BLYTH HOLDINGS INC
10-K405, 1996-07-01
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X]  Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
     Exchange Act of 1934 [Fee Required] For the fiscal year ended March 31,
     1996 or

[ ]  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
     Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required] For the transition period From
     _________ to ________

                          Commission File No. 0-16449

                              BLYTH HOLDINGS INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware               989 East Hillsdale              94-3046892
- ------------------------            Boulevard          -------------------------
(State of incorporation)           Suite 400,               (I.R.S. employer
                                  Foster City,             identification No.)
                                California 94404
                              (Address of principal
                                executive offices
                               including zip code)

                                (415) 571-0222
              Registrant's telephone number, including area code
             ____________________________________________________

       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, $.01 par value
             ____________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  [X] Yes [ ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of June 10, 1996 was approximately $28,028,972 based upon the
closing price for such date on the NASDAQ National Market System.  For purposes
of this disclosure, shares of Common Stock held by persons who hold more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and shares held  by officers and
directors of the Registrant have been excluded because such persons may be
deemed affiliates.  This determination is not necessarily conclusive.

As of June 10, 1996, the registrant had 9,804,838 shares of its Common Stock
outstanding.
             _____________________________________________________

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Parts of the Proxy statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are
incorporated by reference into Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 hereof.
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

The Company

     Blyth Holdings Inc. ("Blyth" or the "Company") develops, markets and
supports application tools and components for electronic commerce.  It's
client/server software products are used for the development and deployment of
applications for accessing multi-user databases in workgroup and enterprise-wide
client/server computing environments.  The Company's OMNIS family of products is
used by corporations, system integrators, small businesses and independent
consultants to deliver custom information management applications for a wide
range of uses including financial management, decision support, executive
information, sales and marketing and multi-media authoring systems.  The Company
has announced its Internet and Intranet ("'Net") technology direction but has
yet to announce specific Net products.   In addition to these technologies,
Blyth provides consulting, technical support and training to help plan, analyze,
implement and maintain applications software based on the Company's technology.

     The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on
August 5, 1987 pursuant to a reorganization of predecessor companies originally
incorporated under the laws of England in 1983.  Blyth Holdings Inc. is the
holding company of a group of companies which includes three operating
companies:  Blyth Software Limited, a limited liability company organized under
the laws of England, Blyth Software Inc., a California corporation, and Blyth
Software, GMBH a German Corporation.  As used herein, the "Company" and "Blyth"
refer to Blyth Holdings Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Industry Background

     The evolution of computing has been characterized by several distinct
stages.  In the 1970's, mainframe and minicomputer systems with character-
oriented user terminals emerged as the principal structure for enterprise
computing.  This was followed in the 1980's by the introduction of personal
computers and workstations which primarily addressed personal productivity
applications such as word processing and spreadsheets.  Toward the end of the
decade, local and enterprise-wide networks connecting these desktop systems
became increasingly prevalent, initially for accessing file storage archives
(file servers) and electronic mail communications.

     Building on this infrastructure, client/server computing emerged as an
important new architecture for corporate computing in the early 1990's.  In the
client/server computing model, application software is divided into two
components:  a "client" handling functions such as the user interface, local
data storage, manipulation and presentation, and a "server" handling tasks such
as data management and access, storage and retrieval for multiple clients.
Typically, the client software runs in a single-user desktop system, while the
server operates utilizing a shared mainframe, minicomputer or workstation, and
messages linking client and server are exchanged through connecting networks.

     Downsizing and rightsizing, movements now underway in many corporate
computing environments, are resulting in the replacement of mainframes or
minicomputers in proprietary architecture by networked desktop systems using
these standards-based client/server structures.  The shift to client/server
computing is fueled by the growth in desktop computing power, the emergence of a
heterogeneous, standards-based computing and networking environment, and the
productivity improvements and ease of use provided by graphical user interfaces
for both development and applications.  As a result, businesses are now able to
shift much of their computing workloads to these distributed systems.

     In the last two years 'Net has become a potential new alternative for the
dissemination and collection of information.  Use by individuals and educational
institutions has been heavily adopted.  Many businesses use it as a marketing
tool.  However there are still some security issues that have prevented
businesses from using 'Net as a tool for dissemination of confidential
information.  When that issue is satisfactorily resolved, many believe that the
'Net will be used as a conduit for portable computing as well as a network for
enterprise wide applications associated with communication, collaboration and
electronic commerce.
<PAGE>
 
     Concurrent with these changes in computing, businesses are addressing
increasing attention to strategic engineering of overall business processes, the
result of which is a requirement for new enterprise-wide computing solutions.
These new business processes generally are developed through prototyping and
pilot programs in one or more workgroups prior to large-scale adoption.

     This new wave in information processing is facilitated by significant
advances in software technology.  For more than two decades, commercially
available computers have been doubling in raw processing power approximately
every 18-24 months.  Until recently, programming productivity remained largely
unchanged:  the average programmer produces about one line of usable code per
day.  Historically, programmers have used two classes of tools to develop
software applications:  third generation language ("3GL") tools such as COBOL
and C++, or fourth generation language ("4GL") database tools.  The 3GL tools
have traditionally been used for mainframes and minicomputers and for 
mass-marketed personal computer products. These character-oriented languages do 
not provide an efficient means for developing graphical user interface 
applications, and programming requires a significant base of skill and 
experience which typically restricts their use to a small group of 
professionals. Conversely, the class of tools which have evolved for dedicated
desktop database applications generally do not allow access to multiple
relational database management systems ("RDBMS") backend repositories for other
vendors, and they lack the group development capabilities required to build
complex enterprise-wide business applications which reach a global audience of
employees, customers and suppliers. With the recent growth in computing power
and the emergence of the 'Net, the industry is now able to combine more
sophisticated graphical techniques, reusable code structures ("objects"), and
efficient 4GLs to substantially alter applications programming efficiency which
allows faster prototyping and development of new applications and broader
deployment access.

     In this new approach to applications development, software developers use a
new class of applications development tools for building client applications to
access shared database servers built on RDBMS from suppliers such as Oracle
Systems Corporation, Informix Corporation or Sybase, Inc. or existing legacy
databases from suppliers of earlier generation proprietary systems.  Often, an
existing database is to be used for the application, and the primary programming
objective is to improve the user interface from character-oriented screens to
more intuitive graphical structures.  Initially, these tools were targeted at
individual developers focused on workgroup-level applications, but recent
industry announcements indicate a trend toward product features which permit
groups of developers to collaborate in producing larger enterprise-wide
computing solutions.  More recently, these same systems must be available to
broader internal and external constituencies via the "Net.

     Blyth has developed and marketed a series of multi-user workgroup database
products for Macintosh, Windows and OS/2 platforms over the past decade.  To
meet this application market opportunity, Blyth has extended these earlier
generation products and added a broad range of connectivity options and other
features to produce a robust applications development environment, OMNIS 7,
which was introduced (Version 1) in January 1992.  Because of its evolution from
workgroup databases, OMNIS is well-suited to enable a straightforward transition
of applications from prototyping to enterprise-wide and 'Net utilization.  OMNIS
enables platform-independent applications development to serve heterogeneous
computing environments, and provides access to a wide range of industry-standard
structured query language ("SQL") and legacy data repositories.

Business Strategy

     The Company's objective is to become a premier provider of application
tools and components for electronic commerce.  To achieve this goal, Blyth's
business strategy builds on three elements:

     .    Technology Leadership.  Blyth addresses the needs of its customers by
          providing technology which supports the full life cycle of
          applications, including design, prototyping, development, deployment
          and maintenance.  OMNIS provides a powerful 4GL coupled with a
          graphical programming environment to foster efficient programming.
          Support for multiple programmers enhances group development for large-
          scale projects.  Automatic change management features provide support
          for 
<PAGE>
 
          effectively deploying applications, changes and upgrades. New,
          currently announced products, will allow companies to deploy and
          manage the applications over the 'Net.

     .    Open Systems.   Blyth's technology provides interoperable access
          to a wide range of industry-standard, backend RDBMS and non-SQL
          repositories.  Blyth plans to extend the cross platform capabilities
          of OMNIS and its 'Net technology, to a variety of platforms.  OMNIS is
          currently available on Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, Macintosh,
          Power Macintosh and OS/2.

     .    Partnering.  Blyth is committed to developing partnerships with major
          customers, complementary industry vendors, systems integrators and
          value-added resellers ("VARs").  The Company believes that to obtain
          competitive advantage against competitors with larger technical
          staffs, broader product offerings, stronger overall market
          recognition, and better financial resources, it must carefully track
          customer requirements and industry trends, and it must build strong,
          lasting partnerships with its customers.  Customer and industry
          partnerships provide valuable feedback to guide product development,
          to allow rapid response to actual or perceived problems, and to
          differentiate the Company from the shrink-wrap software suppliers of
          personal productivity tools.

Client/Server Products

     The Company's OMNIS family of products is used by professional software
developers and end-users in corporations, system integrators, and small
businesses to develop custom information management applications for a wide
range of uses including financial management, decision support, executive
information, sales and marketing and multi-media authoring systems.  The
Company's principal products are the OMNIS family of graphical user interface
("GUI") application development tools for the Macintosh, Windows and OS/2
platforms.

     OMNIS provides a powerful development environment for producing complex,
multiple-window applications.  It offers an intuitive, graphical developer
interface and powerful 4GL coding to deliver event-driven programming (single
source code) native GUI for Windows, Windows NT, Macintosh and Power Macintosh
platforms.  OMNIS utilizes drag-and-drop technology and reusable object
libraries to enhance developer productivity.  OMNIS also includes a powerful
debugger which, because of the modeless characteristic of the development
environment, enables the developer to observe simultaneously debugger and
application operations in separate windows to assist in identifying and
correcting programming errors.  The product includes report design capabilities
to tailor the output of an application to user requirements.  With OMNIS
programmers can quickly build custom applications which offer the look and feel
of commercial GUI products.

     In addition OMNIS offers operational flexibility and efficient run-time
execution without program compilation.  This enables immediate transitions
between development and execution, which can substantially enhance development
and debugging efforts.

     OMNIS's deployment software converts application code into executable
procedures for the target desktop platform, so that an application can be
delivered to multiple platforms as a single OMNIS application program in
combination with the OMNIS deployment software for each platform.  An
application developed on Macintosh can be immediately run under Windows (or the
reverse).  This platform-to-platform portability is a key benefit of Blyth's
client/server products.

     The latest release for OMNIS, a powerful application development and
deployment environment with which client/server applications can be implemented
to access either a local or server-based OMNIS database, third-party SQL
databases, or legacy databases.  OMNIS is designed to support a complete
client/server applications life-cycle, from design and prototyping through full-
scale development, deployment, maintenance and revision.  The 4GL, graphical
development environment and object orientation capabilities of OMNIS increase
development productivity significantly in comparison with 3GL tools.  Unlike
single-user, individual productivity products, client/server applications
require careful coordination of software deployment and version control across
the 
<PAGE>
 
installed base of desktop systems. Without this coordination, the effectiveness
of the applications is likely to be compromised, and, particularly for mission-
critical applications, a material impact on related operations of the enterprise
could result. This adds a significant systems administration burden for
client/server systems as compared to traditional centralized computing. OMNIS
supports teams of programmers developing a unified application with features for
author management, locking and reuse of objects and libraries, and overall
application linking. These features enable groups of developers to cooperate
effectively on a single client application project, and to benefit from a
hierarchical development methodology, where re-usable application library
objects are prepared by core developers for use by other developers, thereby
increasing productivity. To address these issues, OMNIS supports automatic
deployment of applications from a central source. The Company offers a Change
Management System ("CMS") which includes maintenance and revision features to
update deployed applications automatically with new releases of applications and
objects included within applications.

     OMNIS includes features to enable application customization.  These
features allow the end user to modify the application window size, colors,
fonts, and more.  For programmers, this capability can be used to modify the
OMNIS development environment as well.  To enhance the development environment
further, OMNIS enables advanced developers to extend the core 4GL language using
C or C++ coding through a documented extensions interface.

Data Access Modules

     OMNIS is designed to interoperate with a wide variety of industry-standard
relational and legacy databases as well as the integrated local or server-based
OMNIS database.  Connections from OMNIS to SQL databases and other data
repositories are achieved through the following middleware:

                     EDA/SQL from Information Builders, Inc.
                     INFORMIX-NET from Informix Corporation
                     ODBC from Microsoft Corporation
                     Open Client from Sybase, Inc.
                     SQL Net from Oracle Systems Corporation

     Local data storage at the client system gives the developer capabilities
for more flexible applications structures, including portable applications where
data is not always accessible from a SQL system, as well as local data caching
to minimize network traffic and/or response time.

     OMNIS supports access to multiple databases from within a single
application.  Connections to these standard RDBMSs support not only industry-
standard SQL but also non-standard data types (e.g., images), stored procedures,
database extensions and other features specific to each RDBMS.  In addition,
OMNIS offers an extensive command set which enables development of SQL connect
and data exchange with minimal coding to a specific database SQL.  This enables
users to easily transition between data sources without re-writing the client
application.  These capabilities, combined with the ease of selecting a data
source and switching, provide considerable power and flexibility for on-line
data access.

Configurable Deployment Software

     The Company offers deployment kits with bundled SQL connectivity for
enterprise client/server applications and for workgroup applications which use
the OMNIS relational database.  Deployment kits enable users to access or run an
OMNIS-based application, but do not allow them to access the development tools
to create or modify such applications.  The OMNIS deployment code can be
packaged with the application code for a single stand-alone application, or it
can be deployed as an application environment serving multiple applications.
This scalability enables large deployments of many different applications for
diverse organizations.  The deployment software also includes the integrated
OMNIS RDBMS.

     These components are integrated to provide a comprehensive environment for
building, deploying and maintaining client-based applications for a distributed
network computing environment.
<PAGE>
 
'Net Products

     In response to the demands of the evolving 'Net marketplace, the Company is
developing a suite of products that will integrate new 'Net tools with advanced
three-tier object oriented client/server tools for electronic commerce.  This
integrated tool suite is intended to be complemented by new offerings of
reusable components for the emerging electronic commerce market.

     There can be no guarantee that these products can be developed, or if
developed will be commercially successful.  Many of the Company's competitors
are working on internet related products that may be competitive with the
products which the Company expects to develop.

Other Products

     In addition to OMNIS, Blyth continues to sell deployment packages of OMNIS
7 Version 2.4, OMNIS 7 Version 1.4 and OMNIS 7 PLUS Version 1.4,  deployment
packages for  their Change Management System, which can automatically distribute
any modified portions of the application through a small download of changes
when a user initially connects to the OMNIS server, and TrueAccess, a client
server data warehousing tool.

Product Pricing

     The current U.S. list prices for OMNIS products are listed in the table
below.   In September of 1995, the Company changed the way it sold its products.
Prior to then, OMNIS was sold as a Portable Enterprise Development Kit which
allowed the developer to develop and deploy his applications on all supported
platforms.  This kit had a US list price of $5,000.  In order to meet
developers' needs for more cost effective solutions, the Company began selling
platform specific, limited versions of its software with US list prices ranging
from $495 to $2,995 depending on what edition was purchased.  Three platform
"families' are currently offered, MacIntosh (which include MacIntosh and
PowerMac configurations), Windows (including Window 95, Windows 3.1, and Windows
NT) and IBM OS/2 Warp.  Deployment software is offered at prices ranging from no
additional charges to $100 per user, depending on configuration.  Deployment
software is offered with or without SQL connectivity, and is priced on both a
single-user and concurrent-user basis.
 
                                                List Price
          Product                                  (USD)
                                                   -----
OMNIS Enterprise Edition       $2,995 per developer, per platform (Windows,
                                               Mac, or OS/2)
OMNIS Server Edition           $1,595 per developer, per platform (Windows,
                                               Mac, or OS/2)
OMNIS Workgroup Edition        $495 per developer, per platform (Windows, 
                                               Mac, or OS/2)
OMNIS Databases                          $30 to $100 per end user
 
OMNIS Configurable                        no charge for end users
 Deployment Software
 
OMNIS Change Management         $1,995 to $17,500 based on number of users
 System

     Blyth offers special terms and pricing to companies, such as VARs and
systems integrators, who add value to OMNIS products through bundled
applications, product enhancements or associated services.  The Company also
offers U.S. Government and educational discounts, as well as discounts to large
commercial customers.
<PAGE>
 
     The Company offers perpetual, fully-paid-up software licenses.  A 30 day
warranty is offered with the purchase of any OMNIS edition which provides for
replacement of defective media, maintenance releases, and technical support.
The Company offers comprehensive maintenance subscription programs to extend the
availability of maintenance releases and technical support after the warranty
period has expired.  Upgrades for major releases are priced to reflect
incremental value.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

     The Company's sales and marketing staff consisted of 38 employees at June
10, 1996.

     Direct Sales

     The Company sells its products through direct sales teams in North America,
consisting of account executives and software engineers combined with telesales
representatives, and technical support personnel located at the corporate
offices in Foster City, California.  The Company also sells its products in the
United Kingdom primarily through a direct sales force operating from a sales
office in London, in Germany through a direct sales force operating from a sales
office in Hamburg, Germany, and in Benelux through a direct sales force
operating from a sales office in The Netherlands.

     International Distribution

     The Company has various non-exclusive distributor relationships that cover
France, Scandinavia, Greece, Austria, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy, Australia,
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines. Hong Kong, China, Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia,
Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and
Bolivia,  as well as exclusive distribution relationships in Japan and Korea.
All of Blyth's distributors provide primary customer service and support for
their markets.  The Company is in the process of extending this distributor
network to address additional international markets.  The distributors in Latin
America and in the Pacific Rim are currently managed from the Foster City office
while Europe, Middle East and Africa are managed from the London Office.

     Marketing

     In support of its selling efforts, Blyth conducts numerous marketing
programs including public relations efforts, trade shows, seminars, direct mail
campaigns, and direct customer communications.  The Company conducts user
conferences in both United States, the United Kingdom and Germany and
periodically conducts meetings with customer groups to obtain direct feedback of
customers' needs.  Blyth also provides a variety of collateral materials and
demonstration applications to stimulate customer interest.

Customers

     The Company has customers in a wide range of industries, including
financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, telecommunications,
aerospace, defense, government laboratories, and universities.  In the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996 one customer in the United States, U.S. West,
accounted for approximately 16% of revenue and no other customer accounted for
more than 10% of revenues during that year. No single customer accounted for
more than 10% of revenues during either of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995
or 1994.

     As is the case with other participants in the software industry, the
Company generally ships as orders are received or within 30 days thereafter.  As
a result, Blyth has historically operated with little backlog.  Because of this
short cycle between receipt of an order and shipment, the Company does not
believe that its backlog as of any particular date is meaningful.


     In the past the Company's products targeted single-user, workgroup and 
small business database applications. The Company's current principal market
focus is applications tools and components for companies with electronic
commerce requirements which comprise a new, emerging marketplace. The single-
user, workgroup and small business database appliations continue to be
<PAGE>
 
served mainly through reseller channels. The Company's future financial
performance will depend on the continued growth of the client/server computing
and 'Net markets and on its ability to compete effectively in these markets.
There can be no assurance that these markets will continue to grow or that the
Company will be able to respond effectively to customer requirements and
competitive offerings in these markets.

Customer Services and Support

     Because Blyth's products are used by customers to build applications which
may become a critical component of their business operations, continuing
customer support services are an important element of the Company's business
strategy.  Blyth offers customer service programs to meet customer support
requirements.  These programs include support services, training and consulting.

     Support Programs

     This program allows registered users of OMNIS products to purchase an
annual, or, in some cases, longer, maintenance support program which includes
maintenance releases, associated documentation. and developer support services
beyond the initial warranty period.  Services included under this program are
telephone technical support during regular business hours, and access to an
electronic bulletin board where users can exchange development tips and
commentary.  The customer resource library provides in-depth analyses of
specific OMNIS features, example code, programming short cuts and optimization
techniques.

     Blyth's technical support team, composed of experienced OMNIS developers,
focuses on problem solving and resolution in networking, connectivity, security
and client/server computing.  Technical support representatives are regularly
trained in usual, as well as advanced uses of OMNIS products.

     Training

     Blyth offers classroom and customer training classes, from introductory
classes on OMNIS and client/server capability to advanced SQL and OMNIS
techniques.

     Consulting

     The Company provides consulting services to facilitate the design,
development and deployment of OMNIS-based applications and applications for
'Net.

Industry Partners

     In January, 1996 Blyth announced that it would partner with IBM to develop
and market OMNIS for OS/2 Warp platform to better meet the heterogeneous
information requirements of the global enterprise.  IBM and Blyth intend to work
together on both product development and marketing.  Shipment of an Intel-based
version of OMNIS for the OS/2 platform is expected to ship in July, 1996.

     As part of Blyth's strategy to increase awareness of its technology and to
broaden the market for OMNIS, the Company has established a number of strategic
relationships with management consultants, system integrators and computer
system and software vendors.  Blyth believes that its relationships with other
providers of client/server products will encourage and reinforce the decision by
corporate application developers and information technologists to entrust their
strategic, mission-critical applications to the Company's products.

     While the Company believes these relationships will be successful, there
can be no assurance that the existing relationships will continue, new similar
relationships will develop, or that any such existing or future relationship
will lead to additional revenues.
<PAGE>
 
Product Development

     Since inception, Blyth has made substantial investments in product
development.  All of Blyth's main products have been developed by the Company's
internal development staff.  Because the Company believes that timely
development of new products and enhancements of existing products is critical to
maintaining its competitive position in this market, Blyth intends to continue
to invest substantially in product development.

     During the past year the Company focused on two business initiatives,
utilizing a portion of the cash raised through convertible debenture issuances
(that were subsequently converted into common stock) in calendar year 1995;
1) enhancing its product portfolio to enable Blyth to continue to compete for a
market share in the client/server market, and 2) beginning development of a
suite of products to address the growth of the Internet. In fiscal 1996, the
Company spent 21% of net revenues on product development:

     In June 1994, Blyth introduced OMNIS 7/3/, which offers several important
new features.  The Company focused its fiscal 1996 development efforts on
extending features of its product line and developing new Internet related
products.

     The software industry is characterized by rapid technological advances,
frequent new product introductions, rapid enhancements of existing products
through new releases, and changing customer requirements.  The future  success
of the Company will largely depend on its ability to enhance its current
products and to successfully develop new products which keep pace with
technology trends, competitive offerings, and evolving customer requirements.
In particular, the Company believes it must continue to enhance the basic
functionality of its products and extend its product line to keep pace with the
advances in hardware, operating systems and RDBMS's.  Any failure of the Company
to anticipate new technology developments and customer needs or any significant
delays in product development and introduction could result in a loss of
competitiveness and revenues.  Because of the complexity of software products,
new product introductions may contain undetected software errors that, despite
quality assurance testing by the Company, are discovered only after a product
has been installed and used by customers.  Although the Company has not
experienced any material adverse effects from such errors to date, there can be
no assurance that errors will not be discovered in the future which would cause
delays in shipments, loss of revenues or require significant design changes that
could adversely affect the Company's competitive position and operating results.
There can be no assurance that any of the Company's product development efforts
will lead to a commercially viable product, and the Company is unable to predict
whether or when proposed new products, product enhancements or product
extensions might be released or whether, when released, they will achieve market
acceptance.

     The Company's products are developed at Blyth's United Kingdom facility and
at its corporate headquarters in Foster City, California. The Company's research
and development staff consisted of 28 employees at June 10, 1996. For the
periods ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, gross expenditures
for research and development were approximately $2.85 million, $5.18 million and
$4.02 million, of which $0.00, $2.36 million and $2.89 million were capitalized.
The Company did not capitalized any research and development costs in Fiscal
1996 since the net realizability (as defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards 86) for most of the Company's current development efforts
cannot be determined. In addition, during fiscal 1995 the Company wrote off
$2.6 million associated with previously capitalized software development costs, 
of which $1.7 million was charged to operating expenses and $900,000 was charged
to cost of product revenues.

Competition

     The applications development tools software market is rapidly changing and
intensely competitive for client/server tools.  Blyth currently encounters
competition from several direct competitors, including the Powersoft product
line from Sybase Corporation, Borland Corporation, ParcPlace Corporation and
Uniface Corporation.  In addition, Blyth competes indirectly with several other
companies.  These include (a) the RDBMS vendors, such as Oracle Systems
Corporation and Informix Corporation, who provide applications development tools
primarily for customers who use 
<PAGE>
 
their database technology; (b) 4GL applications tools vendors such as Progress
Software Corporation and Cognos Incorporated; (c) CASE tools vendors such as
Knowledgeware, Inc., Intersolv, and Texas Instruments, Incorporated; and (d)
shrink-wrap database software suppliers such as Microsoft Corporation.

     For 'Net related application tools the market is in its embryonic state and
leading competitors have yet to emerge.

     The Company believes that its ability to compete depends on factors both
within and outside its control, including the timing and success of new products
developed by the Company and its competitors, product performance and price,
distribution and customer support.  There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to compete successfully with respect to these factors.  In
particular, competitive pressures from existing and new competitors who offer
lower prices, provide free deployment licenses for applications developed using
configurable development software or introduce new products, including "native"
products that fully utilize the capabilities of a particular operating platform,
could result in delays in purchase decisions by or loss of sales to potential
customers or cause the Company to institute price reductions, any of which would
adversely affect the Company's results of operations.  In particular, deployment
licenses which permit developers to develop configurable applications and
deliver those applications to end-users, have been, and may continue to be
subject to significant pricing pressures which could have an adverse effect on
the Company's business and results of operations.  There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to maintain its price structure or that entry of
future competitors in the Company's current market will not result in pricing
pressures in the future.

     Additional competitive factors influencing the market for Blyth's products
include product functionality and features, platforms, performance, vendor and
product reputation, product and service quality.  These items may  also result
in market confusion, delays in purchases, intensified competition, price
restructuring or price reductions.  Blyth believes that the broad functionality
of OMNIS, including its cross platform capability and its important features for
group development, application deployment and maintenance has enabled the
Company to compete effectively to date, particularly for professional
development environments in major corporations.  Blyth's primary focus on client
application development tools may be a disadvantage in competing with vendors
who can provide a greater range of products to customers who wish to deal with a
limited number of suppliers.

     As the client/server market evolves, the Company anticipates that
competition is likely to increase from both existing and future market
participants, most of whom are larger companies and have greater financial,
technical, marketing, sales and distribution resources and a larger installed
base of customers than Blyth.  Moreover, if such competition were to enter the
cross platform market or the existing Macintosh market, the principal strengths
of the Company, Blyth might be required to increase defensive measures to
maintain its position in these target markets.  This increased effort could
adversely affect operating results due to increased marketing programs, price
declines, longer sales cycles and increased product development expenses, among
other things.  There can be no assurance that the Company could compete
effectively with such new products.


Intellectual Properties and Other Proprietary Rights

     The Company relies primarily on a combination of trade secret, copyright
and trademark laws and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary rights.
In addition to trademark and copyright protections, the Company licenses its
products to end users on a "right to use" basis pursuant to a perpetual license
agreement that restricts use of products to a specified number of users.  The
Company generally relies on shrink-wrap licenses which become effective when a
customer opens the package.  Because they are not negotiated with or signed by
the licensees, in order to retain exclusive ownership rights to its software and
technology, the Company generally provides its software in object code only,
with contractual restrictions on copying, disclosure and transferability.  There
can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate, or that the
Company's competitors will not independently develop technologies that are
substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technology.
<PAGE>
 
     Copyright and other protection for intellectual property may be unavailable
or restricted in certain foreign countries.  In addition, shrink-wrap licenses
may be unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions.  Nevertheless, the
Company believes that its copyright and license protections are important.
However, because of the rapid pace of technological change in the computer
software industry, factors such as the product knowledge, ability and experience
of the Company's personnel, brand name recognition, customer support and ongoing
product maintenance and enhancement may be more significant in maintaining the
Company's competitive advantage.

     As the number of software products available in the market increases and
the functions and features of these products further overlap, the Company
anticipates that software products may become increasingly subject to
infringement claims.  There can be no assurance that third parties will not
assert infringement claims against the Company in the future with respect to any
current or future product.  Any such assertion, whether with or without merit,
could require the Company to enter into costly litigation or royalty
arrangements.  If required, such royalty arrangements may not be available on
reasonable terms, or at all.


Production

     The Company uses subcontractors in the United States to perform its
manufacturing operations, which include duplication and preparation of software
media, documentation and packaging.  The principal materials used in the
manufacture of the Company's products are disks, boxes, binders and multi-color
printed materials which the Company obtains from its manufacturers.

     The Company utilizes certain of its distributors in some international
markets to localize the products, including conversion of the product and
product documentation to native languages, where necessary.  The production of
the resulting localized product is then handled by the distributor for that
market.

     The Company requires that quality control tests be performed on all
duplicated disks and finished products.  Quality control personnel work in both
United Kingdom and North American operations to help ensure product quality.
The Company produces software and documentation based upon forecasts of monthly
sales.


Employees

     At June 10, 1996, the Company had 121 employees, including 28 in product
development, 42 in sales and marketing, 38 in customer support and consulting
and 13 in finance and administration.  Of these 121 employees, 53 employees are
based in the Europe, and 68 are located in the United States.  The Company's
employees are not represented by any collective bargaining organization, and the
Company has never experienced a work stoppage.  Further, the Company believes
its relationships with its employees is good.

     The Company's success also depends to a significant extent upon a number of
key management and technical personnel, the loss of one or more of whom could
adversely affect its business.  In addition, the Company believes that its
future success will depend to a significant extent on its ability to recruit,
hire and retain highly skilled management and employees for product development,
sales, marketing, and customer service.  Competition for such personnel in the
software industry is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel.  Finally the
Company must continue to enhance its internal infrastructure and management
information systems.
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The following sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers of the Company as of June 10, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Name                      Age     Position
- ----                      ---     --------                   
<S>                       <C>     <C>
Michael J. Minor           48     Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                                  Director of the Company, Blyth Software Inc.,
                                  and Blyth Software Limited
Stephen R. Lorentzen       42     President and Chief Operating Officer, and
                                  Director of the Company, Blyth Software Inc.
                                  and Blyth Software Limited
David R. Seaman            43     Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of
                                  the Company, and Director of Blyth Software
                                  Limited
</TABLE>

     Mr. Minor has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and of Blyth Software Inc. and Blyth Software Limited since May 1995 and
previously  as President And Chief Executive Officer since he joined the Company
in July 1991.  Mr. Minor served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Connect, Inc., a computer software company, from May 1990 to May 1991, and in
various positions at Apple Computer, Inc. a computer manufacturer, ("Apple"),
including Group Manager, Worldwide Channel Systems and Senior Manager, Strategic
Planning, of Apple USA, a division of Apple from January 1988 to April 1990.

     Mr. Lorentzen has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company since he joined the Company in May 1995.  For more than five years prior
to joining Blyth, Mr. Lorentzen was Vice President and Director of Information
Services at Arthur D. Little, an international management consulting firm.

     Mr. Seaman has also served as Research and Development Director of Blyth
Software Limited since 1982, and he served as Managing Director of Blyth
Software Limited from September 1990 until June of 1993.
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

     Blyth currently leases an aggregate of 32,703 square feet of office space
at 989 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City, California 94404 pursuant to a
lease which expires on August 31, 1997 and has monthly rental payments of
$53,325 plus a percentage of operating costs and property taxes above the
the 1993 base year.  Blyth this year subleased approximately 12,200 square feet 
of excess space in this facility to a tenant through August 31, 1997, receiving 
a monthly payment of $20,130.

     The Company owns property in the United Kingdom known as Mitford House,
located in Benhall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England which it acquired on March 31,
1988 and which it uses for its research and development personnel in the United
Kingdom. Blyth also leases 7,375 square feet of office space for its European
headquarters office at Part First Floor, Avis House, Park Road, Bracknell,
England. The lease, which expires on February 17, 2001, has monthly rental
payments of (Pounds)4,609 plus (Pounds)3,011 for common area maintenance. Blyth
has the right to terminate this Lease on February 27, 1998. Blyth also leases
2,370 square feet of office space (formerly its London sales office) at Unitec
House, 2 Albert Place, Finchley Central, London, England. The lease, which
expires on November 1, 2012, has monthly rental payments of (Pounds)2,370.
During the year the Company sublet all of the London office space for which it
received a monthly rental of (Pounds)1,375 plus 100% reimbursement for common
area maintenance. The sublease terminates on December 25,1999.

     The Company believes that these facilities and additional space available
to it will be adequate to meet its requirements for fiscal 1997, and that if
required, suitable additional or alternative space would be available to it on
commercially reasonable terms.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY             
             HOLDERS

         Not applicable.

                                    PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     The Company's Common Stock is traded on the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System
("NMS") under the symbol "BLYH".  The following table sets forth the high and
low closing prices for the Company's Common Stock for Fiscal 1995 and 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                High         Low
Fiscal 1995                                    Closing     Closing
- -----------                                    -------     -------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>
1/st/ Quarter                                  $  8.25     $  3.75
2/nd/ Quarter                                  $  5.75     $  3.875
3/rd/ Quarter                                  $  5.25     $  3.625
4/th/ Quarter                                  $  6.25     $  3.50
                                                      
                                               High        Low
Fiscal 1996                                    Closing     Closing
- -----------                                    -------     -------
1/st/ Quarter                                  $  5.25     $ 2.5625
2/nd/ Quarter                                  $  3.375    $ 1.9375
3/rd/ Quarter                                  $  2.75     $ 2.125
4/th/ Quarter                                  $  3.0625   $ 2.125
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
     On June 10, 1996, the closing price for the Company's Common Stock on the
NASDAQ National Market System was $3.188 and there were approximately 150
holders of record of the Company's Common Stock.  This does not include
stockholders whose Common Stock is held in street name.

     The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its Common Stock.  The
Company intends to retain earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of
the Company's business, and therefore does not anticipate paying any cash
dividends in the foreseeable future.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operation - Liquidity and Capital
Resources."

____________________
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following table presents selected financial information for each of the
years indicated and is derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year ended March 31,
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996              1995               1994               1993              1992
                                     --------------  ------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------
Consolidated statement of                                         (Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
 operations data:
<S>                                  <C>             <C>                 <C>                <C>               <C>
Total net revenues                         $13,703            $ 16,715            $14,845            $11,743          $ 7,862
                                           -------            --------            -------            -------          -------
Operating expenses:
Cost of products and services                6,990               8,160              4,174              3,505            2,555
Selling, general & administrative            9,635              16,583             10,316              5,955            4,511
Research and development                     2,846               4,524              1,130              1,974            1,263
Restructuring costs                             --                  --                 --                 --              277
                                           -------            --------            -------            -------          -------
Total operating expenses                    19,471              29,267             15,620             11,434            8,606
Operating income (loss)                     (5,768)            (12,552)              (775)               309             (744)
                                           -------            --------            -------            -------          -------
Net income (loss)                          $(5,675)           $(12,424)           $  (544)           $   274          $(1,138)
                                           =======            ========            =======            =======          =======
Net income (loss) per share                 $(0.64)             $(1.86)            $(0.08)             $0.05           $(0.35)
                                           =======            ========            =======            =======          =======
Weighted average common
 shares and equivalents/1/                   8,846               6,684              6,519              5,270            3,238
                                                                           At March 31,
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1996                1995               1994               1993             1992
                                           -------            --------            -------            -------          -------
Consolidated balance sheet                                            (Amounts in thousands)
 data:
  Working capital                          $ 5,634            $  6,526            $16,145            $ 5,706          $ 2,116
  Total assets                              10,841              14,372             24,379              8,962            5,249
  Current liabilities                        3,023               3,372              2,540              1,619            1,460
  Long-term liabilities                         26               2,759                373                439              539
  Stockholders' equity                       7,792               8,241             21,466              6,904            3,250
</TABLE>

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included
in this annual report.

Recent Developments

     On June 4,1996 the Company sold $7.35 million of 8% Convertible
Subordiinated Debentures (the "Debentures") under Regulation S. The net proceeds
of $6.83 million will be used primarily for

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

/1/   Weighted average common shares and equivalents is based upon the number of
shares of Common Stock and dilutive Common Stock equivalents of the Company
outstanding during each period.


<PAGE>
 
working capital purposes and to fund continuing research and development for 
the Company's 'Net product lines.

     The Debentures carry a coupon rate of eight percent (8%) per annum payable
at the time of conversion (when converted the interest is payable in common
stock). The Debentures are convertible at the option of the holder (subject to
certain call privileges at the option of the Company) and are automatically
converted into common stock three years from the date of issuance. The
Debentures are convertible into common stock at the lower of $3.75 per share or
85% of the five day average of the trading price of the Company's common stock
prior to the date of conversion.

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth, as a percentage of revenues, certain
consolidated statement of operations data for the periods indicated (subtotals
not adjusted for rounding):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                           Percent of Total Net Revenues
                                          -------------------------------
                                                 Year Ended March 31,
                                          -------------------------------
                                            1996       1995       1994
Net revenues:                             ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
       Product                                 46%        64%        78%
       Services                                54         36         22
 
                                          -------    -------    -------   
Total net revenues                            100        100        100
 
Operating expenses:
Cost of product                                18         25         15
Cost of services                               33         24         13
Selling and marketing                          45         74         53
Research and development                       21         27          8
General and administrative                     25         25         16
 
                                          -------    -------    -------   
 
 
Total operating expenses                      142        175        105
 
Operating loss                                (42)       (75)        (5)
 
Other income (expense), net                     1          2          2
                                          -------    -------    -------   
 
 
Net loss                                      (41%)      (74%)       (4%)
                                          =======    =======    =======   
 
 
Gross margins:
       Gross margin on product revenues        61%        61%        80%
                
       Gross margin on service revenues        39%        34%        42%
</TABLE>

     Total Net Revenues.  Total net revenues decreased 18% to $13.7 million in
fiscal 1996 from $16.7 million in fiscal 1995, which was a 13% increase over
total net revenues of $14.8 million in fiscal 1994.  International revenues,
primarily product revenues, accounted for 25%, 26%, and 26% of total net
revenues in fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.  See Note 11 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Net revenues from reseller operations have decreased to $3.0 million in
fiscal 1996 from $4.2 million and $3.4 million in fiscal 1995 and 1994
respectively.

                                               
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                        
<CAPTION>
                             (amounts in millions)

                           1996       1995       1994
                           ----       ----       ----
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Direct Net Revenues        $10.7      $12.5      $11.4
Reseller Net Revenues        3.0        4.2        3.4
                           -----      -----      -----
   Total Net Revenues      $13.7      $16.7      $14.8
                           =====      =====      =====
</TABLE>

     Included in reseller net revenues for 1995 are revenues associated with the
sale of exclusive geographical marketing rights to Rikei Corporation in Japan
and Daewoo Telecom Ltd. in Korea that totaled $1,100,000. The gross margin on
future reseller revenues is expected to be less than the gross margin on sales
made by the Company's direct selling organization due to the necessity of
granting larger discounts on sales to resellers than on direct sales to
corporate customers. In addition, a growing reseller channel increases the risk
of returned products, which have not been material to date, but could be
material in the future.

     The Company's revenues are derived from two sources:  first, fees from
software licensing, including software distributed as packaged products and
licensing arrangements that permit software reproduction; and second, fees for
services, including consulting, training, maintenance and product support.
Product revenues decreased 41% to $6.3 million in fiscal 1996 from $10.7 million
in fiscal 1995, which represented a decrease of 8% from $11.6 million in fiscal
1994.  The decline in product revenues in fiscal 1996 was largely due to changes
in the Company's pricing structure. In September 1995, the Company restructured
its product offerings and pricing.  Prior to September 1995, OMNIS was sold as a
Portable Enterprise Development Kit which allowed the developer to develop and
deploy his applications on all supported platforms.  This kit had a US list
price of $5,000.  In order to meet the developers needs for more cost effective
solutions, the Company began selling platform specific, limited versions of its
software with US list prices ranging from $495 to $2,995 depending on what
edition was purchased.  Also, due to competitive pressures, the Company was
forced to significantly reduce prices on its OMNIS Databases early in the fiscal
1996.

     Service revenues increased 23% to $7.4 million in fiscal 1996 from $6.0
million in fiscal 1995, which represented an increase of 85% from $3.2 million
in fiscal 1994.  The increase in fiscal 1996 was due primarily to an increase in
consulting services sold to customers.  The increase in fiscal 1995 over fiscal
1994 was due primarily to an increase in consulting and maintenance contracts
sold to customers. Maintenance contracts are typically paid annually in advance,
and revenue is recognized ratably over the period of the contract.

     In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 one customer in the United States
accounted for approximately 16% of revenue and no other customer accounted for
more than 10% of revenues during that year.  No single customer accounted for
more than 10% of revenues during either of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995
or 1994.

     The Company sells its products and services in U.S. dollars in North
America and principally in pounds sterling and German Deutschemarks in
the United Kingdom, Germany and Europe.  Currency exchange rates may cause
variances in the Company's period-to-period revenues and results of operations
(which have not been material to date) in future periods.

     Cost of Product.  Cost of product includes the cost of both internal and
subcontracted production, technical support and maintenance services during the
warranty period and amortization of capitalized internal software development
costs.  Cost of product as a percentage of total net revenues decreased to 18%
in fiscal 1996 from 25% in fiscal 1995 and from 15% in fiscal 1994, and as a
percentage of product revenues was 39% in fiscal 1996 as compared to 39% in
fiscal 1995 having increased from 20% in fiscal 1994.  There was a decrease in
the variable cost of product percentage in fiscal 1996, mainly due to savings in
the cost of product due to the use of compact disks (CD's) as opposed to
diskettes and the savings from supplying documentation on-line and offering
printed documentation as an option at an extra cost.  Also included in the cost
of product is the amortization of previously capitalized internal software
development costs which increased as a percentage of net product sales due to
the decrease in net product sales in absolute dollars.  These costs are
amortized using the greater of the amount computed using the ratio of current
revenue to the total of current and anticipated revenue or the straight-line
method over the estimated economic life of the product not to exceed three
years.  Amortization charges were $1,120,092 in fiscal 1996, $2,129,611
(including $876,261 of previously capitalized software that was written off in
fiscal 1995) and $314,512 in fiscal 1994.  The "net realizability" (as defined
in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 86) for most 
<PAGE>
 
of the Company's current development efforts cannot be currently determined,
accordingly, the Company has not capitalized any research and development costs
in Fiscal 1996 nor does it plan to capitalize any research and development costs
in the foreseeable future. At the end of Fiscal 1996 the Company had $300,000 of
unamortized previously capitalized internal software development costs.

     Cost of Services.  Cost of services includes the costs associated with
consulting, technical support, maintenance services, and training, which are
primarily personnel costs.  Cost of services as a percentage of net service
revenues decreased to 61% in fiscal 1996 from 66% in fiscal 1995, having
increased from 58% in fiscal 1994.  The decrease in the percentage of the cost
of services in 1996 is primarily due to increase in the volume of service
revenues.  The company believes that it must achieve economies of scale through
an expanded installed customer base to continue to improve revenues or to
improve its gross margin on service revenues.

     Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing expenses decreased to $6.1
million in fiscal 1996 from $12.4 million in 1995 and from $7.9 million in
fiscal 1994, representing 45%, 74%, and 53% of total net revenues during such
periods, respectively. The decrease in selling and marketing expense in fiscal
1996 was due primarily to decreases in headcount as the Company made a strategic
shift to depend more on leveraged resellers and inside sales as opposed to the
direct sales force model. The increase in selling and marketing expense in
fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994 was primarily attributable to investing
$1.7 million in expanding the Company's direct sales force, including
establishing a sales office in Germany; $1.5 million represents investment in
building an indirect channels and a Pacific rim sales group in North America and
$1.3 million of the increase came from increased marketing spending to enhance
the Company's market visibility.

     Research and Development.  The table below sets forth gross research and
development expenses, capitalized software development costs, and net research
and development expenses in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total net
revenues for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                       Year Ended March 31,
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                     1996      1995      1994
                                                     ----      ----      ----  
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
                                                     (dollars in thousands)
Dollar amounts:
     Gross research and development costs             2,846   $5,186   $ 4,020
     Capitalized software development cost                0     (662)   (2,890)
                                                     ------   ------   -------
     Net research and development costs              $2,846   $4,524   $ 1,130
                                                     ======   ======   =======
 
As a percentage of total net revenues:
     Gross research and development expenses           21%      31%       27%
     Net research and development expenses             21%      27%        8%
</TABLE>

     The decrease in research and development expenses in absolute dollars for
fiscal 1996 was due mainly to a reduction in personnel as the Company changed
its product software development strategy to focus on its near-term marketing
and sales efforts on products addressing the dominant desktop platforms for
which it has a developed customer base.  In addition, during fiscal 1995 the
Company expensed $1.7 million associated with previously capitalized software
development costs due to a strategic change in product plans regarding support
for additional software platforms.  The increase in fiscal 1995 as compared to
fiscal 1994 is due to increased staffing and associated support costs required
to expand and enhance the Company's product line.

     General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses decreased
to $3.5 million in fiscal 1996 from $4.1 million in fiscal 1995 after an
increase from $2.4 million in fiscal 1994, representing 25%, 25% and 16% of
total net revenues, during such periods, respectively.  General and
administrative expenses increased in fiscal 1995 primarily due to a $930,000
expense related to a strategic investment in an early development stage company
which the Company expensed in full, as well as expansion of the Company's
infrastructure including increased facilities, insurance and depreciation
expenses.
<PAGE>
 
     Other Income (Expense), Net.  Other income is primarily comprised of
interest income, interest expense, gains or losses on foreign currency
transactions and other income.  Interest income reflects earnings from the
Company's cash position.  Interest expense is principally interest on
convertible debentures issued that had been converted into stock by the end of
fiscal 1996.

     Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $35,485 in fiscal 1996, $128,326
in fiscal 1995, and $46,286 in fiscal 1994. The increase in 1995 is attributable
to taxes on sales in Japan. At March 31, 1996, the Company had net operating
loss carry forwards of approximately $23.4 million for federal income tax
purposes, $6.5 million for state tax purposes and $2.8 million for foreign
taxes. The Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, and the California Conformity Act
of 1987 impose substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss
and tax credit carry forwards in the event of an "ownership change," as defined
by the Internal Revenue Code. An "ownership change" took place in fiscal 1992,
and the Company is limited to using $780,000 per year of federal and California
net operating loss carry forwards, respectively. See Note 8 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Inflation.  The Company believes that inflation has not had a material
impact on the Company's operating results to date and does not expect inflation
to have a material impact on the Company's operating results in fiscal 1997.

Variability of Results

     The Company has experienced significant quarterly fluctuations in operating
results and anticipates such fluctuations in the future. The Company generally
ships orders as received and, as a result, typically has little or no backlog.
Quarterly revenues and operating results, therefore, depend on the volume and
timing of orders received during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast.
Furthermore, the Company has typically sold to large corporate enterprises which
often purchase in significant quantities, and therefore, the timing of the
receipt of such orders could cause significant fluctuations in operating
results. Historically, the Company has often recognized a substantial portion of
its license revenues in the last month of the quarter. Service revenues tend to
fluctuate as consulting projects, which may continue over several quarters, are
undertaken or completed. Operating results may also fluctuate due to factors
such as the demand for the Company's products, the size and timing of customer
orders, the introduction of new products and product enhancements by the Company
or its competitors, changes in the proportion of revenues attributable to
licenses and service fees, commencement or conclusion of significant consulting
projects, changes in the level of operating expenses, and competitive conditions
in the industry.

     The Company's staffing and other operating expenses are based on
anticipated revenue, a substantial portion of which is not typically generated
until the end of each quarter.  As a result, despite careful planning, delays in
the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from
quarter to quarter.  In addition, revenues in quarters after a new product
release may be significantly affected by the amount of upgrade revenue, which
tends to increase soon after the release of a new product and then decline
rapidly.

     A number of additional factors have, from time to time, caused and may in
the future cause the Company's revenues and operating results to vary
substantially from period-to-period.  These factors include:  pricing
competition, delays in introduction of new products or product enhancements,
size and timing of demand for existing products, shortening of product life
cycles, inventory obsolescence and general economic conditions.

     The Company's future operating results will depend, to a considerable
extent, on its ability to rapidly and continuously develop new products that
offer its customers enhanced performance at competitive prices.  Inherent in
this process are a number of risks.  The development of new, enhanced software
products is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation
from the Company's designers as well as accurate anticipation of customers needs
and technical trends by the marketing staff.  Once a product is developed, the
Company must rapidly bring it into production, a process that requires lead
times on some product components and accurate forecasting of production volumes,
among other things, in order to achieve acceptable product costs.
<PAGE>
 
     The Company's operating results will also be affected by the volume, mix
and timing of orders received during a period and by conditions in the
industries that it serves as well as the general economy.  Additionally, the
Company operates on a global basis with offices or distributors in Europe, Asia
and Latin America as well as North America.  Changes in the economies, trade
policies and fluctuations in interest or exchange rates may have an impact on
its future financial results.  Also, as the Company becomes more global,
seasonality may become an increasing factor.

     The development and introduction of new or enhanced products also requires
the Company to manage the transition from older, displaced products in order to
minimize disruptions in customer ordering patterns and excessive levels of older
product inventory and to ensure that adequate supplies of new products can be
delivered to meet customer demand.  Because the Company is continuously engaged
in this product development and transition process, its operating results may be
subject to considerable fluctuations, particularly when measured on a quarterly
basis.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     At March 31, 1996, the Company's principal sources of liquidity consisted
of cash and equivalents of $5.1 million.  On June 4,1996 the Company sold $7.35
million of 8% Convertible Debentures under Regulation S.  The net proceeds of
$6.83 million will be used primarily to strengthen the balance sheet, increase
working capital and fund continuing research and development for the Company's
'Net product lines.  The $6.83 million net proceeds are in addition to the $5.14
million in cash and equivalents report on the Company's March 31, 1996 balance
sheet.  The placement consisted of convertible subordinated debentures, which
carry a coupon rate of eight (8) percent per annum, payable at the time of
conversion (when converted the interest is payable in common stock).  The
Debentures are convertible at the option of the holder (subject to certain call
privileges at the option of the Company) and are automatically converted into
common stock three years from the date of issuance.  The Debentures are
convertible into common stock at the lower of $3.75 per share or 85% of the five
day average of the trading price of the Company's common stock at the time of
conversion.

     The Company's working capital position increased to $5.1 million at 
March 31, 1996 from $4.6 million at March 31, 1995, largely driven by 
$1.9 million in cash used by operations. Proceeds of $2.6 million from the
issuance of convertible debentures in July of 1995 increased the Company's
working capital. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

     On June 4, 1996 the Company sold $7.35 million of 8% Convertible 
Subordinated Debentures under Regulation S.  The net proceeds of $6.83 million 
will be used primarily for working capital purposes and to fund continuing 
research and development for the Company's 'Net product line.

     In June of 1995 the Company curtailed capital spending, reduced its
workforce by more than 25% and implemented other actions to conserve cash.  The
Company believes that these actions, along with the influx of cash from the
debenture sales during and shortly after fiscal 1996, will allow its cash and
equivalents, together with expected net revenues to be adequate to meet the
Company's anticipated cash needs through fiscal 1997.  However, the Company
believes the level of financial resources is a significant competitive factor in
its industry and may choose or be required, prior to the end of fiscal 1997, to
raise additional capital through debt or equity financings to strengthen its
financial position, to accelerate growth or to provide the Company with
additional flexibility to take advantage of business opportunities that might
arise.  There can be no guarantee that additional capital will be available to
the Company or, if available, will be available on terms favorable to the
Company.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     The consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the notes
thereto, together with the independent auditors' report thereon, and the
Financial Statement Schedules required to be filed by Item 14 of this Form 10-K
are presented on Page F-1.  All other schedules are omitted as they are not
applicable or the required information is given in the financial statements or
the notes thereto.
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

     None.


                                   PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     Information regarding directors of the Company is incorporated by reference
from "Election of Directors" in the Blyth's 1996 Proxy Statement for the
Company's 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1996 Proxy Statement").
Current Executive Officers of the Registrant found under the caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant" in Part I hereof is also incorporated by reference
into this Item 10.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The information required in this item is incorporated by reference from the
sections entitled "Executive Compensation", "Report of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors," "Company Stock Price Performance,"
"Election of Directors - Director Compensation" and "Election of Directors -
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in Blyth's 1996
Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
section entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management" in Blyth's 1996 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the
section entitled "Executive Compensation-Other Employee Benefit Plans" and
"Certain Transactions" in Blyth's 1996 Proxy Statement.
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a)  The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on
Form 10K:

          1.   Consolidated Financial Statements required to be filed by Item 8
               of Form 10-K.  See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of
               the Company at page F-2.

          2.   Financial Statement Schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of
               Form 10-K:

               Schedule II     Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

          3.   Exhibits:
 
Exhibit Number               Description
- --------------               -----------
 
  3.1                        Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as
                             amended./1/
 
  3.2                        By-Laws of the Company, as amended./1/
 
  10.1                       Definitive Trust Deed dated October 26, 1983 among
                             Blyth Holdings Limited, Blyth Software Limited and
                             Geoffrey Paul Smith, Paul Nelson Wright and
                             Suntrust Limited (relating to pension scheme)./2/
 
  10.2                       Lease of premises at 989 East Hillsdale Boulevard,
                             Foster City, California dated September 20, 1993
                             between Blyth Software Inc. and OB-1 Associates,
                             Landlord and HBO & Company, Sub-lessor./6/
 
  10.3                       Service Agreement dated July 30, 1990 between
                             Blyth Holdings Inc. and David Seaman./2/
 
  10.4                       Stock Purchase Warrant sold to Richard Hanschen on
                             July 26, 1990./3/
 
  10.5                       Deed of Guarantee dated June 1, 1993 between Blyth
                             Holdings Inc. and A. Levy & Son Limited./4/
 
  10.6                       Form of Subscription Agreement for purchase of
                             Units of the Company's securities./4/
 
  10.7                       Form of Stock Purchase Warrant sold to purchaser
                             of Units of the Company's securities./4/
 
  10.8                       Form of Stock Purchase Warrant sold to Director
                             Walter V. Smiley, Richard J. Hanschen, and Albert
                             Yu on September 1, 1992./4/

<PAGE>
 
  10.9         Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 19, 1993 between Blyth
               Holdings Inc. and The Wisconsin Investment Board./5/

  10.10        Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 19, 1993 between Blyth
               Holdings Inc. and The Transamerica Capital Appreciation Fund./5/

  10.11        Director's Warrant Plan and Amendment to Warrant issued to Albert
               Yu on September 1, 1992/6/.

  10.12        Advisor's Warrant Plan and warrant issued to Garth Saloner on
               November 1, 1992/6/.

  10.13        Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 1993 between
               Blyth Holdings Inc. and General Reinsurance Corp/6/.

  10.14        Amendment to Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 14, 1993,
               between the Company and General Reinsurance Corp., Amerindo
               Technology Partners, Ltd., Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension Plan
               and University of British Columbia Staff Pension Plan/6/.

  10.15        Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated May 14,
               1993, between the Company and General Reinsurance Corp., Amerindo
               Technology Partners, Ltd., Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension Plan
               and University of British Columbia Staff Pension Plan/6/.

  10.16        The Blyth Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated 1987 Stock Option
               Plan, as amended/6/.

  10.17        The Blyth Holdings Inc. 1993 Directors' Warrant Plan and form of
               Director's Warrant/6/.

  10.18        The Blyth Holdings Inc. 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan./6/
 
  10.19        Registration Rights Agreement effective as of January 3, 1994,
               between the Company and Migration Software Systems Limited./6/
 
  10.20        Warrant to Purchase shares of Common Stock dated January 3, 1994
               granted to Migration Software Systems Limited/6/.
   
  10.21        Consulting Agreement dated January 31, 1994 between the Company
               and RGS Associates, Inc./6/
 
<PAGE>
 
  10.22                      Form of Subscription Agreement between the Company
                             and purchasers of 8% Convertible Debentures due
                             March 31, 1997./8/
 
  10.23                      Form of Convertible Debenture due March 31,
                             1997./8/
 
  10.24                      Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the
                             Company, Purchasers of 8% Convertible Debentures
                             due March 31, 1997 and Swartz Investments, Inc./8/
 
  10.25                      Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued to Swartz
                             Investments, Inc./8/

  10.26                      Form of Regulation S securities Subscription
                             Agreement between the Company and purchasers of 8%
                             Convertible Debentures due June 3, 1999.

  10.27                      Form of 8% Convertible Debenture due June 3, 1999.

  10.28                      Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the
                             Company and purchasers of 8% Convertible Debentures
                             due June 3, 1999.

  10.29                      Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the 
                             Company and Swartz Investments, LLC and its 
                             designees.

  10.30                      Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued to
                             certain persons affiliated with Swartz Investments,
                             LLC.

  21.1                       Subsidiaries of the Company.

  23.1                       Independent Auditors' Consent.

  27.1                       Financial Data Schedule.

  (b)                        Reports on form 8-K. The Company filed a current
                             report on form 8-K on June 4, 1996 with respect to
                             its issuance of $7.35 million aggregate principal
                             amount of 8% Convertible Debentures due 
                             June 3, 1999.

  ______________

/1/  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-8
     (Registration Statement No. 33-46166) filed by the Company with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 1992.

/2/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 1990.

/3/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1991.

/4/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 1992.

/5/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 1993.


/6/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1994.


/7/  Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 1994.
<PAGE>
 
/8/  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 8-K filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 1995.
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  June 28, 1996                       BLYTH HOLDINGS INC.

                                      By:   /s/ MICHAEL J. MINOR
                                            --------------------
                                            Michael J. Minor
                                            Chairman, Chief Executive
                                            Officer and Director

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signatures                   Title                                Date
- ----------                   -----                                ----     
 
/s/MICHAEL J. MINOR
- -------------------          Chairman, Chief Executive             June 28, 1996
Michael J. Minor             Officer and Director
 
 
/s/STEPHEN R. LORENTZEN      President, Chief Operating
- -----------------------      Officer, Chief Financial Officer,     June 28, 1996
Stephen R. Lorentzen         Director
 
 
/s/WILLIAM M. GLYNN
- -------------------          Director of Finance, (Principal       June 28, 1996
William M. Glynn             Accounting Officer)
 
 
/s/RICHARD J. HANSCHEN
- ----------------------       Vice-Chairman of the Board            June 28, 1996
Richard J. Hanschen          of Directors
 
 
/s/WILLIAM E. KONRAD
- --------------------         Director                              June 28, 1996
William E. Konrad
 
 
 
 
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Financial Statements for
the Years Ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
and Independent Auditors' Report
<PAGE>
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Blyth Holdings Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Blyth Holdings
Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996.  Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 14.(a)2.  These
financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of
the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Blyth Holdings Inc. and
subsidiaries at March 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our
opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information set forth therein.



DELOITTE  &  TOUCHE  LLP

May 10, 1996
(June 4, 1996 as to Note 12)
San Jose, California
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH  HOLDINGS  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS                                                     1996           1995
<S>                                                <C>            <C> 
CURRENT  ASSETS:
  Cash and equivalents                             $  5,128,733   $  4,593,459
  Trade accounts receivable (less allowances
   for doubtful accounts
   of $399,973 in 1996 and $458,710 in 1995)          2,303,025      3,966,551
  Inventories                                            70,747        261,926
  Other current assets                                1,155,014      1,076,637
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
     Total current assets                             8,657,519      9,898,573
 
PROPERTY,  FURNITURE  AND  EQUIPMENT,  Net            1,831,399      2,979,029
 
CAPITALIZED  SOFTWARE  DEVELOPMENT  COSTS,  Net         299,758      1,439,925
 
OTHER  ASSETS                                            52,325         54,868
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
TOTAL                                              $ 10,841,001   $ 14,372,395
                                                   ============   ============
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
CURRENT  LIABILITIES:
  Borrowings under line of credit                  $    143,715   $       -
  Current portion of long-term debt                     108,011         97,178
  Accounts payable                                      836,912        678,327
  Accrued liabilities                                   841,151      1,556,314
  Deferred revenue                                    1,093,209      1,040,249
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
     Total current liabilities                        3,022,998      3,372,068
 
LONG-TERM  DEBT                                          25,524      2,758,883
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
     Total liabilities                                3,048,522      6,130,951
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
COMMITMENTS  AND  CONTINGENCIES  (Note 10)
 
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY:
  Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; 3,000,000
   shares authorized; none outstanding                     -              -
  Common stock - $.01 par value; 20,000,000
   shares authorized; outstanding: 1996, 
   9,753,791 shares; 1995, 7,080,239 shares              97,538         70,802
  Treasury stock at cost: 1995; 195,622 shares             -        (1,557,214)
  Paid-in capital                                    35,722,507     30,740,878
  Accumulated deficit                               (28,151,965)   (21,295,375)
  Cumulative foreign currency translation
   adjustment                                           124,399        282,353
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
     Total stockholders' equity                       7,792,479      8,241,444
                                                   ------------   ------------
 
TOTAL                                              $ 10,841,001   $ 14,372,395
                                                   ============   ============
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996            1995           1994
<S>                                   <C>            <C>             <C>
NET REVENUES:
  Product                             $ 6,271,843    $ 10,695,771    $11,595,599
  Services                              7,431,268       6,019,490      3,249,671
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
     Total net revenues                13,703,111      16,715,261     14,845,270
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
OPERATING  EXPENSES:
  Cost of product revenues              2,421,637       4,216,175      2,281,346
  Cost of service revenues              4,568,514       3,944,271      1,893,236
  Selling and marketing                 6,140,458      12,440,229      7,903,316
  Research and development              2,845,801       4,524,063      1,130,440
  General and administrative            3,495,008       4,142,384      2,412,362
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
     Total operating expenses          19,471,418      29,267,122     15,620,700
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
OPERATING  LOSS                        (5,768,307)    (12,551,861)      (775,430)
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
OTHER  INCOME  (EXPENSE):
  Interest income                         254,207         272,667        332,008
  Interest expense and other, net        (125,842)        (16,031)       (54,356)
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
                                          128,365         256,636        277,652
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
LOSS  BEFORE  INCOME  TAXES            (5,639,942)    (12,295,225)      (497,778)
 
INCOME  TAX  EXPENSE                       35,486         128,326         46,286
                                      -----------    ------------    -----------
 
NET  LOSS                             $(5,675,428)   $(12,423,551)   $  (544,064)
                                      ===========    ============    ===========
 
NET  LOSS  PER  SHARE                 $     (0.64)   $      (1.86)   $     (0.08)
                                      ===========    ============    ===========

WEIGHTED  AVERAGE  COMMON  SHARES
 OUTSTANDING                            8,845,693       6,683,552      6,519,366
                                      ===========    ============    ===========
</TABLE> 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Series A
                                 Preferred Stock          Stock Common           Treasury Stock
                             --------------------   --------------------   ------------------------      Paid-In      Accumulated
                               Shares      Amount      Shares     Amount       Shares        Amount      Capital        Deficit
<S>                          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>

BALANCES,  April 1, 1993       19,500    $ 19,500   5,602,628    $56,026         -      $      -       $15,016,438   $ (8,231,371)

Conversion of preferred to
  common                      (19,500)    (19,500)     19,500        195         -             -            19,305           -
Common stock issued (net of
  issuance costs $520,050)       -           -      1,098,667     10,986         -             -        14,836,470           -
Common stock options
 exercised                       -           -         86,750        868         -             -           293,739           -
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment          -           -           -          -            -             -              -              -
Net loss                         -           -           -          -            -             -              -          (544,064)
                              -------   ---------   ---------    -------     --------   -----------    -----------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1994        -           -      6,807,545     68,075         -             -        30,165,952     (8,775,435)

Common stock options
 exercised                       -           -         31,860        319         -             -           134,601           -
Common stock warrants
  exercised (net of
  issuance costs
  of $12,165)                    -           -        240,834      2,408         -             -           440,325           -
Purchase of treasury stock       -           -           -          -         221,600    (1,764,007)          -              -
Reissuance of treasury
 stock                           -           -           -          -         (25,978)      206,793           -           (96,389)
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment          -           -           -          -            -             -              -              -
Net loss                         -           -           -          -            -             -              -       (12,423,551)
                              -------   ---------   ---------    -------     --------   -----------    -----------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1995        -           -      7,080,239     70,802      195,622    (1,557,214)    30,740,878    (21,295,375)

Common stock options
 exercised                       -           -         22,643        226       (2,000)       15,921         69,409        (13,922)
Common stock issued upon
  conversion of convertible
  debentures payable (net of
  issuance costs of
  $461,355)                      -           -      2,633,273     26,334     (175,942)    1,400,555      4,869,365     (1,070,703)
Common stock issued              -           -         17,636        176         -             -            42,855           -
Reissuance of treasury
 stock                           -           -           -          -         (17,680)      140,738           -           (96,537)
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment          -           -           -          -            -             -              -              -
Net loss                         -           -           -          -            -             -              -        (5,675,428)
                              -------   ---------   ---------    -------     --------   -----------    -----------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1996        -      $    -      9,753,791    $97,538         -      $      -       $35,722,507   $(28,151,965)
                              =======   =========   =========    =======     ========   ===========    ===========   ============

<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                              Cumulative
                                Foreign        Total
                               Currency        Stock-
                              Translation   Stockholders'
                               Adjustment      Equity
<S>                            <C>         <C>

BALANCES,  April 1, 1993       $  43,183   $  6,903,776

Conversion of preferred to
  common                            -              -
Common stock issued (net of
  issuance costs $520,050)          -        14,847,456
Common stock options
 exercised                          -           294,607
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment          (35,661)       (35,661)
Net loss                            -          (544,064)
                               ---------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1994          7,522     21,466,114

Common stock options
 exercised                          -           134,920
Common stock warrants
  exercised (net of
  issuance costs
  of $12,165)                       -           442,733
Purchase of treasury stock          -        (1,764,007)
Reissuance of treasury
 stock                              -           110,404
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment          274,831        274,831
Net loss                            -       (12,423,551)
                               ---------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1995        282,353      8,241,444

Common stock options
 exercised                          -            71,634
Common stock issued upon
  conversion of convertible
  debentures payable (net of
  issuance costs of
  $461,355)                         -         5,225,551
Common stock issued                 -            43,031
Reissuance of treasury
 stock                              -            44,201
Foreign currency
 translation adjustment         (157,954)      (157,954)
Net loss                            -        (5,675,428)
                               ---------   ------------

BALANCES,  March 31, 1996      $ 124,399   $  7,792,479
                               =========   ============
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996            1995           1994
<S>                                 <C>            <C>             <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
 ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss                          $(5,675,428)   $(12,423,551)   $  (544,064)
  Adjustments to reconcile net
   loss to net cash provided by
   (used for) operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization
    expense                           1,288,756       1,219,194        756,022
   Amortization and write-off of
    capitalized software
    development costs                 1,120,092       3,834,685        314,512
   Loss on disposal of property          74,786          52,674         62,793
   Changes in assets and
    liabilities:
     Trade accounts receivable        1,534,497        (656,324)      (545,047)
     Inventories                        188,249        (160,120)        34,613
     Other current assets               (99,777)        (65,314)      (271,320)
     Other assets                         2,543         325,604       (363,865)
     Accounts payable and accrued
      liabilities                      (436,682)        364,563        421,107
     Deferred revenue                    60,513         355,033        496,374
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
       Net cash provided by (used
        for) operating activities    (1,942,451)     (7,153,556)       361,125
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
 ACTIVITIES:
  Capitalized software
   development costs                          -      (2,367,181)    (2,890,041)
  Purchases of property,
   furniture and equipment              (94,115)     (1,475,289)    (1,918,001)
  Proceeds from the sale of
   fixed assets                         (14,953)              -              -
  Advance for note receivable -
   related party                              -               -       (507,419)
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
       Net cash used for investing
        activities                     (109,068)     (3,842,470)    (5,315,461)
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
 ACTIVITIES:
  Borrowings on line of credit          147,298               -              -
  Repayments of debt                   (226,568)       (437,990)       (96,039)
  Proceeds from long-term debt        2,742,083       2,647,337              -
  Proceeds from stock issuance           47,687         110,404     15,142,063
  Exercise of stock options and
   warrants                              69,635         577,653              -
  Purchase of treasury stock                  -      (1,764,007)             -
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
       Net cash provided by          
        financing activities          2,780,135       1,133,397     15,046,024
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE
 CHANGES ON CASH                       (193,342)         50,568          3,896
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
 AND EQUIVALENTS                        535,274      (9,812,061)    10,095,584
 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS -
 Beginning of year                    4,593,459      14,405,520      4,309,936
                                    -----------    ------------    -----------
 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS - End of
 year                               $ 5,128,733    $  4,593,459    $14,405,520
                                    ===========    ============    ===========
 
CASH PAID FOR:
  Interest                          $    63,874    $     26,557    $    57,707
                                    ===========    ============    ===========
  Income taxes                      $    35,486    $    128,326    $     1,600
                                    ===========    ============    ===========
</TABLE>
                                                                     (Continued)

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994 (Concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NONCASH  TRANSACTIONS:

During fiscal 1996, convertible debenture noteholders converted $5,650,000 of 8%
and 5% debentures, net of $461,355 of issuance costs, into 2,809,212 shares of
common stock.  Of those shares, 175,942 shares were reissued from treasury stock
for less than cost.  The Company also reissued treasury stock for the exercise
of options and for purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for less
than cost.  Therefore, the difference between the fair value at date of issuance
and the cost resulted in an appropriation charge to accumulated deficit.

During fiscal 1995, the Company reissued treasury stock for purchases under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan for less than cost.  Therefore, the difference
between the fair value at date of issuance and the cost resulted in an
appropriation charge to accumulated deficit.  In addition, the Company acquired
property, furniture and equipment of $205,194 under capital lease obligations.

During fiscal 1994, preferred stockholders converted shares of preferred stock
into 19,500 shares of common stock.  In addition, the Company acquired property,
furniture and equipment of $49,966 under capital lease obligations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
BLYTH HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. ORGANIZATION  AND  SIGNIFICANT  ACCOUNTING  POLICIES

Organization - Blyth Holdings Inc. ("Company") develops, markets and supports
software products for the development and deployment of applications for
accessing multi-user databases in workgroup and enterprise-wide client/server
computing environments.  The Company's OMNIS family of products is used by
corporations, system integrators, small businesses and independent consultants
to deliver custom information management applications for a wide range of users
including financial management, decision support, executive information, sales
and marketing and multi-media authoring systems.  In addition to these products,
Blyth provides consulting, technical support and training to help plan, analyze,
implement and maintain applications software based on the Company's technology.

The consolidated financial statements include Blyth Holdings Inc. (BHI) (U.S.)
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Blyth Holdings Limited (BHL) (U.K.), Blyth
Software Limited (BSL) (U.K.), Blyth Software Inc. (BSI) (U.S.) and Blyth
Software GmbH (Germany).

Significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying
consolidated financial statements of the Company follow:

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All
significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in
consolidation.

Product Revenue - Revenue related to product sales is recognized when the
product is shipped, the collection of the related receivable is probable and no
significant vendor or post-contract support obligations remain.  Insignificant
vendor and post contract support obligations, including maintenance for the
first 30 days, is included in product revenue and the estimated cost of
providing this maintenance is accrued and charged to cost of product.  During
fiscal 1995, certain of the Company's sales during a promotional period included
a nine-month maintenance agreement.  The Company deferred a portion of the
revenue which was recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement.
In fiscal 1996, the Company changed the warranty period to 30 days and
discontinued the nine-month maintenance agreement.

Fiscal 1995 included revenues from non-refundable licensing fees relating to the
granting of marketing and remanufacturing rights that were recognized when the
related product was shipped, the collection of the related receivable was
probable and no significant vendor or post-contract support obligations
remained.  The cost of providing insignificant vendor and post contract support
obligations was accrued and charged to cost of product at the time revenue was
recognized.

Service Revenue - Service revenue is generated from consulting, technical
support and training.  Product support revenue is recognized ratably over the
related contractual term.  Revenue from training is recognized when the services
are provided.  Revenue associated with contracts to develop specific software
for customers is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of
accounting.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
Cost of Product and Service Revenues - Cost of product revenues includes the
cost of production materials and related documentation and amortization of
capitalized software development costs.  Cost of service revenues principally
includes payroll and other costs associated with the customer support function.
Other costs specifically identifiable with the revenue source have been
classified accordingly.

Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments
purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories - Inventories, principally finished goods, are stated at the lower
of cost on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or market value.

Property, Furniture and Equipment - Property, furniture and equipment are stated
at cost.  Capital leases are recorded at the present value of the minimum lease
payments at the date of acquisition.  Depreciation and amortization is computed
on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or lease
term whichever is shorter, which range from three to 25 years.  Leasehold
improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the
lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Capitalized Software Development Costs - Software development costs are
capitalized when technological feasibility has been established.  The Company
did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal 1996 since the net
realizability for most of the Company's current development efforts could not be
determined.  Such costs are amortized using the greater of the amount computed
using the ratio of current revenue to the total of current and anticipated
revenue or the straight-line method over the estimated life of the product not
to exceed three years.  The Company has capitalized software development costs
of $4,363,462 and $4,383,537, with accumulated amortization of $4,063,704 and
$2,943,612 at March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Amortization of
capitalized software development costs charged to cost of product revenues was
$1,120,092, $2,129,611 and $314,512 for the years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.  

During fiscal 1995, the Company reevaluated its software development and product
strategy in relation to its financial resources and emerging market conditions. 
As a result of this review, the Company changed its product software development
strategy and charged $1,705,074 of capitalized costs related to products that 
would not be part of the Company's new strategy to operating expenses. No 
write-offs of capitalized software occurred during the years ended March 31, 
1996 and 1994.

Financial Instruments - The Company believes that the carrying amount reported
in the financial statements for cash and equivalents as of March 31, 1996
approximates fair value.  The fair value of the bank line of credit and the note
payable to finance company approximate the carrying amount based on the current
rate offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability
approach for financial reporting which requires recognition of deferred tax
liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases
of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

Net Loss Per Share - Net loss per share is computed based on the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially subject
the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and
equivalents and trade accounts receivable.  The Company places its cash and
equivalents with what it believes are high credit quality financial
institutions.  The Company sells its products primarily to companies in North
America and Europe.  To reduce credit risk, management performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers' financial condition.  The Company maintains
reserves for potential credit losses, but historically has not experienced any
significant losses related to individual customers or groups of customers in any
particular industry or geographic area.

ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period.  Such management estimates include the allowance for doubtful
accounts receivable, the net realizable value of inventory and unamortized
capitalized software development costs.  Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION - All assets and liabilities of operations outside
the United States are translated into U.S. dollars from their functional
currency, which is the local currency, at year-end exchange rates.  Income and
expense items are translated at the average exchange rate for the year.  Gains
and losses resulting from translation are included in stockholders' equity.
Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions have been reflected in the
statements of operations and have not been material in any year.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Effective April 1, 1996, the Company will adopt
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of"
(SFAS 121), which requires that long-lived assets, certain identifiable
intangibles, and goodwill related to those assets used by an entity be reviewed
for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable.  The Company's policy is to review the
recoverability of all intangible assets at a minimum on an annual basis, and in
addition whenever events or changes indicate that the carrying amount of an
asset may not be recoverable.  No adjustment to the carrying value of such
assets is expected as a result of adopting this pronouncement.

In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."  The new standard defines a fair
value method of accounting for stock options and other equity instruments.
Under this method, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the
stock award when granted and is recognized as expense over the service period,
which is usually the vesting period.  This standard will be effective for the
Company beginning in fiscal 1997 and requires measurement of awards made
beginning in fiscal year 1996.  The new standard permits companies to continue
to account for equity transactions with employees under existing accounting
rules, but requires disclosure in a note to the financial statements of the pro
forma net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the new
method of accounting.  The Company intends to implement these disclosure
requirements for its employee stock plans.  As a result, adoption of the new
standard will not impact reported net income (loss).

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
2.  PROPERTY, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

    Property, furniture and equipment at March 31 consist of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    1996          1995
<S>                                            <C>           <C>
 
Land and building                              $   654,784   $   694,774
Leasehold improvements                              74,423        59,716
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures         4,467,870     4,974,610
Automobiles                                        435,271       488,112
                                               -----------   -----------
 
Total                                            5,632,348     6,217,212
Accumulated depreciation and amortization       (3,800,949)   (3,238,183)
                                               -----------   -----------
 
Property, furniture and equipment - net        $ 1,831,399   $ 2,979,029
                                               ===========   ===========
</TABLE> 
 
3.  ACCRUED LIABILITIES

    Accrued liabilities at March 31 consist of:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                    1996          1995
<S>                                            <C>           <C> 
Salaries and benefits                          $   242,112   $   355,783
Commissions                                        173,146       464,385
Other                                              425,893       736,146
                                               -----------   ----------- 

                                               $   841,151   $ 1,556,314
                                               ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

4. LINE OF CREDIT

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary has a line of credit with a bank in the
U.K. that allows the Company to borrow up to (Pounds)100,000 ($152,770) at March
31, 1996, automatically upon overdraft of the Company's operating bank account.
Interest on the overdraft is at the bank's prime rate (6.5% at March 31, 1996)
plus 3%.  Borrowings under the line of credit are secured by all assets of BHL
and BSL and a life insurance policy.  There were (Pounds)94,072 ($143,715)
borrowed under the line of credit at March 31, 1996.  There were no borrowings
under the line of credit at March 31, 1995.  The line of credit expired in April
1996.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
5.  LONG-TERM  DEBT

    Long-term debt at March 31 consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            1996         1995
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
 
Capital lease obligations                               $   97,263   $  208,724
 
  Convertible debentures payable, 8%, due March 31,
   1997, converted into common stock during fiscal 1996       -       2,647,337
 
  Note payable to finance company, 8.57%, due in
   monthly installments of $18,331 through May 1996         36,272         -
                                                        ----------   ----------
 
                                                           133,535    2,856,061
 
  Current portion                                         (108,011)     (97,178)
                                                        ----------   ----------
 
  Total long-term debt                                  $   25,524   $2,758,883
                                                        ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

Aggregate maturities of debt subsequent to March 31, 1997: 1998, $25,524.

6.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

PREFERRED STOCK - During fiscal 1994, 19,500 shares of preferred stock were
converted into common stock.  No preferred stock was outstanding at March 31,
1996 and 1995.

COMMON STOCK - During fiscal 1996, $2,900,000 of 8% convertible debentures and
$2,750,000 of 5% convertible debentures plus accrued interest, were converted
into 1,212,875 and 1,596,337 shares, respectively, of the Company's common
stock.

In fiscal 1996, the Company reissued all remaining shares of treasury stock.
175,942 shares were reissued in conjunction with the conversion of 8% and 5%
convertible debentures discussed above at a price of $1.78 -$1.98 per share, and
17,680 shares were reissued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a price of
$2.50 per share.  2,000 shares were reissued in conjunction with the exercise of
stock options at a price of $1.00 per share.  The difference between the
fair value at the date of issuance and the cost resulted in an appropriation
charge to accumulated deficit of $1,181,162.

In fiscal 1995, the Company acquired 221,600 shares of the Company's common
stock at an average price of $7.96.  The Company reissued 25,978 shares of the
treasury stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a price of $4.25 per
share.  The difference between the fair value at the date of issuance and the
cost resulted in an appropriation charge to accumulated deficit of $96,389.

The Company has reserved 4,887,834 shares of common stock for issuance upon
exercise of warrants and options to purchase shares of the Company's common
stock.

WARRANTS - The Company granted five-year warrants to purchase 70,000, 202,500
and 170,000 shares of common stock to consultants to the Company and to members
of the Company's Board of Directors in recognition of services rendered during
fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.  The warrants were granted with an
exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock at the date of
grant and generally vest over three years.  In connection with the issuance of
the 5% convertible debentures and 8% convertible debentures in 1996 and 1995,
the Company granted warrants to purchase 80,000 and 47,590 shares of common
stock at $5.85 and $4.25 per share, respectively.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
The following summarizes warrants outstanding:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                WARRAMTS      EXERCISE PRICE
<S>                                            <C>          <C>         <C> 
 
Warrants outstanding at April 1, 1993          1,935,834    $ 1.00  -   $ 8.50
Granted                                          170,000    $11.75  -   $16.00
                                               ---------
 
Warrants outstanding at March 31, 1994         2,105,834    $ 1.00  -   $16.00
Granted                                          250,090    $ 4.00  -   $ 6.50
Exercised                                       (240,834)   $ 1.00  -   $ 3.38
Canceled                                         (41,667)         $16.00
                                               ---------
 
Warrants outstanding at March 31, 1995         2,073,423    $ 1.00  -   $16.00
Granted                                          150,000    $ 1.00  -   $ 5.85
                                               ---------
 
Warrants outstanding at March 31, 1996         2,223,423    $ 1.00  -   $16.00
                                               =========
</TABLE>

The warrants expire at various dates between 1996 and 2001.  At March 31, 1996,
there are 2,067,592 warrants exercisable.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN - In May 1995, the Company adopted the 1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Plan) and reserved 225,000 shares of common
stock for issuance under the Plan.  The Plan permits eligible employees to
purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to a maximum of 10% of
their eligible compensation at 85% of the fair market value at the beginning or
end of each six-month offering period.  During fiscal 1996, 35,316 shares were
issued at $2.44 - $2.50 per share.  During fiscal 1995, 25,978 shares were
issued at $4.25 per share.

7.  STOCK OPTIONS

Under the Company's Amended and Restated 1987 Stock Option Plan, incentive and
non-qualified stock options to purchase a total of 2,500,000 shares of common
stock may be granted to directors, officers, key employees and consultants.  In
fiscal year 1996, the Plan was amended to increase the numbers of authorized
shares by 350,000 shares.  The Plan is administered by a committee of the Board
which is empowered to grant either nonqualified or incentive stock options.  The
exercise price is determined by the committee at the time of the granting of an
option, but in the case of incentive stock options, the exercise price shall not
be less than the fair market value on the date of the grant.  Generally, options
vest and become exercisable over a four- or five-year period.  On February 22,
1994, the Board of Directors amended the vesting schedule for future options
granted under the Plan.  In the first full year of employment 20% of the shares
will vest.  Thereafter, each option shall vest at the rate of 20% during the
second year, 25% during the third year and 35% during the fourth year.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
The following table summarizes the activity under the Plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Options Outstanding 
                                      Options    -------------------------------------
                                     Available                          Price
                                     for Grant      Shares             Per Share
<S>                                <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>    
                                                                          
Balances, April 1, 1993               668,218     1,625,740     $  1.00    -   $18.250
  Granted                            (790,900)      790,900     $ 10.25    -   $17.630
  Canceled                            631,080      (631,080)    $  2.75    -   $18.250
  Exercised                                 -       (86,750)    $  1.00    -   $ 6.000
                                   ----------    ----------
                                                                          
Balances, March 31, 1994              508,398     1,698,810     $  1.00    -   $18.250
  Granted                          (1,403,597)    1,403,597     $  4.25    -   $ 5.250
  Canceled                          1,256,024    (1,256,024)    $  1.00    -   $18.250
  Exercised                                 -       (31,860)    $  1.00    -   $ 6.000
                                   ----------    ----------
                                                                          
Balances, March 31, 1995              360,825     1,814,523     $  1.00    -   $18.250
  Additional authorization            350,000             -               
  Granted                            (809,950)      809,950     $  1.00    -   $ 3.313
  Canceled                            793,572      (793,572)    $  1.00    -   $17.000
  Exercised                                 -       (24,643)    $  1.00    -   $ 3.625
                                   ----------    ---------- 
                                                                          
Balances, March 31, 1996              694,447     1,806,258     $  1.00    -   $18.250
                                   ==========    ==========
</TABLE> 
 
As of March 31, 1996, there were 574,299 options exercisable.

8.  INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense consists of:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                  1996          1995        1994
<S>                          <C>           <C>             <C> 
Current:    
  Federal                    $      -      $      -        $  -
  State                           22,761        24,738       1,600
  Foreign                         12,725       103,588      44,686
                                 -------       -------     -------
            
  Total                      $    35,486   $   128,326     $46,286
                                 =======       =======     =======
</TABLE> 
 
Pretax foreign income (loss) was $(1,732,144), $(1,899,549) and $448,770 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate as
follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                          1996          1995         1994
<S>                                      <C>           <C>          <C> 
Tax at federal statutory rate            (35.0)%       (35.0)%      (35.0)%
Change in valuation allowance             35.5          23.3        121.0
Net operating loss                           -             -       (124.0)
Other differences, net                     0.1          12.7         47.3
                                        ------        ------       ------
 
                                           0.6 %         1.0 %        9.3 %
                                        ======        ======       ======
</TABLE> 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as operating loss
carryforwards. Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax
assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                                      1996          1995
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C> 
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):                        
  Net operating losses                                              $  9,670      $  7,290
  Depreciation                                                           140           140
  Accruals and reserves recognized in different periods                  580           490
  Tax credits                                                            490            80
  Capitalized software                                                   500          (770)
                                                                    --------      --------
                                                          
Total                                                                 11,380         7,230
Valuation allowance                                                  (11,380)       (7,230)
                                                                    --------      --------
 
Net deferred tax asset                                              $   -         $   -
                                                                    ========      ========
</TABLE>

The net operating losses included in deferred tax assets at March 31, 1996 and
1995 includes $399,850 and $386,142, respectively, of tax benefits relating to
the exercise and sale by employees of certain incentive stock options.  When the
Company becomes profitable, the benefit associated with the stock compensation
will be recorded as an adjustment to stockholder's equity.

Due to uncertainties surrounding the ability to realize the benefits of its net
deferred tax assets, the Company has placed a full valuation allowance against
its net deferred tax assets at March 31, 1996.  The net change in the valuation
allowance was an increase of $4,150,000 in 1996 and $2,865,000 in 1995.

At March 31, 1996, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards which expire
as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                         Federal  California  Foreign
<S>                      <C>      <C>         <C> 
                                           
1997                                $  350   
1998                                 1,430   
1999                                   101   
2000                     $   321     2,772   
2001                          42     1,870   
2002                         246           
2003                       2,494           
2004                         834           
2005                       1,272           
2006                       1,440           
2007                       1,210           
2008                       1,339           
2009                       1,446           
2010                       9,042           
2011                       3,740           
No expiration date                             $2,751
                         -------    ------     ------
                                           
                         $23,426    $6,523     $2,751
                         =======    ======     ======
</TABLE>

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
The Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, and the California Conformity Act of
1987 impose substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss
and tax credit carryforwards in the event of an "ownership change," as defined
by the Internal Revenue Code.  An "ownership change" took place in 1992, and the
Company is limited to using $780,000 per year of federal and California net
operating loss carryforwards accrued through that date (a total of $7,859,000
federal and $3,521,000 California).  It has not been determined whether there
have been subsequent ownership changes which would further limit the net
operating losses and credits.

9.  RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company sponsors two defined contribution plans for its U.K. employees.
Both plans have been approved by the U.K.'s Department of Inland Revenue.  BHL
sponsors the Blyth Retirement Benefits Scheme (BRB Plan).  The only participant
in the BRB Plan is the Chief Technical Officer of BHL.  The BRB Plan provides
retirement benefits upon attaining normal retirement age, and incidental
benefits in the case of death or termination of employment prior to retirement.
BHL makes annual contributions based on the participant's salary to fund these
retirement benefits.  The BRB Plan is partially insured through the Sun Life
Assurance Society.  BHL retains the right to terminate the BRB Plan at any time
upon 30 days' written notice.

BSL sponsors the BSL Retirement Benefits Scheme (BSL Plan) for substantially all
of its employees.  The BSL Plan provides retirement benefits upon attaining
normal retirement age, and incidental benefits in the case of death or
termination of employment prior to retirement.  BSL contributes an amount from
5% to 8% of each participant's compensation to fund such benefits.  In addition,
participants are entitled to make voluntary contributions under the BSL Plan.

The Company contributed a total of $128,894, $143,000 and $100,526 to the BRB
and BSL Plans for the years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The Company sponsors the Blyth Software Inc. 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan
(the Plan).  Employees meeting the eligibility requirements, as defined, may
contribute specified percentages of their salaries.  Under the Plan, which is
qualified under Section 401(k) of the federal tax laws, the Company's Board of
Directors, at its sole discretion, may make a discretionary profit-sharing
contribution to the Plan.  Moreover, the Company is not obligated, but may at
its discretion, pay certain administrative costs on behalf of the Plan.  For the
years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, discretionary contributions of
$18,797, $29,814, $59,475, respectively, were made to the Plan.

10.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases its facilities under noncancelable operating lease
agreements.  Rent expense on these leases is recognized ratably over the entire
lease term.  The Company is required to pay property taxes, insurance and normal
maintenance costs.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
Future minimum rental commitments under equipment capital leases and
noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ending                                              Capital     Operating
March 31,                                                 Leases       Leases
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
 
  1997                                                   $ 81,840     $  496,047
  1998                                                     29,687        270,682
  1999                                                          -        109,707
  2000                                                          -         84,500
  2001                                                          -         84,500
                                                         --------     ----------
 
Total minimum lease payments                              111,527     $1,045,436
                                                                      ==========
Amount representing interest                              (14,264)
                                                         --------
 
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments        97,263
Current portion of obligations under capital leases       (71,739)
                                                         --------
 
Obligations under capital leases, excluding current
 portion                                                 $ 25,524
                                                         ========
</TABLE>

Equipment under capital leases had a net book value of $122,568 and $225,279 at
March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Rent expense of $687,059, $727,284 and $527,532 was incurred in 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.

Employment Agreements

On April 1, 1990, the Company entered into a four-year employment agreement with
an officer of BSL, which provides for the payment of an annual base salary of
(Pounds)48,000, increasing each year by an inflation adjustment factor.  In
addition, the officer may be entitled to earn up to 1/4 of his annual base
salary as bonus, subject to the Company meeting certain financial targets.  The
agreement renews automatically for subsequent two-year terms and can be
terminated by the Company by giving six months' written notice.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
11.  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table presents information concerning the Company's domestic and
foreign operations.  Blyth U.S. serves the United States and Canada and Blyth
U.K. serves the United Kingdom and Europe.  The Company's operating revenues
were generated primarily from the sale of personal microcomputer software and
service contracts related to that software.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                      1996             1995            1994
<S>                             <C>               <C>              <C>
Revenue by geographic region:
  United States                   $10,222,171     $ 12,398,049     $11,028,123
  Europe                            3,480,940        4,317,212       3,817,147
                                  -----------     ------------     -----------
 
  Total                           $13,703,111     $ 16,715,261     $14,845,270
                                  ===========     ============     ===========
 
Operating loss by geographic
 region:
  United States                   $(4,050,935)    $(10,635,947)    $(1,474,723)
  Europe                           (1,717,372)      (1,915,914)        699,293
                                  -----------     ------------     -----------
 
  Total                           $(5,768,307)    $(12,551,861)    $  (775,430)
                                  ===========     ============     ===========
 
Total assets:
  United States                   $ 7,980,312     $ 10,437,279     $20,743,719
  Europe                            2,860,689        3,935,116       3,635,118
                                  -----------     ------------     -----------
 
  Total                           $10,841,001     $ 14,372,395     $24,378,837
                                  ===========     ============     ===========
 
Export sales from the U.S.
 (included in
  total U.S. sales above):
  Latin America                   $ 1,286,681     $    173,944     $    23,235
  Asia                                264,539        1,434,219           9,475
  Australia                           259,211                -               -
  Canada                              213,253          398,469         546,088
  Caribbean                            35,024                -               -
  Europe                               17,763            7,300               -
                                  -----------     ------------     -----------
 
Total                             $ 2,076,471     $  2,013,932     $   578,798
                                  ===========     ============     ===========
</TABLE>

One customer accounted for 16% of net revenues in 1996.  No other customers
accounted for net revenues in excess of 10% in 1995 and 1994.

12.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On June 4, 1996, the Company completed a private offering of convertible
debentures with net proceeds to the Company of $6.8 million.  The convertible
debentures bear interest at 8% and are due June 1999.  At the option of the
holder, one-third of the debentures are convertible into the Company's common
stock after 45 days; two-thirds are convertible after 75 days; and the final
third are convertible after 105 days.  The debentures are convertible into
common stock at the lower of $3.75 per share or 85% of the five-day average of
the trading price of the Company's common stock prior to the date of conversion.
In addition, the Company may call the debentures under certain circumstances.

                                   * * * * *

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
                                                                   Schedule II
                                                                   -----------

 
                      BLYTH HOLDING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                       Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>                                                  Additions                       Balance at
                                   Balance at          charged to costs      Deductions        end
                               beginning of period        and expenses          (1)         of period
                               -------------------     ----------------      ----------     ----------
<S>                            <C>                     <C>                   <C>            <C>
Allowance for doubtful
 accounts and returns:

   Year ended
   March 31, 1996                   $458,710                327,886           (386,623)      $399,973
                                    ========                =======           =========      ========

   Year ended
   March 31, 1995                   $307,682                196,517           (45,489)       $458,710
                                    ========                =======           =======        ========

   Year ended
   March 31, 1994                   $218,717                127,923           (38,958)       $307,682
                                    ========                =======           =======        ========
</TABLE> 


(1) Uncollectible accounts written off and foreign currency translation 
adjustment.






                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 

                                                                   Exhibit 10.26

                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.

                 REGULATION S SECURITIES SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

       THE DEBENTURES BEING SUBSCRIBED FOR HEREIN AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE
UPON CONVERSION OF THE DEBENTURES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("THE COMMISSION") UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF
ANY STATE UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW.  THEY ARE BEING OFFERED PURSUANT TO A
SAFE HARBOR FROM REGISTRATION UNDER REGULATION S ("REGULATION S") PROMULGATED
UNDER THE ACT.  THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED
IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION
S) UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, OR SUCH OFFERS, SALES AND TRANSFERS ARE MADE PURSUANT TO AN
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE LAWS.

       THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY
PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL.  INVESTMENT IN SUCH SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.  IN
MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF
THE COMPANY AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND THE RISKS
INVOLVED.  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED, APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
BY ANY U.S. FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED, PASSED UPON, CONFIRMED
OR DETERMINED THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY INFORMATION
PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

       This Regulation S Securities Subscription Agreement (the "Agreement") is
executed by the undersigned (the "Subscriber") in connection with the offering
(the "Offering") and subscription by the undersigned for 8% convertible
Debentures (the "Debentures") of Blyth Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
(the "Company"), due on June 3, 1999, and offered in denominations of at least
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) and integral multiples of Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000) in excess thereof up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of Seven
Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($7,350,000).  The terms of the
Debentures, including the terms on which the Debentures may be converted into
common stock, $.01 par value of the Company (the "Common Stock"), are set forth
in the Debentures, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.  The
                                                                ---------      
solicitation of this subscription and, if accepted by the Company, the offer and
sale of Debentures, are being made in reliance upon the provisions of Regulation
S.  The Debentures and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof (the "Shares") are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the
"Securities."  The Subscriber wishes to subscribe for Debentures in the amount
set forth in Section 19 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the form
of Debenture and this Agreement.


1
<PAGE>
 
It is agreed as follows:

1.  Offer to Subscribe; Purchase Price; Closing; Placement Fees; and
    Conditions to Subscriber's Obligations.

     1.1  Offer by Subscriber; Purchase Price.  Subject to satisfaction of the
          -----------------------------------                                 
          conditions to Closing set forth below, the Subscriber hereby
          subscribes for and agrees to purchase the aggregate principal amount
          of Debentures for a purchase price set forth in Section 19 of this
          Agreement.

     1.2  Closing.  The closing of the sale and purchase of the Debentures
          -------
          ("Closing") will occur upon (i) the satisfaction of all conditions
          described in Section 1.4 of this Agreement, (ii) sale in this Offering
          of at least Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) of aggregate principal
          amount of Debentures (the "Minimum Amount"), and no more than Seven
          Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($7,350,000) of aggregate
          principal amount of Debentures (the "Maximum Amount"), and (iii) the
          satisfaction (or waiver) of all conditions required by the Escrow
          Agreement ("Escrow Agreement"), defined as the agreement among the
          Company, Swartz Investments, LLC ("Placement Agent") and First Union
          National Bank ("Escrow Agent") regarding this Offering.  As soon as
          subscriptions for at least the Minimum Amount have been accepted by
          the Company, in accordance with  the terms of this Agreement, the
          Company shall close on the Minimum Amount (the "First Closing").
          Thereafter, the Company may conduct one or more additional Closings
          until the Maximum Amount has been reached.

     1.3  Placement Fees.  The parties hereto acknowledge that the Placement
          --------------                                                    
          Agent for this Offering will be compensated by the Company in cash and
          warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company. The Placement Agent
          has acted solely as placement agent in connection with the Offering by
          the Company of the Debentures pursuant to this Agreement.  The
          information and data contained in the Disclosure Documents (as defined
          in Section 2.2 below) including, but not limited to, the Risk Factors
          (as discussed in Section 2.3 below) have not been subjected to
          independent verification by Placement Agent, and no representation or
          warranty is made by Placement Agent as to the accuracy or completeness
          of the information contained in the Disclosure Documents, including
          any Risk Factors, or any tax advice or legal advice.

     1.4  Conditions to Subscriber's Obligations.  The Subscriber's obligations
          --------------------------------------                               
          hereunder are further conditioned upon the following:

          (i)  the following documents have been deposited with the Company's
               Escrow Agent:  the Registration Rights Agreement, substantially
               in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (executed by the
                                              ---------                 
               Company), the Opinion of Counsel, substantially in the form
               attached hereto as Exhibit C (signed by Company's counsel), the
                                  ---------                                   
               Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent, substantially in the
               form attached hereto as Exhibit D (executed by Company and
                                       ---------                         
               transfer agent) and the Subscriber's Debenture(s) executed by the
               Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
                                                                     --------- 

          (ii) the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Debenture has
               been listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers,
               Inc.'s ("Nasdaq") National Market System or Small Capitalization
               System, subject to official notice of issuance;

          (iii)the representations and warranties of the Company are true and
               correct in all 
2
<PAGE>
 
               material respects as of the Closing as if made on
               such date, and the Company shall deliver an officer's
               certificate, signed by at least one officer of the Company, to
               such effect to the Escrow Agent;

          (iv) there have been no material adverse changes in the Company's
               business prospects or financial condition since the date of the
               Company's balance sheet dated December 31, 1995; and

          (v)  the Company shall have reserved for issuance upon conversion of
               the Debentures a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock
               which number of shares shall initially be Four Million
               (4,000,000) shares.

2.   Subscriber's Representations and Covenants; Access to Information;
     Independent Information; And Independent Investigation.

     The Subscriber hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to the Company (which shall be true at the signing of this Agreement,
as of Closing, and as of any such later date as contemplated hereunder) and
agrees with the Company that:

     2.1  Offshore Transaction.  The Subscriber represents and warrants to the
          --------------------                                                
          Company that (i) Subscriber is not a U.S. person ("U.S. person") as
          that term is defined in Rule 902(o) of Regulation S (a copy of which
          definition is attached as Exhibit E) including, without limitation if
                                    ---------                                  
          a corporation or partnership, (a) it is organized under the laws of a
          jurisdiction other than the United States and (b) if organized by a
          U.S. person principally for the purpose of investing in securities not
          registered under the Act, it was organized or incorporated and is
          owned by accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation
          D under the Act) who are not natural persons, estates or trusts;  (ii)
          the Securities were not offered to the Subscriber in the United States
          and at the time of execution of this Subscription Agreement the
          Subscriber was physically outside the United States; (iii) the
          Subscriber is purchasing the Securities for its own account and not on
          behalf of or for the benefit of any U.S. person and the sale and
          resale of the Securities have not been prearranged with any U.S.
          person or buyer in the United States; (iv) the Subscriber agrees, and
          to the knowledge of the Subscriber, without any independent
          investigation, each distributor, if any, participating in the offering
          of the Securities, has agreed, that all offers and sales of the
          Securities prior to the expiration of a period commencing on the date
          of the last closing of a sale and purchase of Debentures (the "Last
          Closing") and ending forty (40) days thereafter (the "Restricted
          Period") shall not be made to U.S. persons or for the account or
          benefit of U.S. persons and shall otherwise be made in compliance with
          the provisions of Regulation S; (v) subscriber is not an underwriter,
          dealer, or other person who participates, pursuant to a contractual
          arrangement, in the distribution of the Securities offered or sold in
          reliance on Regulation S; and (vi) Subscriber is not an underwriter of
          the Securities within the meaning of Section 2(11) of this Act.
          During the Restricted Period, Subscriber shall not engage in any
          activity for the purpose of, or which could reasonably be expected to
          have the effect of, conditioning the market in the U.S. for the
          Securities.

     2.2  Subscriber's Independent Investigation.  The Subscriber, in offering
          --------------------------------------                              
          to subscribe for the Securities hereunder, has relied solely upon an
          (i) independent investigation of the Company made by it and its
          representatives, if any, and (ii) the representations, warranties and
          disclosure statements of the Company set forth herein and in the
          Disclosure Documents (as defined below).  Subscriber, prior to the
          date hereof, has been given access to and the opportunity to examine
          all publicly available books and records of the Company, and all
          material contracts and documents of the Company 

3
<PAGE>
 
          which have been filed as exhibits to the Company's filings made under
          the Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "Exchange Act"), through publicly available means. Subscriber has been
          provided with copies of the Company's (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended March 31, 1995; (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
          for the quarters ended June 30, 1995, September 30, 1995 and December
          30, 1995; (iii) any reports on Form 8-K filed under the Exchange Act
          since the date of such Form 10-K; (iv) Risk Factors, attached as
          Exhibit F; (v) Capitalization Table, attached as Exhibit G; and (vi)
          ---------                                        ---------
          Use of Proceeds, attached as Exhibit H (collectively, the "Disclosure
                                       ---------
          Documents"). In making its investment decision to purchase the
          Debentures, the Subscriber is not relying on any oral or written
          representations or assurances from the Company or any other person or
          any representation of the Company or any other person (including,
          without limitation, the analyst report sent by Placement Agent to
          Subscriber dated May 16, 1996) other than as set forth in this
          Agreement, or the Disclosure Documents. The Subscriber is an
          accredited investor as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, a copy of
          which definition is attached hereto as Exhibit I. The Subscriber
                                                 ---------
          assumes, without any independent investigation, that neither the
          Company nor Placement Agent has offered the Debentures to any
          Subscribers in the U.S. or to any U.S. person unless such U.S. person
          is a professional fiduciary of a non-U.S. person (as defined in
          Section (o) (2) through (o) (4) of rule 902 of Regulation S).

     2.3  Subscriber's Economic Risk.  The Subscriber understands and
          --------------------------                                 
          acknowledges that an investment in the Securities involves a high
          degree of risk.  Subscriber acknowledges that there are limitations on
          the liquidity of the Securities.  The Subscriber represents that the
          Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the
          Securities, including a possible total loss of investment.  In making
          this statement, the Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the
          Company that the Subscriber has adequate means of providing for the
          Subscriber's current needs and contingencies; that Subscriber is able
          to afford to hold the Securities for an indefinite period; and that
          Subscriber further represents Subscriber has such knowledge and
          experience in financial and business matters that the Subscriber is
          capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the
          Securities to be received by the Subscriber.  Further, the Subscriber
          represents, as of the date of signing this Agreement, that the
          Subscriber has no present need for liquidity in the Securities and the
          Subscriber is willing to accept such investment risks.

     2.4  No Government Recommendation or Approval.  The Subscriber understands
          ----------------------------------------                             
          that no United States federal or state agency, or similar agency of
          any other country, has reviewed, approved, passed upon or made any
          recommendation or endorsement of the Company, the Offering or the
          subscription for the Securities.

     2.5  No Directed Selling Efforts in Regard to this Transaction.  To the
          ---------------------------------------------------------         
          knowledge of the Subscriber, without any independent investigation,
          neither the Company, Placement Agent, nor any distributor
          participating in the Offering (if any), nor any person acting for the
          Company, Placement Agent or any such distributor, has conducted any
          "directed selling efforts" in the United States as the term "directed
          selling efforts" is defined in Rule 902(b) of Regulation S, which, in
          general, means any activity undertaken for the purpose of, or that
          could reasonably be expected to have the effect of, conditioning the
          market in the United States for any of the Securities being offered in
          reliance on Regulation S.  Such activity includes, without limitation,
          the mailing of printed material to investors residing in the United
          States, the holding of promotional seminars in the United States, and
          the placement of advertisements with radio or television stations
          broadcasting in the United States or in publications with a general
          circulation in the United States, that refers to the offering of the
          Securities in reliance on Regulation S.

4
<PAGE>
 
     2.6  Company's Reliance on Representations of Subscribers.  This Agreement
          ----------------------------------------------------                 
          is made by the Company with each Subscriber in reliance upon such
          Subscriber's representations and covenants made in this Section 2,
          which reliance by his, her or its execution of this Agreement the
          Subscriber hereby confirms.

     2.7  Securities Not Registered Under the Act or Any State Act.  Subscriber
          --------------------------------------------------------             
          understands that the Debentures and the Common Stock issuable upon
          conversion of the Debentures have not been registered under the Act or
          any state securities laws ("State Acts") and are being offered and
          sold pursuant to Regulation S based in part upon the representations
          of Subscriber contained herein.  The Common Stock does, however, carry
          certain registration rights as set forth in the Registration Rights
          Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B (see Section 7.4
                                                  ---------                 
          below) executed by the parties hereto.

     2.8  No Public Solicitation.  Subscriber knows of no public solicitation or
          ----------------------                                                
          advertisement of an offer in connection with the proposed issuance and
          sale of the Securities.

     2.9  Investment Intent.  Subscriber is acquiring the Debentures to be
          -----------------                                               
          issued and sold hereunder (and the Shares issuable upon conversion of
          the Debentures) for his, her  or its own account (or a trust account
          if such Subscriber is a trustee) for investment and not as a nominee
          and not with a view to the distribution thereof.  Subscriber
          understands that Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this
          investment indefinitely unless such Debentures or such Shares are
          registered pursuant to the Act and any applicable State Acts, or an
          exemption from such registration is available, and that the Company
          has no present intention of registering any such sale of the
          Debentures or Shares other than as contemplated by the Registration
          Rights Agreement.  Subscriber represents and warrants to the Company,
          as of the date of this Agreement, that Subscriber has no present plan
          or intention to sell the Debentures or the Shares in the United States
          at any predetermined time, and has made no predetermined arrangements
          to sell the Debentures or the Shares.  Subscriber covenants that
          neither Subscriber nor its affiliates nor any person acting on its or
          their behalf has entered, has the intention of entering, or will enter
          into any put option, short position or other similar instrument or
          position in the U.S. with respect to the Debentures or Common Stock of
          the Company anytime after the earlier of (i) the time Subscriber first
          received the term sheet (the "Term Sheet") concerning this Offering
          and (ii) the time that Subscriber was first notified by Placement
          Agent of the existence of the Offering (the earlier of which is
          referred to as the "Time of Notification of the Offering") until the
          end of the Restricted Period, or for the intended purpose of lowering
          the price at which the Debentures are convertible into Shares.

     2.10 Subscriber Not to Sell or Transfer Securities in Violation of the
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Securities Laws. Subscriber covenants that he, she or it will not
          ---------------                                                  
          knowingly make any sale, transfer or other disposition of the
          Debentures or the Shares in violation of (1) the Act (including
          Regulation S), the Exchange Act, any applicable State Acts or the
          rules and regulations of the Commission or of any state securities
          commissions or similar state authorities promulgated under any of the
          foregoing, or (2) any applicable securities laws of jurisdictions
          outside the United States and the rules and regulations thereunder, or
          (3) the terms of this Agreement.

     2.11 Subscriber's Power and Authority.  Subscriber has the full power and
          --------------------------------                                    
          authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.  This
          Agreement, when executed and delivered by Subscriber, will constitute
          a valid and legally binding obligation of 

5
<PAGE>
 
          Subscriber, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

     2.12 Signatory's Representation.  The signatory to this Agreement hereby
          --------------------------                                         
          represents and warrants that he, she or it is either:

          (a)  not a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S), and is not
               located in the U.S. at the time of signing this Agreement, or

          (b)  a professional fiduciary of Subscriber (as described in Section
               (o)(2) through (o)(4) of Rule 902 of Regulation S), acting solely
               in his capacity as holder of such account, as a fiduciary,
               executor, administrator, or trustee, and has completed and signed
               the accompanying Certificate (Exhibit J) and forwarded it to
                                             ---------                     
               Placement Agent.

     2.13 No Tax Advice From Company or Its Agents.  Subscriber has reviewed
          ----------------------------------------                          
          with his, her or its own tax advisors the foreign, U.S. federal, state
          and local tax consequences of this investment, and the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement. Subscriber is relying solely on such
          advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company,
          Placement Agent or any of their agents and understands that Subscriber
          (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Subscriber's own
          tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.14  No Legal Advice from Company or Its Agents.  Subscriber acknowledges
           ------------------------------------------                          
          that he, she, or it has had the opportunity to review this Agreement
          and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with his, or her
          or its own legal counsel.  Subscriber is relying solely on such
          counsel and not on any statements or representations of the Company,
          Placement Agent or any of their agents for legal advice with respect
          to this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
          except for the representations, warranties and covenants set forth
          herein and in the opinion provided for in paragraph 7.3 herein.

     2.15  Offering Material Statements.  Subscriber acknowledges that all
           ----------------------------                                   
          offering materials and documents received by it in connection with the
          offers and sales of the Securities included statements to the effect
          of those contained in the first legend set forth on the first page of
          this Agreement.

     2.16  No Scheme to Evade Registration.  Subscriber's acquisition of the
           -------------------------------                                  
          Debentures is not a transaction (or any element of a series of
          transactions) that is part of a plan or scheme to evade the
          registration provisions of the Act.

3.   Resales of Securities by Subscriber.

     Subscriber acknowledges, covenants and agrees that the Securities may and
will only be resold by it in the U.S. (a) in compliance with Regulation S and
applicable State Acts, if any; or (b) pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Act other than Regulation S; or (c) pursuant to an effective and
current Registration Statement under the Act.  In addition, in connection with
any resale of the Debentures in accordance with clause (a) or (b), above, the
Subscriber will deliver to the Company and will cause the purchaser to deliver
to the Company the documents described in Section 3.1 and 3.2 below,
respectively:

     3.1.  Documents to be Delivered for Offshore Regulation S Resales.  If any
           -----------------------------------------------------------         
           Debenture is being resold to an offshore purchaser in compliance with
           Regulation S:

           1.   Sales Agreement, executed by Subscriber and purchaser 
                (substantially in the 

6
<PAGE>
 
                form of Exhibit K);
                        ---------  

          2.   Seller Representation Letter to Offshore Purchaser (substantially
               in the form of Exhibit L);
                              ---------  

          3.   Purchaser Representation Letter (substantially in the form of
                                                                            
               Exhibit M);
               ---------  

          4.   Assignment (substantially in the form of Exhibit N); and
                                                        ---------      

          5.   Seller's Instruction Letter (substantially in the form of 
               Exhibit O).
               ---------


     3.2  Documents to be Delivered for Resales into the United States.  If any
          ------------------------------------------------------------         
          Debenture is being resold to a purchaser in the U.S. pursuant to an
          exemption from registration under the Act:

          1.   Sales Agreement, executed by both Subscriber and purchaser
               (substantially in the form of Exhibit K);
                                             ---------  

          2.   Seller Representation Letter to U.S. Purchaser (substantially in
               the form of Exhibit P);
                           ---------  

          3.   Purchaser Representation Letter (substantially in the Form of
                                                                            
               Exhibit M);
               ---------  

          4.   Assignment (substantially in the form of Exhibit N); and
                                                        ---------      

          5.   Seller's Instruction Letter (substantially in the form of 
               Exhibit O).
               ---------

          Upon receipt of the executed documents listed above, the Company will
          effect the transfer of the Debentures on the Company's books and will
          issue and deliver new Debentures in the purchaser's name (and, in the
          case of a resale pursuant to Section 3.2 after the Restricted Period,
          free of any restrictive legend) within three (3) business days of such
          receipt.  The provisions of this Section 3 shall not apply to
          subsequent resales of Debentures that have previously been sold by
          Subscriber in compliance with this Section 3, and the Company shall or
          shall cause the Transfer Agent to remove the Legend on any subsequent
          resale after the Restricted Period.

4.        Legends; Subsequent Sale of Securities.

     4.1  Debenture Legend. Upon issuance, the Debenture shall bear a
          ----------------
          legend substantially in the form of the first legend set forth on
          the first page of this Agreement and any other legend or legends
          as reasonably required to comply with the state, U.S. federal, or
          foreign law.

     4.2  Removal of Debenture Legend for Pledge With a Margin Account.
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          Upon the submission, at any time after the expiration of forty
          (40) days after the Last Closing, by Subscriber of a written
          request for removal of the restrictive legend for the purpose of
          a bona fide pledge or deposit of Debentures with a margin
          account, together with the Debentures for which legend removal is
          being requested and a Certificate substantially in the form of
          Exhibit Q, the Company shall immediately re-issue the Debentures
          --------- 
          without any restrictive legend, and the Company shall irrevocably
          instruct its designated transfer agent ("Transfer Agent") to do
          so, assuming that there are no changes in the material facts set
          forth in Section 2 of this Agreement or applicable law from the
          date hereof until the date of such submission. Except for the
          requirements otherwise set forth in this Agreement, and assuming
          there 

7
<PAGE>
 
          are no changes after the date hereof in the material facts
          set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement (other than subsections
          which by their terms would be inapplicable at such time) or
          applicable law, no action other than as set forth in this Section
          4.2 shall be required of the Subscriber to remove the restrictive
          legend (unless such pledge or deposit would constitute a
          violation of securities law).

     4.3  The Shares Obtained Upon Conversion.
          --------------------------------------

          (a)  No Restrictive Legend.  Assuming that there are no changes in the
               material facts set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement (other
               than subsections which by their terms would be inapplicable at
               such time) or applicable law from the date hereof until the Date
               of Conversion (as that term is defined in the Debentures) of the
               Debentures by Subscriber, the Shares so obtained shall not bear
               any restrictive legend, nor shall any stop order be placed on the
               books of the Transfer Agent, provided that the Subscriber
               delivers to the Company a Notice of Conversion in the form
               attached hereto as Exhibit R (the "Notice of Conversion").
                                  ---------                              

          (b)  Subscriber's Rights in the Event Shares Issued with a Restrictive
               Legend.  In the event that the Company issues Shares with a
               restrictive legend upon Conversion by the Subscriber and there
               have been no changes in the material facts set forth in Section 2
               of this Agreement (other than subsections which by their terms
               would be inapplicable at such time) or applicable law from the
               date hereof until the Date of Conversion, then Subscriber, at its
               option, may require the Company immediately to either (i) redeem
               the Debentures submitted for conversion at the redemption price
               determined under Section 5(a)(i) of the Debentures or (ii) demand
               (without any other Subscriber's participation) that the Company
               file a registration statement under the Act covering the
               registration of the Common Stock which has been issued with such
               restrictive legend and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
               of such Subscriber's remaining Debentures then outstanding
               pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement;
               provided, however, that nothing hereunder shall affect any other
               Subscriber's rights under the terms of the Registration Rights
               Agreement.

          (c)  Issuance of Additional Shares.  In the event that the applicable
               Conversion Price, as that term is defined in the Debenture (the
               "Resubmission Conversion Price") for (i) the date that such
               registration statement demanded under Section 4.3(b) above
               becomes effective, or (ii) the date that the Company reissues and
               delivers to Subscriber such Shares without restrictive legend,
               whichever is earlier (the "Resubmission Date"), is less than the
               applicable Conversion Price on the date that the Subscriber
               initially submitted such Debentures for conversion, then the
               Company shall issue additional Shares of Common Stock to
               Subscriber equal in number to the difference between the number
               of Shares initially issued upon conversion and the number of
               Shares to which the Subscriber would have been entitled had the
               Resubmission Conversion Price been in effect on such Resubmission
               Date.

          (d)  Payment for Failure to Register.  The Company shall pay to a
               Subscriber who has demanded registration under Section 4.3(b) an
               amount equal to five percent (5%) per month of the aggregate
               principal amount of such Subscriber's Debentures which were
               outstanding immediately prior to the delivery of the Notice of
               Conversion contemplated under Section 4.3(a), compounded monthly
               and accruing daily, payable in cash by the fifth (5th) day of the
               month following such demand and the fifth (5th) day of each 

8
<PAGE>
 
               month thereafter that (i) a registration statement demanded under
               Section 4.3(b) is not effective, or (ii) the Company has not re-
               issued and delivered to Subscriber Shares without a restrictive
               legend, whichever is earlier.

     4.4  The Company's Instructions to Transfer Agent. The Company will issue
          --------------------------------------------
          to its Transfer Agent an irrevocable instruction letter (the
          "Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent") substantially in the
          form of Exhibit D to convert the Subscriber's Debentures to Common
                  --------- 
          Stock (in accordance with the Debenture and so long as Section 4.3 is
          complied with, free of any restrictive legend) upon receipt of a valid
          Notice of Conversion from a Subscriber and the original Debentures,
          and such other documents as are required by this Agreement or the
          Debenture. The Company covenants and agrees that, in the event the
          Company's agency relationship with its Transfer Agent should be
          terminated for any reason prior to a date which is three (3) years
          after the Last Closing, the Company shall immediately appoint a new
          transfer agent, and shall require that such transfer agent execute,
          and agree to be bound by the terms of, the same Irrevocable
          Instructions to Transfer Agent.

     5.   Capital Raising Limitations; Rights of First Refusal.

          5.1  Capital Raising Limitations. The Company shall not issue any debt
               or equity securities for cash in private capital raising
               transactions ("Future Offerings") for a period beginning on the
               date of the First Closing and ending one hundred twenty (120)
               days after the Last Closing without obtaining the prior written
               approval of Subscribers holding a majority of the purchase price
               of Debentures then outstanding.

          5.2  Subscriber's 240 Day Right of First Refusal. The Company will not
               -------------------------------------------
               conduct any Future Offerings for a period beginning on the date
               hereof and ending one hundred eighty (180) days after the Last
               Closing without delivering to the Subscriber, at least seven (7)
               days prior to the closing of such issuance, written notice
               describing the proposed issuance and the terms upon which such
               securities are being issued, and providing the Subscriber the
               option during such seven (7) day period to purchase the
               securities being offered in the Future Offerings on the same
               terms as contemplated by such Future Offerings and in the amount
               set forth below (the limitations referred to in this and the
               immediately preceding sentence are collectively referred to as
               the "Capital Raising Limitation").

          5.3  Amount of Subscriber's Right of First Refusal.  The amount of
               ---------------------------------------------                
               securities which a Subscriber is entitled to purchase in such a
               Future Offering shall be a number obtained by multiplying the
               aggregate amount of securities being offered in the Future
               Offering by a fraction, the numerator of which is the purchase
               price of the Debentures purchased by the Subscriber pursuant to
               this Agreement and the denominator of which is the aggregate
               dollar amount of Debentures placed in this Offering.

          5.4  Exceptions to the Capital Raising Limitation. The Capital Raising
               --------------------------------------------
               Limitation shall not apply to any transaction involving the
               Company's commercial banking arrangements or issuances of
               securities in connection with a merger, consolidation or purchase
               or sale of assets, or in connection with or as part of the same
               transaction as a joint venture or other acquisition or
               disposition of a business, a product or a license by the Company
               or exercise of options by employees, consultants or directors or
               any transaction with a strategic corporate partner. The Capital
               Raising Limitation also shall not apply to the issuance of
               securities upon exercise or conversion of the Company's options,
               warrants or other convertible securities outstanding as of the
               date of the Last Closing, or to the grant of additional options
               or warrants, or the issuance of additional securities, under any
               Company stock option, or restricted stock plan. Additionally, 

9
<PAGE>
 
               the Capital Raising Limitation shall not apply to any public
               offerings undertaken by the Company. Also, the Capital Raising
               Limitation shall not apply to any corporation which acquires the
               Company or any corporation into the Company is merged if the
               Company is not the surviving corporation.

6.   Representations and Warranties of Company.

     The Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to
the Subscribers (which shall be true at the signing of this Agreement and as of
any Closing date) and agrees with the Subscribers that:

     6.1  Organization, Good Standing, and Qualification.  The Company is a
          ----------------------------------------------                   
          corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
          under the laws of state of Delaware and has all requisite corporate
          power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as
          proposed to be conducted.  The Company is duly qualified to transact
          business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
          failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the
          business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
          whole.  The Company is not the subject of any pending or, to its
          knowledge, threatened investigation or administrative or legal
          proceeding by the Internal Revenue Service, the taxing authorities of
          any state or local jurisdiction, or the Securities and Exchange
          Commission which have not been disclosed in the reports referred to in
          Section 2.2 above.

     6.2  Corporate Condition. The Company's condition was, in all material
          -------------------                          
          respects, as described in the Disclosure Documents at the respective
          dates thereof, including without limitation the reports filed pursuant
          to the Exchange Act and described in Section 2.2. There has been no
          material adverse change in the Company's business, financial condition
          or prospects since December 31, 1995. The Disclosure Documents are
          true and correct, in all material respects, and the financial
          statements contained in the Disclosure Documents have been prepared in
          accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
          applied, and fairly present the financial position and results of
          operation and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis, for
          the periods then ended. Without limiting the foregoing, there are no
          material liabilities, contingent or actual, that are not disclosed in
          the Disclosure Documents. The Company has paid all material taxes
          which are due, except for taxes which it reasonably disputes. There is
          no material claim, litigation, or administrative proceeding pending,
          or to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against the
          Company, except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents. This
          Agreement and the Disclosure Documents do not contain any untrue
          statement of a material fact and do not omit to state any material
          fact required to be stated therein or herein necessary to make
          statements contained therein or herein not misleading in the light of
          the circumstances under which they were made.

     6.3  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of the Company by its
          -------------                                                         
          officers, directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization,
          execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
          Agreement, the Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent, the Escrow
          Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder
          and the authorization, issuance and delivery of the Debentures being
          sold hereunder and issuance (and reservation for issuance) of the
          Common Stock obtainable on conversion of the Debentures have been
          taken, and this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the
          Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent, and the Escrow Agreement
          constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
          enforceable in accordance with their terms.  The Company has obtained
          all consents and approvals required for it to execute, deliver, and
          perform this Agreement.  The Company is not in violation of or default
          under 

10
<PAGE>
 
          any provisions of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as
          amended and in effect on and as of the date of this Agreement, or of
          any material provision of any instrument or contract to which it is a
          party or by which it is bound or of any material provision of any
          federal or state judgment, writ, decree, order, statute, rule or
          governmental regulation applicable to the Company except where such
          violation, default and/or conflict would have no material adverse
          affect on the Company's business prospects or financial condition, or
          on the transaction contemplated herein.  The execution, delivery and
          performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
          contemplated hereby will not result in any such violation or be in
          conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and
          giving of notice, either a default under any such provision,
          instrument or contract or an event which results in the creation of
          any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company.

     6.4  Valid Issuance of Securities.  The Debentures, when issued, sold and
          ----------------------------                                        
          delivered in accordance with the terms hereof for the consideration
          expressed herein, will be validly issued and binding obligations of
          the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, and, based in
          part upon the representations of the Subscriber in this Agreement,
          will be issued in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and
          state securities laws.  The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
          the Debentures, when issued in accordance with the terms of the
          Debentures, shall be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully
          paid and nonassessable, and based in part on the representations and
          warranties of Subscriber of the Debentures, will be issued in
          compliance with all applicable U.S. federal securities laws and State
          Acts.  The Shares will be issued free of any preemptive right.  The
          Company currently has at least Four Million (4,000,000) shares
          reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Debentures.

     6.5  Current Public Information.  The Company represents and warrants to
          --------------------------                                         
          the Subscriber that the Company is a "reporting issuer" as defined in
          Rule 902(l) of Regulation S and it has a class of securities
          registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act or is
          required to file reports pursuant to Section  13 or 15(d) of the
          Exchange Act, and has filed all the materials required to be filed as
          reports pursuant to the Exchange Act for a period of at least twelve
          (12) months preceding the date hereof (or for such shorter period as
          the Company was required by law to file such material), and all such
          filings have been made on a timely basis.  The Company undertakes to
          furnish the Subscriber with copies of such information as may be
          reasonably requested by the Subscriber prior to consummation of this
          Offering.

     6.6  No Securities Offered in U.S. or to any U.S. Person.  The Company
          ---------------------------------------------------              
          represents that it has not offered the Debentures to the Subscriber in
          the U.S. or to any person in the United States or any U.S. person (as
          defined in Regulation S) unless such U.S. person is a professional
          fiduciary of a non-U.S. person (as defined in Section (o) (2) through
          (o) (4) of rule 902 of Regulation S).

     6.7  No Directed Selling Efforts in Regard to this Transaction.  The
          ---------------------------------------------------------      
          Company, nor any person acting for the Company, Placement Agent or any
          such distributor, has conducted any "directed selling efforts" in the
          United States, as the term "directed selling efforts" is defined in
          Rule 902(b) of Regulation  S, which in general, means any activity
          undertaken for the purpose of, or that could reasonably be expected to
          have the effect of, conditioning the market in the United States for
          any of the Securities being offered in reliance upon Regulation S.
          Such activity includes, without limitation, the mailing of printed
          material to investors residing in the United States, the holding of
          promotional seminars in the United States, and the placement of
          advertisements with radio or television stations broadcasting in the
          United States or in 
11
<PAGE>
 
          publications with a general circulation in the United States, that
          refers to the offering of the Securities.

     6.8  Capitalization Structure of the Company.  The capitalization of the
          ---------------------------------------                            
          Company, as of the date of the Closing, after giving effect to the
          issuances of the Securities in this Offering, is as set forth in
          Exhibit G.
          --------- 

     6.9  Termination Date of Offering.  In no event shall the Last Closing of a
          ----------------------------                                          
          sale of a Debenture occur later than June 21, 1996, which date can be
          extended by up to ten (10) days upon written approval by the Company
          and the Placement Agent.

     6.10 Use of Proceeds.  As of the date hereof, the Company expects to use
          ---------------                                                    
          the proceeds from this Offering (less fees and expenses) for the
          purposes and in the approximate amounts as set forth in Exhibit H
                                                                  ---------
          hereto.  These purposes and amounts are estimates and are subject to
          change.

     6.11 Underwriter's Fees and Rights of First Refusal.  The Company is not
          -----------------------------------------------                    
          obligated to pay any compensation or other fees, costs, or related
          expenditures in cash or securities to any underwriter, broker, agent
          or other representative other than the Placement Agent in connection
          with this Offering.  The Company is not obligated to offer the
          securities offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis or
          otherwise to any third parties including, but not limited to, current
          or former shareholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents
          or other third parties.

7.   Covenants of Company.

     7.1  Independent Auditors.  The Company shall, until at least three (3)
          --------------------                                              
          years after the date of the Last Closing, maintain as its independent
          auditors an accounting firm authorized to practice before the
          Commission.

     7.2  Corporate Existence and Taxes.  The Company shall, until at least the
          -----------------------------                                        
          earlier of three (3) years after the date of the Last Closing or the
          conversion or redemption of all the Debentures purchased pursuant to
          this Agreement maintain its corporate existence in good standing
          (provided, however, that the foregoing covenant shall not prevent the
          Company from entering into any merger or corporate reorganization as
          long as the surviving entity in such transaction, if not the Company,
          assumes the Company's obligations with respect to the Debentures) and
          shall pay all its material taxes when due except for taxes which the
          Company reasonably disputes.

     7.3  Opinion of Counsel.  Subscriber shall, upon purchase of the
          ------------------                                         
          Debentures, receive an opinion letter from outside counsel to the
          Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, to
                                                                ---------    
          the effect that (i) the Company is duly incorporated and validly
          existing under the laws of the state of Delaware; (ii) this Agreement,
          the Registration Rights Agreement, the Irrevocable Instructions to
          Transfer Agent, the Escrow Agreement, the issuance of the Debentures,
          and the issuance of the Common Stock upon conversion of the Debentures
          (and the reservation of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock
          into which the Debentures can be converted) have been duly authorized
          by all required corporate action, and that all such Shares, upon
          delivery, shall be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
          nonassessable; (iii) this Agreement, the Registration Rights
          Agreement, the Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent and the
          Escrow Agreement constitute valid and binding obligations of the
          Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as
          enforceability of any indemnification provisions may be limited by
          principles of public policy, and subject to laws of general
          application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of
          debtors and rules of laws governing specific performance and other
          equitable 

12
<PAGE>
 
          remedies; (iv) based upon the representations and warranties
          of the Subscribers contained in the Regulation S Subscription
          Agreements entered into in connection with the Offering, the issuance
          of the Debentures and the issuance of the Shares upon conversion of
          the Debentures in accordance with their terms by the Subscriber
          (assuming that no commission or other remuneration is paid or given,
          directly or indirectly, for soliciting such conversion) will not be
          subject to the registration provisions of the Act; and (v) the
          execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other
          agreements entered into in connection herewith, does not conflict with
          or result in a breach of the Company's Articles of Incorporation, By-
          laws, or any material agreement to which the Company is a party or by
          which its property is bound or any judgment, or decree to which it is
          subject.

     7.4  Registration Rights.  The Company will grant Subscriber the
          -------------------                                        
          registration rights covering the Common Stock issuable on conversion
          of the Debentures on the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement
          substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
                                                       --------- 

     7.5  Notification of Final Closing Date & Restricted Period by Company.
          -----------------------------------------------------------------  
          Within five (5) business days after the Last Closing, the Company
          shall notify the Subscriber in writing that the Last Closing has
          occurred, the date of the Last Closing, the date upon which the forty
          (40) day Restricted Period will terminate with respect to the
          Securities, the dates that the subscribers are entitled to convert the
          respective portions of their Debentures, the value of the Fixed
          Conversion Price, as that term is defined in the Debenture, and the
          name and telephone number of an administrative contact person at the
          Company whom the Subscriber may contact regarding information related
          to conversion of the Debenture and/or advance notice of redemption as
          contemplated by the Debenture.

     7.6  Payments for Late Conversion or Failure to Reserve Authorized but
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Unissued Common Stock.
          --------------------- 

          (a)  Payments for Late Conversion.  As set forth in the Debenture, the
               Company shall use its best efforts to issue and deliver, within
               two (2) business days after the Subscriber has fulfilled all
               conditions and submitted all necessary documents duly executed
               and in the proper form required for conversion (the "Deadline")
               (including the original Debenture(s)), to such Holder of
               Debentures at the address of the Holder on the books of the
               Company, a certificate or certificates for the number of Shares
               of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled upon
               submission of a notice of conversion. The Company understands
               that a delay in the issuance of the Shares of Common Stock beyond
               the Deadline could result in economic loss to the Holder. As
               compensation to the Holder for such loss, the Company agrees to
               pay late payments to the Holder for late issuance of Shares upon
               Conversion in accordance with the following schedule (where "No.
               Business Days Late" is defined as the number of business days
               beyond five (5) business days from the date of receipt by the
               Company of a notice of conversion and the Transfer Agent of all
               necessary documentation duly executed and in proper form required
               for conversion, including the original Debentures to be
               converted, all in accordance with the subscription documents):

                                        Late Payment For Each
                                    $10,000 Of Debenture Principal
          No. Business Days Late        Amount Being Converted
          ----------------------        ----------------------

13
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
             <S>                          <C>          
               1                           $50
               2                           $100
               3                           $150
               4                           $200
               5                           $250
               6                           $300
               7                           $350
               8                           $400        
               9                           $450
               10                          $500
              >10                          $500 + $100 for each
                                           Business Day Late beyond 10 days
</TABLE> 
               To the extent that the failure of the Company to issue the Common
               Stock pursuant to this Section 7.6 is due to the unavailability
               of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, the provisions
               of this Section 7.6(a) shall not apply but instead the provisions
               of Section 7.6(b) shall apply.

               The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section
               7.6(a) inimmediately available funds within three (3) business
               days from the date of issuance of the applicable Common Stock.
               Nothing herein shall limit a Holder's right to pursue actual
               damages for the Company's failure to issue and deliver Common
               Stock to the Holder pursuant to the terms of the Debenture.

          (b)  Payments for Failure to Reserve Authorized but Unissued Common
               Stock.  If, at any time a Holder of Debentures submits a Notice
               of Conversion (as defined in the Debenture) and the Company does
               not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common
               Stock available to effect, in full, a conversion of the
               Debentures under Section 4 of the Debenture (a "Conversion
               Default", the date of such default being referred to herein as
               the "Conversion Default Date"), the Company shall issue to the
               Holder all of the shares of Common Stock which are available, and
               the Notice of Conversion as to any Debentures requested to be
               converted but not converted (the "Unconverted Debentures") shall
               become null and void.  The Company shall provide notice of such
               Conversion Default ("Notice of Conversion Default") to all
               Holders of outstanding Debentures, by facsimile, within one (1)
               business day of such default (with the original delivered by
               overnight or two (2) day courier). No Holder may submit a Notice
               of Conversion after receipt of a Notice of Conversion Default
               until the date additional shares of Common Stock are authorized
               by the Company.

               The Company agrees to pay to all Holders of outstanding
               Debentures payments for a Conversion Default ("Conversion Default
               Payments") in the amount of (N/365) x (.24) x the initial
               issuance price of the outstanding Debentures held by each Holder
               where N = the number of days from the Conversion Default Date to
               the date (the "Authorization Date") that the Company authorizes a
               sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to effect conversion
               of all remaining Debentures. The Company shall send notice
               ("Authorization Notice") to each Holder of outstanding
               Debentures, by facsimile, within one (1) business day after the
               Authorization Date (with the original delivered by overnight or
               two (2) day courier) that additional shares of Common Stock have
               been authorized, the Authorization Date and the amount of
               Holder's accrued Conversion Default Payments.  The accrued
               Conversion Default shall be paid in cash or shall be convertible
               into Common 
14
<PAGE>
 
               Stock at the Conversion Rate (as that term is defined
               in the Debenture), at the Holder's option, payable as follows:
               (i) in the event Holder elects to take such payment in cash, cash
               payments shall be made to each Holder of outstanding Debentures
               by the fifth (5th) day of the following calendar month, or (ii)
               in the event Holder elects to take such payment in stock, the
               Holder may convert such payment amount into Common Stock at the
               Conversion Rate at any time after the fifth (5th) day of the
               calendar month following the month the Authorization Notice was
               received, until the automatic conversion date set forth in the
               Debenture.  The Company will use its best effort to increase the
               number of authorized shares as soon as practicable following the
               Conversion Default.

               Nothing herein shall limit the Subscriber's right to pursue
               actual damages for the Company's failure to maintain a sufficient
               number of authorized shares of Common Stock.

     7.7  Listing.  The Company shall maintain the listing of the shares of
          -------                                                          
          Common Stock on NASDAQ-Small Cap Market or National Market System or
          another national securities exchange or quotation system.

8.   Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the state of California, U.S.A. applicable to agreements made in and
wholly to be performed in that jurisdiction, except for matters arising under
the Act or the Exchange Act which matters shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with such laws.  Any action brought to enforce, or otherwise arising
out of, this Agreement shall be heard and determined only in either a federal or
state court sitting in the County of San Mateo in the State of California,
U.S.A.

9.   Entire Agreement; Written Amendments Required

     This Agreement, the Debentures, the Registration Rights Agreement the
Irrevocable Instructions to Transfer Agent, the Escrow Agreement and the other
documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding
and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and
thereof, and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner
by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth
herein or therein. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended,
waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by
the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or
termination is sought.

10.  Written Notices, Etc.

     Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given by either
the Company or the Subscriber pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, or by facsimile
(with a hard copy to follow by either overnight or two (2) day courier),
addressed to the parties at the addresses and/or facsimile telephone number of
the parties set forth at the end of this Agreement or such other address as a
party may request by notifying the other in writing.

11.  Execution in Counterparts Permitted

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts,
and all of which together shall constitute one (1) instrument.


15
<PAGE>
 
12.  Representations and Warranties Survive the Closing; Agreement is Severable.

     The Subscriber's and the Company's representations and warranties
shall survive the closing of the transaction notwithstanding any due diligence
investigation made by or on behalf of the party seeking to rely thereon.  In the
event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement
shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no
such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic
benefit of this Agreement to any party.

13.  Titles and Subtitles; Gender.

     The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience
only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
The use in this Agreement of a masculine, feminine or neuter pronoun shall be
deemed to include a reference to the others.

14.  Exact Registered Name of Security  Holder; Offshore Delivery Instructions.

     Subscriber agrees to provide Company with the exact name in which he, she
or it wishes the Securities to be registered by providing that information on
the accompanying signature page of this Agreement.  Additionally, Subscriber
also agrees to provide Company with detailed delivery instructions to an
offshore addressee and will also provide that information on the accompanying
signature page of this Agreement.

15.  Subscriber to Forward Original Signed Subscription Agreement to Company.

     Subscriber agrees to courier to Company his, her or its original inked
signed Subscription Agreement within two (2) days after faxing said signed
agreement to the Placement Agent.

16.  Limitations on Assignment of this Agreement.

     Neither party to this Agreement may assign this Agreement without the
written consent of the other (which may be withheld for any reason); provided,
however, that Subscriber may assign its rights to any accredited investor who is
a non-U.S. person controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Subscribers or to any other accredited investor who is a non-U.S. person to
which it transfers Securities.  Further, this provision does not limit the
Subscriber's right to transfer the Securities pursuant to the terms of the
Debenture and this Agreement.

17.  Subscription and Wiring Instructions; Irrevocability.

     (a)  Subscriber shall send its signed Subscription Agreement by facsimile
          to Placement Agent at (770) 640-7150, and shall send its subscription
          funds by wire transfer, to the Escrow Agent as follows:


16
<PAGE>
 
               First Union National Bank of Georgia
               Attn:  Rick Schaal
               Corporate Trust Administration
               999 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1100
               Atlanta, Georgia  30309
               Fax:  404-827-7305

               First Union National Bank
               ABA #: 053000219
               Acct. #:  465946
               Attn:  Claire Moore
               Ref. Account Name:  Blyth Holdings, Inc./Swartz Investments, LLC
               ACCT:  3072233112
               Contact: Nicole Stefanini
               Phone:  404-827-7326

               SWIFT Code:  FUNBUS33

     (b)  The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees, subject to the
          provisions of any applicable laws providing for the refund of
          subscription amounts submitted by the Subscriber, that this Agreement
          is irrevocable and that the Subscriber is not entitled to cancel,
          terminate or revoke this Agreement; provided, however, that if the
          conditions to Closing are not satisfied prior to the termination date
          of this offering as determined in accordance with Section 6.9 or if
          the Disclosure Documents are discovered prior to Closing to contain
          statements which are materially inaccurate, or omit statements of
          material fact, the Subscriber may revoke or cancel this Agreement.

     (c)  This Agreement shall be accepted by the Company when the Company
          countersigns this Agreement.  The Subscriber hereby confirms that the
          Company has full right in its sole discretion to accept or reject the
          subscription of the Subscriber, in whole or in part, provided that, if
          the Company decides to reject such subscription, the Company must do
          so promptly and in writing.  In the case of rejection, the Company
          will promptly return any rejected payments (together with any interest
          earned on such rejected funds in the Escrow account) and (if rejected
          in whole) copies of all executed subscription documents (including
          without limitation this Agreement) to Subscriber.

18.  Indemnification.

     The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subscriber and the
Placement Agent and each of their officers, directors, employees, partners,
control persons and agents (a "Subscriber Indemnified Party") who is or may be a
party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding of any
kind, against any losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys fees) suffered or incurred by a Subscriber Indemnified
Party and not otherwise reimbursed, arising from or due to any representation or
warranty made by  the Company contained in this Agreement or contained in the
Disclosure Documents that is determined to be a misstatement of applicable facts
or omission to state applicable facts in connection with the Offering.

     The Subscriber shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the
Placement Agent and each of their officers, directors, employees, partners,
control persons and agents (a "Company Indemnified Party") who is or may be a
party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding of any
kind, against any losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys fees) suffered or incurred by a Company Indemnified Party
and not otherwise reimbursed, arising from or due to any representation or
warranty made by the Subscriber contained in this 


17
<PAGE>
 
Agreement that is determined to be a misstatement of applicable facts or
omission to state applicable facts in connection with the Offering.

                           [Intentionally Left Blank]




18
<PAGE>
 
19. Amount

     The undersigned hereby subscribes for _________________________ principal
amount of Debentures, and pays herewith funds in the amount of
________________________ U.S. Dollars ($______________U.S.) on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

     The undersigned acknowledges that this Agreement and the subscription
represented hereby shall not be effective unless accepted by the Company as
indicated below.

Dated this _____ day of ___________, 1996.

__________________________________  _______________________________________ 
          Your Signature            EXACT NAME IN WHICH YOU WANT
                                    THE SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
                                    (Please Print Exact Registered Name)
                                            -----                       
                                    OFFSHORE DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS: 
__________________________________  _______________________________________
        Name: Please Print          Please type or print address where your
                                    security is to be delivered.


                                    ATTN: _________________________________

___________________________________ _______________________________________
Title/Representative Capacity            Street Address
      (if applicable) 
___________________________________ _______________________________________
Name of Company You Represent            Street Address
      (if applicable) 
___________________________________ _______________________________________
Place of Execution of this           City, State or Province, Country
        Agreement 
                                    _______________________________________
                                         Offshore Postal Code

                                    _________________________________
                                    Phone Number (For Federal Express)
 
                                    _________________________________
                                    Facsimile Number (re: Notice)



     THIS SUBSCRIPTION IS ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY ON THE ____ DAY OF
________________ 1996.

                    BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.
 
                    By:_________________________________
                              (Signature)
                    Print Name: __________________________
                     Title: _______________________________


19
<PAGE>
 
                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.
                                        
           FIDUCIARY, ADMINISTRATOR, EXECUTOR OR TRUSTEE CERTIFICATE
           ---------------------------------------------------------


     Nature of Signatory.  The signatory to this Agreement hereby represents and
     -------------------                                                        
     warrants that he, she or it is a professional fiduciary of Subscriber (as
     described in Section (o)(2) through (o)(4) of Rule 902 of Regulation S),
     acting solely in his capacity as holder of such account, in which case:

     (i)  the Subscriber is not a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S); and

     (ii) either (sign either A, B or C, as applicable):

          A.   The account for which the Securities are being purchased by
               Subscriber is a discretionary account or similar account (other
               than an estate or trust) which the undersigned manages and holds
               for the benefit or account of Subscriber and the Subscriber is
               not located in the U.S. at the time of signing this Agreement;

                                         ________________________  (signature)
                    OR

          B.   The account for which the Securities are being purchased by
               Subscriber is the account of an estate of which the undersigned
               acts as executor or administrator, provided that an executor or
               administrator of the estate who is not a U.S. person (as defined
               in Regulation S) has sole or shared investment discretion with
               respect to the assets of the estate, and the estate is governed
               by foreign law and provided further that the Subscriber is not
               located in the U.S. at the time of signing this Agreement;

                                         ________________________  (signature)
                    OR

          C.   The account for which the securities are being purchased by
               Subscriber is the account of a trust of which the undersigned
               acts as trustee, provided that the undersigned, who is not a U.S.
               person (as defined in Regulation S), has sole or shared
               investment discretion with respect to the trust assets, and no
               beneficiary of the trust (and no settlor if the trust is
               revocable) is a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S) and
               provided further that the Subscriber is not located in the U.S.
               at the time of signing this Agreement.

                                         __________________________  (signature)


    ______________________________   _________________________________________
    Print Your Name                  Person or Entity for Whom You are Signing


20
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT J


21
<PAGE>
 
                        NOTICE OF CONVERSION AND RESALE
                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.

                    (To be Executed by the Registered Holder
                      in order to Convert the Debentures)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert Debentures into shares of
common stock ("Common Stock") of Blyth Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") according
to the conditions of the Debenture, as of the date written below in connection
with the resale of the underlying Common Stock.  If shares are to be issued in
the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all
transfer taxes payable with respect thereto.  No fee will be charged to the
Holder for any conversion, except for transfer taxes, if any.

The undersigned represents and warrants that all offers and sales by the
undersigned of the shares of Common Stock issuable to the undersigned upon
conversion of the Debentures shall be made in compliance with Regulation S,
pursuant to registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act") or pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Act, subject to any restrictions on sale or transfer set forth in the
Subscription Agreement between the Company and the original holder of the
Debentures submitted herewith for conversion.

The undersigned hereby confirms that its representations and warranties
contained within the Subscription Agreement between the undersigned and the
Company are true and correct as of the date of this Notice (including but not
limited to the fact that the undersigned is not an underwriter, dealer or other
person who participates pursuant to a contractual arrangement in the
distribution of the Securities offered or sold in reliance on Regulation S), or,
if the undersigned is not the original Subscriber of the Debentures being
converted, the undersigned hereby confirms and reaffirms its representations
contained in the Purchaser Representation Letter which it executed in
conjunction with purchasing the Debentures.
 
                                    Date of Conversion:_________________

 
                                    Applicable Conversion Price:___________


                                    Signature:__________________________


                                    Name:_____________________________


                                    Address: ___________________________


* No shares of Common Stock will be issued until the original Debenture(s) to be
converted and the Notice of Conversion are received by the Company or its
Transfer Agent.  The Holder shall (i) fax, on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York
City time, on the date of conversion, a copy of this completed and fully
executed Notice of Conversion to the Company at the office of the Company or its
designated Transfer Agent for the Debenture(s) that the Holder elects to convert
and (ii) surrender, to a common courier for delivery to the office of the
Company or the Transfer Agent, the original Debenture(s) representing the
Debenture(s) being converted. The Company or its Transfer Agent shall use its
best efforts to issue shares of Common Stock and surrender them to a common
courier for delivery to the Debenture Holder no later than two (2) business days
following receipt of a facsimile of this Notice of Conversion and receipt by the
                                                              ---               
Company or its Transfer Agent of the Debenture(s) to be converted and any other
required documents, pursuant to the terms of the Debenture(s) and the
Subscription Agreement, and shall make payments for the number of business days
such issuance and delivery is late, pursuant to the terms of the Subscription
Agreement.

22
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT R



23

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.27
 
(Page 1 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due June 3, 
 1999)


     THIS DEBENTURE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS
     DEBENTURE (COLLECTIVELY THE "SECURITIES") HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE
     UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") UNDER
     THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES
     COMMISSION OF ANY STATE UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW.  THEY ARE BEING
     OFFERED PURSUANT TO A SAFE HARBOR FROM REGISTRATION UNDER REGULATION S
     ("REGULATION S") PROMULGATED UNDER THE ACT.  THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
     OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S.
     PERSONS (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION S) UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE
     REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR SUCH
     OFFERS, SALES AND TRANSFERS ARE MADE PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION
     FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE LAWS.

     THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE
     SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
     CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



          No.  ____                                  $50,000.00 U.S.


                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.

                   8% CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE DUE JUNE 3, 1999


          THIS DEBENTURE is one of a duly authorized issue of Debentures of
     Blyth Holdings, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the
     laws of the State of Delaware (the "Company"), designated as its 8%
     Convertible Debentures due June 3, 1999, in an aggregate principal amount
     not exceeding Seven Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars, U.S.
     ($7,350,000 U.S.) (the "Debentures").

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company promises to pay to
     ______________________________, or any subsequent registered holder hereof
     (the "Holder"), the principal sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00
     U.S.), on or prior to June 3, 1999 (the "Maturity Date"), and

                             (continued on reverse)



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
     executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized.


 
                                   Blyth Holdings, Inc.

1
<PAGE>
 
(Page 2 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due June 3, 
 1999)

     Dated: June 3, 1996
     
     By:________________________________________________                  
     Michael Minor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2
<PAGE>
 
(Page 3 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due June 3, 
 1999)


to pay interest on the principal sum outstanding in arrears on the earlier of
the Date of Conversion (as defined in Section 4(c)(iv)below) or the Maturity
Date, at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.  Accrual of interest on this
Debenture shall commence on the date that, in connection with the consummation
of the initial purchase of this Debenture from the Company, the escrow agent
first had in its possession funds representing full payment for this Debenture,
and shall continue to accrue until payment in full of the principal sum has been
made or duly provided for, or until the Date of Conversion, whichever is
earlier.  The interest so payable will be paid on the Maturity Date or the Date
of Conversion, as the case may be.  Such interest shall be paid to the person
and at the address in whose name this Debenture is registered on the records of
the Company regarding registration and transfers of the Debentures (the
"Debenture Register") on the business day immediately preceding the payment
date. The principal of, and interest on, this Debenture are payable, if
converted, in shares of Common Stock, or if redeemed, in such coin or currency
of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts, to the person and at the address in whose
name this Debenture is registered on the Debenture Register on the business day
immediately preceding the payment date. The forwarding of such payment shall
constitute a payment of interest hereunder and shall satisfy and discharge the
liability for principal and interest on this Debenture to the extent of the sum
or Common Shares so paid.

     This Debenture is subject to the following additional provisions:

Section 1.  Debenture Denominations.  The Debentures are initially issuable in
            -----------------------                                           
denominations of at least Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000 U.S.) and integral
multiples of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000 U.S.) in excess thereof. Upon
conversion of a portion, but less than all, of this Debenture in accordance with
the terms hereof, a new debenture or debentures may be issued to the Holder in a
denomination equal to the exact amount of the unconverted portion of this
Debenture.  No service charge will be made for registration of transfer or
exchange.

Section 2.  Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from all
            -----------                                                     
payments of principal of, and interest on, this Debenture any amounts required
to be withheld under the applicable provisions of the United States income tax
laws, or other applicable laws, at the time of such payments.  Holder shall,
prior to any transfer hereof, deliver to the Company a completed form W-8 for
such transferee. The Holder shall pay any other taxes, charges, or levies in
connection with the issuance or transfer thereof.

Section 3.  Sale, Transfer or Exchange.  This Debenture has been issued based
            --------------------------                                       
upon investment representations of the original purchaser hereof and may be
transferred or exchanged only in compliance with the Act, including Regulation S
and any applicable state securities laws ("State Acts").  Any Holder of this
Debenture, by acceptance hereof, agrees to the representations, warranties and
covenants herein.  Prior to due presentment to the Company for transfer of this
Debenture, the Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in
whose name this Debenture is duly registered on the Company's Debenture Register
as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and
for all other purposes, whether or not this Debenture be overdue, and neither
the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Section 4.  Conversion.  The record Holder of this Debenture shall have
            ----------                                                 
conversion rights as follows (the "Conversion Rights"):

     (a) Right  to Convert; Conversion Rate.  The record Holder of this
Debenture shall be entitled to convert, subject to the Company's right of
redemption set forth in Section 5(a), (x) up to one-third (1/3) of the
Debenture(s) (measured by the aggregate principal amount) initially issued to
such Holder beginning forty five (45) days following the date of the last
closing of a purchase and sale of Debentures that occurs pursuant to the
offering of the Debentures by the Company (the "Last Closing Date") and at any
time thereafter; (y)  an additional one-third (1/3) of the Debenture(s)
(measured by the aggregate principal amount) initially issued to such Holder
beginning seventy five (75) days following the Last Closing Date and at any time
thereafter; and (z) all remaining Debentures beginning one hundred five (105)
days following the Last Closing Date (each of the time periods referenced in
subclause (x), (y) and (z) is hereinafter referred to singularly as a
"Conversion Gate"), at the office of the Company or its designated transfer
agent for the Debentures (the "Transfer Agent"), into that number of fully-paid
and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company calculated in

3
<PAGE>
 
(Page 4 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due 
June 3, 1999)


accordance with the following formula (the "Conversion Rate"):

Number of shares issued upon conversion = (Principal + Interest)/Conversion
Price, where
 . Principal = The principal amount of the Debenture(s) to be converted,

 . Interest = Principal x (N/365) x .08, where

     . N = the number of days between (i) the date that, in connection with the
     consummation of the initial purchase of this Debenture from the Company,
     the escrow agent first had in its possession funds representing full
     payment for this Debenture, and (ii) the applicable Date of Conversion for
     the Debenture(s) for which conversion is being elected, and

     . Conversion Price = the lesser of (x) $3.75 (the "Fixed Conversion
     Price"), or (y) 85% of the average Closing Bid Price, as that term is
     defined below, of the Company's Common Stock for the five (5) trading days
     immediately preceding the Date of Conversion, as defined below (the
     "Variable Conversion Price").

          For purposes hereof, the term "Closing Bid Price" shall mean the
     closing bid price on the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ's
     National Market System or Small Capitalization System ("NASDAQ"), or if
     then traded on a different national securities exchange, the closing sales
     price on the principal national securities exchange on which it is so
     traded and if not available, the mean of the daily high and low sales
     prices on such securities exchange on which it is so traded, or, if the
     actual Closing Bid Price is not available on any such day on NASDAQ or such
     other exchange or market where traded, then the Closing Bid Price on the
     immediately preceding reported date.

          (b) Conversion at Market Price.  Notwithstanding the limitations on
conversion set forth above, the record Holder of this Debenture shall be
entitled to convert, subject to the Company's right of redemption set forth in
section 5(a), the Debentures in whole or in part prior to the applicable
Conversion Gate (but no earlier than forty-five (45) days following the Last
Closing Date), at the office of the Transfer Agent, into that number of fully-
paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of Company calculated in
accordance with the Conversion Rate set forth above; provided, however, that,
for purposes of the conversion pursuant to this subsection 4(b), the Conversion
Price shall equal the average of the Closing Bid Price of the Company's Common
Stock on the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the Date of Conversion.

          (c) Mechanics of Conversion.  In order to convert the Debentures into
full shares of Common Stock, the Holder shall (i) fax a copy of the fully
executed notice of conversion ("Notice of Conversion") to the Company at the
office of the Company or the Transfer Agent, which notice shall specify the
principal amount of Debentures to be converted and shall contain a calculation
of the Conversion Rate (together with a copy of the first page of each Debenture
to be converted) on or prior to 5:30 p.m., San Francisco, California time (the
"Conversion Notice Deadline") on the Date of Conversion specified on the Notice
of Conversion and (ii) surrender the original Debenture(s) being converted to a
common courier for delivery to the office of the Company or the Transfer Agent;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates
evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless
either the original Debentures are delivered to the Company or the Transfer
Agent as provided above, or the Holder notifies the Company or the Transfer
Agent that such Debenture(s) have been lost, stolen or destroyed.  Upon receipt
by Company of a facsimile copy of a Notice of Conversion, Company shall
immediately send, via facsimile, confirmation of receipt of the Notice of
Conversion to Holder which shall specify that the Notice of Conversion has been
received and the name of a contact person at the Company whom the Holder should
contact regarding information related to the conversion.  In the case of a
dispute as to the calculation of the Conversion Rate, the Company shall promptly
issue the number of Shares that are not disputed.  Company shall submit the
disputed calculations to its outside accountant via facsimile within three (3)
days of receipt of Holder's Notice of Conversion.  The Company shall cause the
accountant to perform the calculations and notify Company and Holder of the
results no later than forty-eight (48) hours from the time such Accountant
receives the disputed calculations.  Accountant's calculation  shall be deemed
conclusive absent manifest error.

          (i) Lost or Stolen Debentures.  Upon receipt by the Company of
evidence of the loss, 

4
<PAGE>
 
(Page 5 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due June 3, 
 1999)


theft, destruction or mutilation of this Debenture, and (in the case of loss,
theft or destruction) indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Debentures, if mutilated,
the Company shall execute and deliver new Debenture(s) of like tenor and date.

          (ii)  Delivery of Common Stock upon Conversion.  The Transfer Agent or
the Company (as applicable) shall, no later than the close of business on the
second (2nd) business day after delivery to the Transfer Agent or the Company
(as applicable) of the Debenture(s) to be converted (or after provision for
security or indemnification, if required), issue a certificate for the number of
shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled as aforesaid and
surrender such original Common Stock certificates to a common courier for either
overnight or (if delivery is outside the United States) two (2) business day
delivery to the Holder at the address of the Holder on the books of the Company.

          (iii) No Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares of Common Stock
shall be issued upon conversion of this Debenture.  If any conversion of the
Debenture would create a fractional share of Common Stock or a right to acquire
a fractional share of Common Stock, such fractional shares, on an aggregate
basis, shall be disregarded and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion shall be, on an aggregate basis, the next lower number of whole
shares.

          (iv)  Date of Conversion.  The date on which conversion occurs (the
"Date of Conversion") shall be deemed to be the date set forth in such Notice of
Conversion, provided (i) that the advance copy of the Notice of Conversion is
faxed to the Company on or before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Date of
Conversion, and (ii) that the original Debentures to be converted are
surrendered by depositing such Debentures with a common courier, as provided
above, and received by the Transfer Agent or the Company within five (5)
business days from the Date of Conversion.  The person or persons entitled to
receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be
treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of
Common Stock on the Date of Conversion.  If the original Debentures to be
converted are not received by the Transfer Agent or the Company within five (5)
business days after the Date of Conversion or if the facsimile of the Notice of
Conversion is not received by the Company or the Transfer Agent prior to the
Conversion Notice Deadline, the Notice of Conversion, at the Company's option,
may be declared null and void.

          (d) Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion.  The Company shall
at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of
the Debentures, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to
time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding Debentures;
and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock
shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding
Debentures, the Company will immediately take such corporate action as may be
necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

          (e) Automatic Conversion.  Each of the Debentures that remains issued
and outstanding on the date which is three (3) years after the first closing
date on which such Debenture or part thereof was first issued automatically
shall be converted into Common Stock on such date at the Conversion Rate then in
effect (calculated in accordance with the formula in Section 4(a) above), and
the date which is three (3) years after the first closing date on which such
Debenture or part thereof was first issued shall be deemed the Date of
Conversion with respect to such conversion.

          (f) Adjustment to Conversion Price.

              (i)   Adjustment to Fixed Conversion Price Due to Stock Split,
Stock Dividend, Etc. If at any time when the Debentures are issued and
outstanding, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a
stock split, stock dividend, or other similar event, the Fixed Conversion Price
shall be proportionately reduced, or if the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock is decreased by a combination or reclassification of shares, or
other similar event, the Fixed Conversion Price shall be proportionately
increased.

              (ii)  Adjustment to Variable Conversion Price. If, at any time
when Debentures are issued and outstanding, the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock is increased or decreased by a stock split, stock dividend, or
other similar event, which event shall have taken place during the reference
period for determination of the 

5
<PAGE>
 
(Page 6 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due June 3, 
 1999)


Conversion Price for any conversion of the Debentures, then the Variable
Conversion Price shall be calculated giving appropriate effect to the stock
split, stock dividend, combination, reclassification or other similar event for
each day during such reference period beginning with the effective date of such
stock split, stock dividend or other similar event.

              (iii) Adjustment Due to Merger, Consolidation, Etc.  If at any
time when the Debentures are issued and outstanding, there shall be any merger,
consolidation, exchange of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, or other
similar event, as a result of which shares of Common Stock of the Company shall
be changed into the same or a different number of shares of another class or
classes of stock or securities of the Company or another entity or there is a
sale of all or substantially all the Company's assets, then the holders of the
Debentures shall thereafter have the right to receive upon conversion of the
Debentures, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified herein
and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore issuable upon
conversion, such  stock, securities and/or other assets which the holder would
have been entitled to receive in such transaction had the Debentures been
converted immediately prior to such transaction, and in any such case
appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interests of
the holders of the Debentures to the end that the provisions hereof (including,
without limitation, provisions for adjustment of the Conversion Price and of the
number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures) shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as may be practicable in relation to any securities
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise hereof.  The Company shall not effect
any transaction described in this subsection 4(f)(iii) unless (a) it first gives
notice fifteen (15) business days prior to the effective date of such merger,
consolidation, exchange of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, or other
similar event (during which time the Holder shall be entitled to convert its
Debentures into Common Stock) and (b) the resulting successor or acquiring
entity (if not the Company) assumes by written instrument the obligation of the
Company under the Debenture including this Section 4(f)(iii).

Section 5.  Redemption by Company.
            ----------------------

          (a) Company's Right to Redeem upon Receipt of Notice of Conversion.
If the Conversion Price of the Company's Common Stock is less than the Fixed
Conversion Price (as defined in Section 4(a)), at the time of receipt of a
Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 4, the Company shall have the right, in
its sole discretion, to redeem in whole or in part any Debentures submitted for
conversion, immediately prior to and in lieu of conversion ("Redemption Upon
Receipt of Notice of Conversion").  If the Company elects to redeem some, but
not all, of the Debentures submitted for conversion, the Company shall redeem
from among the Debentures submitted by the various Holders for conversion on the
applicable date, a pro-rata amount from each such Holder so submitting
Debentures for conversion.

              (i)   Redemption Price Upon Receipt of a Notice of Conversion. The
redemption price for a redemption of this Debenture under this Section 5(a)
shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

     (Principal + Interest) x Closing Bid Price on the Date of Conversion
                              -------------------------------------------
                                                  Conversion Price

     For the purposes of the above formula, "Principal", "Interest", "Closing
Bid Price", "Conversion Price" and "Date of Conversion" shall have the meanings
set forth in Section 4.

              (ii)  Mechanics of Redemption Upon Receipt of Notice of
Conversion. The Company shall effect each such redemption by giving notice of
its election to redeem, by facsimile within one (1) business day following
receipt of a Notice of Conversion from a Holder, with a copy by overnight or two
(2) business day courier, to (A) the Holder of Debentures submitted for
conversion at the address and facsimile number of such Holder appearing in the
Company's register for the Debentures, and (B) the Company's Transfer Agent.
Such redemption notice shall indicate whether the Company will redeem all or
part of the Debentures submitted for conversion and the applicable redemption
price.

          (b) Company's Right to Redeem at Its Election.  Upon giving at least
thirty (30) business days prior written notice, at any time commencing one (1)
year after the Last Closing Date, the Company shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to redeem ("Redemption at Company's Election"), from time to time,
any or all of the Debentures; 

6
<PAGE>
 
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 1999)


provided that the Company shall only be entitled to redeem Debentures having an
aggregate principal amount of at least One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000) (or the amount outstanding if the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Debentures is less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000.00)). If the Company elects to redeem some, but not all, of the
Debentures, the Company shall redeem a pro-rata amount from each Holder of the
Debentures.

              (i)   Redemption Price At Company's Election. The "Redemption
Price At Company's Election" shall be calculated as a percentage of Stated
Value, as that term is defined below, of the Debentures redeemed pursuant to
this Section 5(b), which percentage shall vary depending on the Date of
Redemption at Company's Election (as that term is defined in subsection (ii)
below), and shall be determined as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
            Date of Redemption at Company's Election                Call Price
            ----------------------------------------                ----------
     <C>                                                              <S>
     12 months and 1 day to 18 months following Last Closing Date     130% of Stated Value
     18 months and 1 day to 24 months following Last Closing Date     125% of Stated Value        
     24 months and 1 day to 30 months following Last Closing Date     120% of Stated Value        
     30 months and 1 day to 36 months following the business day      115% of Stated Value        
     immediately preceding the date which is three (3) years from
     the first closing date of which such Debenture or part thereof
     was issued.
</TABLE> 

     For purposes hereof, "Stated Value" shall mean the original principal
amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus the unpaid interest being
redeemed, pursuant to this Section 5(b).

          (ii) Mechanics of Redemption at Company's Election.  The Company shall
effect each such redemption by giving at least thirty (30) business days prior
written notice ("Notice of Redemption at Company's Election"), which notice may
be given on or after thirty (30) business days prior to one (1) year after the
Last Closing Date, to (A) the Holders of the Debentures selected for redemption,
at the address and facsimile number of such Holder appearing in the Company's
register for the Debentures and (B) the Transfer Agent, which Notice of
Redemption at Company's Election shall be deemed to have been delivered three
(3) business days after the Company's mailing (by overnight or two (2) day
courier, with a copy by facsimile) of such Notice of Redemption at Company's
Election.  Such Notice of Redemption at Company's Election shall indicate the
number of Debentures that have been selected for redemption, the date which such
redemption is to become effective (the "Date of Redemption at Company's
Election") and the applicable Redemption Price at Company's Election, as defined
in subsection (b)(i) above.  Notwithstanding the above, Holder may convert into
Common Stock pursuant to section 4, prior to the close of business on the Date
of Redemption at Company's Election, any Debenture which it is otherwise
entitled to convert, including those selected for Redemption at Company's
Election pursuant to this subsection 5(b); provided, however, that the Company
shall still be entitled to exercise its right to redeem upon receipt of a Notice
of Conversion pursuant to section 5(a).


          (c) Company Must Have Immediately Available Funds or Credit
Facilities.  The Company shall not be entitled to send any Redemption Notice and
begin the redemption procedure under either Section 5(a) or 5(b) unless it has:

              (i)   the full amount of the applicable redemption price, in cash,
available in a demand or other immediately available account in a bank or
similar financial institution; or

              (ii)  immediately available credit facilities, in the full amount
of the applicable redemption price with a bank or similar financial institution,
or

              (iii) an agreement with a standby underwriter willing to purchase
from the Company a sufficient number of shares of stock to provide proceeds
necessary to redeem any stock that is not converted prior to redemption; or

7
<PAGE>
 
(Page 8 of 11 of 8% Convertible Debentures of Blyth Holdings, Inc. Due 
 June 3, 1999)


              (iv)  a combination of the items set forth in (i), (ii) and (iii)
above, in the aggregate, in the full amount of the redemption price.

          (d)  Payment of Redemption Price.

              (i)   Each holder submitting Debentures being redeemed under
subsection (b) above shall send their Debentures so redeemed to the Company or
the Transfer Agent, and the Company shall pay the applicable redemption price to
that Holder within five (5) business days of the date of such receipt of the
Debentures. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver the redemption price
until the Debentures so redeemed are delivered to the Company or the Transfer
Agent, or, in the event one (1) or more Debentures have been lost, stolen,
mutilated or destroyed, until the Holder has complied with Section 4(c)(i).

              (ii)  If Company elects to redeem pursuant to either Sections 5(a)
or 5(b) hereof, and Company fails to pay Holder the redemption price within the
time frame as required by this Section 5(d), then Company shall issue shares of
Common Stock to any such Holder who has submitted a Notice of Conversion in
compliance with Section 4(c) hereof. The shares to be issued to Holder pursuant
to this provision shall be the number of shares determined using a Conversion
Price (as defined in Section 5 hereof) that equals the lesser of (i) the
Conversion Price on the date Holder sends its Notice of Conversion to Company or
Transfer Agent via facsimile or (ii) the Conversion Price on the date the
Transfer Agent issues Common Stock pursuant to this Section 5(d).

          (e) Blackout Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
not either send out a redemption notice or effect a redemption pursuant to
subsection (b) above during a Blackout Period (defined as a period during which
the Company's officers or directors would not be entitled to buy or sell stock
because of their holding of material non-public information), unless the Company
shall first disclose the non-public information that resulted in the Blackout
Period; provided, however, that no redemption shall be effected until at least
fifteen (15) days after the Company shall have given the Holder written notice
that the Blackout Period has been lifted.

Section 6.  Holder's Right to Advance Notice of Company's Election to Redeem.
            ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a) Holder's Right to Elect to Receive Notice of Cash Redemption by
Company.  Holder shall have the right to require Company to provide advance
notice stating whether Company will elect to redeem Holder's Debentures in cash,
pursuant to Company's redemption rights discussed in Section 5(a).

          (b) Mechanics of Holder's Election Notice.  Holder shall send notice
("Election Notice") to Company and such other person(s) as the Company may
designate, via facsimile, stating Holder's intention to require Company to
disclose that if Holder were to exercise his, her or its right of conversion
(pursuant to section 4) whether Company would elect to redeem a specific number
of Holder's Debentures for cash in lieu of issuing Common Stock.  Company is
required to disclose to Holder what action Company would take if the Notice of
Conversion is received within the subsequent five (5) business day period,
including the date Company receives such Election Notice, as further discussed
in subsection 6(c).

          (c) Company's Response.  Upon receipt by the Company of a facsimile
copy of an Election Notice, Company shall immediately send, via facsimile, a
confirmation of receipt of the Election Notice to Holder, which  shall specify
that the Election Notice has been received and the name and telephone number of
a contact person at the Company whom the Holder should contact regarding
information related to the requested advance notice.  Company must respond by
the close of business on the next business day following receipt of Holder's
Election Notice (1) via facsimile and (2) via overnight or two (2) day courier.
The Company's response must state whether it would redeem the shares, in whole
or in part, or allow conversion into shares without redemption.  If Company does
not respond to Holder within one (1) business day via facsimile and overnight or
two (2) day courier, Company shall be required to issue to Holder Common Stock
upon Holder's conversion within the subsequent five (5) business day period of
Holder's Election Notice.  However, if the Company's Common Stock price
decreases so that under the Conversion Rate the Company would be required to
issue more than an additional ten percent (10%) of shares of Common Stock than
Holder was entitled to receive at the time Holder 

8
<PAGE>
 
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 1999)


sent Company its Election Notice, then Company shall no longer be bound to
convert Holder's Preferred Stock into Common Stock, but may elect to redeem the
Debentures for cash.

Section 7.  No Voting Rights.  This Debenture shall not entitle the Holder
            ----------------                                              
hereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends and other distributions, or
to receive any notice of, or to attend, meetings of stockholders or any other
proceedings of the Company.

Section 8.  Protective Provision.  So long as Debentures are outstanding, the
            --------------------                                             
Company shall not, without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written
consent, as provided by law) of both (i) the Holders of at least seventy-five
percent (75%) of the aggregate principal amount of Debentures then outstanding,
and (ii) seventy-five (75%) of the Holders of Debentures then outstanding, alter
or change the rights, preferences or privileges of the Debentures or of any
securities or debt instruments, senior in right of payment, so as to affect
adversely the Debentures.

     Any Holders of the Debentures that did not agree to such alteration or
change (the "Dissenting Holders") shall have the right for a period of thirty
(30) business days to convert pursuant to the terms of this Debenture as they
exist prior to such alteration or change (notwithstanding the Forty Five (45)
day, Seventy Five (75) day, and One Hundred Five (105) day holding requirements
set forth in Section 4(a) hereof), or continue to hold their Debentures;
provided, however, that the Dissenting Holders may not convert anytime on or
before the fortieth (40th) day following the Last Closing Date.

Section 9.  Status of Redeemed or Converted Debentures.  After this Debenture
            ------------------------------------------                       
shall have been paid or surrendered for conversion as herein provided or notice
of conversion shall have been given by the Holder pursuant to Section 4(a)
herein (or redeemed pursuant to Section 5(a) or 5(b) herein), this Debenture
shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to this
Debenture, including, without limitation, the right to receive interest hereon
and the principal hereof, shall forthwith terminate as of the Date of Conversion
or the effective date of such redemption, except only the right of the Holder
hereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange for such Debenture(s) (or,
in the case of a redemption, the right to receive the applicable redemption
price).

Section 10.  Events of Default.  (i) Upon the occurrence of and during the
             -----------------                                            
continuation of an Event of Default (as defined below) specified in subsections
(a), (b), (c)  or (e) of this Section 10, upon the written notice of the Holders
of seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding principal amount of the
Debentures, and/or (ii) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in
subsections (d) or (f) of this Section 10, the Company shall pay to the Holder
an amount equal to the sum of (x) the unpaid principal amount of this Debenture
plus (y) the accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal amount of this
Debenture to the date of payment and all other amounts payable hereunder shall
immediately become due and payable, all without demand, presentment, or notice,
all of which hereby are expressly waived, together with all costs, including,
without limitation, legal fees and expenses, of collection, and the Holder shall
be entitled to exercise all other rights and remedies available at law or
equity.

     If the Company fails to pay any amounts due pursuant to this Section 10
within five (5) business days of such amounts being due and payable, then the
Holder shall have the right at any time, so long as the Company remains in
default, to require the Company, upon written notice, to immediately issue, in
lieu of such amounts, the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal
to the amounts owed by Borrower to the Company divided by the Conversion Price
then in effect.

     An "Event of Default" shall mean the following:

          (a) Conversion.  If the Company fails to issue shares of Common Stock
to the Holder upon exercise by the Holder of the conversion rights of the Holder
in accordance with the terms of this Debenture, fails to transfer any as
certificate for shares of Common Stock issued to the Holder upon conversion of
this Debenture and when required by this Debenture or any Subscription Agreement
between the Holder and the Company or fails to remove any restrictive legend on
any certificate or any shares of Common Stock issued to the Holder upon
conversion of this Debenture as and when required by this Debenture or any
Subscription Agreement by and between Company and Holder and any such failure
shall continue uncured for thirty (30) business days;

9
<PAGE>
 
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 1999)


          (b) Breach of Covenant.  If the Company breaches any material covenant
or other material term or condition of this Debenture (other than as
specifically provided in subsection 10(a) hereof), or any Subscription Agreement
by and between Company and Holder (including the failure to have enough stock
available for issuance upon conversion), and the breach of which would have a
material adverse effect on the Company or the prospects of the Company or a
material adverse effect on the Holder or the rights of the Holder with respect
to this Debenture or the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this
Debenture and such breach continues for a period of thirty (30) business days
after written notice thereof to the Company from the Holder;

          (c) Breach of Representations and Warranties.  Any representation or
warranty of the Company made herein or in any agreement, statement or
certificate given in writing pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
(including, without limitation, any Subscription Agreement by and between
Company and Holder), shall be false or misleading in any material respect when
made and the breach of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company
or the prospects of the Company or a material adverse effect on the Holder or
the rights of the Holder with respect to this Debenture or the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture;

          (d) Receiver or Trustee.  The Company or any subsidiary of the Company
shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or apply for or consent
to the appointment of a receiver or trustee for it or for a substantial part of
its property or business; or such a receiver or trustee shall otherwise be
appointed;

          (e) Judgments.  Any money judgment, writ or similar process shall be
entered or filed against the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of
its property or other assets for more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000), and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of
thirty (30) days unless otherwise consented to by the Holder, which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld; or

          (f) Bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation
proceedings or other proceedings for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law
for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company.

Section 11.  Governing Law. This Debenture shall be governed by and construed in
             -------------                                                      
accordance with the laws of the State of California without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of laws, except for matters arising under the Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which matters shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with such laws.

Section 12.  Business Day Definition.  For purposes hereof, the term "business
             -----------------------                                          
day" shall mean any day on which banks are generally open for business in the
State of California and New York, USA and excluding any Saturday and Sunday.

Section 13.  Notices.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted
             -------                                                          
to be given hereunder shall be given as provided herein or delivered against
receipt if to (i) the Company at 989 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 400, Foster City,
California  944047-2113, Attn:  Mr. Bill Glynn, Telephone No. (415) 571-0222,
Telecopy No. (415) 571-1132 and (ii) the Holder of this Debenture, to such
holder at its last address as shown on the Debenture Register (or to such other
address as the party shall have furnished in writing as its new address to be
entered on the Debenture Register (which address must include a telecopy number)
in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13).  Any notice or other
communication needs to be made by facsimile and delivery shall be deemed given,
except as otherwise required herein, at the time of transmission of said
facsimile.  Any notice given on a day that is not a business day shall be
effective upon the next business day.

Section 14.  Waiver of any Breach to be in Writing.  Any waiver by the Company
             -------------------------------------                            
or the Holder hereof of a breach of any provision of the Debenture shall not
operate as, or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision
or of any breach of any other provision of the Debenture.  The failure of the
Company or the Holder hereof to insist upon strict adherence to any term of the
Debenture on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive
that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term
or any other term of the Debenture.  Any waiver must be in writing.

10
<PAGE>
 
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 1999)


Section 15.  Unenforceable Provisions.  If any provision of this Debenture is
             ------------------------                                        
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Debenture shall remain in
effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance, it
shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.

11

<PAGE>
 
                                                              Exhibit 10.28 

                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


     THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of June
3, 1996, by and among Blyth Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company"),
and the subscribers ("Subscribers") to the Company's offering ("Offering") of up
to Seven Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($7,350,000) of Debentures
pursuant to the Regulation S Subscription Agreement between the Company and the
Subscribers of even date herewith ("Subscription Agreement").

          1.  Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
              -----------                      

          (a) The terms "register", "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or
similar document in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), and
the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or
document;

          (b) The term "Registrable Securities" means the Company's Common Stock
(together with any Capital Stock issued as a dividend on, in replacement of, in
exchange for, or otherwise in respect of such Common Stock, the "Common Stock")
issuable or issued upon conversion of the Debentures issued to Subscribers in
the Offering; provided, however, that after the expiration of the Restricted
Period (as defined in the Subscription Agreement), shares of Common Stock
obtainable on conversion of the Debentures (in whole or in part), shall not
constitute Registrable Securities, if those shares of Common Stock may be sold
or transferred in the U.S. free of any restrictive legend, including without
limitation under Rule 144;

          (c) The number of shares of "Registrable Securities then outstanding"
shall be determined by the number of shares of Common Stock which have been
issued or are issuable upon conversion of the Debentures at the time of such
determination;

          (d) The term "Holder" means any person owning or having the right to
acquire Registrable Securities or any permitted assignee thereof.

          2.  Demand Registration.
              ------------------- 

          (a) At any time beginning after the end of the Restricted Period (as
defined in the Subscription Agreement), the Holders of Registrable Securities
obtained or obtainable upon conversion of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding may notify the Company in writing
that they demand that the Company file a registration statement under the Act
covering the registration of all of the Registrable Securities then outstanding.
Upon receipt of such notice, the Company shall, within ten (10) days, give
written notice of such request to all Holders and shall, subject to the
limitations of subsection 2(b), effect as soon as practicable, and in any event
within thirty(30) days of the receipt of such request, the registration under
the Act of all Registrable Securities which the Holders request, by notice given
to the Company within ten (10) days of receipt of the Company's notice, to be
registered as expeditiously as reasonably possible after the mailing of such
notice by the Company (a "Demand Registration").

1
<PAGE>
 
          (b) If the Holders initiating the registration request hereunder
("Initiating Holders") intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered
by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company
as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 2 and the Company shall
include such information in the written notice referred to in subsection 2(a).
In such event, the right of any Holder to include his Registrable Securities in
such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder's participation in such
underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in the
underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of the
Initiating Holders and such Holder) to the extent provided herein.  All Holders
proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall
(together with the Company as provided in subsection 6(f)) enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such underwriting by a majority in interest of the Initiating
Holders, and reasonably acceptable to the Company; provided that no Holder shall
be required to make any representations other than with respect to its ownership
of Registered Securities and its intended method of distribution.

          (c) The Company agrees to include all Registrable Securities held by
all Holders in such Registration Statement without cutback or reduction.  In the
event the Company breaches its obligation of the preceding sentences, any
Holders of the Registrable Securities which were not included in such
Registration Statement shall be entitled to additional Demand Registrations for
such excluded securities on the same terms as the Demand Registration described
in this Agreement.

          (d) The Company is not obligated to effect a demand registration under
this Section 2 if in the written opinion of counsel to the Company reasonably
acceptable to the person or persons from whom written request for registration
has been received (and satisfactory to the Company's transfer agent to permit
the transfer) that registration under the Act is not required for the immediate
transfer of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 or other applicable
provision.

          (e) The Company represents that it is eligible to effect the
registration contemplated hereby on Form S-3 and will continue to take such
actions as are necessary to maintain such eligibility.

          3.  Piggyback Registration. If (but without any obligation to do so)
              ----------------------
the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose a registration
effected by the Company for shareholders other than the Holders) any of its
Common Stock under the Act in connection with the public offering of such
securities (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities
to participants in a Company stock plan or a registration on Form S-4
promulgated under the Act or any successor or similar form registering stock
issuable upon a reclassification, upon a business combination involving an
exchange of securities or upon an exchange offer for securities of the issuer or
another entity), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder
written notice of such registration. Upon the written request of each Holder
given by fax within ten (10) days after mailing of such notice by the Company,
which request shall state the intended method of disposition of such shares by
such Holder, the Company shall cause to be registered under the Act all of the
Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered (a
"Piggyback Registration").

          4.  Limitation on Obligations to Register.
              ------------------------------------- 

          (a) In the case of a Piggyback Registration on an underwritten public
offering 

2
<PAGE>
 
by the Company, if the managing underwriter determines and advises in
writing that the inclusion in the registration statement of all Registrable
Securities proposed to be included would interfere with the successful marketing
of the securities proposed to be registered by the Company, then the number of
such Registrable Securities to be included in the registration statement shall
be allocated among all Holders who had requested Piggyback Registration, in the
proportion that the number of Registrable Securities which each such Holder
seeks to register bears to the total number of Registrable Securities sought to
be included by all Holders; provided that in no event shall the number of
Registrable Securities be less than thirty-five percent (35%) pro-rata of the
total number of shares included in such registration.

          (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall
have the right (i) to defer the initial filing or request for acceleration of
effectiveness of any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration or (ii) after
effectiveness, to suspend effectiveness of any such registration statement, if,
in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company and upon the
advice of counsel to the Company, such delay in filing or requesting
acceleration of effectiveness or such suspension of effectiveness is necessary
in light of the existence of material non-public information (financial or
otherwise) concerning the Company disclosure of which at the time is not, in the
opinion of the board of directors of the Company upon the advice of counsel, (A)
otherwise required and (B) in the best interests of the Company; provided
however that the Company will use its best efforts to terminate such delay or
suspension as soon as practicable and, in any event will not delay effectiveness
of such registration for more than two (2) months from the date of the demand or
suspend effectiveness for more than twenty (20) days, unless it is then engaged
in an acquisition that would make such registration impracticable, in which case
it will use its best efforts to eliminate such impracticability as soon as
possible.

          5.  Obligations to Increase Available Shares. In the event that the
              ----------------------------------------
number of shares available under a registration statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities then
outstanding, the Company shall amend that registration statement, or file a new
registration statement, or both, so as to cover all shares of Registrable
Securities then outstanding. The Company shall effect such amendment or new
registration within sixty (60) days of the date the registration statement filed
under Section 2 is insufficient to cover all the shares of Registrable
Securities then outstanding. Any Registration Statement filed hereunder shall,
to the extent permissible by the Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), state that, in accordance with Rule 416 under the Act, such
Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate numbers of additional
shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
to prevent dilution resulting from stock changes or by reason of changes in the
conversion price in accordance with the terms thereof.

          6.  Obligations of the Company. Whenever required under this Agreement
              --------------------------
to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as
expeditiously as reasonably possible:

          (a) Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with
respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective.

          (b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to
such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the
Act with respect to the disposition of all 


3
<PAGE>
 
securities covered by such registration statement.

          (c) With respect to any Demand Registration, use best efforts to keep
such registration statement effective until the Holders of Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement have completed the
distribution described in the registration statement.

4
<PAGE>
 
          (d) Furnish to the Holders (i) such numbers of copies of a prospectus,
including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the
Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by them and (ii)
copies of all correspondence to or with the SEC.  Each Holder shall be furnished
with copies of drafts, or all filings prior to filing and given sufficient time
to provide comments thereon.

          (e) Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities
covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky
laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of
the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, provided that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of
process in any such states or jurisdictions.

          (f) In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and
perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary
form, with the managing underwriter of such offering.  Each Holder participating
in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under
such an agreement.

          (g) Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Act upon the happening of any event as a
result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then
in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

          (h) Furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of
Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, on the date that such
Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale in connection
with a registration pursuant to this Agreement, if such securities are being
sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through
underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to such
securities becomes effective, (i) an opinion, dated such date, of the counsel
representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and
substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public
offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting
registration of Registrable Securities and (ii) a letter dated such date, from
the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters,
if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities.

          (i) Maintain the listing of the Common Stock on NASDAQ National Market
System, NASDAQ Small Cap Market, or a National Securities Exchange.

          7.  Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the
              -------------------
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Agreement that
the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding
themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the intended method of
disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registration
of their Registrable Securities or to determine that registration is not
required pursuant to Rule 144 or other applicable provision of the Act.

          8.  Expenses of Demand Registration. All expenses other than 
              -------------------------------

5
<PAGE>
 
underwriting discounts and commissions incurred in connection with
registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Section 2, including
(without limitation) all registration, filing and qualification fees, printers'
and accounting fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, and
including the reasonable fees and disbursements incurred of only one counsel for
the selling Holders, shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration
proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2 if the registration request is
subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities to be registered (in which case all Holders who had
requested such registration shall bear such expenses); provided further,
however, that if at the time of such withdrawal, the Holders have learned of a
material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company
from that known to the Holders at the time of their request, then the Holders
shall not be required to pay any of such expenses and shall retain their rights
pursuant to Section 2.

          9.  Expenses of Company Registration. The Company shall bear and pay
              --------------------------------
all expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing or
qualification of Registrable Securities with respect to the registrations
pursuant to Section 3 for each Holder, including (without limitation) all
registration, filing, and qualification fees, printers and accounting fees
relating or apportionable thereto (and including the reasonable fees and
disbursements incurred of only one counsel for the selling Holders selected by
them), but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions relating to
Registrable Securities.

          10. Indemnification. In the event any Registrable Securities are
              ---------------
included in a registration statement under this Agreement:

          (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each "Holder Indemnified Persons" (defined for purposes of this
Section 10 as each Holder, the officers and directors of each Holder acting in
their capacity as such, any underwriter (as defined in the Act) for such Holder
and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the
meaning of the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act")), against any losses, claims, damages, expenses, or liabilities (joint or
several) (hereinafter referred to singularly as "Loss" and collectively as
"Losses") to which they may become subject under the Act, the 1934 Act or other
federal or state law, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or
violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement, or alleged
untrue statement, of a material fact contained in such registration statement,
including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or
any amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission, or alleged omission,
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the
Company of the Act, the 1934 Act, any state securities law or any rule or
regulation promulgated under the Act, the 1934 Act or any state securities law;
and the Company will reimburse each such Indemnified Person for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Loss or action; provided, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this subsection 10(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any such Loss or action if such settlement is effected without the
consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor
shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such Loss or action to the
extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in either
(i) reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly
for use in connection with such registration by any such Holder Indemnified
Person or (ii) based upon a prospectus which included a Violation after the
Company has advised the Holder not to sell 


6
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to such prospectus, and has made available an amended or supplemental
prospectus that corrects such Violation.

          (b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will indemnify
and hold harmless the "Company Indemnified Persons" (defined for the purpose of
this Section 10 as the Company, each of its directors in their capacity as such,
each of its officers who have signed the registration statement in their
capacity as such, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Act in their capacity as such, any underwriter and any other
Holder Indemnified Person selling securities in such registration statement),
against any Loss (joint or several) to which the Company or any such director,
officer, controlling person, or underwriter or controlling person, or other such
Holder Indemnified Person may become subject, under the Act, the 1934 Act or
other federal or state law, insofar as such Loss (or actions in respect thereto)
arises out of or is based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and
only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly for use
in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and any such Company
Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss
or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
subsection 10(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss
or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, that, in no event
shall any indemnity under this subsection 10(b) exceed the gross proceeds from
the offering received by such Holder.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
10 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental
action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against any indemnifying party under this Section 10, deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
have the right to retain its own counsel, with the reasonably incurred fees and
expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such
indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such
proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party
within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial
to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of
any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 10, but the omission
so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of
any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under
this Section 10 to the extent it is prejudicial.

          (d) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 10
shall survive the redemption and conversion, if any, of the Debentures, the
completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement
under this Agreement, and otherwise.

          11. Reports Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With a view to
              ---------------------------------------------
making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Act and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a
Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the
Company agrees to:

7
<PAGE>
 
          (a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times;

          (b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Act and the 1934 Act; and

          (c) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable
Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company, if
true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at
any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first
registration statement filed by the Company), the Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a
copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other
reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information
as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation
of the SEC which permits the selling of any such securities without
registration.

          12. Amendment of Registration Rights. Any provision of this Agreement
              --------------------------------
may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in
a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the
written consent of the Company and the holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities then outstanding. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with
this paragraph shall be binding upon each Holder, each future Holder, and the
Company; provided that no amendment or waiver that materially and adversely
affects the rights of any Holder shall be effective against such Holder unless
such Holder agrees thereto.

          13. Notices. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement
              -------
shall be made in writing signed by the party making the same, shall specify the
section under this Agreement pursuant to which it is given, and shall be
addressed if to (i) the Company at: Attn: President, 989 E. Hillsdale Blvd.,
Foster City, CA 94404-2113 (address); Telephone No. (415) 571-0222; Telecopy No.
(415) 571-1132 and (ii) the Holders at their respective last address as the
party shall have furnished in writing as a new address to be entered on such
register. Any notice, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be
made by fax and shall be deemed given at the time of transmission of the fax.

          14. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on the later to occur
              ----------- 
of (a) the date that is five (5) years from the date of this Agreement and (b)
the date that is ninety (90) days after the date on which all Debentures have
been converted into Common Stock; but without prejudice to (i) the parties'
rights and obligations arising from breaches of this Agreement occurring prior
to such termination or (ii) other indemnification obligations under this
Agreement.

          15. Assignment. No assignment, transfer or delegation, whether by
              ----------
operation of law or otherwise, of any rights or obligations under this Agreement
by the Company or any Holder, respectively, shall be made without the prior
written consent of the majority in interest of the Holders or the Company,
respectively; provided that the rights of a Holder may be transferred to a
subsequent holder of the Holder's Registrable Securities (provided such
transferee shall provide to the Company, together with or prior to such
transferee's request to have such Registrable Shares included in a Demand
Registration or Piggyback Registration, a writing executed by such transferee
agreeing to be bound as a Holder by the terms of this Agreement); and provided
further that the Company may transfer its rights and obligations under this
Agreement to a purchaser of all or a substantial portion of its business if the
obligations of the Company under this Agreement are assumed in connection with
such transfer, either by merger or other operation of 

8
<PAGE>
 
law (which may include without limitation a transaction whereby the Registrable
Shares are converted into securities of the successor in interest) or by
specific assumption executed by the transferee.

          16. Payments for Failure to Register or Failure to List. If the
              ---------------------------------------------------
Company is not eligible to effect a Registration under Form S-3, or other
appropriate registration statement, at the time of a Demand Registration under
the terms of this agreement, then the Company shall pay to all Holders of
outstanding Debentures a penalty equal to the amount of the Conversion Default
Penalty ("Conversion Default Penalty") set forth in Section 7(b) of the
Regulation S Subscription Agreement between the Company and the Subscribers
("Subscription Agreement") for each day beyond 60 days of the receipt of a
request for a Demand Registration until such registration is complete. If, on
the date (the "Conversion Eligibility Date") that

9
<PAGE>
 
Debentures become eligible for conversion into Common Stock, the Common Stock is
not listed on the National Market System, Small Cap Market or National Stock
Exchange, then the Company shall pay to all Holders of outstanding Debentures
that is eligible for immediate conversion a penalty equal to the amount of the
Conversion Default Penalty for each day beyond the Conversion Eligibility Date
until such listing is complete.

          17. Governing Law. This Registration Rights Agreement shall be
              -------------
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California
applicable to agreements made in and wholly to be performed in that
jurisdiction, except for matters arising under the Act or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, which matters shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with such laws. Any action brought to enforce, or otherwise arising
out of, this Agreement shall be heard and determined only in either a federal or
province court sitting in the State of California, San Mateo County.

                          [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

10
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                 Blyth Holdings, Inc.


                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------
                                       Michael Minor
                                       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                           Address:    989 E. Hillsdale Blvd.
                                       Foster City, CA 94404-2113

 
                                 INVESTOR(S)

                                 -----------------------------------------
                                 Investor's Name

                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------
                                       (Signature)

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

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

11

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

 
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of June
3, 1996, by and among Blyth Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company"),
and Swartz Investments, LLC, a Georgia limited liability corporation, on behalf
of itself and its designees or permitted assigns ("Swartz" sometimes referred to
herein, together with its designees or permitted assigns, as "Holder" or
"Holders") with respect to the Company's offering ("Offering") of up to Seven
Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($7,350,000) of 8% Convertible
Debentures (the "Debentures") pursuant to the Subscription Agreements between
the Company and certain investors.

     1.  Demand Registration.  After the expiration of a period of one hundred
         -------------------                                                  
eighty (180) calendar days from the final closing of the Offering, Holder may
notify the Company in writing that it demands that the Company file a
registration statement under the Act registering the resale of all of the Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant issued to Holder in connection with
the Offering ("Registrable Securities"), without cutback or reduction.  Upon
receipt of such notice, the Company shall effect as soon as practicable, and in
any event within sixty (60) days of the receipt of such request, the
registration under the Act of all Registrable Securities (a "Demand
Registration").

     2.  Piggyback Registration.  If (but without any obligation to do so) the
         ----------------------                                               
Company proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the Act in connection
with the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than (i) a
registration relating solely to the sale of securities to participants in a
Company stock or other benefit plan, or (ii) a registration of stock options,
stock purchase or compensation or incentive plans or securities issued or
issuable pursuant to any such plan on Form S-8 or comparable form then in
effect, the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder written
notice of such registration. Upon the written request of each Holder given by
fax within ten (10) days after mailing of such notice by the Company, which
request shall state the intended method of disposition of such shares by such
Holder, the Company shall cause to be included in such registration all of the
Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered (a
"Piggyback Registration").

     3.  Limitation on Obligations to Register.  Notwithstanding anything to the
         -------------------------------------                                  
contrary herein:

     (a) the Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand Registration

          (i) unless the closing bid price for the Company's common stock has
     equaled or exceeded 110% of the exercise price of the Warrants each day for
     the five (5) trading days immediately prior to the notice of demand; or

          (ii) if the Company filed a registration statement which became
     effective within six (6) months prior to the notice of demand and granted
     Holders the right to include all Registrable Securities in such
     registration statement, and the Holders declined to do so; and

     (b) the Company shall have the right (i) to defer the initial filing or
request for acceleration of effectiveness of any Demand Registration or
Piggyback Registration, or (ii) after effectiveness, to suspend effectiveness of
any such registration statement, if, in the good faith judgment of the board of
directors of the Company and upon the advice of counsel to the Company or the
managing underwriter (if any) of the offering, such delay in filing or
requesting acceleration of effectiveness or such suspension of effectiveness is
necessary in light of the existence of material non-public information
(financial or otherwise) concerning the Company disclosure of 
<PAGE>
 
which at the time is not, in the opinion of the board of directors of the
Company upon the advice of counsel, otherwise required and in the best interests
of the Company; provided, however, that the Company will not delay or suspend
effectiveness of such registration for more than ninety (90) days from the date
of the demand. The registration may only be delayed for one ninety (90) day
period.

     4.  Expenses of Registration.  All expenses other than underwriting
         ------------------------                                       
discounts and commissions incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Section 1 or 2, including (without limitation) all
registration, filing and qualification fees, printers' and accounting fees, fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Company (and including the reasonable fees
and disbursements incurred of only one counsel for the selling Holders selected
by them, not to exceed $5,000) shall be borne by the Company.

     5.  Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are included
         ---------------                                                       
in a registration statement under this Agreement:

     (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold
harmless each "Holder Indemnified Persons" (defined for purposes of this Section
5 as each Holder, the officers and directors of each Holder acting in their
capacity as such, any underwriter (as defined in the Act) for such Holder and
each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning
of the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")),
against any losses, claims, damages, expenses, or liabilities (joint or
several)("Losses") to which they may become subject under the Act, the 1934 Act
or other federal or state law, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements,
omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement
of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including any
preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments
or supplements thereto, or (ii) the omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of the Act, the 1934 Act, any
state securities law or rule or regulation promulgated under the Act, the 1934
Act, or any state securities law and the Company will reimburse each such Holder
Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them
in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or action; provided,
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 5(a) shall
not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case
for any such Loss or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon
a Violation which occurs (i) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by
any such Holder Indemnified Person, or (ii) the failure of such Holder
Indemnified Person to deliver a copy of the registration statement or the
prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, after the Company or
underwriters has furnished such person with a sufficient number of copies of the
same.

     (b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will indemnify and
hold harmless the "Company Indemnified Persons" (defined for the purpose of this
Section 5 as the Company, each of its directors in their capacity as such, each
of its officers who have signed the registration statement in their capacity as
such, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Act in their capacity as such, any underwriter and any other Holder Indemnified
Person selling securities in such registration statement), against any Loss
(joint or several) to which the Company or any such director, officer,
controlling person, or underwriter or controlling person, or other such Holder
Indemnified Person may become subject, under the Act, 
<PAGE>
 
the 1934 Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such Loss (or actions in
respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to
the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly
for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and any
such Company Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending
any such Loss or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this subsection 5(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement
of any such Loss or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of
the Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided, that,
in no event shall any indemnity under this subsection 5(b) exceed the gross
proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 of
notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action),
such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against
any indemnifying party under this Section 5, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have
the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so
desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided,
however, that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, with the reasonably incurred fees and expenses to be paid by the
indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel
retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party
represented by such counsel in such proceeding; provided, further, that the
indemnifying party shall be responsible for the fees and expenses incurred by
only one (1) counsel for all indemnified parties.  The failure to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the
commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such
action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
indemnified party under this Section 5, but the omission so to deliver written
notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it
may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 5.

     (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with
respect to any Loss, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the
indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party as a result of such Loss in such proportion as such court
finds appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on
the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other, in connection with the
statements or omissions that resulted in such Loss as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party
or the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

     (e) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 5 shall
survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement under this Agreement.

         6.  Miscellaneous
             -------------

     (a) Company shall maintain any registration statement filed under this
Agreement effective as provided above until the distribution described in that
registration statement has been 
<PAGE>
 
completed, but in no event more than one hundred eighty (180) days.

     (b) Each Holder shall give the Company one business day's prior written
notice of any proposed sale of Registrable Securities under the registration
statement, and shall not make such sale unless (i) one business day lapses
without response from the Company, or (ii) the Company notifies the Holder in
writing that the registration statement requires a post-effective amendment or
supplement to be current.  In the event of (ii) above, and subject to section 3
above, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to file a complete and
accurate post-effective amendment or supplement with the SEC and have any such
amendment declared effective as soon as reasonably possible and provide copies
to the Holders to enable them to sell their Registrable Securities in accordance
with applicable law and regulations.

     (c) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived only with the written consent of the Company and the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities.

     (d) All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in
writing signed by the party making the same, shall specify the section under
this Agreement pursuant to which it is given, and shall be addressed if to (i)
the Company at: President, 989 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA  94404-2113,
Telephone No. (415) 571-0222, Telecopy No. (415) 571-1132 and (ii) the Holders
at their respective last address as the party shall have furnished in writing as
a new address to be entered on such register. Any notice, except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, shall be made by fax and shall be deemed given at
the time of transmission of the fax.

     (e) This Agreement shall terminate on the date that is three years from the
date of this Agreement; but without prejudice to (i) the parties' rights and
obligations arising from breaches of this Agreement occurring prior to such
termination or (ii) other indemnification obligations under this Agreement.

     (f) The rights of a Holder under this Agreement may be transferred to a
subsequent holder of the Holder's Registrable Securities (provided such
transferee shall provide to the Company, together with or prior to such
transferee's request to have such Registrable Shares included in a Demand
Registration or Piggyback Registration, a copy of this Agreement executed by
such transferee agreeing to be bound as a Holder by the terms of this
Agreement).

     (g) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Georgia, U.S.A. applicable to agreements made in and
wholly to be performed in that jurisdiction, except for matters arising under
the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which matters shall be construed
and interpreted in accordance with such laws. Any action brought to enforce, or
otherwise arising out of, this Agreement shall be heard an determined only in
either a federal or state court sitting in the county of Fulton in the State of
Georgia, U.S.A.


                           [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

                                     Blyth Holdings, Inc.

                                     By: 
                                         ------------------------------------
                                            Michael Minor,
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                     SWARTZ INVESTMENTS, LLC

                                     By: 
                                         ------------------------------------
                                            Eric Swartz, President
 

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.30
 
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES RECEIVABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"),
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF  UNLESS (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME
EFFECTIVE WITH REGARD THERETO, OR (ii) AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION
WITH SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER.

Warrant to Purchase
                shares
- ---------------       


                        Warrant to Purchase Common Stock
                                       of
                              BLYTH HOLDINGS, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that _______________________ or any subsequent ("Holder")
hereof, has the right to purchase from Blyth Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), not more than ______________ fully paid and
nonassessable shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Common
Stock"), at a price equal to the Exercise Price as defined in Section 3 below,
subject to adjustment as provided herein, at any time on or before 5:00 p.m.,
Atlanta, Georgia time, on June 3, 2001.

     The Holder of this Warrant agrees with the Company that this Warrant is
issued and all rights hereunder shall be held subject to all of the conditions,
limitations and provisions set forth herein.

     1.  Date of Issuance.
         -----------------

     This Warrant shall be deemed to be issued on June 3, 1996 ("Date of
     Issuance").

     2.  Exercise.
         -------- 

     (a) Manner of Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised as to all or any
lesser number of full shares of Common Stock covered hereby upon surrender of
this Warrant, with the Exercise Form attached hereto duly executed, together
with the full Exercise Price (as defined in Section 3) for each share of Common
Stock as to which this Warrant is exercised, at the office of the Company, 989
E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA  94404-2113, Attention:  President,
Telephone No. (415) 571-0222, Telecopy No. (415) 571-1132, or at such other
office or agency as the Company may designate in writing, by overnight mail,
with an advance copy of the Exercise Form attached as Exhibit A ("Exercise
Form") by facsimile (such surrender and payment of the Exercise Price
hereinafter called the "Exercise of this Warrant").

     (b) Date of Exercise. The "Date of Exercise" of the Warrant shall be
defined as the date that the advance copy of the Exercise Form is sent by
facsimile to the Company, provided that the original  Warrant and Exercise Form
are received by the Company within five (5) business days thereafter.  The
original Warrant and Exercise Form must be received within five (5) business
days of the Date of Exercise, or the exercise may, at the 


1
<PAGE>
 
Company's option, be considered void. Alternatively, the Date of Exercise shall
be defined as the date the original Exercise Form is received by the Company, if
Holder has not sent advance notice by facsimile.

     (c) Cancellation of Warrant. This Warrant shall be canceled upon its
Exercise, and, as soon as practical after the Date of Exercise, the Holder
hereof shall be entitled to receive Common Stock for the number of shares
purchased upon such Exercise, and if this Warrant is not exercised in full, the
Holder shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant or Warrants (containing terms
identical to this Warrant) representing any unexercised portion of this Warrant
in addition to such Common Stock.

     (d) Holder of Record. Each person in whose name any Warrant for shares of
Common Stock is issued shall, for all purposes, be deemed to have become the
Holder of record of such shares on the Date of Exercise of this Warrant,
irrespective of the date of delivery of such shares of Common Stock.  Nothing in
this Warrant shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder hereof any rights
as a shareholder of the Company.

     3.  Payment of Warrant Exercise Price.
         --------------------------------- 

     The Exercise Price ("Exercise Price") shall equal $3.75 ("Exercise Price").
Payment of the Exercise Price may be made by either of the following, or a
combination thereof, at the election of Holder:

     (i)  Cash Exercise:  cash, certified check or cashiers check or wire
transfer; or

     (ii) Cashless Exercise: surrender of this Warrant at the principal office
of the Company together with notice of cashless election, in which event the
Company shall issue Holder a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the
following formula:
 
                         X = Y (A-B)/A

where:    X = the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to Holder.

          Y = the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is
          being exercised.

          A = the Market Price of one (1) share of Common Stock (for purposes of
          this Section 3(ii), the "Market Price" shall be defined as the closing
          price of the Common Stock on the Date of Exercise of this Warrant (the
          "Average Closing Price"), as reported by the National Association of
          Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), or if the
          Common Stock is not traded on NASDAQ, the price in the over-the-
          counter market; provided, however, that if the Common Stock is listed
          on a stock exchange, the Market Price shall be the average Closing on
          such exchange.  If the Common Stock is/was not traded on the Date of
          Exercise, then the closing price for the last publicly traded day
          shall be deemed to be the closing price for the Date of Exercise.

          B = the Exercise Price.

For purposes of Rule 144 and sub-section (d)(3)(ii) thereof, it is intended,
understood and acknowledged that the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this
Warrant in a cashless exercise transaction shall be deemed to have been acquired
at the time this Warrant was issued.  Moreover, it is intended, understood and
acknowledged that the holding period for 


2
<PAGE>
 
the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in a cashless exercise
transaction shall be deemed to have commenced on the date this Warrant was
issued.



3
<PAGE>
 
          4.   Transfer and Registration.
               ------------------------- 

          (a) Transfer Rights.  Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of this
Warrant, this Warrant may be transferred on the books of the Company, in whole
or in part, in person or by attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant properly
endorsed.  This Warrant shall be canceled upon such surrender and, as soon as
practicable thereafter, the person to whom such transfer is made shall be
entitled to receive a new Warrant or Warrants as to the portion of this Warrant
transferred, and the Holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a new
Warrant or Warrants as to the portion hereof retained.

          (b) Registrable Securities.  The Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of this Warrant may constitute "Registrable Securities" under that
certain Registration Rights Agreement dated on or about June 3, 1996 by and
between the Company and Swartz Investments, LLC and, accordingly, has the
benefit of the registration rights pursuant to that agreement.

          5.   Anti-Dilution Adjustments.
               ------------------------- 

          (a) Stock Dividend.  If the Company shall at any time declare a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, then the Holder hereof, upon
Exercise of this Warrant after the record date for the determination of Holders
of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend, shall be entitled to receive
upon Exercise of this Warrant, in addition to the number of shares of Common
Stock as to which this Warrant is Exercised, such additional shares of Common
Stock as such Holder would have received had this Warrant been Exercised
immediately prior to such record date and the Exercise Price will be
proportionately adjusted.

          (b)  Recapitalization or Reclassification.  If the Company shall at
any time effect a recapitalization, reclassification or other similar
transaction of such character that the shares of Common Stock shall be changed
into or become exchangeable for a larger or smaller number of shares, then upon
the effective date thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock which the
Holder hereof shall be entitled to purchase upon Exercise of this Warrant shall
be increased or decreased, as the case may be, in direct proportion to the
increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock by reason of such
recapitalization, reclassification or similar transaction, and the Exercise
Price shall be, in the case of an increase in the number of shares,
proportionally decreased and, in the case of decrease in the number of shares,
proportionally increased.  The Company shall give the Warrant Holder the same
notice it provides to holders of Common Stock of any transaction described in
this Section 5(b).

          (c) Distributions.  If the Company shall at any time distribute to
Holders of Common Stock cash, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or
assets (other than cash dividends or distributions payable out of earned surplus
or net profits for the current or preceding year) then, in any such case, the
Holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive, upon exercise of this
Warrant, with respect to each share of Common Stock issuable upon such Exercise,
the amount of cash or evidences of indebtedness or other securities or assets
which such Holder would have been entitled to receive with respect to each such
share of Common Stock as a result of the happening of such event had this
Warrant been Exercised immediately prior to the record date or other date fixing
shareholders to be affected by such event (the "Determination Date") or, in lieu
thereof, if the Board of Directors of the Company should so determine at the
time of such distribution, a reduced Exercise Price determined by multiplying
the Exercise Price on the Determination


4
<PAGE>
 
Date by a fraction, the numerator of which is the result of such Exercise Price
reduced by the value of such distribution applicable to one share of Common
Stock (such value to be determined by the Board in its discretion) and the
denominator of which is such Exercise Price.

          (d) Notice of Consolidation or Merger.  If, the Company shall at any
time (i) consolidate or merge with any other corporation and the Company is not
the surviving corporation, or (ii) transfer all or substantially all of its
assets, then the Company shall deliver written notice to the Holder of such
merger, consolidation or sale of assets at least thirty (30) days prior to
record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote on such merger,
consolidation or sale of assets and this Warrant shall terminate and expire
immediately prior to the closing of such merger, consolidation or sale of
assets.

          (e) Exercise Price Adjusted.  As used in this Warrant, the term
"Exercise Price" shall mean the purchase price per share specified in Section 3
of this Warrant until the occurrence of an event stated in subsection (a), (b)
or (c) of this Section 5 and thereafter shall mean said price as adjusted from
time to time in accordance with the provisions of said subsection.  No such
adjustment under this Section 5 shall be made unless such adjustment would
change the Exercise Price at the time by $.01 or more; provided, however, that
all adjustments not so made shall be deferred and made when the aggregate
thereof would change the Exercise Price at the time by $.01 or more. No
adjustment made pursuant to any provision of this Section 5 shall have the
effect of increasing the total consideration payable upon Exercise of this
Warrant in respect of all the Common Stock  as to which  this Warrant may be
exercised.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Exercise Price shall not be reduced to an amount below the par value of the
Common Stock.

          (f) Adjustments: Additional Shares, Securities or Assets.  In the
event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this
Section 5, the Holder of this Warrant shall, upon Exercise of this Warrant,
become entitled to receive shares and/or other securities or assets (other than
Common Stock) then, wherever appropriate, all references herein to shares of
Common Stock shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares and/or other
securities or assets; and thereafter the number of such shares and/or other
securities or assets shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and upon terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions of
this Section 5.
 
          6.   Fractional Interests.
               -------------------- 
 
          No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be
issuable upon the Exercise of this Warrant, but on Exercise of this Warrant, the
Holder hereof may purchase only a whole number of shares of Common Stock.  If,
on Exercise of this Warrant, the Holder hereof would be entitled to a fractional
share of Common Stock or a right to acquire a fractional share of Common Stock,
such fractional share shall be disregarded and the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion shall be the next lower number of shares.

          7.   Reservation of Shares.
               --------------------- 

          The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance such number of
authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock (or other securities substituted
therefor as herein above provided) as shall be sufficient for Exercise and
payment of the Exercise Price of this Warrant. The Company covenants and agrees
that upon Exercise of this 


5
<PAGE>
 
Warrant, all shares of Common Stock issuable upon such Exercise shall be duly
and validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and not subject to preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights of any person or entity.

          8.   Restrictions on Transfer.
               ------------------------ 

               (a) Registration or Exemption Required. This Warrant and the
Common Stock issuable on Exercise hereof have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in the absence of registration or the
availability of an exemption from registration under said Act. All shares of
Common Stock issued upon Exercise of this Warrant shall bear an appropriate
legend to such effect, if applicable.

               (b) Assignment.  Assuming the conditions of (a) above regarding
registration or exemption have been satisfied, the Holder may sell, transfer,
assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of this Warrant, in whole or in part. Holder
shall deliver a written notice to Company, substantially in the form of the
Assignment attached hereto as Exhibit B, indicating the person or persons to
whom the Warrant shall be assigned and the respective number of warrants to be
assigned to each assignee. The Company shall effect the assignment within ten
days, and shall deliver to the assignee(s) designated by Holder a Warrant or
Warrants of like tenor and terms for the appropriate number of shares.

               (c) Investment Intent. The Warrant and Common Stock issuable upon
conversion are intended to be held for investment purposes and not with an
intent to distribution, as defined in the Act.

          9.   Benefits of this Warrant.
               ------------------------ 

               Nothing in this Warrant shall be construed to confer upon any
person other than the Company and the Holder of this Warrant any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Warrant and this Warrant shall be
for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and the Holder of this
Warrant.
 
          10.  Applicable Law.
               -------------- 

               This Warrant is issued under and shall for all purposes be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of
California, without giving effect to conflict of law provisions thereof.
 
          11.  Loss of Warrant.
               --------------- 

               Upon receipt by the Company of evidence of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and (in the case of loss, theft or
destruction) of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company
shall execute and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and date.


6
<PAGE>
 
    12.  Notice or Demands.
         ----------------- 

Notices or demands pursuant to this Warrant to be given or made by the Holder of
this Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and
addressed, until another address is designated in writing by the Company, Blyth
Holdings, Inc., 989 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA  94404-2113, Attention:
President, Telephone No. (415) 571-0222, Telecopy No. (415) 571-1132.  Notices
or demands pursuant to this Warrant to be given or made by the Company to or on
the Holder of this Warrant shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and
addressed, Attn:  Holder, address:  c/o Swartz Investments, LLC, 200 Roswell
Summit, Suite 285, 1080 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, Georgia  30076, until
another address is designated in writing by Holder.


                           [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


7
<PAGE>
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Warrant as of June 3,
1996.


                                                Blyth Holdings, Inc.

                                           By:  ________________________________
                                                                               
                                    Print Name: ________________________________
                                                                               
                                         Title: ________________________________


8
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 EXERCISE FORM

                           TO:  Blyth Holdings, Inc.

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably exercises the right to purchase
____________ of the shares of Common Stock of Blyth Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, evidenced by the attached Warrant, and herewith makes payment of
the Exercise Price with respect to such shares in full, all in accordance with
the conditions and provisions of said Warrant.

     The undersigned agrees not to offer, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
any of such Common Stock, except in accordance with the provisions of Section 8
of the Warrant, and consents that the following legend may be affixed to the
stock certificates for the Common Stock hereby subscribed for, if such legend is
applicable:

     "The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any
     provincial or state securities law, and may not be sold, transferred,
     pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of until either (i) a
     registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable provincial
     or state securities laws shall have become effective with regard thereto,
     or (ii) an exemption from registration under the Securities Act or
     applicable provincial or state securities laws is available in connection
     with such offer, sale or transfer."

     The undersigned requests that stock certificates for such shares be issued,
and a warrant representing any unexercised portion hereof be issued, pursuant to
the Warrant in the name of the Registered Holder and delivered to the
undersigned at the address set forth below:


Dated:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Signature of Registered Holder

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Name of Registered Holder (Print)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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



9
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                                   ASSIGNMENT

                    (To be executed by the registered Holder
                       desiring to transfer the Warrant)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder of the attached Warrant hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto the person or persons below named the right to
purchase _______ shares of the Common Stock of Blyth Holdings, Inc. evidenced by
the attached Warrant and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_______________________ attorney to transfer the said Warrant on the books of
the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:                                     ---------------------------------
                                                 Signature


Fill in for new Registration of Warrant:


- -----------------------------------
          Name

- -----------------------------------
          Address

- -----------------------------------
Please print name and address of assignee
(including zip code number)

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

NOTICE

The signature to the foregoing Exercise Form or Assignment must correspond to
the name as written upon the face of the attached Warrant in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

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




10

<PAGE>
 
                                 Exhibit 21.1

                             List of Subsidiaries


                                                          Percent
       Name                      Jurisdiction            Ownership
       ----                      ------------            ---------

  Blyth Software, Inc.           California                 100%
  Blyth Software Limited         England                    100%
  Blyth Software GmbH            Germany                    100%



<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 33-
65538, 33-81008, 33-46166 and 33-32677 of Blyth Holding Inc. on Forms S-8 of our
report dated May 10, 1996 (June 4, 1996 as to Note 12) appearing in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Blyth Holdings Inc. for the year ended March 31, 1996.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California
June 25, 1996

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       5,128,733
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,702,998
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (399,973)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,155,014
<PP&E>                                       5,632,348
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,800,949)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,841,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,022,998
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                    35,820,045
<OTHER-SE>                                (28,276,364)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,841,001
<SALES>                                     13,703,111
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,703,111
<CGS>                                        6,990,151
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               19,471,418
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               327,886
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             125,842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,675,428)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,486
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,675,428)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (5,675,428)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.64)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.64)
        

</TABLE>


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