INFORMIX CORP
POS AM, 1998-08-13
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 13, 1998
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-43991
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                          7372                  94-3011736
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
              of                 Classification Code Number)     Identification
incorporation or organization)                                      Number)
</TABLE>
 
                              4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                          MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
                                 (650) 926-6300
 
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                              JEAN-YVES F. DEXMIER
               EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
                              4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                          MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
                                 (650) 926-6300
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                            DOUGLAS H. COLLOM, ESQ.
                            ROBERT F. KORNEGAY. ESQ.
                             MARK A. CLAWSON, ESQ.
                             MARK B. BAUDLER, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                          Palo Alto, California 94304
                                 (650) 493-9300
                         ------------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                         ------------------------------
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. /X/
 
    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                         ------------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                               22,950,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                              -------------------
 
   
    This Prospectus relates to an aggregate of 22,950,000 shares (the "Shares")
of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of Informix Corporation ("Informix" or the
"Company") which may be offered and sold from time to time by certain
stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders"). See "Principal and
Selling Stockholders." The Selling Stockholders acquired shares of the Company's
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred") in November
1997. The Shares are issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred and upon
exercise of certain warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase shares of Common Stock
to be granted upon conversion of the Series B Preferred. The number of Shares
issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred is presently indeterminate
and will depend on the trading price of the Common Stock in the period prior to
conversion. Pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the Company and
certain of the Selling Stockholders, the Company is registering for resale under
this Prospectus 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of all of the Series B Preferred sold in November 1997 and upon
exercise of the Warrants. The number of Shares registered for sale hereunder has
been calculated based on an assumed Series B Preferred conversion price of
$4.00. As of the date of this Prospectus 80,008 Shares had been issued to
Selling Stockholders in connection with the conversion of 500 shares of Series B
Preferred. The Shares also include 100,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,000
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued to a financial
advisor to the Company in connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred.
See "Description of Capital Stock."
    
 
    In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), this Prospectus also relates to such additional number
of Shares as may become issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred or
exercise of the Warrants as a result of, among other things, stock splits, stock
dividends, mergers or other business combinations or reclassifications. The
conversion price of the Series B Preferred is also subject to adjustment in the
event (i) the Company makes any distributions or partial distributions of its
assets to holders of Common Stock, (ii) the Company or a potential acquiror
makes a public announcement relating to a change-of-control transaction
involving the Company or (iii) the Company fails to meet certain of its
contractual obligations concerning the registration of the Shares and the
listing of the Shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market. See "Description of Capital
Stock--Preferred Stock." Any conversion price adjustment relating to a
distribution of the Company's assets will be determined by a third-party
valuation of such distributed assets. Potential conversion price adjustments
relating to a change-of-control announcement or contractual breach will depend
upon the price of the Company's Common Stock in the period prior to such event.
 
    The Selling Stockholders may sell the Shares from time to time in
transactions on the Nasdaq National Market, in negotiated transactions or by a
combination of these methods, at fixed prices that may be changed, or at market
prices. The Selling Stockholders may effect these transactions by selling the
Shares to or through broker-dealers, who may receive compensation in the form of
discounts or commissions from the Selling Stockholders or from the purchasers of
the Shares for whom the broker-dealers may act as an agent or to whom they may
sell as a principal, or both. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and "Plan
of Distribution." If required, the names of any such agents or underwriters
involved in the sale of the Shares in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered and the applicable agent's commission, dealer's purchase price or
underwriter's discount, if any, will be set forth in an accompanying supplement
to this prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
    The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale
of Shares held by them and will pay all underwriting discounts and selling
commissions, if any, applicable to the sale of the Shares. The Company is
responsible for payment of all other expenses incident to the offer and sale of
the Shares. The Selling Stockholders and any broker/dealers, agents or
underwriters which participate in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed
to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any
commissions, discounts or concessions received by them and any profit on the
resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Company will not receive
any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares.
 
    THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
FACTORS," BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
 
   
    The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "IFMX." On August 12, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock was $5.625 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
    
                             ---------------------
 
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.
                              -------------------
 
   
                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS AUGUST 13, 1998
    
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Prospectus Summary.........................................................................................          4
Risk Factors...............................................................................................          6
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................         24
Dividend Policy............................................................................................         24
Price Range of Common Stock................................................................................         25
Capitalization.............................................................................................         26
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.......................................................................         27
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................         28
Business...................................................................................................         55
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.......................         68
Management.................................................................................................         70
Certain Transactions.......................................................................................         86
Principal and Selling Stockholders.........................................................................         89
Description of Capital Stock...............................................................................         92
Plan of Distribution.......................................................................................         97
Legal Matters..............................................................................................         98
Experts....................................................................................................         98
Index to Financial Statements..............................................................................        F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                           --------------------------
 
    NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITY OTHER THAN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
<PAGE>
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    The Company is subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information may be inspected without charge at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511.
Copies of such materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates, and through the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. located
at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The Commission maintains a World
Wide Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
The address of the Commission's Web site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
    The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Common Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits
and schedules filed as a part thereof. Statements contained in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not
necessarily complete. In each instance, reference is made to the copy of such
contract or document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and each
such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference. The Registration
Statement may be inspected at the locations indicated above.
 
                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF
SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SECTION 21E OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
DISCUSSIONS CONTAINING SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE FOUND IN THE
MATERIAL SET FORTH UNDER "PROSPECTUS SUMMARY," "RISK FACTORS," "MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" AND
"BUSINESS" AS WELL AS IN THE PROSPECTUS GENERALLY. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS
COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK
FACTORS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, WHICH PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD
REVIEW CAREFULLY.
 
                                   TRADEMARKS
 
    This Prospectus contains trademarks and trade names of Informix and other
companies.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INCLUDING NOTES
THERETO, APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES
ACT AND SECTION 21E OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. DISCUSSIONS CONTAINING SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE FOUND IN THE MATERIAL SET FORTH UNDER
"PROSPECTUS SUMMARY," "RISK FACTORS," "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" AND "BUSINESS" AS WELL AS IN THE
PROSPECTUS GENERALLY. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN
FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Informix Corporation ("Informix" or the "Company") is a leading
multinational supplier of information management software. The Company designs,
develops, manufactures, markets and supports relational database management
systems ("RDBMS"), connectivity interfaces and gateways and application
development tools for graphical and character-based software applications as
part of an RDBMS. Database management software permits multiple individual
users, employing different application software, to access and manage the same
data concurrently without corrupting the underlying database. RDBMS software
extends the functionality and utility of non-relational database management
software by simplifying the data retrieval process for end-users, who do not
require specific knowledge about the structure of the database but need only to
specify the data to be retrieved. Companies commonly employ RDBMS software for
use in storing, managing and retrieving the large amounts of data necessary to
support internal management information and decision-support systems as well as
mission-critical data processing applications.
 
    The Company believes that technological advances, including the development
and commercialization of the Internet, will lead to increasingly sophisticated
customer requirements for data storage and management beyond the functionality
offered by conventional RDBMS products. In recent years, the types and
quantities of data required to be stored and managed has grown increasingly
complex and includes, in addition to conventional character data, audio, video,
text and three dimensional graphics. In 1996, the Company focused substantial
resources in the development of object-relational database management systems
("ORDBMS") and tools for applications in multimedia and entertainment, digital
media publishing and financial services.
 
    The Company markets its products to end-users and Industrial Manufacturers
("IMs" as such term is defined below) on a worldwide basis directly through its
sales force and indirectly through application resellers, original equipment
manufacturers ("OEMs") and distributors. The principal geographic markets for
the Company's products are North America, Europe, the Asia/Pacific region and
Latin America. The Company defines an Industrial Manufacturer as a developer who
owns and licenses or sells to others a product using the IM's application
embedding one of the Company's products in a manner which renders the Informix
product invisible to the end-user. In recent years, approximately half of the
Company's total revenues have been generated outside North America. The
Company's principal customers include businesses ranging from small corporations
to Fortune 1000 companies, principally in the manufacturing, financial services,
telecommunications, media, retail/wholesale, hospitality and government services
sectors.
 
    The Company was initially incorporated in California in 1980 and
reincorporated in Delaware in August 1986. Unless the context otherwise
requires, references in this Prospectus to "Informix" and the "Company" refer to
Informix Corporation, a Delaware corporation and, except as otherwise indicated,
its subsidiaries. The Company's executive offices are located at 4100 Bohannon
Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025, and its telephone number at that address is
(650) 926-6300.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
Common Stock outstanding prior to the offering...................  167,464,942 shares (1)
Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholders related to
  Series B Preferred.............................................  15,250,000 shares (2)
Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering................  182,714,942 shares (2)
Nasdaq National Market symbol....................................  IFMX
</TABLE>
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      1997                                             1993
         THREE MONTHS ENDED         --------                                         --------
    -----------------------------
     MARCH 31,       MARCH 30,                   1996         1995         1994
        1998            1997                  ----------   ----------   ----------
    ------------   --------------             (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)
     (RESTATED)      (RESTATED)
  <C>              <C>              <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT
  OF
  OPERATIONS
  DATA:
  Net
  revenues...   $160,999   $ 149,902 $663,892  $734,540     $636,547     $451,969    $353,115
  Operating
    income
  (loss)...      3,870    (152,196) (355,742)   (61,326)      68,725       77,229      83,925
  Net
  income
  (loss)...      1,811    (144,161) (356,867)   (73,565)      38,600       48,293      54,989
  Net
  income
  (loss)
    per
share...   $  (0.00)   $   (0.95)   $  (2.36)  $  (0.49)    $   0.26     $   0.34    $   0.40
  Weighted
   average
    number
    of
    common
    and
 common
 equivalent
    shares
    outstanding...    160,172     151,049  151,907   149,310   150,627    142,782     137,827
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          MARCH 31,
                                                                                                            1998
                                                                                                         -----------
                                                                                                         (RESTATED)
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments....................................................   $ 165,490
  Working capital deficit..............................................................................     (91,753)(3)
  Total assets.........................................................................................     543,193
  Long-term obligations................................................................................      27,090
  Stockholders' equity.................................................................................      89,704
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
(1) Based upon shares outstanding as of March 31, 1998. Excludes (i) 16,045,465
    shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding at
    March 31, 1998 under the Company's 1986 Employee Stock Option Plan, 1994
    Stock Option and Award Plan, 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, the 1992
    Illustra Stock Option Plan and 1989 Outside Director Option Plan at a
    weighted average exercise price of $7.1751 (without giving effect to the
    option repricing in January 1998) and (ii) 7,834,784 shares of Common Stock
    reserved at March 31, 1998 for future issuance under the 1994 Stock Option
    and Award Plan, the 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, the 1989 Outside
    Director Option Plan and the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. See
    "Management--Stock Plans," "Description of Capital Stock" and Note 7 of
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Excludes the effects of the June
    1998 conversion of 500 shares of Series B Preferred into 80,008 shares of
    Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $6.24938 by a Series B
    Preferred stockholder. In connection with such conversion, the Company also
    issued such Series B Preferred stockholder a warrant to purchase up to
    66,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $7.84 per share.
    
 
   
(2) Assumes 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the
    Series B Preferred and 2,700,000 shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise
    of the Warrants, in each case based upon an assumed Series B Preferred
    conversion price of $4.00. Also assumes payment of accrued dividends to
    holders of Series B Preferred in cash and not in shares of Common Stock. If
    the Company were to elect to make payment of such dividends in Common Stock,
    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after the offering would
    increase. See "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock," and assumes
    the exercise of a warrant to purchase up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock
    issued to The Shemano Group ("Shemano"), a financial advisor to the Company
    in connection with the Series B Preferred (the "Shemano Warrant"). See
    "Certain Transactions."
    
 
(3) Includes $156.5 million in advances from customers and financial
    institutions. See "Risk Factors--Working Capital Deficit," "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
    and Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                         ------------------------------
 
    EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL INFORMATION AND DATA IN THIS PROSPECTUS
RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK ASSUMES THE CONVERSION OF ALL
OUTSTANDING SERIES B PREFERRED INTO 12,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, BASED ON
AN ASSUMED SERIES B PREFERRED CONVERSION PRICE OF $4.00.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF A VARIETY OF
FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ELSEWHERE
IN, OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO, THIS PROSPECTUS. IN EVALUATING AN
INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY
THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION PRESENTED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
UNCERTAIN IMPACT OF RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL 1996, 1995 AND 1994 AND THE
     FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 1997
 
    Subsequent to the filing with the Commission of its Quarterly Report of Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 1997, the Company became aware of errors
and irregularities that ultimately affected the timing and dollar amount of
reported earned revenues from license transactions for all annual periods in the
three years ended December 31, 1996, in particular transactions involving
unauthorized or undisclosed arrangements or agreements with resellers. As a
result of its investigation into these errors and irregularities, in August
1997, the Company announced that it would restate its financial results for
fiscal 1996 and 1995. The financial review undertaken by the Company to
determine the extent of the restatement ultimately resulted in the restatement
of the Company's financial results for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 and for the
first quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company publicly disclosed the results of the
restatement in November 1997.
 
    The errors and irregularities identified in connection with the Company's
investigation and the restatement included unauthorized and undisclosed
arrangements or agreements between Company personnel and resellers, recognition
of revenue on certain transactions in reporting periods prior to contract
acceptance, the recording of certain transactions that lacked economic substance
and the recording of maintenance revenue as license revenue. The unauthorized
and undisclosed agreements with resellers introduced acceptance contingencies,
permitted resellers to return unsold licenses for refunds, extended payment
terms or committed the Company to assist resellers in selling the licenses to
end-users. Accordingly, license revenues from these transactions that were
recorded at the time product was delivered to resellers should have instead been
recorded at the time all conditions to the sale lapsed. Because of the
pervasiveness of the unauthorized arrangements with resellers in the 1994, 1995
and 1996 accounting periods, the Company concluded that all revenue from license
agreements with resellers, except for those licenses sold and billed on a per
copy basis, should be recognized only when the licenses were resold or utilized
by resellers and all related obligations had been satisfied. In addition,
amounts received from resellers or financial institutions as prepayments of
software license fees in advance of revenue recognition should be recorded as
advances on unearned license revenue. The financial review undertaken by the
Company resulted in the restatement of the Company's financial results for
fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 and for the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company
publicly disclosed the results of the restatement in November 1997.
 
    As a result of the restatement, total revenues were reduced from amounts
previously reported by $204.8 million from $939.3 million as originally reported
to $734.5 million, by $77.7 million from $714.2 million as originally reported
to $636.5 million and by $18.1 million from $470.1 million as originally
reported to $452.0 million for fiscal 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The
restatement also resulted in an increase in revenues of $16.2 million from
$133.7 million as originally reported to $149.9 million for the first quarter of
fiscal 1997. In addition, the restatement resulted in a reduction in net income
of $171.4 million from $97.8 million as originally reported to a loss of $73.6
million for fiscal 1996; a reduction in net income of $59.0 million from $97.6
million as originally reported to $38.6 million for fiscal 1995; and a reduction
in net income of $13.6 million from $61.9 million as originally reported to
$48.3 million for fiscal 1994. The restatement had a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition, most notably evidenced by the elimination of
retained earnings and working capital. At December 31, 1996, after giving effect
to the restatement, the Company's working capital decreased $255.3 million from
$258.4 million as originally reported to $3.1 million. At December 31, 1997, the
Company had a working capital deficit of $140.2 million and at March 31, 1998,
the Company had a working capital deficit of $91.8 million. The substantial
reductions in working capital at December 31, 1997 and 1996 reflect
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
substantial operating losses and the addition of "advances from customers and
financial institutions" as a current liability on the Company's balance sheet.
Such advances totaled $180.0 million at December 31, 1997 and $239.5 million at
December 31, 1996. At March 31, 1998, such advances totaled $156.5 million. See
"--Working Capital Deficit" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Result of Operations."
 
    In connection with the errors and irregularities discussed above, a number
of conditions which collectively represented a material weakness in the
Company's internal accounting controls were identified. These conditions
included a deterioration in the Company's accounting controls at corporate and
regional management levels, and a related failure to stress the importance of
these controls, an inappropriate level of influence, principally by the
Company's sales organization, over the revenue recognition process and an
apparent lack of clarity and consistent understanding within the Company
concerning the application of the Company's revenue recognition policies to
large, complex reseller license transactions. To address the material weakness
represented by these conditions, the Company is implementing a plan to
strengthen the Company's internal accounting controls. This plan includes
updating the Company's revenue recognition policies regarding accounting and
reporting for large, complex reseller license transactions, developing and
conducting educational programs to help implement such policies, changing the
Company's corporate and regional accounting and reporting structure and
re-establishing the internal audit function reporting to the Company's Board of
Directors. Such implementation is expected to require substantial management
attention. See "-- Dependence on Key Personnel; Personnel Changes; Ability to
Recruit Personnel" and "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure."
 
    The Company's public announcement of the pending restatement, delays in
reporting operating results for the second and third quarters of fiscal 1997
while the restatement was being compiled, threatened de-listing of the Company's
Common Stock from the Nasdaq National Market as a result of the Company's
failure to satisfy its public reporting obligations, corporate actions to
restructure operations and reduce operating expenses, and customer uncertainty
regarding the Company's financial condition adversely affected the Company's
ability to sell its products in fiscal 1997. In addition, since the beginning of
fiscal 1997, the Company and its competitors in the RDBMS industry have
experienced substantially slower growth in the market for RDBMS products. The
financial restatement has now been completed, its results have been publicly
disclosed, and the Company is current with respect to its public reporting
obligations. In addition, the Company believes that it has effectively
controlled its operating expenses and significantly improved its financial
condition. Nevertheless, adverse market conditions, including significant
competitive measures in the Company's markets and ongoing customer uncertainty
about the Company's financial condition and business prospects may continue to
have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to sell its products and results
of operations. See "--Fluctuations in Quarterly Results; Seasonality."
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 1998
 
   
    In May 1998, the Company announced that it had restated its financial
results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1998. Total revenues for the
quarter restated were $161.0 million which is a reduction of approximately $6.2
million from the previously reported $167.2 million. In addition, the
restatement resulted in a reduction of net income of $5.3 million from $7.1
million as originally reported to $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31,
1998. The restatement also affected the Company's financial condition as
evidenced by a reduction in working capital and an increase in accumulated
deficit. The working capital deficit at March 31, 1998 increased $5.3 million
from $86.5 million as originally reported to $91.8 million. The Company's
accumulated deficit also increased $5.3 million from $271.0 million as
originally reported to $276.3 million. The restatement of Company's financial
results for the first quarter occurred in connection with the Company's
accounting treatment for license transactions with industrial manufacturers
("IMs").
    
 
   
    In connection with the restatement of its financial statements for fiscal
1994, 1995, 1996 and the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company examined
both: (1) agreements where customers committed to purchase up to a designated
dollar amount of software licenses ("Commitment Agreements"); and (2)
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
agreements where customers purchased licenses on a per copy basis ("Straight
Purchase Agreements"). The Company determined that unauthorized and undisclosed
agreements (which included the introduction of acceptance contingencies,
permission to return unsold licenses for refunds and extended payment terms) had
been made to certain customers in connection with Commitment Agreements, but not
in connection with Straight Purchase Agreements.
    
 
   
    The Company had entered into Commitment Agreements with end users, IMs and
other resellers during such prior periods, all of which were initially accounted
for on a sell-in basis (I.E., recognizing revenue upon the initial shipment of
the Company's software to the reseller). Upon further examination of its
Commitment Agreements in connection with the restatement process, the Company
determined that the unauthorized and undisclosed agreements had been made with
certain resellers, but not with end users. As a result: (1) the Company did not
restate revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with end users; and (2) the
Company restated all revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with all
resellers from a sell-in to a sell-through basis (I.E., recognizing revenue only
when the reseller resold or utilized the licenses and all related obligations
were satisfied).
    
 
   
    Some of the Company's software license agreements with IMs were Commitment
Agreements and some were Straight Purchase Agreements. Instead of analyzing
every Commitment Agreement with IMs to determine whether unauthorized and
undisclosed agreements had been made, the Company conservatively treated all
Commitment Agreements with IMs as reseller agreements for accounting purposes
and restated that IM revenue to a sell-through basis. The total amount of
revenue resulting from all Commitment Agreements with IMs was not material in
fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 or the first quarter of fiscal 1997. Straight Purchase
Agreements with IMs were not restated.
    
 
   
    The Company initially decided to recognize revenue from IM transactions
after December 31, 1997 on a sell-in basis. The Company's license transactions
with IMs and end users are substantially similar in that upon the delivery of
the Company's software to the IM: (1) all obligations of the Company under the
software license agreement are fully performed; and (2) the Company believes the
earnings process with regard to these transactions to be complete. Accordingly,
in its original report of the financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
1998, the Company had recognized approximately $6.2 million in license revenue
resulting from software license agreements with IMs in the same manner as
revenue resulting from agreements with end users.
    
 
   
    The Company subsequently decided to change its initial decision and to
recognize revenue resulting from all license transactions with IMs on a
sell-through basis upon the advice of the Company's former independent
accountants, Ernst & Young LLP. Accordingly, approximately $6.2 million in
license revenue previously recognized has been deferred and will be recognized
only when the related software licenses are resold to end user customers over a
period which the Company expects to be approximately two years.
    
 
   
    The financial restatement for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 has now been
completed. Nevertheless, adverse market conditions, including significant
competitive measures in the Company's markets and ongoing customer uncertainty
about the Company's financial condition and business prospects may continue to
have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to sell its products and results
of operations.
    
 
   
    In connection with its audit of the Company's fiscal 1997 consolidated
financial statements, the Company's former independent accountants determined
that a material weakness existed, based on the lack of appropriate resources in
the accounting and financial reporting departments of the Company and other
conditions. To address these conditions, the Company plans to hire additional
finance personnel to serve in the accounting and financial reporting
departments. In the interim, the Company has hired a number of consultants to
ensure that appropriate accounting control measures are in place. As noted
above, ongoing customer uncertainty about the Company's financial condition and
business prospects may continue to have an adverse effect on the Company's
ability to sell its products and results of operations. See "--Dependence on Key
Personnel; Personnel Changes; Ability to Recruit Personnel" and "Changes in and
Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure."
    
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING
 
    During fiscal 1997, the Company experienced substantial short-term liquidity
problems as its cash, cash equivalents and short term investments declined to a
quarter-end low of $104.4 million at June 29,
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
1997 from $261.0 million at December 31, 1996. The Company raised net proceeds
of $37.6 million in August 1997 and $50.0 million (excluding a $1.0 million fee
paid to a financial advisor of the Company) in November 1997 in separate
financing transactions in which the Company issued newly authorized series of
convertible Preferred Stock. In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company raised
aggregate net proceeds of $59.3 million through the sale of real property it had
purchased earlier in the year. As a result of such financing activities during
the second half of 1997, the Company's cash, cash equivalents and short term
investments increased to $155.5 million at December 31, 1997. In addition, in
the first quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company raised aggregate net proceeds of
$14.1 million in connection with the partial exercise of a warrant to acquire
additional shares of the Company's convertible Preferred Stock. The Company
believes that these actions have substantially improved its financial condition
since early 1997. Nevertheless, adverse market conditions, including continued
slower growth rates in the markets for RDBMS products or on-going customer
uncertainty about the Company's financial condition and business prospects,
could continue to have an adverse effect on license revenues and results of
operations. In addition, recent instability in the Asian-Pacific economies and
financial markets, which accounted for approximately 12% and 13% of the
Company's total revenues for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and 12% of the Company's total revenues for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 has created further uncertainty concerning the Company's
revenues, cash flows and results of operations.
 
    In December 1997, Informix Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the
Company's principal operating subsidiary ("Informix Software"), entered into a
Senior Secured Credit Agreement with a syndicate of commercial banks, including
BankBoston, N.A. as administrative agent and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
as syndication agent, providing for a revolving credit facility of up to $75
million (the "Credit Facility"). The actual amount available under the Credit
Facility, for either direct borrowings or issuances of letters of credit, is
based on 80% of the eligible domestic accounts receivable and 50% of the
eligible foreign accounts receivable, which are measured on a revolving basis.
Accounts receivable for an account debtor are ineligible for purposes of the
Credit Facility when (a) such account receivable is outstanding for longer than
60 days, (b) the account debtor or any other person obligated to make payment
thereon asserts any defense, offset, counterclaim or other right to avoid or
reduce the amount of the account receivable, but only to the extent the lenders
reasonably determine a valid defense, offset, counterclaim or other right exists
and then only to the extent of such right, (c) the account debtor or other
person required to make payment thereon is insolvent, subject to bankruptcy or
receivership proceedings or has made an assignment for the benefit of creditors
or whose credit standing is unacceptable to the lenders, and the lenders have so
notified the Company, (d) the account debtor is a lender under the Credit
Facility, (e) 30% or more of the accounts receivable of any account debtor is
deemed ineligible because such accounts are outstanding for longer than 60 days
thus rendering all the accounts receivable of that debtor ineligible and (f) the
lender reasonably deems not to qualify an account receivable as eligible and
provides a reasonably detailed written explanation to the Company. Under the
Credit Facility, foreign accounts receivable that are backed by a letter of
credit issued or confirmed by a financial institution approved by the lenders
are deemed to be domestic accounts receivable. As a result, the aggregate amount
available under the Credit Facility will vary from time to time based on the
amount and eligibility of the Company's receivables. As of March 31, 1998, no
borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Facility, the Company's accounts
receivable totalled $128.9 million and its borrowing base was approximately
$40.6 million.
 
    The purpose of the Credit Facility is to provide the Company working capital
and finance general corporate purposes. The term of the Credit Facility is two
years. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at a premium
over one of two alternative variable rates selected by the Company. The "Base
Rate" equals the greater of (i) the rate of interest announced by BankBoston,
N.A. as its "base rate" and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%
per year. The "Adjusted LIBOR Rate" equals (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate
divided by (ii) one minus the applicable reserve requirement under Regulation D
of the Federal Reserve Board. The maximum premium over the Base Rate is 1.25%,
and the maximum premium over the LIBOR Rate is 2.50%, subject to downward
adjustment based on the Company's realizing certain financial thresholds. The
Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of Informix Software and the
capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries that are domiciled in the United
States, including Informix Software. The availability of the Credit Facility is
also subject to the Company's
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
compliance with certain covenants, including financial covenants requiring the
Company to (a) maintain a ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 in respect of the sum of cash
and accounts receivable to the difference of current liabilities less deferred
and unearned revenues, (b) maintain quarterly revenues which do not include any
restated revenue resulting from the Company's November 1997 restatement of its
financial statements of $150.0 million through June 1998 and $160.0 million
thereafter, (c) maintain quarterly operating loss of no more than $10.0 million
through the quarter ending March 31, 1998 and a quarterly operating profit of at
least $10 million for the quarter ending June 30, 1998 and a quarterly operating
profit of at least $15 million thereafter, (d) maintain, for the quarter ending
June 30, 1998 and each quarter thereafter, a positive quarterly cash flow
consisting of operating income which does not include any restated revenue
resulting from the Company's November 1997 restatement of its financial
statements, capitalized software costs, capital expenditures or cash outlays in
respect of accrued expenses arising from restructuring charges (but which income
figure does take into account depreciation and amortization expenses), (e)
maintain an interest coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 in respect of quarterly
operating cash flow to interest expense plus scheduled amortization of debt, (f)
refrain from making additional investments in fixed or capital assets, in any
fiscal year, in excess of $15.0 million, plus any carry forward amount, which
carry forward amount cannot exceed $5.0 million and (g) refrain from entering
into any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction resulting in
a fundamental change. At March 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance with all
financial covenants under the Credit Facility except for the attainment of
Minimum Quarterly Revenue (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 1998. However, the Company has secured a waiver from
BankBoston, N.A., the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and each of the lenders
under the Credit Facility regarding this covenant as it relates to the Company's
financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998. In addition, in
connection with such waiver, the Credit Facility was amended to reduce the
Minimum Quarterly Revenue from $150.0 million to $144.0 million through June
1998 and from $160.0 million to $154.0 million thereafter.
 
    There can be no assurance that amounts raised in connection with the
Preferred Stock financing and real property sales transactions described above
and amounts available under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to cover the
Company's working capital needs or that the Company will not require additional
debt or equity financing in the future. In addition, there can be no assurance
that additional debt or equity financing will be available, if and when needed
or that, if available, such financing could be completed on commercially
favorable terms. Failure to obtain additional financing, if and when needed,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition. To the extent the terms of any available
financing are materially unfavorable to the Company, such a financing could
impair the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future, to
implement its business plan, or to engage in various corporate transactions,
including potential acquisitions of the Company. See "--Working Capital
Deficit," "--Risks Associated with Preferred Stock Financings," "--Antitakeover
Protections" and "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock."
 
    Prior to January 1, 1998, the Company often arranged for non-recourse
financing through the sale of customer accounts receivable to third-party
financial institutions. The Company had traditionally relied on a limited number
of financial institutions for most of the customer financings it arranges. The
terms of the Credit Facility prevent the Company from selling accounts
receivable with an aggregate face value in excess of $20 million during any
twelve month period. The Company does not expect to enter into third-party
financing arrangements involving the sale of its receivables on a going forward
basis. See "--Working Capital Deficit," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note 2 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
WORKING CAPITAL DEFICIT
 
   
    The restatement of the Company's financial statements for fiscal 1994, 1995,
1996 and the first quarter of fiscal 1997 has had a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition, most notably evidenced by substantial
reductions in retained earnings and working capital. At December 31, 1996, after
giving effect to the restatement, the Company's working capital totaled $3.1
million, compared to $258.4 million as originally reported. At December 31,
1997, the Company had a working capital deficit of $140.2 million. The
substantial reduction in working capital, as restated, at December 31, 1996
reflects net losses in fiscal 1996 of $73.6 million and the addition of $239.5
million of "advances from customers and
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
financial institutions" as a current liability on the Company's balance sheet.
The working capital deficit at December 31, 1997 reflects net losses of $356.9
million for the year ended December 31, 1997, $180.0 million in advances from
customers and financial institutions as of such date, and substantial uses of
cash as a result of the Company's internal restructuring, which commenced in the
second quarter of 1997. At March 31, 1998, the Company had a working capital
deficit of $91.8 million.
 
    "Advances from customers and financial institutions" reflects amounts
previously received from customers or in connection with accounts receivable
financing transactions with third party financial institutions in advance of
revenue being recognized. Prior to the restatement, these amounts were
improperly recognized as earned but have now been designated as advances. A
substantial majority of such revenues arose in connection with license
agreements between the Company and hardware partners, distributors and other
resellers. In connection with the review of its historical financial results,
the Company determined that sufficient post-contractual contingencies existed in
connection with certain reseller license arrangements so as to preclude
recognizing revenue. In addition, the Company concluded that informal or
otherwise undisclosed arrangements with a number of resellers have resulted or
could result in significant concessions or allowances that were not accounted
for when revenue was originally reported as earned. Although the Company's
license agreements provide for a non-refundable fee payable by the customer in
single or multiple installments at the beginning or over the term of the license
arrangements, amounts received by the Company under its license agreements could
be subject to refund in the event the Company fails to satisfy certain
post-signing obligations. At March 31, 1998 approximately $20 million of such
amounts received from customers were subject to commercial disputes, several of
which have proceeded to litigation. Of the $20 million subject to commercial
disputes, $5.0 million has been reflected on the balance sheet as accrued
expenses, and the Company believes that the remainder is properly booked as
advances from customers and financial institutions as the Company believes the
likelihood of refund is remote. Any such refunds, were they to occur, would not
have a material effect on the Company's results of operations as revenue has not
been recognized on such transactions. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
 
    The Company has abandoned its plans to construct a new headquarters facility
and in December 1997 sold the real property it had purchased earlier in the
year, raising aggregate net proceeds of approximately $59.3 million. In August
1997 and November 1997, the Company sold and issued two newly designated series
of Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the "Series A-1 Preferred") and
Series B Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred") in two separate financing
transactions, raising aggregate net proceeds of approximately $87.6 million
(excluding a $1.0 million fee paid to a financial advisor of the Company in
connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred). In addition, in the fourth
quarter of 1997, the Company entered into the Credit Facility. In the first
quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company raised aggregate net proceeds of $14.1
million in connection with a Series A-1 Preferred stockholders' exercise of a
warrant to acquire additional shares of the Company's convertible Preferred
Stock. Although these financing transactions have improved the Company's working
capital position, in the event the Company continues to maintain a substantial
working capital deficit, such a deficit could materially impair the Company's
ability to sell its products as a result of customer uncertainty about the
Company's financial condition. See "--Uncertain Impact of Restatement of
Financial Statements," "--Need for Additional Financing," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS; SEASONALITY
 
    The Company's quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the
past and may vary significantly in the future depending upon a number of
factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These factors include,
among others, (i) customer uncertainty about the Company's financial condition
and business prospects, (ii) market demand for the Company's software, including
changes in industry growth rates for the Company's products, (iii) changes in
pricing policies by the Company or its competitors, including aggressive price
discounting to encourage volume purchases by customers, (iv) the size, timing
and contractual terms of significant orders, the effects of which may be
exacerbated by aggressive price discounting, (v) the timing of the introduction
of new products or product enhancements by the Company or its competitors, (vi)
budgeting cycles of customers and potential customers,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
(vii) changes in the mix of revenues attributable to domestic and international
sales and (viii) seasonal trends in technology purchases and other general
economic conditions. In particular, the Company's quarterly results may be
adversely affected by the industry's historical practice of aggressively
discounting the price of its products to encourage volume purchasing by
customers. In the event the Company experiences substantial pricing pressure
with respect to one or more large transactions in any given quarter, such
revenue could result in a substantial shortfall in revenues. The Company has
operated historically with little or no backlog and has generally recognized a
substantial portion of its revenues in the last weeks or days of a quarter. As a
result, license revenues in any quarter are substantially dependent on orders
booked and shipped in the last weeks or days of that quarter. In addition, the
sales cycle for the Company's products is relatively long and may vary depending
on a number of factors, including the size of the transaction and the level of
competition the Company encounters in its selling activities. Due to the
foregoing factors, quarterly revenues and operating results are not predictable
with any significant degree of accuracy. In the event of any downturn in
potential customers' businesses, the domestic economy in general, or in
international economies where the Company derives substantial revenues, planned
purchases of the Company's products may be deferred or canceled, which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. Because the Company's operating expenses are based on
anticipated revenue levels and because a high percentage of the Company's
expenses are relatively fixed, delays in the recognition of revenues from even a
limited number of license transactions could cause significant variations in
operating results from quarter to quarter and could cause net income to fall
significantly short of anticipated levels. In the quarters ended September 28,
1997 and June 29, 1997, costs associated with the Company's internal
restructuring, aggregating $109.4 million, had a material adverse effect on
results of operations. The total restructuring charges decreased by $1.2 million
during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 primarily due to adjusting the original
estimate of the loss to be incurred on the sale of land to the actual loss. The
total restructuring charges decreased by $3.3 million during the first quarter
primarily due to adjusting the original estimate of severence and facility
charges to actual costs incurred. Management continues to evaluate the Company's
cost structure in light of projected revenues and cash-flows, both of which are
variable and uncertain. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be
required to undertake additional restructuring activities in the future, which
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition.
 
    The Company's business has experienced and is expected to continue to
experience seasonality. International revenues comprise a significant percentage
of the Company's total revenues, and the Company may experience additional
variability in demand associated with seasonal buying patterns in foreign
markets. In particular, the Company's third quarter tends to reflect the effects
of summer slowing of international business activity, particularly in Europe. In
addition, variability and seasonality in the Company's business may result from
customer capital spending cycles, which tend to peak in the Company's fourth
quarter, and the Company's sales incentive plans for sales personnel, which are
measured on a calendar year basis. See "--Competition; Pricing Risks,"
"--International Operations; Currency Fluctuations" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
LITIGATION
 
    ACTIONS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS
 
   
    Beginning on or about April 16, 1997, over 20 complaints alleging violations
of the federal securities laws were filed against the Company, Ernst & Young LLP
("Ernst & Young"), the Company's former independent accountants and certain
Named Individual Defendants (listed below) in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California. Most of the complaints have been filed
as purported class actions by individuals who allege that they are individual
investors who purchased the Company's Common Stock during a purported class
period; the alleged class periods vary among the complaints. The complaints name
some or all of the following current and former officers and directors of the
Company as defendants: Phillip E. White, Howard H. Graham, David H. Stanley,
Ronald M. Alvarez, Karen Blasing, D. Kenneth Coulter, Ira H. Dorf, Stephen E.
Hill, Myron (Mike) Saranga, Steven R. Sommer, Michael R. Stonebraker and Edwin
C. Winder (the "Named Individual Defendants"). On August 20, 1997, the District
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Court entered an order consolidating all of the separately-filed class actions
pending at that time, designating the action as IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION
SECURITIES LITIGATION, and designating as "related cases" all cases brought
under the federal securities laws then pending and any that may be filed after
that date. A consolidated amended class action complaint was filed on April 6,
1998. As required by the provisions of the Exchange Act, as amended by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Court has designated the
lead plaintiffs in the federal action and has appointed lead plaintiffs'
counsel.
 
   
    A related non-class action, TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF LOUISIANA AND
STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF FLORIDA V. INFORMIX CORPORATION ET AL., has
been consolidated with IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION for all
pre-trial purposes. The LOUISANA and FLORIDA plaintiffs request a total of
$10.173 million in damages. An amended consolidated complaint was filed by the
LOUISIANA and FLORIDA plaintiffs on April 3, 1998.
    
 
   
    On or about March 19, 1998, another complaint alleging securities and common
law fraud and misrepresentation causes of action was filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California. This complaint,
captioned WILLIAMS V. INFORMIX CORPORATION, ET AL., alleges both individual and
class claims on behalf of former securities holders of Illustra Information
Technologies, Inc. ("Illustra") who exchanged their Illustra securities for
securities of the Company in February 1996 in connection with the Company's
February 1996 acquisition of Illustra pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization (the "Illustra Agreement"). This matter has been consolidated
with IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION. The WILLIAMS complaint,
like the previously-filed federal complaints, alleges that the Company and
certain of its former officers and/or directors, and its independent auditors,
issued false or misleading statements regarding the Company's reported financial
results and business prospects. This matter has been consolidated with IN RE
INFORMIX; however, on June 19, 1998 the Court granted in part and denied in part
the WILLIAMS plaintiffs' motion to sever their case. The Court's order requires
defendants to respond separately to the factual allegations and legal claims
raised by the WILLIAMS complaint which are not pleaded in the consolidated
complaint in IN RE INFORMIX and for the WILLIAMS plaintiffs, rather than lead
plaintiffs, to respond to any motion to dismiss made by defendants with respect
to such claims. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Williams complaint on
July 24, 1998.
    
 
   
    The existing federal court complaints allege that the Company, the Named
Individual Defendants and Ernst & Young issued or caused to be issued false or
misleading statements in the Company's filings with the Commission, press
releases, statements to securities analysts and other public statements
regarding its financial results and business prospects. The alleged class period
in the amended consolidated complaints extends from February 8, 1995 through
November 18, 1997. In particular, plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that defendants
overstated the Company's revenue and earnings during the time period by
improperly recognizing revenue from sales of software licenses. All of these
actions allege that the defendants' false and misleading statements violate
section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
complaints further allege that the Named Individual Defendants sold the
Company's Common Stock while in the possession of adverse material non-public
information. The existing complaints, in general, do not specify the amount of
damages that plaintiffs seek.
    
 
   
    Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated federal class action
complaint on July 9, 1998.
    
 
   
    Three purported securities class actions containing allegations similar to
the federal actions were filed in the Superior Court of the State of California,
County of San Mateo between May 19, 1997 and August 25, 1997. Those actions,
captioned RILEY V INFORMIX CORPORATION ET AL., DAYANI V. INFORMIX CORPORATION ET
AL., AND GOLDSTEIN V. WHITE ET AL., contained factual allegations nearly
identical to the allegations set forth in the federal court complaints, but
allege state law claims. The Superior Court has consolidated these actions into
the DAYANI case, and has appointed lead plaintiffs' counsel. By stipulation,
plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint on December 23, 1997. The
state court consolidated, amended complaint names as defendants the Company,
Ernst & Young and the Named Individual Defendants. The claims in the
consolidated amended state complaint arise under California securities, fraud
and unfair business practices statutes.
    
 
   
    The state court consolidated, amended complaint alleges that the defendants
made false statements and engaged in unfair trade practices, materially
overstating the Company's revenue. Plaintiffs allege that defendants recorded as
revenue approximately $300 million from software license sales which should not
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
have been recorded because INTER ALIA, revenue was recognized on sales to
resellers before end-users were identified; revenue was recognized in
circumstances where customers had rights of return or cancellation; and the
Company recognized revenue from barter transactions in which the Company
allegedly exchanged software licenses for products that had no value to the
Company. Plaintiffs further allege that while the Company's stock price was
artificially inflated due to the overstatement of revenue, the defendants used
the Company's stock to make corporate acquisitions, and the Named Individual
Defendants sold stock while in possession of material adverse non-public
information. The alleged class period in the state court consolidated, amended
complaint is February 7, 1995 through November 18, 1997.
 
   
    Defendants filed demurrers to the state court consolidated, amended
complaint on February 13, 1998. Defendants base their demurrers to the
consolidated, amended complaint in this action on the grounds that certain of
the individual defendants made no actionable statements during the alleged class
period, the Company did not engage in any market activity during the alleged
class period, the plaintiffs did not actually rely upon any of the alleged false
and misleading statements, the California statutory unfair business practices
claims are inapplicable to securities transactions, and the consolidated,
amended complaint fails to plead the alleged fraud with sufficient
particularity. On June 30, 1998, the Court issued a ruling sustaining
defendants' demurrers to all causes of action except plaintiffs' statutory
securities claim against the Company. In addition, the Court ruled that
plaintiffs will be permitted to amend their allegations except for those claims
relating to statutory unfair business practices under Section 17200 of the
California Business & Professions Code.
    
 
    DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
 
   
    The Company also was named as a nominal defendant in eight derivative
actions, purportedly brought on its behalf, filed in the Superior Court of the
State of California, County of San Mateo. The cases have been consolidated under
the caption IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION DERIVATIVE LITIGATION, and the Court has
appointed lead plaintiff's counsel in the consolidated actions. The
consolidated, amended complaint alleges that, based upon the facts alleged in
the federal and state securities class actions, defendants breached their
fiduciary duties to the Company, engaged in abuses of their control of the
Company, were unjustly enriched by their sales of the Company's Common Stock,
engaged in insider trading in violation of California law and published false
financial information in violation of California law. The consolidated, amended
complaint names as defendants Ernst & Young, the Named Individual Defendants and
Albert F. Knorp, Jr., James L. Koch, Thomas A. McDonnell and Cyril J. Yansouni,
non-management directors of the Company. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages
on the Company's behalf from each of the defendants. On December 18, 1997,
plaintiffs served their first amended, consolidated derivative complaint.
    
 
   
    The Company, on whose purported behalf the derivative action is asserted,
and the individual defendants and Ernst & Young, against whom the claims are
alleged, filed demurrers to the consolidated derivative complaint on February 6,
1998. The Company's demurrer in this action is based upon the fact that the
plaintiff did not make demand on the Company's board prior to filing the
derivative action as is required by governing Delaware law. In addition, the
Company's current and former officers and directors have brought demurrers to
the consolidated, amended complaint on the grounds that plaintiffs fail to plead
their claims with sufficient particularity and that certain of plaintiffs'
California statutory causes of action do not apply, by their terms, to officers
and directors of a Delaware corporation. On April 1, 1998, the Court sustained
Informix's demurrer based upon the plaintiffs' failure to make demand. The Court
has given plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. On June 30, 1998, the Court
issued an order sustaining defendants' demurrers. In addition, the Court ruled
that plaintiffs will be permitted to amend their allegations except for their
claims for abuse of control, their claims under Section 1507 of the California
Corporations Code and their claims relating to statutory unfair business
practices under Section 17200 of the California Business & Professions Code.
Defendants will not file an answer in this action unless the Court overrules any
subsequent demurrers. Further, the defendants will not be in a position to state
their factual defenses to claims stated by the plaintiffs' claims until the
plaintiffs serve their second consolidated amended complaint and the Court rules
upon any future demurrers. Because of the nature of derivative litigation, any
recovery in the action would inure to the benefit of the Company.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
    UTAH ACTION
    
 
   
    On or about May 12, 1998, certain individual plaintiffs filed an action on
their own behalf in Utah state court against Informix asserting state statutory
securities fraud and common law fraud claims. The Complaint, captioned MOON ET
AL. V. INFORMIX SOFTWARE, INC., alleges factual claims similar to the federal
complaints. Plaintiffs in this action do not specify the amount of damages they
seek. Informix recently removed the action to the United States District Court
in Utah.
    
 
    INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS AND LIABILITY INSURANCE
 
    Pursuant to Delaware law, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its
Bylaws and the indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its
current and former officers and directors, the Company is obligated to indemnify
its current and former officers and directors for certain liabilities arising
from their employment with or service to the Company. These indemnification
obligations require the Company to indemnify its current and former officers and
directors for any suit or other proceeding, threatened or actual, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative, appellate or any other type of
proceeding, that arises as a result of any act or omission in the indemnitee's
capacity as an officer or director of the Company to the fullest extent
permitted under Delaware or any other applicable law. The indemnification
extends to any and all expenses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees
and costs, and any other out-of-pocket expense) and/or liabilities of any type
(including but not limited to judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), and amounts paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred in connection with the investigation, defense,
settlement or appeal of such proceedings. The obligation to provide
indemnification does not apply if the indemnitee is adjudicated to be liable for
fraudulent or criminal conduct.
 
    The Company has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance to
reimburse it for the costs incurred in connection with its indemnification
obligations described above. For the period from August 1996 to August 1997, the
period in which most of the claims against the Company and certain of its
directors and officers were asserted, the Company had in place three directors
and officers liability insurance policies (the "1996 and 1997 D&O Policies"),
each providing $5 million in coverage for an aggregate of $15 million. The
primary policy and first excess policy were issued by Lloyds of London. The
second excess policy was issued by Admiral Insurance Company. The insurance
carriers have taken the position that litigation filed after the policy periods
of the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies but arising from the same facts and
circumstances as claims filed during the period from August 1996 to August 1997,
"relates back" to the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies. Thus, the issuance carriers
assert that actions filed after August 1997 do not implicate coverage under the
Company's D&O insurance policies for the period August 1997 to August 1998 (the
"Current D&O Policies"). The Current D&O Policies provide aggregate coverage of
$20 million, subject to various exclusions, including claims relating to the
restatement of the Company's financial statements. The 1996 and 1997 D&O
Policies provide that 100 percent of the costs incurred in defending claims
asserted jointly against the Company and its current and former officers and
directors are allocable to the individuals' defense and, thus, are covered by
the policy. However, the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies do not provide any separate
coverage for the Company. Moreover, the Company does not have separate insurance
to cover the costs of its own defense or to cover any liability for any claims
asserted against it. The Company has not currently set aside any financial
reserves relating to any of the above-referenced actions.
 
   
    In June 1998, one of the Company's insurance carriers filed a complaint
seeking rescission of its insurance policies on the grounds that the Company
made material misrepresentations in its applications relating to the relevant
policies; however such complaint has not been served on the Company. The Company
is engaged in discussions with the insurance carrier to resolve the dispute in a
commercially reasonable manner.
    
 
    ILLUSTRA ESCROW
 
    In January 1997, pursuant to the Illustra Agreement, Informix made a claim
to certain shares held in an escrow fund. In response, the Illustra shareholders
have claimed that the Company wrongfully caused these shares to be retained in
escrow, thereby harming the Illustra shareholders. The Illustra securities
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
holders have filed a demand for arbitration with the private arbitration service
agreed upon by the parties to the Illustra Agreement; however, at present, no
litigation or arbitration proceedings have been commenced with respect to the
Illustra escrow. In March 1998, a complaint was filed against the Company on
behalf of former Illustra shareholders alleging securities and common law fraud
and misrepresentation causes of actions. See "--Actions Arising Under Federal
and State Securities Laws."
 
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION INVESTIGATION
 
   
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, financial reports, other public disclosures and trading activity in the
Company's securities. The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is
providing all information subpoenaed by the Commission. The Company is in the
process of producing documents and a number of current and former officers have
been contacted to appear before the Commission.
    
 
    GENERAL
 
    The pending federal and state securities actions are in the early stages of
discovery. Consequently, at this time it is not reasonably possible to estimate
the damages, or the range of damages, that the Company might incur in connection
with such actions. The uncertainty associated with substantial unresolved
litigation can be expected to have an adverse impact on the Company's business.
In particular, such litigation could impair the Company's relationships with
existing customers and its ability to obtain new customers. Defending such
litigation will likely result in a diversion of management's time and attention
away from business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations. Such litigation may also have the effect of
discouraging potential acquirors from bidding for the Company or reducing the
consideration such acquirors would otherwise be willing to pay in connection
with an acquisition.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; PERSONNEL CHANGES; ABILITY TO RECRUIT PERSONNEL
 
   
    The Company's future performance will depend to a significant extent on its
ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, sales, consulting,
marketing and management personnel. In particular, the Company is dependent upon
a number of key management and technical personnel, including Robert J.
Finocchio, Jr., the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Jean-Yves F. Dexmier, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, and Myron (Mike) Saranga, the Company's Senior Vice President, Product
Management and Development. Of the officers and key employees, only Mr.
Finocchio is bound by an employment agreement, the terms of which are
nonetheless at-will. The loss of the services of one or more of the Company's
executive officers or key employees could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
    
 
    Since the beginning of 1997, a number of senior management personnel and
other key employees have departed the Company, and to date, the Company has been
able to replace most but not all of the positions that have been vacated. Since
the first quarter of 1997, the Company has experienced a significant number of
voluntary resignations and has taken selective actions to reduce the number of
employees in certain functional areas. The Company had approximately 3,486
regular employees at March 31, 1998, compared to approximately 4,632 at March
31, 1997. Voluntary attrition has remained high across all functional areas. In
particular, in fiscal 1997, the Company experienced high attrition rates in its
product development group and has had difficulty attracting replacement
development personnel. The competition for employees in the software industry is
intense, and the Company expects that such competition will continue for the
foreseeable future. The Company has experienced difficulty in locating
candidates with appropriate qualifications and believes that recent financial
and business developments at the Company have made recruitment more difficult.
In particular, the Company has identified certain needs within its accounting
and financial reporting departments. See "--Uncertain Impact of Restatement of
Financial Statements."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    In November 1997, the Company implemented an option repricing program in an
effort to retain existing employees and, following further declines in the price
of its Common Stock, announced a second repricing in December 1997, which was
effective in January 1998. There can be no assurance that such programs will be
effective in retaining existing employees. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified
personnel, and the failure to do so, particularly in key functional areas such
as product development and sales, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition,
new employees hired by the Company generally require substantial training in the
use and implementation of the Company's products and in the Company's
procedures. As a result, substantial employee turnover could have an adverse
effect on results of operations in future quarters.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PREFERRED STOCK FINANCINGS
 
    In August 1997, the Company raised net proceeds of $37.6 million through the
issuance of a newly designated Series A Preferred. In November 1997, the Company
raised an additional $50.0 million in net proceeds (excluding a $1.0 million fee
paid to a financial advisor of the Company) through the issuance of the Series B
Preferred. Simultaneously with the closing of the Series B Preferred, the
holders of the Series A Preferred exchanged all their outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred for the Series A-1 Preferred, having substantially similar
rights, preferences and privileges as the Series A Preferred with the exception
of certain amendments, including revisions to the terms under which such shares
become mandatorily redeemable.
 
    While the issuance of the Preferred Stock in these transactions provided the
Company with additional working capital required to fund the Company's
continuing operations, the Company's agreements with the purchasers of the
Series A-1 Preferred and the Series B Preferred contain covenants that could
impair the Company's ability to engage in various corporate transactions in the
future, including financing transactions and certain transactions involving a
change-in-control or acquisition of the Company, or that could otherwise
disadvantage the Company and the holders of its Common Stock. In particular,
acquisitions of the Company may not be affected without the consent of the
holders of the outstanding Preferred Stock or without requiring the acquiring
entity to assume the Preferred Stock or cause such Preferred Stock to be
redeemed. These provisions are likely to make an acquisition of the Company more
difficult and expensive and could discourage potential acquirors. Certain
covenants of the Company, made in connection with the issuance of the Preferred
Stock, may also have the effect of limiting the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing by, for example, providing the holders of Preferred Stock
certain rights of first offer and prohibiting the Company from issuing
additional Preferred Stock without the consent of such holders.
 
    The terms of the financing agreements pursuant to which the Preferred Stock
was issued also include certain penalty provisions that are triggered in the
event the Company fails to satisfy certain obligations. In particular, assuming
the exercise of the Series A-1 Warrant for 80,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred
(which were the maximum number of shares of Series A-1 Preferred purchasable
under the warrant at March 31, 1998), the holders of the Series A-1 Preferred
will become entitled to an annual dividend of approximately $3.0 million,
payable quarterly in cash, in the event the Company failed to satisfy certain
covenants. These covenants include (i) the failure to have a registration
statement covering the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A-1
Preferred declared effective by the Commission within 180 days of a registration
request from the holders of Series A-1 Preferred (as of the date of this
Prospectus, no shares of Series A-1 Preferred were outstanding and, accordingly,
the Company had not received such a registration request); (ii) the failure to
obtain stockholder approval of the issuance of the Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred in the event that such approval becomes
required by the rules of the Nasdaq National Market; and (iii) the failure to
redeem any shares of Series A-1 Preferred held by a holder of Series A-1
Preferred who objects to a change-in-control transaction, if the transaction
does not satisfy certain financial thresholds relating to the market
capitalization and trading volume of any acquiring entity. As described below,
in February 1998, the Series A-1 Warrant was partially exercised with respect to
60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred, and all then
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred were converted into shares of Common
Stock of the Company. At March 31, 1998, the Series A-1 Warrant remained
exercisable for up to 80,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred. Assuming the Series
A-1 Warrant is exercised for 80,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred, dividends
would accrue at a rate of approximately $3.0 million per year in the event the
Company did not satisfy the contractual covenants which are generally described
above. In the event the Company becomes obligated to pay such dividends, the
holders of the Series A-1 Preferred will become immediately entitled to
designate a number of members of the Company's Board of Directors corresponding,
as a percentage of the total number of members, to the percentage of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock held by such holders (assuming the conversion
into Common Stock of the outstanding Series A-1 Preferred). The holders of the
Series B Preferred are entitled to receive a cumulative dividend at an annual
rate of 5% of the face value of each share of Series B Preferred, resulting in
an aggregate annual dividend of $2.5 million based upon the 50,000 shares of
Series B Preferred (face value $1,000 per share) outstanding at March 31, 1998.
The dividend is generally payable upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred
or redemption of the Series B Preferred and may be paid in cash or, at the
Company's election and subject to certain conditions, in shares of Common Stock.
In the event the holders of Preferred Stock become entitled to receive cash
dividends or to have their Preferred Stock redeemed, there can be no assurances
that the Company will be able to fund such a payment or redemption, and even if
funding is available, substantial dividend payments could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. See "--Need
for Additional Financing," "--Antitakeover Protection," and "Description of
Capital Stock--Preferred Stock."
 
   
    Both the Series A-1 Preferred and the Series B Preferred are convertible
into shares of the Company's Common Stock based on the trading prices of the
Common Stock during future periods that are described in the respective
financing agreements. The number of shares of Common Stock that may ultimately
be issued upon conversion is therefore presently indeterminate. If, in
accordance with the terms of the financing agreements, the conversion price of
the Preferred Stock is determined during a period when the trading price of the
Common Stock is low, the resulting number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Preferred Stock could result in substantial dilution to
the holders of Common Stock. In addition, the Company issued to the holders of
the Series A-1 Preferred a warrant to acquire up to an additional 140,000 shares
of Series A-1 Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of $35.0 million (the
"Series A-1 Warrant"). The Series A-1 Warrant was exercised in part in February
1998 for 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred, resulting in $14.1 million in
net proceeds to the Company. In February 1998, all 220,000 shares of Series A-1
Preferred which were then outstanding were converted into 12,769,908 shares of
Common Stock. The Company is also obligated to issue upon conversion of the
Series B Preferred additional warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock equal
to 20% of the total number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series B
Preferred converts; together with an additional increment of warrants to
purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock (collectively, the "Warrants"). In June
1998 one of the Series B Preferred stockholders elected to convert 500 shares of
Series B Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company. In
connection with such conversion, the Company also issued such Series B Preferred
stockholder a Warrant to purchase up to 66,000 shares of Common Stock of the
Company at $7.84 per share and made a dividend payment of $13,904 in cash to
such stockholder. The Series A-1 Warrant and the Warrants, to the extent
exercised, will have a further dilutive effect. See "Description of Capital
Stock--Preferred Stock."
    
 
COMPETITION; PRICING RISKS
 
    The Company faces intense competition in the market for RDBMS software
products. The market for the Company's products is subject to rapid
technological change and frequent new product introductions and enhancements,
and the Company's competitors in the market include several large vendors that
develop and market databases, applications, development tools or decision
support products. The Company's principal competitors include Computer
Associates International, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
("IBM"), Microsoft Corporation, NCR Corporation/Teradata ("NCR/Teradata"),
Oracle Corporation ("Oracle") and Sybase, Inc. ("Sybase"). Several of the
Company's competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing
and other resources than the Company. As a result,
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
they may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and
changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the
development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company. Any failure
by the Company to compete successfully with its existing competitors or future
competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
 
    Several of the Company's competitors have announced the development of
enhanced versions of their principal database products that are intended to
improve the performance or expand the capabilities of their existing products.
New or enhanced products by existing competitors or new competitors could result
in greater price pressure on the Company's products. In addition, the industry
movement to new operating systems, like Windows NT, access through low-end
desktop computers and access to data through the Internet may cause downward
pressure on prices of database software and related products. The bundling of
software products for promotional purposes or as a long-term pricing strategy by
certain of the Company's competitors could also result in reductions in the
price the Company may charge for its products. In addition, the Company's own
practices of bundling its software products for enterprise licenses or for
promotional purposes with the Company's partners also could result in reduction
in the price the Company may charge for its products. In particular, the pricing
strategies of competitors in the industry have historically been characterized
by aggressive price discounting to encourage volume purchasing by customers. If
such downward pressure on prices were to occur, the Company's operating margins
would be adversely affected. Existing and future competition or changes in the
Company's product or service pricing structure or product or service offerings
could result in an immediate reduction in the prices of the Company's products
or services. If significant price reductions in the Company's products or
services were to occur and not be offset by increases in sales volume, the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition would be
adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to
compete successfully with its existing competitors or will be able to compete
successfully with new competitors.
 
UNCERTAIN GROWTH RATES; TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND NEW PRODUCTS
 
    Over the last several years, the RDBMS industry has expanded at significant
growth rates, due in part to the continuing development of new technologies and
products responsive to customer requirements. Recently, however, both industry
analysts and competitors have predicted that such high growth rates will not be
maintained in future periods. Recent instability in the Asian-Pacific economies
and financial markets, which had previously been cited as a potentially strong
source of revenue growth for relational database software companies, has
introduced additional uncertainty concerning industry growth rates. In the event
industry growth rates should decline for any reason, the markets for the
Company's products would likely be adversely affected, which would have a
negative impact on the Company's business, results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows. See "--Fluctuations in Quarterly Results; Seasonality"
and "International Operations; Currency Fluctuations."
 
    In addition, the market for the Company's products and services is
characterized by rapidly changing technology, changing customer needs, frequent
new product introductions and evolving industry standards that may render
existing products and services obsolete. The life cycles of the Company's
products are difficult to estimate. The Company's growth and future financial
performance will depend upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to
introduce new products on a timely and cost-effective basis that meet dynamic
customer requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in developing new products or enhancing its existing products or that
such new or enhanced products will receive market acceptance or be delivered
timely to the market. The Company's product development efforts are expected to
continue to require substantial investments by the Company, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will have sufficient resources to make the necessary
investments. The Company has experienced product development delays in the past
and may experience delays in the future. In particular, the Company has
experienced high attrition in its product development group in recent months and
has had difficulty attracting qualified replacement development personnel, which
could have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to develop new products or
product enhancements that respond
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
to changing market requirements. Delays in the scheduled availability or a lack
of market acceptance of its products or failure to accurately anticipate
customer demand and meet customer performance requirements could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition. In addition, products as complex as those offered by the Company may
contain undetected errors or bugs when first introduced or as new versions are
released. There can be no assurance that, despite testing, new products or new
versions of existing products will not contain undetected errors or bugs that
will delay the introduction or commercial acceptance of such products. A key
determinative factor in the Company's success will continue to be the ability of
the Company's products to operate and perform well with existing and future
leading, industry-standard application software products intended to be used in
connection with RDBMS. Failure to meet in a timely manner existing or future
interoperability and performance requirements of certain independent vendors
could adversely affect the market for the Company's products. Commercial
acceptance of the Company's products and services could also be adversely
affected by critical or negative statements or reports by brokerage firms,
industry and financial analysts and industry periodicals concerning the Company,
its products, business or competitors or by the advertising or marketing efforts
of competitors, or other factors that could affect consumer perception. See
"Uncertain Impact of Restatement of Financial Statements," "--Need for
Additional Financing," "--Working Capital Deficit" and "--Dependence on Key
Personnel; Personnel Changes; Ability to Recruit Personnel."
 
    In recent years, the types and quantities of data required to be stored and
managed has grown increasingly complex and includes, in addition to conventional
character data, audio, video, text and three-dimensional graphics in a
high-performance scalable environment. During 1996, the Company invested
substantial resources in developing its ORDBMS product line. The market for
products offering object-relational database functionality is new and evolving,
and its growth depends upon a growing need to store and manage complex data and
on broader market acceptance of the Company's products as a solution for this
need. As a result, there can be no assurance that organizations will choose to
make the transition from conventional RDBMS to ORDBMS. Delays in market
acceptance of object-relational database management products offered by the
Company could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and
financial condition. See "Business--Products" and "--Product Development."
 
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS; CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
 
    International sales represented approximately 54% of total revenues for both
the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, and 51% of total revenues for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998. The Company's international operations and
financial results could be significantly affected by factors associated with
international operations such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and
uncertainties relative to regional, political and economic circumstances, as
well as by other factors associated with international activities. In
particular, recent instability in the Asian-Pacific economies and financial
markets, which accounted for approximately 12% and 13% of the Company's total
revenues in the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and 12% of
the Company's total revenues in the quarter ended March 31, 1998 could have an
adverse effect on the Company's operating results in future quarters. Most of
the Company's international revenue and expenses are denominated in local
currencies. Due to the substantial volatility of currency exchange rates, among
other factors, the Company cannot predict the effect of exchange rate
fluctuations on future operating results. Although the Company takes into
account changes in exchange rates over time in its pricing strategy, it does so
only on an annual basis, resulting in substantial pricing exposure as a result
of foreign exchange volatility during the period between annual pricing reviews.
The Company attempts to reduce this pricing exposure by entering into forward
currency exchange contracts to hedge up to 80% of the forecasted net income of
its foreign subsidiaries of up to one year in the future. In addition, the sales
cycles for the Company's products is relatively long, depending on a number of
factors including the level of competition and the size of the transaction.
Foreign currency fluctuations could, therefore, result in substantial changes in
the financial impact of a specific transaction between the time of initial
customer contact and revenue recognition. As a result of the foregoing factors,
the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition could be
materially and adversely
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. See "--Fluctuations
in Quarterly Results; Seasonality."
 
    In addition to the hedging program described above, the Company has
implemented a foreign exchange hedging program consisting principally of the
purchase of forward foreign exchange contracts, which is intended to hedge the
value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in foreign
currencies against fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables are
collected or payables are disbursed. This program involves the use of forward
contracts in the primary European and Asian currencies. The Company has limited
unhedged transaction exposures in certain secondary currencies in Latin America,
Eastern Europe and Asia because there are limited forward currency exchange
markets in these currencies. Notwithstanding the Company's efforts to manage
foreign exchange risk, there can be no assurances that the Company's hedging
activities will adequately protect the Company against the risks associated with
foreign currency fluctuations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
YEAR 2000 RISKS
 
    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 two 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.
 
    The Company has recently commenced a program, to be substantially completed
by the Fall of 1999, to review the Year 2000 compliance status of the software
and systems used in its internal business processes, to obtain appropriate
assurances of compliance from the manufacturers of these products and agreement
to modify or replace all non-compliant products. In addition, the Company is
considering converting certain of its software and systems to commercial
products that are known to be Year 2000 compliant. Implementation of software
products of third parties, however, will require the dedication of substantial
administrative and management information resources, the assistance of
consulting personnel from third party software vendors and the training of the
Company's personnel using such systems. Based on the information available to
date, the Company believes it will be able to complete its Year 2000 compliance
review and make necessary modifications prior to the end of 1999. Software or
systems which are deemed critical to the Company's business are scheduled to be
Year 2000 compliant by the end of 1998. Nevertheless, particularly to the extent
the Company is relying on the products of other vendors to resolve Year 2000
issues, there can be no assurances that the Company will not experience delays
in implementing such products. If key systems, or a significant number of
systems were to fail as a result of Year 2000 problems or the Company were to
experience delays implementing Year 2000 compliant software products, the
Company could incur substantial costs and disruption of its business, which
would potentially have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
results of operations.
 
    The Company in its ordinary course of business tests and evaluates its own
software products. The Company believes that its software products are generally
Year 2000 compliant, meaning that the use or occurrence of dates on or after
January 1, 2000 will not materially affect the performance of the Company's
software products with respect to four digit date dependent data or the ability
of such products to correctly create, store, process and output information
related to such date data. However, there can be no assurance that the Company
will not subsequently learn that certain of its software products do not contain
all necessary software routines and codes necessary for the accurate
calculation, display, storage and manipulation of data involving dates. In
addition, in certain circumstances, the Company has warranted that the use or
occurrence of dates on or after January 1, 2000 will not adversely affect the
performance of the Company's products with respect to four digit date dependent
data or the ability to create, store, process and output information related to
such data. If any of the Company's licensees experience Year 2000 problems, such
licensees could assert claims for damages against the Company. The Company's
license agreements in most cases limit liability to prevent unlimited exposure
from such claims.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    The Company has identified a separate budget of approximately $1.7 million
for investigating and remedying issues related to Year 2000 compliance involving
software or systems used in its internal operations. However, the Company has
only recently initiated its Year 2000 compliance program and there can be no
assurances that the program will be completed on a timely basis and within the
current projected budget. To the extent the costs of implementing the program
greatly exceed the budget, such costs will have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    In addition, the purchasing patterns of customers and potential customers
may be affected by Year 2000 issues. Many companies are expending significant
resources to correct 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, which could have an adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; RISKS OF INFRINGEMENT
 
    The Company's success depends on proprietary technology. To protect its
proprietary rights, the Company relies primarily on a combination of patent,
copyright and trademark laws, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures,
contractual provisions contained in its license agreements and technical
measures. The Company seeks to protect its software, documentation and other
written materials under trade secret and copyright laws, which provide only
limited protection. The Company holds one United States patent and several
pending applications. There can be no assurance that any other patents covering
the Company's inventions will issue or that any patent, if issued, will provide
sufficiently broad protection or will prove enforceable in actions against
alleged infringers.
 
    The Company's products are generally licensed to end-users on a
"right-to-use" basis pursuant to a license that restricts the use of the
products for the customer's internal business purposes. The Company also relies
on "shrink wrap" licenses, which include a notice informing the end-user that,
by opening the product packaging, the end-user agrees to be bound by the
Company's license agreement printed on the package. Despite such precautions, it
may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy aspects of its current or
future products or to obtain and use information that the Company regards as
proprietary. In particular, the Company has licensed the source code of its
products to certain customers under certain circumstances and for restricted
uses. The Company has also entered source code escrow agreements with a number
of its customers that generally require release of source code to the customer
in the event of the Company's bankruptcy, liquidation or otherwise ceasing to
conduct business. There can be no assurance that the Company's means of
protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate or that the Company's
competitors will not independently develop similar or superior technology.
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's software is difficult, and while the
Company is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software
products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. In
addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's
proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States, and
"shrink-wrap" licenses may be wholly or partially unenforceable under the laws
of certain jurisdictions. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce
the Company's intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade
secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of
others. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of
resources and mangement attention and could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
    The Company is not aware that any of its software product offerings
infringes the proprietary rights of third parties. There can be no assurance,
however, that third parties will not claim infringement by the Company with
respect to its current or future products. The Company expects that software
product developers will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the
number of products and competitors in the Company's industry segment grows and
the functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly
litigation, cause product shipment delays or require the Company to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
all, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition. See "Business--Intellectual
Property."
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY
 
    The Company's license agreements with its customers typically contain
provisions designed to limit the Company's exposure to potential product
liability claims. It is possible, however, that the limitation of liability
provisions contained in the Company's license agreements may not be effective
under the laws of certain jurisdictions. Although the Company has not
experienced any product liability claims to date, the sale and support of
products by the Company may entail the risk of such claims, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will not be subject to such claims in the future. A
product liability claim brought against the Company could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.
 
ANTITAKEOVER PROTECTIONS
 
   
    The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of undesignated
Preferred Stock, of which 440,000 shares have been designated Series A
Preferred, none of which is outstanding; of which 440,000 shares have been
designated Series A-1 Preferred, of which 220,000 shares were previously
outstanding (including 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred which were issued
upon partial exercise of the Series A-1 Warrant) and converted into 12,769,908
shares of Common Stock in February 1998 and of which 80,000 shares remain
issuable upon exercise of the Series A-1 Warrant; and of which 50,000 shares
have been designated Series B Preferred, of which 50,000 shares were outstanding
as of March 31, 1998. Subject to the prior consent of the holders of the Series
A-1 Preferred and the Series B Preferred, the Board of Directors has the
authority to issue additional shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series
and to fix the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof,
including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights,
terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number
of shares constituting a series or the designation of such series, without any
further vote or action by the Company's stockholders. To date, the Company has
used its ability to designate and issue new series of Preferred Stock in
transactions intended to raise additional capital for the Company. The ability
to issue additional shares of Preferred Stock, however, also provides desirable
flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes but could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders and
may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and the voting and
other rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock
with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of Common Stock, including the loss of voting control to others. In
particular, certain rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A-1
Preferred and Series B Preferred could have the effect of preventing or
discouraging potential bids to acquire the Company unless the terms of such
acquisition are approved by such stockholders. See "--Risks Associated with
Convertible Preferred Stock Financings" and "Description of Capital
Stock--Preferred Stock."
    
 
    Certain provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws eliminate the right of stockholders to act by written
consent without a meeting and specify certain procedures for nominating
directors and submitting proposals for consideration at stockholder meetings.
The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes, with each
class standing for election once every three years. Such provisions are intended
to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the
Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by the Board of Directors and
to discourage certain types of transactions which may involve an actual or
threatened change of control of the Company. Such provisions are designed to
reduce the vulnerability of the Company to an unsolicited acquisition proposal
and, accordingly, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could
delay or prevent a change in control of the Company. Such provisions are also
intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights but
could, however, have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers
for the Company's shares and, consequently, may also inhibit fluctuations in the
market price of the Company's Common Stock that could result from actual or
rumored takeover attempts. These
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the management of
the Company. In addition, the Company has adopted a Rights Agreement (the
"Rights Agreement"), commonly referred to as a "poison pill," which could also
discourage potential acquirors. See "Description of Capital Stock-- Antitakeover
Effects of Provision of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; Rights
Agreement."
 
    The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "Antitakeover Law"), which regulates corporate acquisitions. The
Antitakeover Law prevents certain Delaware corporations, including those whose
securities are listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market, from engaging,
under certain circumstances, in a "business combination" with any "interested
stockholder" for three years following the date that such stockholder became an
interested stockholder. For purposes of the Antitakeover Law, a "business
combination" includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving
the Company and the interested stockholder and the sale of more than 10% of the
Company's assets. In general, the Antitakeover Law defines an "interested
stockholder" as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company and any entity or person affiliated with
or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. A Delaware corporation
may "opt out" of the Antitakeover Law with an express provision in its original
certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws resulting from amendments approved by the holders of at
least a majority of the company's outstanding voting shares. The Company has not
"opted out" of the provisions of the Antitakeover Law. See "Description of
Capital Stock."
 
STOCK PRICE VOLATILITY
 
   
    The market price of the Company's Common Stock has in the past been highly
volatile and is expected to continue to be subject to significant price and
volume fluctuations in the future based on a number of factors, including market
uncertainty about the Company's financial condition or business prospects or the
prospects for the RDBMS market in general; shortfalls in the revenues or results
of operations of the Company or its principal competitors from revenues or
results of operations expected by securities analysts; announcements of new
products by the Company or its competitors; quarterly fluctuations in the
Company's financial results or the results of other software companies,
including those of direct competitors of the Company; changes in analysts'
estimates of the Company's financial performance, the financial performance of
competitors, or the financial performance of software companies in general; the
introduction of new products or product enhancements by the Company or its
competitors; general conditions in the software industry; changes in prices for
the Company's products or competitors' products; changes in revenue growth rates
for the Company, its competitors or the RDBMS market in general; changes in the
mix of revenues attributable to domestic and international sales; and seasonal
trends in technology purchases and other general economic conditions. In
addition, the stock market may from time to time experience extreme price and
volume fluctuations, which particularly affect the market for the securities of
many technology companies and which have often been unrelated to the operating
performance of the specific companies. There can be no assurance that the market
price of the Company's Common Stock will not experience significant fluctuations
in the future. See "--Uncertain Impact of Restatement of Financial Statements,"
"--Need for Additional Financing" and "--Fluctuations in Quarterly Results;
Seasonality."
    
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of
Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholders.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stock.
The Company expects to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation
of its business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The holders of the Series B Preferred are
entitled to receive a cumulative dividend at an annual rate of 5% of the face
value of each share of Series B Preferred, resulting in an aggregate annual
dividend accrual of $2.5 million. As of March 31, 1998,
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
aggregate accrued but unpaid dividends of approximately $902,000 were owed to
the holders of Series B Preferred. The dividend is generally payable upon the
conversion or redemption of the Series B Preferred and may be paid in cash or,
at the Company's election and subject to certain conditions, in shares of Common
Stock. In connection with the June 1998 conversion of 500 shares of Series B
Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company, the Company paid a
cash dividend in the amount of $13,904 to one of the Series B Preferred
stockholders. In addition, the Certificate of Designation of the Series B
Preferred prohibits the Company from paying any dividend or other distribution
on any security ranking junior to the Series B Preferred. The Series A-1
Preferred is senior to Series B Preferred. In the event the Company fails to
satisfy certain contractual obligations under the agreements pursuant to which
the Series A-1 Preferred was issued, the holders of the Series A-1 Preferred are
entitled to a 15% annual dividend on the face value of each share of Series A-1
Preferred which would, based on 80,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred subject to
option under the Series A-1 Warrant at March 31, 1998 (and assuming the exercise
of such warrant as to the 80,000 shares), result in an aggregate annual dividend
of $3.0 million, payable quarterly in cash for so long as the Company is in
breach of such obligations. In February 1998, Fletcher exercised the Series A-1
Warrant in part for 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred and simultaneously
converted such shares, in addition to all previously outstanding shares of
Series A-1 Preferred, into 12,769,908 shares of Common Stock. As a result, no
shares of Series A-1 Preferred were outstanding as of the date of this
Prospectus although the Series A-1 Warrant remains exercisable for 80,000 shares
of Series A-1 Preferred. See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated with Convertible
Preferred Stock Financings," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Subsequent Events" and "Description of
Capital Stock--Preferred Stock."
    
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "IFMX." The following table lists the high and low closing sales prices
of the Company's Common Stock for the periods indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   HIGH        LOW
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                              <C>        <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998:
  Third Quarter (through August 12)............................................................  $    7.75  $    5.56
  Second Quarter...............................................................................      10.06       6.22
  First Quarter................................................................................       8.84       5.28
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997:
  Fourth Quarter...............................................................................  $    8.03  $    4.06
  Third Quarter................................................................................      12.20       6.28
  Second Quarter...............................................................................      15.13       6.78
  First Quarter................................................................................      24.00      15.13
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996:
  Fourth Quarter...............................................................................  $   28.63  $   17.63
  Third Quarter................................................................................      30.25      20.31
  Second Quarter...............................................................................      26.88      18.38
  First Quarter................................................................................      35.88      26.38
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    On August 12, 1998, the closing sale price of the Company's Common Stock as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market was $5.625 per share. There were
approximately 3,900 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock as of March
31, 1998.
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at March
31, 1998. The capitalization information set forth in the table below is
qualified by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                                         --------------------------
                                                                                         ACTUAL(1)(2) PRO FORMA(2)
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion......................................   $   5,495    $     5,495
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share--5,000,000 shares authorized
    Series B convertible preferred stock, 50,000 shares issued and outstanding,
      aggregate liquidation preference of $50,301......................................           1             --
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share--500,000,000 shares authorized, 167,464,942
    shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 1998 and 179,964,942 after allowing
    for conversion of Series B preferred...............................................       1,674          1,800
  Additional paid-in capital...........................................................     368,497        368,372
  Accumulated deficit..................................................................    (276,333)      (276,333)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)........................................      (4,135)        (4,135)
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
Total stockholders' equity.............................................................      89,704         89,704
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
  Total capitalization.................................................................   $  95,199    $    95,199
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
                                                                                         -----------  -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
(1) Based upon shares outstanding as of March 31, 1998. Excludes (i) 16,045,465
    shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding at
    March 31, 1998 under the Company's 1986 Employee Stock Option Plan, 1994
    Stock Option and Award Plan, 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, the 1992
    Illustra Stock Option Plan and 1989 Outside Director Option Plan at a
    weighted average exercise price of $7.1751 (without giving effect to an
    option repricing in January 1998) and (ii) 7,834,784 shares of Common Stock
    reserved at March 31, 1998 for future issuance under the 1994 Stock Option
    and Award Plan, the 1989 Outside Director Option Plan, and the 1997 Employee
    Stock Purchase Plan. See "Management--Stock Plans," "Description of Capital
    Stock" and Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Excludes
    the effects of the June 1998 conversion of 500 shares of Series B Preferred
    into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price of
    $6.24938 by a Series B Preferred stockholder. In connection with such
    conversion the Company also issued such Series B Preferred stockholder a
    warrant to purchase up to 66,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price
    of $7.84 per share.
    
 
(2) Pro forma adjusted to give effect to (i) the assumed conversion of the
    Series B Preferred at an assumed conversion price of $4.00 per share into
    12,500,000 shares of Common Stock and Warrants to acquire 2,700,000 shares
    of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Warrants and (ii) the assumed
    grant of the Shemano Warrant, and assuming no exercise of the Shemano
    Warrant. See "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock," "Certain
    Transactions" and Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following selected consolidated financial data of the Company presented
below as of December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993, and for each of the
years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997, are derived from the
consolidated financial statements of Informix Corporation and its subsidiaries,
which financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997 and
the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are included
elsewhere in this Registration Statement. The consolidated statement of
operations data for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1998 and March 30,
1997 and the consolidated financial data presented as of March 31, 1998 are
derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that include, in the
opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, that the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial information included therein. The historical results stated below and
results for the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative
of the results for any future period. The selected consolidated financial data
set forth below is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                 MARCH 31,   MARCH 30,  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1998        1997        1997        1996         1995         1994        1993
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 (RESTATED)  (RESTATED)             (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues:
    Licenses...................................  $ 83,431    $ 86,393   $  378,164   $502,730     $462,061     $346,518    $284,338
    Services...................................    77,568      63,509      285,728    231,810      174,486      105,451      68,577
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
        Total net revenues.....................   160,999     149,902      663,892    734,540      636,547      451,969     353,115
Costs and expenses:
  Costs of software distribution...............     9,833      29,134       63,027     46,786       37,593       24,494      20,077
  Cost of services.............................    37,425      41,152      166,916    144,850       91,540       46,798      33,094
  Sales and marketing..........................    63,353     131,023      417,162    413,689      301,932      203,815     137,772
  Research and development.....................    36,619      35,289      139,310    120,211       85,643       64,264      44,503
  General and administrative...................    13,151      28,027       87,498     64,416       51,114       35,369      33,744
  Write-off of goodwill and other
    long-term assets...........................        --      30,473       30,473         --           --           --          --
  Write-off of acquired research and
    development................................        --       7,000        7,000         --           --           --          --
  Restructuring charges........................    (3,252)         --      108,248         --           --           --          --
  Expenses related to Illustra merger..........        --          --           --      5,914           --           --          --
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
        Total costs and expenses...............   157,129     302,098    1,019,634    795,866      567,822      374,740     269,190
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
Operating income (loss)........................     3,870    (152,196 )   (355,742)   (61,326)      68,725       77,229      83,925
  Interest income..............................     2,038       1,267        5,623      9,868        8,148        3,970       3,967
  Interest expense.............................    (1,882)     (2,468 )     (9,405)   (12,475)      (6,299)        (551)       (371)
  Other income (expense), net..................      (315)     12,036       10,474      2,899          120       (3,105)     (1,282)
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
  Income (loss) before income taxes............     3,711    (141,361 )   (349,050)   (61,034)      70,694       77,543      86,239
  Income taxes.................................     1,900       2,800        7,817     12,531       32,094       29,250      31,250
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
  Net income (loss)............................     1,811    (144,161 )   (356,867)   (73,565)      38,600       48,293      54,989
  Preferred stock dividend.....................      (603)         --         (301)        --           --           --          --
  Value assigned to warrants...................    (1,594)         --       (1,601)        --           --           --          --
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
  Net income (loss) applicable to common
    stockholders...............................  $   (386)   $(144,161) $ (358,769)  $(73,565)    $ 38,600     $ 48,293    $ 54,989
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
  Net income (loss) per common share:
    Basic......................................  $   0.00    $  (0.95 ) $    (2.36)  $  (0.49)    $   0.27     $   0.35    $   0.42
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
    Diluted....................................  $   0.00    $  (0.95 ) $    (2.36)  $  (0.49)    $   0.26     $   0.34    $   0.40
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
  Shares used in per share calculations:
    Basic......................................   160,172     151,049      151,907    149,310      145,062      137,742     130,534
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
    Diluted....................................   160,172     151,049      151,907    149,310      150,627      142,782     137,827
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                 ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                             MARCH 31,   ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1998        1997        1996         1995         1994        1993
                                                             ---------   ---------  ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                                             (RESTATED)             (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)   (RESTATED)
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments........  $165,490    $ 155,465   $261,020     $253,209     $194,153    $144,383
  Working capital (deficit)................................   (91,753)    (140,148)     3,137      163,594      184,867     157,017
  Total assets.............................................   543,193      563,244    881,998      682,445      447,769     328,001
  Stockholders' equity.....................................    89,704       59,064    325,304      357,747      269,400     207,581
</TABLE>
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    THE FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS RELATING TO FUTURE
EVENTS OR THE FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY, WHICH INVOLVE RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN
FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS," "BUSINESS" AND
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
    As a result of the restatement of the Company's financial statements for the
first quarter of 1997 and the years 1996, 1995 and 1994 as updated in subsequent
filings made by the Company, certain information contained in this Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations related
to the quarter ended March 30, 1997 has changed from that which appeared in the
Company's originally filed Form 10-Q for that period.
 
    On May 20, 1998 the Company announced it would restate its financial results
for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998 to defer recognition of
approximately $6.2 million in license revenue related to license agreements with
IMs which revenue the Company expects to recognize over a period of
approximately two years. See Note B to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial
Statements.
 
   
    In the middle of the first fiscal quarter of 1998, the Company elected to
change from a 4-4-5 week quarterly convention to a calendar quarterly
convention. The decision to change was made in order to streamline the
administration of the Company's close process on a world-wide basis and to more
closely align the Company's reporting periods with those of its competitors. The
change resulted in an additional two days of operations for the first quarter of
1998 as compared to the previous year. The impact on the Company's financial
statements was to increase license revenue by $11.4 million, or 8 percent. As a
result, the Company's net loss for the period was improved by approximately $9.7
million. In addition, accounts receivable increased approximately $11.4 million
and accrued expenses increased approximately $1.7 million.
    
 
    References to or comparisons between the same "period" in this Prospectus
refer to the Company's first fiscal quarter of the relevant fiscal year.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company is a leading multinational supplier of information management
software. It derives license revenues principally from licensing its RDBMS
software and derives service revenues from providing technical product support
and product updates and consulting and training services to customers. The
Company's products are sold directly to end-users and IMs and indirectly through
application resellers, OEM's and distributors.
 
    In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company experienced a substantial
shortfall in license revenues compared to forecasts, resulting in a substantial
net loss for the quarter. The shortfall in revenue was due to slow growth in
demand for RDBMS products as well as the Company's inability to close a number
of sales transactions that management anticipated would close, by quarter's end,
particularly in Europe.
 
    As a result of the shortfall in license revenues for the first quarter of
fiscal 1997, the Company, in the second quarter and again in the third quarter
of 1997, initiated an internal restructuring of its operations intended to
reduce operating expenses and improve the Company's financial condition. These
restructurings included selective reductions in headcount and leased facilities
and the downsizing, elimination or conversion into solution labs of the
Company's planned "Information SuperStores." Costs associated with the
restructurings totaled approximately $108.2 million and had a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations for fiscal 1997. In addition, in
fiscal 1997 the Company issued newly designated series of Preferred Stock in two
financing transactions which resulted in aggregate net proceeds of $87.6 million
to the Company (excluding a $1.0 million fee paid to a financial advisor of the
Company in connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred). In February
1998, the Company issued an additional 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred
pursuant to the partial exercise of the Series A-1 Warrant. The partial exercise
of the Series A-1 Warrant resulted in net proceeds of $14.1 million to the
Company. At March 31,
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
1998 the Series A-1 Warrant remained exercisable for up to 80,000 shares of
Series A-1 Preferred at a purchase price of $250 per share. In December 1997,
the Company entered into a senior secured credit facility agreement with
available proceeds of up to $75.0 million, of which the Company was eligible to
borrow $40.6 million at March 31, 1998, based on certain eligibility criteria.
See and "--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 1996, 1995 AND 1994 AND FIRST QUARTER
     OF FISCAL 1997
 
    In August 1997, the Company announced that it had become aware of errors and
irregularities that affected the timing and the dollar amount of reported earned
revenues from license transactions for all annual periods in the three years
ended December 31, 1996. These errors and irregularities included unauthorized
and undisclosed arrangements or agreements between Company personnel and
resellers, recognition of revenue on certain transactions in reporting periods
prior to contract acceptance, the recording of certain transactions that lacked
economic substance and the recording of maintenance revenue as license revenue.
The unauthorized and undisclosed agreements with resellers introduced acceptance
contingencies, permitted resellers to return unsold licenses for refunds,
extended payment terms or committed the Company to assist resellers in selling
the licenses to end-users. Accordingly, license revenues from these transactions
that were recorded at the time product was delivered to resellers should have
instead been recorded at the time all conditions to the sale lapsed. Because of
the pervasiveness of the unauthorized arrangements with resellers in the 1994,
1995 and 1996 accounting periods, the Company concluded that all revenue from
license agreements with resellers, except for those licenses sold and billed on
a per copy basis, should be recognized only when the licenses were resold or
utilized by resellers and all related obligations had been satisfied. In
addition, amounts received from resellers or financial institutions as
prepayments of software license fees in advance of revenue recognition should be
recorded as advances from customers and financial institutions. The financial
review undertaken by the Company resulted in the restatement of the Company's
financial results for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 and for the first quarter of
fiscal 1997. The Company publicly disclosed the results of the restatement in
November 1997.
 
    The nature of the Company's business in 1992 and 1993 was such that there
was not a material amount of revenues recorded under prepaid software license
transactions conducted with resellers during these years. Additionally, as a
result of the Company's extended procedures, there were no material errors or
irregularities identified affecting revenues recognized prior to the third
quarter of 1994. The Company concluded based on those circumstances that it was
not necessary to restate the financial statements for 1992 and 1993.
 
    In connection with the errors and irregularities discussed above, a number
of conditions which collectively represented a material weakness in the
Company's internal accounting controls were identified. These conditions
included a deterioration in the Company's accounting controls at corporate and
regional management levels, and a related failure to stress the importance of
these controls, an inappropriate level of influence, principally by the
Company's sales organization, over the revenue recognition process and an
apparent lack of clarity and consistent understanding within the Company
concerning the application of the Company's revenue recognition policies to
large, complex reseller license transactions. To address the material weakness
represented by these conditions, the Company is implementing a plan to
strengthen the Company's internal accounting controls. This plan includes
updating the Company's revenue recognition policies regarding accounting and
reporting for large, complex reseller license transactions, developing and
conducting educational programs to help implement such policies, changing the
Company's corporate and regional accounting and reporting structure and
re-establishing the internal audit function reporting to the Company's Board of
Directors.
 
    As a result of the restatement, total revenues were reduced from amounts
previously reported by $204.8 million from $939.3 million as originally reported
to $734.5 million, by $77.7 million from $714.2 million as originally reported
to $636.5 million and by $18.1 million from $470.1 million as originally
reported to $452.0 million for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The
restatement also resulted in an increase in revenues of $16.2 million from
$133.7 million as originally reported to $149.9 million for the first quarter of
fiscal 1997. In addition, the restatement resulted in a reduction in net income
of $171.4 million from $97.8 million as originally reported to a loss of $73.6
million for fiscal 1996; a reduction
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
in net income of $59.0 million from $97.6 million as originally reported to
$38.6 million for fiscal 1995; and a reduction in net income of $13.6 million
from $61.9 million as originally reported to $48.3 million for fiscal 1994. The
restatement had a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition,
most notably evidenced by substantial reductions in retained earnings and
working capital. At March 30, 1997, after giving effect to the restatement, the
Company's working capital decreased $251.9 million from $101.8 million as
originally reported to a deficit of $150.1 million. The substantial reduction in
working capital at March 30, 1997 reflects substantial operating losses and the
addition of "advances from customers and financial institutions" as a current
liability on the Company's balance sheet. Such advances totaled $239.3 million
at March 30, 1997. At December 31, 1997, the Company had a working capital
deficit of $140.2 million. The substantial reductions in working capital at
December 31, 1997 and 1996 reflect substantial operating losses and the addition
of "advances from customers and financial institutions" as a current liability
on the Company's balance sheet. Such advances totaled $180.0 million at December
31, 1997 and $239.5 million at December 31, 1996. At March 31, 1998, the
Company's working capital deficit decreased to $91.8 million. The reduction in
the deficit reflects the Company's restructuring and cost containment efforts
both of which resulted in a reduction in cash used by operations of $46 million
in the quarter ended March 31, 1998 compared to a similar period in the prior
year. In addition, the liability for "advances from customers and financial
institutions" decreased to $156.5 million at March 31, 1998.
 
    The Company's public announcement of the pending restatement, delays in
reporting operating results for the second and third quarters of fiscal 1997
while the restatement was being compiled, threatened de-listing of the Company's
Common Stock from the Nasdaq National Market as a result of the Company's
failure to satisfy its public reporting obligations, corporate actions to
restructure operations and reduce operating expenses, and customer uncertainty
regarding the Company's financial condition adversely affected the Company's
ability to sell its products in fiscal 1997. In addition, since the beginning of
1997, the Company and its competitors in the RDBMS industry have experienced
substantially slower growth in the market for RDBMS products. The financial
restatement has now been completed, its results have been publicly disclosed and
the Company is current with respect to its public reporting obligations. In
addition, the Company believes that it has effectively controlled its operating
expenses and significantly improved its financial position. Nevertheless,
adverse market conditions, including significant competitive pressures in the
Company's markets and ongoing customer uncertainty about the Company's financial
condition and business prospects, may continue to have an adverse effect on the
Company's ability to sell its products and results of operations.
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 1998
 
   
    In May 1998, the Company announced that it had restated its financial
results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1998. Total revenues for the
quarter restated were $161.0 million which is a reduction of approximately $6.2
million from the previously reported $167.2 million. In addition, the
restatement resulted in a reduction in net income of $5.3 million from $7.1
million as originally reported to $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31,
1998. The restatement also affected the Company's financial condition as
evidenced by a reduction in working capital and an increase in accumulated
deficit. The working capital deficit at March 31, 1998, increased $5.3 million
from $86.5 million as originally reported to $91.8 million. The Company's
accumulated deficit also increased $5.3 million from $271.0 million as
originally reported to $276.3 million. The restatement of Company's financial
results for the first quarter occurred in connection with the Company's
accounting treatment for license transactions with industrial manufacturers
("IMs").
    
 
   
    In connection with the restatement of its financial statements for fiscal
1994, 1995, 1996 and the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company examined
both: (1) agreements where customers committed to purchase up to a designated
dollar amount of software licenses ("Commitment Agreements"); and (2) agreements
where customers purchased licenses on a per copy basis ("Straight Purchase
Agreements"). The Company determined that unauthorized and undisclosed
agreements (which included the introduction of acceptance contingencies,
permission to return unsold licenses for refunds and extended payment
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
terms) had been made to certain customers in connection with Commitment
Agreements, but not in connection with Straight Purchase Agreements.
    
 
   
    The Company had entered into Commitment Agreements with end users, IMs and
other resellers during such prior periods, all of which were initially accounted
for on a sell-in basis (I.E., recognizing revenue upon the initial shipment of
the Company's software to the reseller). Upon further examination of its
Commitment Agreements in connection with the restatement process, the Company
determined that the unauthorized and undisclosed agreements had been made with
certain resellers, but not with end users. As a result: (1) the Company did not
restate revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with end users; and (2) the
Company restated all revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with all
resellers from a sell-in to a sell-through basis (I.E., recognizing revenue only
when the reseller resold or utilized the licenses and all related obligations
were satisfied).
    
 
   
    Some of the Company's software license agreements with IMs were Commitment
Agreements and some were Straight Purchase Agreements. Instead of analyzing
every Commitment Agreement with IMs to determine whether unauthorized and
undisclosed agreements had been made, the Company conservatively treated all
Commitment Agreements with IMs as reseller agreements for accounting purposes
and restated that IM revenue to a sell-through basis. The total amount of
revenue resulting from all Commitment Agreements with IMs was not material in
fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 or the first quarter of fiscal 1997. Straight Purchase
Agreements with IMs were not restated.
    
 
   
    The Company initially decided to recognize revenue from IM transactions
after December 31, 1997 on a sell-in basis. The Company's license transactions
with IMs and end users are substantially similar in that upon the delivery of
the Company's software to the IM: (1) all obligations of the Company under the
software license agreement are fully performed; and (2) the Company believes the
earnings process with regard to these transactions to be complete. Accordingly,
in its original report of the financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
1998, the Company had recognized approximately $6.2 million in license revenue
resulting from software license agreements with IMs in the same manner as
revenue resulting from agreements with end users.
    
 
   
    The Company subsequently decided to change its initial decision and to
recognize revenue resulting from all license transactions with IMs on a
sell-through basis upon the advice of the Company's former independent
accountants, Ernst & Young LLP. Accordingly, approximately $6.2 million in
license revenue previously recognized has been deferred and will be recognized
only when the related software licenses are resold to end user customers over a
period which the Company expects to be approximately two years.
    
 
    In connection with its audit of the Company's fiscal 1997 consolidated
financial statements, the Company's former independent accountants determined
that a material weakness existed, based on the lack of appropriate resources in
the accounting and financial reporting departments of the Company and other
conditions. To address these conditions, the Company plans to hire additional
finance personnel to serve in the accounting and financial reporting
departments. In the interim, the Company has hired a number of consultants to
ensure that appropriate accounting control measures are in place. As noted
above, ongoing customer uncertainty about the Company's financial condition and
business prospects may continue to have an adverse effect on the Company's
ability to sell its products and results of operations. See "Business
Risks--Dependence on Key Personnel; Personnel Changes; Ability to Recruit
Personnel" and "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants and Financial
Disclosure."
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--THREE MONTH PERIOD COMPARISON
 
    The following table sets forth operating results as a percentage of net
revenues for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1998 (as restated) and
March 30, 1997 (as restated), respectively.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PERCENT OF NET
                                           REVENUES
                                     ---------------------
                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                     ---------------------
                                     MARCH 31,   MARCH 30,
                                       1998        1997
                                     ---------   ---------
                                          (RESTATED)
<S>                                  <C>         <C>
Net revenue:
  Licenses.........................       52%         58%
  Services.........................       48          42
                                         ---         ---
    Total net revenue..............      100         100
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of software distribution....        6          19
  Cost of services.................       23          28
  Sales and marketing..............       39          87
  Research and development.........       23          24
  General and administrative.......        8          19
  Write-off of goodwill and long
    term assets....................       --          20
  Write-off of acquired research
    and development................       --           5
  Restructuring charges............       (2)         --
                                         ---         ---
    Total operating expenses.......       97         202
                                         ---         ---
Operating income (loss)............        3        (102)
                                         ---         ---
Interest income....................        1           1
Interest expense...................       (1)         (1)
Other income/(expense), net........       --           8
                                         ---         ---
Income (loss) before tax...........        3         (94)
Income taxes.......................       (1)          2
                                         ---         ---
Net income (loss)..................        2%        (96)%
                                         ---         ---
                                         ---         ---
</TABLE>
 
    Informix's operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 increased
significantly from the same period of the prior year due to a 7% increase in
revenue and a 48% decrease in operating expenses.
 
REVENUES
 
    The Company derives revenues from licensing its software and providing
post-license technical product support and updates to customers and from
consulting and training services. License revenues may involve the shipment of
product by the Company or the granting of a license to a customer to manufacture
products. Service revenues consist of customer telephone or direct support,
product update rights, consulting and training fees.
 
    LICENSE REVENUES
 
    The Company's products are sold directly to end-user customers and IMs or
through resellers, including OEMs, distributors and VARs. In 1996, the Company
increased its focus on its reseller channels in order to focus on partnerships
with several hardware vendors to utilize their sales forces, obtain access to
their installed base of customers and benefit from their consulting and systems
integration organizations. This increased focus on reseller channels resulted in
a significant build-up of licenses that had not been resold or utilized by such
resellers. Unsold licenses in the amount of $156.5 million and $239.3 million
have not been recognized as earned revenue as of March 31, 1998 and March 30,
1997, respectively.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    License revenues were $83.4 million and $86.4 million for the periods ended
March 31, 1998 and March 30, 1997, respectively. This represented an approximate
three percent decrease. There were no individual transactions greater than $2.5
million in the quarter ended March 31, 1998.
 
    The Company's license transactions can be relatively large in size and
difficult to forecast both in timing and dollar value. As a result, these
transactions have caused fluctutations in net revenues and net income (loss)
because of the relatively high gross margin on such revenues. As is common in
the industry, a disproportional amount of the Company's license revenue is
derived from transactions that close in the last weeks or days of a quarter. The
timing of closing large license agreements also increases the risk of
quarter-to-quarter fluctuations. The Company expects that these types of
transactions and the resulting fluctuations will continue.
 
    SERVICE REVENUES
 
    The increase in service revenue in absolute dollars over the same period in
1997 was attributable primarily to the continued growth of the Company's
installed customer base, and the attendant renewal of maintenance contracts and
increased consulting revenue. As the Company's products grow in complexity, more
support services are expected to be required. The Company intends to satisfy
this requirement through internal support, third-party services and OEM support.
The gross margin on service revenue increased from 35% in the first quarter of
1997 to 52% in the first quarter of 1998.
 
    Service revenue continues to grow faster than license revenue and as a
result, service revenue represents a larger percentage of total revenues than in
the prior year comparable period. The Company continues to emphasize support
services as a source of revenue and the growth achieved in absolute dollars
versus the prior year quarter reflects the continued growth in the Company's
installed base.
 
    GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
 
    During the first quarter ended March 31, 1998, Informix's net revenues from
sales to foreign customers was 51% of total revenue as compared to 55% of the
total revenue during the same period in 1997. Foreign sales decreased
insignificantly from $82.2 million in the quarter ended March 30, 1997 to $81.9
million in the quarter ended March 31, 1998. Sales in Europe and Asia/Pacific
decreased 2% and 5%, respectively, while sales in Latin America increased 20%
over the same period in 1997.
 
    The decrease in European sales from the prior year quarter was partially due
to the disruption of the sales organization caused by management changes which
took place in 1997. The decrease in Asia/Pacific sales was primarily the result
of the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues for
the Asia/Pacific region increased by approximately 10% for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 as compared to the same period in the prior year on a constant
currency basis.
 
    Substantially all of the Company's Latin American revenue is U.S. dollar
denominated. In Europe, Asia/Pacific and Japan, most revenues and expenses are
denominated in local currencies. The U.S. dollar strengthened in the first
quarter of 1998 against the major European and Asia/Pacific currencies, which
resulted in lower revenue and expenses recorded when translated into U.S.
dollars, as compared with the same period in 1997.
 
    The Company's operating and pricing strategies take into account changes in
exchange rates over time; however, the Company's results of operations may be
significantly affected in the short term by fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the strength of
local economies, and the general volatility of software markets may result in a
higher or lower proportion of foreign revenues as a percentage of total revenues
in the future.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
COST OF SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       FIRST QUARTER    FIRST QUARTER    PERCENTAGE
                                                           1998             1997           CHANGE
                                                      ---------------  ---------------  -------------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
Manufactured cost of software distribution..........     $     4.1        $     8.9             (54)%
  Percentage of license revenue.....................             5%              10%
Amortization of capitalized software................     $     4.9        $     5.5             (11)%
  Percentage of license revenue.....................             6%               6%
Write down to net realizable value..................     $     0.8        $    14.7             (95)%
  Percentage of license revenue.....................             1%              18%
Total cost of software distribution.................     $     9.8        $    29.1             (66)%
  Percentage of license revenue.....................            12%              34%
</TABLE>
 
    Software distribution costs consist primarily of: 1) manufacturing and
related costs such as media, documentation, product assembly and purchasing
costs, freight, customs and third party royalties; and 2) amortization of
previously capitalized software development costs and any write-offs of
previously capitalized software.
 
    The manufactured cost of software distribution as a percentage of license
revenue decreased significantly in the first quarter of 1998 compared to the
same period in 1997. This decrease was primarily caused by a decrease of $2.1
million in third party software royalties as well as a reduction in labor costs
of approximately $0.9 million and a reduction of shipping and material costs of
$0.5 million each. These cost reductions resulted from the continued conversion
to electronic media. In the future, the cost of software distribution as a
percentage of revenue may vary depending upon sales levels, the cost of third
party software that is bundled with the Company's products and whether the
product is reproduced by the Company or by customers.
 
    Amortization of capitalized software costs begin in the quarter following
the commercial release of the product. The amortization of capitalized software
remained flat at 6% of license revenues in the first quarter of 1998 compared to
the first quarter of 1997. The absolute value of amortization of capitalized
software will vary slightly quarter to quarter as new products are released and
other products become fully amortized.
 
   
    In addition, due to the Company's acquisition of CenterView Software, Inc.
("CenterView") in February 1997 and the announcement of its revised tool
strategy, and in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement
No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or
Otherwise Marketed," a net realizable value test performed on certain of the
Company's tool products resulted in a write-down of $14.7 million of previously
capitalized software costs in the first quarter of 1997.
    
 
COST OF SERVICES
 
    Cost of services consists primarily of maintenance, consulting and training
expenses. Cost of services for the first quarter of 1998 decreased by 9% as
compared to the same period in 1997. This decrease was primarily attributable to
an 18% reduction in headcount over the same period in 1997 as well as improved
efficiency and better control of outsourced expenses. In the future, the Company
expects that cost of services as a percentage of net service revenue will
continue to approximate the rate incurred in the first quarter of 1998.
 
SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES
 
    The decrease in sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 1998,
in absolute dollars, as compared to the first quarter of 1997 was primarily the
result of a significant reduction of sales and marketing personnel worldwide.
Over the twelve-month period ending March 31, 1998, the headcount for sales and
marketing personnel decreased from 2,009 to 1,177 or 41%, which accounts for the
majority of
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
the decrease both in percentage decline and absolute dollars spent. In addition,
depreciation expense charged to sales and marketing decreased approximately $3.7
million versus the prior year quarter in connection with the Company's
reassessment of its Superstores concept. The Company's decision to abandon the
Superstores concept coupled with other cost cutting measures resulted in
significant charges for restructuring in the second and third fiscal quarters of
1997. The decrease of costs as a percentage of revenue reflects the Company's
success in applying cost containment measures to bring expenses in line with
forecasted revenues.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
 
    The following table summarizes research and development costs for the
periods ended March 31, 1998 and March 30, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       FIRST QUARTER    FIRST QUARTER    PERCENTAGE
                                                           1998             1997           CHANGE
                                                      ---------------  ---------------  -------------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
Incurred product development expenditures...........     $    40.3        $    41.6              (3)%
Expenditures capitalized............................           3.7              6.3             (41)%
                                                             -----            -----
Research and development expense....................     $    36.6        $    35.3               4%
                                                             -----            -----
                                                             -----            -----
Expenses capitalized as a percentage of incurred
  expenses..........................................             9%              15%
</TABLE>
 
    Product development expenditures declined in absolute dollars by 3% in the
first quarter of 1998 compared to the same period in 1997. The proportion of
capitalized product development expenditures as a percentage of total incurred
expenses decreased in the first quarter of 1998. The decrease is attributable to
the fact that during the first quarter of 1997, a large portion of expenditures
incurred were on products that had reached technological feasibility, but had
not yet been commercially released. The Company expects the proportion of work
on capitalized projects for the remainder of 1998 to remain relatively stable
compared to the first quarter of 1998.
 
    Significant programs currently under development include improvements and
enhancements of current products, with particular emphasis on parallel computer
architecture, user-defined database extensions, web technology integration,
database application tools and systems administration. The Company believes that
research and development expenditures are essential to maintaining its
competitive position in its primary markets and expects the expenditure levels
to remain a significant percentage of revenues.
 
    The Company's product development efforts are expected to continue to
require substantial investments by the Company, and there can be no assurance
that the Company will have sufficient resources to make the necessary
investments. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's product
development efforts will be successful or that any new products will achieve
significant market acceptance.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
    General and administrative expenses decreased in absolute dollars in the
first quarter of 1998 compared to the same period in 1997 due primarily to the
implementation of the Company's restructuring plan which resulted in lower
facility and other general and administrative expenses and a reduction in bad
debt expense of $11.0 million. This reduction reflects the Company's efforts to
better manage both the amount and quality of its accounts receivable balances.
In addition, headcount in general and administration decreased 14% from 489 at
March 30, 1997 to 420 at March 31, 1998.
 
WRITE-OFF OF GOODWILL AND LONG-TERM ASSETS
 
   
    In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 121
(FAS 121), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of," the Company records impairment losses on
long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that
the
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
   
assets might be impaired and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be
generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts. During the
first quarter of 1997, the Company's Japanese subsidiary experienced a
significant sales shortfall and operating losses. Accordingly, the Company
evaluated the ongoing value of the subsidiary's long-lived assets (primarily
computer and other equipment) and related goodwill. Based on this evaluation,
the Company determined that the subsidiary's assets had been impaired and wrote
them down by $30.5 million to their estimated fair values. Fair value was
determined by using estimated future discounted cash flows and/or resale market
quotes as appropriate. In the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company wrote
off approximately $0.8 million of capitalized software. During the quarter, the
Company reviewed its portfolio of software development projects and determined
$0.8 million of previously capitalized software costs related primarily to the
Company's "Data Director for Java" and "Object Knowledge" application tools
products should be written off to cost of software distribution. The Company had
developed both of these tools products internally, although the "Data Director
for Java" application tools products were initially developed through the use of
core technology acquired from CenterView and the "Object Knowledge" application
tools product was initially developed through use of core technology acquired
from Illustra. In the first quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company (i) determined
that the Java interface required by "Data Director for Java" did not perform
within acceptable parameters in order to meet market demand; and (ii) decided to
abandon the "Object Knowledge" development process in order to focus on
developing a similar, internally-developed product called "Visionary."
Consequently, the Company canceled the development of both products and wrote
off the associated capitalized costs during the first quarter of fiscal 1998
after it was determined that the projected sales of these tools products were
not sufficient to realized the capitalized product development costs. The review
of software development projects is performed on a continuous basis to ensure
all capitalized software costs recorded in accordance with FAS 86 are carried at
an amount not exceeding their net realizable value.
    
 
WRITE-OFF OF ACQUIRED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    In February 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of CenterView Software, Inc., a privately owned corporation that provides
software tools for application development. The aggregate purchase price was
approximately $8.7 million, which included cash plus direct costs of
acquisition. For financial statement purposes, the acquisition has been
accounted for as a purchase and, based on an independent appraisal of all the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the purchase price was allocated to the
specifically identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, including
approximately $7 million of purchased research and development which has been
charged to operations in the period the acquisition was consummated--the first
quarter of 1997. The Company did not write-off any acquired research and
development in the quarter ended March 31, 1998.
 
OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE), NET
 
    Other income/(expense) for the period ended March 30, 1997 resulted from a
net foreign currency gain of $12.2 million. See "--Foreign Exchange Losses."
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
    The income tax expense resulted from taxable earnings and withholding taxes
in certain foreign jurisdictions where the Company is unable to utilize its net
operating loss carryforwards.
 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSSES
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the
value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in foreign
currencies against fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables are
collected or payables are disbursed. This program involves the use of forward
foreign exchange contracts in the primary European and Asian currencies. The
Company has limited unhedged transaction exposures in certain secondary
currencies in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific because there are
limited forward currency exchange markets in these currencies.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    In addition, in the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company initiated a
program whereby it enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
hedge no more than 80% of anticipated net income of foreign subsidiaries for up
to a maximum of one year in the future. The Company's outstanding forward
exchange contracts used to hedge anticipated net income are marked to market.
This hedging activity did not have a material impact on the Company's results of
operations.
 
    The restatement of the consolidated financial statements for the quarter
ended March 30, 1997 resulted in a change in the Company's foreign currency
denominated intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable balances. As a
result, certain foreign currency forward contracts were no longer effective as
hedges. Transaction gains and losses realized due to fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates were only partially offset by gains and losses on
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The gains and losses on the forward
exchange contracts resulted in a net foreign currency gain of $12.2 million in
the quarter ended March 30, 1997.
 
FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
    The following table sets forth operating results as a percentage of net
revenues for the three years ended December 31, 1997, respectively.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                               -------------------------------------
                                                                                                  1997         1996         1995
                                                                                                  -----        -----        -----
                                                                                                      PERCENT OF NET REVENUE
<S>                                                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
Net revenues:
  Licenses...................................................................................          57%          68%          73%
  Services...................................................................................          43           32           27
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
    Total net revenues.......................................................................         100          100          100
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of software distribution..............................................................          10            6            6
  Cost of services...........................................................................          25           20           14
  Sales and marketing........................................................................          63           56           47
  Research and development...................................................................          21           16           14
  General and administrative.................................................................          13            9            8
  Write-off of goodwill and long-term assets.................................................           5           --           --
  Write-off of acquired research and development.............................................           1           --           --
  Restructuring charges......................................................................          16           --           --
  Merger expenses............................................................................      --                1       --
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
    Total expenses...........................................................................         154          108           89
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
Operating income (loss)......................................................................         (54)          (8)          11
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
Net income (loss)............................................................................         (54)%        (10)%          6%
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
                                                                                                      ---          ---          ---
</TABLE>
 
    Informix's operating results for fiscal 1997 were significantly below the
prior year due to decreases in license revenue and increases in costs and
expenses. Revenue declined 10% for fiscal 1997 in comparison to fiscal 1996.
Revenue declined 9%, 7%, 10% and 2% in North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe and
Latin America, respectively. The increase in operating expenses reflects
continued expansion of product and customer support organizations through the
early months of fiscal 1997 as well as incremental legal and audit expenses
related to the stockholder lawsuits and the restatement process, charges of
$30.5 million related to the Company's Japanese operations, $108.2 million for
restructuring charges, $14.7 million for write-down to net realizable value of
previously capitalized software costs and $7.0 million for a write-off of
acquired research and development during the period. The lower revenues combined
with increased operating costs resulted in an operating loss of $355.7 million
for the year. See "Legal Proceedings,"
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
"--Cost of Software Distribution," "--Write-off of Acquired Research and
Development," "--General and Administrative Expenses" and "--Restructuring
Charges."
 
    Informix's operating results were affected negatively in 1996 as a result of
operating expenses growing more rapidly than revenues. Informix continued to
invest heavily in personnel in the areas of sales, marketing and customer
service, and research and development and incurred integration expenses and fees
associated with the acquisition in February 1996 of Illustra. In December 1996,
Informix began shipping its Universal Server product. Informix incurred
significant marketing expenses in connection with the initial announcement and
launch of the Universal Server in fiscal 1996. These development, integration
and marketing expenses adversely affected Informix's operating margins in fiscal
1996.
 
REVENUES
 
    The Company derives revenues from licensing its software and providing
post-license technical product support and updates to customers and from
consulting and training services. License revenues may involve the shipment of
product by the Company or the granting of a license to a customer to manufacture
products. Service revenues consist of customer telephone or direct support,
product update rights, consulting and training fees. Total net revenues were
$663.9 million, $734.5 million and $636.5 million for fiscal 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. Between December 31, 1996 and 1997, total net revenues
decreased by 10% or $70.6 million, primarily as a result of a substantial
decrease in license revenues, partially offset by an increase in service
revenues. Between December 31, 1995 and 1996, total net revenues increased by
15% or $98.0 million.
 
    LICENSE REVENUES
 
    The Company sells its products directly to end-users as well as through
resellers, including OEM's, distributors and VAR's. During fiscal 1996, the
Company increased the focus on its reseller channels to establish partnerships
with hardware and application vendors in order to utilize their sales force,
obtain access to their installed base of customers and benefit from their
consulting and systems integration organizations. The Company recognizes license
revenue from resellers, except for those sold and billed on a per copy basis,
when the licenses are resold or utilized by the reseller and all related
obligations have been satisfied. License revenues accounted for 57%, 68% and 73%
of total revenues in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The year-to-year
declines in license revenues as a percentage of total revenues reflect the fact
that service revenues have grown at a faster pace than license revenues, and
that license revenues declined substantially in fiscal 1997.
 
    License revenue declined by 25% to $378.2 million for fiscal 1997 from
$502.7 million for fiscal 1996. In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, license
revenues decreased 43% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996. This
decrease was primarily due to slow growth in demand for RDBMS products as well
as the Company's inability to close a number of sales transactions that
management anticipated would close by quarter's end, particularly in Europe. In
the second quarter of fiscal 1997, license revenue increased 26% compared to the
first quarter, principally as a result of stronger product license sales in
North America. In the third quarter of fiscal 1997, license revenues decreased
29% compared to the second quarter. The decrease in the third quarter was
attributable to a significant extent to decreased product license sales in
Europe and Latin America and customer uncertainties resulting from the Company's
announcement of the restatement of its financial statements in August 1997 and
restructuring activities in September 1997. During the fourth quarter of fiscal
1997, license revenues increased 36% as compared to the third quarter of fiscal
1997. The increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 was principally due to
increased license sales in Europe and Latin America, which the Company believes
was due to improved customer confidence about the Company and its financial
condition following the announcement of its restated financial statements.
 
    The Company does not believe that the decrease in license revenue in fiscal
1997 compared to fiscal 1996 reflects a reduced acceptance of the Company's
products or a reduced competitive advantage of its products. The Company
believes that this decrease was primarily attributable to the slowing growth in
the
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
market for RDBMS products and customer uncertainty about the Company's financial
condition and viability, due to the Company's operating losses in the first
three quarters of fiscal 1997, the announcement of the restatement, the delays
in reporting operating results for the second and third quarters of fiscal 1997,
the threatened de-listing of the Company's Common Stock from the Nasdaq National
Market as a result of the Company's failure to satisfy its public reporting
obligations, and the Company's actions to restructure operations and reduce
operating expenses. In addition, the Company experienced a significant turnover
in senior management sales positions during 1997, which adversely affected
sales. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company filled certain key
sales positions through new hires, internal promotion and reorganization of its
sales force.
 
    License revenues increased 9% to $502.7 million for fiscal 1996 from $462.1
million for fiscal 1995. The license revenue growth during fiscal 1996 reflects
an increase in sales of the Company's server products, particularly the
Company's flagship database server, OnLine Dynamic Server, partially offset by a
decrease in license revenues from its database tool products. The increase in
server product revenues during fiscal 1996 reflected continued acceptance of the
Company's server products. The Company believes that the RDBMS industry has
benefited from market acceptance of UNIX, Windows, Windows NT and other open
operating environments and trends to downsize from large proprietary computer
systems. The Company believes that the decline in license revenues derived from
its database tool products is primarily the result of competitive product
offerings from other companies.
 
    At December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 licenses not resold by resellers
representing approximately $180.0 million, $239.5 million and $83.6 million,
respectively, were recorded as advances from customers and financial
institutions and had not been recognized as earned revenue. Licenses originally
recorded as advances from customers and financial institutions representing
approximately $64.8 million, $58.2 million and $34.2 million were sold through
reseller channels to end users during fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
and recognized as earned revenue. The Company estimates that approximately $50
to $70 million of the advances from customers and financial institutions of
$180.0 million at December 31, 1997 will be sold through to end-users during
fiscal 1998. Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that such licenses will be
resold. If the underlying license agreements expire and are not renewed prior to
resellers' selling all licenses to end users and the Company has no remaining
obligations, the remaining revenue relating to customers' advances will be
recognized in the quarter following the expiration of the reseller license
agreements.
 
    The Company's license transactions can be relatively large in size and
difficult to forecast both in timing and dollar value. As a result, these
transactions have caused fluctuations in net revenues and net income (loss)
because of the relatively high gross margin on such revenues. As is common in
the industry, a disproportional amount of the Company's license revenue is
derived from transactions that close in the last weeks or days of a quarter. The
timing of closing large license agreements also increases the risk of
quarter-to-quarter fluctuations. The Company expects that these types of
transactions and the resulting fluctuations will continue.
 
    The Company is currently unable to forecast whether the decreases in license
revenue experienced in fiscal 1997 will continue in fiscal 1998. During 1997,
substantial uncertainty existed about the Company's business and financial
condition. The Company believes that various actions taken by the Company during
1997 have substantially improved its financial condition. See "--Restructuring
Charges" and "--Liquidity and Capital Resources." Nevertheless, adverse market
conditions, including significant competive pressures and ongoing customer
uncertainty about the Company's financial condition and business prospects,
could continue to have an adverse effect on license revenues and results of
operations.
 
    SERVICE REVENUES
 
    Service revenues increased 23% to $285.7 million for fiscal 1997 from $231.8
million for fiscal 1996. Service revenues increased 33% to $231.8 million for
fiscal 1996 from $174.5 million for fiscal 1995. Service revenues accounted for
43%, 32% and 27% of total revenues in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
As the Company's products become more complex, more support services are
expected to be required. The
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
Company intends to satisfy this requirement through internal support,
third-party services and OEM support. Service revenues are comprised of
maintenance, consulting and training revenues. The Company continues to
emphasize support services as a source of revenue and the growth achieved in
absolute dollars reflects the growth in the Company's installed base and
strategic focus on providing consulting services for its customers. The
year-to-year increases in service revenues as a percentage of total revenues
reflect the fact that service revenues have continued to grow while license
revenues declined substantially in fiscal 1997.
 
    Revenue derived from post-contract technical support and fees for software
updates increased 18% to $188.1 million in fiscal 1997 from $159.5 million in
fiscal 1996 and 31% in fiscal 1996 from $121.9 million in fiscal 1995. This
increase is attributable principally to maintenance contracts for new license
sales in each year as well as the renewal of existing maintenance contracts. In
the event the Company continues to experience substantial declines in license
revenue, such declines would be expected to have an adverse effect on growth in
service revenues.
 
    Consulting and training revenues increased 35% to $97.6 million in fiscal
1997 from $72.3 million in fiscal 1996 and 38% in fiscal 1996 from $52.6 million
in fiscal 1995. The growth in the consulting and training practice was driven by
increased demand for consulting services primarily in North America and in
Europe. Some significant one-time large consulting contracts were also executed
in fiscal 1997 and contributed to the significant increase of consulting
revenues year over year. There can be no assurances that similar one-time large
consulting contracts will be entered into in future periods. Failure to secure
such contracts may have an adverse impact on the growth of service revenues.
 
    GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company's distribution markets are organized into four general markets:
North America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Latin America; and the
Asia/Pacific region, including Japan. The North America, Europe, Latin America
and Asia/Pacific organizations contributed 46%, 34%, 8% and 12% of the Company's
net revenues, respectively, in fiscal 1997, compared to 46%, 34%, 7% and 13%,
respectively, in fiscal 1996 and 45%, 36%, 6% and 13%, respectively, in fiscal
1995.
 
    Approximately 54%, 54% and 55% of Informix's net revenues were derived from
sales to foreign customers in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Informix
expects that foreign revenues will continue to provide a significant portion of
total revenues. However, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the
condition of local economies, and the general volatility of software markets may
result in a higher or lower proportion of foreign revenues in the future. In
Europe and Asia/Pacific most revenues and expenses are now denominated in local
currencies. The U.S. dollar strengthened in fiscal 1997 against the major
European and Asia/Pacific currencies, which resulted in lower revenue and
expenses recorded when translated into U.S. dollars, compared with the prior
year periods. Although the Company has also increased its direct presence in
Latin America, a significant percentage of this region's revenue is still
denominated in U.S. dollars. Although the effect was not significant in fiscal
1997, the Company has in the past experienced significant currency fluctuations
in Mexico, and to a lesser extent, other Latin American countries, and expects
such fluctuations may occur in the future. The Company's operating and pricing
strategies take into account changes in exchange rates over time; however, the
Company's results of operations may be significantly affected in the short term
by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the current
continued weakness observed in Asian currencies may result in reduced revenues
from the countries affected by this condition, thus having a negative impact on
the overall performance of the Company.
 
    CONCURRENT TRANSACTIONS
 
    Principally during fiscal 1996, the Company entered into software license
agreements with certain computer and service vendors where the Company
concurrently committed to acquire goods and services. These concurrent
transactions in fiscal 1996 included license agreements of approximately $170.0
million and a commitment by the Company to acquire goods and services in the
aggregate of approximately
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
$130.0 million. Concurrent transactions in 1997 included license agreements of
approximately $21 million and a commitment by the Company to acquire goods and
services in the aggregate of approximately $50 million. See Notes 1 and 2 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
COST OF SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1997      CHANGE      1996       CHANGE       1995
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                                       (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Manufactured cost of software distribution..........................  $    26.9       (16)% $    32.2         26%   $    25.6
Percentage of license revenue.......................................         7%                    6%                      6%
Amortization of capitalized software................................  $    21.4        47%  $    14.6         21%   $    12.0
Percentage of license revenue.......................................         6%                    3%                      3%
Write-down to net realizable value..................................  $    14.7       N.M.     --            N.M.      --
Percentage of license revenue.......................................         4%
Cost of software distribution.......................................  $    63.0        35%  $    46.8         24%   $    37.6
Percentage of license revenue.......................................        17%                    9%                      8%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
N.M.=Not meaningful
 
    Cost of software distribution increased to $63.0 million for fiscal 1997
from $46.8 million and $37.6 million for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Software distribution costs consist primarily of (i) manufacturing and related
costs such as media, documentation, product assembly and purchasing costs,
freight, customs, and third-party royalties and (ii) amortization of previously
capitalized software development costs, including adjustments to the carrying
value of such capitalized costs based on changes to the carrying value of such
capitalized costs based on changes to the Company's estimates of the net
realizable value of related products.
 
    Excluding amortization and write-down to net realizable value of previously
capitalized software development costs, cost of software distribution as a
percentage of license revenue was 7% for fiscal 1997 and 6% for both 1996 and
1995. In the future, the cost of software distribution as a percentage of
revenue may vary depending upon whether the product is reproduced by the Company
or by its customers.
 
    Amortization of capitalized software costs commences the quarter following
product introduction. Capitalized software amortization increased 47% to $21.4
million for fiscal 1997 from $14.6 million for the prior year period. The
increase in amortization of capitalized software in absolute dollars and as a
percentage of net revenues is due to the release of the Company's Universal
Server products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996. The absolute value of
amortization of capitalized software will vary period to period as new products
are released and other products become fully amortized.
 
    Amortization of capitalized software increased 21% in fiscal 1996 compared
to fiscal 1995 due to the release of several products in the latter half of 1995
and 1996. The absolute value of amortization of capitalized software will vary
from quarter to quarter as new products are released and other product
development costs become fully amortized.
 
    The write-down to net realizable value of $14.7 million during the first
quarter of fiscal 1997 was due to the Company's acquisition of CenterView
Software, Inc. ("CenterView") and the related announcements of its revised tool
strategy. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.
86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or
Otherwise Marketed," a net realizable value test was performed on certain of the
Company's database tool products and resulted in a write-down of $14.7 million
of previously capitalized software costs. In addition to this write-down, the
Company recorded separately a $7.0 million charge for write-off of Acquired
Research and Development in connection with the Company's acquisition of
CenterView. See "--Write-off of Acquired Research and Development."
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
COST OF SERVICES
 
    Cost of services consists primarily of maintenance, consulting and training
expenses. Cost of services increased 15% to $166.9 million for fiscal 1997 from
$144.9 million for fiscal 1996. Cost of services increased 58% to $144.9 million
for fiscal 1996 from $91.5 for fiscal 1995. The overall growth in cost of
services of 15% between fiscal 1996 and 1997 is consistent with the 23% growth
in service revenues over the same period. The cost of services increased
significantly in fiscal 1996 as the Company substantially expanded its
consulting practice in the United States and Europe as well as its technical
support organization in order to provide customer assistance for the Online
Dynamic Server product line. Cost of services decreased as a percentage of
service revenues to 58% for fiscal 1997 compared to 62% for the same period in
1996. During fiscal 1997, gross margins increased relative to both support
revenue and consulting/training revenue, particularly in the third and fourth
quarters of that year. The Company believes that the increased margins during
fiscal 1997 were principally attributable to more efficient delivery of
services. The increase in cost of services in fiscal 1996 in absolute dollars
and as a percentage of net revenues compared to the prior year is primarily due
to the Company's expansion of consulting and support service capabilities as
products have become more complex.
 
SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES
 
    Sales and marketing expenses increased less than 1% to $417.2 million for
fiscal 1997 from $413.7 million for fiscal 1996,. Sales and marketing expenses
increased 37% to $413.7 million for fiscal 1996 from $301.9 million for fiscal
1995. As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses increased to 63%
in fiscal 1997 from 56% in fiscal 1996, due to a reduction in net revenues. As a
percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses increased to 56% in fiscal
1996 from 47% in fiscal 1995, due to significant increases in sales and
marketing personnel and marketing programs starting in late 1996.
 
    During the late months of fiscal 1996 and in the early months of fiscal
1997, there were significant increases in personnel and expenses as the Company
continued to expand its sales force for anticipated license revenue growth and
continued to implement various marketing programs, including its Information
Superstore program. The Information Superstore program, which was launched in
fiscal 1996 and through the early months of 1997, resulted in increased
depreciation expense due to the fixed asset purchases related to the program.
The slight increase in sales and marketing expense in fiscal 1997 in absolute
dollars compared to fiscal 1996 was a result of continued increased expenses in
the early months of fiscal 1997, offset by a significant reduction in overall
sales and marketing expenses in the second half of fiscal 1997 in connection
with the restructuring plan executed by the Company.
 
    Due to the significant revenue shortfall in the first quarter of fiscal
1997, the Company executed internal restructuring plans in the second quarter
and again in the third quarter, which included reducing headcount, consolidating
facilities and operations, and downsizing, eliminating or converting Information
Superstores into solution labs managed by the Company's consulting practice. The
Company had significantly lower sales and marketing costs in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 1997 as a result of these measures. In the fourth quarter of fiscal
1997, sales and marketing expenses were reduced to $69.3 million. Costs in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 were 43% lower than the prior year quarter and 32%
lower than the third quarter of fiscal 1997.
 
    The significant increase in sales and marketing expenses in fiscal 1996 in
absolute dollars compared to fiscal 1995 was a result of the addition of new
sales offices and sales personnel worldwide as the Company expanded its
worldwide sales organization, the opening of new foreign offices, higher
commission expense associated with the increase of revenues prior to the
restatement and increased marketing programs associated with new product
launches.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1997      CHANGE      1996       CHANGE      1995
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                                                    (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Incurred product development expenditures.........................  $   161.1     8%      $   148.6     44%      $   103.1
Expenditures capitalized..........................................  $    21.8    (23)%    $    28.4     62%      $    17.5
Research and development expenses.................................  $   139.3     16%     $   120.2     40%      $    85.6
Expenditures capitalized as a percentage of incurred..............        14%                   19%                    17%
</TABLE>
 
    Research and development expenses increased 16% to $139.3 million for fiscal
1997 from $120.2 million for fiscal 1996. Research and development expenses
increased 40% to $120.2 million for fiscal 1996 from $85.6 million for fiscal
1996. The year-to-year increase in research and development expenses in absolute
dollars for fiscal 1997, is attributable principally to an increase in staff
which occurred during the early part of fiscal 1997, working on new products and
product extensions. The year-to-year increase in research and development
expenses in absolute dollars for fiscal 1996 is attributable principally to an
increase in staff working on the development of new products and product
extensions, including Universal Server.
 
    Informix accounts for its software development expenses in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed." This statement
requires that, once technological feasibility of a developing product has been
established, all subsequent costs incurred in developing that product to a
commercially acceptable level be capitalized and amortized ratably over the
revenue life of the product.
 
    Prior to fiscal 1997, the higher capitalization in absolute dollars of
product development expenditures from year to year resulted from an increase in
the work involved in projects having already reached technological feasibility
as they neared their release dates, including Universal Data Options formerly
Informix Universal Server.
 
    The Company believes that research and development expenditures are
essential to maintaining its competitive position in its primary markets and
expects the expenditure levels to continue to constitute a significant
percentage of revenues.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
    In fiscal 1997, general and administrative expenses increased 36% to $87.5
million from $64.4 million for fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1996, general and
administrative expenses increased 26% to $64.4 million from $51.1 million for
fiscal 1995. The increase in fiscal 1997 in general and administrative expenses
in absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenue was primarily the result
of the continued expansion of the Company's international operations, higher bad
debt expense of $4.6 million, incremental legal and auditing expenses of $8
million resulting from the stockholders' litigation and the restatement of the
Company's financial statements, and the write-off of certain assets of $2.2
million. General and administrative expenses increased in absolute dollars in
1996 compared to 1995 as a result of the continued expansion of the Company's
international operations.
 
WRITE-OFF OF GOODWILL AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
 
    In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed of," the Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used
in its operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might
be impaired and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts.
 
    In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company's Japanese subsidiary
experienced a significant shortfall in business activity compared to historical
levels. This fact, coupled with continuing competitive pressures in the Japanese
market, resulted in the Company adjusting its forecasts of the subsidiary's
future
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
cash flows and further led the Company to evaluate the recoverability of the
subsidiary's long-lived assets, including computer and other equipment, acquired
intangible assets and goodwill. As a result of this evaluation, the Company
determined that the carrying value of these long-lived assets had been impaired
and, accordingly, recorded a charge in the first quarter of $30.5 million to
write-down the assets' carrying value to their estimated fair value. Fair value
was determined using estimated future discounted cash flows of the subsidiary
and/or resale values as appropriate.
 
WRITE-OFF OF ACQUIRED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    In February 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of CenterView, a privately owned corporation that provides software tools for
application development. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $8.7
million, which included cash plus direct costs of acquisition. For financial
statement purposes, the acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and,
based on an independent appraisal of all the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, the purchase price was allocated to the specifically identifiable
tangible and intangible assets acquired, including approximately $7.0 million of
purchased research and development which has been charged to operations in the
period the acquisition was consummated, the first quarter of fiscal 1997.
 
    Based on a review of CenterView's current suite of products, the Company's
management identified and classified future versions of the Company's Data
Director product as in-process technology, specifically Versions 3.0 and 4.0, as
of the date of its acquisition. Data Director is an integrated development
extension for Microsoft Visual Basic that enables companies to build corporate
Intranet and client/server applications in a single environment. Data Director
enhances Visual Basic with a model-driven data access engine that manages all
database interactions between client and server, eliminating the complexity
traditionally associated with client/server development and enabling companies
to build client/server applications faster and more efficiently than with Visual
Basic alone.
 
    Based on discussions with CenterView management, including project
development project managers regarding the stage of development of Versions 3.0
and 4.0, it was determined that these projects had not reached technological
feasibility as of the date of the CenterView acquisition, nor did these projects
have any alternative future use. This determination was based primarily on an
assessment of the history of the research and development schedules for the
projects, their current stage of development, the risks inherent in completing
the incremental research and development efforts necessary to reach
technological feasibility, and the planned general release dates. Version 3.0
was scheduled for first customer release in July 1997 while Version 4.0 was
anticipated to reach first customer release in April 1998. Based on the
discussions with CenterView management regarding historical product releases, it
was determined that commercial release occurs approximately two to three months
after first customer introduction of the product. The projects are expected to
produce positive levels of cash flow during the year ended December 31, 1998.
Moreover, the Company estimated that the costs to complete these projects would
be approximately $8.4 million in fiscal 1997 and approximately $4.2 million in
fiscal 1998. These figures were estimated by considering (i) the development
schedules of the in-process projects; (ii) complexity of the identified
development projects; and (iii) number of engineer hours per project, per year.
 
    The market for the Company's Data Director product is characterized by
rapidly changing technology, frequent new product introductions and evolving
market and customer demands. Although CenterView successfully developed and
marketed Data Director Version 2.1 and previous versions, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing the
enhanced versions of the Data Director product. As such, the in-process
technology embedded in Data Director Versions 3.0 and 4.0 was valued utilizing
risk-adjusted cash flows to incorporate these and other uncertainties associated
with the Company's product development efforts. Failure to successfully complete
these efforts in a timely manner could adversely affect the market potential for
the acquired CenterView products.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
 
    In June and again in September 1997, the Company approved plans to
restructure its operations in order to bring expenses in line with forecasted
revenues. In connection with these restructurings, the Company substantially
reduced its worldwide headcount and consolidated facilities and operations to
improve efficiency. The following analysis sets forth the significant components
of the restructuring reserve at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       RESTRUCTURING   NON-CASH       CASH      ACCRUAL BALANCE AT
                                          EXPENSE        COSTS      PAYMENTS     DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                       -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                    <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Severance and benefits...............    $    21.9     $      --    $    19.5        $     2.4
Write-off of assets..................         48.2          48.2           --               --
Facility charges.....................         34.7           7.7          3.8             23.2
Other................................          3.4           2.2           .2              1.0
                                            ------         -----        -----            -----
                                         $   108.2     $    58.1    $    23.5        $    26.6
                                            ------         -----        -----            -----
                                            ------         -----        -----            -----
</TABLE>
 
    Severance and benefits represent the reduction of approximately 670
employees, primarily sales and marketing personnel, on a worldwide basis.
Temporary employees and contractors were also reduced. Write-off of assets
include the write-off or write-down in carrying value of equipment as a result
of the Company's decision to reduce the number of Information Superstores
throughout the world, as well as the write-off of equipment associated with
headcount reductions. The equipment subject to the write-offs and write-downs
consists primarily of computer servers, workstations, and personal computers
that will no longer be utilized in the Company's operations. These assets were
written down to their fair value less cost to sell. The carrying value at
December 31, 1997, of computer equipment included in the restructuring
activities during the second and third quarters of 1997 and intended to be
disposed of, is approximately $2.2 million. Facility charges include early
termination costs associated with the closing of certain domestic and
international sales offices.
 
    As a result of these restructuring activities, the Company was able to
reduce its operating expenses, in the form of lower depreciation expense,
reduced salaries and wages and lower rent expense, by approximately $12.2
million and $19.7 million, respectively, in the third and fourth quarters of
1997 compared to quarterly expense levels incurred in 1997 prior to the
initiation of the restructuring activities.
 
    The total Restructuring Expense decreased by $1.2 million during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 primarily due to adjusting the original estimate of the
loss to be incurred on the sale of land to the actual loss.
 
    The Company expects to complete most of the actions associated with
restructuring by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
MERGER EXPENSES
 
    In the first quarter of 1996, the Company recorded expenses of approximately
$5.9 million as a result of the acquisition of Illustra, which was accounted for
as a pooling of interests. These costs consisted primarily of investment
banking, legal and accounting fees.
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
    Interest income was $5.6 million as compared to $9.9 million and $8.1
million for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decline in fiscal 1997
in comparison to fiscal 1996 resulted from a reduction in the average
interest-bearing cash and short-term investments balances in fiscal 1997. The
reduction in cash is due to lower sales and higher expenses. The increase in
interest income from fiscal 1995 to fiscal 1996 was due to higher balances of
cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, offset by slightly lower
interest rates.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
    Interest expense decreased to $9.4 million from $12.5 million and increased
from $6.3 million for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Interest expense
principally relates to interest charges incurred in connection with financing of
customer accounts receivable and has decreased due to a decrease in the amount
of receivables financed.
 
OTHER INCOME, NET
 
    Other income, net, increased to $10.5 million for fiscal 1997 from $2.9
million and $0.1 million in fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase
from fiscal 1996 was due primarily to $8.1 million of net gains on the sale of
marketable securities and $8.0 million of foreign currency transaction gains,
offset partially by adjustments of $4.5 million to the carrying value of
strategic investments and $1.1 million of other expenses. Other income, net, in
fiscal 1996 consisted of $3.9 million of gain on sale of marketable securities
offset by other net expenses of $1.0 million.
 
    The restatement of the 1996, 1995 and 1994 financial statements resulted in
a change in the Company's foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts
payable and accounts receivable balances. As a result, certain foreign currency
transaction gains and losses realized due to fluctuation in the related asset
and liability currency exchange rates were not offset by underlying gains and
losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge those
foreign currency exposures. The Company recorded net foreign currency
transaction gains of approximately $8.0 million, $.3 million and $.2 million in
fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; the restatement of the Company's
financial statements affected the recorded net foreign currency transaction
gains and (losses) as follows: $7.5 million, $(0.7) million, $0.1 million and
$(0.5) million in fiscal 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    In fiscal 1997, income tax expense resulted primarily from foreign
withholding taxes and taxable earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions. The
expected tax benefit computed by applying the federal statutory rate to the loss
before income taxes was substantially offset by a corresponding increase in the
valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets. The Company has provided a
valuation allowance for the net deferred tax assets in excess of amounts
recoverable through carryback of net operating losses. Accordingly, realization
of the net deferred tax asset at December 31, 1997 of $34 million is not
dependent on future taxable income.
 
    In fiscal 1996, income tax expense resulted from an increase in the
valuation allowance for deferred tax assets attributable to foreign net
operating loss carryforwards, foreign withholding taxes and taxable earnings in
certain foreign jurisdictions.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
IMPACT OF RESTATEMENT ON QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The restatement of the financial statements for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994
and the first quarter of fiscal 1997 had the following impact on previously
reported quarterly financial information.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         FOURTH
                                               FIRST QUARTER          SECOND QUARTER (3)        THIRD QUARTER (3)     QUARTER (3)
                                          ------------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ------------
                                          AS REPORTED    RESTATED   AS REPORTED   RESTATED   AS REPORTED   RESTATED   AS REPORTED
                                          ------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<S>                                       <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997
  Net revenues..........................   $  133,664   $  149,902   $  182,012   $ 182,527   $  149,911   $ 150,184   $  181,152
  Gross profit (2)......................       63,185       79,616      123,527     124,042       97,625      97,898      132,266
  Net income (loss) (1)(2)..............     (140,107)    (144,161)    (111,377)         --     (110,523)         --        9,194
  Preferred stock dividend..............           --           --           --          --           --          --         (301)
  Value assigned to warrants............           --           --           --          --           --          --       (1,601)
                                          ------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
  stockholders..........................     (140,107)    (144,161)    (111,377)         --     (110,523)         --        7,292
  Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic.................................   $    (0.93)  $    (0.95)  $    (0.73)  $      --   $    (0.73)  $      --   $     0.05
    Diluted.............................        (0.93)       (0.95)       (0.73)         --        (0.73)         --         0.04
 
Year ended December 31, 1996
  Net revenues..........................   $  204,021   $  164,985   $  226,282   $ 160,290   $  238,180   $ 190,600   $  270,828
  Gross profit..........................      160,584      121,758      178,474     113,041      189,003     141,619      218,342
  Net income (loss).....................       15,891      (15,377)      21,628     (34,083)      26,181     (17,095)      34,118
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................   $     0.11   $    (0.10)  $     0.15   $   (0.23)  $     0.17   $   (0.11)  $     0.23
    Diluted.............................         0.10        (0.10)        0.14       (0.23)        0.17       (0.11)        0.22
 
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Net revenues..........................   $  148,037   $  146,325   $  164,068   $ 142,381   $  182,701   $ 168,002   $  219,413
  Gross profit..........................      121,839      120,343      134,042     112,432      150,183     137,668      178,396
  Net income (loss).....................       17,646       16,177       20,184      (2,731)      23,896       7,759       35,918
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................   $     0.12   $     0.11   $     0.14   $   (0.02)  $     0.16   $    0.05   $     0.24
    Diluted.............................         0.12         0.11         0.14       (0.02)        0.16        0.05         0.23
 
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Net revenues..........................   $   96,242   $   92,763   $  106,214   $  96,217   $  117,081   $ 111,428   $  150,575
  Gross profit..........................       81,429       77,950       89,765      79,768       98,106      92,453      129,520
  Net income (loss).....................       11,540        8,922       12,210       4,686       15,446      11,191       22,752
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................   $     0.09   $     0.07   $     0.09   $    0.03   $     0.11   $    0.08   $     0.16
    Diluted.............................         0.08         0.06         0.09        0.03         0.11        0.08         0.16
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                          RESTATED
                                          ---------
 
<S>                                       <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997
  Net revenues..........................  $ 181,279
  Gross profit (2)......................    132,393
  Net income (loss) (1)(2)..............         --
  Preferred stock dividend..............         --
  Value assigned to warrants............         --
                                          ---------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
  stockholders..........................         --
  Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic.................................  $      --
    Diluted.............................         --
Year ended December 31, 1996
  Net revenues..........................  $ 218,665
  Gross profit..........................    166,486
  Net income (loss).....................     (7,010)
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................  $   (0.05)
    Diluted.............................      (0.05)
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Net revenues..........................  $ 179,839
  Gross profit..........................    136,971
  Net income (loss).....................     17,372
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................  $    0.12
    Diluted.............................       0.11
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Net revenues..........................  $ 151,561
  Gross profit..........................    130,506
  Net income (loss).....................     23,494
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic...............................  $    0.17
    Diluted.............................       0.16
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The Company recorded in the second quarter and again in the third quarter of
    fiscal 1997, restructuring charges of $59.6 million and $49.7 million,
    respectively. The total restructuring expenses decreased by $1.2 million
    during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 primarily due to adjusting the
    original estimate of the loss to be incurred on the sale of land to the
    actual loss. (See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
 
(2) In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a charge of $30.5
    million to write down the carrying values of certain of its Japanese
    subsidiary's long-lived assets to their fair values. During the same
    quarter, the Company also recorded a charge of $14.7 million to write down
    the carrying value of capitalized software development costs for certain
    products to their net realizable values.
 
(3) The second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1997 were restated to
    reclassify interest expense on sold receivables to interest expense which
    had previously been classified as a reduction of net revenues.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
   
    The restatement of the financial statements for the first quarter of fiscal
1998 had the following impact on previously reported quarterly financial
information.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                                                                     31, 1998
                                                                                             ------------------------
                                                                                             AS REPORTED   RESTATED
                                                                                             -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                          <C>          <C>
Net revenues...............................................................................   $ 167,182   $   160,999
Gross profit...............................................................................     119,924       113,741
Net income (loss)..........................................................................       7,078         1,811
Preferred stock dividend...................................................................        (603)         (603)
Value assigned to warrants.................................................................      (1,594)       (1,594)
                                                                                             -----------  -----------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders........................................       4,881          (386)
Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic....................................................................................   $    0.03   $     (0.00)
  Diluted..................................................................................        0.03         (0.00)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--RECENT OPERATING RESULTS
    
 
   
    On July 22, 1998 the Company released the following results for the second
quarter ended June 30, 1998:
    
 
   
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        JUNE 30, 1998  JUNE 29, 1997  JUNE 30, 1998  JUNE 29, 1997
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net revenues:
  Licenses............................................   $    85,966    $   109,251    $   169,397    $   195,644
  Services............................................        88,235         73,276        165,803        136,785
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                             174,201        182,527        335,200        332,429
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of software distribution.......................         8,259         11,933         18,092         41,067
  Cost of services....................................        37,512         46,552         74,937         87,704
  Sales and marketing.................................        65,564        114,937        128,917        245,960
  Research and development                                    36,191         39,025         72,810         74,314
  General and administrative..........................        16,753         25,939         29,904         53,966
  Write-off of goodwill and other long-term assets....       --             --             --              30,473
  Write-off of acquired research and development......       --             --             --               7,000
  Restructuring.......................................        (1,431)        59,623         (4,683)        59,623
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                             162,848        298,009        319,977        600,107
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Operating income (loss)...............................        11,353       (115,482)        15,223       (267,678)
Interest income.......................................         1,833          1,134          3,871          2,401
Interest expense......................................        (1,284)        (2,268)        (3,166)        (4,736)
Other income (expense), net...........................           413          6,439             98         18,475
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....................        12,315       (110,177)        16,026       (251,538)
Income taxes..........................................       --               1,200          1,900          4,000
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income (loss).....................................   $    12,315    $  (111,377)   $    14,126    $  (255,538)
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Preferred stock dividend..............................          (624)       --              (1,227)       --
Value assigned to warrants............................          (388)       --              (1,982)       --
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        JUNE 30, 1998  JUNE 29, 1997  JUNE 30, 1998  JUNE 29, 1997
                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders...   $    11,303    $  (111,377)   $    10,917    $  (255,538)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic...............................................   $      0.07    $     (0.73)   $      0.07    $     (1.69)
  Diluted.............................................   $      0.07    $     (0.73)   $      0.06    $     (1.69)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
  Basic...............................................       167,787        151,722        164,000        151,386
  Diluted.............................................       171,425        151,722        169,847        151,386
</TABLE>
    
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            AS OF OR FOR THE
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED              AS OF OR FOR THE
                                                        ------------------------       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                         MARCH 31,    MARCH 30,   ----------------------------------
                                                           1998         1997        1997       1996         1995
                                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ------------
                                                             (IN MILLIONS)                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.....   $   165.5    $   120.4   $   155.5  $   261.0   $    253.2
Working capital (deficit).............................       (91.8)      (150.1)     (140.2)       3.1        163.6
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in)
  operations..........................................        (8.5)       (54.5)      144.8      (29.4)        59.3
Cash and cash equivalents used in investment
  activities..........................................        (4.5)      (101.1)      (63.1)    (145.3)      (157.7)
Cash and cash equivalents provided by financing
  activities..........................................        19.3         20.4       115.2      228.7        136.8
</TABLE>
 
    OPERATING CASH FLOWS
 
    Cash used by operations decreased significantly to $8.5 million for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998 from $54.5 million in the same period in 1997 due
primarily to the Company's efforts to reduce operating expenses. Cash used by
operations increased significantly to $144.8 million for the year ended December
31, 1997 from $29.4 million in 1996 due to operating expenses in excess of
revenues. Cash from operations did not provide sufficient resources to fund the
Company's operations in fiscal 1997 and 1996.
 
    The net loss of $356.9 million for fiscal 1997, included a number of
non-cash transactions. These non-cash transactions included write-downs of long
term assets, capitalized software, goodwill and acquired research and
development and certain non-cash restructuring charges which partially offset
the net loss resulting in net cash used by operations of $144.8 million.
 
    Net accounts receivable decreased by $13.2 million in the first quarter
ended March 30, 1998 as compared to the fourth quarter of 1997. Net accounts
receivable decreased by $52.5 million to $142.0 million as of December 31, 1997
from December 31, 1996. This decrease resulted from a $37.4 million decrease in
revenues during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared to the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1996 partially offset by a reduction in its financing programs
with third-party financial institutions in fiscal 1997. Days sales outstanding
("DSO") was 71, 83 and 79 at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
Company increased its efforts to improve cash collections in fiscal 1997 in
response to its deteriorating cash position during the year. The Company expects
DSO in 1998 to approximate or to slightly increase from the fiscal 1997 levels.
DSO increased from approximately 71 days in December 1997 to 72 days in March
1998. The days sales outstanding ratio is dependent on many factors, including
the mix of contract-based revenue with significant OEMs and large corporate and
government end-users versus revenue recognized on shipments to application
vendors and distributors. Cash received from customers and third-party financial
institutions in advance of revenue being recognized has been recorded as
advances on unearned license revenue; however, the Company does not expect to
finance amounts due from customers subsequent to December 31, 1997.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
    INVESTING CASH FLOWS
 
    Excluding investments of excess cash, net cash and cash equivalents used in
investing activities decreased in the first quarter of 1998 compared to the same
period in 1997 due in large part to the Company's emphasis on increasing its
working capital position. In the first quarter of 1998, the Company acquired
$1.7 million of capital equipment as compared to $20.4 million during the same
period in 1997. The decrease of capital equipment purchases in the first quarter
of 1998 resulted from the Company's reduction in employee headcount, the related
cost containment program and the Company's decision to downsize, eliminate or
convert its Superstores into solution labs managed by the Company's consulting
practice. In the future, the Company anticipates the actual level of capital
spending will be dependent on a variety of factors, including the Company's
business requirements and general economic conditions.
 
    In January 1997, the Company entered into a two year land lease which
required a pledge of $61.5 million in cash be placed into a non-interest bearing
collateral account controlled by an affiliate of the lessor. In April 1997, the
Company exercised its option to purchase the land for $61.5 million with the
intent to arrange for the sale of the parcels to unrelated third parties. The
$61.5 million is reflected in the "purchases of land and property and equipment"
line of the cash flow statement. The land sales closed in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1997.
 
    Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities decreased for the
year ended December 31, 1997 compared with the same period in 1996. The decrease
was due in large part to lower investments of excess cash due to the significant
decline in cash balances over the year. Significant investing activities,
excluding the investment of excess cash, during the year included additions to
software costs of $20.8 million, the sale of available-for-sale securities for
$46.0 million, purchase of the Santa Clara property and capital equipment of
$92.2 million, the purchase of CenterView for $8.7 million and net proceeds from
selling the Santa Clara property of $59.3 million.
 
    The Company sold its interest in a strategic investment during fiscal 1997
which resulted in net proceeds of $10.4 million.
 
    The Company planned on relocating its corporate headquarters to Santa Clara,
California, approximately 15 miles to the south of the Company's headquarters.
In January 1997, the Company entered into a two year lease for 27 acres of
undeveloped commercial real estate which required a pledge of $61.5 million in
cash into a non-interest bearing collateral account controlled by an affiliate
of the lessor. In April 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase the
land for $61.5 million with the intent to arrange for the sale of the parcels to
unrelated third parties. The $61.5 million is reflected in the "purchases of
land and property and equipment" line of the cash flow statement. The land sales
closed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, and $59.3 million is disclosed on
the "proceeds from disposal of land and property and equipment."
 
    In addition, during fiscal 1997, the Company acquired $30.7 million of
capital equipment consisting primarily of computer equipment, computer software
and office equipment. Capital equipment purchases were primarily the result of
the Company's expected expansion during the first half of fiscal 1997.
 
    In February 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of CenterView, a privately owned corporation that provides software tools for
application development. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $8.7
million, which included cash plus direct costs of acquisition. For financial
statement purposes, the acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and,
based on an independent appraisal of all the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, the purchase price was allocated to the specifically identifiable
intangible assets acquired, including approximately $7.0 million of purchased
research and development which has been charged to operations in the period the
acquisition was consummated the first quarter of fiscal 1997.
 
    FINANCING
 
    Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities in the first
quarter of 1998 consist primarily of proceeds from the sale of the Company's
common stock to employees, and the purchase of
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
60,000 additional shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock at $250 per share for net
proceeds to the Company of $14.1 million in connection with the partial exercise
of the Series A-1 Warrant.
 
    The Company's programs with third-party financing institutions in the first
quarter of 1997 provided financing for extended credit terms instead of such
financing being provided by the Company. This was the primary source of net cash
and cash equivalents provided by financing activities in the first quarter of
1997. Cash received from customers and third-party financial institutions in
advance of revenue being recognized is reflected in the Statement of Cash Flows
under "Advances from Customers and Financial Institutions" as a financing
activity. The Company no longer enters into third-party financing arrangements
involving the sale of its receivables. See "Risk Factors--Need for Additional
Financing and Working Capital Deficit."
 
    Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities in fiscal
1997 decreased in comparison to the same period in 1996. A significant portion
of the decrease was the decline in advances from customers and financial
institutions, partially offset by the proceeds from issuances of preferred and
common stock.
 
    The Company may receive cash, either from the customer, or from a financial
institution to whom the customer payment streams due under software license
arrangements are sold, prior to the time the license fee is recognized as earned
revenue. If the Company fails to comply with the contractual terms of the
specific license agreement, the Company could be required to refund to the
customer or the financial institution the amount(s) received. However, the
Company does not believe the refunds of amounts received, if any, will have a
material effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or
cash flows. During fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company received $21.8
million, $207.2 million and $109.3 million, respectively, of license fee
payments in advance of revenue being recognized under such transactions.
 
    Proceeds from common stock represent stock options exercised and purchases
under the employee stock purchase plan. In September 1997, the Company's Board
of Directors authorized the repricing of outstanding stock options to purchase
Common Stock under the Company's stock option plans so that the exercise price
of repriced options would equal the closing sales price of the Company's Common
Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market on November 17, 1997, which was
$7.1563. See "Executive Compensation--Stock Option Repricing."
 
    In August 1997, the Company raised net proceeds of $37.6 million through the
issuance of the Series A Preferred. In November 1997, the Company raised an
additional $50.0 million in net proceeds (excluding a $1.0 million fee paid to a
financial advisor of the Company) through the issuance of the Series B
Preferred. Simultaneously with the closing of the Series B Preferred, the
holders of the Series A Preferred exchanged all their outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred for the newly designated Series A-1 Preferred, having
substantially similar rights, preferences and privileges as the Series A
Preferred with the exception of certain amendments, including revisions to the
terms under which such shares become mandatorily redeemable.
 
    The Company assigned its leasehold interest and its related obligations
under an office space lease in Santa Clara, California to an unrelated third
party. The lease term was for fifteen years and minimum lease payments amount to
$96.0 million over the term. The Company remains contingently liable for minimum
lease payments under the terms of the assignment.
 
    As of December 31, 1997, the Company was contractually obligated to purchase
approximately $4.4 million of various computer equipment.
 
    The Company has several active software development and service provider
contracts with third-party technology providers. These agreements contain
financial commitments by the Company of $15.1 million, $11.4 million, $10.4
million, $7.3 million and $3.5 million in fiscal 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and
2002, respectively.
 
    In December 1997, Informix Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the
Company's principal operating subsidiary ("Informix Software"), entered into a
Senior Secured Credit Agreement with a syndicate of commercial banks, including
BankBoston, N.A. as administrative agent and Canadian
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
Imperial Bank of Commercial as syndication agent, providing for a revolving
credit facility of up to $75 million (the "Credit Facility"). The actual amount
available under the Credit Facility, for either direct borrowings or issuances
of letters of credit, is based on 80 percent of the eligible domestic accounts
receivable and 50 percent of the eligible foreign accounts receivable. Accounts
receivable for an account debtor are ineligible for purposes of the Credit
Facility when (a) such account receivable is outstanding for longer than 60
days, (b) the account debtor or any other person obligated to make payment
thereon asserts any defense, offset, counterclaim or other right to avoid or
reduce the amount of the account receivable, but only to the extent the lenders
reasonably determine a valid defense, offset, counterclaim or other right exists
and then only to the extent of such right, (c) the account debtor or other
person required to make payment thereon is insolvent, subject to bankruptcy or
receivership proceedings or has made an assignment for the benefit of creditors
or whose credit standing is unacceptable to the lenders, and the lenders have so
notified the Company, (d) the account debtor is a lender under the Credit
Facility, (e) 30 percent or more of the accounts receivable of any account
debtor is deemed ineligible because such accounts are outstanding for longer
than 60 days thus rendering all the accounts receivable of that debtor
ineligible and (f) the lender reasonably deems not to qualify an account
receivable as eligible and provides a reasonably detailed written explanation to
the Company. Under the Credit Facility, foreign accounts receivable that are
backed by a letter of credit issued or confirmed by a financial institution
approved by the lenders are deemed to be domestic accounts receivable. As a
result, the aggregate amount available under the Credit Facility will vary from
time to time based on the amount and eligibility of the Company's receivables.
As of December 31, 1997, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit
Facility, the Company's accounts receivable totaled $142 million and its
borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $47 million.
 
    The purpose of the Credit Facility is to provide the Company working capital
and finance general corporate purposes. The term of the Credit Facility is two
years. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at a premium
over one of two alternative variable rates selected by the Company. The "Base
Rate" equals the greater of (i) the rate of interest announced by BankBoston,
N.A. as its "base rate" and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%
per year. The "Adjusted LIBOR Rate" equals (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate
divided by (ii) one minus the applicable reserve requirement under Regulation D
of the Federal Reserve Board. The maximum premium over the Base Rate is 1.25%,
and the maximum premium over the LIBOR Rate is 2.50%, subject to downward
adjustment based on the Company's realizing certain financial thresholds. The
Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of Informix Software and the
capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries that are domiciled in the United
States, including Informix Software. The availability of the Credit Facility is
also subject to the Company's compliance with certain covenants, including the
following financial covenants requiring the Company to: (a) maintain a ratio of
1.25 to 1.00 in respect of the sum of cash and acounts receivable to the
difference of current liabilities less deferred and unearned revenues, (b)
maintain quarterly revenues which do not include any restated revenue resulting
from the Company's November 1997 restatement of its financial statements of
$150.0 million through June 1998 and $160.0 million thereafter, (c) maintain
quarterly operating loss of no more than $10.0 million through the quarter
ending March 31, 1998 and a quarterly operating profit of at least $10 million
for the quarter ending June 30, 1998 and a quarterly operating profit of at
least $15 million thereafter, (d) maintain, for the quarter ending June 30, 1998
and each quarter thereafter, a positive quarterly cash flow consisting of
operating income which does not include any restated revenue resulting from the
Company's November 1997 restatement of its financial statements, capitalized
software costs, capital expenditures or cash outlays in respect of accrued
expenses arising from restructuring charges (but which income figure does take
into account depreciation and amortization expenses), (e) maintain an interest
coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 in respect of quarterly operating cash flow to
interest expense plus scheduled amortization of debt, (f) refrain from making
additional investments in fixed or capital assets, in any fiscal year, in excess
of $15.0 million, plus any carry forward amount which carry forward amount
cannot exceed $5.0 million and (g) refrain from entering into any merger,
consolidation, reorganization or other transaction resulting in a fundamental
change. At March 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance with all financial
covenants under the Credit Facility except for the attainment of Minimum
Quarterly Revenue (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 1998. However, the Company has secured a waiver from BankBoston,
N.A., the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and each of the lenders under the
Credit Facility regarding this covenant as it
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
relates to the Company's financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 1998. In addition, in connection with such waiver, the Credit Facility was
amended to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Revenue from $150.0 million to $144.0
million through June 1998 and from $160.0 million to $154.0 million thereafter.
 
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RATE RISK
 
    INTEREST RATE RISK.  The Company's exposure to market rate risk for changes
in interest rates relates primarily to the Company's investment portfolio. The
Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment
portfolio. The Company places its investments with high quality issuers and, by
policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The Company is
averse to principal loss and ensures the safety and preservation of its invested
funds by limiting default, market and reinvestment risk. The Company classifies
its cash equivalents and short-term investments as "fixed rate" if the rate of
return on such instruments remains fixed over their term. These "fixed-rate"
investments include fixed rate U.S. government securities, municipal bonds, time
deposits and certificates of deposits. The Company classifies its cash
equivalents and short-term investments as "variable rate" if the rate of return
on such investments varies based on the change in a predetermined index or set
of indices during their term. These "variable-rate" investments primarily
include money market accounts held at various securities brokers and banks. The
table below presents the amounts and related weighted interest rates of the
Company's investment portfolio at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   AVERAGE
                                                                                INTEREST RATE     COST     FAIR VALUE
                                                                               ---------------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                            <C>              <C>        <C>
Cash equivalents
  Fixed rate.................................................................          6.02%    $  71,161   $  71,178
  Variable rate..............................................................          5.59         1,353       1,353
Short-term investments
  Fixed rate.................................................................          5.61        15,899      15,898
  Variable rate..............................................................          5.73           117         117
</TABLE>
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK.  The Company enters into forward foreign exchange
contracts primarily to hedge the value of accounts receivable or accounts
payable denominated in foreign currencies (mainly European and Asian foreign
currencies) against fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables are
collected or such payables are disbursed. The Company does not enter into
forward foreign exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. The
Company's accounting policies for these contracts are based on the Company's
designation of the contracts as hedging transactions. The criteria the Company
uses for designating a contract as a hedge include the contract's effectiveness
in risk reduction and one-to-one matching of derivative instruments to
underlying transactions. Gains and losses on forward foreign exchange contracts
are deferred and recognized in income in the same period as losses and gains on
the underlying transactions are recognized and generally offset. If an
underlying hedged transaction is terminated earlier than initially anticipated,
the offsetting gain or loss on the related forward foreign exchange contract
would be recognized in income in the same period. Subsequent gains or losses on
the related contract would be recognized in income in each period until the
contract matures, is terminated or sold. The Company operates in certain
countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific where there are
limited forward currency exchange markets and thus the Company has unhedged
transaction exposures in these currencies. However, such exposures are not
material to the Company's financial statements for any period presented. In
addition, since the Company enters into forward contracts only as a hedge, any
change in currency rates would not result in any material net gain or loss as
any gain or loss on the underlying foreign currency denominated balance would be
offset by the gain or loss on the forward contract. The table below provides
information about the Company's foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The
information is provided in U.S. dollar equivalents and presents the notional
amount (contract amount) and the weighted average contractual foreign currency
exchange rates. All contracts mature within twelve months.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
    Subsequent to fiscal year end 1997, the Company began entering into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge no more than 80% of anticipated net
income of foreign subsidiaries of up to a maximum of one year in the future.
From an accounting perspective, these hedges are considered to be speculative.
The Company's outstanding forward exchange contracts used to hedge anticipated
net income are marked to market. This hedging activity did not have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations.
 
FORWARD CONTRACTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       WEIGHTED
                                                                                        AVERAGE
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                                                                 CONTRACT RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------  CONTRACT VALUE  -------------    FAIR VALUE
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>            <C>
Forward currency contracts sold:
  British Pound....................................................   $     55,740    $      0.60    $        241
  Deutsche Mark....................................................         17,050           1.77             (75)
  French Franc.....................................................         14,139           5.91             (66)
  Italian Lira.....................................................          3,901       1,742.34               4
  Spanish Peseta...................................................          3,166         149.76              (7)
  Swedish Krona....................................................          1,682           7.76              (3)
  Other (individually less than $1 million)........................          2,090             NM              47
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
Total..............................................................   $     97,768                   $        141
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
Forward currency contracts purchased:
  Swiss Franc......................................................   $      1,636           1.42    $         16
  Dutch Guilder....................................................          1,096           1.99               5
  Other (individually less than $1 million)........................          2,208             NM              12
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
Total..............................................................   $      4,940                   $         33
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
Grand Total........................................................   $    102,708                   $        174
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
                                                                     --------------                 --------------
</TABLE>
 
    SUMMARY
 
    The Company believes that its current cash balances, cash available under
the Credit Facility and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet its
working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
   
    In May 1998, the Company dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent accountants and engaged KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent accountants. See "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure."
    
 
   
    In June 1998, a holder of Series B Preferred converted 500 shares of Series
B Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company. In connection
with such conversion, the Company issued such Series B Preferred stockholder a
Warrant to purchase up to 66,000 shares of Series B Preferred at an exercise
price of $7.84 per share and made a dividend payment of $13,904 in cash to such
stockholder.
    
 
   
    In July 1998, the Company adopted its 1998 Non Statutory Stock Option Plan
under which it reserved 5,500,000 shares of its Common Stock for issuance to
employees and consultants of the Company other than executive officers and
directors.
    
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS SECTION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS RELATING
TO FUTURE EVENTS OR THE FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY, WHICH
INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A
RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" AND
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company is a leading multinational supplier of information management
software. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports
relational database management systems ("RDBMS"), connectivity interfaces and
gateways and application development tools for graphical and character-based
software applications as part of an RDBMS. Database management software permits
multiple individual users, employing different application software, to access
and manage the same data concurrently without corrupting the underlying
database. RDBMS software extends the functionality and utility of non-relational
database management software by simplifying the data retrieval process for end-
users, who do not require specific knowledge about the structure of the database
but need only to specify the data to be retrieved. Companies commonly employ
RDBMS software for use in storing, managing and retrieving the large amounts of
data necessary to support internal management information and decision-support
systems as well as mission-critical data processing applications.
 
    The Company believes that technological advances, including the development
and commercialization of the Internet, will lead to increasingly sophisticated
customer requirements for data storage and management beyond the functionality
offered by conventional RDBMS products. In recent years, the types and
quantities of data required to be stored and managed has grown increasingly
complex and includes, in addition to conventional character data, audio, video,
text and three dimensional graphics. In 1996, the Company devoted substantial
resources in the development of object-relational database management systems
("ORDBMS") and tools for applications in multimedia and entertainment, digital
media publishing and financial services.
 
    The Company markets its products to end-users on a worldwide basis directly
through its sales force and indirectly through application resellers, OEMs and
distributors. The principal geographic markets for the Company's products are
North America, Europe, the Asia/Pacific region, and Latin America. In recent
years, approximately half of the Company's total revenues have been generated
outside North America. The Company's principal customers include businesses
ranging from small corporations to Fortune 1000 companies, principally in the
manufacturing, financial services, telecommunications, media, retail/wholesale,
hospitality and government services sectors.
 
PRODUCTS
 
    INFORMIX DYNAMIC SERVER
 
    Informix Dynamic Server is a high performance, enterprise capable online
transaction processing database server. This product is based on Informix's
Dynamic Scalable Architecture and features parallel data processing capability,
replication and connectivity options built into its core. Informix Dynamic
Server is available in a variety of configurations based upon adding one or more
of the configuration options described below.
 
    Informix also provides a version of Informix Dynamic Server called the
Workgroup Edition, which has been adapted specifically for workgroup
environments.
 
    SERVER CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
 
    Informix makes available five server configuration options, which are
integrated in various combinations along with Informix Dynamic Server to meet
specific customer requirements.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
        The Informix Advanced Decision Support Option extends Informix Dynamic
Server with a variety of decision support functions including summarization,
sampling, and "top-N."
 
        The Informix Extended Parallel Option adapts Informix Dynamic Server to
work within loosely coupled, share-nothing computing architectures, including
clusters of symmetric multiprocessing systems and parallel processing systems.
 
        The Informix Universal Data Option extends Informix Dynamic Server with
support for extensibility and SQL3. Extensibility includes the ability to add
new objects and data types, business specific procedures and logic, and new
indexing search methods to the server, as well as support for DataBlade modules,
which can include a related set of data types, functions and indexes for a
specific purpose.
 
        The Informix MetaCube ROLAP Option adds an on-line analytical processing
engine to Informix Dynamic Server that automatically preconsolidates data and
provides a multidimensional view of data without the constraints of two
dimensional (row and table) data model. This option also includes MetaCube
Explorer; MetaCube Scheduler for batch processing; MetaCube Queryback for
running queries in the background; MetaCube Aggregator for creating and
maintaining aggregates in a data warehouse; MetaCube for Excel which enables
data Warehouse analysis in an Excel spreadsheet environment; and MetaCube for
the Web which brings MetaCube analysis capabilities to intranets.
 
        Finally, the Informix Web Integration Option provides connectivity
between Web servers and Informix Dynamic Server. This option enables developers
to create intelligent web applications based upon database information that
deliver multimedia, tailored Web pages to users.
 
    DATABLADE MODULES
 
        DataBlade modules combine new data types, new functions or methods, and
new indexing operations, which taken together extend Informix Dynamic Server.
The DataBlade modules are used in conjunction with the Universal Data Option.
Informix sells the following DataBlade modules, and others are available through
Informix's partners:
 
        The Informix Video Foundation DataBlade module provides an open and
scalable software architecture that allows strategic third-party development
partners to incorporate specific video technologies such as video servers,
external control devices, compression codes or cataloging tools into database
management applications with the Informix Dynamic Server. In addition, the video
data types and data model allow customers to explore new ways to manipulate
video and associated metadata, or information about the video.
 
        The Informix TimeSeries DataBlade module expands the functionality of
the database by adding support for the management of time-series and temporal
data. The TimeSeries DataBlade module supports a regular or irregular repeating
time-stamped series of any datatype supported by Informix Dynamic Server or any
structure or combination of these. For example, a set of open, high, low and
close currency values can be used to record a time-based series of stock prices.
The granularity of time recording can be adjusted to suit the unique
requirements of the application. The TimeSeries DataBlade module provides
support for three new datatypes, time-series, calendar and calendar pattern, and
over 80 functions to manage them. The time-series type stores sequences of
time-stamped information, and a related calendar allows access to specific
portions of the time series for update, analysis, display or other uses.
 
        The Informix Geodetic DataBlade module provides geo-spatial datatypes
and functions supporting two-dimensional representation of the earth's surface
based on a geodetic (longitude, latitude and datum) coordinate system. In
addition to two-dimensional geographic feature support, the Geodetic DataBlade
Module allows an altitude range and a time range to be specified.
 
CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS
 
        The Company's principal connectivity products include the following:
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
        Informix--Enterprise Gateway Manager is a connectivity tool allowing
applications running on various operating systems to access data sources via
loadable gateway drivers. The Company also offers gateway drivers for Oracle and
Sybase databases. Drivers for additional data sources are available from various
third parties.
 
        Informix--Enterprise Gateway with DRDA is a UNIX based connectivity tool
allowing interoperability to IBM databases such as DB2, DB2/VM and DB2/400 from
Windows and UNIX clients. Informix-Gateway with DRDA allows applications built
with Informix application development tools to access and modify information in
Distributed Relational Database Architecture compliant database management
systems.
 
        Informix--ESQL for C and COBOL are embedded SQL products which permit
developers to take advantage of SQL technology while building applications is in
C or COBOL.
 
        Informix--CLI is a library of low level functions that provide high
performance direct access to Informix databases from applications built in C or
other third generation languages. Informix--CLI is compliant with Microsoft's
ODBC specifications.
 
    DATABASE TOOLS
 
        The Company offers a variety of database application development tools
designed to allow users to build applications. The Company's principal database
tools include:
 
        Informix Data Director for Visual Basic enables developers to prototype,
build, and extend workgroup and enterprise applications. Data Director for
Visual Basic reduces the amount of application code necessary for writing
client/server solutions by automating the data access operations for the client
application. This automation eliminates the time consuming task of writing data
access code, allows developers to incorporate sophisticated functionality
without having to be SQL experts, and enables project teams to improve their
time to market with scalable applications. Data Director enables developers to
create applications that support user defined data types, including images, Web
pages and spatial data.
 
        Informix--NewEra is a graphical, object-oriented development environment
designed for creating enterprise-wide multi-tier client/server database
applications. Informix--NewEra features a fourth generation object-oriented
programming language, reusable class libraries, application partitioning and
flexible application deployment and supports open connectivity to Informix and
non-Informix databases. Informix-NewEra is currently available for Microsoft
Windows and OSF Motif.
 
        Informix--4GL is a character-based development environment, which
includes a fourth generation programming language with screen building, report
entry, and SQL database input/output capabilities.
The Informix--4GL product family is comprised of three core products:
Informix--4GL Compiled, Informix--4GL Rapid Development Systems and
Informix--4GL interactive Debugger.
 
        Informix--SQL is a package of five interactive tools for creating
character-based applications. Informix--SQL consists of a forms package, a
report writer, an interactive SQL editor, a menu building and an interactive
schema editor.
 
SERVICES, CONSULTING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
 
    The Company maintains field-based and centralized corporate technical staffs
to provide a comprehensive range of assistance to its customers. These services
include pre- and post-sales technical assistance, consulting, product and sales
training and technical support services. Consultants and trainers provide
services to customers to assist them in the use of the Company's products and
the design and development of applications that utilize the Company's products.
 
    The Company provides post-sales support to its customers on an optional
basis for annual fees which generally range from 12% to 18% of the license fees
paid by the customer. These support services usually include product updates.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    During fiscal 1996 and the first quarter of fiscal 1997, as part of its
sales and marketing strategy, the Company launched a series of "Information
SuperStores." The Superstores were intended to demonstrate and offer the
Company's software products to customers on actual hardware platforms used by
those customers, thereby permitting the end-user to evaluate and monitor the
performance and functionality of the Company's products prior to purchase. In
addition, the Superstores offered application tools from leading third-party
tools and application vendors installed on a variety of platforms, including
Data General Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, NCR/TeraData, Pyramid,
Sequent Computer Systems Inc. ("Sequent"), Silicon Graphics and Sun
Microsystems. In connection with the Company's restructuring announced in the
second quarter of 1997, the Company scaled back its original plans and
repositioned its remaining sites as solution labs managed by the Company's
consulting practice. The decision to scale back the Superstores resulted in a
charge to operations during fiscal 1997 of approximately $37.0 million. See
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Restructuring Charges.
 
MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company distributes its products through the channels of direct end-user
licensing, OEMs, application vendors addressing specific markets and
distributors. The Company has chosen a multiple channel distribution strategy to
maintain broad market coverage and product availability. The Company, therefore,
has generally avoided exclusive relationships with its licensees and other
resellers of its products. Discount policies and reseller licensing programs are
intended to support each distribution channel with a minimum of channel
conflict. The Company also provides a financing option to customers in
connection with the license of software. For fiscal 1997, sales of licenses
directly to end users accounted for 58% of total license revenues and sales to
OEM's and sales through resellers accounted for 42% of total license revenues.
 
    At March 31, 1998, the Company's sales, marketing and support staff totaled
955 regular employees in the North America region; 139 regular employees in the
Latin America region; 601 regular employees in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa; and 358 regular employees in the Asia/Pacific region.
 
LICENSING
 
    END-USER LICENSING
 
    The Company licenses its products to large companies and government entities
through its direct sales force, and to certain of these companies, as well as
smaller end-users, through its telemarketing sales force. The Company believes
that the common core technology of its database management system products,
based on standard operating systems and the SQL database language, helps it sell
into major corporations and government agencies that wish to standardize their
diverse computing environments. As a result, certain of these end-user
organizations have entered into general purchasing agreements with the Company
which offer volume discounts.
 
    APPLICATION VENDOR LICENSING
 
    Since its inception, the Company has licensed application vendors to
distribute its products. A typical application vendor develops an application
product (E.G., an insurance agency management system) using one of the Company's
products and then licenses the resultant application software to its customers
in the target market. The application vendor customer purchases a license for
use of the Company's product to develop an applications program. Depending on
the application program developed, it may include a run-only license, a full
version license or even multiple product licenses.
 
    Application vendors develop applications using a wide array of application
development tools, including products from the Company, such as
Informix--NewEra, Informix--4GL and Informix--SQL, as well as products offered
by third parties. Applications developed using the Company's products are
generally portable across various brands of computers and different operating
systems.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    The Company has specialized programs to support the application vendor
distribution channel. Under these programs, the Company provides to selected
application vendors a combination of marketing development services, consulting
and technical marketing support and discounts.
 
    OEM LICENSING
 
    The Company's products are also marketed with the assistance of the sales
forces of its OEM customers who have concluded that "solution selling" of a
combination of software and hardware to their respective customers enhances the
sales of their computer equipment. The Company believes that the compatibility
and range of applications for its products are significant to this distribution
channel.
 
    DISTRIBUTOR LICENSING
 
    The Company has established a network of full service international
distributors who provide local service and support, as well as the Company's
products, to their respective national markets. Distributors are used to
supplement the Company's direct sales force and enable the Company to sell its
products and services in countries where the Company has not established a
direct sales force.
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
    The computer software industry is highly competitive and rapidly changing.
Consequently, the Company dedicates considerable resources to research and
development efforts to enhance its existing product lines and to develop new
products to meet new market opportunities. Most of the Company's current
software products and accompanying documentation have been developed internally;
however, the Company has acquired certain software products from others and
plans to do so again in the future.
 
    Major product releases resulting from research and development projects in
fiscal 1997 included the new releases of Informix Dynamic Server; Universal Data
Option; Extended Parallel Option; Advanced Decision Support Option; Informix
Dynamic Server, Workgroup Edition; and the initial release of Web Integration
Option.
 
    The Company's current product development efforts are focused on (i)
improving and enhancing current products and new products, with particular
emphasis on parallel computer architecture, user-defined database extensions,
Web technology integration, graphical desk top and system administration; (ii)
improving the Company's products to provide greater speed and support for larger
numbers of concurrent users; and (iii) adapting new products to the broad range
of computer brands and operating systems the Company currently supports and
adapting current products to new brands of computers and operating systems which
represent attractive market opportunities for the Company's products.
 
    There can be no assurance that the Company's product development efforts
will be successful or that any new products will achieve significant market
acceptance.
 
    As of March 31, 1998, the Company had 941 regular employees engaged in
research and development. In recent months, the Company has experienced high
attrition in its product development group and has had difficulty attracting
qualified replacement development personnel. Any failure to attract and retain a
sufficient number of qualified development personnel would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition.
 
    The Company's research and development expenditures for fiscal 1997, 1996
and 1995 was $139.3 million, $120.2 million and $85.6 million, respectively,
representing approximately 21%, 16% and 14% of net revenues for such periods. In
addition, during fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company capitalized product
development costs of $21.8 million, $28.4 million and $17.5 million,
respectively, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
86. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations."
 
    The market for the Company's products and services is characterized by
rapidly changing technology, changing customer needs, frequent new product
introductions and evolving industry standards that may
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
render existing products and services obsolete. The life cycles of the Company's
products are difficult to estimate. The Company's growth and future financial
performance will depend upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to
introduce new products on a timely and cost-effective basis and that meet
dynamic customer requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be successful in developing new products or enhancing its existing products or
that such new or enhanced products will receive market acceptance or be
delivered timely to the market. The Company's product development efforts are
expected to continue to require substantial investments by the Company, and
there can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient resources to
make the necessary investments. The Company has experienced product development
delays in the past and may experience delays in the future. Delays in the
scheduled availability or a lack of market acceptance of its products or failure
to accurately anticipate customer demand and meet customer performance
requirements, including as a result of recent attrition in the Company's product
development group, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, products
as complex as those offered by the Company may contain undetected errors or bugs
when first introduced or as new versions are released. There can be no assurance
that, despite testing, new products or new versions of existing products will
not contain undetected errors or bugs that will delay the introduction or
commercial acceptance of such products. A key factor in determining the success
of the Company will continue to be the ability of the Company's products to
operate and perform well with existing and future leading, industry-standard
application software products intended to be used with RDBMS. Failure to meet
existing or future interoperability requirements of certain independent vendors
and performance requirements of certain independent vendors marketing such
applications in a timely manner could adversely affect the market for the
Company's products. Commercial acceptance of the Company's products and services
could also be adversely affected by critical or negative statements or reports
by brokerage firms, industry and financial analysts and industry periodicals
concerning the Company, its products, business or competitors or by the
advertising or marketing efforts of competitors, or other factors that could
accept consumer perception.
 
    In recent years, the types and quantities of data required to be stored and
managed has grown increasingly complex and includes, in addition to conventional
character data, audio, video, text, and three dimensional graphics. In 1996, the
Company devoted substantial resources in developing the Company's ORDBMS product
line. The market for the products offering object-relational database
functionality is new and evolving, and its growth depends upon a growing need to
store and manage complex data and on broader market acceptance of the Company's
products as a solution for this need. There can be no assurance that
organizations will chose to make the transition from conventional RDBMS to
ORDBMS. Delays in market acceptance of object-relational database management
products offered by the Company could have an adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations and financial condition.
 
COMPETITION
 
    Competitors in the relational database software market compete primarily on
the basis of product price and performance characteristics, name recognition,
technical product support, product training and services. With respect to
product performance, the Company believes that the principal competitive factors
include (i) application development productivity (I.E., the speed with which
applications can be built); (ii) database performance (I.E., the speed at which
database storage and retrieval functions are executed); (iii) product function
and features; (iv) the ability to support large warehouses of information; (v)
reliability, availability and serviceability; (vi) the distribution of software
applications and data across networks of computers from multiple suppliers; and
increasingly (vii) the ability to manage complex data and solve more complex
business problems based on such data. Although the Company believes that it
currently competes favorably with respect to such factors, there can be no
assurance that the Company can maintain its competitive position against current
and potential competitors, especially those with greater financial, marketing,
service, support, technical and other resources. In addition, the Company
believes that it has effectively controlled its operating expenses and
significantly improved its financial condition.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    The Company faces intense competition in the market for RDBMS software
products. The market for the Company's products is subject to rapid
technological change and frequent new product introductions and enhancements,
and the Company's competitors in the market include several large vendors that
develop and market databases, applications, development tools or decision
support products. The Company's principal competitors include Computer
Associates International, Inc., IBM, Microsoft, NCR/ TeraData, Oracle and
Sybase. Several of the Company's competitors have significantly greater
financial, technical, marketing and other resources than the Company. As a
result, they may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies
and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the
development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company. Any failure
by the Company to compete successfully with its existing competitors or future
competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
 
    Several of the Company's competitors have announced the development of
enhanced versions of their principal database products that are intended to
improve the performance or expand the capabilities of their existing products.
New or enhanced products by existing competitors or new competitors could result
in greater price pressure on the Company's products. In addition, the industry
movement to new operating systems, like Windows NT, access through low-end
desktop computers and access to data through the Internet may cause downward
pressure on prices of database software and related products. The bundling of
software products for promotional purposes or as a long-term pricing strategy by
certain of the Company's competitors could also result in reductions in the
price the Company may charge for its products. If such downward pressure on
prices were to occur, the Company's operating margins would be adversely
affected. Existing and future competition or changes in the Company's product or
service pricing structure or product or service offerings could result in an
immediate reduction in the prices of the Company's products or services. If
significant price reductions in the Company's products or services were to occur
and not be offset by increases in sales volume, the Company's business, results
of operation and financial condition would be adversely affected. There can be
no assurance that the Company will continue to compete successfully with its
existing competitors or will be able to compete successfully with new
competitors.
 
    In addition, the Company's public announcement in August 1997 of the pending
restatement of its financial statements, delays in reporting operating results
for the second and third quarters of fiscal 1997 while the restatement was being
compiled, threatened de-listing of the Company's Common Stock from the Nasdaq
National Market as a result of the Company's failure to satisfy its public
reporting obligations, corporate actions to restructure operations and reduce
operating expenses and customer uncertainty regarding the Company's financial
condition have adversely affected the Company's ability to sell its products in
fiscal 1997. In addition, since the beginning of 1997, the Company and its
competitors in the RDBMS industry have experienced substantially slower growth
in the market for RDBMS products. The financial restatement has now been
completed, its results have been publicly disclosed, and the Company is current
with respect to its public reporting obligations. In addition, the Company
believes that it has effectively controlled its operating expenses and
significantly improved its financial condition. Nevertheless, there can be no
assurance that uncertainties resulting from the restatement, including ongoing
customer concern about the Company's financial condition, will not continue to
have a materially adverse effect on the Company's competitive position and
results of operations.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
    The Company's success depends on proprietary technology. To protect its
proprietary rights, the Company relies primarily on a combination of patent,
copyright and trademark laws, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures,
contractual provisions contained in its license agreements and technical
measures. The Company seeks to protect its software, documentation and other
written materials under trade secret and copyright laws, which provide only
limited protection. The Company holds one United States patent and several
pending applications. There can be no assurance that any other patents covering
the Company's inventions will issue or that any patent, if issued, will provide
sufficiently broad protection or will prove enforceable in actions against
alleged infringers.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
    The Company's products are generally licensed to end-users on a
"right-to-use" basis pursuant to a license that restricts the use of the
products for the customer's internal business purposes. The Company also relies
on "shrink wrap" licenses, which include a notice informing the end-user that,
by opening the product packaging, the end-user agrees to be bound by the
Company's license agreement printed on the package. Despite such precautions, it
may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy aspects of its current or
future products or to obtain and use information that the Company regards as
proprietary. In particular, the Company has licensed the source code of its
products to certain customers under certain circumstances and for restricted
uses. The Company has also entered source code escrow agreements with a number
of its customers that generally require release of source code to the customer
in the event of the Company's bankruptcy, liquidation or otherwise ceasing to
conduct business. There can be no assurance that the Company's means of
protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate or that the Company's
competitors will not independently develop similar or superior technology.
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's software is difficult, and while the
Company is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software
products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. In
addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's
proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States, and
"shrink-wrap" licenses may be wholly or partially unenforceable under the laws
of certain jurisdictions. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce
the Company's intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade
secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of
others. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of
resources and management attention and could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
    The Company is not aware that any of its software product offerings infringe
the proprietary rights of third parties. There can be no assurance, however,
that third parties will not claim infringement by the Company with respect to
its current or future products. The Company expects that software product
developers will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number of
products and competitors in the Company's industry segment grows and the
functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly
litigation, cause product shipment delays or require the Company to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    ACTIONS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS
 
   
    Beginning on or about April 16, 1997, over 20 complaints alleging violations
of the federal securities laws were filed against the Company, Ernst & Young,
the Company's former independent accountants and certain Named Individual
Defendants (listed below) in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California. Most of the complaints have been filed as purported
class actions by individuals who allege that they are individual investors who
purchased the Company's Common Stock during a purported class period; the
alleged class periods vary among the complaints. The complaints name some or all
of the following current and former officers and directors of the Company as
defendants: Phillip E. White, Howard H. Graham, David H. Stanley, Ronald M.
Alvarez, Karen Blasing, D. Kenneth Coulter, Ira H. Dorf, Stephen E. Hill, Myron
(Mike) Saranga, Steven R. Sommer, Michael R. Stonebraker and Edwin C. Winder
(the "Named Individual Defendants"). On August 20, 1997, the District Court
entered an order consolidating all of the separately-filed class actions pending
at that time, designating the action as IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION SECURITIES
LITIGATION, and designating as "related cases" all cases brought under the
federal securities laws then pending and any that may be filed after that date.
A consolidated amended class action complaint was filed on April 6, 1998. As
required by the provisions of the Exchange Act, as amended by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Court has designated the lead
plaintiffs in the federal action and has appointed lead plaintiffs' counsel.
    
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
   
    A related non-class action, TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF LOUISIANA AND
STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF FLORIDA V. INFORMIX CORPORATION ET AL., has
been consolidated with IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION for all
pre-trial purposes. The LOUISANA and FLORIDA plaintiffs request a total of
$10.173 million in damages. An amended consolidated complaint was filed by the
LOUISIANA and FLORIDA plaintiffs on April 3, 1998.
    
 
   
    On or about March 19, 1998, another complaint alleging securities and common
law fraud and misrepresentation causes of action was filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California. This complaint,
captioned WILLIAMS V. INFORMIX CORPORATION, ET AL., alleges both individual and
class claims on behalf of former securities holders of Illustra Information
Technologies, Inc. ("Illustra") who exchanged their Illustra securities for
securities of the Company in February 1996 in connection with the Company's
February 1996 acquisition of Illustra pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization (the "Illustra Agreement"). This matter has been consolidated
with IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION. The WILLIAMS complaint,
like the previously-filed federal complaints, alleges that the Company and
certain of its former officers and/or directors, and its independent auditors,
issued false or misleading statements regarding the Company's reported financial
results and business prospects. This matter has been consolidated with IN RE
INFORMIX; however, on June 19, 1998 the Court granted in part and denied in part
the WILLIAMS plaintiffs' motion to sever their case. The Court's order requires
defendants to respond separately to the factual allegations and legal claims
raised by the WILLIAMS complaint which are not pleaded in the consolidated
complaint in IN RE INFORMIX and for the WILLIAMS plaintiffs, rather than lead
plaintiffs, to respond to any motion to dismiss made by defendants with respect
to such claims. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Williams complaint on
July 24, 1998.
    
 
   
    The existing federal court complaints allege that the Company, the Named
Individual Defendants and Ernst & Young issued or caused to be issued false or
misleading statements in the Company's filings with the Commission, press
releases, statements to securities analysts and other public statements
regarding its financial results and business prospects. The alleged class period
in the amended consolidated complaints extends from February 8, 1995 through
November 18, 1997. In particular, plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that defendants
overstated the Company's revenue and earnings during the time period by
improperly recognizing revenue from sales of software licenses. All of these
actions allege that the defendants' false and misleading statements violate
section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
complaints further allege that the Named Individual Defendants sold the
Company's Common Stock while in the possession of adverse material non-public
information. The existing complaints, in general, do not specify the amount of
damages that plaintiffs seek.
    
 
   
    Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated federal class action
complaint on July 9, 1998.
    
 
   
    Three purported securities class actions containing allegations similar to
the federal actions were filed in the Superior Court of the State of California,
County of San Mateo between May 19, 1997 and August 25, 1997. Those actions,
captioned RILEY V INFORMIX CORPORATION ET AL., DAYANI V. INFORMIX CORPORATION ET
AL., AND GOLDSTEIN V. WHITE ET AL., contained factual allegations nearly
identical to the allegations set forth in the federal court complaints, but
allege state law claims. The Superior Court has consolidated these actions into
the DAYANI case, and has appointed lead plaintiffs' counsel. By stipulation,
plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint on December 23, 1997. The
state court consolidated, amended complaint names as defendants the Company,
Ernst & Young and the Named Individual Defendants. The claims in the
consolidated amended state complaint arise under California securities, fraud
and unfair business practices statutes.
    
 
   
    The state court consolidated, amended complaint alleges that the defendants
made false statements and engaged in unfair trade practices, materially
overstating the Company's revenue. Plaintiffs allege that defendants recorded as
revenue approximately $300 million from software license sales which should not
have been recorded because INTER ALIA, revenue was recognized on sales to
resellers before end-users were identified; revenue was recognized in
circumstances where customers had rights of return or cancellation; and the
Company recognized revenue from barter transactions in which the Company
allegedly exchanged software licenses for products that had no value to the
Company. Plaintiffs further allege that while the
    
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
Company's stock price was artificially inflated due to the overstatement of
revenue, the defendants used the Company's stock to make corporate acquisitions,
and the Named Individual Defendants sold stock while in possession of material
adverse non-public information. The alleged class period in the state court
consolidated, amended complaint is February 7, 1995 through November 18, 1997.
 
   
    Defendants filed demurrers to the state court consolidated, amended
complaint on February 13, 1998. Defendants base their demurrers to the
consolidated, amended complaint in this action on the grounds that certain of
the individual defendants made no actionable statements during the alleged class
period, the Company did not engage in any market activity during the alleged
class period, the plaintiffs did not actually rely upon any of the alleged false
and misleading statements, the California statutory unfair business practices
claims are inapplicable to securities transactions, and the consolidated,
amended complaint fails to plead the alleged fraud with sufficient
particularity. On June 30, 1998, the Court issued a ruling sustaining
defendants' demurrers to all causes of action except plaintiffs' statutory
securities claim against the Company. In addition, the Court ruled that
plaintiffs will be permitted to amend their allegations except for those claims
relating to statutory unfair business practices under Section 17200 of the
California Business & Professions Code.
    
 
    DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
 
   
    The Company also was named as a nominal defendant in eight derivative
actions, purportedly brought on its behalf, filed in the Superior Court of the
State of California, County of San Mateo. The cases have been consolidated under
the caption IN RE INFORMIX CORPORATION DERIVATIVE LITIGATION, and the Court has
appointed lead plaintiff's counsel in the consolidated actions. The
consolidated, amended complaint alleges that, based upon the facts alleged in
the federal and state securities class actions, defendants breached their
fiduciary duties to the Company, engaged in abuses of their control of the
Company, were unjustly enriched by their sales of the Company's Common Stock,
engaged in insider trading in violation of California law and published false
financial information in violation of California law. The consolidated, amended
complaint names as defendants Ernst & Young, the Named Individual Defendants and
Albert F. Knorp, Jr., James L. Koch, Thomas A. McDonnell and Cyril J. Yansouni,
non-management directors of the Company. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages
on the Company's behalf from each of the defendants. On December 18, 1997,
plaintiffs served their first amended, consolidated derivative complaint.
    
 
   
    The Company, on whose purported behalf the derivative action is asserted,
and the individual defendants and Ernst & Young, against whom the claims are
alleged, filed demurrers to the consolidated derivative complaint on February 6,
1998. The Company's demurrer in this action is based upon the fact that the
plaintiff did not make demand on the Company's board prior to filing the
derivative action as is required by governing Delaware law. In addition, the
Company's current and former officers and directors have brought demurrers to
the consolidated, amended complaint on the grounds that plaintiffs fail to plead
their claims with sufficient particularity and that certain of plaintiffs'
California statutory causes of action do not apply, by their terms, to officers
and directors of a Delaware corporation. On April 1, 1998, the Court sustained
Informix's demurrer based upon the plaintiffs' failure to make demand. The Court
has given plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. On June 30, 1998, the Court
issued an order sustaining defendants' demurrers. In addition, the Court ruled
that plaintiffs will be permitted to amend their allegations except for their
claims for abuse of control, their claims under Section 1507 of the California
Corporations Code and their claims relating to statutory unfair business
practices under Section 17200 of the California Business & Professions Code.
Defendants will not file an answer in this action unless the Court overrules any
subsequent demurrers. Further, the defendants will not be in a position to state
their factual defenses to claims stated by the plaintiffs' claims until the
plaintiffs serve their second consolidated amended complaint and the Court rules
upon any future demurrers. Because of the nature of derivative litigation, any
recovery in the action would inure to the benefit of the Company.
    
 
   
    UTAH ACTION
    
 
   
    On or about May 12, 1998, certain individual plaintiffs filed an action on
their own behalf in Utah state court against Informix asserting state statutory
securities fraud and common law fraud claims. The
    
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
   
Complaint, captioned MOON ET AL. V. INFORMIX SOFTWARE, INC., alleges factual
claims similar to the federal complaints. Plaintiffs in this action do not
specify the amount of damages they seek. Informix recently removed the action to
the United States District Court in Utah.
    
 
    INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS AND LIABILITY INSURANCE
 
    Pursuant to Delaware law, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its
Bylaws and the indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its
current and former officers and directors, the Company is obligated to indemnify
its current and former officers and directors for certain liabilities arising
from their employment with or service to the Company. These indemnification
obligations require the Company to indemnify its current and former officers and
directors for any suit or other proceeding, threatened or actual, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative, appellate or any other type of
proceeding, that arises as a result of any act or omission in the indemnitee's
capacity as an officer or director of the Company to the fullest extent
permitted under Delaware or any other applicable law. The indemnification
extends to any and all expenses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees
and costs, and any other out-of-pocket expense) and/or liabilities of any type
(including but not limited to judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), and amounts paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred in connection with the investigation, defense,
settlement or appeal of such proceedings. The obligation to provide
indemnification does not apply if the indemnitee is adjudicated to be liable for
fraudulent or criminal conduct.
 
    The Company has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance to
reimburse it for the costs incurred in connection with its indemnification
obligations described above. For the period from August 1996 to August 1997, the
period in which most of the claims against the Company and certain of its
directors and officers were asserted, the Company had in place three directors
and officers liability insurance policies (the "1996 and 1997 D&O Policies"),
each providing $5 million in coverage for an aggregate of $15 million. The
primary policy and first excess policy were issued by Lloyds of London. The
second excess policy was issued by Admiral Insurance Company. The insurance
carriers have taken the position that litigation filed after the policy periods
of the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies but arising from the same facts and
circumstances as claims filed during the period from August 1996 to August 1997,
"relates back" to the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies. Thus, the issuance carriers
assert that actions filed after August 1997 do not implicate coverage under the
Company's D&O insurance policies for the period August 1997 to August 1998 (the
"Current D&O Policies"). The Current D&O Policies provide aggregate coverage of
$20 million, subject to various exclusions, including claims relating to the
restatement of the Company's financial statements. The 1996 and 1997 D&O
Policies provide that 100 percent of the costs incurred in defending claims
asserted jointly against the Company and its current and former officers and
directors are allocable to the individuals' defense and, thus, are covered by
the policy. However, the 1996 and 1997 D&O Policies do not provide any separate
coverage for the Company. Moreover, the Company does not have separate insurance
to cover the costs of its own defense or to cover any liability for any claims
asserted against it. The Company has not currently set aside any financial
reserves relating to any of the above-referenced actions.
 
   
    In June 1998, one of the Company's insurance carriers filed a complaint
seeking rescission of its insurance policies on the grounds that the Company
made material misrepresentations in its applications relating to the relevant
policies; however, such complaint has not been served on the Company. The
Company is engaged in discussions with the insurance carrier to resolve the
dispute in a commercially reasonable manner.
    
 
    ILLUSTRA ESCROW
 
    In January 1997, pursuant to the Illustra Agreement, Informix made a claim
to certain shares held in an escrow fund. In response, the Illustra shareholders
have claimed that the Company wrongfully caused these shares to be retained in
escrow, thereby harming the Illustra shareholders. The Illustra securities
holders have filed a demand for arbitration with the private arbitration service
agreed upon by the parties to the Illustra Agreement; however, at present, no
litigation or arbitration proceedings have been
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
commenced with respect to the Illustra escrow. In March 1998, a complaint was
filed against the Company on behalf of former Illustra shareholders alleging
securities and common law fraud and misrepresentation causes of actions. See
"--Actions Arising Under Federal and State Securities Laws."
 
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION INVESTIGATION
 
   
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, financial reports, other public disclosures and trading activity in the
Company's securities. The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is
providing all information subpoenaed by the Commission. The Company is in the
process of producing documents and a number of current and former officers have
been contacted to appear before the Commission.
    
 
    GENERAL
 
    The pending federal and state securities actions are in the early stages of
discovery. Consequently, at this time it is not reasonably possible to estimate
the damages, or the range of damages, that the Company might incur in connection
with such actions. However, the uncertainty associated with substantial
unresolved litigation can be expected to have an adverse impact on the Company's
business. In particular, such litigation could impair the Company's
relationships with existing customers and its ability to obtain new customers.
Defending such litigation will likely result in a diversion of management's time
and attention away from business operations, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations. Such litigation may also have the
effect of discouraging potential acquirors from bidding for the Company or
reducing the consideration such acquirors would otherwise be willing to pay in
connection with an acquisition.
 
FACILITIES
 
    The Company's headquarters and its principal marketing, finance, sales,
administration, customer service and research and development operations are
located in five buildings in a corporate office park in Menlo Park, California.
The Company currently leases approximately 214,000 square feet of space in these
buildings. The leases for spaces in two of the buildings expire in September
2001. The leases for space in the remaining three of the buildings were recently
renewed for an additional five year term expiring in March 2003. In addition,
the Company leases space totalling approximately 33,000 square feet in two
additional buildings in close proximity. These leases expire in May 2003 and
October 2000.
 
    In addition, certain of the Company's research and development facilities, a
portion of its customer service organization, its principal domestic
manufacturing facility and its telemarketing organization are located in a
134,000 square foot facility in Lenexa, Kansas. The buildings are leased to the
Company under a lease expiring in April 2003, subject to renewal for up to two
additional five year terms. The Lenexa, Kansas facility was leased to the
Company by a partnership of which the Company held a 50% partnership interest.
The Company entered an agreement to sell its interest in 49.9% of the
partnership to the other partner. Such sale closed in the first quarter of
fiscal 1998. The Company also leases office space, principally for sales and
support offices, in a number of facilities in the United States, Canada and
outside North America. The Company believes that its current facilities are
adequate to meet its needs through the next twelve months.
 
    Some of the research and development operations for the Company's tools
products and a portion of customer service and sales training are located in
Oakland, California. The Company leases approximately 130,000 square feet at
this site, and the lease expires in May 2003. The Company also leases 47,276
square feet in Portland, Oregon, primarily for its research and development
group. The lease on approximately one-half of this space expires on October 31,
1998. The lease on the remaining space expires in March 2000.
 
    In December 1996, the Company announced plans to relocate its corporate
headquarters from the Menlo Park facilities to a new corporate campus in Santa
Clara, California. In January 1997, the Company
 
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<PAGE>
entered into a two-year lease for 27 acres of undeveloped commercial real estate
in Santa Clara, which was intended to be used for construction of the new
headquarters facility. The Company also obtained an option to purchase the land
for $61.5 million. In order to secure performance of its obligations under the
lease, the Company pledged $61.5 million in cash collateral to the lessor. In
April 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase the land, and in
December 1997 completed the sale of the real estate for net proceeds of
approximately $59.3 million. In addition, in November 1996, the Company had
leased approximately 200,000 square feet of office space in Santa Clara on
property located adjacent to the 27 acre undeveloped parcel. In December 1997,
the Company assigned its rights under such lease agreement to an unrelated third
party, although the Company remains contingently liable for the lease payments
thereunder.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of March 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 3,486
regular employees worldwide, including 2,053 in sales, marketing and support,
941 in research and development, 72 in operations and 420 in administration and
finance. Of the Company's total employees at March 31, 1998, approximately 1,435
were located outside North America. None of the Company's employees located in
the United States are represented by a labor union. A small number of employees
located outside the United States are represented by labor unions, and the
degree and scope of representation varies from country to country. The Company
has not experienced any work stoppages either domestically or internationally.
 
    Since the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company has experienced a
significant number of voluntary resignations and has taken selective actions to
reduce the number of employees in certain functional areas. The Company had
3,486 employees at March 31, 1998, compared to 4,632 at March 30, 1997. In
fiscal 1997, the Company experienced high attrition rates in its product
development and sales groups and has had trouble attracting qualified
replacement personnel. The competition for employees in the software industry is
intense, and the Company expects that such competition will continue for the
foreseeable future. The Company has experienced difficulty in locating
candidates with appropriate qualifications and believes that recent financial
and business developments at the Company have made recruitment more difficult.
 
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<PAGE>
                CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
                      ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
    On May 20, 1998, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K (the "Form
8-K") regarding its dismissal of Ernst & Young as its independent accountants
and the engagement of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's independent
accountants. The contents of that report are as follows:
 
FORM 8-K FILED ON MAY 20, 1998
 
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
    On May 12, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution (i)
to dismiss Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y") as the Company's independent accountants,
effective upon management's notification of E&Y of the dismissal; and (ii)
concurrent with such notification, to engage KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG") as
the Company's independent accountants upon such terms as may be negotiated by
management.
 
    On May 13, 1998, the Company's management notified E&Y of the dismissal. On
May 19, 1998, the Company engaged KPMG as the Company's independent accountants.
 
    E&Y's reports with respect to the Company's financial statements for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 did not contain an adverse opinion
or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified as to uncertainty, audit scope
or accounting principles.
 
    In connection with the audits of the Company's financial statements for each
of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 and in the subsequent
interim period, except as described in the next paragraph, there were no
disagreements with E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure or auditing scope and procedures which, if not
resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y would have caused E&Y to make reference to
the matter in their report.
 
    E&Y advised the Company that it disagreed with the Company's recognition of
revenue resulting from software license transactions with industrial
manufacturers which occurred during the first quarter ended March 31, 1998. The
disagreement was resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y with the result that
approximately $6.2 million in revenue has been deferred and will be recognized
over a period which the Company expects to be approximately two years. The
Company intends to file immediately an amendment to its quarterly report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 to restate its financial results for
the period. The Audit Committee has discussed the accounting of these
transactions with management and E&Y.
 
    The Company has authorized E&Y to respond fully to the inquiries of KPMG as
the successor independent accountants of the Company. Prior to accepting its
engagement as the Company's successor independent accountants, KPMG had the
opportunity to discuss with E&Y the subject matter of the disagreement described
above and other matters relevant to the Company. KPMG has not offered any report
or advice to the Company concerning such disagreement that was important to the
Company's decision in reaching a resolution.
 
    During the Company's fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, and
through March 31, 1998, the following reportable events occurred:
 
    In connection with the restatement of the Company's financial statements for
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the quarter ended March
30, 1997, a number of conditions which collectively represented a material
weakness in the Company's internal accounting controls were identified. These
conditions included a deterioration in the Company's accounting controls at
corporate and regional management levels, and a relative failure to stress the
importance of these controls; an inappropriate level of influence, principally
by the sales organization, over the revenue recognition process; and an apparent
lack of clarity and consistent understanding within the Company of the
application of the Company's revenue recognition policies to large, complex
reseller license transactions. The Company is implementing a plan to strengthen
the Company's internal accounting controls. This plan includes
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
updating the Company's revenue recognition policies regarding accounting and
reporting for large, complex reseller license transactions, developing and
conducting educational programs to help implement such policies, changing the
Company's corporate and regional accounting and reporting structure and re-
establishing an internal audit function reporting to the Company's Board of
Directors.
 
    On April 29, 1998, E&Y informed the Audit Committee of the Board that it
considered that, in connection with the audit of the Company's fiscal 1997
consolidated financial statements, the lack of appropriate resources in the
accounting and financial reporting departments of the Company constituted a
reportable condition.
 
RESPONSE OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
    On May 29, 1998 Ernst & Young furnished the Company with the following
response letter concerning the information contained in the Form 8-K which
response letter the Company filed with the Commission on Form 8-K/A on June 2,
1998 (the "Form 8-K/A").
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Gentlemen:
 
    We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated May 20, 1998, of Informix Corporation
and believe it is not complete as to reportable events as described in Item
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. We believe the ninth paragraph of Item 4
included on page 3 therein should be replaced by the following two sentences. On
April 29, 1998, E&Y informed the Audit Committee of the Board that, in
connection with the audit of the Company's fiscal 1997 consolidated financial
statements, the lack of appropriate resources, analyses, and process structure
in the accounting and financial reporting departments of the Company resulted in
delays in closing the books, numerous and material amounts of post-closing
entries and audit adjustments required to be recorded by the Company, and
difficulty in accumulating accurate information necessary for financial
statement disclosure in a timely manner. E&Y considers this condition to be a
material weakness.
 
    We are in agreement with the statements contained in the first sentence of
the second paragraph, the third paragraph, the fourth paragraph, the first
sentence of the fifth paragraph, the first part of the second sentence of the
fifth paragraph through and including the words "has been deferred", the fourth
sentence of the fifth paragraph as it relates to our Firm, the first sentence of
the sixth paragraph, the seventh paragraph, the first and second sentence of the
eighth paragraph, and the first sentence of the tenth paragraph on pages 2 and 3
therein. In addition, we have no basis to agree or disagree with other
statements of the registrant contained therein.
 
    Regarding the registrant's statements concerning the lack of internal
controls to prepare financial statements, included in the eighth and ninth
paragraphs of Item 4 on page 2 and 3 therein, we had considered such matters in
determining the nature, timing and extent of procedures performed in our audit
of the registrant's consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, and 1994.
 
                                         /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Company's
executive officers and directors as of the date of this Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                                       AGE                            POSITION
- -----------------------------------------------------      ---      -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Robert J. Finocchio, Jr..............................          47   President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
                                                                      the Board of Directors-- Class III, term to expire
                                                                      at 1999 Annual Stockholder Meeting
Jean-Yves F. Dexmier.................................          46   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Karen Blasing........................................          42   Vice President, Business Development Finance
Susan T. Daniel......................................          56   Vice President, Human Resources
James F. Engle.......................................          52   Vice President and Treasurer
Diane L. Fraiman.....................................          42   Vice President, Corporate Marketing
J.F. Hendrickson, Jr.................................          59   Vice President, Customer Services, and Lenexa
                                                                      (Kansas) Site General Manager
Stephen E. Hill......................................          39   Vice President, and General Manager, Tools Business
                                                                      Unit
Gary Lloyd...........................................          50   Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Secretary
Wesley Raffel........................................          43   Vice President, North American Field Operations
Myron (Mike) Saranga.................................          60   Senior Vice President, Product Management and
                                                                      Development
Stephanie P. Schwartz................................          49   Vice President, Corporate Controller
Michael R. Stonebraker...............................          54   Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Leslie G. Denend (3).................................          57   Director--Class I, term to expire at 2000 Annual
                                                                      Stockholder Meeting
Albert F. Knorp, Jr. (2)(3)..........................          63   Assistant Secretary and Director--Class III, term to
                                                                      expire at 1999 Annual Stockholder Meeting
James L. Koch (1)(2)(3)..............................          54   Director--Class II, term to expire at 2001 Annual
                                                                      Stockholder Meeting
Thomas A. McDonnell (1)(2)...........................          52   Director--Class II, term to expire at 2001 Annual
                                                                      Stockholder Meeting
George Reyes.........................................          44   Director--Class I, term to expire at 2000 Annual
                                                                      Stockholder Meeting
Cyril J. Yansouni (1)(2)(3)..........................          56   Director--Class I, term to expire at 2000 Annual
                                                                      Stockholder Meeting
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Member of Compensation Committee
 
(2) Member of Audit Committee
 
(3) Member of Nominating Committee
 
    ROBERT J. FINOCCHIO, JR. has served as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer since July 1997. From December 1988 until May 1997, Mr.
Finocchio was employed with 3Com Corporation ("3Com"), a global data networking
company, where he held various positions, most recently serving as President,
3Com Systems. Prior to his employment with 3Com, Mr. Finocchio held various
executive positions in sales and service with Rolm Communications, a
telecommunications and networking company, most recently as Vice President of
Rolm Systems Marketing. Mr. Finocchio also serves as a director of Latitude
Communications, a teleconferencing company. Mr. Finocchio is also a Regent of
Santa Clara University.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
Mr. Finocchio holds a B.S. in economics from Santa Clara University and an
M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.
 
    JEAN-YVES F. DEXMIER has served as the Company's Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer since October 1997. Mr. Dexmier also served as the
Company's Secretary from October 1997 to February 1998. Mr. Dexmier served as a
strategy consultant to high technology companies from February 1997 to September
1997. From November 1995 until February 1997, Mr. Dexmier served as Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Octel Communications Corporation, a
provider of voice messaging systems ("Octel"). From April 1995 to October 1995,
Mr. Dexmier served as Chief Financial Officer for Kenetech Corporation, a wind
energy company. From May 1994 to March 1995, Mr. Dexmier served as Chief
Financial Officer for Air Liquide America Corporation, a U.S. subsidiary of the
French-based group Air Liquide, a worldwide producer of industrial gases. From
January 1991 to January 1994, Mr. Dexmier served as Chief Financial Officer for
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc., a subsidiary of Thomson SA, a worldwide
electronics manufacturer. Mr. Dexmier holds a B.S. in mathematics from Lycee
Pasteur, a Ph.D. in electronics from the Ecole Nationale Superieure de
l'Aeronautique et de l'Espace and an M.B.A. in economics and finance from the
Ecole Polytechnique. In addition, he attended the executive management program
at the University of Michigan School of Business Administration.
 
    KAREN BLASING has served as the Company's Vice President, Business
Development Finance since May 1998. Prior to that time, Ms. Blasing served as
the Company's Corporate Controller since June 1996 and as a Vice President of
the Company since August 1997 before resigning from such positions in April
1998. Ms. Blasing joined the Company in November 1992 as its Director of
Financial Planning and Analysis. From January 1989 to October 1992, Ms. Blasing
was a Senior Financial Manager at Oracle Corporation, a provider of information
management software and services. Ms. Blasing holds a B.S. in both economics and
business from the University of Montana and an M.B.A. from the University of
Washington.
 
    SUSAN T. DANIEL has served as the Company's Vice President, Human Resources
since February 1998. From March 1981 until February 1998, Ms. Daniel served in a
variety of positions at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., a semiconductor
manufacturer, most recently as Vice President, Human Resource Operations. Ms.
Daniel holds a B.A. in History from Queens College, an M.A. in social studies
from Syracuse and J.D. from Santa Clara University.
 
   
    JAMES F. ENGLE has served as the Company's Vice President and Treasurer
since December 1997. Mr. Engle served as acting Corporate Controller of the
Company from April 1998 until June 1988. From 1991 until December 1997, Mr.
Engle served as a Vice President and the Corporate Treasurer of Octel. Mr. Engle
holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Missouri and an M.B.A. in
international business and corporate finance from the Columbia University
Graduate School of Business.
    
 
    DIANE L. FRAIMAN has served as the Company's Vice President, Corporate
Marketing since April 1998. From September 1996 to March 1998, Ms. Fraiman
served as Vice President, Marketing Video & Networking Division, at Tektronix,
Inc., a producer of hardware and software networking and video products. From
May 1994 to August 1996, Ms. Fraiman was Director of Marketing at Sequent, a
manufacturer of large-scale multiprocessor systems. From 1978 to April 1994, Ms.
Fraiman worked in a variety of positions at Digital Equipment Corporation, a
global networking company, most recently as its Director, Corporate
Digital/Microsoft Alliance. Ms. Fraiman holds a B.S. in biomedical engineering
from Vanderbilt University.
 
    J.F. HENDRICKSON, JR. has served as the Company's Vice President, Customer
Services, since July 1992 and as its Lenexa (Kansas) Site General Manager since
February 1995. From 1991 until the time he joined the Company, Mr. Hendrickson
was Senior Vice President of Sales and Support at Image Business Systems, a
developer of document image management software for client/server systems. Mr.
Hendrickson holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and
an M.B.A. in business and administration from the University of California, Los
Angeles.
 
    STEPHEN E. HILL has served as the Company's Vice President and General
Manager, Tools Business Unit since January 1998. Prior to assuming that
position, Mr. Hill served as the Company's Vice President,
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
Advanced Technology since December 1995. Mr. Hill has been employed with the
Company since 1985 and has served in various strategic planning and marketing
positions. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hill held various product
development positions at General Electric Company, a diversified electronics and
manufacturing company, Software Publishing Corporation, a supplier of business
productivity software, and Human Edge Software, a business software company. Mr.
Hill holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Vermont.
 
    GARY LLOYD has served as the Company's Vice President, Legal and General
Counsel since January 1998 and as its Secretary since February 1998. From
November 1997 until January 1998, Mr. Lloyd served as the Company's interim
General Counsel. From March 1994 until October 1997, Mr. Lloyd was with the law
firm of Farella Braun & Martel L.L.P. From 1984 until February 1994, Mr. Lloyd
served in a variety of positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission, most
recently as its Assistant Director, Division of Enforcement. Mr. Lloyd holds a
B.A. in political science and English from Kent State University and a J.D. from
Case Western Reserve University.
 
    WESLEY RAFFEL has served as the Company's Vice President, North American
Field Operations since September 1997. From January 1996 to January 1997, Mr.
Raffel served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and was the acting
Chief Executive Officer of AssureNet Pathways, Inc., a network security company.
From October 1992 to September 1995, Mr. Raffel was Vice President, Sales, of
Global Village Communication, Inc., a designer of integrated communications
products for personal computers ("Global Village"). Prior to joining Global
Village, Mr. Raffel held a variety of positions at 3Com, most recently as its
Vice President, Intercontinental Operations. Mr. Raffel holds a B.A. in general
studies from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago
Graduate School of Business.
 
    MYRON (MIKE) SARANGA has served as the Company's Senior Vice President,
Product Management and Development, since May 1993. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Saranga was employed by IBM for 30 years, where he held various
positions, most recently as Assistant General Manager of Programming Systems.
Mr. Saranga holds a B.A. in economics from Northeastern University.
 
   
    STEPHANIE P. SCHWARTZ has served as the Vice President, Controller since
June 1998. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Schwartz served as Chief Financial
Officer of Atalla Corporation, a developer of secure on-line transaction
automation systems and a subsidiary of Tandem Computers Inc. ("Tandem"), a
position she had held since October 1996. Ms. Schwartz had previously served in
a variety of positions at Tandem, a developer of computer and software systems,
since August 1991, most recently as its Director, Business Development, Asia
Pacific Division. Ms. Schwartz holds a B.S. degree in mathematics from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. in finance from Fairleigh
Dickenson University.
    
 
    MICHAEL A. STONEBRAKER has served as the Company's Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer since February 1996. Dr. Stonebraker co-founded Illustra and
served in a consulting capacity with Illustra as its Chief Technology Officer
until February 1996. Dr. Stonebraker is the professor emeritus of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley,
where he joined the faculty in 1971. Dr. Stonebraker holds a B.S. in electrical
engineering from Princeton University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in computer
information and control engineering from the University of Michigan.
 
    LESLIE G. DENEND has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since December 1997. Since December 1997, Mr. Denend has served as President of
Network Associates, Inc., a provider of network security and management
software, that resulted from the merger of McAfee Associates, Inc. and Network
General Corporation ("Network General"). From June 1993 to December 1997, Mr.
Denend served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Network General. He
also served as Network General's Senior Vice President of Products from February
1993 to June 1993. From November 1990 to December 1992, he was President of
Vitalink Communications, a manufacturer of networking products. From January
1989 to October 1990, Mr. Denend served in a variety of positions at 3Com, most
recently as Executive Vice President for Product Operations. Mr. Denend is also
a director of Rational Software Inc., a provider of component-based development
software systems, and Proxim, Inc., a designer of wireless local area networking
products. Mr. Denend is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
holds an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in economics, public policy and business from Stanford
University. Mr. Denend was also a Fulbright Scholar in economics at Bonn
University.
 
    ALBERT F. KNORP, JR. has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since 1984 and as its Assistant Secretary since 1985. Mr. Knorp is a
general partner in Seaport Ventures, L.P., a family partnership. Since November
1994, Mr. Knorp has been of counsel to the law firm of Gray Cary Ware &
Freidenrich. He had previously been a partner in the law firm of Lewis, Knorp,
Walsh & Kavalaris. Mr. Knorp holds a B.A. in social sciences from Stanford
University and an L.L.B. from Santa Clara University.
 
    JAMES L. KOCH has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since May 1991. Since July 1990, Mr. Koch has served in various positions at
Santa Clara University. Since February 1997, Mr. Koch has been its Director of
the Center for Science, Technology and Society and, since July 1990, a Professor
of Management and Corporate Strategy. In addition, from July 1990 to July 1996,
Mr. Koch served as Dean of the Leavey School of Business Administration at Santa
Clara University. Mr. Koch holds a B.A. in business administration from San
Francisco State University and an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in business administration
from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
    THOMAS A. MCDONNELL has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since February 1988. Since 1971, Mr. McDonnell has served as Chief
Executive Officer of DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), a transfer agent for mutual
funds, stocks and bonds, and since October 1984 as a director of DST. Mr.
McDonnell is also President of DST, a position he has held since 1973; Mr.
McDonnell also served as Treasurer of DST from 1973 to September 1995. From
August 1983 to November 1995, Mr. McDonnell was Executive Vice President and a
director of Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc., a holding company and the
former parent of DST. Mr. McDonnell is also director of BHA Group, Inc., a
manufacturer of pollution control devices, Cerner Corporation, a provider of
software and technology to the health care industry, Computer Sciences
Corporation, an information technology company, Euronet Services, Inc., an
operator of automatic teller machines, Janus Capital Corporation, a registered
investment advisor and Nellcor-Puritan-Bennett Corporation, a medical device
company. Mr. McDonnell holds a B.S. and B.A. in accounting from Rockhust College
and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
   
    GEORGE REYES has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since July 1998. Since March 1988, Mr. Reyes has served in a variety of
positions at Sun Microsystems Inc., a supplier of enterprise network computing
products, most recently as its Vice President and Corporate Controller, a
position Mr. Reyes has held since April 1994. Mr. Reyes serves as a member of
the Advisory Board of the Leavey School of Business Administration at Santa
Clara University. Mr. Reyes holds a B.A. in accounting from the University of
South Florida and an M.B.A. in Finance from Santa Clara University.
    
 
    CYRIL J. YANSOUNI has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since May 1991. Since March 1991, Mr. Yansouni has been the Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Read-Rite Corporation, a
manufacturer of thin film magnetic recording heads. He also is a member of the
Advisory Board of both the Leavey School of Business Administration at Santa
Clara University and the San Jose State University School of Engineering. Mr.
Yansouni is a director of PeopleSoft, Inc., a provider of client/server business
software, Raychem Corporation, an international manufacturer and marketer of
products for electronics, industrial and telecommunications applications, and
ActivCard, a French company that develops authentication communication software.
Mr. Yansouni holds a B.S. degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from
the University of Louvain, Belgium and an M.S. degree in electrical engineering
from Stanford University. In addition, he attended the executive management
program at Stanford University.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    Employee directors do not receive any additional compensation for serving as
a director. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Company paid each
non-employee director a quarterly fee of $2,000 and an additional fee of $1,000
for each Board meeting attended. In addition, members of the Audit and
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
Compensation Committees received $500 for each committee meeting attended
members of the nominating committee do not receive additional compensation for
committee meetings attended. For the year ending December 31, 1998, the outside
directors will continue to receive the same compensation as they received in
1997. The Company reimburses each member of the Company's Board of Directors,
whether or not an employee, for out-of-pocket expenses, including travel
expenses, incurred in connection with attending Board meetings. In addition,
from time to time, the Company invites the directors' spouses to accompany the
directors to board meetings, and, when invited, the Company also pays the travel
expenses incurred by the spouses. In 1997, these spousal travel expenses were
less than $10,000 per director.
 
    The Company's 1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan")
provides for the grant of options to non-employee directors pursuant to an
automatic, nondiscretionary grant mechanism. Each non-employee director is
automatically granted an option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock upon
initial election to the Board of Directors and an additional option to purchase
15,000 shares upon re-election. The Company has a staggered board, with each
director serving for a three year term. Each such option is granted at the fair
market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the
Director Plan become exercisable over three years with one-third of the shares
vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. See "Stock Plans--1989 Outside
Director Stock Option Plan."
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining salaries,
incentives and other forms of compensation for directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, other officers and certain key employees of the Company. The
Compensation Committee also administers the Company's 1994 Stock Option and
Award Plan and in this capacity approves employee stock option grants and
awards. The Compensation Committee consists of directors James L. Koch, Thomas
A. McDonnell and Cyril J. Yansouni. Robert J. Finocchio, Jr., Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, participates in all
discussions regarding the compensation of all officers of the Company but is
excluded from discussions regarding his own salary and incentive compensation.
No interlocking relationship exists between any member of the Company's
Compensation Committee and any member of any other company's board of directors
or compensation committee.
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth in summary form information concerning the
compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid for services rendered to the Company
in all capacities during each of fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995 by (i) the Company's
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the Company's next four
most highly compensated executive officers whose salary and bonus for fiscal
1997 exceeded $100,000; and (iii) the Company's former President and Chief
Executive Officer (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            LONG-TERM
                                                                                          COMPENSATION
                                                                                             AWARDS
                                                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION   -------------
                                                                            (1)            SECURITIES
                                                                   ---------------------   UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
            NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION               FISCAL YEAR    SALARY      BONUS     OPTIONS(#)    COMPENSATION
- ----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>
CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.(2) ......................        1997   $  185,278  $      --     1,500,000     $   5,000(12)
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer         1996           --         --            --            --
                                                            1995           --         --            --            --
 
  J. F. Hendrickson(3) .............................        1997      192,667     39,600        83,560(8)       5,977(13)
    Vice President, Customer                                1996      179,667         --        30,000         6,013
    Services, and Lenexa (Kansas)                           1995      171,667     95,000        40,000         5,395
    Site General Manager
 
  Stephen E. Hill(4) ...............................        1997      163,667     33,400        56,000(9)       2,533(14)
    Vice President and General                              1996      154,569         --        30,000         2,500
    Manager, Tools Business Unit                            1995      145,667     85,000        40,000         2,429
 
  Myron (Mike) Saranga(5) ..........................        1997      267,667     69,000       409,000(10)      43,886(15)
    Senior Vice President, Product Management and           1996      245,667         --       100,000        45,875(10)
    Development                                             1995      229,333    168,000       130,000         5,525
 
  Michael R. Stonebraker(6) ........................        1997      209,200     42,400       135,000(11)       2,592(16)
    Vice President and Chief                                1996      155,000         --        75,000         1,620
    Technology Officer                                      1995           --         --            --            --
 
FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  Phillip E. White(7) ..............................        1997      277,083         --            --       203,967(17)
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer         1996      461,667         --       200,000         4,484
                                                            1995      421,667    400,000       250,000         4,256
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Other than the salary and bonus described herein, the Company did not pay
    any executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table any fringe
    benefits, perquisites or other compensation in excess of 10% of such
    executive officer's salary and bonus during fiscal 1997, 1996 or 1995.
 
(2) Mr. Finocchio became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in July
    1997. Accordingly, he received no reportable income from the Company for
    fiscal 1996 or 1995. Mr. Finocchio's salary and other compensation for
    fiscal 1997 were determined in accordance with the provisions of his
    Employment Agreement with the Company. See "--Employment Agreements and
    Change in Control Arrangements." In January 1998, the Company granted Mr.
    Finocchio an additional option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 500,000 shares
    of Common Stock, subject to vesting in equal annual installments over four
    years.
 
(3) Mr. Hendrickson became Vice President, Customer Services, in July 1992 and
    Lenexa (Kansas) Site General Manager in February 1995.
 
 (4) Mr. Hill was promoted to Vice President and General Manager, Tools Business
     Unit in January 1998 from Vice President, Advanced Technology, a position
     he had held since December 1995.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
(5) Mr. Saranga became Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development
    in May 1993.
 
 (6) Dr. Stonebraker became Vice President and Chief Technology Officer in
     February 1996. Accordingly, he received no reportable income for fiscal
     1995.
 
(7) Mr. White resigned as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in
    July 1997.
 
 (8) Includes options to purchase 56,000 shares that Mr. Hendrickson elected to
     reprice under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In
     connection with such repricing, Mr. Hendrickson forfeited the right to
     purchase 14,000 shares of Common Stock under options previously granted to
     him. See "--Stock Option Repricing."
 
 (9) Fiscal 1997 figure includes 56,000 shares that Mr. Hill elected to reprice
     under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In connection
     with such repricing, Mr. Hill forfeited the right to purchase 14,000 shares
     of Common Stock under options previously granted to him. See "--Stock
     Option Repricing." In January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Hill an
     additional option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 100,000 shares of Common
     Stock, subject to vesting in equal installments over four years.
 
(10) Fiscal 1997 figure includes 184,000 shares Mr. Saranga elected to reprice
     under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In connection
     with such repricing, Mr. Saranga forfeited the right to purchase 46,000
     shares of Common Stock under options previously granted to him. See
     "--Stock Option Repricing." Fiscal 1997 figure also includes 100,000 option
     shares of which will vest on December 31, 2000 if Mr. Saranga remains an
     employee of the Company on such date. In January 1998, the Company granted
     Mr. Saranga the right to receive 35,000 performance shares of Common Stock
     under the 1994 Plan during each of the next three years if certain
     financial milestones are met as of January 1, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Such
     performance shares are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the
     Company which shall lapse if Mr. Saranga remains an employee of the Company
     on January 1, 2001.
 
(11) Fiscal 1997 figure includes options to purchase 60,000 shares Dr.
     Stonebraker elected to reprice under the Company's November 1997 option
     repricing program. In connection with such repricing, Dr. Stonebraker
     forfeited the right to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock under options
     previously granted to him. See "--Stock Option Repricing."
 
(12) Represents reimbursement by the Company of $5,000 in legal fees incurred in
     connection with the negotiation of Mr. Finocchio's Employment Agreement.
     See "Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
(13) Represents $4,050, $4,013 and $3,395 in group life insurance paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; and $1,927, $2,000 and
    $2,000 in matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
(14) Represents $533, $500 and $429 in group life insurance paid by the Company
    in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $2,000, $2,000 and $2,000
    in matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) Plan by the Company in
    fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
   
(15) Represents $6,318, $4,050 and $3,525 in group life insurance paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; and $2,000, $2,000 and
    $2,000 in matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Includes $35,568 and
    $39,825 in forgiveness by the Company in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively,
    of outstanding principal and accrued interest (such forgiveness amounts were
    not grossed up to satisfy tax obligations) under a promissory note delivered
    by Mr. Saranga to the Company. In June 1998, the Company forgave an
    additional $34,749 in outstanding principal and accrued interest under such
    promissory note. See "Certain Transactions."
    
 
(16) Represents $2,592 and $1,620 in group life insurance paid by the Company in
    fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
(17) Represents $4,050, $2,484 and $2,256 in group life insurance paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $2,000, $2,000 and
    $2,000 in matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan paid by the
    Company in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Fiscal 1997 figure also
    includes $197,917 paid by the Company in connection with Mr. White's
    resignation pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement with the
    Company. See "--Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements"
    and "Certain Transactions."
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
                       OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1997
 
    The following table provides information relating to stock options awarded
to each of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                   ----------------------------------------------------      VALUES AT ASSUMED
                                    NUMBER OF     PERCENT OF                               ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                                   SECURITIES    TOTAL OPTIONS                               PRICE APPRECIATION
                                   UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO     EXERCISE                   FOR OPTIONS TERM(1)
                                     OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN    PRICE PER  EXPIRATION   --------------------------
                                     GRANTED    FISCAL 1997(2)   SHARE(3)     DATE(4)         5%           10%
                                   -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>              <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Robert J. Finocchio, Jr. (5)...   1,500,000          11.44%    $ 10.8125     07/22/07  $ 10,199,885  $ 25,848,511
  J. F. Hendrickson, Jr. (6).....      27,500           0.21        9.0313     06/18/07       156,193       395,823
                                       32,000           0.24        7.1563     04/18/05        99,665       234,842
                                       24,000           0.18        7.1563     05/16/06        88,044       213,728
  Stephen E. Hill (7)............      50,000           0.38        9.0313     06/18/07       283,987       719,678
                                       32,000           0.24        7.1563     04/18/05        99,665       234,842
                                       24,000           0.18        7.1563     05/16/06        88,044       213,728
  Myron (Mike) Saranga (8).......     125,000           0.95        9.0313     06/18/07       709,967     1,799,196
                                      100,000           0.76        9.5000     09/15/07       597,450     1,514,055
                                      104,000           0.79        7.1563     04/18/05       323,911       763,235
                                       80,000           0.61        7.1563     05/16/06       293,481       712,425
  Michael R. Stonebraker (9).....      75,000           0.57        9.0313     06/18/07       425,980     1,079,517
                                       60,000           0.46        7.1563     04/15/06       217,424       526,549
FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Phillip E. White...............          --             --            --           --            --            --
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------
(1) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the Common Stock
    of the Company appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually)
    from the date of grant until the expiration of the ten year option term.
    These numbers are calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the
    Commission and do not reflect the Company's estimate of future stock price
    growth.
 
(2) Based on options to acquire 13,107,338 shares granted under the 1994 Plan,
    the Director Plan and the Company's 1987 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan.
    Such option grants include shares granted as a result of the Company's
    November 1997 option repricing program. See "--Stock Option Repricing."
    Unless otherwise specified herein, all options granted to the Named
    Executive Officers were under the 1994 Plan.
 
(3) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to not less than the fair
    market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant as reported
    on the Nasdaq National Stock Market. The exercise price may be paid in cash,
    check, by delivery of already-owned shares of the Company's Common Stock
    subject to certain conditions or pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure
    under which the optionee provides irrevocable instructions to a brokerage
    firm to sell the purchased shares and to remit to the Company, out of the
    sale proceeds, an amount equal to the exercise price plus all applicable
    withholding taxes.
 
(4) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares issuable upon exercise of options
    granted under the 1994 Stock Plan become vested on the first anniversary of
    the date of grant, and the remaining shares vest over three years at the
    rate of 25% of the shares subject to option vesting on each successive
    anniversary of the option grant date. Unless otherwise specified, options
    granted to Named Executive Officers in fiscal 1997, including options
    granted outside the 1994 Plan, are subject to the Company's standard four
    year vesting schedule described above.
 
(5) The options to purchase 1,500,000 option shares of Common Stock granted to
    Mr. Finocchio were issued in connection with his Employment Agreement with
    the Company. See "Executive Compensation--Employment Agreements and Change
    in Control Arrangements." Of the 1,500,000 option shares granted to Mr.
    Finocchio, 1,000,000 were granted under the 1994 Plan and 500,000 were
    granted under the Company's 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan. In
    addition, in January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Finocchio an additional
    option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 500,000 shares of Common Stock,
    subject to vesting in equal annual installments over four years.
 
(6) Option grant figures includes 56,000 shares Mr. Hendrickson elected to
    reprice under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In
    connection with such repricing, Mr. Hendrickson forfeited the right to
    purchase 14,000 shares of Common Stock under options previously granted to
    him. See "--Stock Option Repricing."
 
(7) Option grant figures includes 56,000 shares Mr. Hill elected to reprice
    under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In connection
    with such repricing, Mr. Hill forfeited the right to purchase 14,000 shares
    of Common Stock under options previously granted to him. See "--Stock Option
    Repricing." In addition, in January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Hill an
    additional option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 100,000 shares of Common
    Stock, subject to vesting in equal annual installments over four years.
 
(8) Option grant figures includes 184,000 shares Mr. Saranga elected to reprice
    under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In connection
    with such repricing, Mr. Saranga forfeited the right to purchase 46,000
    shares of Common Stock under options previously granted to him. See "--Stock
    Option Repricing." Mr. Saranga's option to purchase up to 100,000 shares of
    the Common Stock of the Company granted in September 1997 under the 1994
    Plan will become vested on December 31, 2000 if Mr. Saranga remains an
    employee of the Company on such date. In January 1998, the Company granted
    Mr. Saranga the right to receive 35,000 performance shares of Common Stock
    under the 1994 Plan each of the next three years if certain financial
    milestones are met as of January 1, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Such performance
    shares are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the Company which
    shall lapse if Mr. Saranga remains an employee of the Company on January 1,
    2001.
 
(9) Option grant figures includes 60,000 shares Dr. Stonebraker elected to
    reprice under the Company's November 1997 option repricing program. In
    connection with such repricing, Dr. Stonebraker forfeited the right to
    purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock under options previously granted to
    him. See "--Stock Option Repricing."
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
                           AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES
             IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock options
exercised during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and held as of December
31, 1997 by the Named Executive Officers.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                              UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED       VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                             OPTIONS AT DECEMBER 31,       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                    SHARES                             1997              AT DECEMBER 31, 1997(2)
                                  ACQUIRED OR     VALUE     --------------------------  --------------------------
                                   EXERCISED   REALIZED(1)  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE
                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  Robert J. Finocchio, Jr. (3)..          --   $        --          --      1,500,000    $      --    $        --
 
  J. F. Hendrickson, Jr.........          --            --     320,000         93,500      132,800             --
 
  Stephen E. Hill (4)...........      15,000       142,188      62,500        116,000           --             --
 
  Myron (Mike) Saranga (5)......          --            --     135,000        429,000           --             --
 
  Michael R. Stonebraker........          --            --          --        135,000           --             --
 
FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Phillip E. White..............      50,000        63,810   1,245,000(6)           --     624,348(6)           --
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------
 
(1) Market value at the time of exercise less the applicable exercise price
 
(2) Based on the closing sales price of $4.750 of underlying securities as of
    December 31, 1997 as reported on the Nasdaq National Stock Market minus the
    exercise price.
 
(3) In January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Finocchio an additional option to
    purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock under the 1994 Plan, subject to
    vesting in equal installments over four years.
 
(4) In January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Hill an additional option to
    purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock under the 1994 Plan, subject to
    vesting in equal installments over four years.
 
(5) In January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Saranga the right to receive 35,000
    performance shares of Common Stock under the 1994 Plan each of the next
    three years if certain financial milestones are met as of January 1, 1999,
    2000 and 2001. Such performance shares are subject to a right of repurchase
    in favor of the Company which shall lapse if Mr. Saranga remains an employee
    of the Company on January 1, 2001.
 
(6) All of Mr. White's options expired in February 1998. Prior to the expiration
    of such options, Mr. White exercised options to acquire an aggregate of
    540,000 shares of Common Stock in January and February 1998 with a realized
    value of approximately $1,161,380.
 
STOCK OPTION REPRICING
 
    In September 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repricing
of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock under the Company's stock option
plans. Employees, including executive officers, were eligible to participate
only if they remained actively employed at the effective date of the repricing
and were only permitted to exchange options outstanding prior to May 1, 1997.
The repricing/ option exchange was effective November 21, 1997 (the "Repricing
Effective Date"). The repricing program offered eligible employees the
opportunity to exchange eligible outstanding options with exercise prices in
excess of the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock on the Repricing
Effective Date for a new option with an exercise price equal to such price.
Other than the exercise price, each new option issued upon exchange has terms
substantially equivalent to the surrendered option, including with respect to
the number of shares, vesting terms and expiration. Options issued in connection
with the exchange may not be exercised for a period of one year from the
Repricing Effective Date, however. In addition, officers of the Company
participating in the option exchange were required to forfeit 20% of the shares
subject to each option being surrendered. The exercise price for repriced
options was $7.1563, the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock on
the Repricing Effective Date.
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
    The following table provides information with respect to the November 1997
repricing for the Named Executive Officers and for other executive officers of
the Company who elected to reprice options. These are the only executive
officers of the Company who had their options repriced.
 
                         TEN-YEAR OPTION/SAR REPRICINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                  SECURITIES    MARKET PRICE                                  LENGTH OF
                                                  UNDERLYING     OF STOCK AT     EXERCISE                  ORIGINAL OPTION
                                                 OPTIONS/SARS      TIME OF     PRICE AT TIME      NEW      TERM REMAINING
                                                  REPRICED OR   REPRICING OR   OF REPRICING    EXERCISE      AT DATE OF
                                                    AMENDED       AMENDMENT    OR AMENDMENT      PRICE      REPRICING OR
                NAME                    DATE        (#)(1)           ($)            ($)           ($)         AMENDMENT
- ------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  ---------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>
CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Robert F. Finocchio, Jr. (2)......         --           --             --             --            --             --
 
  Karen Blasing (3).................   11/21/97        4,200         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           7.41
                                       11/21/97        4,800         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           8.49
                                       11/21/97        8,000         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           8.54
 
  J. F. Hendrickson, Jr. (4)........   11/21/97       32,000         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           7.41
                                       11/21/97       24,000         7.1563         24.125        7.1563           8.48
 
  Stephen E. Hill (5)...............   11/21/97       32,000         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           7.41
                                       11/21/97       24,000         7.1563         24.125        7.1563           8.48
 
  Myron (Mike) Saranga (6)..........   11/21/97      104,000         7.1563         18.250        7.1563           7.41
                                       11/21/97       80,000         7.1563         24.125        7.1563           8.48
 
  Michael R. Stonebraker (7)........   11/21/97       60,000         7.1563         19.375        7.1563           8.40
 
FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Philip E. White (8)...............         --           --             --             --            --             --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) All options repriced by the Named Executive Officers and other executive
    officers listed in the above table were granted under the 1994 Plan.
 
(2) Mr. Finocchio became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in July
    1997; consequently, he was not eligible to participate in the November 1997
    repricing.
 
(3) Ms. Blasing became the Company's Vice President, Business Development
    Finance in May 1998. Prior to that time, Ms. Blasing served as the Company's
    Corporate Controller since June 1996 and as a Vice President of the Company
    since August 1997 before resigning from such positions in April 1998. Ms.
    Blasing forfeited the right to purchase 4,250 shares of Common Stock as a
    result of the repricing. At the time of the repricing, 4,600 of the 17,000
    options Ms. Blasing elected to reprice were vested.
 
(4) Mr. Hendrickson forfeited the right to purchase 14,000 shares of Common
    Stock as a result of the repricing. At the time of repricing, 22,000 of the
    56,000 options Mr. Hendrickson elected to reprice were vested.
 
(5) Mr. Hill forfeited the right to purchase 14,000 shares of Common Stock as a
    result of the repricing. At the time of repricing, 22,000 of the 56,000
    options Mr. Hill elected to reprice were vested.
 
(6) Mr. Saranga forfeited his right to purchase 46,000 shares of Common Stock as
    a result of the repricing. At the time of the repricing, 72,000 of the
    184,000 options Mr. Saranga elected to reprice were vested.
 
(7) Dr. Stonebraker forfeited his right to purchase 15,000 shares of Common
    Stock as a result of the repricing. At the time of the repricing, 15,000 of
    the 60,000 options Dr. Stonebraker elected to reprice were unvested.
 
(8) Mr. White resigned as the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive
    Officer in July 1997; consequently he was not eligible to participate in the
    November 1997 repricing.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
    In December 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a second
option repricing to be effective January 9, 1998 (the "Second Repricing
Effective Date") based upon the closing sales price of the Company's Common
Stock as of the Second Repricing Effective Date ($5.094). Under the terms of the
second repricing, each employee, other than officers and directors of the
Company, could elect to exchange any option outstanding as of May 1, 1997 for a
new option with an exercise price equal to the closing sales price on the Second
Repricing Effective Date. Options exchanged in the second repricing may not be
exercised for a period of one year from the Second Repricing Effective Date.
 
STOCK PLANS
 
    1994 STOCK OPTION AND AWARD PLAN.  The Company's 1994 Stock Option and Award
Plan, as amended (the "1994 Plan"), provides for the grant to employees of
either options to purchase shares of Common Stock or the award of performance
shares of Common Stock to be paid to employees upon the achievement of certain
performance goals set for such employees. Options granted under the 1994 Plan
may be either "incentive stock options" as defined in Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or nonqualified stock
options. Stock options or performance awards granted under the 1994 Plan shall
be referred to herein as "Awards." The 1994 Plan became effective in March 1994.
The 1994 Plan replaced the Company's 1986 Stock Option Plan for Employees (the
"Prior Plan"). Options previously issued under the Prior Plan continue to be
exercisable according to their terms. Unless terminated sooner, without contrary
action by the Company's stockholders, the 1994 Plan will terminate automatically
in March 2004. A total of 16,000,000 shares of Common Stock had been reserved
for issuance under the 1994 Plan at September 28, 1997, with a maximum of
800,000 of those shares available for award as performance shares.
 
    The 1994 Plan may be administered by a committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Committee"), which shall be comprised solely of directors who are both
"disinterested persons" under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and "outside
directors" under Section 162(m) of the Code. The 1994 Plan is currently
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The
Committee has the power, among other things, to determine which employees shall
be granted Awards, to prescribe the terms and conditions of the Awards and to
interpret the 1994 Plan and Awards. In addition, the Committee has the authority
to amend, suspend or terminate the 1994 Plan, provided that no such action may
adversely affect any Award previously granted under the 1994 Plan. In addition,
in May 1997, the Company's stockholders approved an increase by 8,000,000 shares
in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 1994 Plan, provided that
options to acquire such additional shares may not be repriced without
stockholder approval.
 
    Options granted under the 1994 Plan are not generally transferable by the
optionee, and each option is generally exercisable during the lifetime of the
optionee only by such optionee. Options granted under the 1994 Plan must
generally be exercised within three months of the termination of optionee's
status as an employee of the Company or within 12 months after such employee's
termination by death or disability, but in no event later than the expiration of
ten-years from the date of grant of such option. The Committee has the
discretion to extend or accelerate the exercisability of options following a
termination of the optionee's employment but in no event for more than ten years
after the date of grant of such option. The exercise price of nonstatutory stock
options granted under the 1994 Plan must at least be equal to the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of all
incentive stock options granted under the 1994 Plan must generally be at least
equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. In the
event of certain transactions specified in Section 424(d) of the Code where the
Company is assuming stock options granted to an employee by such employee's
previous employer, the Committee may grant substitute options under the 1994
Plan with an exercise price less than fair market value. The term of all other
options granted under the 1994 Plan may not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, with respect to any participant who owns stock possessing more
than ten percent of the voting power of all classes of the Company's outstanding
capital stock, the exercise price of any incentive stock option granted must
equal at least 110% of the fair market value on the grant date and the term of
such incentive stock option must not exceed five years.
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
    No employee shall be granted in any fiscal year options to purchase more
than 500,000 shares, except that new employees and newly appointed executive
officers may be granted options under the 1994 Plan to purchase up to 1,000,000
shares in the fiscal year of their hire or appointment. Generally, options
granted under the 1994 Plan are not exercisable until one year after the date of
grant, with 25% vesting on the first year anniversary and 25% vesting on the
second, third and fourth anniversaries of the option grant date. Options which
are unexercisable at the time of an employee's death or disability but which
would otherwise become exercisable within one year of such date will
automatically accelerate to the date of the employee's death or disability. The
consideration to be paid upon exercise of an option may be cash, other shares
(with certain restrictions) or such other form of consideration as may be
acceptable to the Committee.
 
    No employee shall receive more than 200,000 shares pursuant to a performance
award in any fiscal year. In all cases, the performance period relating to a
performance award grant shall exceed six months in duration. Such performance
may be qualified as "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the
Code in the Committee's discretion and may be based on the achievement of goals
relating to Company revenue, return on stockholders' equity and/or earnings per
share. Shares of Common Stock of the Company will be paid out to employees based
on his or her achievement of certain performance milestones. The 1994 Plan
provides that in the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or
into another corporation, a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets or
certain other changes in control of the Company, the number of shares
purchasable under options granted under the 1994 Plan and the corresponding
exercise price will be adjusted in connection with such corporate restructuring
and that, with regard to the performance shares outstanding, the Committee shall
determine the appropriate actions to prevent the dilution or diminishment of the
awards.
 
    As of March 31, 1998, 34,765,691 shares of Common Stock had been issued upon
exercise of options outstanding under the Prior Plan and 148,970 shares of
Common Stock had been issued upon exercise of options outstanding under the 1994
Plan. Options to purchase 2,375,167 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average
exercise price of $5.4107 were outstanding under the Prior Plan, and options to
purchase 12,204,633 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price
of $7.6652 were outstanding under the 1994 Plan (giving effect to an option
repricing effected in November 1997 but not to the second option repricing in
January 1998). Additionally, 105,000 shares of Common Stock have been awarded in
connection with performance shares awards under the 1994 Plan but have not yet
been issued. Moreover, as of March 31, 1998, options to purchase 648,935 shares
of Common Stock of the Company assumed in connection with the acquisition of
Illustra were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $.7682 and
are exercisable according to their terms (giving effect to an option repricing
effected in November 1997 and the second option repricing in January 1998). As
of March 31, 1998, 3,646,397 shares remained available for issuance under the
1994 Plan, including 695,000 shares available for issuance as performance
shares.
 
   
1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
    
 
   
    The Company's 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Plan") was
approved by the Board of Directors in July, 1998. No shares had been issued upon
exercise of stock options granted under the 1998 Plan, and no shares were
subject to outstanding options as of the date of this Prospectus.
    
 
   
    The 1998 Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to
employees and consultants; provided that options may not be granted to officers
and directors under the 1998 Plan. A total of 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock
are currently reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1998 Plan. Unless terminated
sooner, the 1998 Plan will terminate automatically in July 2008.
    
 
   
    The 1998 Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
of the Board (as applicable, the "Administrator"). The Administrator has the
power to determine the terms of the options granted, including the exercise
price of the option, the number of shares subject to each option, the
exercisability thereof, and the form of consideration payable upon such
exercise. In addition, the Administrator has the authority to amend, suspend or
terminate the 1998 Plan, provided that no such action may
    
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
   
affect any share of Common Stock previously issued and sold or any option
previously granted under the 1998 Plan.
    
 
   
    Options granted under the 1998 Plan are generally not transferable by the
optionee, and each option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee
only by such optionee. Options granted under the 1998 Plan must generally be
exercised within three months after the end of optionee's status as an employee
or consultant of the Company if such termination is for cause, or within twelve
months after such optionee's termination by death, disability or for any
termination other than for cause, but in no event later than the expiration of
the option's ten year term.
    
 
   
    The exercise price of options granted under the 1998 Plan is determined by
the Administrator. The term for options granted under the 1998 Plan is ten
years.
    
 
   
    The 1998 Plan provides that in the event of a merger or consolidation of the
Company with or into another corporation, a sale of substantially all of the
Company's assets or certain other changes in control of the Company, the number
of shares purchasable under options granted under the 1998 Plan and the
corresponding exercise price will be adjusted in connection with such corporate
restructuring.
    
 
1997 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    The Company's 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") was
approved by the Board of Directors in July, 1997. As of March 31, 1998, no
shares had been issued upon exercise of stock options granted under the 1997
Plan, and 500,000 shares were subject to outstanding options. Such options were
granted to Robert J. Finocchio, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer, in connection with his July 1997 employment agreement. See
"Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
    The 1997 Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to
employees and consultants; provided that options may only be granted to officers
and directors under the 1997 Plan as an inducement essential to their entering
into an employment contract with the Company. A total of 500,000 shares of
Common Stock are currently reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997 Plan.
Unless terminated sooner, the 1997 Plan will terminate automatically in July
2007.
 
    The 1997 Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
of the Board (as applicable, the "Administrator"). The Administrator has the
power to determine the terms of the options granted, including the exercise
price of the option, the number of shares subject to each option, the
exercisability thereof, and the form of consideration payable upon such
exercise. In addition, the Administrator has the authority to amend, suspend or
terminate the 1997 Plan, provided that no such action may affect any share of
Common Stock previously issued and sold or any option previously granted under
the 1997 Plan.
 
    Options granted under the 1997 Plan are generally not transferable by the
optionee, and each option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee
only by such optionee. Options granted under the 1997 Plan must generally be
exercised within three months after the end of optionee's status as an employee,
director or consultant of the Company if such termination is for cause, or
within twelve months after such optionee's termination by death, disability or
for any termination other than for cause, but in no event later than the
expiration of the option's ten year term.
 
    The exercise price of options granted under the 1997 Plan is determined by
the Administrator. The term for options granted under the 1997 Plan is ten
years.
 
    The 1997 Plan provides that in the event of a merger of the Company with or
into another corporation, or a sale of substantially all of the Company's
assets, each option shall be assumed or an equivalent option substituted for by
the successor corporation. If the outstanding options are not assumed or
substituted for by the successor corporation, the Administrator shall provide
for the optionee to have the right to exercise the option as to all of the
optioned stock, including shares as to which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. If the Administrator makes an option exercisable in full in the
event of a merger
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the optionee that the option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of
such notice, and the option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
 
    The 1997 Plan provides that in the event of a change of control of the
Company, the acceleration of vesting terms contained in the optionee's
employment agreement shall govern.
 
    1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.  The Company's 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "1997 Purchase Plan") became effective in July 1997 and shall
continue in effect until terminated by the Company. The 1997 Purchase Plan
replaces the Corporation's Employee Stock Purchase Plan which expired on July 1,
1997. A total of 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance
under the 1997 Purchase Plan, 3,543,387 shares remained available for issuance
under the 1997 Purchase Plan at March 31, 1998. The 1997 Purchase Plan, which is
intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, has four
three-month offering periods each year beginning on the first trading day on or
after July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1. The 1997 Purchase Plan is
administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee appointed by the Board
(the "Committee"). The 1997 Purchase Plan is currently administered by the
Compensation Committee. Employees are eligible to participate if they are
customarily employed by the Company for more than 20 hours per week and more
than five months during a calendar year and have completed a two year service
period with the Company. Moreover, employees are not eligible to participate in
the 1997 Purchase Plan if they possess or have the right to acquire five percent
(5%) or more of the voting stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The
1997 Purchase Plan permits participants to purchase Common Stock through payroll
deductions of up to 15% of an employee's compensation, including commissions,
overtime and bonuses. The price of Common Stock purchased under the 1997
Purchase Plan is 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Common Stock
at the beginning or at the end of each offering period as reported on the Nasdaq
National Stock Market for the day in question. Employees may not purchase more
than 500 shares of Common Stock during any three month offering period. In
addition, employees will not be granted the right to purchase shares of Common
Stock under the 1997 Purchase Plan at a rate which accrues in excess of $25,000
of fair market value at the applicable grant dates of such shares. Employees may
end 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 1997 Purchase Plan are not transferable by a
participant other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as
otherwise provided under the 1997 Purchase Plan. The 1997 Purchase Plan provides
that, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation
or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, the Board of Directors
may make such adjustment, if any, as it deems appropriate in the number, kind
and purchase price of the shares available for purchase under the 1997 Purchase
Plan and in the maximum number of shares subject to any option under the 1997
Purchase Plan. The Board of Directors has the authority to amend or terminate
the 1997 Purchase Plan. If the 1997 Purchase Plan is terminated, the Board may
elect to terminate all outstanding options either immediately or upon completion
of the purchase of shares on the next purchase date or may elect to permit
options to expire in accordance with their terms.
 
    1989 OUTSIDE DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN.  Outside directors are entitled to
participate in the 1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended, (the
"Director Plan"). The Director Plan has a term of 20 years, unless terminated
sooner by the Board. A total of 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock has been
reserved for issuance under the Director Plan. The Director Plan provides for
the automatic grant of 15,000 shares of Common Stock to each eligible outside
director on the date such person first is elected as a director. In addition,
outside directors shall automatically be granted an option to purchase 15,000
shares at each time such outside director is re-elected to the Board of
Directors. Each option granted under the Director Plan shall have a term of ten
years and the shares subject to the option shall vest over three years with
one-third of the shares vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the
grant date. The exercise prices of the options granted under the Director Plan
shall be 100% of the fair market value per share of the Common Stock, generally
determined with reference to the closing price of the Common Stock as reported
on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant. In the event of a change of
control of the
 
                                       83
<PAGE>
Company, each option granted under the Director Plan shall become fully vested
and exercisable. Options granted under the Director Plan must be exercised
within one month of the end of the optionee's tenure as a director of the
Company, or within 12 months after such director's termination by death or
disability, but in no event later than the expiration of the option's ten-year
term. No option granted under the Director Plan is transferable by the optionee
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each option is
exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee, only by such optionee.
 
    401(K) PLAN.  The Company has adopted a tax-qualified employee savings and
retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan"). All U.S. employees except temporary
employees, leased employees, non-resident alien employees with no U.S.-source
income, union employees and employees of an affiliated employer not authorized
to participate in the 401(k) Plan are eligible to participate as of their date
of hire. Eligible employees may elect to defer between one percent (1%) and
fifteen percent (15%) of their compensation in the 401(k) Plan, subject to the
statutorily prescribed annual limit. The Company may make matching contributions
on behalf of all participants in the 401(k) Plan in an amount determined by the
Company's Board of Directors. The matching contribution for the year ended
December 31, 1997 was 50% of employee deferrals, up to a maximum of $2,000 per
employee. The Company may also make additional discretionary profit sharing
contributions in such amounts as determined by the Board of Directors, subject
to statutory limitations on contributions made by employees and employers under
such plans. Matching contributions are subject to a vesting schedule; all other
contributions are at all times fully vested. Employees may borrow from the
401(k) Plan, and may request withdrawal from their account in the case of
hardship or on attainment of age 59 1/2. The 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify
under Sections 401 and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, so
that contributions by employees or by the Company to the 401(k) Plan, and income
earned on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from
the 401(k) Plan, and so that contributions by the Company, if any, will be
deductible by the Company when made. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan, at the
direction of each participant, invests the assets of the 401(k) Plan in any of a
number of investment options.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
    On July 18, 1997, the Company entered into an at-will employment agreement
with Mr. Finocchio, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $460,000, subject
to annual review concerning increases. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company
granted Mr. Finocchio an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock
under the 1994 Plan at an exercise price per share of $10.8125, subject to
vesting in equal annual installments over four years and an option under the
Company's 1997 Non-statutory Stock Option Plan to acquire an additional 500,000
shares of Common Stock, also at an exercise price of $10.8125 and subject to
vesting under the same terms as the grant under the 1994 Plan. In the event of a
merger or change in control of the Company the exercisability of Mr. Finocchio's
options will accelerate so as to become fully vested. In January 1998, the
Company granted Mr. Finocchio an additional option under the 1994 Plan to
acquire 500,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to vesting in equal annual
installments over four years.
 
    On September 24, 1997, the Company entered into an at-will employment letter
agreement with Jean-Yves F. Dexmier, the Company's Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer, which provides for an annual base salary of $350,000
and an annual cash bonus based on the achievement of individual and Company
performance objectives. In the event Mr. Dexmier is terminated without cause
within the first twelve months of his employment with the Company, he will be
entitled to receive severance in an amount equal to one year of base salary plus
any bonus he would have been entitled to receive under the Company's executive
compensation plan. If such termination occurs after Mr. Dexmier's first twelve
months with the Company, he shall be entitled to receive as severance an amount
equal to six months base salary. If there is a change in control of the Company
within the first twelve months Mr. Dexmier is employed with the Company, Mr.
Dexmier will be entitled to receive $1,000,000 less any stock option profit
realized upon the change in ownership. In connection with his employment, the
Company granted Mr. Dexmier an option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 500,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.8125, subject to vesting in
equal annual installments over four years. In
 
                                       84
<PAGE>
January 1998, the Company granted Mr. Dexmier an additional option under the
1994 Plan to acquire 100,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to equal annual
installments over four years.
 
    On September 18, 1997, the Company entered into an at-will employment letter
agreement with Wesley Raffel, the Company's Vice President, North American Field
Operations, which provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 and an annual
cash bonus based on the achievement of individual and Company performance
objectives. In the event of a change in the Chief Executive Officer or a change
in ownership of the Company where Mr. Raffel's employment with the Company is
terminated in connection with such event, Mr. Raffel will be entitled to receive
severance in an amount equal to one year of base salary. In connection with his
employment, the Company granted Mr. Raffel an option under the 1994 Plan to
acquire 325,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.3438, subject
to vesting in equal annual installments over four years.
 
    In October 1997, the Company entered into Change of Control Agreements (the
"Change of Control Agreements") with Messrs. Dexmier and Raffel, Myron (Mike)
Saranga, the Company's Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development
and Karen Blasing, the Company's Vice President, Business Development Finance.
The Change of Control Agreements, which are substantially similar for each
executive officer, provide that in the event a change in control of the Company
occurs, the exercisability of each executive officer's options will accelerate
so as to become fully vested.
 
    In January 1998, the Company entered into an at-will employment letter with
Susan T. Daniel, the Company's Vice President, Human Resources, which provides
for an annual base salary of $230,000 and an annual cash bonus based on the
achievement of individual and Company performance objectives. Ms. Daniel will
also receive $7,500 annually her first two years of employment if she remains
employed with the Company on the anniversary date of her employment with the
Company. In connection with her employment, the Company granted Ms. Daniel an
option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 200,000 shares of Common Stock at a per
share exercise price of $7.4688, subject to vesting in equal annual installments
over four years. In the event of a change of ownership of the Company within Ms.
Daniel's first two years of employment with the Company where Ms. Daniel's
employment is terminated within 90 days of the change of control event other
than for cause, she will be entitled to receive severance in an amount equal to
one (1) year base salary. If a change of control in the ownership of the Company
occurs within Ms. Daniel's first six months with the Company, the exercisability
of her options will accelerate as to two years additional vesting. If such
change of control takes place after such six month period, the exercisability of
Ms. Daniel's options will accelerate so as to become fully vested.
 
    In January 1998, the Company entered into an at-will employment letter with
Gary Lloyd, the Company's Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Secretary,
which provides for an annual base salary of $200,000 and an annual cash bonus
based on the achievement of individual and Company performance objectives. In
connection with his employment, the Company granted Mr. Lloyd an option under
the 1994 Plan to acquire 150,000 shares of Common Stock at a per share exercise
price of $5.7500, subject to vesting in equal installments over four years. If a
change of control in the ownership of the Company occurs within Mr. Lloyd's
first six months with the Company, the exercisability of his options will
accelerate as to two years additional vesting. If such change of control takes
place after such six month period, the exercisability of Mr. Lloyd's options
will accelerate so as to become fully vested.
 
    On March 18, 1998, the Company entered into an at-will employment letter
agreement with Diane L. Fraiman, the Company's Vice President, Corporate
Marketing, which provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 and an annual
cash bonus based on the achievement of individual and Company performance
objectives. Pursuant to her employment letter, Ms. Fraiman received a $135,000
signing bonus, which Ms. Fraiman will be required to repay in full if she
terminates her employment with the Company prior to the first anniversary of her
commencement date. Ms. Fraiman will be required to repay half that amount if she
terminates her employment after the first anniversary date but prior to the
second anniversary date. In connection with her employment with the Company, the
Company granted Ms. Fraiman option to acquire 200,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $8.531 per share, subject to vesting in equal annual
installments over four years. If there is a change in control of the Company
within the first six months after the date of Ms. Fraiman's employment letter,
the vesting of Ms. Fraiman's options will accelerate as to two
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
year's additional vesting. If such change of control occurs after such six month
anniversary, Ms. Fraiman's options will accelerate so as to become fully vested.
 
    Other than the employment arrangements described above, the Company does not
have employment agreements with any other current executive officer or director.
 
    In connection with Philip E. White's resignation as Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer in July 1997, and pursuant to his employment agreement
with the Company, the Company was obligated to pay Mr. White six months salary
at a rate of $39,583.34 per month from the time of his resignation.
 
    The Company has entered into severance arrangements with additional former
executive officers of the Company. See "Certain Transactions."
 
    The Company has also adopted a Rights Agreement, commonly referred to as a
poison pill. See "Description of Capital Stock--Rights Agreement."
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
 
    The Company has adopted provisions in its Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation that eliminate to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware
law the liability of its directors to the Company for monetary damages. 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 has entered into
indemnification agreements with its officers and directors containing provisions
which may require the Company, among other things, to indemnify the 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), and to advance their expenses incurred as a
result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. See
"Business--Legal Proceedings."
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
   
    In June 1993, the Company made a loan in the principal amount of $150,000 to
Myron (Mike) Saranga, the Company's Senior Vice President, Product Management
and Development, in connection with his accepting employment by the Company. The
loan is secured by a second deed of trust on residential real property acquired
by Mr. Saranga in California and was originally due and payable in full on the
earliest of June 2, 1995, the date Mr. Saranga sold certain residential real
property located in Connecticut, or the date Mr. Saranga's employment with the
Company was terminated. In June 1995, Mr. Saranga and the Company amended the
loan to increase the interest rate of 3.56% per annum to 6.55% per annum and to
provide that $30,000 of principal, and accrued interest, would be forgiven on
June 2, 1996 and each anniversary thereafter until the loan is no longer
outstanding, provided that Mr. Saranga remains an employee of the Company. The
loan continues to provide that the full amount of unpaid principal and accrued
interest will become immediately due and payable on the date Mr. Saranga's
employment with the Company is terminated for any reason. In June 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively, the Company forgave $34,749, $35,568 and $39,825 of
principal and interest loan under the promissory note, respectively (such
forgiveness amounts were not grossed up to satisfy tax obligations). As of March
31, 1998, outstanding principal under the note totaled $90,000.
    
 
    The Company has entered into employment and change of control agreements
with certain executive officers of the Company. See "Management--Employment
Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements."
 
                                       86
<PAGE>
    In connection with Frank J. Bergandi's resignation as Vice President, North
American Sales, in December 1995, the Company entered into a Separation
Agreement with Mr. Bergandi whereby the Company agreed to pay Mr. Bergandi six
months salary at a rate of $15,833.33 per month during a six month transition
period. The Company also agreed that options to purchase up to an aggregate of
95,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company held by Mr. Bergandi would continue
to vest during such transition period.
 
    In April 1997, the Company entered into Separation Agreements with Ronald M.
Alvarez, the Company's former Vice President, American Sales, and Edwin C.
Winder, the Company's former Vice President, Japan Operations, in connection
with their resignations as executive officers of the Company. Under the terms of
their respective Separation Agreements, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Winder received
payments for six months additional salary from the time of their resignations at
the rate of $17,083.33 and $18,250.00 per month, respectively. In addition, Mr.
Alvarez received a bonus in the amount of $7,686.00 for his services during the
Company's first fiscal quarter of 1997. As part of his Separation Agreement,
options to purchase 11,250 shares of Common Stock of the Company held by Mr.
Alvarez continued to vest during the six months subsequent to his resignation
date. The Company also agreed to pay both Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Winder additional
fees for outplacement services and legal fees incurred in connection with the
negotiation of their respective Separation Agreements.
 
    In connection with D. Kenneth Coulter's resignation as Executive Vice
President, Worldwide Field Operations in July 1997, and pursuant to an
Employment Agreement the Company previously entered with Mr. Coulter, the
Company paid Mr. Coulter an aggregate of $106,954 over the five month period
ended December 31, 1997.
 
    In connection with Richard H. Williams' resignation as Senior Vice
President, Business Units, in September 1996, the Company entered into a
Separation Agreement with Mr. Williams whereby the Company agreed to pay Mr.
Williams $132,500 in a lump sum payment, which represented six months of Mr.
Williams' base salary. Moreover, the Company agreed that certain additional
unvested restricted stock to purchase up to 77,283 shares of Common Stock of the
Company held by Mr. Williams would continue to vest during the five month period
following his resignation from the Company. The Company also agreed to pay Mr.
Williams $1,000 for each day that he performed consulting services for the
Company during the five months following his resignation; however, Mr. Williams
did not perform any consulting services for the Company during such period. In
addition, under the terms of a restricted stock purchase agreement the Company
previously entered into with Mr. Williams, in connection with Mr. Williams'
resignation, the Company purchased 128,804 shares of restricted stock that had
been held by Mr. Williams for $24,999.81.
 
    In connection with Richard Blass' resignation as Vice President, Americas
Finance, in November 1996, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with
Mr. Blass whereby it agreed to pay Mr. Blass five and one-half months salary at
a rate of $11,500.00 per month following his resignation. The Company also
agreed to pay Mr. Blass an additional six months salary, at the same rate of
$11,500.00 per month, either in a lump sum payment or over six months following
such five and one-half month transition period. Under his Separation Agreement,
the Company also agreed to pay Mr. Blass up to $5,000 for outplacement services.
 
    In January 1997, the Company made a loan in the principal amount of $150,000
to Alan Henricks, the Company's former Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, at an interest rate of seven percent (7.0%) per annum in
connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. Under the terms of
the loan, $50,000 of principal would be forgiven on December 20 of each year
that Mr. Henricks remained an employee of the Company. In connection with Mr.
Henricks' resignation in April 1997, the Company entered into a Separation
Agreement with Mr. Henricks whereby the Company agreed to pay Mr. Henricks nine
months salary at a rate of $25,000.00 per month following his resignation. In
addition, Mr. Henricks agreed to repay the outstanding principal and interest
under the note in equal monthly installments of $17,156.00 through deductions
from Mr. Henricks' monthly severance payments described above.
 
                                       87
<PAGE>
    In connection with David H. Stanley's resignation as Vice President, Legal
and Corporate Services, and General Counsel in October 1997, the Company entered
into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Stanley whereby the Company agreed to pay
Mr. Stanley six months salary at a rate of $16,666.67 per month following his
resignation. In addition, the Company agreed that unvested options to purchase
up to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company held by Mr.
Stanley would continue to vest during a one month transition period. Under the
Separation Agreement the Company also agreed to pay Mr. Stanley up to $5,000 for
outplacement services.
 
    The Company has made certain payments to Philip E. White, the Company's
former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in connection with his
resignation pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement between the Company
and Mr. White. See "Management--Employment Agreements on Change in Control
Arrangements."
 
    On November 17, 1997, the Company issued 160,000 shares of Series A-1
Preferred and the Series A-1 Warrant in cancellation of and exchange for all of
the outstanding Series A Preferred and the Series A Warrant previously issued in
connection with a Subscription Agreement, dated August 12, 1997, between
Fletcher International Limited and the Company. The issuance of the Series A-1
Preferred in exchange for the Series A Preferred was effected in reliance on the
exemption under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. See "Description of
Capital Stock--Preferred Stock." On February 13, 1998, Fletcher exercised the
Series A-1 Warrant with respect to 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred and
simultaneously converted 220,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred into 12,769,908
shares of Common Stock.
 
    In connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred in November 1997,
the Company paid Shemano a fee of $1,000,000 for financial advisory services
provided in connection with such financing. In addition, the Company issued
Shemano 100,000 shares of its Common Stock, which are registered and offered for
resale pursuant to this Prospectus. The Company also issued Shemano a warrant to
purchase up to an additional 50,000 shares of Common Stock because, as of May
15, 1998, the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock was less than
$12.50. The Shemano Warrant is exercisable according to the same terms as the
Warrants. In addition, pursuant to a February 1998 letter agreement with
Shemano, the Company agreed that upon receipt of a written request from Shemano
prior to the time the Commission declares the Registration Statement effective,
the Company would repurchase the Shemano shares. Such repurchase obligation
terminated upon the Commission declaring the Registration Statement covering
such shares effective on May 12, 1998.
 
    Pursuant to both Article VI of the Company's Bylaws and Section 6 of the
Indemnification Agreement the Company enters into with its executive officers
and directors, the Company advances expenses incurred by indemnified parties in
connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of threatened,
pending or completed action or suits against such parties in their capacity as
an agent of the Company. Under both the Bylaws and the Indemnification
Agreement, the indemnified party will repay the Company for any advanced
expenses if it is ultimately determined that the indemnified party is not
entitled to be indemnified by the Company. See "Risk Factors--Litigation" and
"Legal Proceedings." As of March 31, 1998, the Company has received invoices for
legal fees of approximately $1,075,000 incurred by certain of its current and
former executive officers and/or directors in connection with certain actions
and suits discussed in this report. As of the date of this report, the Company
has advanced approximately $540,000 in expenses to its former executive officers
and/or directors incurred in connection with such proceedings. The Company
anticipates advancing the remaining balance of such expenses in the near future.
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's outstanding equity securities as of March 31, 1998,
after giving effect to the conversion of all of the Company's Series B Preferred
Stock into 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock based upon an assumed conversion
price of $4.00 per share and the Warrants to acquire an aggregate of 2,700,000
shares of Common Stock and the assumed grant and exercise of the Shemano Warrant
to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company by (i) each person or
entity who is known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock; (ii) each director of the Company; (iii)
each of the Named Executive Officers; (iv) all current directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group; and (v) each Selling Stockholder.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                      BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
                                                                 PRIOR TO OFFERING (2)                      AFTER OFFERING (2)
                                                              ---------------------------   NUMBER OF   ---------------------------
                                                                             PERCENT OF      SHARES                    PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF STOCKHOLDER(1)                              NUMBER         CLASS         OFFERED      NUMBER         CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  --------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>
COMMON STOCK
 
5% STOCKHOLDERS
  Fletcher International Limited(3) ........................
  c/o Midland Bank Trust Corporation (Cayman) Limited
  P.O. Box 1109, Mary Street
  Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
  British West Indies
                                                               13,674,500         7.6%             --    13,674,500         7.6%
 
DIRECTORS AND CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Leslie G. Denend(4).......................................
                                                                       --          --              --            --          --
  Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.(5)...............................
                                                                    2,505           *              --         2,505           *
  J.F. Hendrickson, Jr.(6)..................................
                                                                  331,258           *              --       331,258           *
  Stephen E. Hill(7)........................................
                                                                   76,095           *              --        76,095           *
  Albert F. Knorp, Jr.(8)...................................
                                                                  158,868           *              --       158,868           *
  James L. Koch(9)..........................................
                                                                   94,400           *              --        94,400           *
  Thomas A. McDonnell(10)...................................
                                                                  150,000           *              --       150,000           *
  George Reyes(11)..........................................
                                                                       --          --              --            --          --
  Myron (Mike) Saranga(12)..................................
                                                                  156,760           *              --       156,760           *
  Michael R. Stonebraker(13)................................
                                                                  589,450           *              --       589,450           *
  Cyril J. Yansouni(14).....................................
                                                                   45,000           *              --        45,000           *
  All current directors and executive officers as a group
    (17 persons)(15)........................................
                                                                1,617,853           *              --     1,617,853           *
 
FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Phillip E. White(16)......................................
                                                                   12,819           *              --        12,819           *
 
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
  CC Investments, LDC(17)(18)...............................
                                                                3,800,000         2.1%      3,800,000            --          --
  Marshall Capital Management, Inc.(17)(19).................
                                                                6,080,000         3.4%      6,080,000            --          --
  Capital Ventures International(17)(20)....................
                                                                5,320,000         3.0%      5,320,000            --          --
  The Shemano Group Inc.(21)................................
                                                                  150,000           *         150,000            --          --
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------
 
*   Less than 1%.
 
 (1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed stockholder, other
     than the Selling Stockholders, is c/o Informix Corporation, 4100 Bohannon
     Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025. Except as otherwise indicated, and
     subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
     table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
     Common Stock held by them.
 
 (2) For figures related to holdings of Common Stock, applicable percentage
     ownership is based on 179,964,942 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
     March 31, 1998 (including the February 1998 issuance of 12,769,908 shares
     of Common Stock issued to Fletcher upon conversion of 220,000 shares of
     Series A-1 Preferred as described more fully in footnote 3), together with
     applicable options or warrants for such stockholder. Such outstanding
     Common Stock share figure assumes the conversion of the outstanding Series
     B Preferred into 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock based on an assumed
     conversion price of $4.00 per share. Beneficial ownership is determined in
     accordance with the rules of the Commission and generally includes voting
     or investment power with respect to securities, subject to community
     property laws, where applicable. Shares of Common Stock or Series A-1
 
                                       89
<PAGE>
     Preferred subject to options or warrants that are presently exercisable or
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998 are deemed to be beneficially
     owned by the person holding such options or warrants for the purpose of
     computing the percentage of ownership of such person but are not treated as
     outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of any other
     person. To the extent that any shares are issued upon exercise of options,
     warrants or other rights to acquire the Company's capital stock that are
     presently outstanding or granted in the future or reserved for future
     issuance under the Company's stock plans, there will be further dilution to
     new public investors.
 
 (3) Includes 12,769,208 shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of
     220,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred on February 13, 1998 and 904,592
     shares of Common Stock currently issuable upon conversion of shares of
     Series A-1 Preferred, which are currently issuable upon exercise of the
     Series A-1 Warrant. As described below, the number of shares of Common
     Stock issuable upon exercise and conversion of the Series A-1 Warrant
     increased effective April 1, 1998. Fletcher is the original purchaser of
     160,000 shares of the Company's Series A Preferred and the Series A Warrant
     to purchase an additional 140,000 shares of Series A Preferred. Fletcher
     exchanged such Series A Preferred for a like number of shares of Series A-1
     Preferred and exchanged the Series A Warrant for the Series A-1 Warrant to
     purchase a like number of shares of Series A-1 Preferred. The Series A-1
     Preferred is convertible into Common Stock of the Company based on a
     conversion rate that is dependent upon the trading price of the Company's
     Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market prior to the time of
     such conversion. As indicated above, on February 13, 1998, Fletcher
     exercised the Series A-1 Warrant with respect to 60,000 shares of Series
     A-1 Preferred and simultaneously converted 220,000 shares of Series A-1
     Preferred into 12,769,908 shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of
     the Subscription Agreement, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
     issuable upon conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred (including upon
     exercise and conversion of the Series A-1 Warrant) was 13,674,500 as of
     March 31, 1998; however, on January 26, 1998, pursuant to the terms of the
     original financing agreements, Fletcher gave the Company a notice
     designating 16,674,500 shares as the maximum number of shares of Common
     Stock to be issuable upon conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred on or
     after April 1, 1998. Fletcher must give the Company another notice to
     increase the maximum number of conversion shares further. The Series A-1
     Preferred shares are non-voting securities and holders of Series A-1
     Preferred are not generally entitled to vote on corporate matters, prior to
     the conversion of such shares into Common Stock.
 
 (4) Mr. Denend is a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
 (5) Includes 100 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Finocchio's minor son. Mr.
     Finocchio is the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
     See "Management--Employment Agreements and Change-in-Control Arrangements."
 
 (6) Includes 330,000 shares of Common Stock held issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. Hendrickson is the
     Company's Vice President, Customer Services, and Lenexa (Kansas) Site
     General Manager. Mr. Hendrickson forfeited options to acquire 14,000 shares
     of Common Stock in connection with the Company's November 1997 option
     repricing program. See "Executive Compensation--Stock Option Repricing."
 
 (7) Includes 72,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. Hill is the Company's
     Vice President and General Manager, Tools Business Unit. Mr. Hill forfeited
     options to acquire 14,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with the
     Company's November 1997 option repricing program. See "Executive
     Compensation-- Stock Option Repricing."
 
 (8) Includes 30,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Also includes 105,728 shares
     of Common Stock held by Seaport Ventures, L.P., of which Mr. Knorp is a
     general partner. Mr. Knorp is a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
 (9) Includes 92,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. Koch is a member of the
     Company's Board of Directors.
 
(10) Includes 95,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. McDonnell is a member of
     the Company's Board of Directors.
 
   
(11) Mr. Reyes is a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
    
 
   
(12) Includes 155,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. Saranga is the Company's
     Senior
    
 
                                       90
<PAGE>
     Vice President, Product Management and Development. Mr. Saranga forfeited
     options to aquire 46,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with the
     Company's November 1997 option repricing program. See "Executive
     Compensation--Option Repricing."
 
   
(13) Includes 161,882 shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Stonebraker's minor
     children and 533 shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Stonebraker as trustee
     for the Michael Stonebraker Pension Plan. Dr. Stonebraker is the Company's
     Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Stonebraker forfeited
     options to acquire 15,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with the
     Company's November 1997 option repricing program. See "Executive
     Compensation--Stock Option Repricing."
    
 
   
(14) Includes 45,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998. Mr. Yansouni is a member of
     the Company's Board of Directors.
    
 
   
(15) Includes 825,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998.
    
 
   
(16) Mr. White resigned as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and
     Chief Executive Officer in July 1997.
    
 
   
(17) Assumes (i) the conversion of all of such Selling Stockholder's Series B
     Preferred into shares of Common Stock based on an assumed conversion price
     of $4.00 per share and, upon conversion of the Series B Preferred, (ii) the
     issuance and immediate exercisability of the Warrants based on the $4.00
     per share conversion price. For a description of the terms of conversion of
     the Series B Preferred, see "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred
     Stock."
    
 
   
(18) Includes 675,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants
     held by such Selling Stockholder. Prior to the assumed conversion Series B
     Preferred, such Selling Stockholder held 12,500 shares of Series B
     Preferred, representing 25.0% of the Series B Preferred outstanding as of
     the date of this Prospectus. Excludes the effects of the June 1998
     conversion of 500 shares of Series B Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common
     Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $6.24938 and the related
     issuance of a Warrant to purchase up to 66,000 shares of the Company's
     Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.84 per share.
    
 
   
(19) Formerly, Proprietary Convertible Investment Group, Inc. Includes 1,080,000
     shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants held by such
     Selling Stockholder. Prior to the assumed conversion Series B Preferred,
     such Selling Stockholder held 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred,
     representing 40.0% of the Series B Preferred outstanding as of the date of
     this Prospectus.
    
 
   
(20) Includes 945,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants
     held by such Selling Stockholder. Prior to the assumed conversion Series B
     Preferred, such Selling Stockholder held 17,500 shares of Series B
     Preferred, representing 35.0% of the Series B Preferred outstanding as of
     the date of this Prospectus.
    
 
   
(21) Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the Shemano Warrant which
     is exercisable upon similar terms as the Warrants. 100,000 shares were
     issued and the Shemano Warrant will be issuable to Shemano in connection
     with the sale of the Series B Preferred. See "Certain Transactions."
    
 
                                       91
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01
par value, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value. Of the
Preferred Stock, 440,000 shares have been designated Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding; 440,000 shares have been
designated Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, of which no shares are
outstanding and of which 80,000 shares are issuable upon exercise of an
outstanding warrant; and 50,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock,
all of which were outstanding as of March 31, 1998; in June 1998, 500 shares of
Series B Preferred were converted into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the
Company. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had an aggregate of 167,464,942
shares of Common Stock outstanding not including 50,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Shemano Warrant), and an additional 16,045,465
shares of Common Stock were issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, of
which 3,294,157 shares were vested and exercisable.
    
 
    On February 13, 1998, Fletcher elected to exercise its right to purchase
60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred under the Series A-1 Warrant and
simultaneously converted 220,000 shares of A-1 Preferred into 12,769,908 shares
of Common Stock.
 
    On January 26, 1998 Fletcher gave the Company a 65 day notice designating
16,674,500 shares as the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred (including the 12,769,908 issued on
February 13, 1998); prior to the time Fletcher delivered such notice, the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the series
B Preferred was 13,674,500. Fletcher must give the Company another 65 day notice
to increase the maximum number of conversion shares further.
 
    The following description of the Company's capital stock does not purport to
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Company's
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, by the Company's
Certificates of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-1
Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, by the
Rights Agreement and by the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
 
    The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws as well as
the Rights Agreement contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of
Directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
future takeover or change in control of the Company unless such takeover or
change in control is approved by the Board of Directors. In addition,
acquisitions of the Company and certain other change-in-control transactions may
not be effected without the consent of the holders of the outstanding Preferred
Stock or without requiring the acquiring entity to assume the Preferred Stock or
cause such Preferred Stock to be redeemed. These provisions are likely to make
an acquisition of the Company more difficult and expensive and could discourage
potential acquirors.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    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 do not have
cumulative voting rights, and, therefore, holders of a majority of the shares
voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. In such
event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any
directors.
 
    Holders of the Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor, subject to the terms of any existing or future agreements
between the Company and its debtholders. The Company has never declared or paid
cash dividends on its capital stock, expects to retain future earnings, if any,
for use in the operation and expansion of its business, and does not anticipate
paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In the event of the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common
Stock are
 
                                       92
<PAGE>
entitled to share ratably in all assets legally available for distribution after
payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of
any holders of Preferred Stock then outstanding.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The
Board of Directors has the authority to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more
series and to fix the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting
rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the
number of shares constituting a series or the designation of such series,
without any further vote or action by the Company's stockholders. To date, the
Company has used its ability to designate new series of Preferred Stock in
transactions intended to raise additional capital for the Company. The ability
to issue additional shares of Preferred Stock, however, also provides desirable
flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes but could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders and
may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of,
the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting and
conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common
Stock, including the loss of voting control to others.
 
    On August 12, 1997, the Company issued 160,000 shares of Series A Preferred
to Fletcher International Limited ("Fletcher") for net proceeds of $37.6
million. In addition, the Company granted Fletcher a warrant to acquire up to an
additional 140,000 shares of Series A Preferred for a purchase price per share
of $250. On November 17, 1997, the Company issued 160,000 shares of the Series
A-1 Preferred in cancellation of and exchange for all of the outstanding Series
A Preferred previously issued to Fletcher. In connection with such cancellation
and exchange, the Company and Fletcher also agreed to cancel the previously
granted warrant to acquire Series A Preferred for the Series A-1 Warrant. The
rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A-1 Preferred are substantially
identical to those of the previously outstanding Series A Preferred, except that
the mandatory redemption terms and certain other provisions differ. In
particular, the holders of Series A Preferred could require the Company to
redeem the Series A Preferred in the event certain conditions were not met in
connection with a third party acquiring the Company or substantially all of its
assets. Under the terms of the Series A-1 Preferred, however, the Company, not
the holders of the Series A-1 Preferred, may make an election to redeem the
Series A-1 Preferred in the event of such a change of control transaction. As a
result of these differences, the Series A Preferred was excluded from
stockholders' equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheet, while the
Series A-1 Preferred is included in stockholders' equity.
 
    The Series A-1 Preferred is convertible into shares of Common Stock at any
time after issuance. At the holder's option, each share of Series A-1 Preferred,
which has a face value of $250, is convertible into Common Stock at a per share
price equal to 101% of the average price of the Common Stock for the 30 trading
days ending five trading days prior to the conversion, but not greater than the
lesser of (i) 105% of the Common Stock average price of the first five trading
days of such thirty day period or (ii) $12. The number of shares of Common Stock
to be issued upon conversion will vary based on future stock price movements.
Holders of the Series A-1 Preferred will not be entitled to convert the Series
A-1 Preferred into more than 13,674,500 shares of Common Stock without first
giving the Company 65 days prior notice. Holders of the A-1 Preferred will be
entitled to a 15% annual dividend, payable quarterly in cash, in the event of
(i) the Company's failure to obtain stockholder approval within 90 days
following any date when the number of shares of Common Stock issuable or issued
upon conversion of the A-1 Preferred would have exceeded 19.9% of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock or (ii) the failure of the Company to have a
registration statement declared effective by the Commission under the Securities
Act within 180 days following the request of the holders of the Series A-1
Preferred. Such dividend rights will continue to accrue until such default has
been cured or the shares have been converted or redeemed. See "--Registration
Rights." In the event holders of the Series A-1 Preferred object to the terms of
a proposed acquisition of the Company, the Company may redeem shares of the
Series A-1 Preferred at a price of $250 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid
dividends. In the event the Company fails to redeem such shares, such failure
will be deemed a default and the Company will be obligated to pay a 15% annual
 
                                       93
<PAGE>
dividend (payable quarterly in cash) on such shares until redeemed or converted.
In the event the Company defaults on the payment of any required dividend, the
holders of Series A-1 Preferred will be entitled, voting separately as a class,
to appoint and elect a number of directors (not less than one) to the Company's
Board of Directors such that, following such election, such new directors will
represent a percentage of the total members of the Board that most nearly
approximates the percentage of ownership of the Company held by the holders of
the Series A-1 Preferred on a fully-diluted basis. The Series A-1 Preferred will
automatically convert into Common Stock 18 months following the date of its
issuance by the Company; however, in the event the Company defaults on the
payment of a required dividend other than as a result of a failure to redeem in
connection with certain acquisitions, the automatic conversion date of the
Series A-1 Preferred will be extended for a one-year period beginning on the
date the default is first cured. The automatic conversion date may also be
extended for additional periods under other circumstances. See "Risk
Factors--Risks Associated with Convertible Preferred Stock Financings."
 
   
    The Series B Preferred is convertible at the election of the holder into
shares of Common Stock beginning on the date six months after issuance, and at
any time prior to such date upon the occurrence of certain events, including
merger and similar transactions which would result in a change of control of the
Company. The currently outstanding Series B Preferred was originally issued on
November 19, 1997. The Series B Preferred will automatically convert into Common
Stock three years following the date of its issuance by the Company. Each share
of Series B Preferred, which has a face value of $1,000, is convertible into (i)
shares of Common Stock at a per share price equal to the lowest of (A) the
average of the closing bid prices for the Common Stock for the 22 trading days
immediately prior to the 180th day following the initial issuance date of the
Series B Preferred, (B) 101% of the average of the closing bid prices for the
Common Stock for the 22 trading days ending five trading days prior to the date
of actual conversion or (C) 101% of the lowest closing bid price for the Common
Stock during the five trading days immediately prior to the date of actual
conversion and (ii) Warrants to acquire that number of shares of Common Stock
equal to 20% of the shares determined pursuant to item (i). The exercise price
for the Warrants is $7.84 per share. The conversion price of the Series B
Preferred is subject to modification and adjustment upon the occurrence of
specified events. The Series B Preferred accrues cumulative dividends at an
annual rate of 5% of the face value of each share of Series B Preferred. The
dividend is generally payable upon the conversion or redemption of the Series B
Preferred, and may be paid in cash or, at the Company's election subject to
certain conditions, in shares of Common Stock. The Series B Preferred is junior
to the Company's outstanding Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock in respect
of liquidation preference and the right to receive dividend payments. See "Risk
Factors--Risks Associated with Convertible Preferred Stock Financings." In June
1998, one of the Series B Preferred stockholders elected to convert 500 shares
of Series B Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a
conversion price of $6.24983 per share. In connection with such conversion, the
Company also issued such Series B Preferred stockholder a Warrant to purchase up
to 66,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $7.84
per share and paid a cash dividend in the amount of $13,904 to such stockholder.
    
 
    In connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred in November 1997,
the Company paid Shemano a fee of $1,000,000 for financial advisory services
provided in connection with such financing. In addition, the Company issued
Shemano 100,000 shares of its Common Stock, which are registered and offered for
resale pursuant to this Prospectus. The Company also issued Shemano a warrant to
purchase up to an additional 50,000 shares of Common Stock due to the fact that,
on May 15, 1998, the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock was less
than $12.50. In February 1998, the Company and Shemano entered a letter
agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to repurchase from Shemano the
100,000 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the issuance of the
Series B Preferred. The Company's obligation to repurchase such shares
terminated when the Commission declared the Registration Statement covering such
shares effective on May 12, 1998. See "Certain Transactions."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    The Company has agreed that if the Commission imposes a holding period for
securities issued in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in
Regulation S under the Securities Act longer than
 
                                       94
<PAGE>
the 40 day period currently in effect or materially restricts the ability of the
holders of the Series A-1 Preferred to sell or otherwise dispose of such
securities pursuant to Regulation S, upon the request of the Series A-1
Preferred holders, the Company will file with the Commission a registration
statement under the Securities Act covering that number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock issued or issuable to such holders upon conversion of the
Series A-1 Preferred, and thereafter to use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective. The Company has agreed to use its
best efforts to keep any such registration effective until the earlier of the
date at which time all applicable securities have been sold, the second
anniversary of the issuance of the Series A Preferred shares or at such time
that such securities may otherwise be sold to the public absent registration.
 
    The Company also agreed to file with the Commission within 45 days following
the sale of the Series B Preferred a registration statement under the Securities
Act covering not less than 150% of that number of shares of Common Stock
issuable to the Series B Preferred holders upon conversion of the Series B
Preferred and upon exercise of the Warrants at the time of filing, and
thereafter to use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to
become effective. The Commission declared the Registration Statement effective
on May 12, 1998. The Company has agreed to maintain the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement until the earlier to occur of the date on which all of
the applicable securities have been sold thereunder or such time that such
securities may be sold to the public without registration. In addition, the
Company has granted "piggyback" registration rights to holders of the Series B
Preferred, which permit such holders to include shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Series B Preferred and upon exercise of the Warrants in
certain registration statements which may be filed by the Company covering the
sale of shares of Common Stock for the account of the Company.
 
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF PROVISIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS;
  RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
    The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
that all stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called annual or special
meeting and may not be effected by written consent. The Company's Bylaws provide
that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders
can only be called by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President of the Company. In addition, the Company's Bylaws
establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought
before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of
persons for election to the Board. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only
consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought
before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a
stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting,
who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written
notice in proper form to the Company's Secretary of the stockholder's intention
to bring such business before the meeting. In addition, the Board of Directors
of the Company is divided into three classes, with each class standing for
election once every three years.
 
    The Company's Board of Directors has declared a dividend of one Purchase
Right (a "Right") under the Company's Rights Agreement for each share of the
Company's Common Stock outstanding on September 17, 1991 or thereafter issued.
When exercisable, each Right initially entitles the holder to purchase one share
of Common Stock at a specified price. The Rights become exercisable on the
earlier of: (i) the tenth day (or such later date as may be determined by a
majority of the Company's Directors not affiliated with the acquiring person or
group (the "Continuing Directors")) after a person or group has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% of more of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock or (ii) the tenth business day (or such later
date as may be determined by a majority of the Continuing Directors) following
the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership by
a person or group of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. If
an acquiror obtains 20% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock (other
than in certain permitted transactions), and unless the Rights are earlier
redeemed, the holder of each unexercised Right will have the right to receive
shares of the Company's Common Stock having a value equal to two times the
purchase price. Similarly, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, after the
tenth day following certain acquisition
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
transactions, proper provision must be made so that holders of Rights (other
than those beneficially owned by an acquiring person, which will thereafter be
void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of common
stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the purchase
price. The Rights Agreement has been amended so as to prevent holders of the
Series A-1 Preferred and the holders of the Series B Preferred from being deemed
acquiring persons under the Rights Agreement by virtue of their beneficial
ownership of securities issued or issuable in connection with the sale and
issuance of Preferred Stock. The Rights expire on July 25, 2005 or on their
earlier exchange, redemption or expiration in connection with certain permitted
transactions. See "Executive Compensation--Employment Agreements and Change in
Control Arrangements."
 
    The foregoing provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation Bylaws and the Rights Agreement are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of
Directors and in the policies formulated by the Board of Directors and to
discourage certain types of transactions which may involve an actual or
threatened change of control of the Company. Such provisions are designed to
reduce the vulnerability of the Company to an unsolicited acquisition proposal
and, accordingly, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could
delay or prevent a change in control of the Company. Such provisions are also
intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights but
could, however, have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers
for the Company's shares and, consequently, may also inhibit fluctuations in the
market price of the Company's shares that could result from actual or rumored
takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing
changes in the management of the Company. In addition, acquisitions of the
Company and certain other change-in-control transactions may not be effected
without the consent of the holders of the outstanding Preferred Stock or without
requiring the acquiring entity to assume the Preferred Stock or cause such
Preferred Stock to be redeemed. These provisions are likely to make an
acquisition of the Company more difficult and expensive and could discourage
potential acquirors. See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated with Convertible
Preferred Stock Financings" and "--Effect of Certain Charter Provisions;
Limitation of Liability of Directors; Antitakeover Effects of Delaware Law."
 
EFFECT OF DELAWARE ANTITAKEOVER STATUTE
 
    The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "Antitakeover Law"), which regulates corporate acquisitions. The
Antitakeover Law prevents certain Delaware corporations, including those whose
securities are listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market, from engaging,
under certain circumstances in a "business combination" with any "interested
stockholder" for three years following the date that such stockholder became an
interested stockholder. For purposes of the Antitakeover Law, a "business
combination" includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving
the Company and the interested shareholder and the sale of more than ten percent
(10%) of the Company's assets. In general, the Antitakeover Law defines an
"interested stockholder" as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more
the outstanding voting stock of the Company and any entity or person affiliated
with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. A Delaware
corporation may "opt out" of the Antitakeover Law with an express provision in
its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its
certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from amendments approved by the
holders of at least a majority of the Company's outstanding voting shares. The
Company has not "opted out" of the provisions of the Antitakeover Law. See "Risk
Factors--Effect of Certain Charter Provisions; Limitation of Liability of
Directors; Antitakeover Effects of Delaware Law."
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
    The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is Boston Equiserve
LP.
 
                                       96
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares. The
Shares are being offered on behalf of the Selling Stockholders. The Shares may
be sold or distributed from time to time by the Selling Stockholders, or by
pledgees, donees or transferees of, or other successors in interest to, the
Selling Stockholders, directly to one or more purchasers (including pledgees) or
through brokers, dealers or underwriters who may act solely as agents or may
acquire Shares as principals, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, or at
fixed prices, which may be changed. The sale of the Shares may be effected in
one or more of the following methods: (i) ordinary brokers' transactions, which
may include long or short sales; (ii) transactions involving cross or block
trades or otherwise on the Nasdaq National Stock Market; (iii) purchases by
brokers, dealers or underwriters as principal and resale by such purchasers for
their own accounts pursuant to this Prospectus; (iv) "at the market" to or
through market makers or into an existing market for the Shares; (v) in other
ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including
direct sales to purchases or sales effected through agents; (vi) through
transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives (whether exchange-listed or
otherwise); or (vii) any combination of the foregoing, or by any other legally
available means. In addition, the Selling Stockholders or their successors in
interest may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers who may engage
in short sales of Shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with
the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders or their successors in
interest may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers
that require the delivery by such broker-dealers of the Shares, which Shares may
be resold thereafter pursuant to this Prospectus.
 
    Brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution
of the Shares as agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions,
discounts or concessions from the Selling Stockholders and/or purchasers of the
Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent, or to whom they may sell
as principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may
be less than or in excess of customary commissions). The Selling Stockholders
and any broker-dealers who act in connection with the sale of Shares hereunder
may be deemed to be "Underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and
any commissions they receive and proceeds of any sale of Shares may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Neither the
Company nor any Selling Stockholder can presently estimate the amount of such
compensation. The Company knows of no existing arrangements between any Selling
Stockholder, any other stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent
relating to the sale or distribution of the Shares.
 
    To the extent required, the specific shares of Common Stock to be sold, the
names of the Selling Stockholders, purchase price, public offering price, the
names of any such agent, dealer or underwriter and any applicable commission or
discount with respect to a particular offering will be set forth in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The Company has agreed to bear all expenses incurred in connection with
registration, filing or qualification of the Shares under federal and state
securities laws, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and fees and
expenses of counsel for the holders of Series B Preferred. Such expenses
include, without limitation, all registration, filing and qualification fees,
printers' and accounting fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company, including any fees incurred in connection with the delivery of opinions
by the Company's counsel to the holders of Series B Preferred regarding the
effectiveness of the registration statement for the Shares. In addition, the
Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders (other than Shemano)
against certain liabilities, including certain potential liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute payments to the Selling Stockholders as may be
required in respect thereof. Such liabilities include losses arising out of any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact in the
registration statement, or any preliminary or final prospectus thereto including
any supplements or amendments, and any omission or alleged omission of a
material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading. See "Description of Capital Stock--Registration Rights."
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company,
the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo
Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of Informix Corporation at December
31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such
report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
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<S>                                                                                                          <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
Report of Independent Auditors.............................................................................        F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................        F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations......................................................................        F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows......................................................................        F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity............................................................        F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................        F-7
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND MARCH 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)................................................       F-33
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)..........................................................       F-34
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)................................................       F-35
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)...........................................       F-36
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS--
INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Informix
Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Informix
Corporation at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
San Jose, California
March 2, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                              ----------------------
                                                                                                 1997        1996
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
                                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                                               SHARE AND PER-SHARE
                                                                                                     AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                                           <C>         <C>
                                                       ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................  $  139,396  $  226,508
  Short-term investments....................................................................      16,069      34,512
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $33,807 in 1997 and $21,429
    in 1996.................................................................................     142,048     194,499
  Deferred taxes............................................................................      12,249      42,133
  Other current assets......................................................................      26,243      35,662
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Total current assets........................................................................     336,005     533,314
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Property and equipment, at cost
  Computer equipment........................................................................     189,985     225,336
  Office equipment and leasehold improvements...............................................      73,084      67,982
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..........................................    (167,057)   (106,591)
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
                                                                                                  96,012     186,727
Software costs, less accumulated amortization of $22,786 in 1997 and $41,559 in 1996........      40,854      54,486
Deferred taxes..............................................................................      56,345      10,542
Long-term investments.......................................................................          --       6,639
Intangible assets, net......................................................................       8,277      34,693
Other assets................................................................................      25,751      55,597
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Total Assets................................................................................  $  563,244  $  881,998
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
 
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................................................  $   36,155  $   65,446
  Accrued expenses..........................................................................      64,538      59,723
  Accrued employee compensation.............................................................      49,154      57,626
  Income taxes payable......................................................................       3,031       5,757
  Deferred maintenance revenue..............................................................     100,828      94,981
  Advances from customers and financial institutions........................................     180,048     239,506
  Accrued restructuring costs...............................................................      26,597          --
  Other current liabilities.................................................................      15,802       7,138
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Total current liabilities...................................................................     476,153     530,177
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Other non-current liabilities...............................................................       6,311       2,359
Deferred taxes..............................................................................      21,716      24,158
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share--5,000,000 shares authorized
    Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, 160,000 shares issued and outstanding, aggregate
     liquidation preference of $40,000......................................................           2          --
    Series B convertible preferred stock, 50,000 shares issued and outstanding, aggregate
     liquidation preference of $50,301......................................................           1          --
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share--500,000,000 shares authorized, 152,587,000 and
    150,782,000 shares issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1996, respectively................       1,526       1,508
  Additional paid-in capital................................................................     347,582     243,564
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)...................................................    (278,144)     78,723
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.................................     (11,903)      1,509
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Total stockholders' equity..................................................................      59,064     325,304
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity..................................................  $  563,244  $  881,998
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
                                                                                              ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 --------------------------------
                                                                                    1997       1996       1995
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                                              DATA)
<S>                                                                              <C>         <C>        <C>
Net Revenues
  Licenses.....................................................................  $  378,164  $ 502,730  $ 462,061
  Services.....................................................................     285,728    231,810    174,486
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    663,892    734,540    636,547
Costs and Expenses
  Cost of software distribution................................................      63,027     46,786     37,593
  Cost of services.............................................................     166,916    144,850     91,540
  Sales and marketing..........................................................     417,162    413,689    301,932
  Research and development.....................................................     139,310    120,211     85,643
  General and administrative...................................................      87,498     64,416     51,114
  Write-off of goodwill and other long-term assets.............................      30,473         --         --
  Write-off of acquired research and development...............................       7,000         --         --
  Restructuring charges........................................................     108,248         --         --
  Expenses related to Illustra merger..........................................          --      5,914         --
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  1,019,634    795,866    567,822
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Operating income (loss)........................................................    (355,742)   (61,326)    68,725
  Interest income..............................................................       5,623      9,868      8,148
  Interest expense.............................................................      (9,405)   (12,475)    (6,299)
  Other income, net............................................................      10,474      2,899        120
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes..............................................    (349,050)   (61,034)    70,694
  Income taxes.................................................................       7,817     12,531     32,094
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss)..............................................................    (356,867)   (73,565)    38,600
Preferred stock dividend.......................................................        (301)        --         --
Value assigned to warrants.....................................................      (1,601)        --         --
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders............................  $ (358,769) $ (73,565) $  38,600
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic........................................................................  $    (2.36) $   (0.49) $    0.27
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
  Diluted......................................................................  $    (2.36) $   (0.49) $    0.26
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
Shares used in per share calculations:
  Basic........................................................................     151,907    149,310    145,062
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
  Diluted......................................................................     151,907    149,310    150,627
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                   1997        1996        1995
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating Activities
Net income (loss).............................................................  $ (356,867) $  (73,565) $   38,600
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash and cash equivalents
  provided by (used in) operating activities:
  License fees received in advance............................................     (64,797)    (58,206)    (34,237)
  Depreciation and amortization...............................................      65,639      47,207      28,949
  Amortization of capitalized software........................................      21,437      14,626      12,041
  Write-off of capitalized software...........................................      14,749          --          --
  Write-off of long term assets...............................................       6,799          --          --
  Write-off of intangibles....................................................      20,033          --          --
  Write-off of acquired research and development..............................       7,000          --          --
  Foreign currency transaction losses (gains).................................       3,243      (5,349)     (4,609)
  Gain on sales of strategic investments......................................      (5,007)     (3,856)         --
  Loss on disposal of property and equipment..................................      10,815       2,393         605
  Deferred tax expense........................................................        (328)     (3,965)    (16,577)
  Provisions for losses on accounts receivable................................      19,929      14,983       8,508
  Restructuring charges.......................................................      77,196          --          --
  Stock-based employee compensation...........................................       7,501          --          --
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable.......................................................      42,596     (45,426)    (47,045)
    Other current assets......................................................      40,530          89      (8,441)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses.....................................     (58,867)     52,077      64,294
    Deferred maintenance revenue..............................................       3,618      29,590      17,197
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) operating activities......    (144,781)    (29,402)     59,285
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Investing Activities
Investments of excess cash:
  Purchases of held-to-maturity securities....................................          --          --    (144,517)
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities..................................     (35,255)   (152,179)     (4,303)
  Maturities of held-to-maturity securities...................................          --          --      83,159
  Maturities of available-for-sale securities.................................      14,468     126,137       6,104
  Sales of available-for-sale securities......................................      45,957      83,696      27,261
Purchases of strategic investments............................................      (3,250)    (12,737)     (1,000)
Proceeds from sales of strategic investments..................................      10,454       7,299          --
Purchases of land, and property and equipment.................................     (93,786)   (148,270)    (56,500)
Proceeds from disposal of land, and property and equipment....................      62,371       1,929         288
Additions to software costs...................................................     (20,776)    (32,381)    (23,977)
Business combinations, net of cash acquired...................................      (9,749)     (4,340)    (38,413)
Other.........................................................................     (33,500)    (14,434)     (5,757)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities....................     (63,066)   (145,280)   (157,655)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Financing Activities
Advances from customers and financial institutions............................      21,787     207,218     109,338
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net...................................       9,239      24,357      27,898
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net................................      87,600          --          --
Principal payments on capital leases..........................................      (3,388)     (1,025)       (442)
Acquisition of common stock...................................................          --      (2,388)         --
Reissuance of treasury stock..................................................          --         578          --
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities................     115,238     228,740     136,794
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents..................       5,497       8,145      (6,402)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..............................     (87,112)     62,203      32,022
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year................................     226,508     164,305     132,283
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year......................................  $  139,396  $  226,508  $  164,305
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREFERRED STOCK
                                          ---------------------------------
                                            SERIES A-1         SERIES B        COMMON STOCK    ADDITIONAL
                                          ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   PAID-IN
                                          SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT   CAPITAL
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Balances at December 31, 1994...........    --      $--       --      $--     140,154  $1,400   $153,343
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income..............................
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Comprehensive income (loss).............
Exercise of stock options...............                                        4,377     44      13,712
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                          349      3       6,603
Issuance of stock, net of costs.........                                        2,571     28       7,508
Tax benefits related to stock options...                                                          21,291
Acquisition of STG......................                                          533      5       1,991
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Balances at December 31, 1995...........    --       --       --       --     147,984  1,480     204,448
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss................................
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Comprehensive income (loss).............
Exercise of stock options...............                                        2,182     22      13,343
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                          616      6      10,986
Acquisition of treasury stock...........
Reissuance of treasury stock............
Tax benefits related to stock options...                                                          14,787
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Balances at December 31, 1996...........    --       --       --       --     150,782  1,508     243,564
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss................................
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized loss on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Comprehensive income (loss).............
Exercise of stock options...............                                        1,132     11       3,563
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                          573      6       5,659
Stock-based compensation expense
  resulting from stock options..........                                                           7,501
Issuance of Series A-1 convertible
  preferred stock and warrants, net.....   160        2                                           37,598
Issuance of Series B convertible
  preferred stock and warrants, net.....                      50        1                         49,196
Common stock issued for services
  rendered in connection with the Series
  B convertible preferred stock
  offering..............................                                          100      1         802
Accrual of 5% cumulative preferred
  dividends on Series B convertible
  preferred stock.......................                                                            (301)
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
Balance at December 31, 1997............   160      $ 2       50      $ 1     152,587  $1,526   $347,582
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
                                          ------   ------   ------   ------   -------  ------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                              RETAINED                      ACCUMULATED
                                           TREASURY STOCK     EARNINGS                         OTHER
                                          ----------------  (ACCUMULATED   COMPREHENSIVE   COMPREHENSIVE
                                          SHARES   AMOUNT     DEFICIT)     INCOME (LOSS)   INCOME (LOSS)    TOTALS
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------   -------------   ---------
 
<S>                                       <C>      <C>      <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Balances at December 31, 1994...........   $ --    $   --    $ 115,668                       $ (1,011)     $ 269,400
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income..............................                        38,600         38,600                         38,600
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................                                        3,399                          3,399
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................                                       (4,667)                        (4,667)
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....                                       (1,268)         (1,268)
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
Comprehensive income (loss).............                                       37,332
                                                                           -------------
                                                                           -------------
Exercise of stock options...............                                                                      13,756
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                                                       6,606
Issuance of stock, net of costs.........                                                                       7,536
Tax benefits related to stock options...                                                                      21,291
Acquisition of STG......................                          (170)                                        1,826
                                          ------   -------  ------------                   -------------   ---------
Balances at December 31, 1995...........     --        --      154,098                         (2,279)       357,747
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss................................                       (73,565)       (73,565)                       (73,565)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................                                        7,626                          7,626
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................                                       (3,838)                        (3,838)
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....                                        3,788           3,788
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
Comprehensive income (loss).............                                      (69,777)
                                                                           -------------
                                                                           -------------
Exercise of stock options...............                                                                      13,365
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                                                      10,992
Acquisition of treasury stock...........   (100)   (2,388 )                                                   (2,388)
Reissuance of treasury stock............    100     2,388       (1,810)                                          578
Tax benefits related to stock options...                                                                      14,787
                                          ------   -------  ------------                   -------------   ---------
Balances at December 31, 1996...........     --        --       78,723                          1,509        325,304
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss................................                      (356,867)      (356,867)                      (356,867)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
  of tax
  Unrealized loss on available-for-sale
    securities, net of reclassification
    adjustments(1)......................                                      (12,457)                       (12,457)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustments.........................                                         (955)                          (955)
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
  Other comprehensive income (loss).....                                      (13,412)        (13,412)
                                          ------   -------  ------------   -------------
Comprehensive income (loss).............                                     (370,279)
                                                                           -------------
                                                                           -------------
Exercise of stock options...............                                                                       3,574
Sale of stock to employees under
  employee stock purchase plan..........                                                                       5,665
Stock-based compensation expense
  resulting from stock options..........                                                                       7,501
Issuance of Series A-1 convertible
  preferred stock and warrants, net.....                                                                      37,600
Issuance of Series B convertible
  preferred stock and warrants, net.....                                                                      49,197
Common stock issued for services
  rendered in connection with the Series
  B convertible preferred stock
  offering..............................                                                                         803
Accrual of 5% cumulative preferred
  dividends on Series B convertible
  preferred stock.......................                                                                        (301)
                                          ------   -------  ------------                   -------------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997............     --    $   --    $(278,144)                      $(11,903)     $  59,064
                                          ------   -------  ------------                   -------------   ---------
                                          ------   -------  ------------                   -------------   ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------------------------------
   
(1) Disclosure of reclassification amount for the years ended:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997     1996     1995
                                          --------  -------  -------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>
Net unrealized gain (loss) on
  available-for-sale securities arising
  during period.........................  $ (3,599) $ 9,006  $ 3,399
Less: reclassification adjustment for
  net (gains) losses included in net
  income (loss).........................    (8,858)  (1,380)   --
                                          --------  -------  -------
Net unrealized gain (loss) on
  available-for-sale securities.........  $(12,457) $ 7,626  $ 3,399
                                          --------  -------  -------
                                          --------  -------  -------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 1--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    Subsequent to the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company
became aware of errors and irregularities that ultimately affected the timing
and dollar amount of reported earned revenues from license transactions in 1996,
1995 and 1994. The irregularities took numerous forms and were primarily the
result of lack of compliance with or circumvention of the Company's procedures
and controls.
 
    These errors and irregularities included unauthorized and undisclosed
arrangements or agreements between Company personnel and resellers, recognition
of revenue on certain transactions in reporting periods prior to contract
acceptance, the recording of certain transactions that lacked economic substance
and the recording of maintenance revenue as license revenue. The unauthorized
and undisclosed agreements with resellers introduced acceptance contingencies,
permitted resellers to return unsold licenses for refunds, extended payment
terms or committed the Company to assist resellers in selling the licenses to
end-users. Accordingly, license revenue from these transactions that was
recorded at the time product was delivered to resellers should have instead been
recorded at the time all conditions on the sale lapsed. Because of the
pervasiveness of the unauthorized arrangements with resellers in the 1994, 1995
and 1996 accounting periods, the Company concluded that all revenue from license
agreements with resellers in these accounting periods, except for those licenses
sold and billed on a per copy basis, should be recognized only when the licenses
were resold or utilized by resellers and all related obligations had been
satisfied. Amounts received from resellers as prepayments of software license
fees in advance of revenue recognition have been recorded as advances from
customers and financial institutions. This revised application of accounting
policy has been followed for all transactions with resellers, other than those
licenses sold and billed on a per-copy basis, for 1996, 1995 and 1994.
 
    Accordingly, such financial statements have been restated as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996                    1995                    1994
                                                     ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
                                                     AS REPORTED  RESTATED   AS REPORTED  RESTATED   AS REPORTED  RESTATED
                                                     -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Net revenues
  Licenses.........................................   $ 708,035   $ 502,730   $ 539,733   $ 462,061   $ 364,661   $ 346,518
  Services.........................................     231,276     231,810     174,486     174,486     105,451     105,451
                                                     -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                        939,311     734,540     714,219     636,547     470,112     451,969
 
Operating income (loss)............................     137,344     (61,326)    145,826      68,725      95,091      77,229
Income taxes.......................................      50,391      12,531      55,164      32,094      34,074      29,250
Net income (loss)..................................      97,818     (73,565)     97,644      38,600      61,948      48,293
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic............................................   $    0.66   $   (0.49)  $    0.67   $    0.27   $    0.45   $    0.35
  Diluted..........................................   $    0.63   $   (0.49)  $    0.65   $    0.26   $    0.43   $    0.34
Retained earnings..................................   $ 322,805   $  78,723   $ 226,797   $ 154,098   $ 129,323   $ 115,668
Advances from customers and financial
  institutions.....................................   $      --   $ 239,506   $      --   $  83,553   $      --   $  18,556
</TABLE>
 
    The nature of the Company's business in 1992 and 1993 was such that there
was not a material amount of revenues recorded under prepaid software license
transactions conducted with resellers during these years. Additionally, as a
result of the Company's extended procedures, there were no material errors or
irregularities identified affecting revenues recognized prior to the third
quarter of 1994. The Company concluded based on those circumstances that it was
not necessary to restate the financial statements for 1992 and 1993.
 
    In response to the errors and irregularities discussed above, a number of
conditions which collectively represented a material weakness in the Company's
internal accounting controls were identified. These
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 1--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
conditions included a deterioration in the Company's accounting controls at
corporate and regional management levels, and a related failure to stress the
importance of these controls, an inappropriate level of influence, principally
by the Company's sales organization, over the revenue recognition process and an
apparent lack of clarity and consistent understanding within the Company
concerning the application of the Company's revenue recognition policies to
large, complex reseller license transactions. The Company is implementing a plan
to strengthen the Company's internal accounting controls. This plan includes
updating the Company's policies regarding accounting and reporting for large,
complex reseller license transactions, developing and conducting educational
programs to help implement such policies, changing the Company's corporate and
regional accounting and reporting structure and re-establishing an internal
audit function reporting to the Company's Board of Directors.
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS.  The Company is a multinational supplier of
high-performance, parallel processing database technology for open systems. The
Company's products also include application development tools for creating
client/server production applications, decision-support systems, ad-hoc query
interfaces and software that allows information to be shared transparently from
personal computers to mainframes within the corporate computing environment. In
addition to software products, the Company offers training, consulting and
post-contract support to its customers.
 
    The principal geographic markets for the Company's products are North
America, Europe, Asia/ Pacific, and Latin America. Customers include large-,
medium- and small-sized corporations in the manufacturing, financial services,
telecommunications, retail/wholesale, hospitality and government services
sectors.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with general accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION.  The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Informix Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All
material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION.  For foreign operations with the local
currency as the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at
year-end exchange rates, and statements of operations are translated at the
average exchange rates during the year. Exchange gains or losses arising from
translation of foreign entity financial statements are included as a component
of stockholders' equity.
 
    For foreign operations with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency,
certain assets and liabilities are remeasured at the year-end or historical
exchange rates as appropriate. Statements of operations are remeasured at the
average exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses resulting from the
remeasurement of the entity's financial statements and other foreign currency
transaction gains and losses are included in other income, net. Foreign currency
transaction gains, net of losses, were $8.0 million, $0.3 million and $0.2
million for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
    DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.  The Company enters into forward foreign
currency exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk due
to fluctuations in exchange rates underlying
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
the value of firm accounts receivable and accounts payable denominated in
foreign currencies (primarily European and Asian currencies) until such
receivables are collected and payables are disbursed. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of
specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or
to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange.
These forward foreign exchange contracts, to qualify as hedges of firm
commitments, are denominated in the same currency in which the underlying
foreign receivables or payables are denominated and bear a contract value and
maturity date which approximate the value and expected settlement date of the
underlying transactions. For contracts that are designated and effective as
hedges, discounts or premiums (the difference between the spot exchange rate and
the forward exchange rate at inception of the contract) are accreted or
amortized to other expenses over the contract lives using the straight-line
method while unrealized gains and losses on open contracts at the end of each
accounting period resulting from changes in the spot exchange rate are deferred
and recognized in earnings in the same period as gains and losses on the
underlying foreign denominated receivables or payables are recognized and
generally offset. Contract amounts in excess of the carrying value of the
Company's foreign denominated accounts receivable or payable balances are marked
to market, with changes in market value recorded in earnings as foreign exchange
gains or losses. The Company does not enter into forward foreign currency
exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. If an underlying hedged
transaction is terminated earlier than initially anticipated, the offsetting
gain or loss on the related forward foreign currency exchange contract is
recognized in earnings in the same period. Subsequent gains or losses on the
related contract would be recognized in earnings in each period until the
contract matures, is terminated, or sold. The Company operates in certain
countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific where there are
limited forward currency exchange markets and thus the Company has limited
unhedged transaction exposures in these currencies. However, such exposures are
not material to the Company's financial statements for any period presented.
 
    LICENSE REVENUE.  The Company recognizes revenue from sales of software
licenses to end-users upon delivery of the software product to a customer when
there are no significant post-delivery obligations and collection of the license
fee is considered probable. Revenue from license agreements with resellers,
except for those licenses sold and billed on a per-copy basis, is recognized as
earned when the licenses are resold or utilized by the reseller and all related
obligations have been satisfied. The Company provides for sales allowances on an
estimated basis.
 
    SERVICE REVENUE.  Maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to
provide technical support and software updates to customers. Maintenance
contract revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance
contract, generally on a straight-line basis. Where maintenance revenue is not
separately invoiced, it is unbundled from license fees and deferred for revenue
recognition purposes. Other service revenue, primarily training and consulting,
is generally recognized at the time the service is performed.
 
    ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.  At December 31, 1997
and 1996, "advances on unearned license revenue" reflect amounts received from
customers and third-party financial institutions in advance of revenue being
recognized. The Company may receive cash, either from the customer, or from a
financing entity to whom the customer payment streams are sold, prior to the
time the license fee is recognized as earned revenue.
 
    The Company's license agreements with customers provide contractually for a
non-refundable fee payable by the customer in single or multiple installment(s)
at the initiation or over the term of the license arrangement. If the Company
fails to comply with the contractual terms of a specific license agreement,
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
the Company could be required to refund to the customer or the financial
institution the amount(s) received. These terms require the Company to meet all
of its obligations under the license agreement; to have rights to the software
it licenses; to deliver software that is fully functional according to agreement
specifications; and to represent that the accounts receivable or payment streams
sold to the financial institution are payment obligaions under a valid,
authorized, and legally enforceable contract between the Company and customer.
The refund of amounts received would not, however, have a material effect on the
Company's results of operation as revenue has not been recognized for amounts
recorded as "Advances from customers and financial institutions."
 
    SALES OF RECEIVABLES.  The Company often finances amounts due from customers
with financial institutions on a non-recourse basis. The Company accounts for
these transactions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 77, "Reporting by Transferors for Transfers of Receivables with
Recourse (FAS 77). Effective January 1, 1998 these transactions will be
accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishment of Liabilities" (FAS 125). If at the time of the transfer the
amounts due from the customer have been recognized as revenue and a receivable,
the transfer is accounted for as the sale of a receivable and the receivable is
removed from the books and the financing fees are charged to operations
immediately as interest expense.
 
    SALES OF FUTURE REVENUE STREAMS.  If at the time of transfer the amounts due
from the customers have not been recognized as revenue or a receivable, the
transfer is accounted for as the sale of a future revenue stream in accordance
with EITF 88-18. Accordingly, the receipt of cash is treated as a borrowing and
recorded as "advances from customers and financial institutions" and the
financing fees are amortized to interest expense over the term of the financing
arrangement. The Company does not expect to finance amounts due from customers
subsequent to December 31, 1997.
 
    CONCURRENT TRANSACTIONS.  Principally during 1996, the Company entered into
software license agreements with certain computer and service vendors where the
Company concurrently committed to acquire goods and services in the aggregate of
approximately $130 million. If the agreement is with a reseller, revenue is
recognized as earned on these transactions as the licenses are resold by the
customer. If the agreement is with an end user, revenue is generally recognized
as earned upon delivery of software. The computer equipment and services are
recorded at their fair value. These concurrent transactions for 1996 included
license agreements of approximately $170 million and commitments to acquire
goods and services in the aggregate of approximately $130 million. Concurrent
transactions in 1997 included software license agreements of approximately $21
million and commitments by the Company to acquire goods and services in the
aggregate of approximately $50 million (see Note 13).
 
    INVENTORIES.  Inventories, which consist primarily of software product
components, finished software products, and marketing and promotional materials,
are carried at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market value, and are
included in other current assets.
 
    SOFTWARE COSTS.  The Company capitalizes software development costs incurred
in developing a product once technological feasibility of the product has been
determined. Software costs also include amounts paid for purchased software and
outside development on products which have reached technological feasibility.
All software costs are amortized as a cost of software distribution either on a
straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the product or
on the basis of each product's projected revenues, whichever results in greater
amortization. Capitalized software costs are generally amortized
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
over three years. The Company recorded amortization of $21.4 million, $14.6
million, and $12.0 million of software costs in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, in cost of software distribution.
 
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT.  Depreciation of property and equipment is
calculated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life,
generally the shorter of the applicable lease term or three-to-seven years for
financial reporting purposes.
 
    BUSINESSES ACQUIRED.  The purchase price of businesses acquired, accounted
for as purchased business combinations, is allocated to the tangible and
specifically identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated
fair values with any amount in excess of such allocations being designated as
goodwill. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives,
which to date have been five to seven years. The carrying values of goodwill and
specified intangible assets are reviewed if the facts and circumstances suggest
that they may be impaired. If this review indicates that the asset will not be
recoverable, as determined based on the undiscounted cash flows of the acquired
business over the remaining amortization period, the Company's carrying value is
reduced to net realizable value. During 1997, the Company wrote down $30.5
million of impaired long-term assets related to the shortfall in business
activity of its Japanese subsidiary (see Note 13). There were no writedowns of
intangible assets in 1996 or 1995. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company
had $19.2 million and $50.6 million of intangible assets, with accumulated
amortization of $10.9 million and $15.9 million respectively, as a result of
these acquisitions.
 
    CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK.  The Company designs, develops, manufactures,
markets, and supports computer software systems to customers in diversified
industries and in diversified geographic locations. The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally requires
no collateral.
 
    No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the consolidated revenues of
the Company in 1997, 1996 or 1995.
 
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, AND LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS.  The Company considers liquid investments purchased with a maturity
of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company considers
investments with a maturity of more than three months but less than one year to
be short-term investments. Investments with an original maturity of more than
one year are considered long-term investments. Short-term and long-term
investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
Cash equivalents are carried at amortized cost.
 
    The Company invests its excess cash in accordance with its short-term and
long-term investments policy, which is approved by the Board of Directors. The
policy authorizes the investment of excess cash in government securities,
municipal bonds, time deposits, certificates of deposit with approved financial
institutions, commercial paper rated A-1/P-1 (a small portion of the portfolio
may consist of commercial paper rated A-2/P-2), and other specific money market
instruments of similar liquidity and credit quality. The Company has not
experienced any significant losses related to these investments.
 
    SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY AND AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE.  Management determines
the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and
re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Debt securities are
classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and the
ability to hold the securities until maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are
stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of
discounts to maturity. Such amortization, as well as any interest on the
securities, is included in interest income.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    Marketable equity securities and debt securities not classified as
held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale
securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net
of tax, reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity. The amortized
cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included
in interest income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be
other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in other
expense, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific
identification method. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale
are included in interest income. The Company realized gross gains of
approximately $8.5 million and $5.2 million and gross losses of approximately
$1.2 million and $1.3 million on the sale of available-for-sale equity
securities during 1997 and 1996, respectively. Realized gains and losses were
not material in 1995.
 
    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.  Fair values of cash, cash equivalents,
short and long term investments, other assets, and currency forward contracts
are based on quoted market prices.
 
   
    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.  As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Financial
Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 130 (FAS 130), "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." FAS 130 establishes new rules for the reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components; however, the adoption of this Statement
had no impact on the Company's net income (loss) or stockholders' equity. FAS
130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale
securities and the foreign currency translation adjustments, which prior to
adoption were reported separately in stockholders' equity, to be included in
other comprehensive income. The accompanying financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the requirements of FAS 130.
    
 
    RECLASSIFICATIONS.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to
conform to the current period presentation.
 
NOTE 3--FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The following is a summary of available-for-sale debt and equity securities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  GROSS        GROSS
                                                                               UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED   ESTIMATED
DECEMBER 31, 1997                                                     COST        GAINS       LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. treasury securities.........................................  $    3,701   $       1    $      --   $    3,702
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes..........      49,664          18           --       49,682
Municipal bonds..................................................      11,903          --           (3)      11,900
Repurchase agreements............................................      23,262          --           --       23,262
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
  Total debt securities..........................................  $   88,530   $      19    $      (3)  $   88,546
U.S. equity securities...........................................      13,309          --         (851)      12,458
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  101,839   $      19    $    (854)  $  101,004
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Amounts included in cash and cash equivalents....................  $   72,460   $      18    $      (1)  $   72,477
Amounts included in short-term investments.......................      16,070           1           (2)      16,069
Amounts included in other assets.................................      13,309          --         (851)      12,458
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  101,839   $      19    $    (854)  $  101,004
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 3--FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  GROSS        GROSS
                                                                               UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED   ESTIMATED
DECEMBER 31, 1996                                                     COST        GAINS       LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
U.S. treasury securities.........................................  $   61,308   $      --    $     (20)  $   61,288
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Commercial paper.................................................      15,872          14           (2)      15,884
Municipal bonds..................................................      27,317          10          (48)      27,279
Auctioned preferred stock........................................       4,504          --           (4)       4,500
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
  Total debt securities..........................................     109,001          24          (74)     108,951
U.S. equity securities...........................................      15,404      18,490           --       33,894
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  124,405   $  18,514    $     (74)  $  142,845
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Amounts included in cash and cash equivalents....................  $   67,806   $      --    $      (6)  $   67,800
Amounts included in short-term investments.......................      34,548          19          (55)      34,512
Amounts included in long-term investments........................       6,647           5          (13)       6,639
Amounts included in other assets.................................      15,404      18,490           --       33,894
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  124,405   $  18,514    $     (74)  $  142,845
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 4--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts primarily to
hedge the value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in
foreign currencies against fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables
are collected or payables are disbursed. The purpose of the Company's foreign
exchange exposure management policy and practices is to attempt to minimize the
impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the value of the foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities being hedged. Substantially all forward
foreign exchange contracts entered into by the Company have maturities of 360
days or less. The Company's practice is to settle all foreign exchange contracts
within ten calendar days of year end and thus there is no material difference
between the contract value and the fair value of the contracts at December 31,
1997 and 1996. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had approximately
$102.7 and $168.6 million of forward foreign currency exchange contracts
outstanding, respectively. The table below summarizes by currency the
contractual amounts of the Company's forward foreign exchange contracts at
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996.
 
    The restatement of the 1996, 1995 and 1994 financial statements resulted in
a change in the Company's foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts
payable and accounts receivable balances. As a result, certain foreign currency
transaction gains and losses realized due to fluctuation in the related asset
and liability currency exchange rates were not offset by underlying gains and
losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge those
foreign currency exposures. The Company recorded net foreign currency
transaction gains and (losses) of approximately $7.5 million, $(0.7) million,
$0.1 million and $(0.5) million in 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, due
to the restatement.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 4--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
FORWARD CONTRACTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            UNREALIZED
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                                                       CONTRACT VALUE   GAIN/(LOSS)   FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -----------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>            <C>
Forward currency contracts sold:
  British Pound..........................................................   $     55,740     $      28     $     241
  Deutsche Mark..........................................................         17,050            13           (75)
  French Franc...........................................................         14,139             9           (66)
  Italian Lira...........................................................          3,901             4             4
  Spanish Peseta.........................................................          3,166             1            (7)
  Swedish Krona..........................................................          1,682             2            (3)
  Other (individually less than $1 million)..............................          2,090            41            47
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Total....................................................................   $     97,768     $      98     $     141
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Forward currency contracts purchased:
  Swiss Franc............................................................   $      1,636     $      (1)    $      16
  Dutch Guilder..........................................................          1,096            --             5
  Other (individually less than $1 million)..............................          2,208            15            12
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Total....................................................................   $      4,940     $      14     $      33
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Grand Total..............................................................   $    102,708     $     112     $     174
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                            UNREALIZED
AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                                                       CONTRACT VALUE   GAIN/(LOSS)   FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -----------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>            <C>
Forward currency contracts sold:
  Deutsche Mark..........................................................   $     55,815     $     (24)    $     209
  Japanese Yen...........................................................         41,384          (143)          329
  British Pound..........................................................         16,051           (12)          (42)
  French Franc...........................................................          8,252            --            38
  Malaysian Ringgit......................................................          5,914             1           (21)
  Taiwanese NT...........................................................          5,609            (2)          (17)
  Italian Lira...........................................................          4,555            (9)          (24)
  Singapore Dollar.......................................................          3,600            (8)            5
  Dutch Guilder..........................................................          3,558             1            19
  Sweden Krona...........................................................          2,246             1             8
  Swiss Franc............................................................          1,622             1            --
  Portuguese Escudo......................................................          1,574            --            (3)
  Other (individually less than $1 million)..............................          2,240            (1)            1
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Total....................................................................   $    152,420     $    (195)    $     502
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Forward currency contracts purchased:
  British Pound..........................................................   $     10,501     $    (192)    $    (149)
  Deutsche Mark..........................................................          4,198             6           (16)
  Other (individually less than $1 million)..............................          1,472            (7)          (10)
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Total....................................................................   $     16,171     $    (193)    $    (175)
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
Grand Total..............................................................   $    168,591     $    (388)    $     327
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
                                                                           --------------        -----         -----
</TABLE>
 
    While the contract amounts provide one measure of the volume of these
transactions, they do not represent the amount of the Company's exposure to
credit risk. The amounts (arising from the possible
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 4--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
inabilities of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts) are
generally limited to the amounts, if any, by which the counterparties'
obligations exceed the obligations of the Company. The Company controls credit
risk through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures.
 
    As of December 31, 1997, other than foreign forward exchange contracts
discussed immediately above, the Company does not currently invest in or hold
any other derivative financial instruments.
 
NOTE 5--NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
 
    In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (FAS 128), "Earnings per Share." FAS
128 supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 (APB 15), "Earnings
per Share," and other related Interpretations and is effective for the periods
ending after December 15, 1997. Under FAS 128, basic earnings per share are
computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Diluted earnings per common share includes the incremental shares
issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options, warrants, and convertible
preferred stock, when the effect is dilutive. As required by FAS 128, all prior
year net income (loss) per share amounts have been restated.
 
    The following table sets forth computation of basic and diluted net income
(loss) per common share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997            1996            1995
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>
Numerator:
  Net income (loss)...................................  $     (356,867) $      (73,565) $       38,600
  Preferred stock dividends...........................            (301)             --              --
  Value assigned to warrants..........................          (1,601)             --              --
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
  Numerator for basic and diluted net income (loss)
    per common share..................................  $     (358,769) $      (73,565) $       38,600
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
Denominator:
  Denominator for basic net income (loss) per common
    share--weighted-average shares....................     151,907,041     149,310,000     145,062,000
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Employee stock options............................              --              --       5,565,000
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
  Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per common
    share--adjusted weighted-average shares and
    assumed conversions...............................     151,907,041     149,310,000     150,627,000
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
Basic net income (loss) per common share..............  $        (2.36) $        (0.49) $         0.27
Diluted net income (loss) per common share............  $        (2.36) $        (0.49) $         0.26
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Weighted average employee stock options to acquire 4,776,124 and 6,263,000
were outstanding in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively, but were not included in
the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was
antidilutive. In addition, at December 31, 1997, 8,341,238 shares of convertible
preferred stock were also excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per
share because the effect was antidilutive. See Notes 6 and 7.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
   
NOTE 6--PREFERRED STOCK
    
 
    In August 1997, the Company sold 160,000 shares of newly issued Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, face value $250 per share, which shares are
generally not entitled to vote on corporate matters, to a private investor for
aggregate net proceeds of $37.6 million and issued a warrant to the same
investor to purchase up to an additional 140,000 shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock at an aggregate purchase price of up to $35 million. In November
1997, the Company canceled the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange
for the same number of shares of a substantially identical Series A-1
Convertible Stock (the "A-1 Preferred") issued to the same investor, with a
corresponding change to the warrant shares. The warrant may be exercised from
August 13, 1997 through April 15, 1999.
 
    The Series A-1 Preferred shares are convertible into common shares at any
time, at the holder's option, at a per share price equal to 101% of the average
price of the Company's common stock for the 30 days ending five trading days
prior to conversion, but not greater than the lesser of (i) 105% of the common
stock's average price of the first five trading days of such thirty day period,
or (ii) $12 per share. If not converted prior, the A-1 Preferred will
automatically convert into common shares eighteen months after their issuance,
subject to extension of the automatic conversion date in certain defined
circumstances of default. However, if at the time of conversion, the aggregate
number of shares of common stock already issued and to be issued as a result of
the conversion of the shares of the Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock were
to exceed 19.9% of the total number of shares of then outstanding common stock,
then such excess does not convert unless or until stockholder approval is
obtained.
 
    The mandatory redemption provisions of the new A-1 Preferred differ from the
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The redemption provisions in the A-1
Preferred effectively preclude the Company from having to redeem the preferred
stock except by actions solely within its control. Accordingly, the Consolidated
Balance Sheet reflects the A-1 Preferred under stockholder's equity. On February
13, 1998, the Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders exercised their
conversion privileges. See Note 17-- Subsequent Events.
 
    In November 1997, the Company sold 50,000 shares of newly issued Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred"), face value $1,000 per share,
which shares are generally not entitled to vote on corporate matters, to private
investors for aggregate proceeds of $50.0 million (excluding a $1.0 million fee
paid to a financial advisor of the Company). In connection with the sale, the
Company also agreed to issue a warrant to such investors upon conversion of such
Series B Preferred to purchase 20% of the shares of Common Stock but no less
than 1,500,000 shares at a per share exercise price which is presently
indeterminable and will depend on the trading price of the Common Stock of the
Company in the period prior to the conversion of the Series B Preferred. The
Company also agreed to issue additional warrants to purchase up to an aggregate
of 200,000 shares at a per share exercise price which is presently
indeterminable and will depend on the trading price of the Common Stock of the
Company in the period prior to the conversion of the Series B Preferred. The
Series B Preferred is convertible at the election of the holder into shares of
Common Stock beginning six months after issuance, and upon the occurrence of
certain events, including a merger. The Series B Preferred will automatically
convert into Common Stock three years following the date of its issuance. Each
Series B Preferred share is convertible into the number of shares of Common
Stock at a per share price equal to the lowest of (i) the average of the closing
prices for the Common Stock for the 22 days immediately prior to the 180th day
following the initial issuance date, (ii) 101% of the average closing price for
the 22 trading days prior to the date of actual conversions, or (iii) 101% of
the lowest closing price for the Common Stock during the five trading days
immediately prior to the date of actual conversion. The conversion price of the
Series B Preferred is subject to modification and adjustment upon the occurrence
of certain events. The Series B Preferred accrues cumulative dividends at an
annual rate of 5% of per share face value. The dividend is generally payable
upon the
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
   
NOTE 6--PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)
    
conversion or redemption of the Series B Preferred, and may be paid in cash or,
at the holder's election, in shares of Common Stock. The Series B is junior to
the Company's outstanding Series A-1 Preferred in respect to the right to
receive dividend payments and liquidation preferences.
 
    The Company reserved 26.0 million shares of Common Stock for issuance upon
conversion of the A-1 Preferred (including shares of A-1 Preferred issuable upon
exercise of the Series A-1 Warrant). Of those 26.0 million shares, the Company
issued 12.8 million shares in February 1998 in connection with the conversion of
220,000 shares of A-1 Preferred (see Note 17). The Company has reserved 22.8
million shares of Common Stock for issuance upon conversion of the Series B
Preferred and upon exercise of the Series B Warrants.
 
    The fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the A-1 Preferred
and Series B Preferred are deemed to be a discount to the conversion price of
the respective equity instruments available to the preferred stockholders. The
discounts are being recognized as a return to the preferred stockholders
(similar to a dividend) over the minimum period during which the preferred
stockholders can realize this return, immediate for the A-1 Preferred and six
months for the Series B Preferred. The portion of the discount applicable to
fiscal 1997 has been accreted to additionial paid in capital (accumulated
deficit) in the Company's December 31, 1997 financial statements and has been
disclosed as a decrease in the amount available to common stockholders on the
face of the statement of operations and for purposes of computing net income
(loss) per share. The fair value assigned to the warrants is based on an
independent appraisal performed by a nationally recognized investment banking
firm. The appraisal was completed utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model.
This model requires assumptions related to the remaining life of the warrant,
the risk free interest rate at the time of issuance, stock volatility, and an
illiquidity factor associated with the security. These assumptions and the
values assigned to the Series A-1 and Series B Warrants were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SERIES A-1                       SERIES B
                                                  ------------------------------  ------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                             <C>
Volatility......................................               0.4                             0.6
Expected life...................................            18 months                       24 months
Risk free interest rate.........................               5.6%                            5.6%
Dividend yield..................................                0%                              0%
Illiquidity discount............................               33%                             33%
Exercise price..................................              $7.59                           $9.73
Assigned value..................................           $0.9 million                    $2.7 million
</TABLE>
 
    In connection with the issuance of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
in November 1997, the Company paid a fee of $1,000,000 for financial advisory
services provided in connection with such financing. In addition, the Company
issued 100,000 shares of its Common Stock, and also agreed to issue a warrant to
purchase an additional 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to the
service provider in the event that, as of May 17, 1998, the trading price of the
Company's Common Stock is less than $12.50 per share. Such warrant will be
exercisable according to the same terms as the warrants issued in connection
with the issuance of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 7--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS
 
OPTION PLANS
 
    Under the Company's 1986 Employee Stock Option Plan, options are granted at
fair market value on the date of the grant. Options are generally exercisable in
cumulative annual installments over three to five years. Payment for shares
purchased upon exercise of options may be by cash or, with Board approval, by
full recourse promissory note or by exchange of shares of the Company's common
stock at fair market value on the exercise date. Unissued options under the 1986
Plan expired on July 29, 1996, which was 10 years after adoption of the plan.
 
    Additionally, 1,600,000 shares were authorized for issuance under the 1989
Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, whereby non-employee directors are
automatically granted non-qualified stock options upon election or re-election
to the Board of Directors. At December 31, 1997, 645,000 shares were available
for grant under this Plan.
 
    In April 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan;
8,000,000 shares were authorized for grant under this Plan. Options can be
granted to employees on terms substantially equivalent to those described above.
The 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan also allows the Company to award
performance shares of the Company's common stock to be paid to recipients on the
achievement of certain performance goals set with respect to each recipient. In
May 1997, the Company's stockholders approved an additional 8,000,000 shares to
be reserved for issuance under the Company's 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan.
At December 31, 1997, 4,009,476 shares were available for grant under this Plan.
 
    In July 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution
authorizing the grant of a maximum of 500,000 non-statutory stock options to
executives and other employees, as determined by the Board, under the newly
created 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan ("the 1997 Stock Plan"). The
authorization of such shares for grant under the 1997 Stock Plan is not subject
to stockholder approval. Terms of each option are determined by the Board or
committee delegated such duties by the Board. Concurrent with the authorization
of the 1997 Stock Plan, the Board granted the Company's current chief executive
officer 500,000 options to purchase the Company's common stock thereunder. Such
options vest ratably over five years beginning with the first anniversary of the
date of grant.
 
    In September 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repricing
of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock under the Company's stock option
plans. Employees were eligible to participate only if they remained actively
employed at the effective date of the repricing and were only permitted to
exchange options granted and outstanding prior to May 1, 1997. The
repricing/option exchange was effective November 21, 1997 (the "Repricing
Effective Date"). The repricing program offered eligible employees the
opportunity to exchange eligible outstanding options with exercise prices in
excess of the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock on the Repricing
Effective Date for a new option with an exercise price equal to such price.
Other than the exercise price, each new option issued upon exchange has terms
substantially equivalent to the surrendered option, including the number of
shares, vesting terms and expiration except that options issued in connection
with the exchange may not be exercised for a period of one year from the
Repricing Effective Date. In addition, officers of the Company participating in
the option exchange were required to forfeit 20% of the shares subject to each
option being surrendered. The exercise price for repriced options was $7.1563,
the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock on the Repricing Effective
Date.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 7--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    Following is a summary of activity for all stock option plans for the three
years ended December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NUMBER           OPTIONS
                                                                OF SHARES     PRICE PER SHARE
                                                              -------------  -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1994............................     15,013,772    $0.06 to $14.44
Options granted and assumed.................................      5,456,927      0.19 to 34.00
Options exercised...........................................     (3,852,697)     0.19 to 13.88
Options canceled............................................       (864,920)     0.06 to 32.75
                                                              -------------  -----------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995............................     15,753,082    $0.06 to $34.00
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  WEIGHTED
                                                                               AVERAGE PRICE
                                                                               --------------
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>
Options granted and assumed...................................      5,850,225    $  24.3456
Options exercised.............................................     (2,927,260)       4.6069
Options canceled..............................................     (1,561,800)      17.1483
                                                                -------------  --------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996..............................     17,114,247    $  13.4495
Options granted and assumed...................................     13,137,338        8.5926
Options exercised.............................................     (1,132,484)       2.9266
Options canceled..............................................    (10,008,150)      18.8573
                                                                -------------  --------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997..............................     19,110,951    $   7.9906
                                                                -------------  --------------
                                                                -------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                     OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                              ----------------------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                 WEIGHTED                        NUMBER
                                  NUMBER          AVERAGE        WEIGHTED      EXERCISABLE      WEIGHTED
                              OUTSTANDING AT     REMAINING        AVERAGE          AT            AVERAGE
                               DECEMBER 31,     CONTRACTUAL      EXERCISE     DECEMBER 31,      EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES           1997            LIFE            PRICE          1997            PRICE
- ----------------------------  --------------  ---------------  -------------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                           <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>
 
$0.2000 - $0.3900...........        843,276           7.19       $  0.2927         843,276      $  0.2927
$0.4844 - $1.7800...........        942,176           2.40       $  0.7486         942,176      $  0.7486
$1.8906 - $4.2188...........      1,711,539           4.35       $  3.6708       1,707,139      $  3.6696
$4.2500 - $7.1563...........      5,531,029           8.43       $  7.0768          58,728      $  5.6288
$7.2500 - $7.5000...........      1,350,140           7.19       $  7.4560         845,890      $  7.4929
$7.5625 - $8.6250...........      1,577,025           5.34       $  8.6010       1,541,875      $  8.6050
$8.6875 - $9.7813...........      4,148,565           9.33       $  9.0885         158,500      $  9.7069
$9.9063 - $18.2500..........      2,438,057           8.61       $ 12.7550         779,961      $ 16.1924
$18.5625 - $24.5000.........        489,921           8.24       $ 23.4102         342,310      $ 23.4008
$24.6250 - $34.2500.........         79,223           7.97       $ 30.4673          67,723      $ 30.6235
                              --------------           ---     -------------  -------------  ---------------
$0.2000 - $34.2500..........     19,110,951           7.58       $  7.9906       7,287,577      $  7.0538
                              --------------           ---     -------------  -------------  ---------------
                              --------------           ---     -------------  -------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    In connection with all stock option plans, 23,765,427 shares of Common Stock
were reserved for issuance as of December 31, 1997, and 7,287,577 options were
exercisable. At December 31, 1996, 18,750,708 shares of common stock were
reserved for issuance, and 7,988,176 options were exercisable.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 7--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
    The Company also has a qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) under
which 7,600,000 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, have been authorized
for issuance. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may contribute, through
payroll deductions, up to 10 percent of their base pay and purchase up to 500
shares per quarter (with the limitation of purchases of $25,000 annually in fair
market value of the shares). Employees may elect to withdraw from the Plan
during any quarter and have their contributions for the period returned to them.
Also, employees may elect to reduce the rate of contribution one time in each
quarter. The price at which employees may purchase shares is 85 percent of the
lower of the fair market value of the stock at the beginning or end of the
quarter. The Plan is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. During 1997, 1996 and 1995 the Company issued 573,343 shares,
616,128 shares and 347,743 shares, respectively, under this Plan. The Plan was
terminated on July 1, 1997, which was 10 years after the offering date for the
Plan's first offering period.
 
    In May 1997, the Company's stockholders approved the 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "1997 ESPP"). The Company has reserved 4,000,000 shares of
Common Stock for issuance under the 1997 ESPP. The 1997 ESPP permits
participants to purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions of up to 15
percent of an employee's compensation, including commissions, overtime, bonuses
and other incentive compensation. The price of Common Stock purchased under the
1997 ESPP is equal to 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of the
Common Stock at the beginning or at the end of each quarter in which an eligible
employee participates. The Plan qualifies as an employee stock purchase plan
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As of
December 31, 1997, the Company has not issued any shares of Common Stock under
the 1997 ESPP.
 
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
    As permitted under FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" (FASB 123), the Company has elected to continue to follow
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" (APB 25) in accounting for stock-based awards to employees. Under APB
25, the Company generally recognizes no compensation expense with respect to
such awards.
 
    Pro forma information regarding the net income (loss) and earnings per share
(loss) is required by FASB 123 for awards granted or modified after December 31,
1994 as if the Company had accounted for its stock based awards to employees
under the fair value method of FASB 123. The fair value of the Company's
stock-based awards to employees was estimated using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 7--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The fair value of the Company's stock-based awards was estimated assuming no
expected dividends and the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     OPTIONS                                         ESPP
                    ------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------
                       1997          1996            1995            1997            1996            1995
                    ----------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                 <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Expected life
  (years).........   4.5 years        4.5 year        4.5 year       .25 years        .25 year        .25 year
Expected
  volatility
  (percent).......       .7900   .5822 - .6327   .5642 - .6239   .5066 - .8954   .5765 - .9662   .4170 - .7295
Risk-free interest
  rate
  (percent).......        5.71     5.20 - 6.09     5.82 - 7.72     5.23 - 5.40     5.01 - 5.85     5.49 - 6.07
</TABLE>
 
    For pro forma purposes, the estimated fair value of the Company's stock
based awards is amortized over the award's vesting period (for options) and the
three month purchase period (for stock purchases under the ESPP). The Company's
pro forma information follows (in thousands except for per share information):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997         1996       1995
                                                            -----------  ----------  ---------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>          <C>         <C>
Net income (loss).........................     As reported  $  (358,769) $  (73,565) $  38,600
                                                 Pro forma     (387,594)    (94,196)    28,652
 
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic...................................     As reported  $     (2.36) $    (0.49) $    0.27
                                                 Pro forma        (2.55)      (0.63)      0.20
  Diluted.................................     As reported  $     (2.36) $    (0.49) $    0.26
                                                 Pro forma        (2.55)      (0.63)      0.19
</TABLE>
 
    Calculated under FASB 123, the weighted-average fair value of the options
granted during fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $5.26, $13.04 and $10.39 per
share, respectively. The weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase
rights granted under the ESPP during 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $3.83, $7.47 and
$5.27, respectively.
 
401(K) PLAN
 
    The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all of its U.S.
employees. Under this plan, participating employees may defer up to 15 percent
of their pre-tax earnings, subject to the Internal Revenue Service annual
contribution limits. In fiscal 1997, the Company matched 50 percent of each
employee's contribution up to a maximum of $2,000. The Company's matching
contributions to this 401(k) plan for 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $4.2 million,
$3.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 8--COMMITMENTS
 
    The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases having terms of three-to-five years. Amounts capitalized for such leases
are included on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       1997           1996
                                                                   -------------  -------------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>
Computer equipment...............................................    $   6,939      $   8,825
Office equipment.................................................          349          2,474
                                                                        ------         ------
                                                                         7,288         11,299
Less: accumulated amortization...................................        1,489          8,985
                                                                        ------         ------
                                                                     $   5,799      $   2,314
                                                                        ------         ------
                                                                        ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
    During fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company financed approximately $10.5
million, $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of equipment purchases
under capital lease arrangements. Amortization with respect to leased equipment
is included in depreciation expense.
 
    The Company leases certain of its office facilities and equipment under
non-cancelable operating leases and total rent expense was $34.7 million, $42.4
million and $19.7 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
    In November 1996, the Company leased approximately 200,000 square feet of
office space in Santa Clara, California. The lease term is for fifteen years and
minimum lease payments amount to $96.0 million over the term. The minimum lease
payments increase within a contractual range based on changes in the Consumer
Price Index. In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company assigned the lease to an
unrelated third party. The Company remains contingently liable for minimum lease
payments under this assignment.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 8--COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
    Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under the capital and
non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 1997, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL    NON-CANCELABLE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31                                              LEASES    OPERATING LEASES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
1998..............................................................  $   4,838    $     34,329
1999..............................................................      3,904          26,944
2000..............................................................      1,887          21,430
2001..............................................................         --          17,427
2002..............................................................         --          12,875
Thereafter........................................................         --           4,364
                                                                    ---------        --------
Total payments....................................................     10,629    $    117,369
                                                                                     --------
                                                                                     --------
Less: amount representing interest................................      1,185
                                                                    ---------
Present value of minimum lease payments...........................      9,444
Less current portion..............................................      3,627
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $   5,817
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
    As of December 31, 1997, the Company was contractually obligated to purchase
approximately $4.4 million of various computer equipment.
 
    The Company has several active software development and service provider
contracts with third-party technology providers. These agreements contain
financial commitments by the Company of $15.1 million, $11.4 million, $10.4
million, $7.3 million and $3.5 million in fiscal 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and
2002, respectively.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 9--GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
    Net revenues, operating income, and identifiable assets for the Company's
North American, European, Asia/Pacific and Latin American operations are
summarized below by year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                LATIN
                                     NORTH AMERICA     EUROPE    ASIA/PACIFIC  AMERICA   ELIMINATIONS    TOTAL
                                     --------------  ----------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ----------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>             <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
1997:
  Net revenues.....................   $    358,532   $  220,654   $  81,129   $  50,064   $  (46,487)  $  663,892
  Operating income (loss)..........       (227,783)     (78,005)    (49,067)      3,541       (4,428)    (355,742)
  Identifiable assets..............        555,476      130,174      61,875      38,948     (223,229)     563,244
 
1996:
  Net revenues.....................   $    413,604   $  233,224   $  93,622   $  50,829   $  (56,741)  $  734,538
  Operating income (loss)..........        (35,276)     (20,520)    (11,576)      4,693        1,353      (61,326)
  Identifiable assets..............        734,852      218,196     101,203      44,803     (217,058)     881,996
 
1995:
  Net revenues.....................   $    367,373   $  201,762   $  80,667   $  39,549   $  (52,804)  $  636,547
  Operating income (loss)..........         70,971         (537)     (3,005)      2,045         (749)      68,725
  Identifiable assets..............        579,306      216,530      85,158      25,618     (224,699)     681,913
</TABLE>
 
    Sales and transfers between geographic areas are accounted for at prices
which the Company believes are arm's length prices, and which in general are in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the respective governing tax
authorities.
 
    Export revenues consisting of sales from the Company's U.S. operating
subsidiary to non-affiliated customers were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997       1996       1995
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Canada........................................................  $   2,033  $   7,521  $   6,299
Latin America.................................................      4,494      6,556      6,817
Asia/Pacific..................................................         11      3,391      5,887
Other.........................................................        364      3,437      1,301
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
Total.........................................................  $   6,902  $  20,905  $  20,304
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 10--INCOME TAXES
 
    The provision for income taxes applicable to income (loss) before income
taxes consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997        1996        1995
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>         <C>
Currently payable:
  Federal..................................................  $  (2,264) $    1,540  $   40,582
  State....................................................         --         565       6,463
  Foreign..................................................     10,415       6,216       9,325
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                             $   8,151  $    8,321  $   56,370
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
 
Deferred:
  Federal..................................................  $  (3,857) $   (1,748) $  (13,747)
  State....................................................       (189)     (2,983)     (1,204)
  Foreign..................................................      3,712       8,941      (9,325)
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                                  (334)      4,210     (24,276)
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                             $   7,817  $   12,531  $   32,094
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                             ---------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    In 1996 and 1995, the Company recognized tax benefits related to stock
option plans of $14.8 million and $21.3 million, respectively. Such benefits
were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. Income (loss) before
income taxes consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997         1996       1995
                                                            -----------  ----------  ---------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>         <C>
Domestic..................................................  $  (227,266) $  (26,510) $  83,937
Foreign...................................................     (121,784)    (34,524)   (13,243)
                                                            -----------  ----------  ---------
                                                            $  (349,050) $  (61,034) $  70,694
                                                            -----------  ----------  ---------
                                                            -----------  ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 10--INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
 
    The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying
the federal statutory income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes. The
sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997                    1996                      1995
                                               ----------------------  -----------------------  ------------------------
                                                 AMOUNT      PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT
                                               -----------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Computed tax at federal statutory rate.......  $  (122,167)     (35.0)% $  (21,362)      (35.0)% $    24,743       35.0%
Valuation allowance..........................      116,978       33.5%     41,192        67.5%        4,239         6.0%
Research and development credits.............           --         --      (1,457)       (2.4)%        (935)       (1.3)%
State income taxes, net of federal tax
  benefit....................................           --         --      (1,572)       (2.6)%       3,418         4.8%
Foreign taxes................................       10,415        3.0%         --          --            --          --
Other, net...................................        2,591        0.7%     (4,270)       (7.0)%         629         0.9%
                                               -----------  ---------  ----------       -----   -----------       -----
                                               $     7,817        2.2% $   12,531        20.5%  $    32,094        45.4%
                                               -----------  ---------  ----------       -----   -----------       -----
                                               -----------  ---------  ----------       -----   -----------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1997 and
1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1997       1996
                                                                         ----------  ---------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:
Reserves and accrued expenses..........................................  $   13,457  $   7,703
Deferred revenue.......................................................      34,786     33,875
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards...............................      77,149     38,067
Domestic net operating loss carryforwards..............................      93,003      9,800
Foreign taxes in excess of taxes at U.S. rate..........................       7,682      9,014
Valuation of investment portfolio under FAS 115........................         307         --
Other..................................................................       1,632        555
                                                                         ----------  ---------
Total deferred tax assets..............................................     228,016     99,014
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets............................    (178,353)   (46,339)
                                                                         ----------  ---------
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance........................      49,663     52,675
 
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES:
Capitalized software...................................................      14,051     17,704
Revenue recognition....................................................       1,612      1,612
Valuation of investment portfolio FAS 115..............................          --      6,454
                                                                         ----------  ---------
Total deferred tax liabilities.........................................      15,663     25,770
                                                                         ----------  ---------
Net deferred tax assets................................................  $   34,000  $  26,905
                                                                         ----------  ---------
                                                                         ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    At December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately $220.4 million, $237.2
million and $159.3 million of foreign, federal and state net operating loss
carryforwards. The foreign and state net operating loss
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 10--INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
carryovers expire at various dates beginning in 1999. The federal net operating
loss carryovers expire at various dates beginning in 2007. Income taxes paid
amounted to $11.3 million, $22.7 million and $18.6 million in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets increased by
$132.0 million, $41.2 million and $4.2 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
NOTE 11--BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
    In February 1996, the Company acquired Illustra Information Technologies,
Inc. (Illustra), a company that provides dynamic content management database
software and tools for managing complex data in the Internet,
multimedia/entertainment, financial services, earth sciences and other markets.
Approximately 12.7 million shares of Informix common stock were issued to
acquire all outstanding shares of Illustra common stock. An additional 2.3
million shares of Informix common stock were reserved for issuance in connection
the assumption of Illustra's outstanding stock options and warrants. The
transaction has been accounted for as a pooling of interests, and accordingly,
the consolidated financial statements for all prior periods presented have been
restated to include the accounts and operations of Illustra as if the merger was
consummated at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Merger fees of
approximately $5.9 million were recorded in the first quarter of 1996. The
following table presents the separate operating results for Informix Corporation
and Illustra for the periods prior to the acquisition date (because the
operating results of Illustra for the period January 1, 1996 to the effective
date of the merger were immaterial to the combined Company, for the purposes of
this table an acquisition date of January 1, 1996 is assumed).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1995
                                                                                 -------------
                                                                                      (IN
                                                                                  THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                              <C>
Income Statement
Net revenues
  Informix.....................................................................   $   631,313
  Illustra.....................................................................         5,234
                                                                                 -------------
  Combined.....................................................................   $   636,547
                                                                                 -------------
                                                                                 -------------
Net income (loss)
  Informix.....................................................................   $    46,289
  Illustra.....................................................................        (7,689)
                                                                                 -------------
  Combined.....................................................................   $    38,600
                                                                                 -------------
                                                                                 -------------
</TABLE>
 
    In January 1995, the Company acquired a 90 percent interest in the database
division of ASCII Corporation ("ASCII"), a distributor of its products in Japan.
The Company acquired the remaining 10 percent interest in January 1996. The
total purchase price, which consisted of cash and direct acquisition costs, was
approximately $46.0 million, of which approximately $35.4 million exceeded the
net tangible assets acquired. Intangible assets acquired included customer
lists, sales and marketing workforce, business tradenames, and goodwill. These
intangible assets are being amortized over seven years.
 
    In April 1995, the Company acquired an 80 percent interest in the database
division of Daou Corporation ("Daou"), a distributor of its products in Korea.
The Company acquired the remaining 20 percent interest in January 1997. The
total purchase price, which consisted of cash and direct acquisition costs, was
approximately $7.6 million, of which approximately $7.0 million exceeded the net
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 11--BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (CONTINUED)
tangible assets acquired. Intangible assets acquired included customer lists,
sales and marketing workforce, business tradenames, and goodwill. These
intangible assets are being amortized over seven years.
 
    In February 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of CenterView Software, Inc. ("CenterView"), a privately-owned company which
develops and sells software application development tools. The aggregate
purchase price paid was approximately $8.7 million, which included cash plus
direct costs of acquisition. The transaction has been accounted for as a
purchase and, based on an independent appraisal of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed, the purchase price has been allocated to the net tangible
and intangible assets acquired including developed software technology, acquired
workforce, in-process technology, and goodwill. The in-process technology, which
based on the independent appraisal has been valued at $7 million, had not, at
the date of acquisition, reached technological feasibility and had no
alternative future uses in other research and development projects.
Consequently, its value was charged to operations in the period the acquisition
was consummated (the first quarter of 1997). The remaining identifiable
intangible assets are being amortized over three to five years.
 
    The operating results of these businesses have not been material in relation
to those of the Company and are included in the Company's consolidated results
of operations from the date of acquisition.
 
NOTE 12--LITIGATION
 
    Commencing in April 1997, a series of class action lawsuits purportedly by
or on behalf of stockholders and a separate but related stockholder action were
filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
California. These actions name as defendants the Company, certain of its present
and former officers and directors and, in some cases, its former independent
accountants. The complaints allege various violations of the federal securities
laws and seek unspecified but potentially significant damages. Similar actions
were also filed in California state court and in Newfoundland, Canada.
 
    Stockholder derivative actions, purportedly on behalf of the Company and
naming virtually the same individual defendants and the Company's independent
accountants, were also filed, commencing in August 1997, in California state
court. While these actions allege various violations of state law, any monetary
judgments in these derivative actions would accrue to the benefit of the
Company.
 
    Pursuant to Delaware law and certain indemnification agreements between the
Company and each of its current and former officers and directors, the Company
is obligated to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for
certain liabilities arising from their employment with or service to the
Company. This includes the costs of defending against the claims asserted in the
above-referenced actions and any amounts paid in settlement or other disposition
of such actions on behalf of these individuals. The Company's obligations do not
permit or require it to provide such indemnification to any such individual who
is adjudicated to be liable for fraudulent or criminal conduct. Although the
Company has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance to reimburse
it for the costs of indemnification for its directors and officers, the coverage
under its policies is limited. Moreover, although the directors' and officers'
insurance coverage presumes that 100 percent of the costs incurred in defending
claims asserted jointly against the Company and its current and former directors
and officers are allocable to the individuals' defense, the Company does not
have insurance to cover the costs of its own defense or to cover any liability
for any claims asserted against it. The Company has not set aside any financial
reserves relating to any of the above-referenced actions.
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 12--LITIGATION (CONTINUED)
    The pending federal and state securities actions are in the early stages of
discovery. Consequently, at this time it is not reasonably possible to estimate
the damages, or the range of damages, that the Company might incur in connection
with such actions.
 
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, public disclosures and trading activity in the Company's securities.
The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is providing all
information subpoenaed by the Commission.
 
NOTE 13--NONRECURRING CHARGES
 
    In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 121
(FAS121), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of", the Company records impairment losses on long-lived
assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets
might be impaired and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be
generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts. During the
first quarter of 1997, the Company's Japanese subsidiary experienced a
significant shortfall in business activity compared to historical levels.
Accordingly, the Company evaluated the ongoing value of the subsidiary's
long-lived assets (primarily computer and other equipment) and related goodwill.
Based on this evaluation, the Company determined that the subsidiary's assets
had been impaired and wrote them down by $30.5 million to their estimated fair
values. Fair value was determined using estimated future discounted cash flows
and/or resale market quotes as appropriate.
 
    In February 1997 the Company acquired CenterView Software (see Note 11) and,
as a direct result, revised its database application tool business strategy to
incorporate CenterView's developed technology and "Data Director" product. This
revision to the tools business strategy significantly altered the Company's
current and future marketing plans for its own NewEra family of application
tools including projected future NewEra product revenues. As a result, the
Company reevaluated the net realizable value of its NewEra products and found it
to be significantly below the net balance of related capitalized software
development costs. Accordingly, the Company recorded a charge during the first
quarter 1997 of $14.7 million to reduce the carrying value of these capitalized
product development costs to the revised estimated net realizable value of the
NewEra products.
 
    In June and again in September 1997, the Company approved plans to
restructure its operations to bring expenses in line with forecasted revenues.
In connection with the restructurings, the Company substantially reduced its
worldwide headcount and consolidated facilities and operations to improve
efficiency. The following analysis sets forth the significant components of the
restructuring reserve at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NON-                   ACCRUAL BALANCE
                                                  RESTRUCTURING    CASH        CASH             AT
                                                     EXPENSE       COSTS     PAYMENTS    DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                  -------------  ---------  -----------  -----------------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                               <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
Severance and benefits..........................    $    21.9    $      --   $    19.5       $     2.4
Write-off of assets.............................         48.2         48.2          --              --
Facility charges................................         34.7          7.7         3.8            23.2
Other...........................................          3.4          2.2          .2             1.0
                                                       ------    ---------       -----           -----
                                                    $   108.2    $    58.1   $    23.5       $    26.6
                                                       ------    ---------       -----           -----
                                                       ------    ---------       -----           -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 13--NONRECURRING CHARGES (CONTINUED)
 
    Severance and related costs represented the reduction of approximately 670
employees, primarily sales and marketing personnel, on a worldwide basis.
Temporary employees and contractors were also reduced. Write-off of assets
include the write-off or write-down in carrying value of equipment as a result
of the Company's decision to reduce the number of Information Superstores
throughout the world, as well as the write-off of equipment associated with
headcount reductions. The equipment subject to the write-offs and write-downs
consists primarily of computer servers, workstations, and personal computers
that will no longer be utilized in the Company's operations. These assets were
written down to their fair value less cost to sell. The carrying value at
December 31, 1997, of computer equipment included in the restructuring
activities during the second and third quarters of 1997 and intended to be
disposed of, is approximately $2.2 million. Facility charges included early
termination costs associated with the closing of certain domestic and
international sales offices.
 
    The total restructuring expense decreased by $1.2 million during the fourth
quarter of 1997 primarily due to adjusting the original estimate of the loss to
be incurred on the sale of land to the actual loss.
 
    The Company expects to complete most of the actions associated with its
restructuring by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
NOTE 14--SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
    In December 1997, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Credit Agreement
with a syndicate of commercial banks, providing for a revolving credit facility
of up to $75 million (the "Credit Facility"). The actual amount available under
the Credit Facility, for either direct borrowings or issuances of letters of
credit, is based on certain eligibility criteria. As a result, the aggregate
amount available under the Credit Facility will vary from time to time based on
the amount and eligibility of the Company's receivables. As of December 31,
1997, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Facility, the Company's
net accounts receivable totaled $142 million and its borrowing base under the
Credit Facility was $47 million. The term of the Credit Facility is two years
and is secured by all of the assets of Informix Software and the capital stock
of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. The availability of the Credit Facility
is subject to the Company's compliance with certain covenants, including the
following financial covenants requiring the Company to: (a) maintain a ratio of
1.25 to 1.00 in respect of the sum of cash and accounts receivable to the
difference of current liabilities less deferred and unearned revenues, (b)
maintain quarterly revenues of $150 million through June 1998 and $160 million
thereafter, (c) maintain quarterly operating loss of no more than $10 million
through the quarter ending March 31, 1998 and a quarterly operating profit of at
least $10 million for the quarter ending June 30, 1998 and a quarterly operating
profit of at least $15 million thereafter, (d) maintain, for the quarter ending
June 30, 1998 and each quarter thereafter, a positive quarterly cash flow
consisting of operating income which does not include any restated revenue
resulting from the Company's November 1997 restatement of its financial
statements, capitalized software costs, capital expenditures or cash outlays in
respect of accrued expenses arising from restructuring charges (but which income
figure does take into account depreciation and amortization expenses), (e)
maintain an interest coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 in respect of quarterly
operating cash flow to interest expense plus scheduled amortization of debt, (f)
refrain from making additional investments in fixed or capital assets, in any
fiscal year, in excess of $15 million, plus any carry forward amount which carry
forward amount cannot exceed $5 million and (g) refrain from entering into any
merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction resulting in a
fundamental change. At December 31, 1997, the Company was in compliance with all
financial covenants under the Credit Facility.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
NOTE 15--SUMMARY QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FIRST QUARTER          SECOND QUARTER (3)        THIRD QUARTER (3)
                                               ------------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------
                                               AS REPORTED    RESTATED   AS REPORTED   RESTATED   AS REPORTED   RESTATED
                                               ------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  ------------  ---------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997
  Net revenues...............................   $  133,664   $  149,902   $  182,012   $ 182,527   $  149,911   $ 150,184
  Gross profit (2)...........................       63,185       79,616      123,527     124,042       97,625      97,898
  Net income (loss) (1)(2)...................     (140,107)    (144,161)    (111,377)         --     (110,523)         --
  Preferred stock dividend...................           --           --           --          --           --          --
  Value assigned to warrants.................           --           --           --          --           --          --
                                               ------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  ------------  ---------
  Net income (loss) applicable to common
    stockholders.............................     (140,107)    (144,161)    (111,377)         --     (110,523)         --
  Net income (loss) per common share:
    Basic....................................   $    (0.93)  $    (0.95)  $    (0.73)  $      --   $    (0.73)  $      --
    Diluted..................................        (0.93)       (0.95)       (0.73)         --        (0.73)         --
 
Year ended December 31, 1996
  Net revenues...............................   $  204,021   $  164,985   $  226,282   $ 160,290   $  238,180   $ 190,600
  Gross profit...............................      160,584      121,758      178,474     113,041      189,003     141,619
  Net income (loss)..........................       15,891      (15,377)      21,628     (34,083)      26,181     (17,095)
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.11   $    (0.10)  $     0.15   $   (0.23)  $     0.17   $   (0.11)
    Diluted..................................         0.10        (0.10)        0.14       (0.23)        0.17       (0.11)
 
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Net revenues...............................   $  148,037   $  146,325   $  164,068   $ 142,381   $  182,701   $ 168,002
  Gross profit...............................      121,839      120,343      134,042     112,432      150,183     137,668
  Net income (loss)..........................       17,646       16,177       20,184      (2,731)      23,896       7,759
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.12   $     0.11   $     0.14   $   (0.02)  $     0.16   $    0.05
    Diluted..................................         0.12         0.11         0.14       (0.02)        0.16        0.05
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Net revenues...............................   $   96,242   $   92,763   $  106,214   $  96,217   $  117,081   $ 111,428
  Gross profit...............................       81,429       77,950       89,765      79,768       98,106      92,453
  Net income (loss)..........................       11,540        8,922       12,210       4,686       15,446      11,191
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.09   $     0.07   $     0.09   $    0.03   $     0.11   $    0.08
    Diluted..................................         0.08         0.06         0.09        0.03         0.11        0.08
 
<CAPTION>
                                                 FOURTH QUARTER (3)
                                               -----------------------
                                               AS REPORTED   RESTATED
                                               ------------  ---------
 
<S>                                            <C>           <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997
  Net revenues...............................   $  181,152   $ 181,279
  Gross profit (2)...........................      132,266     132,393
  Net income (loss) (1)(2)...................        9,194          --
  Preferred stock dividend...................         (301)         --
  Value assigned to warrants.................       (1,601)         --
                                               ------------  ---------
  Net income (loss) applicable to common
    stockholders.............................        7,292          --
  Net income (loss) per common share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.05   $      --
    Diluted..................................         0.04          --
Year ended December 31, 1996
  Net revenues...............................   $  270,828   $ 218,665
  Gross profit...............................      218,342     166,486
  Net income (loss)..........................       34,118      (7,010)
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.23   $   (0.05)
    Diluted..................................         0.22       (0.05)
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Net revenues...............................   $  219,413   $ 179,839
  Gross profit...............................      178,396     136,971
  Net income (loss)..........................       35,918      17,372
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.24   $    0.12
    Diluted..................................         0.23        0.11
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Net revenues...............................   $  150,575   $ 151,561
  Gross profit...............................      129,520     130,506
  Net income (loss)..........................       22,752      23,494
  Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic....................................   $     0.16   $    0.17
    Diluted..................................         0.16        0.16
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The Company recorded in the second quarter and again in the third quarter of
    1997, restructuring charges of $59.6 million and $49.7 million,
    respectively. The total restructuring expense decreased by $1.2 million
    during the fourth quarter of 1997 primarily due to adjusting the original
    estimate of the loss to be incurred on the sale of land to the actual loss.
    (See Note 13)
 
(2) In the first quarter of 1997, the Company recorded a charge of $30.5 million
    to write down the carrying values of certain of its Japanese subsidiary's
    long-lived assets to their fair values. During the same quarter, the Company
    also recorded a charge of $14.7 million to write down the carrying value of
    capitalized software development costs for certain products to their net
    realizable values.
 
   
(3) The second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1997 were restated for the
    reclassification of interest expense on sold receivables to interest expense
    from net revenues.
    
 
   
NOTE 16--RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
    
 
    In 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 97-2 (SOP 97-2), "Software Revenue Recognition" as amended
by Statement of Position 98-4 (SOP 98-4). The Company will be required to adopt
the provisions of the SOPs' as of January 1, 1998. The adoption may, in certain
circumstances, result in the deferral of software license revenues that would
have been recognized upon delivery of the related software under preceding
accounting standards. In response to these SOPs',
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
   
NOTE 16--RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    
the Company will likely change its business practices, and, consequently, the
Company cannot quantify the effect the SOPs' will have on its operating results,
financial position or cash flows.
 
   
    In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
131, Disclosures About Segments of An Enterprise and Related Information (FAS
No. 131). FAS No. 131 will require the Company to use the "management approach"
in disclosing segment information. The statement is effective for the Company
during 1998. The Company does not believe that the adoption of FAS No. 131 will
have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial
position or cash flows.
    
 
NOTE 17--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
    In December 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a second
option repricing to be effective January 9, 1998 (the "Second Repricing
Effective Date") based upon the closing sales price of the Company's Common
Stock as of the Second Repricing Effective Date. Under the terms of the second
repricing, each employee, excluding officers and directors of the Company, could
exchange any option outstanding as of May 1, 1997 for a new option with an
exercise price equal to the closing sales price on the Second Repricing
Effective Date. Options exchanged in the second repricing may not be exercised
for a period of one year from the Second Repricing Effective Date. The exercise
price for repriced options was $5.094, the closing sales price of the Company's
Common Stock on the Repricing Effective Date.
 
    On February 13, 1998, the A-1 Preferred Stockholders exercised warrants to
purchase 60,000 additional shares of A-1 Preferred at $250 per share for net
proceeds to the Company of $14.1 million, and simultaneously converted 220,000
shares of A-1 Preferred into 12,769,908 shares of the Company's common stock.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         RESTATED--SEE NOTE B
                                                                         --------------------
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                         --------------------
                                                                         MARCH 31,  MARCH 30,
                                                                           1998       1997
                                                                         ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Net revenues:
  Licenses.............................................................  $  83,431  $  86,393
  Services.............................................................     77,568     63,509
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                           160,999    149,902
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of software distribution........................................      9,833     29,134
  Cost of services.....................................................     37,425     41,152
  Sales and marketing..................................................     63,353    131,023
  Research and development.............................................     36,619     35,289
  General and administrative...........................................     13,151     28,027
  Write-off of goodwill and other long-term assets.....................         --     30,473
  Write-off of acquired research and development.......................         --      7,000
  Restructuring........................................................     (3,252)        --
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                           157,129    302,098
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Operating income (loss)................................................      3,870   (152,196)
  Interest income......................................................      2,038      1,267
  Interest expense.....................................................     (1,882)    (2,468)
  Other income/(expense), net..........................................       (315)    12,036
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes......................................      3,711   (141,361)
Income taxes...........................................................      1,900      2,800
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Net income (loss)......................................................  $   1,811  $(144,161)
  Preferred stock dividend.............................................       (603)        --
  Value assigned to warrants...........................................     (1,594)        --
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Net loss applicable to common stockholders.............................  $    (386) $(144,161)
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Net loss per common share:
  Basic................................................................  $   (0.00) $   (0.95)
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
  Diluted..............................................................  $   (0.00) $   (0.95)
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Shares used in per share calculation:
  Basic................................................................    160,172    151,049
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
  Diluted..............................................................    160,172    151,049
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                           (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                         1997
                                                                                        MARCH 31,    ------------
                                                                                           1998
                                                                                       ------------
                                                                                        (RESTATED)
                                                                                       (SEE NOTE B)
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
                                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............................................................   $  149,208    $  139,396
  Short-term investments.............................................................       16,282        16,069
  Accounts receivable, net...........................................................      128,892       142,048
  Deferred taxes.....................................................................       13,219        12,249
  Other current assets...............................................................       27,045        26,243
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
  Total current assets...............................................................      334,646       336,005
Property and equipment, net..........................................................       86,913        96,012
Software costs, net..................................................................       38,826        40,854
Deferred taxes.......................................................................       45,906        56,345
Intangible assets, net...............................................................        7,068         8,277
Other assets.........................................................................       29,834        25,751
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
  Total assets.......................................................................   $  543,193    $  563,244
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
 
                                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable...................................................................   $   30,845    $   36,155
  Accrued expenses...................................................................       56,125        64,538
  Accrued employee compensation......................................................       43,393        49,154
  Income taxes payable...............................................................        4,442         3,031
  Deferred maintenance revenue.......................................................      109,277       100,828
  Advances from customers and financial institutions.................................      156,505       180,048
  Accrued restructuring costs........................................................       17,344        26,597
  Other liabilities..................................................................        8,468        15,802
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
    Total current liabilities........................................................      426,399       476,153
Other liabilities....................................................................        6,187         6,311
Deferred taxes.......................................................................       20,903        21,716
 
Stockholders' equity:
  Convertible Series A Preferred Stock...............................................           --             2
  Convertible Series B Preferred Stock...............................................            1             1
  Common stock; par value............................................................        1,674         1,526
  Additional paid-in capital.........................................................      368,497       347,582
  Accumulated deficit................................................................     (276,333)     (278,144)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)......................................       (4,135)      (11,903)
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
    Total stockholders' equity.......................................................       89,704        59,064
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....................................   $  543,193    $  563,244
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                           (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            RESTATED--SEE NOTE B
                                                                                          -------------------------
                                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                          -------------------------
                                                                                           MARCH 31,    MARCH 30,
                                                                                             1998          1997
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss).......................................................................   $   1,811    $ (144,161)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash and cash equivalents used in
  operating activities:
  License fees received in advance......................................................     (15,148)      (15,277)
  Depreciation and amortization.........................................................      12,078        24,897
  Amortization of capitalized software..................................................       4,974         5,484
  Write-off of capitalized software.....................................................         771        14,749
  Write-off of long term assets.........................................................          --         6,799
  Write-off of intangibles..............................................................          --        20,032
  Write-off of acquired research & development..........................................          --         7,000
  Foreign currency transaction loss.....................................................       3,794         5,066
  Gain on sales of strategic investments................................................          47            --
  (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment.....................................         436           (50)
  Provisions for losses on accounts receivable..........................................          --        11,006
  Restructuring charges.................................................................      (9,253)        3,642
  Stock-based employee compensation.....................................................         461            --
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable.................................................................       7,578        14,284
    Other current assets................................................................      (1,670)       (9,853)
    Other long term assets..............................................................      10,439            --
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses...............................................     (31,817)       (4,957)
    Deferred maintenance revenue........................................................      (7,800)        6,825
    Other long term liabilities.........................................................        (813)           --
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities..............................      (8,512)      (54,514)
Investing Activities:
Investments of excess cash:
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities............................................      (9,500)      (10,374)
  Maturities of available-for-sale securities...........................................       4,997         9,585
  Sales of available-for-sale securities................................................       4,300            --
Purchases of strategic investments......................................................          --        (1,750)
Purchases of property and equipment.....................................................      (1,676)      (81,931)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment........................................         327           279
Additions to software costs.............................................................      (3,717)       (8,104)
Business combinations, net of cash acquired.............................................          --        (8,786)
Other...................................................................................         727           (21)
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities..............................      (4,542)     (101,102)
Financing Activities:
Advances from customers and financial institutions......................................          --        19,694
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net.............................................       6,500         1,617
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net..........................................      14,100            --
Principal payments on capital leases....................................................      (1,341)         (885)
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities..........................      19,259        20,426
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents............................       3,607        (6,238)
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........................................       9,812      (141,428)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period........................................     139,396       226,508
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..............................................   $ 149,208    $   85,080
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
                                                                                          -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE A--PRESENTATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    All significant adjustments, in the opinion of management, which are normal,
recurring in nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
position and results of the operations of the Company, have been consistently
recorded. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not
necessarily indicative of expected performance for the entire year.
 
   
    In the middle of the first fiscal quarter of 1998, the Company elected to
change from a 4-4-5 week quarterly convention to a calendar quarter convention.
The decision to change was made in order to streamline the administration of the
Company's close process on a world wide basis and to more closely align the
Company's reporting periods with those of its competitors. The change resulted
in an additional two days of operations for the first quarter of 1998 as
compared to the previous year. The impact on the Company's financial statements
was to increase license revenue by $11.4 million, or 8 percent. As a result, the
Company's net loss for the period was improved by approximately $9.7 million. In
addition, accounts receivable increased approximately $11.4 million and accrued
expenses increased approximately $1.7 million.
    
 
NOTE B--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR FISCAL 1996, 1995 AND 1994 AND FIRST
     QUARTER OF FISCAL 1997
 
    Subsequent to the filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 30, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Company became aware of errors and irregularities that ultimately affected the
timing and dollar amount of reported earned revenues from license transactions
for all periods in the three years ended December 31, 1996 and the quarter ended
March 30, 1997. The irregularities took numerous forms and were primarily the
result of lack of compliance with or circumvention of the Company's procedures
and controls.
 
    These errors and irregularities included unauthorized and undisclosed
arrangements or agreements between Company personnel and resellers, recognition
of revenue on certain transactions in reporting periods prior to contract
acceptance, the recording of certain transactions that lacked economic substance
and the recording of maintenance revenue as license revenue. The unauthorized
and undisclosed agreements with resellers introduced acceptance contingencies,
permitted resellers to return unsold licenses for refunds, extended payment
terms or committed the Company to assist resellers in selling the licenses to
end-users. Accordingly, license revenue from these transactions that was
recorded at the time product was delivered to resellers should have instead been
recorded at the time all conditions on the sale lapsed. Because of the
pervasiveness of the unauthorized arrangements with resellers in the 1994, 1995
and 1996 accounting periods, the Company concluded that all revenue from license
agreements with resellers in these accounting periods, except for those licenses
sold and billed on a per copy basis, should be recognized only when the licenses
were resold or utilized by resellers and all related obligations had been
satisfied. Amounts received from resellers as prepayments of software license
fees in advance of revenue recognition have been recorded as advances from
customers and financial institutions. This revised application of accounting
policy has been followed for all transactions with resellers, other than those
licenses sold and billed on a per-copy basis.
 
    In response to the errors and irregularities discussed above, a number of
conditions which collectively represented a material weakness in the Company's
internal accounting controls were identified. These conditions included a
deterioration in the Company's internal accounting controls at corporate and
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE B--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
regional management levels, and a related failure to stress the importance of
these controls, an inappropriate level of influence, principally by the
Company's sales organization, over the revenue recognition process and an
apparent lack of clarity and consistent understanding within the Company
concerning the application of the Company's revenue recognition policies to
large, complex reseller license transactions. The Company is implementing a plan
to strengthen the Company's internal accounting controls. This plan includes
updating the Company's policies regarding accounting and reporting for large,
complex reseller license transactions, developing and conducting educational
programs to implement such policies, changing the Company's corporate and
regional accounting and reporting structure, and re-establishing an internal
audit function reporting to the Company's Board of Directors.
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 1998
 
   
    On May 20 1998, the Company announced that it had restated its financial
results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1998. The restatement of Company's
financial results for the first quarter occurred in connection with the
Company's accounting treatment for license transactions with industrial
manufacturers ("IMs").
    
 
   
    In connection with the restatement of its financial statements for fiscal
1994, 1995, 1996 and the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company examined
both: (1) agreements where customers committed to purchase up to a designated
dollar amount of software licenses ("Commitment Agreements"); and (2) agreements
where customers purchased licenses on a per copy basis ("Straight Purchase
Agreements"). The Company determined that unauthorized and undisclosed
agreements (which included the introduction of acceptance contingencies,
permission to return unsold licenses for refunds and extended payment terms) had
been made to certain customers in connection with Commitment Agreements, but not
in connection with Straight Purchase Agreements.
    
 
   
    The Company had entered into Commitment Agreements with end users, IMs and
other resellers during such prior periods, all of which were initially accounted
for on a sell-in basis (I.E., recognizing revenue upon the initial shipment of
the Company's software to the reseller). Upon further examination of its
Commitment Agreements in connection with the restatement process, the Company
determined that the unauthorized and undisclosed agreements had been made with
certain resellers, but not with end users. As a result: (1) the Company did not
restate revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with end users; and (2) the
Company restated all revenue resulting from Commitment Agreements with all
resellers from a sell-in to a sell-through basis (I.E., recognizing revenue only
when the reseller resold or utilized the licenses and all related obligations
were satisfied).
    
 
   
    Some of the Company's software license agreements with IMs were Commitment
Agreements and some were Straight Purchase Agreements. Instead of analyzing
every Commitment Agreement with IMs to determine whether unauthorized and
undisclosed agreements had been made, the Company conservatively treated all
Commitment Agreements with IMs as reseller agreements for accounting purposes
and restated that IM revenue to a sell-through basis. The total amount of
revenue resulting from all Commitment Agreements with IMs was not material in
fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 or the first quarter of fiscal 1997. Straight Purchase
Agreements with IMs were not restated.
    
 
   
    The Company initially decided to recognize revenue from IM transactions
after December 31, 1997 on a sell-in basis. The Company's license transactions
with IMs and end users are substantially similar in that upon the delivery of
the Company's software to the IM: (1) all obligations of the Company under the
    
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE B--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
software license agreement are fully performed; and (2) the Company believes the
earnings process with regard to these transactions to be complete. Accordingly,
in its original report of the financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
1998, the Company had recognized approximately $6.2 million in license revenue
resulting from software license agreements with IMs in the same manner as
revenue resulting from agreements with end users.
    
 
   
    The Company subsequently decided to change its initial decision and to
recognize revenue resulting from all license transactions with IMs on a
sell-through basis upon the advice of the Company's former independent
accountants, Ernst & Young LLP. Accordingly, approximately $6.2 million in
license revenue previously recognized has been deferred and will be recognized
only when the related software licenses are resold to end user customers over a
period which the Company expects to be approximately two years.
    
 
    The effects of the restatement of the Company's financial reports for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                           MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                       AS REPORTED   RESTATED
                                                                       -----------  ----------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT
                                                                           PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Net Revenues
  Licenses...........................................................   $  89,462   $   83,431
  Services...........................................................      77,720       77,568
                                                                       -----------  ----------
                                                                          167,182      160,499
Operating income.....................................................       9,137        3,870
Income taxes.........................................................       1,900        1,900
Net income...........................................................       7,078        1,811
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders..................       4,881         (386)
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic..............................................................        0.03        (0.00)
  Diluted............................................................        0.03        (0.00)
Accumulated Deficit..................................................    (271,066)    (276,333)
Advances from customers and financial institutions...................     156,505      156,505
</TABLE>
 
    In connection with its audit of the Company's fiscal 1997 consolidated
financial statements, the Company's former independent accountants determined
that a material weakness existed, based on the lack of appropriate resources in
the accounting and financial reporting departments of the Company and other
conditions. To address these conditions, the Company plans to hire additional
finance personnel to serve in the accounting and financial reporting
departments. In the interim, the Company has hired a number of consultants to
ensure that appropriate accounting control measures are in place.
 
NOTE C--REVENUE RECOGNITION POLICY
 
    In October 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 97-2 (SOP 97-2), "Software Revenue Recognition"
which superseded SOP 91-1 and provides guidance on generally accepted accounting
principles for recognizing revenue on software transactions. SOP 97-2 was
amended in February 1998 by Statement of Position 98-4 (SOP 98-4) "Deferral of
the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2" which deferred for one year the
specification of what was considered vendor specific objective evidence of fair
value for the various elements in a multiple element arrangement. The
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE C--REVENUE RECOGNITION POLICY (CONTINUED)
Company has adopted the provisions of these SOP's as of January 1, 1998 and as a
result, changed certain business practices. The adoption has, in certain
circumstances, resulted in the deferral of software license revenues that would
have been recognized upon delivery of the related software under preceding
accounting standards. Neither the changes in certain business practices nor the
deferral of certain revenues have resulted in a material impact on the Company's
operating results, financial position or cash flows for the period ended March
31, 1998.
 
    In the first quarter of 1998, the Company entered into a material
transaction with an industrial manufacturer ("IM"). The Company defines an IM as
a developer who owns and licenses or sells to others a product using the IM's
application embedding one of the Company's products in a manner which renders
the Informix product invisible to the end user. The Company is not obligated to
provide sales support to the IM or support to the end user. The Company accounts
for these types of transactions in a manner similar to reseller transactions
where license revenue from such transactions is recognized as earned when the
licenses are resold or utilized by the IM and all related obligations have been
satisfied.
 
NOTE D--COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
    As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement 130 (FAS 130), "Reporting Comprehensive Income." FAS 130
establishes new rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and
its components; however, the adoption of this Statement had no impact on the
Company's net income/(loss) or stockholders' equity. FAS 130 requires unrealized
gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities and foreign
currency translation adjustments, which prior to adoption were reported
separately in stockholders' equity to be included in other comprehensive income.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               RESTATED
                                                                         --------------------
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                         --------------------
                                                                         MARCH 31,  MARCH 30,
                                                                           1998       1997
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Net income (loss)......................................................  $   1,811  $(144,161)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax
  Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities...........      3,974     (3,853)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment..............................      3,794       (297)
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Comprehensive income (loss)............................................  $   9,579  $(148,311)
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE E--NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
 
    The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net
income (loss) per common share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           RESTATED
                                                                   ------------------------
                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                   ------------------------
                                                                    MARCH 31,    MARCH 30,
                                                                      1998         1997
                                                                   -----------  -----------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT
                                                                       PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>
Numerator:
Net income (loss)................................................   $   1,811    $(144,161)
Preferred stock dividend.........................................        (603)          --
Value assigned to warrants.......................................      (1,594)          --
                                                                   -----------  -----------
Numerator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per common
  share..........................................................   $    (386)   $(144,161)
                                                                   -----------  -----------
                                                                   -----------  -----------
Denominator:
Weighted average shares                                               160,172      151,049
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options...........................................          --           --
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock...........................          --           --
                                                                   -----------  -----------
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per common share.......     160,172      151,049
                                                                   -----------  -----------
                                                                   -----------  -----------
Basic net loss per common share..................................   $    (.00)   $   (0.95)
Diluted net loss per common share................................   $    (.00)   $   (0.95)
                                                                   -----------  -----------
                                                                   -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Weighted average employee stock options were not included in the computation
of diluted earnings per share because the effect was antidilutive. In addition,
at March 31, 1998, 13,215,467 shares of common stock that would have been issued
upon the assumed conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at the
beginning of the period were also excluded from the computation of diluted
earnings per share because the effect was antidilutive.
 
NOTE F--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    In December 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a second stock
option repricing which was effective January 9, 1998 (the "Second Repricing
Effective Date") based upon the closing sales price of the Company's Common
Stock as of the Second Repricing Effective Date. Under the terms of the second
repricing, each employee, excluding officers and directors of the Company, could
exchange any option granted and outstanding as of May 1, 1997 for a new option
with an exercise price equal to the closing sales price on the Second Repricing
Date and with terms consistent with those of the original option, except that
options exchanged in the second repricing could not be exercised for a period of
one year from the Second Repricing Effective Date. Employees elected to reprice
3,128,524 options at a price of $5.094, the closing sales price of the Company's
Common Stock on the Repricing Effective Date.
 
    On February 13, 1998 the holders of the Series A-1 Preferred stock exercised
warrants to purchase 60,000 additional shares of Series A-1 Preferred at $250
per share resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $14.1 million. In
addition, pursuant to the Series A-1 Subscription Agreement, the Series A-1
Preferred Stockholder converted 220,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred into
12,769,908 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE F--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    Reconciliation of outstanding shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Shares outstanding at December 31, 1997.............................     152,587,051
Shares issued upon exercises of stock options.......................       1,825,484
Shares sold and issued to employees under ESPP......................         282,499
Shares issued upon conversion of Series A-1 Preferred...............      12,769,908
                                                                      --------------
Shares outstanding at March 31, 1998................................     167,464,942
                                                                      --------------
                                                                      --------------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE G--RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
 
    In June and again in September 1997, the Company approved plans to
restructure its operations in order to bring expenses in line with forcasted
revenues. In connection with the restructuring, the Company substantially
reduced its worldwide headcount and operations to improve efficiency. The
following analysis sets forth the significant components of the restructuring
charge included in current liabilities at March 31, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             RESTRUCTURING   NON-CASH       CASH       ACCRUAL BALANCE
                                                                EXPENSE        COSTS      PAYMENTS    AT MARCH 31, 1998
                                                             -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------------
                                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Severance & Benefits.......................................    $    19.9     $      --    $    19.4       $     0.5
Write-off of Assets........................................         48.2          48.2           --              --
Facility Charges...........................................         33.0           7.8          8.9            16.3
Other......................................................          3.8           2.6          0.7             0.5
                                                                  ------         -----        -----           -----
                                                               $   104.9     $    58.6    $    29.0       $    17.3
                                                                  ------         -----        -----           -----
                                                                  ------         -----        -----           -----
</TABLE>
 
    Severance and benefits represent the reduction of approximately 670
employees, primarily sales and marketing personnel, on a worldwide basis. As of
March 31, 1998, the Company had completed this component of its restructure
plan. Temporary employees and contractors were also reduced. Write-off of assets
included write-off or write-down in carrying value of equipment as a result of
the Company's decision to reduce the number of Information Superstores
throughout the world, as well as the write-off of equipment associated with
headcount reductions. The equipment subject to write-offs and write-downs
consisted primarily of computer servers, workstations, and personal computers
that are no longer utilized in the Company's operations. These assets were
written down to their fair value less cost to sell. As of March 31, 1998, these
assets have a carrying value of approximately $2.2 million. Facility charges
include early termination costs associated with the closing of certain domestic
and international sales offices.
 
    Total restructuring expense decreased by $1.2 million and by $3.3 million
during the fourth quarter of 1997 and the first quarter of 1998, respectively.
These decreases were primarily due to adjusting the original estimate of the
loss to be incurred on the sale of land to the actual loss (fourth quarter 1997)
and to adjust the estimated severance and facility charges to actual costs
incurred (first quarter 1998).
 
    The Company expects to complete most of the actions associated with its
restructuring by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE H--LITIGATION
 
    Commencing in April 1997, a series of class action lawsuits purportedly by
or on behalf of stockholders and a separate but related stockholder action were
filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
These actions name as defendants the Company, certain of its present and former
officers and directors and in some cases, its independent auditors. The
complaints allege various violations of the federal securities laws and seek
unspecified but potentially significant damages. Similar actions were also filed
in California state court and in Newfoundland, Canada.
 
    Stockholder derivative actions, purportedly on behalf of the Company and
naming virtually the same individual defendants and the Company's independent
auditors, were also filed, commencing in August 1997, in California state court.
While these actions allege various violations of state law, any monetary
judgments in the derivative actions would accrue to the benefit of the Company.
 
    Pursuant to Delaware law and certain indemnification agreements between the
Company and each of its current and former officers and directors, the Company
is obligated to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for
certain liabilities arising from their employment with or service to the
Company. This includes the costs of defending against the claims asserted in the
above-referenced actions and any amounts paid in settlement or other disposition
of such actions on behalf of these individuals. The Company's obligations do not
permit or require it to provide such indemnification to any such individual who
is adjudicated to be liable for fraudulent or criminal conduct. Although the
Company has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance to reimburse
it for the costs of indemnification for its directors and officers, the coverage
presumes that 100 percent of the costs incurred in defending claims asserted
jointly against the Company and its current and former directors and officers
are allocable to the individuals' defense. With respect to the claims described
above, the Company does not have insurance to cover the costs of its own defense
or to cover any liability for any claims asserted against it. The Company has
not set aside any financial reserves relating to any of the above-referenced
actions.
 
    The pending federal and state securities actions are in the early stages of
discovery. Consequently, at this time it is not reasonably possible to estimate
the damages, or the range of damages, that the Company might incur in connection
with such actions.
 
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, public disclosures and trading activity in the Company's securities.
The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is providing all
information subpoenaed by the Commission.
 
    In the ordinary course of business, various other lawsuits and claims are
filed from time to time against the Company. It is the Company's opinion that
the resolution of these disputes or such other litigation will not have a
material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or
cash flows.
 
   
NOTE I--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
    
 
   
    In May 1998, the Company dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent accountants and engaged KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent accountants. See "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure."
    
 
                                      F-42
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
   
NOTE I--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
    
   
    In June 1998, a holder of Series B Preferred converted 500 shares of Series
B Preferred into 80,008 shares of Common Stock of the Company. In connection
with such conversion, the Company issued such Series B Preferred stockholder a
warrant to purchase up to 66,000 shares of Series B Preferred at an exercise
price of $7.84 per share and made a dividend payment of $13,904 in cash to such
stockholder.
    
 
   
    In July 1998, the Company adopted its 1998 Non Statutory Stock Option Plan
under which it reserved 5,500,000 shares of its Common Stock for issuance to
employees and consultants of the Company other than executive officers and
directors.
    
 
                                      F-43
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts, commissions and certain accountable expenses, payable by
the Company in connection with the sale of Common Stock being registered. All
amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
SEC Registration Fee..............................................  $  35,255
Printing Fees and Expenses........................................     28,000
Legal Fees and Expenses...........................................     50,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................     60,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees.................................      2,500
Miscellaneous.....................................................     24,245
                                                                    ---------
    Total.........................................................  $ 200,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to
include in its charter documents, and in agreements between the corporation and
its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of indemnification
beyond that specifically provided by the current law.
 
    Article Eight of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest
extent permissible under Delaware law.
 
    Article VI of the Registrant's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of
officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his conduct was unlawful.
 
    The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in
the Registrant's Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements
with any new directors and executive officers in the future.
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
    Since January 1, 1995, the Registrant has issued and sold the following
unregistered securities:
 
    1.  On October 31, 1995, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization with Stanford Technology Group, Inc. ("STG"), certain
shareholders of STG and a wholly owned acquisition subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to the reorganization agreement, the Company acquired all the
outstanding capital stock of STG, and STG became a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company. In connection with the acquisition, the Company issued 231,900
shares of its Common Stock (the "STG Acquisition Shares") to the shareholders of
STG. Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement dated October 31, 1995, the
Company granted the shareholders of STG certain rights to require the Company to
register the STG Acquisition Shares. The Company filed a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 covering the STG Acquisition Shares on January 8, 1996 (Registration
No. 333-00273), which the Commission declared effective on February 7, 1996 (the
"STG Registration Statement"). On March 8, 1996, the Company filed
Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to the STG Registration Statement, withdrawing
the STG Registration Statement and de-registering the STG Acquisition Shares
which remained unsold at that time.
 
    2.  On August 12, 1997, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated of even
date (the "Subscription Agreement"), the Registrant sold 160,000 shares of its
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred") for aggregate
gross proceeds of $40,000,000 to Fletcher International Limited ("Fletcher").
The Series A Preferred was convertible into shares of Common Stock at any time
after issuance and will
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
automatically convert into Common Stock 18 months following the date of its
issuance by the Registrant. At the holder's option, each share of Series A
Preferred, which has a face value of $250, is convertible into Common Stock at a
per share price equal to 101% of the Common Stock average price for the 30
trading days ending five trading days prior to the conversion, but not greater
than the lesser of (i) 105% of the Common Stock average price of the first five
trading days of such thirty day period, or (ii) $12. The number of shares of
Common Stock to be issued upon conversion will vary based on future stock price
movements. In connection with the sale of the Series A Preferred, the Registrant
issued a warrant to purchase up to 140,000 shares of its Series A Preferred (the
"Series A Warrant") with an aggregated purchase price of $35,000,000. The Series
A Warrant was generally exercisable from and after August 13, 1997 to and
including February 15, 1998, with a provision for extension of the warrant
exercise period under certain circumstances.
 
    3.  On November 17, 1997, pursuant to an amendment to the Subscription
Agreement, the Registrant issued 160,000 shares of its Series A-1 Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "A-1 Preferred Stock") in exchange for the cancellation of
the Series A Preferred that had been issued in August 1997. For a description of
the Series A-1 Preferred see "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock." In
connection with the issuance of the Series A-1 Preferred, the Registrant issued
a warrant to purchase up to 140,000 shares of its Series A-1 Preferred in
exchange for the cancellation of the Series A Warrant with an aggregated
purchase price of $35,000,000 (the "Series A-1 Warrant"). The Series A-1 Warrant
is generally exercisable from its date of issuance until April 15, 1999, with a
provision for extension of the warrant exercise period under certain
circumstances.
 
    4.  On November 19, 1997, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated
November 17, 1997, the Registrant sold 50,000 shares of newly issued Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred") for an aggregate purchase
price of $50,000,000 to an investor group led by an affiliate of Credit Suisse
First Boston. In connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred, the Company
is required to issue a warrant to acquire a number of shares equal to 20% of the
shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred but
no less than 1,300,000 shares, together with an additional increment of warrants
to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock. The warrant may be exercised until
2002. For a description of the Series B Preferred and the warrant to be issued
in connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred see "Description of
Capital Stock--Preferred Stock." In connection with the sale of the Series B
Preferred, the Company issued 100,000 shares of its Common Stock to The Shemano
Group, a financial advisor to the Company ("Shemano"). In addition, in May 1998
the Company issued Shemano a warrant to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock due to the fact that the closing sales price of the
Company's Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market on May 15, 1998
was less than $12.50. In February 1998, the Company and Shemano entered a letter
agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to repurchase from Shemano the
100,000 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the issuance of the
Series B Preferred. The Company's obligation to repurchase such shares
terminated when the Commission declared the registration statement covering such
shares effective on May 12, 1998.
 
    5.  On February 13, 1998, Fletcher exercised the Series A-1 Warrant in part
and the Company issued 60,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred (the "Series A-1
Warrant Stock") to Fletcher for aggregate gross proceeds of $15.0 million. In
addition, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, Fletcher converted 220,000
shares of Series A-1 Preferred into 12,769,908 shares of the Company's Common
Stock.
 
   
    6.  On June 10, 1998, one of the Company's Series B Preferred stockholders
elected to convert 500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 80,008 shares of
Common Stock of the Company. In connection with such conversion, the Company
also issued a warrant to such Series B Preferred stockholder to purchase up to
66,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.84 per share.
    
 
    The sales of the above securities were deemed to be exempt from registration
under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act,
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D promulgated thereunder or
Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving
a public offering or as an exchange of securities of the Registrant with
existing security holders where no
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
commission or other renumeration is paid or given directly or indirectly for
soliciting such exchange. The recipients of securities in each such transaction
represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and
not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and
appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates and warrants issued
in such transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their
relationships with the Company, to information about the Registrant.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    (a)  Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
  3.1    (4)   Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
  3.2(a) (4)   Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended
  3.2(b) (1)   Amendment to Bylaws, dated June 19, 1998
  3.2(c) (1)   Amendment to Bylaws, dated July 15, 1998
  3.3    (5)   Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
  3.4    (6)   Certificate of Designation of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
  3.5    (6)   Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
  4.1    (7)   First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1997, between the
                 Registrant and BankBoston N.A., including the form of Rights Certificate attached thereto
                 as Exhibit A
  4.2    (8)   Amendment, dated as of November 17, 1997, to the First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement
                 between the Registrant and BankBoston, N.A.
  5.1    (2)   Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation regarding legality of
                 the securities being registered
 10.1    (2)   Form of Change of Control Agreement
 10.2   (10)   Form of Indemnity Agreement
 10.3   (11)   1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan
 10.4    (3)   Amendment to the 1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan
 10.5    (2)   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Registrant's 1989 Outside Director's
                 Stock Option Plan
 10.6   (12)   1986 Stock Option Plan, as amended
 10.7   (13)   1994 Stock Option and Award Plan
 10.8    (3)   Form of Stock Option Agreement and Performance Award Agreement under the Registrant's 1994
                 Stock Option and Award Plan
 10.9   (13)   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Registrant's 1994 Stock Option Plan
 10.10  (14)   1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 10.11   (2)   Enrollment/Change Form under the Registrant's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 10.12  (15)   Employment Agreement, dated July 18, 1997, between the Registrant and Robert J. Finocchio,
                 Jr.
 10.13  (15)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated September 18, 1997, from the Registrant to Wes Raffel
 10.14  (15)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated September 24, 1997, from the Registrant to Jean-Yves
                 Dexmier
 10.15   (2)   Separation Agreement, dated April 18, 1987, between the Registrant and Ronald M. Alvarez
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
 10.16   (2)   Separation Agreement, dated May 12, 1997, between the Registrant and Edwin C. Winder
 10.17  (16)   Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 1989, between the Registrant and Phillip E. White
 10.18   (2)   Contract of Employment, dated December 5, 1996, between the Registrant and Kenneth Coulter
 10.19   (2)   Employment Letter Agreement, dated November 25, 1996, between the Registrant and Kenneth
                 Coulter
 10.20   (5)   Subscription Agreement, dated August 12, 1997, between the Company and Fletcher International
                 Limited
 10.21  (17)   Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and Fletcher
                 International Limited
 10.22  (17)   Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company
                 and Fletcher International Limited
 10.23   (6)   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and the
                 purchasers listed therein
 10.24   (6)   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and the
                 purchasers listed therein
 10.25   (9)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated May 16, 1985, between the
                 Registrant and Amarok Bredero Partners for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park,
                 California
 10.26   (9)   Lease Amendment #1, dated July 2, 1986, between the Registrant and Amarok Bredero Partners
                 for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.27  (18)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated November 7, 1986 between the Registrant and Amarok Bredero
                 Partners for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.28  (19)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated June 18, 1991, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.29   (2)   Fourth Amendment to Lease, dated June 30, 1997, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.30  (10)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated September 4, 1987 between the
                 Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive,
                 Menlo Park, California
 10.31   (2)   Side Letter Agreement, dated August 31, 1987, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.32   (2)   Side Letter Agreement, dated October 27, 1987, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.33  (19)   First Amendment to Lease, dated June 18, 1991, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.34  (20)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated July 17, 1992, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
 10.35   (2)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated June 8, 1993 between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.36  (21)   Fourth Amendment to Lease, dated February 10, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.37   (2)   Fifth Amendment to Lease, dated June 30, 1997 between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.38  (21)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated February 10, 1994 between the
                 Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive,
                 Menlo Park, California
 10.39  (21)   First Amendment to Lease, dated March 17, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.40   (2)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated September 22, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.41   (2)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated December 28, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.42  (10)   Office Lease, dated August 15, 1987, between the Registrant and Southlake Partners #1 for
                 office space at 15961 College Blvd. and 11170 Lakeview Avenue, Lenexa, Kansas
 10.43   (2)   First Amendment to Office Lease, dated April 15, 1988, between the Registrant and Southlake
                 Partners #1 for office space at 15901 College Blvd., Lenexa, Kansas
 10.44   (2)   Amendment to Office Lease, dated October 20, 1997, between the Registrant and Southlake
                 Partners #1 for office space at 15901 College Blvd. (now 16011 College Blvd) Lenexa, Kansas
 10.45   (2)   Office Lease, dated October 20, 1997, between the Registrant and Southlake Partners #1 for
                 office space at 11170 Lakeview Avenue, Lenexa, Kansas
 10.46   (2)   Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated December 31, 1997, among Informix Software, Inc.,
                 certain banks and other financial institutions that either now or in the future are parties
                 to the agreement, BankBoston, N.A. and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
 10.47   (2)   Pledge Agreement, dated December 31, 1997, by and between the Registrant and BankBoston, N.A.
 10.48   (2)   Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of December 31, 1997, between Informix Software, Inc.
                 and BankBoston, N.A.
 10.49   (2)   Continuing Guaranty, dated as of December 31, 1997, by the Registrant
 10.50   (3)   1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder
 10.51   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated January 23, 1998, from the Registrant to Susan T. Daniel
 10.52   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated January 19, 1998, from the Registrant to Gary Lloyd
 10.53   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated March 11, 1998, from the Registrant to Diane L. Fraiman
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
 10.54   (3)   Office Lease, dated November 10, 1994, between WVP Income Plus III and Siebel Systems, L.P.
                 (assigned to Informix Corporation) for office space at 4005 Bohannon Drive, including
                 addenda and amendments thereto
 10.55   (3)   Office Lease, dated April 10, 1995, between the Registrant and 3905 Bohannon Partners for
                 office space at 3905 Bohannon Drive, including addenda thereto
 10.56   (1)   1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder
 16.1   (24)   Letter regarding change in certifying accountants
 21.1   (22)   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 23.1    (1)   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
 24.1    (2)   Power of Attorney
 24.2    (2)   Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit
                 5.1)
 24.3    (1)   Power of Attorney relating to George Reyes
 27.1    (3)   Financial Data Schedule
 27.2    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for fiscal years end December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 27.3    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for quarters in the fiscal year end December 31, 1997
 27.4    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for quarters in the fiscal year end December 31, 1996
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
 (1) Filed herewith
 
 (2) Previously filed
 
 (3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual report
     on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
 
 (4) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's quarterly
     report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 1995
 
 (5) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's report on
     Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 25, 1997
 
 (6) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's report on
     Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 4, 1997
 
 (7) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the amendment to the
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A (File No. 000-15325)
     filed with the Commission on September 3, 1997
 
 (8) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the amendment to the
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A (File No. 000-15325)
     filed with the Commission on December 3, 1997
 
 (9) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
     Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-8006)
 
 (10) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988
 
 (11) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-31116)
 
 (12) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's Registration
      Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos: 33-22862, 33-31117 and 33-506-10)
 
 (13) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-31369) filed with the
      Commission on July 16, 1997
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
 (14) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-31371) filed with the
      Commission on July 16, 1997
 
 (15) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
      1997
 
 (16) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989
 
 (17) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's report on
      Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 2, 1997
 
 (18) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986
 
 (19) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991
 
 (20) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992
 
 (21) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993
 
 (22) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
 
 (23) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
 
 (24) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with Registrant's report on
      Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on June 2, 1998
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          ADDITIONS
                                                                   ------------------------
                                                                                CHARGED TO
                                                      BALANCE AT   CHARGED TO      OTHER                  BALANCE AT
                                                       BEGINNING    COSTS AND    ACCOUNTS    DEDUCTIONS     END OF
                                                       OF PERIOD    EXPENSES        (1)          (2)        PERIOD
                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
 
Year ended December 31, 1997........................   $  21,429    $  19,929    $      --    $   7,551    $  33,807
 
Year ended December 31, 1996........................   $  12,854    $  15,329    $    (346)   $   6,408    $  21,429
 
Year ended December 31, 1995........................   $   6,049    $   8,247    $     261    $   1,703    $  12,854
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Charged (credited) to net revenues
 
(2) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
    Insofar as indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of
this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in 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 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:
 
        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
    a post-effective amendment to this registration statement (i) to include any
    prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii)
    to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
    date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
    amendment thereto, which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
    fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
    statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the
    plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
    or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
 
        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.
 
        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of this offering.
 
        (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
    part of this registration statement in reliance 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.
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Menlo Park, State of California, on the 13th day of August, 1998.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                                By:        /s/ ROBERT J. FINOCCHIO, JR.*
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                              Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.
                                      CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
                                                      OFFICER
</TABLE>
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
<C>                             <S>                         <C>
   /s/ ROBERT J. FINOCCHIO,     Chairman, President and
             JR.*                 Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Executive        August 13, 1998
  (Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.)      Officer) and Director
 
                                Executive Vice President
    /s/ JEAN-YVES DEXMIER         and Chief Financial
- ------------------------------    Officer (Principal          August 13, 1998
     (Jean-Yves Dexmier)          Financial and Accounting
                                  Officer)
 
    /s/ LESLIE G. DENEND*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
      (Leslie G. Denend)
 
  /s/ ALBERT F. KNORP, JR.*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
    (Albert F. Knorp, Jr.)
 
      /s/ JAMES L. KOCH*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
       (James L. Koch)
 
   /s/ THOMAS A. MCDONNELL*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
    (Thomas A. McDonnell)
 
       /s/ GEORGE REYES
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
        (George Reyes)
 
    /s/ CYRIL J. YANSOUNI*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 13, 1998
     (Cyril J. Yansouni)
 
  *By: /s/ JEAN-YVES DEXMIER
- ------------------------------
     (Jean-Yves Dexmier)
       Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
  3.1    (4)   Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
  3.2(a) (4)   Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended
  3.2(b) (1)   Amendment to Bylaws, dated June 19, 1998
  3.2(c) (1)   Amendment to Bylaws, dated July 15, 1998
  3.3    (5)   Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
  3.4    (6)   Certificate of Designation of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
  3.5    (6)   Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
  4.1    (7)   First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1997, between the
                 Registrant and BankBoston N.A., including the form of Rights Certificate attached thereto
                 as Exhibit A
  4.2    (8)   Amendment, dated as of November 17, 1997, to the First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement
                 between the Registrant and BankBoston, N.A.
  5.1    (2)   Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation regarding legality of
                 the securities being registered
 10.1    (2)   Form of Change of Control Agreement
 10.2   (10)   Form of Indemnity Agreement
 10.3   (11)   1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan
 10.4    (3)   Amendment to the 1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan
 10.5    (2)   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Registrant's 1989 Outside Director's
                 Stock Option Plan
 10.6   (12)   1986 Stock Option Plan, as amended
 10.7   (13)   1994 Stock Option and Award Plan
 10.8    (3)   Form of Stock Option Agreement and Performance Award Agreement under the Registrant's 1994
                 Stock Option and Award Plan
 10.9   (13)   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Registrant's 1994 Stock Option Plan
 10.10  (14)   1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 10.11   (2)   Enrollment/Change Form under the Registrant's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 10.12  (15)   Employment Agreement, dated July 18, 1997, between the Registrant and Robert J. Finocchio,
                 Jr.
 10.13  (15)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated September 18, 1997, from the Registrant to Wes Raffel
 10.14  (15)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated September 24, 1997, from the Registrant to Jean-Yves
                 Dexmier
 10.15   (2)   Separation Agreement, dated April 18, 1987, between the Registrant and Ronald M. Alvarez
 10.16   (2)   Separation Agreement, dated May 12, 1997, between the Registrant and Edwin C. Winder
 10.17  (16)   Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 1989, between the Registrant and Phillip E. White
 10.18   (2)   Contract of Employment, dated December 5, 1996, between the Registrant and Kenneth Coulter
 10.19   (2)   Employment Letter Agreement, dated November 25, 1996, between the Registrant and Kenneth
                 Coulter
 10.20   (5)   Subscription Agreement, dated August 12, 1997, between the Company and Fletcher International
                 Limited
 10.21  (17)   Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and Fletcher
                 International Limited
 10.22  (17)   Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company
                 and Fletcher International Limited
 10.23   (6)   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and the
                 purchasers listed therein
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
 10.24   (6)   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1997, between the Company and the
                 purchasers listed therein
 10.25   (9)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated May 16, 1985, between the
                 Registrant and Amarok Bredero Partners for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park,
                 California
 10.26   (9)   Lease Amendment #1, dated July 2, 1986, between the Registrant and Amarok Bredero Partners
                 for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.27  (18)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated November 7, 1986 between the Registrant and Amarok Bredero
                 Partners for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.28  (19)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated June 18, 1991, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.29   (2)   Fourth Amendment to Lease, dated June 30, 1997, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.30  (10)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated September 4, 1987 between the
                 Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive,
                 Menlo Park, California
 10.31   (2)   Side Letter Agreement, dated August 31, 1987, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.32   (2)   Side Letter Agreement, dated October 27, 1987, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.33  (19)   First Amendment to Lease, dated June 18, 1991, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.34  (20)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated July 17, 1992, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.35   (2)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated June 8, 1993 between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.36  (21)   Fourth Amendment to Lease, dated February 10, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.37   (2)   Fifth Amendment to Lease, dated June 30, 1997 between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners,
                 L.P. for office space at 4300/4400 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.38  (21)   Menlo Oaks Corporate Center Standard Business Lease, dated February 10, 1994 between the
                 Registrant and Menlo Oaks Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive,
                 Menlo Park, California
 10.39  (21)   First Amendment to Lease, dated March 17, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.40   (2)   Second Amendment to Lease, dated September 22, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
 10.41   (2)   Third Amendment to Lease, dated December 28, 1994, between the Registrant and Menlo Oaks
                 Partners, L.P. for office space at 4600/4700 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, California
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.   EXHIBIT TITLE
- -------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
 10.42  (10)   Office Lease, dated August 15, 1987, between the Registrant and Southlake Partners #1 for
                 office space at 15961 College Blvd. and 11170 Lakeview Avenue, Lenexa, Kansas
 10.43   (2)   First Amendment to Office Lease, dated April 15, 1988, between the Registrant and Southlake
                 Partners #1 for office space at 15901 College Blvd., Lenexa, Kansas
 10.44   (2)   Amendment to Office Lease, dated October 20, 1997, between the Registrant and Southlake
                 Partners #1 for office space at 15901 College Blvd. (now 16011 College Blvd) Lenexa, Kansas
 10.45   (2)   Office Lease, dated October 20, 1997, between the Registrant and Southlake Partners #1 for
                 office space at 11170 Lakeview Avenue, Lenexa, Kansas
 10.46   (2)   Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated December 31, 1997, among Informix Software, Inc.,
                 certain banks and other financial institutions that either now or in the future are parties
                 to the agreement, BankBoston, N.A. and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
 10.47   (2)   Pledge Agreement, dated December 31, 1997, by and between the Registrant and BankBoston, N.A.
 10.48   (2)   Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of December 31, 1997, between Informix Software, Inc.
                 and BankBoston, N.A.
 10.49   (2)   Continuing Guaranty, dated as of December 31, 1997, by the Registrant
 10.50   (3)   1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder
 10.51   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated January 23, 1998, from the Registrant to Susan T. Daniel
 10.52   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated January 19, 1998, from the Registrant to Gary Lloyd
 10.53   (3)   Offer of Employment Letter, dated March 11, 1998, from the Registrant to Diane L. Fraiman
 10.54   (3)   Office Lease, dated November 10, 1994, between WVP Income Plus III and Siebel Systems, L.P.
                 (assigned to Informix Corporation) for office space at 4005 Bohannon Drive, including
                 addenda and amendments thereto
 10.55   (3)   Office Lease, dated April 10, 1995, between the Registrant and 3905 Bohannon Partners for
                 office space at 3905 Bohannon Drive, including addenda thereto
 10.56   (1)   1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder
 16.1   (24)   Letter regarding change in certifying accountants
 21.1   (22)   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 23.1    (1)   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
 24.1    (2)   Power of Attorney
 24.2    (2)   Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit
                 5.1)
 24.3    (1)   Power of Attorney relating to George Reyes
 27.1    (3)   Financial Data Schedule
 27.2    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for fiscal years end December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 27.3    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for quarters in the fiscal year end December 31, 1997
 27.4    (3)   Financial Data Schedule for quarters in the fiscal year end December 31, 1996
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
 (1) Filed herewith
 
 (2) Previously filed
 
 (3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual report
     on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
 
 (4) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's quarterly
     report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 1995
<PAGE>
 (5) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's report on
     Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 25, 1997
 
 (6) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's report on
     Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 4, 1997
 
 (7) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the amendment to the
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A (File No. 000-15325)
     filed with the Commission on September 3, 1997
 
 (8) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the amendment to the
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A (File No. 000-15325)
     filed with the Commission on December 3, 1997
 
 (9) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
     Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-8006)
 
 (10) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988
 
 (11) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-31116)
 
 (12) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's Registration
      Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos: 33-22862, 33-31117 and 33-506-10)
 
 (13) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-31369) filed with the
      Commission on July 16, 1997
 
 (14) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-31371) filed with the
      Commission on July 16, 1997
 
 (15) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's
      quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
      1997
 
 (16) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989
 
 (17) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's report on
      Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 2, 1997
 
 (18) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986
 
 (19) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991
 
 (20) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992
 
 (21) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993
 
 (22) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
 
 (23) Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registrant's annual
      report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
 
 (24) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with Registrant's report on
      Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on June 2, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 3.2(b)


                              AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS
                                          
                                         OF
                                          
                                INFORMIX CORPORATION
                                          
                               a Delaware corporation

     I, Gary Lloyd, as Secretary of INFORMIX CORPORATION, certify that:

     1.   I am the Secretary of INFORMIX CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation").  


     2.   On June 19, 1998, the Board of Directors of INFORMIX CORPORATION
approved the following amendment to Article III, Section 1 of the Bylaws of
INFORMIX CORPORATION:  

          Section 1.     Management.  The property, business and affairs of the
     Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of
     Directors.  The number of Directors of the Corporation (including Directors
     to be elected by the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock
     voting separately as a class or classes) shall be seven (7).  As used in
     these Bylaws, the terms "whole Board" or "whole Board of Directors" mean
     the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there
     were no vacancies.  In addition to the powers and authorities by these
     Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation expressly conferred upon it,
     the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation, and
     do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the
     Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be
     exercised or done by the stockholders.

Effective June 19, 1998                       INFORMIX CORPORATION

                                              /s/ Gary Lloyd
                                              ------------------------------
                                              Gary Lloyd, Secretary


<PAGE>


                                                         Exhibit 3.2(c)



                              AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS
                                          
                                         OF
                                          
                                INFORMIX CORPORATION
                                          
                               a Delaware corporation

     I, Gary Lloyd, as Secretary of INFORMIX CORPORATION, certify that:

     1.   I am the Secretary of INFORMIX CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation 
(the "Corporation").  

     2.   On July 15, 1998, the Board of Directors of INFORMIX CORPORATION 
approved the following amendment to Article III, Section 7 of the Bylaws of 
INFORMIX CORPORATION:  

           
          SECTION 7.  Annual Meeting.  Immediately before or after each
          annual meeting of the stockholders, the board of directors shall
          hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization, the
          election of officers and the transaction of other business.  No
          notice of such meeting need be given. 
          

Effective July 15, 1998                 INFORMIX CORPORATION

                                        /s/ Gary Lloyd
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Gary Lloyd, Secretary


<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.56

                                 INFORMIX CORPORATION
                                          
                         1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN


       1.     PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.  The purposes of this Non-Statutory Stock
Option Plan are:
              
              (a)    to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                     positions of substantial responsibility, 

              (b)    to provide additional incentive to Employees and
                     Consultants (who are neither Officers nor Directors), and 

              (c)    to promote the success of the Company's business.  

       Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.  

       2.     DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following definitions shall
apply:

              (a)    "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

              (b)    "APPLICABLE LAWS" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted under
the Plan.

              (c)    "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

              (d)    "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

              (e)    "COMMITTEE"  means a committee of Directors appointed by
the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

              (f)    "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.

              (g)    "COMPANY" means Informix Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.

              (h)    "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such
entity.

              (i)    "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.

<PAGE>

              (j)    "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

              (k)    "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  An Employee shall not cease to be an
Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or
(ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its
Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.  Neither service as a Director nor
payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute
"employment" by the Company.

              (l)    "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

              (m)    "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

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

                     (ii)   If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

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

              (n)    "NOTICE OF GRANT" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.  The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

              (o)    "OFFICER" means any Employee who is (i) an officer of the
Company pursuant to the specifications set forth in the By-Laws of the Company,
(ii) holds a position of vice-president or above, or (iii) is otherwise treated
as an officer by the Company.

              (p)    "OPTION" means a nonstatutory stock option granted pursuant
to the Plan, that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

              (q)    "OPTION AGREEMENT" means an agreement between the Company
and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

              (r)    "OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM" means a program whereby
outstanding options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower
exercise price.

              (s)    "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option.

              (t)    "OPTIONEE" means the holder of an outstanding Option
granted under the Plan.

              (u)    "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

              (v)    "PLAN" means this 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan.

              (w)    "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

              (x)    "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

       3.     STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to the provisions of Section
12 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is five million five hundred thousand (5,500,000) Shares. 
The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.  

       4.     ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

              (a)    The Plan shall be administered by (i) the Board or (ii) a
Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. 

              (b)    POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.  Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties
delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:

                     (i)    to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock;

                     (ii)   to select the Employees (other than Officers and
Directors) to whom Options may be granted hereunder;

                     (iii)  to determine whether and to what extent Options are
granted hereunder;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                     (iv)   to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to
be covered by each Option granted hereunder;

                     (v)    to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;

                     (vi)   to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder.  Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

                     (vii)  to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the
then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was
granted;

                     (viii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                     (ix)   to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                     (x)    to modify or amend each Option (subject to 
Section 14(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend 
the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is 
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

                     (xi)   to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or previously
granted by the Administrator;

                     (xii)  to determine the terms and restrictions applicable
to Options; 

                     (xiii) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The Fair Market Value of the
Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is to be determined.  All elections by an Optionee to have Shares
withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions
as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

                     (xiv)  to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

              (c)    EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION.  The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

       5.     ELIGIBILITY.  Options may be granted hereunder only to Employees
and Consultants who are neither Officers nor Directors.

       6.     LIMITATION.  Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as an
Employee with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any
time, with or without cause.

       7.     TERM OF PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective upon July 17, 1998.
It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years, unless sooner terminated under
Section 14 of the Plan. 

       8.     TERM OF OPTION.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Option Agreement. 

       9.     OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.

              (a)    EXERCISE PRICE.  The per share exercise price for the
Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator.

              (b)    WAITING PERIOD AND EXERCISE DATES.  At the time an Option
is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may
be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before
the Option may be exercised.

              (c)    FORM OF CONSIDERATION.  The Administrator shall determine
the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the
method of payment.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:

                     (i)    cash;

                     (ii)   check;

                     (iii)  promissory note;

                     (iv)   other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which said Option shall be exercised;

                     (v)    consideration received by the Company under a
cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the
Plan;

                     (vi)   such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                     (vii)  any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

       10.    EXERCISE OF OPTION.

              (a)    PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.  Any 
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan
and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator
and set forth in the Option Agreement.  An Option may not be exercised for a 
fraction of a Share.

                     An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the
Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. 
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. 
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

                     Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

              (b)    TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP AS AN EMPLOYEE.  If an Optionee
ceases to be a an Employee, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability,
the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within such period of time
as is specified in the Option Agreement, and only to the extent that the Option
is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration
of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement).  If, on the
date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the
Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option
within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and
the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

              (c)    DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee ceases to be an
Employee as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option
Agreement, to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination,
including as to accelerated vesting as set forth in the Option Agreement (but in
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement).  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, 
and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

              (d)    DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee dies while an Employee,
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death, including
as to accelerated vesting as set forth in the Option Agreement.  If, at the time
of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the
Plan.  The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the
Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option
under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution.  If the Option
is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

              (e)    BUYOUT PROVISIONS.  The Administrator may at any time offer
to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted based
on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

       11.    NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  Unless determined otherwise by
the Administrator, an Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.  If the Administrator makes an Option
transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

       12.    CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION AND OWNERSHIP
       
              (a)    CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Subject to any required action
by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered
by each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration."  Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. 
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

              (b)    CHANGES IN CONTROL.  All obligations of the Company under
the Plan, with respect to Option granted thereunder, shall be binding on any
successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result
of a direct on indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

       13.    DATE OF GRANT.  The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. 
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a
reasonable time after the date of such grant.

       14.    AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

              (a)    AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.  

              (b)    EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  No amendment,
alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any
Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and
the Company.  Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's
ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to options
granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
       
       15.    CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.  

              (a)    LEGAL COMPLIANCE.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to
the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance
and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

              (b)    INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS.  As a condition to the exercise
of an Option the Company may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

       16.    INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY.  The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority
is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.

       17.    RESERVATION OF SHARES.  The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                                INFORMIX CORPORATION

                         1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


       Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.  NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

Optionee:

       As an inducement essential into your entering into an employment
agreement with the Company, you have been granted an option to purchase Common
Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this
Option Agreement, as follows:

       Grant Number                       

       Date of Grant                      

       Vesting Commencement Date                        

       Exercise Price per Share                  $      

       Total Number of Shares Granted

       Total Exercise Price                      $                        

       Type of Option:                           Nonstatutory Stock Option

       Term/Expiration Date:                     


       VESTING SCHEDULE:

       Subject to the Optionee continuing to be an Employee on such dates, this
Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the following
schedule:

       25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on each anniversary of
the date of grant.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

       TERMINATION PERIOD:

       This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be
an Employee.  Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option may be
exercised for such longer period as provided in the Plan.  In no event shall
this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II.    AGREEMENT

       1.     GRANT OF OPTION.  The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby
grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to
Section 14(b) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

       2.     EXERCISE OF OPTION.

              (a)    RIGHT TO EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable during its
term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and
the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

              (b)    METHOD OF EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable by delivery
of an exercise notice, in the form attached as EXHIBIT A (the "Exercise
Notice"), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised
Shares"), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by
the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise Notice shall
be completed by the Optionee and delivered to a member of the Stock Option
Administration Department of the Company.  The Exercise Notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised
Shares.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company
of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise
Price.

              No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws.  Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.

       3.     METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall
be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:
              (a)    cash;

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

              (b)    check;

              (c)    consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan.

       4.     NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION.  This Option may not be transferred
in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution
and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee.  The
terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

       5.     TERM OF OPTION.  This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

       6.     TAX CONSEQUENCES.  Some of the federal tax consequences relating
to this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below.  THIS
SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT
TO CHANGE.  THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS
OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

              (a)    EXERCISING THE OPTION.  The Optionee may incur regular
federal income tax liability upon exercise of an NSO.  The Optionee will be
treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax
rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price.  If the
Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time of exercise.

              (b)    DISPOSITION OF SHARES.  If the Optionee holds NSO Shares
for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

       7.     ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan is incorporated herein
by reference.  The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and
Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Optionee.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive
laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

       8.     NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.  OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY 
(AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR 
PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT 
THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING 
SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF 
CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, 
OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S 
RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS AN EMPLOYEE AT ANY TIME, WITH 
OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

       By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.  Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement.  Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.


OPTIONEE                                  INFORMIX CORPORATION



___________________________________       ______________________________________
Signature                                 By

____________________________________      ______________________________________
Print Name                                Title

____________________________________
Residence Address

____________________________________


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                      EXHIBIT A

                            1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                   EXERCISE NOTICE


Informix Corporation
4100 Bohannon Drive
Menlo Park, CA  94025

Attention: Stock Option Plan Administrator

       1.     EXERCISE OF OPTION.  Effective as of today, ___________, ______,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Informix Corporation (the "Company") under
and pursuant to the 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and the 
Stock Option Agreement dated ___________, ______ (the "Option Agreement").  The
purchase price for the Shares shall be $____________, as required by the Option
Agreement.
       
       2.     DELIVERY OF PAYMENT.  Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company
the full purchase price for the Shares.

       3.     REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser acknowledges that
Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement
and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

       4.     RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. 
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 12 of the
Plan.

       5.     TAX CONSULTATION.  Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares.  Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

<PAGE>

       6.     ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan and Option Agreement
are incorporated herein by reference.  This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is
governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of
California.


Submitted by:                             Accepted by:

PURCHASER                                 INFORMIX CORPORATION


__________________________________        _____________________________________
Signature                                 By

__________________________________        _____________________________________
Print Name                                Title


__________________________________
                                          Date Received


Address:                                  Address:       
                                          4100 Bohannon Drive
                                          Menlo Park, CA  94025



                                      -2-

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
    We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated March 2, 1998,
with respect to the financial statements of Informix Corporation included in the
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No.
333-43991) and related Prospectus of Informix Corporation for the registration
of 22,950,000 shares of its common stock.
    
 
    Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Informix
Corporation listed in Item 16(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
   
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
    
 
   
San Jose, California
August 13, 1998
    

<PAGE>
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.3
    
 
   
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
    
 
   
    KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that THE UNDERSIGNED hereby constitutes
and appoints Robert J. Finocchio, Jr. and Jean-Yves Dexmier and each one of
them, acting individually and without the other, as his attorney-in-fact, each
with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all post-effective amendments to the registration statement on Form S-1 of
Informix Corporation (file number 333-43991), and to sign any registration
statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to
be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file
the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
    
 
   
Dated: July 31, 1998
    
 
   
                                          /s/ GEORGE REYES
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          George Reyes
    


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