INFODATA SYSTEMS INC
424B4, 1998-02-19
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1
                                             As Filed Pursuant To Rule 424(b)(4)
                                             Registration No. 333-42611

 
PROSPECTUS
 
INFODATA SYSTEMS INC.
1,600,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                                                 (INFODATA LOGO)
 
All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby ("Offering") are being sold by
Infodata Systems Inc. ("Infodata" or "Company"). The Common Stock is currently
traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "INFD." On February 17,
1998, the closing sale price of the Common Stock was $5.00 per share.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND SUBSTANTIAL
DILUTION. SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 7 HEREOF AND "DILUTION" AT PAGE 16 HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================
                                         PRICE                                    PROCEEDS
                                           TO                                        TO
                                         PUBLIC            UNDERWRITING          COMPANY(2)
                                                          DISCOUNTS AND
                                                          COMMISSIONS(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share.........................      $5.00               $0.40                $4.60
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..........................    $8,000,000          $640,000             $7,360,000
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Does not include a 2% nonaccountable expense allowance which the Company has
    agreed to pay to Southeast Research Partners, Inc. and GKN Securities Corp.
    ("Underwriters"). The Company also has agreed to sell to the Underwriters an
    option to purchase up to 160,000 shares of Common Stock ("Underwriters'
    Purchase Option") and to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. See
    "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, including the
    nonaccountable expense allowance, estimated at approximately $710,000.
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 45
    business days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an
    additional 240,000 shares of Common Stock on the same terms as set forth
    above, solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. If such
    over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total Price to Public,
    Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to Company will be
    $9,200,000, $736,000 and $8,464,000, respectively. See "Underwriting."
 
The shares of Common Stock are being offered by the Underwriters subject to
prior sale, when, as, and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters and
subject to the approval of certain legal matters by counsel and certain other
conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the
Offering and to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of certificates representing the shares of Common Stock will be made
against payment therefor at the offices of GKN Securities Corp. in New York City
on or about February 20, 1998.
 
SOUTHEAST RESEARCH PARTNERS, INC.                           GKN SECURITIES CORP.
 
February 17, 1998
<PAGE>   2
 
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, SYNDICATE SHORT COVERING
TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE
"UNDERWRITING."
 
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP MEMBERS
MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE
NASDAQ SMALLCAP MARKET, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 OF REGULATION M. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
THIS OFFERING WAS APPROVED IN CALIFORNIA ON THE BASIS OF A LIMITED OFFERING
QUALIFICATION. OFFERS AND SALES IN CALIFORNIA MAY ONLY BE MADE TO ACCREDITED
INVESTORS WHO MEET A SUITABILITY STANDARD OF EITHER (A) $65,000 GROSS ANNUAL
INCOME AND AN EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF NOT LESS THAN $250,000 (NET WORTH EXCLUSIVE
OF HOME, HOME FURNISHINGS AND AUTOMOBILES); OR (B) AN EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF
$500,000. THE ISSUER DID NOT HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH SOME OR ALL OF
THE MERIT REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS OF CALIFORNIA. THERE
WILL BE NO IMMEDIATE SECONDARY TRADING OF THE SECURITIES BECAUSE THE
COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS WILL WITHHOLD THE SECONDARY TRADING EXEMPTION
PROVIDED UNDER CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE SECTION 25104(h). THE COMPANY MAY
NOT FILE FOR EXEMPTION UNDER CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE SECTION 25101(b) FOR
AT LEAST 90 DAYS.
 
THIS OFFERING WAS APPROVED IN OHIO ON THE BASIS OF A LIMITED OFFERING
QUALIFICATION. OFFERS AND SALES IN OHIO MAY ONLY BE MADE TO ACCREDITED INVESTORS
WHO MEET A SUITABILITY STANDARD OF EITHER (A) $65,000 GROSS ANNUAL INCOME AND AN
EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF NOT LESS THAN $65,000 (NET WORTH EXCLUSIVE OF HOME, HOME
FURNISHINGS AND AUTOMOBILES); OR (B) AN EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF $500,000.
 
THIS OFFERING WAS APPROVED IN OREGON ON THE BASIS OF A LIMITED OFFERING
QUALIFICATION. OFFERS AND SALES IN OREGON MAY ONLY BE MADE TO ACCREDITED
INVESTORS WHO MEET A SUITABILITY STANDARD OF EITHER (A) $65,000 GROSS ANNUAL
INCOME AND AN EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF NOT LESS THAN $250,000 (NET WORTH EXCLUSIVE
OF HOME, HOME FURNISHINGS AND AUTOMOBILES); OR (B) AN EXCLUSIVE NET WORTH OF
$500,000. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY TO BROKERED SECONDARY SALES FOR A PERIOD
OF 180 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
This Prospectus includes references to trademarks of entities other than the
Company, which have reserved all rights with respect to their respective
trademarks.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith
files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the
Company can be inspected and copied at the principal office of the Commission,
Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the regional offices of the Commission located at Northwestern Atrium Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60651-2511 and at 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies can be obtained from
the Commission at prescribed rates by writing to the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address
of such Web site is http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock of the Company is
quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (Symbol: INFD) and such reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company also can be inspected at
the offices of the Nasdaq Stock Market, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement
("Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
("Securities Act"), with respect to sales of the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus omits certain information contained in the Registration
Statement. For further information, reference is made to the Registration
Statement, the exhibits and financial statements filed as a part thereof, which
may be examined without charge at the office of the Commission, and photocopies
of which, or any portion thereof, may be obtained upon payment of the prescribed
fee.
 
     Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any agreement
or other document referred to are not complete, and where such agreement or
other document is an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each statement is
deemed to be qualified and amplified in all respects by the provisions of the
exhibit.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information
and Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus, including the information set forth under "Risk
Factors." Each prospective investor is urged to read this Prospectus in its
entirety. Certain statements contained in this Prospectus regarding matters that
are not historical facts, such as statements regarding expected future sales
cycles for the Company's products and expected revenues from licensing
arrangements, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the
Securities Act). Since forward-looking statements include risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to, those discussed herein under "Risk
Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business," as well as those discussed elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all share information in this Prospectus gives
effect to: (i) a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% share
distribution on the Company's Common Stock effected in August 1996; (ii) a
one-for-six Common Stock dividend paid in May 1996; and (iii) the conversion of
all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and all accrued unpaid dividends
thereon into 199,883 shares of Common Stock effected in 1996. Except as
otherwise specified, the information in this Prospectus does not give effect to
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option or the Underwriters'
Purchase Option. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the
"Company" or "Infodata" refer to Infodata Systems Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Infodata provides electronic document management software and systems to
corporate and government workgroups, departments and enterprises. Infodata's
newest product, Virtual File Cabinet(TM) ("VFC(R)"), has been designed to
address what DataPrOpinion has called one of the biggest problems facing global
organizations: the fact that their critical assets are often contained in
documents stored in disparate and incompatible systems. According to
DataPrOpinion, "accessing and sharing that information among different
departments across the enterprise has been a nightmare."
 
     VFC is a family of intranet-based software products that, together, will
enable users to easily retrieve, organize and share desktop files irrespective
of the location or type of document management system in which they are stored
with virtually no integration effort and without the need to replicate
documents. The VFC family of products consists of the VFC Document Web Server,
extensions and enablers. The VFC Document Web Server is the heart of VFC, and is
required in order to utilize all other components of VFC. This core package
consists of software installed on a server that establishes links to documents,
organizes access to stored information and acts as an independent document
sharing system. The Company has been shipping the VFC Document Web Server since
the second quarter of 1997. Extensions are software components that are
installed on an individual user's computer to add functionality to the VFC
Document Web Server. In October 1997, the Company began shipping its first
extension and expects to introduce other extensions in the future. Enablers
provide the capability to bridge multiple document management systems or
repositories. The first enablers are expected to be available for shipment in
the second quarter of 1998.
 
     The Company's VFC technology has been endorsed or approved by leading
industry vendors, including Lotus Development Corporation ("Lotus"), PC DOCS,
Inc. ("PC DOCS"), Verity, Inc. ("Verity"), and NovaSoft Systems, Inc.
("NovaSoft"), and has received numerous favorable industry trade analyst and
press reviews. At the April 1997 Association for Information and Imaging
Management ("AIIM") trade show, with more than 35,000 attendees and 325
exhibitors, Imaging World Magazine identified VFC as "#1 TO WATCH." VFC has been
sold to large organizations with significant document processing requirements,
such as the Department of Energy, AT&T Corp. ("AT&T"), State Street Bank and
Trust Company ("State Street Bank") and the U.S. Army Signal Corps, although the
total dollar amount of sales to date has been immaterial.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
     In December 1997, the Company and Adobe Systems Incorporated ("Adobe"), a
major software company with reported 1996 revenues of more than $750 million,
entered into an agreement to cross-license and co-market certain technologies.
Adobe has a significant presence in the Internet marketplace with, according to
Adobe, more than 20 million downloads of its Adobe Acrobat Reader viewing
product. Under the agreement, the Company expects to receive more than $700,000
in consulting fees for modifications to certain of its technology so that it may
be incorporated into certain Adobe products. Upon acceptance of these
modifications by Adobe, the Company will earn a license fee of $1,000,000.
Certain components of VFC that will be licensed to Adobe will be incorporated in
future Adobe products. In addition, certain Adobe products will display a "VFC
button" that will provide a direct link to VFC or to VFC marketing information
if the user does not have VFC. Adobe will receive royalties based on sales of
VFC arising out of this marketing arrangement, and will also receive commissions
for any VFC sales that it makes directly.
 
     The Company's other products include Re:mark(R), a plug-in product for
Adobe Acrobat(TM) software that enables users to mark up and review documents
electronically in a workgroup setting; Compose(R), a suite of plug-in tools for
Adobe Acrobat Exchange that automate and streamline a variety of document
production tasks; Aerial(TM), a plug-in that enables Adobe Acrobat to print any
document that needs to be formatted for printing on multiple pages which are
then pieced together to form one page, such as a large spreadsheet or a CAD
drawing; Signet(TM), a security solution for Web or CD-ROM publishers who want
to permit only authorized users to read their documents; INQUIRE(R)/Text, a
full-text retrieval product used for storing, indexing, retrieving and managing
large collections of documents on IBM and IBM-compatible mainframes; and
WebINQUIRE(TM), an extension product that provides Web browser access to
INQUIRE/Text collections. In addition, the Company offers document systems
consulting services, training and customer support for its own products and
those of other vendors, including Adobe, Verity, PC DOCS and Documentum, Inc.
("Documentum"), for each of whom it is a value-added reseller ("VAR").
 
     For nearly thirty years, the Company has developed and sold its own
products and acted as a VAR of client/server and Internet/intranet document
systems products. Recently, the Company made two acquisitions to broaden its
product and service offerings: Merex, Inc. ("Merex"), acquired in October 1995,
and AMBIA Corporation ("AMBIA"), acquired in July 1997. Merex provided a staff
experienced in Internet and client-server document technologies, and AMBIA
provided both an experienced technical staff and products focusing on document
creation, collaboration, and presentation.
 
     The Company targets both commercial and government markets. The Company's
products and consulting services are used by many major companies, including
Ford Motor Company ("Ford"), Allen-Bradley Co., Inc. ("Allen Bradley"), The
Boeing Company ("Boeing"), RJR Nabisco, Inc. ("Nabisco"), AT&T, Chase Manhattan
Bank ("Chase"), State Street Bank and The Riggs National Bank ("Riggs"), and by
government organizations, including NASA, the Department of Energy, the U.S.
Army Signal Corps, the Government Accounting Office and various agencies within
the intelligence community. Sales to government customers represented
approximately 45% of revenues in 1996 and approximately 39% for the first nine
months of 1997; however, no one customer accounted for more than 10% of the
Company's revenues in either period. The Company has repeat business from a
number of its customers, and management believes that there is a high degree of
customer satisfaction with its products, services and solutions. The Company's
existing services, training, and products provide a base of business that
complements VFC product sales. Developing custom solutions for customers keeps
the Company's technical professionals abreast of client needs, facilitating the
conception and development of new products, such as VFC, and the improvement of
existing products.
 
     The Company conducts its sales and marketing efforts through several
channels, including a network of VARs, its own sales force, marketing alliances,
marketing communications and training programs. The Company's VARs and its sales
force receive direct support from the Company's technical staff. Consulting
services leads are also provided to the Company by the vendors for whom it acts
as a VAR. The Company believes this diversity of sales and marketing channels
permits it to distribute its products and sell its services in an efficient and
effective manner, while reducing reliance on any one sales channel.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
     The Company's objectives are to establish VFC as the de facto industry
standard for document access and to become a leading provider of electronic
document information management software and systems. To accomplish these
objectives, the Company intends to (i) maintain its technological leadership,
(ii) add strategic relationships, (iii) expand its sales and marketing
capabilities, and (iv) pursue acquisitions of businesses, products or
technologies that complement the Company's existing business. As of the date of
this Prospectus, the Company has no agreement, arrangement or understanding with
respect to any acquisition.
 
     In 1996, the Company's revenues were $9,560,000 with net income of
$503,000. For the first nine months of 1997, revenues were $7,033,000. The
Company incurred losses of $2,601,000 for the first nine months of 1997, due
primarily to the continuing investment in VFC technology and the expenses of
building the infrastructure to market VFC.
 
     The Company was incorporated in the State of New York in May 1968 and
reincorporated in the State of Virginia in March 1995. The Company's principal
offices are located at 12150 Monument Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033. Its
telephone number is (703) 934-5205 and its fax number is (703) 934-7154.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Common Stock Offered................     1,600,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be Outstanding after
the Offering(1).....................     4,388,448 shares
 
Use of Proceeds.....................     Sales and marketing; research and
                                         development; repayment of institutional
                                         debt; and working capital and general
                                         corporate purposes. See "Use of
                                         Proceeds."
 
Nasdaq SmallCap Market Symbol.......     INFD
- ---------------
(1) Excludes: (i) 200,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
    Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (ii) 1,511,000 shares of
    Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options
    granted and to be granted under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan, of
    which options to purchase 1,060,242 shares of Common Stock have been
    granted. See "Management--1995 Stock Option Plan" and "--Stock Purchase
    Plan" and "Principal Shareholders."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the securities offered hereby involves a high degree of
risk, including, without limitation, risks relating to the Company's continued
losses and accumulated and working capital deficits, uncertainty of future
operating results and fluctuations in quarterly operating results, change in mix
of products, decline in INQUIRE/Text sales and reliance on VFC, lengthy sales
and implementation cycles, rapid technological change and product obsolescence,
competition, risks associated with sales channels, and dependence on government
contracts and security clearances. See "Risk Factors."
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following summary consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements, including
the Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated
statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and
the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1996 are derived from the
Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent auditors, included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 and the consolidated balance sheet data at
September 30, 1997 have been derived from unaudited interim financial statements
included elsewhere in this Prospectus and include all adjustments that the
Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position
and results of operations at that date and for such periods. The operating
results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any future
period. The Company's estimated interim results for the year ended December 31,
1997 and the three months then ended are set forth under "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Estimated Interim Results."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           DECEMBER 31,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         -----------------     ------------------
                                                          1995       1996       1996      1997(1)
                                                         ------     ------     ------     -------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues...............................................  $7,049     $9,560     $7,355     $ 7,033
Cost of revenues.......................................   4,166      5,457      4,412       4,037
Gross profit...........................................   2,883      4,103      2,943       2,996
Operating expenses
  Research and development.............................     187        816        537       1,696
  Selling, general and administrative..................   2,657      2,869      2,007       3,942
Operating income (loss)................................      39        418        399      (2,642)
Net income (loss)......................................  $  131     $  503     $  453     $(2,601)
Primary net income (loss) per common share.............  $ 0.01     $ 0.20     $ 0.19     $ (1.08)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding..........   1,694      2,162      2,085       2,407
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1996             SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                         ------------   -------------------------------
                                                            ACTUAL        ACTUAL(1)      AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                         ------------   --------------   --------------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>              <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................     $1,266          $  278          $  5,970
Working capital........................................      1,612            (892)            5,758
Total current assets...................................      3,920           3,156             8,848
Goodwill...............................................        274           3,681             3,681
Total assets...........................................      4,891           7,655            13,347
Current liabilities....................................      2,308           4,048             3,090
Total liabilities......................................      2,435           4,135             3,177
Shareholders' equity...................................     $2,456          $3,520          $ 10,170
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes results of operations of AMBIA since July 22, 1997. The
    Consolidated Financial Statements of AMBIA and the Notes thereto are
    included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
(2) Gives effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and
    the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
    Proceeds."
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     The securities offered hereby involve a high degree of risk. Accordingly,
in analyzing an investment in these securities, prospective investors should
carefully consider, along with the other matters referred to herein, the
following risk factors. No investor should participate in this Offering unless
such investor can afford a complete loss of his investment.
 
CONTINUED LOSSES; ACCUMULATED AND WORKING CAPITAL DEFICITS; UNCERTAINTY OF
FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS; FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, due primarily to the
continuing investment in VFC technology and the expenses of building the
infrastructure to market VFC, the Company reported a net loss of $2,601,000. In
addition, as of September 30, 1997, the Company had an accumulated deficit of
$9,268,000 and a working capital deficit of $892,000. The Company expects to
continue to incur net losses through at least the end of 1998. Future operating
results will depend upon many factors, including the demand for the Company's
products, the effectiveness of the Company's efforts to integrate various
products it has developed or acquired and to achieve the desired levels of sales
from such product integration, the level of product and price competition, the
length of the Company's sales cycle, seasonality of individual customer buying
patterns, the size and timing of individual transactions, the delay or deferral
of customer purchases and implementations, the budget cycles of the Company's
customers, the timing of new product introductions and product enhancements by
the Company and its competitors, the mix of sales by products, services and
distribution channels, acquisitions by competitors, the ability of the Company
to develop and market new products and control costs, and general domestic
economic and political conditions. As a result of these factors, revenues and
operating results for any quarter are subject to variation and are not
predictable with any significant degree of accuracy. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
CHANGE IN MIX OF PRODUCTS; DECLINE IN INQUIRE/TEXT SALES; RELIANCE ON VFC;
POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING
 
     The Company's historical consolidated financial statements include results
of operations relating to sales of its INQUIRE/Text products and maintenance
services related to INQUIRE/Text. INQUIRE/Text maintenance revenues represented
25% of the Company's revenues in 1996 and approximately 23% for the first nine
months of 1997. INQUIRE/Text-related revenues decreased 14% in 1996, as compared
to 1995, and the Company estimates a decline of approximately 6% in 1997.
Declines are expected each year as the market matures and customers either
migrate off mainframe platforms or opt not to renew maintenance contracts. The
Company expects the VFC family of products to account for a substantial part of
its future revenues. As a result, factors adversely affecting the pricing of or
demand for VFC products, such as competition or technological change, could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. The Company's future performance will depend, in
significant part, on the successful development, introduction and market
acceptance of new and enhanced versions of VFC products. The success of the
Company's VFC family of products, the first release of which was shipped in the
second quarter of 1997, will depend upon the acceptance of intranet and
Web-based technologies. As the commercial market for products for use on
corporate intranets has only recently begun to develop, there can be no
assurance that the Company's new products or enhancements will meet customer
requirements or be compatible with emerging standards. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing VFC and its
related products. If the Company is not successful in developing and marketing
VFC, the Company's revenues and operating results will be materially and
adversely affected, and the Company may require additional financing. There can
be no assurance such financing will be available on reasonable terms or at all.
If such financing is not available, the Company will be materially and adversely
affected. Even if such financing is available, it may involve significant
dilution to the then holders of Common Stock. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, VFC sales totalled $43,000, accounting for less than 1% of
the Company's revenues. As a result of the changing mix of products and services
offered by the Company, the Company's historical consolidated financial
statements may not be indicative of future operating results. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,"
"Business--Products and Services," "--Sales and Marketing," "--Research and
Development" and "--Competition."
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
LENGTHY SALES AND IMPLEMENTATION CYCLES
 
     The license of the Company's software products and the use of the Company's
systems solutions services generally require the Company to provide a
significant level of education to prospective customers regarding the use and
benefits of the Company's products, resulting in a lengthy sales cycle
(typically between three and six months). Additionally, the implementation by
customers of the Company's products may involve a significant commitment of
resources by such customers over an extended period of time. For these and other
reasons, the sales and customer implementation cycles are subject to a number of
significant delays over which the Company has little or no control. Delay in the
sale or customer implementation of the Company's products and services could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations and
cause the Company's operating results to vary significantly from quarter to
quarter. Therefore, the Company believes that its quarterly operating results
are likely to vary in the future. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business--Sales and
Marketing."
 
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; PRODUCT OBSOLESCENCE
 
     The document management software market is characterized by rapid
technological developments, evolving industry standards, changes in customer
requirements and frequent new product introductions and enhancements, which
often lead to product obsolescence. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in developing and marketing enhancements to its existing
products, or new products, on a timely basis or that any new or enhanced
products will adequately address the changing needs of the marketplace. If the
Company is unable to develop and introduce new products or enhancements to
existing products in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions,
technological changes or customer requirements, the Company's business and
operating results could be adversely affected. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business--
Competition" and "--Research and Development."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for the Company's products and services is intensely competitive
and subject to rapid change caused by new product introductions and other market
activities of industry participants. The Company currently encounters direct and
indirect competition from a number of public and private companies involved in
groupware, document management, and collaboration software, including Xerox
Corporation ("Xerox"), Open Text Corporation ("Open Text"), Net-it Software
Corporation ("Net-it Software"), Hummingbird Communications Ltd. ("Hummingbird")
and Fulcrum Technologies, Inc. ("Fulcrum Technologies"). The Company is aware
that other companies have announced products with some features similar to VFC.
In addition, the Company may face competition from new market entrants.
Competitors may have longer operating histories, significantly greater
financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources and name
recognition, and a larger installed customer base than the Company. As a result,
such competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging
technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources
to the development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company. See
"Business--Competition."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SALES AND MARKETING METHODS
 
     The Company's ability to achieve significant revenue growth in the future
will depend, in large part, upon its ability to establish and maintain
relationships with VARs and strategic alliances with systems integrators and
computer software and hardware distributors, its ability to attract qualified
sales personnel and the success of its direct sales campaigns and telemarketing
efforts. Furthermore, the Company's ability to market its products successfully,
including its new products under development, will depend on its ability to
adapt its sales channels to address the evolving markets for such products. The
failure of the Company to expand its VAR network, enter into new strategic
alliances and recruit and train its own sales personnel, and the failure of the
Company to adapt its marketing methods and sales channels to address market
needs, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. In addition, the
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
gross profit margin on indirect sales will be lower than gross profit margins on
direct sales. See "Business--Strategy" and "--Sales and Marketing."
 
     Even if the Company is successful in expanding its sales channels, there
can be no assurance that its sales channels will be successful in increasing the
Company's revenue to a sufficient extent to cover the increased expenses
associated with such expansion. Moreover, the Company's agreements with its VARs
generally are nonexclusive and may be terminated by either party at any time
without cause. The Company's VARs are not within the control of the Company, are
not obligated to purchase products from the Company and may also represent or
refer product lines of the Company's competitors. VARs' sales tend to fluctuate
based on their implementation schedules and internal resources, which are beyond
the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that VARs will continue
their current relationships with the Company or that they will not give higher
priority to the sale or referral of other products, which could include products
of the Company's competitors. A reduction in sales efforts or discontinuance of
sales or referrals of the Company's products by its VARs could lead to reduced
sales and could materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. See "Business--Sales and Marketing."
 
DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS; SECURITY CLEARANCES
 
     Sales to agencies of the United States Government account for a significant
portion of the Company's revenues. The Company believes that the success and
development of its business will continue to be dependent on its ability to
participate in government contract programs. Accordingly, the Company's
financial performance may be directly affected by changes in government
contracting policies. Among the factors that could materially adversely affect
the Company's government contracting business are budgetary constraints, budget
cycles, changes in fiscal policies or available funding, changes in government
programs or requirements, including curtailment of the government's use of
technology service firms, the adoption of new laws or regulations, technological
developments and general economic conditions.
 
     The Company's government contracts contain standard termination clauses
that permit the government to terminate the contracts at any time, without
cause, for the convenience of the government. In addition, government contracts
require compliance with various procurement regulations. The adoption of new or
modified procurement regulations could materially adversely affect the Company
or increase its costs of competing for or performing government contracts. Any
violation of these regulations could result in the termination of the contracts,
imposition of fines, damages and/or debarment from award of additional
government contracts. The termination of the Company's government contracts or
the imposition of fines, damages or suspension and/or debarment from bidding on
additional government contracts could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. Most government contracts are also subject to modification or
termination in the event of changes in funding, and the Company's contractual
costs and revenue are subject to adjustment as a result of audits by the Defense
Contract Audit Agency ("DCAA") and other government auditors. Further,
government contract awards may be subject to protest by competitors.
 
     Many of the Company's government contracts require the Company and certain
of its employees to maintain security clearances complying with the requirements
of various government agencies. If these clearances are lost, it could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. See "Business--Customers."
 
DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
     The Company relies primarily on a combination of copyrights, trademarks,
trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect
its proprietary rights. For example, the Company licenses rather than sells its
software. The licenses impose certain restrictions on the licensees' ability to
utilize the software. In addition, the Company seeks to avoid disclosure of its
trade secrets, including, but not limited to, (i) requiring those persons with
access to the Company's proprietary information to execute confidentiality
agreements with the Company and (ii) restricting access to the Company's source
codes. Trade secret and copyright laws afford only limited protection. Although
the Company may apply for certain patents, the Company presently has no patents
or patent applications pending. Despite the Company's efforts to protect its
proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy the Company's
products or to obtain and use
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
information that the Company regards as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use
of the Company's products is difficult, and while the Company may be unable to
determine the extent to which piracy of its software products exists, software
piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. In addition, the laws of some
foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to as great an
extent as the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the
Company's means of protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate or that
the Company's competitors will not develop similar technology independently.
There can be no assurance that third parties will not claim infringement by the
Company with respect to current or future products. The Company expects software
product developers increasingly to be subject to infringement claims as the
number of products and competitors in the Company's industry segment grows and
the functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly
litigation, cause product shipment delays or require the Company to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all,
which could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. In addition, the Company also relies
on certain software that it licenses from third parties, including software that
is integrated with internally developed software and used in the Company's
products to perform key functions. There can be no assurance that such firms
will remain in business, that they will continue to support their products or
that their products otherwise will continue to be available to the Company on
commercially reasonable terms. See "Business--Proprietary Rights."
 
CONCENTRATION OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
 
     Upon completion of this Offering, the present directors, executive officers
and principal shareholders of the Company and their affiliates will beneficially
own approximately 29.0% of the Company's Common Stock. As a result, these
shareholders will be able to exercise significant influence over all matters
requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval
of significant corporate transactions. Such concentration of ownership may have
the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. See
"Principal Shareholders."
 
BROAD DISCRETION IN ALLOCATION OF NET PROCEEDS; USE OF NET PROCEEDS TO REPAY
DEBT
 
     Approximately $1,400,000, or 21.1%, of the estimated net proceeds of the
Offering has been allocated to working capital and general corporate purposes.
Accordingly, the Company's management will have broad discretion as to the
application of these proceeds. A portion of the proceeds allocated to working
capital may be used by the Company to pay salaries, including salaries of its
executive officers, and for acquisitions. Although the Company currently has no
agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any acquisition, should
an acquisition opportunity be identified by the Company, the Board may have the
ability to approve the acquisition without seeking shareholder approval.
Approximately $1,000,000 of the estimated net proceeds of the Offering has been
allocated to repayment of institutional debt and will not be available to be
used for other purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; KEY PERSON LIFE INSURANCE
 
     The Company's success depends, in significant part, upon the continued
services of its key technical, marketing, sales and management personnel,
including James Ungerleider, its President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard
Tworek, its Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, and Razi
Mohiuddin, its Vice President, and on its ability to continue to attract,
motivate and retain highly qualified employees. Mr. Ungerleider's employment is
terminable at will by either the Company or Mr. Ungerleider and is not for a
definite term. Mr. Tworek's employment is for a term expiring on October 11,
1999, however, Mr. Tworek may resign upon 60 days' written notice. Mr.
Mohiuddin's employment is for a term expiring on July 22, 1999, however Mr.
Mohiuddin may resign upon 60 days' written notice. The loss of key personnel
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. Competition for technical, marketing, sales and
management employees is intense and the process of locating personnel with the
combination of skills and attributes required to execute the Company's strategy
can be difficult, time-
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
consuming and expensive. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in attracting, assimilating or retaining highly skilled technical,
management, sales and marketing personnel. The failure to attract, hire,
assimilate or retain such personnel could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. See "Management."
 
     The Company maintains a key-person life insurance policy in the amount of
$750,000 on the life of Mr. Tworek. In addition, the Company is in the process
of obtaining key-person life insurance policies on the lives of Messrs.
Ungerleider and Mohiuddin, however, it does not currently have such policies.
There can be no assurance that the proceeds from the life insurance policy in
place for Mr. Tworek or the policies the Company will obtain with respect to
Messrs. Ungerleider and Mohiuddin will be sufficient to compensate the Company
for the loss of any of these individuals.
 
PRODUCT DEFECTS
 
     Due to the complexity and sophistication of the Company's software
products, the Company's products from time to time contain defects or "bugs"
that can be difficult to correct. Furthermore, as the Company continues to
develop and enhance its products, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to identify and correct defects in such a manner as will permit the
timely introduction of such products. Moreover, the Company may from time to
time discover defects only after its systems have been used by many customers.
There can be no assurance that, in the future, software defects will not cause
delays in product introductions and shipments, result in increased costs,
require design modifications, or impair customer satisfaction with the Company's
products. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. See "Business--Research and
Development."
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY
 
     The Company's license agreements with its customers typically contain
provisions designed to limit the Company's exposure to potential product
liability claims. However, it is possible that the limitation of liability
provisions contained in the Company's license agreements may not be effective
under the laws of certain jurisdictions. Although the Company has not
experienced any product liability claims to date, the sale and support of
products by the Company may entail the risk of such claims, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will not be subject to such claims in the future. A
successful product liability claim brought against the Company could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "Business--Customers."
 
UNSPECIFIED ACQUISITIONS
 
     The Company may, from time to time, pursue acquisitions of businesses,
products or technologies that complement or expand its existing business and, in
fact, acquired Merex in 1995 and AMBIA in 1997. The Company may effect
acquisitions without giving shareholders the ability to review, or vote on, such
acquisitions. The Company evaluates potential acquisition opportunities from
time to time, including those that could be material in size and scope.
Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including the diversion of management's
attention from day-to-day operations to the assimilation of the operations and
personnel of the acquired companies and the incorporation of acquired
operations, customer bases, products or technologies. Such acquisitions could
also have adverse short-term effects on the Company's operating results and
could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt
and the loss of key employees. In addition, many business acquisitions must be
accounted for as purchases and, because most software-related acquisitions
involve the purchase of significant intangible assets, these acquisitions
typically result in substantial amortization charges and charges for acquired
research and development projects, which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operating results. There can be no assurance that any such
acquisitions will occur or that, if such acquisitions do occur, the acquired
businesses, customer bases, products or technologies will generate sufficient
revenue to offset the associated costs or effects. See "Business--Strategy."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
DILUTION
 
     The public offering price is substantially higher than the net tangible
book value per share of the currently outstanding Common Stock. Investors
purchasing shares of Common Stock in the Offering will therefore experience
immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $3.55 per share (approximately
71%). See "Dilution."
 
LACK OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common
Stock and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
See "Dividend Policy."
 
LOW TRADING VOLUME; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, the average daily trading volume of
the Common Stock was approximately 8,197 shares. This low trading volume may
have had a significant effect on the market price of the Common Stock and,
accordingly, historical prices may not necessarily be indicative of market
prices in a more liquid market. The trading price of the Company's Common Stock
is subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly
operating results, the gain or loss of significant orders, announcements of
technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors,
general conditions in the software and computer industries and other events or
factors, including factors outside the Company's control. In addition, the stock
market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which
have affected the market price for many companies in industries similar or
related to that of the Company and which have been unrelated to the operating
performance of these companies. These market fluctuations may adversely affect
the market price of the Company's Common Stock. See "Price Range of Common
Stock."
 
GKN SECURITIES CORP. AS UNDERWRITER
 
     In August 1997, GKN Securities Corp. ("GKN") and certain of its executive
officers, managers and current or former brokers reached settlements with NASD
Regulation, Inc. ("NASDR") and without admitting or denying NASDR's allegations,
GKN and such persons consented to, among other things, various sanctions
including censures, and restitution and fines of an aggregate of approximately
$2 million. See "Underwriting."
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHARTER, BYLAW AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS;
POSSIBLE ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's Articles of Incorporation ("Articles") and Bylaws, as well as
Virginia corporate law, contain certain provisions that could have the effect of
making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discouraging a third
party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company. These provisions could
limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Certain of these provisions allow the
Company to issue, without shareholder approval, Preferred Stock having rights
senior to those of the Common Stock. Other provisions impose various procedural
and other requirements that could make it more difficult for shareholders to
effect certain corporate actions. See "Description of Securities--Virginia
Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; POTENTIAL EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
 
     Sales of the Company's Common Stock in the public market after this
Offering could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
EFFECT OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus, there are outstanding options to
purchase 1,060,242 shares of Common Stock. In addition, in connection with this
Offering, the Company will issue the Underwriters' Purchase Option. The exercise
of such outstanding options would dilute the then-existing shareholders'
percentage
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
ownership of the Company's stock, and any sales in the public market of Common
Stock underlying such securities could adversely affect prevailing market prices
for the Common Stock. Moreover, the terms upon which the Company would be able
to obtain additional equity capital could be adversely affected since the
holders of such securities can be expected to exercise them at a time when the
Company would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital on terms
more favorable to the Company than those provided by such securities. See
"Description of Securities" and "Underwriting."
 
WAIVER OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH NASDAQ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS; PENNY STOCK REGULATION
 
     The Company's Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market
("Nasdaq"). In August 1997, the Company received a notice from Nasdaq that it
was not in compliance with Nasdaq's requirement that listed issuers maintain a
minimum of $1,000,000 in capital and surplus. In November 1997, the Company
appeared at a hearing before a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel to
demonstrate compliance with the minimum capital and surplus requirement and to
request continued listing on Nasdaq. The panel agreed to allow the Company to
continue to be listed if (i) on or before February 20, 1998, the Company makes a
public filing with the Commission and Nasdaq evidencing the closing of this
Offering and a minimum of $5,500,000 in net tangible assets and (ii) the Company
is able to evidence compliance with Nasdaq's new standards for continued
listing, which go into effect on February 23, 1998. Such public filing is a
condition to the closing of this Offering. Thereafter, the Company must continue
to meet Nasdaq's standards for continued listing. The failure to meet these
standards may result in the delisting of the Company's securities from Nasdaq
and trading, if any, in the Company's securities would thereafter be conducted
on the OTC Bulletin Board. If such delisting occurs, an investor may find it
more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market
value of, the Company's securities. In addition, if the Common Stock were to
become delisted from trading on Nasdaq and the trading price of the Common Stock
were to fall below $5.00 per share, trading in the Common Stock also would be
subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Exchange Act
that require additional disclosure by broker-dealers in connection with any
trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock (generally, any non-Nasdaq
equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to
certain exceptions). Such rules require the delivery, prior to any penny stock
transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the
risks associated therewith, and impose various sales practice requirements on
broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers
and accredited investors (generally institutions). For these types of
transactions, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination
for the purchaser and have received the purchaser's written consent to the
transaction prior to sale. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by
such requirements may discourage them from effecting transactions in the
Company's securities, which could severely limit the liquidity of the Company's
securities and the ability of purchasers in this Offering to sell such
securities in the secondary market. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     As permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporations Act ("VSCA"), the Company's
Articles and Bylaws limit the personal liability of an officer or director to
the Company for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty of care as an
officer or director, unless the officer or director engaged in willful
misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law or of any federal or state
securities law, including, without limitation, any claim of unlawful insider
trading or manipulation of the market for any security. See "Description of
Securities--Limitation of Liability of Officers and Directors."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   14
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of shares of Common Stock
offered hereby are estimated to be approximately $6,650,000 ($7,730,000 if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting the
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company. The Company intends to apply the net proceeds as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS                         AMOUNT     PERCENT
    ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------   -------
    <S>                                                                 <C>          <C>
    Sales and Marketing................................................ $2,250,000     33.8%
    Research and Development...........................................  2,000,000     30.1%
    Repayment of Institutional Debt....................................  1,000,000     15.0%
    Working Capital and General Corporate Purposes.....................  1,400,000     21.1%
                                                                        ----------   ------
              Total....................................................  6,650,000    100.0%
                                                                        ==========   ======
</TABLE>
 
     Approximately $2,250,000 of the net proceeds of this Offering are expected
to be used to expand the Company's sales and marketing activities by hiring
additional sales and marketing personnel, increasing advertising, participating
in trade shows and other promotional activities, developing indirect sales
channels and enhancing the Company's customer service capabilities. See
"Business--Sales and Marketing."
 
     Approximately $2,000,000 of the net proceeds of this Offering are expected
to be used for research and development, including enhancement of existing
features and development of new functions for the VFC family of products and the
salaries and related payroll costs for new and existing research and development
personnel. See "Business--Research and Development."
 
     Approximately $1,000,000 of the net proceeds of this Offering are expected
to be used to repay institutional debt owed to Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services, Inc. pursuant to a line of credit maintained by the Company for up to
$1,000,000 based upon eligible receivables. Interest on this debt is calculated
at a per annum rate equal to the sum of 2.9% plus the 30-day commercial paper
rate. Currently, this per annum rate approximates prime. The facility expires in
July 1998. The line of credit is contingent upon the Company continuing to meet
certain financial covenants. At November 28, 1997, the Company had outstanding
borrowings of approximately $986,000, including accrued interest, under this
line of credit. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
     The balance of the net proceeds of this Offering are expected to be
allocated to working capital and general corporate purposes, including payment
of salaries, including salaries of its executive officers, and acquisitions. As
of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has no agreement, arrangement or
understanding with respect to any acquisition. If the Underwriters exercise the
over-allotment option in full, the Company will realize additional net proceeds
of $1,080,000, which will be added to working capital. Management will have
significant discretion regarding how and when such proceeds will be applied.
 
     The allocation of the net proceeds of the Offering set forth above
represents the Company's best estimates based upon its current plans and certain
assumptions regarding industry and general economic conditions and the Company's
future revenues and expenditures. If any of these factors change, the Company
may find it necessary or advisable to reallocate some of the proceeds within the
above-described categories.
 
     Proceeds not immediately required for the purposes described above will be
invested temporarily, pending their application as described above, in
short-term United States government securities, short-term bank certificates of
deposit, money market funds or other investment grade, short-term,
interest-bearing instruments.
 
     The Company anticipates, based on currently proposed plans and assumptions
relating to its operations (including the costs associated with its growth
strategy), that the proceeds of the Offering, together with its existing
financial resources, cash flow from operations and anticipated growth in
revenues from sales of VFC, should be sufficient to satisfy its anticipated cash
requirements through the end of the year 1999; however,
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   15
 
there can be no assurance that this will be the case. The Company's actual cash
requirements may vary materially from those now planned and will depend upon
numerous factors, including the general market acceptance of the Company's new
and existing products and services, the growth of the Company's distribution
channels, technological advances, activities of competitors and other factors.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stock.
The Company expects to retain all available earnings generated by its operations
for the development and growth of its business and does not anticipate paying
any cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company's Common Stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "INFD." The following table sets forth, for
each of the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices for the Common
Stock, as reported by Nasdaq, which is the principal trading market for the
Company's securities. These per share prices represent inter-dealer prices, do
not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions and may not represent
actual transactions.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             HIGH     LOW
                                                                            ------   -----
    <S>                                                                     <C>      <C>
    1995
      First Quarter.......................................................  $ 2.57   $1.29
      Second Quarter......................................................    1.82    1.45
      Third Quarter.......................................................    2.57    1.39
      Fourth Quarter......................................................    2.03    1.50
    1996
      First Quarter.......................................................  $ 3.27   $1.93
      Second Quarter......................................................    7.87    2.81
      Third Quarter.......................................................   10.12    4.25
      Fourth Quarter......................................................   12.62    4.62
    1997
      First Quarter.......................................................  $12.63   $6.75
      Second Quarter......................................................    8.63    6.00
      Third Quarter.......................................................   10.38    7.00
      Fourth Quarter......................................................   12.75    8.50
</TABLE>
 
     On February 17, 1998, the closing sale price of the Common Stock as
reported by Nasdaq was $5.00 per share. As of such date, there were 2,788,448
shares of Common Stock outstanding, held of record by approximately 629 holders.
The Company believes that as of such date there were more than 1,645 beneficial
holders of its Common Stock.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   16
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the short-term debt and capitalization of
the Company (i) as of September 30, 1997, and (ii) as adjusted to reflect the
consummation of the Offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses. The table should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                         -----------------------
                                                                         ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED
                                                                         -------     -----------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>
Short-term debt........................................................  $   958       $     0
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share:
     340,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding.......       --            --
  Common Stock, par value $.03 per share:
     6,666,666 shares authorized, 2,788,448 shares issued and
      outstanding; 4,388,448 shares issued and outstanding as
      adjusted.........................................................       82           130
  Additional paid-in capital...........................................   12,706        19,308
  Accumulated deficit..................................................   (9,268)       (9,268)
                                                                         -------       -------
          Total shareholders' equity...................................    3,520        10,170
                                                                         -------       -------
Total capitalization (including short-term debt).......................  $ 4,478       $10,170
                                                                         =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     As of September 30, 1997, the Company's net tangible book value was
approximately ($297,000), or ($0.11) per share. Net tangible book value per
share represents the amount of tangible assets less total liabilities, divided
by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the
consummation of the Offering (after deducting the underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company), the net
tangible book value of the Company as of September 30, 1997 would have been
$6,353,000, or $1.45 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net
tangible book value of $1.56 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate
dilution of $3.55 per share (approximately 71%) to new investors purchasing the
Common Stock in this Offering. Dilution is determined by subtracting net
tangible book value per share after the Offering from the amount of cash paid by
a new investor for a share of Common Stock.
 
     The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                         <C>        <C>
        Public offering price per share...........................             $  5.00
          Net tangible book value per share as of September 30,
             1997.................................................   (0.11)
          Increase per share attributable to this Offering........  $ 1.56
                                                                    -------
        Net tangible book value per share after this Offering.....                1.45
                                                                                ------
        Dilution per share to new investors.......................             $  3.55
                                                                                ======
        Percentage Dilution.......................................                  71%
                                                                                ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   17
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements, including
the Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated
statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and
the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1996 are derived from the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent auditors, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
consolidated statement of operations data for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 and 1997 and the consolidated balance sheet data at September 30, 1997
have been derived from unaudited interim financial statements included elsewhere
in this Prospectus and include all adjustments that the Company considers
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of
operations at that date and for such periods. The operating results for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to
be expected for the full year or for any future period. The Company's estimated
interim results for the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the three months
then ended are set forth under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Estimated Interim Results."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           DECEMBER 31,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         -----------------     ------------------
                                                          1995       1996       1996      1997(1)
                                                         ------     ------     ------     -------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues...............................................  $7,049     $9,560     $7,355     $ 7,033
Cost of revenues.......................................   4,166      5,457      4,412       4,037
Gross profit...........................................   2,883      4,103      2,943       2,996
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.............................     187        816        537       1,696
  Selling, general and administrative..................   2,657      2,869      2,007       3,942
Operating income (loss)................................      39        418        399      (2,642)
Net income (loss)......................................  $  131     $  503     $  453     $(2,601)
Primary net income (loss) per common share.............  $ 0.01     $ 0.20     $ 0.19     $ (1.08)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding..........   1,694      2,162      2,085       2,407
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1996              SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                         ------------     ----------------------------
                                                            ACTUAL        ACTUAL(1)     AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                         ------------     ---------     --------------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>           <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................     $1,266         $   278         $  5,970
Working capital........................................      1,612            (892)           5,758
Total current assets...................................      3,920           3,156            8,848
Goodwill...............................................        274           3,681            3,681
Total assets...........................................      4,891           7,655           13,347
Current liabilities....................................      2,308           4,048            3,090
Total liabilities......................................      2,435           4,135            3,177
Shareholders' equity...................................     $2,456         $ 3,520         $ 10,170
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes results of operations of AMBIA since July 22, 1997. The
    Consolidated Financial Statements of AMBIA and the Notes thereto are
    included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
(2) Gives effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and
    the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
    Proceeds."
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   18
 
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The discussion and analysis below should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, including the Notes thereto,
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
COMPANY OVERVIEW
 
     The Company provides electronic document management software and systems to
corporate and government workgroups, departments and enterprises. Prior to 1994,
substantially all of the Company's business was derived from the sale, support,
and maintenance of INQUIRE/Text, a full-text retrieval product used for storing,
indexing, retrieving and managing large collections of documents on IBM and IBM-
compatible mainframes. INQUIRE/Text accounted for approximately 77%, 49% and 31%
of revenues for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1997, respectively. The Company expects INQUIRE/Text
revenues to decrease over time due to the decreasing reliance of users on
mainframe hardware and the maturity of the market. In 1994, the Company shifted
its focus to providing a broader range of document and information management
solutions deliverable through client/server and intranet technology. As a
result, client/server, intranet consulting revenues and third-party software
product revenues increased from 23% of the Company's revenues in 1995 to 51% in
1996 and to 55% for the first three quarters of 1997.
 
     In January 1997, the Company introduced VFC, and began to market VFC in the
second quarter of 1997. The Company anticipates that VFC will constitute an
increasing percentage of the Company's revenue for the foreseeable future. In
December 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Adobe to cross-license
and co-market certain technologies (the "Cross-License Agreement"). The Company
expects to receive more than $700,000 in consulting fees pursuant to a
consulting agreement ("Consulting Agreement") entered into in connection with
the Cross-License Agreement for modifications to certain of its technology so
that it can be incorporated into future Adobe products. Of the fees payable
under the Consulting Agreement, $225,000 has been paid to the Company, $125,000
became due on December 31, 1997, $125,000 becomes due on January 31, 1998,
$125,000 becomes due upon Adobe's acceptance of the initial version of the
modifications, and the balance of $129,000 becomes due and payable upon Adobe's
acceptance of the final product. If the delivery of the initial version of the
modifications is not made by February 10, 1998, the consulting fee will be
reduced by $12,500. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by Adobe upon 30
days' written notice and payment of 10% of the next unpaid installment of the
consulting fee. Upon acceptance of the modifications by Adobe, the Company will
earn a license fee of $1,000,000. Although the Company has received
approximately 50% of the license fee under the Cross-License Agreement, any
license fees received by the Company are subject to refund if the Company fails
to deliver an acceptable final product to Adobe. The Company will not recognize
any revenue with respect to these fees until the product has been accepted and
the fees are no longer refundable, which is expected to occur in 1998. The
Company will recognize revenue from its product development services in both
1997 and 1998 on a percent of completion basis. Certain components of VFC that
will be licensed to Adobe will be incorporated in future Adobe products. In
addition, certain Adobe products will display a "VFC Button" that will provide a
direct link to VFC or to VFC marketing information if the user does not have
VFC. Adobe will receive royalties based on any sales of VFC arising out of this
marketing arrangement, and will also receive commissions for any VFC sales that
it makes directly. The Company estimates that the total effort required to
develop the features to be included in the initial version of the modified
technology to be 133 person-weeks and the time to develop the initial and beta
versions will be 52 person-weeks over a six-month period. The Company has
assigned 12 engineers to develop the modifications. The Company has completed a
substantial portion of the modifications.
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus, VFC has been sold to large organizations
with significant document processing requirements, such as the Department of
Energy, AT&T, State Street Bank and the U.S. Army Signal Corps, although the
total dollar amount of sales to date has been immaterial. Due to limited sales
and support resources and the recent introduction of VFC, the Company has
focused on selling VFC to customers that have multiple applications that can
utilize VFC. The Company expects that these customers will help it in the future
both as references and through further sales within the customers'
organizations. Evaluation
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   19
 
copies of VFC software have been installed at a number of large organizations.
Most of these installations have resulted in orders, although a few customers
have returned the evaluation software without placing an order. The sales cycle
for initial sales of VFC has ranged from three to six months. The Company
believes that the sales cycle for repeat sales to customers may be shorter. As
of September 30, 1997, there was no backlog for VFC. VFC is licensed at a price
of $4,995 per server. The Company plans to increase the price of VFC with its
next release, which will have additional features. The Company also provides
support packages and extension products at an additional price. The Company
offers annual maintenance for VFC at a cost of 20% of the purchase price. As of
September 30, 1997, annual maintenance sales for VFC were immaterial.
 
     On October 11, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all the assets and
assumed certain liabilities of Merex in consideration of 210,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. The total acquisition cost was approximately $361,000,
including the direct costs of acquisition. Approximately $60,000 was allocated
to identified acquired intangibles, $312,000 to goodwill, including purchase
accounting adjustments of approximately $25,000 relating to termination of the
Merex office lease, and $35,000 relating to costs the Company is obligated to
pay in connection with the registration of securities held by the former
shareholders of Merex. For the year ended December 31, 1994, Merex had revenues
of $2,174,000 and net income of $185,000.
 
     On July 22, 1997, the Company acquired all of the common stock of AMBIA in
consideration for 400,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock with a fair value
of $7.75 per share, which was equivalent to the trading price of the Company's
Common Stock on such date. As a result of the acquisition, outstanding options
to purchase 390,000 shares of AMBIA common stock were converted into options to
acquire approximately 35,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.69 per share. The fair value of the options is recorded as part of
the acquisition cost. The total acquisition cost was approximately $3,461,000,
including the direct costs of the acquisition. Approximately $3,292,000 was
allocated to goodwill, $25,000 was allocated to acquired tangible assets and
$144,000 was allocated to acquired intangible assets, which did not include
AMBIA's work force. The Company did not allocate any amount to AMBIA's work
force because of the Company's belief that businesses located in Silicon Valley,
such as AMBIA, experience high personnel turnover. The acquired intangible
assets and goodwill are being amortized over two years and seven years,
respectively. The acquisition was treated as a purchase. For the year ended
December 31, 1996 (AMBIA was incorporated on May 1, 1996), AMBIA's revenues were
$835,000, and its net loss was $676,000. AMBIA is now a subsidiary of the
Company.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company had a net operating loss ("NOL")
aggregating approximately $5,347,000 available to effect future taxable income.
Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"),
utilization of prior NOLs is limited after an ownership change, as defined in
Section 382, to an amount equal to the value of the loss corporation's
outstanding stock immediately before the date of the ownership change multiplied
by the federal long-term tax-exempt rate in effect during the month that the
ownership change occurred. As a result of the AMBIA acquisition, the Company is
subject to limitations on the use of its NOL as provided under Section 382.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant amount of NOLs will be
utilized by the Company.
 
     Any amounts paid by customers prior to the actual performance of services
are recorded as deferred revenue until earned, at which time they are recognized
in accordance with the type of contract. The margins realized on transactions
involving deferred revenue depend on the type of service rendered by the
Company. In general, most deferred revenue is generated by software maintenance
contracts. These contracts have high margins. Most of the Company's maintenance
revenue pertains to INQUIRE/Text, which is an older software product. The
Company's costs under maintenance contracts are low and consequently, the gross
margin is high. The balance of deferred revenue generally relates to consulting
services, which carry lower margins than maintenance contracts.
 
     The components of the Company's cost of revenue depend on the product or
service. For consulting, the most significant item is the direct labor cost of
the consultants. Other components include any subcontractor costs, any non-labor
direct costs such as travel and any associated indirect costs (e.g., office
rent, administration, etc.) allocated to the consulting engagement. Indirect
costs are allocated based on head count and square footage of office space. For
third party product sales, the cost of revenue includes the cost incurred
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   20
 
by the Company to acquire the product, shipping and delivery charges, associated
taxes, any customization work done by the Company, and any special packaging
costs incurred prior to shipment. The cost of maintenance revenue includes the
customer service personnel supporting the product and an allocation of
associated indirect costs based on head count and square footage of office
space. For products that have been developed internally, the Company includes
shipping, delivery, packaging, production, the direct labor of personnel
involved in delivering and installing the product and any associated expenses
involved with the installation.
 
     Future operating results will depend upon many factors, including the
demand for the Company's products, the effectiveness of the Company's efforts to
integrate various products it has developed or acquired and to achieve the
desired levels of sales from such product integration, the level of product and
price competition, the length of the Company's sales cycle, seasonality of
individual customer buying patterns, the size and timing of individual
transactions, the delay or deferral of customer purchases and implementations,
the budget cycles of the Company's customers, the timing of new product
introductions and product enhancements by the Company and its competitors, the
mix of sales by products, services and distribution channels, acquisitions by
competitors, the ability of the Company to develop and market new products and
control costs, and general domestic economic and political conditions.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
 30, 1996
 
     Revenues increased by $535,000, or 21%, from $2,502,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1996 to $3,037,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 1997. The Company derived revenues from consulting services, sales
of third party products, sales of INQUIRE/Text-related products and services and
maintenance related thereto, and sales of the Company's software products.
During the quarter, VFC sales were minimal. Revenues from consulting services
and third party products, as well as training, increased by $261,000, or 28%,
from $933,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1996, to $1,194,000 for
the three months ended September 30, 1997, due to an increase in product sales,
and, to a lesser extent, related consulting services. AMBIA contributed $253,000
to the Company's revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
 
     Gross profit increased by $247,000, or 21%, from $1,168,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1996, to $1,415,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 1997. The increase was due to the increase in revenue for the
quarter and the acquisition of AMBIA. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was
consistent for the three months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the same
period in 1996.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of revenues was approximately 47% for both the
three months ended September 30, 1996 and the three months ended September 30,
1997.
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, revenue related to VFC and
AMBIA products had the highest profit margin, followed by INQUIRE product and
maintenance sales, consulting services and then, third party products sales.
Prior to 1997, the Company did not quantify gross margins with respect to
specific revenue streams. Furthermore, in 1995, the Company changed its
methodology for overhead allocation to more accurately reflect certain indirect
costs of revenue, and in 1996, the Company changed accounting systems. Thus, an
accurate comparison of historical gross margins by revenue stream is not
possible. For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, gross margin was
approximately 78% for sales of INQUIRE/Text products and maintenance,
approximately 88% for sales of VFC, approximately 88% for sales of AMBIA
products, which consist solely of software, approximately 23% for consulting
services and approximately 15% for third party product sales. The Company
expects to maintain substantially the same margins through 1998, although there
can be no assurance that it will do so.
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 1997, the Company's margin as a
percentage of sales remained consistent. Third party product and Company
software sales both increased as a percentage of sales. Consulting services and
revenues from INQUIRE/Text-related products and services both decreased as a
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   21
 
percent of total revenue, and consulting services decreased approximately 9%
compared to the three months ended September 30, 1996. The net effect was that
there was little change in the Company's margin.
 
     The Company continues to invest heavily in the development of VFC. This
resulted in an increase of $470,000, or 167%, in research and development
expenditures from $281,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1996, to
$751,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997. The Company expects this
investment to increase throughout 1998 and for the foreseeable future as VFC
product enhancements and capabilities are added.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $701,000, or 95%,
from $739,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1996, to $1,440,000 for
the three months ended September 30, 1997. The increase was due primarily to the
expansion of the sales and marketing staff and an increase in marketing expenses
associated with VFC. The Company expects these expenses to increase throughout
1998 as new versions of VFC are released, new sales channels are established and
potential markets are explored.
 
     Interest income decreased by $9,000, or 39%, from $23,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1996 to $14,000 for the three months ended September
30, 1997. The decrease was due to lower balances of cash, cash equivalents, and
short term investments during the three months ended September 30, 1997,
compared to the three months ended September 30, 1996. Interest expense
increased by $9,000, or 450%, from $2,000 for the three months ended September
30, 1996 to $11,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997. This was due
to the increased utilization of a line of credit during the third quarter.
 
     As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported a net loss of $773,000
for the three months ended September 30, 1997, compared to net income of
$169,000 for the same period in 1996.
 
     Cash and short term investments decreased by $836,000, or 54%, from
$1,539,000 as of September 30, 1996 to $703,000 as of September 30, 1997. This
reflects losses incurred during the year offset by an increase in borrowings.
 
     Accounts receivable increased $1,143,000 or 106% from $1,076,000 as of June
30, 1997 to $2,219,000 as of September 30, 1997. Revenues increased $1,081,000
or 55% from $1,956,000 for the three months ended June 30, 1997 to $3,037,000
for the three months ended September 30, 1997. This growth in revenue was the
primary reason for the growth in receivables. Receivables grew at a faster rate
than revenues due to the acquisition of AMBIA. The Company acquired the
outstanding receivables of AMBIA totalling $93,000 on July 22, 1997.
Approximately $69,000 of these receivables were still uncollected as of
September 30, 1997.
 
     At September 30, 1997, the Company maintained an adequate allowance for
doubtful accounts. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 1997 were
$3,037,000 and receivables were $2,219,000. This represents a 66 day collection
cycle, as compared to a 62 day collection cycle at December 31, 1996, based on
revenues of $2,205,000 for the three months then ended and receivables of
$1,522,000 at such date, and a 79 day collection cycle at December 31, 1995,
based on revenues of $2,156,000 for the three months then ended and receivables
of $1,901,000 at such date. The Company reviews its receivables monthly and
contacts all accounts that are outstanding for more than 30 days. Based on its
direct contact with customers and the Company's aggressive collection efforts,
the Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts is reasonable.
 
 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
 30, 1996
 
     Revenues decreased by $322,000, or 4%, from $7,355,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 to $7,033,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
1997. The primary cause of this decrease was a decline in revenues from
consulting services and third party product sales of $735,000, or 26%, from
$2,867,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to $2,132,000 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997, resulting from the shift of certain of the
Company's engineering personnel to research and development to accelerate the
development of VFC. In addition, INQUIRE/Text-related revenue decreased by
$118,000, or 5%, from $2,362,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to
$2,244,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Due to the maturity of
the product and the market, the Company expects INQUIRE/Text-related revenue to
continue to decline. The decrease in revenues was
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   22
 
partially offset by AMBIA revenues of $253,000 from July 22, 1997, the date of
its acquisition, to September 30, 1997 and by an increase in
intelligence-related revenues of $278,000, or 13%, from $2,127,000 for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, to $2,405,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997.
 
     Gross profit increased by $53,000, or 2%, from $2,943,000 for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, to $2,996,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. The slight increase was due to the acquisition of AMBIA. The
gross profit of $2,996,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
represented an increase of $53,000, or 2%, over the gross profit of $2,943,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. AMBIA product sales contributed
approximately $223,000 to gross profits for the quarter ended September 30,
1997. Revenues from the sale of AMBIA products for the three months ended
September 30, 1997 were approximately $207,000. The costs associated with these
sales, including direct costs and directly attributable allocated costs, were
approximately $189,000. These costs consisted primarily of direct salaries and
benefits, costs of sales, related software development, allocated rent, indirect
salaries, commissions, packaging and advertising and shipping. AMBIA product
sales contributed approximately $18,000 to the Company's operating revenues.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased by 2% from 40% for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 to 42% for the nine months ended September
30, 1997. The increase was due to a decline in revenues from consulting services
and third party product sales combined with the addition of sales of higher
margin AMBIA products.
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company's margin as a
percentage of sales increased 2%. The primary reason was the increase in sales
of INQUIRE/Text-related products and services and maintenance related thereto
and in revenues from Company software as a percentage of total sales. These two
lines of business have higher margins than both the consulting and third party
software lines of business.
 
     Research and development expenditures increased by $1,159,000, or 216%,
from $537,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, to $1,696,000 for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The Company continues to spend heavily
on the development of its VFC products.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1,935,000, or
96%, from $2,007,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, to $3,942,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The increase was due primarily to
the expansion of the sales and marketing staff and an increase in marketing
expenses associated with VFC.
 
     As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported a net loss of $2,601,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, compared to net income of $453,000
for the same period in 1996.
 
     Accounts payable increased by $885,000, or 354%, from $250,000 as of
September 30, 1996 to $1,135,000 as of September 30, 1997. This is due primarily
to an increase in expenses of $2,719,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
1997 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1996. It is also due to the
increased aging of payables.
 
     Accounts receivable increased $697,000 or 46% from $1,522,000 as of
December 31, 1996 to $2,219,000 as of September 30, 1997. Revenues decreased
$322,000, or 4%, from $7,355,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to
$7,033,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Receivables increased
because of an increase in revenues during the third quarter of 1997 and because
of the acquisition of AMBIA. Revenues were down significantly during the first
two quarters of 1997 compared to the first two quarters of 1996. However, third
quarter revenue increased 21% over third quarter revenue for 1996. In addition,
the acquisition of AMBIA accounted for $69,000 of receivables at September 30,
1997. For these reasons, the growth in receivables exceeded the growth in
revenues.
 
  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Total revenues increased by $2,511,000, or 36%, from $7,049,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1995, to $9,560,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996. Revenues from consulting services and third party product sales increased
by $3,271,000, or 204%, from $1,603,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, to
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   23
 
$4,874,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, in part reflecting a full year
of revenues from Merex. Revenues from third party product sales increased by
$899,000, or 358%, from $251,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 to
$1,150,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. INQUIRE/Text-related revenues
decreased by $774,000, or 14%, from $5,446,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995, to $4,672,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The decrease was due
primarily to the decline in maintenance contracts.
 
     Gross profit increased by $1,220,000, from $2,883,000, a 41% margin, for
the year ended December 31, 1995, to $4,103,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996. The increase in the gross profit margin was due primarily to increased
commercial client/server consulting during 1996, offset in part by the decline
in high margin INQUIRE/Text maintenance revenues.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased by 2% from 41% for the
year ended December 31, 1995 to 43% for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
increase was due to the Company obtaining higher margin consulting engagements
in 1996.
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company's margin as a percentage
of sales rose 2% compared to the prior year. Consulting services and third party
product sales increased as a percentage of total sales. Sales of
INQUIRE/Text-related products and maintenance related thereto decreased from 45%
of sales to 29%. The reduction in the margin due to the decline in INQUIRE
business was more than offset by certain consulting projects that had higher
margins in 1996 than in 1995.
 
     Research and development expense increased by $629,000, or 336%, from
$187,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, to $816,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The principal cause of the increase was the development of
VFC software products.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $212,000, or 8%,
from $2,657,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, to $2,869,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1996. The increase was due primarily to an increase in the
sales staff for the planned release of VFC.
 
     Interest income decreased by $23,000, or 19%, from $119,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1995, to $96,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
decrease was due primarily to a lower average market yield on cash and cash
equivalents in 1996 compared to 1995. The Company invested only in short-term,
highly liquid money market instruments.
 
     Interest expense decreased by $13,000, or 54%, from $24,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1995, to $11,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
expense was related primarily to capital equipment leases that expire through
1998.
 
     Net income increased by $372,000, or 284%, from $131,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995, to $503,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
increase in net income was due to the factors discussed above. As a result of
Preferred Stock dividends of $120,000 and $58,000 paid in 1995 and 1996,
respectively, net income available to holders of Common Stock amounted to
$11,000, or $.01 per share, and $445,000, or $.20 per share ($.18 fully
diluted), respectively. During 1996, all of the outstanding preferred stock was
converted into Common Stock and, therefore, no Preferred Stock dividends will be
paid in 1997.
 
     Accounts receivable decreased by $379,000, or 20%, from $1,901,000 as of
December 31, 1995 to $1,522,000 as of December 31, 1996. The decrease was due to
the significant amount of collections made in December 1996 associated with
INQUIRE/Text maintenance, as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995, for
which much of the INQUIRE/Text maintenance revenue was not collected until
January 1996.
 
  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Total revenues decreased by $453,000, or 6%, from $7,502,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994 to $7,049,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The
primary cause was a $971,000 decline in revenue related to INQUIRE/Text from the
prior year, primarily reflecting reduced product license fees, offset by revenue
from consulting services, which increased 79% to $1,364,000 from $763,000 in the
prior year. The acquisition of Merex in October 1995 resulted in approximately
$550,000 in revenue from consulting services
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   24
 
during the fourth quarter of 1995, which represents most of the increase. Total
fourth quarter revenues increased from $1,837,000 in 1994 to $2,156,000 in 1995.
 
     Gross profit decreased by $532,000, or 16%, from $3,415,000 (representing a
46% gross margin) to $2,883,000 (representing a 41% gross margin) for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The decrease was due in part to the effect of a 6%
decline in revenues and also certain lower margin government contracts acquired
from Merex. The Company changed its methodology for overhead allocation in 1995
to reflect more accurately certain indirect costs of revenues that resulted in a
reclassification of the 1994 statement of operations from a gross profit of 40%
to a revised 45% but had no effect on operating income.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of revenues decreased by 5% from 46% for the
year ended December 31, 1994 to 41% for the year ended December 31, 1995. The
decrease was due to a significant decline in higher-margin INQUIRE/Text sales
during 1995 which was partially offset by lower-margin government consulting
revenue acquired in connection with the Merex acquisition.
 
     Research and development expense decreased by $221,000, or 54%, from
$408,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, to $187,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. The principal cause of the decrease was cost reduction due to
outsourcing of mainframe-related computer costs in the fourth quarter of 1994
which had a full year impact in 1995. The Company believes that substantially
all of the impact of cost reduction has been realized.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $175,000, or 7%,
from $2,482,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, to $2,657,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The increase was due in part to the costs of building a
marketing and sales force, an increase in consulting fees relating to execution
of the Company's strategic plan to expand into client/server based consulting,
and the impact of integration costs arising from the Merex acquisition. The
decline in revenues and increase in expenses resulted in an increase in expenses
as a percentage of revenues to 38% from 33% in the prior year.
 
     Interest income increased by $73,000, or 159%, from $46,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994, to $119,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995,
respectively. The increase was due primarily to a higher average balance of cash
and cash equivalents in 1995 over 1994. The Company invested only in short-term,
highly liquid money market instruments. Interest expense decreased to $24,000 in
1995 from $42,000 in the prior year. The expense is primarily related to certain
capital equipment leases which expire through 1998.
 
     Net income decreased by $387,000, or 75%, from $518,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1994 to $131,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The decrease
was due to the factors discussed above. The Company expects the Merex
acquisition to favorably impact net income in 1996.
 
     Accounts receivable increased by $464,000, or 32%, from $1,437,000 as of
December 31, 1994 to $1,901,000 as of December 31, 1995. The increase was due
primarily to significant outstanding balances of INQUIRE/Text maintenance
revenue at December 31, 1995 that were not collected until January 1996.
 
ESTIMATED INTERIM RESULTS
 
     Although the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31,
1997 have not been completed, the Company has prepared preliminary estimates.
The Company estimates that total revenues increased $1,083,000, or 11%, from
$9,560,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 to an estimated amount of
$10,643,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. The principal reasons for this
increase were an increase in third party product sales of $619,000, the addition
of AMBIA revenues of $596,000, and the addition of VFC-related revenues of
$436,000, offset by a decline in commercial consulting of $712,000.
 
     The Company estimates that net income decreased $3,932,000 from $503,000,
or $0.20 per share, for the year ended December 31, 1996 to an estimated net
loss of $3,429,000 or, $(1.19) per share, for the year ended December 31, 1997.
The loss was principally due to increases in research and development expenses
of $1,703,000 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,682,000,
offset by an increase in gross profit of $511,000. The majority of the research
and development and selling, general and administrative expenses were incurred
in connection with the introduction of VFC.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   25
 
     The Company estimates that for the three months ended December 31, 1997,
revenues increased $1,405,000, or 64%, from $2,205,000 for the three months
ended December 31, 1996 to an estimated amount of $3,610,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 1997. The principal reasons for this increase were an
increase in third party product sales of $716,000, the addition of AMBIA
revenues of $344,000, and the addition of VFC-related revenues of $393,000.
 
     The Company estimates that net income decreased $877,000 from $50,000, or
$0.02 per share, for the three months ended December 31, 1996, to an estimated
net loss of $827,000, or $(0.26) per share, for the three months ended December
31, 1997. The loss was due principally to increases in research and development
expenses of $543,000 and selling, general and administrative expenses of
$747,000, offset partially by an increase in gross profit of $458,000.
 
     For the three months ended December 31, 1997, the Company incurred
approximately $74,000 in expenses in connection with the hiring of Jim
Ungerleider, the Chief Executive Officer.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     At September 30, 1997, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short
term investments of $703,000 and a working capital deficit of $892,000. The
Company maintains a line of credit with Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services, Inc. for up to $1,000,000 based upon eligible receivables. Interest on
this debt is calculated at a per annum rate equal to the sum of 2.9% plus the
30-day commercial paper rate. Currently, this per annum rate approximates prime.
The facility expires in July 1998. The line of credit is contingent upon the
Company continuing to meet certain general funding requirements, including the
absence of any material adverse change in the Company's business or financial
condition, the continued accuracy of the Company's representations and
warranties and the provision of annual and quarterly financial information. The
Company currently is in compliance with these funding requirements. At November
28, 1997, the Company had outstanding borrowings of approximately $986,000,
including accrued interest, under this line of credit. The Company is not
involved in negotiations with any lenders to obtain additional working capital
financing.
 
     Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September
30, 1997 of $2,293,000 was due to the Company's net loss for the period of
$2,601,000, and an increase in accounts receivable, offset by non-cash expenses
such as depreciation and amortization, and a significant increase in accounts
payable. Accounts receivable are derived from sales made to customers on 30-day
(or less) terms. Net cash provided by investing activities of $182,000 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 was derived primarily from the maturity of
short term investments, offset by purchases of property and equipment. Net cash
provided by financing of $1,123,000 came from proceeds of short-term borrowing
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.
 
     Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31,
1996 of $1,140,000 was primarily due to the Company's net income, a decrease in
accounts receivable, significant non-cash expenses such as depreciation and
amortization, and an increase in accrued expenses, partially offset by a
decrease in deferred revenue. Net cash used in investing activities for the year
ended December 31, 1996 of $1,396,000 was due to the purchase of short term
investments and property and equipment. Net cash provided by financing for the
year ended December 31, 1996 of $46,000 was due to the issuance of stock, offset
by payments on capital lease obligations and preferred stock dividends. At
December 31, 1996, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term
investments of $2,213,000.
 
     Accounts payable increased by $808,000, or 247%, between December 31, 1996
and September 30, 1997. This increase was caused in part by the acquisition of
AMBIA and in part by increased expenditures in research and development and
sales and marketing. These two factors resulted in an increase in the number of
vendors and the amount of orders to vendors. In addition, the Company began
paying its vendors more slowly in the third quarter of 1997. As of September 30,
1997, approximately 57% of the Company's payables were past due, as compared to
approximately 28% at December 31, 1996.
 
     The Company incurred net losses of $2,601,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and was in a negative working capital position of $892,000 at
September 30, 1997. Since September, the Company has
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   26
 
continued to incur losses and management's projections indicate that the Company
will continue to generate operating losses and negative cash flow, although at a
declining rate. The Company anticipates, based on currently proposed plans and
assumptions relating to its operations (including the costs associated with its
growth strategy), that the proceeds of the Offering, together with operating
cash flows and anticipated growth in revenue from sales of VFC, will be
sufficient to meet anticipated cash requirements through the end of 1999. The
Company expects to operate on a positive cash flow basis beginning in the fourth
quarter of 1998, as a result of increased sales of VFC. The Company estimates
that VFC will account for approximately 25% to 30% of the Company's revenues in
1998. However, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. The Company
expects that, on a per product basis, the gross margin on VFC related sales will
range from 60% to 75%, although there can be no assurance that this will be the
case. Although sales of VFC accounted for less than $50,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997, the first sale of VFC was not recorded until the third
quarter of 1997. The Company believes VFC sales will increase through the end of
the year 2000. There can be no assurance, however, that VFC sales will increase,
or if they increase, that they will continue to do so through the year 2000 or
that revenues from such sales will grow. The Company's actual cash requirements
may vary materially from those now planned and will depend upon numerous
factors, including the general market acceptance of the Company's new and
existing products and services, the growth of the Company's distribution
channels, the technological advances and activities of competitors, and other
factors. If the Company is not successful in developing and marketing VFC, the
Company's cash flow will be materially and adversely affected, and the Company
may require additional financing. There can be no assurance such financing will
be available on reasonable terms or at all. If such financing is not available,
the Company will be materially and adversely affected. Even if such financing is
available, it may involve significant dilution to the then holders of Common
Stock.
 
     At September 30, 1997, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of
$3,128,000 related primarily to net operating loss carryforwards. The net
deferred tax asset is fully reserved in the Company's financial statements due
to the operating losses incurred in 1997 and the uncertainty of future operating
results. Additionally, the acquisition of AMBIA during 1997 could limit the
extent to which the Company may utilize the carryforwards in any one year.
 
     The Company's Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq. In August 1997, the Company
received a notice from Nasdaq that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq's
requirement that listed issuers maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in capital and
surplus. In November 1997, the Company appeared at a hearing before a Nasdaq
Listing Qualifications Panel to demonstrate compliance with the minimum capital
and surplus requirement and to request continued listing on Nasdaq. The panel
agreed to allow the Company to continue to be listed if (i) on or before
February 20, 1998, the Company makes a public filing with the Commission and
Nasdaq evidencing the closing of this Offering and a minimum of $5,500,000 in
net tangible assets and (ii) the Company is able to evidence compliance with
Nasdaq's new standards for continued listing, which go into effect on February
23, 1998. Such public filing is a condition to the closing of this Offering.
Thereafter, the Company must continue to meet Nasdaq's standards for continued
listing. The standards for continued listing include (i) maintenance of net
tangible assets of at least $2,000,000, or a market capitalization of
$35,000,000, or net income in the latest fiscal year (or in two of the last
three fiscal years) of at least $500,000; (ii) at least 500,000 shares must be
publicly held; (iii) the market value of the publicly held shares must be at
least $4,000,000; (iv) there must be at least 300 shareholders; and (v) there
must be at least two market-makers for the publicly traded shares. The failure
to meet these standards may result in the delisting of the Company's securities
from Nasdaq and trading, if any, in the Company's securities would thereafter be
conducted on the OTC Bulletin Board. If such delisting occurs, an investor may
find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the
market value of, the Company's securities. In addition, if the Common Stock were
to become delisted from trading on Nasdaq and the trading price of the Common
Stock were to fall below $5.00 per share, trading in the Common Stock also would
be subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Exchange
Act that require additional disclosure by broker-dealers in connection with any
trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock (generally, any non-Nasdaq
equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to
certain exceptions). Such rules require the delivery, prior to any penny stock
transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the
risks associated therewith, and impose various sales practice requirements on
broker-dealers who sell penny stocks
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   27
 
to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally
institutions). For these types of transactions, the broker-dealer must make a
special suitability determination for the purchaser and have received the
purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to sale. The additional
burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage them
from effecting transactions in the Company's securities, which could severely
limit the liquidity of the Company's securities and the ability of purchasers in
this Offering to sell such securities in the secondary market. The foregoing
factors would adversely impact the Company's ability to raise additional funds
publicly.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
     Statement of Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share," changes
the reporting requirements for earnings per share ("EPS") for publicly traded
companies by replacing primary EPS with basic EPS and changing the disclosures
associated with this change. The Company is required to adopt this standard for
its December 31, 1997 year-end. Under SFAS No. 128, the Company's basic and
diluted loss per share would have been $(1.08) at September 30, 1997 on a pro
forma basis. Common equivalent shares were not included in the calculation of
diluted loss per share as their effect would have been antidilutive. As a
result, the basic and diluted loss per share amounts are identical.
 
     Statement of Accounting Standards No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about
Capital Structure," establishes standards for disclosing information about an
entity's capital structure. The Company is required to adopt this standard for
its December 31, 1997 year-end. The Company does not expect that this
pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
 
     Statement of Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income," establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive
income in a full set of general purpose financial statements. The Company is
required to adopt this standard for its December 31, 1998 year-end and is
currently evaluating the impact of this standard.
 
     Statement of Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information," requires that public business
enterprises report certain information about operating segments. The Company is
required to adopt this standard for its December 31, 1998 year-end and is
currently evaluating the impact of this standard.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   28
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The Company provides electronic document management software and systems to
corporate and government workgroups, departments and enterprises. The Company's
newest product, VFC, has been designed to address what DataPrOpinion has called
one of the biggest problems facing global organizations: the fact that their
critical assets are often contained in documents stored in disparate and
incompatible systems. According to DataPrOpinion, "accessing and sharing that
information among different departments across the enterprise has been a
nightmare."
 
     VFC is a family of intranet-based software products that, together, will
enable users to easily retrieve, organize and share desktop files irrespective
of the location or type of document management system in which they are stored
with virtually no integration effort and without the need to replicate
documents. The VFC family of products consists of the VFC Document Web Server,
extensions and enablers. The VFC Document Web Server is the heart of VFC, and is
required in order to utilize all other components of VFC. This core package
consists of software installed on a server that establishes links to documents,
organizes access to stored information and acts as an independent document
sharing system. The Company has been shipping the VFC Document Web Server since
the second quarter of 1997. Extensions are software components that are
installed on an individual user's computer to add functionality to the VFC
Document Web Server. In October 1997, the Company began shipping its first
extension and expects to introduce other extensions in the future. Enablers
provide the capability to bridge multiple document management systems or
repositories. The first enablers are expected to be available for shipment in
the second quarter of 1998.
 
     The Company's VFC technology has been endorsed or approved by leading
industry vendors, including Lotus, PC DOCS, Verity, and NovaSoft, and has
received numerous favorable industry trade analyst and press reviews. At the
April 1997 AIIM trade show, with more than 35,000 attendees and 325 exhibitors,
Imaging World Magazine identified VFC as "#1 TO WATCH." VFC has been sold to
large organizations with significant document processing requirements such as
the Department of Energy, AT&T, State Street Bank and the U.S. Army Signal
Corps.
 
     In December 1997, the Company and Adobe, a major software company with
reported 1996 revenues of more than $750 million, entered into an agreement to
cross-license and co-market certain technologies. Adobe is a significant
presence in the Internet marketplace with, according to Adobe, more than 20
million downloads of its Adobe Acrobat Reader viewing product. Under the
agreement, the Company expects to receive more than $700,000 in consulting fees
for modifications to certain of its technology so that it may be incorporated
into certain Adobe products. Upon acceptance of these modifications by Adobe,
the Company will earn a license fee of $1,000,000. Certain components of VFC
that will be licensed to Adobe will be incorporated in future Adobe products. In
addition, certain Adobe products will display a "VFC Button" that will provide a
direct link to VFC or to VFC marketing information if the user does not have
VFC. Adobe will receive royalties based on any VFC sales arising out of this
marketing arrangement, and will also receive commissions for any VFC sales that
it makes directly.
 
     For nearly thirty years, the Company has developed and sold its own
products and acted as a VAR of client/server and Internet/intranet document
systems products. Recently, the Company made two acquisitions to broaden its
product and service offerings: Merex, acquired in October 1995, and AMBIA,
acquired in July 1997. Merex provided a staff experienced in Internet and
client-server document technologies, and AMBIA provided both an experienced
technical staff and products focusing on document creation, collaboration, and
presentation. The Company now provides a range of services, including training,
customer support, and consulting to ensure that customers achieve the full
benefits of the Company's products. See "Certain Transactions."
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     Document management products were originally introduced to solve problems
associated with the production of complex and mission-critical documentation,
such as new drug applications or aircraft operating manuals. These documents are
characterized not only by complex content, such as graphs and images as well as
text, but also by a heavily controlled or regulated process by which documents
are written and reviewed.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   29
 
These document management systems have been expensive to procure and difficult
to install and implement because they require unique user interfaces for which
specialized training is necessary. Their usage is controlled centrally, with
little flexibility for the end user.
 
     Many people who work in office environments are familiar with the
difficulties of filing and retrieving documents from their hard drives or from
network file systems. Individuals are forced to remember artificial file names
and folder or directory locations because the documents generally are not
organized in an intuitive manner. Naming and storage requirements might apply
only to an individual's own workgroup or department, or they might apply across
the enterprise. Systems to address the needs of these users need to be simple to
deploy and easy to administer. They also need to be scalable to accommodate
wider deployment of applications and additional users.
 
     With the increasing departmental, as opposed to enterprise-wide, use of
document management systems, it is not uncommon for different departments within
an enterprise to use different document management systems or to store
electronic documents in separate repositories that are tailored to the needs of
the individual department. For example, an organization's legal department may
use one document management system specialized for legal applications, while the
engineering department uses another for engineering drawings. Without a bridge
to link the two systems, the two departments are unable to share information
electronically.
 
Attempts to address these issues have included:
 
     Developing Web Browser Access to Document Management Systems.  Some vendors
of document management systems have introduced add-on Web browser products that
allow users to access files stored on that vendor's system. The Web-based user
interface is familiar to the user, but this solution does not permit information
to be shared across different document management systems.
 
     Posting Documents on the Company's Web Site.  Many organizations are using
their internal Web sites for electronic publication of commonly used documents
such as human resource policy manuals. The primary drawback is that "posting"
documents to the organization's Web site typically requires intervention of a
"Webmaster," whose responsibility is to maintain the Web site. The Webmaster may
become a bottleneck as the Web site grows. Also, documents posted to the Web
site are usually not updated concurrently with the original document. For
example, when the human resources department updates its policy manual, there is
typically a delay before the new version is converted to the appropriate format
and approved for posting on the Web site.
 
     Using Groupware Products.  Groupware products are designed to foster
collaboration among members of workgroups. Examples include Lotus Notes, Novell
Groupwise 5, Netscape SuiteSpot and Microsoft Exchange. Although some of these
products incorporate some document management functionality, they still create
"islands" of information since users are able to access only that information
residing within the groupware product's own proprietary databases.
 
     The Company created VFC to provide a reasonably priced, easy to implement
solution to the problems associated with the exchange and bridging of
information, irrespective of where it is stored, between parties that can
benefit from access to that information.
 
VIRTUAL FILE CABINET
 
     VFC is a family of intranet-based software products that, together, will
enable users to easily retrieve, organize and share desktop files irrespective
of the location or type of document management system in which they are stored
with virtually no integration effort and without the need to replicate
documents.
 
     The VFC family of products consists of:
 
        - The VFC Document Web Server.  This is the heart of VFC, and is
          required in order to utilize all other components of VFC. This core
          package consists of software installed on a server that establishes
          links to documents, organizes access to stored information and acts as
          an independent document sharing system. The VFC Document Web Server
          interacts with the user's desktop via a browser such as Netscape or
          Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Company has been shipping the VFC
          Document Web Server since the second quarter of 1997.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   30
 
        - Extensions.  Extensions are software components that are installed on
          an individual user's computer. Extensions add functionality to the VFC
          Document Web Server. In October 1997, the Company began shipping
          Re:mark as an extension to enable seamless electronic annotation of
          Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format ("PDF") documents. Other
          extensions are expected to be introduced in the future.
 
        - Enablers.  Enablers provide the capability to bridge multiple document
          management systems or repositories. The first enablers are expected to
          be available for shipment in the second quarter of 1998.
 
     VFC combines the following features:
 
        - Adaptability to Individual Users and Groups.  Using VFC, an individual
          can search all of the servers of an enterprise for electronic
          documents or containers without leaving his or her office, then place
          the documents into a private virtual office, where they can be
          organized according to personal style and preferences. Departments or
          workgroups can organize a space that is optimal for the group.
 
        - Instant Updates of Documents.  If the original document is updated,
          all of the "virtual documents" residing in every virtual location are
          updated at the same time. Thus, every user always has access to the
          most current version of a document.
 
        - Eliminates Webmaster Bottleneck.  Since users can easily post new
          documents to the VFC Document Web Server without converting them to
          special formats, such as HTML, intervention by a Webmaster is not
          required and the delays typically associated with such intervention
          are avoided.
 
        - Optimizes Use of System Resources.  Each document that is placed in
          the virtual office is linked to the original. Each link in the user's
          virtual office behaves and looks just like the original. No copy of
          the document is made. This saves significant network and client
          resources because only a single copy of a document needs to be
          maintained for it to be available to everyone who needs it.
 
        - Minimal Implementation Costs.  VFC is delivered ready to plug into a
          user's network. No programmers or developers are needed, and users can
          capture and share documents immediately. VFC is designed for rapid
          implementation, requiring low overhead and a minimal amount of
          training.
 
        - Universal Desktop Access.  The intranet infrastructure behind VFC
          provides the interface for the information-sharing functionality.
          Essentially a private Web site, VFC is an intranet solution that
          provides all the benefits of Web access, including hypertext linking
          and cross-platform connection via a Web browser, and allows users to
          "jump" to any location at the click of a mouse and view documents
          regardless of their original format or where they are stored.
 
        - Easy-to-Understand Organizational Scheme.  Under the VFC document
          management format, documents are stored in a hierarchy of icons
          depicted as buildings, offices, file cabinets, folders and documents.
          This hierarchy is meaningful to anyone familiar with a traditional
          office and filing system.
 
        - Easy-to-Use Search Tools.  In addition to navigating through the
          virtual office hierarchy to locate a document, users can employ the
          VFC search tool to locate any document easily and quickly by
          specifying simple search criteria such as the document's title or
          author or by searching the document's content for words or phrases
          specified by the user.
 
        - Effective, Flexible Security Mechanisms.  VFC can be managed centrally
          by a single system administrator who can restrict access via password
          protection and group permission. The administrator can also assign
          administrative rights to certain individuals such as department heads
          or workgroup leaders, who in turn can grant or restrict access to
          individuals within their groups. An individual who has not been
          granted read access to a particular document will not only be
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   31
 
          prevented from opening and viewing the document, but also will not be
          informed of its existence since it will not appear on a results list
          generated from a search command.
 
        - Easily Expandable Functionality.  Extensions will allow VFC to take
          advantage of functionality in other software or systems. For example,
          using the Company's Re:mark extension, users can collaborate and
          simultaneously annotate documents viewed with the Adobe Acrobat
          Reader.
 
        - Ability to Link Diverse Document Systems.  The VFC enabler bridging
          technology, when introduced, will permit users to access documents
          stored in multiple and disparate document management systems or
          repositories from their personal VFC desktop as if all of the separate
          systems and repositories were one.
 
OTHER PRODUCTS
 
          Re:mark.  Re:mark is a plug-in product for Adobe Acrobat software that
     enables users to mark up, redline and review documents electronically in a
     workgroup setting. By annotating any document in PDF, Re:mark enables users
     to type text on the document page, draw on the document, indicate approval
     of the document itself or specific sections, attach any file anywhere in
     the document, consolidate comments from multiple reviews, personalize
     comments and set annotation security. Redlining features include
     highlighting, strike-through and "sticky notes." Annotations may be shared
     among users.
 
          Compose.  Compose is a suite of plug-in tools for Adobe Acrobat
     Exchange that automate and streamline a variety of document production
     tasks, such as the creation of tables of contents, hyperlinks, document
     indexes, and other document navigation features.
 
          Aerial.  Aerial is a plug-in product that enables Adobe Acrobat to
     print any document that needs to be formatted for printing on multiple
     pages that are then pieced together to form one page, such as a large
     spreadsheet or a CAD drawing. Aerial also enables Adobe Acrobat to format
     tables into spreadsheets, and converts PDF to a text format that can be
     edited with Microsoft Word or other word processors.
 
          Signet.  Signet is a security solution for Web or CD-ROM publishers
     who want to permit only authorized users to read their documents. Signet
     allows publishers to control the time and circumstances of the expiration
     of users' privileges.
 
          INQUIRE/Text.  INQUIRE/Text is a full-text retrieval product used for
     storing, indexing, retrieving, and managing large collections of documents
     on IBM and IBM-compatible mainframes. INQUIRE/Text software is widely used
     by major companies, utilities, hospitals, and government agencies for
     automating document-centered applications such as on-line manuals,
     legislative tracking and regulatory compliance, library management,
     litigation support, medical records, and government and military
     intelligence. The system has been installed at over 350 sites.
 
          WebINQUIRE.  WebINQUIRE is an extension product that provides Web
     browser access to INQUIRE/Text collections. It enables users to utilize
     their mainframe as an intranet superserver with all the search capabilities
     of INQUIRE/Text. WebINQUIRE permits users to store documents created using
     desktop software on a mainframe computer, retrieve documents from the
     mainframe and edit them on their desktop using desktop applications, such
     as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. In addition, WebINQUIRE's search
     formats and views can be easily customized. Although WebINQUIRE and other
     INQUIRE/Text options carry a high gross margin, they are not expected to
     amount to a significant percentage of the Company's future revenues.
 
     In addition to its proprietary products described above, the Company,
acting as a VAR, also sells third party products such as Verity's Search '97
Information Server, PC DOCS software and Documentum software. This allows the
Company to provide document management solutions that are tailored to each
customer's needs.
 
     In conjunction with product sales, the Company provides training,
maintenance and technical support services, including business analysis,
requirements definition, design and development. In some instances, the
Company's services are provided in connection with the sale of the Company's
products and those of third
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   32
 
parties for whom it acts as a VAR. In other instances, product sales are made in
connection with the solutions provided by the Company's consulting services.
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's objectives are to establish VFC as the de facto industry
standard for document access and to become a leading provider of electronic
document management software and systems. To accomplish these objectives, the
Company intends to:
 
     Maintain Technological Leadership.  The Company's technology enables
organizations to effectively manage, share and store critical documents and
information across the enterprise. The Company intends to continue to develop
what it believes are innovative technologies and features to address the
specific document management needs of organizations. The Company plans to
continue to develop new products and to improve its existing products. The
Company intends to continue to invest in its technology and to use a portion of
the proceeds of this Offering for research and development.
 
     Add Strategic Relationships.  To facilitate the adoption of VFC as a de
facto industry standard, the Company plans to continue to form strategic
relationships with providers of document management software applications, tools
and services. The Company believes that strategic relationships, such as that
formed with Adobe, enhance the visibility of the Company's products and leverage
the Company's sales and marketing efforts by expanding the number of salespeople
marketing the Company's products without burdening the Company with the need to
identify and hire a large sales force. The Company believes that the development
of these relationships will enable the Company to devote additional resources to
product development and marketing activities.
 
     Expand Sales and Marketing Capabilities.  The Company intends to expand its
sales and marketing capabilities by creating additional VAR and original
equipment manufacturer relationships, expanding its direct sales force, offering
training, and participating in trade shows. The Company intends to use a portion
of the proceeds from this Offering to enhance its sales and marketing
capabilities.
 
     Acquisitions.  In October 1995, the Company acquired Merex, which provided
electronic document management solutions to business and government customers,
and in July 1997, the Company acquired AMBIA, a leading developer of Adobe
Acrobat add-on products and services. The acquisitions of both AMBIA and Merex
brought experienced management and staff, a diverse client base and an
established market reputation to the Company. The Company plans to continue to
pursue acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that complement the
Company's existing business. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has
no agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to any acquisition. See
"Certain Transactions."
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     The Company conducts its sales and marketing efforts through several
channels, including a network of VARs, its own sales force, marketing alliances,
marketing communications and training programs. The Company's VARs and its sales
force receive direct support from the Company's technical staff. Consulting
services leads are provided to the Company by those vendors for whom it acts as
a VAR. The Company believes this diversity of sales and marketing channels
permits it to distribute its products and sell its services in an efficient and
effective manner, while reducing reliance on any one sales channel.
 
          Value-added Resellers.  The Company's primary sales channel for its
     products is its VARs. The Company's VARs market and resell the Company's
     products and offer training, installation, implementation and customization
     services to their own contacts and to prospective customers identified by
     the Company. The Company manages a program to train and certify all of its
     VARs. It also conducts joint marketing campaigns, including direct mail and
     trade show appearances, with its VARs. As of December 1997, the Company had
     relationships with several VARs, including GE Capital IT Solutions and BTG
     Inc. VARs buy VFC and other products from the Company at a discount from
     the suggested retail price.
 
          Company Sales Force.  The Company has a sales force of 15 people,
     including field sales, telemarketing, channel liaisons, and sales
     management. The channel liaisons work specifically with the Company's VARs.
     The telemarketing staff qualifies prospective customers, schedules product
     demonstra-
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   33
 
     tions, and refers prospective customers to a VAR or, if a VAR is not in
     place in the particular territory, to the Company's sales force. The
     Company's sales force also sells upgrades and add-on products, and refers
     leads for services opportunities to VARs or to the Company's services
     divisions.
 
          Marketing Alliances.  The Company itself is a VAR of products from
     other software companies, including Adobe, Verity, Documentum, and PC DOCS.
     The Company incorporates these products into its document management
     solutions. The Company earns a reseller commission ranging from 10% to 40%
     on sales of these products.
 
          Marketing Communications.  The Company generates awareness of, and
     interest in, its products and consulting services through public relations,
     telemarketing, periodic direct mail campaigns, seminars, trade shows and
     other marketing efforts. In 1997, the Company conducted joint seminars with
     Adobe, cooperative direct mail campaigns with several of its VFC VARs, and
     exhibited at trade shows including Lotusphere, AIIM, Documation, Seybold,
     and Internet World West.
 
          Training.  The Company believes that training is an integral part of a
     complete customer solution, and that people who attend training sessions
     offered by the Company are potential customers for the Company's other
     products and services. Consequently, in 1996, the Company established a
     training division to offer customer training in the Adobe Acrobat and
     Verity Topic products. In 1997, the Company added training for the
     Company's own products, including VFC, Re:mark, Compose, INQUIRE/Text, as
     well as Adobe's Framemaker, Framemaker SGML, and Photoshop products. The
     Company employs a full-time training staff and maintains a state-of-the-art
     training facility at its headquarters office in Fairfax, Virginia. The
     training division also offers courses at customer locations. The Company is
     currently the authorized Verity East Coast Training Center.
 
     The Company sells its products under a variety of licensing arrangements.
For domestic sales of VFC, Re:mark, Compose, Aerial and Signet, a shrink-wrap
license is used to protect the Company's proprietary rights and limit liability.
For all other products, the Company enters into written agreements with its
customers containing similar provisions. The Company also employs evaluation and
beta test agreements that provide for the protection of the Company's
intellectual property. For consulting services, the Company enters into written
agreements with its customers that provide for indemnification, limits on
liability, payment terms, period of performance, and other terms and conditions.
 
     The Company is generally required to provide a significant level of
education to prospective purchasers of its software products and systems
solutions services regarding the use and benefits of the Company's products and
services, resulting in a lengthy sales cycle (typically between three and six
months). Additionally, the implementation by customers of the Company's products
may involve a significant commitment of resources by such customers over an
extended period of time. For these and other reasons, the sales and customer
implementation cycles are subject to a number of significant delays over which
the Company has little or no control. Delay in the sale or customer
implementation of the Company's products and services could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and operations and cause the Company's
operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Therefore, the
Company believes that its quarterly operating results are likely to vary in the
future.
 
     The sales cycle for initial sales of VFC has ranged from three to six
months. The Company believes that the sales cycle for repeat sales may be
shorter. VFC is licensed at a price of $4,995 per server. The Company plans to
increase the price of VFC with its next release, which will have additional
features. The Company also provides support packages and extension products at
an additional price. The Company offers annual maintenance for VFC at a cost of
20% of the purchase price.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     The Company targets both commercial and government markets. The Company's
products and consulting services are used by many major companies, including
Ford, Allen-Bradley, Boeing, Nabisco, AT&T, Chase, State Street Bank and Riggs
Bank, and by government organizations, including NASA, the Department of Energy,
the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the Government Accounting Office and various
agencies
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   34
 
within the intelligence community. Sales to government customers represented
approximately 45% of revenues in 1996 and approximately 39% for the first nine
months of 1997; however, no one customer accounted for more than 10% of the
Company's revenues in either period.
 
     The Company has repeat business from a number of its customers, and
management believes that there is a high degree of customer satisfaction with
its products, services and solutions. The Company's existing services, training,
and products provide a base of business that the Company expects will complement
VFC product sales. Developing custom solutions for customers keeps the Company's
technical professionals abreast of client needs, which facilitates the
conception and development of new products, such as VFC, and the improvement of
existing products.
 
     Certain of the Company's contracts with government organizations are
competitively awarded after a formal bid and proposal competition among
qualified bidders. These government contracts may be either cost-reimbursement
contracts (both cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-award-fee), time and materials
contracts, and fixed price contracts. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts provide for
the reimbursement of incurred costs during contract performance, to the extent
that such costs are allowable and allocable, and the payment of a fixed fee. The
size of the fee is limited by federal guidelines to a set proportion of the
contract value. Cost-plus-award-fee contracts typically provide for the
reimbursement of costs with a base fee and an additional fee that is based upon
a periodic evaluation of the Company's performance against specified criteria.
Under time and materials contracts, the Company agrees to provide certain
categories of labor that satisfy established education and experience
qualifications at a fixed hourly rate. In these cases, the Company bears the
risk that costs may differ from the fixed hourly rate, and the Company realizes
all of the benefits or detriment resulting from decreases or increases in the
cost of performing the work. Under fixed-price contracts, the Company agrees to
perform certain work for a fixed price and, accordingly, realizes all the
benefit or detriment resulting from decreases or increases in the cost of
performing the work.
 
     The Company's government contracts contain standard termination clauses
that permit the government to terminate the contracts at any time, without
cause, for the convenience of the government. The Company has not had any
contracts terminated for convenience. In addition, government contracts require
compliance with various procurement regulations. The adoption of new or modified
procurement regulations could materially adversely affect the Company or
increase its costs of competing for or performing government contracts. Any
violation of these regulations could result in the termination of the contracts,
imposition of fines, and/or debarment from award of additional government
contracts. Most government contracts are also subject to modification or
termination in the event of changes in funding, and the Company's contractual
costs and revenue are subject to adjustment as a result of audits by the DCAA
and other government auditors. The DCAA routinely audits cost-reimbursement
contracts to verify that costs have been properly charged to the government.
Further, government contract awards may be subject to protest by competitors.
 
     Many of the Company's government contracts require the Company and certain
of its employees to maintain security clearances complying with the requirements
of various government agencies.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company's research and development programs are intended to anticipate
and take advantage of new technologies, and to anticipate and respond to market
requirements. The Company believes that its future success will depend in large
part on its ability to maintain and enhance its leadership in document
management and related technologies and to develop new products that meet an
expanding range of customer requirements.
 
     The market for the Company's products is characterized by rapid
technological developments, evolving industry standards, changes in customer
requirements, and frequent new product introductions and enhancements, which
often lead to product obsolescence. The Company believes that the speed of
technological advancement in its industry requires a significant investment in
research and development in order to maintain its competitive product position.
The Company will continue to invest substantially in product development as it
believes that its future success will depend upon its ability to develop and
market new products and enhancements to existing products on a cost-effective
and timely basis. Software development expenses
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   35
 
increased from $187,000 in 1995 to $816,000 in 1996. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, the Company expended $1,696,000 on software development.
 
     Due to the complexity and sophistication of the Company's software
products, the Company's products from time to time contain defects or "bugs"
that can be difficult to correct. Furthermore, as the Company continues to
develop and enhance its products, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to identify and correct defects in such a manner as will permit the
timely introduction of such products. Moreover, the Company may from time to
time discover defects only after its systems have been used by many customers.
There can be no assurance that, in the future, software defects will not cause
delays in product introductions and shipments, result in increased costs,
require design modifications, or impair customer satisfaction with the Company's
products. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial conditions.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for the Company's products and services is intensely competitive
and subject to rapid change caused by new product introductions and other market
activities of industry participants. The Company currently encounters direct and
indirect competition from a number of public and private companies involved in
groupware, document management, and collaboration software, including Xerox,
Open Text, Net-It Software, Hummingbird and Fulcrum Technologies. The Company is
aware that other companies have announced products with some features similar to
VFC. In addition, the Company may face competition from new market entrants.
Competitors may have longer operating histories, significantly greater
financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources and name
recognition and a larger installed customer base than the Company. As a result,
such competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging
technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources
to the development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company.
 
     The Company also faces indirect competition from system integrators. The
Company relies on a number of system integration firms for implementation and
other services, as well as for recommendations of its products during the
evaluation stage of the purchasing process. Although the Company seeks to
maintain close relationships with these service providers, many of these third
parties have similar, and often more established, relationships with some of the
Company's competitors. It is also possible that new competitors or alliances
among competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. In
addition, the Company expects competition to increase as a result of software
industry consolidation.
 
     The Company believes that the competitive factors affecting the market for
its products and services include vendor and product reputation, ability to
attract and retain quality personnel, product quality, performance and price,
the availability of products on multiple platforms, product salability, product
integration with other enterprise applications, product functionality and
features, product ease-of-use, and the quality of customer support services and
training. The relative importance of each of these factors depends upon the
specific customer involved. While the Company believes it competes favorably in
each of these areas, there can be no assurance that it will continue to do so.
Moreover, the Company's present or future competitors may be able to develop
products comparable or superior to those offered by the Company, offer lower
priced products or adapt more quickly than the Company to new technologies or
evolving customer requirements. In order to be successful, the Company must
respond to technological change, customer requirements and competitors' current
products and innovations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete effectively in its market or that competition will not have a
material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial
condition.
 
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
     The Company has registered servicemarks to protect its proprietary rights
in the names Infodata and INQUIRE and it has a registered trademark with respect
to the mark Inquire. The Company has registered trademarks for its VFC, Aerial,
Re:mark and Compose products. In addition, the Company has filed a trademark
application in order to protect its Virtual File Cabinet name.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   36
 
     The Company relies primarily on a combination of copyrights and trademarks,
trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect
its proprietary rights. For example, the Company licenses rather than sells its
software. The licenses impose certain restrictions on the licensees' ability to
utilize the software. In addition, the Company seeks to avoid disclosure of its
trade secrets, including, but not limited to, (i) requiring those persons with
access to the Company's proprietary information to execute confidentiality
agreements with the Company and (ii) restricting access to the Company's source
codes. Trade secret and copyright laws afford only limited protection. Despite
the Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized parties
may attempt to copy the Company's products or to obtain and use information that
the Company regards as proprietary. Although the Company may apply for certain
patents, the Company presently has no patents or patent applications pending.
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult, and while the
Company may be unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software
products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. In
addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's
proprietary rights to as great an extent as the laws of the United States. There
can be no assurance that the Company's means of protecting its proprietary
rights will be adequate or that the Company's competitors will not develop
similar technology independently. There can be no assurance that third parties
will not claim infringement by the Company with respect to current or future
products. The Company expects software product developers increasingly to be
subject to infringement claims as the number of products and competitors in the
Company's industry segment grows and the functionality of products in different
industry segments overlaps. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be
time-consuming, result in costly litigation, cause product shipment delays or
require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty
or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable
to the Company or at all, which could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the
Company also relies on certain software that it licenses from third parties,
including software that is integrated with internally developed software and
used in the Company's products to perform key functions. There can be no
assurance that such firms will remain in business, that they will continue to
support their products or that their products will otherwise continue to be
available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of February 17, 1998, the Company had a total of 111 employees, of which
79 were technical professionals, 12 comprised the sales and marketing staff, and
the remainder were involved in management, administration, and accounting. The
Company's employees are not represented by any unions and the Company has not
experienced any work stoppages.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     The Company contracts for the manufacture of its software and packaging.
The Company believes that there are adequate sources of supply and manufacturing
capacity to address the Company's requirements.
 
PROPERTY
 
     The Company leases professional office space for its headquarters and
operations in Fairfax, Virginia and recently expanded its space and extended the
term of its lease through July 31, 2003. Leased space now totals 25,950 square
feet. Payments under the lease were approximately $368,316 in 1997, are expected
to be $463,000 in 1998, and will increase to approximately $599,000 by 2003.
 
     The Company also maintains an office of approximately 3,400 square feet in
Mountain View, California. Payments under the lease were approximately $72,968
in 1997. The lease expires May 31, 1998 and the Company is discussing the
possibility of extending the lease with the landlord.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is presently not a party to any material legal proceedings.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   37
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The current executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                     AGE                      POSITION
- ------------------------------------------  ---     ------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>     <C>
Richard T. Bueschel(1)(2).................  64      Chairman of the Board and Director
James Ungerleider(1)......................  48      President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                                    Director
Harry Kaplowitz(1)........................  54      Executive Vice President and Director
Richard M. Tworek(1)......................  41      Chief Technology Officer, Executive Vice
                                                      President and Director
Christopher P. Dettmar....................  44      Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Robert J. Loane.......................  59      Senior Vice President
Razi Mohiuddin............................  36      Vice President
Alan S. Fisher(5).........................  37      Director
Laurence C. Glazer(3)(4)(5)...............  52      Director
Robert M. Leopold(1)(2)(3)(5).............  71      Director
Isaac M. Pollak(2)(4).....................  47      Director
Millard H. Pryor, Jr.(3)(4)(5)............  64      Director
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Member of Executive Committee.
(2) Member of Nominating Committee.
(3) Member of Audit Committee.
(4) Member of Compensation Committee.
(5) Member of Finance Committee.
 
Richard T. Bueschel has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Company since January 1993 and was
acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 1997 to November 1997.
Since 1988, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Equities, Inc.,
an investment and management firm. Mr. Bueschel is Chairman of the Board of
Communications Management Systems, Inc. and a director of Study.Net Corporation.
He co-founded Time Share Corporation, TSC, Inc., Computer Environments Corp. and
DataMarket Corp., each of which are software companies, and has served on the
boards of directors of numerous technology companies. Mr. Bueschel has a B.A.
from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University.
 
James Ungerleider has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since November 1997. From 1973 until joining the Company, Mr.
Ungerleider was associated with American Management Systems, Inc. ("AMS") and
served as its Vice President, European Finance Industry Business Area from 1991
to November 1997. Prior to joining AMS, Mr. Ungerleider was a senior research
scientist with the National Biomedical Research Foundation in Washington, D.C.
He has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from
the Harvard Business School.
 
Harry Kaplowitz, a founder of the Company, has been an Executive Vice President
of the Company since November 1997 and a director since 1980. From 1991 to
January 1993, Mr. Kaplowitz served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and
from 1991 to November 1997 he served as President of the Company. From 1980 to
1989, he served as Executive Vice President of the Company. From 1973 to 1980,
he was a Vice President of the Company. Mr. Kaplowitz has a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from
the Wharton Graduate School.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   38
 
Richard M. Tworek has been an Executive Vice President of the Company since
October 1995, a Director since July 1996 and Chief Technology Officer since
April 1997. Mr. Tworek was the founder of Merex and served as its President from
April 1987 to October 1995. Mr. Tworek originated the VFC concept and is
responsible for its development. Mr. Tworek holds a B.S. in Mathematics from
Eastern Michigan University and an M.S. (equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering from
the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School.
 
Christopher P. Dettmar has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since May
1997. From November 1993 to April 1997, he served as Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a Director of TWS, Inc. and its predecessor company,
Encompass, Inc., both of which are telecommunications service firms. From
November 1989 to November 1993, he served as Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer and a Director of the Hunter Companies, an asset management and real
estate brokerage firm. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Dettmar served as a regional
controller with Cincinnati Bell Information Systems and from 1979 to 1983, he
worked for Price Waterhouse & Co. He is a certified public accountant, holds a
B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania
State University.
 
Dr. Robert J. Loane has been the Senior Vice President and Chief Scientist of
the Company since 1981. He is the principal architect and developer of the
INQUIRE family of products and is now involved with the architecture of future
products and provides consulting services to many of the Company's customers.
Dr. Loane has a Ph.D. in Computer Sciences from Princeton University and a
B.E.E. from Cornell University.
 
Razi Mohiuddin has been a Vice President of the Company and manager of the
Company's West Coast facilities since July 1997. From 1988 to July 1997, he
served as Vice President of Software Partners, Inc., a firm that developed
products for online services and was the parent of AMBIA, and from 1995 to July
1997, Mr. Mohiuddin also served as Vice President, Engineering, of AMBIA. In
1994, Mr. Mohiuddin co-founded ONSALE, Inc., a publicly held Web-based service
that specializes in selling computers and consumer electronics using auctions,
markdowns, and other close-out techniques. Mr. Mohiuddin has a B.S. in Computer
Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
 
Alan S. Fisher has been a director of the Company since July 1997. In July 1994,
he co-founded ONSALE, Inc. Mr. Fisher has been the Chief Technical Officer of
ONSALE, Inc. since 1994. Mr. Fisher was a co-founder, and, from 1988 to July
1997, President and Chairman of Software Partners, Inc. Prior to founding
Software Partners, from 1984 to 1988, Mr. Fisher was a Project Manager at
Teknowledge, Inc., a developer of artificial intelligence products. From 1981 to
1984, Mr. Fisher was a member of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Mr. Fisher has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri
and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
 
Laurence C. Glazer has been a director of the Company since August 1993. In
1970, Mr. Glazer founded Buckingham Properties, a real estate development firm
specializing in redevelopment and enhancement of urban property in Rochester,
New York. Since 1970, he has been a Partner of Buckingham Properties. Mr. Glazer
is a member of the Board of Directors of Rochester Institute of Technology
College of Business. From January 1980 to September 1984, he was Co-Chief
Executive Officer of Great Lakes Paper. Mr. Glazer has a B.A. from the
University of Buffalo and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
 
Robert M. Leopold has been a director of the Company since 1992. Since 1977, Mr.
Leopold has been President of Huguenot Associates, Inc., a financial and
business consulting firm. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Leopold served as Chief
Executive Officer of Insituform of North America, a provider of materials and
technology for rehabilitation of underground pipes. Currently, he is a director
of Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Independence Holding Company, Inc., H.E.R.C. Products
Incorporated, and Dental Services of America, Inc. From 1988 to December 1997,
he was a Director of Windsor Capital. Mr. Leopold has a B.S. from Georgia
Institute of Technology and completed course work for an M.B.A. at New York
University.
 
Isaac M. Pollak has been a director of the Company since March 1993. Since 1980,
Mr. Pollak has been President and Chief Executive Officer of LGP Ltd., a
developer and marketer of promotional items. Mr. Pollak has an M.B.A. from City
College, CUNY and an M.S. from Long Island University.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   39
 
Millard H. Pryor, Jr. has been a director of the Company since 1992. He has been
Managing Director of Pryor & Clark Company, an investment holding company, since
September 1970. From 1988 to 1992, he was Chairman of Corcap, Inc., a
corporation engaged in supplying services and products to the government. From
1972 to 1991, Mr. Pryor was Chairman of Lydall, Inc., which manufactured
technical fiber materials. He is a Director of CompuDyne Corporation, Corcap,
Inc., Wiremold Company, Hoosier Magnetics, Inc., Pacific Scientific Company, and
The Hartford Funds. Mr. Pryor has a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of
Michigan.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     Each director is elected to hold office until the next succeeding annual
meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified or
until his death, resignation or removal. The Board has delegated certain
authority to several committees.
 
     The Executive Committee members are Richard T. Bueschel, James Ungerleider,
Harry Kaplowitz, Robert M. Leopold and Richard M. Tworek. The Executive
Committee may exercise any of the powers and perform any of the duties of the
Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the law and certain limits
imposed by the Board of Directors.
 
     The Audit Committee members are Robert M. Leopold, Laurence C. Glazer and
Millard H. Pryor, Jr. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending the
accounting firm to be engaged as independent auditors; consulting with the
independent auditors regarding the adequacy of internal accounting controls; and
reviewing the scope of the audit and the results of the audit examination. The
Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing transactions between the
Company and its officers, directors or other affiliates.
 
     The Nominating Committee members are Richard T. Bueschel, Robert M.
Leopold, and Isaac M. Pollak. The Nominating Committee reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the selection of nominees to
serve as committee members of the Board as well as directors of the Company.
 
     The Compensation Committee members are Millard H. Pryor, Jr., Laurence C.
Glazer and Isaac M. Pollak. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation and
benefits policies and practices of the Company. The Compensation Committee also
administers the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan. In addition, the Committee is
assigned responsibility for reviewing and approving the compensation of officers
of the Company.
 
     The Finance Committee members are Alan S. Fisher, Laurence C. Glazer,
Robert M. Leopold and Millard H. Pryor, Jr. The Finance Committee is responsible
for overseeing the Company's financing activities.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   40
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth for the Company's president and all
executive officers whose total annual salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000
(collectively, the "Named Officers") for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997, the amount and nature of all compensation awarded to, earned by or
paid to such Named Officers for the year indicated for services rendered in all
capacities.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         ANNUAL COMPENSATION              LONG-TERM
                                                                                        COMPENSATION
                                                                                           AWARDS
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                  FISCAL      SALARY                     UNDERLYING
           NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION             YEAR        ($)        BONUS ($)      OPTIONS (#)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
  James A. Ungerleider(1)                          1997      $ 12,000      $50,000         250,000
     President, Chief Executive Officer and
       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Harry Kaplowitz(2)                               1997      $144,000      $18,000           7,500
     Executive Vice President and Director         1996      $138,000           --          20,000
                                                   1995      $132,000      $10,251              --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dr. Robert J. Loane(3)                           1997      $100,000           --              --
     Senior Vice President                         1996      $100,000           --           6,000
                                                   1995      $100,000      $ 2,238              --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Richard M. Tworek(4)                             1997      $149,000      $40,000          20,000
     Chief Technology Officer, Executive Vice      1996      $131,000           --          20,000
     President and Director                        1995      $ 22,277           --              --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Mr. Ungerleider's employment commenced on November 5, 1997. The bonus was
    earned in 1997 but paid in January 1998.
 
(2) The 1995 bonus was paid in April 1996.
 
(3) The 1995 bonus was paid in April 1996.
 
(4) Mr. Tworek's employment commenced on October 11, 1995.
 
     The following table summarizes the number of shares and the terms of stock
options granted to the Named Officers in 1997:
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
                               INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         % OF TOTAL OPTIONS
                                  NUMBER OF SECURITIES       GRANTED TO        EXERCISE
                                   UNDERLYING OPTIONS    EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL    PRICE
              NAME                    GRANTED (#)             YEAR 1997         ($/SH)     EXPIRATION DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                    <C>                   <C>        <C>
 James A. Ungerleider                    250,000(1)              48.6           $ 9.50     November 4, 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Harry Kaplowitz                           7,500(2)               1.5           $11.00     February 5, 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Richard M. Tworek                        20,000(3)               3.9           $11.00     February 5, 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Exercisable as follows: 30% on November 5, 1997, 20% on November 5, 1998,
    20% on November 5, 1999, and 30% on November 5, 2000.
 
(2) Exercisable in three equal annual installments on February 6, 1997, February
    6, 1998 and February 6, 1999 after the Company's stock closes at
    $15.00/share or greater for 30 consecutive trading days.
 
(3) Exercisable in three equal annual installments on February 6, 1997, February
    6, 1998 and February 6, 1999 after the Company's stock closes at
    $15.00/share or greater for 30 consecutive trading days.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   41
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the number of
unexercised options and the fiscal 1997 year-end value of unexercised options on
an aggregated basis held by the Named Officers. The Company has not granted any
stock appreciation rights; 10,882 options were exercised in fiscal 1997.
 
         AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         
                                        
                                                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES                  VALUE OF
                                                            UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED         UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
                             SHARES                        OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END      OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
                            ACQUIRED                                  (#)                            ($)(1)
                               ON            VALUE      ----------------------------------------------------------
            NAME           EXERCISE (#)    REALIZED($)    EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE    EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>                    <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>
    James A. Ungerleider          --              --         75,000         175,000       $   825,000     $ 1,925,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Christopher P.
    Dettmar                       --              --          5,000          10,000       $    55,000     $   110,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Harry Kaplowitz            2,332         $10,946        103,547          14,167       $ 1,139,017     $   155,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dr. Robert J. Loane        8,550         $60,771         14,886           2,000       $   163,746     $    22,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Richard M. Tworek             --              --         13,333          26,667       $   146,663     $   293,337
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) The value of unexercised in-the-money options at fiscal year end was
    calculated by obtaining the product of the last sale price on December 31,
    1997 (which was $11.00 per share) multiplied by the number of in-the-money
    exercisable options or the number of in-the-money unexercisable options, as
    the case may be.
 
AGREEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVES
 
     The Company entered into a letter employment agreement ("Letter Agreement")
with James Ungerleider on November 5, 1997. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement,
Mr. Ungerleider is serving as the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer, and receives an annual base salary of $200,000 plus an annual incentive
bonus based on the achievement of certain management objectives and financial
performance measures. In addition, Mr. Ungerleider received options to acquire
250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $9.50 per share,
vesting over a three-year period from the date of the Letter Agreement, a
$50,000 hiring bonus to be paid on January 2, 1998, health insurance and life
insurance. Mr. Ungerleider's employment with the Company is terminable at will
and is not for a definite term. However, if Mr. Ungerleider is terminated by the
Company, other than "for cause," as defined in the Letter Agreement, he will
continue to be paid his base salary in monthly increments for a period of 18
months, and he will continue to receive various insurance benefits during such
period. These insurance and salary benefits will cease should Mr. Ungerleider
begin employment elsewhere with a new employer during such 18-month period. The
Letter Agreement also provides that, if during Mr. Ungerleider's first 12 months
of employment with the Company, Mr. Bueschel is no longer Chairman of the Board
and during that same 12-month period Mr. Ungerleider is terminated other than
for cause, the aforementioned salary and benefit provision will apply for a
24-month period.
 
     On December 17, 1997, the Company and Mr. Ungerleider entered into an
Agreement on Confidential Information, Inventions and Ideas (the
"Confidentiality Agreement"). The Confidentiality Agreement provides that Mr.
Ungerleider will not disclose any confidential information during and after his
employment and, if his employment is terminated by the Company with cause or if
he terminates his employment without cause, for a period of one year following
the termination of his employment with the Company, he will not solicit clients,
consultants or suppliers of the Company or otherwise compete with the Company on
the sale or licensing of any products or services that are competitive with the
products or services developed or marketed by the Company in the United States.
The Confidentiality Agreement also provides that Mr. Ungerleider will not
solicit any employee of the Company for a period of one year following the date
of termination of his employment.
 
     As part of the acquisition of Merex by the Company in October 1995, the
Company entered into an Employment and Non-Compete Agreement ("Employment
Agreement"), dated October 11, 1995, with Richard M. Tworek. Pursuant to the
Employment Agreement, Mr. Tworek is serving as Executive Vice President of the
Company until October 11, 1999, and receives a minimum base salary of $125,000
per year,
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   42
 
plus any bonus compensation as may be determined by the Company's Board of
Directors. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Tworek may terminate his
employment upon 60 days' written notice. The Employment Agreement also provides
that, unless Mr. Tworek's employment is terminated by the Company without cause,
for a period of two years following the expiration or termination of the
Employment Agreement or his earlier resignation. Mr. Tworek may not (i) induce
any then existing client, customer or supplier of the Company to curtail
business with the Company, (ii) disturb any business relationship between the
Company and any third party, or (iii) make statements to any third party likely
to result in adverse publicity for the Company. The Employment Agreement also
provides that, unless Mr. Tworek's employment is terminated by the Company
without cause, he may not solicit any employee of the Company, and for a period
of one year following his termination may not employ any person who is or was an
employee of the Company or Merex.
 
     As part of the acquisition of AMBIA, on July 22, 1997, the Company and
AMBIA entered into a two-year employment agreement with Razi Mohiuddin
("Mohiuddin Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the Mohiuddin Employment
Agreement, Mr. Mohiuddin is serving as a Vice President of the Company and
manager of the Company's West Coast facilities for a term of 24 months, unless
extended by the mutual agreement of the Company and Mr. Mohiuddin, with a base
salary of $110,000 per year, subject to adjustment based on performance reviews.
The Mohiuddin Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Mohiuddin may terminate his
employment upon 60 days' written notice. The Mohiuddin Employment Agreement also
provides that Mr. Mohiuddin will be subject to a noncompetition provision for a
period of two years and a nonsolicitation provision for a period of one year
following the date of termination unless Mr. Mohiuddin's employment is
terminated by the Company without cause.
 
     The Company has entered into Executive Separation Agreements with Mr.
Kaplowitz and Dr. Loane. In the event that either officer's employment is
terminated involuntarily, without cause, following a change in control of the
Company, as defined, that officer is entitled to separation pay equal to two
years' base salary and continuation of life and health insurance coverage for
two years. Additionally, any type of pension or profit-sharing credited service
will be extended for two years. There were no separation payments accrued or
paid under the Executive Separation Agreements in 1996.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     During 1996, non-employee directors received an annual fee of $3,000 plus
$500 per Board meeting or meeting of a committee of the Board (fees for
committee meetings held on the same day as Board meetings are $100). During
1996, no Executive Committee meeting fees were accrued or paid to Executive
Committee members. During 1996, Laurence C. Glazer, Isaac M. Pollak and Millard
H. Pryor, Jr., members of the Compensation Committee, were each granted a
non-qualified option under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan to purchase
4,666 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.0313 per share. During
1997, each of Richard T. Bueschel, Alan S. Fisher, Laurence C. Glazer, Robert M.
Leopold, Isaac M. Pollak and Millard H. Pryor, Jr., the Company's non-employee
directors, received an annual fee amounting to $10,000, payable quarterly in
shares of the Company's Common Stock (an aggregate of 1,100 shares each for the
year), plus $1,000 per board meeting attended. The Company plans to compensate
its non-employee directors on the same basis in 1998. Any director who is an
employee of the Company receives no additional compensation for serving as a
director.
 
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     In 1995, the Board of Directors adopted, and the Company's shareholders
approved, the 1995 Stock Option Plan ("1995 Plan"), which (i) consolidated the
Company's 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1992 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan and (ii) provided for the automatic grant of stock options to the members
of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors ("Compensation
Committee"). The purpose of the 1995 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate
directors, officers, selected employees and consultants of the Company, as well
as officers and selected employees of any subsidiary thereof, by affording them
an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to thereby
create in such persons an increased interest and a greater concern for the
welfare of the Company. The 1995 Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee, which consists of not less than two members of the Board of
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   43
 
Directors who qualify as "non-employee directors" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
 
     Subject to possible adjustment in the event of a recapitalization, stock
split or similar transaction, a total of 1,511,000 shares of Common Stock may be
issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 1995 Plan. Options to
purchase an aggregate of 1,444,555 shares of Common Stock under the 1995 Plan
have been issued in the past, of which options to purchase 313,498 shares have
been exercised and options to purchase 70,815 shares have either terminated or
lapsed. As of February 17, 1998, options to purchase a total of 1,060,242 shares
of Common Stock under the 1995 Plan, at prices ranging from $1.085 to $11.00 per
share, are outstanding. Of the currently outstanding options, options for
624,788 shares are currently vested and exercisable. The 1995 Plan also provides
that if any shares underlying outstanding options cease to be subject to
purchase thereunder due to expiration or termination of the options, such shares
thereafter will be available to underlie newly granted options under the 1995
Plan.
 
     The Compensation Committee may grant options under the 1995 Plan to (i)
certain selected employees and officers of the Company or any subsidiary thereof
who are regularly employed on a salaried basis; (ii) directors of the Company,
other than members of the Compensation Committee, who are not officers or
employees of the Company; and (iii) consultants or advisors to the Company,
provided that the services rendered by such persons are not in connection with
the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction. Members of the
Compensation Committee receive awards of options pursuant to a formula set forth
in the 1995 Plan.
 
     The 1995 Plan provides that upon the occurrence of an event constituting a
"change of control," all options granted under the 1995 Plan immediately become
fully exercisable. A "change of control" will be deemed to have occurred under
the 1995 Plan if any person or organization becomes the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of either (i) a majority of the Company's outstanding
shares of Common Stock or (ii) securities of the Company representing a majority
of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities.
 
     As a result of the Company's acquisition of AMBIA, outstanding options to
purchase 390,000 shares of AMBIA common stock were converted into options
("Replacement Options") to acquire approximately 35,000 shares of Common Stock
of the Company at an exercise price of $1.69 per share. The Replacement Options
are subject to the terms of the 1995 Plan. The Company filed a registration
statement on Form S-8 to register the shares underlying the Replacement Options
on December 19, 1997.
 
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
     On April 23, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the
adoption of the Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("SPP"), and on May
28, 1997, the holders of a majority of the Company's outstanding shares of
Common Stock present or represented at the annual meeting of shareholders duly
adopted the SPP. The purpose of the SPP is to provide eligible employees the
opportunity to purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions. The SPP is
intended as an employment incentive and to encourage stock ownership such that
participating employees can share in the Company's progress.
 
     The SPP is administered by the Board of Directors of the Company. Any
employee of the Company is eligible to participate, on a voluntary basis, in the
SPP, except that persons who own or hold stock, including stock underlying
options, or as a result of participation in the SPP would own stock, including
stock underlying options, amounting to 5% or more of the total combined voting
power or value of all classes of stock of the Company are not entitled to
participate in the SPP. Currently, approximately 110 persons are eligible to
participate in the SPP. 200,000 shares of the authorized but unissued Common
Stock of the Company have been reserved for issuance under the SPP.
 
     The purchase price per share at which shares of Common Stock are sold in an
offering under the SPP is set by the Board; provided that the purchase price may
not be less than 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the first or the last day of the offering period. Subject to certain
limitations, the number of shares of Common Stock a participant purchases in an
offering period is determined by dividing the
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   44
 
total amount of payroll deductions withheld from the participant's compensation
during the offering period by the purchase price per share.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     In 1988, the Company established an employee benefit plan ("Benefit Plan"),
which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Code. The Benefit Plan allows
salaried employees to contribute a part of their compensation toward their
retirement on a tax deferred basis. Required Company contributions equate to 10%
of the employee's contribution to the Benefit Plan and totaled approximately
$43,000 in 1997 and $32,000 in 1996. In addition to these contributions, the
Company, at the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, may make
profit-sharing contributions to the Benefit Plan; no such contributions were
made in 1997 or 1996.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     From January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1997, the Company made business
management consulting fee payments totaling $190,000 to Bermuda Capital for the
services of Mr. Richard T. Bueschel, the Company's Chairman, and paid $10,000
directly to Mr. Bueschel, for his services as acting Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from 1996 to 1997. The Company does not have a written consulting
agreement with Bermuda Capital or Mr. Bueschel.
 
     From January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1997, the Company made payments
totaling $142,500 to Huguenot Associates, Inc. for the consulting services of
its President, Robert M. Leopold, a director of the Company. The Company is
currently making payments of $7,500 per month to Huguenot Associates, Inc. for
financial consulting services. In January 1996, the Company issued 8,000 shares
of its Common Stock to Mr. Leopold for services rendered by him to the Company
in connection with the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Merex on
October 11, 1995.
 
     On October 3, 1996, the Company extended a loan to Richard M. Tworek, a
director and executive officer of the Company, in the principal amount of
$70,000. The loan bears annual interest of prime plus 1% and is payable by him
on or before October 2, 1999. As of the date of the Prospectus, the principal
amount of the loan was $70,000.
 
     In October 1995, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets and
assumed certain liabilities of Merex in consideration for the issuance of
210,000 shares of Common Stock to Richard M. Tworek, Mary Margaret Styer and
Andrew M. Fregly (collectively, "Merex Shareholders"). 158,754 of such shares
were issued to Richard M. Tworek. The purchase was effected pursuant to an Asset
and Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of October 6, 1995
("Merex Agreement"), among the Company, Merex and the Merex Shareholders.
Pursuant to the Merex Agreement, the Company agreed, until October 11, 1998, to
register the shares issued to the Merex Shareholders within 30 days of their
written request to do so. Mr. Tworek has agreed to waive his registration rights
for a period of six months following the effective date of the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part (the "Effective Date"). The total
acquisition cost was approximately $361,000, including the direct costs of the
acquisition. As part of the Merex Agreement, the Company entered into the
Employment Agreement with Mr. Tworek, pursuant to which Mr. Tworek is serving as
Executive Vice President of the Company until October 11, 1999, and receives a
minimum base salary of $125,000, plus any bonus compensation as may be
determined by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
     On July 22, 1997, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of AMBIA through the issuance of 400,000 shares of Common Stock to
AMBIA's shareholders, Alan Fisher and Razi Mohiuddin (collectively, "AMBIA
Shareholders"), with a fair value of $7.75 per share, which was equivalent to
the trading price of the Company's Common Stock on such date. Pursuant to a
registration rights agreement by and among the Company and the AMBIA
Shareholders, the Company granted the AMBIA Shareholders a one-time demand
registration right, exercisable until July 22, 2000 at the request of both AMBIA
Shareholders. The agreement also entitles the AMBIA Shareholders to piggyback
registration rights until July 22, 2000. The AMBIA Shareholders have agreed to
waive their registration rights for a period of six
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   45
 
months following the Effective Date. The acquisition was accomplished by means
of a merger of AMBIA Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Acquisition") and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with and into AMBIA,
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement of Merger and Plan of Reorganization,
dated as of July 22, 1997 ("AMBIA Agreement"), by and among the Company, AMBIA,
the AMBIA Shareholders, Software Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SPI"),
and Acquisition. As a result of this acquisition, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of AMBIA were exchanged for and converted into 400,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock, 339,999 shares were delivered to the AMBIA
Shareholders, 60,000 shares were delivered to an escrow agent and cash was
delivered to the AMBIA Shareholders in lieu of a fractional share. The escrow is
being maintained to secure the Company against breaches of representations,
warranties and covenants made under the AMBIA Agreement by the AMBIA
Shareholders, SPI and AMBIA. The total acquisition cost was approximately
$3,461,000, including the direct costs of the acquisition. As a result of the
acquisition, outstanding options to purchase 390,000 shares of AMBIA common
stock were converted into options to acquire approximately 35,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.69 per share. The fair value
of the options is recorded as part of the acquisition cost. As a part of the
acquisition of AMBIA, the Company and AMBIA entered into a two-year employment
agreement with Mr. Mohiuddin, pursuant to which Mr. Mohiuddin is serving as a
Vice President of the Company and manager of the Company's West Coast facilities
at a base salary of $110,000 per year. In addition, as part of the acquisition
of AMBIA, the Company agreed to appoint Alan Fisher to its Board of Directors,
subject to certain provisions in the AMBIA Agreement.
 
     The Company has adopted a policy whereby all future transactions between
the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders or affiliates,
including any forgiveness of loans, will be approved by a majority of the Board
of Directors, including all of the independent and disinterested members of the
Board of Directors and, if required by law, a majority of disinterested
shareholders, and will be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could
be obtained in arm's length transactions from unaffiliated third parties.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   46
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company
regarding beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of the date of this
Prospectus for (i) each person or group that is a beneficial owner of more than
5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each of the Named Officers
and directors, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as
a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that such
beneficial owners, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole
investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community
property laws, where applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all
persons named in the table is 12150 Monument Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    SHARES        PERCENT      PERCENT
                                                                 BENEFICIALLY      BEFORE       AFTER
                       BENEFICIAL OWNER                            OWNED(1)       OFFERING     OFFERING
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  ------------     --------     --------
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>          <C>
Richard T. Bueschel(2).........................................       171,009        5.9%         3.8%
 Suite 198
  48 Par-La-Ville Road
  Hamilton HM 11 Bermuda
James Ungerleider(3)...........................................        75,000        2.6%         1.7%
Harry Kaplowitz(4).............................................       151,833        5.3%         3.4%
Richard M. Tworek(5)...........................................       197,083        7.0%         4.5%
Dr. Robert J. Loane(6).........................................        67,355        2.4%         1.5%
Razi Mohiuddin(7)..............................................       147,121        5.3%         3.4%
 1953 Landings Drive
  Mountain View, California 94043
Alan S. Fisher(8)..............................................       253,366        9.1%         5.8%
 1861 Landings Drive
  Mountain View, California 94043
Laurence C. Glazer(9)..........................................        67,558        2.4%         1.5%
Robert M. Leopold(10)..........................................       110,836        3.9%         2.5%
Isaac M. Pollak(11)............................................       124,942        4.4%         2.8%
Millard H. Pryor, Jr.(12)......................................        29,316        1.1%           *
All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group
  (12 persons)(13).............................................     1,400,486       43.4%        29.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  *   Less than 1%
 
 (1) A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of voting securities that can
     be acquired by such person within 60 days from the date of this Prospectus
     upon the exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities. Each
     beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that
     convertible securities, options or warrants that are held by such person
     (but not those held by any other person) and which are exercisable within
     60 days of this Prospectus have been exercised. Unless otherwise noted, the
     Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and
     investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially
     owned by them.
 
 (2) Includes 122,051 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     stock options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 36,667 shares subject to
     options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (3) Includes 75,000 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     stock options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 175,000 shares subject
     to options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (4) Includes 103,547 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 14,167 shares subject to
     options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (5) Includes 13,333 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 26,667 shares subject to
     options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (6) Includes 14,886 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 2,000 shares subject to
     options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   47
 
 (7) Includes 22,069 shares subject to an Escrow Agreement, dated July 22, 1997,
     by and among Alan Fisher, Razi Mohiuddin, the Company and SETTLEMENT CORP.
     as escrow agent, pursuant to which Mr. Mohiuddin shall be entitled to vote
     such shares.
 
 (8) Includes 37,931 shares subject to an Escrow Agreement dated July 22, 1997,
     by and among Alan Fisher, Razi Mohiuddin, the Company and SETTLEMENT CORP.
     as escrow agent, pursuant to which Mr. Fisher shall be entitled to vote
     such shares.
 
 (9) Includes 4,666 shares subject to presently exercisable options or options
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
(10) Includes 64,270 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     stock options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 27,500 shares subject to
     options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
(11) Includes 12,200 shares owned by LGP Ltd., a profit sharing trust for which
     Mr. Pollak has sole voting and investment power. Includes 26,440 shares
     subject to presently exercisable stock options and options exercisable
     within 60 days.
 
(12) Includes 9,332 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options and
     options exercisable within 60 days.
 
(13) Includes 438,525 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options or
     stock options exercisable within 60 days. Includes 60,000 shares subject to
     an Escrow Agreement dated July 22, 1997, by and among Alan Fisher, Razi
     Mohiuddin, the Company and SETTLEMENT CORP. as escrow agent, pursuant to
     which Mr. Fisher shall be entitled to vote 37,931 of such shares and Mr.
     Mohiuddin shall be entitled to vote 22,069 of such shares. Includes 12,200
     shares owned by LGP Ltd., a profit sharing trust for which Mr. Pollak has
     sole voting and investment power.
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company is 7,006,666 shares, consisting
of 6,666,666 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.03 per share, and 340,000
shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of February 17, 1998,
there were 2,788,448 shares of Common Stock outstanding. No shares of Preferred
Stock are currently outstanding. Upon completion of this Offering, there will be
approximately 4,388,448 shares of Common Stock outstanding (4,628,448 if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. There is no
cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result
that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted can elect all of the
directors then being elected. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of
funds legally available therefor. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment
of liabilities and after provision has been made for each class of stock, if
any, having preference over the Common Stock. Holders of shares of Common Stock,
as such, have no redemption, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there
are no conversion provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby, when issued and paid for as set forth in this Prospectus, will be, fully
paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or
more series. The Board of Directors is expressly vested with the authority to
fix by resolution the designations, powers, preferences, qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of and upon shares of each series, including,
without limitation,
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   48
 
voting, dividend, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights. In addition,
the Board of Directors may fix the number of shares constituting any such series
and increase or decrease the number of shares in any such series.
 
     The Company believes that the availability of Preferred Stock issuable in
series will provide increased flexibility for structuring possible future
financings and acquisitions, if any, and in meeting other corporate needs. It is
not possible to state the actual effect of the authorization and issuance of any
series of Preferred Stock upon the rights of holders of Common Stock until the
Board of Directors determines the specific terms, rights and preferences of a
series of Preferred Stock. However, such effects might include, among other
things, restricting dividends on the Common Stock, diluting the voting power of
the Common Stock, or impairing liquidation rights of such shares without further
action by holders of the Common Stock. In addition, under various circumstances,
the issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of facilitating, as well as
impeding or discouraging, a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, the assumption
of control by a holder of a large block of the Company's securities or the
removal of incumbent management. The issuance of Preferred Stock could also
adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     As permitted by the VSCA, the Company's Articles and Bylaws limit the
personal liability of an officer or director to the Company for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty of care as an officer or a director. Liability is
not eliminated if the officer or director engaged in willful misconduct or a
knowing violation of the criminal law or of any federal or state securities law,
including, without limitation, any claim of unlawful insider trading or
manipulation of the market for any security. Furthermore, a director who votes
for or assents to distributions made in violation of the VSCA or the Company's
Articles will be personally liable to the Company and its creditors for the
amount of the distribution that exceeds what could have been distributed without
violating the VSCA or the Company's Articles, pursuant to Section 13.1-692 of
the VSCA.
 
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     The Company's Articles and Bylaws require the Company to indemnify any
director or officer of the Company, or any person who is or was serving at the
request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, to the fullest extent
permitted by law. The Company has obtained officers' and directors' liability
insurance of $1,000,000 for members of its Board of Directors and executive
officers. In addition to the indemnification provided in the Company's Bylaws,
the Company intends to enter into agreements to indemnify its directors and
officers.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling
the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has
been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
 
VIRGINIA ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
 
     The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 13.1-725.1 of the VSCA.
Subject to certain exceptions, these provisions apply to Virginia corporations
having more than 300 shareholders of record and provide that for three years
following the time that a shareholder becomes an owner of 10% of the outstanding
voting shares (an "Interested Shareholder"), a Virginia corporation cannot
engage in any "Affiliated Transaction" with such Interested Shareholder without
the approval of two-thirds of the voting shares other than those shares
beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder, and the approval of a majority
of the disinterested directors (as defined in Section 13.1-725 of the VSCA).
After the expiration of the three-year period, the statute requires, subject to
certain exceptions, approval of Affiliated Transactions by two-thirds of the
voting shares other than those beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder.
Affiliated Transactions subject to this approval requirement include mergers,
share exchanges, material dispositions of corporate assets not in the ordinary
course of business, any guarantee by the corporation of a material amount of
indebtedness of any Interested Shareholder, certain dispositions to an
Interested Shareholder of voting shares of the corporation, any dissolution of
the corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Shareholder, or
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   49
 
any reclassification, including reverse stock splits, recapitalization or merger
of the corporation with its subsidiaries, which increases the percentage of
voting shares owned beneficially by an Interested Shareholder by more than 5%.
The Company's Board of Directors has adopted, subject to shareholder approval, a
bylaw electing not to be governed by these "Affiliated Transaction" provisions.
This new bylaw will be presented to the Company's shareholders at the next
annual meeting. If approved by the shareholders, the amendment will become
effective 18 months after its approval.
 
     Section 13.1-728 of the VSCA Virginia law also provides that, with respect
to Virginia corporations having 300 or more shareholders of record, shares
acquired in a transaction that would cause such holder's voting strength to meet
or exceed any of three thresholds (20%, 33 1/3% or 50%) have no voting rights
with respect to such shares unless granted by a majority vote of shares not
owned by the acquiring person or any officer or employee-director of the
corporation. This provision empowers such holder to require the Virginia
corporation to hold a special meeting of shareholders to consider the matter
within 50 days of its request. The Company's Board of Directors has also
adopted, subject to shareholder approval, a bylaw electing not to be governed by
these "Control Share Acquisition" provisions. This new bylaw will also be
presented to the Company's shareholders at the next annual meeting. If approved
by the shareholders, the amendment will become effective upon such approval.
 
     Article 3 of the Company's Articles provides that the Board of Directors,
without action by the shareholders, may issue and fix the rights and preferences
of shares of Preferred Stock. Article 3, Section 4 of the Company's Bylaws
further provides that a director may only be removed upon the affirmative vote
of a majority of the voting power of the shareholders of record entitled to
elect a successor and present in person or by proxy at a special meeting of such
shareholders for which express notice of the intention to transact such business
was given and at which a quorum is present. These provisions may have the effect
of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company without
further action by the shareholders, may discourage bids for the Common Stock at
a premium over the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the
holders of, Common Stock.
 
     The provisions of Virginia law and the provisions contained in the
Company's Articles and Bylaws, discussed above, could prohibit or delay mergers
or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to the Company and,
accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire the Company.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of this Offering, the Company will have approximately
4,388,448 shares of Common Stock outstanding. All 1,600,000 shares of Common
Stock being offered hereby will be immediately tradable without restriction or
further registration under the Securities Act. In addition, substantially all of
the currently outstanding shares of Common Stock have been or will be registered
for sale under the Securities Act or are eligible for sale under an exemption
therefrom. The directors and executive officers and certain shareholders of the
Company holding, in the aggregate, 961,961 shares of Common Stock and options to
purchase an aggregate of 730,526 shares of Common Stock, have agreed not to sell
or otherwise dispose of any of such shares for twelve months from the date of
this Prospectus without the prior written consent of GKN Securities Corp.
("GKN"); provided, however, that (a) at any time beginning six months after the
Effective Date, the directors, executive officers and certain shareholders may
sell, without GKN's consent, up to 20% of the shares owned by them, if (i) the
last sales price of the Common Stock has been at least 125% of the per share
public offering price for at least 10 consecutive trading days ending the day
prior to the proposed sale and (ii) the sales price of the shares to be sold is
no less than 125% of the per share public offering price, (b) at any time
beginning three months after the Effective Date, (i) Richard T. Bueschel may
sell up to an aggregate of 7,500 shares, (ii) Harry Kaplowitz may sell up to an
aggregate of 12,500 shares, (iii) Dr. Robert J. Loane may sell up to an
aggregate of 2,500 shares and (iv) Robert M. Leopold may sell up to an aggregate
of 7,500 shares, in each case without GKN's consent, and (c) at any time after
the Effective Date,
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   50
 
Richard M. Tworek may sell up to an aggregate of 10,000 shares without GKN's
consent. GKN may, in its sole discretion and at any time without notice, release
all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.
Additionally, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has reserved an
aggregate of 1,671,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of
options and the Underwriters' Purchase Option. All but 500,000 of the shares of
Common Stock underlying such securities have been registered under the
Securities Act.
 
     Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement by and among the Company and the
Merex Shareholders, the Company agreed, until October 11, 1998, to register the
210,000 shares issued to the Merex Shareholders, 158,754 of which have been
issued to Richard M. Tworek, within 30 days of their written request to do so.
Mr. Tworek has agreed to waive his registration rights for a period of six
months following the Effective Date.
 
     Pursuant to a registration rights agreement by and among the Company and
the AMBIA Shareholders, executed in connection with the acquisition of AMBIA,
the Company granted the AMBIA Shareholders a one-time demand registration right
with respect to the 400,000 shares (including 60,000 held in escrow) issued to
them. The demand registration right is exercisable until July 22, 2000 at the
request of both Razi Mohiuddin and Alan Fisher. The registration rights
agreement also provides, subject to certain exceptions, for unlimited piggyback
registration rights until July 22, 2000. The AMBIA Shareholders have agreed to
waive their registration rights for a period of six months following the
Effective Date.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Southeast Research Partners, Inc. ("SERP") and GKN Securities Corp. ("GKN,"
and together with SERP, the "Underwriters"), have severally agreed, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase a total of
1,600,000 shares of Common Stock from the Company. Each of SERP and GKN has
agreed to purchase 50% of such shares.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the
Underwriters are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel to the
Underwriters and various other conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters
are obligated to purchase all the shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other
than the shares of Common Stock covered by the over-allotment option described
below) if any are purchased.
 
     The Underwriters have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose to
offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at those prices less a
concession not in excess of $0.24 per share. The Underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $0.10 per share to
certain other dealers. After the Offering, the offering prices and other terms
may be changed by the Underwriters. The Underwriters have advised the Company
that they do not intend to sell any shares of Common Stock to any account over
which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable during
the 45-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase from the
Company at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus,
less underwriting discounts and commissions, up to 240,000 shares of Common
Stock.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Company also
has agreed to pay the Underwriters an expense allowance on a nonaccountable
basis equal to 2% of the gross proceeds derived from the sale of the shares of
Common Stock underwritten (including the sale of any shares of Common Stock
subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option), $50,000 of which has been
paid to date.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to sell to the
Underwriters, for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase up to an aggregate
of 160,000 shares of Common Stock ("Underwriters' Purchase Option"). The
Underwriters' Purchase Option is exercisable at $6.00 per share (120% of the
offering price) for a period of four years commencing one year from the date of
this Prospectus. The Underwriters' Purchase Option grants to the holders thereof
certain "piggyback" and demand rights for periods of seven and five years,
respectively, from the date of this Prospectus with respect to the registration
under the Securities Act of the
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   51
 
shares issuable upon exercise of the Underwriters' Purchase Option. The
Underwriters' Purchase Option cannot be transferred, sold, assigned or
hypothecated during the one year period following the date of this Prospectus,
except to officers of the Underwriters and to selected dealers and their
officers or partners.
 
     Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the directors and executive
officers and certain shareholders of the Company (collectively, "Insiders")
holding, in the aggregate, 961,961 shares of Common Stock and options to
purchase an aggregate of 730,526 shares of Common Stock, have agreed not to sell
or otherwise dispose of any of such shares for a period of 12 months following
the Effective Date without obtaining the prior written consent of GKN; provided
however, that (a) at any time beginning six months after the Effective Date each
of the Insiders may sell, without GKN's consent, up to 20% of the shares owned
by him, if (i) the last sales price of the Common Stock has been at least 125%
of the per share public offering price for at least 10 consecutive trading days
ending the day prior to the proposed sale and (ii) the sales price of the shares
to be sold is no less than 125% of the per share public offering price, (b) at
any time beginning three months after the Effective Date, (i) Richard T.
Bueschel may sell up to an aggregate of 7,500 shares, (ii) Harry Kaplowitz may
sell up to an aggregate of 12,500 shares, (iii) Dr. Robert J. Loane may sell up
to an aggregate of 2,500 shares and (iv) Robert M. Leopold may sell up to an
aggregate of 7,500 shares, in each case without GKN's consent, and (c) at any
time after the Effective Date, Richard M. Tworek may sell up to an aggregate of
15,000 shares without GKN's consent. GKN may, in its sole discretion and at any
time without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to
lock-up agreements.
 
     The Underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions,
syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with
Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales by the
underwriting syndicate in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate
short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the shares of
Common Stock so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of the shares of Common
Stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to
cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the Underwriters to reclaim
a selling concession from a selling group member when the shares of Common Stock
originally sold by such selling group member are repurchased in the open market
by the Underwriters. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate short covering
transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the shares of Common Stock
to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions.
These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or otherwise
and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
     In general, the rules of the Commission will prohibit the Underwriters from
making a market in the Common Stock during a "restricted period" commencing up
to five days prior to the pricing of the offering of Common Stock offered hereby
and extending until completion of the Offering. The Commission has, however,
adopted exceptions from these rules that permit passive market making under
certain conditions. These rules permit an underwriter to continue to make a
market subject to the conditions, among others, that its bid not exceed the
highest bid by a market maker not connected with the Offering and that its net
purchases on any one trading day not exceed prescribed limits. Pursuant to these
exemptions, the Underwriters, selling group members (if any) or their respective
affiliates may engage in passive market making in the Company's Common Stock
during the restricted period.
 
     SERP and GKN are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of GKN Holding Corp.
 
     In August 1997, GKN and certain of its executive officers, managers and
current or former brokers reached settlements with NASDR in connection with
excessive markups on warrants of several companies whose offerings were
underwritten by GKN and for which GKN was a market maker from December 1993
through April 1996. Without admitting or denying NASDR's allegations, GKN and
such persons consented to findings that (i) the firm dominated and controlled
the market in eight securities, thereby requiring the firm to base its markups
on contemporaneous cost, which the firm failed to do, and (ii) this resulted in
violations of the NASD's Conduct Rules, including its antifraud, pricing and
supervisory provisions. GKN and such persons consented to various sanctions
including censures, and restitution and fines of an aggregate of $2,216,500
(including in excess of $300,000 of interest), and GKN also consented to the
appointment of an
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   52
 
independent consultant and to disclose all brokers' compensation in excess of
ten percent of the gross transaction amount on confirmations given or sent to
its customers.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby and matters of Virginia law
will be passed upon for the Company by Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds,
Washington, D.C. Certain other matters pertaining to the Company will be passed
upon by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, New York, New York. Graubard Mollen &
Miller, New York, New York, has served as counsel to the Underwriters in
connection with this Offering.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company
as of and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 included in this
Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
     The audited financial statements of AMBIA as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 included in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the
Registration Statement have been audited by Seiler & Company, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
report.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   53
 
                             INFODATA SYSTEMS INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        -----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  Report of Independent Public Accountants............................................    F-2
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997
     (unaudited)......................................................................    F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
     and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and 1997 (unaudited)....    F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended
     December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
     (unaudited)......................................................................    F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
     and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and 1997 (unaudited)....    F-6
  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements......................................    F-7
AMBIA CORPORATION, INC.
  Independent Auditors' Report........................................................   F-18
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and June 30, 1997 (unaudited).......   F-19
  Statements of Loss and Accumulated Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and
     1996 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)..........................   F-20
  Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
     and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)...............................   F-21
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the Six
     Months Ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)...........................................   F-22
  Notes to Financial Statements.......................................................   F-23
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED).....................   F-26
  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the Year Ended December 31,
     1996 (unaudited).................................................................   F-27
  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 1997 (unaudited)...................................................   F-28
  Notes to the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)......   F-29
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   54
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Infodata Systems Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Infodata
Systems Inc. (a Virginia corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995
and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an 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 Infodata Systems Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Washington, D. C.
March 5, 1997 (except with respect to the matter
discussed in Note 9, as to which the date is
December 18, 1997)
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   55
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                             -------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              1995        1996           1997*
                                                             -------     -------     -------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents................................  $ 1,476     $ 1,266        $   278
  Short term investments...................................       33         947            425
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $30, $80 and
     $80...................................................    1,901       1,522          2,219
  Prepaid royalties........................................       18          --             --
  Other current assets.....................................      146         185            234
                                                             -------     -------        -------
          Total current assets.............................    3,574       3,920          3,156
                                                             -------     -------        -------
Property and equipment, at cost
  Furniture and equipment..................................    2,046       2,373          2,713
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...........   (1,633)     (1,897)        (2,136)
                                                             -------     -------        -------
                                                                 413         476            577
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $6, $31 and
  $98......................................................      264         274          3,681
Other assets...............................................       68         137            105
Software development costs, net of accumulated amortization
  of $2,010, $2,052 and $2,084.............................      126          84            136
                                                             -------     -------        -------
          Total assets.....................................  $ 4,445     $ 4,891        $ 7,655
                                                             =======     =======        =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Current portion of capital lease obligations.............  $   106     $    46        $    30
  Note payable.............................................        2          --            958
  Accounts payable.........................................      335         327          1,135
  Accrued expenses.........................................      677         823            822
  Deferred revenue.........................................    1,171       1,079          1,070
  Preferred dividend payable...............................       30          --             --
  Current portion of deferred rent.........................       33          33             33
                                                             -------     -------        -------
       Total current liabilities...........................    2,354       2,308          4,048
                                                             -------     -------        -------
Capital lease obligations..................................       82          33             12
Deferred revenue...........................................      192          75             75
Deferred rent..............................................       52          19             --
                                                             -------     -------        -------
       Total liabilities...................................    2,680       2,435          4,135
                                                             -------     -------        -------
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock..........................................      132          --             --
  Common stock.............................................       44          68             82
  Additional paid-in capital...............................    8,056       9,055         12,706
  Accumulated deficit......................................   (6,467)     (6,667)        (9,268)
                                                             -------     -------        -------
       Total shareholders' equity..........................    1,765       2,456          3,520
                                                             -------     -------        -------
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.......  $ 4,445     $ 4,891        $ 7,655
                                                             =======     =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(*) Amounts as of September 30, 1997 have been restated.
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   56
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           DECEMBER 31,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         -----------------     ------------------
                                                          1995       1996       1996      1997**
                                                         ------     ------     ------     -------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues...............................................  $7,049     $9,560     $7,355     $ 7,033
Cost of revenues.......................................   4,166      5,457      4,412       4,037
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
Gross profit...........................................   2,883      4,103      2,943       2,996
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.............................     187        816        537       1,696
  Selling, general and administrative..................   2,657      2,869      2,007       3,942
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
                                                          2,844      3,685      2,544       5,638
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
Operating income (loss)................................      39        418        399      (2,642)
Interest income........................................     119         96         70          54
Interest expense.......................................     (24)       (11)        (9)        (18)
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
Income (loss) before income taxes......................     134        503        460      (2,606)
Provision for income taxes.............................       3         --          7          (5)
                                                         ------     ------     ------      ------
Net income (loss)......................................  $  131     $  503     $  453     $(2,601)
                                                         ======     ======     ======      ======
Preferred dividends....................................     120         58         58          --
                                                         ======     ======     ======      ======
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders.....  $   11     $  445     $  395     $(2,601)
                                                         ======     ======     ======      ======
Per share:(*)
  Net income (loss) per common and equivalent share:
     Primary...........................................  $ 0.01     $ 0.20     $ 0.19     $ (1.08)
                                                         ======     ======     ======      ======
     Fully diluted.....................................  $ 0.01     $ 0.18     $ 0.16     $ (1.08)
                                                         ======     ======     ======      ======
Weighted average shares:(*)
     Primary...........................................   1,694      2,162      2,085       2,407
     Fully diluted.....................................   1,694      2,718      2,448       2,407
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (*) All share and per share amounts retroactively reflect a 1-for-6 common
     stock dividend in May 1996 and a 2-for-1 common stock split in the form of
     a 100% stock distribution made in August 1996.
 
(**) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 have been restated.
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   57
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              PREFERRED STOCK       COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL
                                             -----------------   ------------------    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED   SHAREHOLDERS'
                                              SHARES    AMOUNT    SHARES     AMOUNT    CAPITAL       DEFICIT        EQUITY
                                             --------   ------   ---------   ------   ----------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994...............   133,500   $ 134    1,204,748    $ 37     $  7,768      $(6,478)      $  1,461
Conversion of preferred stock for common
  stock....................................    (2,000)     (2)       5,146      --            2           --             --
Issuance of shares for business
  acquisition..............................        --      --      210,000       6          230           --            236
Issuance of shares for services............        --      --        8,000      --            9           --              9
Exercise of stock options..................        --      --       37,442       1           47           --             48
Dividends on preferred stock...............        --      --           --      --           --         (120)          (120)
Net income.................................        --      --           --      --           --          131            131
                                             --------   -----    ---------     ---      -------      -------         ------
Balance at December 31, 1995...............   131,500     132    1,465,336      44        8,056       (6,467)         1,765
1:6 common stock dividend..................        --      --      241,063       7          636         (643)            --
Redemption of preferred shares for
  common...................................  (131,500)   (132)     394,614      12          120           --             --
Fractional share redemption................        --      --           --      --           --           (2)            (2)
Exercise of stock options..................        --      --      176,852       5          243           --            248
Dividends on preferred stock...............        --      --           --      --           --          (58)           (58)
Net income.................................        --      --           --      --           --          503            503
                                             --------   -----    ---------     ---      -------      -------         ------
Balance at December 31, 1996...............        --      --    2,277,865      68        9,055       (6,667)         2,456
Issuance of shares for business acquisition
  (restated) (unaudited)...................        --      --      400,000      12        3,216           --          3,228
Issuance of options for business
  acquisition (restated) (unaudited).......        --      --           --      --          233           --            233
Issuance of shares for services
  (unaudited)..............................        --      --        2,000      --           11           --             11
Exercise of stock options (unaudited)......        --      --       49,939       2          165           --            167
Employee stock purchase plan (unaudited)...        --      --        3,952      --           26           --             26
Net loss (restated) (unaudited)............        --      --           --      --           --       (2,601)        (2,601)
                                             --------   -----    ---------     ---      -------      -------         ------
Balance at September 30, 1997 (restated)
  (unaudited)..............................        --   $  --    2,733,756    $ 82     $ 12,706      $(9,268)      $  3,520
                                             ========   =====    =========     ===      =======      =======         ======
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   58
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           DECEMBER 31,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        ------------------     ------------------
                                                         1995       1996        1996       1997*
                                                        ------     -------     ------     -------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)...................................  $  131     $   503     $  453     $(2,601)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
     provided by (used in) operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization....................     275         264        195         261
     Software amortization............................     373          42         32          31
     Goodwill and other intangible amortization.......      10          48         34         (44)
     Cancellation of debt on note payable.............     (85)         --         --          --
     Investment discount amortization.................       7          --         --          --
     Write-down of leased assets......................      20          --         --          --
     Other............................................      --          --         (6)         --
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable..............................    (464)        379       (185)       (696)
     Prepaid royalties and other current assets.......     117         (21)       (20)        (49)
     Other assets.....................................      --          --         --          32
     Accounts payable.................................      94          (8)      (122)        808
     Accrued expenses.................................     (12)        175        196          (8)
     Deferred revenue.................................    (226)       (209)      (285)         (8)
     Deferred rent....................................     (32)        (33)       (31)        (19)
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
       Net cash provided by (used in) operating
          activities..................................     208       1,140        261      (2,293)
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment, net............     (84)       (357)      (200)       (340)
  Business acquisition................................     (47)        (23)       (12)         --
  Loan to officer.....................................      --         (70)        --          --
  Purchases of short term investments.................      --        (943)        --          --
  Proceeds from maturity of short term investments....      47          29         29         522
  Other...............................................      (3)        (32)        --          --
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
       Net cash (used in) provided by investing
          activities..................................     (87)     (1,396)      (183)        182
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Payments on capital lease obligations...............    (122)       (108)       (84)        (37)
  Proceeds from short term borrowing..................      --          --         --       1,280
  Payments on notes payable...........................     (21)         (2)        (2)       (324)
  Retirement of acquisition-related note payable......    (155)         --         --          --
  Preferred stock dividends...........................    (120)        (88)       (87)         --
  Issuance of common stock............................      48         244        155         204
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
       Net cash (used in) provided by financing
          activities..................................    (370)         46        (18)      1,123
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
  equivalents.........................................    (249)       (210)        60        (988)
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period.....   1,725       1,476      1,476       1,266
                                                        ------      ------     ------     -------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period...........  $1,476     $ 1,266     $1,536     $   278
                                                        ======      ======     ======     =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 have been restated.
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   59
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                   (INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND
      FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED;
  INFORMATION AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 HAS BEEN
                                   RESTATED)
 
1.  ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS:
 
  The Company
 
     Infodata Systems Inc. ("Company" or "Infodata") provides electronic
document systems to corporate and government workgroups, departments and
enterprises. Prior to 1994, substantially all of the Company's business was
derived from the sale, support and maintenance of INQUIRE/Text, which was the
leading independent full-text retrieval product in the IBM and IBM-compatible
mainframe market. In 1994, the Company shifted its focus to providing a broader
range of document and information management solutions deliverable through
client/server and intranet technology. The Company created the Virtual File
Cabinet ("VFC") to address these markets in the current electronic document
management systems landscape. The Company provides consulting services, third
party software products, its own software products, maintenance and integration
services to both corporate and government customers.
 
     The Company's operations are subject to certain risks and uncertainties,
including uncertainty of future operating results, fluctuations in quarterly
results, change in mix of products, decline in INQUIRE/Text sales and reliance
on VFC, lengthy sales and implementation cycles, rapid technological changes and
product obsolescence, competition, risks associated with sales channels, and
dependence on government contracts and security clearances.
 
  Basis of Presentation
 
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Infodata and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Infodata Systems International Inc.
and Infodata Research and Development Corporation. These entities are
collectively referred to herein as the "Company." All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
2.  ACQUISITION:
 
  AMBIA
 
     On July 22, 1997, the Company acquired all of the common stock of AMBIA
Corporation ("AMBIA") in consideration for 400,000 shares of the Company's
common stock (restricted as to sale) with a fair value of $7.75 per share, which
was equivalent to the trading price of the Company's Common Stock on such date.
As a result of the acquisition, outstanding options to purchase 390,000 shares
of AMBIA common stock were converted into options to acquire approximately
35,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $1.69 per
share. The fair value of the options is recorded as part of the acquisition
cost. The total acquisition cost was approximately $3,461,000 including the
direct costs of the acquisition. Approximately $25,000 was allocated to acquired
tangible assets, $144,000 to acquired intangible assets, and $3,292,000 to
goodwill. The acquired intangible assets and goodwill are being amortized over
two years and seven years, respectively. The acquisition was treated as a
purchase and was accomplished by means of a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company into AMBIA. AMBIA develops, markets and sells software products
and consulting services, which are complementary to those being developed,
marketed and sold by the Company. In the Company's previously issued financial
statements for the period ended September 30, 1997, the fair value of the
options was not recorded as part of the acquisition cost. Additionally, the
Company had determined the acquisition cost using a 30% discount from the
trading price of the Company's stock on the date of acquisition. Since then, the
Company has determined that no discount was warranted. Also, the Company
allocated an additional $84,000 of the acquisition cost to acquired intangible
assets. As a net result of these changes, goodwill and intangible acquired
assets were increased by $1,079,000 and $84,000, respectively, as of September
30, 1997, and amortization expense was increased by approximately $28,000 for
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   60
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The impact on net income and earnings
per share was approximately $28,000 and $.01 per share, respectively, for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997.
 
     The unaudited pro forma financial information presented below reflects the
acquisition of AMBIA as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1996.
These results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results or of
what would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at that time.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             FOR THE               FOR THE
                                                           YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        DECEMBER 31, 1996     SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                        -----------------     ------------------
                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                                 <C>                   <C>
    Revenue...........................................     $10,395,000           $  7,958,000
    Net loss available to common shareholders.........        (743,000)            (3,015,000)
    Net loss per share................................     $     (0.29)          $      (1.11)
</TABLE>
 
  Merex
 
     On October 11, 1995, the Company consummated its purchase of substantially
all the assets and the assumption of certain liabilities of Merex, Inc.
("Merex"), in consideration for 210,000 shares of the Company's common stock
(restricted as to sale). The final acquisition cost was approximately $361,000,
including the direct costs of acquisition. Approximately $60,000 was allocated
to identified acquired intangibles, $312,000 to goodwill, including purchase
accounting adjustments of approximately $25,000 relating to the termination of
the Merex office lease, and $35,000 relating to SEC registration costs the
Company is obligated to pay on behalf of the former Merex shareholders. Merex
was engaged in the business of marketing and delivering electronic document
management solutions to businesses and U.S. government agencies.
 
     The unaudited pro forma financial information presented below reflects the
acquisition of Merex as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1995.
These results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results that
would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at that time.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              YEAR ENDED
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,1995
                                                                           -----------------
                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                                                    <C>
    Revenue..............................................................     $ 8,888,000
    Net income...........................................................          89,000
    Less -- Preferred dividend...........................................        (120,000)
    Net loss available to common shareholders............................         (31,000)
    Net loss per share...................................................     $     (0.02)
</TABLE>
 
3.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
  Interim Reporting
 
     The financial information as of September 30, 1997, and for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, has been prepared by the Company, without
audit, and includes, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting
of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the
interim period results. Operating results for any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of the results for any other period or for an entire
year.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes revenue from software licenses upon delivery of the
software product to the customer or upon customer acceptance if a trial period
exists. Revenues from post contract support, including
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   61
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
revenue bundled with the initial license fee, are recognized ratably over the
period that customer support services are provided. Software service revenue is
recognized as performed.
 
     Revenues from consulting and professional services contracts are recognized
on the percentage-of-completion method for fixed price contracts and on the
basis of hours incurred at contract rates for time and materials contracts.
Revenues from cost reimbursement contracts are recognized as costs are incurred.
Any amounts paid by customers prior to the actual performance of services are
recorded as deferred revenue until earned, at which time they are recognized in
accordance with the type of contract.
 
     The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has issued Statement
of Position ("SOP") 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, that supersedes SOP
91-1. SOP 97-2 provides additional guidance with respect to multiple elements,
returns, exchanges, and platform transfer rights; resellers; services; funded
software-development arrangements; and contract accounting. SOP 97-2 is to be
implemented for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company
believes that the adoption of SOP 97-2 will not have a material impact on the
Company's financial statements.
 
  Cash Equivalents and Short Term Investments
 
     All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less
at the time of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. At December 31,
1995 and 1996, and September 30, 1997, the Company had $1,269,000, $768,000 and
$0, respectively, of cash equivalents invested in commercial paper.
 
     Short term investments include certificates of deposit and securities
available for sale. Securities available for sale at December 31, 1995 and 1996,
and September 30, 1997, totaled approximately $0, $943,000 and $425,000,
respectively. At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the securities available for sale
consisted of commercial paper and U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities greater
than 90 days for which the carrying value approximated market value.
 
     At September 30, 1997, the securities available for sale consisted of U.S.
Treasury Bills. Available for sale securities are carried at fair value, with
unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of shareholders'
equity. No unrealized gains or losses were recorded for the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1996, nor for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997.
Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than
temporary on available for sale securities are included in other income.
 
  Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
 
     Cash payments for interest totaled $22,000 and $11,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Cash payments for interest totaled
$9,000 and $18,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. Cash payments for income taxes totaled $7,000 and $4,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company did not make
any cash payments for income taxes during the nine month periods ended September
30, 1996 and 1997.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method.
Computers and related equipment are depreciated over three years and furniture
and equipment are depreciated over five to six years. Leasehold improvements are
amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term.
 
  Goodwill
 
     Goodwill created by the Merex, Inc. acquisition is amortized using the
straight-line method over ten years. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
may not be recoverable. Goodwill created by the AMBIA acquisition is amortized
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   62
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
using the straight-line method over seven years. The amount of goodwill
impairment, if any, would be measured based on the projected discounted cash
flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company's average cost of funds. As
of September 30, 1997, the Company does not believe there has been an impairment
of goodwill.
 
  Research and Development
 
     Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
 
  Net Income per Common Share
 
     For the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, the weighted average number
of common shares used in the calculation of primary net income per share was
approximately 1,694,000 and 2,162,000, respectively. On a fully diluted basis
for December 31, 1995 and 1996, the weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares was approximately 1,694,000 and 2,718,000, respectively. The
weighted average number of common shares used in calculation of primary net
income per share was 2,407,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Due
to the anti-dilutive impact of common equivalent shares on net loss per share
for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997, common equivalent shares are
excluded from the weighted average number of shares on a fully diluted basis.
 
     Net income for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, have been decreased for preferred stock
dividends of $120,000, $58,000 and $58,000, respectively, to arrive at net
income available to common shareholders. The Company's preferred stock was
converted into common stock during 1996, thus no preferred stock dividends were
declared in 1997 (see Note 7).
 
  Supplemental Pro Forma Net Loss Per Share
 
     The Company anticipates repaying approximately $1 million in certain notes
payable with proceeds from the offering contemplated by a registration statement
filed in December 1997, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (see Note
9). Assuming such repayment, supplemental pro forma net loss per share, adjusted
to give effect for the elimination of interest associated with such debt, would
have been $(1.02) for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997. For
purposes of this supplemental pro forma presentation, weighted average shares
outstanding have been adjusted for the estimated number of shares that the
Company would need to issue to repay the note payable discussed above, using the
midpoint of the anticipated offering range.
 
  Significant Customers
 
     Sales to U.S. government agencies totaled approximately $2,586,000 and
$4,255,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
representing 37% and 45% of revenues. As of December 31, 1995 and 1996, accounts
receivable due from U.S. government agencies approximated $678,000 and $655,000,
respectively. Sales to U.S. government agencies totaled approximately $2,901,000
and $2,773,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, representing 39% of revenues for each of the years then ended. At
September 30, 1997, accounts receivable from U.S. government agencies
approximated $568,000.
 
  Software Development Costs
 
     Capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment
of technological feasibility. Capitalization ceases when the products are
available for general release to customers. The establishment of technological
feasibility and the continuing assessment of recoverability of capitalized
software development costs require considerable judgment by management with
respect to certain external factors, including, but not
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   63
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
limited to, anticipated future gross revenue, estimated economic life and
changes in software and hardware technologies. Amortization expense is
determined on an individual product basis and is computed as the greater of the
amount calculated on a revenue basis or straight-line basis over the economic
life of the product, generally three to five years. Amortization of software
development costs is included in cost of revenue in the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations.
 
     Periodically, the Company reviews the estimated lives and amounts assigned
to software development costs. In light of changing technology, the Company
makes revisions to estimated lives and adjusts amounts assigned as appropriate.
On December 31, 1995, the Company extended the remaining amortization period to
expire in 1998 to reflect the continued life of the INQUIRE product as reflected
by the substantial revenue stream associated with maintenance renewals. The
impact of such revision in estimated remaining useful life increased net income
by approximately $22,000 in 1996.
 
  Recent Authoritative Pronouncements
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per
Share," changes the reporting requirements for earnings per share ("EPS") for
publicly-traded companies by replacing primary EPS with basic EPS and changing
the disclosures associated with this change. The Company is required to adopt
this standard for its December 31, 1997 year-end. Under SFAS No. 128, the
Company's basic and diluted loss per share would have been $(1.08) at September
30, 1997 on a pro forma basis. Common equivalent shares were not included in the
calculation of diluted loss per share as their effect would have been
antidilutive. As a result, the basic and diluted loss per share amounts are
identical.
 
     SFAS No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure,"
establishes standards for disclosing information about an entity's capital
structure. The Company is required to adopt this standard for its December 31,
1997 year-end. The Company does not expect that this pronouncement will have a
material impact on its financial statements.
 
     SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," establishes standards for
the reporting and display of comprehensive income in a full set of general
purpose financial statements. The Company is required to adopt this standard for
its December 31, 1998 year-end and is currently evaluating the impact of this
standard.
 
     SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information," requires that public business enterprises report certain
information about operating segments. The Company is required to adopt this
standard for its December 31, 1998 year-end and is currently evaluating the
impact of the standard.
 
4.  INCOME TAXES:
 
     At December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997, the Company had approximately
$5,347,000 and $7,643,000, respectively, in net operating loss carryforwards for
income tax reporting purposes. The operating loss carryforwards expire in
varying amounts from 1998 through 2012. The acquisition of AMBIA during 1997
(see Note 2) could limit the extent to which the Company may utilize these
carryforwards in any one year. In addition, at December 31, 1996 and September
30, 1997, the Company had $70,000 in research and development tax credit
carryforwards expiring in 1997 and $55,000 in investment tax credit
carryforwards expiring in 1997 through 2000.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   64
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The actual income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996, differed from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate
of 34 percent as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED          ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1995             1996             1997
                                               ------------     ------------     -------------
        <S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
        Tax at statutory rate................    $ 46,000        $  171,000        $(884,000)
        Benefit of operating loss
          carryforwards......................     (55,000)               --          820,000
        Benefit of stock options exercised...          --          (192,000)              --
        Nondeductible amortization...........       3,000            16,000           61,000
        Miscellaneous items..................       6,000             5,000            3,000
        Federal Alternative Minimum Tax......       3,000                --               --
                                                 --------         ---------        ---------
                                                 $  3,000        $       --        $      --
</TABLE>
 
     The 1995 provision for income taxes relates solely to the Federal
Alternative Minimum Tax.
 
     The significant components of net deferred tax (liabilities) assets are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                  1995             1996             1997
                                              ------------     ------------     -------------
        <S>                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
        Deferred tax liabilities:
          Net software development costs....  $    (48,000)    $         --      $    (20,000)
          Other.............................       (10,000)         (32,000)               --
                                               -----------      -----------       -----------
                                              $    (58,000)    $    (32,000)     $    (20,000)
        Deferred tax assets:
          Net operating loss carryforward...     1,974,000        2,030,000         2,901,000
          Investment tax credit and research
             and development tax credits
             carryforward...................       207,000          125,000           125,000
        Other...............................        55,000           92,000           122,000
                                               -----------      -----------       -----------
                                                 2,236,000        2,247,000         3,148,000
        Net deferred tax asset before
          valuation allowance...............     2,178,000        2,215,000         3,128,000
        Valuation allowance.................    (2,178,000)      (2,215,000)       (3,128,000)
                                               -----------      -----------       -----------
        Net deferred tax asset..............  $         --     $         --      $         --
</TABLE>
 
     Under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, the tax effect of the net operating
loss and investment tax credit carryforwards, together with net temporary
differences, represents a net deferred tax asset against which management has
fully reserved due to the uncertainty of future taxable income. The
carryforwards will be benefited for financial reporting purposes when utilized
to offset future taxable income.
 
5.  DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
 
     Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of an ownership
interest in an entity or a contract that imposes an obligation to deliver cash
or other financial instruments to a second party. The carrying amounts of
current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short
maturity of these instruments.
 
6.  NOTE PAYABLE:
 
     In November 1996, the Company entered into a working capital line of credit
with Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. This loan facility provides
the Company with up to a $1,000,000 line of credit
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   65
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
at a per annum rate equal to the sum of 2.9 percent plus the 30-day commercial
paper rate. This per annum rate was 8.4% as of September 30, 1997. The weighted
average interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was 8.4%. The
advances on the facility are based on eligible billed accounts receivable fewer
than 90 days old, which constitute collateral for the line of credit. The
facility expires in July 1998. As of December 31, 1996, the Company had no
borrowings under this line of credit. As of September 30, 1997, the Company had
borrowed $958,000 under this line of credit.
 
7.  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
  Preferred Stock
 
     During 1996, all the outstanding shares of preferred stock were converted
into common stock, and all dividends in arrears were satisfied through the
issuance of an equivalent number of common shares.
 
     At December 31, 1995, 131,500 shares of convertible preferred stock were
outstanding. The preferred shares had the following provisions:
 
     - Cumulative, preferential dividends paid quarterly if declared by the
       Board of Directors at an annual rate of 9 percent ($.90 per share).
 
     - The option to convert one share of preferred stock for 1.111 common
       shares.
 
     - Full voting rights, to the extent of common shares that would be held
       upon conversion.
 
     - Pre-emptive rights relating to future stock offerings.
 
     - Preference in the distribution of corporate assets up to $10.00 per share
       plus cumulative unpaid dividends.
 
     - All the preferred stock was redeemable at the option of the Company at a
       price of $10.00 per share.
 
     Dividends on preferred stock were paid upon declaration by the Board of
Directors. Cash dividends of $120,000 ($0.90 per preferred share) and $58,000
($0.45 per preferred share) were declared during 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
  Options and Warrants
 
     In April 1995, the Company's shareholders approved the adoption of the 1995
Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan") which consolidates and is the successor to
the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan approved by shareholders in 1991 and
the Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan approved in 1992 (together, the "Predecessor
Plans"). Options have been granted to employees as well as to members of the
Board of Directors. The 1995 Plan also provides for the automatic granting of a
fixed number of options each year to members of the Compensation Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors and increases the total number of shares
authorized for issuance upon the exercise of options from the 777,779 shares
previously authorized to l,011,000 shares. In August 1997, an additional 500,000
shares were authorized for issuance.
 
     Under the 1995 Plan, options may be granted at prices not less than 100
percent of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant.
Options vest over varying years of service. Vested options are exercisable until
the earlier of ten years from the date of grant or three months after
termination of employment for options granted under the Predecessor Plans, five
years from the date of grant or one month after termination of employment for
options issued under the 1995 Plan.
 
     As of September 30, 1997, warrants remained outstanding for the right to
purchase 15,556 shares of common stock issued to certain former members of the
Board of Directors and to certain non-affiliated parties. All of the outstanding
warrants were issued over the years ended December 31, 1990 and 1991. These
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   66
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
warrants, which are exercisable for seven years from date of grant, are
exercisable upon grant. Warrants to purchase an additional 7,777 shares of
common stock are authorized for future issuance.
 
     A summary of option and warrant activity under the 1995 Plan and the
Predecessor Plans is presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NUMBER OF EQUIVALENT SHARES
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          INCENTIVE STOCK      NON-QUALIFIED
                                              OPTIONS          STOCK OPTIONS         WARRANTS
                                          ---------------     ---------------     --------------
    <S>                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>
    Outstanding at December 31, 1994....          526,146              87,112             15,556
      Granted...........................           29,166              14,000                 --
      Exercised.........................          (43,681)                 --                 --
      Expired or canceled...............         (142,770)                 --                 --
                                                ---------           ---------             ------
    Outstanding at December 31, 1995....          368,861             101,112             15,556
      Granted...........................          246,655              92,998                 --
      Exercised.........................          (52,322)           (124,530)                --
      Expired or canceled...............          (13,196)                 --                 --
                                                ---------           ---------             ------
    Outstanding at December 31, 1996....          549,998              69,580             15,556
      Granted...........................          190,777              72,941                 --
      Exercised.........................          (39,885)            (10,054)                --
      Expired or canceled...............          (26,666)             (2,832)                --
                                                ---------           ---------             ------
    Outstanding at September 30, 1997...          674,224             129,635             15,556
      Exercise price....................  $1.08 to $11.00     $1.08 to $11.00     $2.17 to $2.73
</TABLE>
 
     In November 1997, the Company granted 250,000 stock options to the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an employment
agreement. The options may be exercised at $9.50 per share and vest over a three
year period. The fair value of the options on the date of grant was $9.75 per
share. The difference will be recognized as compensation expense ratably as the
options vest.
 
     The Company adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," effective for the Company's December
31, 1996, financial statements. The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and
related interpretations in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, compensation
cost has been recognized for its stock plans based on the intrinsic value of the
stock option at date of grant (i.e., the difference between the exercise price
and the fair value of the Company's stock). Had compensation cost for the
Company's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value
at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of
SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been
reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             NINE MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED            ENDED
                                                         DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         -------------     ----------------
                                                         1995     1996     1996      1997
                                                         ----     ----     ----     -------
    <S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
    Net income (loss) as reported......................  $131     $503     $453     $(2,601)
    Pro forma compensation expense.....................     3      134      101         237
                                                         ----     ----     ----     -------
    Pro forma net income (loss)........................  $128     $369     $352     $(2,838)
    Per share:
    Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
      per common and equivalent share:
      Primary, as reported.............................  $.01     $.20     $.19     $ (1.08)
      Primary, pro forma...............................  $.01     $.14     $.17     $ (1.18)
      Fully diluted, as reported.......................  $.01     $.18     $.16     $ (1.08)
      Fully diluted, pro forma.........................  $.01     $.13     $.14     $ (1.18)
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   67
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The weighted average fair value of options granted in 1995 and 1996 was
$1.61 and $4.31, respectively. The fair value of each option is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
assumptions used for grants in 1995 and 1996: no dividend yield, expected
volatility of 63.0 percent, risk-free interest rate of 6.21 percent and expected
life of five years. At September 30, 1997, the weighted average exercise price
for outstanding options was $4.66 per share.
 
     Because SFAS No. 123 has not been applied to options granted prior to
January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may not be
representative of that to be expected in future years.
 
     On March 15, 1996, the Board of Directors declared a one-for-six common
stock dividend payable to shareholders of record as of April 17, 1996, and
distributed on May 17, 1996. Accordingly, the fair market value (based upon
quoted market prices, as adjusted) of the additional 241,063 shares issuable,
which totaled $643,000, was charged to accumulated deficit and the respective
amount was credited to common stock and additional paid-in capital.
 
     On July 30, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two-for-one
common stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock distribution. The
distribution was made on August 26, 1996, to common shareholders of record as of
August 12, 1996. The stated par value per share of common stock was not changed
from $.03 and the number of authorized shares of common stock increased from
3,333,333 to 6,666,666 shares. Accordingly, the par value of the additional
shares issued was transferred from additional paid-in capital to common stock,
and all share and per share amounts have been restated to retroactively reflect
the stock split.
 
  Stock Purchase Plan
 
     In May 1997, the Company adopted the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
("SPP"). The SPP is intended as an employment incentive and to encourage stock
ownership such that participating employees can share in the Company's progress.
The SPP is administered by the Board of Directors of the Company. Any employee
of the Company is eligible to participate, on a voluntary basis, in the SPP,
except that persons who own or hold stock, including stock underlying options,
or as a result of participation in the SPP would own stock, including stock
underlying options, amounting to 5% or more of the total combined voting power
or value of all classes of stock of the Company are not entitled to participate
in the SPP. As of September 30, 1997, 200,000 shares of authorized but unissued
common stock of the Company had been reserved for issuance under the SPP.
 
     The purchase price per share at which shares of common stock are sold in an
offering under the SPP is set by the Board of Directors, provided that the
purchase price may not be less than 85% of the lesser of the fair market value
of the common stock on the first or the last day of the offering period. Subject
to certain limitations, the number of shares of common stock a participant
purchases in an offering period is determined by dividing the total amount of
payroll deductions withheld from the participant's compensation during the
offering period by the purchase price per share.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   68
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
8.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
 
  Capital Lease Obligations
 
     The Company leases certain fixed assets under long-term capital lease
agreements. These assets are included in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                       1995             1996             1997
                                                   ------------     ------------     -------------
    <S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>
    Property and equipment.......................   $  580,000       $  549,000        $ 182,000
    Less -- Accumulated depreciation and
      amortization...............................     (403,000)        (474,000)         (98,000)
                                                     ---------        ---------         --------
                                                    $  177,000       $   75,000        $  84,000
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation and amortization of these assets is computed using the
straight-line method over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the
term of the lease obligation.
 
     The future maturities of capital lease obligations as of December 31, 1996,
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                 <C>
                1997..............................................  $ 51,000
                1998..............................................    28,000
                1999..............................................     6,000
                                                                    --------
                Total minimum payments............................    85,000
                Less -- Amounts representing interest.............    (6,000)
                                                                    --------
                Present value of minimum lease payments ..........    79,000
                Less -- Current portion...........................   (46,000)
                                                                    --------
                Long-term portion.................................  $ 33,000
</TABLE>
 
  Operating Leases
 
     Effective August 1, 1993, the Company entered into a lease for its
corporate headquarters facility in Fairfax, Virginia. This lease expires July
31, 1998. The minimum commitment under this agreement amounts to $307,000. Under
the terms of the lease, the landlord provided various incentives, which have
been deferred and classified as deferred rent in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets. These amounts are being amortized over the life of the lease.
 
     For the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1997, rent expense was $297,000, $290,000, $212,000 and
$258,000. During 1996, the Company incurred $53,000 of rent expense related to
space and equipment for an off-site training facility under a month-to-month
lease. During the first nine months of 1997, the Company incurred $81,000 of
rent expense related to the off-site training facility.
 
     Effective September 1997, the Company entered into a one-year agreement
with a third party to procure outside mainframe-related data processing
services. The minimum commitment under this agreement amounts to $60,000 until
termination in August 1998.
 
  Employee Benefit Plan
 
     In 1988, the Company established an employee benefit plan (the "Benefit
Plan") which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The
Benefit Plan allows salaried employees to contribute a portion of their
compensation toward their retirement on a tax deferred basis. The Company is
required to make contributions equal to 10 percent of the employee's
contribution to the Benefit Plan and totaled approximately $23,000 and $32,000
for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $26,000 and
$33,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively. In
addition to the
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   69
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
aforementioned contributions, the Company, at the sole discretion of its Board
of Directors, may make profit-sharing contributions to the Benefit Plan. No
contributions were made in 1995, 1996 or 1997.
 
  Contingencies
 
     A customer has asserted that the Company did not perform on a contract and
seeks a $90,000 refund. The Company vigorously denies the assertion and
management believes that based upon the current facts it is not probable that a
loss will occur. Accordingly, no accrual has been made for this claim at
December 31, 1996, or September 30, 1997.
 
     Costs charged to cost-type U.S. Government contracts are subject to annual
audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency or other duly authorized
representatives of the Federal government. No audits have been completed for any
periods commencing after September 30, 1991, and in the opinion of management,
adjustments resulting from the completion of such audits are not expected to
have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of future
operations.
 
  Related-Party Transactions
 
     The Company incurred management consulting fees of approximately $168,000
and $195,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and
$143,000 and $158,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, for services rendered by certain Directors of the Company. Amounts
payable for these services to companies employing these Directors were $15,000
and $12,500 at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $0 at September 30,
1997. Amounts receivable from a company employing a director was $13,000 at
December 31, 1996.
 
     In October 1996, the Company executed a note receivable from an officer and
shareholder for $70,000 due in full on September 30, 1999 with quarterly
interest payments at an annual rate of 1 percent over prime (approximately 9.25%
at December 31, 1996 and 9.50% at September 30, 1997) adjusted quarterly.
 
     The Company issued 8,000 shares of restricted common stock to a Director
for a total compensation expense of $9,000 in consideration for services
rendered during 1995.
 
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
 
     As of September 30, 1997, the Company had incurred a net loss and
accumulated and working capital deficits. Management has developed a plan to
obtain additional financing to mitigate the Company's liquidity risk through a
public offering and sale of 1,600,000 shares of common stock pursuant to a
registration statement filed in December 1997 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. However, there can be no assurance that such funds will be secured.
The lack of such funds could have a material adverse impact on the Company's
financial condition.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   70
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors
AMBIA
 
     We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Ambia
Corporation and Software Partners, Inc. -- AMBIA Division, hereafter referred to
as AMBIA as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the related statements of loss and
accumulated deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. The financial
statements are the responsibility of AMBIA's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. These standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatements. 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 AMBIA as of December 31,
1995 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     We have reviewed the balance sheet of AMBIA as of June 30, 1997 and the
related statements of income (loss) and accumulated deficit and cash flows for
six months then ended, in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting
and Review Services issued by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. All information included in these financial statements is the
representation of the management of AMBIA.
 
     A review consists principally of inquires of Company personnel and
analytical procedures applied to financial data. It is substantially less in
scope than an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial
statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
 
     Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial statements as of June 30, 1997 and for six
months the ended in order for them to be in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                          Seiler & Company
 
Redwood City, California
June 3, 1997 as to the 1995 and 1996 financial statements
and June 11, 1997 as to the 1997 financial statements
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   71
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                            -----------------------         AS OF             AS OF
                                              1995          1996        JUNE 30, 1996     JUNE 30, 1997
                                            ---------     ---------     -------------     -------------
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents...............  $      --     $      --       $      --         $      --
  Accounts receivable trade, net..........    233,258       119,101         158,305           133,181
  Accounts receivable others, net.........         --        15,448              --                --
  Prepaid expenses........................         --            --              --             6,465
  Inventories.............................     14,476            --              --                --
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
          Total current assets............    247,734       134,549         158,305           139,646
INTANGIBLE ASSETS.........................     13,183        13,386          15,845            13,441
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
          Total assets....................  $ 260,917     $ 147,935       $ 174,150         $ 153,087
                                             ========      ========       =========         =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses...  $ 407,089     $      --       $      --         $  67,961
  Due to Software Partners, Inc...........         --            --              --           152,679
  Deferred revenue........................     25,500       128,889              --                --
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
          Total current liabilities.......    432,589       128,889               0           220,640
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
          Total liabilities...............    432,589       128,889               0           220,640
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
  Additional paid in capital..............         --       867,118         685,433           867,118
  Common stock no par value, 4,500,000
     shares issued
     and outstanding
  Accumulated deficit.....................   (171,672)     (848,072)       (511,283)         (934,671)
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
     Total stockholders' equity
       (deficit)..........................   (171,672)       19,046         174,150           (67,553)
                                             --------      --------       ---------         ---------
          Total liabilities and
            stockholders' equity
            (deficit).....................  $ 260,917     $ 147,935       $ 174,150         $ 153,087
                                             ========      ========       =========         =========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   72
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                   STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                                 DECEMBER 31,            SIX MONTHS        SIX MONTHS
                                           ------------------------         ENDED             ENDED
                                             1995           1996        JUNE 30, 1996     JUNE 30, 1997
                                           ---------     ----------     -------------     -------------
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>           <C>            <C>               <C>
REVENUES:
  Consulting income......................  $ 498,800     $  253,438       $ 184,210         $ 413,352
  Product sales..........................    193,189        581,430         299,877           460,353
                                           ---------     ----------      ----------        ----------
          Total revenues.................    691,989        834,868         484,087           873,705
                                           ---------     ----------      ----------        ----------
EXPENSES:
  Wages..................................    525,223        960,312         558,318           567,439
  Software development...................     55,858        169,481          53,608           149,900
  Advertising and promotion..............     53,760         70,530          49,950            16,775
  Rent...................................     39,645         53,343          36,295            41,148
  Employee benefits......................     46,209         48,134          11,043            58,612
  Telephone..............................     20,166         28,378          11,765            24,824
  Services -- postage....................     11,000         27,561          13,655            28,364
  Cost of goods sold.....................      7,968         23,981          20,624             8,848
  Travel.................................     14,278         21,856          13,651             4,064
  Accounting.............................      6,028         19,089           8,777             8,511
  Professional services..................     22,106         18,306           6,632             3,840
  Office supplies........................     23,853         16,085          10,710             4,142
  Legal..................................      3,336         13,393           4,181               895
  Services -- shipping...................     14,771         10,409           5,909            11,412
  Amortization...........................      3,228          8,371           4,186             5,698
  Bank charges...........................      1,845          7,387           3,321             5,192
  Insurance..............................      1,136          6,818           6,818             8,499
  Bad debt...............................         --          3,237              37             9,000
  Business meals.........................      1,915          1,914           1,030             1,421
  Software...............................      8,936          1,784           2,758                --
  Data entry.............................         --            899             380               280
  Franchise taxes........................         --             --              --               800
  Dues and subscriptions.................         --             --              --               640
  Sales commission.......................      2,400             --              --                --
                                           ---------     ----------      ----------        ----------
          Total expenses.................    863,661      1,511,268         823,698           960,304
                                           ---------     ----------      ----------        ----------
NET LOSS.................................   (171,672)      (676,400)       (339,611)          (86,599)
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT, BEGINNING OF YEAR...         --       (171,672)       (171,672)         (848,072)
                                           ---------     ----------      ----------        ----------
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT, END OF YEAR.........  $(171,672)    $ (848,072)      $(511,283)        $(934,671)
                                           =========     ==========      ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   73
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                      STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         COMMON STOCK         ADDITIONAL
                                      -------------------      PAID IN       ACCUMULATED
                                      SHARES      AMOUNT       CAPITAL         DEFICIT         TOTAL
                                      -------     -------     ----------     -----------     ---------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>
Balance as of
  December 31, 1994.................              $    --      $      --      $      --      $      --
     Net income (loss)..............                   --             --       (171,672)      (171,672)
                                                  -------       --------       --------       --------
Balance as of
  December 31, 1995.................                   --             --       (171,672)      (171,672)
     Additional paid in capital.....                   --        867,118             --        867,118
     Net income (loss)..............                   --             --       (676,400)      (676,400)
                                                  -------       --------       --------       --------
Balance as of
  December 31, 1996.................                   --        867,118       (848,072)        19,046
     Net Income (loss)
       (Unaudited)..................                   --             --        (86,599)       (86,599)
                                                  -------       --------       --------       --------
Balance as of
  June 30, 1997 (Unaudited).........              $    --      $ 867,118      $(934,671)     $ (67,553)
                                                  =======       ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   74
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            YEAR ENDED
                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                      -----------------------     SIX MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                        1995          1996         JUNE 30, 1996        JUNE 30, 1997
                                      ---------     ---------     ----------------     ----------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                   <C>           <C>           <C>                  <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss..........................  $(171,672)    $(676,400)       $ (339,611)          $  (86,599)
  Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided by
     (used in) operating activities
  Depreciation and amortization.....      3,228         8,371             4,186                5,698
  Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities
     Accounts receivable............   (233,258)       98,709            74,953                1,368
     Prepaid expenses...............         --            --                --               (6,465)
     Inventories....................    (14,476)       14,476            14,476                   --
     Accounts payable...............         --            --                --               67,961
     Deferred revenue...............     25,500       103,389           (25,500)            (128,889)
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
       Net cash provided (used) by
          operating activities......   (390,678)     (451,455)         (271,496)            (146,926)
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of intangible assets.....    (16,411)       (8,574)           (6,848)              (5,753)
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
       Net cash provided (used) by
          investing activities......    (16,411)       (8,574)           (6,848)              (5,753)
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Short-term borrowings.............    407,089            --                --              152,679
  Additional paid in capital........         --       460,029           278,344                   --
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
       Net cash provided (used) by
          financing activities......    407,089       460,029           278,344              152,679
                                      ---------     ---------         ---------            ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS.......................         --            --                --                   --
                                      =========     =========         =========            =========
SUPPLEMENTARY NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:
  Amounts due to Software Partners,
     Inc. at December 31, 1995 were
     converted to additional paid in
     capital in 1996................                $ 407,089        $  407,089
                                                    =========         =========
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   75
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                   DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996 AND JUNE 30, 1997
 
NOTE 1 -- ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  A. Nature of Business
 
     Software Partners, Inc. -- Ambia Division and Ambia Corporation, hereafter
referred to as AMBIA, develops and markets Acrobat add-on products for the
electronic publishing market in North America and Europe. Acrobat is a product
from Adobe Systems, Inc. that helps organizations publish documents on multiple
platforms from any software product.
 
     In May 1996, Software Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation, located in
Mountain View, California, spun-off its Ambia Division into a separate
corporation, Ambia Corporation. As a result of the spin-off, all intellectual
property was transferred, at cost, into Ambia Corporation in exchange for common
stock. Amounts due to Software Partners' other divisions were recorded as
additional paid-in capital.
 
     The operations were carried on as Software Partners, Inc. -- Ambia Division
from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 1996, and as Ambia Corporation since May 1,
1996.
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the results of operations of
Software Partners, Inc. -- Ambia Division and Ambia Corporation.
 
  B. Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  C. Intangible Assets and Deferred Charges
 
     Trademarks and patents, stated at cost less accumulated amortization, are
being amortized on the straight-line method over a three year period.
 
     Product design costs, stated at cost less accumulated amortization, are
being amortized on a straight-line method over a two-year period.
 
  D. Recognition of Income
 
     AMBIA recognizes income on its products upon shipment. Consulting revenue
is recognized as services are provided. AMBIA provides a 30-60 day warranty on
its products and services.
 
  E. Advertising Costs
 
     AMBIA expenses advertising production costs as they are incurred and
advertising communication costs the first time advertising takes place.
 
  F. Research and Development
 
     Current operations are charged with all research, engineering and product
development expenses. Research and development expenses were approximately
$44,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, $20,000 for the six months ended
June 30, 1996, $35,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and $25,000 for the
six months ended June 30, 1997.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   76
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  G. Income Taxes
 
     AMBIA accounts for its income taxes using the Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes" (SFAS No. 109), which requires the establishment of a deferred
tax asset or liability for the recognition of future deductible or taxable
amounts and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax expense or
benefit is recognized as a result of the changes in the assets and liabilities
during the year. There was no deferred tax asset or liability at December 31,
1995, 1996 and June 30, 1997.
 
NOTE 2 -- ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, TRADE
 
     Accounts receivable, trade consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                     ---------------------     JUNE 30,
                                                       1995         1996         1997
                                                     --------     --------     --------
        <S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
        Trade......................................  $233,258     $119,101     $142,181
        Less allowance for doubtful accounts.......        --           --        9,000
                                                     --------     --------     --------
        Total......................................  $233,258     $119,101     $133,181
                                                     ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company also had goods on consignment, valued at approximately $14,600,
with Adobe Systems Europe Ltd. as of June 30, 1997. The goods on consignment
were not included in accounts receivable.
 
NOTE 3 -- INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                     ---------------------     JUNE 30,
        Intangible assets consist of the following:    1995         1996         1997
                                                     --------     --------     --------
        <S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
          Trademarks and patents...................  $ 10,496     $ 13,252     $ 19,005
          Product design...........................     5,915       11,733       11,733
                                                      -------      -------      -------
                                                       16,411       24,985       30,738
          Less accumulated amortization............     3,228       11,599       17,297
                                                      -------      -------      -------
          Total....................................  $ 13,183     $ 13,386     $ 13,441
                                                      =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
     Amortization charged to earnings for 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $3,228,
$8,371, and $2,969, respectively.
 
NOTE 4 -- RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     All activities were carried out by Software Partners, Inc. (SPI), on behalf
of AMBIA.
 
     Revenues and expenses on the accompanying financial statements represent
revenues earned and expenses incurred and allocated by SPI to AMBIA.
 
     Software Partners, Inc. leases office space in Mountain View, California.
The lease expires on May 31, 1998. Rent is allocated to AMBIA based on the
number of employees, and totaled $39,645, $18,400 and $19,199 during 1995, 1996
and 1997, respectively. Estimated future obligations of AMBIA under the lease
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                YEAR ENDING
                  JUNE 30,
                ----------------------------------------------------
                <S>                                                   <C>
                  1998..............................................  88,116
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   77
 
                                     AMBIA
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Expenses directly identified with AMBIA were charged to AMBIA. All other
expenses were allocated based on AMBIA's share of wages to total wages. This
resulted in other expenses being allocated to AMBIA as follows: 50% in 1995 and
60% in 1996. Management of AMBIA asserts that the method used is reasonable.
 
NOTE 5 -- ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY
 
     AMBIA earned a substantial portion of its revenue from three, four and two
customers in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. During the year ended December
31, 1995, 1996 and six months ended June 30, 1997 revenue from these customers
totaled $288,730, $216,852, and $135,600, respectively. At June 30, 1997 no
amounts were due from these customers.
 
NOTE 6 -- COMMON STOCK OPTIONS
 
     AMBIA has a fixed stock-based compensation plan. Under the plan, the
Company may grant options for up to 500,000 shares of common stock. The exercise
price of each option is equal to the market price of the Company's stock on the
date of grant. The maximum term of the options is ten years, and they vest at
the end of four years.
 
     The Company applies APB Opinion 25 in accounting for its fixed stock-based
compensation plan. Accordingly, no compensation costs has been recognized for
the plan. Had compensation cost been determined on the basis of fair value
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, net loss would have been
increased as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1995         1996        1997
                                                      --------     --------     -------
        <S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
        Loss as reported............................  $171,672     $676,400     $86,599
        Loss proforma...............................   171,672      693,180      86,599
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the grant date using
the Black-Scholes model. The following assumptions were made in estimating fair
value:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   ASSUMPTION                       FIXED PLAN
                ------------------------------------------------    ----------
                <S>                                                 <C>
                Dividend yield..................................           --
                Risk-free interest rate.........................         8.5%
                Expected life...................................      4 years
</TABLE>
 
     Summary of the status of the fixed plan is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                       --------------------    WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                                         1996        1997      REMAINING SHARES
                                                       --------    --------    ----------------
    <S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>
    Outstanding exercisable, beginning of year.......        --     395,000         $ 0.15
    Granted..........................................   395,000          --
    Exercised........................................        --          --
    Forfeited........................................        --     (4,062)
                                                        -------     -------          -----
    Outstanding exercisable, end of year.............   395,000     390,938         $ 0.15
</TABLE>
 
     The status of fixed options outstanding are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
                             ------------------------------------            EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
                                                       WEIGHTED       ---------------------------------
                                                        AVERAGE                                WEIGHTED
                                                       REMAINING                               AVERAGE
                             EXERCISE                 CONTRACTUAL     EXERCISE                 EXERCISE
                              PRICE        SHARES        LIFE          PRICE        SHARES      PRICE
                             --------     --------    -----------     --------     --------    --------
    <S>                      <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>         <C>
    December 31, 1996......   $ 0.15       390,938      4 years        $ 0.15       390,938     $ 0.15
    June 30, 1997..........   $ 0.15       395,000      4 years        $ 0.15       395,000     $ 0.15
</TABLE>
 
     As of December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1997 no options had been exercised.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   78
 
                             INFODATA SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
     On July 22, 1997, Infodata Systems Inc. (the "Company") acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of AMBIA Corporation ("AMBIA") in consideration for
400,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of $7.75, which
was equivalent to the trading price of the Company's Common Stock on such date.
The total acquisition cost was approximately $3,461,000 including the direct
costs of the acquisition. Approximately $25,000 was allocated to acquired
tangible assets, $144,000 to acquired intangible assets, and $3,292,000 to
goodwill. The acquired intangible assets are being amortized over two years and
seven years, respectively. The acquisition is being accounted for in accordance
with the purchase method of accounting and was accomplished by means of a merger
of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company into AMBIA.
 
     The following unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Income give effect to the acquisition of AMBIA by the Company as if the
acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1996 and 1997, respectively. These pro
forma statements of income give effect, for the periods presented to the
following pro forma adjustments: (a) the increase in amortization associated
with goodwill resulting from the acquisition; and (b) the change in weighted
average common shares outstanding resulting from the issuance of 400,000 shares
of common stock in connection with the acquisition.
 
     The following unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Income should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto included herewith,
with the Company's audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto for the periods presented and with AMBIA's audited and unaudited
financial statements and notes thereto for the periods presented. The unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are not necessarily
indicative of future operating results or of what would have occurred had the
acquisition been consummated at the time specified. The pro forma adjustments
are based on available information and certain adjustments that management
believes to be reasonable. In the opinion of management, all material
adjustments have been made that are necessary to present fairly the pro forma
information.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   79
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
              (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                             PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                                    INFODATA    AMBIA(1)    ADJUSTMENTS    CONSOLIDATED
                                                    --------    --------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
Revenues..........................................   $9,560      $  835        $  --         $ 10,395
Cost of revenues..................................    5,457          24           --            5,481
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
Gross profit......................................    4,103         811           --            4,914
Operating expenses:
  Research and development........................      816          35           --              851
  Selling, general and administrative.............    2,869       1,452          512(A)         4,833
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
                                                      3,685       1,487          512            5,684
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
Operating income (loss)...........................      418        (676)        (512)            (770)
Interest income...................................       96          --           --               96
Interest expense..................................      (11)         --           --              (11)
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
Income (loss) before income taxes.................      503        (676)        (512)            (685)
Provision for income taxes........................       --          --           --               --
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
Net income (loss).................................   $  503      $ (676)       $(512)        $   (685)
                                                     ======      ======        =====          =======
Preferred dividends...............................       58          --           --               58
                                                     ------      ------        -----          -------
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders....................................   $  445      $ (676)       $(512)        $   (743)
                                                     ======      ======        =====          =======
Pro forma net income (loss) per share(2)..........   $ 0.20          --           --         $  (0.29)
                                                     ======                                   =======
Pro forma weighted average shares
  outstanding(2)..................................    2,162          --          400            2,562
                                                                                              =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   80
 
                             INFODATA SYSTEMS INC.
 
             PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                INFODATA     AMBIA(3)     ADJUSTMENTS     CONSOLIDATED
                                                --------     --------     -----------     ------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>
Revenues......................................  $  7,033      $  925         $  --          $  7,958
Cost of revenues..............................     4,037          10            --             4,047
                                                 -------      ------         -----           -------
Gross profit..................................     2,996         915            --             3,911
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....................     1,696         162            --             1,858
  Selling, general and administrative.........     3,942         869           298(A)          5,109
                                                 -------      ------         -----           -------
                                                   5,638       1,031           298             6,967
                                                 -------      ------         -----           -------
Operating income (loss).......................    (2,642)       (116)         (298)           (3,056)
Interest income...............................        54          --            --                54
Interest expense..............................       (18)         --            --               (18)
                                                 -------      ------         -----           -------
Loss before income taxes......................    (2,606)       (116)         (298)           (3,020)
Provision for income taxes....................        (5)         --            --                (5)
                                                 -------      ------         -----           -------
Net Loss......................................  $ (2,601)     $ (116)        $(298)         $ (3,015)
                                                 =======      ======         =====           =======
Pro forma net loss per share(2)...............  $  (1.08)         --            --          $  (1.11)
                                                 =======                                     =======
Pro forma weighted average shares
  outstanding(2)..............................     2,407          --           298             2,705
                                                                                             =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   81
 
                     INFODATA SYSTEMS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(1) Reflects the results of AMBIA Corporation on a stand alone basis for the
    year ended December 31, 1996.
 
(2) Pro forma net income (loss) per share and pro forma weighted average shares
    outstanding reflect the issuance of 400,000 shares of Infodata Systems, Inc.
    common stock issued to the shareholders of AMBIA Corporation as if the
    transaction had been consummated as of the beginning of the period.
 
(3) Reflects the results of AMBIA Corporation on a stand alone basis for the
    period January 1, 1997 through July 21, 1997, the day before the date of
    acquisition.
 
(A) Reflects increase in amortization expense associated with goodwill on the
    AMBIA Corporation acquisition and amortization of acquired intangible
    assets.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   82
 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          TERMS                                       DEFINITIONS
- -------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>
Browser..................  Software that enables users to look at pages on the World Wide
                           Web. Netscape and Internet Explorer are the most popular browsers.
Button (e.g.
"VFC Button")............  A form of graphic icon on a computer screen, which when "clicked"
                           upon with a mouse causes certain actions to take place.
 
CAD......................  Computer Aided Design.
 
Client...................  Typically a user's personal computer, which requests service from
                           another computer, the server.
 
Desktop..................  The appearance of the screen on an individual user's computer;
                           also the complete environment on the user's personal computer.
 
Desktop Application......  Software that runs on the user's personal computer.
 
Desktop File.............  A computer file that resides on the user's personal computer
 
Document
Management System........  Software that helps automate the workflow process of creating,
                           filing, organizing and retrieving electronic documents.
 
Document Sharing
System...................  Software that enables multiple users to share a common collection
                           of electronic documents.
 
Document Web Server......  The central VFC component, which manages the common collection of
                           electronic documents and makes them accessible via Web browsers.
 
Electronic Document......  An electronic version of a document, produced by word processors,
                           spreadsheets, graphics software, etc.
 
Enabler..................  A VFC term referring to the software component which allows VFC to
                           "talk" to other applications.
 
Extension................  A VFC term referring to software that resides on the desktop and
                           extends the functionality of VFC.
 
Groupware................  Software that serves a workgroup and makes the group more
                           productive. An example would be group calendaring and scheduling
                           software.
 
HTML.....................  HyperText Markup Language -- the codes used to mark up electronic
                           documents to make them viewable on the World Wide Web and to allow
                           linking one document to another.
 
Integration..............  The process of making multiple software and hardware products work
                           together.
 
Internet.................  A worldwide network of interconnected computers communicating
                           using a common standard.
 
Intranet.................  A network, using Internet technology, existing inside the
                           boundaries of an organization.
</TABLE>
 
                                       G-1
<PAGE>   83
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          TERMS                                       DEFINITIONS
- -------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>
Link or hyperlink........  A pointer, usually appearing as an underlined blue word or phrase
                           or graphic icon, which when clicked causes the user's computer to
                           display related information or causes the user's computer to
                           access or "visit" a related electronic location such as a Web
                           site.
Portable Document
Format (PDF).............  A computer file format created by Adobe Systems Inc. that enables
                           electronic documents to be displayed on any type of computer.
Plug-in..................  A software component written to perform specific tasks by working
                           in conjunction with, or being "plugged into," another software
                           component.
Server...................  A computer that shares and provides services to other computers,
                           called clients.
Webmaster................  A person responsible for establishing and maintaining an
                           organization's Web site.
Web Server...............  A server responsible for managing the communications to clients
                           and the delivery of HTML pages.
Web Site.................  A location on the World Wide Web.
User Interface...........  The combination of screen displays, commands and mouse operations
                           with which the user interacts with the computer.
</TABLE>
 
                                       G-2
<PAGE>   84
 
======================================================
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE
SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES BY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IS UNLAWFUL. THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF THIS
PROSPECTUS.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................    2
Prospectus Summary....................    3
Risk Factors..........................    7
Use of Proceeds.......................   14
Dividend Policy.......................   15
Price Range of Common Stock...........   15
Capitalization........................   16
Dilution..............................   16
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................   17
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   18
Business..............................   28
Management............................   37
Certain Transactions..................   44
Principal Shareholders................   46
Description of Securities.............   47
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   49
Underwriting..........................   50
Legal Matters.........................   52
Experts...............................   52
Financial Statements..................  F-1
Glossary..............................  G-1
</TABLE>
 
======================================================
 
======================================================
 
                                (Infodata Logo)
                                    INFODATA
                                  SYSTEMS INC.
                        1,600,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                               -----------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                               -----------------
 
                       SOUTHEAST RESEARCH PARTNERS, INC.
 
                              GKN SECURITIES CORP.
                               February 17, 1998
 
======================================================


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