INACOM CORP
8-K, 1998-10-09
PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                                 October 8, 1998



                                  InaCom Corp.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                   0-16114                47-0681813
      (State or other             (Commission              (IRS Employer
      jurisdiction of            File Number)           Identification No.)
      incorporation)


               10810 Farnam Drive, Suite 200, Omaha Nebraska 68154
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



               Registrant's telephone number, including area code
                                 (402) 392-3900





<PAGE>



Item 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

         On October 8, 1998,  InaCom,  a Delaware  corporation  ("InaCom"),  and
Vanstar  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Vanstar"),  entered  into  an
Agreement  and Plan of Merger  (the  "Merger  Agreement")  by which  InaCom will
acquire Vanstar  through the merger of a wholly-owned  subsidiary of InaCom with
and into Vanstar. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,  Vanstar stockholders
will  receive .64 shares of InaCom  common  stock in exchange  for each share of
Vanstar  common  stock  held  by  them  upon  consummation  of the  merger.  The
transaction, which is subject to regulatory and stockholder approval, pooling of
interests  accounting  treatment and certain other customary closing conditions,
is expected to close during the fourth  quarter of 1998 or the first  quarter of
1999. The merger is intended to be a tax-free  exchange.  In connection with the
transaction,  InaCom has agreed to increase  the size of its Board of  Directors
from nine to 13 members,  with three of the  additional  members  designated  by
Vanstar from its current board and one of the additional  members  designated by
Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P.

         Warburg Pincus,  holder of 38% of the outstanding Vanstar common stock,
executed an agreement to vote its shares for approval of the Merger Agreement at
the special stockholders meeting of Vanstar to be held for that purpose.

         As inducements to enter into the Merger  Agreement,  (i) InaCom granted
Vanstar an option to purchase up to 19.9% of the shares of InaCom  common  stock
at an exercise  price of $17-3/8 per share and (ii)  Vanstar  granted  InaCom an
option to  purchase  up to 19.9% of the  shares of  Vanstar  common  stock at an
exercise  price of $9-1/8 per share.  Each option is  exercisable  following  an
acquisition  proposal  for the  issuing  company and the  occurrence  of certain
further triggering events, none of which has occurred as of the date hereof.

         The foregoing  description of the terms of the transaction is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Merger  Agreement,  the voting agreement and
the option agreements all of which are attached hereto as exhibits.

Item 7.        Exhibits.

         99.1.    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 9, 1998

         99.2     Voting Agreement dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.3     InaCom Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.4     Vanstar Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.5     Joint Press Release issued October 9, 1998



<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                         INACOM CORP.

October 9, 1998                      /s/ David C. Guenthner
                                     By:______________________
                                         David C. Guenthner
                                         Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>


                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS


      Exhibit                               Description

         99.1.    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.2     Voting Agreement dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.3     InaCom Stock Option Agreement dated as October 8, 1998

         99.4     Vanstar Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 8, 1998

         99.5     Joint Press Release issued October 9, 1998


<PAGE>








                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                      among

                                  INACOM CORP.,

                            INACOM ACQUISITION, INC.

                                       and

                               VANSTAR CORPORATION




                           Dated as of October 8, 1998



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
                                                                                                                PAGE
<S>                        <C>
ARTICLE I                  THE MERGER ............................................................................3

Section 1.1                The Merger ............................................................................3
Section 1.2                Closing ...............................................................................3
Section 1.3                Effective Time ........................................................................3
Section 1.4                Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws ..............................................3
Section 1.5                Directors and Officers ................................................................4

ARTICLE II                 CONVERSION OF SHARES ..................................................................4

Section 2.1                Conversion of Shares ..................................................................4
Section 2.2                Exchange Procedures ...................................................................5
Section 2.3                Dividends; Transfer Taxes; Withholding ................................................6
Section 2.4                Fractional Shares .....................................................................7
Section 2.5                Undistributed Parent Common Stock .....................................................7
Section 2.6                Options................................................................................7
Section 2.7                Closing of Transfer Books .............................................................8
Section 2.8                Further Assurances ....................................................................9

ARTICLE III                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                           THE COMPANY ...........................................................................9

Section 3.1                Organization and Good Standing ........................................................9
Section 3.2                Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws .............................................11
Section 3.3                Capitalization .......................................................................11
Section 3.4                Company Subsidiaries .................................................................12
Section 3.5                Corporate Authority ..................................................................13
Section 3.6                Compliance with Applicable Law .......................................................14
Section 3.7                Non-Contravention ....................................................................14
Section 3.8                Government Approvals; Required Consents ..............................................15
Section 3.9                SEC Documents and Other Reports ......................................................15
Section 3.10               Absence of Certain Changes or Events .................................................16
Section 3.11               Actions and Proceedings ..............................................................17
Section 3.12               Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities ...................................................17
Section 3.13               Certain Contracts and Arrangements ...................................................17
Section 3.14               Taxes ................................................................................18
Section 3.15               Patents, Trademarks and Similar Rights ...............................................21
Section 3.16               Information in Disclosure Documents and Registration
                           Statement ............................................................................22
Section 3.17               Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA ........................................................22
Section 3.18               Environmental Matters ................................................................24
Section 3.19               Labor Matters ........................................................................25
Section 3.20               Affiliate Transactions ...............................................................25
Section 3.21               Opinion of Financial Advisor .........................................................25
Section 3.22               Brokers ..............................................................................26
Section 3.23               Pooling...............................................................................26
Section 3.24               Insurance Risk Management.............................................................26
Section 3.25               Computer Software and Databases.......................................................26


ARTICLE IV                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                           PARENT AND MERGER SUB ................................................................27

Section 4.1                Organization and Good Standing .......................................................27
Section 4.2                Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws .............................................28
Section 4.3                Capitalization .......................................................................29
Section 4.4                Parent Subsidiaries...................................................................30
Section 4.5                Corporate Authority ..................................................................30
Section 4.6                Compliance with Applicable Law........................................................31
Section 4.7                Non-contravention ....................................................................32
Section 4.8                Government Approvals; Required Consents ..............................................32
Section 4.9                SEC Documents and Other Reports ......................................................33
Section 4.10               Absence of Certain Changes or Events .................................................33
Section 4.11               Actions and Proceedings...............................................................34
Section 4.12               Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities....................................................34
Section 4.13               Certain Contracts and Arrangements....................................................35
Section 4.14               Taxes.................................................................................36
Section 4.15               Patents, Trademarks and Similar Rights................................................38
Section 4.16               Information in Disclosure Documents and Registration
                           Statement ............................................................................39
Section 4.17               Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.........................................................39
Section 4.18               Environmental Matters.................................................................41
Section 4.19               Labor Matters.........................................................................42
Section 4.20               Affiliate Transactions................................................................42
Section 4.21               Opinion of Financial Advisor..........................................................42
Section 4.22               Brokers...............................................................................42
Section 4.23               Pooling...............................................................................42
Section 4.24               Insurance; Risk Management............................................................43
Section 4.25               Computer Software and Databases.......................................................43
Section 4.26               Interim Operations of Sub.............................................................43

ARTICLE V                  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER ...............................................43

Section 5.1                Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger ................................43

ARTICLE VI                 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS ................................................................47

Section 6.1                Access and Information ...............................................................47
Section 6.2                No Solicitation ......................................................................48
Section 6.3                Third-Party Standstill Agreements ....................................................50
Section 6.4                Joint Proxy Statements; Shareholder Approval .........................................50
Section 6.5                Affiliate Agreements .................................................................52
Section 6.6                Reasonable Best Efforts ..............................................................53
Section 6.7                Public Announcements .................................................................54
Section 6.8                Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and Insurance ...............................54
Section 6.9                Expenses .............................................................................55
Section 6.10               Listing Application ..................................................................55
Section 6.11               [This Section intentionally left blank] ..............................................56
Section 6.12               Pooling of Interests..................................................................56
Section 6.13               Parent Board of Directors.............................................................56
Section 6.14               Letter of the Company's Accountants...................................................56
Section 6.15               Letter of Parent's Accountants........................................................56
Section 6.16               Treatment of Trust Convertible Preferred Securities
                           and Convertible Debentures............................................................57
Section 6.17               Notification of Certain Matters.......................................................57
Section 6.18               Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment.....................................................57
Section 6.19               Company Employee Benefits.............................................................58
Section 6.20               Schedules.............................................................................58

ARTICLE VII                CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER .............................................59

Section 7.1                Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger ...........................59
Section 7.2                Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to
                           Effect the Merger ....................................................................60
Section 7.3                Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the
                           Merger ...............................................................................61

ARTICLE VIII               TERMINATION ..........................................................................62

Section 8.1                Termination ..........................................................................62
Section 8.2                Effect of Termination ................................................................64

ARTICLE IX                 GENERAL PROVISIONS ...................................................................67

Section 9.1                Amendment and Modifications ..........................................................67
Section 9.2                Waiver ...............................................................................67
Section 9.3                Survivability; Investigations ........................................................67
Section 9.4                Notices ..............................................................................67
Section 9.5                Descriptive Headings; Interpretations ................................................69
Section 9.6                Entire Agreement .....................................................................69
Section 9.7                Governing Law ........................................................................69
Section 9.8                Enforcement ..........................................................................69
Section 9.9                Counterparts .........................................................................70
Section 9.10               Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries ................................................70


Exhibit "A"                Parent Stock Voting Agreement
Exhibit "B"                Company Stock Voting Agreement
Exhibit "C-1"              Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit "C-2"              Company Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit "D"                Form of Company Affiliate Letter
Exhibit "E"                Form of Parent Affiliate Letter
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS



"accumulated  funding  deficiency" has the meaning specified in Sections 3.17(a)
and 4.17(a).

"Acquisition Proposal" has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(c).

"Acquisition Transaction" has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a)(i).

"Affiliate" has the meaning specified in Section 6.5.

"Affiliate Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section 6.5.

"Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger.

"Applicable Law" has the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

"Benefit Plans" has the meaning specified in Sections 3.17(a) and 4.17(a).

"Certificate of Merger" has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

"Certificate Amendment" has the meaning specified in Recital (b).

"Certificates" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(d).

"Class A Preferred Stock" has the meaning specified in Section 4.3(a).

"Closing" has the meaning specified in Section 1.2.

"Closing Date" has the meaning specified in Section 1.2.

"COBRA" has the meaning specified in Section 3.17(c).

"Code" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"Company" shall mean Vanstar Corporation.

"Company 10-K" has the meaning specified in Section 3.12.

"Company Affiliate Group" has the meaning specified in Section 3.14(b).

"Company Affiliate Period" has the meaning specified in Section 3.14(b).

"Company's Assets" has the meaning specified in Section 3.18.

"Company Balance Sheet" has the meaning specified in Section 3.14(b).

"Company Common Stock" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

"Company Disclosure Schedule" has the meaning specified in Article III.

"Company  Intellectual  Property  Rights" has the meaning  specified  in Section
3.15(a).

"Company Material Adverse Effect" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.

"Company Permits" has the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

"Company Plan" has the meaning specified in Section 3.17(a).

"Company Proxy Statement" has the meaning specified in Section 6.4(b)(iii).

"Company SEC Documents" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9(a).

"Company Shareholder Meeting" has the meaning specified in Section 6.4(b)(i).

"Company Stock Voting Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

"Company Third Party Intellectual  Property Rights" has the meaning specified in
Section 3.15(b).

"Confidentiality Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a).

"Consent" has the meaning specified in Section 6.6(b).

"Convertible Debentures" has the meaning specified in Section 6.16.

"Contract" has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

"CSFB" shall mean Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation.

"D&O Insurance" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8(b).

"DGCL" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"DOJ" has the meaning specified in Section 6.6(d).

"Effective Time" has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

"ERISA" has the meaning specified in Section 3.17(a).

"Exchange Act" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8.

"Exchange Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).

"Exchange Ratio" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

"FTC" has the meaning specified in Section 6.6(d).

"G&H" shall mean Gregory & Hoenemeyer.

"GAAP" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9(a).

"Governmental Entity" has the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

"HSR Act" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8.

"Indemnified Parties" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8(a).

"Indenture" has the meaning specified in Section 6.16.

"Joint Proxy Statement" has the meaning specified in Section 6.4(c).

"JPM" shall mean JP Morgan Securities, Inc.

"Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 3.4.

"Meeting Date" has the meaning specified in Section 8.1(d).

"Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"Merger Sub" shall mean InaCom Acquisition, Inc.

"Merger Sub Common Stock" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(b).

"Multiemployer Plan" has the meaning specified in Section 3.17(b).

"Option Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

"Option Amendment" has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(b).

"Option Plans" has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(a).

"Options" has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(a).

"Parent" shall mean InaCom Corp.

"Parent 10-K" has the meaning specified in Section 4.12.

"Parent Affiliate Group" has the meaning specified in Section 4.14(a).

"Parent Affiliate Period" has the meaning specified in Section 4.14(a).

"Parent Assets" has the meaning specified in Section 4.18(a).

"Parent Balance Sheet" has the meaning specified in Section 4.14(a).

"Parent Common Stock" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

"Parent Disclosure Schedule" has the meaning specified in Article IV.

"Parent  Intellectual  Property  Rights"  has the meaning  specified  in Section
4.15(a).

"Parent Material Adverse Effect" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1.

"Parent Permits" has the meaning specified in Section 4.6.

"Parent Plan" has the meaning specified in Section 4.17(a).

"Parent Proxy Statement" has the meaning specified in Section 6.4(iii).

"Parent SEC Documents" has the meaning specified in Section 4.9.

"Parent Shareholder Meeting" has the meaning specified in Section 6.4(i).

"Parent Stock Voting Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

"Parent Third Party  Intellectual  Property Rights" has the meaning specified in
Section 4.15(b).

"Payment Party" has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(j).

"pension plan" has the meaning specified in Sections 3.17(a) and 4.17(a).

"person" has the meaning specified in Section 9.5.

"Registration Statement" has the meaning specified in Section 3.16.

"reportable event" has the meaning specified in Sections 3.17(a) and 4.17(a).

"Restraints" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(e).

"Rule 145" has the meaning specified in Section 6.5.

"SEC" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8.

"Securities Act" has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(b).

"Shares" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

"Subsequent Company SEC Documents" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9(a).

"Subsequent Parent SEC Documents" has the meaning specified in Section 4.7.

"Subsidiary" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.

"Superior Proposal" has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(b).

"Surviving Corporation" has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.

"Tax Returns" has the meaning specified in Section 3.14.

"Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 3.14.

"welfare plan" has the meaning specified in Sections 3.17(a) and 4.17(a).

"Year 2000 Complaint" has the meaning specified in Section 3.25(a).




<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


         AGREEMENT  AND  PLAN OF  MERGER,  dated  as of  October  8,  1998  (the
"Agreement"),  by and among INACOM  CORP.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Parent"),
INACOM ACQUISITION,  INC., a Delaware corporation and newly formed, wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger  Sub"),  and VANSTAR  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").


RECITALS:

         (a)               The parties hereto desire to effect a  reorganization
                           pursuant  to which  Merger  Sub will  merge  into the
                           Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving
                           corporation (the "Merger");

         (b)               The Board of Directors of Parent,  Merger Sub and the
                           Company have each  approved  this  Agreement  and the
                           transactions   contemplated   by  this  Agreement  in
                           accordance   with  the  provisions  of  the  Delaware
                           General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"),  each of Merger
                           Sub and the  Company  has  resolved,  subject  to the
                           terms of this Agreement, to recommend the adoption of
                           this  Agreement  and  approval  of  the  transactions
                           contemplated herein by its shareholders in accordance
                           with the DGCL and Parent has resolved, subject to the
                           terms of this Agreement, to recommend approval of the
                           amendment  to its  Certificate  of  Incorporation  to
                           increase  the number of  authorized  shares of Parent
                           Common Stock (the  "Certificate  Amendment")  and the
                           issuance  of the  shares  of Parent  Common  Stock in
                           connection  with the  Merger in  accordance  with the
                           DGCL and the  rules and  regulations  of the New York
                           Stock Exchange;

         (c)               The  parties  hereto  intend  that  the  Merger  will
                           qualify as a nontaxable  reorganization under Section
                           368(a)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as
                           amended (the "Code"), and the regulations promulgated
                           thereto,  and that this  Agreement  shall be,  and is
                           hereby,  adopted  as a  plan  of  reorganization  for
                           purposes of Section 368 of the Code;

         (d)               As condition  and an  inducement to Parent and Merger
                           Sub entering  into this  Agreement  and incurring the
                           obligations set forth herein,  concurrently  with the
                           execution and delivery of this  Agreement,  Parent is
                           entering into a Stock Voting  Agreement  with certain
                           shareholders of the Company,  who own an aggregate of
                           approximately  45%  of  the  outstanding   shares  of
                           Company Common Stock (as hereinafter defined), in the
                           form of Exhibit "A" hereto (the "Parent  Stock Voting
                           Agreement");

         (e)               As  condition   and  an  inducement  to  the  Company
                           entering  into  this   Agreement  and  incurring  the
                           obligations set forth herein,  concurrently  with the
                           execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company
                           is  entering  into  a  Stock  Voting  Agreement  with
                           certain  shareholders of Parent, who own an aggregate
                           of  approximately  2% of the  outstanding  shares  of
                           Parent  Common Stock (as hereunder  defined),  in the
                           form of Exhibit "B" hereto (the "Company Stock Voting
                           Agreement");

         (f)               Concurrently  with the execution and delivery of this
                           Agreement and as a condition  and  inducement to each
                           of Parent's and the  Company's  willingness  to enter
                           into  this  Agreement,  Parent  and the  Company  are
                           entering into (a) a Stock Option  Agreement  dated as
                           of the  date  of  this  Agreement  and  in  the  form
                           attached  hereto as Exhibit "C-1",  pursuant to which
                           the  Company  grants to Parent an option to  purchase
                           shares of common stock of the Company  under  certain
                           circumstances  and (b) a Stock Option Agreement dated
                           as of the  date of  this  Agreement  and in the  form
                           attached  hereto as Exhibit "C-2",  pursuant to which
                           Parent  grants  the  Company  an option  to  purchase
                           shares  of  common  stock  of  Parent  under  certain
                           circumstances (collectively, the "Option Agreement");
                           and

         (g)               The parties intend that the transactions contemplated
                           herein   qualify  for   treatment  as  a  pooling  of
                           interests pursuant to APB Opinion No. 16.


AGREEMENT:

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements  set forth herein,  the
parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

         Section  1.1 The Merger.  Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
contained in this  Agreement,  and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective
Time (as  hereinafter  defined),  Merger  Sub shall be merged  with and into the
Company,  the separate corporate  existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease,
and  the  Company  shall  continue  as  the  surviving  corporation   (sometimes
hereinafter  referred to as the "Surviving  Corporation") and shall continue its
corporate  existence under the laws of the State of Delaware,  and in accordance
with Section 259 of the DGCL, all of the rights, privileges, powers, immunities,
purposes  and  franchises  of  Merger  Sub and  the  Company  shall  vest in the
Surviving Corporation and all of the debts, liabilities,  obligations and duties
of Merger Sub and the Company shall become the debts,  liabilities,  obligations
and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

         Section  1.2  Closing.  Subject  to the  terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  the closing of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement (the
"Closing")  shall take place at the offices of McGrath,  North,  Mullin & Kratz,
P.C., 222 South Fifteenth  Street,  One Central Park Plaza,  Suite 1400,  Omaha,
Nebraska, at 10:00 a.m., local time, as promptly as practicable after all of the
conditions  set forth in Article  VII are  satisfied  or waived or on such other
date and at such other time and place as Parent and the Company shall agree (the
date on which  the  Closing  actually  occurs  being  referred  to herein as the
"Closing Date").

         Section 1.3 Effective  Time.  The Merger shall become  effective at the
time of filing  of, or at such  later  time as is agreed to by the  parties  and
specified in, a properly  executed  certificate of merger (the  "Certificate  of
Merger"),  in the form  required by and  executed in  accordance  with the DGCL,
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,  in accordance  with
the provisions of the DGCL. Such filing shall be made contemporaneously with, or
immediately after, the Closing. When used in this Agreement, the term "Effective
Time" shall mean the date and time at which the Merger shall become effective.

         Section 1.4 Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-Laws.  From and after
the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect
immediately   prior  to  the  Effective   Time  shall  be  the   Certificate  of
Incorporation  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  until  thereafter   amended  in
accordance  with  Applicable Law (as  hereinafter  defined).  From and after the
Effective  Time, the By-Laws of the Company in effect  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time  shall  be  the  By-Laws  of  the  Surviving  Corporation  until
thereafter amended in accordance with Applicable Law.

         Section 1.5 Directors and Officers.  From and after the Effective Time,
the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become
the  directors  of the  Surviving  Corporation  and shall hold  office  from the
Effective Time until their  respective  successors are duly elected or appointed
and qualified in the manner  provided in the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or
By-Laws of the  Surviving  Corporation  or as  otherwise  provided  by law.  The
officers of the Company at the  Effective  Time shall become the officers of the
Surviving  Corporation and shall hold office from the Effective Time until their
respective  successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in the manner
provided  in the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  By-Laws  of the  Surviving
Corporation or as otherwise provided by law.


                                   ARTICLE II

                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

         Section 2.1    Conversion of Shares.  At the Effective  Time, by virtue
of the Merger and  without any action on the part of any holder of any shares of
Company  Common  Stock (as  defined  herein) or any  shares of capital  stock of
Merger Sub:

         (a) Each  share of  Common  Stock,  par value  $0.001  per share of the
Company ("Company Common Stock" or "Shares") issued and outstanding  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time  (other than  Shares to be  cancelled  pursuant to
Section  2.1(c)  hereof) shall be converted into the right to receive .64 shares
of validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of Common Stock,  par
value $0.10 per share of Parent ("Parent Common Stock") (the "Exchange Ratio").

         (b) Each share of common stock, par value $1.00, of Merger Sub ("Merger
Sub Common Stock")  issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into one duly issued, validly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation.

         (c) All Shares that are owned by the Company as treasury  stock and any
Shares that are owned by Parent or Merger Sub shall  automatically  be cancelled
and shall cease to exist and no consideration  shall be delivered or deliverable
in exchange therefor.

         (d) All Shares converted  pursuant to Section 2.1(a) shall no longer be
outstanding  and shall  automatically  be cancelled and shall cease to exist and
each holder of a  certificate  which  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
represented such outstanding shares (the "Certificates") shall cease to have any
rights  as  shareholders  of the  Company,  except  the  right  to  receive  the
consideration set forth in Section 2.1(a) for each such Share.

         Section 2.2   Exchange Procedures.

         (a) Parent shall  designate a bank or trust  company to act as Exchange
Agent  hereunder (the  "Exchange  Agent").  Immediately  following the Effective
Time, Parent shall deliver,  in trust, to the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of
the holders of  Certificates,  for exchange in  accordance  with this Article II
through the Exchange Agent,  certificates evidencing the shares of Parent Common
Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.1(a) in exchange for outstanding Shares and
cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.4.

         (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause
the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of  Certificates  (i) a form
of letter of transmittal (in customary  form)  specifying that delivery shall be
effected,  and risk of loss and title to the Certificates  shall pass, only upon
proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and (ii)  instructions
for use in  surrendering  such  Certificates  in exchange for the Parent  Common
Stock.  Upon surrender of a Certificate for  cancellation to the Exchange Agent,
together  with such letter of  transmittal,  duly  executed,  the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (A) that number of
shares of  Parent  Common  Stock  equal to the  product  of the  Exchange  Ratio
multiplied  by the  number of Shares  formerly  represented  by the  surrendered
Certificate, (B) cash in lieu of fractional shares, and (C) any amounts to which
the holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof after giving effect to any
required tax withholdings and the Certificate so surrendered  shall forthwith be
cancelled.  Until  surrendered  as  contemplated  by this Section  2.2(b),  each
Certificate  (other  than  certificates  representing  shares  to  be  cancelled
pursuant to Section  2.1(c) hereof) shall be deemed from and after the Effective
Time to  represent  only the right to  receive  upon such  surrender  the Parent
Common  Stock  issuable  pursuant to the Merger (and cash in lieu of  fractional
shares thereof) contemplated by this Agreement.  In no event shall the holder of
any such surrendered  Certificate be entitled to receive interest on any cash to
be received in connection  with the Merger.  Neither the Exchange  Agent nor any
party  hereto  shall be liable to a holder of Shares  for any  amount  paid to a
public  official as required by any applicable  abandoned  property,  escheat or
similar law.

         (c) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,  upon
the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such  Certificate
to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent,  the posting by such
person of a bond, in such reasonable and customary  amount as Parent may direct,
as indemnity  against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Certificate,  the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed  Certificate  the  number of shares of Parent  Common  Stock  issuable
pursuant  to the  Merger  (and  cash  in  lieu  of  fractional  shares  thereof)
contemplated by this Agreement.

         Section 2.3 Dividends;  Transfer  Taxes;  Withholding.  No dividends or
other distributions that are payable to holders of record of Parent Common Stock
on or after the Effective  Time,  shall be paid to any person entitled by reason
of the Merger to receive certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock
(and no such person shall be paid cash in lieu of a  fractional  share of Parent
Common Stock),  until such person shall have surrendered its  Certificate(s)  as
provided in Section 2.2 hereof.  Subject to applicable  law, there shall be paid
to each person receiving a certificate representing such shares of Parent Common
Stock, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of any cash payable in lieu
of a  fractional  share of Parent  Common Stock to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to Section 2.4 and the amount of dividends or other  distributions with
a record date after the  Effective  Time  theretofore  paid with respect to such
whole shares of Parent Common Stock,  and (ii) at the appropriate  payment date,
the amount of  dividends  or other  distributions  with a record  date after the
Effective Time but prior to surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender
payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent  Common  Stock.  In no event
shall the person  entitled to receive such dividends or other  distributions  be
entitled to receive  interest on such dividends or other  distributions.  If any
cash or certificate  representing shares of Parent Common Stock is to be paid to
or issued in a name  other  than that in which the  Certificate  surrendered  in
exchange  therefor is registered,  it shall be a condition of such exchange that
the  Certificate  so  surrendered  shall be properly  endorsed and  otherwise in
proper form for transfer and that the person  requesting such exchange shall pay
to the  Exchange  Agent any  transfer or other  taxes  required by reason of the
issuance of such certificate  representing shares of Parent Common Stock and the
distribution  of such cash  payment in a name other than that of the  registered
holder of the Certificate so  surrendered,  or shall establish to the reasonable
satisfaction  of the  Exchange  Agent  that  such  tax has  been  paid or is not
applicable.  Parent or the  Exchange  Agent  shall be  entitled  to  deduct  and
withhold from the consideration  otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to
any holder of Company  Common Stock such amounts as Parent or the Exchange Agent
are  required to deduct and withhold  under the Code or any  provision of state,
local or foreign tax law,  with  respect to the making of such  payment.  To the
extent  that  amounts  are so withheld  by Parent or the  Exchange  Agent,  such
withheld  amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this  Agreement as having
been paid to the  holder of the  Company  Common  Stock in  respect of whom such
deduction and withholding were made by Parent or the Exchange Agent.

         Section 2.4 Fractional  Shares.  No certificates or scrip  representing
fractional  shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for
exchange of  Certificates,  no dividend or  distribution  with respect to shares
shall be payable on or with respect to any fractional  share and such fractional
share  interests  shall not  entitle  the owner  thereof to vote or to any other
rights  of a  stockholder  of  Parent.  In lieu  thereof  each  holder of Shares
otherwise  entitled to a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock shall,  upon
surrender of his or her Certificate or  Certificates,  be entitled to receive an
amount of cash (without  interest)  determined by multiplying the average of the
closing price per share on the NYSE Composite Transactions List (as reprinted by
The Wall Street  Journal) for the ten (10) full trading days ending on the fifth
(5th) full trading day  preceding  the Effective  Time by the  fractional  share
interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.

         Section  2.5  Undistributed  Parent  Common  Stock.  Any portion of the
certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon conversion
of Company Common Stock  pursuant to Section  2.1(a)  hereof,  together with any
dividends or  distributions  payable in respect thereof  pursuant to Section 2.3
hereof and any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.4
hereof,  which remains  undistributed  to the former  holders of Company  Common
Stock for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon
its request, and any such former holders who have not theretofore surrendered to
the Exchange Agent their  certificates  in compliance with this Article II shall
thereafter  look only to Parent for  payment of their  claim for such  shares of
Parent  Common  Stock and any  dividends or  distributions  with respect to such
shares of Parent  Common  Stock or cash in lieu of  fractional  shares  (in each
case, without interest thereon).

         Section 2.6                Options.

         (a) Options to purchase Shares (collectively  "Options") granted by the
Company  under the  Company's  1988 Stock  Option Plan,  as amended,  1993 Stock
Option/Stock  Issuance  Plan, as amended,  or 1996 Stock  Option/Stock  Issuance
Plan, as amended  (collectively,  the "Option Plans"),  that remain  outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not then exercisable, shall,
by  virtue of the  Merger  and  without  any  action  on the part of the  holder
thereof,  be assumed by Parent and converted so as to entitle the holder thereof
to subscribe to,  purchase or acquire from Parent the number of shares of Parent
Common Stock which equals the product of the Exchange  Ratio times the number of
shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Options  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time (rounded to the nearest whole share),  at an exercise  price per
share of Parent  Common Stock equal to the  exercise  price per share of Company
Common Stock then  specified with respect to such Option divided by the Exchange
Ratio (rounded to the nearest whole cent);  provided,  however,  in the event of
any Option Plan which is an incentive  stock option as defined in Section 422 of
the Code the aggregate  adjusted exercise price of such Option and the number of
shares to which such Option is  exercisable  shall be computed in  compliance in
all respects with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code,  including the
requirements  that such  adjustments  not confer on the holder of any Option any
additional  benefits not currently  provided  under the Option  Plans.  Material
terms and  provisions of each Option as assumed and converted by Parent shall be
at least as favorable to the holder  thereof as the terms and  conditions of the
Option existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that there shall
be  substituted  the  appropriate  number of shares of Parent  Common  Stock for
Company  Common  Stock  at the  appropriate  exercise  prices  described  above,
effective  as of the  Effective  Time.  As  promptly  as  practicable  after the
Effective  Time,  Parent  shall  issue to each  holder  of an  Option a  written
instrument evidencing its assumption by Parent.

         (b)  The  Parent  and the  Company  shall  take  all  corporate  action
necessary to  effectuate  the  assumption  and  conversion of the Options as set
forth in subpart  (a) above,  and the Parent  shall take all  corporate  actions
necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common
Stock for  delivery  thereunder,  assumed in  accordance  with this Section 2.6.
Within  fifteen  (15) days after the  Effective  Time,  the Parent  shall file a
Registration  Statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form) under the Securities
Act of 1933,  as amended  (the  "Securities  Act") with respect to all shares of
Parent Common Stock subject to Options that may be registered on a Form S-8, and
shall use commercially  reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement for so long as such Options remain outstanding.

         (c) The  provisions  of this  Section  2.6 are  intended  to be for the
benefit  of, and shall be  enforceable  by,  each  holder of  Options,  and such
holder's  heirs  and  personal  representatives  and shall be  binding  upon all
successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and Parent.

         Section 2.7 Closing of Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock
transfer  books of the  Company  shall be closed  and no  transfer  of shares of
Company  Common Stock shall  thereafter be made.  If, after the Effective  Time,
Certificates  are presented to Parent,  they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
provided in this Article II.

         Section 2.8  Further  Assurances.  If, at any time after the  Effective
Time,  Parent  shall  consider  or be  advised  that any  deeds,  bills of sale,
assignments,  assurances  or any  other  actions  or  things  are  necessary  or
desirable to vest,  perfect or confirm of record or  otherwise in the  Surviving
Corporation  its right,  title or  interest  in, to or under any of the  rights,
properties or assets of the Company  acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving
Corporation  as a result of, or in connection  with,  the Merger or otherwise to
carry out this  Agreement,  the officers of the Surviving  Corporation  shall be
authorized  to execute and deliver,  in the name and on behalf of the Company or
otherwise, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take
and do all such other  actions and things as may be  necessary  or  desirable to
vest,  perfect or confirm any and all right,  title and interest in, to or under
such rights,  properties or assets in the Surviving  Corporation or otherwise to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE III

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The  Company  represents  and  warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as set
forth below.  Such  representations  and  warranties are made subject to certain
exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule dated
as of the date hereof and delivered as a separate  document and  incorporated in
this  Agreement  by  reference   (the  "Company   Disclosure   Schedule").   The
representation(s)   and   warranty(ies)   to  which  each  such   exception   or
qualification  relates is (are) specifically  identified (by  cross-reference or
otherwise) in the Company  Disclosure  Schedule unless the applicability of such
exception is reasonably apparent on its face.

         Section  3.1  Organization   and  Good  Standing.   The  Company  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has the  corporate  power and authority to carry on
its business as it is now being  conducted.  The Company is duly  qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
where the character of its properties owned or held under lease or the nature of
its activities makes such qualification  necessary,  except where the failure to
be so qualified or in good standing  would not have a material  adverse  effect,
individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  on  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial
condition, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole,  or the ability of the Company to  consummate  the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  (a  "Company  Material  Adverse
Effect") provided, however, that (i) any adverse change, event or effect that is
demonstrated  to be primarily  caused by conditions  affecting the United States
economy  generally  that is  material  to the  business  of the  Company and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  shall not be taken into account in determining
whether  there has been or would be a "Company  Material  Adverse  Effect" on or
with  respect to the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  (ii) any
adverse change,  event or effect that is demonstrated to be primarily  caused by
conditions  generally affecting the computer products or services industry shall
not be taken into account in  determining  whether  there has been or would be a
"Company  Material  Adverse  Effect" on or with  respect to the  Company and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  (iii) any adverse change in the stock price or
trading  volume of the  Company  Common  Stock as  quoted on the New York  Stock
Exchange,  in and of  itself,  shall not be taken into  account  in  determining
whether  there has been or would be a "Company  Material  Adverse  Effect" on or
with  respect to the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  (iv) any
failure by the  Company to meet the revenue or  earnings  predictions  of equity
analysts or any other revenue or earnings  predictions or expectations,  for any
period ending (or for which  earnings are released) on or after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing  Date,  in and of itself,  shall not be taken
into  account  in  determining  whether  there  has been or would be a  "Company
Material  Adverse Effect" on or with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole,  (v) any adverse change arising  primarily out of or resulting
primarily  from  actions  taken by the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
connection  with  (but not in breach  of) this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereunder,  or which is primarily attributable to the announcement
of this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby (including,  without
limitation,   employee   attrition  or  any  loss  of  business  resulting  from
termination  or  modification   of  any  vendor,   customer  or  other  business
relationships,  or otherwise)  shall not,  other than to the extent such adverse
changes result from the breach by the Company of its  obligations  under Section
5.1, be taken into account in  determining  whether there has been or would be a
"Company  Material  Adverse  Effect" on or with  respect to the  Company and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as whole,  and (vi) any  litigation or threat of litigation
challenging  any of the  transactions  contemplated  herein  or any  shareholder
litigation or threat of shareholder  litigation  resulting from the Agreement or
the transactions  contemplated  herein shall not be a "Company  Material Adverse
Effect"  on or with  respect to the  Company  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole.  As used in this  Agreement,  a "Subsidiary"  of any person means another
person  owned  directly  or  indirectly  by such person by reason of such person
owning or controlling an amount of the voting securities, other voting ownership
or voting  partnership  interests of another person which is sufficient to elect
at least a majority of its Board of Directors or other governing body of another
person or, if there are no such  voting  interests,  at least a majority  of the
equity interests of another person.

         Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. True, correct and
complete  copies of the Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-laws or equivalent
organizational  documents,  each as amended to date,  of the  Company  have been
delivered to Parent.  The Certificate of  Incorporation,  By-laws and equivalent
organizational documents of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in full
force  and  effect.  Neither  the  Company  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  is in
violation  of any  provision of its  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  By-laws or
equivalent organizational documents.

         Section 3.3                Capitalization.

         (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000
shares of Common Stock $0.001 par value. As of August 31, 1998 43,563,243 shares
of Company Common Stock were issued and  outstanding  and no shares were held in
the treasury of the Company.  Since August 31, 1998, the Company has not, except
as set forth in  Section  3.3 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  issued any
shares of capital  stock,  any security  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for
shares of such capital stock,  including any Option,  other than the issuance of
shares of Company  Common Stock upon the exercise of Options.  All of the issued
and  outstanding  Shares  have  been  validly  issued,  and are  fully  paid and
nonassessable,  and are not subject to preemptive rights. As of August 31, 1998,
the Company did not have any outstanding stock  appreciation  rights,  and since
such date,  the  Company  has not issued any stock  appreciation  rights.  As of
August 31,  1998,  the Company had  granted and there were  outstanding  Options
entitling  the holders  thereof to purchase,  acquire or receive an aggregate of
6,095,134 shares of the Company Common Stock.

         (b) Except as described  in Section  3.3(a)  hereof,  and except as set
forth in  Section  3.3 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule:  (i)  there are no
options,  warrants or other rights (including registration rights),  agreements,
arrangements  or commitments of any character to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  is a party  relating  to the issued or unissued  capital  stock or
other equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  requiring the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to grant,  issue or sell any shares of the
capital  stock  or  other  equity  interests  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries;  (ii) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has any obligation,
contingent or otherwise,  to repurchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
of  the  capital  stock  or  other  equity  interests  of  the  Company  or  its
Subsidiaries or to provide funds to or make any material investment (in the form
of a loan,  capital  contribution  or otherwise)  in any such  Subsidiary or any
other  entity  other than  guarantees  of bank  obligations  entered into in the
ordinary  course  of  business;  (iii)  neither  the  Company  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  directly  or  indirectly,  owns,  or has  agreed to  purchase  or
otherwise  acquire,  the  capital  stock or other  equity  interests  of, or any
interest  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such capital stock
or such equity  interests,  of any  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture or
other entity which would be material in value to the Company; and (iv) there are
no voting trusts,  proxies or other agreements or  understandings to or by which
the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or is bound with  respect to
the voting of any  shares of  capital  stock or other  equity  interests  of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

         Section 3.4 Company Subsidiaries. Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a list of each Subsidiary of the Company. Each Subsidiary of
the  Company is a  corporation,  partnership  or other  entity  duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is recognized
in such  jurisdiction)  under the laws of its  jurisdiction of  incorporation or
organization.  Each  Subsidiary  of the  Company  has the  corporate  power  and
authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary
of the  Company  is duly  qualified  as a foreign  corporation  or  organization
authorized  to do business,  and is in good standing (to the extent such concept
is recognized in such jurisdiction), in each jurisdiction where the character of
its properties  owned or held under lease or the nature of its activities  makes
such qualification necessary,  except where the failure to be so qualified or in
good  standing  would  not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Company
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except as set forth in  Section  3.4 of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  all of the  outstanding  shares of capital stock or other
equity interests in each of the Company's Subsidiaries have been validly issued,
and are fully  paid,  nonassessable  and are  owned by the  Company  or  another
Subsidiary of the Company free and clear of all pledges, claims, options, liens,
charges,  encumbrances and security  interests of any kind or nature  whatsoever
(collectively,  "Liens"),  and are not subject to preemptive rights.  Other than
the  Subsidiaries,  neither  the  Company nor any  Subsidiary  has any  material
(individually  or in the  aggregate)  investment  in  any  other  entity  or any
material (individually or in the aggregate) investment in any partnership, joint
venture or similar  entity,  except as  disclosed  in Section 3.4 of the Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  all of which  investments are owned free and clear of all
Liens.  Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a list of all
individuals  and entities  (other than the Company) that own shares or interests
in any Subsidiary or in any entity, partnership, joint venture or similar entity
in which the Company owns shares or has an investment.




<PAGE>


         Section 3.5                Corporate Authority.

         (a) The Company has the  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to
execute and deliver this Agreement,  the Company Stock Voting  Agreement and the
Option Agreement and, in the case of this Agreement,  subject to the adoption of
the Agreement by the Company's  shareholders,  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the Company
Stock  Voting  Agreement  and  the  Option  Agreement  by the  Company,  and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
have been duly  authorized  by its Board of  Directors  and, in the case of this
Agreement,   subject  to  the  adoption  of  the   Agreement  by  the  Company's
shareholders,  no other corporate action on the part of the Company is necessary
to authorize the execution  and delivery by the Company of this  Agreement,  the
Company Stock Voting  Agreement and the Option Agreement and the consummation by
it of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby.  This Agreement,  the
Company Stock Voting  Agreement and the Option Agreement have been duly executed
and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding  agreements of the
Company  and each is  enforceable  against the  Company in  accordance  with its
terms.

         (b) Prior to  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  the Board of
Directors  of the Company (at a meeting  duly called and held) has (i)  approved
and  declared  advisable  this  Agreement,   the  Merger  and  the  transactions
contemplated hereby, and the Company Stock Voting Agreement and Option Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) determined that the transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby are fair to, and in the best  interests of, the
holders  of  Company  Common  Stock as of such  date and  (iii)  subject  to the
provisions  hereof,  determined to recommend this Agreement,  the Merger and the
other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  to  the  Company's  shareholders  for
approval and adoption at the shareholders meeting contemplated by Section 6.4(a)
hereof.  The  affirmative  vote of the  holders of a  majority  of the shares of
Company Common Stock outstanding on the record date for the Company  Shareholder
Meeting,  voting  together as a single class, is the only vote of the holders of
any  class or  series  of the  Company's  capital  stock  necessary  for the due
adoption of this Agreement by the Company's stockholders.  The Company has taken
all steps  necessary  to approve and exempt this  Agreement,  the Company  Stock
Voting  Agreement  and the Option  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby from the restrictions on "business combinations" set forth in
Section 203 of the DGCL, from any other applicable takeover statute and from any
applicable  charter or  organizational  document of the Company  containing  any
change of control, "anti-takeover" or similar provision.

         Section 3.6  Compliance  with  Applicable  Law.  Except as set forth in
Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,  (i) each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  holds,  and is in  compliance  with the  terms  of,  all  permits,
licenses,  exemptions,  orders and  approvals of all  Governmental  Entities (as
hereinafter defined) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as
currently  conducted  ("Company  Permits"),  except for  failures  to hold or to
comply  with such  Company  Permits  which  would  not,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a Company  Material  Adverse  Effect;
(ii) with respect to the Company Permits, no action or proceeding is pending or,
to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened,  and, to the  knowledge  of the
Company, no fact exists or event has occurred that would, individually or in the
aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a Company  Material  Adverse  Effect;
(iii) the business of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  is being  conducted and
has  been  conducted  in  compliance  with  all  applicable  laws,   ordinances,
regulations,  judgments,  decrees or orders  ("Applicable  Law") of any federal,
state, local, foreign or multinational court, arbitral tribunal,  administrative
agency  or  commission  or  other   governmental  or  regulatory   authority  or
administrative  agency or  commission  (a  "Governmental  Entity"),  except  for
violations  or  failures to so comply  that would not,  individually,  or in the
aggregate,  have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) no investigation or
review  by  any  Governmental   Entity  with  respect  to  the  Company  or  its
Subsidiaries  is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,  threatened  that,
individually  or in the  aggregate  are  reasonably  likely  to  have a  Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.7  Non-Contravention.  Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of
the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the execution and delivery by the Company of
this Agreement,  the Company Stock Voting  Agreement and the Option Agreement do
not, and the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby
and compliance  with the  provisions  hereof and thereof will not, (i) result in
any violation of, or default (with or without  notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of  termination,  cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or to the loss of a material benefit under any loan, guarantee of
indebtedness  or credit  agreement,  note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  lease,
agreement, contract, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, right or license
(any of the  foregoing,  a  "Contract")  binding  upon the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the  properties
or assets of the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  conflict  with or
result in any violation of any provision of the Certificate of  Incorporation or
By-Laws or other equivalent organizational document, in each case as amended, of
the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (iii)  conflict with or violate any
judgment,  order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective  properties
or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), any such violation,
conflict,  default,  right, loss or Lien that, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.8  Government  Approvals;  Required  Consents.  No filing or
registration  with, or  authorization,  consent or approval of, any Governmental
Entity is required by or with respect to the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
in connection  with the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  the Company
Stock Voting  Agreement  or the Option  Agreement by the Company or is necessary
for  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  thereby
(including,  without  limitation,  the Merger) except:  (i) the filing with (and
declaration of effectiveness by) the Securities and Exchange  Commission ("SEC")
of the Joint Proxy  Statement  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended (the "Exchange  Act"), and any applicable state securities or "blue sky"
law as may be required in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  (ii) the filing of a  notification  under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act")
(and all approvals or termination  of applicable  waiting  periods  contemplated
thereby),  (iii) the filing of the  Certificate  of Merger with the Secretary of
State  of  the  State  of  Delaware,  and  (iv)  such  other  consents,  orders,
authorizations,  registrations, declarations and filings the failure of which to
obtain or make  would  not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.9                SEC Documents and Other Reports.

         (a) The Company has filed all  documents  required to be filed prior to
the date hereof by it and its Subsidiaries with the SEC since March 1, 1996 (the
"Company SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates, or if amended, as of the
date of the last such  amendment,  the Company SEC Documents  complied,  and all
documents required to be filed by the Company with the SEC after the date hereof
and prior to the Effective Time (the  "Subsequent  Company SEC Documents")  will
comply,  in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the applicable  rules and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder  and none of the Company SEC  Documents  contained  when
filed,  and the Subsequent  Company SEC Documents  will not contain,  any untrue
statement  of a material  fact or omitted,  or will omit,  to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, or are to be made, not
misleading. The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the
Company  SEC  Documents  when  filed  fairly  presented,  and  included  in  the
Subsequent Company SEC Documents will fairly present, the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries,  as at the respective
dates  thereof  and the  consolidated  results  of their  operations  and  their
consolidated cash flows for the respective  periods then ended (subject,  in the
case of the unaudited  statements,  to normal  year-end  audit  adjustments)  in
conformity with United States generally accepted accounting  principles ("GAAP")
(except, in the case of the unaudited  statements,  as permitted by Form 10-Q of
the SEC) applied on a consistent  basis during the periods  involved  (except as
may be indicated  therein or in the notes  thereto).  Since April 30, 1998,  the
Company has not made any change in the accounting  practices or policies applied
in the  preparation  of its financial  statements,  except as may be required by
GAAP.  All  restructuring  charges and expenses taken by the Company since April
30, 1998, are properly  chargeable to the Company's  current fiscal year and are
not required by GAAP to be charged to any other accounting period.

         Section 3.10 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except for entering
into this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
except as set forth in Section 3.10 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule and the
Company's  previously  announced  restructuring  plan, since April 30, 1998, the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  have conducted  their  respective  businesses and
operations  only in the ordinary and usual course  consistent with past practice
and,  except as set forth in Section  3.10 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,
there has not occurred (i) through the date of this Agreement, any change in the
assets,  liabilities,  financial condition or the results of the Company and the
Subsidiaries  having  a  Company  Material  Adverse  Effect;  (ii)  any  damage,
destruction  or loss  (whether  or not  covered by  insurance)  having a Company
Material Adverse Effect; (iii) any declaration,  setting aside or payment of any
dividend or  distribution of any kind by the Company on any class of its capital
stock;  (iv) any  material  increase  in the  compensation  payable or to become
payable by the  Company or any  Subsidiary  to its  directors,  officers  or key
employees or any  material  increase in any bonus,  insurance,  pension or other
employee  benefit  plan,  payment  or  arrangement  made  to,  for or with  such
directors,  officers  or key  employees,  other than in the  ordinary  course of
business;  (v) any labor dispute,  other than routine matters none of which has,
or would be reasonably expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect; (vi)
any entry by the Company or the Subsidiaries  into any commitment or transaction
(including,  without limitation,  any borrowing or capital expenditure) material
(individually or in the aggregate) to the Company or its Subsidiaries other than
in the ordinary course of business;  (vii) any material change by the Company or
its  Subsidiaries  in  accounting  methods,  principles  or practices  except as
required  by  concurrent  changes  in GAAP or  concurred  with by the  Company's
independent  public  accountants;  (viii)  any  material  agreement,  whether in
writing or otherwise, to take any action described in this Section 3.10; or (ix)
any event or action that,  if occurring or taken during the period from the date
of this  Agreement  through the  Effective  Time,  would  constitute a breach of
Section 5.1 hereof and would constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.11  Actions  and  Proceedings.  Except  as set  forth in the
Company SEC Documents or Section 3.11 or Section 3.14 of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule, (a) there are no outstanding orders, judgments, injunctions, awards or
decrees  of  any  Governmental   Entity  against  the  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  any of their properties, assets or business, or, to the knowledge
of the  Company,  any of the  Company's or its  Subsidiaries'  current or former
directors  or officers  (during the period  served as such) or any other  person
whom the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  has agreed to indemnify,  as such,
that,  individually or in the aggregate have a Company  Material Adverse Effect,
and (b) there are no  actions,  suits or legal,  administrative,  regulatory  or
arbitration proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,  threatened
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  any of their properties, assets
or business,  or, to the  knowledge of the Company,  any of the Company's or its
Subsidiaries'  current or former  directors or officers or any other person whom
the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  has  agreed  to  indemnify  that are,
individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably  likely to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.12  Absence of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except (a) as set
forth Section 3.12 or Section 3.14 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  (b) for
liabilities or obligations  which are accrued or reserved against on the balance
sheet (or  reflected  in the notes  thereto)  included in the  Company's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1998 (the "Company 10-K"),  (c)
for liabilities arising out of the Company's previously announced  restructuring
plan, and (d) for normal and recurring liabilities since April 30, 1998, neither
the Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any  liabilities  or  obligations
(including,  without  limitation,  Tax  (as  hereinafter  defined)  liabilities)
(whether  absolute,  accrued,  contingent or  otherwise),  and whether due or to
become due, which individually or in the aggregate are reasonably likely to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.13 Certain  Contracts and  Arrangements.  The Company has not
breached or defaulted (nor has any event occurred which, with passage of time or
giving of notice would  constitute a default),  or received in writing any claim
or  notice  that  it has  breached  or  defaulted  under,  any of the  terms  or
conditions  of any  agreement,  contract  or  commitment  in such a  manner  as,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  are  reasonably  likely  to have a  Company
Material  Adverse  Effect.  In addition,  the Company has used  reasonable  best
efforts to  identify  and  disclose on Section  3.13 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule all of the following to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party  (and which are not  listed as  exhibits  to the  Company's  10-K):  (a)
material employment, consulting, noncompete, severance or similar agreement with
any director, officer or salaried employee; (b) collective bargaining agreement;
(c) material indenture,  mortgage,  note, installment  obligation,  agreement or
other  instrument  relating  to the  borrowing  of money by the  Company  or any
Subsidiary  or the  guaranty by the Company or any  Subsidiary  of any  material
obligation  for the  borrowing of money;  (d) real  property  lease in excess of
20,000  square feet and any other  material  lease  (i.e.,  a lease  (other than
leases that have been properly  capitalized  by the Company in  accordance  with
GAAP) with future  yearly  rental  payments  in excess of $150,000 or  aggregate
future  rental  payments in excess of $500,000 over the term  thereof);  (e) any
non-competition agreement or any other agreement or obligation which purports to
limit in any material  respect the manner in which,  or the localities in which,
the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  is  entitled  to  conduct  all or any
material portion of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole;  (f) any joint  venture,  partnership  or similar  arrangement  extending
beyond six (6) months or involving a commitment  for future equity or investment
of more than $500,000;  (g) a listing of the top fifty (50)  customers  based on
estimated annual revenue, including a listing of the contracts in place with the
top ten (10)  customers;  (h) a listing of the vendors with whom the Company has
contracts  involving  purchases  in excess of $500,000 on an  annualized  basis,
including a listing of the contracts in place with the top ten (10) vendors; (i)
any material agreement the benefits of which are contingent or increased, or the
terms of which are materially  altered, or the vesting of benefits of which will
be accelerated,  upon the occurrence of a transaction of the nature contemplated
by  this  Agreement  or the  value  of any of the  benefits  of  which  will  be
calculated  on  the  basis  of  any of the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement; (j) any material agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered
into in the ordinary course of business;  (k) any agreement,  capitalized lease,
contract or commitment  relating to capital  expenditures  and involving  future
obligations in excess of $1,500,000, and not cancelable without penalty; (l) any
agreement,  contract or commitment  currently in force relating to any ownership
interest  in any  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture  or other  business
enterprise  that is material in value to the Company;  or (m) any other contract
or agreement that is otherwise material to the Company or the Subsidiaries taken
as a whole,  except for purchase and sales orders and similar  contracts entered
into in the ordinary course of business.

         Section 3.14               Taxes.

         (a) For the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  a "Tax"  or,  collectively,
"Taxes" means any and all federal,  state, local and foreign taxes,  assessments
and other governmental charges, duties, impositions and liabilities,  including,
without  limitation,  taxes based upon or measured  by gross  receipts,  income,
profits, sales, use or occupation, and value added, ad valorem, transfer, gains,
franchise,  withholding,  payroll, recapture,  employment,  excise, unemployment
insurance, social security, business license, occupation, business organization,
stamp,  environmental and property taxes, together with all interest,  penalties
and additions imposed with respect to such amounts and any obligations under any
law or any agreements or arrangements with any other person with respect to such
amounts and including, without limitation, any primary,  contingent,  transferee
or successor  liability for taxes of another  person,  a  predecessor  entity or
former  affiliate.  "Tax Returns"  means all reporting,  returns,  declarations,
statements or other information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in
connection with Taxes.

         (b) Except as  disclosed  in  Section  3.14 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  each of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  has filed all Tax Returns
that it was required to file, and, except to the extent that a reserve for Taxes
was reflected on the Company's balance sheet included in the Company's 10-K (the
"Company  Balance  Sheet")  (exclusive of any accruals for  "deferred  taxes" or
similar  items  that  reflect  timing  differences  between  Tax  and  financial
accounting principles),  all such Tax Returns were correct and complete.  Except
as disclosed in Section 3.14 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  each group of
corporations with which the Company or any Subsidiary has filed (or was required
to file)  consolidated,  combined,  unitary or similar  Tax  Returns (a "Company
Affiliated  Group") has filed all such Tax Returns  that it was required to file
with respect to any period in which the Company or a Subsidiary  was a member of
such Company Affiliated Group (a "Company  Affiliated  Period"),  and, except to
the extent that a reserve for Taxes was  reflected on the Company  Balance Sheet
(exclusive  of any accruals for  "deferred  taxes" or similar items that reflect
timing differences between Tax and financial  accounting  principles),  all such
Tax Returns  were correct and  complete.  Except as disclosed in Section 3.14 of
the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  and except to the extent that a reserve for
Taxes was reflected on the Company Balance Sheet  (exclusive of any accruals for
"deferred  taxes" or similar items that reflect timing  differences  between Tax
and financial accounting  principles),  each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
has paid all Taxes  (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) that were due and
payable,  and each Company  Affiliated  Group has paid all Taxes (whether or not
shown on such Tax Returns) that were due and payable with respect to all Company
Affiliated  Periods  and  with  respect  to  which  the  Company  or  any of its
Subsidiaries may be liable by operation of law or otherwise. Except as disclosed
in Section  3.14 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the unpaid  Taxes of the
Company and the  Subsidiaries  for Tax  periods  through the date of the Company
Balance Sheet do not exceed the accruals and reserves for Taxes set forth on the
Company Balance Sheet (exclusive of any accruals for "deferred taxes" or similar
items that  reflect  timing  differences  between Tax and  financial  accounting
principles).  The  unpaid  Taxes of the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  for Tax
periods from the date of the Company  Balance Sheet through the Closing Date are
normal recurring taxes attributable solely to the conduct of their businesses in
the ordinary course and in a manner  consistent  with past practices.  All Taxes
that the  Company or any  Subsidiary  is or was  required  by law to withhold or
collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent  required,  have
been  paid  to the  proper  Governmental  Entity.  Each  of the  representations
contained in the this Section 3.14(b) shall be (i) limited in its application to
items which are reasonably likely,  individually or in the aggregate,  to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) qualified to the extent of any adverse
determination  of matters set forth in Section  3.14 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule.

         (c) The  Company  is not and  never has been a party to or bound by any
Tax  indemnity,  Tax sharing or Tax  allocation  agreement  (whether  written or
unwritten  or arising  under  operation  of  federal  law as a result of being a
member of a group filing  consolidated  Tax Returns,  under operation of certain
state laws as a result of being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable
laws of other states or foreign jurisdictions) which includes a party other than
the Company nor does the Company owe any amount under any such agreement. Except
as set forth in Section 3.14 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,  no examination
or audit by any Governmental Entity of any Tax Return of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries  or  any  Company  Affiliated  Group  with  respect  to  a  Company
Affiliated  Period is currently in progress or, to the  knowledge of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries,  threatened or contemplated,  in each case, which involve
claims that  individually  or in the aggregate are  reasonably  likely to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has been informed by any jurisdiction  that the  jurisdiction  believes that the
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries was required to file any Tax Return that was
not filed  which  failure or failures  individually,  or in the  aggregate,  are
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         (d) Neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a  "consenting
corporation"  within the meaning of Section  341(f) of the Code, and none of the
assets of the  Company or its  Subsidiaries  are  subject to an  election  under
Section 341(f) of the Code.

         (e) Neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has been a United
States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2)
of the Code during the applicable  period specified in Section  897(c)(1)(A)(ii)
of the Code.

         (f)  Except  as set forth in  Section  3.14 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payments,
is obligated to make any  payments,  or is a party to any  agreement  that could
obligate it to make any payments that will not be  deductible  under either Code
Section  162(m)  or Code  Section  280G  (or  cause  the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  to incur an  obligation  to  reimburse  a person for a tax imposed
under Code Section 4999).

         (g) The  interest  paid or payable by the Company to Vanstar  Financing
Trust pursuant to the Company's 6-3/4% Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures due
2016 is deductible as interest payments under Code Section 163.

         (h)  Except  as set forth in  Section  3.14 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  to the knowledge of the Company,  no state of facts or  circumstances
exist which are  reasonably  likely to constitute  grounds for the assessment of
Taxes against the Company or any Subsidiary where such assessment,  individually
or in the aggregate, would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.15               Patents, Trademarks and Similar Rights.

         (a) The Company and its Subsidiaries  own, or are licensed or otherwise
possess  and,  after the  Effective  Time,  will  continue  to own,  license  or
otherwise possess,  legally enforceable rights to use, all patents,  trademarks,
trade  names,  service  marks,  copyrights  and mask works,  and all  processes,
formulae, methods, schematics,  technology, know-how, computer software programs
or applications and tangible or intangible  proprietary  information or material
that are  necessary to conduct the business of the Company and its  Subsidiaries
as currently conducted,  the absence of which would be reasonably likely to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect (the "Company Intellectual Property Rights").

         (b) Neither the  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is, or will as a
result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of the
Company's  obligations  under this  Agreement or otherwise  be, in breach of any
license,  sublicense  or other  agreement  relating to the Company  Intellectual
Property Rights, or any material  licenses,  sublicenses and other agreements as
to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and pursuant to which
the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is  authorized  to use any third party
patents,  trademarks or copyrights ( " Company Third Party Intellectual Property
Rights"),  including  software that is used in the manufacture of,  incorporated
in, or forms a part of any product sold by or expected to be sold by the Company
or any of its  Subsidiaries,  the breach of which would be reasonably  likely to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) All patents,  registered  trademarks,  service marks and copyrights
which are held by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries and which are material
to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are valid
and  subsisting.  The  Company  (i) has not been  sued in any  suit,  action  or
proceeding,  or received in writing any claim or notice,  which involves a claim
of  infringement  of  any  patent,  trademarks,  service  marks,  copyrights  or
violation  of any trade  secret or other  proprietary  right of any third  party
which,  if adversely  determined,  would be reasonably  likely to have a Company
Material  Adverse  Effect;  and (ii) has no  knowledge  that the  manufacturing,
marketing,  licensing or sale of its products  infringes any patent,  trademark,
service mark,  copyright,  trade secret or other  proprietary right of any third
party,  which  infringement  would  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.16  Information  in  Disclosure  Documents  and  Registration
Statement.  None of the  information  supplied  or to be supplied by the Company
specifically for inclusion in (i) the  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 to be
filed with the SEC under the Securities  Act for the purpose of registering  the
shares of Parent  Common Stock to be issued in  connection  with the Merger (the
"Registration Statement") or (ii) the Joint Proxy Statement will, in the case of
the Registration  Statement, at the time it becomes effective or, in the case of
the Proxy  Statement or any amendments  thereof or supplements  thereto,  at the
time of the  initial  mailing  of the  Proxy  Statement  and any  amendments  or
supplements  thereto, and at the time of the Company Shareholder Meeting and the
Parent  Shareholder  Meeting contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in
order to make the statements  therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not  misleading.  As of the date of its initial mailing and as of
the date of the Company Shareholder Meeting and the Parent Shareholder  Meeting,
the Joint Proxy  Statement will comply (with respect to information  relating to
the  Company)  as  to  form  in  all  material   respects  with  the  applicable
requirements  of the  Exchange  Act, and the rules and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Company makes no representation
or warranty with respect to any statement made or  incorporated  by reference in
the  foregoing  documents  based upon  information  supplied  by or on behalf of
Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

         Section 3.17               Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.

         (a) Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name
of  each  Company  Plan  (as  defined   below)  and  of  each  bonus,   deferred
compensation,  incentive  compensation,  profit  sharing,  salary  continuation,
employee  benefit plan,  stock purchase,  stock option,  employment,  severance,
termination,  golden  parachute,  consulting or supplemental  retirement plan or
agreement to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party to or contributes to
or pursuant to which any employee of the Company or any  Subsidiary  is entitled
to  benefits  (collectively,  the  "Benefit  Plans"),  true copies of which have
heretofore been delivered to Parent.  Except as set forth in Section 3.17 of the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  each Company Plan and Benefit Plan complies with
the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),  the
Code and all other applicable laws and  administrative or governmental rules and
regulations  except  for any such  noncompliance  that,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  is not reasonably  likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
No "reportable event" (within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA) has occurred
and no notice of such event is pending with respect to any Company Plan; neither
the Company nor any of its ERISA  Affiliates has withdrawn from any Company Plan
under Section 4063 of ERISA or has taken,  or is currently  considering  taking,
any  action to do so;  and no  action  has been  taken,  or is  currently  being
considered,  to terminate any Company Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA,  in any
such case,  where such  event,  withdrawal  or  action,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  is reasonably  likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  No
Company  Plan,  nor any trust  created  thereunder,  has  incurred  any material
"accumulated  funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA),  whether
or not waived.  Except as set forth in Section  3.17 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  there are no  (individually  or in the aggregate)  actions,  suits or
claims  pending or, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened  (other than
routine  claims for  benefits)  with respect to any Company Plan or Benefit Plan
and that is, individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to result in a
Company  Material  Adverse  Effect.  Neither  the  Company  nor any of its ERISA
Affiliates  has incurred or would  reasonably be expected to incur any liability
under or pursuant to Title IV of ERISA that has not been  satisfied  in full and
that are,  individually,  or in the aggregate,  reasonably likely to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company,  no non-exempt
prohibited transactions described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code  have  occurred.  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  3.17  of the  Company
Disclosure Schedule, all Company Plans and Benefit Plans that are intended to be
qualified   under  Section   401(a)  of  the  Code  have  received  a  favorable
determination letter as to such qualification from the Internal Revenue Service,
and no event has  occurred,  either by reason of any  action or  failure to act,
which  could be expected  to cause the loss of any such  qualification,  and the
Company is not aware of any reason why any Company  Plan and Benefit Plan is not
so qualified in operation. As used herein: "Company Plan" means a "pension plan"
(as  defined in  Section  3(2) of ERISA),  or a  "welfare  plan" (as  defined in
Section 3(l) of ERISA)  established  or  maintained by the Company or any of its
ERISA  Affiliates  or to which the  Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  has
contributed in the last six years or otherwise may have any liability.

         (b)  None of the  Benefit  Plans is (i) a plan  subject  to Title IV of
ERISA or (ii) a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA)
(herein a "Multiemployer Plan"). Neither the Company or its ERISA Affiliates has
ever  contributed  to or had an obligation  to  contribute to any  Multiemployer
Plan.

         (c) Except as set forth on Section  3.17(c) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  no Benefit Plan which is a "welfare plan" (as defined in Section 3(1)
of ERISA)  provides for continuing  benefits or coverage for any  participant or
any  beneficiary  of a  participant  after  such  participant's  termination  of
employment  except  as  may  be  required  by the  Consolidated  Omnibus  Budget
Reconciliation  Action  of  1985,  as  amended  ("COBRA"),  and the  regulations
thereunder  at  the  expense  of  the  participant  or  the  beneficiary  of the
participant.

         (d) Except as  disclosed in Section  3.17(d) of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  (i) no  amount  payable  under  any  Company  Plan  will  fail  to be
deductible  for federal  income tax  purposes  by virtue of Section  280G of the
Code;  and  (ii)  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement will not, either alone or in combination  with any other event that is
reasonably likely to occur, (A) entitle any current or former director,  officer
or employee  of the Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  to  severance  pay,
golden  parachute  payments,  unemployment  compensation  or any other  payment,
except as expressly  provided in this  Agreement,  or (B) accelerate the time of
payment  or  vesting,  or  increase  the  amount  of  compensation  due any such
director, officer or employee.

         Section 3.18 Environmental Matters.  Except as set forth in the Company
SEC Documents, (i) no person, entity or governmental agency has asserted against
the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  any  requests,  claims or demands  for
damages,  costs,  expenses  or  causes of  action  arising  out of or due to the
emission,  disposal,  discharge or other  release or  threatened  release of any
Hazardous  Substances or Pollutants or Contaminants (in each case, as defined in
or  governed  by  any  applicable  federal,  state  or  local  statute,  law  or
regulation)  in  connection  with or related to any past or present  facilities,
properties  or assets,  owned,  leased or  operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  (collectively,  the "Company's Assets"),  arising out of or due to
any injury to human health or the environment by reason of the current condition
or operation of the  Company's  Assets,  or past  conditions  and  operations or
activities on the Company's Assets;  (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is a party  to any  pending,  or to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened
actions for damages, costs, expenses, demands, causes of action, claims, losses,
administrative  proceedings,  enforcement actions, or investigations relating to
the  emission,  disposal,  discharge  or  release  of  Hazardous  Substances  or
Pollutants or Contaminants  associated with the Company's  Assets or operations;
(iii) there is no  environmental  condition,  situation  or  incident  on, at or
concerning  the  Company's  Assets that could give rise to a action or liability
under  applicable  environmental  law,  rule,  ordinance  or common  law  theory
relating to Hazardous Substances,  Pollutants or Contaminants; and (iv) there is
no  liability  associated  with the  Company's  Assets  under the  Comprehensive
Environmental Response,  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, the
Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act or the Toxic Substances and Control Act,
or any other  similar  state or local law,  in any such case  where such  event,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  is  reasonably  likely  to  have a  Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.19  Labor  Matters.  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  of its
Subsidiaries has any labor contracts or collective bargaining agreements.. There
is no material unfair labor practice  complaint  pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company,  threatened,  against the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  with
respect to the Company  Business.  Since April 30, 1998,  there has not been any
labor strike, dispute,  slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  and neither
the  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has  experienced  any  primary  work
stoppage or other labor difficulty involving its employees, in either such case,
which has had or would  reasonably be expected to have,  individually  or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  3.20  Affiliate  Transactions.  Except as set forth in Section
3.20 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  to the  knowledge  of  Company,  no
director,  officer,  executive employee or shareholder beneficially owning 5% or
more of the total number of issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock:  (i)
has  any  material  contractual   relationship  with  the  Company,  other  than
employment contracts and contracts made on an arm's-length basis in the ordinary
course of business;  or (ii) has any direct or indirect interest in any material
right, property or asset which is used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in the conduct of its or their business.

         Section 3.21 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received the
written opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB") to the effect
that as of the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders
of Company Common Stock, other than Parent or Merger Sub, from a financial point
of view. A true,  correct and complete copy of the written opinion  delivered by
CSFB,  which  opinion  shall be  included in the Joint  Proxy  Statement  in its
entirety,  as well as a true and correct  copy of the  Company's  engagement  of
CSFB, have been delivered to Parent by the Company.

         Section 3.22 Brokers.  Other than CSFB, no broker,  finder or financial
advisor retained by the Company is entitled to any brokerage,  finder's or other
fee  or  commission  from  the  Company  in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon  arrangements  made by or on behalf of
the Company.  A true and correct copy of the  Company's  engagement  letter with
CSFB has been delivered to Parent by the Company.

         Section 3.23  Pooling.  The Company does not know of any reason why the
Merger will not qualify as a pooling of interests  transaction under APB 16, and
neither the  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has, to its  knowledge  after
consultation  with its  independent  accountants,  taken  any  action  that will
prevent the Merger from qualifying as a pooling of interests  transaction  under
APB 16.

         Section  3.24  Insurance;  Risk  Management.   All  material  fire  and
casualty,  general liability,  business  interruption,  product  liability,  and
sprinkler and water damage insurance  policies  maintained by the Company or any
of its  Subsidiaries  are with reputable  insurance  carriers,  provide full and
adequate  coverage for all normal risks  incident to the business of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries  and their  respective  properties and assets,  and are in
character and amount at least  equivalent to that carried by persons  engaged in
similar businesses and subject to the same or similar perils or hazards,  except
for any such failures to maintain  insurance  policies that,  individually or in
the aggregate,  are not  reasonably  likely to have a Company  Material  Adverse
Effect.  The steps taken by the Company to manage the various risks  incident to
the  business  and  operations  of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  and their
respective  properties  and assets  are at least  equivalent  to those  taken by
persons  engaged in similar  businesses,  except for any  failures  to take such
steps that, individually or in the aggregate,  are not reasonably likely to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 3.25               Year 2000.

         (a) The term "Year 2000 Compliant", as used herein, shall mean that the
applicable systems,  processes,  software,  hardware and/or equipment is able to
perform the following functions without human intervention:

         handle  date  information  before,  during  and after  January 1, 2000,
including but not limited to accepting date input,  providing  date output,  and
performing calculations on dates or portions of dates

         function accurately and without interruption  before,  during and after
January 1, 2000, without any change in operations  associated with the advent of
the new century

         respond  to  two-digit  year-date  input  in a way  that  resolves  the
ambiguity as to century in a disclosed, defined and predetermined manner

         store  and  provide  output  of  date  information  in  ways  that  are
unambiguous as to century.

         (b)  The  Company  has   conducted  an   assessment   of  its  and  its
Subsidiaries'  internal operating  systems,  processes,  software,  hardware and
equipment and based upon this assessment has developed a plan designed to ensure
that the same are Year 2000  Compliant on or before  December  31, 1999.  To the
knowledge  of the  Company,  such  plan  will be  implemented  and  successfully
completely on or before December 31, 1999, and the implementation and completion
of such plan will not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND
                                   MERGER SUB

         Parent  represents and warrants to the Company as set forth below. Such
representations  and  warranties  are made  subject  to certain  exceptions  and
qualifications set forth in the Parent Disclosure  Schedule dated as of the date
hereof and delivered as a separate  document and  incorporated in this Agreement
by reference  (the "Parent  Disclosure  Schedule").  The  representation(s)  and
warranty(ies)  to which each such  exception or  qualification  relates is (are)
specifically   identified  (by  cross-reference  or  otherwise)  in  the  Parent
Disclosure  Schedule  unless the  applicability  of such exception is reasonably
apparent on its face.

         Section 4.1 Organization  and Good Standing.  Each of Parent and Merger
Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the  laws of the  States  of  Delaware,  and each has the  corporate  power  and
authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.  Parent is duly
qualified as a foreign  corporation  to do business,  and is in good standing in
each  jurisdiction  where the  character of its  properties  owned or held under
lease or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except
where  the  failure  to be so  qualified  or in good  standing  would not have a
material  adverse  effect,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  on the  assets,
liabilities,  financial  condition  or results of  operations  of Parent and its
Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  or the  ability  of  Parent  or  Merger  Sub to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
(a "Parent Material Adverse Effect");  provided,  however,  that (i) any adverse
change,  event  or  effect  that  is  demonstrated  to be  primarily  caused  by
conditions affecting the United States economy generally that is material to the
business of Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  shall not be taken
into  account  in  determining  whether  there  has been or  would be a  "Parent
Material Adverse Effect" on or with respect to the Parent and its  Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, (ii) any adverse change,  event or effect that is demonstrated
to be primarily caused by conditions  generally  affecting the computer products
or services  industry  shall not be taken into  account in  determining  whether
there has been or would be a "Parent Material Adverse Effect" on or with respect
to Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  (iii) any adverse change in
the stock price or trading  volume of the Parent  Common  Stock as quoted on the
New York Stock  Exchange,  in and of itself,  shall not be taken into account in
determining  whether  there  has  been or would be a  "Parent  Material  Adverse
Effect" on or with  respect to Parent  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,
(iv) any failure by Parent to meet the revenue or earnings predictions of equity
analysts or any other revenue or earnings  predictions or  expectations  for any
period ending (or for which  earnings are released) on or after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing  Date,  in and of itself,  shall not be taken
into  account  in  determining  whether  there  has been or  would be a  "Parent
Material Adverse Effect" on or with respect to Parent and its Subsidiaries taken
as a  whole,  (v) any  adverse  change  arising  primarily  out of or  resulting
primarily from actions taken by Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries in connection
with (but not in breach of) this  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder,  or which  is  primarily  attributable  to the  announcement  of this
Agreement  and  the  transactions   contemplated   hereby  (including,   without
limitation,   employee   attrition  or  any  loss  of  business  resulting  from
termination  or  modification   of  any  vendor,   customer  or  other  business
relationships,  or otherwise)  shall not,  other than to the extent such adverse
changes result from the breach by Parent of its  obligations  under Section 5.1,
be taken  into  account  in  determining  whether  there  has been or would be a
"Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect"  on  or  with  respect  to  Parent  and  its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, and (vi) any litigation or threat of litigation
challenging any of the transactions  contemplated  herein shall not be a "Parent
Material  Adverse  Effect" on or with  respect  to Parent and its  subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

         Section 4.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. True, correct and
complete  copies of the  Certificates  of  Incorporation  and  By-laws,  each as
amended to date,  of Parent and Merger Sub have been  delivered  to the Company.
The  Certificates of  Incorporation  and By-laws of and equivalent  documents of
Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect. Neither Parent
nor any of its  Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of its Certificate
of Incorporation, By-laws or equivalent documents.

         Section 4.3                Capitalization.

         (a) The authorized  capital stock of Parent  consists of (i) 30,000,000
shares of Parent  Common  Stock,  and (ii)  1,000,000  shares of Parent  Class A
Preferred Stock,  $1.00 par value ("Class A Preferred  Stock").  As of August 7,
1998, (i) 16,740,261  shares of Parent Common Stock were issued and outstanding.
Currently,   there  are  no  shares  of  Class  A  Preferred  Stock  issued  and
outstanding.  Since  August 7, 1998  through  the date  hereof,  Parent has not,
except as set forth in Section 4.3 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, issued any
shares of its capital stock,  or any security  convertible  into or exchangeable
for shares of such  capital  stock,  other  than the  issuance  of  options  and
restricted stock pursuant to the plans and arrangements  described in the Parent
SEC Documents and other than upon the exercise of stock options.  The authorized
capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 10,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per  share,  constituting  the Merger  Sub  Common  Stock.  As of the date
hereof, 1,000 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding,  all
of which are owned by Parent,  and no shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are held
in the  treasury  of Merger  Sub.  All of the issued and  outstanding  shares of
Parent  Common Stock and Merger Sub Common Stock have been validly  issued,  and
are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights.

         (b) Except as described  in Section  4.3(a)  hereof,  and except as set
forth in  Section  4.3 of the  Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  (i)  there  are no
options,  warrants or other rights (including registration rights),  agreements,
arrangements  or  commitments  of any character to which Parent or Merger Sub or
any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  is a party  relating  to the  issued  or
unissued  capital  stock or other  equity  interests  of  Parent  and any of its
Subsidiaries,  requiring  Parent or  Merger  Sub or any of its  Subsidiaries  to
grant,  issue or sell any shares of the capital stock or other equity  interests
of  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries;  (ii)  neither  Parent  nor  any of its
Subsidiaries have any obligation, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise  acquire any shares of the capital stock or other equity  interests
of Parent  or its  Subsidiaries,  or to  provide  funds to or make any  material
investment  (in the form of a loan,  capital  contribution  or otherwise) in any
such  Subsidiary or any other entity other than  guarantees of bank  obligations
entered into in the ordinary course of business; (iii) neither Parent nor any of
its  Subsidiaries,  directly or  indirectly,  owns, or has agreed to purchase or
otherwise  acquire,  the  capital  stock or other  equity  interests  of, or any
interest  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such capital stock
or such equity  interests,  of any  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture or
other entity  which would be material in value to Parent;  and (iv) there are no
voting  trusts,  proxies or other  agreements or  understandings  to or by which
Parent or Merger Sub or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  is a party or is
bound with respect to the voting of any shares of capital  stock or other equity
interests of Parent or Merger Sub.

         Section 4.4 Parent  Subsidiaries.  Section 4.4 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule  sets forth a list of each  Subsidiary  of Parent.  Each  Subsidiary of
Parent is a  corporation,  partnership or other entity duly  organized,  validly
existing and in good  standing (to the extent such concept is recognized in such
jurisdiction)   under  the  laws  of  its   jurisdiction  of   incorporation  or
organization. Each Subsidiary of Parent has the corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary of Parent is
duly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  or  organization  authorized  to do
business,  and is in good  standing (to the extent such concept is recognized in
such  jurisdiction),  in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties
owned  or  held  under  lease  or  the  nature  of  its  activities  makes  such
qualification necessary,  except where the failure to be so qualified or in good
standing would not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  have a Parent  Material
Adverse  Effect.  Except as set forth in Section  4.4 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  all of the  outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock or  other  equity
interests in each of Parent's  Subsidiaries  have been validly  issued,  and are
fully  paid,  nonassessable  and are owned by Parent or  another  Subsidiary  of
Parent free and clear of all Liens,  and are not subject to  preemptive  rights.
Other than the Subsidiaries,  neither Parent nor any Subsidiary has any material
(individually  or in the  aggregate)  investment  in  any  other  entity  or any
material (individually or in the aggregate) investment in any partnership, joint
venture or similar  entity,  except as  disclosed  in Section  4.4 of the Parent
Disclosure  Schedule,  all of which  investments are owned free and clear of all
Liens.  Section 4.4 of the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a list of all
individuals and entities (other than Parent) that own shares or interests in any
Subsidiary or in any entity,  partnership,  joint  venture or similar  entity in
which Parent owns shares or has an investment.

         Section 4.5                Corporate Authority.

         (a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and
authority  to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement,  the Parent  Stock  Voting
Agreement  and  the  Option   Agreement  and  to  consummate  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby . The execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Parent Stock Voting  Agreement and the Option Agreement by Parent and Merger
Sub  and  the  consummation  by  Parent  and  Merger  Sub  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  have  been  duly  authorized  by its  respective  Board of
Directors  and, in the case of this  Agreement,  subject to the  approval of the
Certificate  Amendment and the issuance of the Parent  Common Stock  pursuant to
the Merger by Parent's  shareholders,  no other corporate  action on the part of
Parent or Merger Sub is  necessary to authorize  the  execution  and delivery by
Parent  and  Merger  Sub of this  Agreement  and the  consummation  by it of the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement,  the Parent Stock
Voting  Agreement and the Option Agreement have been duly executed and delivered
by Parent and Merger Sub constitute  valid and binding  agreements of Parent and
Merger Sub and each is  enforceable  against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance
with its terms.

         (b) Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Board of
Directors  of each of Parent and Merger Sub (at a meeting  duly called and held)
has (i) approved and declared advisable this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated  hereby and the Parent Stock Voting Agreement and the
Option Agreement and the transactions  contemplated thereby as of such date, and
(ii) subject to the provisions  hereof,  determined to recommend the issuance of
the Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, the amendment of Parent's option
plan in connection  with Section 2.6 ("Option  Amendment")  and the  Certificate
Amendment to the Parent's  shareholders for approval at the shareholders meeting
contemplated by Section 6.4 hereof.  Pursuant to the DGCL, the affirmative  vote
of  the  holders  of a  majority  of  the  shares  of the  Parent  Common  Stock
outstanding  on the  record  date for the  Parent  Shareholder  Meeting,  voting
together as a single class is necessary  to approve the  Certificate  Amendment.
Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the issuance of the shares
of Parent  Common Stock in connection  with the Merger and the Option  Agreement
must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal,  provided that
the total  number of votes cast on the  proposal  represents  a majority  of the
shares of Parent Common Stock entitled to vote on the proposal. The foregoing is
the only vote of  holders  of any  series of Parent  Common  Stock  required  to
approve  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Parent  has  taken  all steps
necessary  to approve  and  exempt  this  Agreement,  the  Parent  Stock  Voting
Agreement and the Option Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby and
thereby from the restrictions on " business  combinations"  set forth in Section
203 of the  DGCL,  from  any  other  applicable  takeover  statute  and from any
applicable charter,  or organizational  document of Parent containing any change
of control, "anti-takeover" or similar provision.

         Section 4.6  Compliance  with  Applicable  Law.  Except as set forth in
Section  4.6 of the  Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  (i) each of  Parent  and its
Subsidiaries  holds,  and is in  compliance  with the  terms  of,  all  permits,
licenses,  exemptions,  orders and  approvals of all  Governmental  Entities (as
hereinafter defined) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as
currently conducted ("Parent Permits"), except for failures to hold or to comply
with such Parent  Permits  which would not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
reasonably  be  expected to have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect;  (ii) with
respect to the Parent  Permits,  no action or  proceeding  is pending or, to the
knowledge of Parent, threatened, and, to the knowledge of Parent, no fact exists
or event has occurred that would,  individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably
be expected to have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect;  (iii) the  business of
Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  is  being  conducted  and has been  conducted  in
compliance  with all  Applicable  Laws,  except for violations or failures to so
comply that would not, individually, or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect;  and (iv) no investigation or review by any Governmental  Entity
with respect to Parent or its  Subsidiaries  is pending or, to the  knowledge of
Parent,  threatened that, individually or in the aggregate are reasonably likely
to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  4.7  Non-contravention.  Except as set forth in Section 4.7 of
the Parent Disclosure Schedule,  the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger
Sub of this  Agreement,  the  Company  Stock  Voting  Agreement  and the  Option
Agreement do not, and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and thereby and compliance with the provisions  hereof and thereof will not, (i)
result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time,
or  both)  under,  or give  rise  to a right  of  termination,  cancellation  or
acceleration  of any  obligation or to the loss of a material  benefit under any
Contract  binding  upon  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or  result in the
creation  of any Lien upon any of the  properties  or assets of Parent or any of
its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision
of  the   Certificate   of   Incorporation   or  By-Laws  or  other   equivalent
organizational  document,  in each  case as  amended,  of  Parent  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or (iii)  conflict with or violate any judgment,  order,  decree,
statute,  law, ordinance,  rule or regulation applicable to Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, other than, in the
case of clauses (i) and (iii),  any such violation,  conflict,  default,  right,
loss or Lien that,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  would not have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  4.8  Government  Approvals;  Required  Consents.  No filing or
registration  with, or  authorization,  consent or approval of, any Governmental
Entity is required by or with  respect to Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
connection  with the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by Parent or is
necessary  for  the  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated   hereby
(including,  without  limitation,  the Merger) except:  (i) the filing with (and
declaration of effectiveness by) the SEC of the Registration Statement under the
Securities  Act and the filing with the SEC of the Joint Proxy  Statement  under
the Exchange Act, and any applicable  state  securities or "blue sky" law as may
be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement,  (ii) the filing of a notification under the HSR Act (and all
approvals or termination of applicable  waiting periods  contemplated  thereby),
(iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of  Delaware,  and  (iv)  such  other  consents,  orders,  authorizations,
registrations,  declarations  and filings the failure of which to obtain or make
would not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  have a Parent  Material  Adverse
Effect.

         Section  4.9 SEC  Documents  and Other  Reports.  Parent  has filed all
documents  required  to be filed by it and its  Subsidiaries  with the SEC since
January 1, 1996 (the "Parent SEC Documents").  As of their respective  dates, or
if amended as of the date of the last such  amendment,  the Parent SEC Documents
complied,  and all  documents  required to be filed by Parent with the SEC after
the date  hereof  and  prior  to the  Effective  Time  ("Subsequent  Parent  SEC
Documents") will comply,  in all material  respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the applicable rules
and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder  and none of the Parent SEC  Documents
contained when filed, and the Subsequent  Parent SEC Documents will not contain,
any untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted,  or will omit, to state any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in light of the circumstances under which they were made, or are to be
made,  not  misleading.  Except  as  disclosed  in  Section  4.9 of  the  Parent
Disclosure Schedule, the consolidated financial statements of Parent included in
the  Parent SEC  Documents  when  filed  fairly  present,  and  included  in the
Subsequent Parent SEC Documents will fairly present, the consolidated  financial
position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as at the respective dates
thereof and the consolidated  results of their operations and their consolidated
cash flows for the respective  periods then ended  (subject,  in the case of the
unaudited  statements,  to normal  year-end audit  adjustments  and to any other
adjustments  described therein) in conformity with GAAP (except,  in the case of
the  unaudited  statements  as  permitted  by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a
consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein
or in the notes  thereto).  Except as  disclosed  in  Section  4.9 of the Parent
Disclosure Schedule,  since December 27, 1997, Parent has not made any change in
the accounting practices or policies applied in the preparation of its financial
statements, except as may be required by GAAP.

         Section 4.10 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except for entering
into this Agreement and  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,
and except as set forth in Section 4.10 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, since
December 27, 1997,  Parent and its Subsidiaries  have conducted their respective
businesses and operations in the ordinary and usual course  consistent with past
practice,  and,  except as set forth in Section  4.10 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  there has not  occurred (i) through the date of this  Agreement,  any
change in the assets, liabilities,  financial condition or the results of Parent
and the Subsidiaries  having a Parent Material Adverse Effect;  (ii) any damage,
destruction  or loss  (whether  or not  covered  by  insurance)  having a Parent
Material Adverse Effect; (iii) any declaration,  setting aside or payment of any
dividend  or  distribution  of any kind by Parent  on any  class of its  capital
stock;  (iv) any  material  increase  in the  compensation  payable or to become
payable by Parent or any Subsidiary to its directors,  officers or key employees
or any  material  increase in any bonus,  insurance,  pension or other  employee
benefit  plan,  payment  or  arrangement  made to,  for or with such  directors,
officers or key employees,  other than in the ordinary  course of business;  (v)
any labor  dispute,  other than  routine  matters none of which has, or would be
reasonably expected to have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect; (vi) any entry by
Parent  or the  Subsidiaries  into any  commitment  or  transaction  (including,
without limitation, any borrowing or capital expenditure) material (individually
or in the  aggregate) to Parent or its  Subsidiaries  other than in the ordinary
course of business;  (vii) any material change by Parent or its  Subsidiaries in
accounting  methods,  principles  or practices  except as required by concurrent
changes in GAAP or concurred with by Parent's  independent  public  accountants;
(viii) any  material  agreement,  whether in writing or  otherwise,  to take any
action  described in this  Section  4.10;  or (ix) any event or action that,  if
occurring or taken during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Effective  Time,  would  constitute  a breach of  Section  5.1  hereof and would
constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.11 Actions and Proceedings. Except as set forth in the Parent
SEC Documents or Section 4.11 or Section 4.14 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule,
(a) there are no outstanding orders, judgments,  injunctions,  awards or decrees
of any  Governmental  Entity against Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries,  any of
their  properties,  assets or business,  or, to the knowledge of Parent,  any of
Parent's or its  Subsidiaries'  current or former  directors or officers (during
the  period  served  as such) or any  other  person  whom  Parent  or any of its
Subsidiaries  has agreed to indemnify,  as such,  that,  individually  or in the
aggregate have a Parent Material  Adverse Effect,  and (b) there are no actions,
suits or legal,  administrative,  regulatory or arbitration  proceedings pending
or,  to  the  knowledge  of  Parent,  threatened  against  Parent  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  any of their properties, assets or business, or, to the knowledge
of Parent,  any of Parent's or its Subsidiaries'  current or former directors or
officers or any other person whom Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  has agreed
to indemnify that are,  individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably  likely to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  4.12  Absence of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except (a) as set
forth Section 4.12 or Section 4.14 of the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  (b) for
liabilities or obligations  which are accrued or reserved against on the balance
sheet (or reflected in the notes thereto) included in the Parent's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 1997 (the "Parent  10-K"),  and (c)
for normal and recurring  liabilities  since April 30, 1998,  neither Parent nor
any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations  (including,  without
limitation,   Tax  liabilities)  (whether  absolute,   accrued,   contingent  or
otherwise),  and  whether  due or to become due,  which  individually  or in the
aggregate are reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section  4.13  Certain  Contracts  and  Arrangements.  Parent  has  not
breached or defaulted (nor has any event occurred which, with passage of time or
giving of notice would  constitute a default),  or received in writing any claim
or  notice  that  it has  breached  or  defaulted  under,  any of the  terms  or
conditions  of  any  agreement,  contract  or  commitment  in  such  manner  as,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  are  reasonably  likely  to  have a  Parent
Material Adverse Effect. In addition, Parent has used reasonable best efforts to
identify and disclose on Section 4.13 of the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule all of
the following to which Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party (and which
are not listed as exhibits  to the  Parent's  10-K):  (a)  material  employment,
consulting,  non-compete,  severance  or similar  agreement  with any  director,
officer or salaried employee; (b) collective bargaining agreement;  (c) material
indenture, mortgage, note, installment obligation, agreement or other instrument
relating to the  borrowing of money by Parent or any  Subsidiary or the guaranty
by Parent or any  Subsidiary  of any material  obligation  for the  borrowing of
money;  (d) real  property  lease in excess of 20,000  square feet and any other
material  lease  (i.e.,  a lease  (other  than  leases  that have been  properly
capitalized  by Parent in  accordance  with  GAAP)  with  future  yearly  rental
payments in excess of $150,000 or aggregate  future rental payments in excess of
$500,000 over the term thereof); (e) any non-competition  agreement or any other
agreement or  obligation  which  purports to limit in any  material  respect the
manner in which, or the localities in which,  Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries
is  entitled  to conduct  all or any  material  portion of the  business  of the
Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  taken  as  a  whole;  (f)  any  joint  venture,
partnership or similar arrangement  extending beyond six (6) months or involving
a  commitment  for future  equity or  investment  of more than  $500,000;  (g) a
listing of the top fifty (50)  customers/franchisees  based on sales  during the
six (6) months  ended June 30,  1998,  including a listing of the  contracts  in
place with the top ten (10) end user clients;  (h) a listing of the vendors with
whom  Parent has  contracts  involving  purchases  in excess of  $500,000  on an
annualized basis, including a listing of the contracts in place with the top ten
(10) vendors; (i) any material agreement the benefits of which are contingent or
increased,  or the terms of which are  materially  altered,  or the  vesting  of
benefits of which will be  accelerated,  upon the occurrence of a transaction of
the nature contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of
which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;  (j) any material  agreement of  indemnification or guaranty not
entered into in the ordinary course of business; (k) any agreement,  capitalized
lease,  contract or commitment  relating to capital  expenditures  and involving
future obligations in excess of $1,500,000,  and not cancelable without penalty;
(l) any  agreement,  contract or commitment  currently in force  relating to any
ownership  interest  in any  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture or other
business  enterprise  that is  material  in value to  Parent;  or (m) any  other
contract or agreement that is otherwise  material to Parent or the  Subsidiaries
taken as a whole,  except for purchase  and sales  orders and similar  contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business.

         Section 4.14               Taxes.

         (a)  Except as  disclosed  in  Section  4.14 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  each of Parent and its Subsidiaries has filed all Tax Returns that it
was  required  to file,  and,  except to the extent that a reserve for Taxes was
reflected  on Parent's  balance  sheet  included in Parent ' s 10-K (the "Parent
Balance Sheet") (exclusive of any accruals for "deferred taxes" or similar items
that  reflect   timing   differences   between  Tax  and  financial   accounting
principles), all such Tax Returns were correct and complete. Except as disclosed
in Section 4.14 of the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  each group of corporations
with  which  Parent  or any  Subsidiary  has  filed  (or was  required  to file)
consolidated,  combined,  unitary or similar Tax  Returns (a "Parent  Affiliated
Group") has filed all such Tax Returns that it was required to file with respect
to any  period in which  Parent  or a  Subsidiary  was a member  of such  Parent
Affiliated Group (a "Parent Affiliated Period"),  and, except to the extent that
a reserve for Taxes was reflected on the Parent Balance Sheet  (exclusive of any
accruals for "deferred  taxes" or similar items that reflect timing  differences
between Tax and  financial  accounting  principles),  all such Tax Returns  were
correct  and  complete.  Except  as  disclosed  in  Section  4.14 of the  Parent
Disclosure Schedule, except to the extent that a reserve for Taxes was reflected
on the Parent Balance Sheet  (exclusive of any accruals for "deferred  taxes" or
similar  items  that  reflect  timing  differences  between  Tax  and  financial
accounting  principles),  each of Parent and its Subsidiaries has paid all Taxes
(whether or not shown on such Tax Returns)  that were due and payable,  and each
Parent  Affiliated  Group has paid all Taxes  (whether  or not shown on such Tax
Returns) that were due and payable with respect to all Parent Affiliated Periods
and with  respect to which  Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  may be liable by
operation of law or otherwise. Except as disclosed in Section 4.14 of the Parent
Disclosure  Schedule,  the unpaid Taxes of Parent and the  Subsidiaries  for Tax
periods  through the date of the Parent Balance Sheet do not exceed the accruals
and reserves for Taxes set forth on the Parent  Balance Sheet  (exclusive of any
accruals for "deferred  taxes" or similar items that reflect timing  differences
between Tax and financial accounting principles). The unpaid Taxes of Parent and
the  Subsidiaries  for Tax  periods  from the date of the Parent  Balance  Sheet
through the Closing Date are normal recurring taxes  attributable  solely to the
conduct of their  businesses in the ordinary  course and in a manner  consistent
with past practices.  All Taxes that Parent or any Subsidiary is or was required
by law to withhold or collect have been duly  withheld or collected  and, to the
extent required,  have been paid to the proper Governmental  Entity. Each of the
representations  contained in the this Section  4.14(a)  shall be (i) limited in
its  application to items which are reasonably  likely,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect,  and (ii) qualified to the
extent of any adverse  determination of matters set forth in Section 4.14 of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule.

         (b)  Except as  disclosed  in  Section  4.14 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  Parent  is not and  never  has  been a party  to or  bound by any Tax
indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement (whether written or unwritten
or arising  under  operation  of federal  law as a result of being a member of a
group filing consolidated Tax Returns,  under operation of certain state laws as
a result of being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable laws of other
states or foreign  jurisdictions)  which  includes a party other than Parent nor
does Parent owe any amount  under any such  agreement.  Except as  disclosed  in
Section 4.14 of the Parent Disclosure  Schedule,  no examination or audit by any
Governmental  Entity of any Tax Return of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any
Parent  Affiliated Group with respect to a Parent Affiliated Period is currently
in progress or, to the knowledge of Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  threatened or
contemplated,  in each case,  which involve claims that  individually  or in the
aggregate  are  reasonably  likely  to have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.
Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been informed by any jurisdiction
that the  jurisdiction  believes  that  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries  was
required  to file any Tax Return  that was not filed  which  failure or failures
individually,  or in the  aggregate,  are  reasonably  likely  to have a  Parent
Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)  Neither  Parent  nor  any  of  its   Subsidiaries  is  a  "consent
corporation"  within the meaning of Section  341(f) of the Code, and none of the
assets of Parent or the  Subsidiaries  are subject to an election  under Section
341(f) of the Code.

         (d) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a United States
real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the
Code during the applicable period specified in Section  897(c)(1)(A)(ii)  of the
Code.

         (e)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  4.14 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payments,  is
obligated  to make any  payments,  or is a party  to any  agreement  that  could
obligate it to make any payments that will not be  deductible  under either Code
Section 162(m) or Code Section 280G (or cause Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries
to incur an  obligation  to  reimburse  a person  for a tax  imposed  under Code
Section 4999).

         (f)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  4.14 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  to the knowledge of Parent, no state of facts or circumstances  exist
which are  reasonably  likely to constitute  grounds for the assessment of taxes
against Parent or any subsidiary where such assessment would, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.15               Patents, Trademarks and Similar Rights.

         (a) Parent and its  Subsidiaries  own,  or are  licensed  or  otherwise
possess  and,  after the  Effective  Time,  will  continue  to own,  license  or
otherwise possess,  legally enforceable rights to use, all patents,  trademarks,
trade  names,  service  marks,  copyrights  and mask works,  and all  processes,
formulae, methods, schematics,  technology, know-how, computer software programs
or applications and tangible or intangible  proprietary  information or material
that are  necessary  to conduct the business of Parent and its  Subsidiaries  as
currently  conducted,  the absence of which would be reasonably likely to have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect (the "Parent Intellectual Property Rights").

         (b) Neither Parent nor any of its  Subsidiaries is, or will as a result
of the execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the  performance of Parent's
obligations  under this  Agreement  or  otherwise  be, in breach of any license,
sublicense or other agreement relating to Parent  Intellectual  Property Rights,
or any material licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which Parent or
any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party and  pursuant to which Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries  is  authorized  to use any  third  party  patents,  trademarks  or
copyrights  ("Parent  Third  Party  Intellectual  Property  Rights"),  including
software that is used in the manufacture of, incorporated in, or forms a part of
any product sold by or expected to be sold by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries,
the breach of which would be reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.

         (c) All patents,  registered  trademarks,  service marks and copyrights
which are held by Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  and which are  material to
the  business of Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  are valid and
subsisting.  Parent (i) has not been sued in any suit, action or proceeding,  or
received in writing any claim or notice,  which involves a claim of infringement
of any patent,  trademarks,  service marks, copyrights or violation of any trade
secret  or other  proprietary  right of any  third  party  which,  if  adversely
determined,  would be  reasonably  likely  to have a  Company  Material  Adverse
Effect; and (ii) has no knowledge that the manufacturing,  marketing,  licensing
or  sale  of  its  products  infringes  any  patent,  trademark,  service  mark,
copyright,  trade secret or other  proprietary  right of any third party,  which
infringement  would  reasonably  be expected to have a Parent  Material  Adverse
Effect.

         Section 4.16  Information  in  Disclosure  Documents  and  Registration
Statement.  None of the  information  supplied  or to be  supplied  by Parent or
Merger Sub specifically for inclusion in (i) the Registration  Statement or (ii)
the Joint Proxy Statement will, in the case of the  Registration  Statement,  at
the time it becomes  effective  or, in the case of the Joint Proxy  Statement or
any  amendments  thereof  or  supplements  thereto,  at the time of the  initial
mailing of the Proxy Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, and at
the time of the Company  Shareholder  Meeting and the Parent Shareholder Meeting
to be held in  connection  with the Merger,  contain any untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of the
circumstances  under  which  they are made,  not  misleading.  The  Registration
Statement,  as of its effective  date,  will comply (with respect to information
relating to Parent and Merger Sub) as to form in all material  respects with the
requirements of the Securities  Act, and the rules and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder.  As of the  date of its  initial  mailing  and as of the date of the
Company Shareholder Meeting and the Parent Shareholder  Meeting, the Joint Proxy
Statement will comply (with respect to information relating to the Parent) as to
form in all material  respects with the applicable  requirements of the Exchange
Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated  thereunder.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  neither Parent nor Merger Sub makes any  representation  or warranty
with respect to any statement made or incorporated by reference in the foregoing
documents  based upon  information  supplied  by or on behalf of the Company for
inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

         Section 4.17               Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.

         (a) Section 4.17 of the Parent Disclosure  Schedule sets forth the name
of each Parent Plan (as defined below) and of each bonus, deferred compensation,
incentive compensation,  profit sharing,  salary continuation,  employee benefit
plan, stock purchase, stock option, employment,  severance,  termination, golden
parachute,  consulting  or  supplemental  retirement  plan or agreement to which
Parent or any  Subsidiary is a party to or  contributes  to or pursuant to which
any employee of Parent or any Subsidiary is entitled to benefits  (collectively,
the "Benefit Plans"), true copies of which have heretofore been delivered to the
Company.  Except as set forth in Section 4.17 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule,
each Parent Plan and Benefit Plan  complies  with ERISA,  the Code and all other
applicable laws and  administrative or governmental rules and regulations except
for any  such  noncompliance  that,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  is not
reasonably  likely to have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No  "reportable
event"  (within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA) has occurred and no notice
of such event is pending with respect to any Parent Plan; neither Parent nor any
of its ERISA Affiliates has withdrawn from any Parent Plan under Section 4063 of
ERISA or has taken, or is currently considering taking, any action to do so; and
no action has been taken,  or is currently  being  considered,  to terminate any
Parent Plan  subject to Title IV of ERISA,  in any such case,  where such event,
withdrawal or action,  individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to
have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No Parent Plan, nor any trust created
thereunder,  has incurred  any material  "accumulated  funding  deficiency"  (as
defined in Section 302 of ERISA),  whether or not waived. Except as set forth in
Section 4.17 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, there are no (individually or in
the aggregate) actions,  suits or claims pending or, to the knowledge of Parent,
threatened  (other than routine  claims for benefits) with respect to any Parent
Plan or Benefit Plan and that is, individually, or in the aggregate,  reasonably
likely to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Parent nor any of
its ERISA  Affiliates has incurred or would  reasonably be expected to incur any
liability  under or pursuant to Title IV of ERISA that has not been satisfied in
full and that  are,  individually,  or in the  aggregate,  reasonably  likely to
result in a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.  To the  knowledge of Parent,  no
non-exempt prohibited  transactions described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code  have  occurred.  Except as set  forth in  Section  4.17 of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule, all Parent Plans and Benefit Plans that are intended
to be  qualified  under  Section  401(a) of the Code have  received a  favorable
determination letter as to such qualification from the Internal Revenue Service,
and no event has  occurred,  either by reason of any  action or  failure to act,
which could be expected to cause the loss of any such qualification,  and Parent
is not  aware of any  reason  why any  Parent  Plan and  Benefit  Plan is not so
qualified in operation. As used herein: "Parent Plan" means a "pension plan" (as
defined in Section  3(2) of ERISA),  or a "welfare  plan" (as defined in Section
3(l)  of  ERISA)  established  or  maintained  by  Parent  or any  of its  ERISA
Affiliates or to which Parent or any of its ERISA  Affiliates has contributed in
the last six years or otherwise may have any liability.

         (b)  None of the  Benefit  Plans is (i) a plan  subject  to Title IV of
ERISA or (ii) a Multiemployer  Plan.  Neither Parent or its ERISA Affiliates has
ever  contributed  to or had an obligation  to  contribute to any  Multiemployer
Plan.

         (c)  Except  as set  forth on  Section  4.17 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule,  no Benefit Plan which is a "welfare plan" (as defined in Section 3(1)
of ERISA)  provides for continuing  benefits or coverage for any  participant or
any  beneficiary  of a  participant  after  such  participant's  termination  of
employment  except  as  may  be  required  by the  Consolidated  Omnibus  Budget
Reconciliation  Action  of  1985,  as  amended  ("COBRA"),  and the  regulations
thereunder  at  the  expense  of  the  participant  or  the  beneficiary  of the
participant.

         (d)  Except as  disclosed  in  Section  4.17 of the  Parent  Disclosure
Schedule, (i) no amount payable under any Parent Plan will fail to be deductible
for federal  income tax purposes by virtue of Section 280G of the Code; and (ii)
the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not,
either alone or in combination with any other event that is reasonably likely to
occur, (A) entitle any current or former director, officer or employee of Parent
or any of its ERISA  Affiliates to severance  pay,  golden  parachute  payments,
unemployment  compensation or any other payment, except as expressly provided in
this  Agreement,  or (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting,  or increase
the amount of compensation due any such director, officer or employee.

         Section 4.18 Environmental  Matters.  Except as set forth in the Parent
SEC Documents, (i) no person, entity or governmental agency has asserted against
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  any requests,  claims or demands for damages,
costs,  expenses  or  causes of action  arising  out of or due to the  emission,
disposal,  discharge or other  release or  threatened  release of any  Hazardous
Substances  or  Pollutants  or  Contaminants  (in each  case,  as  defined in or
governed by any applicable federal,  state or local statute,  law or regulation)
in connection with or related to any past or present  facilities,  properties or
assets,  owned,  leased  or  operated  by  Parent  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries
(collectively,  "Parent's Assets"), arising out of or due to any injury to human
health or the  environment  by reason of the current  condition  or operation of
Parent's  Assets,  or past  conditions  and operations or activities on Parent's
Assets;  (ii) neither Parent nor any Subsidiary is a party to any pending, or to
the  knowledge  of Parent,  threatened  actions for  damages,  costs,  expenses,
demands,   causes  of  action,  claims,  losses,   administrative   proceedings,
enforcement  actions,  or  investigations  relating to the  emission,  disposal,
discharge or release of  Hazardous  Substances  or  Pollutants  or  Contaminants
associated with Parent's Assets or operations;  (iii) there is no  environmental
condition, situation or incident on, at or concerning Parent's Assets that could
give rise to an action or liability under  applicable  environmental  law, rule,
ordinance or common law theory relating to Hazardous  Substances,  Pollutants or
Contaminants;  and (iv) there is no liability  associated  with Parent's  Assets
under the Comprehensive  Environmental Response,  Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980,  as amended,  the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act or the Toxic
Substances and Control Act, or any other similar state or local law, in any such
case where such event, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.19 Labor Matters.  Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any  labor  contracts  or  collective  bargaining  agreements.  There  is no
material unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of Parent,
threatened, against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Parent
Business.  Since April 30, 1998,  there has not been any labor strike,  dispute,
slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of Parent,  threatened against
Parent  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries,  and  neither  Parent  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries has experienced any primary work stoppage or other labor difficulty
involving its employees,  in either such case, which has had or would reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.

         Section  4.20  Affiliate  Transactions.  Except as set forth in Section
4.20 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of Parent, no director,
officer, executive employee or shareholder beneficially owning 5% or more of the
total  number of issued  and  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock:  (i) has any
material  contractual  relationship with Parent, other than employment contracts
and contracts made on an arm's-length  basis in the ordinary course of business;
or (ii) has any direct or indirect  interest in any material right,  property or
asset which is used by Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  in the conduct of its
or their business.

         Section  4.21  Opinion of  Financial  Advisor.  Parent has received the
written opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. ("JPM") to the effect that as of
the date of this Agreement,  the  consideration to be paid by the Company in the
Merger is fair,  from a financial  point of view.  A true,  correct and complete
copy of the written opinion delivered by JPM, which opinion shall be included in
the Joint Proxy  Statement,  as well as a true and correct  copy of the Parent's
engagement of JPM, have been delivered to the Company by Parent.

         Section 4.22 Brokers.  Other than JPM and Gregory & Hoenemeyer ("G&H"),
no broker,  finder or  financial  advisor  retained by Parent is entitled to any
brokerage,  finder's or other fee or commission  from Parent in connection  with
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by
or on behalf of Parent. A true and correct copy of Parent's  engagement  letters
with JPM and G&H has been delivered to the Company by Parent.

         Section 4.23 Pooling. Parent does not know of any reason why the Merger
will not qualify as a pooling of interests transaction under APB 16, and neither
Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has, to its knowledge after consultation with
its independent accountants,  taken any action that will prevent the Merger from
qualifying as a pooling of interests transaction under APB 16.

         Section  4.24  Insurance;  Risk  Management.   All  material  fire  and
casualty,  general liability,  business  interruption,  product  liability,  and
sprinkler and water damage insurance policies maintained by Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries are with reputable  insurance  carriers,  provide full and adequate
coverage  for all  normal  risks  incident  to the  business  of Parent  and its
Subsidiaries  and their respective  properties and assets,  and are in character
and amount at least  equivalent  to that  carried by persons  engaged in similar
businesses and subject to the same or similar perils or hazards,  except for any
such  failures to  maintain  insurance  policies  that,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  are not reasonably  likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
The steps taken by Parent to manage the various  risks  incident to the business
and operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries  and their  respective  properties
and assets are at least  equivalent to those taken by persons engaged in similar
businesses,  except for any failures to take such steps that, individually or in
the  aggregate,  are not  reasonably  likely to have a Parent  Material  Adverse
Effect.

         Section 4.25 Year 2000.  The Parent has  conducted an assessment of its
and its Subsidiaries' internal operating systems, processes,  software, hardware
and  equipment and based upon this  assessment  has developed a plan designed to
ensure that the same are Year 2000 Compliant on or before  December 31, 1999. To
the  knowledge  of  Parent,  such  plan  will be  implemented  and  successfully
completely on or before December 31, 1999, and the implementation and completion
of such plan will not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.26 Interim  Operations  of Sub.  Merger Sub was formed solely
for the purpose of engaging in the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
has engaged in no other  business  activities  and has conducted its  operations
only as contemplated by this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE V

                     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

         Section  5.1  Conduct of  Business  Pending  the  Merger.  Prior to the
Effective  Time,  Parent  and  the  Company  each  agree  as to  itself  and its
respective  Subsidiaries  (except to the extent  expressly  contemplated by this
Agreement or the  Disclosure  Schedules or that the other party shall  otherwise
consent in  writing) to conduct its and its  Subsidiaries  business  only in the
ordinary and usual course consistent with the manner as heretofore conducted. In
addition,   during  such  time,   Parent,   the  Company  and  their  respective
Subsidiaries  shall use their  reasonable  best  efforts to, and shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause their officers, directors and employees to, (i)
preserve  intact its present  business  organization,  (ii) keep  available  the
services of its present officers and key employees,  (iii) preserve its business
relationships  and  preserve  its  relationships   with  customers,   suppliers,
distributors,  licensors,  licensees and others having business dealings with it
or its Subsidiaries,  all to the end that its and its Subsidiaries' goodwill and
ongoing business shall be unimpaired at the Effective Time. Without limiting the
foregoing,  during such time, Parent and its Subsidiaries , on one hand, and the
Company and its  Subsidiaries , on the other hand, shall use their best efforts,
not to, and shall use their  reasonable  best efforts to cause their  respective
officers,  directors and employees not to, take any action that interferes with,
or impedes,  such party's ongoing  relationships  (including such  relationships
after the Effective Time) with such party's  employees,  customers or suppliers.
Parent  and the  Company  each  shall  promptly  notify  the other  party of any
material event or occurrence not in the ordinary  course of business.  Except as
expressly contemplated by this Agreement,  Parent and the Company each shall not
(and  shall not permit  any of its  respective  Subsidiaries  to),  without  the
written consent of the other party:

         (a) accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability of options
or  restricted  stock  granted  under any  employee  stock plan of such party or
authorize  cash  payments in exchange for any options  granted under any of such
plans except as required by the terms of such plans or any related agreements in
effect  as of the date of this  Agreement  and  except as  contemplated  by this
Agreement;

         (b) (i) amend its Certificate of Incorporation,  as amended, By-Laws or
other organizational  documents, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of
its outstanding  capital stock, (iii) declare,  set aside or pay any dividend or
other distribution payable in cash, stock or property,  other than dividends and
distributions  by a  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  to its  parent  entity,  or  (iv)
directly or indirectly  purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its
capital stock or shares of the capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries;

         (c)  authorize  for  issuance,  issue  (except  upon  the  exercise  of
outstanding  stock  options,  or warrants or upon the  conversion of convertible
securities)  or sell or  agree to issue or sell any  shares  of,  or  rights  or
options to  acquire or  convertible  into any  shares of, its  capital  stock or
shares of the  capital  stock of any of its  Subsidiaries  (whether  through the
issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to
purchase or otherwise)  or any other  securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for shares of its capital stock;

         (d)  subject to  Sections  6.2 and 6.4  hereof,  (i) merge,  combine or
consolidate with another entity,  (ii) acquire or purchase an equity interest in
or a substantial  portion of the assets of another  corporation,  partnership or
other business organization or otherwise acquire any material assets outside the
ordinary  course of business and  consistent  with past  practice or (iii) sell,
lease, license, waive, release,  transfer,  encumber or otherwise dispose of any
of its material  (individually or in the aggregate)  assets outside the ordinary
course  of  business  and  consistent   with  past   practice;   provided  that,
acquisitions   which  do  not  involve,   individually   or  in  the  aggregate,
consideration (including assumed indebtedness) of not more than $10,000,000 that
are otherwise  permitted pursuant to this Agreement,  shall not require any such
consent;

         (e) (i) incur,  assume or prepay any  indebtedness  for borrowed  money
other than in each case  pursuant to credit  agreements in effect as of the date
hereof in the ordinary  course of business and  consistent  with past  practice,
(ii)  assume,  guarantee,  endorse or  otherwise  become  liable or  responsible
(whether directly,  contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any person
other than a Subsidiary,  in each case other than (A) in the ordinary  course of
business and  consistent  with past  practice,  (B) existing  indebtedness  of a
Subsidiary,  (C)  short-term  borrowings  incurred  in the  ordinary  course  of
business  consistent with the manner as heretofore  conducted and (D) borrowings
pursuant to existing credit facilities in the ordinary course of business or any
modifications, renewals or replacements of such credit facilities, or (iii) make
any loans,  advances or capital  contributions  to, or investments in, any other
person, other than to any Subsidiary;

         (f) pay, satisfy,  discharge or settle any material claim,  liabilities
or obligations (absolute,  accrued, contingent or otherwise),  other than in the
ordinary  course of business and  consistent  with past  practice or pursuant to
mandatory  terms of any contract in effect on the date hereof and other than any
settlement  that does not  require  the  payment  of any  material  sum,  or the
performance of any material obligation;

         (g)  modify  or  amend,   or  waive  any  benefit   of,  any   material
non-competition agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;

         (h) authorize or make capital  expenditures  in excess of $2,000,000 in
the aggregate  except for those projects set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company
Disclosure  Schedule or Section 5.1 of the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  as the
case may be;

         (i) (i) adopt,  enter  into,  terminate,  make or agree to make any new
grants or awards under or amend  (except as may be required by  Applicable  Law)
any employee plan, agreement, bonus, contract, arrangement or other Company Plan
or Parent Plan, or pay, or agree to pay, any bonus, stay bonus, or other similar
payment,  as the case may be, to or for the current or future benefit or welfare
of any  director,  officer or employee or take any action  which would result in
the  acceleration  or early vesting of any Options,  other than paying or making
grants,  awards or other  payments  required  to be made  pursuant  to plans and
agreements  disclosed in the Company  Disclosure  Schedule or Parent  Disclosure
Schedule  as the case may be;  (ii)  except in the  ordinary  course of business
consistent with past practice, increase in any manner the compensation or fringe
benefits of, or pay any bonus to, any  director,  officer or employee;  or (iii)
take  any  action  to fund or in any  other  way  secure,  or to  accelerate  or
otherwise  remove  restrictions  with respect to, the payment of compensation or
benefits  under any employee  plan,  agreement,  contract,  arrangement or other
Company Plan or Parent Plan, as the case may be;

         (j) make any  material  change in its  accounting  or tax  policies  or
procedures, except as required by Applicable Law or to comply with GAAP;

         (k) enter into any material  contract or material  agreement other than
in the ordinary  course of business or modify,  amend or terminate  any material
contract or material agreement except in the ordinary course of business;

         (l)  reclassify,  combine,  split,  subdivide,  purchase  or  otherwise
acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock;

         (m) grant  any  severance  or  termination  pay to,  or enter  into any
employment or severance  agreement with, any of its, or any of its  Subsidiary's
directors,  officers or  employees  except in  connection  with the  termination
(voluntary  or  involuntary)  or  resignation  of such  person on terms that are
consistent with past practice

         (n) commit a breach  of, or default  under,  any  contract,  agreement,
license or  instrument  to which it is a party or to which any of its assets may
be  subject,  or violate  any  applicable  law,  regulation,  ordinance,  order,
injunction or decree or any other requirement of any governmental body or court,
relating to its assets or  business  if such  breach,  default or  violation  is
reasonably  likely  to result in a  Company  Material  Adverse  Effect or Parent
Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be;

         (o) fail to file all  reports  and  returns  required  to be filed with
federal, state, local and foreign authorities,  where such failure is reasonably
likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse
Effect, as the case may be;

         (p) except those being contested for which adequate  reserves have been
established, fail to (i) promptly pay all Taxes of any nature lawfully levied or
assessed upon it or any of its or its Subsidiaries'  properties or (ii) withhold
or collect and pay to the proper  governmental  authorities  or hold in separate
bank accounts for such payment all Taxes and other assessments that are required
by law to be so withheld or collected;

         (q) pay, loan or advance any material  amount to, or sell,  transfer or
lease any material property or asset to, or enter into any material agreement or
arrangement  with,  any of its  affiliates,  officers,  employees or  directors,
except for its  directors'  fees and  compensation  to  officers  and  employees
consistent with past practices;

         (r) except as expressly  permitted by this  Agreement,  take any action
that would or is reasonably likely to result in any of its  representations  and
warranties set forth in this Agreement being untrue in any material respect,  or
in any of the  conditions  to the  Merger  set  forth in  Article  VII not being
satisfied; or

         (s) enter into any contract, agreement,  commitment or arrangement with
respect to any of the foregoing.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         Section 6.1 Access and Information.  Each party hereto shall (and shall
cause  its  Subsidiaries  and  its and  their  respective  officers,  directors,
employees,  auditors  and agents to) afford to the other party and to such other
party's officers,  employees,  financial advisors,  legal counsel,  accountants,
consultants and other representatives  (except to the extent not permitted under
Applicable Law as advised by counsel)  reasonable  access during normal business
hours  throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to all of its books and
records and its properties,  plants and personnel and, during such period, shall
furnish  promptly to the other party a copy of each  report,  schedule and other
document  filed or  received  by it  pursuant  to the  requirements  of  federal
securities laws. Unless otherwise  required by Applicable Law, each party hereto
agrees  that it shall,  and it shall  cause its  Subsidiaries  and its and their
respective officers, directors,  employees, auditors and agents to, hold and use
all information confidential pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement.

         Section 6.2                No Solicitation.

         (a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company and Parent each agree that
it and its  respective  Subsidiaries  shall  not,  and each  shall  use its best
efforts to cause its  respective  affiliates,  directors,  officers,  employees,
agents or representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) encourage, solicit
or  initiate,  directly  or  indirectly,  (including  by  way of  furnishing  or
disclosing  non-public  information) any inquiries or the making of any proposal
with  respect to any  merger,  tender  offer,  consolidation  or other  business
combination  involving such party or the acquisition (directly or indirectly) of
all or any significant  part of the assets or capital stock of such party or any
of its  Subsidiaries  (other than pursuant to this  Agreement) (an  "Acquisition
Transaction")  (ii) negotiate,  explore or otherwise engage in discussions with,
or provide  confidential  information  or data to, any person  (other  than each
other  and each  other's  representatives,  Subsidiaries  and  affiliates)  with
respect to any Acquisition  Transaction,  or which may reasonably be expected to
lead to a  proposal  for an  Acquisition  Transaction  or (iii)  enter  into any
agreement,   arrangement  or  understanding  with  respect  to  any  Acquisition
Transaction  or  which  would  require  it to  abandon,  terminate  or  fail  to
consummate the Merger or any other  transaction  contemplated by this Agreement;
provided,  however, that, at any time prior to the adoption of this Agreement by
the  stockholders of the Company,  the Company may, and at any time prior to the
approval of the issuance of Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger by
the Parent  stockholders,  Parent may, in each case, acting through its board of
directors,  in response to an  unsolicited  written  proposal from a third party
setting forth a Superior Proposal (as hereinafter defined),  furnish information
to,  negotiate or otherwise  engage in discussions with such third party, if its
Board of Directors  determines  in good faith,  based upon the advice of outside
counsel,  that such action is reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to
comply with its  fiduciary  duties  under  Applicable  Law,  including,  without
limitation the DGCL;  provided,  however,  prior to furnishing  such  non-public
information to, or entering into  discussions or negotiations  with, such person
or  entity,  such  Board of  Directors  receives  from such  person or entity an
executed  confidentiality  agreement  with terms no less favorable to such party
than those contained in the Non-Disclosure Agreement dated July 24, 1998 between
the Company and Parent (the  "Confidentiality  Agreement"),  and such non-public
information has been previously delivered to the Board of Directors of the other
party  hereto.  The Company and Parent each agree to promptly  advise in writing
the other of any  inquiries  or  proposals  received  by,  any such  information
requested from, and any requests for  negotiations  or discussions  sought to be
initiated or continued with it, its  Subsidiaries  or affiliates,  or any of the
respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents or  representatives of the
foregoing,   in  each  case  from  a  person  with  respect  to  an  Acquisition
Transaction.  In  addition,  the Company  and Parent  shall  promptly  advise in
writing the other of the substance  and content of any such  inquiry,  proposal,
information  request,  negotiations  or discussions.  As used herein,  "Superior
Proposal"  means a bona fide,  written  and  unsolicited  proposal or offer with
respect to an  Acquisition  Transaction on terms which the Board of Directors of
the party  receiving  such proposal or offer  determines in good faith (based on
and  consistent  with the advice of independent  financial  advisors and outside
legal counsel), would, if consummated, be more favorable over the long-term from
a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated hereby, taking into
consideration  all elements of the transactions  contemplated  hereby including,
without  limitation,  the non-taxable  element of said transaction and strategic
benefits  anticipated to be derived from the Merger and the long-term  prospects
of Parent and the Company as a combined company, and for which financing, to the
extent  required,  is then committed or which, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of such party is reasonably capable of being obtained by such
third party.

         (b) The Company and Parent each agree that, as of the date hereof,  it,
its  Subsidiaries  and  affiliates,  and  the  respective  directors,  officers,
employees,  agents and representatives of the foregoing, shall immediately cease
and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions and negotiations
with any person (other than Parent and its representatives) conducted heretofore
with respect to any Acquisition Transaction.

         (c)  The  Company  and  Parent   shall  each  notify  the  other  party
immediately  after  receipt  by the  Company  and  Parent  (or their  advisors),
respectively,  of any inquiry or proposal  involving an Acquisition  Transaction
("Acquisition Proposal") or any request for non-public information in connection
with an Acquisition  Proposal or for access to the properties,  books or records
of such party or any of its  Subsidiaries  by any person or entity that  informs
such party that it is considering making, or has made, an Acquisition  Proposal.
Such notice shall be made orally and in writing and shall indicate in reasonable
detail  the  identity  of the  offeror  and the  terms  and  conditions  of such
proposal,  inquiry or contact, and shall describe,  if applicable,  any material
disclosed or provided to the party making the Acquisition Proposal which had not
previously  been  disclosed or provided to the Company or Parent as  applicable.
Such party shall continue to keep the other party hereto informed,  on a current
basis, of the status of any such discussions or negotiations and the terms being
discussed or negotiated.

         (d)  Nothing  contained  in  this  Section  6.2 or  elsewhere  in  this
Agreement  shall prohibit  either party from (i) filing with the SEC a report on
Form 8-K with respect to this Agreement,  including a copy of this Agreement and
any related agreements as an exhibit to such report,  (ii) taking and disclosing
to its shareholders a position  contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or 14e-2  promulgated
under the Exchange Act, or (iii) making any disclosure to its  shareholders  if,
in the good faith  judgment of the Board of Directors upon the advice of outside
counsel, failure to so disclose would be inconsistent with any Applicable Law or
the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors.  The Company and Parent shall be
entitled  to provide  copies of this  Section  6.2 to third  parties  who, on an
unsolicited basis after the date of this Agreement, contact such party regarding
an Acquisition Transaction.

         Section 6.3 Third-Party Standstill  Agreements.  During the period from
the date of this  Agreement  through the Effective  Time,  the Company shall not
terminate,  amend,  modify  or waive any  provision  of any  confidentiality  or
standstill  agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party that was
entered  into in  contemplation  of  discussions  or  negotiations  regarding  a
possible Acquisition Transaction.

         Section 6.4 Joint Proxy Statement; Stockholder's Meetings. (a) In order
to consummate the Merger,  Parent, acting through the Parent Board of Directors,
shall,  in accordance  with its  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and By-Laws and
Applicable Law:

                            (i) subject to its fiduciary duties under Applicable
Laws as determined,  in good faith, by the Parent Board of Directors,  following
consultation with outside counsel, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
special meeting (the "Parent  Shareholder  Meeting") of its  stockholders  and a
special meeting (or a consent in lieu thereof) of the stockholders of Merger Sub
(at which  latter  meeting  Parent shall vote all of its shares of Merger Sub in
favor of the  adoption and approval of this  Agreement)  as soon as  practicable
following the date hereof for the purposes of adopting this Agreement or, in the
case of the Parent,  approving the Certificate  Amendment,  the Option Amendment
and the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger;

                            (ii)   subject  to  its   fiduciary   duties   under
Applicable Law as determined,  in good faith,  by the Parent Board of Directors,
following  consultation  with  outside  counsel,  include  in  the  Joint  Proxy
Statement the  recommendation of the Parent Board of Directors that stockholders
of the Parent vote in favor of the Certificate  Amendment,  the Option Amendment
and the  issuance  of Parent  Company  Stock  pursuant to the Merger and use its
reasonable best efforts to solicit votes and proxies in favor of the matters set
forth in (i) above; and

                            (iii) obtain and furnish any information required to
be included in the proxy or  information  statement  (together  with any related
letter to  stockholders,  notice of meeting and form of proxy, the "Parent Proxy
Statement")  to be included in the Joint  Proxy  Statement,  and cause the Joint
Proxy  Statement  to be  mailed to the  Parent's  stockholders  at the  earliest
practicable date.

         (b) In order to consummate the Merger, the Company,  acting through its
Board of Directors,  shall in accordance with its  Certificate of  Incorporation
and By-Laws and applicable law:

                            (i) subject to its fiduciary duties under Applicable
Law as determined,  in good faith, by the Company Board of Directors,  following
consultation with outside counsel, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
special meeting (the "Company Shareholder  Meeting") of its stockholders as soon
as  practicable  following  the date  hereof for the  purpose of  adopting  this
Agreement;

                            (ii)   subject  to  its   fiduciary   duties   under
applicable  law as  determined,  in  good  faith,  by  the  Company's  Board  of
Directors,  following  consultation  with outside counsel,  include in the Joint
Proxy Statement the  recommendation  of its board of directors that stockholders
of the Company vote in favor of, and use its reasonable  best efforts to solicit
votes and proxies in favor of, the adoption and approval of this Agreement; and

                            (iii) obtain and furnish any information required to
be included in the proxy or  information  statement  (together  with any related
letters to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy, the "Company Proxy
Statement")  to be included in the Joint  Proxy  Statement,  and cause the Joint
Proxy  Statement  to be mailed to the  Company's  stockholders  at the  earliest
practicable date.

         (c) As promptly as  reasonably  practicable  following the date hereof,
the Parent,  the Merger Sub and the Company  will  prepare and file with the SEC
the  Registration   Statement  under  the  Securities  Act  and  the  rules  and
regulations  promulgated  thereunder  with  respect to the  Parent  Shares to be
issued in  connection  with the Merger which shall include as a part thereof the
Parent Proxy  Statement with respect to the Parent  Shareholder  Meeting and the
Company's Proxy Statement with respect to the Company  Shareholder  Meeting (the
"Joint Proxy Statement"). The Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall cooperate
and use all reasonable efforts in the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement  and Joint  Proxy  Statement  and to have the  Registration  Statement
declared  effective  by the SEC. The Parent,  Merger Sub, and the Company  shall
also take any reasonable  action required to be taken under the state "blue sky"
laws or other securities laws in connection with the Merger.

         (d)  Subject  to the  provisions  of this  Article  VI,  Parent and the
Company  shall use their best efforts to hold such  meetings on the same day and
as soon as  practicable  after the date hereof and shall not postpone or adjourn
(other than for the absence of a quorum) their respective stockholders' meetings
without the consent of the other  party.  Subject to  Sections  6.2,  6.4(a) and
6.4(b), each party shall use all reasonable efforts to solicit from stockholders
of such party proxies in favor of such matters.

         Section  6.5  Affiliate  Agreements.  Prior  to the  execution  of this
Agreement,  the Company and Parent have provided each other with a list of those
persons who are, in the Company's and Parent's respective  reasonable  judgment,
"affiliates" of the Company or Parent, respectively,  within the meaning of Rule
145  promulgated  under the Securities Act ("Rule 145") (each such person who is
an  "affiliate"  of the  Company  or Parent  within  the  meaning of Rule 145 is
referred to as an "Affiliate").  The Company and Parent shall provide each other
with such  information  and documents as Parent or the Company shall  reasonably
request for purposes of reviewing  such list and shall notify the other party in
writing  regarding  any change in the  identity of its  Affiliates  prior to the
Closing Date. The Company and Parent have delivered to the other,  or shall each
cause to be  delivered  to the  other at least  thirty  (30)  days  prior to the
Effective Time, from each of its Affiliates, an executed Affiliate Agreement, in
form  attached  hereto as Exhibit "D", in the case of Affiliates of the Company,
and in the form  attached  hereto as Exhibit "E", in the case of  Affiliates  of
Parent  (each,  an  "Affiliate  Agreement").  Parent  shall be entitled to place
appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing any Parent Common Stock to be
received  by such  Affiliates  of the  Company  pursuant  to the  terms  of this
Agreement,  and to issue appropriate stop transfer  instructions to the transfer
agent for the Parent  Common Stock,  consistent  with the terms of the Affiliate
Agreements  (provided that such legends or stop transfer  instructions  shall be
removed, two years after the Effective Date, upon the request of any stockholder
that is not then an Affiliate of Parent.

         Section 6.6                Reasonable Best Efforts.

         (a) Subject to the terms and conditions  herein provided and applicable
legal requirements, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to take,  or cause to be taken,  all  action,  and to do, or cause to be
done,  and to assist and cooperate  with the other parties  hereto in doing,  as
promptly  as  practicable,  all  things  necessary,  proper or  advisable  under
applicable  laws and  regulations  to ensure  that the  conditions  set forth in
Article VII are satisfied and to consummate and make effective the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;  provided,  however, that the Company shall not,
without  Parent's  prior written  consent,  and Parent shall not be required to,
divest or hold  separate or otherwise  take or commit to take any other  similar
action with respect to any assets,  businesses or product  lines of Parent,  the
Company or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  or otherwise take action that
could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, a Parent
Material  Adverse  Effect or an effect to  Parent  combined  with the  Surviving
Corporation  comparable to either a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect or Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) Subject to Section 6.6(a) hereof, each of the parties shall use its
reasonable  best  efforts to obtain as promptly  as  practicable  all  consents,
waivers, approvals, authorizations or permits of, or registration or filing with
or notification to (any of the foregoing being a "Consent"), of any Governmental
Entity or any other  person  required  in  connection  with,  and waivers of any
violations,  defaults or breaches that may be caused by, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (c) Each party hereto shall  promptly  inform the other of any material
communication  from the SEC, the United  States  Federal Trade  Commission,  the
United States Department of Justice or any other  Governmental  Entity regarding
any of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  If any party hereto or
any  affiliate  thereof  receives  a  request  for  additional   information  or
documentary  material  from any such  Governmental  Entity  with  respect to the
transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  then  such  party  shall  use
commercially  reasonable  efforts  to cause to be  made,  as soon as  reasonably
practicable and after consultation with the other party, an appropriate response
in compliance with such request.

         (d) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject to the
proviso  to  Section  6.6(a)  hereof,  Parent  and the  Company  will use  their
respective  reasonable  best  efforts  to obtain all  authorizations  or waivers
required under the HSR Act to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby,
including, without limitation, making all filings with the Antitrust Division of
the  Department  of Justice  ("DOJ") and the Federal  Trade  Commission  ("FTC")
required in connection  therewith (the initial filing to occur no later than ten
business  days  following  the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement)  and
responding as promptly as practicable to all inquiries  received from the DOJ or
FTC for additional information or documentation.  Each of Parent and the Company
shall furnish to the other such necessary  information and reasonable assistance
as the other may request in  connection  with its  preparation  of any filing or
submission  which is necessary  under the HSR Act.  Parent and the Company shall
keep each other  apprised  of the  status of any  communications  with,  and any
inquiries or requests for additional information from, the FTC and the DOJ.


         (e) The parties hereto intend the Merger to qualify as a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Code.  Each of the parties  hereto shall,  and shall
cause its respective  Subsidiaries to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts
to cause its respective  affiliates to, use its and their respective  reasonable
best  efforts to cause the Merger to so qualify.  No party hereto shall take any
action prior to or after the  Effective  Time that would cause the Merger not to
qualify  under  these  Sections  of the Code  (and  each  party  shall use their
reasonable best efforts to ensure that their respective  affiliates not take any
such action),  and the parties hereto shall report and take the position for all
purposes that the Merger  qualifies as a  reorganization  under such Sections of
the Code.

         Section 6.7 Public Announcements.  Parent and the Company shall consult
with  each  other  before  issuing  any  press  releases  with  respect  to  the
transactions  by this Agreement and shall not issue any such press release prior
to such consultation and without the approval of the other (which approval shall
not  unreasonably  be withheld),  except as may be required by applicable law or
obligations  pursuant  to any listing  agreement  with any  national  securities
exchange.  The parties shall cooperate to the extent practicable with respect to
other public statements  (including  employee  announcements) made in connection
with the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  including the timing and contents
thereof.

         Section 6.8 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and Insurance.

         (a) Parent and the Company agree that all rights to indemnification now
existing in favor of any employee, agent, director or officer of the Company and
its Subsidiaries  (the "Indemnified  Parties"),  as provided in their respective
Certificate of Incorporation  or By-Laws or other agreements  existing as of the
date hereof and listed in Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, shall
survive  the Merger and shall  continue in full force and effect for a period of
six (6) years after the Effective Time;  provided that in the event any claim or
claims are  asserted  or made  within  such six (6) year  period,  all rights to
indemnification  in  respect  of any  such  claim  shall  continue  until  final
disposition of such claim.

         (b) The Company shall obtain continuation  coverage under the Company's
existing  Directors  and  Officers  and Company  Liability  Insurance  Policy to
provide coverage with respect to any claims made during the six (6) years period
following the Effective  Time for events  occurring  prior to the Effective Time
(the "D&O  Insurance") or, if  substantially  equivalent  insurance  coverage is
unavailable,  the best available coverage;  provided, however, that the one time
premium  for the D&O  Insurance  shall not  exceed150%  of the  annual  premiums
currently paid by the Company for such  coverage,  but if such premium would but
for this proviso  exceed such amount,  the Company may purchase as much coverage
as possible for such amount.

         (c) In the event  the  Parent or the  Surviving  Corporation  or any of
their respective  successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any
other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving  corporation or entity
of  such   consolidation  or  merger,  or  (ii)  transfers  or  conveys  all  or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any person,  then, and in each
such case, to the extent  necessary to  effectuate  the purposes of this Section
6.8,  Parent shall cause proper  provision to be made so that the successors and
assigns of the Surviving  Corporation  and/or Parent, as the case may be, assume
the obligations set forth in this Section 6.8 and none of the actions  described
in clauses (i) or (ii) shall be taken until such provision is made.

         (d) The  provisions  of this  Section  6.8 are  intended  to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each such  Indemnified  Party, and such
Indemnified  Party's heirs and personal  representatives and shall be binding on
all successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and Parent.

         Section 6.9 Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in Sections 8.2(b),
(c) and (d), the Company and Parent shall share  equally all fees and  expenses,
other than attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with the printing, filing and
mailing of the Joint  Proxy  Statement  and  Registration  Statement  (including
financial  statements and exhibits) and any amendments or supplements,  and each
party hereto shall  otherwise bear its own costs and expenses in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         Section 6.10 Listing Application.  Parent shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this
Agreement in the Merger to be listed for trading on the New York Stock  Exchange
or on any  securities  exchange on which shares of Parent  Common Stock shall be
listed at the  Effective  Time so that  appraisal  rights are not  available  to
stockholders of the Company under Section 262 of the DGCL.

         Section 6.11 [This Section has been intentionally left blank.]

         Section 6.12 Pooling of Interests.  Each of the Company and Parent will
use best  efforts  to cause the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,
including  the  Merger,  to be  accounted  for as a pooling of  interests  under
Opinion  16 of the  Accounting  Principles  Board and  applicable  SEC rules and
regulations,  and  such  accounting  treatment  to be  accepted  by  each of the
Company's  and  Parent's  independent  public  accountants,   and  by  the  SEC,
respectively,  and  each of the  Company  and  Parent  agrees  that it will  not
voluntarily take any action that would cause such accounting treatment not to be
obtained.  Each of the Company and Parent  shall use their best efforts to cause
its  respective  affiliates not to take any action that would  adversely  affect
Parent's ability to account for the Merger as a pooling of interests.

         Section 6.13 Parent Board of Directors. At or immediately following the
Effective  Time,  Parent shall take such action as may be necessary to cause (i)
two persons designated by the Company prior to Closing and reasonably acceptable
to Parent,  which persons shall,  unless Parent agrees otherwise,  be two of the
Company's  current  outside  directors,  together with William  Tauscher,  to be
elected  to  Parent's  Board of  Directors,  and (ii) one person  designated  by
Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P. prior to Closing and reasonably acceptable
to Parent to be elected to Parent's Board of Directors.

         Section 6.14 Letter of the Company's Accountants. The Company shall use
all  reasonable  efforts to cause to be  delivered  to Parent and the  Company a
letter from Ernst & Young, LLP, the Company's independent auditors, dated a date
within two (2) business days before the date on which the Registration Statement
shall become effective and addressed to Parent, in form reasonably  satisfactory
to Parent  and  customary  in scope  and  substance  for  letters  delivered  by
independent  public  accountants  in  connection  with  registration  statements
similar to the Registration Statement.

         Section  6.15  Letter of  Parent's  Accountants.  Parent  shall use all
reasonable  efforts to cause to be  delivered to Parent and the Company a letter
of KPMG Peat Marwick,  LLP, Parent's independent  auditors,  dated a date within
two (2) business days before the date on which the Registration  Statement shall
become effective and addressed to Purchaser,  in form reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser  and  customary  in scope  and  substance  for  letters  delivered  by
independent  public  accountants  in  connection  with  registration  statements
similar to the Registration Statement.

         Section 6.16 Treatment of Trust  Convertible  Preferred  Securities and
Convertible  Debentures.  Prior to or concurrently with the Closing,  Parent and
the Company shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure the  resignation of
the as regular Trustee of Vanstar Financing Trust and the substitution  therefor
of a person as regular trustee  reasonably  satisfactory to Parent. In addition,
Parent and the Company  shall take such  actions as may be  necessary  to ensure
compliance by the Parent and the Company with the Indenture  dated as of October
2, 1996 (the "Indenture") (including without limitation,  Section 1304 thereof),
relating to $207,474,200 of 6-3/4% Convertible  Subordinated Debentures due 2016
(the "Convertible Debentures"), and, without limitation thereof, shall take such
steps as are  necessary  to ensure that  holders of the  Convertible  Debentures
shall,  after the Effective  Time of the Merger,  have the right to convert such
securities  into (or exchange such securities for) shares of Parent Common Stock
on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.

         Section 6.17  Notification of Certain  Matters.  The Company shall give
prompt  notice to Parent  and Merger  Sub,  and Parent and Merger Sub shall give
prompt notice to the Company of (i) the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any event
the  occurrence  or  nonoccurrence  of  which  would  be  likely  to  cause  any
representation  or  warranty  contained  in  this  Agreement  to  be  untrue  or
inaccurate in any material  respect at or prior to the Effective  time, (ii) any
material  failure of the  Company,  Parent or Merger Sub, as the case may be, to
comply with or satisfy any covenant,  condition or agreement to be complied with
or  satisfied  by it  hereunder,  (iii) any  notice  of, or other  communication
relating  to a default  or event  which,  with  notice or lapse of time or both,
would become a default,  receive by it or any of its Subsidiaries  subsequent to
the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective  time,  under any contract
or agreement  material to the  financial  condition,  properties,  businesses or
results of operations of it and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or which it or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, and (iv) the occurrence of any
Company  Material  Adverse Effect or Parent Material  Adverse Effect,  provided,
however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 6.17 shall not
cure such breach or  noncompliance  or limit or  otherwise  affect the  remedies
available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.

         Section 6.18 Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment. The Company, Parent and
Merger  Sub shall  execute  and  deliver to Arter & Hadden  LLP,  counsel to the
Company,  and  McGrath,   North,  Mullin  &  Kratz,  P.C.,  counsel  to  Parent,
certificates  containing  customary  representations  substantially  in the form
agreed to by the  parties on or prior to the date hereof  (with such  changes as
may be  reasonably  requested by such law firms) at such time or times as may be
reasonably  requested  by such law firms in  connection  with  their  respective
deliveries  of opinions,  pursuant to Sections  7.2(e) and 7.3(c)  hereof,  with
respect to the tax-free  reorganization  treatment  of the Merger.  Prior to the
Effective time, none of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub shall take or cause to
be taken any action which would cause to be untrue (or fail to take or cause not
to  be  taken  any  action   which   would  cause  to  be  untrue)  any  of  the
representations in such previously agreed upon certificates.

         Section 6.19 Company Employee Benefits.  For one (1) year following the
Effective Time, the employees of the Company who remain employees of the Company
shall  continue to receive  employee  benefits  substantially  comparable in the
aggregate to those  provided for under Company  Employee  Plans  provided by the
Company on the date prior to the Effective Time provided,  however,  Parent may,
at its option,  terminate the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plans, provided,
however,  (i) until such plan is terminated,  Parent shall cause to be performed
all of the  Company's  obligations  under such plan,  and (ii) such  termination
shall  not  affect,  and  Parent  shall  cause to be  performed,  the  Company's
obligations  existing  under  such  plan at the  time of such  termination.  The
provisions of this Section 6.19 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall
be  enforceable  by, the  employees of the Company and shall be binding upon all
successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and Parent.

         Section 6.20  Schedules.  From time to time prior to the Closing  Date,
each of the Company and Parent will promptly  supplement or amend the Company or
Parent  Disclosure  Schedules,  as the case may be,  with  respect to any matter
hereafter arising that, if existing or occurring at or prior to the date of this
Agreement,  would have been required to be set forth or described in the Company
or Parent  Disclosure  Schedules,  as the case may be, or that is  necessary  to
correct any information in the Company or Parent  Disclosure  Schedules,  as the
case may be, or in any  representation  and  warranty of each of the Company and
Parent that has been rendered  inaccurate  thereby.  For purposes of determining
the  accuracy of the  respective  representations  and  warranties  contained in
Articles III and IV, and in order to determine the fulfillment of the conditions
set forth in Article VII,  the Company or Parent  Disclosure  Schedules,  as the
case may be, shall be deemed to include only that information  contained therein
on the date of this  Agreement  and shall be deemed to exclude  any  information
contained in any subsequent  supplement or amendment thereto unless such changes
reflect  actions  taken in compliance  with the  provisions of Articles V and VI
hereof.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

         Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The  respective  obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the  satisfaction  or waiver at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:

         (a)  Shareholder   Approval.   This  Agreement  and  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite  vote
(as  described in Section  3.5(b)) of the Company's  shareholders  in accordance
with  Applicable Law, and the Certificate  Amendment,  Option  Amendment and the
issuance of Parent Common Stock  pursuant to the Merger shall have been approved
by the requisite vote of Parent  shareholders  in accordance with Applicable Law
and applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

         (b)  Governmental  Approvals.  All  authorizations,  consents,  orders,
declarations or approvals of, or filings with, or terminations or expirations of
waiting  periods  imposed  by, any  Governmental  Entity,  which the  failure to
obtain,  make or occur  would have the effect of making the Merger or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby illegal or would have a Material Adverse Effect
on Parent or the  Company (as the  Surviving  Corporation)  or would  materially
impair the  operations  of the  Surviving  Corporation,  assuming the Merger had
taken  place,  shall  have been  obtained,  shall  have been made or shall  have
occurred.

         (c) HSR Act. The waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or
been terminated.

         (d)  Registration  Statement.  The  Registration  Statement  shall have
become  effective in accordance  with the provisions of the  Securities  Act. No
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have
been issued by the SEC and remain in effect and no proceedings  for that purpose
shall have been initiated and continuing by the SEC, and no similar  proceedings
in respect of the Joint Proxy Statement shall have been initiated and continuing
by the SEC.

         (e) No Injunction.  No Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the
Company or Parent, or any of their respective Subsidiaries,  shall have enacted,
issued,  promulgated,  enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation,  executive
order,  decree,  injunction or other order  (whether  temporary,  preliminary or
permanent) (collectively,  the "Restraints") which is then in effect and has the
effect of making the Merger or the Stock Voting  Agreement  illegal or otherwise
prohibiting  consummation  of the Merger;  provided,  however,  that each of the
parties hereto shall have used their  respective  reasonable  efforts to prevent
the entry of any such  Restraints and to appeal as promptly as possible any such
Restraints that may be entered.

         (f) NYSE. The Parent Company Stock to be issued in connection  with the
Merger  shall have been  approved  for listing on the NYSE,  subject to official
notice of issuance.

          (g)  Accountant's  Letters.  Each of the Company and the Parent  shall
have received from the other's  independent public  accountants,  a letter dated
the Closing Date in form and  substance  reasonably  acceptable to the receiving
party  with  statements  and  information  of the type  ordinarily  included  in
accountant's letter with respect to unaudited  financial  quarterly  information
for fiscal quarters and subsequent  periods ended following its last fiscal year
end.

         (h)  Pooling  Letters.  The Company  shall have  received a letter from
Ernst & Young, LLP,  addressed to the Company,  and Parent shall have received a
letter from KPMG Peat  Marwick,  LLP,  addressed to Parent,  each  regarding its
concurrence with  management's  conclusions,  as to the  appropriateness  of the
pooling of interests  accounting,  under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
16 for the Merger,  if closed and consummated in accordance with this Agreement,
it being  agreed  that the  Company  and Parent  shall each  provide  reasonable
cooperation to Ernst & Young, LLP and KPMG Peat Marwick,  LLP and to enable them
to issue such letters.

         Section 7.2 Conditions to Obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to Effect
the Merger.  The  obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger shall
be  subject  to the  satisfaction  at or  prior  to the  Effective  Time  of the
following additional conditions, unless waived in writing by Parent:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of the Company that are qualified with  reference to  materiality  shall be true
and correct,  and the  representations  and warranties that are not so qualified
shall be true and correct in all material respects,  in each case as of the date
hereof,  and, except to the extent such  representations and warranties speak as
of an earlier  date,  as of the  Effective  Time as though made at and as of the
Effective Time, and Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
the Company by the Chief Executive  Officer and the Chief  Financial  Officer of
the Company to such effect.

         (b)  Performance of Obligations of the Company.  The Company shall have
performed in all material  respects all obligations  required to be performed by
it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and Parent shall have
received a  certificate  signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief  Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to such effect.

         (c)  Company  Affiliate  Agreements.  Parent  shall  have  received  an
Affiliate  Agreement from  Affiliates of the Company in accordance  with Section
6.5 of this Agreement and each such Affiliate  Agreement  shall remain valid and
in force and effect.

         (d) Consents  Under  Agreements.  The Company  shall have  obtained the
consent  or  approval  of each  person  (other  than the  Governmental  Entities
referred to in Section  7.1(b)) whose  consent or approval  shall be required in
connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  under  any  indenture,
mortgage,  evidence of  indebtedness,  lease or other  agreement or  instrument,
except  where the failure to obtain the same would not  reasonably  be expected,
individually or in the aggregate,  to have a Parent  Material  Adverse Effect or
Company Material Adverse Effect (as the Surviving Corporation).

         (e) Tax  Opinion.  Parent  shall have  received  an opinion of McGrath,
North,  Mullin & Kratz,  P.C. to the effect  that the Merger  will  qualify as a
reorganization  within  the  meaning  of  Section  368(a) of the Code,  and such
opinion shall not have been withdrawn.

         Section  7.3  Conditions  to  Obligation  of the  Company to Effect the
Merger.  The  obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the  satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following  additional
conditions, unless waived in writing by the Company:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of Parent and Merger Sub that are qualified with reference to materiality  shall
be true and correct,  and the  representations  and  warranties  that are not so
qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of
the date hereof,  and, except to the extent such  representations and warranties
speak as of an earlier date,  as of the Effective  Time as though made on and as
of the Effective Time, and the Company shall have received a certificate  signed
on behalf of Parent by the Chief Executive  Officer and Chief Financial  Officer
of Parent to such effect.

         (b) Performance of Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. Each of Parent
and Merger Sub shall have  performed  in all material  respects all  obligations
required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective
Time,  and the Company  shall have  received a  certificate  signed on behalf of
Parent by the Chief Executive  Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Parent
to such effect.

         (c) Tax Opinion.  The Company shall have received an opinion of Arter &
Hadden,  L.L.P.,  counsel to the  Company,  to the effect  that the Merger  will
qualify as a  reorganization  within the meaning of Section  368(a) of the Code,
and such opinion shall not have been withdrawn.

         (e) Parent  Affiliate  Agreements.  The Company  shall have received an
Affiliate  Agreement from Affiliates of Parent in accordance with Section 6.5 of
this  Agreement  and each such  Agreement  shall  remain  valid and in force and
effect.

         (f) Consents Under  Agreements.  Parent shall have obtained the consent
or approval of each person (other than the Governmental  Entities referred to in
Section  7.1(b)) whose consent or approval shall be required in connection  with
the transactions contemplated hereby under any indenture,  mortgage, evidence of
indebtedness,  lease or other agreement or instrument,  except where the failure
to obtain the same would not  reasonably  be  expected,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or Company Material Adverse
Effect (as the Surviving Corporation).


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   TERMINATION

         Section 8.1  Termination.  This  Agreement may be  terminated,  and the
Merger and the other transactions  contemplated hereby may be abandoned,  at any
time  prior to the  Effective  Time,  whether  before or after  approval  by the
shareholders of the Company or Parent:

         (a)               by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

         (b) by either  Parent or the Company,  if (i) the Merger shall not have
been  consummated  on or  before  March  31,  1999,  provided  that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section  8.1(b)(i) shall not be available to
any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation  under this Agreement has been
the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before such
date, (ii) the  shareholders of the Company do not approve this Agreement by the
requisite vote at a meeting duly convened therefor or any adjournment thereof or
(iii) the  shareholders  of Parent do not  approve  the  Certificate  Amendment,
Option Amendment and the issuance of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger
by the  requisite  vote at a meeting duly convened  therefor or any  adjournment
thereof;

         (c) by  either  Parent or the  Company,  if any  permanent  injunction,
order,  decree or ruling by any  Governmental  Entity of competent  jurisdiction
preventing  the   consummation  of  the  Merger  shall  have  become  final  and
nonappealable;  provided,  however,  subject to the  proviso  to Section  6.6(a)
hereof,  that the party  seeking to terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant to this
Section 8.1(c) shall have used reasonable best efforts to remove such injunction
or overturn such action;

         (d)  by  Parent,  if  (i)  there  has  been a  material  breach  of the
representations or warranties,  covenants or agreements of the Company set forth
in this  Agreement,  which  breach is not curable  or, if curable,  is not cured
within thirty (30) days after  written  notice of such breach is given by Parent
to the  Company,  or (ii) the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  (x) fails to
convene a meeting of the Company's  shareholders  to adopt this  Agreement on or
before March 15, 1999 (the "Meeting Date"),  or postpones the date scheduled for
the meeting of the  shareholders  of the Company to adopt this Agreement  beyond
the  Meeting  Date,  except  with the  written  consent of Parent,  (y) fails to
recommend  the  adoption  of this  Agreement  and  approval of the Merger to the
Company's  shareholders  in  accordance  with  Section  6.4(b)  hereof,  or  (z)
withdraws or amends or modifies in a manner adverse to Parent its recommendation
or approval  in respect of this  Agreement  or the Merger or fails to  reconfirm
such  recommendation  within two  business  days of a written  request  for such
confirmation by Parent;

         (e) by the  Company  if the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  shall
reasonably determine that a proposal for an Acquisition  Transaction constitutes
a Superior Proposal;  provided, however, that the Company may not terminate this
Agreement  pursuant to this  subsection (e) unless (i) three business days shall
have elapsed after delivery to Parent of a written notice of such  determination
by such Board of Directors and, during such three day period,  the Company shall
have  informed  Parent of the  terms  and  conditions  of such  proposal  for an
Acquisition  Transaction  and the  identity  of the person or group  making such
proposal for an Acquisition  Transaction,  and (ii) at the end of such three day
period,  the Board of Directors of the Company  believes  that such proposal for
Superior  Proposal  is  superior  to the  transaction  contemplated  under  this
Agreement; and

         (f) by the  Company,  if (i)  there has been a  material  breach of the
representations  or warranties,  covenants or agreements of Parent or Merger Sub
set forth in this Agreement,  which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not
cured within 30 days after written notice of such

breach is given by the  Company to  Parent,  or (ii) the Board of  Directors  of
Parent (x) fails to convene a meeting of the  Parent's  shareholders  to approve
the  Certificate  Amendment,  the Option  Amendment  and the  issuance of Parent
Common Stock  pursuant to the Merger on or before the Meeting Date, or postpones
the date schedule for the meeting of the  shareholders  of the Parent to approve
such matters  beyond the Meeting  Date,  except with the written  consent of the
Company,  (y) fails to  recommend  the  approval of the  Certificate  Amendment,
Option  Amendment and issuance of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger in
accordance with Section 6.4(a) hereof, or (z) withdraws or amends or modifies in
a manner adverse to the Company such  recommendation  or fails to reconfirm such
recommendation  within  two (2)  business  days of a  written  request  for such
confirmation by the Company.

         Section 8.2                Effect of Termination.

         (a) In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement  pursuant  to this
Article  VIII,  the Merger shall be deemed  abandoned and this  Agreement  shall
forthwith  become void,  and there shall be no liability or  obligations  on the
part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or their respective officers,  directors
or  Affiliates  except that the  provisions of the last sentence of Section 6.1,
Section 6.7,  Section 6.9 and this Section 8.2 shall survive any  termination of
this Agreement;  provided, that any such termination and any payment pursuant to
this  Section  8.2 shall  not limit  liability  for any  willful  breach of this
Agreement; and provided further, that the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.

         (b) Parent shall pay the Company a termination fee of $12,000,000  upon
the  termination of this Agreement by the Company or Parent  pursuant to Section
8.1(b)(iii); provided that, as set forth in Section 8.2(g) below, such fee shall
be  increased to  $18,000,000  under the  circumstances  as set forth in Section
8.2(g) below.

         (c) Parent shall pay the Company a termination fee of $18,000,000  upon
the termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(f)(ii).

         (d) The Company shall pay Parent a termination fee of $12,000,000  upon
the  termination of this Agreement by the Company or Parent  pursuant to Section
8.1(b)(ii);  provided that, as set forth in Section  8.2(f)(ii)  below, such fee
shall be increased to $18,000,000  under the  circumstances set forth in Section
8.2(f)(ii) below.

         (e) The Company shall pay Parent a termination fee of $18,000,000  upon
the termination of this Agreement by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(ii).

         (f) The Company shall pay Parent a termination fee of $18,000,000  upon
the earliest to occur of the following events:

                           (i) the  termination of this Agreement by the Company
pursuant to Section 8.1(e); or

                           (ii) the  termination  of this Agreement by Parent or
the Company pursuant to Section  8.1(b)(ii),  and, in such event,  either before
such termination or within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination
the Company (i) consummates an Acquisition Transaction, or
(ii) enters into an agreement with respect to an Acquisition  Transaction,  or a
tender offer or similar  transaction with respect thereto is commenced,  that is
subsequently consummated.

         (g) The Parent shall pay the Company a termination  fee of  $18,000,000
upon  termination of this Agreement by the Company or Parent pursuant to Section
8.1(b)(iii) and, in such event,  either before such termination or within twelve
(12)  months  after  the date of such  termination  Parent  (i)  consummates  an
Acquisition  Transaction,  or (ii) enters into an  agreement  with respect to an
Acquisition  Transaction,  or a tender offer or similar transaction with respect
thereto is commenced, that is subsequently consummated.

         (h) If the Company shall have  terminated  this  Agreement  pursuant to
Section  8.1(f)(i),  or if Parent shall have termination this Agreement pursuant
to Section 8.1(d)(i),  the non-terminating party shall reimburse the terminating
party, the actual expenses  incurred by the terminating party in connection with
the transaction  contemplated by this Agreement (including,  without limitation,
attorneys' fees,  accountants' fees and fees of financial advisors) in an amount
up to $7,000,000.

         (i) If a party has paid to the other  party the amount  required  to be
paid under any of Sections 8.2(b),  8.2(c),  8.2(d),  8.2(e),  8.2(f), 8.2(g) or
8.2(h),  such paying  party  shall not be required to make any payment  required
under any of such other Sections, other than to the extent a $12,000,000 payment
made pursuant to Section 8.2(b) or 8.2(d) is increased to  $18,000,000  pursuant
to Section 8.2(g) and  8.2(f)(ii),  respectively.  If an event occurs that would
require a party to make payments under more than one of Sections 8.2(b), 8.2(c),
8.2(d), 8.2(e), 8.2(f), 8.2(g) and 8.2(h), only the Section requiring the higher
payment shall apply.

         (j) In no event shall either party (the "Paying  Party") be required to
make a payment pursuant to Sections 8.2(b),  8.2(c),  8.2(d),  8.2(e), 8.2(f) or
8.2(g) to the extent that such  payment,  together with Net Proceeds (as defined
in the Option Agreement) received by the other party, and together with payments
made by the Paying Party (other than payments of the Exercise  Price, as defined
in the Option Agreement) pursuant to Sections  7(a)(i)(y),  7(a)(ii),  7(b)(ii),
8(c) and/or 9(c) of the Option Agreement, exceeds $18,000,000.

         (k) The expenses and fees, if applicable,  payable  pursuant to Section
8.2(b),  8.2(c),  8.2(d), 8.2(e), 8.2(f) and 8.2(g) shall be paid within two (2)
business  days  after  the first to occur of the  events  described  in  Section
8.2(b), 8.2(c), 8.2(d), 8.2(e),  8.2(f)(i),  8.2(f)(ii) or 8.2(g); provided that
in no event shall the Company or Parent,  as the case may be, be required to pay
the expenses and fees, if applicable, to the other, if, immediately prior to the
termination  of this  Agreement,  the party to receive the expenses and fees, if
applicable, was in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement.

         (l) The parties hereto  acknowledge  that the  agreements  contained in
this Section 8.2 are an integral part of the  transactions  contemplated in this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements,  the Parent and the Company would
not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Parent or the Company, as the
case may be, fails  promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to this Section 8.2,
and, in order to obtain  such  payment,  the other party  commences a suit which
results in a judgment  for the fee and  expenses  set forth in this Section 8.2,
the party  required  to pay the fee  shall pay to the other  party its costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees) in connection with such suit, together with
interest  on such  amount  of the fee and  expenses  at the base  rate  publicly
announced by Citibank, N.A., on the date such payment was required to be made.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         Section  9.1  Amendment  and  Modification.  At any  time  prior to the
Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended,  modified or supplemented only by
written agreement (referring  specifically to this Agreement) of Parent,  Merger
Sub and the Company with respect to any of the terms contained herein; provided,
however,  that  after  any  approval  and  adoption  of  this  Agreement  by the
shareholders of the Company, no such amendment,  modification or supplementation
shall  be  made  which  under  Applicable  Law  requires  the  approval  of such
shareholders, without the further approval of such shareholders.

         Section 9.2 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, Parent, on
the one hand,  and the Company,  on the other hand,  may (i) extend the time for
the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other, (ii) waive
any  inaccuracies in the  representations  and warranties of the other contained
herein or in any documents  delivered  pursuant  hereto and (iii) subject to the
provisions  of  Section  9.1,  waive  compliance  by the  other  with any of the
agreements or conditions  contained herein which may legally be waived. Any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
specifically referring to this Agreement and signed on behalf of such party. The
failure of any party to this  Agreement  to assert any of its rights  under this
Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

         Section   9.3    Survivability;    Investigations.    The    respective
representations  and  warranties of Parent and Merger Sub, on the one hand,  and
the Company, on the other hand, contained herein or in any certificates or other
documents delivered prior to or as of the Effective Time (i) shall not be deemed
waived or otherwise  affected by any investigation  made by any party hereto and
(ii) shall not survive  beyond the Effective  Time. The covenants and agreements
of the parties  hereto  (including the Surviving  Corporation  after the Merger)
shall survive the Effective Time, without limitation (except for those which, by
their terms, contemplate a shorter survival period).

         Section 9.4  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be delivered  personally or by next-day courier or
telecopied  with  confirmation  of  receipt,  to the  parties  at the  addresses
specified  below (or at such other  address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice;  provided  that  notices of a change of address  shall be effective
only upon receipt thereof).  Any such notice shall be effective upon receipt, if
personally  delivered or telecopied,  or one day after delivery to a courier for
next-day delivery.

         If to Parent or Merger Sub to:

                           InaCom Corp.
                           10810 Farnam Drive
                           Omaha, NE  68102
                           Attention:                Bill L. Fairfield
                           Telecopier:               402-758-3602


         with a copy to:

                           McGrath, North, Mullin & Kratz, P.C.
                           One Central Park Plaza, Suite 1400
                           222 South Fifteenth Street
                           Attention:                David L. Hefflinger
                           Telecopier:               402-341-0216


         If to the Company,:

                           Vanstar Corporation
                           1100 Abernathy Road
                           Building 500, Suite 1200
                           Atlanta, GA  30328
                           Attention:                General Counsel
                           Telecopier:               770-522-4587





<PAGE>


         with a copy to:

                           Arter & Hadden, LLP
                           1717 Main Street
                           Suite 4100
                           Dallas, TX  75201
                           Attention:                Mr. Stan Huller
                           Telecopier:               214-741-7139


         Section  9.5  Descriptive   Headings;   Interpretation.   The  headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation  of this Agreement.  References in this
Agreement to Sections,  Exhibits or Articles mean a Section,  Exhibit or Article
of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. References to this Agreement shall
be deemed to include the Exhibits hereto,  the Company  Disclosure  Schedule and
the Parent Disclosure Schedule,  unless the context otherwise requires. The term
"person"  shall  mean and  include  an  individual,  a  partnership,  a  limited
liability  company,  a joint  venture,  a  corporation,  a trust, a Governmental
Entity or an unincorporated organization.

         Section 9.6 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  (including the Exhibits,
the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the  Parent  Disclosure  Schedule  and  the
Confidentiality  Agreement between the parties) constitutes the entire agreement
and supersedes all other prior agreements and  understandings,  both written and
oral,  among the  parties or any of them,  with  respect to the  subject  matter
hereof and except for Article II and Sections 2.6,  6.8, 6.19 and 9.10,  are not
intended to confer upon any person  other than the parties  hereto any rights or
remedies.

         Section 9.7  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  without giving
effect to the provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law.

         Section 9.8  Enforcement.  The parties  agree that  irreparable  damage
would occur in the event that any of the  provisions of this  Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is  accordingly  agreed that the parties  shall be entitled to an  injunction or
injunctions to prevent  breaches of this  Agreement and to enforce  specifically
the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement in any court of the United  States
located in the State of  Delaware  or in  Delaware  state  court,  this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.  In
addition,  each of the  parties  hereto  (a)  consents  to submit  itself to the
personal  jurisdiction  of any federal court located in the State of Delaware or
any Delaware  state court in the event any dispute  arises out of this Agreement
or any of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  (b) agrees that it
will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other
request  for leave from any such court and (c) agrees that it will not bring any
action  relating to this Agreement or any of the  transactions  contemplated  by
this  Agreement in any court other than a federal or state court  sitting in the
State of Delaware.

         Section 9.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         Section 9.10 Assignment.  This Agreement and the rights,  interests and
obligations  hereunder  shall be binding  upon,  inure to the  benefit of and be
enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective  successors and permitted
assigns;  provided,  however,  that no party  hereto  may  assign  or  otherwise
transfer  its  rights,  interests  or  obligations  hereunder  without the prior
written consent of the other parties hereto.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREFORE,  Parent,  Merger Sub and the Company have caused
this  Agreement  and  Plan of  Merger  to be  executed  on its  behalf  by their
respective  officers  thereunto duly authorized,  all as of the date first above
written.

INACOM CORP.                                    VANSTAR CORPORATION

     /s/ Bill Fairfield                         /s/ William Y. Tauscher
By: _______________________________         By: ________________________________
Its: President and Chief Executive          Its: Chairman of the Board and Chief
     Officer                                     Executive Officer

INACOM ACQUISITION, INC.

     /s/ Bill Fairfield
By: _______________________________
Its:     President



<PAGE>



                             STOCK VOTING AGREEMENT

                                     WARBURG



         STOCK VOTING AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),  dated as of October 8, 1998
by and between WARBURG,  PINCUS CAPITAL COMPANY,  L.P ("Stockholder") and INACOM
CORP., a Delaware  corporation  ("Parent") and VANSTAR  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").

         WHEREAS,  concurrently  herewith,  Parent, Parent Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned  subsidiary of Parent (the "Parent Sub"), and the
Company, are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date herewith
(such  Agreement  in the form  attached  hereto as Exhibit "A" being the "Merger
Agreement"),  pursuant to which the Parent Sub will merge with and into  Company
(the "Merger"); and

         WHEREAS,  Stockholder owns, as of the date hereof, 16,288,691 shares of
common stock,  $.001 par value per share of the Company ("Company Common Stock")
(such shares of Company Common Stock owned by Stockholder on the date hereof are
herein  referred to as the  "Existing  Shares" and,  together with any shares of
Company Common Stock acquired by the Stockholder after the date hereof and prior
to  the  termination  hereof,   hereinafter  collectively  referred  to  as  the
"Shares"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  has  approved  this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and

         WHEREAS,  Parent and Parent Sub have entered into the Merger  Agreement
in  reliance  on  and  in  consideration   of   Stockholder's   representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements hereunder.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration,  and intending to be
legally bound hereby, it is agreed as follows:

         1. Agreement to Vote.  Stockholder  hereby revokes any and all previous
proxies with respect to the Shares and irrevocably  agrees to vote and otherwise
act (including  pursuant to written  consent) with respect to all of the Shares,
for the approval and the  adoption of the Merger  Agreement,  as the same may be
amended from time to time, all agreements  related to the Merger and any actions
related thereto,  at any meeting or meetings of the stockholders of the Company,
and at any  adjournment,  postponement  or  continuation  thereof,  at which the
Merger  Agreement  and other  related  agreements  (or any  amended  version  or
versions thereof), or such other actions are submitted for the consideration and
vote of the stockholders of the Company.  At Parent's  request,  the Stockholder
will deliver to Parent an irrevocable proxy (the "Irrevocable  Proxy") only with
respect  to the  matters  covered  by this  Section  granting  to  Parent or its
designee a proxy to vote the Shares in accordance with the terms of this Section
1; provided, that such proxy shall survive only until, and shall terminate upon,
the earlier to occur of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger  Agreement)
or the termination of the Merger Agreement. The obligations of Stockholder under
this  Section 1 shall  remain in effect with  respect to the Shares  until,  and
shall  terminate  upon,  the  earlier  to  occur  of the  Effective  Time or the
termination of the Merger Agreement.  Stockholder  hereby agrees to execute such
additional  documents  as  Parent  may  reasonably  request  to  effectuate  the
foregoing.

         2.       Representations  and  Warranties of  Stockholder.  Stockholder
                  represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

         2.1      Ownership of Shares.  On the date hereof,  the Existing Shares
                  are  all  of  the  Shares   currently  owned  by  Stockholder.
                  Stockholder  currently  has,  and at  Closing  will have good,
                  valid and  marketable  title to the Shares,  free and clear of
                  all liens,  encumbrances,  and security  interests (other than
                  the  encumbrances  created  by this  Agreement  and other than
                  restrictions  on transfer under  applicable  Federal and State
                  securities  laws)  and  free of other  restrictions,  options,
                  rights to purchase or other claims that would adversely affect
                  the  ability  of  Stockholder   to  perform  its   obligations
                  hereunder or pursuant to which,  Stockholder could be required
                  to sell, assign or otherwise transfer the Shares.

         2.2      Authority;  Binding Agreement.  Stockholder has the full legal
                  right,  power and  authority  to enter into and perform all of
                  its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement has been
                  duly executed and delivered by Stockholder  and  constitutes a
                  legal, valid and binding agreement of Stockholder, enforceable
                  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  except  as the  enforcement
                  thereof   may   be   limited   by   bankruptcy,    insolvency,
                  reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws, now or hereafter
                  in effect affecting creditors rights and remedies generally or
                  general  principles  of  equity.  Neither  the  execution  and
                  delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation by Stockholder
                  of the transactions  contemplated  hereby will (i) violate, or
                  require any consent,  approval or notice under,  any provision
                  of  any  judgment,   order,  decree,  statute,  law,  rule  or
                  regulation  applicable  to  Stockholder  or the Shares or (ii)
                  constitute  a violation  of,  conflict  with or  constitute  a
                  default   under,   any   contract,   commitment,    agreement,
                  understanding, arrangement or other restriction of any kind to
                  which Stockholder is a party or by which Stockholder is bound,
                  in each case the effect of which  would  adversely  affect the
                  ability of Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder.

         2.3      Reliance   on   Agreement.    Stockholder    understands   and
                  acknowledges  that the Parent Sub and Parent each are entering
                  into the  Merger  Agreement  in  reliance  upon  Stockholder's
                  execution   and  delivery  of  this   Agreement.   Stockholder
                  acknowledges  that the  agreement  set  forth in  Section 1 is
                  granted in consideration for the execution and delivery of the
                  Merger Agreement by the Parent Sub and Parent.

         3.       Certain  Covenants of  Stockholder.  Except in accordance with
                  the provisions of this Agreement, Stockholder agrees with, and
                  covenants to, Parent as follows:

         3.1      Transfer. Stockholder shall not (i) transfer (which term shall
                  include,   without  limitation,   for  the  purposes  of  this
                  Agreement, any sale, gift, pledge, assignment,  encumbrance or
                  other  disposition)  or consent to any transfer of, any or all
                  of the Shares or any interest therein,  except pursuant to the
                  Merger,  or (ii)  enter  into any  contract,  option  or other
                  agreement or understanding with respect to any transfer of any
                  or all such Shares or any  interest  therein or take any other
                  action with respect thereto,  in either case, in a manner that
                  would  conflict  with or violate  the terms of the  "affiliate
                  letter" executed by Stockholder pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

         3.2      Solicitation.  Prior to the Effective Time, Stockholder agrees
                  that it shall not directly or  indirectly  (including  through
                  representatives,     advisors,    agents    or    any    other
                  intermediaries),  (i) solicit or initiate (including by way of
                  furnishing or disclosing non-public information) any inquiries
                  or the making of any  proposal  with  respect  to any  merger,
                  consolidation  or other  business  combination  involving  the
                  Company or any Subsidiary (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
                  of the Company or the  acquisition  of all or any  significant
                  part of the assets or capital stock of the Company,  including
                  the Shares,  or any Subsidiary of the Company (an "Acquisition
                  Transaction")   or  (ii)  negotiate  or  otherwise  engage  in
                  discussions  with  any  person  (other  than  Parent  and  its
                  representatives) with respect to any Acquisition  Transaction,
                  or which may  reasonably be expected to lead to a proposal for
                  an  Acquisition  Transaction  or  enter  into  any  agreement,
                  arrangement  or   understanding   with  respect  to  any  such
                  Acquisition  Transaction or which would require the Company to
                  abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger or require
                  Stockholder  to  abandon,  terminate  or fail to  perform  its
                  obligations under this Agreement.

         3.3      Notifications.  Stockholder  shall, while this Agreement is in
                  effect, notify Parent promptly, but in no event later than two
                  business  days, of the number of any shares of Company  Common
                  Stock acquired by Stockholder after the date hereof.

         4.       Delivery of Affiliate  Letter.  Stockholder  shall execute and
                  deliver to Parent an  "affiliate  letter" in the form attached
                  as an exhibit to the Merger  Agreement as  contemplated by the
                  Merger Agreement.

         5. Effect of  Purported  Transfer.  The parties  hereto  agree that any
transfer of the Shares made other than in compliance  with this Agreement  shall
be null and void.  Any such  transfer  shall  convey no  interest  in any of the
Shares purported to be transferred, and the transferee shall not be deemed to be
a stockholder of the Company nor entitled to receive a new share  certificate or
any rights,  dividends or other distributions on or with respect to such Shares.
The Company is a party to this Agreement solely for the purpose of acknowledging
the approval of this  Agreement  by its Board of Directors  and to agree that it
will not permit to be  registered  any transfer of the Shares made other than in
compliance with this Agreement.

         6.  Termination.  This Agreement  shall terminate on the earlier of (i)
the  Effective  Time (as defined in the Merger  Agreement)  or (ii)  immediately
after the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms.

         7. Action in Stockholder Capacity Only.  Stockholder makes no agreement
or understanding  herein as director or officer of the Company.  The Stockholder
signs solely in its capacity as a recordholder  and beneficial  owner of, or the
general partner of the partnership which is the beneficial owner of, the Shares,
and nothing herein shall limit or affect any actions taken in its capacity as an
officer or director of the Company.

         8.       Miscellaneous.

         8.1      Notices.  All  notices,  requests,  claims,  demands and other
                  communications  under this  Agreement  shall be in writing and
                  shall  be  delivered  personally  or by  next-day  courier  or
                  telecopied with confirmation of receipt, to the parties at the
                  addresses  specified  below (or at such  other  address  for a
                  party as shall be  specified  by like  notice;  provided  that
                  notices of a change of address  shall be  effective  only upon
                  receipt  thereof).  Any such notice  shall be  effective  upon
                  receipt,  if  personally  delivered or  telecopied  or one day
                  after delivery to a courier for next-day delivery.

                  If to Parent:         InaCom Corp.
                                        10810 Farnam Drive
                                        Omaha, NE  68102
                                        Attention:  Bill L. Fairfield
                                        Fax No.:  402-758-3602

                  with a copy to:       McGrath, North, Mullin & Kratz, P.C.
                                        One Central Park Plaza, Suite 1400
                                        222 South Fifteenth Street
                                        Omaha, NE  68102
                                        Attention:  David L. Hefflinger
                                        Fax No.:  402-341-0216

                  If to Stockholder:    Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P.
                                        466 Lexington Avenue
                                        New York, NY  10017
                                        Attention:  William Janeway
                                                    and Stewart Gross
                                        Fax No.:  212-878-9359

                  with a copy to:       Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                                        787 Seventh Avenue
                                        New York, NY  10019-6099
                                        Attention:  Jack H. Nusbaum, Esq.
                                        Fax No.:  212-728-8111

                  If to the Company:    Vanstar Corporation    
                                        1100 Abernathy Road
                                        Building 500, Suite 1200
                                        Atlanta, GA  30328
                                        Attention:  General Counsel
                                        Fax No.:  770-522-4587

                  with a copy to:       Arter & Hadden, LLP
                                        1717 Main Street
                                        Suite 4100
                                        Dallas, TX  75201
                                        Attention:  Mr. Stan Huller
                                        Fax No.:  214-741-7139

         8.2      Entire Agreement. This Agreement,  together with the documents
                  expressly referred to herein,  constitute the entire agreement
                  and supersede all other prior  agreements and  understandings,
                  both written and oral,  among the parties or any of them, with
                  respect to the subject matter contained herein.

         8.3      Amendments.  This  Agreement  may  not be  modified,  amended,
                  altered  or  supplemented,   except  upon  the  execution  and
                  delivery  of a  written  agreement  executed  by  the  parties
                  hereto.

         8.4      Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
                  the  benefit  of  the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective
                  successors, assigns and personal representatives,  but neither
                  this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
                  hereunder  shall be assigned by any of the parties without the
                  prior written consent of the other parties.

         8.5      Governing  Law.  This  Agreement,  and  all  matters  relating
                  hereto, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with
                  the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the
                  principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

         8.6      Injunctive Relief;  Jurisdiction.  Stockholder and the Company
                  agree that  irreparable  damage  would  occur and that  Parent
                  would not have any  adequate  remedy at law in the event  that
                  any of the  provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
                  accordance   with  their  specific  terms  or  were  otherwise
                  breached.  It is  accordingly  agreed  that  Parent  shall  be
                  entitled to an injunction or injunctions  to prevent  breaches
                  by Stockholder or the Company of this Agreement and to enforce
                  specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any
                  court of the United States located in the State of Delaware or
                  in any Delaware state court (collectively, the "Courts"), this
                  being in  addition  to any  other  remedy  to  which  they are
                  entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each of the parties
                  hereto (i)  irrevocably  consents  to the  submission  of such
                  party to the personal  jurisdiction of the Courts in the event
                  that any dispute  arises out of this  Agreement  or any of the
                  transactions  contemplated hereby, (ii) agrees that such party
                  will not attempt to deny or defeat such party to the  personal
                  jurisdiction  by motion or other request for leave from any of
                  the Courts and (iii) agrees that such party will not bring any
                  action  relating to this Agreement or any of the  transactions
                  contemplated hereby in any court other the Courts. Stockholder
                  hereby  appoints,   and  shall  give  prompt  notice  of  such
                  appointment to, the Prentice-Hall  Corporation System, Inc. as
                  its  authorized  agent  (the  "Authorized  Agent")  upon which
                  process  may be served in any action  based on this  Agreement
                  which  may  be  instituted  in  the  Courts  by  Parent,   and
                  Stockholder and the Company expressly accepts the jurisdiction
                  of any such Court in respect to such action.  Such appointment
                  shall be irrevocable. Stockholder represents and warrants that
                  the  Authorized  Agent  has  agreed  to act as said  agent for
                  service of process, and Stockholder agrees to take any and all
                  action, including,  without limitation,  the filing of any and
                  all  documents  and  instruments,  which may be  necessary  to
                  continue such appointment in full force and effect. Service of
                  process upon the  Authorized  Agent and written notice of such
                  service  to  Stockholder  shall be deemed,  in every  respect,
                  effective service of process upon Stockholder.

         8.7      Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
                  counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original
                  and all of which  together  shall  constitute one and the same
                  document.

         8.8      Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
                  invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
                  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
                  or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
                  the  remaining  terms  and  provisions  of this  Agreement  or
                  affecting the validity or  enforceability  of any of the terms
                  or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.  If
                  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  is  so  broad  as  to  be
                  unenforceable,  such provision shall be interpreted to be only
                  so broad as is enforceable.

         8.9      Company/Stockholder.  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the
                  contrary,  (i) Stockholder  shall not be responsible  for, and
                  its rights hereunder shall not be affected by, the performance
                  or nonperformance by the Company of its obligations  hereunder
                  and (ii) the Company  shall not be  responsible  for,  and the
                  Company's  rights  hereunder  shall not be  affected  by,  the
                  performance  or  nonperformance  by  the  Stockholder  of  its
                  obligations hereunder.


          WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed, as of the date and year first above written.

VANSTAR CORPORATION                     INACOM CORP.


     /s/ William Y. Tauscher                 /s/ Bill L. Fairfield
By:____________________________         By:_______________________________
   Name:                                   Name:  Bill L. Fairfield
   Title:                                  Title:  President and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer

                                         WARBURG, PINCUS CAPITAL
                                         COMPANY, L.P

                                         By:  Warburg, Pincus & Co., its general
                                              partner

                                              /s/ Stewart K.P. Gross
                                         By: _____________________________
                                             Stewart K.P. Gross, General Partner






<PAGE>


                          INACOM STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


THIS STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  is made and entered into as of
October 8, 1998 by and between InaCom Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Grantor"),
and Vanstar Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Grantee").

                                     RECITAL

         Concurrently  with  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,
Grantor,   Grantee,   and  Indigo  Sub,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  and  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of Grantor ("Sub"),  are entering into an Agreement and
Plan of  Merger,  dated as of October 8, 1998 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  which
provides  for the  merger of Sub with and into  Grantee in  accordance  with the
terms of the  Merger  Agreement  and the  laws of the  State  of  Delaware  (the
"Merger").  As a condition and inducement to Grantee's willingness to enter into
the Merger Agreement,  Grantee has requested that Grantor agree, and Grantor has
agreed,  to grant to Grantee an option to acquire  certain  shares of  Grantor's
authorized  but unissued  common stock  (together  with any  associated  rights,
"Grantor  Common  Stock"),  on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.

         NOW THEREFORE, to induce Grantee to enter into the Merger Agreement and
in consideration of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements
contained herein and in the Merger Agreement,  the parties hereto,  intending to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows. Capitalized terms used herein but not
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         Section  1.  Grant of  Option.  Grantor  hereby  grants to  Grantee  an
                  irrevocable option (the "Grantor Option") to purchase a number
                  of shares of Grantor  Common Stock equal to the Option  Number
                  (as defined in Section 2(d)),  on the terms and subject to the
                  conditions set forth below.



         Section 2.   Exercise and Termination of the Grantor Option.

                  Exercise.  The Grantor Option may be exercised by Grantee,  in
                  whole or in part,  at any time or from  time to time  prior to
                  the  termination  of  Grantee's  right to exercise the Grantor
                  Option by the terms of this  Agreement  and upon and after the
                  occurrence  of  a  "Trigger  Event".   For  purposes  of  this
                  Agreement, a "Trigger Event" shall occur, if, and only if, all
                  of the following occur: (i) the Merger Agreement is terminated
                  and,  as a result of such  termination,  a fee is  payable  by
                  Grantor to Grantee  pursuant  to Sections  8.2(b),  (c) or (g)
                  thereof;   (ii)  prior  to  such  termination  an  Acquisition
                  Proposal  (as such term is defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)
                  shall have been made for Grantor (other than made, directly or
                  indirectly,  by Grantee or any affiliate  thereof),  and (iii)
                  either prior to, or within twelve (12) months  following  such
                  termination,   the   shareholders  of  Grantor  approve  -that
                  Acquisition  Proposal.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
                  Grantor Option may not be exercised if Grantee is in breach in
                  any material  respect of any of its material  representations,
                  warranties,   covenants  or   agreements   contained  in  this
                  Agreement,  subject to reasonable  notice and  opportunity  to
                  cure.

                  Exercise  Procedure.  In the  event  that  Grantee  wishes  to
                  exercise the Grantor Option,  Grantee shall deliver to Grantor
                  written  notice (an "Exercise  Notice")  specifying  the total
                  number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock that Grantee  wishes
                  to purchase (the "Option Shares").  To the extent permitted by
                  law and the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  amended,  of
                  Grantor  (the  "Grantor  Charter"),   and  provided  that  the
                  conditions  set forth in Section 3 to Grantor's  obligation to
                  issue the shares of Grantor Common Stock to Grantee  hereunder
                  have been satisfied or waived, Grantee shall, upon delivery of
                  the  Exercise  Notice and tender of the  applicable  aggregate
                  Exercise Price (as defined in Section 2(e) below), immediately
                  be deemed to be the  holder  of record of the  Option  Shares,
                  notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Grantor shall
                  then be closed or that  certificates  representing  the Option
                  Shares shall not  theretofore  have been delivered to Grantee.
                  Each  closing of a purchase of shares of Grantor  Common Stock
                  hereunder (a "Closing") shall occur at a place, on a date, and
                  at  a  time  designated  by  Grantee  in  an  Exercise  Notice
                  delivered at least two (2) business  days prior to the date of
                  such Closing.

                  Termination of the Grantor Option. Grantee's right to exercise
                  the Grantor Option shall  terminate upon the earliest to occur
                  of:

                           the Effective Time of the Merger;

                           the date on which the Merger  Agreement  is  properly
terminated  pursuant to Article VIII thereof other than under  circumstances set
forth in Sections 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii); and

                           thirteen  (13)  months  after  the date on which  the
Merger Agreement is terminated.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  with respect to clause (iii) in the immediately
preceding  sentence,  if the Grantor Option cannot be exercised by reason of any
applicable judicial or governmental judgment,  decree, order, law or regulation,
the Grantor Option shall remain  exercisable  and shall not terminate  until the
earlier  of (x) the date on which such  impediment  shall  become  final and not
subject to appeal and (y) 5:00 p.m.,  Omaha,  Nebraska time, on the tenth (10th)
business day after such impediment shall have been removed;  provided,  however,
that if such  judgment,  decree or order shall have been obtained at the request
of  Grantor  or any of its  Affiliates  or a  party  that  has  been  made or is
proposing to make an Acquisition Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger
Agreement)  for  Grantor,  and such  judgment,  decree or order is vacated,  set
aside,  withdrawn,  reversed or otherwise  nullified,  the time during which the
Grantor  Option shall remain  exercisable  shall be extended for as long as such
judgment, decree, or order shall be in effect. The rights of Grantee and Grantor
set forth in Sections 7 (other than Section  7(a)(i),  and 9 shall not terminate
upon  termination of Grantee's right to exercise the Grantor Option with respect
to shares acquired prior to  termination,  but shall extend to the time provided
in such sections. Notwithstanding the termination of the Grantor Option, Grantee
shall be entitle to purchase the shares of Grantor  Common Stock with respect to
which Grantee had exercised the Grantor Option prior to such termination.

                  Option  Number.  The  aggregate  number of  shares of  Grantor
                  Common Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of this Grantor  Option
                  (the "Option Number") shall initially be the number of shares,
                  rounded down to the nearest whole share, equal to nineteen and
                  nine-tenths  percent  (19.9%) of the total number of shares of
                  Grantor Common Stock issued and  outstanding as of the date of
                  this  Agreement,  and shall be adjusted  hereafter  to reflect
                  changes in Grantor's  capitalization  occurring after the date
                  hereof in  accordance  with  Section 10.  Notwithstanding  any
                  other  provision,  in no event shall the Option  Number exceed
                  nineteen and  nine-tenths  percent (19.9%) of the total number
                  of shares of Grantor Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
                  the  date of  this  Agreement,  adjusted  in  accordance  with
                  Section 10.

                  Exercise Price. The purchase price per share of Grantor Common
                  Stock pursuant to the Grantor  Option (the  "Exercise  Price")
                  shall be  payable  in cash.  The  Exercise  Price per share of
                  Grantor Common Stock, shall be a cash amount equal to $17 3/8.

                  Certain  Limitations.  In the event  Grantee  would  otherwise
                  receive aggregate,  cumulative Net Proceeds (as defined below)
                  of more than the Cap Amount (as defined  below) in  connection
                  with the sale (or other disposition) to any third party of the
                  shares  of  Grantor  Common  Stock  acquired  pursuant  to the
                  Grantor  Option,  all Net Proceeds in excess of the Cap Amount
                  shall be  remitted  to Grantor  promptly  upon  receipt.  "Net
                  Proceeds"  shall mean the  aggregate  proceeds of such sale or
                  disposition (less brokers commissions and discounts) in excess
                  of the product of the Exercise Price  multiplied by the number
                  of shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  included  in such sale or
                  disposition.  Cap  Amount  shall  mean the amount by which $18
                  million exceeds the aggregate of the termination  fees payable
                  by Grantor to Grantee  pursuant  to Section  8.2 of the Merger
                  Agreement.  Notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement or in
                  the Merger  Agreement to the contrary,  the maximum  aggregate
                  amount  payable  by  Grantor  to  Grantee  and its  affiliates
                  pursuant to this  Agreement and the  provisions of Section 8.2
                  of the Merger  Agreement  shall not exceed the sum of eighteen
                  million  dollars  ($18,000,000)  plus, in the case of payments
                  pursuant to Section 7(a)(i)(y),  7(a)(ii),  7(b)(ii),  8(c) or
                  9(c) of this Agreement,  the aggregate  Exercise Price for the
                  shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  repurchased  by Grantor from
                  Grantee pursuant to this Agreement.

         Section 3.  Conditions to Closing.  The  obligation of Grantor to issue
the Option Shares to Grantee hereunder is subject to the conditions that (a) all
waiting periods, if any, under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust  Improvements Act
of 1976,  as amended (the "HSR Act"),  applicable  to the issuance of the Option
Shares hereunder shall have expired or have been terminated;  (b) no preliminary
or permanent  injunction  or other order by any court of competent  jurisdiction
prohibiting or otherwise  restraining such issuance shall be in effect;  and (c)
all  consents,  approvals,  orders,  authorizations  and permits of any federal,
state, local and foreign governmental  authority, if any, required in connection
with the issuance of the shares of Grantor  Common Stock and the  acquisition of
such shares by Grantee hereunder shall have been obtained.

         Section 4.  Closing.  At any  Closing:  (a)  Grantor  shall  deliver to
Grantee or its designee a single certificate in definitive form representing the
number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock  designated by Grantee in its Exercise
Notice, such certificate to be registered in the name of Grantee and to bear the
legend set forth in Section  11; and (b)  Grantee  shall  deliver to Grantor the
aggregate  Exercise  Price for the shares of Grantor  Common Stock so designated
and being  purchased  by wire  transfer of  immediately  available  funds to the
account or accounts  specified  in writing by Grantor.  Effective at or prior to
the  Closing,  Grantor  shall  cause the shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  being
delivered  at the  Closing  to be  approved  for  listing  on The New York Stock
Exchange.

         Section  5. Representations and Warrants of Grantor. Grantor represents
                  and warrants to Grantee as follows:

                  Organization  and  Standing.  Grantor  is a  corporation  duly
                  organized validly existing and in good standing under the laws
                  of the  State of  Delaware  and has all  corporate  power  and
                  authority  required to enter into this  Agreement and to carry
                  out its obligations hereunder.

                  Authority.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
                  Grantor and the  consummation  by Grantor of the  transactions
                  contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
                  corporate action on the part of Grantor and no other corporate
                  proceedings  on the part of  Grantor  and no action of Grantor
                  shareholders  are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any
                  of the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  this Agreement has
                  been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Grantor and,
                  assuming the due authorization,  execution and delivery hereby
                  by  Grantee  and  the  receipt  of all  required  governmental
                  approvals,  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation  of
                  Grantor,  enforceable  against  Grantor in accordance with its
                  terms,  except as may be  limited  by  applicable  bankruptcy,
                  insolvency  reorganization or other similar laws affecting the
                  enforcement of creditor's  rights  generally,  and except that
                  the  availability of equitable  remedies,  including  specific
                  performance,  may be  subject to the  discretion  of any court
                  before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  Reservation  of  Shares.   Grantor  has  taken  all  necessary
                  corporate  action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to
                  permit it to issue,  upon exercise of the Grantor Option,  and
                  at all times from the date hereof  through the  expiration  of
                  the Grantor  Option will have  reserved a number of authorized
                  and unissued  shares of Grantor Common Stock not less than the
                  Option  Number,  such amount being  subject to  adjustment  as
                  provided in Section 10, all of which,  upon their issuance and
                  delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  will
                  be  duly   authorized,   validly   issued,   fully   paid  and
                  nonassessable.

                  No Liens. The shares of Grantor Common Stock issued to Grantee
                  upon the exercise of the Grantor Option will be, upon delivery
                  thereof  to  Grantee,  free and  clear of all  claims,  liens,
                  charges,  encumbrances  and  security  interests of any nature
                  whatsoever.

                  No Conflicts.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
                  Grantor does not, and,  subject to compliance  with applicable
                  law,  the   consummation   by  Grantor  of  the   transactions
                  contemplated hereby will not violate, conflict with, or result
                  in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (with
                  or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under,  or result
                  in the termination of, or accelerate the performance  required
                  by,  or  result in a right of  termination,  cancellation,  or
                  acceleration  of any  obligation  or the  loss  of a  material
                  benefit  under,  or the creation of a lien,  pledge,  security
                  interest or other  encumbrance on assets (any such  violation,
                  conflict, breach, default, termination, acceleration, right of
                  termination,  cancellation or acceleration, loss, or creation,
                  a "Violation")  by Grantor or any of its  Subsidiaries  of (i)
                  any  provision  of the charter or the bylaws of Grantor or any
                  of its  Subsidiaries,  each  as  amended  to  date,  (ii)  any
                  material  provision of any material loan or credit  agreement,
                  note,  mortgage,  indenture,  lease,  benefit  plan  or  other
                  agreement,   obligation,   instrument,   permit,   concession,
                  franchise or license or any subsequently adopted "shareholders
                  rights plan" (a "Material  Contract") of Grantor or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  or to  which  any of them is a party or by which
                  any of them or their  properties  or assets are bound or (iii)
                  except as  contemplated  by Sections 3.7 or 3.13 of the Merger
                  Agreement (or the schedules thereunder) or Section 5(f) below,
                  any judgment,  order, decree, statue, law, ordinance,  rule or
                  regulation applicable to Grantor or any of its subsidiaries or
                  any of their properties or assets.

                  Consents and  Approvals.  The  execution  and delivery of this
                  Agreement   by  Grantor   does  not,   and   (except  for  the
                  notifications  required  under  the  HSR  Act  and  applicable
                  foreign laws, the  expiration or early  termination of waiting
                  periods under the HSR Act and applicable foreign laws, and the
                  receipt of approvals  under  applicable  securities  laws, and
                  except as  contemplated  by Section 9) the performance of this
                  Agreement by Grantor and the  consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated  hereby will not, require any consent,  approval,
                  order authorization or permit of, filing with, or notification
                  to any governmental or regulatory  authority,  other than such
                  consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,  permits, filings
                  and notifications which, in the aggregate,  if not obtained or
                  made,  could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Parent
                  Material  Adverse Effect or a Company  Material Adverse Effect
                  (as such  terms are  defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)  or a
                  material  adverse  effect on the  ability  of the  parties  to
                  consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


         Section  6.   Representations   and  Warranties  of  Grantee.   Grantee
                  represents and warrants to Grantor as follows:

                  Organization  and  Standing.  Grantee  is a  corporation  duly
                  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the
                  laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate  power and
                  authority  required to enter into this  Agreement and to carry
                  out its obligations hereunder.

                  Authority.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
                  Grantee and the  consummation  by Grantee of the  transactions
                  contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
                  corporate action on the part of Grantee and no other corporate
                  proceedings  on the part of  Grantee  and no action of Grantee
                  shareholders  are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any
                  of the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  this Agreement has
                  been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Grantee and,
                  assuming the due authorization,  execution and delivery hereby
                  by  Grantee  and  the  receipt  of all  required  governmental
                  approvals,  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation  of
                  Grantee,  enforceable  against  Grantee in accordance with its
                  terms,  except as may be  limited  by  applicable  bankruptcy,
                  insolvency  reorganization or other similar laws affecting the
                  enforcement of creditor's  rights  generally,  and except that
                  the  availability of equitable  remedies,  including  specific
                  performance,  may be  subject to the  discretion  of any court
                  before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  No Conflicts.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
                  Grantee  does not,  and the  consummation  by  Grantee  of the
                  transactions  contemplated  hereby will not violate,  conflict
                  with,  or  result  in a  Violation  by  Grantee  or any of its
                  Subsidiaries,  of (i)  any  provision  of the  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation   or  Bylaws  of  Grantee,   (ii)  any  material
                  provision  of any  Material  Contract of Grantee or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  or to  which  any of them is a party or by which
                  any of them or their  properties or assets are bound, or (iii)
                  except as  contemplated  by Sections 4.7 or 4.13 of the Merger
                  Agreement (or the schedules thereunder) or Section 6(d) below,
                  any judgment,  order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
                  regulation applicable to Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries or
                  any of their properties or assets.

                  Consents and  Approvals.  The  execution  and delivery of this
                  Agreement   by  Grantee   does  not,   and   (except  for  the
                  notifications  required  under  the  HSR  Act  and  applicable
                  foreign laws, the  expiration or early  termination of waiting
                  periods under the HSR Act and applicable foreign laws, and the
                  receipt of approvals  under  applicable  securities  laws, and
                  except as  contemplated  by Section 9) the performance of this
                  Agreement by Grantor and the  consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated  hereby will not, require any consent,  approval,
                  order authorization or permit of, filing with, or notification
                  to any governmental or regulatory  authority,  other than such
                  consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,  permits, filings
                  and notifications which, in the aggregate,  if not obtained or
                  made,  could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have an Parent
                  Material  Adverse Effect or a Company  Material Adverse Effect
                  (as such  terms are  defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)  or a
                  material  adverse  effect on the  ability  of the  parties  to
                  consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  Investment  Purposes.  Any  shares  of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                  acquired by Grantee upon  exercise of the Grantor  Option will
                  be acquired for Grantee's own account, for investment purposes
                  only,  and will not be, and the  Grantor  Option is not being,
                  acquired  by Grantee  with a view to the  public  distribution
                  thereof  in  violation  of  any  applicable  provision  of the
                  Securities Act.

         Section  7. Certain  Repurchases.  Upon written  notice (a  "Repurchase
                  Notice"):

          (i)                  Grantee "Put".  By Grantee to Grantor:

                           (x) during the time the Grantor Option is exercisable
                           pursuant to Section 2, Grantor and its  successors in
                           interest  shall  repurchase  from  Grantee all or any
                           portion  of  the  Grantor  Option,  as  specified  by
                           Grantee, to the extent not previously  exercised,  at
                           the  Option  Repurchase  Price set  forth in  Section
                           7(b)(i),  subject to and as  limited by Section  2(f)
                           above; and

                           (y) at any time,  during which  Grantee  holds Option
                           shares  Grantor and its  successors in interest shall
                           repurchase  from  Grantee  all or any  portion of the
                           shares of Grantor  Common Stock  purchased by Grantee
                           pursuant  to the  Grantor  Option,  as  specified  by
                           Grantee,  at the Share  Repurchase Price set forth in
                           Section 7(b)(ii) subject to and as limited by Section
                           2(f) above.

                           (ii)     Grantor "Call." By Grantor to Grantee:

                           (x) Grantee  shall sell to Grantor  all, but not less
                           than  all,  of the  Grantor  Option,  at  the  Option
                           Repurchase   Price  set  forth  in  Section  7(b)(i),
                           subject to and as limited by Section 2(f) above; and

                           (y) at any time during  which  Grantee  holds  Option
                           Shares,  Grantee and its successors in interest shall
                           sell to  Grantor  all or any  portion  of the  Option
                           Shares,  as  specified  by  Grantor,   at  the  Share
                           Repurchase  Price as set  forth in  Section  7(b)(ii)
                           subject to and limited by Section 2(f) above.

                  Certain  Definitions.  For  purposes  of this  Section  7, the
following definitions shall apply:

                           (i)  Option  Repurchase  Price.   "Option  Repurchase
                           Price"  shall  mean (A) the  amount (if any) by which
                           the  Fair   Market   Value  (as  defined  in  Section
                           7(b)(iii)) of a single share of Grantor  Common Stock
                           as of the date of the  applicable  Repurchase  Notice
                           exceeds the per share  Exercise  Price  multiplied by
                           (B) the  number  of shares of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                           purchasable  pursuant  to the  Grantor  Option or the
                           portion thereof covered by the applicable  Repurchase
                           Notice.

                           Share  Repurchase  Price.  "Share  Repurchase  Price"
                           shall mean the  product of (A) the greater of (I) the
                           Exercise  Price paid by Grantee  per share of Grantor
                           Common Stock acquired  pursuant to the Grantor Option
                           and (II) the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section
                           7(b)(iii)) of a single share of Grantor  Common Stock
                           as of the date of the applicable  Repurchase  Notice,
                           and (B) the number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock
                           to be  repurchased  pursuant  to  this  Section  7 as
                           covered by the applicable Repurchase Notice.

                           Fair Market Value. As used in this  Agreement,  "Fair
                           Market  Value"  shall  mean,   with  respect  to  any
                           security,  the per share average of the last reported
                           sale prices on the New York Stock  Exchange  (or such
                           other  national  stock  exchange or  national  market
                           system as shall then be the  primary  trading  market
                           for  such  security)  for the ten (10)  trading  days
                           immediately  preceding the applicable date or highest
                           price  to  be  paid  per  share  in  an   Acquisition
                           Proposal.


                  Payment and  Redelivery of Grantor  Options or Shares.  In the
                  event  that  Grantee  or Grantor  exercises  their  respective
                  rights  under  Section  7(a),  Grantor  shall  within ten (10)
                  business days  thereafter,  pay the required amount to Grantee
                  in  immediately  available  and  Grantee  shall  surrender  to
                  Grantor the Grantor Option or the  certificate or certificates
                  evidencing  the shares of Grantor Common  Stocksubject  to the
                  applicable  Repurchase  Notice, and Grantee shall warrant that
                  it has sole beneficial ownership of the Grantor Option or such
                  shares  and that the  Grantor  Option or such  shares are then
                  free and clear of all claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and
                  security interests of any nature whatsoever.

                  Repurchase  Price  Reduced at Grantee's  Option.  In the event
                  that payment of the repurchase price specified in Section 7(a)
                  would  subject the  repurchase  of the  Grantor  Option or the
                  shares of Grantor Common Stock  purchased by Grantee  pursuant
                  to the Grantor Option to a vote of the stockholders of Grantor
                  pursuant to applicable law, regulations,  or requirements of a
                  national  securities exchange or national market system or the
                  Grantor Charter,  the Grantee may at its election,  reduce the
                  repurchase  price  or the  number  of  shares  covered  by the
                  Grantee  repurchase  request to an amount  which would  permit
                  such repurchase without the necessity for such vote.


<PAGE>




         Section 8.                 Restrictions on Transfer.

                  Restrictions  on Transfer.  Prior to the fifth  anniversary of
                  the date hereof (the  "Expiration  Date"),  Grantee shall not,
                  directly or  indirectly,  by  operation  of law or  otherwise,
                  sell,  assign,  pledge or otherwise dispose of or transfer any
                  Option Shares ("Restricted  Shares"),  other than (i) pursuant
                  to Section 7 or (ii) in accordance with Sections 8(b) or 9.

                  Permitted  Sales.  Following  the  termination  of the  Merger
                  Agreement,  Grantee shall be permitted to sell any  Restricted
                  Shares  beneficially  owned  by it if such  sale  is made  (i)
                  pursuant  to a tender  or  exchange  offer  or other  business
                  combination transaction or (ii) subject to Section 8(c) or (d)
                  as the case may be,  to a person  who,  immediately  following
                  such sale, would  beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule
                  13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange Act), either alone or as
                  part of a "group"  (as used in Rule 13d-5  under the  Exchange
                  Act),  not  more  than  ten  percent  (10%)  of  such  party's
                  outstanding  voting  securities,  which  person  is a  passive
                  institutional  investor  who  would  be  eligible  under  Rule
                  13d-1(b)(1)  under the Exchange Act to report such holdings of
                  Restricted Shares on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act.

                  Grantor's Right of First Refusal.  At any time after the first
                  occurrence of a Trigger Event and prior to the Expiration Date
                  if Grantee shall desire to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise
                  dispose of all or any of the shares of Grantor Common Stock or
                  other  securities  acquired  by it  pursuant  to  the  Grantor
                  Option,  it shall give Grantor  written notice of the proposed
                  transaction  (an  "Grantee  Offer  Notice"),  identifying  the
                  proposed transferee,  accompanied by a copy of a binding offer
                  to  purchase  such shares or other  securities  signed by such
                  transferee  and  setting  forth  the  terms  of  the  proposed
                  transaction.  A Grantee  Offer Notice shall be deemed an offer
                  by Grantee to Grantor, which may be acceptable within five (5)
                  business days of the receipt of such Grantee Offer Notice,  on
                  the same terms and  conditions  and at the same price at which
                  Grantee  is  proposing  to  transfer   such  shares  or  other
                  securities to such transferee. The purchase of any such shares
                  or other  securities by Grantor  shall be settled  within five
                  (5) business  days of the date of the  acceptance of the offer
                  and the purchase price shall be paid to Grantee in immediately
                  available  funds.  In the event of the  failure  or refusal of
                  Grantor to purchase all the shares or other securities covered
                  by a Grantee Offer Notice,  Grantee may sell all, but not less
                  than all, of such shares or other  securities  to the proposed
                  transferee at no less than the price specified and on terms no
                  more favorable to the  transferee  than those set forth in the
                  Grantee Offer Notice as long as such sale is completed  within
                  ninety (90) days of the  receipt by Grantor of the  applicable
                  Grantee  Office  Notice;  provided that the provisions of this
                  sentence shall not limit the rights Grantee may otherwise have
                  in the event  Grantor has accepted the offer  contained in the
                  Grantee  Offer Notice and  wrongfully  refuses to purchase the
                  shares or other securities  subject thereto.  The requirements
                  of this Section 8(c) shall not apply to (i) any disposition as
                  a  result  of  which  the   proposed   transferee   would  own
                  beneficially   not  more  than  three   percent  (3%)  of  the
                  outstanding  voting power of Grantor,  (ii) any disposition of
                  Grantor  Common Stock or other  securities by a person to whom
                  Grantee has assigned its rights under the Grantor  Option with
                  the  consent of  Grantor,  (iii) any sale by means of a public
                  offering  registered  under the  Securities  Act,  or (iv) any
                  transfer to a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Grantee which agrees
                  in writing to be bound by the terms hereof.

                  (d) Additional  Restrictions.  Prior to any permitted sales of
                  any  Restricted  Shares  under  Section  8(b)(ii),  the holder
                  thereof  shall  give  written  notice  to the  issuer  of such
                  Restricted  Shares of its  intention to effect such  transfer.
                  Each such notice  shall  describe  the manner of the  proposed
                  transfer  and, if  required  by the issuer of such  Restricted
                  Shares,   shall  be  accompanied  by  an  opinion  of  counsel
                  satisfactory  to such  issuer  (it being  agreed  that each of
                  Arter & Hadden  LLP,  a  limited  liability  partnership,  and
                  McGrath,  North,  Mullin & Kratz, P.C., shall be satisfactory)
                  to  the  effect  that  such  sale  may  be  effected   without
                  registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state
                  securities  laws.  Each  certificate  for  Restricted   Shares
                  transferred  as above provided shall bear the legend set forth
                  in Section  11,  except that such  certificate  shall not bear
                  such  legend if (i) such  transfer is in  accordance  with the
                  provisions  of Rule 144 (or any other rule  permitting  public
                  sale without  registration  under the Securities  Act) or (ii)
                  the  opinion of counsel  referred  to above is to the  further
                  effect that the transferee and any subsequent transferee would
                  be  entitled  to  transfer  such  securities  in a public sale
                  without   registration   under  the   Securities  Act  or  any
                  applicable state  securities  laws. The restrictions  provided
                  for in this Section 8(d) shall not apply to  securities  which
                  are not required to bear the legend  prescribed  in Section 11
                  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement.  The
                  foregoing  restrictions on  transferability  set forth in this
                  Section 8(d) shall terminate as to any particular  shares when
                  such shares shall have been  effectively  registered under the
                  Securities Act and any applicable  state  securities  laws and
                  sold  or  otherwise   disposed  of  in  accordance   with  the
                  registration statement covering such shares.

                  Section 9.                Registration Rights.

                  (a) Procedure.  Following termination of the Merger Agreement,
                  Grantee   (the   "Holder")   may  by   written   notice   (the
                  "Registration  Notice")  to  the  Grantor  (the  "Registrant")
                  request the  Registrant to register  under the  Securities Act
                  all or any  part of the  Restricted  Shares  acquired  by such
                  Holder   pursuant   to  this   Agreement   (the   "Registrable
                  Securities") in order to permit the sale or other  disposition
                  of such shares pursuant to a bona fide commitment underwritten
                  public  offering,  in which the  Holder  and the  underwriters
                  shall  effect  as  wide a  distribution  of  such  Registrable
                  Securities  as is reasonable  practicable  and shall use their
                  best efforts to prevent any person  (including  any "group" as
                  used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) and its  affiliates
                  from  purchasing  through  such  offering   Restricted  Shares
                  representing  more than three percent (3%) of the  outstanding
                  shares of common stock of the  Registrant  on a fully  diluted
                  basis  (a  "Permitted   Offering").   Any  rights  to  require
                  registration  hereunder  shall  terminate  with respect to any
                  shares  that may be sold  pursuant  to Rule  144(k)  under the
                  Securities Act.

                  (b) Manager's  Certificate.  The managing underwriter shall be
                  an investment banking firm of nationally  recognized standing,
                  and shall be  selected by (i) the  Registrant  within ten (10)
                  business days after receipt of a Registration Notice,  subject
                  to  approval  of  the  Holder  (which  approval  shall  not be
                  unreasonably  withheld,  delayed or  conditioned),  or (ii) if
                  Registrant   fails  to  deliver   notice  (the   "Registrant's
                  Designation  Notice") to Holder of such  selection  within ten
                  (10)  business days after  receipt of a  Registration  Notice,
                  then  by  Holder  subject  to  the   reasonable   approval  of
                  Registrant (which approval shall not be unreasonable withheld,
                  delayed or  conditioned)  (the  "Manager"),  and Holder  shall
                  deliver written notice (the "Holder's  Designation Notice") of
                  such selection  within ten (10) business days after expiration
                  of the ten (10) day period in which  Registrant  is entitle to
                  give  notice.  The  Registrant's  Designation  Notice  or  the
                  Holder's  Designation Notice, as the cause may be, shall state
                  that (i) the party  delivering  such  notice and its  proposed
                  Manager  have a good faith  intention  to commence  promptly a
                  Permitted  Offering,  and (ii) such  proposed  Manager in good
                  faith  believes  that,  based  on the  then-prevailing  market
                  conditions, it will be able to sell the Registrable Securities
                  to the  public in a  Permitted  Offering  within  one  hundred
                  twenty  (120)  days at a per  share  price  equal  to at least
                  eighty  percent  (80%) of the then Fair  Market  Value of such
                  shares.

                  (c) First Refusal  Right.  The  Registrant  (and/or any person
                  designated by the Registrant)  shall thereupon have the option
                  exercisable by written  notice  delivered to the Holder within
                  five (5) business  days after the receipt of the  Registration
                  Notice proposed to be so sold for cash at a price equal to the
                  product of (i) the number of  Registrable  Securities to be so
                  purchased  by the  Registrant  and (ii) the then  Fair  Market
                  Value of such shares, subject to Section 2(f) hereof.

                  (d) Closing.  Any purchase of  Registrable  Securities  by the
                  Registrant  (or its  designee)  under  Section 9(c) shall take
                  place  at a  closing  to be  held at the  principal  executive
                  offices of the  Registrant or at the offices of its counsel at
                  any  reasonable  date and time  designated  by the  Registrant
                  and/or  such  designee  in  such  notice  within  twenty  (20)
                  business days after  delivery of such notice,  and any payment
                  for the shares to be so purchased shall be made by delivery at
                  the time of such closing in immediately available funds.

                  (e) Certain  Limitations.  If the Registrant does not elect to
                  exercise  its option  pursuant to Section 9(c) with respect to
                  all Registrable  Securities,  it shall use its best efforts to
                  effect, as promptly as practicable, the registration under the
                  Securities  Act  of  the  unpurchased  Registrable  Securities
                  proposed to be sold; provided,  however, that (i) holder shall
                  not be entitled to demand  more than an  aggregate  of two (2)
                  effective  registration  statements  hereunder,  and  (ii) the
                  Registrant will not be required to file any such  registration
                  statement  during any period of time (not to exceed sixty (60)
                  days  after  such  request  in the case of clause (A) below or
                  ninety (90) days after such request in the case of clauses (B)
                  and (C) below) when (A) the  Registrant  is in  possession  of
                  material  non-public  information which it reasonably believes
                  would be  detrimental to be disclosed at such time and, in the
                  opinion of counsel to the Registrant such information would be
                  required to be disclosed if a registration statement was filed
                  at that  time;  (B)  the  Registrant  is  required  under  the
                  Securities Act to include audited financial statements for any
                  period  in such  registration  statement  and  such  financial
                  statements  are  not  yet  available  for  inclusion  in  such
                  registration statement;  or (C) the Registrant determines,  in
                  its  reasonable   judgement,   that  such  registration  would
                  interfere with any financing, acquisition or other transaction
                  involving the  Registrant or any of its material  subsidiaries
                  and that such  transaction  is material to the  Registrant and
                  its subsidiaries taken as a whole. If consummation of the sale
                  of any  Registrable  Securities  pursuant to the  registration
                  hereunder  does not occur within one hundred twenty (120) days
                  after the effectiveness of the initial registration statement,
                  the  provisions of this Section 9 shall again be applicable to
                  any proposed registration.

                  (f)  State  Securities  Laws.  The  Registrant  shall  use its
                  reasonable  best efforts to cause any  Registrable  Securities
                  registered pursuant to this Section 9 to be qualified for sale
                  under the  securities  laws of such  states as the  Holder may
                  reasonably  request and shall  continue such  registration  or
                  qualification  in  effect  in  such  jurisdiction;   provided,
                  however,  that the Registrant shall not be required to qualify
                  to do  business  in, or consent to general  service of process
                  in, any jurisdiction by reason of this provision.

                  (g) Obligations of Registrant. The Registrant shall provide to
                  the underwriters such documentation  (including  certificates,
                  opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from auditors) as is
                  customary in connection with underwritten  public offerings as
                  such  underwriters  may reasonably  require.  The registration
                  rights  set  forth  in  this  Section  9 are  subject  to  the
                  condition  that the Holder shall provide the  Registrant  with
                  such information  with respect to its Registrable  Securities,
                  the  plans  for  the  distribution  thereof,  and  such  other
                  information  with respect to the Holder as, in the  reasonable
                  judgement  of counsel  for the  Registrant,  is  necessary  to
                  enable  the   Registrant  to  include  in  such   registration
                  statement  all material  facts  required to be disclosed  with
                  respect to a registration thereunder.

                  (h)  Indemnification.  In  connection  with  any  registration
                  effected  under  this  Section  9, the  parties  agree  (i) to
                  indemnify each other (and each other's directors and officers)
                  and the  underwriters in the customary  manner,  (ii) to enter
                  into an underwriting agreement in form and substance customary
                  for  transactions  of such type with the Manager and the other
                  underwriters participating in such offering, and (iii) to take
                  all further  actions  which shall be  reasonably  necessary to
                  effect such  registration and sale (including,  if the Manager
                  deems it necessary, participating in road-show presentations).

                  (i)  Inclusion  of  Additional   Shares  of  Registrant.   The
                  Registrant  shall be  entitled  to  include  (at its  expense)
                  additional  shares  of  its  common  stock  in a  registration
                  effected  pursuant to this Section 9 only if and to the extent
                  the Manager  determines that such inclusion will not adversely
                  affect the prospects for success of such offering.

         Section 10.  Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.

                  (a) Without  limiting any restriction on Grantor  contained in
                  this Agreement or in the Merger Agreement, in the event of any
                  change  in  Grantor  Common  Stock  by  reason  of  any  stock
                  dividend,  stock split,  reclassification,  merger (other than
                  the Merger), recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares
                  or any similar  transaction,  the type and number of shares or
                  securities  subject to the Grantor  Option,  and the  Exercise
                  Price   per  share   provided   herein,   shall  be   adjusted
                  appropriately  and  proper  provision  shall  be  made  in the
                  agreements  governing  such  transaction so that Grantee shall
                  receive,  upon exercise of the Grantor Option,  the number and
                  class of  securities  or  property  that  Grantee  would  have
                  received  in respect of the  shares of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                  issuable to Grantee if the Grantor  Option had been  exercised
                  immediately prior to such event or the record date thereof, as
                  applicable.

                  (b) In the event that Grantor  shall enter into an  agreement:
                  (i) to consolidate with or merger into any person,  other than
                  Grantee  or one  of its  Subsidiaries,  and  shall  not be the
                  continuing or surviving  corporation of such  consolidation or
                  merger;  (ii) to permit any person,  other than Grantee or one
                  of its  Subsidiaries,  to merge into Grantor and Grantor shall
                  be the continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection
                  with such  merger,  the then  outstanding  shares  of  Grantor
                  Common Stock shall be changed  into or exchanged  for stock or
                  other securities of Grantor or any person or cash or any other
                  property;  or  (iii)  to sell  or  otherwise  transfer  all or
                  substantially  all of its  assets to any  person,  other  than
                  Grantee  or one of its  Subsidiaries,  then,  and in each such
                  case,  the agreement  governing  such  transaction  shall make
                  proper   provision  so  that  the  Grantor   Option  upon  the
                  consummation  of such  transaction  and  upon  the  terms  and
                  conditions set forth herein,  be converted  into, or exchanged
                  for, an option with identical terms appropriately  adjusted to
                  acquire the number and class of shares or other  securities or
                  property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common
                  Stock if Grantor Option had been exercised  immediately  prior
                  to such consoliation,  merger,  sale or transfer or the record
                  date  therefor,  as  applicable  and make any other  necessary
                  adjustments subject to Section 2(f) hereof.

         Section  11. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate  representing Option
                  Shares shall include a legend in  substantially  the following
                  form:

                  THE SECURITIES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
                  REGISTERED  UNDER THE SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  OR
                  ANY STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS, AND MAY BE REOFFERED OR
                  SOLD  ONLY IF SO  REGISTRERED  OR IF AN  EXEMPTION  FROM  SUCH
                  REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. SUCH SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO
                  ADDITONAL  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE INACOM
                  STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 6, 1998, A COPY OF
                  WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER UPON REQUEST.

It is understood and agreed that (i) the reference to the resale restrictions of
the Securities Act and state securities or Blue Sky laws in the foregoing legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if Grantee of Grantor,  as the case may be,  shall have  delivered  to the other
party  a copy  of a  letter  from  the  staff  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  or  an  opinion  of  counsel,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to the other party, to the effect that such legend is not required
for  purposes of the  Securities  Act or such laws;  (ii) the  reference  to the
provisions  of this  Agreement  in the  foregoing  legend  shall be  removed  by
delivery of substitute  certificate(s) without such reference if the shares have
been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and
under  circumstances  that do not require the retention of such  reference;  and
(iii) the legend  shall be  removed in its  entirety  if the  conditions  in the
preceding  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  are  both  satisfied.   In  addition,   such
certificates shall bear any other legend as may be required by law. Certificates
representing  shares sold in a registered  public offering pursuant to Section 9
shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in this Section 11.

         Section   12.   Binding   Effect;   No   Assignment;   No  Third  Party
Beneficiaries.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except
as expressly  provided for in this  Agreement,  neither this  Agreement  nor the
rights  or  obligations  of  either  party  thereto  are  assignable,  except by
operation of law, or with the written  consent of the other party,  and any such
attempted  assignment  in  violation of this  Agreement  shall be void and of no
force or effect.  Except as provided in Section  9(h)(i),  nothing  contained in
this Agreement,  express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties  hereto and their  respective  permitted  assigns and rights or
remedies  of any nature  whatsoever.  Any  Restricted  Shares sold by a party in
compliance  with the provisions of Section 9 shall,  upon  consummation  of such
sale, be free of the restrictions imposed and the benefits provided with respect
to such shares by this Agreement.

         Section 13.  Specific  Performance.  The parties  hereto  recognize and
agree that if for any reason any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  are not
performed in accordance  with their  specific  terms or are otherwise  breached,
immediate and irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages
would not be an  adequate  remedy.  Accordingly,  each  party  agrees  that,  in
addition to other remedies,  whether at law or in equity,  the other party shall
be entitled to an  injunction to prevent or restrain any violation or threatened
violation of the provisions of this Agreement,  and to enforce  specifically the
terms and  provisions  hereof,  in any court of the State of  Delaware or of the
United States of America located in the State of Delaware. In the event that any
action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this  Agreement,
neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the defense,  that there
is an adequate remedy at law. Each party hereto irrevocably and  unconditionally
consents and submits to the  jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware
for any  actions,  suits  or  proceedings  arising  out of or  relating  to this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby, and waives any objection to
venue in any such court therein.

         Section 14.                Validity.

                  (a) The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision of
                  this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability
                  of the other provisions of this Agreement,  which shall remain
                  in full force and effect.

                  (b) In the event any court or other governmental or regulatory
                  authority  holds any  provisions of this Agreement to be null,
                  void or  unenforceable,  the parties hereto shall negotiate in
                  good faith the  execution and delivery of an amendment to this
                  Agreement in order, as nearly as possible,  to effectuate,  to
                  the extent  permitted by law, the intent of the parties hereto
                  with respect to such provision of the economic effect thereof.

                  (c) If for any reason any such court or other  governmental or
                  regulatory  authority determines that Grantee is not permitted
                  to acquire, or Grantor is not permitted to repurchase pursuant
                  to  Section  7, the full  number of shares of  Grantor  Common
                  Stock   provided  in  this  Agreement  (as  the  same  may  be
                  adjusted),  it is the  express  intention  of Grantor to allow
                  Grantee to acquire or to require  Grantor to  repurchase  such
                  lesser  number  of shares as may be  permissible  without  any
                  other amendment or modification hereof.

                  (d)  Each  party  agrees  that,  should  any  court  or  other
                  governmental  or  regulatory  authority  hold any provision of
                  this   Agreement   or  part   hereof  to  be  null,   void  or
                  unenforceable,   or  order  any  party  to  take  any   action
                  inconsistent herewith, or not take any action required herein,
                  the other party shall not be entitled to specific  performance
                  of such  provision  or part  hereof  or to any  other  remedy,
                  including but not limited to money damages,  for breach hereof
                  or any other provision of this Agreement or part hereof as the
                  result of such holding or order.

         Section 15.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if (a)  delivered  personally,  or
(b) if sent by overnight courier service (receipt confirmed in writing),  or (c)
if delivered by facsimile  transmission (with receipt  confirmed),  (d) five (5)
days  after  being  mailed by  registered  or  certified  mail  (return  receipt
requested)  to the parties in each case to the  following  addresses (or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):



<PAGE>




         If to Grantor, to:         InaCom Corp.
                                    10810 Farnam Drive
                                    Omaha, Nebraska 68154
                                    Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
                                    Fax:  (402) 758-3602


         With a copy to:            McGrath, North, Mullin & Kratz, P.C.
                                    1400 One Central Park Plaza
                                    Omaha, Nebraska 68102
                                    Attention:  David L. Hefflinger
                                    Fax:  (402) 341-0216

         If to Grantee, to:         Vanstar Corporation
                                    1100 Abernathy Road
                                    Building 500, Suite 1200
                                    Atlanta, Georgia
                                    Attention: General Counsel
                                    Fax:  (770) 522-4587

         With a copy to:            Arter & Hadden, LLP
                                    1717 Main Street, Suite 4100
                                    Dallas, Texas 75201-4605
                                    Attention:  Stan Huller
                                    Fax:  (214) 741-7139


         Section 16.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed,  and any  controversy  arising out of or  otherwise  relating to this
Agreement  shall be  determined,  in  accordance  with the laws of the  State of
Delaware  applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such
state and  without  regard to its choice of law  principles.  Each party  hereto
consents and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
Delaware  and the  courts of the  United  States  located  in such state for the
adjudication of any action, suit, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of or
otherwise relating to this Agreement.

         Section 17.  Interpretation.  The headings  contained in this Agreement
are for  reference  purposes  and shall not  affect  in any way the  meaning  or
interpretation  of the Agreement.  When reference is made in this Agreement to a
Section,  such  reference  shall  be to a  Section  of  this  Agreement,  unless
otherwise  indicated.  Whenever the words "include,"  "includes," or "including"
are used in this  Agreement,  they shall be deemed to be  followed  by the words
"without  limitation."  Whenever  "or" is used in this  Agreement  it  shall  be
construed in the nonexclusive sense. The words "herein," "hereby," "hereof," and
"hereunder" and words of similar import refer to this Agreement.

         Section 18. Counterparts; Effect. This Agreement may be executed in two
or more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all
of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         Section 19. Expenses.  Grantor shall pay all expenses,  and any and all
federal,  state  and  local  taxes and other  charges,  that may be  payable  in
connection  with  the  preparation,  issuance  and  delivery  of  Grantor  stock
certificates   under  Section  4  and  any  stock  listing  or  stock  quotation
application  required  to be filed by Grantor  with  respect to such  shares.  A
registration  effected  under  Section 9 shall be effected  at the  Registrant's
expense,  except for underwriting discounts and commissions and the fees and the
expenses  of  counsel to the  Holder.  Subject  to the  foregoing  and except as
otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Merger Agreement,  all other costs
and expenses  incurred in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

         Section 20.  Amendments;  Waiver.  This Agreement may be amended by the
parties  hereto and the terms and  conditions  hereof  may be waived  only by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto, or, in the
case of a waiver,  by an  instrument  signed  on  behalf  of the  party  waiving
compliance.

         Section 21.  Extension of Time Periods.  The time periods for exercises
of certain rights  hereunder shall be extended (but in no event by more than six
(6) months):  (a) to the extent necessary to obtain all  governmental  approvals
for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration of all statutory waiting
periods;  and (b) to the extent necessary to avoid any liability or disgorgement
of profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of such exercise.

         Section  22.  Further  Assurances.  Each party  agrees to  execute  and
deliver all such further  documents  and  instruments  and take all such further
action as may be necessary in order to consummate the transactions  contemplated
hereby.




<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Grantor and Grantee have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered on the day and year first above written.


                                  GRANTOR

                                  INACOM CORP.


                                  By:   /s/ Bill Fairfield
                                  Name:  Bill Fairfield
                                  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


                                  GRANTEE

                                  VANSTAR CORPORATION


                                  By:   /s/ William Y. Tauscher
                                  Name:   William Y. Tauscher
                                  Title:  Chairman of the Board and
                                          Chief Executive Officer





                         VANSTAR STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


THIS STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  is made and entered into as of
October 8, 1998 by and  between  Vanstar  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Grantor"), and InaCom Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Grantee").

                                     RECITAL

         Concurrently  with  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,
Grantor,   Grantee,   and  Indigo  Sub,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  and  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of Grantee ("Sub"),  are entering into an Agreement and
Plan of  Merger,  dated as of October 8, 1998 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  which
provides  for the  merger of Sub with and into  Grantor in  accordance  with the
terms of the  Merger  Agreement  and the  laws of the  State  of  Delaware  (the
"Merger").  As a condition and inducement to Grantee's willingness to enter into
the Merger Agreement,  Grantee has requested that Grantor agree, and Grantor has
agreed,  to grant to Grantee an option to acquire  certain  shares of  Grantor's
authorized  but unissued  common stock  (together  with any  associated  rights,
"Grantor  Common  Stock"),  on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.

         NOW THEREFORE, to induce Grantee to enter into the Merger Agreement and
in consideration of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements
contained herein and in the Merger Agreement,  the parties hereto,  intending to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows. Capitalized terms used herein but not
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         Section  1.  Grant of  Option.  

                  Grantor  hereby grants to Grantee an  irrevocable  option (the
                  "Grantor  Option")  to  purchase a number of shares of Grantor
                  Common Stock equal to the Option Number (as defined in Section
                  2(d)),  on the terms and subject to the  conditions  set forth
                  below.



         Section 2.             Exercise and Termination of the Grantor Option.

                  Exercise.  The Grantor Option may be exercised by Grantee,  in
                  whole or in part,  at any time or from  time to time  prior to
                  the  termination  of  Grantee's  right to exercise the Grantor
                  Option by the terms of this  Agreement  and upon and after the
                  occurrence  of  a  "Trigger  Event".   For  purposes  of  this
                  Agreement, a "Trigger Event" shall occur, if, and only if, all
                  of the following occur: (i) the Merger Agreement is terminated
                  and,  as a result of such  termination,  a fee is  payable  by
                  Grantor to Grantee  pursuant  to Sections  8.2(d),  (e) or (f)
                  thereof;   (ii)  prior  to  such  termination  an  Acquisition
                  Proposal  (as such term is defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)
                  shall have been made for Grantor (other than made, directly or
                  indirectly,  by Grantee or any affiliate  thereof),  and (iii)
                  either prior to, or within twelve (12) months  following  such
                  termination,   the   shareholders  of  Grantor  approve  -that
                  Acquisition  Proposal.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
                  Grantor Option may not be exercised if Grantee is in breach in
                  any material  respect of any of its material  representations,
                  warranties,   covenants  or   agreements   contained  in  this
                  Agreement,  subject to reasonable  notice and  opportunity  to
                  cure.

                  Exercise  Procedure.  In the  event  that  Grantee  wishes  to
                  exercise the Grantor Option,  Grantee shall deliver to Grantor
                  written  notice (an "Exercise  Notice")  specifying  the total
                  number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock that Grantee  wishes
                  to purchase (the "Option Shares").  To the extent permitted by
                  law and the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  amended,  of
                  Grantor  (the  "Grantor  Charter"),   and  provided  that  the
                  conditions  set forth in Section 3 to Grantor's  obligation to
                  issue the shares of Grantor Common Stock to Grantee  hereunder
                  have been satisfied or waived, Grantee shall, upon delivery of
                  the  Exercise  Notice and tender of the  applicable  aggregate
                  Exercise Price (as defined in Section 2(e) below), immediately
                  be deemed to be the  holder  of record of the  Option  Shares,
                  notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Grantor shall
                  then be closed or that  certificates  representing  the Option
                  Shares shall not  theretofore  have been delivered to Grantee.
                  Each  closing of a purchase of shares of Grantor  Common Stock
                  hereunder (a "Closing") shall occur at a place, on a date, and
                  at  a  time  designated  by  Grantee  in  an  Exercise  Notice
                  delivered at least two (2) business  days prior to the date of
                  such Closing.

                  Termination of the Grantor Option. Grantee's right to exercise
                  the Grantor Option shall  terminate upon the earliest to occur
                  of:

                           the Effective Time of the Merger;

                           the date on which the Merger  Agreement  is  properly
terminated  pursuant to Article VIII thereof other than under  circumstances set
forth in Sections 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii); and

                           thirteen  (13)  months  after  the date on which  the
Merger Agreement is terminated.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  with respect to clause (iii) in the immediately
preceding  sentence,  if the Grantor Option cannot be exercised by reason of any
applicable judicial or governmental judgment,  decree, order, law or regulation,
the Grantor Option shall remain  exercisable  and shall not terminate  until the
earlier  of (x) the date on which such  impediment  shall  become  final and not
subject to appeal and (y) 5:00 p.m., Atlanta,  Georgia time, on the tenth (10th)
business day after such impediment shall have been removed;  provided,  however,
that if such  judgment,  decree or order shall have been obtained at the request
of  Grantor  or any of its  Affiliates  or a  party  that  has  been  made or is
proposing to make an Acquisition Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger
Agreement)  for  Grantor,  and such  judgment,  decree or order is vacated,  set
aside,  withdrawn,  reversed or otherwise  nullified,  the time during which the
Grantor  Option shall remain  exercisable  shall be extended for as long as such
judgment, decree, or order shall be in effect. The rights of Grantee and Grantor
set forth in Sections 7 (other than Section  7(a)(i),  and 9 shall not terminate
upon  termination of Grantee's right to exercise the Grantor Option with respect
to shares acquired prior to  termination,  but shall extend to the time provided
in such sections. Notwithstanding the termination of the Grantor Option, Grantee
shall be entitle to purchase the shares of Grantor  Common Stock with respect to
which Grantee had exercised the Grantor Option prior to such termination.

                  Option  Number.  The  aggregate  number of  shares of  Grantor
                  Common Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of this Grantor  Option
                  (the "Option Number") shall initially be the number of shares,
                  rounded down to the nearest whole share, equal to nineteen and
                  nine-tenths  percent  (19.9%) of the total number of shares of
                  Grantor Common Stock issued and  outstanding as of the date of
                  this  Agreement,  and shall be adjusted  hereafter  to reflect
                  changes in Grantor's  capitalization  occurring after the date
                  hereof in  accordance  with  Section 10.  Notwithstanding  any
                  other  provision,  in no event shall the Option  Number exceed
                  nineteen and  nine-tenths  percent (19.9%) of the total number
                  of shares of Grantor Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
                  the  date of  this  Agreement,  adjusted  in  accordance  with
                  Section 10.

                  Exercise Price. The purchase price per share of Grantor Common
                  Stock pursuant to the Grantor  Option (the  "Exercise  Price")
                  shall be  payable  in cash.  The  Exercise  Price per share of
                  Grantor Common Stock, shall be a cash amount equal to $9 1/8.

                  Certain  Limitations.  In the event  Grantee  would  otherwise
                  receive aggregate,  cumulative Net Proceeds (as defined below)
                  of more than the Cap Amount (as defined  below) in  connection
                  with the sale (or other disposition) to any third party of the
                  shares  of  Grantor  Common  Stock  acquired  pursuant  to the
                  Grantor  Option,  all Net Proceeds in excess of the Cap Amount
                  shall be  remitted  to Grantor  promptly  upon  receipt.  "Net
                  Proceeds"  shall mean the  aggregate  proceeds of such sale or
                  disposition (less brokers commissions and discounts) in excess
                  of the product of the Exercise Price  multiplied by the number
                  of shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  included  in such sale or
                  disposition.  Cap  Amount  shall  mean the amount by which $18
                  million exceeds the aggregate of the termination  fees payable
                  by Grantor to Grantee  pursuant  to Section  8.2 of the Merger
                  Agreement.  Notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement or in
                  the Merger  Agreement to the contrary,  the maximum  aggregate
                  amount  payable  by  Grantor  to  Grantee  and its  affiliates
                  pursuant to this  Agreement and the  provisions of Section 8.2
                  of the Merger  Agreement  shall not exceed the sum of eighteen
                  million  dollars  ($18,000,000)  plus, in the case of payments
                  pursuant to Section 7(a)(i)(y),  7(a)(ii),  7(b)(ii),  8(c) or
                  9(c) of this Agreement,  the aggregate  Exercise Price for the
                  shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  repurchased  by Grantor from
                  Grantee pursuant to this Agreement.

         Section 3.  Conditions to Closing.  The  obligation of Grantor to issue
the Option Shares to Grantee hereunder is subject to the conditions that (a) all
waiting periods, if any, under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust  Improvements Act
of 1976,  as amended (the "HSR Act"),  applicable  to the issuance of the Option
Shares hereunder shall have expired or have been terminated;  (b) no preliminary
or permanent  injunction  or other order by any court of competent  jurisdiction
prohibiting or otherwise  restraining such issuance shall be in effect;  and (c)
all  consents,  approvals,  orders,  authorizations  and permits of any federal,
state, local and foreign governmental  authority, if any, required in connection
with the issuance of the shares of Grantor  Common Stock and the  acquisition of
such shares by Grantee hereunder shall have been obtained.

         Section 4.  Closing.  At any  Closing:  (a)  Grantor  shall  deliver to
Grantee or its designee a single certificate in definitive form representing the
number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock  designated by Grantee in its Exercise
Notice, such certificate to be registered in the name of Grantee and to bear the
legend set forth in Section  11; and (b)  Grantee  shall  deliver to Grantor the
aggregate  Exercise  Price for the shares of Grantor  Common Stock so designated
and being  purchased  by wire  transfer of  immediately  available  funds to the
account or accounts  specified  in writing by Grantor.  Effective at or prior to
the  Closing,  Grantor  shall  cause the shares of Grantor  Common  Stock  being
delivered  at the  Closing  to be  approved  for  listing  on The New York Stock
Exchange.

         Section  5. Representations and Warrants of Grantor. Grantor represents
                  and warrants to Grantee as follows:

                  Organization  and  Standing.  Grantor  is a  corporation  duly
                  organized validly existing and in good standing under the laws
                  of the  State of  Delaware  and has all  corporate  power  and
                  authority  required to enter into this  Agreement and to carry
                  out its obligations hereunder.

                  Authority.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
                  Grantor and the  consummation  by Grantor of the  transactions
                  contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
                  corporate action on the part of Grantor and no other corporate
                  proceedings  on the part of  Grantor  and no action of Grantor
                  shareholders  are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any
                  of the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  this Agreement has
                  been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Grantor and,
                  assuming the due authorization,  execution and delivery hereby
                  by  Grantee  and  the  receipt  of all  required  governmental
                  approvals,  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation  of
                  Grantor,  enforceable  against  Grantor in accordance with its
                  terms,  except as may be  limited  by  applicable  bankruptcy,
                  insolvency  reorganization or other similar laws affecting the
                  enforcement of creditor's  rights  generally,  and except that
                  the  availability of equitable  remedies,  including  specific
                  performance,  may be  subject to the  discretion  of any court
                  before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  Reservation  of  Shares.   Grantor  has  taken  all  necessary
                  corporate  action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to
                  permit it to issue,  upon exercise of the Grantor Option,  and
                  at all times from the date hereof  through the  expiration  of
                  the Grantor  Option will have  reserved a number of authorized
                  and unissued  shares of Grantor Common Stock not less than the
                  Option  Number,  such amount being  subject to  adjustment  as
                  provided in Section 10, all of which,  upon their issuance and
                  delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  will
                  be  duly   authorized,   validly   issued,   fully   paid  and
                  nonassessable.

                  No Liens. The shares of Grantor Common Stock issued to Grantee
                  upon the exercise of the Grantor Option will be, upon delivery
                  thereof  to  Grantee,  free and  clear of all  claims,  liens,
                  charges,  encumbrances  and  security  interests of any nature
                  whatsoever.

                  No Conflicts.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
                  Grantor does not, and,  subject to compliance  with applicable
                  law,  the   consummation   by  Grantor  of  the   transactions
                  contemplated hereby will not violate, conflict with, or result
                  in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (with
                  or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under,  or result
                  in the termination of, or accelerate the performance  required
                  by,  or  result in a right of  termination,  cancellation,  or
                  acceleration  of any  obligation  or the  loss  of a  material
                  benefit  under,  or the creation of a lien,  pledge,  security
                  interest or other  encumbrance on assets (any such  violation,
                  conflict, breach, default, termination, acceleration, right of
                  termination,  cancellation or acceleration, loss, or creation,
                  a "Violation")  by Grantor or any of its  Subsidiaries  of (i)
                  any  provision  of the charter or the bylaws of Grantor or any
                  of its  Subsidiaries,  each  as  amended  to  date,  (ii)  any
                  material  provision of any material loan or credit  agreement,
                  note,  mortgage,  indenture,  lease,  benefit  plan  or  other
                  agreement,   obligation,   instrument,   permit,   concession,
                  franchise or license or any subsequently adopted "shareholders
                  rights plan" (a "Material  Contract") of Grantor or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  or to  which  any of them is a party or by which
                  any of them or their  properties  or assets are bound or (iii)
                  except as  contemplated  by Sections 3.7 or 3.13 of the Merger
                  Agreement (or the schedules thereunder) or Section 5(f) below,
                  any judgment,  order, decree, statue, law, ordinance,  rule or
                  regulation applicable to Grantor or any of its subsidiaries or
                  any of their properties or assets.

                  Consents and  Approvals.  The  execution  and delivery of this
                  Agreement   by  Grantor   does  not,   and   (except  for  the
                  notifications  required  under  the  HSR  Act  and  applicable
                  foreign laws, the  expiration or early  termination of waiting
                  periods under the HSR Act and applicable foreign laws, and the
                  receipt of approvals  under  applicable  securities  laws, and
                  except as  contemplated  by Section 9) the performance of this
                  Agreement by Grantor and the  consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated  hereby will not, require any consent,  approval,
                  order authorization or permit of, filing with, or notification
                  to any governmental or regulatory  authority,  other than such
                  consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,  permits, filings
                  and notifications which, in the aggregate,  if not obtained or
                  made,  could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Parent
                  Material  Adverse Effect or a Company  Material Adverse Effect
                  (as such  terms are  defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)  or a
                  material  adverse  effect on the  ability  of the  parties  to
                  consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


       Section 6. Representations and Warranties of Grantee.  Grantee represents
                  and warrants to Grantor as follows:

                  Organization  and  Standing.  Grantee  is a  corporation  duly
                  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the
                  laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate  power and
                  authority  required to enter into this  Agreement and to carry
                  out its obligations hereunder.

                  Authority.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
                  Grantee and the  consummation  by Grantee of the  transactions
                  contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
                  corporate action on the part of Grantee and no other corporate
                  proceedings  on the part of  Grantee  and no action of Grantee
                  shareholders  are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any
                  of the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  this Agreement has
                  been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Grantee and,
                  assuming the due authorization,  execution and delivery hereby
                  by  Grantee  and  the  receipt  of all  required  governmental
                  approvals,  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation  of
                  Grantee,  enforceable  against  Grantee in accordance with its
                  terms,  except as may be  limited  by  applicable  bankruptcy,
                  insolvency  reorganization or other similar laws affecting the
                  enforcement of creditor's  rights  generally,  and except that
                  the  availability of equitable  remedies,  including  specific
                  performance,  may be  subject to the  discretion  of any court
                  before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  No Conflicts.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
                  Grantee  does not,  and the  consummation  by  Grantee  of the
                  transactions  contemplated  hereby will not violate,  conflict
                  with,  or  result  in a  Violation  by  Grantee  or any of its
                  Subsidiaries,  of (i)  any  provision  of the  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation   or  Bylaws  of  Grantee,   (ii)  any  material
                  provision  of any  Material  Contract of Grantee or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  or to  which  any of them is a party or by which
                  any of them or their  properties or assets are bound, or (iii)
                  except as  contemplated  by Sections 4.7 or 4.13 of the Merger
                  Agreement (or the schedules thereunder) or Section 6(d) below,
                  any judgment,  order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
                  regulation applicable to Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries or
                  any of their properties or assets.

                  Consents and  Approvals.  The  execution  and delivery of this
                  Agreement   by  Grantee   does  not,   and   (except  for  the
                  notifications  required  under  the  HSR  Act  and  applicable
                  foreign laws, the  expiration or early  termination of waiting
                  periods under the HSR Act and applicable foreign laws, and the
                  receipt of approvals  under  applicable  securities  laws, and
                  except as  contemplated  by Section 9) the performance of this
                  Agreement by Grantor and the  consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated  hereby will not, require any consent,  approval,
                  order authorization or permit of, filing with, or notification
                  to any governmental or regulatory  authority,  other than such
                  consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,  permits, filings
                  and notifications which, in the aggregate,  if not obtained or
                  made,  could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have an Parent
                  Material  Adverse Effect or a Company  Material Adverse Effect
                  (as such  terms are  defined  in the  Merger  Agreement)  or a
                  material  adverse  effect on the  ability  of the  parties  to
                  consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  Investment  Purposes.  Any  shares  of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                  acquired by Grantee upon  exercise of the Grantor  Option will
                  be acquired for Grantee's own account, for investment purposes
                  only,  and will not be, and the  Grantor  Option is not being,
                  acquired  by Grantee  with a view to the  public  distribution
                  thereof  in  violation  of  any  applicable  provision  of the
                  Securities Act.

     Section 7.   Certain  Repurchases.   Upon  written  notice  (a  "Repurchase
                  Notice"):

          (i)              Grantee "Put".  By Grantee to Grantor:

                           (x) during the time the Grantor Option is exercisable
                           pursuant to Section 2, Grantor and its  successors in
                           interest  shall  repurchase  from  Grantee all or any
                           portion  of  the  Grantor  Option,  as  specified  by
                           Grantee, to the extent not previously  exercised,  at
                           the  Option  Repurchase  Price set  forth in  Section
                           7(b)(i),  subject to and as  limited by Section  2(f)
                           above; and

                           (y) at any time,  during which  Grantee  holds Option
                           shares  Grantor and its  successors in interest shall
                           repurchase  from  Grantee  all or any  portion of the
                           shares of Grantor  Common Stock  purchased by Grantee
                           pursuant  to the  Grantor  Option,  as  specified  by
                           Grantee,  at the Share  Repurchase Price set forth in
                           Section 7(b)(ii) subject to and as limited by Section
                           2(f) above.

                           (ii)     Grantor "Call." By Grantor to Grantee:

                           (x) Grantee  shall sell to Grantor  all, but not less
                           than  all,  of the  Grantor  Option,  at  the  Option
                           Repurchase   Price  set  forth  in  Section  7(b)(i),
                           subject to and as limited by Section 2(f) above; and

                           (y) at any time during  which  Grantee  holds  Option
                           Shares,  Grantee and its successors in interest shall
                           sell to  Grantor  all or any  portion  of the  Option
                           Shares,  as  specified  by  Grantor,   at  the  Share
                           Repurchase  Price as set  forth in  Section  7(b)(ii)
                           subject to and limited by Section 2(f) above.

                Certain    Definitions.  For  purposes  of this  Section  7, the
                           following definitions shall apply:

                           (i)  Option  Repurchase  Price.   "Option  Repurchase
                           Price"  shall  mean (A) the  amount (if any) by which
                           the  Fair   Market   Value  (as  defined  in  Section
                           7(b)(iii)) of a single share of Grantor  Common Stock
                           as of the date of the  applicable  Repurchase  Notice
                           exceeds the per share  Exercise  Price  multiplied by
                           (B) the  number  of shares of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                           purchasable  pursuant  to the  Grantor  Option or the
                           portion thereof covered by the applicable  Repurchase
                           Notice.

                           Share  Repurchase  Price.  "Share  Repurchase  Price"
                           shall mean the  product of (A) the greater of (I) the
                           Exercise  Price paid by Grantee  per share of Grantor
                           Common Stock acquired  pursuant to the Grantor Option
                           and (II) the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section
                           7(b)(iii)) of a single share of Grantor  Common Stock
                           as of the date of the applicable  Repurchase  Notice,
                           and (B) the number of shares of Grantor  Common Stock
                           to be  repurchased  pursuant  to  this  Section  7 as
                           covered by the applicable Repurchase Notice.

                           Fair Market Value. As used in this  Agreement,  "Fair
                           Market  Value"  shall  mean,   with  respect  to  any
                           security,  the per share average of the last reported
                           sale prices on the New York Stock  Exchange  (or such
                           other  national  stock  exchange or  national  market
                           system as shall then be the  primary  trading  market
                           for  such  security)  for the ten (10)  trading  days
                           immediately  preceding the applicable date or highest
                           price  to  be  paid  per  share  in  an   Acquisition
                           Proposal.

                  Payment and  Redelivery of Grantor  Options or Shares.  In the
                  event  that  Grantee  or Grantor  exercises  their  respective
                  rights  under  Section  7(a),  Grantor  shall  within ten (10)
                  business days  thereafter,  pay the required amount to Grantee
                  in  immediately  available  and  Grantee  shall  surrender  to
                  Grantor the Grantor Option or the  certificate or certificates
                  evidencing  the shares of Grantor Common  Stocksubject  to the
                  applicable  Repurchase  Notice, and Grantee shall warrant that
                  it has sole beneficial ownership of the Grantor Option or such
                  shares  and that the  Grantor  Option or such  shares are then
                  free and clear of all claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and
                  security interests of any nature whatsoever.

                  Repurchase  Price  Reduced at Grantee's  Option.  In the event
                  that payment of the repurchase price specified in Section 7(a)
                  would  subject the  repurchase  of the  Grantor  Option or the
                  shares of Grantor Common Stock  purchased by Grantee  pursuant
                  to the Grantor Option to a vote of the stockholders of Grantor
                  pursuant to applicable law, regulations,  or requirements of a
                  national  securities exchange or national market system or the
                  Grantor Charter,  the Grantee may at its election,  reduce the
                  repurchase  price  or the  number  of  shares  covered  by the
                  Grantee  repurchase  request to an amount  which would  permit
                  such repurchase without the necessity for such vote.


<PAGE>




         Section 8.                 Restrictions on Transfer.

                  Restrictions  on Transfer.  Prior to the fifth  anniversary of
                  the date hereof (the  "Expiration  Date"),  Grantee shall not,
                  directly or  indirectly,  by  operation  of law or  otherwise,
                  sell,  assign,  pledge or otherwise dispose of or transfer any
                  Option Shares ("Restricted  Shares"),  other than (i) pursuant
                  to Section 7 or (ii) in accordance with Sections 8(b) or 9.

                  Permitted  Sales.  Following  the  termination  of the  Merger
                  Agreement,  Grantee shall be permitted to sell any  Restricted
                  Shares  beneficially  owned  by it if such  sale  is made  (i)
                  pursuant  to a tender  or  exchange  offer  or other  business
                  combination transaction or (ii) subject to Section 8(c) or (d)
                  as the case may be,  to a person  who,  immediately  following
                  such sale, would  beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule
                  13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange Act), either alone or as
                  part of a "group"  (as used in Rule 13d-5  under the  Exchange
                  Act),  not  more  than  ten  percent  (10%)  of  such  party's
                  outstanding  voting  securities,  which  person  is a  passive
                  institutional  investor  who  would  be  eligible  under  Rule
                  13d-1(b)(1)  under the Exchange Act to report such holdings of
                  Restricted Shares on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act.

                  Grantor's Right of First Refusal.  At any time after the first
                  occurrence of a Trigger Event and prior to the Expiration Date
                  if Grantee shall desire to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise
                  dispose of all or any of the shares of Grantor Common Stock or
                  other  securities  acquired  by it  pursuant  to  the  Grantor
                  Option,  it shall give Grantor  written notice of the proposed
                  transaction  (an  "Grantee  Offer  Notice"),  identifying  the
                  proposed transferee,  accompanied by a copy of a binding offer
                  to  purchase  such shares or other  securities  signed by such
                  transferee  and  setting  forth  the  terms  of  the  proposed
                  transaction.  A Grantee  Offer Notice shall be deemed an offer
                  by Grantee to Grantor, which may be acceptable within five (5)
                  business days of the receipt of such Grantee Offer Notice,  on
                  the same terms and  conditions  and at the same price at which
                  Grantee  is  proposing  to  transfer   such  shares  or  other
                  securities to such transferee. The purchase of any such shares
                  or other  securities by Grantor  shall be settled  within five
                  (5) business  days of the date of the  acceptance of the offer
                  and the purchase price shall be paid to Grantee in immediately
                  available  funds.  In the event of the  failure  or refusal of
                  Grantor to purchase all the shares or other securities covered
                  by a Grantee Offer Notice,  Grantee may sell all, but not less
                  than all, of such shares or other  securities  to the proposed
                  transferee at no less than the price specified and on terms no
                  more favorable to the  transferee  than those set forth in the
                  Grantee Offer Notice as long as such sale is completed  within
                  ninety (90) days of the  receipt by Grantor of the  applicable
                  Grantee  Office  Notice;  provided that the provisions of this
                  sentence shall not limit the rights Grantee may otherwise have
                  in the event  Grantor has accepted the offer  contained in the
                  Grantee  Offer Notice and  wrongfully  refuses to purchase the
                  shares or other securities  subject thereto.  The requirements
                  of this Section 8(c) shall not apply to (i) any disposition as
                  a  result  of  which  the   proposed   transferee   would  own
                  beneficially   not  more  than  three   percent  (3%)  of  the
                  outstanding  voting power of Grantor,  (ii) any disposition of
                  Grantor  Common Stock or other  securities by a person to whom
                  Grantee has assigned its rights under the Grantor  Option with
                  the  consent of  Grantor,  (iii) any sale by means of a public
                  offering  registered  under the  Securities  Act,  or (iv) any
                  transfer to a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Grantee which agrees
                  in writing to be bound by the terms hereof.

                  (d) Additional  Restrictions.  Prior to any permitted sales of
                  any  Restricted  Shares  under  Section  8(b)(ii),  the holder
                  thereof  shall  give  written  notice  to the  issuer  of such
                  Restricted  Shares of its  intention to effect such  transfer.
                  Each such notice  shall  describe  the manner of the  proposed
                  transfer  and, if  required  by the issuer of such  Restricted
                  Shares,   shall  be  accompanied  by  an  opinion  of  counsel
                  satisfactory  to such  issuer  (it being  agreed  that each of
                  Arter & Hadden  LLP,  a  limited  liability  partnership,  and
                  McGrath,  North,  Mullin & Kratz, P.C., shall be satisfactory)
                  to  the  effect  that  such  sale  may  be  effected   without
                  registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state
                  securities  laws.  Each  certificate  for  Restricted   Shares
                  transferred  as above provided shall bear the legend set forth
                  in Section  11,  except that such  certificate  shall not bear
                  such  legend if (i) such  transfer is in  accordance  with the
                  provisions  of Rule 144 (or any other rule  permitting  public
                  sale without  registration  under the Securities  Act) or (ii)
                  the  opinion of counsel  referred  to above is to the  further
                  effect that the transferee and any subsequent transferee would
                  be  entitled  to  transfer  such  securities  in a public sale
                  without   registration   under  the   Securities  Act  or  any
                  applicable state  securities  laws. The restrictions  provided
                  for in this Section 8(d) shall not apply to  securities  which
                  are not required to bear the legend  prescribed  in Section 11
                  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement.  The
                  foregoing  restrictions on  transferability  set forth in this
                  Section 8(d) shall terminate as to any particular  shares when
                  such shares shall have been  effectively  registered under the
                  Securities Act and any applicable  state  securities  laws and
                  sold  or  otherwise   disposed  of  in  accordance   with  the
                  registration statement covering such shares.

                  Section 9.                Registration Rights.

                  (a) Procedure.  Following termination of the Merger Agreement,
                  Grantee   (the   "Holder")   may  by   written   notice   (the
                  "Registration  Notice")  to  the  Grantor  (the  "Registrant")
                  request the  Registrant to register  under the  Securities Act
                  all or any  part of the  Restricted  Shares  acquired  by such
                  Holder   pursuant   to  this   Agreement   (the   "Registrable
                  Securities") in order to permit the sale or other  disposition
                  of such shares pursuant to a bona fide commitment underwritten
                  public  offering,  in which the  Holder  and the  underwriters
                  shall  effect  as  wide a  distribution  of  such  Registrable
                  Securities  as is reasonable  practicable  and shall use their
                  best efforts to prevent any person  (including  any "group" as
                  used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) and its  affiliates
                  from  purchasing  through  such  offering   Restricted  Shares
                  representing  more than three percent (3%) of the  outstanding
                  shares of common stock of the  Registrant  on a fully  diluted
                  basis  (a  "Permitted   Offering").   Any  rights  to  require
                  registration  hereunder  shall  terminate  with respect to any
                  shares  that may be sold  pursuant  to Rule  144(k)  under the
                  Securities Act.

                  (b) Manager's  Certificate.  The managing underwriter shall be
                  an investment banking firm of nationally  recognized standing,
                  and shall be  selected by (i) the  Registrant  within ten (10)
                  business days after receipt of a Registration Notice,  subject
                  to  approval  of  the  Holder  (which  approval  shall  not be
                  unreasonably  withheld,  delayed or  conditioned),  or (ii) if
                  Registrant   fails  to  deliver   notice  (the   "Registrant's
                  Designation  Notice") to Holder of such  selection  within ten
                  (10)  business days after  receipt of a  Registration  Notice,
                  then  by  Holder  subject  to  the   reasonable   approval  of
                  Registrant (which approval shall not be unreasonable withheld,
                  delayed or  conditioned)  (the  "Manager"),  and Holder  shall
                  deliver written notice (the "Holder's  Designation Notice") of
                  such selection  within ten (10) business days after expiration
                  of the ten (10) day period in which  Registrant  is entitle to
                  give  notice.  The  Registrant's  Designation  Notice  or  the
                  Holder's  Designation Notice, as the cause may be, shall state
                  that (i) the party  delivering  such  notice and its  proposed
                  Manager  have a good faith  intention  to commence  promptly a
                  Permitted  Offering,  and (ii) such  proposed  Manager in good
                  faith  believes  that,  based  on the  then-prevailing  market
                  conditions, it will be able to sell the Registrable Securities
                  to the  public in a  Permitted  Offering  within  one  hundred
                  twenty  (120)  days at a per  share  price  equal  to at least
                  eighty  percent  (80%) of the then Fair  Market  Value of such
                  shares.

                  (c) First Refusal  Right.  The  Registrant  (and/or any person
                  designated by the Registrant)  shall thereupon have the option
                  exercisable by written  notice  delivered to the Holder within
                  five (5) business  days after the receipt of the  Registration
                  Notice proposed to be so sold for cash at a price equal to the
                  product of (i) the number of  Registrable  Securities to be so
                  purchased  by the  Registrant  and (ii) the then  Fair  Market
                  Value of such shares, subject to Section 2(f) hereof.

                  (d) Closing.  Any purchase of  Registrable  Securities  by the
                  Registrant  (or its  designee)  under  Section 9(c) shall take
                  place  at a  closing  to be  held at the  principal  executive
                  offices of the  Registrant or at the offices of its counsel at
                  any  reasonable  date and time  designated  by the  Registrant
                  and/or  such  designee  in  such  notice  within  twenty  (20)
                  business days after  delivery of such notice,  and any payment
                  for the shares to be so purchased shall be made by delivery at
                  the time of such closing in immediately available funds.

                  (e) Certain  Limitations.  If the Registrant does not elect to
                  exercise  its option  pursuant to Section 9(c) with respect to
                  all Registrable  Securities,  it shall use its best efforts to
                  effect, as promptly as practicable, the registration under the
                  Securities  Act  of  the  unpurchased  Registrable  Securities
                  proposed to be sold; provided,  however, that (i) holder shall
                  not be entitled to demand  more than an  aggregate  of two (2)
                  effective  registration  statements  hereunder,  and  (ii) the
                  Registrant will not be required to file any such  registration
                  statement  during any period of time (not to exceed sixty (60)
                  days  after  such  request  in the case of clause (A) below or
                  ninety (90) days after such request in the case of clauses (B)
                  and (C) below) when (A) the  Registrant  is in  possession  of
                  material  non-public  information which it reasonably believes
                  would be  detrimental to be disclosed at such time and, in the
                  opinion of counsel to the Registrant such information would be
                  required to be disclosed if a registration statement was filed
                  at that  time;  (B)  the  Registrant  is  required  under  the
                  Securities Act to include audited financial statements for any
                  period  in such  registration  statement  and  such  financial
                  statements  are  not  yet  available  for  inclusion  in  such
                  registration statement;  or (C) the Registrant determines,  in
                  its  reasonable   judgement,   that  such  registration  would
                  interfere with any financing, acquisition or other transaction
                  involving the  Registrant or any of its material  subsidiaries
                  and that such  transaction  is material to the  Registrant and
                  its subsidiaries taken as a whole. If consummation of the sale
                  of any  Registrable  Securities  pursuant to the  registration
                  hereunder  does not occur within one hundred twenty (120) days
                  after the effectiveness of the initial registration statement,
                  the  provisions of this Section 9 shall again be applicable to
                  any proposed registration.

                  (f)  State  Securities  Laws.  The  Registrant  shall  use its
                  reasonable  best efforts to cause any  Registrable  Securities
                  registered pursuant to this Section 9 to be qualified for sale
                  under the  securities  laws of such  states as the  Holder may
                  reasonably  request and shall  continue such  registration  or
                  qualification  in  effect  in  such  jurisdiction;   provided,
                  however,  that the Registrant shall not be required to qualify
                  to do  business  in, or consent to general  service of process
                  in, any jurisdiction by reason of this provision.

                  (g) Obligations of Registrant. The Registrant shall provide to
                  the underwriters such documentation  (including  certificates,
                  opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from auditors) as is
                  customary in connection with underwritten  public offerings as
                  such  underwriters  may reasonably  require.  The registration
                  rights  set  forth  in  this  Section  9 are  subject  to  the
                  condition  that the Holder shall provide the  Registrant  with
                  such information  with respect to its Registrable  Securities,
                  the  plans  for  the  distribution  thereof,  and  such  other
                  information  with respect to the Holder as, in the  reasonable
                  judgement  of counsel  for the  Registrant,  is  necessary  to
                  enable  the   Registrant  to  include  in  such   registration
                  statement  all material  facts  required to be disclosed  with
                  respect to a registration thereunder.

                  (h)  Indemnification.  In  connection  with  any  registration
                  effected  under  this  Section  9, the  parties  agree  (i) to
                  indemnify each other (and each other's directors and officers)
                  and the  underwriters in the customary  manner,  (ii) to enter
                  into an underwriting agreement in form and substance customary
                  for  transactions  of such type with the Manager and the other
                  underwriters participating in such offering, and (iii) to take
                  all further  actions  which shall be  reasonably  necessary to
                  effect such  registration and sale (including,  if the Manager
                  deems it necessary, participating in road-show presentations).

                  (i)  Inclusion  of  Additional   Shares  of  Registrant.   The
                  Registrant  shall be  entitled  to  include  (at its  expense)
                  additional  shares  of  its  common  stock  in a  registration
                  effected  pursuant to this Section 9 only if and to the extent
                  the Manager  determines that such inclusion will not adversely
                  affect the prospects for success of such offering.

         Section 10.                Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.

                  (a) Without  limiting any restriction on Grantor  contained in
                  this Agreement or in the Merger Agreement, in the event of any
                  change  in  Grantor  Common  Stock  by  reason  of  any  stock
                  dividend,  stock split,  reclassification,  merger (other than
                  the Merger), recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares
                  or any similar  transaction,  the type and number of shares or
                  securities  subject to the Grantor  Option,  and the  Exercise
                  Price   per  share   provided   herein,   shall  be   adjusted
                  appropriately  and  proper  provision  shall  be  made  in the
                  agreements  governing  such  transaction so that Grantee shall
                  receive,  upon exercise of the Grantor Option,  the number and
                  class of  securities  or  property  that  Grantee  would  have
                  received  in respect of the  shares of  Grantor  Common  Stock
                  issuable to Grantee if the Grantor  Option had been  exercised
                  immediately prior to such event or the record date thereof, as
                  applicable.

                  (b) In the event that Grantor  shall enter into an  agreement:
                  (i) to consolidate with or merger into any person,  other than
                  Grantee  or one  of its  Subsidiaries,  and  shall  not be the
                  continuing or surviving  corporation of such  consolidation or
                  merger;  (ii) to permit any person,  other than Grantee or one
                  of its  Subsidiaries,  to merge into Grantor and Grantor shall
                  be the continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection
                  with such  merger,  the then  outstanding  shares  of  Grantor
                  Common Stock shall be changed  into or exchanged  for stock or
                  other securities of Grantor or any person or cash or any other
                  property;  or  (iii)  to sell  or  otherwise  transfer  all or
                  substantially  all of its  assets to any  person,  other  than
                  Grantee  or one of its  Subsidiaries,  then,  and in each such
                  case,  the agreement  governing  such  transaction  shall make
                  proper   provision  so  that  the  Grantor   Option  upon  the
                  consummation  of such  transaction  and  upon  the  terms  and
                  conditions set forth herein,  be converted  into, or exchanged
                  for, an option with identical terms appropriately  adjusted to
                  acquire the number and class of shares or other  securities or
                  property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common
                  Stock if Grantor Option had been exercised  immediately  prior
                  to such consoliation,  merger,  sale or transfer or the record
                  date  therefor,  as  applicable  and make any other  necessary
                  adjustments subject to Section 2(f) hereof.

         Section  11. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate  representing Option
                  Shares shall include a legend in  substantially  the following
                  form:

                  THE SECURITIES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
                  REGISTERED  UNDER THE SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  OR
                  ANY STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS, AND MAY BE REOFFERED OR
                  SOLD  ONLY IF SO  REGISTRERED  OR IF AN  EXEMPTION  FROM  SUCH
                  REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. SUCH SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO
                  ADDITONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE VANSTAR
                  STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 6, 1998, A COPY OF
                  WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER UPON REQUEST.

It is understood and agreed that (i) the reference to the resale restrictions of
the Securities Act and state securities or Blue Sky laws in the foregoing legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if Grantee of Grantor,  as the case may be,  shall have  delivered  to the other
party  a copy  of a  letter  from  the  staff  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  or  an  opinion  of  counsel,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to the other party, to the effect that such legend is not required
for  purposes of the  Securities  Act or such laws;  (ii) the  reference  to the
provisions  of this  Agreement  in the  foregoing  legend  shall be  removed  by
delivery of substitute  certificate(s) without such reference if the shares have
been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and
under  circumstances  that do not require the retention of such  reference;  and
(iii) the legend  shall be  removed in its  entirety  if the  conditions  in the
preceding  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  are  both  satisfied.   In  addition,   such
certificates shall bear any other legend as may be required by law. Certificates
representing  shares sold in a registered  public offering pursuant to Section 9
shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in this Section 11.

         Section   12.   Binding   Effect;   No   Assignment;   No  Third  Party
Beneficiaries.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except
as expressly  provided for in this  Agreement,  neither this  Agreement  nor the
rights  or  obligations  of  either  party  thereto  are  assignable,  except by
operation of law, or with the written  consent of the other party,  and any such
attempted  assignment  in  violation of this  Agreement  shall be void and of no
force or effect.  Except as provided in Section  9(h)(i),  nothing  contained in
this Agreement,  express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties  hereto and their  respective  permitted  assigns and rights or
remedies  of any nature  whatsoever.  Any  Restricted  Shares sold by a party in
compliance  with the provisions of Section 9 shall,  upon  consummation  of such
sale, be free of the restrictions imposed and the benefits provided with respect
to such shares by this Agreement.

         Section 13.  Specific  Performance.  The parties  hereto  recognize and
agree that if for any reason any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  are not
performed in accordance  with their  specific  terms or are otherwise  breached,
immediate and irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages
would not be an  adequate  remedy.  Accordingly,  each  party  agrees  that,  in
addition to other remedies,  whether at law or in equity,  the other party shall
be entitled to an  injunction to prevent or restrain any violation or threatened
violation of the provisions of this Agreement,  and to enforce  specifically the
terms and  provisions  hereof,  in any court of the State of  Delaware or of the
United States of America located in the State of Delaware. In the event that any
action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this  Agreement,
neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the defense,  that there
is an adequate remedy at law. Each party hereto irrevocably and  unconditionally
consents and submits to the  jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware
for any  actions,  suits  or  proceedings  arising  out of or  relating  to this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby, and waives any objection to
venue in any such court therein.

         Section 14.                Validity.

                  (a) The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision of
                  this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability
                  of the other provisions of this Agreement,  which shall remain
                  in full force and effect.

                  (b) In the event any court or other governmental or regulatory
                  authority  holds any  provisions of this Agreement to be null,
                  void or  unenforceable,  the parties hereto shall negotiate in
                  good faith the  execution and delivery of an amendment to this
                  Agreement in order, as nearly as possible,  to effectuate,  to
                  the extent  permitted by law, the intent of the parties hereto
                  with respect to such provision of the economic effect thereof.

                  (c) If for any reason any such court or other  governmental or
                  regulatory  authority determines that Grantee is not permitted
                  to acquire, or Grantor is not permitted to repurchase pursuant
                  to  Section  7, the full  number of shares of  Grantor  Common
                  Stock   provided  in  this  Agreement  (as  the  same  may  be
                  adjusted),  it is the  express  intention  of Grantor to allow
                  Grantee to acquire or to require  Grantor to  repurchase  such
                  lesser  number  of shares as may be  permissible  without  any
                  other amendment or modification hereof.

                  (d)  Each  party  agrees  that,  should  any  court  or  other
                  governmental  or  regulatory  authority  hold any provision of
                  this   Agreement   or  part   hereof  to  be  null,   void  or
                  unenforceable,   or  order  any  party  to  take  any   action
                  inconsistent herewith, or not take any action required herein,
                  the other party shall not be entitled to specific  performance
                  of such  provision  or part  hereof  or to any  other  remedy,
                  including but not limited to money damages,  for breach hereof
                  or any other provision of this Agreement or part hereof as the
                  result of such holding or order.

         Section 15.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if (a)  delivered  personally,  or
(b) if sent by overnight courier service (receipt confirmed in writing),  or (c)
if delivered by facsimile  transmission (with receipt  confirmed),  (d) five (5)
days  after  being  mailed by  registered  or  certified  mail  (return  receipt
requested)  to the parties in each case to the  following  addresses (or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):



<PAGE>




         If to Grantor, to:         Vanstar Corporation
                                    1100 Abernathy Road
                                    Building 500, Suite 1200
                                    Atlanta, Georgia
                                    Attention:  General Counsel
                                    Fax:  (770) 522-4587



         With a copy to:            Arter & Hadden, LLP
                                    1717 Main Street, Suite 4100
                                    Dallas, Texas 75201-4605
                                    Attention:  Stan Huller
                                    Fax:  (214) 741-7139



         If to Grantee, to:         InaCom Corp.
                                    10810 Farnam Drive
                                    Omaha, Nebraska 68154
                                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                                    Fax:  (402) 758-3602



         With a copy to:            McGrath, North, Mullin & Kratz, P.C.
                                    1400 One Central Park Plaza
                                    Omaha, Nebraska 68102
                                    Attention:  David L. Hefflinger
                                    Fax:  (402) 341-0216


         Section 16.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed,  and any  controversy  arising out of or  otherwise  relating to this
Agreement  shall be  determined,  in  accordance  with the laws of the  State of
Delaware  applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such
state and  without  regard to its choice of law  principles.  Each party  hereto
consents and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
Delaware  and the  courts of the  United  States  located  in such state for the
adjudication of any action, suit, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of or
otherwise relating to this Agreement.

         Section 17.  Interpretation.  The headings  contained in this Agreement
are for  reference  purposes  and shall not  affect  in any way the  meaning  or
interpretation  of the Agreement.  When reference is made in this Agreement to a
Section,  such  reference  shall  be to a  Section  of  this  Agreement,  unless
otherwise  indicated.  Whenever the words "include,"  "includes," or "including"
are used in this  Agreement,  they shall be deemed to be  followed  by the words
"without  limitation."  Whenever  "or" is used in this  Agreement  it  shall  be
construed in the nonexclusive sense. The words "herein," "hereby," "hereof," and
"hereunder" and words of similar import refer to this Agreement.

         Section 18. Counterparts; Effect. This Agreement may be executed in two
or more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all
of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         Section 19. Expenses.  Grantor shall pay all expenses,  and any and all
federal,  state  and  local  taxes and other  charges,  that may be  payable  in
connection  with  the  preparation,  issuance  and  delivery  of  Grantor  stock
certificates   under  Section  4  and  any  stock  listing  or  stock  quotation
application  required  to be filed by Grantor  with  respect to such  shares.  A
registration  effected  under  Section 9 shall be effected  at the  Registrant's
expense,  except for underwriting discounts and commissions and the fees and the
expenses  of  counsel to the  Holder.  Subject  to the  foregoing  and except as
otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Merger Agreement,  all other costs
and expenses  incurred in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

         Section 20.  Amendments;  Waiver.  This Agreement may be amended by the
parties  hereto and the terms and  conditions  hereof  may be waived  only by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto, or, in the
case of a waiver,  by an  instrument  signed  on  behalf  of the  party  waiving
compliance.

         Section 21.  Extension of Time Periods.  The time periods for exercises
of certain rights  hereunder shall be extended (but in no event by more than six
(6) months):  (a) to the extent necessary to obtain all  governmental  approvals
for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration of all statutory waiting
periods;  and (b) to the extent necessary to avoid any liability or disgorgement
of profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of such exercise.

         Section  22.  Further  Assurances.  Each party  agrees to  execute  and
deliver all such further  documents  and  instruments  and take all such further
action as may be necessary in order to consummate the transactions  contemplated
hereby.




<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Grantor and Grantee have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered on the day and year first above written.


                                          GRANTOR
 
                                          VANSTAR CORPORATION

                                     By:  /s/ William Y. Tauscher
                                   Name:  William Y. Tauscher
                                  Title:  Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                          Executive Officer

                                          GRANTEE

                                          INACOM CORP.


                                     By:  /s/ Bill Fairfield
                                   Name:  Bill Fairfield
                                  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer







<PAGE>







                     INACOM AND VANSTAR TO COMBINE TO CREATE
                  LEADING PLAYER IN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SECTOR


OMAHA,  NE, and ATLANTA,  GA,  OCTOBER 9, 1998 -- InaCom Corp.  (NYSE:  ICO) and
Vanstar  Corporation  (NYSE:  VST)  announced  today  that  they  have  signed a
definitive  merger  agreement  in which  Vanstar  will merge with a wholly owned
subsidiary of InaCom. The combined  companies  currently employ more than 12,000
people and have  current  annualized  pro forma  revenues  of  approximately  $7
billion,   including   current   annualized   pro  forma  service   revenues  of
approximately $800 million.

"This  transaction  makes business sense in two key areas," said Bill Fairfield,
President and Chief Executive  Officer of InaCom.  "First, we will be creating a
leading technology services company with approximately 7,300 services personnel,
including  over 600  Microsoft  Certified  Systems  Engineers  and a significant
number  of Cisco  Certified  Industrial  Engineers.  Second,  we will  achieve a
leadership  position in providing  computer products with the industry's largest
customer  base.  Additionally,  InaCom will be the world's  largest  provider of
Intel-based products and PC technology for IBM, Hewlett Packard and Compaq."

The transaction  will be tax-free to shareholders and accounted for as a pooling
of  interests.  Vanstar  shareholders  will receive 0.64 shares of InaCom Common
Stock for each share of Vanstar Common Stock.  In connection  with the execution
of the merger agreement today,  Warburg Pincus Capital Company,  L.P., holder of
approximately  38% of the outstanding  Vanstar Common Stock,  and the members of
the Boards of both  companies  have agreed to vote their  shares in favor of the
transaction.  InaCom has agreed to increase  the size of its board of  directors
from nine to 13 members. The additional  directors will include:  Bill Tauscher,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vanstar,  a Managing Director of Warburg
Pincus & Co.,  LLC;  and two other  members to be named from  Vanstar's  current
independent Board of Directors.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval by both
companies,  and other customary closing conditions,  is expected to close during
the fourth quarter of 1998 or first quarter of 1999. The transaction is expected
to be  accretive  to  earnings  by the end of 1999.  InaCom  expects to record a
material pre-tax charge following consummation of the merger to cover the direct
costs of the merger,  the cost of integrating  certain aspects of the businesses
of InaCom and Vanstar, the cost of canceling certain purchase  commitments,  the
costs of employee  terminations and facility  expenses to eliminate  duplicative
functions and locations,  and other unusual items.  InaCom estimates the pre-tax
charge to be in the range of approximately $120 to $155 million. In addition, in
connection with the  implementation of the merger,  the combined company expects
to continue an assessment  and study of assets and  resources  required to carry
out business objectives and


<PAGE>



plans.  Following  the  closing,  InaCom  expects  to incur  costs to align  the
combined companies'  operations to meet the changing conditions of the industry,
which costs are in addition to the merger-related  changes. InaCom preliminarily
estimates the additional  costs related to the  integration and alignment of the
combined  company  to be from $40 to $80  million,  on a  pre-tax  basis.  These
amounts and the nature of the costs included  therein,  as well as the period in
which these costs are recorded,  cannot be determined until InaCom's integration
plans are more fully  developed  and  implemented  and more  accurate  estimates
become  available.  Vanstar has  previously  announced that it expects to take a
restructuring  charge of  approximately  $50  million in its  second  quarter of
fiscal 1999.

"This  combination  will  leverage  our fixed  costs  over a larger  base in the
hardware and services businesses and provide the kind of critical mass that will
enhance our growth  potential.  It will also create a platform  for both organic
growth and further  acquisitions,"  commented Dave  Guenthner,  Chief  Financial
Officer of InaCom.  "The charges and costs to be taken in  connection  with this
transaction,  and Vanstar's previously announced restructuring,  are expected to
provide annual cost savings in excess of $150 million."


"At a time in our industry  when clients are  demanding  access to more and more
offerings from a single source, and ever-closer  relationships,  we believe that
joining  together  InaCom and Vanstar  presents  opportunities  for our clients,
employees and  shareholders,"  said Bill Tauscher,  Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Vanstar.  "Over the years, Vanstar has built a leading reputation for
services. That reputation has been earned through the efforts and talents of our
employee  base.  Obviously,  our  people  are  what  has  made  us  particularly
attractive,  and I believe that this  combination  will offer employees  greater
opportunities  to  continue  to  progress  in their  career  and  succeed in the
technology industry."

"The new InaCom is  committed to employing  the best  practices  from all of our
combined  operations,  so that we are able to provide the highest  standards  of
services  and the  best  technology  solutions  for  our  clients,"  added  Bill
Fairfield.  "Clients provide the most powerful  evidence for the strength of our
business  model  compared to the so-called  "direct" model espoused by companies
like Dell.  The simple fact is that while  "direct"  may seem like an  appealing
marketing  concept,  it is often  found  wanting by  clients  who seek a single,
reliable source for information technology and services.
The new InaCom model will meet that need."

This press release contains  forward-looking  statements  relating to the merger
and certain results  expected  therefrom,  including  anticipated  cost savings,
charges expected to be incurred in connection with the merger and the subsequent
alignment of the combined company, and other information  regarding the combined
company. Those statements involve risks and uncertainties that


<PAGE>


could cause  actual  results to differ  materially  from the  results  discussed
herein.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited
to, the  companies'  ability to consummate the merger in the planned time frame,
the  companies'  ability to  successfully  integrate  their  businesses  without
unforeseen  costs  or  difficulties  and  to  successfully   implement   planned
cost-saving  measures;   changes  in  customers  or  other  business  disruption
associated with the merger,  competitive conditions in the industry; and changes
in demand for the  companies'  products and  services.  Recipients of this press
release  are  cautioned  not to  place  undue  reliance  on the  forward-looking
statements made herein.

InaCom is a Fortune 500 global technology  management  services company.  InaCom
works closely with clients to keep their information technology running smoothly
by providing the best procurement, deployment and management solutions. For more
information on InaCom, visit www.Inacom.com.

Vanstar is a leading  provider of  consulting,  product and support  services to
design,  build,  manage and enhance computer network  infrastructures of Fortune
1000 companies and other large  enterprises.  The company  provides  customized,
integrated  solutions  through  comprehensive  Life Cycle Services.  Through its
Professional   Services   Organization,   Vanstar  offers  extensive  consulting
expertise through national practices focused on emerging technologies.  For more
information on Vanstar, visit www.Vanstar.com.

Media Contact:                         Robert Mead
                                       BSMG Worldwide
                                       212-445-8208

                                       Geri Michelic
                                       402-758-3923

InaCom Investor Contact:               John Lambrechts
                                       (402) 758-3281

Vanstar Investor Contact:              Christine Mohrmann
                                       (404) 522-4262

                                      # # #


<PAGE>






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