AMTECH CORP
10-Q, 1998-08-14
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, NEC
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)
       [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998

       [ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ....... TO .......

                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-17995

                              AMTECH CORPORATION
                            d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          TEXAS                                                75-2216818
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)                                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                             19111 DALLAS PARKWAY
                                   SUITE 300
                           DALLAS, TEXAS  75287-3106
                   (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                (972) 733-6600
             (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

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.
                                 YES  X  NO 
                                     ---    ---

INDICATE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF EACH OF THE ISSUER'S CLASSES OF
COMMON STOCK, AS OF THE LATEST PRACTICABLE DATE.


              CLASS                           OUTSTANDING AT JULY 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------        ----------------------------
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE                14,902,609
<PAGE>
 
                                    INDEX


PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
                                                                       Page
                                                                      Number
                                                                      ------
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1998
          and December 31, 1997                                           3
 
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
          three months and six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997        4
 
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
          six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997                         5
 
          Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements            6
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                                       9
 
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION                                                12

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                                 12
 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                   AMTECH CORPORATION d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION

                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              (In thousands)
 
                                                                                      June 30, 1998         December 31, 1997
                                                                                      -------------         -----------------
                        ASSETS                                                         (Unaudited)      
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
Current assets:                                                                                          
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                            $     33,044          $  15,163
  Short-term marketable securities                                                               --              1,010
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful                                         
   accounts of $727,000 in 1998 and $1,113,000 in 1997                                       15,050             31,559            
  Due from sale of businesses                                                                 6,885                 --
  Inventories                                                                                 4,052             11,759
  Prepaid expenses                                                                              442                801
                                                                                            -------            -------
     Total current assets                                                                    59,473             60,292
                                                                                                         
Property and equipment, at cost                                                               7,244             28,907
  Accumulated depreciation                                                                   (4,661)           (16,164)
                                                                                            -------            -------
                                                                                              2,583             12,743
                                                                                                         
Intangible assets, net                                                                        3,516              6,746
Other assets                                                                                    756              5,742
                                                                                            -------            -------
                                                                                       $     66,328          $  85,523
                                                                                            =======            =======
 
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                                                     $      2,144          $   6,167
  Accrued expenses                                                                            7,947             13,832
  Deferred revenues                                                                           2,196              1,828
                                                                                            -------            -------
     Total current liabilities                                                               12,287             21,827
                                                                                                          
Contingencies                                                                                             
                                                                                                          
Stockholders' equity:                                                                                     
  Preferred stock, $1 par value, 10,000,000 shares                                                        
   authorized; none issued                                                                       --                 --
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares                                                         
   authorized; 17,194,509 issued, 14,902,609                                                              
   outstanding in 1998 and 17,024,563 issued, 16,944,563                                                  
    outstanding in 1997                                                                         172                170
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                 86,723             86,045
  Treasury stock, at cost                                                                   (11,314)              (393)
  Accumulated deficit                                                                       (21,540)           (22,126)
                                                                                            -------            -------
      Total stockholders' equity                                                             54,041             63,696
                                                                                            -------            -------
                                                                                       $     66,328          $  85,523
                                                                                            =======            =======
</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                   AMTECH CORPORATION d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION
                                        
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (In thousands, except per share data)

                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Three Months              Six Months
                                                                       Ended June 30             Ended June 30
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------
                                                                      1998         1997         1998        1997
                                                                     ------       ------       ------      ------
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
Sales                                                               $ 29,083    $ 28,877      $ 60,088    $  53,030
Operating costs and expenses :
     Cost of sales                                                    16,650      17,790        34,821       33,148
     Research and development                                          2,122       2,954         4,372        5,772
     Marketing, general and administrative                             8,710      11,834        19,116       22,123
                                                                      ------      ------        ------      -------
                                                                      27,482      32,578        58,309       61,043
                                                                      ------      ------        ------      -------
 
Operating income (loss)                                                1,601      (3,701)        1,779       (8,013)
 
Investment income                                                        310         438           572          735
 
Interest expense                                                          --          --            --          (65)
 
Loss from sale of businesses, net                                     (1,561)         --        (1,561)          --
                                                                      ------      ------        ------      -------
 
Income (loss) before income taxes                                        350      (3,263)          790       (7,343)
 
Provision for income taxes                                               123       3,556           204        2,676
                                                                      ------      ------        ------      -------
 
Net income (loss)                                                   $    227    $ (6,819)     $    586    $ (10,019)
                                                                      ======      ======        ======      =======
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share                         $   0.01    $  (0.46)     $   0.03    $   (0.68)
                                                                      ======      ======        ======      =======
 
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share:
     Basic                                                            16,572      14,723        16,759       14,723
                                                                      ======      ======        ======      =======
     Diluted                                                          16,576      14,723        16,765       14,723
                                                                      ======      ======        ======      =======
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                   AMTECH CORPORATION d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In thousands)

                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                    Six Months
                                                                                                   Ended June 30
                                                                                                   -------------
                                                                                                 1998        1997
                                                                                               --------    --------
<S>                                                                                            <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income (loss)                                                                         $    586    $ (10,019)
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
      used by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization                                                              2,454        2,553
       Loss from sale of businesses, net                                                          1,561           --
       Stock based compensation                                                                     516           --
       Deferred income taxes                                                                         --        3,404
       Change in assets and liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                                                                    (2,901)      (3,784)
          Inventories                                                                            (1,858)       1,213
          Prepaid expenses                                                                          114          466
          Intangibles and other assets                                                               87          840
          Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                  (1,138)       1,402
          Deferred income                                                                           368         (622)
                                                                                                 ------      -------
            Net cash used by operating activities                                                  (211)      (4,547)
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
       Purchases of property and equipment                                                       (1,546)      (1,035)
       Proceeds from sale of TSG business, net of
          cash conveyed                                                                          18,740           --
       Purchase of Cardkey Systems                                                                   --       (1,868)
       Purchases of marketable securities                                                            --       (4,916)
       Sales and maturities of  marketable securities                                             1,010        9,795
       Increase in other assets                                                                    (397)        (851)
       Other                                                                                        (36)         (44)
                                                                                                 ------      -------
          Net cash provided by investing activities                                              17,771        1,081
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
       Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                       279           --
       Other                                                                                         36           46
                                                                                                 ------      -------
          Net cash provided by financing activities                                                 315           46
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                          6          161
                                                                                                 ------      -------
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                 17,881       (3,259)
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                   15,163        5,296
                                                                                                 ------      -------
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                       $ 33,044    $   2,037
                                                                                                 ======      =======
</TABLE> 
                            See accompanying notes.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                   AMTECH CORPORATION d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION

             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The accompanying financial statements, which should be read in conjunction
with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K, are unaudited but have been
prepared in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of providing
information with respect to the interim periods.  The Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet at December 31, 1997 was derived from the audited Consolidated
Balance Sheet at that date which is not presented herein.  Management of the
Company believes that all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation for such
periods have been included and are of a normal recurring nature except for the
special charges as explained in Notes 3, 4 and 5.  The results of operations for
the six-month period ended June 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the full year.

    In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS
130") effective for years beginning after December 15, 1997.  SFAS 130
establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
components in a full set of financial statements.  The differences between net
income and comprehensive income were not significant for the three-month and
six-month periods ended June 30, 1998.

    Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share includes the
effect of dilutive employee stock options.

2.    INVENTORIES

      Inventories consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                   June 30, 1998  December 31, 1997
                   -------------  -----------------
<S>                <C>            <C>
 
Raw materials         $1,755,000        $ 4,956,000
 
Work in process          683,000          3,107,000
 
Finished goods         1,614,000          3,696,000
                      ----------        -----------
 
                      $4,052,000        $11,759,000
                      ==========        ===========
</TABLE>

3.  DISPOSITION OF BUSINESSES

    Transportation Systems Group
    ----------------------------

    On June 11, 1998, the Company sold its Transportation Systems Group to
UNOVA, Inc. ("UNOVA"), effective as of May 31, 1998, for approximately
$33,500,000 and recorded a gain of $1,139,000 from the transaction.  As
consideration for the sale, the Company received approximately $20,000,000 in
cash, 2,2ll,900 unregistered shares of the Company's Common Stock that were
previously purchased by UNOVA in late 1997 valued at approximately $11,000,000,
and is due an additional amount from UNOVA of approximately $2,500,000.
Included in UNOVA's purchase were the Company's manufacturing and technology
facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Company's radio frequency
identification technologies and other intellectual properties, the brand name
Amtech, and all current operations associated with the transportation business.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
    Cotag International
    -------------------

    On July 7, 1998, the Company sold the net assets of its Cotag International
("Cotag") business unit to Metric Gruppen AB ("Metric") of Solna, Sweden,
effective as of June 30, 1998, for approximately $4,400,000 and recorded a loss
of $2,700,000 from the transaction, including a $2,800,000 write-off of
intangible assets.  The Company received approximately $2,700,000 in July 1998
with the remaining $1,700,000 to be received by January 1999.  The Company may
receive up to an estimated additional $1,400,000, depending on the level and mix
of Cotag revenues achieved in 1998 and 1999.  Included in Metric's purchase is
the brand name and intellectual property underlying Cotag's hands-free proximity
technology, Cotag's manufacturing facility in Cambridge, England, and the
ongoing business of the unit.

4.  SPECIAL OPERATING AND INCOME TAX CHARGES

    In July 1997, the Company announced that it would withdraw from the
wireless LAN terminal market and seek buyers for its Interactive Data Group
("IDG").  Operating results include non-cash charges of  $2,075,000 in the three
months and six months ended June 30, 1997 to reduce the assets of the IDG to
their estimated net realizable values.  Allocation of the charges to operating
costs and expenses are $1,000,000 in cost of sales, $100,000 in research and
development expense and $975,000 in marketing, general and administrative
expense.  The IDG was sold in late 1997.

    In the second quarter of 1997, in light of continued operating losses, the
Company determined that future taxable income in the U.S. was uncertain.  As a
result, the provision for income taxes in the second quarter of 1997 includes
$4,680,000, representing the effect of establishing a valuation allowance for
U.S. deferred tax assets, in accordance with the requirements of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes."

5.  MANAGEMENT CHANGE

    On February 28, 1998, Mr. David P. Cook replaced the chairman, president
and chief executive officer of the Company.  The provisions of the former
executive's severance agreement and various stock options resulted in a charge
in the first quarter 1998 of approximately $1,000,000, including a cash payment
of approximately $650,000, which is included in marketing, general and
administrative expenses for the six month period ended June 30, 1998.

    As previously disclosed, the Company and Mr. Cook entered into certain
employment and option arrangements.  The employment arrangement provides for a
three year term, beginning April 29, 1998.  Mr. Cook will receive no salary
under the employment arrangement, although, as consideration for entering into
the employment arrangement, Mr. Cook received an option to acquire 4,254,627
shares of the Company's Common Stock.  The option exercise price is $7.00 per
share, which was twice the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on April
28, 1998.  The options have a five year term and vest quarterly over two years.
The options vest immediately in the event (i) of a change of control or sale of
the Company or the sale of any material Company subsidiary that is engaged in
the digital data distribution business or other business involving a concept
primarily fostered by Mr. Cook, (ii) more than 25% of the Company's voting
securities are acquired by any person, (iii) a majority of the Company's Board
of Directors consists of persons other than the current incumbents or persons
whose initial election or nomination to the Board is approved by the current
incumbents or their approved successors, (iv) Mr. Cook's employment is
terminated without "cause" (as defined in the employment agreement), or (v) Mr.
Cook terminates employment for "good reason" (as defined in the employment
agreement).  The options also carry demand registration rights, which may be
exercised after the occurrence of any of the events specified in (i) through
(iii) above, and piggyback registration rights.

6.  NEW BUSINESS

    The Company intends to pursue digital data distribution businesses and has
acquired Petabyte Corporation ("Petabyte"), a start-up enterprise founded by Mr.
Cook.  The acquisition was approved by the Company's board of directors
excluding Mr. Cook.  At the time of the acquisition, Petabyte had no operations.
Included in the assets acquired was certain intellectual property (the use of
which entitles Mr. Cook to receive a royalty) in the digital data

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
distribution arena, including a patent pending authored by Mr. Cook, certain
existing know-how and the exclusive rights to know-how created or conceived by
Mr. Cook during the next three years in the digital data distribution arena, and
certain Internet domain names and certain service marks. The targeted businesses
for Petabyte are scaleable systems for selling and distributing customized
digital data products wherein a customer selects particular data products
(primarily large data sets, such as software, music, governmental publications,
NASA satellite imaging, etc.) over the Internet, by telephone, from terminals at
retail sites, by fax, e-mail, or other embodiments. Such data sets could be
automatically assembled and manufactured on compact disk, digital versatile disk
(DVD), or other media format and then shipped to, or transmitted digitally to,
the customer. In consideration of the sale of Petabyte, the Company has agreed
to pay Mr. Cook five annual payments of $200,000 each. The Company has the
right, exercisable at any time within the next four years, to return the
Petabyte enterprise back to Mr. Cook. If the Company exercises this right, no
further payments are required to be made.

    The Company has engaged the services of a law firm to assist in obtaining
exclusive or non-exclusive rights, or both, to certain data products for use in
pursuit of the digital data distribution businesses.  In exchange for these
services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company has agreed to issue options
to acquire approximately 5% of the subsidiary's common stock, which is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company. The number of Common Stock shares
into which these options are convertible is based on a formula that is dependent
upon the value of the subsidiary, which is imputed from the market value of the
Company's Common Stock after subtracting the value of the Company's other
assets.  The options vest over a two year period or may accelerate depending
upon the results of obtaining the exclusive or non-exclusive rights.  The
Company may terminate the engagement at any time and, in most circumstances, any
options not vested would expire.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

    At the beginning of 1998, the Company was organized into two market oriented
groups.  The Electronic Security Group ("ESG"), which focuses on products and
services for electronic access control applications, includes Amtech Europe
Limited and Cardkey Systems Inc.  The Transportation Systems Group ("TSG"),
included Amtech Systems Corporation, Amtech World Corporation and Amtech
International S.A., develops and provides high-frequency radio frequency
identification solutions to the transportation markets.  These markets included
electronic toll and traffic management ("ETTM"), rail, airport, parking and
access control, intermodal and motor freight.

    On June 11, 1998, the Company sold its Transportation Systems Group to
UNOVA, Inc. ("UNOVA"), effective as of May 31, 1998, for approximately
$33,500,000 and recorded a gain of $1,139,000 from the transaction.  As
consideration for the sale, the Company received approximately $20,000,000 in
cash, 2,2ll,900 unregistered shares of the Company's Common Stock that were
previously purchased by UNOVA in late 1997 valued at approximately $11,000,000,
and is due an additional amount from UNOVA of approximately $2,500,000.
Included in UNOVA's purchase were the Company's manufacturing and technology
facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Company's radio frequency
identification technologies and other intellectual properties, the brand name
Amtech, and all current operations associated with the transportation business.

    On July 7, 1998, the Company sold the net assets of its Cotag International
("Cotag") business unit (formerly included in the ESG) to Metric Gruppen AB
("Metric") of Solna, Sweden, effective as of June 30, 1998, for approximately
$4,400,000 and recorded a loss of $2,700,000 from the transaction, including a
$2,800,000 write-off of intangible assets.  The Company received approximately
$2,700,000 in July 1998 with the remaining $1,700,000 to be received by January
1999.  The Company may receive up to an estimated additional $1,400,000,
depending on the level and mix of Cotag revenues achieved in 1998 and 1999.
Included in Metric's purchase is the brand name and intellectual property
underlying Cotag's hands-free proximity technology, Cotag's manufacturing
facility in Cambridge, England, and the ongoing business of the unit.

    The Interactive Data Group ("IDG") business, consisting of WaveNet, Inc. and
WaveNet International, Inc. was sold in November 1997.  The sales of TSG and IDG
impact the comparability of the Company's 1998 results with those of 1997.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    Sales for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1998 increased
$206,000 or 1% and $7,058,000 or 13%, respectively, from the comparable periods
in 1997.  Sales for the ESG increased from $16,187,000 in the second quarter of
1997 to $18,444,000 for the comparable period in 1998, and from $30,701,000 in
the first six months of 1997 to $34,215,000 for the comparable period in 1998
primarily in its U.S.-based operations.  The TSG's sales decreased from
$12,498,000 in the second quarter of 1997 to $10,639,000 for the comparable
period in 1998 as only two months of sales were included in 1998 due to the
disposition of the TSG.  Even with the sale of the TSG resulting in only five
months of operations included in 1998, the group's sales increased from
$21,970,000 in the first six months of 1997 to $25,873,000 for the comparable
period in 1998 as 1997 sales were abnormally low due to delays in timing of
revenue recognition of certain systems integration contracts and European
manufacturing delays.

    Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 38% in 1997 to 43% in
1998 for the three month periods and from 37% in 1997 to 42% in 1998 for the six
month periods.  The increase in the three month and six month periods is
primarily due to a $1,000,000 provision in 1997 to adjust certain IDG assets to
their estimated net realizable values.  Also affecting the increase in the six
month period is an increase in TSG's gross profit margin from 33% in 1997 to 39%
in 1998.  This increase is due in part to improved gross profit margins on
systems integration services contract work in the first half of 1998, although
revenues of $3,000,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation electronic
toll collection contract had no gross profit margin as expected.  Additionally,
the TSG gross profit margin in 1998 increased as a result of lower manufacturing
costs due to higher

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
sales volumes of Company-manufactured products. The ESG's gross profit margin
was 42% in both of the 1998 periods compared to 41% in the 1997 periods.

    Research and development for the three months and six months ended June 30,
1998 decreased $832,000 or 28% and $1,400,000 or 24% from the comparable periods
in 1997, primarily due to the dispositions of the IDG in November 1997 and the
TSG effective May 1998.  IDG expenditures were $352,000 and $705,000 for the
three month and six month periods in 1997.  The TSG expenditures decreased from
$1,679,000 in 1997 to $1,044,000 in 1998 for the three month periods and from
$3,175,000 in 1997 to $2,488,000 in 1998 for the six month periods.

    Marketing, general and administrative expenses for the three months and six
months ended June 30, 1998 decreased $3,124,000 or 26% and $3,007,000 or 14%
from the comparable periods in 1997, primarily due to the dispositions of the
IDG in November 1997 and the TSG effective May 1998.  IDG expenditures were
$1,770,000 and $2,528,000 for the three month and six month periods in 1997,
including a second quarter provision of $975,000 to adjust certain IDG assets to
their estimated net realizable values.  TSG expenditures decreased from
$3,282,000 in 1997 to $1,800,000 in 1998 for the three month periods and from
$6,503,000 in 1997 to $4,882,000 in 1998 for the six month periods.  These
expenditure reductions were partially offset during the six month period in 1998
by an expense charge of approximately $1,000,000 pursuant to the provisions of
the Company's former chairman, president and chief executive officer's severance
agreement and various stock options.

    Investment income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1998
decreased from $438,000 to $310,000 and decreased from $735,000 to $572,000,
respectively.  The decrease for both periods is primarily attributable to a gain
realized in 1997 on the sale of an equity investment.

    The income tax provision of $123,000 and $204,000 for the three months and
six months ended June 30, 1998 consists primarily of state and foreign income
taxes. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards available in the U.S. to
offset a portion of its current tax expense. In the second quarter of 1997, in
light of continued operating losses, the Company determined that future taxable
income in the U.S. was uncertain. As a result, the provision for income taxes in
the second quarter of 1997 includes $4,680,000, representing the effect of
establishing a valuation allowance for U.S. deferred tax assets, in accordance
with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109
"Accounting for Income Taxes."

    As a result of the foregoing, the Company experienced net income of $227,000
and $586,000 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1998 as compared
to a net loss of $6,819,000 and $10,019,000 for the same periods in 1997.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    At June 30, 1998, the Company's principal source of liquidity is its net
working capital position of $47,186,000 including cash and cash equivalents of
$33,044,000. The Company received cash proceeds of $20,000,000 in June 1998 from
the sale of TSG and approximately $2,700,000 in July 1998 from the sale of
Cotag.  The Company will also receive approximately $4,200,000 by January 1999
from the sale of TSG and Cotag. The Company has no borrowings and believes a
working capital line of credit could be obtained if necessary or desired.  The
Company believes that its existing working capital position and other capital
funding alternatives should be sufficient to meet the short-term capital
requirements to pursue digital data distribution businesses.

OTHER MATTERS

    As previously disclosed, the Company and Mr. David P. Cook entered into
certain employment and option arrangements.  The employment arrangement provides
for a three year term, beginning April 29, 1998.  Mr. Cook will receive no
salary under the employment arrangement, although, as consideration for entering
into the employment arrangement, Mr. Cook received an option to acquire
4,254,627 shares of the Company's Common Stock.  The option exercise price is
$7.00 per share, which was twice the closing price of the Company's Common Stock
on April 28, 1998.  The options have a five year term and vest quarterly over
two years.  The options vest immediately in the event (i) of a change of control
or sale of the Company or the sale of any material Company subsidiary that is
engaged in the digital data distribution business or other business involving a
concept primarily

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
fostered by Mr. Cook, (ii) more than 25% of the Company's voting securities are
acquired by any person, (iii) a majority of the Company's Board of Directors
consists of persons other than the current incumbents or persons whose initial
election or nomination to the Board is approved by the current incumbents or
their approved successors, (iv) Mr. Cook's employment is terminated without
"cause" (as defined in the employment agreement), or (v) Mr. Cook terminates
employment for "good reason" (as defined in the employment agreement). The
options also carry demand registration rights, which may be exercised after the
occurrence of any of the events specified in (i) through (iii) above, and
piggyback registration rights.

    The Company intends to pursue digital data distribution businesses and has
acquired Petabyte Corporation ("Petabyte"), a start-up enterprise founded by Mr.
Cook.  The acquisition was approved by the Company's board of directors
excluding Mr. Cook.  At the time of the acquisition, Petabyte had no operations.
Included in the assets acquired was certain intellectual property (the use of
which entitles Mr. Cook to receive a royalty) in the digital data distribution
arena, including a patent pending authored by Mr. Cook, certain existing know-
how and the exclusive rights to know-how created or conceived by Mr. Cook during
the next three years in the digital data distribution arena, and certain
Internet domain names and certain service marks.  The targeted businesses for
Petabyte are scaleable systems for selling and distributing customized digital
data products wherein a customer selects particular data products (primarily
large data sets, such as software, music, governmental publications, NASA
satellite imaging, etc.) over the Internet, by telephone, from terminals at
retail sites, by fax, e-mail, or other embodiments.  Such data sets could be
automatically assembled and manufactured on compact disk, digital versatile disk
(DVD), or other media format and then shipped to, or transmitted digitally to,
the customer.  In consideration of the sale of Petabyte, the Company has agreed
to pay Mr. Cook five annual payments of $200,000 each.  The Company has the
right, exercisable at any time within the next four years, to return the
Petabyte enterprise back to Mr. Cook.  If the Company exercises this right, no
further payments are required to be made.

    The Company has engaged the services of a law firm to assist in obtaining
exclusive or non-exclusive rights, or both, to certain data products for use in
pursuit of the digital data distribution businesses.  In exchange for these
services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company has agreed to issue options
to acquire approximately 5% of the subsidiary's common stock, which is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company. The number of Common Stock shares
into which these options are convertible is based on a formula that is dependent
upon the value of the subsidiary, which is imputed from the market value of the
Company's Common Stock after subtracting the value of the Company's other
assets.  The options vest over a two year period or may accelerate depending
upon the results of obtaining the exclusive or non-exclusive rights.  The
Company may terminate the engagement at any time and, in most circumstances, any
options not vested would expire.

BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS

    Successful development of a start-up enterprise, particularly Internet
related businesses, can be difficult and costly; there are no assurances of
ultimate success and a start-up enterprise involves risks and uncertainties,
including the following: (1) There are no assurances that the Company will be
able to successfully develop Petabyte's targeted businesses, that it will be
able to compete effectively against similar or alternative digital data
distribution businesses, that it will gain market acceptance, that it will not
be made obsolete by further technological development, that it can be
successfully integrated into the Company's existing operations, or that it will
not encounter other, and even unanticipated, risks. (2) Use of the Internet by
consumers, while growing, is still at an early stage of development, and market
acceptance of the Internet as a medium for entertainment, commerce and
information is still subject to a high level of uncertainty. (3) The Company may
decide to exit the digital data distribution business at any time.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                          PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

         Effective August 24, 1998, the Company's new address will be One
         Galleria Tower, 13355 Noel Road, Suite 1555, Dallas, Texas 75240-6604.
         The new telephone number will be (972) 702-7055.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (a)  Exhibits

              The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

               Description of Exhibits
               -----------------------

               *10.1  AMTC Corporation Stock Option Agreement, effective as of
                      April 29, 1998, between David P. Cook and Amtech
                      Corporation d/b/a AMTC Corporation.

               *10.2  Employment Agreement, effective as of April 29, 1998,
                      between David P. Cook and Amtech Corporation d/b/a AMTC
                      Corporation.

               *27.1  Financial Data Schedule.

         (b)  The Registrant filed Form 8-K on June 19, 1998 to report the June
              11, 1998 sale of its Transportation Systems Group to UNOVA, Inc.
              The report included a pro forma condensed consolidated balance
              sheet as of March 31, 1998 and pro forma condensed consolidated
              statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
              the three months ended March 31, 1998.

              The Registrant filed Form 8-K on July 21, 1998 to report the July
              7, 1998 sale of its Cotag International unit, which was effective
              June 30, 1998, to Metric Gruppen AB. The report included a pro
              forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 1998
              and pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for
              the year ended December 31, 1997 and the three months ended March
              31, 1998.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Filed herewith.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

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

                              AMTECH CORPORATION d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION
                                 (Registrant)



Date: August 14, 1998               By:  /s/ Steve M. York
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Steve M. York
                                         Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer, and Treasurer
                                         (Principal Financial Officer and
                                         Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------



Exhibit
Number                             Description
- ------                             -----------

10.1    AMTC Corporation Stock Option Agreement, effective as of April 29, 1998,
        between David P. Cook and Amtech Corporation d/b/a AMTC Corporation.

10.2    Employment Agreement, effective as of April 29, 1998, between David P.
        Cook and Amtech Corporation d/b/a AMTC Corporation.

27.1    Financial Data Schedule.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                                               Execution Version


               THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS AN ARBITRATION PROVISION

                               AMTC CORPORATION
                            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), effective as of April 29, 1998, is made
and entered into by and between Amtech Corporation d/b/a AMTC Corporation, a
Texas corporation (the "Company"), and David P. Cook (the "Optionee").

                                  WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that in
consideration of Optionee entering into an Employment Agreement as of the date
hereof (the "Employment Agreement"), it is in the best interest of the Company
to grant to the Optionee an Option (the "Option") to purchase Common Stock, $.01
par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock");

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to evidence in writing the terms and
conditions of the Option.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and as an inducement to the Optionee
to continue as an employee of the Company and to promote the success of the
business of the Company, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.  Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee, upon the
terms set forth in this Agreement, the Option to acquire 4,254,627 shares of
Common Stock, at an exercise price per share of $7.00, effective as of April 29,
1998 (the "Award Date"). The Optionee hereby accepts the Option from the
Company.

     2.  Vesting. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall vest in
seven equal quarterly installments of 531,828 shares on each of August 1, 1998;
November 1, 1998; February 1, 1999; May 1, 1999; August 1, 1999; November 1,
1999; and February 1, 2000; and an installment of 531,831 shares on May 1, 2000;
subject to the following:

     (a) the Option shall immediately vest in full as to all shares of Common
Stock subject hereto (i) upon the occurrence of a "Change of Control (as defined
below); or (ii) Optionee resigns employment with the Company pursuant to
Subsection 8(D)(1) (Employee resigns for "Good Reason") of the Employment
Agreement; or (iii) Optionee's employment is terminated by the Company pursuant
to Subsection 8(E) (Company terminates without "Cause") of the Employment
Agreement; and

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     (b) the Option shall cease to vest (i) the day following the first vesting
date following the applicable "Date of Termination" (as defined in Subsection
8(I) of the Employment Agreement) if Optionee's employment with the Company
terminates pursuant to Subsection 8(A)(Employee's death), Subsection
8(B)(Company terminates because of Employee's incapacity), Subsection
8(D)(2)(Employee terminates because of poor health), or Subsection 8(G)(Company
terminates for "Non-Performance") of the Employment Agreement and (ii)
immediately on the "Date of Termination" if Optionee's employment with the
Company terminates pursuant to Subsection 8(C)(Company terminates with "Cause")
or Subsection 8(F)(Employee terminates upon notice) of the Employment Agreement;
provided, however, that if Employee's employment terminates pursuant to
Subsection 8(G)(Company terminates for "Non-Performance") and at the Date of
Termination applicable thereto, a tender offer has been made with respect to the
Company's Common Stock or the Company has received a proposal soliciting a Sale
of the Company or of any Material Subsidiary and such offer or proposal results
in the occurrence of a Change of Control, then the Option shall immediately vest
in full as to all shares of Common Stock subject hereto effective as of the date
of the occurrence of the Change of Control.

     3. Exercise. In order to exercise the Option with respect to any vested
shares of Common Stock hereunder, the Optionee shall provide written notice to
the Company at its principal executive office to the attention of the Company's
chief financial officer. The notice must: (i) state the number of shares of
Common Stock being purchased; (ii) be signed or otherwise given by the Optionee
(or by a permitted transferee pursuant to this Agreement); (iii) be accompanied
by payment of the aggregate exercise price for all shares of Common Stock being
purchased (unless the Optionee has provided for payment through a broker-dealer
or other means as permitted under this Agreement); and (iv) be accompanied by
payment of the amount that the Company is required to withhold for federal
income or other tax purposes (unless the Optionee has provided for payment of
those taxes to the Company in another manner permitted under this Agreement). At
the time of exercise, the Optionee shall pay to the Company the Option price per
share set forth in Section 1 times the number of vested shares as to which the
Option is being exercised. The Optionee shall make such payment by delivering
(a) cash, (b) a cashier's check, (c) shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market
Value equal to the aggregate exercise price, (d) cancellation of the Option with
respect to a certain number of the vested shares of Common Stock sought to be
exercised, which number of shares to be canceled is derived by dividing the
aggregate exercise price pertaining to the option shares sought to be exercised
by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, or (e) any other
consideration that the Board of Directors determines is consistent with
applicable law. If the Option is exercised in full, the Optionee shall surrender
this Agreement to the Company for cancellation. If the Option is exercised in
part, the Optionee shall surrender this Agreement to the Company so that the
Company may make appropriate notation hereon or cancel this Agreement and issue
a new agreement representing the unexercised portion of the Option.

     For purposes of illustration, clause (d) operates as follows: assuming an
exercise price of $7.00 per share and a Fair Market Value of $10.00 per share on
the date of exercise, if options to acquire 100,000 shares are sought to be
exercised, then 70,000 of the 100,000 options are canceled (as the payment of
the exercise price for the 100,000 options), and only 30,000 shares

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
would be issued to the Optionee. No further consideration is paid to the Company
with respect to the exercise of these 100,000 options.

     If the shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Option are
covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, the Option may be exercised by a broker-dealer acting on behalf of
the Optionee if (i) the broker-dealer has received from the Optionee or the
Company a fully- and duly-endorsed agreement evidencing the Option, (ii) the
Optionee has delivered Optionee's signed instructions to the broker-dealer and
the Company directing the Company to deliver the shares of Common Stock to be
issued upon exercise of the Option to the broker-dealer on behalf of the
Optionee and specifying the account into which such shares should be deposited,
(iii) adequate provision has been made with respect to the payment of any
withholding taxes due upon such exercise, (iv) the broker-dealer delivers to the
Company the aggregate exercise price in accordance with the first paragraph of
this Section 3, and (v) the broker-dealer and the Optionee have otherwise
complied with Section 220.3(e)(4) of Regulation T, 12 CFR Part 220, or any
successor provision.

     Subject to Section 9, the Company shall promptly issue and deliver a
certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the
Option has been exercised after the Company receives a notice of exercise and
upon receipt by the Company of the aggregate exercise price and any tax
withholding as may be requested.

     4. Who May Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during the lifetime of
the Optionee only by the Optionee or by any permitted transferee (see Section
8). To the extent exercisable after the Optionee's death, the Option shall be
exercised only by the Optionee's representatives, executors, successors, or
beneficiaries.

     5. Expiration of Option. The Option shall expire, and shall not be
exercisable with respect to any vested shares of Common Stock hereunder as to
which the Option has not been exercised, as follows: (a) if Optionee's
employment with the Company terminates pursuant to Subsection 8(D)(1)(Employee
terminates for "Good Reason") or Subsection 8(E)(Company terminates without
"Cause"), on the fifth anniversary of the Award Date; or (b) on the first to
occur of the fifth anniversary of the Award Date or 18 months from the
applicable "Date of Termination" (as defined in Subsection 8(I) of the
Employment Agreement) if Optionee's employment with the Company terminates
pursuant to Subsection 8(A)(Employee's death), Subsection 8(B)(Company
terminates because of Employee's incapacity), Subsection 8(D)(2)(Employee
terminates because of poor health), Subsection 8(F)(Employee terminates upon
notice), or Subsection 8(G)(Company terminates for "Non-Performance"), of the
Employment Agreement; or (c) the first to occur of the fifth anniversary of the
Award Date or 90 days from the applicable "Date of Termination" if Optionee's
employment with the Company terminates pursuant to Subsection 8(C)(Company
terminates for "Cause").

     6. Tax Withholding. Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company may take such steps as it reasonably deems
necessary or desirable for the withholding of any taxes that it is required by
law or regulation of any governmental

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
authority, federal, state or local, domestic or foreign, to withhold in
connection with any of the shares of Common Stock subject hereto.

     7. Dilution; Change of Control. The number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the Option and the Option price therefor set forth in Section 1 shall
be subject to adjustment for any Dilutive Event (as defined below). Appropriate
adjustment, reasonably satisfactory to the Optionee, will be made to the terms
of this Agreement to preserve the relative rights of Optionee and the Company
under this Agreement in the event of any other significant corporate transaction
or Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs and, as a part of such
Change of Control, shares of stock, other securities, cash, or property shall be
issuable or deliverable in exchange for Common Stock, then the Optionee shall be
entitled to purchase or receive (in lieu of the shares of Common Stock that the
Optionee would otherwise be entitled to purchase or receive hereunder), the
number of shares of stock, other securities, cash, or property to which that
number of shares of Common Stock would have been entitled in connection with
such Change of Control (and, at an aggregate exercise price equal to the
aggregate exercise price hereunder that would have been payable if that number
of shares of Common Stock had been purchased on the exercise of the Option
immediately before the consummation of the Change of Control).

     8. Transfer of Option. The Optionee shall not, directly or indirectly,
sell, transfer, pledge, encumber, or hypothecate ("Transfer") the Option or the
rights and privileges pertaining thereto other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, except, (a) to a pension or retirement plan or trust
established for estate planning purposes, in each case, established for the
benefit of Optionee or (b) with respect to any vested shares under the Option,
to a bank or other financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Company.
Furthermore, the Option is fully transferable with respect to 40% of the option
shares subject thereto, once the Option is fully vested. Any permitted
transferee to whom the Optionee shall Transfer the Option pursuant to this
Section 8 shall agree to be bound by this Agreement. Except in connection with
Transfers contemplated by clause (b) of this Section 8, the Option is not liable
for or subject to, in whole or in part, the debts, contracts, liabilities, or
torts of the Optionee, nor shall it be subject to garnishment, attachment,
execution, levy, or other legal or equitable process.

     9. Certain Legal Restrictions. The Company shall not be obligated to sell
or issue any shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Option or otherwise
unless, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, the issuance and delivery of
such shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of law and other legal
requirements including, without limitation, any applicable federal or state
securities laws and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which shares of
the Common Stock may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise of the
Option or the sale by the Company of any additional shares of Common Stock to
the Optionee, the Company may require the Optionee to make such representations,
warranties, covenants, and agreements as may be necessary to assure the
compliance with applicable federal or state securities laws. The Company shall
not be liable for refusing to sell or issue any shares if the Company cannot
obtain authority from the appropriate regulatory bodies deemed by the Company to
be necessary to lawfully sell or issue such shares. In addition, the Company
shall have no obligation to the Optionee, express or implied, to list, register,
or otherwise qualify any of the Optionee's shares of Common Stock. The shares of
Common Stock issued upon the exercise of

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
the Option may not be transferred except in accordance with applicable federal
or state securities laws. At the Company's election, the certificate evidencing
shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee may be legended as follows:

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
     UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE
     SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED
     FOR SALE, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF
     EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND THE APPLICABLE
     SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION.

Also, if applicable, a legend evidencing any Transfer restrictions imposed by
this Agreement  may also, at the Company's election, be affixed to the shares of
Common Stock issued to the Optionee.

     10. Covenants.

     (a) Information. The Optionee shall furnish to the Company all information
requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other
requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or
regulation.

     (b) Registration Rights. The Optionee shall have the registration rights
described in Annex A.

     11. Definitions.

     The following terms as used in this Agreement shall have the stated
meanings:

     (a) Acquiring Person. An "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person
(including any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, is the beneficial
owner (as the term "beneficial owner" is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any
successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 10% or more
of the outstanding Common Stock. The term "Acquiring Person" shall not include
the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or subsidiary of the Company, any Person to the extent such Person is
holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, or Optionee
or any Affiliate or Associate of Optionee. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
Person who becomes an Acquiring Person by acquiring beneficial ownership of 10%
or more of the Common Stock at any time after the date of this Agreement shall
continue to be an Acquiring Person whether or not such Person continues to be
the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock.

     (b) Affiliate and Associate. "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the
respective

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act in effect on the date of this Agreement.

     (c) Change of Control. "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any
of the following events:

         (i)   Any Sale of the Company or any Material Subsidiary; or

         (ii)  Any Acquiring Person has become the beneficial owner of
     securities which, when added to any securities already owned by such
     person, would represent in the aggregate 25% or more of the then-
     outstanding securities of the Company that are entitled to vote to elect
     any class of directors;

         (iii) If at any time, the Continuing Directors then serving on the
     Board of Directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at
     least a majority thereof; or

         (iv)  Any occurrence that would be required to be reported in
     response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A or any successor
     rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act.

     (d) Continuing Director.  A "Continuing Director" shall mean a director of
the Company who (i) is not an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
thereof, or a representative of an Acquiring Person or nominated for election by
an Acquiring Person, and (ii) was either a member of the Board of Directors of
the Company on the date of this Agreement or subsequently became a director of
the Company and whose initial election or initial nomination for election by the
Company's shareholders was approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors
then on the Board of Directors of the Company.

     (e) Dilutive Event.  A "Dilutive Event" shall mean any of the following
events that results in dilution to the shares of Common Stock acquired or
acquirable upon exercise of the Option: any increase or decrease in the shares
of Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company or any change or
exchange of any such securities for a different number or kind of securities,
any of which results from one or more stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock
dividends, any issuance of capital stock by the Company for less than Fair
Market Value, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other corporate actions
with a similar effect.  A Dilutive Event shall not include, however, among other
things: (a) the issuance or exercise of options pursuant to an option plan
established by the Company for the benefit of the Company's directors or its
employees or the employees of its subsidiaries; or (b) any issuance of capital
stock by the Company for at least Fair Market Value or any issuance or grant to
any person or entity of any right to subscribe for or to purchase any capital
stock or securities convertible into any capital stock of the Company for at
least Fair Market Value.

     (f) Fair Market Value. "Fair Market Value" shall mean the closing sale
price (or average of the quoted closing bid and asked prices if there is no
closing sale price reported) of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately
prior to the date specified as reported by The

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Nasdaq Stock Market or by the principal national stock exchange on which the
Common Stock is then listed or if The Nasdaq Stock Market or the principal
national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed is not open for
trading that day, on the trading day immediately preceding. If there is no
reported price information for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, in its good faith
discretion. In making such determination, the Board of Directors may, but shall
not be obligated to, commission and rely upon an independent appraisal of the
Common Stock.

     (g) Material Subsidiary.  A "Material Subsidiary" shall mean any majority-
owned subsidiary of the Company that is material to the business of the Company,
taken as a whole, and that is engaged in the digital data distribution business
or other business involving a concept primarily fostered by Optionee.

     (h) Person.  A "Person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a
partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust, an incorporated
organization, or a government or political subdivision thereof and any other
entity.  A Person, together with that Person's Affiliates and Associates, and
any Persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, joint venture,
association, syndicate, or other group (whether or not formally organized), or
otherwise acting jointly or in concert or in a coordinated or consciously
parallel manner (whether or not pursuant to any express agreement), for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of securities of the Company
with that Person, shall be deemed a single "Person."

     (i) Sale. A "Sale" occurs with respect to the Company or a Material
Subsidiary, as applicable, if it engages in a merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization, or sale, lease, license, transfer, or other
effective disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's or Material
Subsidiary's assets and the Company or its shareholders or Affiliates
immediately before such transaction beneficially own, immediately after or as a
result of such transaction, equity securities of the surviving or acquiring
corporation or such corporation's parent corporation possessing less than fifty
one percent (51%) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring Person or
such Person's parent corporation, provided that a Sale shall not be deemed to
occur upon any public offering or series of such offerings of securities of the
Company or a Material Subsidiary that results in any such change in beneficial
ownership.

     12. Miscellaneous.

     (a) The granting of the Option herein shall impose no obligation upon the
Optionee to exercise the Option or any part thereof. Nothing herein contained
shall affect the right of the Company to terminate the employment of the
Optionee at any time, with or without Cause (as such term is defined in the
Employment Agreement), or shall be deemed to create any rights to employment on
the part of the Optionee.

     (b) The rights and obligations arising under this Agreement are not
intended to and do not affect the relationship that otherwise exists between the
Company and the Optionee as an employee. Moreover, this Agreement is not
intended to and does not amend any existing contract between the Company and the
Optionee relating to the Optionee's position as an employee; to the

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
extent there is a conflict between this Agreement and such a contract, such
contract shall govern and take priority.

     (c) Neither the Optionee nor any Person claiming under or through the
Optionee shall be or shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder
of the Company in respect of any of the shares issuable upon the exercise of the
Option herein unless and until certificates representing such shares shall have
been issued and delivered to the Optionee or such Optionee's agent.

     (d) Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Agreement
or any delivery of the Option herein to the Company shall be addressed to the
Company at its principal executive offices, and any notice to be given to the
Optionee shall be addressed to the Optionee at the address of the Company's
principal executive offices, or at such other address for a party as such party
may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be deemed
to have been duly given upon receipt.

     (e) Subject to the limitations herein on the transferability by the
Optionee of the Option and any shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise
hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
assignees, representatives, executors, successors, or beneficiaries of the
parties hereto.

     (f) THE INTERPRETATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES, AS
APPLICABLE, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

     (g) If any provision of this Agreement is declared or found to be illegal,
unenforceable or void, in whole or in part, then the parties shall be relieved
of all obligations arising under such provision, but only to the extent that it
is illegal, unenforceable, or void, it being the intent and agreement of the
parties that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision
to the extent necessary to make it legal and enforceable while preserving its
intent or, if that is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision
that is legal and enforceable and achieves the same objectives.

     (h) All section titles and captions in this Agreement are for convenience
only, shall not be deemed part of this Agreement, and in no way shall define,
limit, extend, or describe the scope or intent of any provisions of this
Agreement.

     (i) The parties shall execute all documents, provide all information, and
take or refrain from taking all actions as may be necessary or appropriate to
achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

     (j) This Agreement and the Employment Agreement constitute the entire
agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
thereof and supersede all prior written and prior or contemporaneous oral
agreements and understandings pertaining hereto and thereto.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     (k) No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any
covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any
right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any
such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement, or condition.

     (l) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together
shall constitute one agreement binding on the parties hereto, notwithstanding
that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same
counterpart.

     (m) In addition to all other rights or remedies available at law or in
equity, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief
to prevent or enjoin any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

     (n) The Optionee's spouse joins this Agreement for the purpose of agreeing
to and accepting the terms of this Agreement and to bind any community property
interest he or she has or may have in the Option, any vested portion or any
unvested portion of the Option, any shares of Common Stock acquired upon
exercise of the Option, and any other shares of Common Stock held by the
Optionee.

     13. Arbitration. The Company and the Optionee agree to the resolution by
binding arbitration of all claims, demands, causes of action, disputes,
controversies, or other matters in question ("Claims") arising under this
Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise and whether provided
by statute or common law. This Agreement to arbitrate shall not limit the
Company's or the Optionee's rights to seek equitable relief, including, but not
limited to, injunctive relief and specific performance, in a court of law. The
Claims shall be submitted to arbitration and finally settled under the
applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in effect at
the time the written notice of the Claim is received. An arbitrator shall be
selected in the manner provided for in such rules of the AAA, except that the
parties agree that the arbitrator shall be an attorney licensed in the state
where the arbitration is being conducted. If any party refuses to honor its
obligations under this agreement to arbitrate, the other party may compel
arbitration in either federal or state court. The arbitrator will have exclusive
authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability,
enforceability, or formation of this agreement to arbitrate, including, but not
limited to, any claim that all or part of this Agreement is void or voidable and
any claim that an issue is not subject to arbitration. The arbitration will be
held in Dallas County, Texas. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that
identifies the factual findings and principles of law upon which any award is
based. The award and findings of such arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding
upon the parties, and judgment upon such award may be entered in any court of
competent jurisdiction. Any and all of the arbitrator's orders, decisions, and
awards may be enforceable in, and judgment upon any award rendered by the
arbitrator may be confirmed and entered by, any federal or state court having
jurisdiction. The Company shall pay all costs and expenses of its advisors, and
the Optionee shall pay all costs and expenses of his advisors. The costs and
expenses of the arbitration proceedings will be paid by the non-prevailing party
or as the arbitrator otherwise determines. Discovery will be permitted to the
extent directed by the arbitrator. THE OPTIONEE UNDERSTANDS THAT BY AGREEING TO
SUBMIT CLAIMS TO ARBITRATION, HE GIVES UP THE RIGHT TO SEEK A TRIAL BY COURT OR
JURY AND THE RIGHT TO AN APPEAL

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
FROM ANY ERRORS OF THE COURT AND FORGOES ANY AND ALL RELATED RIGHTS HE MAY
OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS.


                                    THE COMPANY:

                                    AMTECH CORPORATION
                                    d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION


                                    /s/ Steve M. York
                                    -----------------
                                    Steve M. York
                                    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                    Officer, and Treasurer
 
                                    Date:  August 11, 1998
                                           ---------------
 


                                    OPTIONEE:

                                    /s/ David P. Cook
                                    -----------------
                                    David P. Cook

                                    Date:  August 11, 1998
                                           ---------------
 


                                    OPTIONEE'S SPOUSE:

                                    /s/ Cheryl G. Cook
                                    ------------------
                                    Cheryl G. Cook

                                    Date:  August 11, 1998
                                           ---------------

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A

     1. Shares. As used herein, the term "Shares" shall mean the shares of
Common Stock issuable under the Stock Option Agreement to which this Annex A is
attached.

     2. Demand Registration Rights. (a) From and after the occurrence of a
Change of Control, at any time prior to the seventh anniversary of the date
hereof, the Optionee shall be entitled to make up to four demands (but not more
than one per calendar year) to the Company to effect the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of all or part of the
Shares (provided that the Shares proposed to be sold by the Optionee represent,
in the aggregate, more than 15% of the total number of Shares). Each such demand
request shall specify the number of Shares proposed to be sold. Subject to
Subsection 2(c), upon the receipt of such demand, the Company shall prepare and
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") within 30 days of
the receipt of the demand ("Required Filing Date"), a registration statement on
the applicable form (most likely Form S-3 or Form S-8) under the Securities Act
covering the Shares and shall use its best efforts to cause such registration
statement to become effective as promptly as practicable after such filing, and
shall file such post-effective amendments to such registration statement in
order for it to remain effective without lapse until 120 days following the
registration of the Shares or the sale of all the Shares, whichever is earlier.
The Company shall pay the expenses described in Section 5 for the registration
pursuant to this Section 2. Up to two of the demand registrations may take the
form of a managed underwriting, and the balance will take the form of a shelf
registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act ("Shelf
Registration"). If the registration of the Shares is to take the form of a
managed underwriting, then the Company and the Optionee shall act in good faith
and reasonably to mutually select the managing underwriter.

     (b) A registration will not count as one of the four demand registrations
under Subsection 2(a) until it has become effective (unless the Optionee
withdraws all of his Shares and the Company has performed its obligations
hereunder in all material respects, in which case such demand will count as a
demand registration unless the Optionee pays all registration expenses in
connection with such withdrawn registration); provided, that if, after it has
become effective, an offering of Shares pursuant to a registration is interfered
with by any stop order, injunction, or other order or requirement of the SEC or
other governmental agency or court, such registration will be deemed not to have
been effected and will not count as a demand registration.

     (c) The Company may defer the filing (but not the preparation) of a
registration statement required by Subsection 2(a) until a date not later than
60 days after the Required Filing Date (or, if longer, 120 days after the
effective date of the registration statement contemplated by clause (ii) below)
if (i) at the time the Company receives the demand request, the Company or any
of its majority-owned subsidiaries is engaged in confidential negotiations or
other confidential business activities, disclosure of which would be required in
such registration statement (but would not be required at that time if such
registration statement were not filed), and the Board of

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Directors of the Company determines in good faith that such disclosure would be
materially detrimental to the Company and its stockholders or would have a
material adverse effect on any such confidential negotiations or other
confidential business activities, or (ii) prior to receiving the demand request,
the Board of Directors had determined to effect a registered underwritten public
offering of the Company's securities for the Company's account and the Company
had taken substantial steps (including selecting a managing underwriter for such
offering) and is proceeding with reasonable diligence to effect such offering. A
deferral of the filing of a registration statement pursuant to this Subsection
shall be lifted, and the requested registration statement shall be filed
forthwith, if, in the case of a deferral pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding
sentence, the negotiations or other activities are disclosed or terminated, or,
in the case of a deferral pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, the
proposed registration for the Company's account is abandoned. In order to defer
the filing of a registration statement pursuant to this Subsection, the Company
shall promptly (but in any event within 10 business days of receipt of the
demand request), deliver to the Optionee a certificate signed by an executive
officer of the Company stating that the Company is deferring such filing
pursuant to this Subsection and a general statement of the reason for such
deferral and an approximation of the anticipated delay. Upon receipt of such
certificate, the Optionee may withdraw the demand request, and if withdrawn, the
demand request shall be deemed not to have been made for all purposes of this
Agreement.

     (d) Suspension of Use of Resale Shelf Registration Statements.  The Company
shall be entitled, at any time and from time-to-time, to suspend the offer and
sale of Shares in connection with a Shelf Registration, if the Company
determines in good faith, that any such offer or sale could materially interfere
with bona fide financing, acquisition, or other material business plans of the
Company or would require disclosure of non-public information, the premature
disclosure of which could materially adversely affect the Company.  Such
suspension will be in effect until the earlier of the date on which the Company
determines in good faith that (i) any such offer or sale could not materially
interfere with such bona fide financing, acquisition, or other material business
plans of the Company; or (ii) full disclosure of such non-public information has
been made, provided that such suspensions will not in any event exceed 120 days
without the consent of the Optionee.  If the Company determines to suspend the
offer and sale of Shares pursuant to this Subsection 2(d), the Company shall
promptly notify the Optionee of the date on which such suspension shall take
effect, and the Optionee shall suspend the use of such registration statement
upon receipt of such notification.  If the Company shall suspend a Shelf
Registration pursuant to this Subsection 2(d), then the Company shall extend the
effectiveness of the applicable registration statement by the same number of
days comprising the suspension period.

     3. Piggyback Registrations. (a) At any time prior to the seventh
anniversary of the date hereof, each time the Company proposes to register any
of its equity securities (other than securities registered to effect the
acquisition of or combination with another Person under Form S-4 (or successor
form)) under the Securities Act for sale to the public (whether for the account
of the Company or the account of any securityholder of the Company) and the form
of registration statement to be used permits the registration of the Shares, the
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Optionee (which notice shall be
given not less than 30 days prior to the anticipated filing date of the
Company's registration statement), which notice shall offer the Optionee the
opportunity to include any or all of his Shares in such registration statement,
subject

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
to the limitations contained in Subsection 3(b) hereof. The Optionee shall
advise the Company in writing of his desire to have Shares included in such
registration statement (stating the number of shares desired to be registered)
within 20 days after the date of such notice from the Company. The Optionee
shall have the right to withdraw such request for inclusion of such Shares in
any registration statement pursuant to this Subsection 3(a) by giving written
notice to the Company of such withdrawal. Subject to Subsection 3(b) below, the
Company shall include in such registration statement all such Shares so
requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at any
time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such registration if it shall at the
same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other equity
securities originally proposed to be registered.

     (b) If the registration statement is being filed with respect to a public
offering that is a managed underwriting and if the managing underwriter advises
the Company that the inclusion of such Shares would materially and adversely
affect the price or success of the offering, then (i) the number of the
Optionee's Shares to be included in the registration statement shall be reduced
to the extent necessary, in the judgment of the managing underwriter, to
eliminate such material adverse effect.  If, as a result of the provisions of
this Subsection 3(b), the Optionee shall not be entitled to include all Shares
in a registration that the Optionee has requested to be so included, the
Optionee may withdraw the Optionee's request to include Shares in such
registration statement.

     4.  Optionee's Requirements.  The Optionee may not participate in any
registration statement under Sections 2 or 3 relating to a managed underwriting
unless the Optionee (x) agrees to sell such Optionee's Shares on the basis
provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (y)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements, and other documents reasonably required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements; provided, however, that the Optionee shall
not be required to make any representations or warranties in connection with any
such registration other than representations and warranties as to (i) the
Optionee's ownership of his Shares to be sold or transferred free and clear of
all liens, claims, and encumbrances; (ii) the Optionee's power and authority to
effect such transfer; and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with
securities laws as may be reasonably requested; provided further, however, that
the obligation of the Optionee to indemnify pursuant to any such underwriting
arrangements shall be several, not joint and several, among all Persons selling
Shares, and the liability of the Optionee will be in proportion to, and limited
to, the net amount received by Optionee from the sale of his Shares pursuant to
such registration.

     5.  Registration Procedures.  If and whenever the Company is required by
Section 2 or Section 3 to effect the registration of Shares under the Securities
Act, the Company will:

     (a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to
such securities, and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement
to become and remain effective for such period as may be reasonably necessary to
effect the sale of such securities, not to exceed 120 days in the case of a
managed underwriting or two years in the case of a Shelf Registration (the
"Effective Period");

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     (b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments to such registration
statement and supplements to the prospectus contained therein as may be
necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the Effective Period
as may be reasonably necessary to effect the sale of such securities;

     (c) furnish to the Optionee and to the underwriters of the securities being
registered, such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement,
preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, and such other documents as the
Optionee and such underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
public offering of such securities;

     (d) use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Shares
covered by such registration statement under such state securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions as the Optionee or any managing underwriter may
reasonably request in writing within 20 days following the original filing of
such registration statement, except that the Company shall not for any purpose
be required to execute a general consent to service of process or to qualify to
do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so
qualified or subject itself to taxation in a jurisdiction where it had not
previously been subject to taxation, or take any other action that would subject
the Company to service of process in a lawsuit other than one arising out of the
registration of the Shares;

     (e) notify the Optionee participating in such registration, promptly after
it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement
has become effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such
registration statement has been filed;

     (f) notify the Optionee promptly of any request by the SEC for the amending
or supplementing of such registration statement or prospectus or for additional
information;

     (g) prepare and file with the SEC, promptly upon the request of the
Optionee, any amendments or supplements to such registration statement or
prospectus which, in the opinion of counsel for the Optionee (and concurred in
by counsel for the Company), is required under the Securities Act or the rules
and regulations thereunder in connection with the distribution of Shares by the
Optionee;

     (h) prepare and promptly file with the SEC and promptly notify the Optionee
of the filing of such amendment or supplement to such registration statement or
prospectus as may be necessary to correct any statements or omissions if, at any
time when a prospectus relating to such securities is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as the result of which
any such prospectus or any other prospectus as then in effect would include an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they
were made, not misleading; and

     (i) advise the Optionee, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain
knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the SEC suspending the
effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation or threatening of
any proceeding for that purpose and

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
promptly use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to
obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued.

     6.  Expenses.

     All fees, costs, and expenses of and incidental to such registration and
public offering (as further specified below) in connection therewith shall be
borne by the Company; provided, however, that the Optionee shall bear Optionee's
underwriting discount and commissions and transfer taxes in respect of the sale
of  Optionee's Shares.  The fees, costs, and expenses of registration to be
borne by the Company as provided in this Section 6 shall include, without
limitation, all registration, filing, and NASD fees, printing expenses, fees and
disbursements of legal counsel and accountants for the Company, reasonable fees
and disbursements of one legal counsel to the Optionee, and all legal fees and
disbursements and other expenses of complying with state securities or blue sky
laws of any jurisdictions in which the securities to be offered are to be
registered and qualified.

     7.  Indemnification.

     (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Optionee from and
against and will reimburse the Optionee with respect to, any and all loss,
damage, liability, cost, and expense to which the Optionee may become subject
under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, damages,
liabilities, costs, or expenses are caused by any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement
relating to an offering or sale of the Shares, any prospectus contained therein
or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that
the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
loss, damage, liability, cost, or expenses arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so
made in reasonable reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by
or on behalf of the Optionee in writing specifically for use in the preparation
thereof.  The Company will not be subject to any liability for any settlement
made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     (b) The Optionee will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its
directors, officers, employees, and other representatives, any controlling
person and any underwriter thereof from and against, and will reimburse the
Company, its directors, officers, employees, and other representatives, any
controlling person and any underwriter thereof with respect to, any and all
loss, damage, liability, cost, or expense to which the Company, its directors,
officers, employees, and other representatives, or any controlling person and/or
any underwriter thereof may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses are
caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any registration statement relating to an offering or sale of the
Shares, any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
necessary to make the statement therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was so made in reasonable reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished by or on behalf of the Optionee specifically for
use in the preparation thereof. The Optionee will not be subject to any
liability for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party pursuant to the
provisions of Subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 7 of notice of the
commencement of any action involving the subject matter of the foregoing
indemnity provisions, such indemnified party will, if a claim thereof is to be
made against the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions of said
Subsection (a) or (b), promptly notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than hereunder, except to the extent that such omission materially and
adversely affects the indemnifying party's ability to defend against or
compromise such claim.  In case such action is brought against any indemnified
party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified,
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified
party; provided, however, that if the defendants in any action include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and there are legal defenses
available to the indemnified party and/or other indemnified parties which are
different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, or
if there is a conflict of interest which would prevent counsel for the
indemnifying party from also representing the indemnified party, the indemnified
party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to participate
in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.
After notice from the indemnifying party to an indemnified party of its election
so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to
such indemnified party pursuant to the provisions of said Subsection (a) or (b)
for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party
in connection with the defense thereof other than costs of investigation, unless
(i) the indemnified party shall have employed counsel in accordance with the
provisions of the preceding sentence, (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after the notice of the commencement
of the action, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of
counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party.

     8.  Successors and Assigns.  The registration rights set forth herein are
personal to the Optionee, except that the Company may, in the exercise of its
reasonable discretion, allow permitted transferees of the Option or assignees of
the Shares, the benefit of these registration rights, upon such terms and
conditions and with such modifications to the provisions of these registration
rights as the Company, in its reasonable discretion, may impose.  To the extent
the Company allows any such transferee the benefit of these rights, such
transferee shall also be deemed an "Optionee" for purposes of this Annex A.
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                                               Execution Version


                THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS AN ARBITRATION PROVISION


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                        
     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
effective as of April 29, 1998, by and between Amtech Corporation d/b/a AMTC
Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and David P. Cook
("Employee").

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     A.  The Company desires to provide for the continued employment of
Employee.

     B.  Employee is willing to continue to serve the Company on the terms and
conditions provided in this Agreement.

     THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement
agree as follows:

     1.  Employment.  The Company shall employ Employee, and Employee accepts
such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     2.  Term.  Subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement, the
employment of Employee by the Company as provided in Section 1 will be for a
term commencing on April 29, 1998 and expiring the close of business on April
28, 2001; provided, however, that at the end of the initial term and each
subsequent anniversary of the date hereof, the term of this Agreement shall
automatically extend for an additional year unless a party provides, at least 90
days prior to the end of such initial term or such subsequent anniversary,
written notice that it or he does not wish to extend the term.

     3.  Position and Duties.  Employee shall serve as Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company or in a comparable
executive officer position with the Company with such duties as may be assigned
to him from time-to-time by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company;
provided, however, Employee shall not be assigned any duty or position which
will necessitate a change in the location of his home (presently in Dallas,
Texas).  For so long as Employee serves in the foregoing capacities, the Company
shall nominate and support the election of Employee as a member of the Board.
Employee shall devote substantially all his working time and efforts to the
business and affairs of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may
spend reasonable amounts of time on personal, civic, and charitable activities
that do not interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities to
the Company.  In addition, Employee may, subject to prior approval by the 
<PAGE>
 
Board, spend reasonable amounts of time serving on boards of directors for other
companies, provided that such service does not constitute or create a conflict
of interest.

     4.  Compensation.  As compensation for Employee's employment under this
Agreement, the Company is granting to Employee an option to purchase shares of
the common stock of the Company, on the terms set forth in the Stock Option
Agreement (the "Option Agreement") between the Company and the Employee, dated
as of the date of this Agreement.

     5.  Expenses and Services.  During the term of Employee's employment under
this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for
all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee by reason of his employment,
provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with
reasonable policies and procedures established by the Company and in effect when
the expenses are incurred.  The Company shall furnish Employee with office
space, secretarial assistance, office supplies, office equipment, and such other
facilities and services as are suitable to Employee's position and adequate for
the performance of his duties.

     6.  Confidential Information.  Employee recognizes and acknowledges that
Employee will have access to confidential information of the Company and its
Affiliates (as defined below), including, without limitation, customer
information, lists of suppliers and costs, information concerning the business
and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, and proprietary data,
information, concepts and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable)
relating to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, as applicable.
Employee agrees not to disclose such confidential information, except as may be
necessary in the performance of Employee's duties, to any person, nor use such
confidential information in any way, unless Employee has received the written
consent of the Company or unless such confidential information becomes public
knowledge through no wrongful act of Employee.  Upon termination of Employee's
employment for any reason, Employee shall promptly deliver to the Company all
drawings, manuals, letters, notebooks, customer lists, documents, records,
equipment, files, computer disks or tapes, reports or any other materials
relating to the business of the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below),
and all copies, that are in Employee's possession or under Employee's control.
Confidential Information shall not include information that constitutes general
skills, knowledge, and experience acquired by Employee before and/or during his
employment with the Company.

     7.  Rights under Certain Plans.  During the term of Employee's employment
under this Agreement, Employee will be entitled to participate in the insurance
and employee benefit plans and programs maintained by the Company and its
Affiliates applicable to officer employees on the same basis as other officer
employees of the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, subject only to the
possible substitution by or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates of other
plans or programs providing substantially similar or increased benefits for
Employee.  Employee will also be entitled to reasonable vacation time (not to
exceed three weeks), with no reduction in compensation, in keeping with
Employee's duties and responsibilities to the Company.

     8.  Early Termination.  Employee's employment under this Agreement may be
terminated without any breach of this Agreement only under the following
circumstances:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     (A) Employee's employment under this Agreement will terminate upon
Employee's death;

     (B) If, as a result of Employee's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness, Employee shall have been absent from his duties and/or unable to
perform the essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable
accommodation, for a total of 180 days during any 18-month period, and within 30
days after written notice of termination is given (which may occur before or
after the end of such 180-day period) shall not have returned to the performance
of the essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable
accommodation, the Company may terminate Employee's employment under this
Agreement.

     (C) The Company may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement
for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have "Cause" to
terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement upon (1) the willful and
continued failure by Employee to substantially perform his duties under this
Agreement (other than any such failure resulting from Employee's incapacity due
to physical or mental illness), after written demand for substantial performance
is delivered by the Board that specifically identifies the manner in which the
Board believes Employee has not substantially performed his duties; or (2) the
willful engaging by Employee in misconduct that is materially injurious to the
Company; or (3) the conviction of Employee, or a plea by Employee of nolo
contendere, or the substantial equivalent to either of the foregoing, of or with
respect to, any felony or serious crime of moral turpitude. For purposes of this
subsection (C), no act, or failure to act, on Employee's part shall be
considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good
faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in, or not
opposed to, the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Employee shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without (a)
reasonable written notice to Employee, setting forth the reasons for the
Company's intention to terminate for Cause; (b) an opportunity for Employee,
together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board (or an authorized
representative thereof); and (c) delivery to Employee of a written Notice of
Termination as defined in subsection (H) hereof from the Board finding that, in
the good faith opinion of the Board, Employee engaged in the conduct set forth
above in clause (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection (C).

     (D) Employee may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement (1)
for Good Reason; or (2) if Employee's health should become impaired to an extent
that makes Employee's continued performance of Employee's duties under this
Agreement hazardous to Employee's physical or mental health or Employee's life,
provided that Employee shall have furnished the Company with a written statement
from a qualified doctor to such effect and provided, further, that, at the
Company's request, Employee shall submit to an examination by a doctor selected
by the Company and such doctor shall have concurred in the conclusion of
Employee's doctor.

     For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean (a) a failure by
the Company to comply with any material provision of this Agreement or the
Option 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Agreement that has not been cured within ten days after notice of such
noncompliance has been given by Employee to the Company; (b) any material
diminution in Employee's title and duties; (c) any purported termination of
Employee's employment that is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination
satisfying the requirements of subsection (H) hereof (and for purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective); or (d) the
assignment of duties or position that would necessitate a change in the location
of Employee's home (presently in Dallas, Texas). Employee's resignation for Good
Reason shall be effected by delivering a notice that shall set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
Good Reason.

     (E) The Company may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement
without Cause upon 30 days' notice to Employee.

     (F) Employee may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement
without Good Reason upon 90 days' notice to Company.

     (G) The Company may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement
for Non-Performance. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have
reason to terminate Employee's employment for "Non-Performance" if the Company's
Board, acting in good faith, determines that the Company has failed to
satisfactorily attain its business objectives under Employee's leadership.

     (H) Any termination of Employee's employment by the Company or by Employee
(other than termination pursuant to subsection (A) above) shall be communicated
by written Notice of Termination to the other party to this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice that
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon
and, in the case of a Notice of Termination given by the Company, shall set
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of Employee's employment under the provision so indicated.

     (I) "Date of Termination" shall mean (1) if Employee's employment is
terminated by Employee's death, the date of Employee's death; (2) if Employee's
employment is terminated pursuant to subsection (B) above, 30 days after Notice
of Termination is given (provided that Employee shall not have returned to the
performance of the essential functions of his position, with or without
reasonable accommodation, during such 30-day period); and (3) if Employee's
employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice
of Termination.

     9.  Certain Effects of Termination.  At any such time when Employee shall
no longer be in the employ of the Company, any successor in interest to the
Company or any of their respective Affiliates, Employee shall, within the period
prescribed by applicable law, subject to the terms and conditions of any
applicable insurance or employee benefit plan, receive payments in satisfaction
of any and all other wages, benefits, pensions, or other remunerations which
shall then be payable to, or vested on behalf of, Employee.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     10.  Non-competition.  Employee agrees and covenants that Employee will
not, during the term hereof and for a period of 18 months after Employee ceases
to be employed by the Company:

          (A) compete, directly or indirectly, with any business or businesses
     conducted by the Company during the term hereof.  For purposes of this
     Agreement, "Competition" shall include, without limitation, engaging in any
     business, whether as proprietor, partner, joint venturer, employee, agent,
     officer, or holder of more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity
     ownership of a business enterprise, that is competitive with any business
     or businesses conducted by the Company for the period or at the time in
     question.  This non-competition provision is not intended to preclude
     Employee from participating in computer, software, or Internet-based
     businesses generally, provided that such participation is not otherwise in
     violation of this provision.

          (B) solicit to do, or do, competing business with any then-current
     customer of the Company or any person that has been a customer within the
     six months preceding the date of Employee's separation from employment with
     the Company.

          (C) solicit to hire, or hire, any then-current key employee of the
     Company, except by way of general advertising.

     Although the Company and Employee have, in good faith, used their best
efforts to make the non-competition covenant reasonable in all pertinent
respects, and it is not anticipated, nor is it intended, by either party to this
Agreement that any arbitrator or court will find it necessary to reform the non-
competition covenant to make it reasonable in all pertinent respects, the
Company and Employee understand and agree that if an arbitrator or court
determines it necessary to reform the non-competition covenant in order to make
it reasonable in all pertinent respects, damages, if any, for a breach of the
non-competition covenant, as so reformed, will be deemed to accrue to the
Company as and from the date of such a breach only and so far as the damages for
such breach related to an action which accrued within the scope of the non-
competition covenant as so reformed.

     11.  Affiliate Defined.  The term "Affiliate" as used in this Agreement
shall have the meaning given such term in the Option Agreement.

     12.  Waiver.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed,
or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar,
nor shall any waiver constitute a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach
of such provision, a waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right
under this Agreement.  No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by
the party making the waiver.

     13.  Limitation of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement, except as
specifically stated in this Agreement, is intended to confer any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons other than the
parties to it and their respective permitted successors and assigns and other
legal representatives, nor is anything in this Agreement intended to relieve or
discharge 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
the obligation or liability of any third persons to any party to this Agreement,
nor shall any provision give any third persons any right of subrogation or
action over or against any party to this Agreement.

     14.  Remedies.  Employee hereby agrees that a violation of the provisions
of Section 6 or 10 hereof would cause irreparable injury to the Company for
which it would have no adequate remedy at law.  Accordingly, in the event of any
such violation, the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and other
injunctive relief.  Any such injunctive relief shall be in addition to any other
remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity, or otherwise.

     15.  Notice.  Any consent, notice, demand, or other communication regarding
any payment required or permitted hereby must be in writing to be effective and
shall be deemed to have been received on the date delivered, if personally
delivered, or the date received, if delivered otherwise, addressed to the
applicable party at the address for such party set forth below or at such other
address as such party may designate by like notice:

                        The Company:

                        AMTC Corporation
                        One Galleria Tower
                        13355 Noel Road, Suite 1555
                        Dallas, Texas 75240
                        Attn:  General Counsel

                        Employee:

                        David P. Cook
                        One Galleria Tower
                        13355 Noel Road, Suite 1555
                        Dallas, Texas 75240

     16.  Inconsistent Obligations.  Employee represents and warrants that
Employee has not previously assumed any obligations inconsistent with those of
this Agreement.

     17.  Entirety and Amendments.  This Agreement and the Option Agreement
embody the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, and may be
amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all parties.

     18.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and any successors in interest
to the Company following a Change of Control (as defined in the Option
Agreement), but otherwise, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations
under this Agreement may be assigned (a) by Employee, except in the case of the
death of Employee, or (b) by the Company.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     19.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (excluding its
conflict of laws rules) and applicable federal law.

     20.  Cumulative Remedies.  No remedy in this Agreement conferred upon any
party is intended to be exclusive of any other benefit or remedy, and each and
every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other
benefit or remedy given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law
or in equity or by statute or otherwise.  No single or partial exercise by any
party of any right, power, or remedy under this Agreement shall preclude any
other or further exercise thereof.

     21.  Disputes.  During the pendency of any disputes under this Agreement
and unless specifically enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction or an
arbitrator, the Company will continue to make all payments to Employee and
provide all benefits to Employee that are described in this Agreement until such
dispute is finally resolved without right of appeal.

     22.  Multiple Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in a number of
identical counterparts, each of which constitute collectively, one agreement;
but in making proof of this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to produce or
account for more than one counterpart.

     23.  Descriptive Headings.  The headings, captions, and arrangements used
in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit,
amplify, or modify the terms of this Agreement, nor affect the meaning hereof.

     24.  Arbitration.

     The Company and the Employee agree to the resolution by binding arbitration
of all claims, demands, causes of action, disputes, controversies, or other
matters in question ("Claims") arising out of this Agreement or the Employee's
employment (or its termination), whether sounding in contract, tort, or
otherwise and whether provided by statute or common law, that the Company may
have against the Employee or that the Employee may have against the Company or
any Affiliate or any benefit plans of the Company or any Affiliate or any
fiduciaries, administrators, and affiliates of any of such benefit plans, or
their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents in their capacity as
such. This agreement to arbitrate shall not limit the Company's or the
Employee's right to seek equitable relief, including, but not limited to,
injunctive relief and specific performance in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Claims covered by this agreement to arbitrate include, but are not limited to,
claims by the Employee for breach of this Agreement, wrongful termination,
discrimination (based on age, race, sex, disability, national origin, or other
factor), and retaliation. The only Claims otherwise within the definition of
Claims that are not covered by this Section 24 are: (1) any administrative
actions that the Employee is permitted to pursue under applicable law that are
not precluded by virtue of the Employee having entered into this Section 24; (2)
any Claim by the Employee for workers' compensation benefits or unemployment
compensation benefits; or (3) any Claim by the Employee for benefits under a
Company or Affiliate pension or benefit plan that provides its own non-judicial
dispute resolution procedure.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     Claims shall be submitted to arbitration and finally settled under the
Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association
("AAA") in effect at the time the written notice of the Claim is received.  An
arbitrator shall be selected in the manner provided for in the Employment
Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, except that the parties agree that the
arbitrator shall be an attorney licensed in the state where the arbitration is
being conducted.  If any party refuses to honor its obligations under this
agreement to arbitrate, the other party may compel arbitration in either federal
or state court.  The arbitrator will have exclusive authority to resolve any
dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or
formation of this agreement to arbitrate, including, but not limited to, any
claim that all or part of this Agreement is void or voidable and any claim that
an issue is not subject to arbitration.  The arbitration will be held in Dallas
County, Texas.  The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that identifies
the factual findings and principles of law upon which any award is based.  The
award and findings of such arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding upon the
parties.  Any and all of the arbitrator's orders, decisions, and awards may be
enforceable in, and judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be
confirmed and entered by, any federal or state court having jurisdiction.  The
Company shall pay all costs and expenses of its advisors and expert witnesses,
and Employee shall pay all costs and expenses of his advisors and expert
witnesses.  The costs and expenses of the arbitration proceedings will be paid
by the non-prevailing party or as the arbitrator otherwise determines.
Discovery will be permitted to the extent directed by the arbitrator.  EMPLOYEE
UNDERSTANDS THAT BY AGREEING TO SUBMIT CLAIMS TO ARBITRATION, HE GIVES UP THE
RIGHT TO SEEK A TRIAL BY COURT OR JURY AND THE RIGHT TO AN APPEAL A COURT OR
JURY DECISION AND FORGOES ANY AND ALL RELATED RIGHTS HE MAY OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER
FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                   Signatures
                                   ----------

     To evidence the binding effect of the covenants and agreements described
above, the parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement on the dates
set forth below, to be effective as of the date first above written.


                                       THE COMPANY:

                                       AMTECH CORPORATION
                                       d/b/a AMTC CORPORATION


                                       /s/ Steve M. York
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Steve M. York
                                       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                       Officer, and Treasurer
 
                                       Date:  August 11, 1998
                                            ---------------------------------


                                       EMPLOYEE:

                                       /s/ David P. Cook
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       David P. Cook

                                       Date:  August 11, 1998
                                            ---------------------------------

                                       9

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<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          33,044
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,662
<ALLOWANCES>                                       727
<INVENTORY>                                      4,052
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,473
<PP&E>                                           7,244
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,661
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  66,328
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,287
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           172
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,869
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    66,328
<SALES>                                         20,355
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,083
<CGS>                                            9,646
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,650
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   143
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    350
<INCOME-TAX>                                       123
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                227
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
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<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       227
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01
        

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