, SERENA made an
additional loan to Mr. Troxel in the principal amount of $600,000. The loan is
secured by shares of SERENA common stock held by Mr. Troxel. The loan accrues
interest at the rate of 5.56% per year. The principal and accrued interest on
the note are due and payable in three equal installments of $222,641. Each
installment is to be paid on the annual anniversary of the funding of the loan.
Mr. Troxel's loan will become due and payable
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
270 days after the closing of SERENA's initial public offering of its common
stock to the extent of any proceeds Mr. Troxel receives as a selling stockholder
in the offering, up to the full amount of principal and interest then
outstanding.
 
    SERENA has entered into employment agreements with Richard A. Doerr,
SERENA's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Troxel. In addition,
SERENA is a party to restricted stock agreements with certain of its executive
officers pursuant to which the officers of SERENA purchased an aggregate of
1,840,500 shares of our common stock under the 1997 Plan in consideration of the
delivery of full recourse promissory notes to SERENA by such officers which
notes are secured by the purchased shares. See "Management--Employment
Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
    In connection with his appointment to our board of directors, Alan H. Hunt
entered into a restricted stock purchase agreement with SERENA in April 1998 to
purchase 56,250 shares of common stock at a per share purchase price of $1.44.
Mr. Hunt paid the purchase price of $81,250 for these shares in the form of a
full recourse promissory note secured by the purchased common stock. The
promissory note bears interest at an annual rate of 5.9%. SERENA holds a
repurchase option on any unvested shares that becomes exercisable in the event
Mr. Hunt ceases to be a member of our board of directors. The repurchase right
lapses with respect to one quarter of the shares on the first anniversary of the
purchase date and with respect to the remaining shares, monthly thereafter. In
the event of a change in control transaction, SERENA's right to repurchase the
unvested shares shall lapse.
 
    In December 1998, in connection with his appointment to our board of
directors, SERENA granted Jerry T. Ungerman an option to purchase up to an
aggregate of 25,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $9.00 per
share under the 1997 Plan. One quarter of the option shares vest on the first
anniversary of Mr. Ungerman's membership on the board of directors and the
remaining option shares vest ratably in monthly installments thereafter.
 
    In March 1997, in connection with Athena P. Troxel's resignation of her
position as SERENA's Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, SERENA
repurchased 630,000 shares of common stock from Ms. Troxel for an aggregate
purchase price of $700,000. The terms of the repurchase were determined in an
arm's length transaction and the parties relied, in part, on the advice of an
independent appraiser in establishing the repurchase price for the SERENA
shares. Ms. Troxel continues to hold more than five percent of the outstanding
shares of SERENA's common stock. Ms. Troxel was formerly married to Douglas D.
Troxel, SERENA's founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of the board of
directors.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
    The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of SERENA's common stock as of October 31, 1998 by the following
individuals or groups:
    
 
   
- - each person or entity who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of
  SERENA's outstanding common stock
    
 
   
- - each of the Named Executive Officers
    
 
   
- - each director of SERENA
    
 
   
- - all directors and executive officers
  as a group
    
 
   
- - all other selling stockholders
    
 
   
    The address for each holder of more than 5% of SERENA's common stock is c/o
SERENA Software, Inc., 500 Airport Boulevard, 2(nd) Floor, Burlingame,
California 94010-1904. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable
community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them.
Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 20,204,250
shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 1998 and 24,204,250 shares
immediately following the completion of this offering. To the extent that any
shares are issued upon exercise of options, warrants or other rights to acquire
SERENA's capital stock that are presently outstanding or granted in the future
or reserved for future issuance under SERENA's stock plans, there will be
further dilution to new public investors.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     SHARES BENEFICIALLY                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                       OWNED PRIOR TO                            OWNED
                                          OFFERING          NUMBER OF       AFTER OFFERING
                                     -------------------   SHARES BEING   -------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS                       NUMBER    PERCENT     OFFERED        NUMBER    PERCENT
- -----------------------------------  ----------  -------   ------------   ----------  -------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>
5% STOCKHOLDERS
  Murphy Family Trust (1)..........   2,231,250   11.0%     1,070,588      1,160,662     4.8%
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
  Douglas D. Troxel (2)............  14,086,125   69.7        200,000     13,886,125    57.4
  Richard A. Doerr (3).............   1,334,250    6.6             --      1,334,250     5.5
  Marianne M. Elkholy (4)..........     184,500    *               --        184,500    *
  Robert I. Pender, Jr. (5)........     184,500    *               --        184,500    *
  Roger A. Richardson (6)..........          --    *               --             --    *
  Alan H. Hunt (7).................      56,250    *               --         56,250    *
  Jerry T. Ungerman (8)............          --     --             --             --      --
  All directors and executive
    officers as a group (12
    persons).......................  15,982,875   79.1        200,000     15,782,875    65.2
 
OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
- -----------------------------------
  Roseann P. Geyer (9).............     478,125    2.4        229,412        248,713     1.0
  Athena Troxel....................   1,512,000    7.5        500,000      1,012,000     4.2
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
 * Less than 1%
 
 (1) Includes 367,500 shares of common stock that are subject to an escrow in
    favor of SERENA to satisfy any breaches of representations and warranties
    made by Optima or certain of its shareholders in connection with SERENA's
    September 1998 acquisition of Optima. Such escrow will expire in March 2000.
    Donald A. Murphy and Pamela J. Murphy are trustees for the Murphy Family
    Trust. See "Certain Transactions."
 
 (2) Includes 12,258,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Troxel as trustee of
    the Troxel Living Trust and 1,350,000 shares of common stock held by Mr.
    Troxel as a general partner for Troxel Investments, L.P. Mr. Troxel is
    SERENA's founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of SERENA's board of
    directors.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
 (3) Includes 1,334,250 shares of common stock subject to a restricted purchase
    stock agreement, of which 667,125 shares were unvested and subject to
    SERENA's repurchase option as of October 31, 1998 should Mr. Doerr's
    employment with SERENA terminate. Mr. Doerr is SERENA's President and Chief
    Executive Officer and a member of SERENA's board of Directors. See
    "Management--Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
 (4) Includes 184,500 shares of common stock subject to a restricted stock
    purchase agreement, of which 134,531 shares were unvested and subject to
    SERENA's repurchase option as of October 31, 1998 should Ms. Elkholy's
    employment with SERENA terminate. Ms. Elkholy is SERENA's Vice President,
    Worldwide Marketing. See "Management--Employment Agreements and Change in
    Control Arrangements."
 
 (5) Includes 184,500 shares of common stock subject to a restricted stock
    purchase agreement, all of which were unvested and subject to SERENA's
    repurchase option as of October 31, 1998 should Mr. Pender's employment with
    SERENA terminate. Mr. Pender is SERENA's Vice President, Finance and
    Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. See
    "Management--Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
   
 (6) Mr. Richardson is SERENA's Vice President, International Operations.
    
 
 (7) Includes 56,250 shares of common stock subject to a restricted purchase
    stock agreement, all of which are unvested and subject to SERENA's
    repurchase option as of October 31, 1998 should Mr. Hunt's membership on
    SERENA's board of directors terminate. See "Management--Employment
    Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
(8)  Mr. Ungerman became a member of SERENA's board of directors in December
    1998.
 
   
(9)  Includes 78,750 shares of common stock that are subject to an escrow in
    favor of SERENA to satisfy any breaches of representations and warranties of
    Optima or certain of its shareholders made in connection with SERENA's
    September 1998 acquisition of Optima. Such escrow will expire in March 2000.
    
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
   
    Upon the completion of this offering, SERENA will be authorized to issue
60,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of
undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Immediately after the completion
of this offering, we estimate that there will be an aggregate of 24,204,250
shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock will be
issued and outstanding. In addition, based on options as of October 31, 1998,
800,610 shares of common stock will be issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options upon completion of the offering.
    
 
    The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be
complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by our Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and by the provisions of
applicable Delaware law.
 
    The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain
certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and
stability in the composition of the board of directors and which may have the
effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a future takeover or change in
control of SERENA unless such takeover or change in control is approved by the
board of directors.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    As of October 31, 1998 there were 20,204,250 shares of common stock
outstanding which were held by nine stockholders. Effective upon the close of
this offering, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Holders of common stock will not
have cumulative voting rights, and, therefore, holders of a majority of the
shares voting for the election of directors will be able to elect all of the
directors. In such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able
to elect any directors.
 
    Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally
available for the payment of dividends, subject to the terms of any existing or
future agreements between SERENA and our debtholders. We have never declared or
paid cash dividends on our capital stock, expect to retain future earnings, if
any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business, and do not
anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In the event of
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of SERENA, the holders of common
stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets legally available for
distribution after payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the
prior rights of any holders of preferred stock then outstanding.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Effective upon the closing of this offering, SERENA will be authorized to
issue 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock. The board of directors
has the authority to issue the preferred stock in one or more series and to fix
the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including
dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of
redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares
constituting a series or the designation of such series, without any further
vote or action by SERENA's stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock, while
providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and
other corporate purposes, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of SERENA without further action by the
stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and
other rights of, the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock
with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. SERENA
has no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    In connection with SERENA's September 1998 acquisition of Optima, we entered
into a registration rights agreement with certain shareholders of Optima who
received an aggregate of 2,709,375 shares of common stock of SERENA in exchange
for their shares of Optima common stock. Pursuant to the registration rights
agreement, such stockholders are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. If we propose to register
any of our securities under the Securities
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
Act, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders,
such stockholders are entitled to notice of such registration and to include
shares of common stock in such registration at our expense. Additionally, such
stockholders may require SERENA to file additional registration statements on
Form S-3 at SERENA's expense. All of these registration rights are subject to
certain conditions and limitations, among them the right of the underwriters of
an offering to limit the number of shares included in such registration.
 
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF PROVISIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
 
    Under Delaware law, all stockholder actions must be effected at a duly
called annual or special meeting or by written consent. Our Bylaws provide that,
except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can
only be called by the board of directors, the Chairman of the board of
directors, the Chief Executive Officer of SERENA or stockholders holding shares
in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at such
meeting. In addition, our Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for
stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders,
including proposed nominations of persons for election to the Board.
Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations
specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of
record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to SERENA's
Secretary of the stockholder's intention to bring such business before the
meeting.
 
   
    These provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in
the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the
board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions which may
involve an actual or threatened change of control of SERENA. Such provisions are
designed to reduce the vulnerability of SERENA to an unsolicited acquisition
proposal and, accordingly, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and
could delay or prevent a change in control of SERENA. Such provisions are also
intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights but
could, however, have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers
for our shares and, consequently, may also inhibit fluctuations in the market
price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.
These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the
management of SERENA. See "Risk Factors--Certain Provisions in Our Charter
Documents May Inhibit Potential Acquisition Bids for SERENA; This May Adversely
Affect the Market Price for SERENA Common Stock and Prevent Changes in the
Management of SERENA."
    
 
EFFECT OF DELAWARE ANTITAKEOVER STATUTE
 
   
    We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or
the Antitakeover Law, which regulates corporate acquisitions. The Antitakeover
Law prevents certain Delaware corporations, including those whose securities are
listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market, from engaging, under certain
circumstances in a "business combination" with any "interested stockholder" for
three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested
stockholder. For purposes of the Antitakeover Law, a "business combination"
includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving SERENA and the
interested stockholder and the sale of more than ten percent (10%) of SERENA's
assets. In general, the Antitakeover Law defines an "interested stockholder" as
any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more the outstanding voting
stock of SERENA and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or
controlled by such entity or person. A Delaware corporation may "opt out" of the
Antitakeover Law with an express provision in its original certificate of
incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or
bylaws resulting from amendments approved by the holders of at least a majority
of the corporation's outstanding voting shares. We have not "opted out" of the
provisions of the Antitakeover Law. See "Risk Factors--Delaware Law May Inhibit
Potential Acquisition Bids for SERENA; This May Adversely Affect the Market
Price for SERENA Common Stock and Prevent Changes in the Management of SERENA."
    
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
    The Transfer Agent and Registrar for our common stock is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, LLC.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
   
    Upon completion of this offering, SERENA will have outstanding 24,204,250
shares of common stock based upon shares outstanding at October 31, 1998
(assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option). Excluding the
6,000,000 shares of common stock offered hereby and assuming no exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option, as of the effective date of the
registration statement, there will be 18,204,250 shares of common stock
outstanding, all of which are "restricted" shares under the Securities Act of
1933. All restricted shares are subject to lock-up agreements with the
underwriters pursuant to which the holders of the restricted shares have agreed
not to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such shares for a period of 180 days
after the date of this prospectus. Hambrecht & Quist LLC may release the shares
subject to the lock-up agreements in whole or in part at any time with or
without notice. However, Hambrecht & Quist LLC has no current plans to do so.
    
 
   
    The following table indicates approximately when the 18,204,250 shares of
SERENA Common Stock that are not being sold in the offering but which will be
outstanding at the time the offering is complete will be eligible for sale into
the public market:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  ELIGIBILITY OF RESTRICTED SHARES
                      FOR SALE IN PUBLIC MARKET
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  At effective date                                      0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  180 days after effective date                     16,516,750
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  After 180 days post-effective date                 1,687,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Most of the restricted shares that will become available for sale in the
public market beginning 180 days after the effective date will be subject to
certain volume and other resale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 because the
holders are affiliates of SERENA. The 1,687,500 restricted shares that will
become eligible for sale only after the 180th day were issued in connection with
our September 1998 acquisition of Optima and will become available for sale
beginning in September 1999 pursuant to Rule 144. The general provisions of Rule
144 are described below.
    
 
    In general, under Rule 144, an affiliate of SERENA, or person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned restricted shares for at
least one year, will be entitled to sell in any three-month period a number of
shares that does not exceed the GREATER of
 
   
        - 1% of the then outstanding shares of the common stock (approximately
          242,000 shares immediately after this offering) OR
    
 
   
        - the average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks
          preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.
    
 
    Sales pursuant to Rule 144 are subject to certain requirements relating to
manner of sale, notice and availability of current public information about
SERENA. A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to
have been an affiliate of SERENA at any time during the 90 days immediately
preceding the sale and who has beneficially owned his or her shares for at least
two years is entitled to sell such shares pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard
to the limitations described above.
 
   
    In addition to the restriction imposed by the securities laws, 1,896,750 of
the restricted shares were issued to certain officers and directors of SERENA
pursuant to restricted stock agreements under the 1997 Plan. Pursuant to the
provisions of these agreements, SERENA has a repurchase option on any unvested
shares. SERENA's repurchase option with respect to such shares lapses ratably
over time. At the 180th day after the effective date, approximately 782,391 of
those shares will remain subject to the repurchase option.
    
 
   
    As of October 31, 1998, 2,153,250 shares were reserved for issuance under
the 1997 Plan, of which options to purchase 800,610 shares were then outstanding
although none of these options were then exercisable. Beginning 180 days after
the effective date, approximately 253,267 shares issuable upon the exercise of
vested options will become eligible for sale and 1,114,359 shares issued
pursuant to restricted
    
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
stock agreements under the 1997 Plan will no longer be subject to a repurchase
option and will be eligible for resale. In addition, an aggregate of 1,896,750
restricted shares have been issued to certain executive officers and directors
of SERENA under the 1997 Plan pursuant to the restricted stock agreements
described above.
 
    In November 1998, our board of directors approved:
 
        - an increase of 500,000 shares in the number of shares reserved under
          the 1997 Plan
 
        - a reserve of 150,000 shares for options under the Director Plan
 
        - a reserve of 225,000 shares for options under the Purchase Plan
 
    We intend to file, within 180 days after the date of this prospectus, a Form
S-8/S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares
issued pursuant to restricted stock purchase agreements under the 1997 Plan,
shares issued in connection with option exercises and shares reserved for
issuance under all stock plans. Shares of common stock issued pursuant to the
restricted stock agreements under the 1997 Plan or upon exercise of options
after the effective date of the Form S-8/S-3 will be available for sale in the
public market, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations applicable to affiliates
and lock-up agreements.
 
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
 
    All officers and directors and certain holders of common stock and options
to purchase common stock have agreed pursuant to certain "lock-up" agreements
that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to
sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common
stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for common stock, or warrants or
other rights to purchase common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of
this prospectus without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
underwriters named below, through their representatives, Hambrecht & Quist LLC,
SG Cowen Securities Corporation, and SoundView Technology Group, Inc., have
severally agreed to purchase from SERENA and the selling stockholders the
following respective numbers of shares of common stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER OF
NAME                                                             SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Hambrecht & Quist LLC.......................................
SG Cowen Securities Corporation.............................
SoundView Technology Group, Inc.............................
 
                                                              -------------
Total.......................................................    6,000,000
                                                              -------------
                                                              -------------
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the absence of any
material adverse change in SERENA's business and the receipt of certain
certificates, opinions and letters from SERENA and the selling stockholders,
their counsel and the independent auditors. The nature of the underwriters'
obligation is such that they are committed to purchase all shares of common
stock offered hereby if any of such shares are purchased.
 
    The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock directly to the
public at the initial 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 certain other dealers. After the
initial public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling
terms may be changed by the underwriters.
 
    SERENA has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable no later than
30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 900,000 additional
shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. To the
extent that the underwriters exercise this option, each of the underwriters will
have a firm commitment to purchase approximately the same percentage thereof
which the number of shares of common stock to be purchased by it shown in the
above table bears to the total number of shares of common stock offered hereby.
SERENA will be obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell shares to the
underwriters to the extent the option is exercised. The underwriters may
exercise such option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the
sale of shares of common stock offered hereby.
 
    The offering of the shares is made for delivery when, as and if accepted by
the underwriters and subject to prior sale and to withdrawal, cancellation or
modification of the offering without notice. The underwriters reserve the right
to reject an order for the purchase of shares in whole or in part.
 
    SERENA and selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and
to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
    SERENA, the selling stockholders, and certain other stockholders of SERENA,
including executive officers and directors, who will own in the aggregate
18,204,250 shares of common stock after the offering, have agreed that they will
not, without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC, offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock, options or warrants to acquire
shares of common stock or securities exchangeable for or convertible into shares
of common stock owned by them during the
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
180-day period following the date of this prospectus. SERENA has agreed that it
will not, without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC, offer,
sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock, options or warrants to
acquire shares of common stock or securities exchangeable for or convertible
into shares of common stock during the 180-day period following the date of this
prospectus, except that SERENA may issue shares upon the exercise of options
granted prior to the date hereof, and may grant additional options under its
stock option plans, provided that, without the prior written consent of
Hambrecht & Quist LLC, such additional options shall not be exercisable during
such period.
 
    Certain persons participating in this offering may over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of
the common stock at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open
market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering
transactions or imposing penalty bids. A stabilizing bid means the placing of
any bid or effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the common stock. A syndicate covering transaction
means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the
effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with
the offering. A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the underwriters
to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the
offering when shares of common stock sold by the syndicate member are purchased
in syndicate covering transactions. Such transactions may be effected on the
Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the counter market, or otherwise. Such
stabilizing, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
    Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common
stock. The initial public offering price for the common stock will be determined
by negotiation among SERENA, the selling stockholders and the representatives.
Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering
price are prevailing market and economic conditions, revenues and earnings of
SERENA, market valuations of other companies engaged in activities similar to
SERENA, estimates of the business potential and prospects of SERENA, the present
state of SERENA's business operations, SERENA's management and other factors
deemed relevant. The estimated initial public offering price range set forth on
the cover of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of
market conditions or other factors.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for
SERENA by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, Menlo Park,
California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements and schedule of SERENA Software, Inc.
as of January 31, 1997 and 1998 and October 31, 1998, and for each of the years
in the three-year period ended January 31, 1998, and the nine months ended
October 31, 1998, and the financial statements of Optima Software, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997, included herein and in the registration statement are
included in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent auditors,
appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                               CHANGE IN AUDITORS
 
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was previously the principal accountants for
SERENA. On March 15, 1998, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was dismissed as principal
accountants and KPMG LLP was engaged to audit SERENA's and its subsidiaries'
consolidated financial statements. The Board of Directors has approved the
appointment of KPMG LLP as principal accountants for SERENA.
 
    In connection with the audit for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 and
the subsequent interim period through March 15, 1998, there were no
disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have
caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject
matter of the disagreement.
 
    The audit report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on the consolidated financial
statements of SERENA and our subsidiaries as of and for the year ended January
31, 1997 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were
they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting
principles.
 
                         ADDITIONAL SERENA INFORMATION
 
    We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 with respect
to the common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of
the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in
the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules which are part of the
registration statement. For further information with respect to SERENA and the
common stock, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits
and schedules thereto. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's
public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about
the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public
from our Web site at http://www.serena.com or the SEC's Web site at
http://www.sec.gov. Information contained on SERENA's website does not
constitute part of this prospectus.
 
    Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information
and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and, in
accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC's public
reference rooms, our Web site and the Web site of the SEC referred to above.
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                          -----
<S>                                                                                    <C>
SERENA SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Independent Auditors' Report.......................................................         F-2
  Consolidated Balance Sheets........................................................         F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Income..................................................         F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity....................................         F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows..............................................         F-6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................         F-7
 
OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Independent Auditors' Report.......................................................        F-20
  Balance Sheets.....................................................................        F-21
  Statements of Income and Retained Earnings.........................................        F-22
  Statements of Cash Flows...........................................................        F-23
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................        F-24
 
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income.........................        F-30
  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements of Income.....        F-32
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
 
SERENA Software, Inc.
 
        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SERENA
Software, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 and 1998 and October 31,
1998, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31,
1998 and the nine month period ended October 31, 1998. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
 
        We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
        In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SERENA
Software, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 and 1998 and October
31, 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 1998 and the nine month
period ended October 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          KPMG LLP
 
Mountain View, California
December 18, 1998, except as to Note 4(b),
  which is as of January 5, 1999
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    JANUARY 31,
                                                              -----------------------  OCTOBER 31,
                                                                 1997        1998          1998
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>
                                              ASSETS
 
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $4,030,890  $ 9,024,015  $16,878,350
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $30,000, $197,000
    and $281,000, in fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999,
    respectively............................................   2,543,806    8,964,905   10,565,121
  Due from principal stockholder............................     609,381       81,265      199,129
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................     340,616      738,055      742,440
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
    Total current assets....................................   7,524,693   18,808,240   28,385,040
Property and equipment, net.................................   1,311,168    1,389,843    1,814,174
Due from principal stockholder..............................     174,471      108,640      409,250
Intangible assets, net......................................          --           --   21,485,541
Other assets................................................     222,679      259,798      344,371
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
                                                              $9,233,011  $20,566,521  $52,438,376
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
 
                               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $  258,417  $   455,015  $   239,051
  Income taxes payable......................................     142,297      707,934      544,438
  Accrued expenses..........................................   1,891,219    4,567,009    5,294,466
  Deferred revenue..........................................   4,614,699    6,136,460    9,422,588
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
    Total current liabilities...............................   6,906,632   11,866,418   15,500,543
Deferred revenue, net of current portion....................     280,565    1,715,349    2,056,323
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
    Total liabilities.......................................   7,187,197   13,581,767   17,556,866
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
Commitments and contingencies
 
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares
    authorized; no shares issued and outstanding............          --           --           --
  Common stock, $0.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares
    authorized; 15,750,000, 16,960,500 and 20,204,250 shares
    issued and outstanding in fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999,
    respectively............................................      15,750       16,961       20,204
  Additional paid-in capital................................     (14,747)   5,102,542   27,018,112
  Deferred stock-based compensation.........................          --   (3,098,197)  (1,445,146)
  Notes receivable from stockholders........................          --   (1,840,500)  (1,921,500)
  Accumulated other comprehensive losses....................     (28,603)     (30,604)     (19,061)
  Retained earnings.........................................   2,073,414    6,834,552   11,228,901
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
    Total stockholders' equity..............................   2,045,814    6,984,754   34,881,510
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
                                                              $9,233,011  $20,566,521  $52,438,376
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
                                                              ----------  -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER
                                                      FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,                     31,
                                               -------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                   1996           1997           1998           1997           1998
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses (includes related party
    amounts of $1,763,666, $2,848,572,
    $5,492,184, $3,860,419 and $3,762,455,
    respectively)............................  $   4,605,844  $   8,228,650  $  17,838,946  $  10,237,366  $  16,684,740
  Maintenance (includes related party amounts
    of $2,135,963, $2,896,670, $4,175,191,
    $2,982,687 and $3,060,770,
    respectively)............................      5,679,303      8,730,172     12,257,724      8,830,963     12,097,957
  Professional services......................        458,814        495,251      2,050,366      1,420,571      2,363,034
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Total revenue............................     10,743,961     17,454,073     32,147,036     20,488,900     31,145,731
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses..........................        552,317      1,298,338      1,086,820        701,079      1,265,901
  Maintenance................................      2,434,434      3,502,572      4,009,823      2,776,584      3,184,703
  Professional services......................        343,612        406,051      1,716,597      1,189,248      2,057,139
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Total cost of revenue....................      3,330,363      5,206,961      6,813,240      4,666,911      6,507,743
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Gross profit.............................      7,413,598     12,247,112     25,333,796     15,821,989     24,637,988
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
  Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing......................      2,504,664      4,605,138      7,946,797      5,243,742      8,955,779
    Research and development.................      2,997,889      4,320,905      5,517,787      3,774,631      3,220,017
    General and administrative...............      1,727,305      2,295,586      3,295,842      1,912,718      2,786,034
    Stock-based compensation.................             --             --        879,803             --      2,070,864
    Amortization of intangible assets........             --             --             --             --        185,814
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
      Total operating expenses...............      7,229,858     11,221,629     17,640,229     10,931,091     17,218,508
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Operating income.............................        183,740      1,025,483      7,693,567      4,890,898      7,419,480
Interest and other income, net...............        159,973        115,223        321,061        223,311        570,502
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Income before income taxes...............        343,713      1,140,706      8,014,628      5,114,209      7,989,982
Income taxes.................................         66,218        278,332      3,253,490      1,833,052      3,595,633
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Net income...............................        277,495        862,374      4,761,138      3,281,157      4,394,349
Translation adjustment.......................          4,904        (25,782)        (2,001)        (2,723)        11,543
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Comprehensive income.....................  $     282,399  $     836,592  $   4,759,137  $   3,278,434  $   4,405,892
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income per share:
  Basic......................................  $        0.02  $        0.05  $        0.31  $        0.21  $        0.27
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
  Diluted....................................  $        0.02  $        0.05  $        0.31  $        0.21  $        0.26
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Shares used to compute net income per share:
  Basic......................................     15,750,000     15,750,000     15,247,750     15,290,333     16,145,234
  Diluted....................................     15,750,000     15,750,000     15,272,189     15,290,333     17,121,779
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                OCTOBER 31, 1998
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NOTES        ACCUMULATED
                       COMMON STOCK       ADDITIONAL    DEFERRED      RECEIVABLE         OTHER                       TOTAL
                  ----------------------   PAID-IN    STOCK-BASED        FROM        COMPREHENSIVE    RETAINED   STOCKHOLDERS'
                    SHARES      AMOUNT     CAPITAL    COMPENSATION   STOCKHOLDERS       LOSSES        EARNINGS      EQUITY
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
<S>               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>         <C>
Balances as of
  January 31,
  1995..........  15,750,000  $   15,750  $  (14,747) $        --     $        --      $    (7,725)  $  933,545   $   926,823
Net income......          --          --          --           --              --               --      277,495       277,495
Translation
  adjustment....          --          --          --           --              --            4,904           --         4,904
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
Balances as of
  January 31,
  1996..........  15,750,000      15,750     (14,747)          --              --           (2,821)   1,211,040     1,209,222
Net income......          --          --          --           --              --               --      862,374       862,374
Translation
  adjustment....          --          --          --           --              --          (25,782)          --       (25,782)
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
Balances as of
  January 31,
  1997..........  15,750,000      15,750     (14,747)          --              --          (28,603)   2,073,414     2,045,814
Repurchase of
  common
  stock.........    (630,000)       (630)   (699,370)          --              --               --           --      (700,000)
Issuance of
  restricted
  common stock
  for notes
  receivable....   1,840,500       1,841   5,519,659   (3,681,000)     (1,840,500)              --           --            --
Deferred
  stock-based
  compensation
  related to
  grants of
  stock
  options.......          --          --     297,000     (297,000)             --               --           --            --
Amortization of
  deferred
  stock-based
 compensation...          --          --          --      879,803              --               --           --       879,803
Net income......          --          --          --           --              --               --    4,761,138     4,761,138
Translation
  adjustment....          --          --          --           --              --           (2,001)          --        (2,001)
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
Balances as of
  January 31,
  1998..........  16,960,500      16,961   5,102,542   (3,098,197)     (1,840,500)         (30,604)   6,834,552     6,984,754
Acquisition of
  Optima
  Software,
  Inc...........   3,187,500       3,187  21,416,813           --              --               --           --    21,420,000
Issuance of
  restricted
  common stock
  for note
  receivable....      56,250          56     238,757     (157,813)        (81,000)              --           --            --
Deferred
  stock-based
  compensation
  related to
  grants of
  stock
  options.......          --          --     260,000     (260,000)             --               --           --            --
Amortization of
  deferred
  stock-based
 compensation...          --          --          --    2,070,864              --               --           --     2,070,864
Net income......          --          --          --           --              --               --    4,394,349     4,394,349
Translation
  adjustment....          --          --          --           --              --           11,543           --        11,543
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
Balances as of
  October 31,
  1998..........  20,204,250  $   20,204  $27,018,112 $(1,445,146)    $(1,921,500)     $   (19,061)  $11,228,901  $34,881,510
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
                  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ----------  -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER
                                                                FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,                    31,
                                                           ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------
                                                               1996          1997          1998                        1998
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------      1997      -------------
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income.............................................  $    277,495  $    862,374  $  4,761,138  $  3,281,157  $   4,394,349
  Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided
    by operating activities:
    Depreciation.........................................       218,083       327,648       430,664       310,298        456,505
    Deferred income taxes................................       (51,429)        2,208      (462,876)           --             --
    Gain on sale of property and equipment...............            --            --        58,130            --             --
    Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation....            --            --       879,803            --      2,070,864
    Amortization of intangible assets....................            --            --            --            --        185,814
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable................................    (1,144,500)      (98,782)   (6,421,099)   (2,135,172)       703,774
      Prepaid expenses and other assets..................        89,769      (130,210)       28,318      (181,790)           (70)
      Accounts payable...................................       115,198       (25,094)      196,598       (14,103)      (215,964)
      Income taxes payable...............................            --       142,297       565,637       738,379       (202,653)
      Accrued expenses...................................       911,680       154,877     2,675,790       403,319     (1,088,474)
      Deferred revenue...................................     1,080,883     1,407,578     2,956,545       461,602      3,623,571
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
        Net cash provided by operating activities........     1,497,179     2,642,896     5,668,648     2,863,690      9,927,716
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Cash flows used in investing activities:
  Purchases of property and equipment....................      (614,620)     (676,420)     (567,469)     (489,217)      (755,542)
  Cash and cash equivalents acquired in Optima
    acquisition..........................................            --            --            --            --        439,092
  Issuance of notes due from stockholder.................            --      (750,000)     (130,000)     (130,000)      (600,000)
  Payment of notes due from stockholder..................            --            --       723,947       679,595        181,526
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
        Net cash (used) provided by investing
          activities.....................................      (614,620)   (1,426,420)       26,478        60,378       (734,924)
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repurchase of common stock.............................            --            --      (700,000)     (700,000)            --
  Payment of notes to stockholders of Optima.............            --            --            --            --     (1,350,000)
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
        Net cash used by financing activities............            --            --      (700,000)     (700,000)    (1,350,000)
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash..................         4,904       (25,782)       (2,001)       (2,723)        11,543
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................       887,463     1,190,694     4,993,125     2,221,345      7,854,335
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.........     1,952,733     2,840,196     4,030,890     4,030,890      9,024,015
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...............  $  2,840,196  $  4,030,890  $  9,024,015  $  6,252,235  $  16,878,350
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid........................................  $     62,083  $    119,200  $  3,106,632  $  1,349,896  $   3,730,824
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
Noncash investing and financing activity:
  Restricted stock issued in exchange for notes
    receivable...........................................  $         --  $         --  $  1,840,500  $         --  $      81,000
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
  Issuance of common stock and notes for aquisition of
    Optima Software, Inc.................................  $         --  $         --  $         --  $         --  $  21,420,000
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                           ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    (a)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
        SERENA Software, Inc. (the "Company") is a leading provider of software
        change management products and services for managing and controlling
        change throughout the software application lifecycle. Its principal
        markets are North America and Europe. Export sales represented
        approximately 19%, 15%, 15%, and 19% of revenue in fiscal 1996, 1997,
        1998, and the nine months ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
 
    (b)  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
        The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
        of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant
        intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
    (c)  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
 
        The functional currency of the Company's U.K. subsidiary is the British
        pound. This foreign subsidiary's financial statements are translated
        using current exchange rates for balance sheet accounts and average
        rates for income statement accounts. Translation adjustments are
        recorded in stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and
        (losses) are included in other income, and totaled $(26,000), $(5,000),
        $74,000, and $(30,000) in fiscal 1996, 1997, 1998, and the nine months
        ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
 
    (d)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
        The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with
        remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to
        be cash equivalents. As of January 31, 1997 and 1998 and October 31,
        1998, cash equivalents consisted of commercial paper and money market
        funds.
 
    (e)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
        Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the
        straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets,
        generally three to five years. Recoverability of property and equipment
        is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to future net cash
        flows the property and equipment are expected to generate. If such
        assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is
        measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the property
        and equipment and its fair value. To date, the Company has made no
        adjustments to the carrying values of its long-lived assets.
 
    (f)  INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
        Intangible assets include workforce, non-compete, and goodwill
        associated with the acquisition of Optima Software, Inc, and are
        amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
        of the related assets, from 6 months to 15 years.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
    (g)  SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
 
        Development costs related to software products are expensed as incurred
        until technological feasibility of the product has been established.
        Based on the Company's product development process, technological
        feasibility is established upon completion of a working model. Costs
        incurred by the Company between completion of the working model and the
        point at which the product is ready for general release have not been
        significant, and, accordingly, no costs have been capitalized.
 
    (h)  INCOME TAXES
 
        Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method. Deferred
        tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax
        consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
        carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
        tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
        enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary
        differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
        deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
        recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
    (i)  CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
        Financial instruments, potentially subjecting the Company to
        concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of temporary cash
        investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary
        cash investments with two major financial institutions. The Company
        maintains an allowance for potential credit losses on customer accounts.
        For the fiscal years ended January 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998, Optima
        Software, Inc. (Optima), a distributor, accounted for 36%, 31%, and 27%
        of revenues, respectively. Optima accounted for 33% and 19% of accounts
        receivable as of January 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The Company's
        principal stockholder owns 15% of the capital stock of Optima.
 
    (j)  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
        The fair value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts
        receivable, and accounts payable approximate their respective carrying
        amounts.
 
    (k)  USE OF ESTIMATES
 
        The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
        generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
        estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
        liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
        date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of
        revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
        differ from those estimates.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
    (l)  REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
        The Company sells its products to its distributors and end users under
        license agreements. Each new license includes maintenance, which
        includes the right to receive telephone support and unspecified upgrades
        and enhancements, for a one-year period. The fee associated with such
        agreements is allocated between software license revenue and maintenance
        revenue based on their respective fair values. Software license revenue
        from these agreements is recognized upon receipt and acceptance of a
        signed contract and delivery of the software, provided the related fee
        is fixed and determinable, collectibility of the revenue is probable and
        the arrangement does not involve significant customization of the
        software. If an acceptance period is required, revenue is recognized
        upon the earlier of customer acceptance or the expiration of the
        acceptance period, as defined in the applicable software license
        agreement.
 
        The Company recognizes maintenance revenue ratably over the life of the
        related contract, generally 12 months. Maintenance contracts on
        perpetual licenses are available annually. The Company typically
        invoices and collects maintenance revenue on an annual basis at the
        anniversary date of the license. Service and other revenue includes fees
        derived from the delivery of training, installation, and consulting
        services. Revenue from training, installation, and consulting services
        is recognized as the related services are performed. Deferred revenue
        represents amounts received by the Company in advance of product
        delivery or service performance.
 
    (m)  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
        The Company uses the intrinsic value method to account for stock-based
        compensation. The Company amortizes deferred stock-based compensation in
        accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
        Interpretation No. 28.
 
    (n)  NET INCOME PER SHARE
 
        Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number
        of shares of common stock. Diluted net income per share is computed
        using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding
        and, when dilutive, common equivalent shares from restricted stock and
        options to purchase common stock using the treasury stock method.
 
    (o)  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSSES)
 
        Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) consists entirely of
        cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the Company's
        application of its foreign currency translation policy. The tax effects
        of translation adjustments were not significant during any of the
        periods presented.
 
    (p)  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
        The FASB recently issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
        ("SFAS") No. 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING
        ACTIVITIES. SFAS No. 133 addresses the accounting for derivative
        instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
       contracts. Under SFAS No. 133, entities are required to carry all
        derivative instruments in the balance sheet at fair value. The
        accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument
        depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a
        hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it. The Company
        must adopt SFAS No. 133 by October 1, 1999. The Company does not
        anticipate that SFAS No. 133 will have an effect on its financial
        statements.
 
(2)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   JANUARY 31,             OCTOBER 31,
                                          -----------------------------   -------------
                                              1997            1998            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Computers and equipment.................  $   1,856,513   $   1,714,960   $  2,293,308
Furniture and fixtures..................        350,991         399,145        850,226
Automobiles.............................        107,110         107,110        107,110
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                              2,314,614       2,221,215      3,250,644
Less accumulated depreciation...........      1,003,446         831,372      1,436,470
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          $   1,311,168   $   1,389,843   $  1,814,174
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
(3)  ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
    Accrued expenses consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   JANUARY 31,             OCTOBER 31,
                                          -----------------------------   -------------
                                              1997            1998            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Profit sharing..........................  $     665,054   $   1,443,014   $    962,883
Management incentive bonuses............        420,500         816,476        715,863
Payroll-related items...................        143,399         242,365        425,565
Royalties...............................        320,974         655,958        978,770
Commissions.............................        157,088         592,527        844,139
Other...................................        184,204         816,669      1,367,246
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          $   1,891,219   $   4,567,009   $  5,294,466
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
(4)  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    (a)  REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK
 
        In April 1997, the Company repurchased 630,000 shares of its common
        stock for cash at a price of $1.11 per share from a founder.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(4)  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    (b)  STOCK SPLITS AND REINCORPORATION
 
        In June 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a 70,000 to 1
        stock split. In July 1998 and again in November 1998, the Company's
        Board of Directors authorized a 3-for-2 stock split. In January 1999,
        the Company reincorporated in the State of Delaware. Share information
        has been restated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
        to reflect the reincorporation and stock splits for all periods
        presented.
 
    (c)  RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENTS
 
        In January 1998, the Company issued 1,840,500 shares of restricted
        common stock to certain officers at $1.00 per share in exchange for full
        recourse notes. In March 1998, the Company issued 56,250 shares of
        restricted common stock to a director at $1.44 per share in exchange for
        a full recourse note. Restrictions lapse over three or four years,
        depending upon the individual, based on continued employment or service
        on the Board of Directors. In the event an employee is terminated or the
        director leaves the service of the Board, the Company has the right to
        repurchase, for a price equal to the individual's original purchase
        price, any remaining restricted shares held by the individual.
 
        In connection with restricted common stock issued in January 1998, the
        Company recorded deferred stock-based compensation of $3,681,000
        representing the difference between the issuance price and the fair
        value of the Company's common stock at the date of issuance. An
        additional $157,813 of deferred stock-based compensation was recorded
        for the March 1998 issuance. These amounts are being amortized over the
        restriction period of the individual shares. Stock-based compensation
        related to restricted common stock of $865,228 and $1,843,456 was
        recognized during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and the nine
        months ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(4)  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    (d)  NET INCOME PER SHARE
 
        The following is a reconciliation of the shares used in the computation
        of basic and diluted net income per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                        FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,                    OCTOBER 31,
                                ---------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                    1996            1997            1998                            1998
                                -------------   -------------   -------------       1997        -------------
                                                                                -------------
                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Basic net income per share--
  weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding...     15,750,000      15,750,000      15,247,750     15,290,333       16,145,234
Effect of potentially dilutive
  securities outstanding--
  restricted stock and
  options.....................             --              --          24,439             --          976,545
                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Shares used in diluted net
  income per share
  computation.................     15,750,000      15,750,000      15,272,189     15,290,333       17,121,779
                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(5)  INCOME TAXES
 
    Income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------
                                              1996            1997            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Current:
  Federal...............................  $     114,504   $     267,376   $   3,135,927
  State.................................          1,279           3,171         554,436
  Foreign...............................          1,864           5,577          26,003
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                                117,647         276,124       3,716,366
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
Deferred:
  Federal...............................        (22,765)         (9,427)       (361,220)
  State.................................        (29,906)          8,433        (101,656)
  Foreign...............................          1,242           3,202              --
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                                (51,429)          2,208        (462,876)
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
    Total income taxes..................  $      66,218   $     278,332   $   3,253,490
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
        The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal
        income tax rate of 34% primarily due to the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------
                                              1996            1997            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Tax expense at federal statutory rate...  $     116,863   $     387,839   $   2,724,974
Research and experimentation credit.....        (52,836)       (158,663)       (233,996)
State tax, net of federal benefit.......        (18,894)          7,659         298,833
Foreign sales corporation benefit.......             --              --         (53,208)
Nondeductible stock-based
    compensation........................             --              --         299,132
Other...................................         21,085          41,497         217,755
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
    Total income taxes..................  $      66,218   $     278,332   $   3,253,490
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
        Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which U.S. income
        taxes have not been provided were immaterial during all periods
        presented.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(5)  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
        The Company's net deferred tax assets are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           JANUARY 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------
                                              1996            1997            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Deferred tax assets:
    Allowance for doubtful accounts.....  $          --   $          --   $      83,143
    Accrued expenses....................             --              --         321,911
    Cash to accrual adjustments.........        213,833         234,525         274,643
    State taxes.........................             --              --         111,608
    Other...............................         93,197          70,297          24,411
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
        Total deferred tax asset........        307,030         304,822         815,716
Deferred tax liability--property and
  equipment.............................             --              --         (48,018)
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net deferred tax asset..............  $     307,030   $     304,822   $     767,698
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
        Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of
        future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the
        net deferred tax assets.
 
(6)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    (a)  RETIREMENT PLAN
 
        The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible
        employees. Participants may make contributions to the plan in accordance
        with provisions of the plan. The Company may make discretionary
        contributions to the plan. For the years ended January 31, 1996, 1997,
        and 1998 and the nine months ended October 31, 1998, the Company made
        contributions of $98,554, $196,329, $285,486, and $282,027,
        respectively. Such contributions generally vest over six years.
 
    (b)  STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
        In October 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved the Company's
        1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan allows for
        grants to officers, directors and employees of the Company incentive
        stock options, nonqualified stock options and restricted stock. Options
        are generally granted for a 10-year term (5 years if the employee is
        more than a 10% shareholder) and generally vest over 4 years. Options
        are generally granted at fair market value (110% of fair market value if
        optionee is a more than a 10% shareholder), as determined by the Board
        of Directors. Restricted stock may be granted pursuant to the Plan, as
        evidenced by agreement and determined by the Board of Directors.
 
        The Plan automatically terminates in September 2007. Each option and
        award granted under the Plan will remain in effect until such option or
        award has been satisfied by the issuance of shares or terminated in
        accordance with its terms and the terms of the Plan.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(6)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
        Stock option activity under the Plan is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                             SHARES                       WEIGHTED-        GRANT DATE
                                          AVAILABLE FOR     OPTIONS        AVERAGE         FAIR VALUE
                                              GRANT       OUTSTANDING   EXERCISE PRICE     PER SHARE
                                          -------------   -----------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>
Shares reserved.........................    3,375,000            --
Restricted stock issued--Note 4(c)......   (1,840,500)           --
Granted with an exercise price below the
  fair value of common stock............     (204,750)      204,750         $1.00            $3.00
                                          -------------   -----------
Balances as of January 31, 1998.........    1,329,750       204,750          1.00             3.00
Authorized..............................      675,000            --
Restricted stock issued--Note 4(c)......      (56,250)           --
Granted with an exercise price below the
  fair value of common stock............     (101,250)      101,250          1.54             4.11
Granted with an exercise price equal to
  the fair value of common stock........     (573,360)      573,360          4.68             4.68
Cancelled...............................       78,750       (78,750)         2.06
                                          -------------   -----------
Balances as of October 31, 1998.........    1,352,640       800,610          3.60
                                          -------------   -----------
                                          -------------   -----------
</TABLE>
 
        In connection with options granted in January 1998, the Company has
        recorded deferred stock-based compensation of $297,000 representing the
        difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the
        Company's common stock at the date of grant. An additional $260,000 of
        deferred stock-based compensation was recorded for options issued during
        the nine months ended October 31, 1998. The amount is being amortized
        over the vesting period of the individual options, generally 4 years.
        Stock-based compensation related to options to purchase common stock of
        $14,575 and $227,406 was recognized during the fiscal year ended January
        31, 1998 and nine months ended October 31, 1998, respectively. The grant
        date fair value per share was determined by management after considering
        a number of factors, including a prior cash transaction for the
        Company's common stock, an appraisal performed by an outside consultant,
        the methodologies used by the Company's underwriters to establish the
        anticipated IPO price, the effect of the Optima acquisition and the
        Company's operating results and future prospects.
 
   
        On November 2, 1998 and November 19, 1998 the Company granted options to
        purchase 376,290 and 178,500 shares of common stock, respectively, with
        an exercise price of $7.00 per share. On December 2, 1998, the Company
        granted options to purchase an additional 32,500 shares of common stock
        at $9.00 per share. The fair value of the Company's common stock on the
        date of grant for such options was estimated principally using the
        midpoint of the offering range adjusted for the change in comparable
        company price-to-earnings multiples between the grant date and the date
        the midpoint was established. Fair value per share of the Company's
        common stock was determined to be $7.25, $7.85, and $9.00 as of November
        2 and 19, 1998 and December 2, 1998, respectively. The Company will
        record additional deferred stock-based compensation totaling $245,798
        during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999.
    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(6)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
        Had compensation expense for the Company's stock-based compensation
        plans, including the restricted stock discussed in Note 4(c), been
        determined consistent with SFAS No. 123 using the minimum value
        option-pricing model, the Company's net income in fiscal 1998 or for the
        nine-months ended October 31, 1998 would not have been materially
        affected. Assumptions used for fiscal 1998 and the nine-months ended
        October 31, 1998 were as follows: no expected dividends; an average
        risk-free interest rate of 5.9%; and an average expected restricted
        stock or option term of 4.5 years. As of January 31, 1998 and October
        31, 1998, the weighted average exercise price and weighted-average
        remaining contractual life of outstanding options was $1.00 and 4.4
        years and $3.60 and 4.1 years, respectively. As of January 31, 1998 and
        October 31, 1998, none of the outstanding options were exercisable. The
        weighted-average fair value of options granted in fiscal 1998 and the
        nine-months ended October 31, 1998 was $2.00 and $0.64 per share,
        respectively.
 
(7)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    (a)  LEASES
 
        The Company has remaining noncancelable operating lease agreements for
        office space that expire in 2001 and 2002. Minimum lease payments for
        the five succeeding years as of October 31, 1998, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31,
- ----------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>
1999....................................  $     149,525
2000....................................        602,415
2001....................................        597,085
2002....................................        681,517
2003....................................        379,880
                                          -------------
                                          $   2,410,422
                                          -------------
                                          -------------
</TABLE>
 
        Rent expense was $261,766, $357,262, $454,087, and $461,062 for the
        fiscal years ended January 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998 and the nine months
        ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
 
    (b)  LICENSING AND OTHER AGREEMENTS
 
        The Company has commitments under licensing agreements that provide for
        payments based on revenues of certain products. For the fiscal years
        ended January 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998, the Company's fees paid or
        accrued under these license agreements were $1,276,843, $1,425,918, and
        $2,075,083, respectively.
 
        The Company had a Marketing Agreement with Sterling Software, Inc.
        (Sterling). Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Sterling was granted
        the exclusive right to market and sell the Company's COMPAREX software
        product and was obligated to pay the Company a license fee of 50% of all
        license and maintenance revenues. Pursuant to a Termination Agreement
        dated September 20, 1995, Sterling forfeited all rights relating to the
        Company's COMPAREX software product. The Company was obligated to pay
        Sterling a certain percentage of maintenance revenues related to
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(7)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
       maintenance agreement renewals for existing Sterling customers through
        September 1996. In addition, pursuant to an amended Termination
        Agreement, dated September 30, 1996, the Company paid Sterling
        $1,250,000, representing payment in full for all maintenance renewals in
        lieu of any further payments, as set forth in the original Termination
        Agreement. The Company recorded the termination payment as a cost of
        revenue in the year ended January 31, 1997.
 
        The Company had a Marketing Agreement with Optima Software, Inc.
        (Optima). The principal stockholder of the Company owned 15% of the
        capital stock of Optima. Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, the
        Company granted the exclusive right within most jurisdictions to market
        and sell SERENA's CHANGE MAN software product to Optima. The Company was
        entitled to license fees of 40% and 75% upon initial sales of software
        licenses and maintenance and renewal maintenance, respectively. For the
        years ended January 31, 1996, 1997, 1998 and the nine months ended
        October 31, 1998, revenues under this license agreement were $3,899,629,
        $5,745,242, $9,667,375, and $6,823,225, respectively.
 
        The Company's U.K. subsidiary (Serena-UK) had a reseller agreement with
        Optima. Pursuant to the agreement, Serena-UK has a non-exclusive right
        to market and license CHANGE MAN to end users in the U.K. Serena-UK was
        required to pay a license fee of 30% for all new license agreements and
        50% for all maintenance renewals sold under the terms of the agreement.
 
        License fee expense associated with the agreement totaled $25,169,
        $17,039, $203,804, and $317,578 for the fiscal years ended January 31,
        1996, 1997, and 1998 and the nine months ended October 31, 1998,
        respectively.
 
    (c)  LITIGATION
 
        In September 1998, Compuware Corporation, or Compuware, filed suit
        against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern
        District of Michigan seeking unspecified compensatory damages, costs and
        attorneys fees, and injunctive relief based on allegations of copyright
        infringement, trade secret misappropriation and various tort claims
        related to the sale of the Company's STARTOOL and STARWARP products.
        Compuware served the complaint on the Company on November 18, 1998. Due
        to the nature of litigation generally and because the lawsuit brought by
        Compuware is at an early stage, management cannot ascertain the
        availability of injunctive relief or other equitable remedies or
        estimate the total expenses, possible damages or settlement value, if
        any, that may ultimately be incurred in connection with Compuware's
        suit. However, management believes, based on the advice of counsel, that
        the Company has meritorious defenses to the allegations contained in
        Compuware's complaint. The Company believes that this matter will not
        have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial
        condition.
 
(8)  DUE FROM PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
        In March 1996, the Company advanced $250,000 to its principal
        stockholder and received an unsecured promissory note to be paid in
        three equal annual installments of principal and interest on March 15,
        1997, March 15, 1998, and March 15, 1999, with a stated interest rate of
        10% per
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(8)  DUE FROM PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER (CONTINUED)
       annum. As of January 31, 1997 and 1998. $272,969 and $189,905,
        respectively, of principal and accrued interest was outstanding.
 
        In November 1996, the Company advanced $500,000 to its principal
        stockholder in exchange for an unsecured promissory note due upon the
        earlier of the sale of his residence or November 13, 1997, with a stated
        interest rate of 10% per annum. As of January 31, 1997, $510,883 of
        principal and accrued interest was outstanding. Principal and accrued
        interest was paid in full during fiscal 1998.
 
        In July 1998, the Company advanced $600,000 to its principal stockholder
        in exchange for a promissory note secured by shares of the Company's
        common stock. The loan accrues interest at 5.56%. The principal and
        interest are due and payable in three equal installments of $222,641
        payable on the annual anniversary of the funding of the loan. As of
        October 31, 1998, $608,379 of principal and accrued interest was
        outstanding.
 
        Interest income on amounts due from the principal stockholder was
        $33,852, $35,769 and $16,410 for fiscal 1997 and 1998 and the nine
        months ended October 31, 1998, respectively.
 
(9)  ACQUISITION
 
   
        On September 25, 1998, the Company acquired Optima, the primary
        distributor of the Company's CHANGE MAN software product. Optima will
        function as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition
        was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and
        accordingly, the results of operations of Optima have been included in
        the Company's consolidated financial statements from September 25, 1998.
        The Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Optima in exchange
        for the issuance of 3,187,500 shares of the Company's common stock
        valued at $6.72 per share. The fair value of the shares issued in the
        Optima acquisition was determined in accordance with Accounting
        Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and its interpretations and was computed
        based upon the midpoint of management's estimate of the pre- and post-
        agreement fair value of the Company's common stock. The transaction was
        valued at approximately $21.4 million and the allocation of the purchase
        price was as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Net tangible liabilities.......................................  $ (251,355)
Work-force-in-place............................................     300,000
Noncompete agreement...........................................     200,000
Goodwill.......................................................  21,171,355
                                                                 ----------
    Total purchase price.......................................  $21,420,000
                                                                 ----------
                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
        Work-force-in-place, consisting principally of Optima's sales force, was
        valued on a replacement cost basis and will be amortized over a
        six-month period, the period of time the Company estimates would be
        required to hire, train, and achieve full productivity for a replacement
        work force. The noncompete agreement was entered into with an Optima
        officer and founder who will not continue with the combined company. The
        noncompete agreement was valued based on his anticipated salary and
        benefits for the period of the agreement and will be amortized over the
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
 
                  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                         OCTOBER 31, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(9)  ACQUISITION (CONTINUED)
       one-year term of the agreement. Goodwill represents the excess of the
        purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired and will
        be amortized over 15 years. Management determined to use this period
        after considering that Optima has sold CHANGE MAN profitably since 1988,
        CHANGE MAN is an integral part of many large company IT infrastructures
        for managing change to mainframe applications, and customers who
        purchase and implement CHANGE MAN make a considerable investment, not
        only in the software, but in the creation of an automated and consistent
        software change management process. Moreover, management believes this
        investment has a long lasting effect on IT environments, and annual
        maintenance releases of CHANGE MAN have consisted principally of bug
        fixes and updates, including updates to remain compatible with the
        stable IBM MVS operating system, which was introduced over 20 years ago.
 
        Summary unaudited proforma information giving effect to the acquisition
        of Optima as if it had occurred on February 1, 1997 follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           YEAR ENDED
                                           JANUARY 31,    -----------------------------
                                              1998            1997            1998
                                          -------------   -------------   -------------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenue.................................  $     41,315    $      26,013   $      36,899
Net income..............................         3,454            1,931           4,687
Basic net income per share..............          0.19             0.10            0.25
Diluted net income per share............          0.19             0.10            0.24
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
 
Optima Software, Inc.
 
        We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Optima Software, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of income and
retained earnings and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997. 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 disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Optima Software,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG LLP
 
Mountain View, California
October 16, 1998
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         --------------------------
                                                                             1996          1997      JUNE 30, 1998
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                      ASSETS
 
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents............................................  $  1,645,467  $  1,439,613   $ 3,408,156
  Accounts receivable..................................................     2,993,583     5,513,058     3,928,437
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets............................         3,874        43,982        79,633
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
    Total current assets...............................................     4,642,924     6,996,653     7,416,226
 
Property and equipment, net............................................        43,229       122,679       142,884
Other assets...........................................................        88,886       121,807       177,087
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                         $  4,775,039  $  7,241,139   $ 7,736,197
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities--accounts payable and accrued expenses.............  $  2,035,853  $  3,347,135   $ 2,948,003
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
Commitments
 
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, no par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and
    outstanding in 1996 and 1997.......................................       130,000       130,000       130,000
  Retained earnings....................................................     2,609,186     3,764,004     4,658,194
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
    Total shareholders' equity.........................................     2,739,186     3,894,004     4,788,194
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                         $  4,775,039  $  7,241,139   $ 7,736,197
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                         ------------  ------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     JUNE 30,
                                         ------------------------------------------  ---------------------------
                                             1995          1996           1997           1997          1998
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Distributed software products........  $  7,076,889  $  11,007,066  $  16,946,652  $  6,937,020  $   9,185,549
  Professional services................       944,102      1,703,178      3,612,152     1,489,881      2,319,781
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Total revenue......................     8,020,991     12,710,244     20,558,804     8,426,901     11,505,330
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
Operating expenses:
  Cost of distributed software
    products...........................     4,172,951      6,044,824      8,980,457     3,705,705      5,858,538
  Cost of professional services........       637,599      1,150,241      2,439,467       980,535      1,193,723
  Sales and marketing..................     1,497,113      2,224,703      3,650,997     1,398,726      1,228,303
  General and administrative...........       946,244      1,404,149      2,281,320       917,727        494,486
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Total operating expenses...........     7,253,907     10,823,917     17,352,241     7,002,693      8,775,050
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Operating income...................       767,084      1,886,327      3,206,563     1,424,208      2,730,280
Interest and other income, net.........         5,041         87,755        139,387        40,661         76,544
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Income before income taxes.........       772,125      1,974,082      3,345,950     1,464,869      2,806,824
Income taxes...........................        31,219         81,757        186,132       106,308        103,301
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Net income.........................       740,906      1,892,325      3,159,818     1,358,561      2,703,523
Retained earnings at beginning of
  period...............................       494,017        829,445      2,609,186     2,609,186      3,764,004
Dividends paid.........................      (405,478)      (112,584)    (2,005,000)   (1,355,000)    (1,809,333)
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
Retained earnings at end of period.....  $    829,445  $   2,609,186  $   3,764,004  $  2,612,747  $   4,658,194
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
Unaudited pro forma information:
  Income before income taxes, as
    reported...........................       772,125      1,974,082      3,345,950     1,464,869      2,806,824
  Pro forma income taxes...............       321,192        849,419      1,424,973       623,858      1,192,900
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
    Pro forma net income...............  $    450,933  $   1,124,663  $   1,920,977  $    841,011  $   1,613,924
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
                                         ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,
                                            --------------------------------------  --------------------------
                                               1995         1996          1997          1997          1998
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income..............................  $  740,906  $  1,892,325  $  3,159,818  $  1,358,561  $  2,703,523
  Adjustment to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating
    activities:
    Depreciation..........................      40,537        47,403        43,949        21,833        21,596
    Changes in operating assets and
      liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.................    (719,057)   (1,082,937)   (2,519,475)     (308,189)    1,584,621
      Prepaid expenses and other assets...     (10,053)       (1,470)      (31,841)      (19,276)      (90,301)
      Accounts payable and accrued
        expenses..........................     322,129       561,020     1,311,282       655,989      (399,132)
      Deferred revenues...................      50,000       (50,000)           --        57,253            --
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
        Net cash provided by operating
          activities......................     424,462     1,366,341     1,963,733     1,766,171     3,820,307
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Cash flows used in investing activities:
  Purchase of property and equipment......     (52,380)      (33,882)     (123,399)      (20,224)      (41,801)
  Issuance of notes receivable............          --            --       (41,188)           --          (630)
  Payment of notes due from shareholder...     (92,528)     (144,003)           --            --            --
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
        Net cash used in investing
          activities......................    (144,908)     (177,885)     (164,587)      (20,224)      (42,431)
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Cash flows from financing activities--
  payment of dividends....................    (405,478)     (112,584)   (2,005,000)   (1,355,000)   (1,809,333)
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents...    (125,924)    1,075,872      (205,854)      390,947     1,968,543
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period..................................     695,519       569,595     1,645,467     1,645,467     1,439,613
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period..................................  $  569,595  $  1,645,467  $  1,439,613  $  2,036,414  $  3,408,156
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
    information--income taxes paid........  $   15,862  $     80,163  $    181,535  $    106,308  $    103,301
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                            ----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997 AND
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
      (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    (a)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
       Optima Software, Inc. (the "Company") is the primary distributor of
       SERENA Software, Inc.'s ("SERENA") CHANGE MAN product. Its principal
       markets are North America, Europe, and Asia. Foreign sales represented
       approximately 13%, 12%, and 14% of revenue for the years ended December
       31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively.
 
    (b)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
       The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with
       remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to
       be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, cash equivalents
       consisted of treasury bills and money market funds.
 
    (c)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
       Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the
       double-declining balance method over the estimated useful lives of the
       assets, generally three to seven years. Recoverability of property and
       equipment is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the future net
       cash flows expected to be generated. If such assets are considered to be
       impaired, the impairment recognized is measured as the difference between
       the carrying amount of the property and equipment and its fair value. To
       date, the Company has made no adjustments to the carrying values of its
       long-lived assets.
 
    (d)  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
       The fair value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts
       receivable, and accounts payable approximate their respective carrying
       amounts.
 
    (e)  USE OF ESTIMATES
 
       The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
       generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
       estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
       liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
       date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of
       revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
       differ from those estimates.
 
    (f)  REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
       Revenue from the resale of software licenses and maintenance is
       recognized upon receipt and acceptance of a signed contract and delivery
       of the software, provided the fee is fixed and determinable,
       collectibility of the revenue is probable and the arrangement does not
       involve significant customization of the software. If an acceptance
       period is required, revenues are recognized upon the earlier of customer
       acceptance or the expiration of the acceptance period, as defined in the
       applicable software license agreement. Maintenance is provided by the
       licensor and the Company does not incur any costs, other than the license
       fee paid to the licensor,
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997 AND
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
      (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
       associated with the performance of maintenance contracts. Consequently,
       sufficient vendor-specific historical evidence exists to demonstrate that
       the costs to provide maintenance are incurred on other than a
       straight-line basis and the Company believes it is probable that the
       costs incurred in performing current arrangements will follow a similar
       pattern.
 
       Professional services revenue includes fees derived from the delivery of
       training, installation, and consulting services. Revenue from training,
       installation, and consulting services is recognized as the related
       services are performed. Deferred revenue represents payments received by
       the Company in advance of product delivery or service performance.
 
    (g)  INCOME TAXES
 
       The Company has elected to be taxed for Federal and state income tax
       purposes as a Subchapter S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code of
       1986, as amended, and under certain comparable state tax laws. As a
       result, earnings are taxed directly to the Company's shareholders at
       applicable Federal and state income tax rates. Unaudited pro forma
       information has been included in the statements of income and retained
       earnings and the notes to financial statements setting forth income taxes
       and net income as if the Company had been fully subject to tax during the
       periods presented.
 
    (h)  CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
       Financial instruments, potentially subjecting the Company to
       concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of temporary cash
       investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary
       cash investments with two major financial institutions. The Company
       maintains an allowance as needed for potential credit losses on customer
       accounts. Credit losses have not been significant during all periods
       presented.
 
(2)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                          --------------------
                                                            1996       1997
                                                          ---------  ---------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Computers and equipment.................................  $ 120,029  $ 167,403
Furniture and fixtures..................................     43,078     97,688
Automobiles.............................................     21,863     21,863
                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                            184,970    286,954
Less accumulated depreciation...........................    141,741    164,275
                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                          $  43,229  $ 122,679
                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                          ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997 AND
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
      (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(3)  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                          -----------------------------
                                              1996            1997
                                          -------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>
Commissions.............................  $     203,437   $     592,101
Royalties...............................      1,522,429       2,333,249
Other...................................        309,987         421,785
                                          -------------   -------------
                                          $   2,035,853   $   3,347,135
                                          -------------   -------------
                                          -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
(4)  INCOME TAXES
 
    The Company has elected to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation for
    Federal and certain state income tax purposes, whereby income is taxed to
    the individual shareholders. California imposes a 1.5% minimum franchise tax
    on Subchapter S corporations. Accordingly, only state income tax has been
    provided for in the accompanying financial statements. The following table
    sets forth income taxes on a pro forma basis as if the Company had been a C
    corporation during the periods presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ------------------------------------
                                                             1995        1996         1997
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Pro forma income taxes:
  Current
    Federal.............................................  $  288,055  $  724,939  $  1,283,473
    State...............................................      71,054     177,201       305,413
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
      Total current.....................................     359,109     902,140     1,588,886
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
  Deferred
    Federal.............................................  $  (33,493) $  (48,406) $   (137,936)
    State...............................................      (4,424)     (4,315)      (25,977)
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
      Total deferred....................................     (37,917)    (52,721)     (163,913)
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
      Total pro forma income taxes......................  $  321,192  $  849,419  $  1,424,973
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997 AND
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
      (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(4)  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The following tabulation reconciles the expected pro forma federal income
    tax expense (computed by multiplying the Company's income before taxes by
    34%) to the Company's unaudited pro forma income tax expense for the periods
    presented:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    ------------------------------------
                                                                       1995        1996         1997
                                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------
                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>
Expected pro forma income tax expense.............................  $  262,523  $  671,188  $  1,137,623
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect.....................      66,066     168,868       277,433
Other.............................................................      (7,397)      9,363         9,917
                                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------
                                                                    $  321,192  $  849,419  $  1,424,973
                                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------
                                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
    portions of the unaudited pro forma deferred tax assets and deferred tax
    liabilities as of December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 are presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        --------------------------------
                                                                          1995       1996        1997
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ----------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma deferred tax assets:
  Property and equipment, principally due to differences in
    depreciation......................................................  $   1,053  $   1,096  $      998
  Reserves and accruals...............................................     16,278     37,752     172,353
  State income taxes..................................................     20,586     51,790      81,200
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ----------
    Total deferred tax assets.........................................  $  37,917  $  90,638  $  254,551
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ----------
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
(5)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    RETIREMENT PLAN
 
    The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible
    employees. Participants may make contributions to the plan in accordance
    with provisions of the plan. The Company may make discretionary
    contributions to the plan. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, and
    1997, the Company made contributions of $100,141, $116,023, and $183,493,
    respectively. Such contributions generally vest over six years.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                             OPTIMA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997 AND
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
      (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                      JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(6)  COMMITMENTS
 
    (a)  LEASES
 
       The Company has a noncancelable operating lease agreement for office
       space that expires in 2002. Minimum lease payments for the five
       succeeding years are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>
1998..............................................................  $ 143,664
1999..............................................................    143,664
2000..............................................................    150,672
2001..............................................................    150,672
2002..............................................................    113,004
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $ 701,676
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
       Rent expense was $78,727, $89,833, $91,646 and for the years ended
       December 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively.
 
    (b)  LICENSING AND OTHER AGREEMENTS
 
   
       The Company has a Marketing Agreement with SERENA. The principal
       stockholder of SERENA owns 15% of the capital stock of the Company.
       Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, the Company was granted the
       exclusive right to market and sell SERENA's CHANGE MAN software product
       in most jurisdictions. SERENA is entitled to license fees of 40% and 75%
       upon initial sales of software licenses and maintenance and renewal
       maintenance, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996,
       and 1997, fees paid or accrued under this license agreement were
       $3,809,276, $5,856,783, and $8,972,882, respectively.
    
 
       In January 1994, the Company entered into a reseller agreement with
       Serena International, Ltd, U.K. (Serena-UK). Pursuant to the agreement,
       Serena-UK has a non-exclusive right to market and license CHANGE MAN to
       end users in the U.K. Serena-UK shall pay a license fee of 30% for all
       new license agreements and 50% for all maintenance renewals sold under
       the terms of the agreement.
 
       Amounts received pursuant to the agreement totaled $25,169, $17,039, and
       $148,894 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
 
(7)  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On September 25, 1998, SERENA acquired all of the outstanding shares of the
    Company in exchange for 3,187,500 shares of SERENA's common stock.
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
               PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income
presented below are derived from the historical consolidated financial
statements of SERENA Software, Inc. ("SERENA") and Optima Software, Inc.
("Optima"). The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for
the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, and for the nine months ended October
31, 1998, give effect to the acquisition of Optima as if it had occurred on
February 1, 1997. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
statements of income for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, SERENA's
results of operations for such period have been combined with Optima's results
of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997. The unaudited pro forma
condensed combined statements of income for the nine months ended October 31,
1998, combine both SERENA's and Optima's results of operations for such period.
 
        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements give
effect to the acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. The fair
value of the consideration paid has been allocated to the assets and liabilities
acquired based upon the fair values of such assets at the date of acquisition
and may be revised for a period of up to one year from the date of acquisition.
The preliminary estimates and assumptions as to the value of the assets and
liabilities of Optima to the combined company is based upon information
available at the date of preparation of these unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements, and will be adjusted upon final allocation of
purchase price within one year from the acquisition date. The items awaiting
final allocation include noncurrent asset valuations and certain valuation
allowances and accruals. It is anticipated, however, that the final allocation
of the purchase price will not differ materially from the preliminary
allocation.
 
        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not
purport to represent what SERENA's results of operations or financial condition
would have actually been or what operations would be if the transactions that
give rise to the pro forma adjustments had occurred on the dates assumed and are
not indicative of future results. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements below should be read in conjunction with the historical
consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto of SERENA and Optima
included elsewhere herein.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
           UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                       FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        HISTORICAL
                                     ----------------    PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                     SERENA   OPTIMA    ADJUSTMENTS       COMBINED
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>                <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses................  $17,839  $16,946  $ (4,690)(1)        $22,962
                                                           (204)(2)
                                                         (6,929)(3)
  Maintenance......................  12,258       --        433(3)          12,691
  Professional services............   2,050    3,612         --              5,662
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Total revenue..................  32,147   20,558    (11,390)            41,315
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses................   1,087    8,981     (9,044)(1)          1,024
  Maintenance......................   4,009       --         --              4,009
  Professional services............   1,717    2,439         --              4,156
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Total cost of revenue..........   6,813   11,420     (9,044)             9,189
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
  Gross profit.....................  25,334    9,138     (2,346)            32,126
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..............   7,947    3,651       (204)(2)         11,394
  Research and development.........   5,518       --         --              5,518
  General and administrative.......   3,296    2,281         --              5,577
  Stock-based compensation.........     880       --         --                880
  Amortization of intangible             --       --      1,911(4)           1,911
    assets.........................
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Total operating expenses.......  17,641    5,932      1,707             25,280
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Operating income...............   7,693    3,206     (4,053)             6,846
Other income, net..................     321      140       (251)(5)            210
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Income before income taxes.....   8,014    3,346     (4,304)             7,056
Income taxes.......................   3,253      186        163(6)           3,602
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
    Net income.....................  $4,761   $3,160   $ (4,467)           $ 3,454
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
                                     -------  -------  -------------      ---------
Net income per share:
  Basic............................  $ 0.31                                $  0.19
                                     -------                              ---------
                                     -------                              ---------
  Diluted..........................  $ 0.31                                $  0.19
                                     -------                              ---------
                                     -------                              ---------
Shares used to compute net income
  per share:
  Basic............................  15,248                                 18,436
  Diluted..........................  15,272                                 18,460
</TABLE>
    
 
  See accompanying notes to pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
           UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                       NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         HISTORICAL
                                                  ------------------------    PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                                                    SERENA       OPTIMA      ADJUSTMENTS    COMBINED
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Software licenses.............................   $  16,685    $   4,066    $  (1,761)(1)  $  18,672
                                                                                  (318)(2)
  Maintenance...................................      12,098        5,341       (4,238)(3)     13,201
  Professional services.........................       2,363        2,663           --          5,026
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Total revenue...............................      31,146       12,070       (6,317)        36,899
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
Cost of revenue:
  Software licenses.............................       1,266        5,852       (5,584)(1)      1,534
  Maintenance...................................       3,185           --           --          3,185
  Professional services.........................       2,057        1,857           --          3,914
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Total cost of revenue.......................       6,508        7,709       (5,584)         8,633
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
  Gross profit..................................      24,638        4,361         (733)        28,266
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing...........................       8,956        1,642         (318)(2)     10,280
  Research and development......................       3,220           --           --          3,220
  General and administrative....................       2,786          517           --          3,303
  Stock-based compensation......................       2,071           --           --          2,071
  Amortization of intangible assets.............         186           --          873(5)       1,059
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Total operating expenses....................      17,219        2,159          555         19,933
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Operating income............................       7,419        2,202       (1,288)         8,333
Other income, net...............................         571          137         (127)(6)        581
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Income before income taxes..................       7,990        2,339       (1,415)         8,914
Income taxes....................................       3,596          129          502(7)       4,227
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Net income..................................   $   4,394    $   2,210    $  (1,917)     $   4,687
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                                  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
Net income per share:
  Basic.........................................   $    0.27                                $    0.25
                                                  -----------                              -----------
                                                  -----------                              -----------
  Diluted.......................................   $    0.26                                $    0.24
                                                  -----------                              -----------
                                                  -----------                              -----------
Shares used to compute net income per share:
  Basic.........................................      16,145                                   18,735
                                                  -----------                              -----------
                                                  -----------                              -----------
  Diluted.......................................      17,122                                   19,712
                                                  -----------                              -----------
                                                  -----------                              -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
  See accompanying notes to pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
      NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
SUMMARY OF TRANSACTION
 
   
        In connection with SERENA's acquisition of Optima, SERENA issued
3,187,500 shares of its own common stock valued at $6.72 per share in exchange
for all the outstanding capital stock of Optima.
    
 
        The allocation of the purchase price was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Allocation of purchase price:
  Net tangible liabilities.........................................  $    (251)
  Work-force-in-place(a)...........................................        300
  Noncompete agreement(b)..........................................        200
  Goodwill(c)......................................................     21,171
                                                                     ---------
    Total purchase price...........................................     21,420
                                                                     ---------
                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    ----------------------------
 
    (a)  Work-force-in-place, consisting principally of Optima's sales force,
       was valued on a replacement cost basis and will be amortized over a
       six-month period, the period of time SERENA estimates would be required
       to hire, train, and achieve full productivity for a replacement work
       force.
 
    (b) The noncompete agreement was entered into with an Optima officer and
       founder who will not continue with the combined company. The noncompete
       agreement was valued based on his anticipated salary and benefits for the
       period of the agreement and will be amortized over the one-year term of
       the agreement.
 
    (c)  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair
       value of the net assets acquired and will be amortized over 15 years.
 
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
 
(1) To eliminate intercompany software licence royalty revenue recorded by
    SERENA and intercompany royalty expense recorded by Optima.
 
(2) To eliminate Optima's software license revenues against SERENA's royalty
    expense with respect to certain sales transactions initiated by a foreign
    subsidiary of SERENA's and to which Optima was entitled royalties.
 
(3) To conform Optima's revenue recognition policy for maintenance to SERENA's.
    SERENA initially defers and then recognizes maintenance revenues, including
    maintenance to be provided to Optima's customers, ratably over the contract
    term, generally 12 months. Optima recognized maintenance revenue upon
    receipt and acceptance of a signed contract and delivery of the software,
    provided the fee is fixed and determinable, collectibility of the revenue is
    probable and the arrangement does not involve significant customization of
    the software. Sufficient vendor-specific historical evidence exists to
    demonstrate that Optima's cost to provide maintenance are incurred on other
    than a straight-line basis and Optima believes it is probable that the costs
    incurred in performing current arrangements will follow a similar pattern.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
 
(4) To record the amortization of intangible assets resulting from the
    allocation of the purchase price as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED      NINE MONTHS
                                                                JANUARY 31,  ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                                                   1998            1998
                                                                -----------  -----------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>
Work-force-in-place...........................................   $     300       $      --
Noncompete agreement..........................................         200              --
Goodwill......................................................       1,411           1,059
                                                                -----------         ------
  Total pro forma combined....................................       1,911           1,059
Less amount recorded in post-acquisition period...............          --             186
                                                                -----------         ------
Pro forma adjustment..........................................   $   1,911       $     873
                                                                -----------         ------
                                                                -----------         ------
</TABLE>
    
 
(5) To record a reduction in interest income for a $4,750,000 distribution to
    Optima shareholders declared prior to the acquisition date. Because Optima
    did not have average cash balances in excess of the distribution during the
    periods presented, this amount has been computed using a rate of 5.29%, the
    rate assigned to notes issued to the Optima shareholders for the noncash
    portion of the distribution subsequently paid by SERENA. This rate exceeds
    the effective rate earned by SERENA and Optima on average cash balances
    during the period. The effect of using a more precise rate would be
    immaterial.
 
(6) To record income taxes for Optima as if it were a C corporation during the
    periods presented and for the tax effect of the various pro forma
    adjustments set forth above. This adjustment is based on a combined
    effective Federal and state statutory rate of 48.3% and 46.8% during the
    fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and six months ended July 31, 1998,
    respectively.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                   [DESCRIPTION OF INSIDE BACK COVER GRAPHIC]
 
        A large, solid outer circle and a smaller inner circle composed of
arrows appearing within the larger circle appears at the center of the top-half
of the page. The top three-quarters of the larger outer circle has the caption
"THE AUTOMATED SOFTWARE LIFE CYCLE" super-imposed on it. The caption "Change Man
Automates The Life Cycle With A Proven Process!" appears at the center of the
smaller inner circle composed of arrows. At the one o'clock position of the
smaller inner circle, the caption "validate & audit" is superimposed on an
arrow. Moving clock-wise, the caption "freeze test approve" is superimposed on
an arrow. Continuing to move clock-wise, the caption "synchronize" is
super-imposed on an arrow appearing at the six o'clock position. Still moving
clock-wise, the caption "install" is super-imposed on the blunt part of an
arrow. The pointed part of the arrow is bent 90 degrees such that the pointed
part of the arrow moves beyond the larger outer circle. The caption "backout" is
superimposed on the pointed part of the arrow. Resuming the movement clockwise
on the inner circle, an arrow with the caption "checkout create" super-imposed
on it appears between the nine and the ten o'clock positions. Finally, the
caption "develop & stage" is super-imposed on an arrow at the eleven o'clock
position of the inner circle.
 
        The text appearing on the bottom half of the page is as follows: SERENA
provides comprehensive SCM products and services for customers to establish an
automated infrastructure which manages and controls change throughout the
software application life cycle. Change Man, SERENA's flagship product provides:
 
        - full life cycle management
 
        - consistent process management
 
        - high adaptability for fast implementation and control
 
        - online management of approvals and authorizations
 
        - management of concurrent development efforts
 
        - code freezing to prevent further development while testing
 
        - auditing and automating the back-out of changes
 
Change Man is a flexible, compatible SCM solution that supports multiple
database platforms and integrates easily with existing IT environments by using
standard IBM programming languages and working with existing customer security
systems, libraries, and inventory lists.
 
        The above-described graphic and text is super-imposed against a scaled
back photographic background of binary number sequences.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                6,000,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                ---------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                                ---------------
 
                               HAMBRECHT & QUIST
 
                                    SG COWEN
 
                           SOUNDVIEW TECHNOLOGY GROUP
 
                                   ---------
 
                                          , 1999
 
                                 --------------
 
        YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE
HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE ARE OFFERING TO SELL, AND SEEKING OFFERS TO
BUY, SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ONLY IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE OFFERS AND SALES ARE
PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR OF ANY SALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
 
        NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN ANY JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
TO PERMIT A PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OR POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF
THIS PROSPECTUS IN ANY SUCH JURISDICTION. PERSONS WHO COME INTO POSSESSION OF
THIS PROSPECTUS IN JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ARE REQUIRED TO
INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY RESTRICTIONS AS TO THIS OFFERING AND
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS APPLICABLE TO THAT JURISDICTION.
 
        UNTIL            , 1999, ALL DEALERS THAT BUY, SELL OR TRADE IN OUR
COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE DEALERS' OBLIGATION TO DELIVER
A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
        The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Company in connection
with the sale of common stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except
the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
SEC registration fee..............................................  $  21,100
NASD filing fee...................................................      8,090
Nasdaq National Market listing fee................................     95,000
Printing and engraving costs......................................    175,000
Legal fees and expenses...........................................    250,000
Accounting fees and expenses......................................    250,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses........................................      5,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees.................................     10,000
Miscellaneous expenses............................................     35,810
                                                                    ---------
  Total...........................................................  $ 850,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to include in its charter documents, and in agreements between the
corporation and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by the current law.
 
        Article X of SERENA's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for
the indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under
Delaware law.
 
        Article VI of SERENA's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of
officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of SERENA if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed
to the best interest of SERENA, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his or her conduct
was unlawful.
 
        SERENA has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors
and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in SERENA's
Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new
directors and executive officers in the future.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
        During the past three years, SERENA has issued unregistered securities
to a limited number of persons, as described below. None of these transactions
involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public
offering, and SERENA believes that each transaction was exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2)
thereof, Regulation D promulgated thereunder or Rule 701 pursuant to
compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided
under such Rule 701. The recipients of securities in each such transaction
represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and
not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and
appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates and instruments
issued in such transactions. All recipients had adequate access to information
about SERENA, through their relationships with SERENA.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
   
        1.  Pursuant to SERENA's Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan,
    from January 1998 to April 1998, SERENA issued and sold an aggregate of
    1,896,750 shares of common stock to certain of its officers and directors.
    
 
        2.  Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated September
    25, 1998, whereby SERENA acquired Optima Software, Inc., the Registrant
    issued an aggregate of 3,187,500 shares of common stock to the selling
    stockholders of Optima Software, Inc.
 
   
        3.  Pursuant to SERENA's Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan,
    from November 1998 to January 1999, SERENA issued an aggregate of 196,876
    shares of common stock to certain employees pursuant to option exercises.
    
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    (a)  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>        <S>        <C>
   1.1     C          Form of Underwriting Agreement
   3.1     A          Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SERENA
   3.2     A          Bylaws of SERENA, as currently in effect
   4.1     A          Specimen Common Stock Certificate
   4.2     A          Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 25, 1998, by and among SERENA
                        and certain shareholders of Optima Software Inc. (related to SERENA's
                        acquisition of Optima Software, Inc.)
   5.1     C          Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
  10.1     A          Form of Indemnification Agreement between SERENA and each of its directors and
                        officers
  10.2A    A          Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
  10.2B    A          Form of Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
  10.2C    A          Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement under the Amended and Restated 1997
                        Stock Option Plan
  10.3A    A          1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  10.3B    A          Form of Subscription Agreement under the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  10.4A    A          1999 Director Plan
  10.4B    A          Form of Option Agreement under 1999 Director Plan
  10.5     A          Employment Agreement, dated April 18, 1997 between SERENA and Richard A. Doerr
  10.6     A          Employment Agreement, dated June 24, 1980, between SERENA and Douglas D. Troxel
  10.7     A          Employment and Software Distribution Agreement, dated October 28, 1993, between
                        SERENA and A. Bruce Leland (relating to license of proprietary technology)
  10.8     A          Employment Agreement, dated May 18, 1993, between SERENA and Steven Smith
                        (relating to license of proprietary technology)
  10.9     A          Software Agreement, dated July 1, 1991, by and between SERENA and High Power
                        Software, Inc. (relating to joint ownership of technology)
  10.10A   A          Lease Agreement, dated August 15, 1994, between SERENA and Water Front Towers
                        Partners, L.P. (for Burlingame headquarters)
  10.10B   A          Addendum to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility), dated
                        November 21, 1994
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  10.10C   A          Second Addendum to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters) dated November
                        15, 1994
<C>        <S>        <C>
  10.10D   A          Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility) dated
                        May 21, 1996
  10.10E   A          Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility) dated
                        August 24, 1996
  10.10F   A          Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility) dated
                        June 3, 1997
  10.10G   A          Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility) dated
                        June 9, 1998
  10.11    A          Lease Agreement between SERENA and Waterfront Tower Partners, L.P. dated May
                        18, 1998 (for additional space at Burlingame headquarters facility)
  10.12    A          Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement entered into between SERENA and
                        certain of its executive officers
  10.13    A          Secured Promissory Note and Security Agreement between SERENA and Douglas D.
                        Troxel dated July 22, 1998
  16.1     A          Letter regarding change in certifying accountants
  21.1     A          List of Subsidiaries
  23.1     C          Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors (see Page S-1)
  23.3     C          Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  24.1     A          Power of Attorney
  24.2     A          Power of Attorney (for Jerry T. Ungerman)
  27.1     A          Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
A  Previously filed
 
B  To be filed by amendment
 
C  Filed herewith
 
    (b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
        Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information
required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
        SERENA hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters at the closing
specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and
registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt
delivery to each purchaser.
 
        Insofar as indemnification by SERENA for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of SERENA pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of this Registration
Statement or otherwise, SERENA has been advised 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. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by SERENA of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or
controlling person of SERENA 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 hereunder, SERENA 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
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
        SERENA hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
Prospectus filed by SERENA 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 was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each 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 deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                   REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE AND
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
SERENA Software, Inc.
 
        The audits referred to in our report dated December 18, 1998, except as
to Note 4(b), which is as of January 5, 1999, included the related financial
statement schedule as of October 31, 1998, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended January 31, 1998 and for the nine months ended October
31, 1998, included in the registration statement. This financial statement
schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our
audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basis consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
        We consent to the use of our reports included herein related to SERENA
Software, Inc. and Optima Software, Inc. and to the reference to our firm under
the headings "Experts," "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "The
Offering" in the prospectus.
 
                                          KPMG LLP
 
Mountain View, California
 
   
February 8, 1999
    
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                             SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.
 
                                 --------------
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        ADDITIONS--
                                           BALANCE AT   CHARGED TO                  BALANCE AT
                                          BEGINNING OF   COSTS AND   DEDUCTIONS--     END OF
DESCRIPTION                                  PERIOD      EXPENSES      WRITEOFFS      PERIOD
- ----------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>
Year Ended January 31, 1996:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts.......   $   30,000    $      --     $      --     $  30,000
Year Ended January 31, 1997:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts.......   $   30,000    $      --     $      --     $  30,000
Year Ended January 31, 1998:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts.......   $   30,000    $ 200,000     $ (33,000)    $ 197,000
Nine Months Ended October 31, 1998:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts.......   $  197,000    $ 100,000     $ (16,000)    $ 281,000
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER       NOTES                                     DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>          <C>
   1.1              C   Form of Underwriting Agreement
   3.1              A   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SERENA
   3.2              A   Bylaws of SERENA, as currently in effect
   4.1              A   Specimen Common Stock Certificate
   4.2              A   Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 25, 1998, by and among SERENA
                          and certain shareholders of Optima Software Inc. (related to SERENA's
                          acquisition of Optima Software, Inc.)
   5.1              C   Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
  10.1              A   Form of Indemnification Agreement between SERENA and each of its directors
                          and officers
  10.2A             A   Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
  10.2B             A   Form of Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option
                          Plan
  10.2C             A   Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement under the Amended and Restated
                          1997 Stock Option Plan
  10.3A             A   1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  10.3B             A   Form of Subscription Agreement under the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  10.4A             A   1999 Director Plan
  10.4B             A   Form of Option Agreement under 1999 Director Plan
  10.5              A   Employment Agreement, dated April 18, 1997 between SERENA and Richard A.
                          Doerr
  10.6              A   Employment Agreement, dated June 24, 1980, between SERENA and Douglas D.
                          Troxel
  10.7              A   Employment and Software Distribution Agreement, dated October 28, 1993,
                          between SERENA and A. Bruce Leland (relating to license of proprietary
                          technology)
  10.8              A   Employment Agreement, dated May 18, 1993, between SERENA and Steven Smith
                          (relating to license of proprietary technology)
  10.9              A   Software Agreement, dated July 1, 1991, by and between SERENA and High Power
                          Software, Inc. (relating to joint ownership of technology)
  10.10A            A   Lease Agreement, dated August 15, 1994, between SERENA and Water Front
                          Towers Partners, L.P. (for Burlingame headquarters)
  10.10B            A   Addendum to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility), dated
                          November 21, 1994
  10.10C            A   Second Addendum to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters) dated
                          November 15, 1994
  10.10D            A   Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility)
                          dated May 21, 1996
  10.10E            A   Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility)
                          dated August 24, 1996
  10.10F            A   Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility)
                          dated June 3, 1997
  10.10G            A   Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement (for Burlingame headquarters facility)
                          dated June 9, 1998
  10.11             A   Lease Agreement between SERENA and Waterfront Tower Partners, L.P. dated May
                          18, 1998 (for additional space at Burlingame headquarters facility)
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER       NOTES                                     DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>          <C>
  10.12             A   Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement entered into between SERENA and
                          certain of its executive officers
  10.13             A   Secured Promissory Note and Security Agreement between SERENA and Douglas D.
                          Troxel dated July 22, 1998
  16.1              A   Letter regarding change in certifying accountants
  21.1              A   List of Subsidiaries
  23.1              C   Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors (see Page S-1)
  23.3              C   Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  24.1              A   Power of Attorney
  24.2              A   Power of Attorney (for Jerry T. Ungerman)
  27.1              A   Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
A  Previously filed
 
B  To be filed by amendment
 
C  Filed herewith


<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 1.1

                              SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.

                               6,000,000 SHARES1

                                  COMMON STOCK



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT



                                                               ___________, 1999

HAMBRECHT & QUIST LLC
SG Cowen Securities Corporation
SoundView TECHNOLOGY Group, Inc.
c/o Hambrecht  & Quist LLC
One Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Serena Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the
Company), proposes to issue and sell 4,000,000 shares of its authorized but
unissued Common Stock, $0.001 par value (herein called the Common Stock), and
the stockholders of the Company named in Schedule II hereto (herein collectively
called the Selling Securityholders) propose to sell an aggregate of 2,000,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company (said 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock
being herein called the Underwritten Stock). The Company proposes to grant to
the Underwriters (as hereinafter defined) an option to purchase up to 900,000
additional shares of Common Stock (herein called the Option Stock and with the
Underwritten Stock herein collectively called the Stock). The Common Stock is
more fully described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
hereinafter mentioned.

         The Company and the Selling Securityholders severally hereby confirm
the agreements made with respect to the purchase of the Stock by the several
underwriters, for whom you are acting, named in Schedule I hereto (herein
collectively called the Underwriters, which term shall also include any
underwriter purchasing Stock pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof). You represent and
warrant that you have been authorized by each of the other Underwriters to enter
into this Agreement on its behalf and to act for it in the manner herein
provided.

          1. REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The Company has filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (herein called the Commission) a registration statement
on Form S-1 (No. 333-67761), including the related preliminary prospectus, for
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (herein called the
Securities Act) of the Stock. Copies of such registration statement and of each
amendment thereto, if any, including the related preliminary prospectus (meeting
the requirements of Rule 430A of the rules and regulations of the Commission)
heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission have been delivered to you.

         The term Registration Statement as used in this agreement shall mean
such registration statement, including all exhibits and financial statements,
all information omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
the Prospectus referred to below, in the form in which it became effective, and
any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the rules and
regulations of the Commission with respect to the Stock (herein called a Rule
462(b) registration statement), and, in the event of any amendment thereto after
the effective date of such registration statement (herein called the Effective
Date), shall also mean (from and after the effectiveness of such amendment) such
registration statement as so amended (including any Rule 462(b) registration
statement). The term Prospectus as used in this Agreement shall mean the
prospectus relating to the Stock first filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A (or if no such filing is required, as included in the
Registration Statement) 

- --------
1           Plus an option to purchase from the Company up to 900,000 additional
shares to cover overallotments.


<PAGE>

and, in the event of any supplement or amendment to such prospectus after the
Effective Date, shall also mean (from and after the filing with the Commission
of such supplement or the effectiveness of such amendment) such prospectus as so
supplemented or amended. The term Preliminary Prospectus as used in this
Agreement shall mean each preliminary prospectus included in such registration
statement prior to the time it becomes effective.

         The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the
Securities Act, and no post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
has been filed as of the date of this Agreement. The Company has caused to be
delivered to you copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and has consented to the
use of such copies for the purposes permitted by the Securities Act.

          2.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
SECURITYHOLDERS.

               (a) The Company hereby represents and warrants as follows:

                    (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its incorporation, has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus and as being conducted, and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the character of
the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it
makes qualification necessary (except where the failure to be so qualified would
not have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole).

                    (ii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company owns
all of the shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company and each of
the Company's subsidiaries has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus and as being conducted, and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the character of
the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it
makes qualification necessary (except where the failure to be so qualified would
not have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole). All of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the
Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable, and are owned directly by the Company, fee and clear of all
liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

                    (iii) Since the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any
materially adverse change in the business, properties, financial condition or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business,
other than as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and
since such dates, except in the ordinary course of business, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries (i) has entered into any material transaction or
incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, not
referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; (ii) has purchased
any of its outstanding capital stock, or declared, paid or otherwise made any
dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock (except for
repurchases of unvested Common Stock in connection with the termination of
employees or consultants pursuant to customary forms of restricted stock
purchase agreements); or (iii) has had any material change in the capital stock,
short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except for the grant of stock options under the
Company's equity incentive plans as described in the Prospectus and the issuance
of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of such options, and otherwise in each
case as described or specifically contemplated in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus.

                    (iv) The Commission has not issued any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus relating to the proposed
offering of the Stock nor instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened instituting proceedings for that purpose. The Registration Statement
and the Prospectus comply, and on the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) and
any later date on which Option Stock is to be purchased, the Prospectus will
comply, in all material respects, with the provisions of the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; on the Effective Date,
the Registration Statement did not

                                       2

<PAGE>

contain any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; and, on the Effective Date the Prospectus did
not and, on the Closing Date and any later date on which Option Stock is to be
purchased, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that none of the representations and warranties in this
subparagraph (iv) shall apply to statements in, or omissions from, the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information herein or otherwise furnished in writing to the Company by or
on behalf of the Underwriters for use in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus.

                    (v) The Common Stock (including the Stock to be sold by the
Selling Securityholders) outstanding prior to the issuance of the Common Stock
to be sold by the Company has been duly authorized and is validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth in the Prospectus and other than
options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to employees
pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (herein referred
to as the 1997 Plan) as described in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any
of its subsidiaries has outstanding any options to purchase, or any preemptive
rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, any securities or
obligations convertible into, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell,
shares of its capital stock or any such options, rights, convertible securities
or obligations. All outstanding shares of capital stock and options and other
rights to acquire capital stock have been issued in compliance with the
registration and qualification provisions of all applicable securities laws (or
applicable exemptions thereof) other than federal or state antifraud laws and
were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal
and other similar rights. The Stock to be sold by the Company has been duly
authorized, and when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the
issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
No further corporate action on the part of the stockholders or the Board of
Directors of the Company will be required for the transfer and sale of the Stock
to be sold by the Selling Securityholders or the issuance and sale of the Stock
to be sold by the Company as contemplated herein.

                    (vi) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as
to legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof contained
in the Prospectus. The form of certificates for the Stock conforms in all
material respects to the corporate law of the jurisdiction of the Company's
incorporation.

                    (vii) Prior to the Closing Date, the Stock to be sold by the
Selling Securityholders, and the Stock to be issued and sold by the Company,
will be authorized for listing by the Nasdaq National Market upon official
notice of issuance.

                    (viii) The consolidated financial statements of the Company,
together with related notes and schedules as set forth in the Registration
Statement ("Company Financial Statements"), present fairly the financial
position and the results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, at the indicated dates and for the indicated periods. The
consolidated financial statements of Optima Software, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company ("Optima"), together with related notes and schedules
as set forth in the Registration Statement ("Optima Financial Statements"),
present fairly the financial position and the results of operations of Optima
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at the indicated dates and for the
indicated periods. The pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial
statements of the Company, together with related notes and schedules as set
forth in the Registration Statement ("Pro Forma Financial Statements," which
together with the Company Financial Statements and the Optima Financial
Statements, are herein collectively called the "Financial Statements"), present
fairly the financial position and the results of operations of the Company and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at the indicated dates and for the indicated
periods. The Financial Statements, schedules and related notes have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied through the period involved, except as may be otherwise
stated therein, and all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of results
for such periods have been made.

                    (ix) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
violation or default under any provision of their respective charter documents
or bylaws, as currently in effect, or any indenture, license, mortgage, lease,
franchise, permit, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or their respective properties is bound 


                                       3
<PAGE>

or may be affected, except where such violation or default would not have a
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                    (x) The Company has full legal right, power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and perform the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is
a valid and binding agreement on the part of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution
hereunder may be limited by applicable laws and except as the enforcement hereof
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, or by general
equitable principles.

                    (xi) The execution and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions herein contemplated do not and will not
conflict with or result in a breach of, or violation of, any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute, either by itself or upon notice or the passage of
time or both, a default under, any indenture, license, mortgage, lease,
franchise, permit, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or their respective properties is bound or may be affected, or
violate any material order, judgment, statute, rule or regulation applicable to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court or of any regulatory,
administrative or governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective properties except where
such breach, violation or default would not have a materially adverse effect on
the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or violate any of the provisions of the
certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws, as applicable, each as
amended, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

                    (xii) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending
or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or its
subsidiaries is subject that are required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes,
regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required. The
contracts so described in the Prospectus are in full force and effect on the
date hereof except as disclosed therein; and neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries nor, to the Company's knowledge any other party, is in material
breach of or default under any of such contracts.

                    (xiii) The Company and its subsidiaries possess all
consents, approvals, orders, certificates, authorizations and permits issued by,
and has made all declarations and filings with, all appropriate federal, state
or foreign governmental and self-regulatory authorities and all courts and other
tribunals and all required state agencies in connection with applicable
franchise laws, regulations and requirements necessary to conduct their
respective businesses and to own, lease, license and use their properties in the
manner described in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to
obtain or file would not have a material adverse effect on the business,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has
received any notice of proceedings related to the revocation or modification of
any such consent, approval, order, certificate, authorization or permit that,
singly or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the
business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                    (xiv) The Company and each of its subsidiaries (i) are in
compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws
and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or
other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws with
respect to its business as conducted and as proposed to be conducted in the
Registration Statement and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions
of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with
Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other
approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits,
licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of
the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. To the Company's knowledge,
there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including,
without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up,
closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit,
license or approval, any related 



                                       4
<PAGE>

constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third
parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect
on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                    (xv) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries owns
any real properties. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to all personal property that they respectively own free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the
value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be
made of such property by the Company or its subsidiaries; and any real property
and buildings held under lease by the Company or its subsidiaries are held under
valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not
material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
property and buildings by the Company or its subsidiaries.

                    (xvi) The Company has not taken and will not take, directly
or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which constitutes
or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or
manipulation of the price of the shares of Common Stock to facilitate the sale
or resale of the Stock.

                    (xvii) The Company and each of its subsidiaries owns or
possesses adequate rights to use all material patents, patent rights, licenses,
inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented
and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or
procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed by
them in connection with the business now operated by them, and, except as
described in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has
received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of
others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate,
if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in
any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business or operations of the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the discoveries, inventions,
products or processes of the Company and its subsidiaries referred to in the
Prospectus do not, to the knowledge of the Company, infringe or conflict with
any right or patent of any third party, or any discovery, invention, product or
process which is the subject of a patent application filed by a third party,
known to the Company, which such infringement or conflict could result in any
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of
operations of the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The expiration
of any patents, patent rights or copyrights at their respective expiration dates
will not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or
results of operations of the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                    (xviii) The Company is in compliance, in all material
respects, with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"); no "reportable event" (as defined in
ERISA) has occurred with respect to any "pension plan" (as defined in ERISA) for
with the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does
not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV or ERISA with respect to
termination of, or withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or
4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations
and published interpretations thereunder (the "Code"); and each "pension plan"
for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred,
whether by action or failure to act, that would cause the loss of such
qualification.

                    (xix) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
offering and sale of the Stock and the application of the proceeds thereof as
described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                    (xx) There is no owner of any securities of the Company who
has any right, not effectively satisfied or waived, to require registration of
any shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement or the sale of any shares thereunder. There are no
contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person
granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration
statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company
or to require the Company to include such securities with the Stock registered
pursuant to the Registration Statement, except in each case as described in the
Prospectus.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                    (xxi) The Company and its subsidiaries have complied with
all provisions of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes relating to doing business
with the Government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba.

                    (xxii) The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principals of the United States and to maintain asset accountability;
(iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general
or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is
compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action
is taken with respect to any differences.

                    (xxiii) No material labor dispute with employees of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or franchisees exists or to the knowledge of
the Company is imminent, and, without conducting any independent investigation,
the Company has not been notified in writing of any existing, threatened or
imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers,
manufacturers or contractors that could have a material adverse effect on the
business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the
employment of each officer and employee of the Company and its subsidiaries is
terminable at the will of the Company. To its knowledge, the Company and its
subsidiaries have each complied in all material respects with all applicable
state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related
to employment. To the Company's knowledge, no employee of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, nor any consultant or independent contractor with whom the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has contracted, is in violation of any term
of any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other
agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or to
contract with, the Company because of the nature of the business to be conducted
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and to the Company's knowledge the
continued employment by the Company and its subsidiaries of its present
employees, and the performance of the Company's contracts with its independent
contractors, will not result in any such violation. The Company and its
subsidiaries have not received any notice alleging that any such violation has
occurred. The Company is not aware that any officer or key employee, or that any
group of key employees, intends to terminate their employment with the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, nor does the Company have a present intention to
terminate the employment of any of the foregoing.

                    (xxiv) The Company has not offered, or caused the
Underwriters to offer, Stock to any person by way of directed shares with the
specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the
Company to alter the customer's or supplier's level or type of business with the
Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable
information about the Company or its products.

                    (xxv) To the Company's knowledge, after due investigation,
each of the Company's products will produce no logical or arithmetic
inconsistencies when dealing with dates beyond the year 1999, except where such
inconsistencies, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Without limiting the foregoing,
to the Company's knowledge, the Company's services and products will not
materially impede the accurate processing of data, or cause programming or
processing errors resulting from the rollover of two-digit year values to "00"
on January 1, 2000. The foregoing does not constitute a warranty or
representation that the Company's software will be capable of recording,
storing, processing, calculating and displaying correct calendar dates based on
software supplied by any party other than the Company, or that the Company's
software will properly interact with such third party software.

                    (xxvi) The Company and each of its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against
such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the
business in which it is engaged, and neither the Company nor any of such
subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its
existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain
similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its
business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition,
financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case except as described in or
contemplated by the Prospectus.



                                       6
<PAGE>

                    (xxvii) The Company's Canadian and German subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, are not material to the business, financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and neither is a "Significant Subsidiary"
as defined under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

               (b) Each of the Selling Securityholders hereby represents and 
warrants as follows:

                    (i) Such Selling Securityholder has good and marketable
title to all the shares of Stock to be sold by such Selling Securityholder
hereunder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities, security
interests and claims whatsoever, with full right and authority to deliver the
same hereunder, subject, in the case of such Selling Securityholder, to the
rights of ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC, as Custodian (herein called the
Custodian), and that upon the delivery of and payment for such shares of the
Stock hereunder, the several Underwriters will receive good and marketable title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities, security interests
and claims whatsoever.

                    (ii) Such Selling Securityholder has duly authorized,
executed and delivered, in the form heretofore furnished to the Underwriters, a
Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney (the "Custody Agreement and Power of
Attorney") appointing Richard A. Doerr and Robert I. Pender, Jr. as
attorneys-in-fact (collectively, the "Attorneys" and individually, an
"Attorney") and appointing ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC as Custodian;
the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney constitutes a valid and binding
agreement on the part of such Selling Securityholder, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles; and each of such Selling Securityholder's Attorneys, acting alone,
is authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and the certificate referred
to in Section 9(f) hereof on behalf of such Selling Securityholder, to determine
(within the limitations therein specified) the purchase price to be paid by the
several Underwriters to such Selling Securityholder as provided in Section 3
hereof, to authorize the delivery of the shares of Stock to be sold by such
Selling Securityholder under this Agreement and to duly endorse (in blank or
otherwise) the certificate or certificates representing such Stock or a stock
power or powers with respect thereto, to accept payment therefor, and otherwise
to act on behalf of such Selling Securityholder in connection with this
Agreement.

                    (iii) All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders
required for the execution and delivery by such Selling Securityholder of the
Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, the execution and delivery by or on
behalf of such Selling Securityholder of this Agreement and the sale and
delivery of the shares of Stock to be sold by such Selling Securityholder under
this Agreement (other than, at the time of the execution hereof, if the
Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective by the issuance of
the order of the Commission declaring the Registration Statement effective and
such consents, approvals, authorizations or orders as may be necessary under
state or other securities or Blue Sky laws) have been obtained and are in full
force and effect; such Selling Securityholder, if other than a natural person,
has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization as the type of entity that it purports
to be; and such Selling Securityholder has full legal right, power and authority
to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and such Custody
Agreement and Power of Attorney, and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the
Stock to be sold by such Selling Securityholder under this Agreement.

                    (iv) Certificates in negotiable form for the shares of the
Stock to be sold by such Selling Securityholder have been placed in custody
under a Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney for delivery under this
Agreement with the Custodian; such Selling Securityholder specifically agrees
that the shares of the Stock represented by the certificates so held in custody
for such Selling Securityholder are subject to the interests of the several
Underwriters and the Company, that the arrangements made by such Selling
Securityholder for such custody, including the Power of Attorney provided for in
such Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, are to that extent irrevocable,
and that the obligations of such Selling Securityholder shall not be terminated
by any act of such Selling Securityholder or by operation of law, whether by the
death or incapacity of such Selling Securityholder (or, in the case of a Selling
Securityholder that is not an individual, the dissolution or liquidation of such
Selling Securityholder) or the occurrence of any other event; if any such death,
incapacity, dissolution, liquidation or other such event should occur before the
delivery of such shares of the Stock hereunder, certificates for such shares of
the Stock shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this 



                                       7
<PAGE>

Agreement as if such death, incapacity, dissolution, liquidation or other event
had not occurred, regardless of whether the Custodian shall have received notice
of such death, incapacity, dissolution, liquidation or other event.

                    (v) Such Selling Securityholder will comply with all
agreements and satisfy all conditions on its part to be complied with or
satisfied pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date and will
advise one of its Attorneys and Hambrecht & Quist LLC prior to the Closing Date
if any statement to be made on behalf of such Selling Securityholder in the
certificate contemplated by Section 9(e) would be inaccurate if made as of the
Closing Date.

                    (vi) Such Selling Securityholder has not taken and will not
take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might reasonably be
expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the
Common Stock to facilitate the sale or resale of the Stock.

                    (vii) Such Selling Securityholder does not have, or has
waived prior to the date hereof, any preemptive right, co-sale right or right of
first refusal or other similar right to purchase any of the Stock that are to be
sold by the Company to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement; such Selling
Securityholder does not have, or has waived prior to the date hereof, any
registration right or other similar right to participate in the offering made by
the Prospectus, other than such rights of participation as have been satisfied
by the participation of such Selling Securityholder in the transactions to which
this Agreement relates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and such
Selling Securityholder does not own any warrants, options or similar rights to
acquire, and does not have any right or arrangement to acquire, any capital
stock, rights, warrants, options or other securities from the Company, other
than those described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                    (viii) To the extent that any statements or omissions made
in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto are made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Securityholder
expressly for use therein, such Preliminary Prospectus and the Registration
Statement did, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, when they become effective or are
filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and will not, insofar as it relates to such Selling
Securityholder, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading.

                    (ix) Such Selling Securityholder has not distributed and
will not distribute any prospectus or other offering material in connection with
the offering and sale of the Stock.

               (c) Douglas D. Troxel (the "Founder") hereby represents and 
warrants to each Underwriter that the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in Section 2(a)(iv) above are true and correct.

          3.   PURCHASE OF THE STOCK BY THE UNDERWRITERS.

               (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties and 
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to
issue and sell 4,000,000 shares of the Underwritten Stock to the several
Underwriters, each Selling Securityholder agrees to sell to the several
Underwriters the number of shares of the Underwritten Stock set forth in
Schedule II opposite the name of such Selling Securityholder, and each of the
Underwriters agrees to purchase from the Company and the Selling Securityholders
the respective aggregate number of shares of Underwritten Stock set forth
opposite its name in Schedule I. The price at which such shares of Underwritten
Stock shall be sold by the Company and the Selling Securityholders and purchased
by the several Underwriters shall be $___ per share. The obligation of each
Underwriter to the Company and each of the Selling Securityholders shall be to
purchase from the Company and the Selling Securityholders that number of shares
of the Underwritten Stock which represents the same proportion of the total
number of shares of the Underwritten Stock to be sold by each of the Company and
the Selling Securityholders pursuant to this Agreement as the number of shares
of the Underwritten Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule I hereto represents of the total number of shares of the Underwritten
Stock to be purchased by all Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, as
adjusted by you in such manner as you deem advisable to avoid fractional shares.
In making this Agreement, each Underwriter is contracting severally and not
jointly; except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 3, 



                                       8
<PAGE>

the agreement of each Underwriter is to purchase only the respective number of
shares of the Underwritten Stock specified in Schedule I.

               (b) If for any reason one or more of the Underwriters shall fail 
or refuse (otherwise than for a reason sufficient to justify the termination of
this Agreement under the provisions of Section 8 or 9 hereof) to purchase and
pay for the number of shares of the Stock agreed to be purchased by such
Underwriter or Underwriters, the Company or the Selling Securityholders shall
immediately give notice thereof to you, and the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall have the right within 24 hours after the receipt by you of such notice to
purchase, or procure one or more other Underwriters to purchase, in such
proportions as may be agreed upon between you and such purchasing Underwriter or
Underwriters and upon the terms herein set forth, all or any part of the shares
of the Stock which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to
purchase. If the non-defaulting Underwriters fail so to make such arrangements
with respect to all such shares and portion, the number of shares of the Stock
which each non-defaulting Underwriter is otherwise obligated to purchase under
this Agreement shall be automatically increased on a pro rata basis to absorb
the remaining shares and portion which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed to purchase; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the non-defaulting
Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase the shares and portion which the
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase if the aggregate
number of such shares of the Stock exceeds 10% of the total number of shares of
the Stock which all Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder. If the total
number of shares of the Stock which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed to purchase shall not be purchased or absorbed in accordance with the two
preceding sentences, the Company and the Selling Securityholders shall have the
right, within 24 hours next succeeding the 24-hour period above referred to, to
make arrangements with other underwriters or purchasers satisfactory to you for
purchase of such shares and portion on the terms herein set forth. In any such
case, either you or the Company and the Selling Securityholders shall have the
right to postpone the Closing Date determined as provided in Section 5 hereof
for not more than seven business days after the date originally fixed as the
Closing Date pursuant to said Section 5 in order that any necessary changes in
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any other documents or
arrangements may be made. If neither the non-defaulting Underwriters nor the
Company and the Selling Securityholders shall make arrangements within the
24-hour periods stated above for the purchase of all the shares of the Stock
which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder,
this Agreement shall be terminated without further act or deed and without any
liability on the part of the Company or the Selling Securityholders to any
non-defaulting Underwriter and without any liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company or the Selling Securityholders.
Nothing in this paragraph (b), and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such
Underwriter under this Agreement.

               (c) On the basis of the representations, warranties and covenants
herein contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Company grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and
not jointly, up to 900,000 shares in the aggregate of the Option Stock from the
Company at the same price per share as the Underwriters shall pay for the
Underwritten Stock. Said option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments
in the sale of the Underwritten Stock by the Underwriters and may be exercised
in whole or in part at any time (but not more than once) on or before the
thirtieth day after the date of this Agreement upon written or telegraphic
notice by you to the Company setting forth the aggregate number of shares of the
Option Stock as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option.
Delivery of certificates for the shares of Option Stock, and payment therefor,
shall be made as provided in Section 5 hereof. The number of shares of the
Option Stock to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of
the total number of shares of the Option Stock to be purchased by the several
Underwriters as such Underwriter is purchasing of the Underwritten Stock, as
adjusted by you in such manner as you deem advisable to avoid fractional shares.

          4.   OFFERING BY UNDERWRITERS.

               (a) The terms of the initial public offering by the Underwriters 
of the Stock to be purchased by them shall be as set forth in the Prospectus.
The Underwriters may from time to time change the public offering price after
the closing of the initial public offering and increase or decrease the
concessions and discounts to dealers as they may determine.

               (b) The information set forth under "Underwriting" in the 
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus relating
to the Stock filed by the Company (insofar as such information 



                                       9
<PAGE>

relates to the Underwriters) constitutes the only information furnished by the
Underwriters to the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement, any
Preliminary Prospectus, and the Prospectus, and you on behalf of the respective
Underwriters represent and warrant to the Company that the statements made
therein are correct.

          5.   DELIVERY OF AND PAYMENT FOR THE STOCK.

               (a) Delivery of certificates for the shares of the Underwritten 
Stock and the Option Stock (if the option granted by Section 3(c) hereof shall
have been exercised not later than 7:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on the date
two business days preceding the Closing Date), and payment therefor, shall be
made at the office of Wilson Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, at 7:00 a.m., San
Francisco time, on the fourth business day after the date of this Agreement, or
at such time on such other day, not later than seven full business days after
such fourth business day, as shall be agreed upon in writing by the Company, the
Selling Securityholders and you. The date and hour of such delivery and payment
(which may be postponed as provided in Section 3(b) hereof) are herein called
the Closing Date.

               (b) If the option granted by Section 3(c) hereof shall be 
exercised after 7:00 a.m., San Francisco time, on the date two business days
preceding the Closing Date, delivery of certificates for the shares of Option
Stock, and payment therefor, shall be made at the office of Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, at 7:00 a.m., San Francisco time, on the third business day
after the exercise of such option.

               (c) Payment for the Stock purchased from the Company shall be 
made to the Company or its order, and payment for the Stock purchased from the
Selling Securityholders shall be made to the Custodian, for the account of the
Selling Securityholders, in each case by wire transfer or by one or more
certified or official bank check or checks in same day funds. Such payment shall
be made upon delivery of certificates for the Stock to you for the respective
accounts of the several Underwriters against receipt therefor signed by you.
Certificates for the Stock to be delivered to you shall be registered in such
name or names and shall be in such denominations as you may request at least one
business day before the Closing Date, in the case of Underwritten Stock, and at
least one business day prior to the purchase thereof, in the case of the Option
Stock. Such certificates will be made available to the Underwriters for
inspection, checking and packaging at the offices of Lewco Securities
Corporation, 2 Broadway, New York, New York 10004 on the business day prior to
the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Stock, by 3:00 p.m., New York
time, on the business day preceding the date of purchase.

          It is understood that you, individually and not on behalf of the
Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment to the Company
and the Selling Securityholders for shares to be purchased by any Underwriter
whose check shall not have been received by you on the Closing Date or any later
date on which Option Stock is purchased for the account of such Underwriter. Any
such payment by you shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its
obligations hereunder.

          6.   FURTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING 
SECURITYHOLDERS. Each of the Company and the Selling Securityholders
respectively covenants and agrees as follows:

               (a) The Company will (i) prepare and timely file with the 
Commission under Rule 424(b) a Prospectus containing information previously
omitted at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance
on Rule 430A and (ii) not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or
supplement to the Prospectus of which you shall not previously have been advised
and furnished with a copy or to which you shall have reasonably objected in
writing or which is not in compliance with the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission.

               (b) The Company will promptly notify each Underwriter in the 
event of (i) the request by the Commission for amendment of the Registration
Statement or for supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information,
(ii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (iii) the institution or notice of
intended institution of any action or proceeding for that purpose, (iv) the
receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the Stock for sale in any jurisdiction, or (v) the receipt by
it of notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose. The Company and the Selling Securityholders will make every reasonable
effort to prevent the issuance of such a 



                                       10
<PAGE>

stop order and, if such an order shall at any time be issued, to obtain the
withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

               (c) The Company will (i) on or before the Closing Date, deliver 
to you a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of
each amendment thereto filed prior to the time the Registration Statement
becomes effective and, promptly upon the filing thereof, a signed copy of each
post-effective amendment, if any, to the Registration Statement (together with,
in each case, all exhibits thereto unless previously furnished to you) and will
also deliver to you, for distribution to the Underwriters, a sufficient number
of additional conformed copies of each of the foregoing (but without exhibits)
so that one copy of each may be distributed to each Underwriter, (ii) as
promptly as possible deliver to you and send to the several Underwriters, at
such office or offices as you may designate, as many copies of the Prospectus as
you may reasonably request, and (iii) thereafter from time to time during the
period in which a prospectus is required by law to be delivered by an
Underwriter or dealer, likewise send to the Underwriters as many additional
copies of the Prospectus and as many copies of any supplement to the Prospectus
and of any amended prospectus, filed by the Company with the Commission, as you
may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the Securities Act.

               (d) If at any time during the period in which a prospectus is 
required by law to be delivered by an Underwriter or dealer any event relating
to or affecting the Company, or of which the Company shall be advised in writing
by you, shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company or of counsel for the Underwriters, to supplement or
amend the Prospectus in order to make the Prospectus not misleading in the light
of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser of the
Stock, the Company will forthwith prepare and file with the Commission a
supplement to the Prospectus or an amended prospectus so that the Prospectus as
so supplemented or amended will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time such
Prospectus is delivered to such purchaser, not misleading. The Company
authorizes the Underwriters and all dealers to whom any of the Stock may be sold
by the several Underwriters to use the Prospectus, as from time to time amended
or supplemented, in connection with the sale of the Stock in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder for such period.

               (e) Prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, the Company 
will submit to you, for your information, a copy of any post-effective amendment
to the Registration Statement and any supplement to the Prospectus or any
amended prospectus proposed to be filed.

               (f) The Company will cooperate, when and as requested by you, in 
the qualification of the Stock for offer and sale under the securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may designate and, during the period in
which a prospectus is required by law to be delivered by an Underwriter or
dealer, in keeping such qualifications in good standing under said securities or
blue sky laws; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be obligated to
file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. The Company
will, from time to time, prepare and file such statements, reports, and other
documents as are or may be required to continue such qualifications in effect
for so long a period as you may reasonably request for distribution of the
Stock.

               (g) During a period of three years commencing with the date 
hereof, the Company will furnish to you, and to each Underwriter who may so
request in writing, copies of all periodic and special reports furnished to
stockholders of the Company and of all information, documents and reports filed
with the Commission.

                    (h) Not later than the 45th day following the end of the 
fiscal quarter first occurring after the first anniversary of the Effective
Date, the Company will make generally available to its security holders an
earnings statement in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and
Rule 158 thereunder.

               (i) The Company agrees to pay all costs and expenses incident to 
the performance of obligations under this Agreement, including all costs and
expenses incident to (i) the preparation, printing and filing with the
Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") of
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, (ii)
the furnishing to the Underwriters of copies of any Preliminary Prospectus and
of the several documents required by paragraph (c) of this Section 6 to be so
furnished, 



                                       11
<PAGE>

(iii) the printing of this Agreement and related documents delivered to the
Underwriters, (iv) the preparation, printing and filing of all supplements and
amendments to the Prospectus referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section 6, (v)
the furnishing to you and the Underwriters of the reports and information
referred to in paragraph (g) of this Section 6 and (vi) the printing and
issuance of stock certificates, including the transfer agent's fees. To the
extent, if at all, that any of the Selling Stockholders engage special legal
counsel to represent them in connection with this offering, the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be borne by such Selling Stockholder.

               (j) The Company agrees to reimburse you, for the account of the 
several Underwriters, for blue sky fees and related disbursements (including
counsel fees and disbursements and cost of printing memoranda for the
Underwriters) paid by or for the account of the Underwriters or their counsel in
qualifying the Stock under state securities or blue sky laws and in the review
of the offering by the NASD.

               (k) The Company and each of the Selling Securityholders hereby 
agrees that, without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC on
behalf of the Underwriters, the Company or such Selling Securityholder, as the
case may be, will not, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of
the Registration Statement, directly or indirectly, sell, lend, offer, contract
to sell, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale, pledge
or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or
acquire Common Stock. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Stock to
be sold to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, (B) shares of Common
Stock issued by the Company upon the exercise of options granted or to be
granted under the stock option plans of the Company (the "Option Plans"), all as
described in the Preliminary Prospectus, (C) options to purchase Common Stock
granted or to be granted under the Option Plans, (D) the issuance of Common
Stock in connection with employee subscriptions under the Company's employee
stock purchase plan, and (E) in respect of any Selling Securityholder, any
transfer or disposition of Common Stock for estate planning purposes (provided
that any transferee shall agree in writing to be subject to the restrictions
contained herein).

               (l) If at any time during the 25-day period after the 
Registration Statement becomes effective any rumor, publication or event
relating to or affecting the Company shall occur as a result of which in your
opinion the market price for the Stock has been or is likely to be materially
affected (regardless of whether such rumor, publication or event necessitates a
supplement to or amendment of the Prospectus), the Company will, after written
notice from you advising the Company to the effect set forth above, forthwith
prepare, consult with you concerning the substance of, and if the Company
determines to do so in its reasonable judgment, disseminate a press release or
other public statement, reasonably satisfactory to you, responding to or
commenting on such rumor, publication or event.

               (m) The Company is familiar with the Investment Company Act of 
1940, as amended, and has in the past conducted its affairs, and will in the
future conduct its affairs, in such a manner to ensure that the Company was not
and will not be an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

          7.   INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

               (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (f) of this Section 7,
the Company and the Selling Securityholders jointly and severally agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person (including each
partner or officer thereof) who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such indemnified parties or
any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or
the common law or otherwise, and the Company and the Selling Securityholders
jointly and severally agree to reimburse each such Underwriter and controlling
person for any legal or other expenses (including, except as otherwise
hereinafter provided, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by
the respective indemnified parties in connection with defending against any such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities or in connection with any investigation
or inquiry of, or other proceeding which may be brought against, the respective
indemnified parties, in each case arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement (including the Prospectus as part thereof and any Rule
462(b) registration statement) or any post-effective amendment thereto
(including any Rule 462(b) registration statement), or the 



                                       12
<PAGE>

omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or
(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or as
supplemented if the Company shall have filed with the Commission any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) the indemnity agreements of the Company and the
Selling Securityholders contained in this paragraph (a) shall not apply to any
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
as herein stated or otherwise furnished in writing to the Company by or on
behalf of any Underwriter for use in any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, (2) the indemnity agreements contained in this paragraph (a)
with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses purchased the Stock which is the subject thereof (or to
the benefit of any person controlling such Underwriter) if at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of such Stock a copy of the Prospectus (or the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented) was not sent or delivered to such person
and the untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in such
Preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented) unless the failure is the result of noncompliance by
the Company with paragraph (c) of Section 6 hereof, (3) the Founder shall only
be liable under this paragraph with respect to (A) information pertaining to the
Founder furnished by or on behalf of the Founder expressly for use in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any
such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, (B) facts that would constitute a
breach of any representation or warranty of the Founder set forth in Section
2(b) hereof, and (C) facts that would constitute a breach of any representation
or warranty of such Founder set forth in Section 2(c) hereof, and (4) each of
Athena Troxel, Murphy Family Trust and Roseann P. Geyer (the "Additional Selling
Securityholders") shall only be liable under this paragraph with respect to (A)
information pertaining to such Additional Selling Securityholder furnished by or
on behalf of such Additional Selling Securityholder expressly for use in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any
such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, and (B) facts that would
constitute a breach of any representation or warranty of such Additional Selling
Securityholder set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. The indemnity agreements of the
Company, the Founder and the Additional Selling Securityholders contained in
this paragraph (a) and the representations and warranties of the Company, the
Founder and the Additional Selling Securityholders contained in Section 2 hereof
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive
the delivery of and payment for the Stock.

               (b) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold 
harmless the Company, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement
on his own behalf or pursuant to a power of attorney, each of its directors,
each other Underwriter and each person (including each partner or officer
thereof) who controls the Company or any such other Underwriter within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, and the Selling Securityholders
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such indemnified parties or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the common law or otherwise and
to reimburse each of them for any legal or other expenses (including, except as
otherwise hereinafter provided, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel)
incurred by the respective indemnified parties in connection with defending
against any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities or in connection with
any investigation or inquiry of, or other proceeding which may be brought
against, the respective indemnified parties, in each case arising out of or
based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus as part
thereof and any Rule 462(b) registration statement) or any post-effective
amendment thereto (including any Rule 462(b) registration statement) or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Prospectus (as amended or as supplemented if the Company shall
have filed with the Commission any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished as herein stated or
otherwise furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such
indemnifying Underwriter for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The indemnity agreement of
each Underwriter contained in this paragraph (b) shall remain operative and in
full force and 



                                       13
<PAGE>

effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified
party and shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Stock.

               (c) Each party indemnified under the provision of paragraphs (a) 
and (b) of this Section 7 agrees that, upon the service of a summons or other
initial legal process upon it in any action or suit instituted against it or
upon its receipt of written notification of the commencement of any
investigation or inquiry of, or proceeding against, it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought on account of any indemnity agreement contained in such
paragraphs, it will promptly give written notice (herein called the Notice) of
such service or notification to the party or parties from whom indemnification
may be sought hereunder. No indemnification provided for in such paragraphs
shall be available to any party who shall fail so to give the Notice if the
party to whom such Notice was not given was unaware of the action, suit,
investigation, inquiry or proceeding to which the Notice would have related and
was prejudiced by the failure to give the Notice, but the omission so to notify
such indemnifying party or parties of any such service or notification shall not
relieve such indemnifying party or parties from any liability which it or they
may have to the indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than on account
of such indemnity agreement. Any indemnifying party shall be entitled at its own
expense to participate in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding against,
or investigation or inquiry of, an indemnified party. Any indemnifying party
shall be entitled, if it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of the
Notice by giving written notice (herein called the Notice of Defense) to the
indemnified party, to assume (alone or in conjunction with any other
indemnifying party or parties) the entire defense of such action, suit,
investigation, inquiry or proceeding, in which event such defense shall be
conducted, at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties, by counsel
chosen by such indemnifying party or parties and reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or parties; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) if the indemnified
party or parties reasonably determine that there may be a conflict between the
positions of the indemnifying party or parties and of the indemnified party or
parties in conducting the defense of such action, suit, investigation, inquiry
or proceeding or that there may be legal defenses available to such indemnified
party or parties different from or in addition to those available to the
indemnifying party or parties, then counsel for the indemnified party or parties
shall be entitled to conduct the defense to the extent reasonably determined by
such counsel to be necessary to protect the interests of the indemnified party
or parties and (ii) in any event, the indemnified party or parties shall be
entitled to have counsel chosen by such indemnified party or parties participate
in, but not conduct, the defense. If, within a reasonable time after receipt of
the Notice, an indemnifying party gives a Notice of Defense and the counsel
chosen by the indemnifying party or parties is reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or parties, the indemnifying party or parties will not be
liable under paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section 7 for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party or parties in connection
with the defense of the action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding,
except that (A) the indemnifying party or parties shall bear the legal and other
expenses incurred in connection with the conduct of the defense as referred to
in clause (i) of the proviso to the preceding sentence and (B) the indemnifying
party or parties shall bear such other expenses as it or they have authorized to
be incurred by the indemnified party or parties. If, within a reasonable time
after receipt of the Notice, no Notice of Defense has been given, the
indemnifying party or parties shall be responsible for any legal or other
expenses incurred by the indemnified party or parties in connection with the
defense of the action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding.

               (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is 
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of
indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7 (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by each
indemnifying party from the offering of the Stock or (ii) if the allocation
provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred
to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of each indemnifying party in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, or actions in respect thereof, as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company, the Selling Securityholders and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be
in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering
of the Stock received by the Company and the Selling Securityholders and the
total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, as set forth in the
table on the cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering
price of the Stock. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by each indemnifying party 



                                       14
<PAGE>

and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.

     The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this paragraph (d) were to be determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph
(d). The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, or actions in respect thereof, referred to in the first
sentence of this paragraph (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigation, preparing to defend or defending against any action or claim
which is the subject of this paragraph (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of
this paragraph (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the underwriting discount applicable to the Stock purchased by such
Underwriter. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this paragraph (d) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

     Each party entitled to contribution agrees that upon the service of a
summons or other initial legal process upon it in any action instituted against
it in respect of which contribution may be sought, it will promptly give written
notice of such service to the party or parties from whom contribution may be
sought, but the omission so to notify such party or parties of any such service
shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from any
obligation it may have hereunder or otherwise (except as specifically provided
in paragraph (c) of this Section 7).

               (e) Neither the Company nor the Selling Securityholders will, 
without the prior written consent of each Underwriter, settle or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action,
suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder
(whether or not such Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such
settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such
Underwriter and each such controlling person from all liability arising out of
such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

               (f) The liability of each Selling Securityholder under the 
indemnity and reimbursement agreements contained in the provisions of this
Section 7 and Section 11 hereof shall be limited to an amount equal to the
initial public offering price of the stock sold by such Selling Securityholder
to the Underwriters. The Company and the Selling Securityholders may agree, as
among themselves and without limiting the rights of the Underwriters under this
Agreement, as to the respective amounts of such liability for which they each
shall be responsible.

               (g) The term "jointly and severally" as used in the this Section 
7 means that the Company's obligation is joint and several with the obligation
of each of the Selling Securityholders, but that the obligation of a Selling
Securityholder is several and not joint with the obligation of the Company or
any other Selling Securityholder.

          8.   TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by you at any time 
prior to the Closing Date by giving written notice to the Company and the
Selling Securityholders if after the date of this Agreement trading in the
Common Stock shall have been suspended, or if there shall have occurred (i) the
engagement in hostilities or an escalation of major hostilities by the United
States or the declaration of war or a national emergency by the United States on
or after the date hereof, (ii) any outbreak of hostilities or other national or
international calamity or crisis or change in economic or political conditions
if the effect of such outbreak, calamity, crisis or change in economic or
political conditions in the financial markets of the United States would, in the
Underwriters' reasonable judgment, make the offering or delivery of the Stock
impracticable, (iii) suspension of trading in securities generally or a material
adverse decline in value of securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange, or The Nasdaq Stock Market, or limitations on
prices (other than limitations on hours or numbers of days of trading) for
securities on either such exchange or system, (iv) the enactment, publication,
decree or other promulgation of any federal or state statute, regulation, rule
or order of, or commencement of any proceeding or investigation by, any court,
legislative body, agency or other governmental authority which in the
Underwriters' 


                                       15
<PAGE>

reasonable opinion materially and adversely affects or will materially or
adversely affect the business or operations of the Company, (v) declaration of a
banking moratorium by either federal or New York State authorities or (vi) the
taking of any action by any federal, state or local government or agency in
respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which in the Underwriters' reasonable
opinion has a material adverse effect on the securities markets in the United
States. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this Section 8, there
shall be no liability of the Company or the Selling Securityholders to the
Underwriters and no liability of the Underwriters to the Company or the Selling
Securityholders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event of any such termination
the Company and the Selling Securityholders agree to indemnify and hold harmless
the Underwriters from all costs or expenses incident to the performance of the
obligations of the Company and the Selling Securityholders under this Agreement,
including all costs and expenses referred to in paragraphs (i) and (j) of
Section 6 hereof.

          9.   CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of the
several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Stock shall be subject to the
performance by the Company and by the Selling Securityholders of all their
respective obligations to be performed hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date
or any later date on which Option Stock is to be purchased, as the case may be,
and to the following further conditions:

               (a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective; and 
no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and no
proceedings therefor shall be pending or threatened by the Commission.

               (b) The legality and sufficiency of the sale of the Stock 
hereunder and the validity and form of the certificates representing the Stock,
all corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the foregoing, and
the form of the Registration Statement and of the Prospectus (except as to the
financial statements contained therein), shall have been approved at or prior to
the Closing Date by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian,
LLP, counsel for the Underwriters.

               (c) You shall have received from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & 
Rosati, P.C., counsel for the Company and the Selling Securityholders, an
opinion, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date, covering the
matters set forth in Annex A hereto, and if Option Stock is purchased at any
date after the Closing Date, additional opinions from each such counsel,
addressed to the Underwriters and dated such later date, confirming that the
statements expressed as of the Closing Date in such opinions remain valid as of
such later date.

               (d) You shall have received an opinion from English counsel, 
special foreign counsel to the Company, to the effect that:

                    (i) The English subsidiary of the Company has been duly 
incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and
authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the
Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or
leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the
failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material
effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and

                    (ii) All of the issued shares of capital stock of the 
English subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and owned directly or indirectly by
the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

               (e) You shall be satisfied that (i) as of the Effective Date, the
statements made in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were true and
correct and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus omitted to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, respectively, not misleading, (ii) since the
Effective Date, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a
supplement or amendment to the Prospectus which has not been set forth in such a
supplement or amendment, (iii) since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement in the form in which it
originally became effective and the Prospectus contained therein, there has not
been any material adverse change or any development involving a prospective
material adverse change in or affecting the business, properties, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
business, and, since such dates, 



                                       16
<PAGE>

except in the ordinary course of business, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has entered into any material transaction not referred to in the
Registration Statement in the form in which it originally became effective and
the Prospectus contained therein, (iv) neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has any material contingent obligations which are not disclosed in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (v) there are not any pending or
known threatened legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or of which property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is the subject which are material and which are not disclosed in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (vi) there are not any
franchises, contracts, leases or other documents which are required to be filed
as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been filed as required,
(vii) the representations and warranties of the Company herein are true and
correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date or any later date on
which Option Stock is to be purchased, as the case may be, and (viii) there has
not been any material change in the market for securities in general or in
political, financial or economic conditions from those reasonably foreseeable as
to render it impracticable in your reasonable judgment to make a public offering
of the Stock, or a material adverse change in market levels for securities in
general (or those of companies in particular) or financial or economic
conditions which render it inadvisable to proceed.

               (f) You shall have received on the Closing Date and on any later
date on which Option Stock is purchased a certificate, dated the Closing Date or
such later date, as the case may be, and signed by the President and the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, stating that the respective signers of said
certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement in the form in
which it originally became effective and the Prospectus contained therein and
any supplements or amendments thereto, and that the statements included in
clauses (i) through (vii) of paragraph (e) of this Section 9 are true and
correct.

               (g) You shall have received an opinion from Cooley Godward LLP, 
special counsel to the Company, to the effect that (i) the information required
to be set forth in the Registration Statement (except as to the financial
statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data contained or
incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need not express any
opinion or belief) in answer to Item 11(c) of Form S-1 is to such counsel's
knowledge accurately and adequately set forth therein in all material respects
and that such counsel has no reason to believe that the statements set forth in
the Registration Statement relating to the litigation with Compuware Corporation
under the captions "Risk Factors - Third Parties in the Future Could Assert That
Our Products Infringe Their Intellectual Property Rights, Which Could Adversely
Affect Our Business; There Could Be Potential Adverse Affects of the Pending
Compuware Claim," "Business - Intellectual Property" and "Business - Litigation"
contained, at the Effective Date, any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the information not misleading, and (ii) the information required to be set
forth in the Prospectus (except as to the financial statements and schedules and
other financial and statistical data contained or incorporated by reference
therein, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion or belief) in
answer to Item 11(c) of Form S-1 is to such counsel's knowledge accurately and
adequately set forth therein in all material respects and that such counsel has
no reason to believe that the statements set forth in the Prospectus relating to
the litigation with Compuware Corporation under the captions "Risk Factors -
Third Parties in the Future Could Assert That Our Products Infringe Their
Intellectual Property Rights, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business; There
Could Be Potential Adverse Affects of the Pending Compuware Claim," "Business -
Intellectual Property" and "Business - Litigation" contained, as of the date of
the Prospectus or at the Closing Date (or any later date on which Option Stock
is purchased), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the information
not misleading.

               (h) You shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, a letter 
or letters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date and any
later date on which Option Stock is purchased, confirming that they are
independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder
and based upon the procedures described in their letter delivered to you
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (herein called the Original
Letter), but carried out to a date not more than three business days prior to
the Closing Date or such later date on which Option Stock is purchased (i)
confirming, to the extent true, that the statements and conclusions set forth in
the Original Letter are accurate as of the Closing Date or such later date, as
the case may be, and (ii) setting forth any revisions and additions to the
statements and conclusions set forth in the Original Letter which are necessary
to reflect any changes in the facts described in the Original Letter since the
date of the Original Letter or to reflect the availability of more recent
financial statements, data or information. The letters shall not disclose any
change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the
business or properties of the Company or any of its 



                                       17
<PAGE>

subsidiaries which, in your sole judgment, makes it impractical or inadvisable
to proceed with the public offering of the Stock or the purchase of the Option
Stock as contemplated by the Prospectus.You shall have been furnished evidence
in usual written or telegraphic form from the appropriate authorities of the
several jurisdictions, or other evidence satisfactory to you, of the
qualification referred to in paragraph (f) of Section 6 hereof.

               (j) Prior to the Closing Date, the Stock to be issued and sold by
the Company shall have been duly authorized for listing by the Nasdaq National
Market upon official notice of issuance.

               (k) On or prior to the Closing Date, you shall have received from
all stockholders and option holders (subject to such exceptions as may be agreed
upon by Hambrecht & Quist LLC) agreements, in form reasonably satisfactory to
Hambrecht & Quist LLC, stating that without the prior written consent of
Hambrecht & Quist LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, such person or entity will
not, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of the Registration
Statement, directly or indirectly, sell, lend, offer, contract to sell, transfer
the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale, pledge or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire
Common Stock.

     All the agreements, opinions, certificates and letters mentioned above
or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the
provisions hereof only if Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin &
Hachigian, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall be satisfied that they
comply in form and scope.

     In case any of the conditions specified in this Section 9 shall not be
fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by you by giving notice to the
Company and to the Selling Securityholders. Any such termination shall be
without liability of the Company or the Selling Securityholders to the
Underwriters and without liability of the Underwriters to the Company or the
Selling Securityholders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) in the event of such
termination, the Company and the Selling Securityholders agree to indemnify and
hold harmless the Underwriters from all costs or expenses incident to the
performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Securityholders
under this Agreement, including all costs and expenses referred to in paragraphs
(i) and (j) of Section 6 hereof, and (ii) if this Agreement is terminated by you
because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company or the
Selling Securityholders to perform any agreement herein, to fulfill any of the
conditions herein, or to comply with any provision hereof other than by reason
of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the
Underwriters severally upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by
them in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; but the Company
and the Selling Securityholders shall not in any event be liable to any of the
several Underwriters for damages on account of loss of anticipated profits from
the sale by it of the Stock.

          10.  CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
SECURITYHOLDERS. The obligation of the Company and the Selling Securityholders
to deliver the Stock shall be subject to the conditions that (a) the
Registration Statement shall have become effective and (b) no stop order
suspending the effectiveness thereof shall be in effect and no proceedings
therefor shall be pending or threatened by the Commission. 

     In case either of the conditions specified in this Section 10 shall not 
be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company and the Selling 
Securityholders by giving notice to you. Any such termination shall be 
without liability of the Company and the Selling Securityholders to the 
Underwriters and without liability of the Underwriters to the Company or the 
Selling Securityholders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event of any such 
termination the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the 
Underwriters from all costs or expenses incident to the performance of the 
obligations of the Company and the Selling Securityholders under this 
Agreement, including all costs and expenses referred to in paragraphs (i) and 
(j) of Section 6 hereof.

          11.  REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPENSES. In addition to their other 
obligations under Section 7 of this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse
on a quarterly basis the Underwriters for all reasonable legal and other
expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any claim,
action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of or based upon
any statement or omission, or any alleged statement or omission, described in
paragraph (a) of Section 7 of this Agreement, notwithstanding the absence of a
judicial determination as to the propriety and enforceability of the obligations
under this Section 11 and the possibility that such payments 


                                       18
<PAGE>

might later be held to be improper; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) to the extent
any such payment is ultimately held to be improper, the persons receiving such
payments shall promptly refund them and (ii) such persons shall provide to the
Company, upon request, reasonable assurances of their ability to effect any
refund, when and if due.

          12.  PERSONS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the Company, the Selling Securityholders and the several
Underwriters and, with respect to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, the
several parties (in addition to the Company, the Selling Securityholders and the
several Underwriters) indemnified under the provisions of said Section 7, and
their respective personal representatives, successors and assigns. Nothing in
this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person,
firm or corporation any legal or equitable remedy or claim under or in respect
of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. The term "successors and
assigns" as herein used shall not include any purchaser, as such purchaser, of
any of the Stock from any of the several Underwriters.

          13.  NOTICES. Except as otherwise provided herein, all communications
hereunder shall be in writing or by telegraph and, if to the Underwriters, shall
be mailed, telegraphed or delivered to Hambrecht & Quist LLC, One Bush Street,
San Francisco, California 94104; and if to the Company, shall be mailed,
telegraphed or delivered to it at its office, 500 Airport Blvd., Suite 200,
Burlingame, CA 94010, Attention: Richard Doerr; and if to the Selling
Securityholders, shall be mailed, telegraphed or delivered to the Selling
Securityholders in care of Robert I. Pender, Jr. at Serena Software, Inc., 500
Airport Blvd., Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010. All notices given by telegraph
shall be promptly confirmed by letter.

          14.  MISCELLANEOUS. The reimbursement, indemnification and 
contribution agreements contained in this Agreement and the representations,
warranties and covenants in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of (a) any termination of this Agreement, (b) any investigation made
by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person thereof, or by or on
behalf of the Company or the Selling Securityholders or their respective
directors or officers, and (c) delivery and payment for the Stock under this
Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if this Agreement is terminated prior to the
Closing Date, the provisions of paragraphs (i) and (j) of Section 6 hereof shall
be of no further force or effect.

     This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of California.



                                       19
<PAGE>




         Please sign and return to the Company and to the Selling
Securityholders in care of the Company the enclosed duplicates of this letter,
whereupon this letter will become a binding agreement among the Company, the
Selling Securityholders and the several Underwriters in accordance with its
terms.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       SERENA SOFTWARE, INC.



                                       By 
                                          -------------------------------
                                              Richard A. Doerr
                                              President and CEO


                                       SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS:
                                       Douglas D. Troxel
                                       Athena Troxel
                                       Murphy Family Trust
                                       Roseann P. Geyer



                                       By                                 
                                          -------------------------------
                                              Richard A. Doerr, Attorney-in-Fact


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed 
and accepted as of the date first above written.

HAMBRECHT & QUIST LLC
SG COWEN SECURITIES CORPORATION
SOUNDVIEW TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.
By Hambrecht & Quist LLC



By                                                 
  -----------------------------------
        Managing Director

Acting on behalf of the several Underwriters, 
including themselves, named in Schedule I hereto.




<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE I

                                  UNDERWRITERS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   NUMBER OF SHARES
UNDERWRITERS                                                                                       TO BE PURCHASED
- ------------                                                                                       ---------------

<S>                                                                                              <C>
Hambrecht & Quist LLC..................................................................
SG Cowen Securities Corporation........................................................
SoundView Technology Group, Inc........................................................





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

Total..................................................................................               6,000,000
</TABLE>


                                      S-1

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE II

                             SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS                                                                    NUMBER OF SHARES
- -------------------------------                                                                       TO BE SOLD
                                                                                                      ----------
<S>                                                                                              <C>    
Douglas D. Troxel                                                                                      200,000
Athena Troxel                                                                                          500,000
Murphy Family Trust                                                                                   1,070,588
Roseann P. Geyer                                                                                       229,412




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

Total..................................................................................               2,000,000
</TABLE>

                                      S-2

<PAGE>


                                     ANNEX A

 MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN THE OPINION OF WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                             COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
                         AND THE SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS



          (i) Each of the Company and Optima has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, is duly qualified as a foreign corporation
and in good standing in each state of the United States of America in which its
ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification (except where the
failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the
business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole), and has full corporate power
and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as
described in the Registration Statement; all the issued and outstanding capital
stock of Optima has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid
and nonassessable, and is owned by the Company free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances and security interests, and to the best of such counsel's
knowledge, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other
obligations to issue or other rights to convert any obligations into shares of
capital stock or ownership interests in Optima are outstanding;

          (ii) the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of       
shares of Preferred Stock, of which there are outstanding          shares, 
and          shares of Common Stock, $          par value, of which there are 
outstanding          shares (including the Underwritten Stock plus the number 
of shares of Option Stock issued on the date hereof) and such additional 
number of shares, if any, as may have been issued after          and prior to 
the Closing Date, pursuant to          ; proper corporate proceedings have 
been taken validly to authorize such authorized capital stock; all of the 
outstanding shares of such capital stock (including the Underwritten Stock 
and the shares of Option Stock issued, if any) have been duly and validly 
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; any Option Stock purchased after 
the Closing Date, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the 
Underwriters as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, will have been duly 
and validly issued and be fully paid and nonassessable; and no preemptive 
rights of, or rights of refusal in favor of, stockholders exist with respect 
to the Stock, or the issue and sale thereof, pursuant to the Certificate of 
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company and, to the knowledge of such counsel, 
there are no preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or rights of co-sale 
with respect to the issuance of the Stock contained in any agreement to which 
the Company is a party that have not been satisfied or waived.

          (iii) the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Securities Act and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending or
preventing the use of the Prospectus is in effect and no proceedings for that
purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated by the Commission;

          (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except as to the
financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data
contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and
with the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

          (v) such counsel have no reason to believe that the Registration
Statement (except as to the financial statements and schedules and other
financial and statistical data contained or incorporated by reference therein,
as to which such counsel need not express any opinion or belief) at the
Effective Date contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus (except as to the
financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data
contained or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need
not express any opinion or belief) as of its date or at the Closing Date (or any
later date on which Option Stock is purchased), contained or contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading;

                                       A-1

                                       
<PAGE>

          (vi) the information required to be set forth in the Registration
Statement in answer to Items 9 and 10 (insofar as it relates to such counsel) of
Form S-1 is to such counsel's knowledge accurately and adequately set forth
therein in all material respects or no response is required with respect to such
Items, and the description of the Company's stock option plan and the options
granted and which may be granted thereunder and the options granted otherwise
than under such plan set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents
in all material respects the information required to be shown with respect to
said plan and options to the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

          (vii) such counsel do not know of any franchises, contracts, leases,
documents or legal proceedings, pending or threatened, which in the opinion of
such counsel are of a character required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement, which are not described and filed as required;

          (viii) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Company;

          (ix) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by or on behalf of the Selling Securityholders and the Custody Agreement between
the Selling Securityholders and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC, as
Custodian, and the Power of Attorney referred to in such Custody Agreement have
been duly executed and delivered by the several Selling Securityholders;

          (x) the issue and sale by the Company of the shares of Stock sold by
the Company as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement will not result in a
breach of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or any agreement included as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or any applicable law or regulation known by such counsel to be
applicable to the Company, or so far as is known to such counsel, any order,
writ, injunction or decree, of any jurisdiction, court or governmental
instrumentality;

          (xi) all holders of securities of the Company having rights to the
registration of shares of Common Stock, or other securities, because of the
filing of the Registration Statement by the Company have waived such rights or
such rights have expired by reason of lapse of time following notification of
the Company's intent to file the Registration Statement;

          (xii) good and valid title to the shares of Stock sold by the Selling
Securityholders under the Underwriting Agreement, free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, equities, security interests and claims, has been transferred to
the Underwriters who have severally purchased such shares of Stock under the
Underwriting Agreement, assuming for the purpose of this opinion that the
Underwriters purchased the same in good faith without notice of any adverse
claims;

          (xiii) no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental agency or body is required by the Company for the consummation of
the transactions contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement, except such as have
been obtained under the Securities Act and such as may be required under state
securities or blue sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of
the Stock by the Underwriters; and

          (xiv) the Stock sold by the Selling Securityholders and the Stock
issued and sold by the Company will been duly authorized for listing by the
Nasdaq National Market upon official notice of issuance.

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


          Counsel rendering the foregoing opinion may rely as to questions of
law not involving the laws of the United States or of the State of California,
upon opinions of local counsel satisfactory in form and scope to counsel for the
Underwriters. Copies of any opinions so relied upon shall be delivered to the
Representatives and to counsel for the Underwriters and the foregoing opinion
shall also state that counsel knows of no reason the Underwriters are not
entitled to rely upon the opinions of such local counsel.

          In rendering its opinion with respect to matters concerning the
Selling Securityholders, such counsel may rely without further inquiry upon
counsel for and factual representation of the Selling Securityholders, provided
that such counsel shall also state that they know of no reason the Underwriters
are not justified in relying upon such counsel or representation.




                                      A-2

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                        Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
              Telephone (650) 493-9300    Facsimile (650) 493-6811
 
                                February 9, 1999
 
SERENA Software, Inc.
500 Airport Blvd., 2nd Floor
Burlingame, California 94010
 
        RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
        We have examined Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (File No. 333-67761) to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February  , 1999 (the "Registration Statement") in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 6,900,000
Shares (including shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option) of Common Stock of SERENA Software, Inc. (the "Shares").
As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the
proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with said sale and issuance of
the Shares.
 
        It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken
or contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
various states, where required, the Shares when issued and sold in the manner
referred to in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
 
        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation
 
                                          /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati


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