EDWARDS J D & CO
S-1/A, 1997-09-22
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1997
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-30701
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                             <C>
            DELAWARE                          7372                         84-0728700
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)   Classification Code Number)        Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
   
                               ONE TECHNOLOGY WAY
    
                             DENVER, COLORADO 80237
                                 (303) 334-4000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
                             ---------------------
                           RICHARD G. SNOW, JR., ESQ.
                 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                            J. D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
   
                               ONE TECHNOLOGY WAY
    
                             DENVER, COLORADO 80237
                                 (303) 334-4000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
            HERBERT P. FOCKLER, ESQ.                     ROBERT V. GUNDERSON, JR., ESQ.
        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI                     JAY K. HACHIGIAN, ESQ.
            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION                          BRIAN K. BEARD, ESQ.
               650 PAGE MILL ROAD                     GUNDERSON DETTMER STOUGH VILLENEUVE
          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304                      FRANKLIN & HACHIGIAN, LLP
                 (650) 493-9300                              155 CONSTITUTION DRIVE
                                                          MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
                                                                 (650) 321-2400
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
          Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
- ------------
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering.  [ ]
- ------------
 
   
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
    
                             ---------------------
   
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=====================================================================================================
                                               PROPOSED             PROPOSED
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF     NUMBER OF            MAXIMUM              MAXIMUM           AMOUNT OF
   SECURITIES TO BE       SHARES TO BE      OFFERING PRICE          AGGREGATE         REGISTRATION
      REGISTERED         REGISTERED(1)       PER SHARE(2)       OFFERING PRICE(2)        FEE(3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Common Stock, par value
  $0.01 per share......     18,170,000          $23.00            $417,910,000           $2,405
=====================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Includes 2,370,000 shares of Common Stock that are being registered in
    connection with an over-allotment option granted to the U.S. Underwriters.
    
   
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act.
    
   
(3) Represents the incremental registration fee for 345,000 additional shares of
    Common Stock at $23.00 per share. The Registrant has previously paid the
    registration fee for the remaining 17,825,000 shares with its filings on
    July 3, 1997 and August 26, 1997.
    
                             ---------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON
SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION 8(a), MAY
DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
     This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: (i) one to be
used in connection with an offering in the United States and Canada (the "U.S.
Prospectus") and (ii) the other to be used in connection with a concurrent
offering outside of the United States and Canada (the "International
Prospectus"). The U.S. Prospectus and the International Prospectus are identical
in all respects except for the front cover page of the International Prospectus,
which is included herein after the final page of the U.S. Prospectus and is
labeled "Alternate Page for International Prospectus." Final forms of each of
the Prospectuses will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Rule 424(b).
<PAGE>   3
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may
     not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the
     registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not
     constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
     to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction
     in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
     registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
     jurisdiction.
 
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
   
Issued September 22, 1997
    
 
   
                               15,800,000 Shares
    
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
   
 OF THE 15,800,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, 12,640,000 SHARES ARE
      BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S.
 UNDERWRITERS, AND 3,160,000 SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY OUTSIDE OF THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS. SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
 OF THE 15,800,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, 12,500,000 SHARES ARE
  BEING SOLD BY THE COMPANY AND 3,300,000 SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY THE SELLING
  STOCKHOLDERS. SEE "PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." THE COMPANY WILL NOT
RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES BY THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.
PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK OF
 THE COMPANY. IT IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED THAT THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
 WILL BE BETWEEN $21 AND $23 PER SHARE. SEE "UNDERWRITERS" FOR A DISCUSSION OF
 THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE.
 THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR QUOTATION ON
THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET UNDER THE SYMBOL "JDEC" SUBJECT TO OFFICIAL NOTICE OF
                                   ISSUANCE.
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
        THIS OFFERING INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
                          COMMENCING ON PAGE 4 HEREOF.
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
       COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
 
                              PRICE $     A SHARE
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         UNDERWRITING                            PROCEEDS TO
                        PRICE TO        DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO           SELLING
                         PUBLIC         COMMISSIONS(1)        COMPANY(2)         STOCKHOLDERS
                       -----------      --------------      --------------      --------------
<S>                    <C>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share.............   $                $                   $                   $
Total(3).............. $                $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
      Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriters."
 
   
  (2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,450,000.
    
 
   
  (3) The Company and certain of the Selling Stockholders have granted to the
      U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date
      hereof, to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,370,000 additional Shares at
      the price to public less underwriting discounts and commissions for the
      purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters
      exercise such option in full, the total price to public, underwriting
      discounts and commissions, proceeds to Company and proceeds to Selling
      Stockholders will be $        , $        , $        and $        ,
      respectively. See "Underwriters."
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
     The Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters named herein and subject to approval of certain legal matters
by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, counsel for
the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Shares will be made on or
about             , 1997, at the office of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
                             ---------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
 
              DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL
                             ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
            , 1997
<PAGE>   4
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH PERSON TO
MAKE SUCH OFFERING OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
                            ------------------------
 
     UNTIL             , 1997 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS DELIVERY
REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        -----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................     3
Risk Factors...........................     4
The Company............................    16
Use of Proceeds........................    17
Dividend Policy........................    17
Capitalization.........................    18
Dilution...............................    19
Selected Consolidated Financial Data...    20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................    21
Business...............................    31
Management.............................    48
Certain Transactions...................    57
 
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        -----
<S>                                     <C>
 
Principal and Selling Stockholders.....    59
Description of Capital Stock...........    61
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........    63
Certain United States Federal Income
  Tax Considerations for Non-U.S.
  Holders of Common Stock..............    65
Underwriters...........................    67
Legal Matters..........................    70
Experts................................    70
Change in Accountants..................    70
Additional Information.................    71
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements...........................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     J.D. Edwards & Company, J.D. Edwards and WorldVision are registered
trademarks of the Company. WorldSoftware, OneWorld, Genesis and Configurable
Network Computing are trademarks of the Company. All other trade names and
trademarks referred to in this Prospectus are the property of their respective
owners.
                            ------------------------
 
     Unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" or "J.D. Edwards"
refers to J.D. Edwards & Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Except as
otherwise noted herein, all information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise
of the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
                            ------------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK.
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING,
AND MAY BID FOR, AND PURCHASE, SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
 
                                        2
 
                         [GATE FOLD -- SEE APPENDIX A]
<PAGE>   5
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
       The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more
   detailed information and the consolidated financial statements and notes
   thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
       J.D. Edwards develops, markets and supports highly functional
   Enterprise Resource Planning software solutions that operate on multiple
   computing platforms and are designed to accelerate customers' time to
   benefit, lower customers' cost of ownership and reduce information systems
   risks arising from changes in technology and business practices. The
   Company's integrated software application suites support manufacturing,
   finance, distribution/logistics and human resources operations for
   multi-site and multinational organizations. Through its Configurable
   Network Computing architecture, the Company's ERP software is specifically
   designed to enable customers to change technology and/or business
   practices while minimizing costs and business interruptions. The Company
   provides implementation, training and support services designed to enable
   customers to rapidly achieve the benefits of the Company's ERP solutions.
   The Company has developed and marketed ERP solutions for over 20 years,
   principally for operation on AS/400 and other IBM mid-range systems and,
   more recently, on leading UNIX and Windows NT servers through Windows- and
   Internet browser-enabled desktop clients.
 
       The Company's family of application suites is designed to improve most
   organizations' core business processes. In addition, the Company extends
   its application suites to address certain vertical markets with specific
   configurations, templates and additional software features designed to
   meet these industries' needs. The Company offers two versions of its
   application suites -- WorldSoftware and OneWorld. WorldSoftware operates
   in a host-centric environment on the AS/400 platform. OneWorld
   incorporates the Company's CNC architecture and operates on leading UNIX
   and NT servers, as well as the AS/400 platform. The Company believes its
   network-centric CNC architecture provides a valuable extension beyond
   traditional client/server architectures by masking complexity, lowering
   cost of change and facilitating greater scalability. In addition,
   WorldSoftware and OneWorld are capable of operating together in a unified
   enterprise-wide environment. The Company also provides WorldSoftware and
   OneWorld toolsets to enable rapid implementation, customization and
   modification of its application suites.
 
       The Company distributes, implements and supports its products
   worldwide through 46 offices and 166 third-party business partners. To
   date, the Company has more than 4,000 customers with sites in over 90
   countries including Amgen, Inc., E&J Gallo Winery, Harley Davidson Europe
   Ltd., Lexmark International, Inc., Mobil Corporation, Samsonite
   Corporation and SmithKline Beecham plc.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
U.S. offering.............................................  12,640,000 shares
International offering....................................  3,160,000 shares
        Total.............................................  15,800,000 shares (including 12,500,000 shares by the Company
                                                            and 3,300,000 shares by the Selling Stockholders)
Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering.........  91,684,910 shares(1)
Use of proceeds...........................................  For general corporate purposes, including working capital.
                                                            See "Use of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol....................  JDEC
</TABLE>
    
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              TEN MONTHS                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 ENDED                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,                     JULY 31,
                                              OCTOBER 31,    --------------------------------------------    --------------------
                                                1992(2)        1993        1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                                              -----------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
   <S>                                        <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
     DATA:
   Total revenue...........................    $ 119,513     $196,834    $240,587    $340,766    $478,048    $323,783    $431,209
   Total costs and expenses................      116,154      184,546     223,140     311,888     434,421     308,754     406,751
   Operating income........................        3,359       12,288      17,447      28,878      43,627      15,029      24,458
   Net income (loss).......................         (267)       7,380      12,063      18,209      26,326       8,672      14,398
   Earnings (loss) per common share(3).....    $    (.00)    $    .09    $    .15    $    .22    $    .30    $    .10    $    .15
   Weighted average common shares
     outstanding(3)........................       81,406       81,935      82,201      82,452      87,615      87,404      95,140
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      JULY 31, 1997
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                                                                        PRO        PRO FORMA AS
                                                                                          ACTUAL      FORMA(4)      ADJUSTED(5)
                                                                                         --------     --------     -------------
   <S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
   Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................  $ 38,649     $ 38,649       $ 297,762
   Total assets........................................................................   300,939      318,126         577,239
   Mandatorily redeemable shares, at redemption value..................................    99,076           --         --
   Stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................................   (15,300)     100,963         360,076
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
 
   (1) Based on the number of shares outstanding as of July 31, 1997.
       Excludes (i) 22,121,540 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
       of outstanding options as of July 31, 1997, with a weighted average
       exercise price of $4.53 per share, and (ii) 17,137,190 shares of
       Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's stock plans as
       of July 31, 1997. Subsequent to July 31, 1997, the Company adopted new
       employee stock plans. The Company does not anticipate making future
       grants under stock plans that were in effect prior to July 31, 1997.
       As a result, as of the date of this offering, there will be 12,000,000
       shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under all new
       employee stock plans. See "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans" and
       Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   (2) In 1992, the Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to
       October 31. The consolidated statement of operations data for the
       period ended October 31, 1992 reflects 10 months of operating activity
       as compared with 12 months for all other fiscal year periods.
 
   (3) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a
       discussion of the computation of earnings (loss) per common share and
       weighted average common shares outstanding.
 
   (4) Reflects the elimination of the mandatory redemption feature of the
       mandatorily redeemable shares and the income tax benefits resulting
       from the lapse of restrictions on certain shares of the Company's
       outstanding Common Stock, both of which will occur automatically upon
       the closing of this offering. See "Certain Transactions" and Note 1 of
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
   (5) Pro forma as adjusted to reflect the receipt by the Company of the
       estimated net proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock
       offered by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering
       price of $22.00 per share and after deducting estimated underwriting
       discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by
       the Company. See "Capitalization" and "Use of Proceeds."
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the following
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ
materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that
may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed
below and in the sections entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business."
 
     Variability of Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality. The Company's
quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past, and will
likely continue to fluctuate in the future, as a result of a number of factors,
many of which are outside the Company's control. These factors include the
demand for the Company's software products and services; the size and timing of
specific sales; the level of product and price competition that the Company
encounters; the length of sales cycles; the timing of new product introductions
and product enhancements by the Company or its competitors; market acceptance of
new products; changes in pricing policies by the Company or its competitors; the
Company's ability to hire sales and consulting personnel to meet the demand, if
any, for implementations of the OneWorld version of its application suites; the
Company's ability to establish and maintain relationships with third-party
implementation providers; the Company's ability to establish and maintain
relationships with hardware and software suppliers; the announcement of new
hardware platforms that cause delay of customer purchases; variations in the
length of the implementation process for the Company's software products; the
Company's ability to complete fixed-price consulting contracts on budget; the
mix of products and services sold; the mix of distribution channels through
which products are sold; the mix of international and domestic revenue; changes
in the Company's sales incentives; changes in the renewal rate of support
agreements; product life cycles; software defects and other product quality
problems; seasonality of technology purchases; personnel changes; changes in the
Company's strategy; the activities of competitors; the extent of industry
consolidation; expansion of the Company's international operations; general
domestic and international economic and political conditions; and budgeting
cycles of the Company's customers. The timing of large individual sales has been
difficult for the Company to predict, and large individual sales have, in some
cases, occurred in quarters subsequent to those anticipated by the Company.
There can be no assurance that the loss or deferral of one or more significant
sales would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's quarterly
operating results.
 
     The Company's software products are typically shipped when orders are
received, and consequently, license backlog at the beginning of any quarter has
in the past represented only a small portion of that quarter's expected revenue.
As a result, license fee revenue in any quarter is difficult to forecast because
it is substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that quarter.
Moreover, the Company typically recognizes a substantial amount of its revenue
in the last month of the quarter, frequently in the last week or even days of
the quarter. Since the Company's operating expenses are based on anticipated
revenue levels and because a high percentage of the Company's expenses are
relatively fixed in the near term, any shortfall from anticipated revenue or any
delay in the recognition of revenue could result in significant variations in
operating results from quarter to quarter. Quarterly license fee revenue is also
difficult to forecast because the Company's sales cycles, from initial
evaluation to delivery of software, vary substantially from customer to
customer. If revenue falls below the Company's expectations in a particular
quarter, the Company's operating results could be materially adversely affected.
See "-- Lengthy Sales Cycle."
 
     The Company has experienced, and is expected to continue to experience, a
high degree of seasonality, with a disproportionately greater amount of the
Company's revenue for any fiscal year being recognized in its fourth fiscal
quarter and an even greater proportion of net income being recognized in such
quarter. For example, in fiscal 1996, 32% of total revenue, 39% of license fee
revenue, 28% of service revenue and 67% of net income were recognized in the
fourth fiscal quarter. In addition, because the Company's operating expenses are
relatively fixed in the near term, the Company's operating margins have
historically been significantly higher in its fourth fiscal quarter than in its
other quarters. The Company believes that such seasonality is primarily the
result of the efforts of the Company's direct sales force to meet or exceed
fiscal year-end sales quotas and the tendency of certain customers to finalize
sales contracts at or near the Company's fiscal year end. Because revenue,
operating margins and net income are greater in the fourth
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
quarter, any shortfall from anticipated revenue, particularly license fee
revenue, in the fourth quarter would have a disproportionately large adverse
effect on the Company's operating results for the fiscal year. In addition, the
Company's total revenue, license fee revenue, service revenue and net income in
its first fiscal quarter have historically been lower than those in the
immediately preceding fourth quarter. For example, total revenue, license fee
revenue, service revenue and net income in the first quarter of fiscal 1997
decreased 20%, 41%, 3% and 87%, respectively, from the fourth quarter of fiscal
1996. The Company's first quarter revenue has historically slowed during the
holiday season in November and December.
 
     Based on all of the foregoing, the Company believes that future revenue,
expenses and operating results are likely to vary significantly from quarter to
quarter. As a result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of operating results are
not necessarily meaningful or indicative of future performance. Furthermore, the
Company believes it is likely that in some future quarter the Company's
operating results will be below the expectations of public market analysts or
investors. In such event, or in the event that adverse conditions prevail, or
are perceived to prevail, with respect to the Company's business or generally,
the market price of the Company's Common Stock would likely be materially
adversely affected. See "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
     Limited Deployment of OneWorld Version; Entering New Markets. The Company
first shipped the OneWorld version of its application suites in late calendar
1996. The Company's future revenue growth is substantially dependent upon the
market acceptance of these OneWorld application suites and the ability of the
Company to license OneWorld application suites to new customers who are not
currently users of the Company's WorldSoftware. The Company does not expect to
generate substantial OneWorld license fee revenue from its existing installed
base of WorldSoftware users. The Company expects that it will take a longer time
to implement the OneWorld version of its application suites than it takes to
implement the WorldSoftware version, which typically takes six to 18 months. To
date, only a limited number of the Company's customers have licensed the
OneWorld version of its application suites, and, due to the lengthy
implementation process, only a few have completed implementation of some or all
of the licensed OneWorld applications suites. Potential and existing customers
may find it difficult, or be unable, to successfully implement OneWorld
application suites, or may not purchase OneWorld application suites for a number
of reasons, including a lack of implementation experience by the Company or its
third-party implementation providers in complex multi-platform environments; a
customer's lack of the necessary hardware, software or networking
infrastructure; an absence of required functionality in OneWorld application
suites; excessive time and cost of implementation; the failure of the OneWorld
version to be competitive with other products on the market; defects or "bugs"
in OneWorld application suites; and a failure to meet customer expectations. In
addition, because the Company is using OneWorld application suites to target
potential customers in new markets, the Company must overcome certain
significant obstacles, including new competitors who have significantly more
experience and name recognition with open systems customers, implementations and
platforms; the Company's limited relationships with third-party implementation
providers; the limited experience of the Company's sales and consulting
personnel in the open systems environment; and the Company's limited existing
reference accounts in the open systems market. If, for any reason, the Company
is unable to successfully sell or implement OneWorld in the UNIX or Windows NT
("NT") markets, the Company's reputation would be damaged, and such failure
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. Moreover, if the Company fails to meet the
expectations of market analysts or investors with regard to sales or
implementations of OneWorld application suites, the market price of the
Company's Common Stock would likely be materially adversely affected.
 
     Dependence on IBM AS/400 Platform. Although the Company has recently
released the OneWorld version of its application suites to run on leading UNIX
and NT servers, the Company is and, for an extended period, expects to remain
substantially dependent upon the market for software products for the IBM AS/400
platform. All of the Company's revenue in fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996 and
substantially all of the Company's revenue for the first nine months of fiscal
1997 was derived from its software products and related services for the AS/400
market. The market for the AS/400 platform is expected to grow at a minimal
rate; however, there can be no assurance that the AS/400 market will grow at all
in the future. Similarly, there can be no assurance that AS/400 customers or
prospective customers will respond favorably to the Company's future or
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
enhanced software products or that the Company will continue to be successful in
selling its software products or services in the AS/400 market. The Company's
future growth will depend in part on its ability to gain market share in the
AS/400 market; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to achieve any such market share gains or maintain its current market share.
Moreover, the Company's goal of gaining market share in the AS/400 market will
be more difficult to achieve since the Company is also focusing on the UNIX and
NT markets. See "-- Management of Growth; Need for Additional Qualified
Personnel." If the Company's AS/400 installed customer base erodes, resulting in
a decline in recurring support and other service revenue, the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition will be materially adversely
affected.
 
     Competition. The market for Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software
solutions is intensely competitive, subject to rapid technological change and
significantly affected by new product introductions and other market activities
of industry participants. The Company's products are designed and marketed for
the AS/400 market and, more recently, for leading UNIX and NT servers. The
Company's primary competition comes from a large number of independent software
vendors including: (i) companies offering products that run on the AS/400
platform and other mid-range computers, including System Software Associates,
Inc., Marcam Corporation, Infinium Software, Inc. (formerly Software 2000) and
JBA Holdings plc; (ii) companies offering products that run on UNIX or NT
servers in a client/server environment, such as SAP Aktiengesellschaft ("SAP"),
Baan Company N.V. ("Baan"), PeopleSoft, Inc. ("PeopleSoft") and Oracle
Corporation ("Oracle"); and (iii) companies offering either standard or fully
customized products that run on mainframe computer systems, such as SAP.
Additionally, the Company faces indirect competition from suppliers of
custom-developed business application software that focus mainly on proprietary
mainframe and mid-range computer-based systems, such as systems consulting
groups of major accounting firms, and from IT departments of potential customers
that develop systems internally. The Company's competitors currently offer
products that run on the AS/400 platform and/or UNIX and NT servers or have
announced their intent to introduce such products in the near future. As a
result, the Company will experience increased competition. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to successfully compete with new or
existing competitors or that such competition will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. See
"Business -- Competition."
 
     Many of the Company's competitors, and SAP and Oracle in particular, have
significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than
the Company, as well as wider name recognition and larger installed customer
bases. Moreover, the Company has traditionally competed only in the AS/400
market, which primarily consists of mid-sized organizations, and has only
recently entered the UNIX and NT markets. In contrast, each of SAP, Baan,
PeopleSoft and Oracle has significantly more experience with UNIX and NT
implementations and platforms, name recognition with potential UNIX and NT
customers, and reference accounts with UNIX and NT customers. Accordingly, such
competitors have significantly more customers in the UNIX and NT markets to use
as references when competing against the Company. Additionally, several of the
Company's competitors have well-established relationships with current and
potential customers of the Company. These relationships may prevent the Company
from competing effectively in divisions or subsidiaries of such customers. Many
of the Company's competitors, such as SAP, Baan, PeopleSoft and Oracle, also
offer, or have announced their intention to offer, vertical applications
targeted to mid-sized organizations, which market comprises a substantial
portion of the Company's revenue. Further, several of the Company's competitors
regularly and significantly discount prices on their products. If these
competitors continue to discount or increase the amount or frequency of such
discounts in response to increased competition or other factors, the Company may
be required to similarly discount its products, which could have an adverse
effect on the Company's margins. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to compete successfully against any of these competitors.
 
     The Company relies, and expects to increase its reliance, on a number of
third-party implementation providers and other customer support services, as
well as for recommendations of its products during the evaluation stage of the
purchase process. A number of the Company's competitors, including SAP, Baan,
PeopleSoft, and Oracle, have significantly more well-established relationships
with such providers and, as a result, such firms may be more likely to recommend
competitors' products rather than the Company's
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
products. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that these third parties, many
of which have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other
resources than the Company, will not market software products in competition
with the Company in the future. If the Company is unable to maintain or increase
the number and quality of its relationships with providers who recommend,
implement or support ERP software, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
 
     Lengthy Sales Cycle. The Company's software is generally used for division-
or enterprise-wide, business-critical purposes and involves significant capital
commitments by customers. Potential customers generally commit significant
resources to an evaluation of available enterprise software and require the
Company to expend substantial time, effort and money educating them about the
value of the Company's solutions. Sales of the Company's software products
require an extensive sales effort throughout a customer's organization because
decisions to license such software generally involve the evaluation of the
software by a significant number of customer personnel in various functional and
geographic areas, each often having specific and conflicting requirements. A
variety of factors, including factors over which the Company has little or no
control, may cause potential customers to favor a particular supplier or to
delay or forego a purchase. As a result of these or other factors, the sales
cycle for the Company's products is long, typically ranging between six and 15
months. Moreover, the Company expects that the sales cycle for the recently
released OneWorld version of its application suites may be longer than that of
the WorldSoftware version, at least until the Company's sales force becomes
familiar with the needs of customers operating on UNIX and NT servers. As a
result of the length of the sales cycle for its software products, the Company's
ability to forecast the timing and amount of specific sales is limited, and the
delay or failure to complete one or more large license transactions could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition and cause the Company's operating results to vary
significantly from quarter to quarter. See "-- Variability of Quarterly
Operating Results; Seasonality."
 
     Lengthy Implementation Process. The Company's software products are complex
and perform or directly affect business-critical functions across many different
functional and geographic areas of the enterprise. Consequently, implementation
of the Company's software is a complex, lengthy process that involves a
significant commitment of resources by the Company's customers and that is
subject to a number of significant risks over which the Company has little or no
control. The Company expects that implementation of the OneWorld version of its
application suites on UNIX and NT servers is likely to be more complex and
require more time than implementation on the AS/400 platform. In addition, the
Company's lack of experience in implementing the OneWorld version of its
application suites may contribute to the length of the implementation process.
Delays in the completion of implementations of any of its application suites
whether by the Company or its business partners, may result in customer
dissatisfaction or damage to the Company's reputation and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition.
 
     Reliance on Third Parties and Development of Certain Relationships. The
Company intends to rely primarily on third-party implementation providers for
the implementation of the OneWorld version of its application suites. Although
the Company has historically subcontracted a portion of its implementation
services to third parties, the Company has adopted a strategy in which an
increasing number of OneWorld implementations will be performed by third parties
that will contract directly with the Company's customers to provide such
services. Executing this strategy will require that third-party implementation
providers with which the Company has existing relationships allocate additional
resources to OneWorld implementations and that the Company enter into new
relationships with additional third-party implementation providers to provide
such services. Due to the limited resources and capacities of many third-party
implementation providers and the reluctance of such providers to switch partners
or enter into new relationships with additional suppliers, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to establish or maintain relationships
with third parties having sufficient resources to provide the necessary
implementation services to support demand, if any, for the OneWorld version. If
such resources are unavailable, the Company will be required to perform such
services internally, and there can be no assurance that the Company will have
sufficient resources available for such purposes. In addition, there can be no
assurance that any third-party implementation provider with which the Company
has, or intends to establish, such a relationship will provide the level and
quality of service
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
required to meet the needs and expectations of the Company's customers. If the
Company is unable to establish and maintain effective, long-term relationships
with such providers, or if such providers do not meet customer needs, the
Company's business, operating results or financial condition will be materially
adversely affected.
 
     The Company has established a number of relationships with third parties,
including consulting and systems integration firms, hardware suppliers, and
database, operating system and other independent software vendors, in order to
enhance its sales, marketing and customer service efforts. Many of these third
parties have better established relationships with one or more of the Company's
competitors and may, in specific instances, select or recommend ERP software
offerings of the Company's competitors rather than the Company's software. In
addition, certain of these third parties, including Oracle, compete with the
Company in developing and marketing ERP software applications. Competition
between the Company and these third parties may cause a deterioration in or
termination of such relationships, which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. See
"-- Competition."
 
     Dependence on Service Revenue. The Company licenses software under
non-cancelable license agreements and provides related services, which consist
of support, training, consulting and implementation. Total revenue from license
fees and services has increased from year to year. As a percentage of total
revenue, service revenue has increased from 55.3% of total revenue in fiscal
1994 to 62.3% of total revenue in fiscal 1996 primarily as a result of the
Company's continued emphasis on providing consulting and training services that
complement its software products and increased support revenue resulting from
the Company's growing installed base of customers. Furthermore, the Company has
historically subcontracted a portion of its consulting and training services to
third parties, and, in fiscal 1996, such subcontracted services accounted for
approximately 40.0% of services revenue. However, the Company is currently
pursuing a strategy of relying on third-party implementation providers to
contract directly with its customers for OneWorld implementation and related
services. See "Business -- Strategy" and "Business -- Implementation Services
and Training." To the extent the Company is successful in implementing this
strategy and the OneWorld version of the Company's application suites achieves
market acceptance in future periods, revenue from subcontracted services and
total service revenue as a percentage of revenue will likely decrease. If such
revenue decreases more than anticipated, the Company's operating results will be
materially adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be successful in implementing its strategy or that such products will achieve
market acceptance, the failure of which could have a material adverse effect on
its business, operating results and financial condition. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
     Management of Growth; Need for Additional Qualified Personnel. Although the
Company has experienced significant revenue growth in past years, such growth is
not necessarily indicative of future revenue growth. This growth has resulted in
new and increased responsibilities for management personnel and has placed, and
continues to place, a significant strain upon the Company's management,
operating and financial resources. There can be no assurance that such strain
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition. The rapid growth of the Company's business has
required the Company to make significant recent additions in personnel,
particularly in product development and sales and marketing. The Company
believes that its future operating results depend in significant part on its
ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, sales,
marketing, service and support personnel. Although the Company has increased the
number of its sales, services and support personnel in recent years, the Company
has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, difficulty in recruiting
such personnel. The Company anticipates that it will need to continue to
increase the size of its direct sales, services and support personnel in future
periods. If the Company is unable to hire qualified personnel on a timely basis,
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition will be
materially adversely affected.
 
     To manage its operations, the Company must continuously evaluate the
adequacy of its management structure and its existing procedures, including,
among others, its financial and internal controls. There can be no assurance
that management will adequately anticipate all of the changing demands that
growth may impose on the Company's procedures and structure. Any failure to
adequately anticipate and respond to such changing demands may have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
financial condition. As a result of the Company's development and release of the
OneWorld version of its application suites, a significant amount of the
Company's resources has been focused on the UNIX and NT markets. To maintain a
focus on the AS/400 market, as well as on the UNIX and NT markets, the Company
is in the process of implementing certain internal organizational changes. If
the Company's efforts to maintain a focus on both markets are unsuccessful, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition may be materially
adversely affected.
 
     Fixed-Price Service Contracts. The Company offers a combination of ERP
software, implementation and support services to its customers. Typically, the
Company enters into service agreements with its customers that provide for
consulting and implementation services on a "time and materials" basis. Certain
customers have asked for, and the Company has from time to time entered into,
fixed-price service contracts. These contracts specify certain milestones to be
met by the Company regardless of actual costs incurred by the Company in
fulfilling those obligations. The Company believes that fixed-price service
contracts may increasingly be offered by its competitors to differentiate their
product and service offerings. As a result, the Company may enter into more
fixed-price contracts in the future. There can be no assurance that the Company
can successfully complete these contracts on budget, and the Company's inability
to do so could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results
and financial condition.
 
     Year 2000 Compliance. Many currently installed computer systems and
software products are coded to accept only two digit entries in the date code
field. These date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to
distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, in less
than three years, computer systems and/or software used by many companies may
need to be upgraded to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. Significant
uncertainty exists in the software industry concerning the potential effects
associated with such compliance. Although the Company currently offers software
products that are designed to be Year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance
that the Company's software products contain all necessary date code changes.
 
     The Company believes that the purchasing patterns of customers and
potential customers may be affected by Year 2000 issues in a variety of ways.
Many companies are expending significant resources to correct or patch their
current software systems for Year 2000 compliance. These expenditures may result
in reduced funds available to purchase software products such as those offered
by the Company. In addition, it is possible that certain of the Company's
customers are purchasing support contracts only to ensure that they become Year
2000 compliant and that, once such customers believe they are Year 2000
compliant, they will not renew support contracts. If a significant number of the
Company's customers do not renew support contracts for this or other reasons,
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition would be
adversely affected. Many potential customers may also choose to defer purchasing
Year 2000 compliant products until they believe it is absolutely necessary, thus
resulting in potentially stalled market sales within the industry. Conversely,
Year 2000 issues may cause other companies to accelerate purchases, thereby
causing an increase in short-term demand and a consequent decrease in long-term
demand for software products. Additionally, Year 2000 issues could cause a
significant number of companies, including current Company customers, to
reevaluate their current ERP system needs, and as a result consider switching to
other systems or suppliers. Moreover, the Company believes that some customers
may be purchasing the Company's products as an interim solution to their Year
2000 needs until their current suppliers reach compliance. There can be no
assurance that such customers will purchase support services from the Company or
that they will upgrade beyond their current version of the Company's software
once their current software suppliers reach compliance. Any of the foregoing
could result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
 
     International Operations and Currency Fluctuations. International revenue
as a percentage of total revenue ranged between 35% and 37% from fiscal 1994
through the first nine months of fiscal 1997, and the Company expects that
revenue from international customers will continue to account for a significant
portion of the Company's total revenue. The Company currently has 27
international sales offices located throughout Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin
America and Africa. To service the needs of its customers with international
operations, the Company and its support partners must provide worldwide product
support services. One of the Company's strategies is to continue to expand its
existing international operations and enter additional
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
international markets, which will require significant management attention and
financial resources. Traditionally, international operations are characterized
by higher operating expenses and lower operating margins. As a result, if
international revenue increases as a percentage of total revenue, operating
margins may be adversely affected. Costs associated with international expansion
include the establishment of additional foreign offices, the hiring of
additional personnel, the localization and marketing of its products for
particular foreign markets, and the development of relationships with additional
international service providers. If international revenue is not adequate to
offset the expense of expanding foreign operations, the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
     A significant portion of the Company's revenue is received in currencies
other than U.S. dollars and, in the past, the Company has engaged in minimal
hedging activities. As a result, the Company is subject to risks associated with
foreign exchange rate fluctuations. In the first nine months of fiscal 1997 and
fiscal 1996, the Company incurred foreign exchange losses of approximately $1.6
million and $1.1 million, respectively. Accordingly, due to the substantial
volatility of foreign exchange rates, there can be no assurance that foreign
exchange rate fluctuations will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results or financial condition.
 
     The Company's international operations are subject to other risks inherent
in international business activities, such as the imposition of governmental
controls, export license requirements, restrictions on the export of certain
technology, cultural and language difficulties associated with servicing
customers, the impact of a recessionary environment in economies outside the
United States, reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some
countries, the potential exchange and repatriation of foreign earnings,
political instability, trade restrictions, tariff changes, localization and
translation of products for foreign countries, difficulties in staffing and
managing international operations, difficulties in collecting accounts
receivable and longer collection periods, and the impact of local economic
conditions and practices. The Company's success in expanding its international
business will be dependent, in part, on its ability to anticipate and
effectively manage these and other risks. There can be no assurance that these
and other factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results or financial condition.
 
     Risks Associated with New Versions and New Products; Rapid Technological
Change; Risks of Software Defects. The market for the Company's products is
characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards in
computer hardware and software technology, changes in customer requirements and
frequent new product introductions and enhancements. The introduction of
products embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards
can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. The life cycles of the
Company's software products are difficult to estimate. As a result, the
Company's future success will depend, in part, upon its ability to continue to
enhance existing products and develop and introduce in a timely manner new
products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy customer
requirements and achieve market acceptance. There can be no assurance that the
Company will successfully identify new product opportunities and develop and
bring new products to market in a timely and cost-effective manner, or that
products, capabilities or technologies developed by others will not render the
Company's products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive or shorten the
life cycles of the Company's products. See "-- Competition." Although the
Company has addressed the need to develop new products and enhancements
primarily through its internal development efforts, the Company has also
addressed this need through the licensing of third-party technology. Licensing
third-party technology involves numerous risks. See "-- Limited Protection of
Proprietary Technology; Risks of Infringement." If the Company is unable to
develop on a timely and cost-effective basis new software products or
enhancements to existing products, or if such new products or enhancements do
not achieve market acceptance, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
 
     Historically, the Company has issued significant new releases of its family
of software products periodically, with interim releases issued even more
frequently. As a result of the complexities inherent in software development,
and in particular for multi-platform environments, and the broad functionality
and performance demanded by customers for ERP products, major new product
enhancements and new products can require long development and testing periods
before they are commercially released. The Company has on occasion experienced
significant delays in the scheduled introduction of new and enhanced products,
and there
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
can be no assurance that such delays will not be experienced in the future. The
Company recently released OneWorld, the network-centric version of its
application suites. Because the development of enhancements in network-centric
environments is more complex than in host-centric systems, there can be no
assurance that the introduction of future enhancements will not be delayed. See
"Business -- Products."
 
     Complex software products such as those offered by the Company frequently
contain undetected errors or "bugs" when first introduced or as new versions are
released that, despite testing by the Company, are discovered only after a
product has been installed and used by customers. The Company has in the past
discovered software errors in new versions of its ERP software after their
release. To date, the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition have not been materially adversely affected by the release of products
containing errors. There can be no assurance, however, that errors will not be
found in the Company's products or that such errors will not result in delay or
loss of revenue, diversion of development resources, damage to the Company's
reputation, increased service and warranty costs, or impaired market acceptance
of these products, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results or financial condition. See
"Business -- Products."
 
     Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company's success depends to a significant
extent upon a limited number of members of senior management and other key
employees. The loss of one or more key employees could have a material adverse
effect on the Company. Although the Company currently maintains key man life
insurance on C. Edward McVaney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
such insurance is minimal and is not maintained on other key personnel. The
Company does not have employment agreements with its executive officers. In
addition, the Company believes that its future success will depend in part on
its ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, sales
and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel in the computer software
industry is intense. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in attracting and retaining such personnel, and the failure to do so
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition.
 
     Limited Protection of Proprietary Technology; Risks of Infringement. The
Company's ability to compete is dependent in part upon its internally developed,
proprietary intellectual property. Although the Company currently has no
patents, it has five patent applications pending on various aspects of its
application suites. In addition, the Company has applied to register the
trademarks "WorldSoftware" and "OneWorld." The Company also relies on general
trademark and copyright protection for its technology, although it generally
does not register such intellectual property. Furthermore, the Company relies on
trade secret law, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to
establish and protect its rights in its technology. Nevertheless, the Company
believes that factors such as the technological and creative skills of its
personnel, new product developments, frequent product enhancements, name
recognition, customer training and reliable product support, are more essential
to protect its market position. There can be no assurance that others will not
develop technologies that are similar or superior to the Company's technology.
The Company typically enters into confidentiality or license agreements with its
employees, consultants and suppliers, and typically controls access to and
distribution of its software, documentation and other proprietary information.
Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or
otherwise obtain and use the Company's products or technology without
authorization, or to develop similar technology independently through reverse
engineering or other means. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do
not protect the Company's proprietary rights as fully as do the laws of the
United States. There can be no assurance that the Company's means of protecting
its proprietary rights in the United States or abroad will be adequate or that
competitors will not independently develop similar technology. Preventing or
detecting unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult. There can be
no assurance that the steps taken by the Company will prevent misappropriation
of its technology or that its license agreements will be enforceable. In
addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce the Company's
intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade secrets, to
determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to
defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such litigation could
result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition.
 
     The Company typically licenses its products to end users under the
Company's standard license agreements, although each license is individually
negotiated and may contain variations. The Company's
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
products are licensed not only to end users, but also to independent,
third-party distributors with a right to sublicense. Although the Company seeks
to establish the conditions under which the Company's products are licensed by
such distributors to end users, the Company cannot ensure that its distributors
do not deviate from such conditions. Moreover, in order to facilitate the
customization required by most of the Company's customers, the Company generally
licenses its software products to end users in both object code (machine-
readable) and source code (human-readable) format. Although this practice
facilitates customization, making software available in source code also makes
it easier for third parties to copy or modify the Company's software for
non-permitted purposes.
 
     In the future, the Company may receive notice of claims of infringement of
other parties' proprietary rights. Although the Company does not believe that
its products infringe the proprietary rights of third parties, there can be no
assurance that infringement or invalidity claims (or claims for indemnification
resulting from infringement claims) will not be asserted or prosecuted against
the Company or that any such assertions or prosecutions will not materially
adversely affect the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition. Regardless of the validity or the successful assertion of such
claims, defending against such claims could result in significant costs and
diversion of resources with respect to the defense thereof, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition. In addition, the assertion of such infringement claims
could result in injunctions preventing the Company from distributing certain
products, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. If any claims or actions are asserted
against the Company, the Company may seek to obtain a license to such
intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance, however, that such a
license would be available on reasonable terms or at all.
 
     The Company also relies on certain other technology which 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. Most
notably, the Company licenses the graphical user interface to the WorldSoftware
version of its application suites (which the Company markets as WorldVision).
There can be no assurance that these third-party technology licenses will
continue to be available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms. The
loss of, or inability to maintain, any of these technology licenses,
particularly that for WorldVision's graphical user interface, would result in
delays or reductions in product shipments until equivalent technology could be
identified, licensed or developed, and integrated. Any such delays or reductions
in product shipments could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition. Moreover, although the Company is
generally indemnified by third parties against claims that such third parties'
technology infringes the proprietary rights of others, such indemnification is
not always available for all types of intellectual property rights (for example,
patents may be excluded) and in some cases the geographic scope of
indemnification is limited. The result is that the indemnity that the Company
receives against such claims is often less broad than the indemnity that the
Company provides to its customers. Even in cases in which the indemnity that the
Company receives from a third-party licensor is as broad as the indemnity that
the Company provides to its customers, the third-party licensors from whom the
Company would be receiving indemnity are often not well-capitalized and may not
be able to indemnify the Company in the event that such third-party technology
infringes the proprietary rights of others. Accordingly, the Company could have
substantial exposure in the event that technology licensed from a third party
infringes another party's proprietary rights. The Company currently does not
have any liability insurance to protect against the risk that licensed
third-party technology infringes the proprietary rights of others. There can be
no assurance that infringement or invalidity claims arising from the
incorporation of third-party technology, and claims for indemnification from the
Company's customers resulting from such infringement claims, will not be
asserted or prosecuted against the Company or that any such assertions or
prosecutions will not materially adversely affect the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition. Regardless of the validity or
successful assertion of such claims, the Company could incur significant costs
and diversion of resources with respect to the defense thereof, in addition to
potential product redevelopment costs and delays, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition.
 
     Security; Product Liability. The Company has included security features in
certain of its Internet browser-enabled products that are intended to protect
the privacy and integrity of customer data. Despite the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
existence of these security features, the Company's software products may be
vulnerable to break-ins and similar disruptive problems caused by Internet
users. Such computer break-ins and other disruptions may jeopardize the security
of information stored in and transmitted through the computer systems of the
Company's customers. Break-ins often involve hackers bypassing firewalls and
misappropriating confidential information. Addressing problems caused by such
third parties may require significant expenditures of capital and resources by
the Company, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition.
 
     Although the Company's license agreements with its customers typically
contain provisions designed to limit the Company's exposure to potential
liability for damages arising out of use of or defects in the Company's
products, it is possible that such limitation of liability provisions may not be
effective as a result of existing or future federal, state or local laws or
ordinances or unfavorable judicial decisions. Although the Company has not
experienced any such product liability claims to date, there can be no assurance
that the Company will not be subject to such claims in the future. Because the
Company's software products may be used in business-critical applications, a
successful product liability claim brought against the Company could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition. Moreover, defending such a suit, regardless of its merits,
could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of key
management personnel, either of which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results or financial condition.
 
     General Economic and Market Conditions. Segments of the software industry
have experienced significant economic downturns characterized by decreased
product demand, price erosion, work slowdowns and layoffs. The Company's
operations may in the future experience substantial fluctuations from period to
period as a consequence of general economic conditions affecting the timing of
orders from major customers and other factors affecting capital spending.
Although the Company has a diverse client base, it has targeted certain vertical
markets. Therefore, any economic downturns in general or in the targeted
vertical segments in particular would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
   
     Control by Existing Stockholders. Immediately after the closing of this
offering (based on shares outstanding at July 31, 1997), 63.9% of the
outstanding Common Stock (61.4% if the Underwriter's over-allotment option is
exercised in full) will be held by the directors and executive officers of the
Company, together with certain entities affiliated with them, assuming no
exercise of outstanding stock options. As a result, these stockholders, if
acting together, would be able to control substantially all matters requiring
approval by the stockholders of the Company, including the election of all
directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. See
"Management -- Executive Officers and Directors" and "Principal and Selling
Stockholders." In addition, C. Edward McVaney, Robert C. Newman and Jack L.
Thompson (the "Founders") have entered into an Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement with the Company, which provides that Messrs. Newman and Thompson must
cast their votes in the same proportion as the votes cast by Mr. McVaney with
respect to certain significant corporate issues, such as any revision of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation; any merger, consolidation, share
exchange or similar event; any sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Company's assets; any dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or
bankruptcy filing for the Company. As a result, Mr. McVaney has substantial
control over the approval of such matters. In addition, each Founder must vote
for the election of each of the other Founders to the Company's Board of
Directors or a designee appointed by such other Founder. See "Certain
Transactions."
    
 
     Antitakeover Effects of Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware
Law. Certain provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws and certain provisions of Delaware law could delay or
make difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving the Company.
The authorized but unissued capital stock of the Company includes 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors is authorized to provide for
the issuance of such preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the
designations, preferences, powers and relative, participating, optional or other
rights and restrictions thereof. Accordingly, the Company may in the future
issue a series of preferred stock, without further stockholder approval, that
will have preference over the Common Stock with respect to the payment of
dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. See
"Description of Capital
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
Stock -- Preferred Stock." In addition, the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions that create a classified board
of directors. See "Management -- Board of Directors." Further, Section 203 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as amended from time to
time, the "DGCL"), which is applicable to the Company, prohibits certain
business combinations with certain stockholders for a period of three years
after they acquire 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation.
See "Description of Capital Stock -- Antitakeover Effects of Delaware Law and
Certain Provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws."
Any of the foregoing could adversely affect holders of the Common Stock or
discourage or make difficult any attempt to obtain control of the Company.
 
   
     Shares Eligible for Future Sale. Sales of a substantial number of shares of
Common Stock (including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options)
in the public market after this offering could materially adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock. Such sales also might make it more difficult
for the Company to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the
future at a time and price that the Company deems appropriate. Upon completion
of this offering (based on shares outstanding at July 31, 1997), the Company
will have outstanding an aggregate of 91,684,910 shares of Common Stock,
assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise
of outstanding options. Of these shares, all of the shares sold in this offering
will be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act, unless such shares are purchased by "affiliates" of the Company
as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the "Affiliates").
The remaining 75,884,910 shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders
are "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act ("Restricted Shares"). Restricted Shares may be sold in the
public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from
registration under Rules 144 or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. As a
result of the contractual restrictions described below and the provisions of
Rules 144 and 701, the Restricted Shares will be available for sale in the
public market as follows: (i) 515,830 shares in addition to the shares offered
hereby will be eligible for immediate sale on the date of this Prospectus; (ii)
135,240 shares will be eligible for sale beginning 90 days after the date of
this Prospectus; (iii) 75,224,600 shares will be eligible for sale upon
expiration of the lock-up agreements 180 days after the date of this Prospectus;
and (iv) 9,240 shares will be eligible for sale thereafter upon expiration of
their respective one-year holding periods. Notwithstanding the above, the
Company's ESOP, in which 8,706,040 shares are held as of the date of this
Prospectus, obligates the trustees thereof to distribute at scheduled
distribution dates shares held therein to a beneficiary following the cessation
of his or her employment with the Company. The next scheduled distribution date
will not occur until March 30, 1998. Following such distribution, the shares so
distributed will be immediately available for sale in the public market to the
extent they are not held by Affiliates. All officers and directors and certain
stockholders and certain option holders of the Company have agreed not to offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase,
or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly (or enter into any
swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of), any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common
Stock, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the
prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. The Company intends
to file a registration statement on Form S-8 which would allow shares issuable
upon exercise of options previously granted to be freely tradeable, subject to
compliance with Rule 144 in the case of Affiliates of the Company and except to
the extent that such shares are subject to vesting restrictions with the Company
or any contractual restrictions described above. See "Management -- Employee
Benefit Plans," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriters."
    
 
     No Prior Public Market; Possible Stock Price Volatility. Prior to this
offering, there has been no public market for the Company's Common Stock, and
there can be no assurance that an active public market for the Common Stock will
develop or be sustained after this offering. The initial public offering price
will be determined by negotiations among the Company, the Selling Stockholders,
and the representatives of the Underwriters based on several factors and may not
be indicative of the future market price of the Common Stock after this
offering. The market price of the Company's Common Stock is likely to be highly
volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in response to actual or
anticipated variations in quarterly operating results and other factors, such as
announcements of technological innovations, new products or new contracts
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
by the Company or its competitors, conditions and trends in the software and
other technology industries, adoption of new accounting standards affecting the
software industry, changes in earning estimates or recommendations by securities
analysts, general market conditions or other events. In addition, equity markets
have also experienced extreme volatility that has particularly affected the
market prices of equity securities of many high technology companies and that
has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
such companies. Broad market fluctuations, as well as economic conditions
generally and in the software industry specifically, may result in material
adverse effects on the market price of the Company's Common Stock. There can be
no assurance that the market price for the Company's Common Stock will not
decline below the initial public offering price. In the past, following periods
of volatility in the market price of a particular company's securities,
securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company.
There can be no assurance that such litigation will not occur in the future with
respect to the Company. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and a
diversion of management's attention and resources, which could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition. See "Underwriters."
 
   
     Dilution; Dividend Policy. Investors participating in this offering will
incur immediate and substantial dilution of pro forma net tangible book value
per share of $18.26 from the initial public offering price. To the extent
outstanding options to purchase the Company's Common Stock are exercised, there
will be further dilution. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
require additional funds to support its working capital requirements or for
other purposes, in which case the Company may seek to raise such additional
funds through public or private equity financing or from other sources. There
can be no assurance that such additional financing will be available or that, if
available, such financing will be obtained on terms favorable to the Company and
would not result in additional dilution to the Company's stockholders. See
"Dilution." The Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on the
Common Stock or other securities and does not anticipate paying cash dividends
in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy."
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     J.D. Edwards develops, markets and supports highly functional Enterprise
Resource Planning ("ERP") software solutions that operate on multiple computing
platforms and are designed to accelerate customers' time to benefit, lower
customers' cost of ownership and reduce information systems risks arising from
changes in technology and business practices. The Company's integrated software
application suites support manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and
human resources operations for multi-site and multinational organizations.
Through its Configurable Network Computing ("CNC") architecture, the Company's
ERP software is specifically designed to enable customers to change technology
and/or business practices while minimizing costs and business interruptions. The
Company provides implementation, training and support services designed to
enable customers to rapidly achieve the benefits of the Company's ERP solutions.
The Company has developed and marketed ERP solutions for over 20 years,
principally for operation on the IBM AS/400 platform and other IBM mid-range
systems and, more recently, on leading UNIX and Windows NT ("NT") servers
through Windows- and Internet browser-enabled desktop clients.
 
     ERP systems are designed to enhance an organization's ability to manage and
execute business functions such as manufacturing, finance,
distribution/logistics and human resources. These systems manage and store large
amounts of diverse business information, providing continuous and simultaneous
availability of data to geographically dispersed employees, customers and
suppliers. According to Advanced Manufacturing Research ("AMR"), an industry
consulting firm, the worldwide market for ERP software license revenue was
approximately $3.5 billion in 1996, and it is expected to reach $16.2 billion by
2001, a compound annual growth rate of 36%.
 
     Historically, ERP solutions have primarily consisted of host-centric
systems that operate on mainframes or mid-range computers. These systems,
developed over many years and representing considerable investments by
customers, provide high levels of performance, scalability, data security and
reliability. In addition, host-centric ERP systems designed as single-vendor
environments offer reduced complexity in implementation and management. In
recent years, ERP systems have been developed with client/server architectures.
These distributed systems generally offer users easier access to information, as
well as multi-site processing capabilities. In addition, as compared to
host-centric systems, client/server environments are better able to accommodate
diverse hardware, software and network technology changes that can result from
rapid organizational growth, acquisitions and consolidations. Both host-centric
and client/server systems require extensive initial implementation and ongoing
modifications to support an organization's current and continuously changing
business practices. The implementation of a new ERP system may in some cases
require an organization to subordinate or re-engineer its established business
practices to accommodate system or architectural constraints. These requirements
can increase the cost of ownership of an ERP system and overwhelm organizations
with limited internal information technology ("IT") staffs, particularly rapidly
growing and resource-constrained mid-sized organizations. In addition, the
difficulties associated with implementation and modification can put
organizations at risk of costly interruptions to normal business operations.
 
     The Company's family of application suites is designed to improve most
organizations' core business processes. In addition, the Company extends its
application suites to address certain vertical markets with specific
configurations, templates and additional software features designed to meet
these industries' needs. The Company offers two versions of its application
suites -- WorldSoftware and OneWorld. WorldSoftware operates in a host-centric
environment on the AS/400 platform. With the addition of the WorldVision thin
client interface, WorldSoftware applications can be operated through a
Windows-based graphical user interface. OneWorld incorporates the Company's CNC
architecture and operates on leading UNIX and NT servers, as well as the AS/400
platform. The Company believes its network-centric CNC architecture provides a
valuable extension beyond traditional client/server architectures by masking
complexity, lowering cost of change and facilitating greater scalability. In
addition, WorldSoftware and OneWorld are capable of operating together in a
unified enterprise-wide environment. The Company also provides WorldSoftware and
OneWorld toolsets to enable rapid implementation, customization and modification
of its application suites.
 
     The Company distributes, implements and supports its products worldwide
through 46 offices and 166 third-party business partners. To date, the Company
has more than 4,000 customers with sites in over 90 countries including Amgen,
Inc., E&J Gallo Winery, Harley Davidson Europe Ltd., Lexmark International,
Inc., Mobil Corporation, Samsonite Corporation and SmithKline Beecham plc.
 
   
     The Company was incorporated in Colorado in March 1977 and was
reincorporated in Delaware in August 1997. The Company's principal executive
office is located at One Technology Way, Denver, Colorado 80237, and its
telephone number is (303) 334-4000.
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 12,500,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be approximately
$259.1 million (approximately $265.2 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full), at an assumed initial public offering price of
$22.00 per share and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock by the Selling
Stockholders. The primary purposes of this offering are to obtain additional
equity capital, create a public market for the Company's Common Stock,
facilitate future access by the Company to public equity markets, provide
liquidity to existing stockholders and provide increased visibility for the
Company in the marketplace.
    
 
     The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for
general corporate purposes, including working capital. The Company may also use
a portion of the proceeds to acquire businesses, products or technologies that
are complementary to those of the Company, although no specific acquisitions are
currently planned and no portion of the net proceeds has been allocated for any
acquisition. Pending such uses, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds
from this offering in investment grade, short-term, interest-bearing securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on its Common
Stock or other securities and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company (i) as of July 31, 1997; (ii) on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the
elimination of the mandatory redemption feature of the mandatorily redeemable
shares and the income tax benefits resulting from the lapse of restrictions on
certain outstanding shares of Common Stock, both of which will occur
automatically upon the closing of the offering; and (iii) on a pro forma as
adjusted basis, giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the estimated net
proceeds from the sale of 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the
Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $22.00 per share
and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses payable by the Company:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AS OF JULY 31, 1997
                                                              ------------------------------------
                                                                                        PRO FORMA
                                                               ACTUAL     PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED
                                                              --------    ---------    -----------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE
                                                                      AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>
Mandatorily redeemable shares, at redemption value..........  $ 99,076    $      --     $      --
                                                              --------     --------      --------
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share; 5,000,000
     shares authorized; none outstanding....................        --           --            --
  Common stock, par value $.001 per share; 300,000,000
     shares authorized; 79,184,910 shares issued and
     outstanding actual and pro forma, and 91,684,910 shares
     pro forma as adjusted(1)...............................        79           79            92
  Additional paid-in capital................................     4,780       21,967       281,067
  Retained earnings.........................................    80,026       80,026        80,026
  Cumulative translation adjustments and other, net.........    (1,109)      (1,109)       (1,109)
  Adjustment for mandatorily redeemable shares..............   (99,076)          --            --
                                                              --------     --------      --------
       Total stockholders' equity (deficit).................   (15,300)     100,963       360,076
                                                              --------     --------      --------
          Total capitalization..............................  $ 83,776    $ 100,963     $ 360,076
                                                              ========     ========      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes (i) 22,121,540 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options as of July 31, 1997, with a weighted average exercise
    price of $4.53 per share, and (ii) 17,137,190 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance under the Company's stock plans as of July 31, 1997.
    Subsequent to July 31, 1997, the Company adopted new employee stock plans.
    The Company does not anticipate making future grants under stock plans that
    were in effect prior to July 31, 1997. As a result, as of the date of this
    offering, there will be 12,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
    future issuance under all new employee stock plans. See
    "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans" and Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated
    Financial Statements.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
                                    DILUTION
 
   
     The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company's Common Stock as of
July 31, 1997 was $83.7 million or $1.06 per share. Pro forma net tangible book
value per share is equal to the Company's total tangible assets less its total
liabilities (adjusted to reflect the removal of the mandatory redemption feature
of the mandatorily redeemable shares and the realization of income tax benefits
from the lapse of restrictions on certain of the Company's outstanding common
stock), divided by the pro forma shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July
31, 1997. After giving effect to the issuance and sale of the 12,500,000 shares
of Common Stock offered by the Company (based upon an assumed initial public
offering price of $22.00 per share and after deducting estimated underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company), the Company's as adjusted net tangible book value as of July 31, 1997
would have been $342.8 million or $3.74 per share. This represents an immediate
increase in the pro forma net tangible book value of $2.68 per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate dilution of $18.26 per share to new investors. The
following table illustrates the per share dilution:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                   <C>       <C>
    Assumed initial public offering price per share.....................            $22.00
      Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of July 31, 1997...  $1.06
      Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share
         attributable to new investors..................................   2.68
                                                                          -----
    As adjusted net tangible book value per share after offering........              3.74
                                                                                    ------
    Dilution per share to new public investors..........................            $18.26
                                                                                    ======
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The following table summarizes on an as adjusted basis as of July 31, 1997,
the difference between the existing stockholders and the purchasers of shares of
Common Stock in this offering (at an assumed initial public offering price of
$22.00 per share and before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses) with respect to the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total consideration paid
and the average price paid per share.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SHARES PURCHASED       TOTAL CONSIDERATION     AVERAGE
                                              ---------------------    -------------------      PRICE
                                                NUMBER      PERCENT     AMOUNT     PERCENT    PER SHARE
                                              ----------    -------    --------    -------    ---------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                           <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Existing stockholders(1)....................  79,184,910      86.4%    $    611        .2%     $   .01
New public investors(1).....................  12,500,000      13.6      275,000      99.8        22.00
                                              ----------    -------    --------    -------
          Total.............................  91,684,910     100.0%    $275,611     100.0%
                                               =========     =====     ========     =====
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
(1) Sales by the Selling Stockholders will reduce the number of shares of Common
    Stock held by existing stockholders to 75,884,910 shares or 82.8% of the
    total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after this offering
    (73,804,914 or 80.2% assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
    exercised in full), and will increase the number of shares of Common Stock
    held by new investors to 15,800,000 shares or 17.2% of the total number of
    shares of Common Stock outstanding after this offering (18,170,000 shares or
    19.8% assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
    full). See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
    
 
     The foregoing discussion and tables assume no exercise of any stock options
outstanding as of July 31, 1997. As of July 31, 1997, (i) 22,121,540 shares of
Common Stock were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options at a
weighted average exercise price of $4.53 per share, and (ii) 17,137,190 shares
of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's stock plans. To the
extent that any of these options are exercised, there will be further dilution
to new investors. Subsequent to July 31, 1997, the Company adopted new employee
stock plans. The Company does not anticipate making future grants under stock
plans that were in effect prior to July 31, 1997. As a result, as of the date of
this offering, there will be 12,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
future issuance under all new employee stock plans. See "Management -- Employee
Benefit Plans" and Note 7 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected consolidated financial data of the Company should be
read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," the consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations data set forth below for
the years ended October 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months ended July
31, 1997 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of October 31, 1995 and 1996
and as of July 31, 1997 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the
Company's consolidated financial statements audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
consolidated statements of operations data for the ten months ended October 31,
1992 and the year ended October 31, 1993 and the consolidated balance sheet data
as of October 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 are derived from consolidated financial
statements audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, which are
not included in this Prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations data
for the nine months ended July 31, 1996 are derived from unaudited consolidated
financial statements included in this Prospectus which have been prepared on the
same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion
of the Company, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such information. Historical
results are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period. See
"Consolidated Financial Statements."
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               TEN MONTHS
                                                 ENDED                                                      NINE MONTHS
                                                OCTOBER                                                        ENDED
                                                  31,                YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,                  JULY 31,
                                               ----------   -----------------------------------------   -------------------
                                                1992(1)       1993       1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue:
  License fees...............................   $ 64,117    $ 94,518   $107,561   $134,138   $180,366   $110,498   $151,046
  Services...................................     55,396     102,316    133,026    206,628    297,682    213,285    280,163
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
        Total revenue........................    119,513     196,834    240,587    340,766    478,048    323,783    431,209
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of license fees.......................      6,861      10,401     12,832     18,461     27,443     19,797     24,984
  Cost of services...........................     35,984      65,511     87,826    128,144    184,846    133,173    173,612
  Sales and marketing........................     49,874      70,662     76,169    102,310    128,759     90,837    118,616
  General and administrative.................     15,188      22,488     27,377     38,677     53,052     37,119     48,439
  Research and development...................      8,247      15,484     18,936     24,296     40,321     27,828     41,100
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
        Total costs and expenses.............    116,154     184,546    223,140    311,888    434,421    308,754    406,751
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Operating income.............................      3,359      12,288     17,447     28,878     43,627     15,029     24,458
Other income (expense):
  Interest income............................        232         214        483      1,697        629        442        383
  Interest expense...........................       (163)       (142)      (101)      (576)      (899)      (725)      (586)
  Foreign currency losses and other, net.....       (148)       (687)      (486)      (411)    (1,403)      (759)    (1,310)
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes...................      3,280      11,673     17,343     29,588     41,954     13,987     22,945
  Provision for income taxes(2)..............      3,547       4,293      5,280     11,379     15,628      5,315      8,547
                                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income (loss)............................   $   (267)   $  7,380   $ 12,063   $ 18,209   $ 26,326   $  8,672   $ 14,398
                                               ===========  ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Earnings (loss) per common share(3)..........   $   (.00)   $    .09   $    .15   $    .22   $    .30   $    .10   $    .15
                                               ===========  ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding(3).............................     81,406      81,935     82,201     82,452     87,615     87,404     95,140
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            JULY 31, 1997
                                                                       OCTOBER 31,                       -------------------
                                                    --------------------------------------------------                PRO
                                                     1992      1993       1994       1995       1996      ACTUAL    FORMA(4)
                                                    -------   -------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.........................  $ 3,654   $12,636   $ 28,615   $ 34,897   $ 25,554   $ 38,649   $ 38,649
Total assets......................................   59,937    86,077    127,131    175,191    243,786    300,939    318,126
Mandatorily redeemable shares, at redemption
  value...........................................    7,126    12,441     14,290     19,973     47,024     99,076         --
Stockholders' equity (deficit)....................   (1,513)    1,814     13,612     22,972     22,902    (15,300)   100,963
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In 1992, the Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October
    31. The consolidated statement of operations data for the period ended
    October 31, 1992 reflects 10 months of operating activity as compared with
    12 months for all other fiscal year periods.
 
(2) The provision for income taxes for the 10 months ended October 31, 1992
    included a valuation allowance provided against foreign tax loss
    carryforwards totaling $2.4 million. This valuation allowance was eliminated
    in the year ended October 31, 1994 as a result of the Company's
    determination that it would likely realize these benefits.
 
(3) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of
    the computation of earnings (loss) per common share and weighted average
    common shares outstanding.
 
(4) Reflects the elimination of the mandatory redemption feature of the
    mandatorily redeemable shares and the income tax benefits resulting from the
    lapse of restrictions on certain shares of the Company's outstanding Common
    Stock, both of which will occur automatically upon the closing of this
    offering. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such
forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include,
but are not limited to, those discussed below and in the sections entitled "Risk
Factors" and "Business."
 
OVERVIEW
 
     J.D. Edwards develops, markets and supports highly functional Enterprise
Resource Planning software solutions that operate on multiple computing
platforms and are designed to accelerate customers' time to benefit, lower
customers' cost of ownership and reduce information systems risks arising from
changes in technology and business practices. The Company's integrated software
application suites support manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and
human resources operations for multi-site and multinational organizations. The
Company was founded in 1977 as an information consulting firm that developed
business application software.
 
     The Company's software application suites have historically been designed
to operate exclusively on certain mid-range computing platforms, most recently
the IBM AS/400 platform. The Company commenced shipment of the WorldSoftware
version of its application suites for use on the AS/400 platform in 1988, and
sales of such applications and related services have accounted for substantially
all of the Company's revenue in recent years. To take advantage of potential
opportunities in the UNIX and NT markets, as well as to enhance its position as
a leader in the AS/400 market, the Company released in late calendar 1996 the
OneWorld version of its application suites. The Company expects to continue to
generate a substantial portion of its revenue, for the foreseeable future, from
customers using the AS/400 platform; however, the Company does not expect to
generate substantial OneWorld license fee revenue from its existing installed
base of WorldSoftware users. The Company's future revenue growth will be
substantially dependent upon the market acceptance of OneWorld and the Company's
ability to license OneWorld applications to new customers.
 
     The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Position 91-1, "Software Revenue Recognition." The Company licenses
software under non-cancelable license agreements and provides related services,
including support, training, consulting and implementation. Training, consulting
and implementation services are not essential to the functionality of the
Company's software products, are separately priced and are available from a
number of suppliers. Accordingly, revenue from these services is recorded
separately from the license fee. License fee revenue is recognized when a
non-cancelable license agreement has been signed, the product has been
delivered, collection is probable and all significant contractual obligations
relating to this license have been satisfied. Revenue on all software license
transactions in which there are significant outstanding obligations is deferred
and recognized once such obligations are fulfilled. Typically, the Company's
software licenses do not include significant post-delivery obligations to be
fulfilled by the Company, and payments are due within a 12-month period from
date of delivery. Where software license contracts call for payment terms in
excess of 12 months from date of delivery, revenue is recognized as payments
become due and all other conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied.
Revenue from training, and consulting and implementation services is recognized
as services are performed. Revenue from agreements for supporting and providing
periodic upgrades to licensed software is recorded as deferred revenue and is
recognized ratably over the support service period, and includes a portion of
the related license fee equal to the fair value of any bundled support services.
 
     Total revenue from license fees and services has increased from year to
year. As a percentage of total revenue, service revenue has increased from year
to year primarily as a result of the Company's continued emphasis on providing
consulting and training services that complement its software products and
increased support revenue resulting from the Company's growing installed base of
customers. Gross margins on license fee revenue are generally higher than gross
margins on service revenue. The mix between license fee and service revenue may
change in future periods depending upon a number of factors, particularly the
Company's success in penetrating the UNIX and NT markets with the OneWorld
version of its application suites.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
Furthermore, the Company has historically subcontracted a portion of its
consulting and training services to third parties and in fiscal 1996, such
subcontracted services accounted for 40% of this revenue. However, the Company
is currently pursuing a strategy of relying on third-party implementation
providers to contract directly with its customers for OneWorld implementations
and related services. See "Business -- Strategy" and "Business -- Implementation
Services and Training." To the extent the Company is successful in implementing
this strategy and the OneWorld version of the Company's application suites
achieves market acceptance in future periods, revenue from subcontracted
services and total service revenue as a percentage of revenue will likely
decrease; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in implementing its strategy or that such products will achieve market
acceptance. See "Risk Factors -- Limited Deployment of OneWorld Version;
Entering New Markets," "Risk Factors -- Reliance On Third Parties and
Development of Certain Relationships" and "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Service
Revenue."
 
     The Company has experienced, and is expected to continue to experience, a
high degree of seasonality, with a disproportionately greater amount of the
Company's revenue for any fiscal year being recognized in its fourth fiscal
quarter and an even greater proportion of net income being recognized in such
quarter. For example, in fiscal 1996, 32% of total revenue, 39% of license fee
revenue, 28% of service revenue and 67% of net income were recognized in the
fourth fiscal quarter. In addition, because the Company's operating expenses are
relatively fixed in the near term, the Company's operating margins have
historically been significantly higher in its fourth fiscal quarter than in its
other quarters. The Company believes that such seasonality is primarily the
result of both the efforts of the Company's direct sales force to meet or exceed
fiscal year-end sales quotas and the tendency of certain customers to finalize
sales contracts at or near the Company's fiscal year end. Because total revenue,
operating margins and net income are greater in the fourth quarter, any
shortfall from anticipated revenue, particularly license fee revenue, in the
fourth quarter would have a disproportionately large adverse effect on the
Company's operating results for the fiscal year. In addition, the Company's
total revenue, license fee revenue, service revenue and net income in its first
fiscal quarter have historically been lower than those in the immediately
preceding fourth quarter. For example, total revenue, license fee revenue,
service revenue and net income in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 decreased
20%, 41%, 3% and 87%, respectively, from the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996. The
Company's first quarter revenue has historically slowed during the holiday
season in November and December.
 
     The Company distributes its products and services through both direct and
indirect channels. Currently, the Company has 46 direct sales and consulting
offices located throughout the world. The first international office was
established in Europe in 1989, and the Company has since added offices
throughout Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa, investing significant
resources in the start-up of these operations. The Company also utilizes 166
outside sales and consulting partners with offices throughout the world as an
indirect distribution channel to penetrate certain vertical markets or
geographic areas. Generally, operating margins are higher on domestic revenue
than on international revenue. International revenue as a percentage of total
revenue ranged between 35% and 37% from fiscal 1994 through the first nine
months of fiscal 1997.
 
     Total costs and operating expenses have increased in general due to the
overall growth of the Company, primarily as a result of an increase in headcount
and related costs. The Company's total employees expanded from 934 at the
beginning of calendar 1992 to 3,369 as of July 31, 1997. In addition, the
Company opened new offices and expanded existing offices during this period,
which increased total facilities costs.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items
from the Company's consolidated statements of income as a percentage of total
revenue (except for gross margin data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                                   ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,           JULY 31,
                                                 -----------------------      ----------------
                                                 1994     1995     1996       1996       1997
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
    <S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
    Revenue:
      License fees..............................  44.7%    39.4%    37.7%      34.1%      35.0%
      Services..................................  55.3     60.6     62.3       65.9       65.0
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
              Total revenue..................... 100.0    100.0    100.0      100.0      100.0
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of license fees......................   5.3      5.4      5.7        6.1        5.8
      Cost of services..........................  36.5     37.6     38.7       41.1       40.3
      Sales and marketing.......................  31.6     30.0     27.0       28.1       27.5
      General and administrative................  11.4     11.4     11.1       11.5       11.2
      Research and development..................   7.9      7.1      8.4        8.6        9.5
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
              Total costs and expenses..........  92.7     91.5     90.9       95.4       94.3
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
    Operating income............................   7.3      8.5      9.1        4.6        5.7
    Other income (expense), net.................   (.1)      .2      (.3)       (.3)       (.4)
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
    Income before income taxes..................   7.2      8.7      8.8        4.3        5.3
      Provision for income taxes................   2.2      3.4      3.3        1.6        2.0
                                                 -----    -----    -----      -----      -----
    Net income..................................   5.0%     5.3%     5.5%       2.7%       3.3%
                                                 =====    =====    =====      =====      =====
    Gross margin on license fee revenue.........  88.1%    86.2%    84.8%      82.1%      83.5%
    Gross margin on service revenue.............  34.0%    38.0%    37.9%      37.6%      38.0%
</TABLE>
 
  NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND 1996
 
     Revenue. Total revenue increased to $431.2 million for the first nine
months of fiscal 1997 from $323.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal
1996, representing an increase of 33%. This increase was primarily a result of
greater acceptance of the Company's software products by mid-sized organizations
in key domestic and international markets, together with new releases of the
Company's application suites, and enhanced services, support and custom
programming capabilities. International revenue as a percentage of total revenue
was 36.3% of total revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 and 36.9% in
the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     License fee revenue increased to $151.0 million for the first nine months
of fiscal 1997 from $110.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996,
representing an increase of 37%. The increase was primarily due to a greater
volume of license transactions and an increase in average transaction size. For
the first nine months of fiscal 1996, all license fee revenue was generated from
customers operating on the AS/400 platform. For the first nine months of fiscal
1997, substantially all license fee revenue was generated from customers
operating on the AS/400 platform.
 
     Service revenue increased to $280.2 million for the first nine months of
fiscal 1997 from $213.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996,
representing an increase of 31%. This increase was primarily due to higher
revenue from consulting, which is the largest component of services, although
support and training revenue also increased. Total service revenue is dependent
upon the amount and size of consulting engagements, the number of Company and
business partner consultants available to staff engagements, the number of
customers on support and the related fees, billing rates for consulting services
and training courses, and average training course sizes. Service revenue as a
percentage of total revenue was 65.0% for the first nine months of fiscal 1997
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
compared to 65.9% for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The Company has
experienced consistent demand for services resulting from its continued emphasis
on providing consulting and training services that complement its software
products and the growth in its installed base of customers. However, to the
extent the Company is successful in implementing its strategy of relying on
third parties to contract directly with the Company's customers for the
implementation of its OneWorld version of its application suites, service
revenue is likely to decrease as a percentage of total revenue.
 
     Cost of license fees. Cost of license fees includes royalties, business
partner commissions, amortization of capitalized software development costs,
documentation costs and software delivery expenses. Cost of license fees
increased to $25.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $19.8
million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. Gross margin on license fee
revenue increased to 83.5% for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from 82.1%
for the first nine months of fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of a higher
percentage of license fee revenue being generated from the Company's direct
sales force in the 1997 period compared to the 1996 period.
 
     Amortization of capitalized software development costs increased to $4.3
million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 compared to $1.9 million for
the first nine months of fiscal 1996. This increase was the result of the
amortization of capitalized OneWorld development costs, which began upon the
release of the OneWorld version of the Company's application suites in late
calendar 1996. OneWorld development costs will be amortized through fiscal 1999.
The Company offers certain complementary software products that are subject to
royalties. License fees subject to royalties were higher during the first nine
months of fiscal 1997 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 1996 primarily
due to increased license fee revenue from application suites incorporating
WorldVision, a graphical user interface for WorldSoftware that utilizes
technology licensed from third parties. Gross margin on license fee revenue
varies, in part, depending upon the proportion of the Company's software
products that are subject to royalty payments. Business partner commissions
increased during the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from the first nine months
of fiscal 1996 due primarily to an increase in license fee revenue from the
Company's Genesis version of its application suites, which is offered
exclusively through business partners.
 
     Cost of services. Cost of services includes the personnel and related
overhead costs for training and customer support services, together with fees
paid to third parties for subcontracted services. Cost of services increased to
$173.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $133.2 million for
the first nine months of fiscal 1996. This increase was due to increased
personnel and subcontracted services to support the growing demand for
implementation and consulting services. Gross margin on service revenue was
relatively stable at 38.0% and 37.6% for the first nine months of fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively. Generally, the gross margin on support revenue is higher
than on consulting and training revenue, and any change in the mix in services
will affect the gross margin on service revenue. In particular, the extent to
which the Company is successful in implementing its strategy of relying on third
parties to contract directly with the Company's customers for OneWorld
implementations and related services will affect gross margin on service
revenue.
 
     Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expense consists of personnel and
related overhead costs, including commissions, for the sales and marketing
activities of the Company, together with advertising and promotion costs. Sales
and marketing expense increased to $118.6 million for the first nine months of
fiscal 1997 from $90.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996,
representing 27.5% and 28.1% of total revenue, respectively. The increased
dollar amount was primarily the result of the addition of direct sales personnel
necessary to support the Company's selling efforts, especially the OneWorld
version of its application suites.
 
     General and administrative. General and administrative expense includes
personnel and related overhead costs for the support and administration
functions of the Company. General and administrative expense increased to $48.4
million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $37.1 million for the
first nine months of fiscal 1996, representing 11.2% and 11.5% of total revenue,
respectively. Total expense was higher in the first nine months of fiscal 1997
primarily due to an increase in personnel to support the growth in the Company's
operations.
 
     Research and development. Research and development expense includes
personnel and related overhead costs for product development, enhancements,
upgrades, quality assurance and testing. Research and development expense
increased to $41.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $27.8
million for
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
the first nine months of fiscal 1996. In addition, capitalized software
development costs were $2.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997,
down from $5.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. Total research
and development expenditures, which includes capitalized software development
costs, were higher in the 1997 period primarily due to a 25% increase in
personnel, together with increases in related facilities and equipment costs.
During each period, development resources were devoted to continued enhancements
of the Company's application suites. Capitalized software development costs for
both periods primarily consisted of OneWorld development costs. Due to the
release of the OneWorld version in late calendar 1996, the Company ceased
capitalizing OneWorld development costs during the first half of fiscal 1997.
The Company anticipates that research and development expense will increase in
subsequent quarters.
 
     While research and development expenditures, which include capitalized
software development costs, increased in the first nine months of fiscal 1997
from the first nine months of fiscal 1996, these expenditures as a percentage of
total revenue remained relatively constant at 10.1% in the first nine months of
fiscal 1997 and 10.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996. As a percentage
of license fee revenue, these expenditures were 28.7% in the first nine months
of fiscal 1997 and 30.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     Other income (expense). Other income (expense) includes interest expense on
the Company's bank line of credit, interest income on cash and cash equivalents
and foreign currency gains and losses. Interest expense decreased to $586,000
for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $725,000 for the first nine months
of fiscal 1996, due to lower average borrowings outstanding on the Company's
line of credit during the fiscal 1997 period. Interest income decreased to
$383,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $442,000 for the first
nine months of fiscal 1996 primarily due to lower average invested cash
balances. Foreign currency losses increased to $1.6 million for the 1997 period
from $1.1 million for the 1996 period, primarily due to the strengthening of the
U.S. dollar against most of the European currencies.
 
     Provision for income taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate
decreased to 37.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from 38.0% for the
first nine months of fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of a reorganization of
the Company's domestic operations.
 
  FISCAL YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
     Revenue. Total revenue increased to $478.0 million in fiscal 1996 from
$340.8 million in fiscal 1995 and $240.6 million in fiscal 1994, representing
increases of 40% in fiscal 1996 and 42% in fiscal 1995. These increases were
primarily a result of greater acceptance of the Company's software products by
mid-sized organizations in key domestic and international markets, together with
new releases of the Company's application suites, and enhanced services, support
and custom programming capabilities. International revenue as a percentage of
total revenue ranged from 34.9% to 36.8% during the last three fiscal years.
 
     License fee revenue increased to $180.4 million in fiscal 1996 from $134.1
million in fiscal 1995 and $107.6 million in fiscal 1994, representing increases
of 34% in fiscal 1996 and 25% in fiscal 1995. These increases were primarily due
to the expansion of the Company's domestic and international direct and indirect
sales organizations, a greater volume of license transactions and an increase in
average transaction size. All of the license fee revenue recognized during the
fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994 were generated from customers that operate on
the AS/400 platform.
 
     Service revenue increased to $297.7 million in fiscal 1996 from $206.6
million in fiscal 1995 and $133.0 million in fiscal 1994, representing increases
of 44% in fiscal 1996 and 55% in fiscal 1995. The increases were primarily due
to higher revenue from consulting and support, although training revenue also
increased. In fiscal 1995, the Company raised prices for support contracts
which, in addition to the increase in new support contracts, resulted in higher
support revenue. Service revenue as a percentage of total revenue was 62.3%,
60.6% and 55.3% in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. These increases
were primarily a result of the Company's continued emphasis on providing
consulting and training services that complement its software products and the
growth in the Company's installed base of customers.
 
     Cost of license fees. Cost of license fees increased to $27.4 million in
fiscal 1996 from $18.5 million in fiscal 1995 and $12.8 million in fiscal 1994.
Gross margin on license fee revenue declined to 84.8% for fiscal 1996 from 86.2%
for fiscal 1995 and 88.1% for fiscal 1994. These declines were primarily due to
higher
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
royalties on complementary products, in particular royalties incurred in
connection with increased licenses of applications with WorldVision.
 
     Cost of services. Cost of services increased to $184.8 million in fiscal
1996 from $128.1 million in fiscal 1995 and $87.8 million in fiscal 1994. Gross
margin on service revenue was 37.9%, 38.0% and 34.0% in fiscal 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively. Generally, gross margin on support revenue is higher than
gross margin on consulting and training revenue, and any change in the mix in
services will affect the gross margin on service revenue. Gross margin in fiscal
1996 as compared to fiscal 1995 remained relatively consistent. The increase in
gross margin in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994 was primarily a result of
the Company raising prices for support contracts, as well as an increase in new
support contracts, which together resulted in increased support revenue as a
percentage of service revenue.
 
     Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expense increased to $128.8
million for fiscal 1996 from $102.3 million for fiscal 1995 and $76.2 million
for fiscal 1994, representing 27.0%, 30.0% and 31.6% of total revenue,
respectively. The increase in dollar amounts was primarily the result of an
increase in sales and marketing personnel and related costs, together with
increased advertising and promotion costs. The decline in sales and marketing
expense as a percentage of total revenue was primarily the result of growing
service revenue, increased productivity from the direct sales force and an
increase in the average transaction size.
 
     General and administrative. General and administrative expense increased to
$53.1 million for fiscal 1996 from $38.7 million for fiscal 1995 and $27.4
million for fiscal 1994, representing 11.1%, 11.4% and 11.4% of total revenue,
respectively. The increase in dollar amounts was primarily the result of
additional support and administration personnel hired throughout this period to
support the expansion of the Company's operations.
 
     Research and development. Research and development expense increased to
$40.3 million for fiscal 1996 from $24.3 million for fiscal 1995 and $18.9
million for fiscal 1994. In addition, capitalized software development costs
were $7.3 million for fiscal 1996 compared to $9.8 million for fiscal 1995 and
$2.1 million for fiscal 1994. Total research and development expenditures, which
include capitalized software development costs, rose 40% in fiscal 1996 and 62%
in fiscal 1995 primarily due to increases in personnel, facilities, equipment
costs and professional contract services. During fiscal 1996 and 1995, the
Company increased resources devoted to the development of the OneWorld version
of its application suites as well as continued enhancements of the WorldSoftware
version, including Genesis. Capitalized software development costs for fiscal
1996 primarily represented OneWorld development costs while, for fiscal 1995,
such costs primarily represented OneWorld and, to a lesser extent, Genesis
development costs.
 
     Although research and development expenditures, including capitalized
software development costs, increased in each fiscal year, as a percentage of
total revenue these expenditures remained relatively stable at 10.0% for fiscal
1996 and 1995 compared to 8.7% for fiscal 1994. As a percentage of license fee
revenue, these expenditures were 26.4%, 25.4% and 19.6% for fiscal 1996, 1995
and 1994, respectively.
 
     Other income (expense). Interest income was $629,000 for fiscal 1996
compared to interest income of $1.7 million for fiscal 1995 and $483,000 for
fiscal 1994. During fiscal 1996, the Company had lower cash and cash equivalent
balances and related interest income than in prior fiscal years due to a $19.4
million investment in land in early fiscal 1996. Interest expense was $899,000,
$576,000 and $101,000 for fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Interest expense increased in each fiscal year due to higher borrowings on the
Company's bank line of credit. Foreign currency losses increased to $1.7 million
in fiscal 1996 from $237,000 for fiscal 1995 and $223,000 for fiscal 1994. This
increase was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the
Japanese yen and certain European currencies.
 
     Provision for income taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate was
37.3% in fiscal 1996, 38.5% in fiscal 1995 and 30.4% in fiscal 1994. The
effective income tax rate decreased in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995 primarily
due to a reorganization of the Company's domestic operations. The effective
income tax rate in fiscal 1994 was lower than the rates for subsequent fiscal
years due to the elimination of a valuation allowance for foreign tax loss
carryforwards as a result of the Company's determination that it would fully
utilize these benefits.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth certain unaudited consolidated statements of
income data, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total revenue
(except for gross margin data), for each of the Company's last seven quarters.
This data has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that
have been prepared on the same basis as the annual audited consolidated
financial statements and, in the opinion of the Company, include all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of such information. These unaudited quarterly results should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated results of operations
for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future
period.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                               APRIL
                                        JANUARY 31,    APRIL 30,    JULY 31,    OCTOBER 31,    JANUARY 31,      30,       JULY 31,
                                           1996          1996         1996         1996           1997          1997        1997
                                        -----------    ---------    --------    -----------    -----------    --------    ---------
                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA:
Revenue:
  License fees.........................   $35,201      $ 37,077     $ 38,220     $  69,868      $  40,934     $ 51,129    $ 58,983
  Services.............................    62,731        73,133       77,421        84,397         81,887       94,725     103,551
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
        Total revenue..................    97,932       110,210      115,641       154,265        122,821      145,854     162,534
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of license fees.................     6,705         6,150        6,942         7,646          7,698        9,386       7,900
  Cost of services.....................    40,257        44,732       48,184        51,673         51,493       57,813      64,306
  Sales and marketing..................    27,674        29,927       33,236        37,922         34,706       39,029      44,881
  General and administrative...........    11,858        12,854       12,407        15,933         14,772       16,315      17,352
  Research and development.............     8,207         9,986        9,635        12,493         10,142       14,391      16,567
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
        Total costs and expenses.......    94,701       103,649      110,404       125,667        118,811      136,934     151,006
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Operating income.......................     3,231         6,561        5,237        28,598          4,010        8,920      11,528
Other income (expense), net............       414          (629)        (827)         (631)          (313)      (1,178)        (22) 
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Income before income taxes.............     3,645         5,932        4,410        27,967          3,697        7,742      11,506
  Provision for income taxes...........     1,370         2,266        1,679        10,313          1,368        2,893       4,286
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Net income.............................   $ 2,275      $  3,666     $  2,731     $  17,654      $   2,329     $  4,849    $  7,220
                                          =======       =======      =======      ========       ========     ========    ========
Earnings per common share..............   $   .03      $    .04     $    .03     $     .20      $     .03     $    .05    $    .07
                                          =======       =======      =======      ========       ========     ========    ========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding..........................    85,455        88,415       88,329        88,261         93,443       95,366      96,601
AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE:
Revenue:
  License fees.........................      35.9%         33.6 %       33.1%         45.3%          33.3%        35.1%       36.3 %
  Services.............................      64.1          66.4         66.9          54.7           66.7         64.9        63.7
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
        Total revenue..................     100.0         100.0        100.0         100.0          100.0        100.0       100.0
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of license fees.................       6.8           5.6          6.0           5.0            6.3          6.4         4.9
  Cost of services.....................      41.1          40.5         41.7          33.5           41.9         39.6        39.6
  Sales and marketing..................      28.3          27.1         28.8          24.6           28.2         26.8        27.6
  General and administrative...........      12.1          11.7         10.7          10.3           12.0         11.2        10.7
  Research and development.............       8.4           9.1          8.3           8.1            8.3          9.9        10.2
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
        Total costs and expenses.......      96.7          94.0         95.5          81.5           96.7         93.9        93.0
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Operating income.......................       3.3           6.0          4.5          18.5            3.3          6.1         7.0
Other income (expense), net............        .4           (.6)         (.7)          (.4)           (.3)         (.8)        (.0) 
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Income before income taxes.............       3.7           5.4          3.8          18.1            3.0          5.3         7.0
  Provision for income taxes...........       1.4           2.1          1.4           6.7            1.1          2.0         2.6
                                          -------       -------      -------      --------       --------     --------    --------
Net income.............................       2.3%          3.3 %        2.4%         11.4%           1.9%         3.3%        4.4 %
                                          =======       =======      =======      ========       ========     ========    ========
Gross margin on license fee revenue....      81.0%         83.4 %       81.8%         89.1%          81.2%        81.6%       86.6 %
Gross margin on service revenue........      35.8%         38.8 %       37.8%         38.8%          37.1%        39.0%       37.9 %
</TABLE>
    
 
     In the last seven quarters, expenses and operating income as a percentage
of total revenue have varied primarily due to seasonality, which has resulted in
disproportionately higher license fee revenue in the fourth
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
fiscal quarter. Expenses have decreased as a percentage of revenue in the fourth
quarter due to seasonally higher license fee revenue. Gross margin on license
fee revenue has varied quarterly from 81.0% to 89.1% within the last seven
quarters due to fluctuations in license volume and the mix of fixed and variable
cost of licenses. Gross margin on service revenue has remained stable except for
the first quarters of fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997 due to lower service revenue
during the holiday season in November and December.
 
     The Company's quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in
the past, and will likely continue to fluctuate in the future, as a result of a
number of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control. These
factors include the demand for the Company's software products and services; the
size and timing of specific sales; the level of product and price competition
that the Company encounters; the length of sales cycles; the timing of new
product introductions and product enhancements by the Company or its
competitors; market acceptance of new products; changes in pricing policies by
the Company or its competitors; the Company's ability to hire sales and
consulting personnel to meet the demand, if any, for implementations of
OneWorld; the Company's ability to establish and maintain relationships with
third-party implementation providers; the Company's ability to establish and
maintain relationships with hardware and software suppliers; the announcement of
new hardware platforms that cause delay of customer purchases; variations in the
length of the implementation process of the Company's software products; the
Company's ability to complete fixed-price consulting contracts on budget; the
mix of products and services sold; the mix of distribution channels through
which products are sold; the mix of international and domestic revenue; changes
in the Company's sales incentives; changes in the renewal rate of support
agreements; product life cycles; software defects and other product quality
problems; seasonality of technology purchases; personnel changes; changes in the
Company's strategy; the activities of competitors; the extent of industry
consolidation; expansion of the Company's international operations; general
domestic and international economic and political conditions; and budgeting
cycles of the Company's customers. The timing of large individual sales has been
difficult for the Company to predict, and large individual sales have, in some
cases, occurred in quarters subsequent to those anticipated by the Company.
There can be no assurance that the loss or deferral of one or more significant
sales would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's quarterly
operating results.
 
     The Company's software is generally used for division- or enterprise-wide,
business-critical purposes and involves significant capital commitments by
customers. Potential customers generally commit significant resources to an
evaluation of available enterprise software and require the Company to expend
substantial time, effort and money educating them about the value of the
Company's solutions. As a result, sales of the Company's software products
require an extensive sales effort throughout the customer's organization because
decisions to license such software generally involve the evaluation of the
software by a significant number of customer personnel in various functional and
geographical areas, each often having specific and conflicting requirements. A
variety of factors, including factors over which the Company has little or no
control, may cause potential customers to delay or forego a purchase. As a
result of these or other factors, the sales cycle for the Company's products is
long, typically ranging between six and 15 months. Moreover, the Company expects
that the sales cycle for the recently released OneWorld version of its
application suites may be longer than that of the WorldSoftware version, at
least until the Company's sales force becomes familiar with the needs of
customers operating on UNIX and NT servers. As a result of the length of the
sales cycle for its software products, the Company's ability to forecast the
timing and amount of specific sales is limited, and the delay or failure to
complete one or more large license transactions could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition and
cause the Company's operating results to vary significantly from quarter to
quarter. See "Risk Factors -- Variability of Quarterly Operating Results;
Seasonality."
 
     The Company's software products are typically shipped when orders are
received, and consequently, license backlog at the beginning of any quarter has
in the past represented only a small portion of that quarter's expected revenue.
As a result, license fee revenue in any quarter is difficult to forecast because
it is substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that quarter.
Moreover, the Company typically recognizes a substantial amount of its revenue
in the last month of the quarter, frequently in the last week or even days of
the quarter. Since the Company's operating expenses are based on anticipated
revenue levels and because a high percentage of the Company's expenses are
relatively fixed in the near term any shortfall from
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
anticipated revenue or a delay in the recognition of revenue could result in
significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter. Quarterly
license fee revenue is also difficult to forecast because the Company's sales
cycles, from initial evaluation to delivery of software, varies substantially
from customer to customer. If revenue falls below the Company's expectations in
a particular quarter, the Company's operating results could be materially
adversely affected. See "Risk Factors -- Lengthy Sales Cycle."
 
     Based on all of the foregoing, the Company believes that future revenue,
expenses and operating results are likely to vary significantly from quarter to
quarter. As a result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of operating results are
not necessarily meaningful or indicative of future performance. Furthermore, the
Company believes it is likely that in some future quarter the Company's
operating results will be below the expectations of public market analysts or
investors. In such event, or in the event that adverse conditions prevail, or
are perceived to prevail, with respect to the Company's business or generally,
the market price of the Company's Common Stock would likely be materially
adversely affected.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The Company has funded its operations and growth to date primarily through
cash generated from operating activities. As of July 31, 1997, the Company's
principal sources of liquidity consisted of $38.6 million of cash and cash
equivalents, and a $50 million, unsecured, revolving line of credit that it
borrows against for working capital requirements and other general corporate
purposes. As of July 31, 1997, no amounts were outstanding under the Company's
bank line of credit, and the Company had working capital of $35.6 million.
Included in such amounts is a short-term deferred revenue and customer deposits
of $79.5 million. Short-term deferred revenue primarily represents annual
support payments billed to customers and is recognized ratably as revenue over
the support service period. Without the short-term deferred revenue and customer
deposits, working capital would have been $115.1 million.
 
     The Company generated operating cash flow of $23.4 million for the first
nine months of fiscal 1997 and $42.4 million, $41.3 million and $27.2 million
for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Operating cash flow is affected by
seasonality, among other factors, and is disproportionately higher in the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year than in each of the first three quarters of such
fiscal year. The increases in operating cash flow from year to year were due
primarily to increasing net income. During these periods growth in operating
assets such as accounts receivable has been funded by similar growth in
operating liabilities, primarily deferred revenue and accrued liabilities.
 
     The Company utilized cash for investing activities of $9.8 million for the
first nine months of fiscal 1997 and $51.2 million, $29.2 million and $10.9
million for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. During these periods, the
Company experienced significant growth and invested funds in the purchase of
furniture, fixtures and equipment that were necessary to support its expanding
operations. In the first nine months of fiscal 1997, the Company's cash utilized
for investing activities was offset in part by $8.6 million of proceeds from the
sale of assets. In fiscal 1996, the Company invested $19.4 million in the
purchase of land in Denver, Colorado, a portion of which is being used by the
Company for a headquarters facility.
 
     The Company did not have significant net financing activities for the first
nine months of fiscal 1997 or for fiscal 1996, 1995 or 1994. The Company
utilized its bank line of credit for working capital and other general corporate
purposes but repaid all amounts borrowed within each of these periods.
 
     Management believes the net proceeds from this offering, together with its
cash and cash equivalents balance, amounts available under existing credit
facilities and funds generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet its
cash needs through fiscal 1998. However, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not require additional funds to support its working capital
requirements or for other purposes, in which case the Company may seek to raise
such additional funds through public or private equity financing or from other
sources. There can be no assurance that such additional financing will be
available or that, if available, such financing will be obtained on terms
favorable to the Company and would not result in additional dilution to the
Company's stockholders.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
     The Company has determined that the adoption of the recently issued
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per
Share," No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure," No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," and No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information," will not have a material impact on its
financial condition or results of operations. The pro forma effect of SFAS No.
128 is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included
herein.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     J.D. Edwards develops, markets and supports highly functional Enterprise
Resource Planning ("ERP") software solutions that operate on multiple computing
platforms and are designed to accelerate customers' time to benefit, lower
customers' cost of ownership and reduce information systems risks arising from
changes in technology and business practices. The Company's integrated software
application suites support manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and
human resources operations for multi-site and multinational organizations.
Through its Configurable Network Computing ("CNC") architecture, the Company's
ERP software is specifically designed to enable customers to change technology
and/or business practices while minimizing costs and business interruptions. The
Company provides implementation, training and support services designed to
enable customers to rapidly achieve the benefits of the Company's ERP solutions.
The Company has developed and marketed ERP solutions for over 20 years,
principally for operation on AS/400 and other IBM mid-range systems and, more
recently, on leading UNIX and Windows NT ("NT") servers through Windows- and
Internet browser-enabled desktop clients.
 
     The Company's family of application suites is designed to improve most
organizations' core business processes. In addition, the Company extends its
application suites to address certain vertical markets with specific
configurations, templates and additional software features designed to meet
these industries' needs. The Company offers two versions of its application
suites -- WorldSoftware and OneWorld. WorldSoftware operates in a host-centric
environment on the AS/400 platform. With the addition of the WorldVision thin
client interface, WorldSoftware applications can be operated through a
Windows-based graphical user interface. OneWorld incorporates the Company's CNC
architecture and operates on leading UNIX and NT servers, as well as the AS/400
platform. The Company believes its network-centric CNC architecture provides a
valuable extension beyond traditional client/server architectures by masking
complexity, lowering cost of change and facilitating greater scalability. In
addition, WorldSoftware and OneWorld are capable of operating together in a
unified enterprise-wide environment. The Company also provides WorldSoftware and
OneWorld toolsets to enable rapid implementation, customization and modification
of its application suites.
 
     The Company distributes, implements and supports its products worldwide
through 46 offices and through 166 third-party business partners. To date, the
Company has more than 4,000 customers with sites in over 90 countries including
Amgen, Inc., E&J Gallo Winery, Harley Davidson Europe Ltd., Lexmark
International, Inc., Mobil Corporation, Samsonite Corporation and SmithKline
Beecham plc.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     ERP systems are designed to enhance an organization's ability to manage and
execute business functions such as manufacturing, finance,
distribution/logistics and human resources. These systems manage and store large
amounts of diverse business information, providing continuous and simultaneous
availability of information to geographically dispersed employees, customers and
suppliers. According to Advanced Manufacturing Research ("AMR"), an industry
consulting firm, the worldwide market for ERP software license revenue was
approximately $3.5 billion in 1996, and is expected to reach $16.2 billion by
2001, a compound annual growth rate of 36%.
 
     Historically, ERP solutions have primarily consisted of host-centric
systems that operate on mainframes or mid-range computers. These systems,
developed over many years and representing considerable investments by
customers, provide high levels of performance, scalability, data security and
reliability. In addition, host-centric ERP systems designed as single-vendor
environments offer reduced complexity in implementation and management. However,
such systems generally do not have the flexibility to support diverse and
changing operations within a customer's business or to respond effectively to
changing technologies. Despite these limitations, many host-centric systems are
still being widely deployed for ERP applications because of their strengths.
 
     In recent years, ERP systems have been developed with client/server
architectures. These distributed systems generally offer users easier access to
information, as well as multi-site processing capabilities. In addition, as
compared to host-centric systems, client/server environments are better able to
accommodate diverse hardware, software and network technology changes that can
result from rapid organizational growth,
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
acquisitions and consolidations. However, such systems are inherently complex
and generally require lengthy and costly implementation efforts, extensive user
training and substantial ongoing support.
 
     Both host-centric and client/server systems require extensive initial
implementation and ongoing modifications to support an organization's current
and continuously changing business practices. The implementation of a new ERP
system may in some cases require an organization to subordinate or re-engineer
its established business practices to accommodate system or architectural
constraints. These requirements can increase the cost of ownership of an ERP
system and overwhelm organizations with limited internal IT staffs, particularly
rapidly growing and resource-constrained mid-sized organizations. In addition,
the difficulties associated with implementation and modification can put
organizations at risk of costly interruptions to normal business operations.
Accordingly, the Company believes there is a substantial market opportunity for
ERP solutions that offer faster time to benefit, reduce risks associated with
implementation and modification and lower overall cost of ownership. These
solutions should consist of an integrated suite of ERP applications and services
that offer the reliable performance, ease of implementation and ease of
management available in host-centric systems as well as the flexibility to
support multi-site, multi-supplier, multi-platform environments found in
client/server systems. At the same time, these solutions should mask the
complexities of the underlying hardware, software and network technologies.
 
THE J.D. EDWARDS SOLUTION
 
     J.D. Edwards develops, markets and supports highly functional ERP software
solutions that operate on multiple computing platforms and are designed to
accelerate customers' time to benefit, lower customers' cost of ownership and
reduce information systems risks arising from changes in technology and business
practices. The Company's integrated software application suites support
manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and human resources operations
for multi-site and multinational organizations. Through its CNC architecture,
the Company's ERP software is specifically designed to enable customers to
change technology and/or business practices while minimizing costs and business
interruptions. The Company provides implementation, training and support
services designed to enable customers to rapidly achieve the benefits of the
Company's ERP solutions. The Company has developed and marketed ERP solutions
for over 20 years, principally for operation on AS/400 and other IBM mid-range
systems and, more recently, on leading UNIX and NT servers through Windows- and
Internet browser-enabled desktop clients.
 
     The Company's ERP solutions are designed to offer the following customer
benefits:
 
     DELIVER AND SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES. The
Company's ERP software supports an organization's core business processes
through a family of application suites, including manufacturing, finance,
distribution/logistics and human resources. These application suites are
designed to enable a customer to integrate business information across its
organization and throughout its entire supply chain; accommodate diverse
business practices across a geographically dispersed organization; and support
multiple languages, currencies and jurisdictions. The Company's experienced
service organization provides training, support and a tested methodology to
enable rapid implementation of its ERP solutions.
 
     FACILITATE CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PRACTICES. The Company's CNC
architecture is designed to mask the complexities of underlying platform
technologies, thus enhancing flexibility and simplifying software modification.
Using the Company's highly flexible software toolset, customers can modify the
Company's application suites to accommodate their business practices without
regard to the underlying hardware, software and network technologies. By masking
the complexity of the underlying technology, the Company's CNC architecture
facilitates the incorporation of new technologies and enables customers to
modify business practices without extensive low-level software code modification
or support.
 
     OFFER TECHNOLOGY CHOICES FOR DIFFERENT MARKET SEGMENTS. Customers can
select between two versions of the Company's application suites. The Company
offers its WorldSoftware version to customers who seek the reliable performance
and lower cost of ownership associated with host-centric systems. The Company
provides its OneWorld version to customers who want the accessibility of
information and ease of use typically associated with client/server systems,
without the burdens often associated with these complex systems. OneWorld's
object-based technology is designed to enhance programmer productivity,
facilitate modification
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
of business practices and leverage network scalability. OneWorld, introduced in
late 1996, operates on leading UNIX and NT servers, in addition to the AS/400
platform. By offering two versions of its software, the Company addresses
different market segments and allows customers to maintain consistent business
functionality while combining different technologies to meet their specific
requirements.
 
     PRESERVE AND EXTEND CUSTOMER INVESTMENT. The Company designed OneWorld to
provide customers with a migration path to a network-centric architecture, while
preserving the customers' existing investments in AS/400 platforms. The
Company's CNC architecture enables OneWorld and WorldSoftware application suites
to co-exist on the AS/400 platform, allowing customers to incorporate the new
technologies of OneWorld while maintaining consistent functionality with their
WorldSoftware systems. This architecture minimizes disruptions and reduces the
overall cost of change for customers.
 
     LOWER COST OF OWNERSHIP. The Company's ERP solutions are designed to reduce
overall cost of ownership through a combination of advanced technology and
comprehensive service and support. The Company's CNC architecture is
specifically designed to enable customers to change business practices or
technology environments without significant costs or business interruptions. In
addition, the Company's OneWorld software version is platform independent,
allowing customers to select the best price and performance solutions from
multiple hardware and software suppliers. The Company also offers implementation
services and support enabling more rapid deployment of the Company's ERP
solutions, thus reducing customers' overall cost of ownership.
 
     ESTABLISH LONG-TERM CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS. The Company has designed its
ERP software solutions with broad business functionality and flexibility to
reduce the need for significant custom modifications. By minimizing custom
modifications, the customer's ability to benefit from subsequent releases is
enhanced, as is the Company's ability to support the software as implemented.
The Company believes its investment in worldwide customer support services and
user groups facilitates customer communication and feedback, enhancing customer
satisfaction. The Company believes this focus on standard software functionality
and flexibility, and its investment in customer support and user groups,
contribute to long-term customer relationships.
 
STRATEGY
 
     J.D. Edwards' objective is to strengthen and expand its position as a
leading supplier of ERP software and services. The key elements of the Company's
strategy are as follows:
 
     LEVERAGE LEADERSHIP POSITION IN MIDDLE MARKET. The Company believes that
its ERP solutions address the needs of a broad spectrum of organizations,
ranging from organizations with revenue in the tens of millions to the largest
global enterprises. The Company has principally targeted mid-sized
organizations, including divisions and business units of larger companies, with
annual revenues between $100 million and $2 billion. The Company believes the
ease of implementation and lower cost of ownership associated with its
application suites meet important needs of rapidly growing and
resource-constrained mid-sized organizations. The Company's ERP solutions
provide robust functionality, reduced implementation time and ease of use.
Although the Company expects to devote a significant amount of its resources to
further penetrate this market, the Company also intends to leverage its
extensive ERP experience with mid-sized organizations to address the needs of
larger global enterprises.
 
     LEVERAGE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THROUGH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES. The Company
uses advanced technologies to develop highly functional, integrated ERP
solutions in a rapid and efficient manner. The Company's OneWorld toolset is
specifically designed for rapid creation of business functionality and
incorporation of new technologies. The Company uses the OneWorld toolset to
develop OneWorld application suites, thus leveraging the Company's development
resources. Using its OneWorld toolset, the Company has been able to recreate
business functionality in OneWorld application suites in substantially less time
than it took to develop the same application suites for WorldSoftware. The
Company believes that this ability to rapidly create business functionality and
incorporate new technologies is an important competitive advantage in its
market.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
     EXPAND VERTICAL MARKET FOCUS. Over the last 20 years, the Company has
acquired significant vertical market experience and expertise through
developing, selling and deploying ERP solutions for over 4,000 customers across
a variety of industries. The Company has leveraged this experience into the
development of customized application suites for a number of vertical markets.
These application suites include configurations and templates designed to
provide more rapid customization, implementation and time to benefit for
customers in these industries. In addition, the Company believes that the
ability to focus its development and sales personnel on the needs of specific
industries has made its sales and marketing efforts more efficient and effective
in these vertical markets. To date, the Company has developed customized
application suites for three vertical markets: (1) architecture, engineering,
construction, mining and real estate; (2) energy and chemical systems; and (3)
public sector. The Company is developing additional customized application
suites in vertical markets in which it has significant experience and expertise,
including automotive supply, consumer packaged goods, electronics, fabricated
metals and pharmaceuticals.
 
     PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES DIRECTLY AND THROUGH THIRD PARTIES. The
Company believes that its high-quality consulting, implementation, support and
training services enable the Company to achieve a high level of customer
satisfaction, strong customer references and long-term relationships, as well as
facilitate software improvement based on customer feedback. The Company is
committed to providing efficient, high-quality service. To this end, the Company
offers extensive worldwide implementation, training and support services for its
AS/400 customers directly through its customer service personnel and through
third-party implementation providers to whom the Company subcontracts such
services. The Company intends to rely primarily on third-party implementation
providers to contract directly with customers for the implementation of the
OneWorld version of its application suites. These relationships will enable the
Company to provide implementation services through third-party personnel with
extensive client/server expertise, while concentrating its own service resources
on those activities it can perform most efficiently. The Company believes that
this direct and third-party customer service strategy will enable it to deliver
comprehensive and timely services worldwide.
 
     EXPAND STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS. The Company intends to expand its existing,
and develop new, strategic relationships with leading hardware and software
suppliers, such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment Corporation, Oracle
and Microsoft, as well as with third-party implementation providers, including
global accounting and consulting firms. The Company believes these activities
will provide greater access to a wider variety of potential customers and
leverage the technical expertise of such third parties, allowing the Company to
devote additional resources to product development and marketing activities.
 
     EXTEND GLOBAL PRESENCE. The Company plans to extend its already significant
commitment to international sales and support to take advantage of worldwide ERP
market opportunities. The Company's ERP solutions have been designed to meet the
special requirements of multi-site and multinational organizations. Currently,
the Company employs over 800 international sales and customer service
representatives in 27 international offices. The Company also relies upon its
indirect channel of 166 consulting and sales partners with offices throughout
the world. The Company believes that further expansion of its direct and
indirect sales channels will enhance its competitive position, increase market
penetration and achieve greater name recognition.
 
PRODUCTS
 
     The Company's family of application suites is designed to improve most
organizations' core business processes. In addition, the Company extends its
application suites to address certain vertical markets with specific
configurations, templates and additional software features designed to meet
these industries' needs. The Company offers two versions of its application
suites -- WorldSoftware and OneWorld. WorldSoftware operates in a host-centric
environment on the AS/400 platform. With the addition of the WorldVision thin
client interface, WorldSoftware applications can be operated through a
Windows-based graphical user interface. OneWorld incorporates the Company's CNC
architecture and operates on leading UNIX and NT servers, as well as the AS/400.
The Company believes its network-centric CNC architecture provides a valuable
extension beyond traditional client/server architectures by masking complexity,
lowering cost of change and facilitating greater scalability. In addition,
WorldSoftware and OneWorld are capable of operating
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
together in a unified enterprise-wide environment. The Company also provides
WorldSoftware and OneWorld toolsets to enable rapid implementation,
customization and modification of its application suites.
 
  APPLICATION SUITES
 
     The Company's family of application suites includes manufacturing, finance,
distribution/logistics and human resources. The Company's application suites
accommodate different business practices across a geographically dispersed
organization, as well as multiple languages, currencies and jurisdictions. Each
suite can operate on a stand-alone basis, or can be integrated with other
Company suites and selected third-party applications and systems. The majority
of the Company's customers deploy multiple application suites.
 
     MANUFACTURING
 
     The Company's manufacturing application suite is designed to enable
organizations to optimize their manufacturing operations resources within a
single plant or across multiple locations and to provide information links to
other departments within the organization. The following describes the principal
functionality of the manufacturing application suite and its primary customer
benefits:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONALITY                        PRIMARY CUSTOMER BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  - Requirements Planning                        - Tracks product variances in costs,
  - Product Data Management                      margins, and quantity
  - Engineering Change Management                - Monitors inventory
  - Configuration Management                     - Facilitates multi-site integration
  - Shop Floor Management                        - Provides process and discrete
  - Maintenance Management                       manufacturing capabilities in a single
                                                   plant environment
                                                 - Supports multi-mode manufacturing for
                                                 purposes of mass customization
                                                 - Manages tracking and communication of
                                                 engineering change orders from initial
                                                   modification through final approval
                                                 - Matches shop floor operations and
                                                 procedures with reporting needs
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
     FINANCE
 
     The Company's finance application suite is designed to provide structure,
security and the ability to audit a customer's financial systems without
limiting the customer's ability to respond to operational and market changes.
The application suite provides a central repository of financial information
with simplified transaction processing. The following describes the principal
functionality of the finance application suite and its primary customer
benefits:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONALITY                        PRIMARY CUSTOMER BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  - Cost-based Accounting                        - Offers flexible accounting and management
  - Financial Modeling and Budgeting             report formats
  - General Accounting Functions                 - Provides real-time access to remote
    - Accounts Receivable                        locations
    - Accounts Payable                           - Facilitates forecasting through modeling
    - Financial Reporting                        and budgeting functions
    - Fixed Assets                               - Provides flexibility to accommodate
  - Enterprise-wide Consolidations               changing organizational structures
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
     DISTRIBUTION/LOGISTICS
 
     The Company's distribution/logistics application suite is designed to
provide enterprise-wide distribution chain, supply chain and logistics
management. The following describes the principal functionality of the
distribution/logistics application suite and its primary customer benefits:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONALITY                        PRIMARY CUSTOMER BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  - Demand Management                            - Manages multi-site inventory, materials
  - Forecasting                                  and supplies through the supply chain
  - Supplier Management                          - Simplifies planning for future demand and
  - Inventory Management                         inventory deployment
  - Warehouse Automation                         - Improves management of purchases and
  - Electronic Data Interchange                  sales order processes
                                                 - Tailors order fulfillment process to
                                                 customer and item level
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
     HUMAN RESOURCES
 
     The Company's human resources application suite is designed to address the
unique needs of human resource and payroll managers and offers close integration
with the Company's other application suites. The following describes the
principal functionality of the human resources application suite and its primary
customer benefits:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONALITY                        PRIMARY CUSTOMER BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  - Applicant and Requisition Management         - Reduces payroll administration cost
  - Salary and Wage Administration               - Complies with and responds to regulatory
  - Benefits Administration                      requirements
  - Legislative and Regulatory Compliance and    - Allows HR/payroll team to reduce clerical
    Reporting                                      time
  - Payroll                                      - Manages complex payrolls including
  - Labor Distribution                           multiple unions, contractors,
  - Budgeting and Recruiting                     subcontractors, step progressions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
  VERTICAL MARKET APPLICATION SUITES
 
     Over the last 20 years, the Company has acquired significant vertical
market experience and expertise through developing, selling and deploying ERP
solutions for over 4,000 customers across a variety of industries. The Company
has leveraged this experience into the development of customized application
suites for a number of vertical markets. To date, the Company has developed
customized application suites for three vertical markets: (1) architecture,
engineering, construction, mining and real estate ("AEC"); (2) energy and
chemical systems; and (3) public sector. These industry-specific configurations
are designed to provide more rapid customization and implementation,
accelerating time to benefit for customers in these industries. Moreover, the
Company believes its vertical market strategy has improved the efficiency and
effectiveness of its own sales and service operations. Each of the current
targeted vertical markets is described below:
 
     Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Mining and Real Estate. The
Company's AEC application suite includes templates for such common tasks as job
costing, work order management, contract and service billing and equipment
management, among others, while offering additional industry-specific functions
for each market.
 
     Energy and Chemical Systems. The Company's energy and chemical application
suite enables customers to manage all phases of energy and chemical product and
process flow, which is particularly critical given the regulatory controls and
competitive environment of these industries. This template is used for equipment
 
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<PAGE>   39
 
management, load and delivery management, procurement planning, bulk inventory
management and other related functions.
 
     Public Sector. The Company provides its public sector application suite for
use by organizations and agencies such as government entities, school districts
and utilities. In addition to providing such organizations and agencies with
common functions, including financial administration, budgeting and reporting,
and human resources administration, this application suite provides
functionality specific to the needs of each sector.
 
     The Company has significant expertise in the following additional vertical
markets: automotive supply, consumer packaged goods, electronics, fabricated
metals and pharmaceuticals. The Company plans to continue its strategy of
customizing application suites and templates for these vertical markets. As with
its existing vertical markets, the Company also plans to offer industry specific
training and services to these new markets. In addition to its vertical market
focus, the Company has developed Genesis, a version of WorldSoftware with
simplified implementation features for the small business market. Genesis is
designed to enable small businesses to obtain many of the benefits of
WorldSoftware while streamlining the implementation and training process.
 
     The Company's application suites are licensed under perpetual, fully paid
licenses. The prices for such licenses are based on the functionality of the
application suite and the number and type of licensed users. Customers pay a
base amount per application suite plus a per user amount. For global
enterprises, the base price per application suite ranges from $16,500 to $38,800
and includes supported languages and localizations. The price per user is
dependent upon volume and type of user and for global enterprises generally
begins at $7,900 per user.
 
  TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECTURE
 
     The Company offers two versions of its application suites -- WorldSoftware
and OneWorld. WorldSoftware operates in a host-centric environment on the AS/400
platform. OneWorld incorporates the Company's CNC architecture and operates on
leading UNIX and NT servers, as well as the AS/400. In addition, WorldSoftware
and OneWorld are capable of operating together in a unified enterprise-wide
environment.
 
                         SUITES AND ARCHITECTURE GRAPH
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
     WorldSoftware is a well established, procedural-based technology designed
to take advantage of the security, integrity and easily maintained architecture
of the AS/400 platform. Unlike many host-centric ERP systems, WorldSoftware
provides flexibility to make run-time changes in application suites without the
need to recompile software. WorldSoftware also incorporates features such as an
active data dictionary, user defined codes and a variety of run-time options.
With the addition of the WorldVision thin client interface, WorldSoftware
applications can be operated through a Windows-based graphical user interface.
 
     OneWorld is an object-based, event-driven technology designed to provide
the information access and other user benefits of traditional client/server
systems while masking complexity and accommodating future change. OneWorld's CNC
architecture enables the deployment of a single version of an application across
a network, regardless of the underlying technologies. The CNC architecture
consists of three components: (1) the application layer; (2) the toolset layer;
and (3) the technology layer.
 
     The OneWorld application layer contains the specific business functionality
of the OneWorld manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and human
resources application suites. OneWorld application suites are composed of up to
3,000 reusable objects. The applications are distributed by the OneWorld
deployment server in object form to individual platforms where they are compiled
and executed. A customer changes the application logic by modifying the objects
or creating new objects using the OneWorld toolset. Applications containing the
modified or newly created objects are then redistributed to individual
platforms. The Company believes that this single-point-of-change architecture
significantly reduces the cost of change compared to traditional client/server
architectures.
 
     The OneWorld toolset is used to create or modify OneWorld objects, allowing
customers or the Company's developers to quickly create new application
functionality. The toolset also insulates users from lower level technologies.
For example, OneWorld objects exist independent of any specific computer
language. Currently, the OneWorld toolset can generate objects in three computer
languages -- C, C++ and Java. The Company believes it can readily incorporate
new languages in the future as market requirements dictate. The Company also
believes that this unified toolset approach significantly reduces customers'
cost of ownership when compared to traditional client/server systems that
require a variety of tools.
 
     The OneWorld technology layer is designed to mask the differences between
underlying platforms and provide a uniform interface for OneWorld applications.
This uniformity allows a single object to execute on a wide variety of
platforms, a "write once, run anywhere" capability. The technology layer
currently supports IBM's AS/400 and S/390 platforms; Digital Equipment
Corporation's Alpha- and Intel-based NT servers; IBM's RS/6000,
Hewlett-Packard's 9000, as well as other UNIX servers from Siemens/Nixdorf; and
NT servers from NEC and Fujitsu. Supported clients include personal computers
running Windows 95 and Windows NT or any desktop system running an Internet
browser. Supported databases include Oracle databases, the IBM DB2 family and
Microsoft's SQL Server. The Company intends to continue to integrate additional
platforms, servers and software as necessary to meet market demands.
 
     The technology layer also integrates a variety of components not typically
integrated in traditional client/server architectures, including an object
request broker, a transaction processing monitor, a workflow engine, a C/C++
generator and a Java generator. In traditional client/server implementations,
customers often have to integrate these components obtained from multiple
suppliers. The Company believes that its architecture and high degree of
integration reduce the cost of ownership and facilitate change when compared to
traditional client/server implementations.
 
  TOOLSETS
 
     The Company's software application suites were developed with the Company's
WorldSoftware and OneWorld toolsets. These toolsets are also used for the
ongoing enhancement and modification of the Company's products. The Company
believes the advantages of these toolsets include increased productivity,
increased code consistency, self-documenting code and improved quality.
 
     The WorldSoftware and OneWorld toolsets are bundled with the WorldSoftware
and OneWorld applications, providing customers the same productivity,
consistency and quality benefits enjoyed by the
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
Company's own developers, thus reducing the complexities typically associated
with upgrades to new releases. Since modifications made by customers to conform
the applications to local business practice and modifications made by the
Company in the course of creating new releases are made with the same toolset,
it is easier and faster to upgrade to new releases while preserving the
customers' modifications. The Company believes that this capability enables
customers to incorporate new functionality more rapidly, while also reducing the
Company's support costs, since fewer customers remain on older releases.
 
     The Company's WorldSoftware toolset provides a high-level architecture,
allowing the Company's development staff to express business practices as an
abstract model. The toolset then uses the model to generate RPG code that runs
on an AS/400 platform in a host-centric, procedural architecture. The Company
continues to use this toolset to add new functionality to the WorldSoftware
application suites.
 
     The Company's OneWorld toolset incorporates more advanced technologies,
including object-based methods and event-driven models. The OneWorld toolset
generates code in C, C++ and Java for a multi-platform, network-centric
environment. Because the OneWorld toolset rigorously separates business logic
from underlying technologies, it also facilitates the incorporation of new
technologies. For example, in 1996, the Company incorporated a Java generator
into the OneWorld technology layer and then regenerated and released
approximately 1,000 existing OneWorld objects in Java in approximately three
months. This process was completed without rewriting the application code. The
Company believes that the ability to incorporate new technologies by
regenerating, rather than rewriting, applications provides a competitive
advantage.
 
IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES AND TRAINING
 
     The Company believes that delivery of its ERP software together with high
quality consulting, implementation, support and training services enables the
Company to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction, strong customer
references and long-term relationships, as well as facilitate software
improvement based on customer feedback. The Company offers extensive
implementation and training services directly and through third parties to
assist customers in rapidly achieving benefits from its ERP solutions. As of
July 31, 1997, the Company had 1,160 employees in its customer services and
training departments, located worldwide, and had relationships with 166 business
partners with offices throughout the world.
 
  IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES
 
     The Company has designed an implementation process called the REP
methodology ("Rapidly, Economically and Predictably"), which offers a balance of
structure and flexibility for organizations implementing the Company's ERP
solutions. The goal of REP is to accelerate customers' time to benefit by taking
advantage of the Company's technology, business know-how and experience in the
ERP market. REP is a nine-step process designed to enable on-time and on-budget
implementation of the Company's ERP solutions. The nine steps are illustrated in
the following chart:
 
                                NINE-STEP GRAPH
 
     In addition to its standard implementation services, the Company also
offers a full range of custom implementation services, including conversion
programs, upgrade assistance, custom modifications and interfaces, and technical
documentation. Implementation services are generally provided on a time and
materials basis.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
  THIRD-PARTY IMPLEMENTATION PROVIDERS
 
     The Company seeks to provide its customers with high quality implementation
services in the most efficient and effective manner. In cases where the Company
does not provide implementation services itself, it subcontracts such services
through third parties. The Company also has relationships with a limited number
of third-party implementation providers that contract directly with customers to
assist in the implementation of the Company's software. The Company selects
these third-party providers carefully to ensure that they have the ability and
knowledge to represent the Company and implement its ERP solutions properly.
Providers receive intensive training regarding the Company's application suites
and its REP implementation process. In addition, the Company evaluates these
providers on a regular basis to ensure quality service and support to its
customers. In the future, the Company intends to rely primarily on third-party
implementation providers to contract directly with customers for the
implementation of the OneWorld version of its applications suites. These
relationships will enable the Company to provide implementation services through
third-party personnel with extensive client/server expertise, while
concentrating its own service resources on those activities it can perform most
efficiently. The Company believes that this direct and third-party customer
service strategy will enable it to deliver comprehensive and timely services
worldwide.
 
  EDUCATION AND TRAINING
 
     The Company offers a comprehensive education and training program to its
customers and to the Company's third party implementation providers. Classes are
offered at in-house facilities located throughout the world, as well as at
customer locations. The Company's instructors are certified for each course they
teach, and their backgrounds generally include cross-functional experience in
product testing, customer support and implementation services.
 
SUPPORT
 
     The Company believes that providing business solutions along with a high
level of on-going support to its customers is a critical element in establishing
long-term relationships and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
The Company provides support services for an annual fee, which entitles the
customer to receive telephone customer support, as well as enhancements and
updates to its implemented version of the Company's software. The Company
provides customer support through three customer support centers located in
Denver, London and Singapore, which are connected to each other through a wide
area network. Customer support from these centers is provided in nine languages
on a 12-hour-per-day, five-day-per-week basis, and in English-only on a
24-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week basis. Customer support personnel have the
ability to access customer systems remotely to diagnose and resolve problems. As
of July 31, 1997, the Company had 347 employees in its customer support
department.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   43
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     As of July 31, 1997, the Company had licensed its application suites to
over 4,000 customers. During each of the last three fiscal years, no customer
accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. The following is a representative
sample of current customers across various industry groups:
 
ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION,
MINING AND REAL ESTATE
 
Benderson Development Company, Inc.
Bovis, Inc.
CBI Industries, Inc.
David Weekley Homes
Foster Wheeler Corporation
Gilbane Building Company
Granite Construction Company
Hensel Phelps Construction Company
Hoffman Corporation
Hubbard Construction Company
Koll Construction Company
PCL Constructors
RE/MAX International Incorporated
Sundt Corporation
   
The Ryland Group, Inc.
    
 
AUTOMOTIVE
 
ASC, Inc.
B.F. Goodrich Europe Coordination
  Center N.V.
Champion Laboratories, Inc.
Dana Corporation
Harley Davidson Europe Ltd.
Lectron Products, Inc.
Saab Automobile AB
 
CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS
 
American Home Products Corporation
Bacardi Imports, Inc.
Ball Corporation
Beringer Wine Estates Company
Bic SA
Boise Cascade Office Products
  Corporation
E&J Gallo Winery
Estee Lauder International, Inc.
Libbey Glass, Inc.
Parker Pen USA, Ltd.
Prestone Products Corporation
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company
Regal Ware, Inc.
Robert Mondavi Winery
Rollerblade, Inc.
Rollins, Inc.
Samsonite Corporation
Seiko Corporation of America
Tambrands, Inc.
The Limited
United Merchandising
VANS, Inc.
 
ELECTRONICS
 
Emerson Electric Company
General Instrument Corporation
IBM
Lexmark International, Inc.
Medtronic, Inc.
Oki Electric Europe Gmbh
Oki Electronics (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Paradyne Corporation
Philips Electronics Ireland Limited
Simmons Canada, Inc.
 
ENERGY AND CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
 
Albright & Wilson Americas, Inc.
Burmah Castrol plc.
Chevron Chemical Company
Elf Oil U.K.
LaRoche Industries, Inc.
Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Mobil Corporation
Praxair, Inc.
Sandoz Technology Limited
Shell International Limited
Unocal Chemicals Division
 
FABRICATED METALS
 
Coachman Industries, Inc.
Electrolux AB
Huffy Corporation
Kawneer Company, Inc.
Krones, Inc.
Mueller Co.
New Holland
Overhead Door Corporation
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Zexel USA Corporation
PHARMACEUTICALS
 
Amgen, Inc.
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Lilly Industries Limited
Mallinckrodt Group, Inc.
Sanofi
SmithKline Beecham plc
Sterling Winthrop, Inc.
Warner Lambert Company
 
PUBLIC SECTOR
 
City of Battle Creek
City of Calgary -- Land
  and Housing Development
City of Falls Church, Virginia
City of Troy, Michigan
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority
Government of Bermuda
Government of the British Virgin
  Islands -- Ministry of Finance
Idaho Housing Agency
Louisiana Employees' Retirement System
Manchester Airport (UK) plc
McCarran Airport, Las Vegas (Clark County)
The Metropolitan Government of
  Nashville & Davidson County
Missouri Department of Corrections
New Jersey Natural Gas
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
 
GENERAL MANUFACTURING/GENERAL BUSINESS
 
Alltel Corporation
Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation
British Sky Broadcasting Group Limited
Cementos Mexicanos S.A.
Cox Communications, Inc.
Holiday Inns
The Museum of Modern Art
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
Tiffany & Co.
Waste Management International, Ltd.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     Selling the Company's software to multinational organizations typically
requires the Company to engage in a lengthy sales cycle, generally between six
and 15 months, and to expend substantial time, effort and money educating
prospective customers regarding the use and benefits of the Company's products.
See "Risk Factors -- Lengthy Sales Cycles." The Company sells its software and
services through direct sales and business partner channels throughout the
world. As of July 31, 1997, the Company's direct sales force consisted of 512
employees based at the Company's 46 offices, including 19 offices in the United
States and 27 offices located throughout the rest of the world. In addition, the
Company utilizes 166 sales and consulting business partners worldwide as an
indirect distribution channel to penetrate certain vertical markets and
geographic areas, in particular those areas in which the Company has not
invested resources to establish a
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   44
 
direct presence. The Company expects to increasingly rely on indirect channels
in order to enhance its market penetration and implementation capabilities. See
"Risk Factors -- Management of Growth; Need For Additional Qualified Personnel."
International revenue as a percentage of total revenue ranged between 35% and
37% from fiscal 1994 through the first nine months of fiscal 1997, and the
Company expects that revenue from international customers will continue to
account for a significant portion of the Company's total revenue.
 
     The Company's marketing strategy is to position the Company as a premier
provider of ERP solutions and to increase recognition of the J.D. Edwards name.
In support of this strategy, the Company's marketing programs include developing
and maintaining industry analyst and public relations, developing databases of
targeted customers, conducting advertising and direct mail campaigns, and
maintaining a World Wide Web home page.
 
     Typically, the Company's software products are shipped when orders are
received, and customer service agreements for consulting and implementation
services are billed on a "time and materials" basis as services are performed.
Consequently, license and service backlog at the beginning of any quarter has in
the past represented only a small portion of that quarter's expected revenue.
See "Risk Factors -- Variability of Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality"
and "Risk Factors -- Fixed Price Service Contracts."
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company has invested and expects to continue to invest substantial
resources in research and product development. The research and product
development department is organized into three groups that work closely
together: the development technologies group; the application development group;
and the documentation, localization and translations group. The efforts of these
groups is enhanced by cross-functional product management teams, frequent
solicitation of customer feedback and close contact with customers through the
Company's implementation services. As of July 31, 1997, the Company's research
and product development operations included 589 employees, primarily located in
Denver, Colorado. Research and development expenditures, which include
capitalized software development costs, were $43.3 million, $47.6 million, $34.1
million and $21.0 million for the nine months ended July 31, 1997 and for the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company
anticipates that research and development expenditures will increase in the
future.
 
     The Company's development technologies group is responsible for both the
toolsets and underlying technologies of WorldSoftware and OneWorld. The
WorldSoftware development technologies team is primarily focused on maintaining
and enhancing the toolset and underlying technologies for WorldSoftware. The
OneWorld development technologies team focuses on enhancing the flexibility,
simplicity and performance of the OneWorld toolset, as well as OneWorld's CNC
technology layer. Both development technologies teams share responsibility for
cross-functional coordination with sales and support, as well as with hardware
and software suppliers with which the Company has relationships, to identify,
analyze, prioritize and schedule new features and functionalities. As of July
31, 1997, the development technologies group consisted of 157 employees, the
substantial majority of whom are assigned to the OneWorld team.
 
     The application development group is responsible for developing, enhancing
and maintaining the WorldSoftware and OneWorld application suites, including the
vertical market application suites. Separate application development teams use
the toolsets developed by the development technologies group to create and
enhance each application suite. The Company has designed its toolsets to enable
application programming to be performed by nonprogrammers responsible for
business practices. These application development teams also work with customers
and third-party implementation providers to identify, analyze, prioritize and
schedule new functionality in the Company's existing application suites, as well
as to establish specifications and priorities for new vertical markets. As of
July 31, 1997, the application development group consisted of 305 employees.
 
     The Company's documentation, localization and translations group is
responsible for the documentation and the localization and translation of the
Company's application suites for particular foreign markets, as well as the
vertical market application suites and templates, for both WorldSoftware and
OneWorld. The documentation, localization and translations group works closely
with domestic and international customers
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   45
 
   
and third-party implementation providers, as well as cross-functional Company
teams of development, implementation, support and training professionals, to
ensure that appropriate enhancements are incorporated into products,
documentation and implementation processes. This group also develops and
maintains a single database for documentation, which is currently translated
into eight languages. The Company intends to offer additional language
translations in the future. As of July 31, 1997, the documentation, localization
and translation group consisted of 127 employees.
    
 
     The market for the Company's products is characterized by rapid
technological change, evolving industry standards in computer hardware and
software technology, changes in customer requirements and frequent new product
introductions and enhancements. The introduction of products embodying new
technologies and the emergence of new industry standards can render existing
products obsolete and unmarketable. The life cycles of the Company's ERP
software are difficult to estimate. As a result, the Company's future success
will depend, in part, upon its ability to continue to enhance existing products
and develop and introduce in a timely manner new products that keep pace with
technological developments, satisfy customer requirements and achieve market
acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully
identify new product opportunities and develop and bring new products to market
in a timely and cost-effective manner, or that products, capabilities or
technologies developed by others will not render the Company's products or
technologies obsolete or noncompetitive or shorten the life cycles of the
Company's products. See "-- Competition." Although the Company has addressed the
need to develop new products and enhancements primarily through its internal
development efforts, the Company has also addressed this need through the
licensing of third-party technology. Licensing third-party technology involves
numerous risks. See "-- Proprietary Rights and Licensing." If the Company is
unable to develop on a timely and cost-effective basis new software products or
enhancements to existing products, or if such new products or enhancements do
not achieve market acceptance, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
 
     Historically, the Company has issued significant new releases of its family
of software products periodically, with interim releases issued even more
frequently. As a result of the complexities inherent in software development,
and in particular for multi-platform environments, and the broad functionality
and performance demanded by customers for ERP products, major new product
enhancements and new products can require long development and testing periods
before they are commercially released. The Company has on occasion experienced
delays in the scheduled introduction of new and enhanced products and there can
be no assurance that such delays will not be experienced in the future. The
Company recently released OneWorld, the network-centric version of its
application suites. Because the development of enhancements in network-centric
environments are more complex than in host-centric systems, there can be no
assurance that the introduction of future enhancements will not be delayed.
 
     Complex software products such as those offered by the Company frequently
contain undetected errors or "bugs" when first introduced or as new versions are
released that, despite testing by the Company, are discovered only after a
product has been installed and used by customers. The Company has in the past
discovered software errors in new versions of its ERP software after their
release. To date, the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition have not been materially adversely affected by the release of products
containing errors. There can be no assurance, however, that errors will not be
found in the Company's products or that such errors will not result in delay or
loss of revenue, diversion of development resources, damage to the Company's
reputation, increased service and warranty costs, or impaired market acceptance
of these products, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results or financial condition.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for ERP software solutions is intensely competitive, subject to
rapid technological change and significantly affected by new product
introductions and other market activities of industry participants. The
Company's products are designed and marketed for the AS/400 market and, more
recently, for leading UNIX and NT servers. The Company's primary competition
comes from a large number of independent software vendors including: (i)
companies offering products that run on the AS/400 platform and other mid-
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   46
 
range computers, including System Software Associates, Inc., Marcam Corporation,
Infinium Software, Inc. (formerly Software 2000) and JBA Holdings plc; (ii)
companies offering products that run on UNIX- or Windows NT-based systems in a
client/server environment, such as SAP, Baan, PeopleSoft and Oracle; and (iii)
companies offering either standard or fully customized products that run on
mainframe computer systems, such as SAP. Additionally, the Company faces
indirect competition from suppliers of custom developed business applications
software that focus mainly on proprietary mainframe and mid-range computer-based
systems, such as systems consulting groups of major accounting firms and from IT
departments of potential customers that develop systems internally. The
Company's competitors currently offer products that run on the AS/400 platform
and UNIX and NT servers or have announced their intent to introduce such
products in the near future. As a result, the Company will experience increased
competition. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully compete with new or existing competitors or that such competition
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition.
 
     Many of the Company's competitors, and SAP and Oracle in particular, have
significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than
the Company, as well as wider name recognition and a larger installed customer
bases. Moreover, the Company has traditionally competed only in the AS/400
market, which primarily consists of mid-sized organizations, and has only
recently entered the UNIX and NT markets. In contrast, each of SAP, Baan,
PeopleSoft and Oracle, has significantly more experience and name recognition
with UNIX and NT, implementations and platforms, name recognition with potential
UNIX and NT customers, and reference accounts with UNIX and NT customers.
Accordingly, such competitors have significantly more customers in the UNIX and
NT markets to use as references when competing against the Company.
Additionally, several of the Company's competitors have well-established
relationships with current and potential customers of the Company. These
relationships may prevent the Company from competing effectively in divisions or
subsidiaries of such customers. Many of the Company's competitors, such as SAP,
Baan, PeopleSoft and Oracle, also offer, or have announced their intention to
offer, vertical applications targeted to mid-sized organizations, which market
comprises a substantial portion of the Company's revenue. Further, several of
the Company's competitors regularly and significantly discount prices on their
products. If these competitors continue to discount or increase the amount or
frequency of such discounts in response to increased competition or other
factors, the Company may be required to similarly discount its products, which
could have an adverse effect on the Company's margins. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to compete successfully against any of these
competitors.
 
     The Company relies, and expects to increase its reliance, on a number of
systems consulting and systems integration firms for implementation and other
customer support services, as well as for recommendations of its products during
the evaluation stage of the purchase process. A number of the Company's
competitors, including SAP, Baan, PeopleSoft, and Oracle, have significantly
more well-established relationships with such firms and, as a result, such firms
may be more likely to recommend competitors' products rather than the Company's
products. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that these third parties, many
of which have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other
resources than the Company, will not market software products in competition
with the Company in the future. If the Company is unable to maintain or increase
the number and quality of its relationships with third parties who recommend,
implement or support ERP software, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
 
     The Company believes that the principal competitive factors affecting the
market for the Company's software products are responsiveness to customer needs,
product architecture, functionality, speed of implementation, ease of use,
performance and features, quality and reliability, breadth of distribution,
vendor and product reputation, quality of customer support and price. The
Company believes that it competes favorably with respect to these factors. In
order to be successful in the future, the Company must continue to respond
promptly and effectively to the challenges of technological change and its
competitors' innovations by continually enhancing its own product offerings.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's products will continue to
compete favorably or that the Company will be successful in the face of
increasing
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   47
 
competition from new products and enhancements introduced by existing
competitors or by new companies entering this market.
 
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND LICENSING
 
     The Company's ability to compete is dependent in part upon its internally
developed, proprietary intellectual property. Although the Company currently has
no patents, it has five patent applications pending on various aspects of its
application suites. In addition, the Company has applied to register the
trademarks "WorldSoftware" and "OneWorld." The Company also relies on general
trademark and copyright protection for its technology, although it generally
does not register such intellectual property. Furthermore, the Company relies on
trade secret law, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to
establish and protect its rights in its technology. Nevertheless, the Company
believes that factors such as the technological and creative skills of its
personnel, new product developments, frequent product enhancements, name
recognition, customer training and support and reliable product support are more
essential to protect a technology leadership position. There can be no assurance
that others will not develop technologies that are similar or superior to the
Company's technology. The Company typically enters into confidentiality or
license agreements with its employees, consultants and vendors, and typically
controls access to and distribution of its software, documentation and other
proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a
third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company's products or
technology without authorization, or to develop similar technology independently
through reverse engineering or other means. In addition, the laws of some
foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights as fully as do
the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the Company's
means of protecting its proprietary rights in the United States or abroad will
be adequate or that competitors will not independently develop similar
technology. Despite the Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights,
unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Company's products or to
obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. Preventing
or detecting unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult. There can
be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company will prevent
misappropriation of its technology or that its license agreements will be
enforceable. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce
the Company's intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade
secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of
others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such
litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition.
 
     The Company typically licenses its products to end users under the
Company's standard license agreements, although each license is individually
negotiated and may contain variations. The Company's products are not only
licensed to end users, but also to independent, third-party distributors with a
right to sublicense. Although the Company seeks to establish the conditions
under which the Company's products are licensed by such distributors to end
users, the Company cannot ensure that its distributors do not deviate from such
conditions. Moreover, in order to facilitate the customization required by most
of the Company's customers, the Company generally licenses its software products
to end users in both object code (machine-readable) and source code
(human-readable) format. Although this practice facilitates customization,
making software available in source code also makes it easier for third parties
to copy or modify the Company's software for non-permitted purposes.
 
     In the future, the Company may receive notice of claims of infringement of
other parties' proprietary rights. Although the Company does not believe that
its products infringe the proprietary rights of third parties, there can be no
assurance that infringement or invalidity claims (or claims for indemnification
resulting from infringement claims) will not be asserted or prosecuted against
the Company or that any such assertions or prosecutions will not materially
adversely affect the Company's business, operating results or financial
condition. Regardless of the validity or the successful assertion of such
claims, defending against such claims could result in significant costs and
diversion of resources with respect to the defense thereof, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition. In addition, the assertion of such infringement claims
could result in injunctions preventing the Company from distributing certain
products, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results or
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   48
 
financial condition. If any claims or actions are asserted against the Company,
the Company may seek to obtain a license to such intellectual property rights.
There can be no assurance, however, that such a license would be available on
reasonable terms or at all.
 
     The Company also relies on certain other technology which 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. Most
notably, the Company licenses the graphical user interface to its WorldSoftware
version of its application suites (which the Company markets as WorldVision).
There can be no assurance that these third-party technology licenses will
continue to be available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms. The
loss of, or inability to maintain, any of these technology licenses,
particularly for WorldVision's graphical user interface, would result in delays
or reductions in product shipments until equivalent technology could be
identified, licensed or developed, and integrated. Any such delays or reductions
in product shipments could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition. Moreover, although the Company is
generally indemnified by third parties against claims that such third parties'
technology infringes the proprietary rights of others, such indemnification is
not always available for all types of intellectual property rights (for example,
patents may be excluded) and in some cases the geographical scope of
indemnification is limited. The result is that the indemnity that the Company
receives against such claims is often less broad than the indemnity that the
Company provides to its customers. Even in cases in which the indemnity that the
Company receives from a third-party licensor is as broad as the indemnity that
the Company provides to its customers, the third-party licensors from whom the
Company would be receiving indemnity are often not well-capitalized and may not
be able to indemnify the Company in the event that such third-party technology
infringes the proprietary rights of others. Accordingly, the Company could have
substantial exposure in the event that technology licensed from a third party
infringes another party's proprietary rights. The Company currently does not
have any liability insurance to protect against the risk that licensed
third-party technology infringes the proprietary rights of others. There can be
no assurance that infringement or invalidity claims arising from the
incorporation of third-party technology, and claims for indemnification from the
Company's customers resulting from such infringement claims, will not be
asserted or prosecuted against the Company or that any such assertions or
prosecutions will not materially adversely affect the Company's business,
operating results or financial condition. Regardless of the validity or
successful assertion of such claims, the Company could incur significant costs
and diversion of resources with respect to the defense thereof, in addition to
potential product redevelopment costs and delays, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of July 31, 1997, the Company had 3,369 full-time employees: 512 in
management and administration; 589 in research and development; 761 in sales and
marketing; 1,160 in customer services and training; and 347 in customer support.
The Company believes that its continuing success will depend, in part, on its
ability to retain a limited number of key employees and other members of senior
management, as well as its ability to attract and retain highly skilled
technical, marketing and management personnel, who are in great demand. See
"Risk Factors -- Management of Growth; Need for Additional Qualified Personnel."
The Company has not had a work stoppage, and no employees are represented under
collective bargaining agreements. The Company considers its employee relations
to be good.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The Company's corporate headquarters and executive offices are in Denver,
Colorado, where the Company leases approximately 507,000 square feet of space in
multiple facilities. The leases on these facilities expire in 1998 through 2012.
The Company also leases approximately 219,000 square feet of space, primarily
for regional sales and support offices, elsewhere in the United States.
Additionally, the Company leases office space in countries outside the United
States, used primarily for sales and support offices. Expiration dates on
material sales and support office leases range from fiscal 1998 to 2010. The
Company believes that its current domestic and international facilities will be
sufficient to meet its needs for at least the next twelve months. See
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   49
 
Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Certain Transactions"
for information regarding the Company's obligations under its facilities leases.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     From time to time, the Company is involved in legal proceedings and
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of
these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management,
the adverse outcome of any such current legal proceedings would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   50
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers and directors of the Company as of July 31, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           NAME             AGE                          POSITION(S)
- --------------------------  ---   ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>   <C>
C. Edward McVaney.........  56    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Douglas S. Massingill.....  40    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Richard E. Allen(1)(2)....  40    Vice President, Finance and Administration, Chief
                                  Financial Officer and Director
Paul E. Covelo............  42    Vice President of International Operations
David E. Girard...........  42    Vice President and General Manager of the East Area
David M. Neal.............  36    Vice President and General Manager of the West Area
Pamela L. Saxton..........  45    Vice President of Finance, Controller and Chief
                                  Accounting Officer
Jack D. Schneider.........  52    Vice President and General Manager of the South Area
Richard G. Snow, Jr.......  52    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Daniel B. Snyder..........  39    Vice President and General Manager of the Midwest Area
Robert C. Newman(1)(2)....  53    Director
Jack L. Thompson..........  48    Director
Gerald Harrison(2)(3).....  65    Director
Delwin D. Hock(2)(3)......  62    Director
Harry T. Lewis,             64    Director
  Jr.(1)(3)...............
Michael J. Maples(4)......  54    Director
Trygve E. Myhren(1)(4)....  60    Director
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Member of the Finance Committee
(2) Member of the Governance Committee
(3) Member of the Audit Committee
(4) Member of the Compensation Committee
 
     C. Edward McVaney is Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which he co-founded. He has held these
positions since the Company's inception, except that Mr. McVaney was not
President of the Company from September 1987 through September 1991. Prior to
founding the Company, he was partner-in-charge of information technology and
consulting services for the Denver, Colorado office of Alexander, Grant &
Company, a public accounting firm. Mr. McVaney holds a B.S. in mechanical
engineering from the University of Nebraska and an M.B.A. from Rutgers
University.
 
     Douglas S. Massingill has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company since March 1997. From February 1994 to March 1997, he
was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations, and from January 1993 to
March 1994, Mr. Massingill was Vice President and General Manager of the South
Area. Mr. Massingill joined the Company in June 1990 as Account Executive for
the Large Accounts Program. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Massingill was
Regional Sales Vice President for Integral Systems, an applications software
company. Mr. Massingill holds a B.A. in accounting from Shorter College and an
M.B.A. from Georgia Southern University.
 
     Richard E. Allen has been a member of the Board of Directors since
September 1991. He has been Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Finance and
Administration, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary since January 1990. From
August 1985 to September 1994, Mr. Allen served as Controller of the Company and
as Secretary from March 1986 to January 1990. Prior to joining the Company, he
worked as Controller for Luff Exploration Company, an oil and gas exploration
and production company, and as a senior accountant with Coopers & Lybrand,
L.L.P. Mr. Allen holds a B.S. in business administration from Colorado State
University.
 
     Paul E. Covelo has been Vice President of International Operations since
August 1994. Prior to that, he served as Vice President and General Manager of
the West Area from January 1992 to September 1994 and Manager of the Newport
Beach Region from July 1988 to January 1992. Prior to joining the Company in
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   51
 
1988, Mr. Covelo held various positions at IBM including Account Executive and
Advisory Executive. Mr. Covelo holds a B.A. in marketing from Loyola Marymount
University.
 
     David E. Girard has been Vice President and General Manager of the East
Area since joining the Company in May 1994. From July 1992 to November 1993, Mr.
Girard served as Vice President and General Manager of the Northeastern Region
of Dun & Bradstreet Software. From March 1990 to July 1992, he served as Vice
President of Product Development, Client Services and Corporate Operations for
Information Associates, Inc., a division of Dun & Bradstreet Software. Mr.
Girard holds a B.S. in marketing from University of Connecticut and attended the
Columbia Executive Marketing Management Program at Columbia University.
 
     David M. Neal has been Vice President and General Manager of the West Area
since January 1997. From December 1994 to December 1996, he served as Director
of Sales of the West Area. Prior to that, he served as Branch Manager of the
Southwest region from August 1992 to November 1994, Sales Manager from June 1990
to July 1992 and Account Executive of the Northwest region from March 1986 to
May 1990. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Neal was an Account Executive for
New Generation Software. He holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems from
Sacramento State University.
 
     Pamela L. Saxton has been Vice President of Finance, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer since joining the Company in September 1994. From 1989 to
1994, she was Vice President, Controller and Secretary for Amax Gold, Inc., a
mining company, and Assistant Controller for Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, a
mining company. Ms. Saxton holds a B.S. in accounting from University of
Colorado.
 
     Jack D. Schneider has been Vice President and General Manager of the South
Area and the Energy and Chemical Systems Business Unit since October 1995. From
April 1994 to September 1995, he served as Vice President and General Manager of
the Energy and Chemical Systems and Architecture, Engineering, Construction,
Mining and Real Estate Business Units. From May 1993 to March 1994, Mr.
Schneider served as Vice President of Worldwide Operations, and from January
1993 to April 1993, he served as Vice President of European Sales. Prior to
that, he served as Director of Large Account Sales and European Support from
January 1992 to December 1992. Prior to joining the Company in January 1992, Mr.
Schneider held various management positions in sales and marketing at IBM.
 
     Richard G. Snow, Jr. has been Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
since joining the Company in January 1990. From February 1986 to January 1990,
Mr. Snow was Corporate Counsel and Secretary for Hathaway Corporation, a
manufacturer of computer components and power utility monitoring devices. Prior
to that, he was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for
Global-Ultimacc Systems, Inc., a systems integrator, and Senior Counsel for
Storage Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of computer storage devices. He
holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of California,
Berkeley and a J.D. from California Western University Law School.
 
     Daniel B. Snyder has been Vice President and General Manager of the Midwest
Area since March 1992, and from January 1992 to March 1992, he served as
Director of Large Accounts for the Midwest Area. From June 1979 to January 1992,
Mr. Snyder held various positions at IBM, including marketing, field positions
and staff management positions. Mr. Snyder holds a B.S. in business
administration from Arizona State University, and an M.B.A. in finance from
University of Southern California.
 
     Robert C. Newman is one of the co-founders of the Company and has been a
member of the Board of Directors since August 1978. He is currently a professor
at the University of Denver and manages private investments. From August 1978
until June 1997, he served in a number of management roles with the Company,
including Vice President of Complementary Technologies and Managing Director of
J.D. Edwards & Company, Ltd. (U.K.). Prior to joining the Company, he was a
programmer or consultant at Deloitte & Touche, Motorola Inc. and Rockwell
International. Dr. Newman holds a B.S. in industrial engineering from the
University of California, Berkeley, an M.B.A. from the University of California,
Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in management from Golden Gate University.
 
     Jack L. Thompson is a member of the Board of Directors and one of the
co-founders of the Company. Mr. Thompson has been a member of the Board since
the Company's inception in March 1977. He served as Vice President of Technical
Foundations from the Company's inception to March 1996. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Thompson was a consultant at Alexander Grant & Company, a public
accounting firm, and a programmer for National Farmers Union Life, an insurance
company.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   52
 
     Gerald Harrison has been a member of the Board of Directors since January
1997. He currently engages in private research and writing. From 1982 to 1984,
he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Stearns-Roger World Corporation,
an engineering and construction firm, and for 14 years prior to that, he served
in various other positions. Mr. Harrison holds an L.L.B. from the University of
Colorado School of Law.
 
     Delwin D. Hock has been a member of the Board of Directors since March
1997. He retired from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Public Service
Co. of Colorado, a utility services company, in January 1996 and as Chairman of
the Board of Directors in July 1997. From September 1962 to January 1996, Mr.
Hock held various positions at Public Service Co. Mr. Hock received his B.S. in
accounting from the University of Colorado. He serves as a director of
Serv-Tech, Inc., Hathaway Corporation and American Century Investors.
 
     Harry T. Lewis, Jr. has been a member of the Board of Directors since March
1995. Since April 1988, Mr. Lewis has been self-employed as a private investor
and financial consultant. From January 1981 to March 1988, he was Senior Vice
President for Dain Bosworth Incorporated, an investment banking firm. Prior to
that, Mr. Lewis was employed by Boettcher & Company, an investment banking firm.
Mr. Lewis has an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck
School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. He serves as a director
of The Berger Mutual Funds.
 
     Michael J. Maples has been a member of the Board of Directors since January
1997. He is currently a consultant to Microsoft Corporation. From April 1988 to
July 1995, Mr. Maples held various management positions at Microsoft
Corporation, most recently as Executive Vice President of the Worldwide Products
Group. Prior to that, he served as a Director of Software Strategy for IBM. Mr.
Maples holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Oklahoma University and an
M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University. He serves as a director of Lexmark
International, Inc. and PSW Technologies.
 
     Trygve E. Myhren has been a member of the Board of Directors since January
1997. He is currently President of Myhren Media, Inc., which invests in and
advises media, telecommunications and consumer products companies. From November
1990 to March 1996, he served as President of The Providence Journal Company, a
company that owned and managed newspapers, broadcast television stations, cable
television systems, programming networks and interactive and multimedia
ventures. During this same time, he was Chief Executive Officer of King
Holdings, an owner and manager of broadcast and cable television properties.
From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Myhren served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
American Television and Communications Corporation, a publicly traded subsidiary
of Time, Inc. During 1986 and 1987, Mr. Myhren served as Chairman of the
National Cable Television Association. Mr. Myhren has a B.A. in political
science and philosophy from Dartmouth College, and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck
School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. He serves on the boards
of Peapod, Ltd., Advanced Marketing Services, Inc., University of Denver, Verio,
Inc., Founders Funds Inc. and Cable Labs.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company currently has authorized nine directors. Currently, each
director holds office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders or until
his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. The Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board of
Directors upon the effective date of this offering. In accordance with the terms
of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors
will be divided into three classes, whose terms will expire at different times.
Class I consists of Messrs. Harrison, Hock and Thompson, who will serve until
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1998. Class II consists of
Messrs. Allen, Lewis and Newman, who will serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1999. Class III consists of Messrs. Maples, McVaney
and Myhren, who will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held
in 2000. At each annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the 1998 annual
meeting, the successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be
elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third
annual meeting following election and until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase
in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that,
as nearly as possible, each class will consist of an equal number of directors.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   53
 
     COMMITTEES. The Company's Board of Directors has an Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee, Finance Committee and Governance Committee.
 
     The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting to the Board
on the quality and performance of internal and external accountants and
auditors, the reliability of its financial information, and the adequacy of its
financial controls and policies, initiating and/or approving appropriate changes
in any or all of these areas when necessary.
 
     The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting to
the Board on compensation and personnel policies, programs and plans, including
management development and succession plans, and to approve employee
compensation and benefits and to administer the Company's stock plans. See
"-- Employee Benefit Plans."
 
     The Finance Committee is responsible for the review of the Company's
capital structure, capital expenditures, financing arrangements, risk management
and long range financial planning.
 
     The Governance Committee is responsible for acting on behalf of the Board
during intervals between meetings of the Board and then reporting to the Board
at its next regular meeting on any actions taken. Actions of the Governance
Committee may generally be limited to handling legal formalities and
technicalities concerning administrative operations, however, the Governance
Committee has the power to act on major matters where it deems action
appropriate.
 
     DIRECTOR COMPENSATION. In January 1997, the Board approved compensation
guidelines for directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries ("Eligible Directors"). Eligible Directors receive $15,000
as an annual retainer, a fee of $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of the
Board of Directors, and a fee of $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of a
committee of the Board of Directors. After this offering, Eligible Directors may
elect to receive, in lieu of such cash compensation, options to purchase shares
having a fair market value of the foregone cash compensation. Eligible Directors
are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending any Board of Directors or
committee meetings. Directors who are officers of or employed by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries do not receive additional compensation for serving as
directors of the Company or attending Board of Directors or committee meetings.
 
     The compensation guidelines also provide that Eligible Directors will
automatically be granted under the Company's 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
an option to purchase 35,000 shares of Common Stock (the "First Option") on the
date on which each such person becomes an Eligible Director. After the First
Option has been granted to the Eligible Director, such director will
automatically be granted an option to purchase 7,000 shares on an annual basis.
The foregoing option provisions terminate upon completion of this offering.
 
     Effective upon the date of this offering, Eligible Directors will be
eligible to participate in the Company's 1997 Equity Incentive Plan. Each new
Eligible Director will automatically receive a grant of an option to purchase
35,000 shares of Common Stock on the date on which such person first becomes an
Eligible Director. Additionally, beginning at the Company's annual meeting of
stockholders for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1997 and at each successive
annual stockholder meeting, each Eligible Director will receive an option to
purchase 7,000 shares of Common Stock. Twenty-five percent of the shares subject
to each option will vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and
1/48th of the shares subject to each option will vest each month thereafter. The
exercise price per share for all options automatically granted to directors
under the 1997 Plan will be equal to the market price of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. Directors are also eligible to receive discretionary grants under
the 1997 Plan. See "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans."
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Company's Compensation Committee was formed to review and recommend to
the Board the compensation and benefits for the Company's executive officers,
administer the Company's stock purchase and stock option plans and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding such matters. Prior to
January 1997, the Committee was composed of Jay S. Horowitz, a former member of
the Board. The Committee is currently composed of Mr. Myhren and Mr. Maples. No
interlocking relationship exists
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   54
 
between any member of the Company's Board or Compensation Committee and the
board of directors or compensation committee of any other company, nor has any
such interlocking relationship existed in the past.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE. The following table sets forth certain
information concerning total compensation received by the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and each of the Company's four most highly compensated
executive officers during the last fiscal year (collectively, the "Named
Officers") for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        LONG-TERM
                                                                       COMPENSATION
                                                                       ------------
                                              ANNUAL COMPENSATION       SECURITIES
                                             ---------------------      UNDERLYING       ALL OTHER
       NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION            SALARY       BONUS         OPTIONS        COMPENSATION
- -----------------------------------------    --------     --------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>
C. Edward McVaney........................    $300,000     $404,500         --               --
  Chairman, President and
  Chief Executive Officer
Douglas S. Massingill....................     253,333      206,764(1)     112,000        $     66(2)
  Executive Vice President and Chief
  Operating Officer
Paul E. Covelo...........................     204,700      170,035(3)     112,000              24(2)
  Vice President of International
  Operations
David E. Girard..........................     179,500      171,500        112,000             466(2)
  Vice President and General Manager of
  the East Area
Daniel B. Snyder.........................     162,366      203,500        112,000             714(2)
  Vice President and General Manager of
  the Midwest Area
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes reimbursement of $31,647 for relocation expenses.
 
(2) Represents payment for insurance premiums.
 
(3) Includes reimbursement of $26,035 for relocation expenses.
 
     OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR. The following table sets forth, as to
the Named Officers, information concerning stock options granted during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                           POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                        -------------------------------------------------------------       VALUE AT ASSUMED
                        NUMBER OF       PERCENT OF                                       ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                        SECURITIES     TOTAL OPTIONS                                     PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                        UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO                                           OPTION TERM(4)
                         OPTIONS       EMPLOYEES IN      EXERCISE PRICE    EXPIRATION    ----------------------
         NAME           GRANTED(1)    FISCAL YEAR(2)       PER SHARE        DATE(3)         5%          10%
- ----------------------- ----------    ---------------    --------------    ----------    --------    ----------
<S>                     <C>           <C>                <C>               <C>           <C>         <C>
C. Edward McVaney......    --            --                  --               --            --           --
Douglas S.
  Massingill...........   112,000             2%             $ 6.24         02/01/06     $439,381    $1,113,478
Paul E. Covelo.........   112,000             2                6.24         02/01/06      439,381     1,113,478
David E. Girard........   112,000             2                6.24         02/06/06      439,381     1,113,478
Daniel B. Snyder.......   112,000             2                6.24         02/01/06      439,381     1,113,478
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The options in this table are incentive stock options or nonqualified stock
    options granted under the 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan or the 1992
    Nonqualified Stock Option Plan and have exercise prices equal to the fair
    market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. All such
    options have 10-year terms and vest over a period of 5 years at a rate of
    20% of the shares per year.
 
(2) The Company granted options to purchase 5,572,560 shares of Common Stock to
    employees in fiscal 1996.
 
(3) The options in this table may terminate before their expiration as a result
    of the termination of optionee's status as an employee or consultant or upon
    the optionee's disability or death.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   55
 
(4) Under rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
    "SEC"), the amounts in these two columns represent the hypothetical gain or
    "option spread" that would exist for the options in this table based on
    assumed stock price appreciation from the date of grant until the end of
    such options' ten-year term at assumed annual rates of 5% and 10%. The 5%
    and 10% assumed annual rates of appreciation are specified in SEC rules and
    do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of future stock price
    growth. There can be no assurance that the actual stock price appreciation
    over the 10-year option term will be at the assumed 5% and 10% annual rates
    of compounded stock appreciation or at any other defined rate.
 
     AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION VALUES. The following table sets forth, as to the Named Officers, certain
stock option information concerning the number of shares subject to both
exercisable and unexercisable stock options and the value of unexercised options
as of October 31, 1996. No options were exercised by Named Officers in the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NUMBER OF SECURITIES          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                 UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED         IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                               OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END     AT FISCAL YEAR END($)(1)
                                               ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                    NAME                       EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------------------  -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
C. Edward McVaney............................      --            --              --             --
Douglas S. Massingill........................     350,770        621,180     $ 2,797,555    $ 4,536,587
Paul E. Covelo...............................     410,620        646,030       3,279,527      4,736,704
David E. Girard..............................     152,600        372,400       1,210,412      2,546,241
Daniel B. Snyder.............................     281,260        504,840       2,243,023      3,607,549
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Based on the deemed fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at
    fiscal year end, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors less the
    exercise price payable for such shares.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
  Corporate Plan for Retirement/The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan
 
     The Company's Corporate Plan for Retirement/The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan
(the "401(k) Plan") was adopted in 1988, restated in its entirety in July 1994
and amended in June 1996. The 401(k) Plan is designed to enable eligible
employees to save for retirement. All employees who have completed six months of
consecutive service with the Company and have attained the age of 21 are
eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Generally, the Company matches 50%
of an employee's eligible contributions up to a maximum match of 2% of eligible
compensation. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan invests the assets of the 401(k)
Plan in any of several investment options at the direction of each beneficiary.
The 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
 
  Employee Stock Ownership Plan
 
     In 1989, the Company adopted the J.D. Edwards & Company Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") and restated the ESOP in 1996. The ESOP is a stock
bonus plan designed to invest primarily in the Company's Common Stock for the
benefit of the Company's employees. With certain limitations, employees who work
for the Company within the United States, or in Canada prior to 1995, and
employees who are United States citizens who work outside the United States and
receive United States source pay are eligible to participate in the ESOP at the
first enrollment date after one year of service.
 
     Company contributions to the ESOP, as determined by the Board of Directors,
are discretionary and, if made, may be in the form of cash or Company stock. An
ESOP committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, administers the ESOP and
directs the trustees with respect to ESOP investments. As of July 31, 1997, the
ESOP trustees were Mr. Allen, Mr. Thompson and Greg A. Dixon. The ESOP committee
generally directs the trustees with respect to the voting of Company stock held
by the ESOP, except that each participant has the right to direct the voting of
the stock with respect to the approval or disapproval of a merger or
consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, asset sale or similar
transaction. Once the
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   56
 
Company's stock is publicly traded, the right to direct the vote with respect to
shares allocated to participant accounts must be passed through to participants
with respect to all corporate matters. As of July 31, 1997, the ESOP owned
8,706,040 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
     Company contributions and forfeitures for a plan year are allocated among
the accounts of eligible employees. Allocations are made in the proportion that
each participant's annual base salary (not to exceed $160,000, as adjusted by
law) bears to the aggregate base salary of all participants. Each participating
employee's interest in the ESOP vests at a rate of 20% per calendar year in
which the employee works at least 1,000 hours, beginning with the third such
year after commencement of employment, and therefore is fully vested upon
completion of seven years of employment.
 
     The Company anticipates continuing to make contributions to the ESOP
through the end of fiscal 1997 and that such contributions will be in the form
of the Company's Common Stock. The Company also anticipates merging the ESOP
into the 401(k) Plan during fiscal 1998 and thereafter may continue to make
contributions of Company Common Stock to the 401(k) Plan.
 
  1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan
 
     The Company's 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1992 ISO Plan")
provides for the granting of incentive stock options to key employees. An
aggregate of 35,000,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance
under the 1992 ISO Plan and the 1992 NSO Plan described below. As of July 31,
1997, there were options to purchase 13,188,840 shares of Common Stock
outstanding under the 1992 ISO Plan. The Company does not anticipate granting
additional options under the 1992 ISO Plan after this offering.
 
  1992 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
     The Company's 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the "1992 NSO Plan")
provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options to key employees,
consultants and nonemployee directors. An aggregate of 35,000,000 shares of
Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under the 1992 ISO Plan and the 1992
NSO Plan. As of July 31, 1997, there were options to purchase 8,932,700 shares
of Common Stock outstanding under the 1992 NSO Plan. The Company does not
anticipate granting additional options under the 1992 NSO Plan after this
offering.
 
  Restricted Stock Grant Plan
 
     The Company's 1990 Restricted Stock Grant Plan (the "1990 Plan") provides
for the issuance of a maximum of 3,141,110 shares of Common Stock to certain
employees of the Company. As of July 31, 1997, there were 2,135,000 shares of
Common Stock outstanding under the 1990 Plan. The Company has not issued any
shares under this plan since 1992 and does not anticipate issuing additional
shares under this plan.
 
  Stock Plan for Employees
 
     The Company's Stock Plan for Employees (the "Employee Stock Plan") provides
for the issuance of a maximum of 6,997,200 shares of Common Stock to certain
employees of the Company. As of July 31, 1997, there were 1,715,000 shares of
Common Stock outstanding under the Employee Stock Plan. The Company has not
issued any shares under this plan since 1986 and does not anticipate issuing
additional shares under this plan.
 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
     The Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors and the stockholders in August 1997, to take
effect upon the date of the offering. A total of 2,000,000 shares of Common
Stock has been reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan, less the number of
shares of Common Stock issued under the Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan for Non-U.S. Employees. However, an annual increase will be made to the
Purchase Plan on each anniversary date of the adoption of the Plan, in an amount
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock required to restore the
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   57
 
maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance to 2,000,000, or
a lesser amount determined by the Board. The Purchase Plan, which is intended to
qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, is implemented by an
initial offering period of approximately 15 months, commencing on the first
trading day on or after the effective date of this offering and ending on the
last trading day in the period ending December 31, 1998, and a second offering
period of approximately 12 months, commencing on the first trading day on or
after January 1, 1998, and ending on the last trading day in the period ending
December 31, 1998. The first offering period will contain three purchase periods
during which payroll deductions will be accumulated and shares of Common Stock
purchased for participants. The second offering period will contain two purchase
periods. Subsequent offering periods will last approximately six months and will
commence on the first trading day on or after January 1 and July 1 of each year
during which the Purchase Plan is in effect. The Purchase Plan is administered
by the Board of Directors or by a committee appointed by the Board. Employees
are eligible to participate if they are customarily employed by the Company or
any participating subsidiary for at least 20 hours per week and more than five
months in any calendar year. The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to
purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions of up to 10% of an employee's
compensation (including commissions, bonuses, overtime and shift premium),
except that no participant's rights to purchase shares of Common Stock may
accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of stock per calendar year. The price of
stock purchased under the Purchase Plan is 85% of the lower of the fair market
value of the Common Stock at the beginning of the offering period or the end of
the relevant purchase period or offering period. Employees may end their
participation at any time during an offering period, and they will be paid their
payroll deductions to date. Participation ends automatically upon termination of
employment with the Company.
 
     Rights granted under the Purchase Plan are not transferable by a
participant other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as
otherwise provided under the Purchase Plan. The Purchase Plan provides that, in
the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or a sale
of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, each participant's right to
purchase Common Stock will be assumed or an equivalent right substituted by the
successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to undertake such an
assumption or substitution, the Board of Directors shall shorten the purchase
and offering periods then in progress (so that employees' rights to purchase
stock under the Plan are exercised prior to the merger or sale of assets). In
the event of a dissolution or liquidation, the purchase and offering periods
then in place will be shortened (so that employees' rights to purchase stock
under the Purchase Plan are exercised prior to the dissolution or liquidation).
The Purchase Plan will terminate in 2007. The Board of Directors has the
authority to amend or terminate the Purchase Plan, except that no such action
may adversely affect any outstanding rights to purchase stock under the Purchase
Plan.
 
  1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees
 
     The Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees (the
"Foreign Purchase Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors and the
stockholders in August 1997, to take effect upon the date of the offering. The
number of shares reserved for issuance under the Foreign Purchase Plan equals
the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan, but not yet
issued. The terms of the Foreign Purchase Plan are substantially similar to
those of the Purchase Plan. The Foreign Purchase Plan is not intended to qualify
under Section 423 of the Code.
 
  1997 Equity Incentive Plan
 
     The Company's 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") was adopted by
the Board of Directors and stockholders in August 1997. A total of 10,000,000
shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under the 1997 Plan, which
number will be increased on each anniversary date of the adoption of the 1997
Plan, beginning in 1998, by a number of shares equal to (i) the number of shares
needed to restore the maximum aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance
under the 1997 Plan to 10,000,000, or (ii) a lesser amount determined by the
Board of Directors. The purposes of the 1997 Stock Plan are to attract and
retain the best available personnel to serve the Company and to provide
additional incentive to the Company's key personnel.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   58
 
     The 1997 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options to
employees and the granting of nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase
rights ("SPRs") to employees, directors and consultants. The 1997 Plan also
provides for an automatic grant of an option to purchase 35,000 shares of Common
Stock (the "First Option") to each person who first becomes a non-employee
director following the effective date of the 1997 Plan on the date on which such
person first becomes a non-employee director. After the First Option is granted
to the non-employee director, he or she will automatically be granted an option
to purchase 7,000 shares (a "Subsequent Option") on the date of the first Board
of Directors meeting in each subsequent year, provided he or she is then a
non-employee director and, provided further, that on such date he or she has
served on the Board at least six months. Each First Option and each Subsequent
Option will have a term of eight years. Twenty-five percent of the shares
subject to each First Option and each Subsequent Option will vest on the first
anniversary of their date of grant, and 1/48th of the shares subject to each
First Option and each Subsequent Option will vest each month thereafter. The
exercise price of each First Option and each Subsequent Option will be 100% of
the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the
grant of the option.
 
     The 1997 Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
designated by the Board (the "Administrator"). Options and SPRs under the 1997
Plan are not generally transferable by the optionee except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the lifetime of the
optionee only by such optionee. Options granted to employees and consultants
under the 1997 Plan must generally be exercised within one month of the end of
an optionee's status as an employee or consultant of the Company, or within 12
months after such optionee's termination by death or disability, but in no event
later than the expiration of the option term. Options granted to non-employee
directors under the 1997 Plan may generally be exercised, to the extent vested,
at any time during their eight year term, notwithstanding the director's
cessation of service to the Company. The exercise price of all nonstatutory
stock options granted under the 1997 Plan (except First and Subsequent Options)
will be determined by the Administrator. With respect to any participant who
owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all
classes of the Company's outstanding capital stock (a "10% Stockholder"), the
exercise price of any incentive stock option granted must equal at least 110% of
the fair market value on the grant date. The exercise price of incentive stock
options for all other employees will be no less than 100% of the fair market
value per share on the date of grant.
 
     The maximum term of a stock option granted under the 1997 Plan may not
exceed eight years from the date of grant, or five years from the date of grant
in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Stockholder. In the
case of SPRs, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company will
have a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary
termination of the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason
(including death or disability). Such repurchase option lapses at a rate
determined by the Administrator. The purchase price for shares repurchased by
the Company will be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by
cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase
option will lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.
 
     In the event of a merger or asset sale, the options or SPRs shall fully
vest, unless the options or SPRs are assumed or substituted with equivalent
options or SPRs by the successor corporation. In the event of a dissolution or
liquidation, the Administrator has the discretion to fully vest the outstanding
options and SPRs.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   59
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     In March 1997, C. Edward McVaney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, sold a total of 46,200 shares of Common Stock of the Company from his
personal holdings to an employee of the Company and to Trygve E. Myhren, Harry
T. Lewis, Jr., Michael J. Maples and Gerald Harrison, each a director of the
Company, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $500,000. Each of the
individuals purchased 9,240 shares. Additionally, in April 1997, Mr. McVaney
sold 9,240 shares to Delwin D. Hock, a director of the Company, for a purchase
price of approximately $100,000.
 
     In January 1996, the Company was notified of a contractual arrangement
whereby two founders, Robert C. Newman and Jack L. Thompson, directors of the
Company, proposed to sell 3,500,000 shares of their Company stock holdings to
certain identified third parties. Under the terms of an Old Shareholder
Agreement, described below, such stock was required to be offered to the Company
at the pending sales price prior to the sale to third parties. The Company
assigned its right to purchase these shares to the ESOP, which purchased the
3,500,000 shares of Common Stock from Messrs. Newman and Thompson for $10.4
million. Mr. Newman sold 875,000 shares, and Mr. Thompson sold 2,625,000 shares.
 
     In December 1995, the Company loaned $120,000 to Jack D. Schneider, an
executive officer of the Company. The loan bore no interest and was paid in full
in June 1996.
 
     In May 1995, the Company loaned $150,000 to Mr. McVaney. The loan bore
interest at 2% over the prime lending rate and was collateralized by shares of
the Company's Common Stock owned by Mr. McVaney. The loan plus accrued interest
was paid in full in August 1995.
 
     In November 1994, Mr. Thompson exercised his right under the Old
Shareholder Agreement, described below, to require the Company to purchase
176,260 shares of Common Stock. Such shares were purchased by the ESOP for a
purchase price of $200,000.
 
     In November 1994, Mr. McVaney sold 1,112,020 shares of Common Stock to the
Company for a purchase price of $2,838,828, Mr. Thompson sold 487,760 shares of
Common Stock to the Company for a purchase price of $1,245,181, and Mr. Newman
sold 358,820 shares of Common Stock to the Company for a purchase price of
$916,016.
 
     In July 1994, the Company loaned $195,000 to Mr. Thompson who was also an
executive officer and director of the Company at the time of the loan and
currently a director of the Company. The loan bore interest at a rate of 2% over
the prime lending rate and was collateralized by shares of the Company's Common
Stock owned by Mr. Thompson. The loan plus accrued interest was paid in full in
November 1994.
 
     In November 1993, the Company loaned $350,000 to Mr. McVaney. The loan bore
interest at 2% over the prime lending rate and was collateralized by shares of
the Company's Common Stock owned by Mr. McVaney. The loan plus accrued interest
was paid in full in December 1993.
 
     In February 1993, the Founders (Messrs. McVaney, Thompson and Newman) and
the Company entered into a Shareholder Agreement, which was amended in January
1996 (the "Old Shareholder Agreement"). The Old Shareholder Agreement sets
forth, among other things, certain voting covenants and transfer restrictions on
the shares beneficially owned by the Founders. In August 1997, the Founders and
the Company amended and restated the Old Shareholder Agreement (the "Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement"), which will become effective upon the date of
this offering. The Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement provides that
Messrs. Newman and Thompson must cast their votes in the same proportion as the
votes cast by Mr. McVaney with respect to certain significant corporate issues,
such as amending the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or any merger, share
exchange, sale or dissolution of the Company. In addition, each Founder must
vote for the election of each of the other Founders to the Company's Board of
Directors or a designee appointed by such other Founder.
 
     In the past, the Company has granted options to certain of its executive
officers. The Company intends to continue to grant options to its officers in
the future. See "Management -- Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year" and "Principal
and Selling Stockholders."
 
     The Company believes that each of the transactions involving the Company
described above were on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have
been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. All
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   60
 
future transactions between the Company and any director or executive officer
will be subject to approval by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board.
 
     The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the
liability of its directors for monetary damages arising from a breach of their
fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent otherwise required by the
General Corporation Law of Delaware. Such limitation of liability does not
affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or
rescission. The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law,
including in circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary
under Delaware law. The Company intends to enter into indemnification agreements
with each of its officers and directors containing provisions that requires the
Company, among other things, to indemnify such officers and directors against
certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as
directors or officers (other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of
a culpable nature), to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any
proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified, and to cover its
directors and officers under any Company liability insurance policies applicable
to its directors and officers.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   61
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of July 31, 1997, and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of shares offered by this Prospectus, for the following: (i)
each person or entity who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than
five percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (a "5%
Stockholder"), (ii) each of the Company's current directors, (iii) each of the
Named Officers, (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group, and (v)
each Selling Stockholder. Unless otherwise indicated, each 5% Stockholder can be
reached at the principal offices of the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               SHARES BENEFICIALLY                SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                 OWNED PRIOR TO                       OWNED AFTER
                                                   OFFERING(1)         SHARES        OFFERING(1)(2)
                                              ---------------------     BEING     --------------------
                    NAME                        NUMBER      PERCENT    OFFERED      NUMBER     PERCENT
- --------------------------------------------  -----------   -------   ---------   -----------  -------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>
DIRECTORS, NAMED OFFICERS AND 5%
  STOCKHOLDERS:
  C. Edward McVaney(3)......................   36,890,840     46.6%   1,122,245    35,768,595    39.0%
  Jack L. Thompson(4).......................   12,924,520     16.3      643,912    12,280,608    13.4
  Robert C. Newman(5).......................   10,988,530     13.9      686,347    10,302,183    11.2
  Douglas S. Massingill(6)..................      545,160        *       --           545,160       *
  Richard E. Allen(7).......................      744,030        *       66,500       677,530       *
  Paul C. Covelo(8).........................      625,030        *       --           625,030       *
  David E. Girard(9)........................      257,600        *       --           257,600       *
  David M. Neal(10).........................       50,400        *       --            50,400       *
  Pamela L. Saxton(11)......................      110,600        *       --           110,600       *
  Jack D. Schneider(12).....................      293,160        *       --           293,160       *
  Richard G. Snow, Jr.(13)..................       54,810        *       --            54,810       *
  Daniel B. Snyder(14)......................      438,480        *       --           438,480       *
  Gerald Harrison...........................        9,240        *       --             9,240       *
  Delwin D. Hock............................        9,240        *       --             9,240       *
  Harry T. Lewis, Jr.(15)...................       23,240        *       --            23,240       *
  Michael J. Maples.........................        9,240        *       --             9,240       *
  Trygve E. Myhren..........................        9,240        *       --             9,240       *
  J.D. Edwards & Company ESOP(16)...........    8,706,040     11.0       --         8,706,040     9.5
ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A
  GROUP (17 PERSONS)(17)....................   63,983,360     78.0%   2,519,004    61,464,356    65.0%
OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:
  James P. Bessey(18).......................      256,900        *       55,125       201,775       *
  Edward W. Bettencourt(19).................      138,880        *        3,500       135,380       *
  William J. Bovaird III(20)................      799,330      1.0       59,850       739,480       *
  Mary E. Collison(21)......................      838,530      1.1      102,900       735,630       *
  Treasure I. Diehl(22).....................      106,750        *        2,100       104,650       *
  James L. Foos(23).........................      448,770        *       52,500       396,270       *
  Michael C. Heber..........................      105,000        *       52,500        52,500       *
  Michael Iiams(24).........................      602,630        *       38,346       564,284       *
  Idella Kercher(25)........................      493,500        *       39,900       453,600       *
  Leo LaCascia(26)..........................      218,960        *       44,000       174,960       *
  Rod N. McDonald(27).......................      933,030      1.2      105,000       828,030       *
  R. Howard Miller(28)......................      277,900        *       58,275       219,625       *
  James A. Parish(29).......................       86,800        *       13,750        73,050       *
  Robert W. Siefker(30).....................      120,400        *       35,000        85,400       *
  Perry Stensland(31).......................      183,120        *       25,000       158,120       *
  Peter F. Sullivan(32).....................      363,720        *       78,750       284,970       *
  Charles H. Williams(33)...................       84,070        *       14,500        69,570       *
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
  *  Less than 1% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
 
 (1) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. The number
     and percentage of shares beneficially owned is determined in accordance
     with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, and the information is not necessarily
     indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rule,
     beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or
     entity has voting power or investment power and any shares which the
     individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 31, 1997 through
     the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated
     in the footnotes, each person or entity has sole voting and investment
     power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the
     shares shown as beneficially owned.
 
   
 (2) If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, Messrs.
     McVaney, Thompson and Newman will sell an additional 1,065,255 shares,
     606,088 shares and 408,653 shares, respectively, in the offering. In such
     event, Messrs. McVaney, Thompson and Newman will beneficially own
     34,703,340
    
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   62
 
   
     shares, 11,674,520 shares and 9,893,530 shares, respectively, or 37.7%,
     12.7% and 10.8%, respectively, of the shares outstanding. The Company will
     sell the remaining 290,004 shares of the over-allotment option if such
     option is exercised in full.
    
 
 (3) Includes 8,118,950 shares held by the C. Edward McVaney Trust, 14,000,000
     shares held by the C. Edward McVaney G.R.A.T., 466,690 shares held of
     record by Mr. McVaney's wife, Carole L. McVaney, 14,000,000 held of record
     by the Carole L. McVaney, G.R.A.T. and 305,200 held of record by the
     McVaney Family Foundation. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated
     Stockholders Agreement, Mr. McVaney must vote his shares in accordance with
     the provisions of such agreement.
 
 (4) Includes 3,500,000 shares held by JVB Properties L.L.L.P., a company owned
     by Mr. Thompson and his wife, and excludes 8,706,040 shares owned by the
     ESOP. Mr. Thompson is a co-trustee of the ESOP, and shares voting and
     dispositive power of the shares owned by the ESOP, but has no pecuniary
     interest therein. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stockholders
     Agreement, Mr. Thompson must vote his shares in accordance with the
     provisions of such agreement.
 
 (5) Includes 5,600,000 shares held by Newkop Investments L.L.L.P., a company
     affiliated with Mr. Newman, and 157,500 shares held of record by the
     Jennifer A. Newman Trust. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stockholders
     Agreement, Mr. Newman must vote his shares in accordance with the
     provisions of such agreement.
 
 (6) Includes 545,160 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
 (7) Includes 499,030 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997 and 14,000 shares held of record by Mr. Allen's children.
     Excludes 8,706,040 shares owned by the ESOP. Mr. Allen is a co-trustee of
     the ESOP, and shares voting and dispositive power of the shares owned by
     the ESOP, but has no pecuniary interest therein.
 
 (8) Includes 625,030 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
 (9) Includes 257,600 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(10) Includes 50,400 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(11) Includes 110,600 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(12) Includes 293,160 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(13) Includes 54,810 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(14) Includes 438,480 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(15) Includes 14,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(16) Excludes shares owned by Messrs. Allen, Dixon and Thompson, the trustees of
     the ESOP.
 
(17) Includes 2,888,270 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
     days of July 31, 1997.
 
(18) Includes 29,400 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(19) Includes 19,880 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(20) Includes 361,830 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
 
(21) Includes 499,030 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997, 64,750 shares held of record by the Stephanie Ann Moore
     Irrevocable Trust and 64,750 shares held of record by the Donavan Vincent
     Rossi Irrevocable Trust.
 
   
(22) Includes 29,750 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(23) Includes 12,600 shares held by Mr. Foos' wife and 331,170 shares subject to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(24) Includes 1,750 shares held by Mr. Iiams' daughter and 476,630 shares
     subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(25) Includes 274,960 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(26) Includes 113,960 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(27) Includes 499,030 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(28) Includes 50,400 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(29) Includes 9,800 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(30) Includes 50,400 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(31) Includes 43,120 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(32) Includes 66,220 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(33) Includes 14,070 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
     of July 31, 1997.
    
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   63
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     Upon the closing of this offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company will consist of 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value,
and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     As of July 31, 1997, there were 79,184,910 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, held of record by 120 stockholders. The holders of Common Stock are
entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the
stockholders. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such
dividends as may be declared by the Board out of funds legally available
therefor, subject to any preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding
Preferred Stock. See "Dividend Policy." In the event of liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to any
prior liquidation rights of any outstanding Preferred Stock. The Common Stock
has no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. There are no redemption or
sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All the outstanding
shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will
be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon the closing of this offering, 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock will
be authorized and no shares will be outstanding. The Board has the authority,
without any further vote or action by the stockholders, to issue 5,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the price, powers,
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights
thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption
terms, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series
and the designations of such series. The issuance of Preferred Stock in certain
circumstances may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change
of control of the Company without further action by the stockholders, may
discourage bids for the Company's Common Stock at a premium over the market
price of the Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of, and the
voting and other rights of, the holders of Common Stock. The Company has no
present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
 
     The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law ("Section 203"), which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware
corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested
stockholder for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder
became an interested stockholder, unless: (i) prior to such date, the board of
directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned
at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of
shares outstanding those shares owned (x) by persons who are directors and also
officers and (y) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not
have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the
plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (iii) on or subsequent
to such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written
consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting
stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
     Section 203 defines business combination to include: (i) any merger or
consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; (ii) any
sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder
of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation; (iii) subject to certain
exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the
corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; (iv)
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   64
 
proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation
beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or (v) the receipt by the
interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees,
pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. In
general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person
beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or
controlled by such entity or person.
 
     The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
that, upon the effective date of this offering, the Company's Board of Directors
will be classified into three classes of directors. See "Management -- Board of
Directors." In addition, the Company's Bylaws will not permit stockholders of
the Company to call a special meeting of stockholders. Only the Company's Board
of Directors, Chairman of the Board or President may call a special meeting of
stockholders.
 
     These and other provisions could have the effect of making it more
difficult to acquire the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or
otherwise or to remove the incumbent officers and directors of the Company.
These provisions may discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and
encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate
with the Company.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Company's Common Stock is Harris
Trust Company of California.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   65
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Prior to this offering, there has been no market for the Common Stock of
the Company. Future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public
market could adversely affect prevailing market prices from time to time.
Furthermore, since only a limited number of shares will be available for sale
shortly after this offering because of certain contractual and legal
restrictions on resale (as described below), sales of substantial amounts of
Common Stock of the Company in the public market after the restrictions lapse
could adversely affect the prevailing market price and the ability of the
Company to raise equity capital in the future.
 
   
     Upon completion of this offering (based on shares outstanding at July 31,
1997), the Company will have outstanding an aggregate of 91,684,910 shares of
Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option
and no exercise of outstanding options. Of these shares, the 15,800,000 shares
sold in this offering will be freely tradeable without restriction or further
registration under the Securities Act, unless such shares are purchased by an
existing "affiliate" of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 144 under
the Securities Act (an "Affiliate"). The remaining 75,884,910 shares of Common
Stock held by existing stockholders are "restricted securities" as that term is
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Restricted Shares"). Restricted
Shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify
for an exemption from registration under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 promulgated
under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below. As a result of the
contractual restrictions described below and the provisions of Rules 144, 144(k)
and 701, additional shares will be available for sale in the public market as
follows: (i) 515,830 shares will be eligible for immediate sale on the date of
this Prospectus, (ii) 135,240 shares will be eligible for sale 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus, (iii) 75,224,600 shares will be eligible for sale upon
expiration of the lock-up agreements 180 days after the date of this Prospectus
and (iv) 9,240 shares will be eligible for sale upon expiration of their
respective one-year holding periods. Notwithstanding the above, the Company's
ESOP, in which 8,706,040 shares are held as of the date of this Prospectus,
obligates the trustees thereof to distribute at scheduled distribution dates
shares held therein to a beneficiary following the cessation of his or her
employment with the Company. The next scheduled distribution date will not occur
until March 30, 1998. Following such distribution, the shares so distributed
will be immediately available for sale in the public market to the extent they
are not held by Affiliates.
    
 
     All officers and directors and certain stockholders and option holders of
the Company have agreed not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any
option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer, lend or dispose
of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or enter into
any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part,
any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock for a period
of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, subject to certain limited exceptions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated currently has no plans to release any portion
of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. When determining whether or not
to release shares from the lock-up agreements, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
will consider, among other factors, the stockholder's reasons for requesting the
release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and
market conditions at the time.
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after
the date of this Prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated)
who has beneficially owned Restricted Shares for at least one year (including
the holding period of any prior owner except an Affiliate) would be entitled to
sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of (i) one percent of the number of shares of Common Stock then
outstanding (which will equal approximately 916,849 shares immediately after
this offering); or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing
of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also
subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the
availability of current public information about the Company. Under Rule 144(k),
a person who is not deemed to have been an Affiliate of the Company at any time
during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares
proposed to be sold for at least two years (including the holding period of any
prior owner except an Affiliate), is entitled to sell such shares without
complying with the manner of sale,
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   66
 
public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.
Accordingly, unless otherwise restricted, "144(k) shares" may therefore be sold
immediately upon the completion of this offering.
 
     Subject to certain limitations on the aggregate offering price of a
transaction and other conditions, Rule 701 may be relied upon with respect to
the resale of securities originally purchased from the Company by its employees,
directors, officers, consultants or advisors prior to the date the issuer
becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), pursuant to written compensatory benefit
plans or written contracts relating to the compensation of such persons. In
addition, the SEC has indicated that Rule 701 will apply to typical stock
options granted by an issuer before it becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act, along with the shares acquired upon exercise
of such options (including exercises after the date of this offering).
Securities issued in reliance on Rule 701 are restricted securities and, subject
to the contractual restrictions described above, beginning 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus, may be sold (i) by persons other than Affiliates,
subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule 144 and (ii) by
Affiliates, under Rule 144 without compliance with its one-year minimum holding
period requirements.
 
     The Company has agreed not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell
any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell,
grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer, lend or
dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or enter into
any swap or similar agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic
risk of ownership of the Common Stock, for a period of 180 days after the date
of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, subject to certain limited exceptions.
 
     Following the offering, the Company intends to file registration statements
under the Securities Act covering approximately 34,321,540 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding, subject to outstanding options or reserved for
issuance under the Company's stock plans. See "Management -- Employee Benefit
Plans." Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will,
subject to Rule 144 volume limitations applicable to Affiliates, be available
for sale in the open market, except to the extent that such shares are subject
to vesting restrictions with the Company or the contractual restrictions
described above.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   67
 
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                      FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following discussion concerns the material United States federal income
tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock
applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of such shares of Common Stock. In general, a
"Non-U.S. Holder" is any holder other than (i) a citizen or an individual
considered under the United States tax laws to be a resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation or partnership created or organized in the United
States or under the laws of the United States or any State, (iii) an estate
whose income is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax
purposes regardless of its source or (iv) a trust for which a court within the
United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of
the trust, and for which one or more United States fiduciaries has the authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The discussion is based on
current law, which is subject to change retroactively or prospectively, and is
for general information only. The discussion does not address all aspects of
federal income taxation and does not address any aspects of federal estate
taxation or of state, local or foreign tax laws. The discussion does not
consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a particular
Non-U.S. Holder (including the fact that in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that
is a partnership, the United States tax consequences of holding and disposing of
shares of Common Stock may be affected by certain determinations made at the
partner level). Accordingly, prospective investors are urged to consult their
tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state, local and non-U.S.
income, estate and other tax consequences of holding and disposing of shares of
Common Stock.
 
     Dividends. Dividends, if any (see "Dividend Policy"), paid to a Non-U.S.
Holder generally will be subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate
(or a lower rate as may be prescribed by an applicable tax treaty) unless the
dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S.
Holder within the United States. Dividends effectively connected with a trade or
business will generally not be subject to withholding (if the Non-U.S. Holder
complies with applicable United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
reporting requirements) and generally will be subject to United States federal
income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated rates. In the case of a
Non-U.S. Holder which is a corporation, such effectively connected income also
may be subject to the branch profits tax (which is generally imposed on a
foreign corporation on the repatriation from the United States of effectively
connected earnings and profits) at a 30% rate or, if available, a lower treaty
rate. Under current U.S. Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an address
outside the United States in a foreign country are presumed to be paid to a
resident of such country for purposes of the withholding tax. Under current
interpretations of U.S. Treasury regulations, the same presumption applies to
determine the applicability of a reduced rate of withholding under a tax treaty.
Thus, non-U.S. holders receiving dividends at addresses outside the United
States are not currently required to file tax forms to obtain the benefit of an
applicable treaty rate. Under U.S. Treasury regulations that are proposed to be
effective for distributions after 1997 (the "Proposed Regulations"), to claim
the benefits of a tax treaty a non-U.S. holder of Common Stock would be required
to satisfy applicable certification requirements. In addition, under the
Proposed Regulations, in the case of Common Stock held by a foreign partnership,
(x) the certification requirement would generally be applied to the partners of
the partnership and (y) the partnership would be required to provide certain
information. The Proposed Regulations also provide look-through rules for tiered
partnerships as well as rules for payments to so-called "hybrid entities." It is
not certain whether, or in what form, the Proposed Regulations will be adopted
as final regulations.
 
     Sale of Common Stock. Generally, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to
United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the disposition of
such holder's shares of Common Stock unless (i) the gain is effectively
connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder with the
United States (in which case the branch profits tax may also apply); (ii) the
Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who holds the shares of Common Stock as a
capital asset and is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
taxable year of the disposition and to whom such gain is United States source;
(iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of U.S.
tax law applicable to certain former United States citizens or residents; or
(iv) the Company is or has been a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for
federal income tax purposes (which the Company does not believe that it is or is
likely to become) at any time during the five year period ending on the date of
disposition (or such shorter period that such shares were held).
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   68
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
 
     Dividends. The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S.
Holder the amount of dividends paid to and the tax withheld, if any, with
respect to such holder. These information reporting requirements apply
regardless of whether withholding was reduced by an applicable tax treaty.
Copies of these information returns may also be available under the provisions
of a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in
which the Non-U.S. Holder resides. Dividends that are subject to United States
withholding tax at the 30% statutory rate or at a reduced tax treaty rate and
dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
in the United States (if certain certification and disclosure requirements are
met) are exempt from backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax. In general,
backup withholding at a rate of 31% and information reporting will apply to
other dividends paid on shares of Common Stock to holders that are not "exempt
recipients" and fail to provide in the manner required certain identifying
information (such as the holder's name, address and taxpayer identification
number). Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations
and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients.
 
     Disposition of Common Stock. The payment of the proceeds from the
disposition of shares of Common Stock through the United States office of a
broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless
the holder, under penalties of perjury, certifies, among other things, its
status as a Non-U.S. Holder, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally,
the payment of the proceeds from the disposition of shares of Common Stock to or
through a non-U.S. office of a broker will not be subject to backup withholding
and will not be subject to information reporting. In the case of the payment of
proceeds from the disposition of shares of Common Stock through a non-U.S.
office of a broker that is a U.S. person or a "U.S.-related person," existing
regulations require information reporting (but not backup withholding) on the
payment unless the broker receives a statement from the owner, signed under
penalties of perjury, certifying, among other things, its status as a Non-U.S.
Holder, or the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a
Non-U.S. Holder, the broker has no actual knowledge to the contrary and certain
other requirements are satisfied. For tax purpose, a "U.S.-related person" is
(i) a "controlled foreign corporation" for United States federal income tax
purposes or (ii) a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all
sources for the three year period ending with the close of its taxable year
preceding the payment (or for such part of the period that the broker has been
in existence) is derived form activities that are effectively connected with the
conduct of a United States trade or business.
 
     Any amounts withheld from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder under the backup
withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against such holder's United
States federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund,
provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to
their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom and the
procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if available.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   69
 
                                  UNDERWRITERS
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an Underwriting Agreement
dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the U.S. Underwriters
named below for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell
Inc. and Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC are acting as U.S. Representatives,
and the International Underwriters named below for whom Morgan Stanley & Co.
International Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited and Robertson, Stephens &
Company LLC are acting as International Representatives, have severally agreed
to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the
respective number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the names of such
Underwriters below:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             NUMBER
                                     NAME                                  OF SHARES
        ---------------------------------------------------------------    ----------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        U.S. Underwriters:
          Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated............................
          Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.................................
          Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC............................
 
                                                                           ----------
             Subtotal..................................................    12,640,000
                                                                           ----------
        International Underwriters:
          Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited...................
          Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited................................
          Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC............................
                                                                           ----------
             Subtotal..................................................     3,160,000
                                                                           ----------
                  Total................................................    15,800,000
                                                                            =========
</TABLE>
    
 
     The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters, and the U.S.
Representatives and the International Representatives, are collectively referred
to as the "Underwriters" and the "Representatives," respectively. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several Underwriters
to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are
subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain
other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those covered by the U.S.
Underwriters' over-allotment option described below) if any such shares are
taken.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions: (i)
it is not purchasing any Shares (as defined herein) for the account of anyone
other than a United States or Canadian Person (as defined herein) and (ii) it
has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any
Shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the Shares outside the United
States or Canada or to anyone other than a United States or Canadian Person.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain
exceptions: (i) it is not purchasing any Shares for the account of any United
States or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not offered or sold, and will not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Shares or distribute any prospectus
relating to the Shares in the United States or Canada or to any United States or
Canadian Person. With respect to any Underwriter that is a U.S.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   70
 
Underwriter and an International Underwriter, the foregoing representations and
agreements (i) made by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter apply only to it
in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter and (ii) made by it in its capacity as an
International Underwriter apply only to it in its capacity as an International
Underwriter. The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization
transactions or to certain other transactions specified in the Agreement between
U.S. and International Underwriters. As used herein, "United States or Canadian
Person" means any national or resident of the United States or Canada, or any
corporation, pension, profit-sharing or other trust or other entity organized
under the laws of the United States or Canada or of any political subdivision
thereof (other than a branch located outside the United States and Canada of any
United States or Canadian Person), and includes any United States or Canadian
branch of a person who is otherwise not a United States or Canadian Person. All
shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Underwriters under the
Underwriting Agreement are referred to herein as the "Shares."
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters,
sales may be made between the U.S. Underwriters and International Underwriters
of any number of Shares as may be mutually agreed. The per share price of any
Shares sold shall be the public offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof, in United States dollars, less an amount not greater than the per share
amount of the concession to dealers set forth below.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented that it has not offered or sold, and has agreed
not to offer or sell, any Shares, directly or indirectly, in any province or
territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province
or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and has
represented that any offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only
pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the
province or territory of Canada in which such offer or sale is made. Each U.S.
Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases from it any
of the Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such Shares,
such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such Shares in any province or
territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province
or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and that
any offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only pursuant to an exemption
from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada
in which such offer or sale is made, and that such dealer will deliver to any
other dealer to whom it sells any of such Shares a notice containing
substantially the same statement as is contained in this sentence.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that (i) it has not offered
or sold and, prior to the date six months after the closing date for the sale of
the Shares to the International Underwriters, will not offer or sell, any Shares
to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as
principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the
public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of
Securities Regulations 1995; (ii) it has complied and will comply with all
applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to
anything done by it in relation to the Shares in, from or otherwise involving
the United Kingdom; and (iii) it has only issued or passed on and will only
issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document received by it in connection
with the offering of the Shares to a person who is of a kind described in
Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements)
(Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom such document may otherwise
lawfully be issued or passed on.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has further represented that it has not offered or
sold, and has agreed not to offer or sell, directly or indirectly, in Japan or
to or for the account of any resident thereof, any of the Shares acquired in
connection with the distribution contemplated hereby, except for offers or sales
to Japanese International Underwriters or dealers and except pursuant to any
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law
and otherwise in compliance with applicable provisions of Japanese law. Each
International Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases
from it any of the Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such
Shares, such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and
will not offer
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   71
 
or sell, any of such Shares, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the
account of any resident thereof except for offers or sales to Japanese
International Underwriters or dealers and except pursuant to any exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law and otherwise
in compliance with applicable provisions of Japanese law, and that such dealer
will send to any other dealer to whom it sells any of such Shares a notice
containing substantially the same statement as is contained in this sentence.
 
     The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Common
Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession
not in excess of $          a share under the public offering price. Any
Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $          a share to other Underwriters or to certain dealers. After the
initial offering of the shares of Common Stock, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Representatives.
 
     The Company and certain Selling Shareholders have granted to the U.S.
Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of                additional shares
of Common Stock at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof,
less underwriting discounts and commissions. The U.S. Underwriters may exercise
such option to purchase solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if
any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby. To the extent such option is exercised, each U.S. Underwriter will
become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage of such additional shares of Common Stock as the number set
forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the
total number of shares of Common Stock set forth next to the names of all U.S.
Underwriters in the preceding table.
 
     The Underwriters have informed the Company that they do not intend sales to
discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of shares of
Common Stock offered by them.
 
     The Common Stock has been approved for quotation, subject to official
notice of issuance, on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "JDEC."
 
     Each of the Company and the directors, executive officers and certain other
stockholders of the Company has agreed that, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not
during the period ending 180 days after the date of this Prospectus (i) offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase or otherwise transfer, lend or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement
that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences
of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in
clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise, except under certain limited
circumstances.
 
     In order to facilitate the offering of the Common Stock, the Underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the Common Stock. Specifically, the Underwriters may over-allot in
connection with the offering, creating a short position in the Common Stock for
their own account. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the
price of the Common Stock, the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of
Common Stock in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim
selling concessions allowed to an Underwriter or a dealer for distributing the
Common Stock in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously
distributed Common Stock in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in
stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize
or maintain the market price of the Common Stock above independent market
levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may
end any of these activities at any time. The Underwriters and dealers may engage
in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock in accordance with
Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC. In general, a passive market
maker may not bid for, or purchase, the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the
highest independent bid. In addition, the net daily purchases made by any
passive market maker generally may not exceed 30% of its average daily trading
volume in the
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   72
 
Common Stock during a specified two month prior period, or 200,000 shares,
whichever is greater. A passive market maker must identify passive market making
bids as such on the Nasdaq electronic inter-dealer reporting system. Passive
market making may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Stock
above independent market levels. Underwriters and dealers are not required to
engage in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at
any time.
 
     The Company and the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
PRICING OF THE OFFERING
 
     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations
between the Company and the U.S. Representatives. Among the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price will be the future
prospects of the Company and its industry in general, sales, earnings and
certain other financial operating information of the Company in recent periods,
and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities
and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in
activities similar to those of the Company. The estimated initial public
offering price range set forth on the cover page of this Preliminary Prospectus
is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Company by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
Professional Corporation, Palo Alto, California. Certain matters will be passed
upon for the Underwriters by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin &
Hachigian, LLP, Menlo Park, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of
J.D. Edwards & Company as of October 31, 1995, October 31, 1996 and July 31,
1997 and for the years ended October 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months
ended July 31, 1997, included in this Prospectus have been so included in
reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS
 
     Effective May 1995, Price Waterhouse LLP was engaged as the Company's
independent accountants and replaced Arthur Andersen LLP who were dismissed as
the Company's independent accountants. The decision to change independent
accountants was approved by the Company's Board of Directors. In the period from
November 1, 1991 to May 1995, Arthur Andersen LLP issued no audit report which
was qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles, no adverse opinions or disclaimers of opinion on any of the
Company's financial statements, and there were no disagreements with Arthur
Andersen LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures. Arthur Andersen LLP has
not audited or reported on any of the financial statements or information
included in this Prospectus. Prior to May 1995, the Company had not consulted
with Price Waterhouse LLP on items which involved the Company's accounting
principles or the form of audit opinion to be issued on the Company's financial
statements.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   73
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement (of which this
Prospectus is a part and which term shall encompass any amendments thereto) on
Form S-1 pursuant to the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain portions
of which are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement
or other document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to any
such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matters involved, and each such statement shall be deemed
qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
     Upon completion of this offering, the Company will be subject to the
information requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, will
file reports and other information with the SEC. The Registration Statement, the
exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof and the report and other
information filed by the Company with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange
Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by
the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549; 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed
rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Such material may also be accessed electronically by
means of the SEC's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
 
     The Company intends to furnish its stockholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements and to make available quarterly reports
containing unaudited summary financial information for the first three fiscal
quarters of each fiscal year.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   74
 
                      (This page intentionally left blank)
<PAGE>   75
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Independent Accountants.....................................................  F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets...........................................................  F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income.....................................................  F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)..................  F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.................................................  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   76
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
J. D. Edwards & Company
 
   
     In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the
related consolidated statements of income, of changes in stockholders' equity
(deficit) and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of J.D. Edwards & Company and its subsidiaries at October 31,
1995 and 1996, and July 31, 1997 and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 1996, and
the nine months ended July 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
    
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
 
Boulder, Colorado
August 22, 1997
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   77
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                        OCTOBER 31,                     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                    -------------------    JULY 31,         EQUITY
                                                      1995       1996        1997          JULY 31,
                                                    --------   --------   -----------        1997
                                                                                        --------------
                                                                                           (NOTE 1)
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
                                                ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.......................  $ 34,897   $ 25,554    $  38,649
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
     doubtful accounts of $5,700, $5,600 and
     $6,700 at October 31, 1995 and 1996 and July
     31, 1997, respectively.......................    85,136    120,736      167,916
  Prepaid and other current assets................     4,192     13,172        5,268
  Current portion of deferred income taxes........     7,729      7,122        8,510
                                                    --------   --------     --------
          Total current assets....................   131,954    166,584      220,343
Property and equipment, net.......................    28,507     51,355       53,931
Software development costs, net...................    10,905     15,657       13,582
Non-current portion of deferred income taxes......     1,819      4,282        7,283
Deposits and other assets.........................     2,006      5,908        5,800
                                                    --------   --------     --------
                                                    $175,191   $243,786    $ 300,939
                                                    ========   ========     ========
 
                 LIABILITIES, MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE SHARES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable................................  $ 20,386   $ 32,321    $  25,818
  Unearned revenue and customer deposits..........    35,206     44,327       79,492
  Accrued liabilities.............................    54,629     69,367       79,424
                                                    --------   --------     --------
          Total current liabilities...............   110,221    146,015      184,734
Unearned revenue, net of current portion, and
  other noncurrent liabilities....................    22,025     27,845       32,429
                                                    --------   --------     --------
          Total liabilities.......................   132,246    173,860      217,163
                                                    --------   --------     --------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 8).....        --         --           --
Mandatorily redeemable shares, at redemption
  value...........................................    19,973     47,024       99,076       $     --
                                                    --------   --------     --------       --------
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 5,000,000
     shares authorized; none outstanding..........        --         --           --             --
  Common stock, $.001 par value; 300,000,000
     shares authorized; 79,038,820 and 79,093,070
     issued and outstanding as of October 31, 1995
     and 1996, respectively, and 79,184,910 issued
     and outstanding as of July 31, 1997 actual
     and pro forma................................        79         79           79             79
  Additional paid-in capital......................     3,593      3,669        4,780         21,967
  Retained earnings...............................    39,302     65,628       80,026         80,026
  Cumulative translation adjustments and other,
     net..........................................       (29)       550       (1,109)        (1,109)
  Adjustment for mandatorily redeemable shares....   (19,973)   (47,024)     (99,076)            --
                                                    --------   --------     --------       --------
          Total stockholders' equity (deficit)....    22,972     22,902      (15,300)      $100,963
                                                    --------   --------     --------       --------
                                                    $175,191   $243,786    $ 300,939
                                                    ========   ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   78
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY
                                                 YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,                31,
                                             ------------------------------   ----------------------
                                               1994       1995       1996                     1997
                                             --------   --------   --------      1996       --------
                                                                              -----------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  License fees.............................  $107,561   $134,138   $180,366    $ 110,498    $151,046
  Services.................................   133,026    206,628    297,682      213,285     280,163
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
          Total revenue....................   240,587    340,766    478,048      323,783     431,209
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of license fees.....................    12,832     18,461     27,443       19,797      24,984
  Cost of services.........................    87,826    128,144    184,846      133,173     173,612
  Sales and marketing......................    76,169    102,310    128,759       90,837     118,616
  General and administrative...............    27,377     38,677     53,052       37,119      48,439
  Research and development.................    18,936     24,296     40,321       27,828      41,100
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
          Total costs and expenses.........   223,140    311,888    434,421      308,754     406,751
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
Operating income...........................    17,447     28,878     43,627       15,029      24,458
Other income (expense):
  Interest income..........................       483      1,697        629          442         383
  Interest expense.........................      (101)      (576)      (899)        (725)       (586)
  Foreign currency losses and other, net...      (486)      (411)    (1,403)        (759)     (1,310)
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
Income before income taxes.................    17,343     29,588     41,954       13,987      22,945
  Provision for income taxes...............     5,280     11,379     15,628        5,315       8,547
                                             --------   --------   --------   -----------   --------
Net income.................................  $ 12,063   $ 18,209   $ 26,326    $   8,672    $ 14,398
                                             ========   ========   ========    =========    ========
Earnings per common share..................  $   0.15   $   0.22   $   0.30    $    0.10    $   0.15
                                             ========   ========   ========    =========    ========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding..............................    82,201     82,452     87,615       87,404      95,140
</TABLE>
    
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   79
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            COMMON STOCK
                                                             (INCLUDING                                          ADJUSTMENT
                                                             MANDATORILY                                             FOR
                                                         REDEEMABLE SHARES)    ADDITIONAL                        MANDATORILY
                                                         -------------------    PAID-IN     RETAINED             REDEEMABLE
                                                           SHARES     AMOUNT    CAPITAL     EARNINGS    OTHER      SHARES
                                                         ----------   ------   ----------   --------   -------   -----------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>
Balance, October 31, 1993..............................  81,053,140    $ 81     $  6,445    $ 9,030    $(1,301)   $ (12,441)
Purchase of common stock...............................    (568,610)   --           (255)     --         --          --
Shares issued to ESOP..................................     608,230    --          1,640      --         --          (1,640)
Increase in share redemption value of mandatorily
  redeemable ESOP shares...............................      --        --         --          --         --            (209)
Net income.............................................      --        --         --         12,063      --          --
Change in cumulative translation adjustment and other,
  net..................................................      --        --         --          --           199       --
                                                         ----------   ------   ----------   --------   -------   -----------
Balance, October 31, 1994..............................  81,092,760      81        7,830     21,093     (1,102)     (14,290)
Purchase of common stock...............................  (2,706,690)     (3)      (6,450)     --         --          --
Shares issued to ESOP..................................     647,570       1        2,200      --         --          (2,201)
Increase in share redemption value of mandatorily
  redeemable ESOP shares...............................      --        --         --          --         --          (3,682)
Purchase of founders' stock by ESOP....................      --        --         --          --         --             200
Net income.............................................      --        --         --         18,209      --          --
Change in cumulative translation adjustment and other,
  net..................................................       5,180    --             13      --         1,073       --
                                                         ----------   ------   ----------   --------   -------   -----------
Balance, October 31, 1995..............................  79,038,820      79        3,593     39,302        (29)     (19,973)
Purchase of common stock...............................     (25,200)   --           (152)     --         --             152
Increase in share redemption value of mandatorily
  redeemable ESOP shares...............................      --        --         --          --         --         (23,903)
Increase in founders' stock purchase obligation........      --        --         --          --         --          (3,300)
Stock option exercises.................................      79,450    --            228      --         --          --
Net income.............................................      --        --         --         26,326      --          --
Change in cumulative translation adjustment and other,
  net..................................................      --        --         --          --           579       --
                                                         ----------   ------   ----------   --------   -------   -----------
Balance, October 31, 1996..............................  79,093,070      79        3,669     65,628        550      (47,024)
Increase in share redemption value of mandatorily
  redeemable ESOP shares...............................      --        --         --          --         --         (52,052)
Stock option exercises.................................      91,840    --            306      --         --          --
Net income.............................................      --        --         --         14,398      --          --
Change in cumulative translation adjustment and other,
  net..................................................      --        --            805      --        (1,659)      --
                                                         ----------   ------   ----------   --------   -------   -----------
Balance, July 31, 1997.................................  79,184,910    $ 79     $  4,780    $80,026    $(1,109)   $ (99,076)
                                                         ==========   =======  =========    ========   ========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   80
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,            JULY 31,
                                              ------------------------------   -------------------
                                                1994       1995       1996                  1997
                                              --------   --------   --------     1996     --------
                                                                               --------
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income..................................  $ 12,063   $ 18,209   $ 26,326   $  8,672   $ 14,398
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation..............................     6,143      7,978     13,166      9,979     11,363
  Amortization of software development
     costs..................................     2,139      2,193      2,568      1,865      4,319
  Provision for deferred income taxes.......    (4,840)    (3,588)    (1,854)     1,298     (4,389)
  Other.....................................        38      1,195      2,216      1,530        884
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable, net..................   (15,228)   (21,365)   (35,975)   (17,004)   (48,752)
  Prepaid and other current assets..........    (1,307)     2,886     (2,065)    (5,860)       380
  Accounts payable..........................     3,917      5,480     12,138      6,403     (6,091)
  Unearned revenue and customer deposits....    11,142     13,313     13,655     21,224     41,072
  Accrued liabilities.......................    13,170     15,039     12,185     (6,235)    10,251
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash from operating
            activities......................    27,237     41,340     42,360     21,872     23,435
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment..........    (8,837)   (19,454)   (41,135)   (36,262)   (16,174)
Proceeds from sale of assets................        --         --         --         --      8,590
Capitalized software development costs......    (2,103)    (9,763)    (7,320)    (5,807)    (2,244)
Other.......................................        --         --     (2,695)    (2,695)        --
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash used for investing
            activities......................   (10,940)   (29,217)   (51,150)   (44,764)    (9,828)
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from bank line of credit...........     3,000         --     85,100     57,050     81,950
Repayment of bank line of credit............    (3,000)        --    (85,100)   (56,150)   (81,950)
Purchase of common stock....................      (136)    (6,452)      (152)        --         --
Other.......................................      (205)       514         83       (274)       306
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash provided by (used for)
            financing activities............      (341)    (5,938)       (69)       626        306
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.....        23         97       (484)      (462)      (818)
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents...............................    15,979      6,282     (9,343)   (22,728)    13,095
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period....................................    12,636     28,615     34,897     34,897     25,554
                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period....................................  $ 28,615   $ 34,897   $ 25,554   $ 12,169   $ 38,649
                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF OTHER CASH AND
  NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING
  TRANSACTIONS
  Interest paid.............................  $     94   $    576   $    899   $    725   $    586
  Income taxes paid.........................     5,532     13,452      8,061      5,982     20,735
  ESOP contribution funded with common
     stock..................................     1,640      2,201         --         --         --
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   81
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Operation
 
     J. D. Edwards & Company and Subsidiaries (the "Company") develops, markets
and supports highly functional Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software
solutions that operate on multiple computing platforms and are designed to
accelerate customers' time to benefit, lower customers' cost of ownership and
reduce information systems risks arising from changes in technology and business
practices. The Company's integrated software application suites support
manufacturing, finance, distribution/logistics and human resources operations
for multi-site and multinational organizations. The Company provides
implementation, training and support services designed to enable customers to
rapidly achieve the benefits of the Company's ERP solutions. The Company has
developed and marketed ERP solutions for over 20 years, principally for
operation on AS/400 and other IBM mid-range systems and, more recently, on
leading UNIX and Windows NT servers through Windows- and Internet
browser-enabled desktop clients. The Company operates primarily in the United
States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
 
  Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
 
     The accounts of the Company have been consolidated. All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated financial
statements are stated in United States dollars and are prepared under United
States generally accepted accounting principles.
 
  Reincorporation and Stock Split
 
     In August 1997, the Company reincorporated in Delaware. In connection
therewith, the Company effected a 70-for-one stock split with 300.0 million
authorized shares of $.001 par value common stock and 5.0 million authorized
shares of $.001 par value preferred stock. All references in the consolidated
financial statements to shares, share prices, and per share amounts have been
adjusted retroactively for all periods presented.
 
  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 revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Position 91-1, "Software Revenue Recognition." The Company licenses
software under non-cancelable license agreements and provides related services,
including support, training, consulting and implementation. Training, consulting
and implementation services are not essential to the functionality of the
Company's software products, are separately priced and are available from a
number of suppliers. Accordingly, revenue from these services is recorded
separately from the license fee. License fee revenue is recognized when a
non-cancelable license agreement has been signed, the product has been
delivered, collection is probable and all significant contractual obligations
relating to this license have been satisfied. Revenue on all software license
transactions in which there are significant outstanding obligations is deferred
and recognized once such obligations are fulfilled. Typically, the Company's
software licenses do not include significant post-delivery obligations to be
fulfilled by the Company and payments are due within a twelve-month period from
date of delivery. Where software license contracts call for payment terms in
excess of twelve months from date of delivery, revenue is
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   82
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
recognized as payments become due and all other conditions for revenue
recognition have been satisfied. Revenue from training, consulting and
implementation services is recognized as services are performed. Revenue from
agreements for supporting and providing periodic upgrades to the licensed
software is recorded as deferred revenue and is recognized ratably over the
support service period, and includes a portion of the related license fee equal
to the fair value of any bundled support services. The Company does not require
collateral for its receivables and reserves are maintained for potential losses.
 
  Software Research and Development Costs
 
     The Company capitalizes internally developed software costs in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed."
Capitalization of development costs of software products begins once the
technological feasibility of the product is established. Based on the Company's
product development process, technological feasibility is established upon
completion of a detailed program design. Capitalization ceases when such
software is ready for general release, at which time amortization of the
capitalized costs begins.
 
     Amortization of capitalized internally developed software costs is computed
as the greater of: (a) the amount determined by ratio of the product's current
revenue to its total expected future revenue or (b) the straight-line method
over the product's estimated useful life of three years. During all periods
presented herein, the Company has used the straight-line method to amortize such
capitalized costs.
 
     Research and development costs relating principally to the design and
development of products (exclusive of costs capitalized under SFAS No. 86) are
expensed as incurred. The cost of developing routine enhancements are expensed
as research and development costs as incurred because of the short time between
the determination of technological feasibility and the date of general release
of related products.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation
 
     The functional currency of each subsidiary is the local currency.
Translation of balance sheet amounts to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates
as of each balance sheet date. Income statement and cash flow statement amounts
are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. Cumulative currency
translation adjustments, net of related deferred taxes, are presented in a
separate component of stockholders' equity (deficit). Transaction gains and
losses and unrealized gains and losses on short-term intercompany receivables
and payables are included in income as incurred.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when
purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. All cash equivalents are
carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash investments and trade
receivables. The Company has cash investment policies that limit investments to
investment grade securities. The Company believes the risk with respect to trade
receivables is mitigated, to some extent, by the fact that the Company's
customer base is widespread geographically and is highly diversified. No single
customer accounted for ten percent or more of revenue for fiscal 1994, 1995 or
1996 or for the nine months ended July 31, 1997, or of accounts receivable at
October 31, 1995 or 1996 or at July 31, 1997.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   83
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
     The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, including cash
and accounts receivable and payable, approximate their fair values.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated over their
estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The estimated useful
lives are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
            <S>                                                        <C>
            Furniture and fixtures...................................  5-7 years
            Computer equipment.......................................  3 years
</TABLE>
 
  Stock-based Compensation
 
     SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" was issued in
October 1995. This accounting standard permits the use of either a fair value
based method or the method defined in Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB No. 25") to account for
stock-based compensation arrangements. Companies that elect to use the method
provided in APB No. 25 are required to disclose the pro forma net income and
earnings per share that would have resulted from the use of the fair value based
method. The Company has elected to continue to determine the value of
stock-based compensation arrangements under the provisions of APB No. 25, and
accordingly, it has included the pro forma disclosures required under SFAS No.
123 in Note 7.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future
tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax
assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if current evidence indicates
that it is considered likely that these benefits will not be realized.
 
  Earnings Per Common Share
 
     Earnings per common share ("EPS") are computed using the weighted average
number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.
Common equivalent shares consist of stock options, and the weighted average
shares outstanding for each period have been adjusted to include all common
shares issuable under stock options using the treasury stock method. Pursuant to
the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 83, such
computations include all common and common equivalent shares issued within the
twelve months preceding the initial filing date of the Company's Registration
Statement as if they were outstanding for all periods presented, using the
treasury stock method and an assumed initial public offering price. All shares
owned by the J.D. Edwards & Company Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP")
are included in the weighted average common shares outstanding.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   84
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," was issued in February of 1997. The
Company will be required to apply this statement in its consolidated financial
statements for fiscal 1998. This pronouncement establishes new standards for
computing and presenting EPS on a basis that is more comparable to international
standards and provides for the presentation of basic and diluted EPS, replacing
the currently required primary and fully-diluted EPS. The basic EPS will be
computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS will be computed in a manner similar
to the current method for calculating fully-diluted EPS. Prior period EPS will
be restated to conform with the new statement. The pro forma effect of applying
SFAS No. 128 on the Company's historical consolidated financial statements is as
follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY
                                                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,               31,
                                                --------------------------    ----------------------
                                                 1994      1995      1996        1996          1997
                                                ------    ------    ------    -----------     ------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>             <C>
EPS AS REPORTED
  Primary EPS.................................  $ 0.15    $ 0.22    $ 0.30      $  0.10       $ 0.15
  Weighted average common shares
     outstanding..............................  82,201    82,452    87,615       87,404       95,140
PRO FORMA EPS
  Basic EPS Computation:
     Basic EPS................................  $ 0.15    $ 0.23    $ 0.33      $  0.11       $ 0.18
     Weighted average common shares
       outstanding............................  80,872    79,139    79,044       79,046       79,120
  Diluted EPS Computation:
     Diluted EPS..............................  $ 0.15    $ 0.22    $ 0.30      $  0.10       $ 0.15
     Weighted average common shares
       outstanding assuming dilution..........  82,201    82,452    87,615       87,404       95,140
</TABLE>
    
 
  Unaudited Pro Forma Stockholders' Equity
 
     The Board of Directors has authorized management of the Company to file a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
permitting the Company to sell shares of its common stock to the public. If the
Company's initial public offering ("IPO") is consummated under the terms
presently anticipated, the mandatory redemption feature of the mandatorily
redeemable shares will be removed and restrictions on certain of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock will lapse, resulting in income tax benefits to the
Company. Such benefits will arise from tax deductions available to the Company
upon the lapse of the stock restrictions. Because these tax deductions did not
result from any corresponding charges to income for financial statement
purposes, the tax benefit will be credited to additional paid-in capital in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Unaudited pro forma
stockholders' equity as of July 31, 1997, as set forth on the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets, is adjusted for the aforementioned events based on
an assumed public offering price.
 
  Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
 
     The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements for the nine
months ended July 31, 1996 are unaudited. In the opinion of the Company, the
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the
same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and reflect all
adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to
present fairly the results of the Company's operations and its cash flows for
the nine months ended July 31, 1996.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   85
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(2) BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
 
     Certain balance sheet components are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             OCTOBER 31,
                                                        ---------------------      JULY 31,
                                                          1995         1996          1997
                                                        --------     --------     -----------
    <S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
      Furniture and fixtures..........................  $ 24,739     $ 34,519      $  41,265
      Computer equipment..............................    22,589       30,469         36,255
      Land............................................        --       16,321         16,418
                                                        --------     --------     -----------
                                                          47,328       81,309         93,938
      Less: accumulated depreciation..................   (18,821)     (29,954)       (40,007)
                                                        --------     --------     -----------
                                                        $ 28,507     $ 51,355      $  53,931
                                                        ========     ========      =========
    SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS:
      Software development costs......................  $ 17,072     $ 24,392      $  26,636
      Less: accumulated amortization..................    (6,167)      (8,735)       (13,054)
                                                        --------     --------     -----------
                                                        $ 10,905     $ 15,657      $  13,582
                                                        ========     ========      =========
    ACCRUED LIABILITIES:
      Accrued compensation and related expenses.......  $ 34,893     $ 36,462      $  50,610
      Income taxes payable............................     5,044       13,869          7,556
      Other accrued expenses..........................    14,692       19,036         21,258
                                                        --------     --------     -----------
                                                        $ 54,629     $ 69,367      $  79,424
                                                        ========     ========      =========
</TABLE>
 
(3) BANK LINE OF CREDIT
 
     The Company has a $50 million, unsecured, revolving line of credit (the
"Revolver") with a syndication of banks. The Revolver expires on July 31, 1999.
Borrowings under the Revolver are for working capital requirements and other
general corporate purposes and bear interest up to the bank's prime rate plus
 .50% or LIBOR plus 1.75% at the option of the Company. The credit agreement
associated with the Revolver requires that the Company remain in compliance with
certain affirmative and negative covenants and representations and warranties.
The financial covenants include liquidity, leverage, and coverage ratios,
capital expenditure limitations and profitability requirements. Non-financial
covenants include, but are not limited to, certain restrictions on additional
indebtedness, contingent liabilities, mergers and acquisitions and investments.
At October 31, 1995 and 1996 and July 31, 1997, the Company was in full
compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement in place at the time.
There were no borrowings outstanding under any credit agreement at October 31,
1995 and 1996 and July 31, 1997.
 
(4) ESOP AND ESOP MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE SHARES
 
     Effective January 1, 1989, the Company established the ESOP, subject to the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). The
Company makes discretionary contributions of cash and/or shares of common stock
of the Company to the ESOP trust fund. The trust fund is maintained in the form
of individual participant accounts that vest over a seven-year period.
Allocations to these accounts are made on the basis of each participant's
proportionate share of total compensation paid by the Company to all ESOP
participants. At the discretion of the Company, unvested shares forfeited by a
terminated participant may be used to offset future Company contributions to the
ESOP or may be reallocated to the remaining participants of the ESOP. With
certain limitations, Company employees in the United States who are at least 21
years old and have completed one year of service are eligible ESOP participants.
 
     Upon termination of employment, a participant may elect to receive a
distribution of Company common stock for shares vested or require the Company to
purchase such vested shares. In the event the Company is required to purchase
such shares from a terminating employee, the Company will purchase the vested
shares
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   86
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
at the appraised value for the shares. The Company engages an independent
appraiser to perform an annual valuation of the Company's common stock for this
purpose.
 
     The ESOP provides that once the Company's common stock is publicly traded,
a terminating employee will only be allowed to receive his or her vested shares
and will no longer be able to require the Company to purchase such vested
shares. In accordance with the requirements of the SEC, which provide that the
total redemption value of the ESOP shares be excluded from stockholders' equity,
the redemption value of shares held by the ESOP, based upon the last annual
valuation, has been reflected in the accompanying balance sheets as mandatorily
redeemable shares with the offsetting adjustments included as a reduction of
stockholders' equity. Upon completion of the IPO, the Company's obligation to
purchase the ESOP shares will terminate and the amount related to the
mandatorily redeemable shares will be reclassified to stockholders' equity.
Accordingly, the pro forma balance sheet presentation gives effect to the
removal of the option of terminating employees requiring the Company to purchase
such vested shares.
 
     Compensation cost is measured as the estimated fair value of shares
contributed to or committed to be contributed to the ESOP plus the cash
contributed to or committed to be contributed to the ESOP. For the years ended
October 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company recognized as compensation cost
$3.0 million, $4.5 million and $5.9 million, respectively. For the nine months
ended July 31, 1997, the Company recognized $5.2 million as compensation cost.
The ESOP owned 5,231,450, 6,718,040, and 8,706,040 at October 31, 1995 and 1996
and July 31, 1997, respectively. All shares owned by the ESOP have been
allocated to participants.
 
(5) FOUNDERS' STOCK
 
     The founders of the Company currently own or control a majority of the
Company's issued and outstanding common stock. The Company and the founders have
a shareholder agreement (the "Shareholder Agreement") whereby the Company has
agreed to purchase a limited amount of the founders' stock in the event of their
deaths. This purchase obligation is limited to proceeds of life insurance
policies owned by the Company on the lives of the founders. Under the
Shareholder Agreement, a founder may also require the Company to purchase a
limited number of shares up to an aggregate amount of $2.2 million at October
31, 1995 and $5.5 million at October 31, 1996 and July 31, 1997. This purchase
obligation is at a price equal to 40% of fair value, as determined by the
Company's Board of Directors. Additionally, if a founder proposes to sell any of
his shares, he must first offer the shares to the Company and the Company, at
its option, may purchase such shares at the lesser of fair value or the price
offered by a third party. The Company may allow the ESOP to purchase any shares
sold pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement.
 
     In August 1997, the founders of the Company entered into an agreement which
will replace the Shareholder Agreement upon the completion of the IPO (the "New
Shareholder Agreement"). The New Shareholder Agreement has no provisions which
obligate the Company to purchase any shares of the founders' stock.
 
     In accordance with the requirements of the SEC, the share redemption
obligations under the Shareholder Agreement were reflected in the accompanying
balance sheets as mandatorily redeemable shares with the offsetting adjustment
included as a reduction of stockholders' equity. Upon completion of the IPO, the
New Shareholder Agreement eliminates the Company's purchase obligation and the
mandatorily redeemable amount will be reclassified to stockholders' equity and,
accordingly, the pro forma balance sheet gives effect to this reclassification.
 
     During the year ended October 31, 1995, the three founders sold 2.0 million
shares of common stock to the Company for $5.0 million under the terms of the
Shareholder Agreement.
 
     Additionally, during the year ended October 31, 1995 one of the founders
exercised his option under the Shareholder Agreement to require the Company to
purchase 176,260 shares of common stock. The Company allowed such shares to be
purchased by the ESOP for $200,000.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   87
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     During the year ended October 31, 1996, the Company was notified of a
contractual arrangement whereby two founders would sell 3.5 million shares of
stock to certain identified third parties. Under the terms of the Shareholder
Agreement, such stock was required to be offered to the Company at the pending
sales price prior to the sale to the third parties. The Company assigned its
right-to-purchase these shares to the ESOP, which purchased the 3.5 million
shares of common stock from the founders for $10.4 million.
 
     During the nine months ended July 31, 1997, one of the founders sold 55,440
shares of common stock to certain members of the Board of Directors and one
employee. The Company recognized as compensation expense $223,000 which
represented the difference between the sales price and the estimated fair value
of the Company's common stock on the date of the sale.
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
 
     Income before income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,           ENDED
                                                  -----------------------------     JULY 31,
                                                   1994       1995       1996         1997
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
    <S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    Domestic..................................... $18,895    $27,852    $24,770      $ 8,889
    Foreign......................................  (1,552)     1,736     17,184       14,056
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
                                                  $17,343    $29,588    $41,954      $22,945
                                                  =======    =======    =======    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,           ENDED
                                                  -----------------------------     JULY 31,
                                                   1994       1995       1996         1997
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
    <S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    Current provision:
      U.S. Federal............................... $ 6,226    $ 7,829    $ 8,737      $ 7,714
      State......................................   1,591      2,044      1,259        1,005
      Foreign....................................   2,303      5,094      7,486        4,217
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
                                                   10,120     14,967     17,482       12,936
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
    Deferred provision (benefit):
      U.S. Federal...............................  (2,970)    (1,134)    (4,951)      (3,734)
      State......................................    (608)      (425)        --         (128)
      Foreign....................................  (1,262)    (2,029)     3,097         (527)
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
                                                   (4,840)    (3,588)    (1,854)      (4,389)
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
              Total provision for income taxes... $ 5,280    $11,379    $15,628      $ 8,547
                                                  =======    =======    =======    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   88
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The provisions for income taxes are different from the amounts computed by
applying the federal statutory rate to income before income taxes. The amounts
are reconciled as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,           ENDED
                                                  -----------------------------     JULY 31,
                                                   1994       1995       1996         1997
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
    <S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    Statutory rate............................... $ 6,070    $10,356    $14,684      $ 8,031
    Reversal of valuation allowance for foreign
      subsidiaries' loss carryforwards...........  (2,352)        --         --           --
    Foreign income taxed at higher rates.........   1,646      1,887      3,018        1,550
    Non-deductible expenses......................     662      1,007      1,676        1,027
    State income taxes, net of federal benefit...     612      1,052        818          570
    Income tax credits...........................  (1,593)    (2,774)    (3,844)      (2,309)
    Other........................................     235       (149)      (724)        (322)
                                                  -------    -------    -------    -----------
    Provision for income taxes................... $ 5,280    $11,379    $15,628      $ 8,547
                                                  =======    =======    =======    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              OCTOBER 31,
                                                          -------------------      JULY 31,
                                                           1995        1996          1997
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
    <S>                                                   <C>         <C>         <C>
    Deferred tax assets:
      Revenue deferred for book purposes................  $ 5,059     $ 6,743       $ 7,767
      Foreign tax credit carryforwards..................       --       4,639         4,639
      Allowance for doubtful accounts...................    2,032       1,677         2,756
      Vacation and other accruals.......................    1,796       2,412         3,604
      Unrealized currency losses........................      797         112           161
      Foreign subsidiaries' loss carryforwards..........    2,546          --            --
      Foreign income currently subject to U.S. tax......       --       1,986         1,986
      Other.............................................    2,308       1,216         1,463
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
              Total deferred tax assets.................   14,538      18,785        22,376
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
    Deferred tax liabilities:
      Capitalized software development costs............   (4,185)     (5,503)       (4,912)
      Previously taxed revenue..........................       --      (1,546)       (1,584)
      Other.............................................     (805)       (332)          (87)
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
              Total deferred tax liabilities............   (4,990)     (7,381)       (6,583)
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
    Net deferred tax asset..............................  $ 9,548     $11,404       $15,793
                                                          =======     =======     =========
    Current portion of deferred taxes...................  $ 7,729     $ 7,122       $ 8,510
    Non-current portion of deferred taxes...............    1,819       4,282         7,283
                                                          -------     -------     -----------
    Net deferred tax asset..............................  $ 9,548     $11,404       $15,793
                                                          =======     =======     =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has available approximately $4.6 million of foreign tax credit
carryforwards generated by certain foreign subsidiaries, which will expire in
2001.
 
     At October 31, 1996 and July 31, 1997, the unremitted earnings of the
foreign subsidiaries were $7.5 million and $5.2 million, respectively. The
unrecognized deferred tax liability for such earnings is immaterial.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   89
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(7) EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN AND STOCK OPTIONS
 
  Employee Retirement Savings Plan
 
     In 1988, the Company established the J.D. Edwards & Company Retirement
Savings Plan (the "401(k) Plan") subject to the provisions of ERISA. The 401(k)
Plan is an Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k) plan, commonly known as a salary
reduction retirement plan. Employees with a minimum of six months of service are
eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan.
 
     The Company generally matches 50% of an employee's eligible contributions
to the 401(k) Plan, up to a maximum match of 2% of eligible compensation. Both
matching and discretionary contributions are determined in connection with the
determination of contributions to the ESOP. The Company's matching contributions
are fully vested to all participants completing 1,000 hours of service and
employed by the Company on the last day of the calendar year. Discretionary
contributions are subject to a vesting schedule based on number of years of
service with the Company. The Company recognized expense for matching
contributions of $1.1 million, $1.8 million, $200,000 and $1.6 million for
fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the nine months ended July 31, 1997,
respectively. There have been no discretionary contributions made by the Company
since the inception of the 401(k) Plan.
 
  Stock Options
 
     In August 1997, the Company established an Equity Incentive Plan (the "1997
Plan"). A total of 10,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance
under the 1997 Plan, which number will be increased on each anniversary date of
the adoption of the 1997 Plan, beginning in 1998, by a number of shares equal to
the number of shares needed to restore the maximum aggregate number of shares
reserved for issuance under the 1997 Plan to 10,000,000 or a lesser amount
determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The 1997 Plan provides for the
granting of incentive stock options to employees and the granting of
nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase rights to employees, directors and
consultants.
 
     In November 1992, the Company established an Incentive Stock Option Plan
and a Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Option Plans"). A total of
35,000,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the 1992
Option Plans, of which 14,980,490 shares and 12,701,990 shares were available
for grant as of October 31, 1996 and July 31, 1997, respectively. The Company
does not anticipate granting additional options under the 1992 Option Plans
after completion of the IPO. Options granted vest over a period of time ranging
from four to five years with a term of not more than ten years.
 
     The Company records compensation expense related to stock options using the
intrinsic value based method and includes a pro forma disclosure in the
footnotes for compensation value measured using the fair value accounting
treatment. Generally, stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to
the fair value at the date of grant, and accordingly no compensation expense was
recognized during fiscal 1994, 1995, or 1996. During the nine months ended July
31, 1997, the Company recorded $581,000 as deferred compensation representing
the excess of the estimated fair value of the Company's common stock over the
exercise price of such options. Such deferred compensation cost is being
amortized over the five-year vesting period of the options. Of the total amount,
$126,000 was recognized during the nine months ended July 31, 1997.
 
     For the fair value disclosure below, compensation value is estimated for
each option grant under the 1992 Option Plans on the date of grant using a
minimum value option pricing model with the following assumptions used for
grants in fiscal 1996 and the nine months ended July 31, 1997, respectively:
risk-free rates ranging from 5.1% to 5.8% in fiscal 1996 and 5.8% to 6.1% in the
nine months ended July 31, 1997 and corresponding to government securities with
original maturities similar to the expected option lives; expected dividend
yield of 0% for both periods; and expected lives of one year beyond vest dates
for both periods.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   90
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Based on calculations using the minimum value option-pricing model, the
weighted-average grant date fair value of options was $1.12 and $2.36 in fiscal
1996 and the nine months ended July 31, 1997, respectively. The pro forma impact
on the Company's net income and net income per share had compensation cost been
recorded as determined under the fair value method is shown below (in thousands,
except per share data).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             YEAR ENDED        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                          OCTOBER 31, 1996       JULY 31, 1997
                                          ----------------     -----------------
<S>                                       <C>                  <C>
Net income:
  As reported...........................      $ 26,326              $14,398
  Pro forma.............................        24,735               11,779
Net income per share:
  As reported...........................          0.30                 0.15
  Pro forma.............................          0.28                 0.13
</TABLE>
 
     The status of total stock options outstanding and exercisable under the
1992 Option Plans as of July 31, 1997 follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   WEIGHTED AVERAGE                            STOCK OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                      REMAINING                              ------------------------------
   RANGE OF           NUMBER         CONTRACTUAL        WEIGHTED AVERAGE      NUMBER       WEIGHTED AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES     OF SHARES        LIFE (YEARS)        EXERCISE PRICE      OF SHARES      EXERCISE PRICE
- ---------------     ----------     ----------------     ----------------     ---------     ----------------
<S>                 <C>            <C>                  <C>                  <C>           <C>
  $2.66-2.84        10,832,430        6.26                   $ 2.70          7,247,170          $ 2.70
     3.44            3,737,860        7.54                     3.44          1,469,300            3.44
     6.24            5,124,000        8.51                     6.24          1,017,800            6.24
  10.71-22.00        2,427,250        9.33                    10.73                 --           10.73
                    ----------                                               ---------
  2.66-22.00        22,121,540        7.34                     4.53          9,734,270            3.18
                     =========                                                ========
</TABLE>
    
 
     Activity of the 1992 Option Plans is summarized in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     WEIGHTED                 WEIGHTED
                                                                     AVERAGE                  AVERAGE
                                                        NUMBER OF    EXERCISE     OPTIONS     EXERCISE
                                                          SHARES      PRICE     EXERCISABLE    PRICE
                                                        ----------   --------   -----------   --------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
Options outstanding, October 31, 1993.................   3,675,210    $ 2.66        --         $--
  Options granted.....................................   8,065,260      2.72
  Less: options forfeited.............................    (343,350)     2.68
                                                        ----------
Options outstanding, October 31, 1994.................  11,397,120      2.70        728,910      2.66
  Options granted.....................................   4,011,000      3.43
  Less: options forfeited.............................    (262,570)     2.86
  Less: options exercised.............................      (5,180)     2.69
                                                        ----------
Options outstanding, October 31, 1995.................  15,140,370      2.89      3,046,750      2.70
  Options granted.....................................   5,572,560      6.18
  Less: options forfeited.............................    (698,600)     4.01
  Less: options exercised.............................     (79,450)     2.87
                                                        ----------
Options outstanding, October 31, 1996.................  19,934,880      3.77      5,895,960      2.79
  Options granted.....................................   2,446,500     10.73
  Less: options forfeited.............................    (168,000)     5.89
  Less: options exercised.............................     (91,840)     3.34
                                                        ----------
Options outstanding, July 31, 1997....................  22,121,540      4.53      9,734,270      3.18
                                                        ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   91
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plans
 
     In August 1997, the Company established employee stock purchase plans (the
"Employee Stock Purchase Plans") to take effect upon completion of the IPO. A
total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under
the Employee Stock Purchase Plans. An annual increase will be made to the
Employee Stock Purchase Plans on each anniversary date of the plans in an amount
equal to the number of shares of common stock required to restore the maximum
number of shares reserved for issuance to 2,000,000, or a lesser amount
determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The Employee Stock Purchase
Plans permit eligible employees to purchase common stock totaling up to 10% of
an employee's compensation through payroll deductions. The Employee Stock
Purchase Plan for U.S. employees is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code. The price of common stock to be purchased will be 85% of
the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or last day
of each purchase period.
 
(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  Leases
 
     The Company leases equipment and office space under various long-term
non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense on these leases for fiscal 1994,
1995 and 1996 and the nine months ended July 31, 1997 was $13.3 million, $14.7
million and $21.6 million, and $20.5 million, respectively.
 
     Minimum future non-cancelable commitments under these leases as of July 31,
1997, are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      FISCAL
                                       YEAR                                  AMOUNT
        ------------------------------------------------------------------  --------
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        1997..............................................................  $  8,265
        1998..............................................................    27,769
        1999..............................................................    19,229
        2000..............................................................    13,223
        2001..............................................................     9,856
        Thereafter........................................................    45,544
                                                                            --------
                                                                            $123,886
                                                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
  Legal Matters
 
     The Company is involved in certain disputes and legal actions as a result
of its normal operations. In management's opinion, none of these disputes and
legal actions are expected to have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   92
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(9) GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
 
     The following is an analysis of the Company's operations by geographical
region (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 ASIA,
                                                                   EUROPE,       LATIN
                                                                 MIDDLE EAST    AMERICA
                                                      DOMESTIC   AND AFRICA    AND CANADA    TOTAL
                                                      --------   -----------   ----------   --------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1994
  Total revenue...................................... $155,068     $51,442      $ 34,077    $240,587
  Operating income...................................    5,670       1,744        10,033      17,447
  Total assets.......................................   72,732      25,809        28,590     127,131
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995
  Total revenue......................................  215,201      77,853        47,712     340,766
  Operating income...................................   24,916       1,004         2,958      28,878
  Total assets.......................................  108,817      43,176        23,198     175,191
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996
  Total revenue......................................  311,238      99,021        67,789     478,048
  Operating income...................................   22,307      14,123         7,197      43,627
  Total assets.......................................  199,489      23,354        20,943     243,786
NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997
  Total revenue......................................  274,886      86,846        69,477     431,209
  Operating income...................................   13,897       8,292         2,269      24,458
  Total assets.......................................  250,550      28,404        21,985     300,939
</TABLE>
 
     Total revenue for each geographic region represents revenue from
unaffiliated customers only. Operating income includes intercompany royalty and
cost allocation arrangements that were in effect for each year. Total revenue
shown above for the Company's foreign regions includes software that was shipped
from the United States. The total amount of these export sales was $22.2
million, $30.5 million, $36.9 million and $30.3 million for Europe, Middle East,
and Africa and $24.4 million, $23.5 million, $27.2 million and $32.1 million for
Asia, Latin America, and Canada for fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 and the nine months
ended July 31, 1997, respectively.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   93
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(10) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
     The Company's quarterly financial information for fiscal 1995 and 1996, and
the first nine months of fiscal 1997 is as follows (in thousands, except per
share data):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FIRST       SECOND      THIRD       FOURTH
                                          QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995:
Total revenue...........................  $ 64,577    $ 78,746    $ 90,501    $106,942
  Less: costs and expenses..............    63,386      74,166      83,001      91,335
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------
Operating income........................     1,191       4,580       7,500      15,607
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------
Income before income taxes..............     1,788       4,345       8,455      15,000
Net income..............................     1,100       2,674       5,204       9,231
Earnings per common share...............  $   0.01    $   0.03    $   0.06    $   0.11
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996:
 
Total revenue...........................  $ 97,932    $110,210    $115,641    $154,265
  Less: costs and expenses..............    94,701     103,649     110,404     125,667
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------
Operating income........................     3,231       6,561       5,237      28,598
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------
Income before income taxes..............     3,645       5,932       4,410      27,967
Net income..............................     2,275       3,666       2,731      17,654
Earnings per common share...............  $   0.03    $   0.04    $   0.03    $   0.20
NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997:
Total revenue...........................  $122,821    $145,854    $162,534
  Less: costs and expenses..............   118,811     136,934     151,006
                                          --------    --------    --------
Operating income........................     4,010       8,920      11,528
                                          --------    --------    --------
Income before income taxes..............     3,697       7,742      11,506
Net income..............................     2,329       4,849       7,220
Earnings per common share...............  $   0.03    $   0.05    $   0.07
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   94
 
                      (This page intentionally left blank)
<PAGE>   95
 
                      (This page intentionally left blank)
 
                      (This page intentionally left blank)
 
                                      LOGO
<PAGE>   96
                     Appendix A--Description of Graphics


Gatefold

   
         The graphic heading starts with the J.D. Edwards logo, then reads
"Software and Service Solutions for a Changing World." In the center of the
gatefold there is a box with the following lead-in text: "The J.D. Edwards
corporate culture relies on three fundamental tenets -- Solutions,
Relationships, and Value -- to ensure the Company retains a customer-centric,
business oriented focus." Beneath the lead-in text are the following three
bullet points: (1) "Solutions -- J.D. Edwards provides customers with complete
enterprise solutions -- functionally rich software and the services needed to
realize benefits quickly and continuously."; (2) "Relationships -- An emphasis
on customer satisfaction combined with a program of continual product
enhancements provide the foundation for long-term relationships."; (3) "Value
- -- J.D. Edwards offers better value up front with a streamlined implementation
methodology and over time through flexible, adaptable technology." Four arrows
emanate from the corners of this box, directing the reader to four separate
text and graphic subsections.

         The upper left hand subsection carries the graphic heading
"Continuous Evolution of ERP Software Solutions." Beneath this heading is a
graphic depicting three cresting waves, each progressively higher, beneath
which are two captions: "WorldSoftware" and "OneWorld". Above the lowest wave
is a sub-heading "Host-centric," and the following bullet points: (1) "high
reliability"; (2) "low cost of ownership"; and (3) "departmental applications."
Above the middle wave is a sub-heading "Client/Server," and the following
bullet points: (1) "easier access"; (2) "more user-friendly"; and (3)
"enterprise applications." Above the highest wave is the sub-heading
"Network-centric" and the following bullet points: (1) "mask complexity"; (2)
"reduce time and cost of change"; (3) "leverage network scalability"; (4)
"reduce time to benefit"; and (5) "inter-enterprise applications." Beneath the
graphic is the following text: "J.D. Edwards' ERP solutions offer continuity
through successive waves of technology. WorldSoftware provides a highly
functional, host-centric solution with a smooth transition to client-server
computing. OneWorld, which can co-exist with WorldSoftware, offers the
advantages of client/server while masking the complexity in a network-centric
environment."

         The lower left hand subsection carries the graphic heading "Integrated
Application Suites and Technology Architecture." Beneath this heading is a
multi-layered graphic depicting the interrelationship of the software
applications and the systems platforms, the left panel of which depicts "World
Software," while the right depicts "OneWorld." An overarching layer is labeled
"Application Suites," with four separate sub-headings: (1) "Manufacturing"; (2)
"Finance"; (3) "Distribution/Logistics"; and (4) "Human Resources." The left
panel shows a solid bar labeled "Toolset," beneath which are two interlocking
pieces, the upper labeled "Technology Layer" and the lower "AS/400." The right
panel shows a solid bar labeled "Toolset," beneath which are four interlocking
pieces, the topmost labeled "Technology Layer," and the bottom three labeled,
from left to right as (1) "AS/400"; (2) "UNIX"; and (3) "NT." Beneath this
graphic is the following text: "The Company's comprehensive family of
integrated ERP application suites addresses customer requirements for improving
the productivity and effectiveness of their manufacturing, finance,
distribution/logistics, and human resources organizations. J.D. Edwards'
advanced architecture allows different generations of technology --host-centric
WorldSoftware and network-centric OneWorld-- to coexist in a single
environment. The architecture also masks the complexities of a mixed platform
network-centric environment. The OneWorld toolset provides a single point of
change for all platforms on the network. Developers use one toolset and users
work in a consistent environment, regardless of the unique characteristics of
the underlying platform."
    



<PAGE>   97



   
         The upper right hand subsection carries the graphic heading
"Structured Implementation Methodology and Services." To the right of this
heading is a graphic depicting a flow chart with nine boxes. The topmost box is
labeled "Agree on Expectations," beneath which are two boxes, the left labeled
"Train the Client Project Team" and the right "Analyze Client Requirements."
Below these boxes are another two, the left labeled "Conduct Conference Room
Pilot" and the right labeled "Develop Technical Solutions." Below these boxes
is a single box labeled "Tune the Environment, Train, and Test." Below this box
is another, labeled "Go Live." The final two boxes are beneath this one, the
left labeled "Upgrade to the Latest Version" and the right labeled "Perform
Periodic Systems Audit." Beneath the graphic heading and to the left of the
flow chart is the following text: "J.D. Edwards offers clients a complete suite
of software implementation, upgrade, and support services either directly or
through third-party business partners. In particular, the Company believes its
nine-step Rapid, Economic and Predictable (REP) methodology contributes to the
ability to accelerate client time to benefit and lower lifetime total cost of
ownership."

         The lower right subsection carries the graphic heading "Global
Presence, Local Support." Beneath this heading is a graphic depicting the
globe, upon which are superimposed the following three lines of text: (1) "Over
4,000 customers installed in 90 countries"; (2) "Software available in 18
languages"; and (3) "24 hour-per-day, 7 day-per-week support available
worldwide." Beneath this graphic is the following text: "J.D. Edwards' 3,369
employees are located in 46 offices throughout the world. The Company provides
customer support through these offices and through a network of 166 business
partners. The result is uniform implementations and consistent support
worldwide."


Graphic--Page 37


         This is a multi-layered graphic depicting the interrelationship of the
software applications and the systems platforms, the left panel of which 
depicts "World Software," while the right depicts "OneWorld." An overarching 
layer is labeled "Application Suites," with four separate sub-headings: (1)
"Manufacturing"; (2) "Financials"; (3) "Distribution/Logistics"; and (4) "Human
Resources." The left panel shows a solid bar labeled "Toolset," beneath which
are two interlocking pieces, the upper labeled "Technology Layer" and the lower
"AS/400". The right panel shows a solid bar labeled "Toolset," beneath which
are four interlocking pieces, the topmost labeled "Technology Layer," and the
bottom three labeled, from left to right as (1) "AS/400"; (2) "UNIX"; and (3)
"NT". 

Graphic--Page 39
    


         This graphic consists of a flow chart with nine boxes. The leftmost 
box is labeled "Agree on Expectations," to the right of which are two boxes, 
the top labeled "Train the Client Project Team" and the bottom "Analyze Client 
Requirements." To the right of these boxes are another two, the top labeled 
"Conduct Conference Room Pilot" and the bottom labeled "Develop Technical 
Solutions." To the right of these boxes is a single box labeled "Tune the 
Environment, Train, and Test." To the right of this box is another, labeled 

<PAGE>   98

"Go Live." The final two boxes are to the right of this one, the top labeled 
"Upgrade to the Latest Version" and the bottom labeled "Perform Periodic 
Systems Audit."

<PAGE>   99
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may
     not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the
     registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not
     constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
     to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction
     in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
     registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
     jurisdiction.
 
                                 [Alternative Page for International Prospectus]
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
   
Issued September 22, 1997
    
 
   
                               15,800,000 Shares
    
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
   
 OF THE 15,800,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, 3,160,000 SHARES ARE
     BEING OFFERED INITIALLY OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE
INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS, AND 12,640,000 SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN
 THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS. SEE "UNDERWRITERS." OF
  THE 15,800,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, 12,500,000 SHARES ARE
  BEING SOLD BY THE COMPANY AND 3,300,000 SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY THE SELLING
  STOCKHOLDERS. SEE "PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." THE COMPANY WILL NOT
RECEIVE ANY PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES BY THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS. PRIOR
 TO THIS OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK OF THE
      COMPANY. IT IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED THAT THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
PRICE WILL BE BETWEEN $21 AND $23 PER SHARE. SEE "UNDERWRITERS" FOR A DISCUSSION
                          OF THE FACTORS CONSIDERED IN
   DETERMINING THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE. THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 OFFERED HEREBY HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR QUOTATION ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
        UNDER THE SYMBOL "JDEC" SUBJECT TO OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ISSUANCE.
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
        THIS OFFERING INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
                          COMMENCING ON PAGE 4 HEREOF.
 
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
       COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
 
                              PRICE $     A SHARE
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         UNDERWRITING                            PROCEEDS TO
                        PRICE TO        DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO           SELLING
                         PUBLIC         COMMISSIONS(1)        COMPANY(2)         STOCKHOLDERS
                       -----------      --------------      --------------      --------------
<S>                    <C>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share.............   $                $                   $                   $
Total(3).............. $                $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
      Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriters."
 
   
  (2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,450,000.
    
 
   
  (3) The Company and certain of the Selling Stockholders have granted to the
      U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date
      hereof, to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,370,000 additional Shares at
      the price to public less underwriting discounts and commissions, for the
      purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters
      exercise such option in full, the total price to public, underwriting
      discounts and commissions, proceeds to Company and proceeds to Selling
      Stockholders will be $        , $        , $        and $        ,
      respectively. See "Underwriters."
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
    The Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters named herein and subject to approval of certain legal matters
by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, counsel for
the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Shares will be made on or
about             , 1997, at the office of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
                             ---------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
 
              DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL
                             ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
            , 1997
<PAGE>   100
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following is an itemized statement of the costs and expenses, other
than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred and to be incurred by the
Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities
registered hereby. All amounts are estimates except the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") registration fee and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") filing fee.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AMOUNT TO BE
                                                                               PAID BY
                                                                              REGISTRANT
                                                                             ------------
    <S>                                                                      <C>
    SEC registration fee...................................................   $   94,231
    NASD filing fee........................................................       30,500
    Nasdaq National Market listing fee.....................................       50,000
    Printing...............................................................      275,000
    Legal fees and expenses................................................      500,000
    Accounting fees and expenses...........................................      350,000
    Blue sky fees and expenses.............................................       10,000
    Transfer agent, registrar and custodial fees...........................       10,000
    Miscellaneous..........................................................      130,269
                                                                              ----------
              Total........................................................   $1,450,000
                                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
    
 
     The Registrant intends to pay all expenses of registration, issuance and
distribution with respect to the securities being offered for the account of the
Selling Stockholders, except for underwriter's discounts and commissions and
stock transfer taxes.
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the "DGCL")
provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation) by
reason of the fact that any such person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her
conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and
directors against expenses (including attorneys' fees) in connection with the
defense or settlement of an action by or in the right of the corporation under
the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without
judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
indemnify him or her against the expenses (including attorneys' fees) which such
officer or director actually and reasonably incurred. The foregoing description
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed provisions of
Section 145 of the DGCL.
 
     Section 102 of the DGCL allows a Delaware corporation to eliminate or limit
the personal liability of a director to the corporation or to any of its
stockholders for monetary damage for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except in the case where the director (i) breaches such person's duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) fails to act in good faith, engages
in intentional misconduct or knowingly violates a law, (iii) authorizes the
payment of a dividend or approves a stock purchase or redemption in violation of
Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) obtains an improper personal benefit.
 
     In accordance with the DGCL, the Registrant's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision to limit the personal
liability of its directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary
duty to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL now, or as it may hereafter be
amended.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   101
 
     In addition, as permitted by the DGCL, the Registrant's Bylaws provide that
(i) the Registrant is required to indemnify its directors and officers and
persons serving in such capacities in other business enterprises at the
Registrant's request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law; (ii) the
Registrant may indemnify its employees and agents to the maximum extent
permitted by Delaware law; (iii) the Registrant is required to advance expenses
incurred by its directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding
(except that a director or officer must undertake to repay any advances if it
should ultimately be determined that the director or officer is not entitled to
indemnification); (iv) the rights conferred in the Bylaws are not exclusive; and
(v) the Registrant may not retroactively amend the Bylaw provisions in a way
that adversely affects any director or officer.
 
     The Registrant maintains insurance covering its directors and officers
against certain liabilities incurred by them in their capacities as such,
including among other things, certain liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Registrant also intends to enter
into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers prior to the
closing of this offering that provide the maximum indemnity allowed to directors
and officers by the DGCL and the Registrant's Bylaws.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides for indemnification by the Underwriters
of the Registrant and its directors and officers who sign this Registration
Statement against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
     Reference is made to the following documents filed as exhibits to this
Registration Statement regarding relevant indemnification provisions described
above and elsewhere herein:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             EXHIBIT
                                    DOCUMENT                                 NUMBER
        ----------------------------------------------------------------    ---------
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        Form of Underwriting Agreement..................................      1.1
        Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
          Registrant....................................................      3.1(i)
        Bylaws of Registrant............................................      3.1(ii)
        Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into by the
          Registrant with each of its directors and officers............     10.13
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
     Since August 25, 1994, the Registrant has issued and sold 176,470 shares of
its Common Stock to employees for an aggregate amount of $548,615 pursuant to
the exercise of options under its 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
 
     The share amounts set forth above take into account the 70-for-1 stock
split that will be effective prior to the closing of the offering contemplated
by the Registration Statement.
 
     The sales of such securities were deemed to be exempt from registration
under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or
Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, as transactions
by an issuer not involving a public offering or transactions pursuant to
compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided
under such Rule 701.
 
     The recipients of securities in each such transaction represented their
intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to
or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends
were affixed to the share certificates issued in such transactions. All
recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with the Company, to
information about the Registrant.
 
<PAGE>   102
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
          1.1        Form of Underwriting Agreement.
         +3.1(i)     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
          +  (ii)    Bylaws of Registrant.
         +4.1        Specimen stock certificate of Registrant's Common Stock.
          5.1        Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation.
        +10.1        Original Software Vendor Marketing and License Agreement between Seagull
                        Business Software and J.D. Edwards & Company dated August 19, 1994.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   103
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
        +10.2        Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and Between Wells Fargo Bank
                        (Colorado), N.A., as Lender and as Agent Bank, Harris Trust and
                        Savings Bank, as a Lender, Key Bank of Colorado, as Lender, and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company, as a Borrower, J.D. Edwards World Solutions
                        Company, as a Borrower, J.D. Edwards World Source Company, as a
                        Borrower dated as of July 25, 1997.
        +10.3        Sublease Agreement dated September 13, 1990 between Green Holdings,
                        Inc., Sublessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee for an office
                        suite located on the 6th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
        +10.4        Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1990 between Phillips Petroleum
                        Company, Lessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee, for office suite
                        on the 6th Floor of the Stanford Place I Building, as amended.
        +10.5        Lease Agreement dated December 20, 1991 between Samuel Zell, Lessor, and
                        J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee, for office Floors 3, 4, 6 and 7 and
                        office space on Floor 1 for the Denver Corporate Center III located
                        at 7900 East Union Avenue, as amended.
        +10.6        Sublease Agreement dated July 15, 1993 between Green Holdings, Inc.,
                        Sublessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee, for office suite
                        located on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
        +10.7        Lease Agreement dated August 23, 1993 between Phillips Petroleum
                        Company, Lessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee for office suite
                        on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
        +10.8        Sublease Agreement dated October 25, 1993 between Green Holdings, Inc.,
                        as sublessor and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee for an office
                        suite located on the 7th Floor of the Stanford Place I Building.
        +10.9        Sublease Agreement dated June 12, 1995 between Microsolutions Tech Inc.,
                        Sublessor and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee, for office suite
                        located on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
        +10.10       Agreement of Purchase and Sale between J.D. Edwards & Company and
                        CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. dated as of December 11, 1996.
        +10.11       Supplement to Lease Agreement between CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company dated as of December 30, 1996.
        +10.12       Build-to-Suit Lease Agreement between CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company dated as of December 30, 1996.
        +10.13       Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the
                        Registrant and each of its officers and directors.
        +10.14       Corporate Plan for Retirement, The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan.
        +10.15       Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement of J.D. Edwards &
                        Company, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1996.
        +10.16       J.D. Edwards & Company 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
        +10.17       J.D. Edwards & Company 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan.
        +10.18       Restricted Stock Grant Plan for Employees of J.D. Edwards & Company.
        +10.19       Stock Plan for Employees of J.D. Edwards & Company.
        +10.20       J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
        +10.21       J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   104
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
        +10.22       Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement between C. Edward McVaney,
                        Jack L. Thompson, Robert C. Newman and the Registrant dated as of
                        August 20, 1997.
        +10.23       J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S.
                        Employees.
         11.1        Statement regarding computation of earnings per share.
        +16.1        Letter regarding change in certifying accountant.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   105
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
         23.1        Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
         23.2        Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (included in Exhibit 5.1).
        +24.1        Power of Attorney (filed herewith on the signature page of this
                        Registration Statement).
        +27.1        Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
     + Previously filed.
    
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
     Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
 
     All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related
instructions or are inapplicable or the information is contained in the
consolidated financial statements and related notes and therefore have been
omitted.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters
at the closing, as specified in the Underwriting Agreement, certificates in such
denomination and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 14 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered hereunder, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of the prospectus filed as part
     of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   106
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement (No. 333-30701) to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Denver, State of Colorado, on this 22nd day of September 1997.
    
 
                                            J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                                            By:    /s/ RICHARD E. ALLEN
                                              ----------------------------------
 
                                              Name: Richard E. Allen
                                              Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                 Vice President, Finance and
                                                 Administration
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 333-30701) HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1997 IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                         TITLE
- ---------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------
<C>                                             <S>
 
              C. EDWARD MCVANEY*                Chairman of the Board of Directors, President
- ---------------------------------------------     and Chief Executive Officer (principal
              C. Edward McVaney                   executive officer)
 
            /s/ RICHARD E. ALLEN                Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
- ---------------------------------------------     Finance and Administration and Director
              Richard E. Allen                    (principal financial officer)
 
               PAMELA L. SAXTON*                Vice President of Finance, Controller and
- ---------------------------------------------     Chief Accounting Officer (principal
              Pamela L. Saxton                    accounting officer)
 
               ROBERT C. NEWMAN*                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Robert C. Newman
 
               JACK L. THOMPSON*                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Jack L. Thompson
 
                GERALD HARRISON*                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Gerald Harrison
 
                DELWIN D. HOCK*                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Delwin D. Hock
 
              HARRY T. LEWIS, JR.*              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             Harry T. Lewis, Jr.
 
               MICHAEL J. MAPLES*               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Michael J. Maples
 
               TRYGVE E. MYHREN*                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Trygve E. Myhren
 
          *By: /s/ RICHARD E. ALLEN
- ---------------------------------------------
              Richard E. Allen
             (Attorney-in-Fact)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   107
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              BALANCE AT   ADDITIONS                               BALANCE AT
                                              BEGINNING    CHARGED TO                TRANSLATION      END
                                              OF PERIOD    OPERATIONS   WRITE-OFFS   ADJUSTMENTS   OF PERIOD
                                              ----------   ----------   ----------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Year Ended:
  October 31, 1994..........................    $2,675       $3,699      $ (1,284)      $  10        $5,100
                                                ------       ------       -------       -----        ------
  October 31, 1995..........................    $5,100       $2,305      $ (1,713)      $   8        $5,700
                                                ------       ------       -------       -----        ------
  October 31, 1996..........................    $5,700       $1,387      $ (1,496)      $   9        $5,600
                                                ------       ------       -------       -----        ------
Nine Months Ended:
  July 31, 1997.............................    $5,600       $4,322      $ (3,010)      $(212)       $6,700
                                                ------       ------       -------       -----        ------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               BALANCE AT                RELEASE OF                 BALANCE AT
                                               BEGINNING                 VALUATION                     END
                                               OF PERIOD                 ALLOWANCE                  OF PERIOD
                                               ----------                ----------                 ----------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
Year Ended:
  October 31, 1994...........................    $2,352                   $ (2,352)                   $   --
                                                 ======                    =======                    ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   108
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
        1.1          Form of Underwriting Agreement.
       +3.1(i)       Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
   + (ii)            Bylaws of Registrant.
       +4.1          Specimen stock certificate of Registrant's Common Stock.
        5.1          Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation.
      +10.1          Original Software Vendor Marketing and License Agreement between Seagull
                        Business Software and J.D. Edwards & Company dated August 19, 1994.
      +10.2          Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and Between Wells Fargo Bank
                        (Colorado), N.A., as Lender and as Agent Bank, Harris Trust and
                        Savings Bank, as a Lender, Key Bank of Colorado, as Lender, and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company, as a Borrower, J.D. Edwards World Solutions
                        Company, as a Borrower, J.D. Edwards World Source Company, as a
                        Borrower dated as of July 25, 1997.
      +10.3          Sublease Agreement dated September 13, 1990 between Green Holdings,
                        Inc., Sublessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee for an office
                        suite located on the 6th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
      +10.4          Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1990 between Phillips Petroleum
                        Company, Lessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee, for office suite
                        on the 6th Floor of the Stanford Place I Building, as amended.
      +10.5          Lease Agreement dated December 20, 1991 between Samuel Zell, Lessor, and
                        J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee, for office Floors 3, 4, 6 and 7 and
                        office space on Floor 1 for the Denver Corporate Center III located
                        at 7900 East Union Avenue, as amended.
      +10.6          Sublease Agreement dated July 15, 1993 between Green Holdings, Inc.,
                        Sublessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee, for office suite
                        located on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
      +10.7          Lease Agreement dated August 23, 1993 between Phillips Petroleum
                        Company, Lessor, and J.D. Edwards & Company, Lessee for office suite
                        on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
      +10.8          Sublease Agreement dated October 25, 1993 between Green Holdings, Inc.,
                        as sublessor and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee for an office
                        suite located on the 7th Floor of the Stanford Place I Building.
      +10.9          Sublease Agreement dated June 12, 1995 between Microsolutions Tech Inc.,
                        Sublessor and J.D. Edwards & Company, Sublessee, for office suite
                        located on the 8th Floor of Stanford Place I Building.
      +10.10         Agreement of Purchase and Sale between J.D. Edwards & Company and
                        CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. dated as of December 11, 1996.
      +10.11         Supplement to Lease Agreement between CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company dated as of December 30, 1996.
      +10.12         Build-to-Suit Lease Agreement between CarrAmerica Realty, L.P. and J.D.
                        Edwards & Company dated as of December 30, 1996.
      +10.13         Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the
                        Registrant and each of its officers and directors.
      +10.14         Corporate Plan for Retirement, The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan.
      +10.15         Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement of J.D. Edwards &
                        Company, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1996.
      +10.16         J.D. Edwards & Company 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
      +10.17         J.D. Edwards & Company 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan.
      +10.18         Restricted Stock Grant Plan for Employees of J.D. Edwards & Company.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   109
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
      +10.19         Stock Plan for Employees of J.D. Edwards & Company.
      +10.20         J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
      +10.21         J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan.
      +10.22         Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement between C. Edward McVaney,
                        Jack L. Thompson, Robert C. Newman and the Registrant dated as of
                        August 20, 1997.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   110
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>
      +10.23         J.D. Edwards & Company 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S.
                        Employees
       11.1          Statement regarding computation of earnings per share.
      +16.1          Letter regarding change in certifying accountant.
       23.1          Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
       23.2          Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (included in Exhibit 5.1).
      +24.1          Power of Attorney (filed herewith on the signature page of this
                        Registration Statement).
      +27.1          Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
     + Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1




                                                                     DRAFT AS OF
                                                              SEPTEMBER 18, 1997



                               15,500,000 Shares

                            J. D. EDWARDS & COMPANY

                    COMMON STOCK (PAR VALUE $.001 PER SHARE)



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT



                              _____________, 1997
<PAGE>   2
                                                             _____________, 1997





Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC
c/o      Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
         1585 Broadway
         New York, New York  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC
c/o      Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
         25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
         London, E14 4QA, England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

                 J. D. Edwards & Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as defined
below), and certain stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders")
named in Schedule I hereto severally propose to sell to the several
Underwriters, an aggregate of 15,500,000 shares of the Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company (the "Firm Shares"), of which 12,500,000
shares are to be issued and sold by the Company and 3,000,000 shares are to be
sold by the Selling Stockholders, each Selling Stockholder selling the amount
set forth opposite such Selling Stockholder's name in Schedule I hereto.

                 It is understood that, subject to the conditions hereinafter
stated, 12,400,000 Firm Shares (the "U.S. Firm Shares") will be sold to the
several U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the "U.S. Underwriters")
in connection with the offering and sale of such U.S. Firm Shares in the United
States and Canada to United States and Canadian Persons (as such terms are
defined in the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters of even
date herewith), and 3,100,000 Firm Shares (the "International Shares") will be
sold to the several International Underwriters named in Schedule III hereto
(the "International Underwriters") in connection with the offering and sale of
such International Shares outside the United States and Canada to persons other
than United States and Canadian Persons. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc. and Robertson, Stephens 




<PAGE>   3


& Company LLC, shall act as representatives (the "U.S. Representatives")
of the several U.S. Underwriters, and Morgan Stanley & Co. International
Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited and Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC
shall act as representatives (the "International Representatives") of the
several International Underwriters. The U.S. Underwriters and the International
Underwriters are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Underwriters."

The Company also proposes to issue and sell and certain Selling Stockholders
propose to sell to the several U.S. Underwriters not more than an additional
2,325,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
"Additional Shares"), if and to the extent that the U.S. Representatives shall
have determined to exercise, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters, the right to
purchase such shares of common stock granted to the U.S. Underwriters in
Section 3 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Shares." The shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the
sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the "Common Stock."
The Company and the Selling Stockholders are hereinafter sometimes referred to
individually as a "Seller" or collectively as the "Sellers."

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the
Shares. The registration statement contains two prospectuses to be used in
connection with the offering and sale of the Shares: the U.S. prospectus, to be
used in connection with the offering and sale of Shares in the United States
and Canada to United States and Canadian Persons, and the international
prospectus, to be used in connection with the offering and sale of Shares
outside the United States and Canada to persons other than United States and
Canadian Persons. The international prospectus is identical to the U.S.
prospectus except for the outside front cover page. The registration statement
as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information (if any)
deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness
pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement;"
the U.S. prospectus and the international prospectus in the respective forms
first used to confirm sales of Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "Prospectus." If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration
statement to register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act (the "Rule 462 Registration Statement"), then any
reference herein to the term "Registration Statement" shall be deemed to
include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.

     1.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that: 

          (a)  The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order 
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no
proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened by the Commission. 

          (b)  (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not
contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply 



                                      2
<PAGE>   4

and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material
respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder and (iii) the Prospectus does not contain and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth
in this paragraph 1(b) do not apply to statements or omissions in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any
Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you
expressly for use therein.


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

          (d)  Other than J.D. Edwards World Solutions Company, J.D. Edwards 
World Source Company and J.D. Edwards (UK) Ltd. (each a "Significant
Subsidiary," and collectively the "Significant Subsidiaries"), the Company has
no other significant subsidiaries as defined in paragraph (w) of Rule 1.02 of
Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. 

          (e)  Each Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly
incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as described
in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its
ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the
extent that the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole; all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary
of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid
and non-assessable and are owned directly by the Company, free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. 

          (f)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered 
to the Company. 

          (g)  On the Closing Date, the authorized capital stock of the Company,
in all material respects, will conform as to legal matters to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus. 



                                      3
<PAGE>   5

          (h)  The shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold by 
the Selling Stockholders) outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares to be
sold by the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable. 

          (i)  The Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized 
and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the
issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or other similar
rights. 

          (j)  The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance
by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will not contravene any
provision of applicable law or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of
the Company or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or
any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body,
agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, except
for any such contravention that would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no consent, approval,
authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or
agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under
this Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky
laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares
and except such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders or qualifications
which if not obtained would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (k)  There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the
Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplements thereto subsequent to the
date of this Agreement), which change is material to the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 

          (l)  Except in each case as described in or contemplated by the 
Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its
subsidiaries have neither incurred any material liability or obligation, direct
or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction, in each case, not in
the ordinary course of business, (ii) other than the repurchases of shares
pursuant to the Company's Stock Plan for Employees and the Company's Restricted
Stock Grant Plan, the Company has neither purchased any shares of its
outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or
distribution of its capital stock of any kind except certain net purchases of
options issued under the Company's stock option plans upon termination of
employment of the optionee in accordance with the terms of such stock option
plans and related agreements and (iii) there has not been any material change
in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company;





                                      4
<PAGE>   6
          (m)  The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title 
in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all
personal property owned by them, in each case, that is material to the business
of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in
the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such property
taken as a whole and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made
and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the
Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not
interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of
such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus; 

          (n)  No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or 
any of its subsidiaries exists, except as described in or contemplated by the
Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.

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

          (p)  There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending, or, to 
the Company's knowledge, threatened to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is subject that, if determined adversely to the Company,
would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, and that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes, regulations,
contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required. 

          (q)  The Company and its Significant Subsidiaries have obtained all 
necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits
of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal,
state, local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory
organizations and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and
use its properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner
described in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain
such consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates or permits or to
make such declarations or filings would not have a material adverse effect on
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and neither the 




                                      5
<PAGE>   7
Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating
to the revocation or modification of any such consent, authorization, approval,
order, certificate or permit, which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject
of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would result in a material
adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus, which change is
material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (r)  Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of an amendment to the
registration statement (except for information relating to share price and
share numbers and information derived therefrom in Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement filed on August 8, 1997), or filed pursuant to Rule 424
under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with
the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder. 

          (s)  The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in
the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such term is defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 

          (t)  Except as described in the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its
subsidiaries own or possess or can acquire on reasonable terms adequate licenses
or other rights to use all material patents, patent rights, licenses,
inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented
and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or
procedures), trademarks, service marks, and trade names currently employed by
them in connection with the business now operated by it, except to the extent
that the failure to own, possess or acquire any of the foregoing would not
result in a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole and (ii) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has received any
notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with
respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the
subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, which change is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole. 

          (u)  The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any 
and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations
relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or
hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants
("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other
approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their
respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions
of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with
Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other
approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits,
licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 



                                      6
<PAGE>   8
          (v)  There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental 
Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures
required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental
Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating
activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly
or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 

          (w)  There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the
Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to
file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities
with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. 

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

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

          (z)  As of the date the Registration Statement becomes effective, the 
Common Stock will be authorized for listing on the Nasdaq National Market upon
official notice of issuance. 

     2A.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS. Each of the 
Selling Stockholders, represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the 
Underwriters that:

          (a)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered 
by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder.

          (b)  The execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of, and 
the performance by such Selling Stockholder of its obligations under, this
Agreement, the Custody Agreement signed by such Selling Stockholder and Harris
Trust Company of California, as Custodian, relating to the deposit of the
Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder (the "Custody Agreement") and the
Power of Attorney appointing certain individuals as such Selling Stockholder's
attorneys-in-fact to the extent set forth therein, relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement (the "Power of Attorney")
will not contravene any provision of applicable law, or the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or other charter documents of such Selling Stockholder
(if such Selling Stockholder is a corporation), or



                                      7
<PAGE>   9
any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Selling Stockholder that is
material to such Selling Stockholder or any judgment, order or decree of any
governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over such Selling
Stockholder, except for such contravention that would not have a material
adverse effect on such Selling Stockholder, and no consent, approval,
authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or
agency is required for the performance by such Selling Stockholder of its
obligations under this

          (c)  Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date will have,
valid title to the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and the legal
right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter
into this Agreement, such Selling Stockholder's Custody Agreement and the Power
of Attorney and to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such
Selling Stockholder. 

          (d)  The Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to 
this Agreement have been fully paid. 

          (e)  Such Selling Stockholder's Custody Agreement and Power of 
Attorney have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling 
Stockholder and are valid and binding agreements of such Selling Stockholder. 

          (f)  Assuming the Underwriters purchase the Shares to be sold by each
Selling Stockholder for value, in good faith and without notice of adverse
claim within the meaning of Article VIII of the Uniform Commercial Code, upon
delivery of and payment for the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwriters will receive good and valid title
to such Shares free and clear of any security interests, claims, liens,
equities and other encumbrances. 

          (g)  All information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such 
Selling Stockholder for use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus is,
and on the Closing Date will be, true, correct and complete, and (i) such
information included in the Registration Statement does not, as of its
effective date, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make such information not misleading, and
(ii) such information included in the Prospectus does not on the effective
date, and on the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make such
information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. 

     2B. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FOUNDER. C. Edward McVaney (the
"Founder") represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters
that, to the best of Founder's knowledge: 




                                      8
<PAGE>   10
          (a)  (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not
contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects
with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, and (iii) the Prospectus does not contain and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth
in this paragraph 2B(a) do not apply to statements or omissions in the
Registration Statement based upon information relating to any Underwriter
furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly
for use therein. 

     3.   AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE. Each Seller, severally and not 
jointly, hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each 
Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase from each Seller at U.S. $_____ per share (the
"Purchase Price") the number of Firm Shares (subject to such adjustments to
eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same
proportion to the number of Firm Shares to be sold by such Seller hereunder as
the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedules II and III hereto opposite the
name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares. 

     On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this 
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell
to the U.S. Underwriters up to 2,325,000 Additional Shares and each Selling
Stockholder who has a number of Additional Shares set forth in Schedule II
opposite such Selling Stockholder's name on such Schedule (an "Overallotment
Selling Stockholder") agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell to the U.S.
Underwriters such number of Additional Shares (with the aggregate of all
Additional Shares to be sold by all Overallotment Selling Stockholders to be
________ Additional Shares), and the U.S. Underwriters shall have a one-time
right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to _________ Additional
Shares, at the Purchase Price. If you, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters,
elect to exercise such option, you shall so notify the Company in writing not
later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement, at One Technology Way,
Denver, Colorado 80237, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, which notice shall
specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the U.S.
Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Such date
may be the same as the Closing Date (as defined below) but not earlier than the
Closing Date nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice.
Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 5 hereof solely for
the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of
the Firm Shares. If any Additional Shares are to be purchased, each U.S.
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of
Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares
as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of
Additional Shares to be purchased as the number of U.S. Firm Shares set forth
in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter bears to the
total number of U.S. Firm Shares. If less than all of such 




                                      9
<PAGE>   11
Additional Shares are purchased, then the Additional Shares so purchased shall
be purchased first from the Overallotment Selling Stockholders set forth on
Schedule I hereto pro rata in proportion to the number of Additional Shares set
forth opposite the Overallotment Selling Stockholder's name on Schedule I bears
to the aggregate number of Additional Shares set forth on Schedule I hereto and
any remaining Additional Shares shall then be purchased from the Company. 

     Each Seller hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during
the period ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or
otherwise transfer, lend or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of
Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that
transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of
ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause
(i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other
securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a)
the sale of any Shares to be sold hereunder, (b) the issuance by the Company of
any shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the
conversion of a security described in the Prospectus, (c) the grant of options
to purchase Common Stock under the Company's employee benefit plans, (d) the
issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan or (e) the issuance by the Company of any shares
of Common Stock to the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan or (f)
transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in
open market transactions after the completion of the public offering
contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i)
if the undersigned is an individual, he or she may transfer any or all of the
shares of Common Stock either during his or her lifetime or on death by will of
intestacy to his or her immediate family or to a trust with beneficiaries that
are exclusively the undersigned and/or a member or members of his or her
immediate family; (ii) if the undersigned is a trust, the trust may transfer
any shares of Common Stock to any beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of
any such beneficiary, and any beneficiary who is an individual may transfer any
such shares by gift, will or intestate succession to his or her spouse or
lineal descendants or ancestors; (iii) if the undersigned is a partnership, the
partnership may transfer any shares of Common Stock to a partner of such
partnership or a retired partner of such partnership who retires after the date
hereof, or to the estate of any such partner or retired partner, and any
partner who is an individual may transfer any such shares of Common Stock by
gift, will or intestate succession to his or her spouse or lineal descendants
or ancestors; and (iv) if the undersigned is a corporation, the corporation may
transfer any shares of Common Stock to any stockholder of such corporation, and
any stockholder who is an individual may transfer any such shares of Common
Stock by gift, will or intestate succession to his or her spouse or lineal
descendants or ancestors; provided, however, that with regard to any transfer
under provisions (i) through (iv) above, it shall be a condition to the
transfer that the transferee execute an agreement stating that the transferee
is receiving and holding the shares of Common Stock subject to the provisions
of this letter, and there shall be no further transfer of such shares of Common
Stock except in accordance with this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph,
"immediate family" shall mean spouse, lineal descendant, father, mother,
brother, or sister of the transferor. In addition, each Seller agrees 





                                      10
<PAGE>   12
that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on
behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 180 days
after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand for or exercise any right
with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The Company
agrees that without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, it will not release any stockholder of the Company from any
lock-up or similar agreement restricting the sale or transfer of securities of
the Company.

     4.   TERMS OF PUBLIC OFFERING. The Sellers are advised by you that the 
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions
of the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have
become effective as your judgment is advisable. The Sellers are further advised
by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at U.S. $____
per share (the "Public Offering Price") and to certain dealers selected by you
at a price that represents a concession not in excess of U.S. $____ per share
under the Public Offering Price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a concession, not in excess of U.S. $____ per share, to
any Underwriter or to certain other dealers. 

     5.   PAYMENT AND DELIVERY. Payment for the Firm Shares to be sold by each 
Seller shall be made to such Seller in Federal or other funds immediately
available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m. New York City
time, on _________, 1997, or at such other time on the same or such other date,
in any event not later than __________, 1997, as shall be designated in writing
by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the
"Closing Date." 

     Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal
or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such
Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at
10:00 a.m. New York City time, on the date specified in the notice described in
Section 3 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event
not later than ___________, 1997, as shall be designated in writing by you. The
time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the "Option
Closing Date." 

     Certificates for the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be in 
definitive form and registered in such names and in such denominations as you
shall request in writing not later than two full business days prior to the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The certificates
evidencing the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes
payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly
paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor. 

     6.   CONDITIONS TO THE UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of the
Sellers to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of
the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are
subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become
effective not later than [__________] (New York City time) on the date hereof.


                                      11
<PAGE>   13
     The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the
following further conditions: 

          (a)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and 
prior to the Closing Date: 

               (i)  there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any
     notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any
     review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the
     possible change, in the rating accorded any of the Company's securities by
     any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term
     is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and

               (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development

     involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, 
     or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole from that set forth in the Prospectus
     (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date
     of this Agreement) that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and
     that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the
     terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

          (b)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company to the effect set forth in clause (a)(i) above and to the effect
that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has
complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its
part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. 

               The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon
the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

          (c)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an 
opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, outside 
counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

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



                                      12
<PAGE>   14
               (ii)  each Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly
     incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
     the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power
     and authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as
     described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business as
     a foreign corporation under the corporation laws of, and is in good
     standing as such, in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
     business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
     qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or
     be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
     Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; 

               (iii) the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 19, 1997
     (the "Plan of Merger") by and between the Company and J.D. Edwards &
     Company, a Colorado corporation ("J.D. Edwards"), has been duly authorized
     by all necessary board of directors and stockholder action on part of the
     Company and J.D. Edwards and has been duly executed and delivered by each
     of the parties thereto. The execution and delivery of the Plan of Merger
     and the consummation of the merger contemplated thereby does not
     contravene any provision of applicable federal, Colorado or Delaware
     corporate law or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company
     or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of J.D. Edwards or any
     agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or Significant
     Subsidiaries that is material to the Company or its Significant
     Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and that is set forth as an exhibit to the
     Registration Statement, or, to such counsel's knowledge, any judgment or
     decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over
     the Company or J.D. Edwards, except for any such contravention that would
     not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of or
     qualification with any governmental body or agency is required for the
     performance by the Company and J.D. Edwards of its obligations under the
     Plan of Merger except such as have been obtained, except such consent,
     approval, authorization, order or qualification which if not obtained
     would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The merger contemplated by the Plan of
     Merger is effective under the laws of the State of Colorado and the State
     of Delaware. 

               (iv)   the authorized capital stock of the Company conforms, in
     all material respects, as to legal matters to the description thereof
     under "Description of Capital Stock" in the Prospectus; 

               (v)    the shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be 
     sold by the Selling Stockholders) outstanding prior to the issuance of the
     Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized and are validly
     issued, non-assessable and, to such counsel's knowledge, fully paid;

               (vi)   all of the issued shares of capital stock of each 
     Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
     authorized and issued, are non-assessable and, to such counsel's
     knowledge, fully paid and are owned directly by the Company, free and
     clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims;




                                      13
<PAGE>   15

               (vii)  the Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly 
     authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of
     this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and
     the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or, to
     such counsel's knowledge, similar rights; 

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

               (ix) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the 
     performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will
     not contravene any provision of applicable federal, Colorado or Delaware
     corporation law or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the
     Company or, to such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument
     binding upon the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries that is
     material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that
     is set forth as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or, to such
     counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental
     body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any
     subsidiary, except for any such contravention that would not have a
     material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
     whole, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
     qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the
     performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except
     such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various
     states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares and except such
     consent, authorization, approval, order or qualification which if not
     obtained would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole; 

               (x)  the statements (A) in the Prospectus under the captions 
     "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans," "Certain Transactions,"
     "Description of Capital Stock," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale," and
     "Underwriters" (to the extent of the description of this Agreement) and
     (B) in the Registration Statement in Items 14 and 15, in each case insofar
     as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or
     proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called for
     with respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings and fairly
     summarize the matters referred to therein; 

               (xi) such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental 
     proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any of its
     Significant Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of
     the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject that are
     required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
     and are not so described and, to such counsel's knowledge, there are no
     statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to
     be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be
     filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or
     filed as required; 




                                      14

<PAGE>   16

               (xii)  the Company is not and after giving effect to the
     offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds
     thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment
     company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
     amended; 

               (xiii) such counsel's knowledge, except as disclosed or
     specifically contemplated by the Prospectus, there is no owner of any
     securities of the Company that has any rights, not effectively satisfied
     or waived, to require registration of any shares of capital stock of the
     Company in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement; 

               (xiv)  to such counsel's knowledge except as disclosed in or 
     specifically contemplated by the Prospectus, to such counsel's knowledge,
     there are not outstanding any options, warrants or other rights calling
     for the issuance of, and no commitments, current plans or arrangements
     entered into by the Company to issue, any shares of capital stock of the
     Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock
     of the Company; 

               (xv)   the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for
     financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical
     data included therein as to which such counsel need not express any
     opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the Securities
     Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.


     In addition, such counsel shall state that in addition to rendering legal
advice and assistance to the Company in the course of the preparation of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, involving, among other things,
discussions and inquiries concerning various legal matters and the review of
certain corporate records, documents and proceedings (in addition to those
described in paragraphs (i) through (xv) above), such counsel also participated
in conferences with certain officers and other representatives of the Company,
including its independent certified public accountants and with the
Underwriters and their counsel, at which the contents of the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed; provided, such
counsel may state that they have not independently verified the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the information contained in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus.

     Such counsel shall also state that based upon its participation as
described in the preceding paragraph, they confirm that they have no reason to
believe that (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial
and statistical data as to which they need express no belief) (i) the
Registration Statement, as of its effective date, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and
(ii) the Prospectus, on the effective date and such date 




                                      15
<PAGE>   17





or dates as such opinion is delivered, contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

                 In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that their
opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States, the laws of the
State of Colorado and the general corporation law of the State of Delaware.

                          (d)     The Underwriters shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, counsel for the Selling Stockholders, dated the Closing Date, to
the effect that:

                                  (i)      this Agreement has been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the
         Selling Stockholders;

                                  (ii)     the execution and delivery by each
         Selling Stockholder of, and the performance by such Selling
         Stockholder of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Custody
         Agreement and Powers of Attorney of such Selling Stockholder will not
         contravene any provision of applicable federal, California or Delaware
         corporate law, or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
         charter documents of such Selling Stockholder (if such Selling
         Stockholder is a corporation), or, to such counsel's knowledge, any
         agreement or other instrument binding upon such Selling Stockholder
         or, to such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any
         governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over such
         Selling Stockholder; and, to such counsel's knowledge, no consent,
         approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any
         governmental body or agency is required for the performance by such
         Selling Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement, Custody
         Agreement or Power of Attorney of such Selling Stockholder, except
         such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
         various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares,
         and except such consent, approval, authorization, order or
         qualification which if not obtained would not have a material adverse
         effect on such Selling Stockholder and would not materially impair the
         performance by such Selling Stockholder of its obligations under this
         Agreement;

                                  (iii)    to such counsel's knowledge, each
         Selling Stockholder has valid marketable title to the Shares to be
         sold by such Selling Stockholder and has the legal right and power,
         and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this
         Agreement, Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney of such Selling
         Stockholder and to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by
         such Selling Stockholder;

                                  (iv)     the Power of Attorney and the
         Custody Agreement of each Selling Stockholder have been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and are
         valid and binding agreements of such Selling Stockholder; and

                                     16
<PAGE>   18
                                  (v)      assuming the Underwriters purchase
         the Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder for value, in good
         faith and without notice of any adverse claim within the meaning of
         Article VIII of the Uniform Commercial Code, upon delivery of and
         payment for the Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder pursuant
         to this Agreement, the Underwriters will receive valid title to such
         Shares free and clear of any security interests, claims, liens,
         equities and other encumbrances.

                 In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that their
opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States, the laws of the
State of California and the general corporation law of the State of Delaware.

                          (e)     The Underwriters shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin &
Hachigian, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, covering
the matters referred to in subparagraphs (vii), (viii), (x) (but only as to the
statements in the Prospectus under "Description of Capital Stock" and
"Underwriters" to the extent of the description of this Agreement) and the
second to last paragraph of paragraph (c) above.

                 With respect to the second to last paragraph of paragraph (c)
above Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, may state
that its opinion and belief are based upon its participation in the preparation
of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are issued
without independent check or verification except as specified.  With respect to
paragraph (d) above, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, may rely upon an opinion or opinions of counsel for any Selling
Stockholders and, with respect to factual matters and to the extent such
counsel deems appropriate, upon the representations of each Selling Stockholder
contained herein and in the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney of such
Selling Stockholder and in other documents and instruments; provided that (A)
each such counsel for the Selling Stockholders is satisfactory to Gunderson
Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, (B) a copy of each opinion
so relied upon is delivered to you and is in form and substance satisfactory to
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, (C) copies of
such Custody Agreements and Powers of Attorney and of any such other documents
and instruments shall be delivered to you and shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
and (D) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, shall state
in its opinion that it is justified in relying on each such other opinion.

                 The opinions of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, described in paragraphs (c) and (d) above, and any additional
opinions of counsel for any Selling Stockholder referred to in paragraph (d)
above shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company or
one or more of the Selling Stockholders, as the case may be, and shall so state
therein.

                          (f) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of
the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the
Closing Date, as the case may be, in





                                       17
<PAGE>   19
form and substance satisfactory to the underwriters, from Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the
type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; provided that the letter
delivered on the Closing Date shall use a "cut-off date" not earlier than the
date hereof.

                          (g)     The "lock-up" agreements each substantially
in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain stockholders, officers
and directors of the Company relating to sales of shares of Common Stock of the
Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full
force and effect on the Closing Date.

                          (h)     The Shares to be sold under this Agreement to
the Underwriters shall be duly authorized for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market.

                 The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase
Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the Option
Closing Date of such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to
the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the
Additional Shares and other matters related to the issuance of the Additional
Shares.

                 7.       COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.  In further consideration
of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants
with each Underwriter as follows:

                          (a)     To furnish to you, without charge, four
signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and
for delivery to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration
Statement (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City,
without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next
succeeding the date of this Agreement and, during the period mentioned in
paragraph (c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and any supplements and
amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably
request.

                          (b)     Before amending or supplementing the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such
proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or
supplement to which you reasonably object and to file with the Commission
within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act
any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

                          (c)     If, during such period after the first date
of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the
Underwriters, the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection
with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition
exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading,
or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend
or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to
prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the
Underwriters and to the





                                       18
<PAGE>   20
dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which
Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other
dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so
that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not,
in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
will comply with law.

                          (d)     To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer
and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you
shall reasonably request.

                          (e)     To make generally available to the Company's
security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement
covering the twelve-month period ending [December 31, 1998,] that satisfies the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder.

                 8.       EXPENSES.  Whether or not the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated,
the Sellers agree to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including:  (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and the Company's
accountants and counsel for the Selling Stockholders in connection with the
registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other
fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement and the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, any
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of
the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the
mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in
the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to
the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any
transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or
producing any Blue Sky memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the
Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as
provided in Section 7(d) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky memorandum, (iv) all filing
fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection
with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (v) all fees and expenses in connection
with the preparation and filing of the registration statement on Form 8-A
relating to the Common Stock and all costs and expenses incident to listing the
Shares on the Nasdaq National Market, (vi) the cost of printing certificates
representing the Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent,
registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating
to investor presentations on any "road show" undertaken in connection with the
marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation,
expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees
and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show
presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging
expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such
consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road
show, and (ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance





                                       19
<PAGE>   21
of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not
otherwise made in this Section.  It is understood, however, that except as
provided in this Section, Section 9 entitled "Indemnity and Contribution", and
the last paragraph of Section 11 below, the Underwriters will pay all of their
costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock
transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any
advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

                 Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, agrees to
pay or cause to be paid all taxes, if any, on the transfer and sale of the
Shares being sold by such Selling Stockholder.

                 The provisions of this Section shall not supersede or
otherwise affect any agreement that the Sellers may otherwise have for the
allocation of such expenses among themselves.

                 9.       INDEMNITY AND CONTRIBUTION.

                          (a)     The Company, and the Founder, jointly and
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each
person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information
relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
Underwriter through you expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the
foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter, or any person controlling such
Underwriter, from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities purchased Shares, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or
supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such
person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), each Underwriter agrees with the
Company and the Founder that any claim for indemnity (including a claim for
reimbursement of expenses) pursuant to this Section 9(a) or for breach of any
representations and warranties under Section 2B shall first be sought by such
Underwriter to be satisfied in full by the Company and, subject to the
limitation on the aggregate liability of the Founder set forth below, shall
only then be satisfied by the Founder only to the





                                       20
<PAGE>   22
extent that such claim has not been satisfied in full by the Company within the
60 day period following the date requested for payment.  The liability of the
Founder under the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall be
limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such Founder (after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions) from the offering of the
Shares sold by such Founder.

                          (b)     The Selling Stockholders (other than the
Founder) agree, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, and the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of either such Sections, from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with
reference to information relating to such Selling Stockholder furnished in
writing by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto; provided, however, that the foregoing
indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure
to the benefit of any Underwriter, or any person controlling such Underwriter,
from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
purchased Shares, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented
if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was
not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person, if
required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus
(as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such
loss, claim, damage or liability.  The liability of each Selling Stockholder
under the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall be limited to
an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder (after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions) from the offering of the
Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder.

                          (c)     Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Founder, the Selling
Stockholders, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who
sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company, the Founder or any other Selling Stockholder within the meaning of
either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including,
without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall
have furnished





                                       21
<PAGE>   23
any amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with
reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company
in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto.

                          (d)     In case any proceeding (including any
governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this
Section 9, such person (the "indemnified party") shall promptly notify the
person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in
writing, and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party,
shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to
represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such
counsel related to such proceeding.  In any such proceeding, any indemnified
party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i)
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to
the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them.
It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal
expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related
proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses
of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all
Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who
sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of either such Section and (iii) the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for
the Founder and Selling Stockholders and all persons, if any, who control the
Founder and any Selling Stockholders within the meaning of either such Section,
and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.
In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control
persons of any Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated.  In the case of any such separate firm for the
Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such
firm shall be designated in writing by the Company.  In the case of any such
separate firm for the Founder and any Selling Stockholders and such control
persons of the Founder and Selling Stockholders, such firm shall be designated
in writing by the persons named as attorneys-in-fact for the Selling
Stockholders under the Powers of Attorney.  The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for
the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or
judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an
indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the
second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees





                                       22
<PAGE>   24
that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without
its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days
after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such
indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in
accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity
could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such
settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all
liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

                          (e)     To the extent the indemnification provided
for in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9 is unavailable to an
indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such
paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party
or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other
hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the
one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The
relative benefits received by the Sellers (including the Founder) on the one
hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same
respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares
(before deducting expenses) received by each Seller and the total underwriting
discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set
forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public
Offering Price of the Shares.  The relative fault of the Sellers (including the
Founder) on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Sellers (including
the Founder) or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.  The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number
of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

                          (f)     The Sellers (including the Founder) and the
Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the
Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other
method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 9.  The amount paid or payable by
an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or





                                       23
<PAGE>   25
defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 9, (i) no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten
by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the
amount of any damages such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission and (ii) no Selling Stockholder shall be required to contribute an
amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds of the offering (after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions) received by such Selling
Stockholder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Selling Stockholder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  The remedies provided for in this Section 9 are
not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be
available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

                          (g)     The aggregate liability of each of the Selling
Stockholders under the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements
contained in Section 9 hereof shall be limited to an amount equal to the net
proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder (after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions) from the Underwriters for the sale of the Shares sold
by such Selling Stockholders.  The aggregate liability of the Founder under the
representations and warranties contained in Section 2B hereof and under the
indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in Section 9
hereof shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such
Founder (after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions) from the
Underwriters for the Shares sold by the Founder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
each Underwriter agrees with the Company and the Founder that any claim for
indemnity (including a claim for reimbursement of expenses) pursuant to Section
9(a) or for breach of any representations and warranties under Section 2B shall
first be sought by such Underwriter to be satisfied in full by the Company and,
subject to the limitation on the aggregate liability of the Founder set forth in
this Section 9(g), shall only then be satisfied by the Founder only to the
extent that such claim has not been satisfied in full by the Company within the
60 day period following the date requested for payment.  The liability of the
Founder under the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained
in Section 9 hereof shall not be affected by whether or not the representations
or warranties of the Founder contained in Section 2B hereof are true.

                          (h)     The indemnity and contribution provisions
contained in this Section 9 and the representations and warranties and other
statements of the Company, the Founder and the Selling Stockholders contained
in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation
made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any
Underwriter, the Founder, any other Selling Stockholder or any person
controlling the Founder or any other Selling Stockholder, or the Company, its
officers or directors or any other person controlling the Company and (iii)
acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.





                                       24
<PAGE>   26

                 10.      TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall be subject to
termination by notice given by you to the Company, if (a) after the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading
generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case
may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options
Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii)
trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any
exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either
federal or New York State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any
calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and (b) in
the case of any of the events specified in clauses (a)(i) through (iv), such
event singly or together with any other such event makes it, in your judgment,
impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated
in the Prospectus.

                 11.      EFFECTIVENESS; DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS.  This
Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the
parties hereto.

                 If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the
case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters should fail or refuse to
purchase Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date,
and the aggregate number of Shares that such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than
one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date,
then the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions
that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in
Schedule I or Schedule II bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set
forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters or in such
other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares that such
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase
on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any
Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased
pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number
of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter.  If, on the Closing
Date any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm
Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such
default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to
be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you, the Company,
the Founder and the other Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such Firm
Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, then this Agreement
shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter, the Company, the Founder or the other Selling Stockholders.  In
any such case either you or the relevant Sellers shall have the right to
postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order
that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.  If, on
the Option Closing Date, any U.S. Underwriter or U.S. Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional
Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased, the non-defaulting U.S.
Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder
to purchase Additional Shares or





                                       25
<PAGE>   27
(ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such
non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the
absence of such default.  Any action taken under this paragraph shall not
relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of
such Underwriter under this Agreement.

                 If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or
any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of any Seller to
comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or
if for any reason any Seller shall be unable to perform its obligations under
this Agreement, the Sellers will reimburse the Underwriters or such
Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves,
severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements
of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with
this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.





                                       26
<PAGE>   28
                 12.      COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be signed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as
if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                 13.      APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

                 14.      HEADINGS.  The headings of the sections of this
Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be
deemed a part of this Agreement.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
                                            By: 
                                                ------------------------------
                                            Title: 
                                                   ---------------------------



                                            THE FOUNDER

                                            
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            C. Edward McVaney

                                            THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS NAMED 
                                            IN SCHEDULE I HERETO


                                            By:
                                                ------------------------------
                                                Attorney-in-fact

Accepted: ____________, 1997





                                       27
<PAGE>   29
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.                    MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL
  INCORPORATED                            LIMITED
DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL INC.           MORGAN GRENFELL & CO. LIMITED
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY LLC       ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY LLC

Acting severally on behalf of           Acting severally on behalf of themselves
themselves and the several U.S.         and the several International
Underwriters named in Schedule II       Underwriters named in Schedule III
hereto.                                 hereto.

By: Morgan Stanley & Co.               By: Morgan Stanley & Co. International
    Incorporated                           Limited

By:                                     By:     
    --------------------------------        -----------------------------------

Title:                                  Title:
       -----------------------------           --------------------------------




                                      28
<PAGE>   30
                                   SCHEDULE I




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Number of            Number of
                                                                 Firm Shares       Additional Shares
                   SELLING STOCKHOLDER                            To Be Sold           To Be Sold
                   -------------------                            ----------           ----------
                      <S>                                         <C>                  <C>
                      Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                       
                                                                  ----------           ----------
</TABLE>





                                      I-1
<PAGE>   31
                                  SCHEDULE II


                               U.S. UNDERWRITERS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Number of
                                                                                              Firm Shares
                   UNDERWRITER                                                              To Be Purchased
                   -----------                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



                Total Firm Shares   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
</TABLE>





                                      II-1
<PAGE>   32
                                  SCHEDULE III


                           INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Number of
                                                                                              Firm Shares
                   UNDERWRITER                                                              To Be Purchased
                   -----------                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .





                Total Firm Shares   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
</TABLE>





                                     III-1
<PAGE>   33
                                   EXHIBIT A


                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
                                 LOCK-UP LETTER


                                                                  June ___, 1997


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, NY  10036


Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

         The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
("Morgan Stanley") proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriting Agreement") with J.D. Edwards & Company, a Colorado corporation
(the "Company") providing for the public offering (the "Public Offering") by
the several Underwriters, including Morgan Stanley (the "Underwriters"), of
____________ shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Common Stock").

         To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering
to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the
undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of the final
prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the "Prospectus"), (1) offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, or otherwise transfer, lend or dispose of, directly or indirectly,
any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement
that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction
described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common
Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.  The foregoing sentence
shall not apply to (a) the sale of any Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to
the Underwriting Agreement or (b) transactions relating to shares of Common
Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the
completion of the Public Offering.  In addition, the undersigned agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on behalf of the
Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand for or
exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common
Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock.

         In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the undersigned is
an individual, he or she may transfer any or all of the Shares either during
his or her lifetime or on death by will of intestacy to his or





                                      A-1
<PAGE>   34
her immediate family or to a trust with beneficiaries that are exclusively the
undersigned and/or a member or members of his or her immediate family; (ii) if
the undersigned is a trust, the trust may transfer any Shares to any
beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of any such beneficiary, and any
beneficiary who is an individual may transfer any such shares by gift, will or
intestate succession to his or her spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors;
(iii) if the undersigned is a partnership, the partnership may transfer any
Shares to a partner of such partnership or a retired partner of such
partnership who retires after the date hereof, or to the estate of any such
partner or retired partner, and any partner who is an individual may transfer
any such Shares by gift, will or intestate succession to his or her spouse or
lineal descendants or ancestors; and (iv) if the undersigned is a corporation,
the corporation may transfer any Shares to any stockholder of such corporation,
and any stockholder who is an individual may transfer any such Shares by gift,
will or intestate succession to his or her spouse or lineal descendants or
ancestors; provided, however, that with regard to any transfer under provisions
(i) through (iv) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that the
transferee execute an agreement stating that the transferee is receiving and
holding the Shares subject to the provisions of this letter, and there shall be
no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with this letter.  For
purposes of this paragraph, "immediate family" shall mean spouse, lineal
descendant, father, mother, brother, or sister of the transferor.

         This letter shall terminate and be of no further effect if the
Registration Statement for the Public Offering is not declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission by December 31, 1997.

         Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number
of factors, including market conditions.  Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            -----------------------------------
                                            (Signature)

                                            -----------------------------------
                                            (Print Name)

                                 Address:   -----------------------------------

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



                                      A-2

<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 5.1

                               [WSGR LETTERHEAD]

                               September 22, 1997



J.D. Edwards & Company
7601 Technology Way
Denver, Colorado 80237

        Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We are acting as counsel to J.D. Edwards & Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration of 17,825,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, including
2,325,000 shares subject to an over-allotment option (collectively, the
"Shares"), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
333-30701), as amended (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The Shares are being sold by the Company and the Selling Stockholders
identified as such in the Registration Statement.

        As counsel for the Company, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents,
corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we
have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion. In our
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

        Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares to be
registered for sale by the Company and the Selling Stockholders have been duly
authorized by the Company, and the Shares to be registered for sale by the
Selling Stockholders are, and the Shares to be registered for sale by the
Company, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of
the underwriting agreement referred to in the Registration Statement and in
accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company, will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and we consent to the reference of our name under the caption "Legal
Maters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.


                                Very truly yours,

                                WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI 
                                Professional Corporation

                                /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                                ------------------------------------
        
 

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 11.1

                             J.D. EDWARDS & COMPANY
                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,                          APRIL 30,
                                               -----------------------------------------       ------------------------
                                                 1994            1995            1996            1996            1997
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              
PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income                                     $  12,063       $  18,209       $  26,326       $   5,941       $  7,178
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------

Shares outstanding
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding                       80,872          79,139          79,044          79,039         79,102

Assuming exercise of stock options                11,397          15,140          19,935          20,358         19,761
Assuming repurchase of treasury stock            (11,324)        (13,083)        (12,620)        (13,718)        (6,257)
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
  Net incremental shares(1)                           73           2,057           7,315           6,640         13,504
Assuming exercise of stock options
  considered cheap stock                             810             810             810             810            810
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding as adjusted           81,755          82,006          87,169          86,489         93,416
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
Primary earnings per common share              $    0.15       $    0.22       $   0.30        $    0.07       $   0.08
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------


FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE(2)
Net income                                     $  12,063       $  18,209       $  26,326       $   5,941       $  7,178
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------

Shares outstanding
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding                       80,872          79,139          79,044          79,039         79,102

Assuming exercise of stock options                11,397          15,140          19,935          20,358         19,761
Assuming repurchase of treasury stock            (11,310)        (12,726)        (11,873)        (12,223)        (5,717)
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
  Net incremental shares(1)                           87           2,414           8,062           8,135         14,044
Assuming exercise of stock options
  considered cheap stock                             810             810             810             810            810
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding as adjusted           81,769          82,363          87,916          87,984         93,956
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
Primary earnings per common share              $    0.15       $    0.22       $   0.30        $    0.07       $   0.08
                                               ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       --------
</TABLE>

- --------------------
(1) Application of the treasury stock method results in a repurchase of less
than 20% of weighted average shares outstanding for all periods presented;
therefore, no adjustments to net income or shares outstanding are required
pursuant to the modified treasury stock method as prescribed by APB 15
paragraph 28 and footnote 13.

(2) This calculation is submitted in accordance with Securities Exchange Act of
1994 Release No. 5083 although not required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of
APB No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated August 22, 1997, relating
to the financial statements of J.D. Edwards & Company, which appears in such
Prospectus. We also consent to the application of such report to the Financial
Statement Schedule for the three years ended October 31, 1996 and the nine
months ended July 31, 1997 listed under Item 16(b) of the Registration Statement
when such schedule is read in conjunction with the financial statements referred
to in our report. The audits referred to in such report also included this
schedule. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus. However, it
should be noted that Price Waterhouse LLP has not prepared or certified such
"Selected Consolidated Financial Data."
 
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
- ------------------------------------
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
 
Boulder, Colorado
   
September 22, 1997
    


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