QUALIX GROUP INC
8-K, 1998-10-29
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

               UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                   FORM 8-K

                                Current Report

                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

               Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
                               October 25, 1998


                              QUALIX GROUP, INC.
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                                   DELAWARE
            ------------------------------------------------------
                (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


     
       000-22059                                           77-0261239
(Commission File Number)                       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


            177 Bovet Road, 2nd Floor, San Mateo, California   94402
            ---------------------------------------------------------
            (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)


                                (650) 572-0200
           ---------------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

================================================================================

<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
         -------------------------------------

         The Company has agreed to a strategic combination with Legato Systems, 
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Legato"). Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of 
Reorganization dated as of October 25, 1998 by and among Legato, the Company and
Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Merger Sub"), at the effective 
time of the combination, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company and the
Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legato. In the transaction, 
each holder of an outstanding share of Company Common Stock will receive a 
fraction of a share of Legato Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. The 
"Exchange Ratio" equals a number the numerator of which is (i) 1,721,000 shares 
of Legato Common Stock and the denominator of which is equal to (ii) the sum of
(A) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding at the 
effective time of the merger and (B) the aggregate number of shares of Target 
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding options to acquire 
Company Common Stock at the effective merger. As of October 22, 1998, the 
Company had outstanding approximately 10.7 million shares of Company Common 
Stock and 1.4 million options to acquire Company Common Stock.

         The combination, which is expected to close in late December 1998 or 
early January 1999, will be accounted for as a tax free pooling of interests and
is subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders. Legato has received 
the agreement of certain Company stockholders holding approximately 20% of the 
Company's common stock to vote in favor of the transaction, and an option from 
the Company to acquire 19.9% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock which is 
exercisable under certain circumstances.

         Further details regarding this announcement are contained in press
releases dated October 26, 1998, attached as an exhibit hereto and incorporated
by reference herein.

         Louis Cole is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and is 
also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Legato. Mr. Cole has abstained 
from voting on the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of October 25, 
1998 and the transaction contemplated thereby.
<PAGE>
 
Item 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
         ---------------------------------

         (c)    EXHIBIT NUMBER          DESCRIPTION
                --------------          -----------

                      2.1               Agreement and Plan of Reorganization 
                                        dated as of October 25, 1998 by and 
                                        among Legato Systems, Inc., Qualix 
                                        Group, Inc. and Hat Acquisition Corp., 
                                        including certain exhibits thereto;

                      2.2               Stock Option Agreement dated as of 
                                        October 25, 1998 among Legato Systems, 
                                        Inc. and Qualix Group, Inc.; and

                     99.1               Press releases, dated October 26, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf on October 29,
1998 by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                        QUALIX GROUP, INC.


                                        By:  /s/ BRUCE C. FELT
                                           ---------------------------
                                           Bruce C. Felt
                                           Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

    2.1         Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of October 25, 
                1998 by and among Legato Systems, Inc., Qualix Group, Inc. and 
                Hat Acquisition Corp., including certain exhibits thereto;

    2.2         Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 25, 1998 among Legato
                Systems, Inc. and Qualix Group, Inc.; and

   99.1         Press releases, dated October 26, 1998.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 2.1


      Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of October 25, 1998
 by and among Legato Systems, Inc., Qualix Group, Inc. and Hat Acquisition 
                 Corp., including certain exhibits thereto.

                    AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                BY AND AMONG

                            LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.,

                            HAT ACQUISITION CORP.

                                     AND

                             QUALIX GROUP, INC.


                              OCTOBER 25, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

ARTICLE I  THE MERGER......................................................2
     1.1  The Merger.......................................................2
     1.2  Closing; Effective Time..........................................2
     1.3  Effect of the Merger.............................................2
     1.4  Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.............................2
     1.5  Directors and Officers...........................................2
     1.6  Effect on Capital Stock..........................................3
     1.7  Surrender of Certificates........................................4
     1.8  No Further Ownership Rights in Target Capital Stock..............5
     1.9  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates...........................5
     1.10  Tax and Accounting Consequences.................................6
     1.11  Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action......................6

ARTICLE II  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET.......................6
     2.1  Organization, Standing and Power.................................6
     2.2  Capital Structure................................................7
     2.3  Authority........................................................8
     2.4  SEC Documents; Financial Statements..............................9
     2.5  Absence of Certain Changes.......................................9
     2.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..............................10
     2.7  Litigation......................................................10
     2.8  Restrictions on Business Activities.............................10
     2.9  Governmental Authorization......................................10
     2.10  Title to Property..............................................11
     2.11  Intellectual Property..........................................11
     2.12  Environmental Matters..........................................12
     2.13  Taxes..........................................................13
     2.14  Employee Benefit Plans.........................................13
     2.15  Employees and Consultants......................................15
     2.17  Insurance......................................................17
     2.18  Compliance with Laws...........................................17
     2.19  Brokers' and Finders' Fees.....................................17
     2.20  Pooling of Interests...........................................17
     2.21  Voting Agreement; Irrevocable Proxies..........................17
     2.22  Vote Required..................................................17
     2.23  No Breach of Material Contracts................................18
     2.24  Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus.............18
     2.25  Complete Copies of Materials...................................18
     2.26  Amendment of Rights Plan.......................................19
     2.27  Opinion of Financial Advisor.................................  19

                                      i
<PAGE>
 
     2.28  Board Approval.................................................19
     2.28  Section 203 of Delaware Law Not Applicable.....................19
     2.29  Representations Complete.......................................19

ARTICLE III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB....20
     3.1  Organization, Standing and Power................................20
     3.2  Capital Structure...............................................20
     3.3  Authority.......................................................21
     3.4  SEC Documents; Financial Statements.............................22
     3.5  Absence of Certain Changes......................................23
     3.6  Litigation......................................................23
     3.7  Compliance with Laws............................................23
     3.8  Registration Statement..........................................23
     3.9  Board Approval..................................................23
     3.10  Representations Complete.......................................23
     3.11  Intellectual Property..........................................24
     3.12  Pooling of Interest............................................24
     3.13  Interim Operations of Merger Sub...............................24

ARTICLE IV  CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME...........................24
     4.1  Conduct of Business of Target and Acquiror......................24
     4.2  Conduct of Business of Target...................................24
     4.3  Conduct of Business of Acquiror.................................27
     4.4  Notices.........................................................27

ARTICLE V  ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS..........................................28
     5.1  No Solicitation.................................................28
     5.2  Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement..............29
     5.3  Stockholders Meeting............................................30
     5.4  Access to Information...........................................30
     5.5  Confidentiality.................................................30
     5.6  Public Disclosure...............................................30
     5.7  Consents; Cooperation...........................................31
     5.8  Pooling Accounting..............................................31
     5.9  Update Disclosure; Breaches.....................................32
     5.10  Stockholder Agreements.........................................32
     5.11  Indemnification................................................32
     5.12  Irrevocable Proxies............................................33
     5.13  Legal Requirements.............................................33
     5.14  Tax-Free Reorganization........................................33
     5.15  Stock Options..................................................33
     5.16  Listing of Additional Shares...................................34
     5.17  Additional Agreements; Reasonable Efforts......................34
     5.18  Employee Benefits..............................................35

                                     ii
<PAGE>
 
     5.20  Pooling Letters................................................35
     5.20  No Rights Plan Amendment.......................................35
           ------------------------

ARTICLE VI  CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER......................................36
     6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger....36
     6.2  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Target..................37
     6.3  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror............38

ARTICLE VII  TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER..................39
     7.1  Termination.....................................................39
     7.2  Effect of Termination...........................................40
     7.3  Expenses and Termination Fees...................................41
     7.4  Amendment.......................................................41
     7.5  Extension; Waiver...............................................41

ARTICLE IX  GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................42
     8.1  Notices.........................................................42
     8.2  Interpretation..................................................43
     8.3  Counterparts....................................................43
     8.4  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries..................43
     8.5  Severability....................................................44
     8.6  Remedies Cumulative.............................................44
     8.7  Governing Law...................................................44
     8.8  Assignment......................................................44
     8.9  Rules of Construction...........................................44

SCHEDULES
- ---------

Target Disclosure Letter
Acquiror Disclosure Letter

Schedule 6.3 (c)   Consents
Schedule 6.3 (f)   Employees Executing Employment Agreements
Schedule 6.3 (g)   Employees Executing Separation Agreements


EXHIBITS
- --------

Exhibit A    Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit B    Certificate of Merger
Exhibit C    Voting and Proxy Agreement
Exhibit D-1  Target Affiliates Agreement
Exhibit D-2  Acquiror Affiliates Agreement
Exhibit E    Employment Agreement
Exhibit F    Separation Agreement


                                     iii
<PAGE>
 
                    AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

          This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of October 25, 1998, by and among Legato Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Acquiror"), Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Merger Sub") and Qualix Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Target").

                                    RECITALS

          A.  The Boards of Directors of Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub believe
it is in the best interests of their respective companies and the stockholders
of their respective companies that Target and Merger Sub combine into a single
company through the statutory merger of Merger Sub with and into Target (the
"Merger") and, in furtherance thereof, have approved the Merger.

          B.  Pursuant to the Merger, among other things, each outstanding share
of capital stock of Target ("Target Capital Stock"), shall be converted into
shares of Common Stock of Acquiror, $.0001 par value ("Acquiror Common Stock"),
at the rate set forth herein.

          C.  Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub desire to make certain
representations and warranties and other agreements in connection with the
Merger.

          D.  The parties intend, by executing this Agreement, to adopt a plan
of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and to cause the Merger to qualify as a
reorganization under the provisions of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of
the Code.

          E.  The parties intend for the Merger to be accounted for as a
pooling of interests.

          F.  Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as  a condition and inducement to Acquiror to enter into this Agreement,
Acquiror and Target have entered into a Stock Option Agreement dated as of the
date of this Agreement and attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Stock Option
                                              ---------                   
Agreement"), pursuant to which Target shall grant Acquiror an option to purchase
shares of Common Stock of Target under certain circumstances;

          G.  Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement and as an
inducement to Acquiror to enter into this Agreement, certain of the affiliates
of Target who are stockholders, officers or directors are entering into an
agreement to vote the shares of Target's Common Stock owned by such persons to
approve the Merger and against any competing proposals.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and representations
set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
agree as follows:
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE I

                                 THE MERGER
                                 ----------

     1.1  The Merger.  At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2) and 
          ----------                                                        
subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Certificate 
of Merger attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Certificate of Merger"), and the
                             ---------                                       
applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law"),
Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Target, the separate corporate
existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Target shall continue as the surviving
corporation.  Target as the surviving corporation after the Merger is
hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Surviving Corporation."

     1.2  Closing; Effective Time.  The closing of the transactions contemplated
          -----------------------                                               
hereby (the "Closing") shall take place as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof
or at such other time as the parties hereto agree (the date on which the Closing
shall occur, the "Closing Date").  The Closing shall take place at the offices
of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, 155
Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025, or at such other location as
the parties hereto agree.  On the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall cause
the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger, together with
the required officers' certificates, with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware Law (the time
and date of such filing being the "Effective Time" and the "Effective Date,"
respectively).

     1.3  Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger
          --------------------                                                  
shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of Target and Merger Sub shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Target and
Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.

     1.4  Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.
          ------------------------------------ 

          (a)  At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of
Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
amended as provided by Delaware Law and such Certificate of Incorporation;
provided, however, that Article I of the Certificate of Incorporation shall be
amended to read as follows: "The name of the corporation is FullTime Software,
Inc.

          (b)  The Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended.

     1.5  Directors and Officers.  At the Effective Time, the directors of 
          ----------------------                                       
Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of
the Surviving Corporation, to hold office until such time as such directors
resign, are removed or their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed and qualified. The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, to hold office until such
time as such officers resign, are removed or their respective successors are
duly elected or appointed and qualified.

     1.6  Effect on Capital Stock.  By virtue of the Merger and without any 
          -----------------------                                            
action on the part of Acquiror, Merger Sub, Target or the holders of any of
Target's securities :

          (a)  Conversion of Target Capital Stock.  At the Effective Time, each
               ----------------------------------                             
share of Target Common Stock (including, with respect to each such share of
Target Common Stock, the associated Rights (as defined in that certain Rights
Agreement (the "Target Rights Plan"), dated as of July 31, 1997, between
Target and Chasemellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent)) issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares
of Target Common Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(b)) will be
canceled and extinguished and be converted automatically into the right to
receive a fraction of a share of Acquiror Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"),
the numerator of which is equal to (i) 1,721,000 shares (the "Total Acquiror
Shares"), and the denominator of which is equal to (ii) the sum of (A) the
aggregate number of shares of Target Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
the Effective Time, and (B) the aggregate number of shares of Target Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding options (the "Target Options")
outstanding as of the Effective Time and assumed by Acquiror pursuant to
Section 5.15 hereof. No adjustment shall be made in the number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issued in the Merger as a result of (a) any increase or
decrease in the market price of Acquiror Common Stock prior to the Effective
Time or (b) any cash proceeds received by Target from the date hereof to the
Closing Date pursuant to the exercise of currently outstanding Target Options.

          (b)  Cancellation of Target Capital Stock Owned by Acquiror or Target.
               ----------------------------------------------------------------
At the Effective Time, all shares of Target Capital Stock that are owned by
Target as treasury stock, and each share of Target Capital Stock owned by
Acquiror or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror or of
Target immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and
extinguished without any conversion thereof.

          (c)  Target Stock Option Plans.  At the Effective Time, the Target 
               -------------------------                                    
1991 Stock Plan, Target 1995 Stock Option Plan and Target 1997 Stock Option
Plan (collectively, the "Target Stock Option Plans") and all options to
purchase Target Common Stock then outstanding under the Target Stock Option
Plans shall be assumed by Acquiror and all repurchase rights of the Target
Company with respect to such options shall be assigned to the Acquiror in
accordance with Section 5.15.

          (d)  (Intentionally Omitted)

          (e)  (Intentionally Omitted)

          (f)  Capital Stock of Merger Sub.  At the Effective Time, each share 
               ---------------------------                            
of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, of Merger Sub ("Merger Sub Common Stock"),
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable share of Common Stock, $.001 par value, of the Surviving
Corporation. Each stock certificate of Merger Sub evidencing ownership of any
such shares shall continue to evidence ownership of such shares of capital
stock of the Surviving Corporation.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          (g)  Adjustments to Exchange Ratio.  The Exchange Ratio shall be 
               -----------------------------                               
adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse split, stock
dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible
into Acquiror Common Stock or Target Capital Stock), reorganization,
recapitalization or other like change with respect to Acquiror Common Stock or
Target Capital Stock occurring after the date hereof and prior to the
Effective Time.

          (h)  Fractional Shares.  No fraction of a share of Acquiror Common 
               -----------------                                            
Stock will be issued, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares of Target
Capital Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of
Acquiror Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Acquiror
Common Stock to be received by such holder) shall receive from Acquiror an
amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent) equal to the product of (i)
such fraction, multiplied by (ii) the average closing price of a share of
Acquiror Common Stock for the ten most recent days that Acquiror Common Stock
has traded ending on the trading day immediately prior to the Effective Time,
as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

     1.7  Surrender of Certificates.
          ------------------------- 

          (a)  Exchange Agent.  Harris Trust and Savings Bank shall act as 
               --------------                                              
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger.

          (b)  Acquiror to Provide Common Stock and Cash.  Promptly after the 
               -----------------------------------------              
Effective Time, Acquiror shall make available to the Exchange Agent for
exchange in accordance with this Article I, through such reasonable procedures
as Acquiror may adopt, (i) the shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable
pursuant to Section 1.6(a) in exchange for shares of Target Capital Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, plus cash in an amount
sufficient to permit payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 1.6(g).

          (c)  Exchange Procedures.  Promptly after the Effective Time, the 
               -------------------                                    
Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates (the "Certificates") that immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Target Capital Stock, whose
shares were converted into the right to receive shares of Acquiror Common
Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) pursuant to Section 1.6, (i) a
letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,
and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon receipt
of the Certificates by the Exchange Agent, and shall be in such form and have
such other provisions as Acquiror may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
exchange for certificates representing shares of Acquiror Common Stock (and
cash in lieu of fractional shares). Upon surrender of a Certificate for
cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be
appointed by Acquiror, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto,
the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor a certificate representing the number of whole shares of Acquiror
Common Stock and payment in lieu of fractional shares that such holder has the
right to receive pursuant to Section 1.6, and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be canceled. Until so surrendered, each outstanding
Certificate that, prior to the Effective Time, represented shares of Target
Capital Stock will be deemed from and after the Effective Time, for all
corporate purposes, other than the payment of dividends, to evidence the
ownership of the 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
number of full shares of Acquiror Common Stock into which such shares of
Target Capital Stock shall have been so converted and the right to receive an
amount in cash in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares in accordance
with Section 1.6.

          (d)  Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares.  No dividends 
               ------------------------------------------------                
or other distributions with respect to Acquiror Common Stock with a record
date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock represented
thereby until the holder of record of such Certificate surrenders such
Certificate. Subject to applicable law, following surrender of any such
Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificates
representing whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued in exchange
therefor, without interest, at the time of such surrender, the amount of any
such dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
Time that would have been previously payable (but for the provisions of this
Section 1.7(d)) with respect to such shares of Acquiror Common Stock.

          (e)  Transfers of Ownership.  If any certificate for shares of 
               ----------------------                                    
Acquiror Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the
Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a
condition of the issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered is
properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
person requesting such exchange will have paid to Acquiror or any agent
designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
issuance of a certificate for shares of Acquiror Common Stock in any name
other than that of the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or
established to the satisfaction of Acquiror or any agent designated by it that
such tax has been paid or is not payable.

          (f)  No Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this 
               ------------                                                   
Section 1.7, none of the Exchange Agent, the Surviving Corporation or any
party hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid to a
public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law.

     1.8  No Further Ownership Rights in Target Capital Stock.  All shares of
          ---------------------------------------------------                
Acquiror Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of Target
Capital Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash paid in
lieu of fractional shares) shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Target Capital Stock,
and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the
Surviving Corporation of shares of Target Capital Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time.  If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they
shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article I.

     1.9  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  In the event any Certificates
          --------------------------------------                                
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such shares of Acquiror Common
Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) as may be required pursuant to
Section 1.6; provided, however, that Acquiror may, in its discretion and as a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may
reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Acquiror, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent with respect to the
Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

     1.10 Tax and Accounting Consequences.  It is intended by the parties 
          -------------------------------                                   
hereto that the Merger shall (i) constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368 of the Code and (ii) qualify for accounting treatment
as a pooling of interests. No party shall take any action that would, to such
party's knowledge, cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code or to qualify for accounting
treatment as a pooling of interests.

     1.11 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.  If, at any time after the
          ------------------------------------------                            
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full
right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers
and franchises of Target and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of Target
and Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations
or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such lawful and necessary action, so
long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

                                 ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET
                  ----------------------------------------

          Target represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub that the
statements contained in this Article II are true and correct, except as set
forth (i) in the disclosure letter delivered by Target to Acquiror prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement (the "Target Disclosure Letter") or
(ii) in Target's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (which report
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September
28, 1998) and any Target SEC Documents (as defined in Section 2.4) filed
subsequent to September 28, 1998.  The Target Disclosure Letter shall be
arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs
contained in this Article II, and the disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify
only the corresponding paragraph in this Article II.  Any reference in this
Article II to an agreement being "enforceable" shall be deemed to be qualified
to the extent such enforceability is subject to (i) laws of general application
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and the relief of debtors, and
(ii) the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief and other
equitable remedies.  In the remainder of this Article II, "Target" will be
deemed to include (and each representation and warranty will apply separately
and collectively to) Target and each of Target's subsidiaries, unless the
context otherwise requires.

     2.1  Organization, Standing and Power.  Target is a corporation duly 
          --------------------------------                                  
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization. Target has the corporate power to own its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would have a Material
Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.2) on Target. Target has delivered to
Acquiror a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws or other charter documents, as applicable, of Target, each as amended
to date. Target is not in violation of any of the provisions of its
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
or equivalent organizational documents. Target is the owner of all outstanding
shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries and all such shares are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary are owned by
Target free and clear of any liens, charges, claims or encumbrances or rights
of others. There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts,
calls, rights, exchangeable or convertible securities or other commitments or
agreements of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock
or other securities of any such subsidiary, or otherwise obligating Target or
any such subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any such securities. Target does not directly or indirectly own any
equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible or exchangeable or
exercisable for, any equity or similar interest in, any corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity.

     2.2  Capital Structure.  The authorized capital stock of Target consists of
          -----------------                                                     
20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, of which there were issued and outstanding as
of October 22, 1998, 10,675,536 shares of Common Stock and no shares of
Preferred Stock.  No change in the Target's capitalization has occurred between
October 22, 1998 and the date hereof except (x) the issuance of shares of Target
Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options or (y) the
cancellation of unvested options for Common Stock held by, or the repurchase of
unvested shares of Common Stock from, directors, employees, consultants or other
service providers of Target pursuant to the terms of their stock option, stock
purchase or stock restriction agreements.  There are no other outstanding shares
of capital stock or voting securities and no outstanding commitments to issue
any shares of capital stock or voting securities after the date of this
Agreement, other than pursuant to the exercise of (i) options outstanding as of
the date of this Agreement under the Target Stock Option Plans, and (ii) the
exercise of subscription rights outstanding as of the date of this Agreement
under the Target Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Target ESPP").  All
outstanding shares of Target Capital Stock are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and are free of any liens or encumbrances other
than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders thereof,
and are not subject to preemptive rights, rights of first refusal, rights of
first offer or similar rights created by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Target or any agreement to which Target is a party or
by which it is bound.  As of October 22, 1998, Target had reserved (i) 2,320,277
shares of Common Stock for issuance to employees, directors and consultants
pursuant to the Target Stock Option Plans, of which 1,437,391 shares are subject
to outstanding, unexercised options and (ii) 350,000 shares of Common Stock for
issuance to employees pursuant to the Target ESPP, of which 181,831 shares are
available for issuance.  Except for (i) the rights created pursuant to this
Agreement, and (ii) Target's right to repurchase any unvested shares under the
Target Stock Option Plans, there are no other options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments or agreements of any character to which Target is a party or by
which it is bound obligating Target to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or
redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any
shares of Target capital stock or obligating Target to grant, extend, accelerate
the vesting of, change the price of, or otherwise amend or enter into any such
option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement.  There are no contracts,
commitments or agreements relating to the voting, purchase or sale of Target
Capital Stock (i) between or among Target and any of its stockholders and (ii)
to Target's knowledge, among any of Target's stockholders or between any of
Target's stockholders and any third party, except for the stockholders
delivering Voting Agreements (as defined below).  The terms of the Target Stock
Option Plans permit the assumption 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
of such Target Stock Option Plans by Acquiror or the substitution of options
to purchase Acquiror Common Stock as provided in this Agreement, without the
consent or approval of the holders of the outstanding options, the Target
stockholders, or otherwise and without any acceleration of the exercise
schedule or vesting provisions in effect for such options. The current
"Purchase Period" (as defined in the Target ESPP) commenced under the Target
ESPP on September 1, 1998 and will end prior to the Effective Time, and except
for the purchase rights granted on such commencement date to participants in
the current Purchase Period, there are no other purchase rights or options
outstanding under the Target ESPP. True and complete copies of all agreements
and instruments relating to or issued under the Target Stock Option Plans and
Target ESPP have been made available to Acquiror, and such agreements and
instruments have not been amended, modified or supplemented, and there are no
agreements to amend, modify or supplement such agreements or instruments from
the form made available to Acquiror. All outstanding Common Stock was issued
in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, except to
the extent any such noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Target.

     2.3  Authority.
          --------- 

          (a)  Target has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the Option Agreement
(collectively, the "Transaction Documents") and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Target, subject only to the approval and
adoption of this Agreement by Target's stockholders and the approval of the
Merger by Target's stockholders as contemplated by Section 6.1(a). This
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents have been duly executed and
delivered by Target and constitute the valid and binding obligations of
Target, enforceable against Target in accordance with their terms.

          (b)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents by Target do not, and the consummation and performance
of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with,
or result in any violation of, or default under (with or without notice or
lapse of time, or both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation
or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any benefit under, or require a
consent to assignment or a novation under (i) any provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target, as amended, or (ii) any contract,
agreement, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree,
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Target or any of its
properties or assets, except in the case of clause (ii) as would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Target.

          (c)  No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality ("Governmental
Entity") is required by or with respect to Target in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except
for (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger, together with the required
officers' certificates, as provided in Section 1.2; (ii) the filing of the
Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 2.24 hereof) with the SEC in accordance

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and
clearance thereof by the SEC; (iii) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required
under applicable state securities laws and the securities laws of any foreign
country; (iv) such filings as may be required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR"); and (v) such other
consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations that, if not
obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Target and would
not prevent, or materially alter or delay the consummation of the Merger.

     2.4  SEC Documents; Financial Statements.  Target has made available to 
          -----------------------------------                                
Acquiror a true and complete copy of each statement, report, registration
statement (with the prospectus in the form filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of
the Securities Act), definitive proxy statement, and other filing filed with
the SEC by Target since January 1, 1997, and, prior to the Effective Time,
Target will have furnished Acquiror with true and complete copies of any
additional documents filed with the SEC by Target prior to the Effective Time
(collectively, the "Target SEC Documents"). In addition, Target has made
available to Acquiror all exhibits to the Target SEC Documents filed prior to
the date hereof, and will promptly make available to Acquiror all exhibits to
any additional Target SEC Documents filed prior to the Effective Time. All
documents required to be filed as exhibits to the Target SEC Documents have
been so filed, and all Material Contracts (as hereafter defined) so filed as
exhibits are in full force and effect, except those that have expired in
accordance with their terms, and neither Target nor any of its subsidiaries is
in default thereunder, except for any such default that individually or in the
aggregate would not or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Target. All contracts required to be filed as exhibits to
the Target SEC Documents or the Acquiror SEC Documents (as hereafter defined),
as applicable, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are hereinafter defined
as the "Material Contracts." As of their respective filing dates (or if
amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, then on the date
of such subsequent filing), the Target SEC Documents complied in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") and the Securities Act, as applicable, and none
of the Target SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading, except to the extent corrected by a
subsequently filed Target SEC Document. The financial statements of Target,
including the notes thereto, included in the Target SEC Documents (the "Target
Financial Statements") fairly present the consolidated financial condition and
the related consolidated statements of operations, of stockholder's equity,
and of cash flows of Target at the dates and during the periods indicated
therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, recurring
year-end adjustments), complied as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as of their respective dates, and
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis consistent throughout the periods indicated and consistent
with each other (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the
case of unaudited statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Qs, as
permitted by Form 10-Q and Regulation S-K of the SEC).

     2.5  Absence of Certain Changes.  Since June 30, 1998, (the "Target Balance
          --------------------------                                            
Sheet Date"), Target has conducted its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and there has not occurred:  (i) any change, event
or condition (whether or not covered by 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
insurance) that has resulted in, or might reasonably be expected to result in,
a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.2) on Target; (ii) any
acquisition, sale or transfer of any material asset of Target; (iii) any
change in accounting methods or practices (including any change in
depreciation or amortization policies or rates) by Target or any revaluation
by Target of any of its assets; (iv) any declaration, setting aside, or
payment of a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares of
Target, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by
Target of any of its shares of capital stock, except for the repurchase at
cost of unvested shares held by Target employees on the termination of their
employment; (v) any material contract entered into by Target, other than as
provided to Acquiror, or any material amendment or termination of, or default
under, any material contract to which Target is a party or by which it is
bound; (vi) any amendment or change to the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Target; (vii) any increase in or modification of the compensation or
benefits payable or to become payable by Target to any of its directors,
officers, employees or consultants, other than, with respect to non-officer
employees and consultants only, any increase or modification in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice; or (viii) any agreement by Target to do
any of the things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii).

     2.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  Target has no material 
          ----------------------------------                           
obligations or liabilities of any nature (matured or unmatured, fixed or
contingent) other than (i) those set forth or adequately provided for in the
Balance Sheet for the period ended June 30, 1998 (the "Target Balance Sheet"),
(ii) those incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Target
Balance Sheet Date in amounts consistent with prior periods, and (iii) those
incurred in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     2.7  Litigation.  There is no private or governmental action, suit, 
          ----------
proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation pending before any agency,
court or tribunal, foreign or domestic, or, to the knowledge of Target,
threatened (including allegations that could form the basis for future action)
against Target or any of its properties or officers or directors (in their
capacities as such), which, if adversely determined would or could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. There is no judgment,
decree or order against Target, or, to the knowledge of Target, any of its
directors or officers (in their capacities as such), that could prevent,
enjoin, or materially alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, or that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Target. All litigation to which Target is a party (or, to
the knowledge of Target, threatened to become a party) is disclosed in the
Target Disclosure Letter. Target does not have any plans to initiate any
litigation, arbitration or other proceeding against any third party.

     2.8  Restrictions on Business Activities.  There is no agreement, judgment,
          -----------------------------------                                   
injunction, order or decree binding upon Target that has or could reasonably be
expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing in any material respect
any current business practice of Target, any acquisition of property by Target
or the conduct of business by Target as currently conducted by Target.

     2.9  Governmental Authorization.  Target has obtained each federal, state,
          --------------------------                                           
county, local or foreign governmental consent, license, permit, grant, or other
authorization of a Governmental Entity (i) pursuant to which Target currently
operates or holds any interest in any of its properties or (ii) that is required
for the operation of Target's business or the holding of any such 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
interest ((i) and (ii) herein collectively called "Target Authorizations"),
and all of such Target Authorizations are in full force and effect, except
where the failure to obtain or have any such Target Authorizations could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

     2.10 Title to Property.  Target has good and valid title to all of its
          -----------------                                                
properties, interests in properties and assets, real and personal, necessary for
the conduct of its business as presently conducted or which are reflected in the
Target Balance Sheet or acquired after the Target Balance Sheet Date (except
properties, interests in properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business since the Target Balance Sheet Date), or with
respect to leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests therein, in
each case free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges or
encumbrances of any kind or character, except (i) the lien of current taxes not
yet due and payable, (ii) such imperfections of title, liens and easements as do
not and will not materially detract from or interfere with the use of the
properties subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair
business operations involving such properties and (iii) liens securing debt that
are reflected on the Target Balance Sheet.  For purposes of this Section 2.10,
the word "property" or "properties" does not include Intellectual Property (as
defined in Section 2.11).  Target does not own any real property.

     2.11 Intellectual Property.
          --------------------- 

          (a)  Target owns or is licensed for, and in any event possesses
sufficient rights with respect to, all Intellectual Property (defined below)
that is used, exercised, or exploited ("Used") in, or that may be necessary for,
its business as currently conducted ("Target Intellectual Property," which term
will also include all other Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to Target
now or in the past) without any material conflict with or infringement or
misappropriation of any rights or property of others ("Infringement").  Such
ownership, licenses and rights are exclusive (A) except with respect to
Inventions (defined below) in the public domain that are not important
differentiators of Target's business and (B) except with respect to standard,
generally commercially available, "off-the-shelf" third party products
(including, but not limited to, customizations of such products) that are not
part of any current product, service or Intellectual Property offering of
Target.  No Target Intellectual Property owned or developed by Target was
conceived or developed directly or indirectly with or pursuant to government
funding or a government contract.  "Intellectual Property" means (i) inventions
(whether or not patentable); trade names, trade marks, service marks, logos and
other designations ("Marks"); works of authorship; mask works; data; technology,
know-how, trade secrets, ideas and information; designs; formulas; algorithms;
processes; schematics; computer software (in source code and/or object code
form); and all other intellectual and industrial property of any sort
("Inventions") and (ii) patent rights; Mark rights; copyrights; mask work
rights; sui generis database rights; trade secret rights; moral rights; and all
other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the
world, and all applications, registrations, issuances and the like with respect
thereto ("IP Rights").  With respect to patent rights, moral rights and Mark
rights, the representations and warranties of this Section 2.11(a) are made only
to Target's knowledge.  All copyrightable matter within Target Intellectual
Property owned by Target has been created by persons who were employees of
Target at the time of creation, or by third parties that have assigned such
copyrights to Target, and no third party has or will have "moral rights" or
rights to terminate any assignment or license with respect thereto.  Target has
not received any written communication alleging that Target has been or 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
may be engaged in, liable for or contributing to any Infringement, nor does
Target have any reason to expect that any such communication will be
forthcoming.

          (b)  To the extent included in Target Intellectual Property and
material to Target's business as currently conducted, Section 2.11 of the Target
Disclosure Letter lists (by name, number, jurisdiction, owner and, where
applicable, the name and address of each inventor, all to the extent known by
Target) all patents and patent applications; all registered Marks; all
registered copyrights, all software programs material to Target's business as
currently conducted, and, if material, mask works; and all other issuances,
registrations, applications and the like with respect to those or any other IP
Rights.  No cancellation, termination, expiration or abandonment of any of the
foregoing (except natural expiration or termination or in accordance with the
laws governing such registrations) is anticipated by Target.  Target is not
aware of any material questions or challenges (or any specific basis therefor)
with respect to the validity of any of the foregoing issued or registered IP
Rights (or any part or claim thereof).

          (c)  There is, to the knowledge of Target, no unauthorized Use,
disclosure, infringement or misappropriation of any Target Intellectual Property
by any third party, including, without limitation, any employee or former
employee of Target.

          (d)  Target has taken all reasonable and appropriate steps to protect
and preserve the confidentiality of all Target owned or licensed trade secrets
and confidential information that Target wishes to protect that is not otherwise
disclosed in published patents or patent applications or registered copyrights
("Target Confidential Information").  All use by and disclosure to employees or
others of Target Confidential Information has been pursuant to the terms of
valid and binding written confidentiality and nonuse/restricted-use agreements.
Except as set forth in Section 2.11 of the Target Disclosure Letter, Target has
not disclosed or delivered to any third party, or permitted the disclosure or
delivery to any escrow holder or other person any part of any source code.

          (e)  Except where the failure to do so would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Target, each current and former employee and contractor of
Target who is or was involved in, or who has contributed to, the creation or
development of any Target Intellectual Property has executed and delivered (and
to the knowledge of Target is in compliance with) an enforceable agreement in
substantially the form of Target's standard Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement (in the case of an employee) or Target's standard
Consulting Agreement (in the case of a contractor).

          (f)  To Target's knowledge, Target is not Using, and it will not be
necessary to Use, (i) any Inventions of any of its past or present employees or
contractors (or people currently intended to be hired) made prior to or outside
the scope of their employment by Target or (ii) any confidential information or
trade secrets of any former employer of any such person.

     2.12 Environmental Matters.  Target is and has at all times operated its
          ---------------------                                              
business in material compliance with all Environmental Laws and to Target's
knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply
with such Environmental Laws.  "Environmental Laws" means all applicable
statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, permits,
licenses, consents, approvals, authorizations, and governmental requirements or

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
directives or other obligations lawfully imposed by governmental authority under
federal, state or local law pertaining to the protection of the environment,
protection of public health, protection of worker health and safety, the
treatment, emission and/or discharge of gaseous, particulate and/or effluent
pollutants, and/or the handling of hazardous materials, including without
limitation, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. (S) 7401, et seq., the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), 42
U.S.C. (S) 9601, et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. (S)
1321, et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. (S) 1801,
et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. (S) 6901, et seq.
("RCRA"), and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. (S) 2601, et seq.

     2.13 Taxes.  Target, and any consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate 
          -----                                                            
group for Tax purposes of which Target is or has been a member has timely
filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by it (other than those that are
not, individually or in the aggregate, material), has paid all Taxes shown
thereon to be due and has provided adequate accruals in all material respects
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in its financial
statements for any Taxes that have not been paid, whether or not shown as
being due on any returns. In addition, (i) no material claim for unpaid Taxes
that are currently, or will be prior to the Effective Time, due and payable
has become a lien against the property or is being asserted against Target,
(ii) no audit of any material Tax Return of Target is being conducted by a Tax
authority, (iii) no extension of the statute of limitations on the assessment
of any Taxes has been granted by Target and is currently in effect, except as
a result of obtaining an extension of time to file a Tax Return, and (iv)
there is no agreement, contract or arrangement to which Target is a party that
may result in the payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant
to Sections 280G, 162(a) (by reason of being unreasonable in amount), 162(b)
through (p) or 404 of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms have the following meanings: "Tax" (and, with correlative meaning,
"Taxes" and "Taxable") means any and all taxes including, without limitation,
(i) any net income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross
receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, value added,
net worth, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance,
stamp, occupation, premium, property, environmental or windfall profit tax,
custom, duty or other tax governmental fee or other like assessment or charge
of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest or any penalty, addition to
tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Entity (a "Tax
authority") responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or
foreign), (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type
described in (i) as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated,
combined or unitary group for any Taxable period or as the result of being a
transferee or successor thereof and (iii) any liability for the payment of any
amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of any express or
implied obligation to indemnify any other person. As used in this Section
2.13, the term "Target" means Target and any entity included in, or required
under generally accepted accounting principles to be included in, any of the
Target Financial Statements. As used herein, "Tax Return" shall mean any
return, report, statement, declaration or other form or document required to
be filed with any governmental authority with respect to Taxes.

  2.14  Employee Benefit Plans.
        ---------------------- 
          (a)  For all purposes under this Section 2.14 "ERISA Affiliate"
shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) that, together with Target, is treated as a
single employer under Section 4001(b) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.
Except for the plans and agreements listed in Section 2.14 of the Target
Disclosure Letter (collectively, the "Plans"), Target and its ERISA Affiliates
do not maintain, are not a party to, do not contribute to and are not
obligated to contribute to, and employees or former employees of Target and
its ERISA Affiliates and their dependents or survivors do not receive benefits
under, any of the following (whether or not set forth in a written document):

               (i)   Any employee benefit plan, as defined in section 3(3) of
ERISA;

               (ii)  Any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive, restricted
stock, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right, phantom stock,
supplemental pension, executive compensation, cafeteria benefit, dependent
care, director or employee loan, fringe benefit, sabbatical, severance,
termination pay or similar plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement; or

               (iii) Any plan, program, agreement, policy, commitment or other
arrangement relating to the provision of any benefit described in section 3(1)
of ERISA to former employees or directors or to their survivors, other than
procedures intended to comply with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA").

          (b)  Neither Target nor any ERISA Affiliate has terminated,
suspended, discontinued contributions to or withdrawn from any employee
pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, including (without
limitation) any multiemployer plan, as defined in section 3(37) of ERISA.

          (c)  Target has provided to Acquiror complete, accurate and current
copies of each of the following:

               (i)   The text (including amendments) of each of the Plans, to
the extent reduced to writing;

               (ii)  A summary of each of the Plans, to the extent not
previously reduced to writing;

               (iii) With respect to each Plan that is an employee benefit
plan (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA), the following:

                     (1)  The most recent summary plan description, as
described in section 102 of ERISA;

                     (2)  Any summary of material modifications that has been
distributed to participants but has not been incorporated in an updated
summary plan description furnished under Subparagraph (1) above; and

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                     (3)  The annual report, as described in section 103 of
ERISA, and (where applicable) actuarial reports, for the three most recent
plan years for which an annual report or actuarial report has been prepared;
and

               (iv)  With respect to each Plan that is intended to qualify
under section 401(a) of the Code the most recent determination letter
concerning the plan's qualification under section 401(a) of the Code, as
issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and any subsequent determination
letter application.

          (d)  With respect to each Plan that is an employee benefit plan (as
defined in section 3(3) of ERISA), the requirements of ERISA applicable to
such Plan have been satisfied, except to the extent that a failure to satisfy
any of such requirements would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (e)  With respect to each Plan that is subject to COBRA, the
requirements of COBRA applicable to such Plan have been satisfied, except to
the extent that a failure to satisfy any of such requirements would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          (f)  With respect to each Plan that is subject to the Family Medical
Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the requirements of such Act applicable to such
Plan have been satisfied, except to the extent that a failure to satisfy any
of such requirements would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (g)  Each Plan that is intended to qualify under section 401(a) of
the Code meets the requirements for qualification under section 401(a) of the
Code and the regulations thereunder, except to the extent that such
requirements may be satisfied by adopting retroactive amendments under section
401(b) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Each such Plan has been
administered in accordance with its terms (or, if applicable, such terms as
will be adopted pursuant to a retroactive amendment under section 401(b) of
the Code) and the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the
regulations thereunder, except to the extent that a failure to be so
administered would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (h)  Neither Target nor any ERISA Affiliate has any accumulated
funding deficiency under section 412 of the Code or any termination or
withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA, except to the extent that any
such liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (i)  All contributions, premiums or other payments due from the
Target to (or under) any Plan have been fully paid or adequately provided for
on the books and financial statements of Target. All accruals (including,
where appropriate, proportional accruals for partial periods) have been made
in accordance with prior practices.

     2.15 Employees and Consultants.
          ------------------------- 

          (a)  Target has provided Acquiror with a true and complete list of all
individuals employed by Target as of the date hereof and the position and base
compensation 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
payable to each such individual. The Target Disclosure Letter contains a
description of any written or oral employment agreements, consulting
agreements or termination or severance agreements to which Target is a party,
other than those that are terminable by Target on no more than thirty days
notice without liability or financial obligation.

          (b)  Target is not a party to or subject to a labor union or a
collective bargaining agreement or arrangement and is not a party to any labor
or employment dispute.

          (c)  The consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will
not result in (i) any amount becoming payable to any employee, director or
independent contractor of Target, (ii) the acceleration of payment or vesting
of any benefit, option or right to which any employee, director or independent
contractor of Target may be entitled, (iii) the forgiveness of any
indebtedness of any employee, director or independent contractor of Target or
(iv) any cost becoming due or accruing to Target or the Acquiror with respect
to any employee, director or independent contractor of Target.

          (d)  Target is not obligated and upon consummation of the Merger
will not be obligated to make any payment or transfer any property that would
be considered a "parachute payment" under section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

          (e)  To the knowledge of Target, no employee of Target has been
injured in the work place or in the course of his or her employment except for
injuries that are covered by insurance or for which a claim has been made
under workers' compensation or similar laws.

          (f)  Target has complied in all material respects with the
verification requirements and the record-keeping requirements of the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 ("IRCA"); to the knowledge of
Target, the information and documents on which Target relied to comply with
IRCA are true and correct; and there have not been any discrimination
complaints filed against Target pursuant to IRCA, and to the knowledge of
Target, there is no basis for the filing of such a complaint that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

          (g)  Target has not received or been notified of any complaint by
any employee, applicant, union or other party of any discrimination or other
conduct forbidden by law or contract, nor to the knowledge of Target, is there
a basis for any complaint, except such complaints as could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (h)  Target's action in complying with the terms of this Agreement
will not violate any agreements with any of Target's employees that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

          (i)  Target has filed all required reports and information with
respect to its employees that are due prior to the Closing Date and otherwise
has complied in its hiring, employment, promotion, termination and other labor
practices with all applicable federal and state law and regulations, including
without limitation those within the jurisdiction of the United States Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor and state
and local human rights or civil rights agencies, except to the extent that any
such failure to file or comply would not 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. Target has filed and shall file any
such reports and information that are required to be filed prior to the
Closing Date.

          (j)  Target is not aware that any of its employees or contractors is
obligated under any agreement, commitments, judgment, decree, order or
otherwise (an "Employee Obligation") that could reasonably be expected to
interfere with the use of his or her best efforts to promote the interests of
Target or that could reasonably be expected to conflict with any of Target's
business as conducted and that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Target. Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement
nor the conduct of Target's business as conducted, will, to Target's
knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any Employee Obligation that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

     2.16 Insurance.  Target has policies of insurance and bonds of the type 
          ---------                                       
and in amounts customarily carried by persons conducting businesses or owning
assets similar to those of Target. There is no material claim pending under
any of such policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied
or disputed by the underwriters of such policies or bonds. All premiums due
and payable under all such policies and bonds have been paid and Target is
otherwise in compliance with the terms of such policies and bonds. Target has
no knowledge of any threatened termination of, or material premium increase
with respect to, any of such policies.

     2.17 Compliance with Laws.  Target has complied with, is not in violation 
          --------------------                            
of, and has not received any notices of violation with respect to, any
federal, state, local or foreign statute, law or regulation with respect to
the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business,
except for such violations or failures to comply as could not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.

     2.18 Brokers' and Finders' Fees.  Target has not incurred, nor will it 
          --------------------------                   
incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or
agents' commissions or investment bankers' fees or any similar charges in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

     2.19 Pooling of Interests.  To the knowledge of Target, based on 
          --------------------                              
consultation with its independent accountants, neither Target nor any of its
directors, officers, affiliates or stockholders has taken any action that
could preclude Acquiror's ability to account for the Merger as a pooling of
interests.

     2.20 Voting Agreement; Irrevocable Proxies.  All of the persons and/or 
          -------------------------------------             
entities deemed "Affiliates" of Target within the meaning of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act who are also officers or directors have
agreed in writing to vote for approval of the Merger pursuant to a Voting and
Proxy Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (collectively, the "Voting
                                   ---------                           
Agreements").

     2.21 Vote Required.  The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority 
          -------------                              
of the Target Common Stock outstanding on the record date set for the Target
Stockholders Meeting (as 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
hereafter defined) is the only vote of the holders of any of Target's Capital
Stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     2.22 No Breach of Material Contracts.  The Target has performed all of the 
          -------------------------------                 
obligations required to be performed by it and is entitled to all benefits
under, and is not alleged in writing, or, to Target's knowledge, otherwise
alleged to be in default in respect of any Material Contract, other than any
failure that individually or in the aggregate would not or could not
reasonably be expected to result in a material loss to Target. Each of the
Material Contracts is in full force and effect and there exists no default or
event of default or event, occurrence, condition or act, with respect to
Target or to Target's knowledge with respect to the other contracting party,
or otherwise that, with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of the time
or the happening of any other event or conditions, could reasonably be
expected to (A) become a default or event of default under any Material
Contract, which default or event of default could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Target or (B) result in the loss or
expiration of any material right or option by Target (or the gain thereof by
any third party) under any Material Contract, which loss or expiration (or
gain) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target
or (C) the release, disclosure or delivery to any third party of any part of
the source code. True, correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts
have been delivered to the Acquiror.

     2.23 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The written  
          --------------------------------------------------
information supplied by Target expressly for the purpose of inclusion in the
registration statement on Form S-4 (or such other or successor form as shall
be appropriate) pursuant to which the issuance of the shares of Acquiror
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will be registered with the SEC (the
"Registration Statement") shall not at the time the Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto) is declared effective by the
SEC contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading. The written information supplied by Target expressly for the
purpose of inclusion in the proxy statement/prospectus to be sent to the
stockholders of Target in connection with the meetings of Target's
stockholders (the "Target Stockholders Meeting") to be held in connection with
the Merger (such proxy statement/prospectus as amended or supplemented is
referred to herein as the "Proxy Statement") shall not, on the date the Proxy
Statement is first mailed to Target's stockholders, at the time of the Target
Stockholders Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement
of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any
event or information should be discovered by Target that should be set forth
in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Proxy
Statement, Target shall promptly inform Acquiror and Merger Sub.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Target makes no representation, warranty or
covenant with respect to any information supplied by Acquiror or Merger Sub
that is contained in any of the foregoing documents.

     2.24 Complete Copies of Materials.  Target has delivered or made 
          ----------------------------             
available true and complete copies of each document that has been requested by
Acquiror or its counsel in connection with their technical, legal and
accounting review of Target.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     2.25 Amendment of Rights Plan.  The Target Rights Plan has been amended 
          ------------------------                         
to (i) render the Target Rights Plan inapplicable to the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, the
Target Affiliate Agreements and the Voting Agreements, (ii) ensure that (y)
neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub, nor any of their affiliates shall be deemed
to have become an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Target Rights Plan)
pursuant to the Target Rights Plan solely by virtue of the execution of this
Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, the Target Affiliate Agreements and the
Voting Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby and (z) a Distribution Date, a Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date or a
Shares Acquisition Date (as such terms are defined in the Target Rights Plan)
or similar event does not occur by reason of the execution of this Agreement,
the Stock Option Agreement, the Target Affiliate Agreements and the Voting
Agreements, the consummation of the Merger, or the consummation of the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) provide that the exercise
of rights under the Target Rights Plan shall expire immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and (iv) provide that such amendment may not be further
amended by the Target without the prior consent of Acquiror in its sole
discretion (such Target Rights Plan amendment being the "Merger Permissive
Amendment").

     2.26 Opinion of Financial Advisor.  Target has been advised in writing by 
          ----------------------------                  
its financial advisor, Hambrecht & Quist LLC, that in its opinion, as of the
date of this Agreement, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the stockholders of
Target from a financial point of view.

     2.27 Board Approval.  The Board of Directors of Target has unanimously 
          --------------                                   
(except that Louis Cole, a director of Target, has abstained from voting on
such matters) (i) approved this Agreement and the Merger, (ii) determined that
the Merger is in the best interest of the stockholders of Target and is on
terms that are fair to such stockholders and (iii) recommended that the
stockholders of Target approve this Agreement and the Merger.

    2.28 Section 203 of Delaware Law Not Applicable.  The Board of Directors of 
         ------------------------------------------      
Target has taken all actions so that the restrictions contained in Section 203
of the Delaware Law applicable to a "business combination" (as defined in
Section 203) will not apply to the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by the Stock Option
Agreement.

     2.29 Representations Complete.  None of the representations or warranties 
          ------------------------              
made by Target herein or in any Schedule hereto, including the Target
Disclosure Letter, or certificate furnished by Target pursuant to this
Agreement or the Target SEC Documents, when all such documents are read
together in their entirety, contains or will contain at the Effective Time any
untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit at the Effective
Time to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
made, not misleading.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE III


          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB
          ---------------------------------------------------------

          Acquiror and Merger Sub represent and warrant to Target that the
statements contained in this Article III are true and correct, except as set
forth (i) in the Disclosure Letter delivered by Acquiror to Target to prior to
the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the "Acquiror Disclosure Letter")
or (ii) in Acquiror's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (which
report was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on
March 27, 1998) and any Acquiror SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.4) filed
subsequent to March 27, 1998.  The Acquiror Disclosure Letter shall be arranged
in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in
this Article III, and the disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify only the
corresponding paragraph in this Article III.  Any reference in this Article III
to an agreement being "enforceable" shall be deemed to be qualified to the
extent such enforceability is subject to (i) laws of general application
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and the relief of debtors, and
(ii) the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief and other
equitable remedies.

     3.1  Organization, Standing and Power.  Each of Acquiror and its 
          --------------------------------                           
subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of Acquiror
and its subsidiaries has the corporate power to own its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted and is duly qualified to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to
be so qualified and in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on
Acquiror. Acquiror has delivered a true and correct copy of the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Acquiror and Merger Sub, each as amended to date,
to Target. Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is in violation of any of the
provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. Acquiror is the
owner of all outstanding shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries
and all such shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such
subsidiary are owned by Acquiror free and clear of all liens, charges, claims
or encumbrances or rights of others. There are no outstanding subscriptions,
options, warrants, puts, calls, rights, exchangeable or convertible securities
or other commitments or agreements of any character relating to the issued or
unissued capital stock or other securities of any such subsidiary, or
otherwise obligating Acquiror or any such subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell,
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities. Except as disclosed
in the Acquiror SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.4), Acquiror does not
directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest
convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar interest
in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association
or entity.

     3.2  Capital Structure.  The authorized capital stock of Acquiror 
          -----------------                                       
consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, and
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value, of which there were
issued and outstanding as of September 30, 1998, 37,286,292 shares of Common
Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock. There are no other outstanding shares
of capital stock or voting securities of Acquiror other than shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issued after September 30, 1998, upon (i) the exercise
of options issued under Acquiror's 1995 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the
"Acquiror Stock Option Plan") or (ii) the exercise of subscription rights
outstanding as of such date under the Acquiror Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Acquiror ESPP"). The 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of Common
Stock, $.0001 par value, all of which are issued and outstanding and are held
by Acquiror. All outstanding shares of Acquiror have been duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and are nonassessable and free of any liens or
encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon
the holders thereof and are not subject to preemptive rights, rights of first
refusal or other similar rights created by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Acquiror or Merger Sub or any agreement to which
Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which it is bound. As of September 30,
1998, Acquiror had reserved (i) 12,450,982 shares of Common Stock for issuance
to employees, directors and independent contractors pursuant to the Acquiror
Stock Option Plan, of which 5,407,175 shares are subject to outstanding,
unexercised options, and (ii) 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to
employees pursuant to the Acquiror ESPP, of which 929,113 shares are available
for issuance. Other than as set forth above and the commitment to issue shares
of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement; there are no other options,
warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which
Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which either of them is bound
obligating Acquiror or Merger Sub to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or
redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any
shares of the capital stock of Acquiror or Merger Sub or obligating Acquiror
or Merger Sub to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call,
right, commitment or agreement. The shares of Common Stock to be issued
pursuant to the Merger will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
and non-assessable, will not be subject to any preemptive or other statutory
right of stockholders, will be issued in compliance with applicable U.S.
Federal and state securities laws and will be free of any liens or
encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon
the holders thereof.

     3.3  Authority.
          --------- 

          (a)  Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub. This Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by each of
Acquiror and Merger Sub and constitute the valid and binding obligations of
each of Acquiror and Merger Sub, enforceable against Acquiror and Merger Sub
in accordance with their terms.

          (b)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents do not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with, or result in any
violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or loss of a benefit under, or require a consent to assignment
or a novation under (i) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries, as amended, or (ii) any
contract, agreement, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Acquiror or
any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except in the
case of clause (ii) as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity, is required
by or with respect to Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries in connection with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction
Documents by Acquiror or the consummation by Acquiror of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate
of Merger, together with the required officers' certificates, as provided in
Section 1.2, (ii) the filing of a Form 8-K with the SEC and National
Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") within 15 days after the Closing
Date, (iii) any filings as may be required under applicable state securities
laws and the securities laws of any foreign country, (iv) such filings as may
be required under HSR, (v) the filing with the Nasdaq National Market of a
Notification Form for Listing of Additional Shares with respect to the shares
of Acquiror Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Target Capital Stock
in the Merger and upon exercise of the options under the Target Stock Option
Plans assumed by Acquiror, (vi) the filing of the Registration Statement with
the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (vii)
such other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations
that, if not obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Acquiror and would not prevent, materially alter or delay the consummation of
the Merger.

     3.4  SEC Documents; Financial Statements.  Acquiror has made available to 
          -----------------------------------                        
Target a true and complete copy of each statement, report, registration
statement (with the prospectus in the form filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of
the Securities Act), definitive proxy statement, and other filing filed with
the SEC by Acquiror since January 1, 1997, and, prior to the Effective Time,
Acquiror will have furnished Target with true and complete copies of any
additional documents filed with the SEC by Acquiror prior to the Effective
Time (collectively, the "Acquiror SEC Documents"). In addition, Acquiror has
made available to Target all exhibits to the Acquiror SEC Documents filed
prior to the date hereof, and will promptly make available to Target all
exhibits to any additional Acquiror SEC Documents filed prior to the Effective
Time. All documents required to be filed as exhibits to the Acquiror SEC
Documents have been so filed, and all Material Contracts so filed as exhibits
are in full force and effect, except those that have expired in accordance
with their terms, and neither Acquiror nor any of its subsidiaries is in
default thereunder, except for any such default that individually or in the
aggregate would not or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Acquiror. As of their respective filing dates (or if amended
or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, then on the date of such
subsequent filing), the Acquiror SEC Documents complied in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, and
none of the Acquiror SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent
corrected by a subsequently filed Acquiror SEC Document. The financial
statements of Acquiror, including the notes thereto, included in the Acquiror
SEC Documents (the "Acquiror Financial Statements") fairly present the
consolidated financial condition and the related consolidated statements of
operations, of stockholder's equity, and of cash flows of Acquiror at the
dates and during the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments), complied as
to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and
with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as of
their respective dates, and have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent throughout the
periods indicated and consistent with each other (except as may be indicated
in the notes thereto or, in 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
the case of unaudited statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Qs,
as permitted by Form 10-Q and Regulation S-K of the SEC).

     3.5  Absence of Certain Changes.  Since June 30, 1998 (the "Acquiror 
          --------------------------                                  
Balance Sheet Date"), Acquiror has conducted its business in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred any (i)
change, event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance) that has
resulted in, or might reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse
Effect on Acquiror or (ii) any change by Acquiror in its accounting methods,
principles or properties.

     3.6  Litigation.  Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Documents, 
          ----------                                                        
there is no private or governmental action, suit, proceeding, claim,
arbitration or investigation pending before any agency, court or tribunal,
foreign or domestic, or, to the knowledge of Acquiror or any of its
subsidiaries, threatened against Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties or any of their respective officers or directors
(in their capacities as such) that, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. There is
no judgment, decree or order against Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or,
to the knowledge of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries, any of their
respective directors or officers (in their capacities as such) that could
prevent, enjoin, or materially alter or delay any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

     3.7  Compliance with Laws.  Each of Acquiror and its subsidiaries has 
          --------------------                                            
complied with, is not in violation of, and has not received any notices of
violation with respect to, any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law
or regulation with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or
operation of its business, except for such violations or failures to comply as
could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Acquiror.

     3.8  Registration Statement.  The written information supplied by 
          ----------------------                                        
Acquiror and Merger Sub expressly for the purpose of inclusion in the
Registration Statement shall not, at the time the Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto) is declared effective by the
SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time
prior to the Effective Time any event or information should be discovered by
Acquiror or Merger Sub that should be set forth in an amendment to the
Registration Statement Acquiror and Merger Sub will promptly inform Target.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub make any
representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied
by Target that is contained in any of the foregoing documents.

     3.9  Board Approval.  The Board of Directors of Acquiror and Merger Sub 
          --------------                                                   
have unanimously approved this Agreement and the Merger (except that Louis
Cole, a director of Acquiror, shall have abstained from voting on such
matters).

     3.10 Representations Complete.  None of the representations, warranties or
          ------------------------                                             
statements made by Acquiror or Merger Sub herein or in any Schedule hereto,
including the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, or certificate furnished by Acquiror
pursuant to this Agreement, or the Acquiror SEC Documents, when all such
documents are read together in their entirety, contains or will contain at the
Effective Time any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit at
the Effective Time to 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which made, not
misleading.

     3.11 Intellectual Property.  Acquiror and its subsidiaries own or are 
          ---------------------                                             
licensed for and in any event possess sufficient rights with respect to all
Intellectual Property that is Used in, or that may be necessary for, the
business of Acquiror and its subsidiaries as currently conducted by Acquiror
and its subsidiaries ("Acquiror Intellectual Property"), except to the extent
that the failure to have such rights have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Acquiror's rights to
Acquiror Intellectual Property is without any conflict with or infringement or
misappropriation of any rights or property of others. With respect to patent
rights, moral rights and Mark rights, the representations and warranties of
this Section 3.11 are make only to Acquiror's knowledge.

     3.12 Pooling of Interest.  To the knowledge of Acquiror, based on 
          -------------------                                        
consultation with its independent accountants, neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries, directors, officers, affiliates or stockholders has taken any
action that could preclude Acquiror's ability to account for the Merger as a
pooling of interests.

     3.13 Interim Operations of Merger Sub.  Merger Sub was formed solely for 
          --------------------------------                                
the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged
in no other business activities and has conducted its operations only as
contemplated hereby.

                                 ARTICLE IV


                     CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME
                     -----------------------------------

     4.1  Conduct of Business of Target and Acquiror.  During the period from 
          ------------------------------------------                        
the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination
of this Agreement or the Effective Time, Target and Acquiror each agree
(except to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented
to in writing by the other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
to carry on its and its subsidiaries' business in the usual, regular and
ordinary course in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted.
Target further agrees to (i) pay and to cause its subsidiaries to pay debts
and Taxes when due, subject to good faith disputes over such debts or Taxes,
and (ii) to use all reasonable efforts consistent with past practice and
policies to preserve intact its and its subsidiaries' present business
organizations, keep available the services of its and its subsidiaries'
present officers and key employees and preserve its and its subsidiaries'
relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees,
and others having business dealings with it or its subsidiaries. Target and
Acquiror agree to promptly notify the other of any event or occurrence not in
the ordinary course of its or its subsidiaries' business, and of any event
that could have a Material Adverse Effect on it on a consolidated basis.

     4.2  Conduct of Business of Target.  During the period from the date of 
          -----------------------------                                     
this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or as set forth in the Target Disclosure Letter, 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Target shall not do, cause or permit any of the following, or allow, cause or
permit any of its subsidiaries to do, cause or permit any of the following,
without the prior written consent of Acquiror:

          (a)  Charter Documents.  Cause or permit any amendments to its 
               -----------------                                               
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;

          (b)  Dividends; Changes in Capital Stock.  Declare or pay any 
               -----------------------------------                   
dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or
property) in respect of any of its capital stock, or split, combine or
reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of
its capital stock, or repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,
any shares of its capital stock, except from former employees, directors and
consultants in accordance with agreements providing for the repurchase of
shares in connection with any termination of service to it or its
subsidiaries; or

          (c)  Material Contracts.  Enter into any material contract, 
               ------------------                                     
agreement, license or commitment, or violate, amend or otherwise modify or
waive any of the terms of any of its material contracts, agreements or
licenses, other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice;

          (d)  Stock Option Plans, etc.  Accelerate, amend or change the 
               -----------------------                                  
period of exercisability or vesting of options or other rights granted under
its stock plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any options or
other rights granted under any of such plans;

         (e)  Issuance of Securities.  Issue, deliver or sell or authorize or 
              ----------------------                                      
propose the issuance, delivery or sale of, or purchase or propose the purchase
of, any shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into, or
subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or
commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares or other
convertible securities, other than the (i) issuance of shares of its Common
Stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options, warrants or other rights
therefor outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) shares of its
Common Stock issuable to participants in its ESPP consistent with the terms
thereof, and (iii) the granting of stock options (and the issuance of its
Common Stock upon the exercise thereof) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, in an amount not to exceed options to purchase
(and the issuance of its Common Stock upon the exercise thereof) 200,000
shares in the aggregate, with not more than options to purchase 15,000 shares
to any one individual;

          (f)  Intellectual Property.  Transfer to or license any person or 
               ---------------------                                       
entity or otherwise extend, amend or modify in any material respect any rights
to its Intellectual Property, other than the grant of non-exclusive licenses
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

          (g)  Exclusive Rights.  Enter into or amend any agreements pursuant 
               ----------------                                          
to which any other party is granted exclusive marketing, manufacturing or other
exclusive rights of any type or scope with respect to any of its products
or technology;

          (h)  Dispositions.  Sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of or 
               ------------                                                   
encumber any of its properties or assets that are material, individually or in
the aggregate, to its and its 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
subsidiaries' business, taken as a whole, except sales or licenses of product
or inventory in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice;

          (i)  Indebtedness.  Incur or commit to incur any indebtedness for 
               ------------                                                     
borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt
securities or guarantee any debt securities of others;

          (j)  Leases.  Enter into any operating lease requiring payments in 
               ------                                                        
excess of $100,000;

          (k)  Payment of Obligations.  Pay, discharge or satisfy in an amount 
               ----------------------                                          
in excess of $100,000 in any one case or $500,000 in the aggregate, any claim,
liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent
or otherwise) arising other than in the ordinary course of business, other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in the Target Financial Statements and (ii) banking,
accounting, legal and printing fees associated with the transactions
contemplated hereby;

          (l)  Capital Expenditures.  Incur or commit to incur any capital 
               --------------------                                        
expenditures in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate;

          (m)  Insurance.  Reduce the amount of any insurance coverage provided 
               ---------
by existing insurance policies;

          (n)  Employee Benefits; Severance.  Take any of the following 
               ----------------------------                                 
actions: (i) increase or agree to increase the compensation payable or to
become payable to its officers or employees, except for increases in salary or
wages of non-officer employees in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, (ii) grant any additional severance or
termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreements with,
any officer or employee, except pursuant to written agreements outstanding or
policies existing on the date hereof (Target also agrees that prior to paying
any termination or severance payments to any officers, director-level
employees or technical personal, Target will first consult with Acquiror),
(iii) enter into any collective bargaining agreement, or (iv) other than offer
letters entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice with employees who are terminable "at will," establish, adopt, enter
into or amend in any material respect any bonus, profit sharing, thrift,
compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan, trust, fund,
policy or arrangement for the benefit of any directors, officers or employees;

          (o)  Lawsuits.  Commence a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding other 
               --------                                                      
than (i) for the routine collection of bills, (ii) in such cases where it in
good faith determines that failure to commence suit would result in the
material impairment of a valuable asset of its business, provided that it
consults with Acquiror prior to the filing of such a suit, or (iii) for a
breach of this Agreement;

          (p)  Acquisitions.  Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or 
               ------------                                           
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of,
or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof, 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets that are material,
individually or in the aggregate, to its and its subsidiaries' business, taken
as a whole;

          (q)  Taxes.  Make any material Tax election other than in the 
               -----                                                     
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, change any
material Tax election, adopt any Tax accounting method other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, change any Tax
accounting method, file any Tax return (other than any estimated tax returns,
immaterial information returns, payroll tax returns or sales tax returns) or
any amendment to a Tax return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any
Tax claim or assessment or consent to any Tax claim or assessment provided
that acquiror shall not unreasonably withhold or delay approval of any of the
foregoing actions;

          (r)  Pooling.  Take any action that could be reasonably expected to 
               -------                                                       
interfere with Acquiror's ability to account for the Merger as a pooling of
interests under generally accepted accounting principles;

          (s)  Revaluation.  Materially revalue any of its assets, including 
               -----------                                                
without limitation writing down the value of inventory or writing off notes or
accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course of business, except as
required by generally accepted accounting principles; or

          (t)  Other.  Take or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of 
               -----                                                            
the actions described in Sections 4.2(a) through (s) above.

     4.3  Conduct of Business of Acquiror.  During the period from the date of 
          -------------------------------                              
this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or as set forth in the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, Acquiror shall
not do, cause or permit any of the following, or allow, cause or permit any of
its subsidiaries to do, cause or permit any of the following, without the
prior written consent of Target (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld):

          (a)  Dividends.  Declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make 
               ---------                                                       
any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities or
property) in respect of any capital stock, or split, combine or reclassify any
capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for any capital stock, except that
Acquiror may effect a stock split (including a stock split effected in the
form of a stock dividend) if the Board of Directors of Acquiror determines
that such action is in the best interest of Acquiror;

          (b)  Pooling.  Take any action that could reasonably be expected to 
               -------                                                 
interfere with Acquiror's ability to account for the Merger as a pooling of
interests under generally accepted accounting principles.

     4.4  Notices.  Target shall give all notices and other information 
          -------                                                          
required to be given to the employees of Target, any collective bargaining
unit representing any group of employees of Target, and any applicable
government authority under the National Labor Relations Act, 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
the Internal Revenue Code, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act,
and other applicable law in connection with the transactions provided for in
this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE V


                            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
                            ---------------------

     5.1  No Solicitation.
          --------------- 

          (a)  Target shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer,
director, employee, financial advisor, attorney, representative, subsidiary or
agent of such party (i) take any action to solicit, initiate or encourage any
inquiries or proposals that constitute, or could reasonably be expected to
lead to, a proposal or offer for a merger, consolidation, business
combination, sale of substantial assets, sale of shares of capital stock
(including without limitation by way of a tender offer) or similar transaction
involving Target or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (any of the foregoing inquiries or proposals
being referred to in this Agreement as an "Acquisition Proposal"), or (ii)
engage in negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide any non-public
information to any person or entity relating to, any Acquisition Proposal;
provided, however, that Target may make reference to and provide a copy of
- -----------------
this Section 5.1 to any person or entity that makes an unsolicited inquiry and
provided further that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent
Target, or its Board of Directors, to the extent such Board of Directors
determines, in good faith, after consultation with and not inconsistent with
the advice of outside legal counsel, that such Board of Directors' fiduciary
duties under applicable law require it to do so, from furnishing non-public
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person
or entity in connection with an unsolicited, bona fide, written Acquisition
Proposal by such person or entity that the Board of Directors believes is
reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal (as hereafter defined), if
and only to the extent that, prior to furnishing such non-public information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity,
the Board of Directors receives from such person or entity an executed
confidentiality agreement with terms no more favorable to such party than
those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement dated October 22, 1998
between Acquiror and Target (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), such non-public
information has been previously delivered to the Board of Directors of
Acquiror, and Target advises the Acquiror hereto in writing of such disclosure
or discussions or negotiations, including the party to whom disclosed or with
whom discussions or negotiations will occur. Without limiting the foregoing,
it is understood that any violations of the restrictions set forth in this
paragraph by any officer, director, employee, financial advisor, attorney,
representative, subsidiary or agent of Target, whether or not acting on behalf
of Target, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.1 by Target.

          (b)  Except as permitted by this Section 5.1, neither the Board of
Directors of Target nor any committee thereof shall agree to or recommend any
Acquisition Proposal or withdraw or modify its recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger in any manner adverse to Acquiror or Merger Sub.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of Target or any
committee thereof may recommend an unsolicited, bona fide, written Acquisition
Proposal to the stockholders of Target, or withdraw or modify its
recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger, in connection with an
unsolicited, bona fide, written Acquisition Proposal, if and only to the
extent that 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
(1) the Board of Directors of Target believes in its good faith reasonable
judgment (after consultation with and not inconsistent with the advice of
outside legal counsel and independent financial advisors) that such
Acquisition Proposal is reasonably capable of being completed on the terms
proposed and, after taking into account the strategic benefits anticipated to
be derived from the Merger and the long-term prospects of Acquiror and Target
as a combined company and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of
Directors of Target, would, if consummated, result in a transaction more
favorable from a financial point of view than the transaction contemplated by
this Agreement (any such more favorable Acquisition Proposal being referred to
in this Agreement as a "Superior Proposal") and the Board of Directors of
Target determines in good faith after consultation with and not inconsistent
with the advice of outside legal counsel that such action is necessary for
such Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders
under applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that
any violations of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph by any officer,
director, employee, financial advisor, attorney, representative, subsidiary or
agent of Target, whether or not acting on behalf of Target, shall be deemed to
be a breach of this Section 5.1 by Target.

          (c)  Nothing contained in this Section 5.1 or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall prohibit Target from taking and disclosing to its stockholders
a position contemplated by rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the
Exchange Act; provided that neither Target nor its Board of Directors nor any
committee thereof shall, except in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.1(b), withdraw or modify its position with respect to this Agreement or the
Merger or recommend a Superior Proposal.

          (d)  Target shall notify Acquiror immediately after receipt by
Target (or its advisors) of any Acquisition Proposal or any request for non-
public information in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or for access to
the properties, books or records of such party or any of its subsidiaries by
any person or entity that informs such party that it is considering making, or
has made, an Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall be made orally and in
writing and shall indicate in reasonable detail the identity of the offeror
and the terms and conditions of such proposal, inquiry or contact. Target
shall continue to keep Acquiror informed, on a current basis, of the status of
any such discussions or negotiations and the terms being discussed or
negotiated.

     5.2  Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement.  As promptly as
          --------------------------------------------------                 
practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Target and Acquiror shall
prepare proxy materials relating to the approval of the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of Target and, as promptly
as practicable, Acquiror shall file with the SEC a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (or such other or successor form as shall be appropriate), which
complies in form and substance with applicable SEC requirements (and, if
necessary, will file an amendment or amendments to such filing to comply with
applicable SEC requirements, provided that neither Target nor its Board of
Directors nor any committee thereof shall, except in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.1(b), withdraw or modify its position with respect to
this Agreement or the Merger or recommend a Superior Proposal) and shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective as
soon thereafter as practicable; provided, however, that Acquiror shall have no
obligation to agree to account for the Merger as a "purchase" in order to cause
the Registration Statement to become effective.  The Proxy Statement shall
include the unanimous recommendation of the Board of Directors of Target in
favor of the Merger (except that Louis Cole, a director of Target, shall have

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
abstained from voting on such matter); except to the extent that the board of
Directors of Target shall have modified or withdrawn its recommendation with
respect to this Agreement or the Merger in accordance with Section 5.1(b).

     5.3  Stockholders Meeting.  Promptly after the date hereof, Target will 
          --------------------                                            
take all action necessary in accordance with Delaware Law and its Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws to convene a meeting of the stockholders of Target to
be held as promptly as practicable, and in any event (to the extent permissible
under applicable law) within 45 days after the declaration of effectiveness of
the Registration Statement, for the purpose of voting upon this Agreement and
the Merger.  Subject to Section 5.1(b), Target will, through its Board of
Directors, unanimously recommend to its stockholders approval of such matters
(except that Louis Cole, a director of Target, shall have abstained from voting
on such matters).  Target shall use all reasonable efforts to solicit from its
stockholders proxies with respect to such matters (whether or not the Board of
Directors of Target shall have withdrawn or modified its unanimous
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger).

     5.4  Access to Information.
          --------------------- 

          (a)  Target shall afford Acquiror and its accountants, counsel and
other representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours during
the period prior to the Effective Time to (i) all of Target's and its
subsidiaries' properties, books, contracts, commitments and records, and (ii)
all other information concerning the business, properties and personnel of
Target and its subsidiaries as Acquiror may reasonably request. Target agrees
to provide to Acquiror and its accountants, counsel and other representatives
copies of internal financial statements promptly upon request.

          (b)  Subject to compliance with applicable law, from the date hereof
until the Effective Time, each of Acquiror and Target shall confer on a
regular and frequent basis with one or more representatives of the other party
to report operational matters of materiality and the general status of ongoing
operations.

          (c)  No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation
pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall affect or be deemed to modify any
representation or warranty contained herein or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger.

     5.5  Confidentiality.  The parties acknowledge that Acquiror and Target 
          ---------------                                               
have previously executed a Confidentiality Agreement, which shall continue in
full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

     5.6  Public Disclosure.  Unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement, 
          -----------------                                              
Acquiror and Target shall consult with each other before issuing any press
release or otherwise making any public statement or making any other public
(or non-confidential) disclosure (whether or not in response to an inquiry)
regarding the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, and neither shall issue any such press release or make any such
statement or disclosure without the prior approval of the other (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as may be required by law
or to comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC or any obligations
pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or
with the NASD.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
     5.7  Consents; Cooperation.
          --------------------- 

          (a)  Each of Acquiror and Target shall promptly apply for or
otherwise seek, and use reasonable efforts to obtain, all consents and
approvals required to be obtained by it for the consummation of the Merger,
including those required under HSR, and shall use reasonable efforts to obtain
all necessary consents, waivers and approvals under, or to deliver notice of
the Merger as required by, any of its material contracts in connection with
the Merger for the assignment thereof or otherwise. The parties hereto will
consult and cooperate with one another, and consider in good faith the views
of one another, in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations,
memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or
on behalf of any party hereto in connection with proceedings under or relating
to HSR or any other federal or state antitrust or fair trade law.

          (b)  Each of Acquiror and Target shall use all reasonable efforts to
resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by any Governmental Entity
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under HSR, the
Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the Federal Trade
Commission Act, as amended, and any other Federal, state or foreign statutes,
rules, regulations, orders or decrees that are designed to prohibit, restrict
or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or
restraint of trade (collectively, "Antitrust Laws"). In connection therewith,
if any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or
threatened to be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement as violative of any Antitrust Law, each of Acquiror and Target shall
cooperate and use all reasonable efforts vigorously to contest and resist any
such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned
any decree, judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent (each an "Order"), that is in effect and that
prohibits, prevents, or restricts consummation of the Merger or any such other
transactions, unless by mutual agreement Acquiror and Target decide that
litigation is not in their respective best interests. Notwithstanding the
provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, it is expressly understood
and agreed that Acquiror shall have no obligation to litigate or contest any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding or any Order beyond the
earlier of (i) March 31, 1998, or (ii) the date of a ruling preliminarily
enjoining the Merger issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Each of
Acquiror and Target shall use all reasonable efforts to take such action as
may be required to cause the expiration of the notice periods under the HSR or
other Antitrust Laws with respect to such transactions as promptly as possible
after the execution of this Agreement.

          (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Acquiror nor Target
shall be required to agree to divest itself of or hold separate any
subsidiary, division or business unit that is material to the business of such
party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the divestiture or holding
separate of which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on (A) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, financial condition or
results of operations of such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or
(B) the benefits intended to be derived as a result of the Merger .

     5.8  Pooling Accounting.  Acquiror and Target shall each use its best 
          ------------------                                           
efforts to cause the business combination to be effected by the Merger to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests and to take such action as may be
reasonably necessary to permit such treatment. Each of 

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
Acquiror and Target shall use its best efforts (i) to cause its respective
"Affiliates" (as defined in Section 5.10) not to take any action that would
adversely affect the ability of Acquiror to account for the business
combination to be effected by the Merger as a pooling of interests and (ii) to
cause Deloitte & Touche LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to deliver the
letters referred to in Sections 6.1(g) and 6.1(h) of this Agreement.

     5.9  Update Disclosure; Breaches.  From and after the date of this 
          ---------------------------                                   
Agreement until the Effective Time, each party hereto shall promptly notify
the other party, by written update to its Disclosure Letter, of (i) the
occurrence or non-occurrence of any event that would be likely to cause any
condition to the obligations of any party to effect the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement not to be satisfied, or (ii) the
failure of Target or Acquiror, as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy
any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it
pursuant to this Agreement that would be likely to result in any condition to
the obligations of any party to effect the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement not to be satisfied. The delivery of any notice
pursuant to this Section 5.9 shall not cure any breach of any representation
or warranty requiring disclosure of such matter prior to the date of this
Agreement or otherwise limit or affect the remedies available hereunder to the
party receiving such notice.

     5.10 Stockholder Agreements.  Upon the execution of this Agreement, 
          ----------------------                                         
Acquiror and Target will provide each other with a list of those persons who 
are, in Acquiror's or Target's respective reasonable judgment, "affiliates" of
Acquiror or Target, respectively, within the meaning of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act ("Rule 145"). Each such person who is an "affiliate" of Acquiror 
or Target within the meaning of Rule 145 is referred to herein as an
"Affiliate." Acquiror and Target shall provide each other such information and
documents as Target or Acquiror shall reasonably request for purposes of
reviewing such list and shall notify the other party in writing regarding any
change in the identity of its Affiliates prior to the Closing Date. Target
shall use its best efforts to deliver to Acquiror by the date of execution of
this Agreement (and in each case by the Effective Time), from each of the
Affiliates of Target, an executed agreement, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D-1 ("Target Affiliate Agreement"). Acquiror shall use its best
- -----------
efforts to deliver to Target by the date of execution of this Agreement (and
in each case by the Effective Time), from each of the Affiliates of Acquiror,
an executed agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-2 ("Acquiror
                                                      -----------
Affiliate Agreement"). Acquiror shall be entitled to place appropriate legends
on the certificates evidencing any Acquiror Common Stock to be received by
Affiliates of Target pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue
appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for the Acquiror
Common Stock, consistent with the terms of the Target Affiliate Agreement.

     5.11  Indemnification.
           --------------- 

           (a)  From and after the Effective Time, Acquiror and the Surviving
Corporation jointly and severally shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date of this
Agreement or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer, director or
employee of Target or any of its subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") in
respect of acts or omissions occurring on or prior to the Effective Time to
the extent provided under Target's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws (as in
effect on the date hereof) and indemnification agreements in effect as of the
Effective Time (provided, however, that Target covenants that it will not

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
enter into indemnification agreements or modify existing indemnification
agreements between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, except
as required by law and except that officers and directors of Target may
execute a form of indemnification agreement in the form previously provided to
Acquiror or its counsel); provided that such indemnification shall be subject
to any limitation imposed from time to time under applicable law.

          (b)  For a period of six years after the Effective Time, Acquiror
will cause the Surviving Corporation to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain in effect, if available, directors' and officers'
liability insurance covering those persons who are currently covered by
Target's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy on terms
substantially similar to those applicable to the current directors and
officers of Target; provided, however, that in no event will Acquiror or the
Surviving Corporation be required to expend in excess of $180,000 in the
aggregate (i.e., for six years coverage) for such coverage (or such coverage
as is available for such $180,000).


     5.12 Irrevocable Proxies.  Target shall use its best efforts, on behalf of
          -------------------                                                  
Acquiror and pursuant to the request of Acquiror, to cause affiliates of Target
who are officers and directors to execute and deliver to Acquiror, a Voting and
Proxy Agreement in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto concurrently with the
                               ---------                                      
execution of this Agreement.

     5.13 Legal Requirements.  Each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and Target will, 
          ------------------                                                    
and will cause their respective subsidiaries to, take all reasonable actions
necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed
on them with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and will promptly cooperate with and furnish information to any
party hereto necessary in connection with any such requirements imposed upon
such other party in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and will take all reasonable actions necessary
to obtain (and will cooperate with the other parties hereto in obtaining) any
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or any registration, declaration
or filing with, any Governmental Entity or other person, required to be
obtained or made in connection with the taking of any action contemplated by
this Agreement.

     5.14 Tax-Free Reorganization.  Neither Target, Acquiror nor Merger Sub 
          -----------------------                                         
will, either before or after consummation of the Merger, take any action that,
to the knowledge of such party, would cause the Merger to fail to constitute a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Code Section 368.

     5.15 Stock Options.
          ------------- 

          (a)  At the Effective Time, the Target Stock Option Plans and each
outstanding option to purchase shares of Target Common Stock under the Target
Stock Option Plans, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Acquiror,
and Target Company's repurchase right with respect to any unvested option
shares granted under the Target Stock Option Plans shall be assigned to
Acquiror. Target has delivered to Acquiror a schedule (the "Option Schedule")
that sets forth a true and complete list as of the date hereof of all holders
of outstanding options under the Target Stock Option Plans, including the
number of shares of Target Capital Stock subject to each such option, the
exercise or vesting schedule, the exercise price per share and the term of
each such option. On the 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
Closing Date, Target shall deliver to Acquiror an updated Option Schedule
current as of such date. Each such option so assumed by Acquiror under this
Agreement shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and
conditions set forth in the Target Stock Option Plans immediately prior to the
Effective Time, except that (i) such option shall be exercisable for that
number of whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the product of the
number of shares of Target Common Stock that were issuable upon exercise of
such option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio, and rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Acquiror
Common Stock, and (ii) the per share exercise price for the shares of Acquiror
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such assumed option shall be equal to
the quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per share of Target
Common Stock at which such option was exercisable immediately prior to the
Effective Time, by the Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent.
The options so assumed by Acquiror shall qualify following the Effective Time
as incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code to the extent
such options qualified as incentive stock options prior to the Effective Time.
Within ten (10) business days after the Effective Time, Acquiror will issue to
each person who, immediately prior to the Effective Time was a holder of an
outstanding option under the Target Stock Option Plans, a document in form and
substance satisfactory to Target evidencing the foregoing assumption of such
option by Acquiror.

          (b)  Acquiror shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve
and make available for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Acquiror
Common Stock for delivery under Target Stock Options assumed in accordance
with this Section 5.15. Within five business days after the Effective Time,
Acquiror shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor or
other appropriate forms) with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock
subject to such options and shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements (and
maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained
therein) for so long as such options remain outstanding.

          (c)  Outstanding purchase rights under the Target ESPP shall be
exercised upon the earlier of (i) the next scheduled purchase date under the
Target ESPP or (ii) immediately prior to the Effective Time, and each
participant in the Target ESPP shall accordingly be issued shares of Target
Common Stock according to the terms of the Target ESPP at that time which
shall be converted into shares of Acquiror Common Stock in the Merger. The
Target ESPP shall terminate with such exercise date, and no purchase rights
shall be subsequently granted or exercised under the Target ESPP. Target
employees who meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the
Aquiror Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall begin payroll deductions under that
plan as of the first date on which the terms of the Acquiror ESPP allows such
individuals to commence participation.

     5.16 Listing of Additional Shares.  Prior to the Effective Time, Acquiror 
          ----------------------------                                     
shall file with Nasdaq a Notification Form for Listing of Additional Shares with
respect to the shares referred to in Section 6.1(e) below.

     5.17 Additional Agreements; Reasonable Efforts.  Upon the terms and 
          -----------------------------------------                  
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties
agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable
under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the appropriate vote
of stockholders of Target described in Section 5.3, including cooperating
fully with the other party, including by provision of information. In case at
any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable
to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving
Corporation with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals,
immunities and franchises of either of the constituent corporations, the
proper officers and directors of each party to this Agreement shall take all
such necessary action.

     5.18 Employee Benefits.  Acquiror shall take such reasonable actions, to 
          -----------------                                               
the extent permitted by Acquiror's benefits program, as are necessary to allow
eligible employees of Target to participate in the benefit programs of Acquiror,
or alternative benefits programs in the aggregate substantially comparable to
those applicable to employees of Acquiror on similar terms, as soon as
practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger.  To the extent permitted by
Acquiror's benefit plans, from and after the Effective Time, Acquiror shall
grant all employees of Target credit for all service (to the same extent as
service with Acquiror is taken into account with respect to similarly situated
employees of Acquiror) with Target prior to the Effective Time for (i)
eligibility and vesting purposes and (ii) for purposes of vacation accrual after
the Effective Time as if such service with Target was service with Acquiror.
Acquiror and Target agree that where applicable with respect to any medical or
dental benefit plan of Acquiror, Acquiror shall, to the extent permitted under
its plans, waive any pre-existing condition exclusion and actively-at-work
requirements (provided, however, that no such waiver shall apply to a pre-
existing condition of any employee of Target who was, as of the Effective Time,
excluded from participation in a plan by virtue of such pre-existing condition).

     5.19 Pooling Letters.
          --------------- 

          (a)  Target shall use all reasonable effects to cause to be
delivered to Acquiror a letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Target's independent
auditors, dated a date within two business days before the date of this
Agreement to the effect that the Merger qualifies for pooling of interest
accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with this Agreement and in a
form reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror and customary in scope and substance
for letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
transactions of this type.

          (b)  Acquiror shall use all reasonable effects to cause to be
delivered to Target a letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Acquiror's
independent auditors, dated a date within two business days before the date of
this Agreement to the effect that the Merger qualifies for pooling of interest
accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with this Agreement and in a
form reasonably satisfactory to Target and customary in scope and substance for
letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
transactions of this type.

     5.20  No Rights Plan Amendment.  Except as required by Section 6.3(i), 
           ------------------------                                      
prior to the Closing, Target shall not amend or modify the Target Rights Plan
in any manner or take another action so as to (i) render the Target Rights
Plan inapplicable to any transaction(s) other than the Merger and other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, the
Target Affiliate Agreements and the Voting Agreements, or (ii) permit any
person or group who would 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
otherwise be an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Target Rights Plan) not to
be an Acquiring Person, or (iii) provide that a Distribution Date, a Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date or a Shares Acquisition Date (as such terms are defined
in the Target Rights Plan) or similar event does not occur by reason of the
execution of any agreement or transaction other than this Agreement and the
Merger and the agreements and transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, or
(iv) except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, otherwise affect
the rights of holders of Target Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any
time after the earlier of (i) January 15, 1999, or (ii) ten days after the
effective date of the Registration Statement, in connection with a Qualified
Tender Offer (as hereafter defined) Target shall be entitled to take any
action under the Targets' Rights Plan it so determines to permit a Qualified
Tender Offer (including a delay of any Distribution Date), provided that no
such action shall violate the Merger Permissive Amendment (as defined in
Section 2.25). A "Qualified Tender Offer" shall be an all cash tender offer
for all outstanding shares of Target Common Stock, which tender offer
qualifies as a Superior Proposal, is fully financed (or in the reasonable
determination of Target's Board of Directors and financial advisors is capable
of being financed), is not otherwise subject to non-customary, material
conditions and would not close prior to the earlier of a negative Target
stockholders' vote on the Merger or the termination of this Agreement.

                                 ARTICLE VI
                                 ----------

                          CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
                          ------------------------

     6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger.  The
          ------------------------------------------------------------      
respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to consummate and effect
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by agreement of all the
parties hereto:

          (a)  Stockholder Approval.  This Agreement and the Merger shall have 
               --------------------                                          
been approved and adopted by the holders of at least a majority of the shares of
Target Common Stock outstanding as of the record date set for the Target
Stockholders Meeting.

          (b)  No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality.  No temporary 
               ----------------------------------------                     
restraining order,preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by
any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect, nor
shall any proceeding brought by an administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, seeking
any of the foregoing be pending; nor shall there be any action taken, or any
statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed
applicable to the Merger, which makes the consummation of the Merger illegal.
In the event an injunction or other order shall have been issued, each party
agrees to use its reasonable efforts to have such injunction or other order
lifted.

          (c)  Registration Statement Effective; Proxy Statement.  The SEC 
               -------------------------------------------------         
shall have declared the Registration Statement effective. No stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof
shall have been issued and no proceeding for that

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
purpose, and no similar proceeding in respect of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, shall have been initiated or threatened in writing by
the SEC.

          (d)  Governmental Approval.  Acquiror and Target and their respective
               ---------------------                                           
subsidiaries shall have timely obtained from each Governmental Entity all
approvals, waivers and consents, if any, necessary for consummation of or in
connection with the Merger and the several transactions contemplated hereby,
including such approvals, waivers and consents as may be required under the
Securities Act, under state Blue Sky laws, and under HSR.

          (e)  Tax Opinion.  Each of Target and Acquiror shall have received a 
               -----------                                                    
written opinion from their respective counsel to the effect that the Merger
will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the
Code, which opinions shall be substantially identical in substance. In
preparing the Target and the Acquiror tax opinions, counsel may rely on
reasonable assumptions and may also rely on (and to the extent reasonably
required, the parties and Target's stockholders shall make) reasonable
representations related thereto.

          (f)  Listing of Additional Shares.  The filing with the Nasdaq 
               ----------------------------                                    
National Market of a Notification Form for Listing of Additional Shares with
respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Target Common Stock in the Merger and upon exercise of the options under the
Target Stock Option Plans assumed by Acquiror shall have been made.

          (g)  Pooling Letter from Target's Accountants.  Acquiror shall have 
               ----------------------------------------                      
received a letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated as of the Closing Date and
addressed to Acquiror, Target and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
to the effect that, after reasonable investigation, Deloitte & Touche LLP are
not aware of any fact concerning Target or any of Target's stockholders or
Affiliates that could preclude Acquiror from accounting for the Merger as a
"pooling of interests" in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and all published
rules, regulations and policies of the SEC.

          (h)  Pooling Letter from Acquiror's Accountants.  Acquiror shall have 
               ------------------------------------------                     
received a letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated as of the Closing
Date, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror, to the effect
that Acquiror may account for the Merger as a "pooling of interests" in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and all published rules, regulations and
policies of the SEC.

     6.2  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Target.  The obligations of 
          ----------------------------------------------                    
Target to consummate and effect this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Effective Time of each of the following conditions, any of which may be
waived, in writing, by Target:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties.  Each representation and 
               ------------------------------                      
warranty of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement (i) shall have
been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) shall be true
and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if
made on the Closing Date except, (A) in each case, or in the aggregate, 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
as does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror and Merger Sub,
taken as a whole, (B) for changes contemplated by this Agreement and (C) for
those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a
particular date (which representations shall have been true and correct except
as does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror and Merger Sub,
taken as a whole, as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for
purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties,
(i) all "Material Adverse Effect" qualifications and other qualifications
based on the word "material" or similar phrases contained in such
representations and warranties shall be disregarded and (ii) any update of or
modification to the Acquiror Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been
made after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded). Target shall have
received a certificate with respect to the foregoing signed on behalf of
Acquiror by an authorized officer of Acquiror.

          (b)  Agreements and Covenants.  Acquiror and Merger Sub shall have 
               ------------------------                                   
performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them
on or prior to the Closing Date, and Target shall have received a certificate
to such effect signed on behalf of Acquiror by an authorized officer of
Acquiror.

          (c)  No Material Adverse Changes.  There shall not have occurred any 
               ---------------------------                                
Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror since the date of this Agreement.

          (d)  Affiliate Agreements.  Target shall have received from the 
               --------------------                                      
Affiliates of Acquiror an executed Affiliate Agreement in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D-2.
                        ----------- 

     6.3  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror.  The 
          ----------------------------------------------------       
obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub to consummate and effect this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction
at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions, any of
which may be waived, in writing, by Acquiror:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties.  Each representation and 
               ------------------------------                          
warranty of Target contained in this Agreement (i) shall have been true and
correct as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) shall be true and correct on
and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as
of the Closing Date except (A) in each case, or in the aggregate, as does not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Target, (B) for changes contemplated
by this Agreement and (C) for those representations and warranties that
address matters only as of a particular date (which representations shall have
been true and correct except as does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect
on Target as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for purposes
of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, (i) all
"Material Adverse Effect" qualifications and other qualifications based on the
word "material" or similar phrases contained in such representations and
warranties shall be disregarded and (ii) any update of or modification to the
Target Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been made after the date of
this Agreement shall be disregarded). Acquiror shall have received a
certificate with respect to the foregoing signed on behalf of Target by an
authorized officer of Target.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Agreements and Covenants.  Target shall have performed or 
               ------------------------                                   
complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required
by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the
Closing Date, and Acquiror shall have received a certificate to such effect
signed on behalf of Target by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of Target.

          (c)  Third Party Consents.  Acquiror shall have been furnished with 
               --------------------                                   
evidence satisfactory to it of the consent or approval of those persons whose
consent or approval shall be required in connection with the Merger under the
contracts of Target set forth on Schedule 6.3(c) hereto.
                                 ---------------        

          (d)  No Material Adverse Changes.  There shall not have occurred any 
               ---------------------------                            
Material Adverse Effect on Target since the date of this Agreement.

          (e)  Affiliate Agreements.  Acquiror shall have received from the 
               --------------------                                           
Affiliates of Target an executed Affiliate Agreement in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit D-1.
                   ----------- 

          (f)  Employment Agreements.  Each of the employees of Target set 
               ---------------------                                 
forth on Schedule 6.3(f) shall have entered into an Employment Agreement in the 
         ---------------                                                 
form attached hereto as Exhibit E.
                        --------- 

          (g)  Separation Agreements.  Each of the employees of Target set 
               ---------------------                                      
forth on Schedule 6.3(g) shall have entered into a Separation Agreement in the 
         ---------------                                                
form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
                        --------- 

          (h)  Termination of Target 401(k) Plan.  If requested by Acquiror, 
               ---------------------------------                          
Target shall have terminated its 401(k) Plan.

          (i)  Target Rights Plan.  All actions necessary to extinguish and 
               ------------------                                        
cancel all outstanding Rights under the Target Rights Plan or render such rights
inapplicable to the Merger shall have been taken.

                                 ARTICLE VII


                 TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
                 -------------------------------------------

     7.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior 
          -----------                                                  
to the Effective Time (with respect to Sections 7.1(b) through 7.1(f), by
written notice by the terminating party to the other party), whether before or
after approval of the matters presented in connection with the Merger by the
stockholders of Target:

          (a)  by mutual written consent of Target and Acquiror; or

          (b)  by either Target or Acquiror if the Merger shall not have been
consummated by March 31, 1999 (the "Outside Date") (provided that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to
any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has
been a significant cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur
on or before such date); or

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  by either Target or Acquiror if a court of competent
jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued a nonappealable
final order, decree or ruling or taken any other nonappealable final action,
in each case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the Merger; or

          (d)  by either Acquiror or Target, if at the Target Stockholders'
Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), the requisite
vote of the stockholders of Target in favor of this Agreement and the Merger
shall not have been obtained (provided that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 7.1(d) shall not be available to Target where the
failure to obtain Target Stockholder Approval shall have been caused by the
action or failure to act of Target and such action or failure to act
constitutes a material breach by Target of this Agreement). A material breach
by a party of Sections 5.2 or 5.3 hereof will constitute a material breach
hereunder; or

          (e)  by Acquiror, if (i) the Board of Directors of Target shall have
withdrawn or modified its unanimous recommendation of this Agreement or the
Merger (it being understood that Louis Cole, a director of Target, shall have
abstained from voting on such matter); (ii) the Board of Directors of Target
fails to reaffirm its unanimous recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger
(except that Louis Cole, a director of Target, shall have abstained from
voting on such matters) within ten (10) business days after Acquiror requests
in writing that such unanimous recommendation be reaffirmed at any time
following the public announcement of an Acquisition Proposal; (iii) the Board
of Directors of Target shall have recommended to the stockholders of Target an
Alternative Transaction; (iv) a tender offer or exchange offer for 15% or more
of the outstanding shares of Target Common Stock is commenced (other than by
Acquiror or an Affiliate of Acquiror) and the Board of Directors of Target
shall not have sent to its security holders pursuant to Rule 14e-2 within ten
(10) business days after such tender or exchange offer is first published,
sent or given, a statement disclosing that Target recommends rejection of such
tender or exchange offer; or (v) Target fails to call and hold the Target
Stockholders' Meeting by the date immediately preceding the Outside Date and
such failure constitutes a material breach by Target of Section 5.2 or 5.3
hereof.

          (f)  by Target or Acquiror, if there has been a breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the other party
set forth in this Agreement, which breach (i) causes the conditions set forth
in Section 6.3(a) or (b) (in the case of termination by Acquiror) or 6.2(a) or
(b) (in the case of termination by Target) not to be satisfied, and (ii) shall
not have been cured within twenty (20) business days (or prior to the Outside
Date, if earlier) following receipt by the breaching party of written notice
of such breach from the other party.

     7.2  Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of this 
          ---------------------                                   
Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become
void and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of Acquiror or
Target or their respective officers, directors, stockholders or affiliates,
except as otherwise set forth in Section 7.3 and except to the extent that
such termination results from the breach by a party hereto of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement; provided
that, the provisions of Section 5.5 (Confidentiality), Section 7.3 (Expenses
and Termination Fees) and this Section 7.2 shall remain in full force and
effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
     7.3  Expenses and Termination Fees.
          ----------------------------- 

          (a)  Except as set forth in this Section 7.3, all fees and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the
Merger is consummated; provided, however, that Acquiror and Target shall
                       -----------------                                
share equally all fees and expenses, other than attorneys' fees, incurred in
relation to the printing and filing of the Proxy Statement (including any
related preliminary materials) and the Registration Statement (including
financial statements and exhibits) and any amendments or supplements.

          (b)  Target shall pay Acquiror a termination fee of $2,000,000 in
immediately available funds within one business day after the termination of
this Agreement by Acquiror pursuant to Section 7.1(e).

          (c)  As used in this Agreement, "Alternative Transaction" means
either (i) a transaction pursuant to which any person (or group of persons)
other than Acquiror or its respective affiliates (a "Third Party"), acquires
more than 15% of the outstanding shares of Target Common Stock, as the case
may be, pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer or otherwise, (ii) a
merger or other business combination involving Target pursuant to which any
Third Party acquires more than 15% of the outstanding equity securities of
Target or the entity surviving such merger or business combination, (iii) any
other transaction pursuant to which any Third Party acquires control of assets
(including for this purpose the outstanding equity securities of subsidiaries
of Target, and the entity surviving any merger or business combination
including any of them) of Target having a fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors of Target or Acquiror, as the case may be, in good
faith) equal to more than 15% of the fair market value of all the assets of
Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such
transaction, or (iv) any public announcement by a Third Party of a proposal,
plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any
of the foregoing.

     7.4  Amendment.  The boards of directors of the parties hereto may cause 
          ---------                                                      
this Agreement to be amended at any time by execution of an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto; provided that an
amendment made subsequent to adoption of the Agreement by the stockholders of
Target shall not (i) alter or change the amount or kind of consideration to be
received on conversion of the Target Capital Stock, (ii) alter or change any
term of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to be
effected by the Merger, or (iii) alter or change any of the terms and
conditions of the Agreement if such alteration or change would adversely
affect the holders of Target Capital Stock.

     7.5  Extension; Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective Time any party
          -----------------                                                    
hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto,
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of
such party contained herein.  Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE VIII

                             GENERAL PROVISIONS
                             ------------------

     8.1  Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
          -------                                                             
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial
delivery service, or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent via facsimile (with confirmation of receipt) to the parties
at the following address (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):

          (a)  if to Acquiror or Merger Sub, to:

               Legato Systems, Inc.
               3210 Porter Drive
               Palo Alto, CA  94304
               Attention:  Louis C. Cole
               Facsimile No.: (650) 812-6032
               Telephone No.: (650) 812-6000

               with a copy to:

               Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
                Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
               155 Constitution Drive
               Menlo Park, CA  94025
               Attention:  Robert V. Gunderson, Jr.
               Facsimile No.: (650) 321-2800
               Telephone No.: (650) 463-5200

          (b)  if to Target, to:
 
               Qualix Group, Inc.
               177 Bovet Road, Second Floor
               San Mateo Road, CA  94402
               Attention:  Richard G. Thau
               Facsimile No.: (650) 572-0200
               Telephone No.: (650) 572-1300

               with a copy to:
 
               Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. P.C.
               650 Page Mill Road
               Palo Alto, CA  94303
               Attention:  Jeffrey D. Saper
               Facsimile No.: (650) 493-6811
               Telephone No.: (650) 493-9300

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
     8.2  Interpretation.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to 
          --------------                                                
Exhibits, such reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. The words "include," "includes" and "including" when used
herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words "without
limitation." In this Agreement, any reference to any event, change, condition
or effect being "material" with respect to any entity or group of entities
means any material event, change, condition or effect related to the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties, assets (including intangible assets),
liabilities, business, operations or results of operations of such entity or
group of entities. In this Agreement, any reference to a "Material Adverse
Effect" with respect to any entity or group of entities means any event,
change, condition or effect that is materially adverse to the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties, assets (including intangible assets),
liabilities, business, operations or results of operations of such entity and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that the following
                                    -----------------    
shall not be considered a "Material Adverse Effect": (i) changes, events,
violations, inaccuracies, circumstances and effects that are caused by
conditions affecting the United States economy as a whole or affecting the
industry in which such entity completes as a whole, which conditions do not
affect such entity in a disproportionate manner, (ii) a shortfall in revenues
of such entity as a result of delays or cancellations in customer orders
(including any effects on such entity's operating income which result directly
from such revenue shortfall), which delays or cancellations result from the
announcement and pendency of the Merger, or (iii) the loss of employees
resulting from the announcement and pendency of the Merger. In this Agreement,
any reference to a party's "knowledge" means such party's actual knowledge
after due and diligent inquiry of senior officers and directors of such party
and its subsidiaries reasonably believed by Target or Acquiror, as applicable,
to have knowledge of such matters. The phrase "made available" in this
Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available
if requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available.
The phrases "the date of this Agreement", "the date hereof", and terms of
similar import, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be deemed to
refer to October 25, 1998. The table of contents and headings contained in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     8.3  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more 
          ------------                                               
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each
of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that
all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

     8.4  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement, the 
          ----------------------------------------------                  
other Transaction Documents and the documents and instruments and other
agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto,
including the Exhibits, the Schedules, including the Target Disclosure Letter
and the Acquiror Disclosure Letter (a) constitute the entire agreement among
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, except for the Confidentiality
Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect, and shall survive
any termination of this Agreement or the Closing, in accordance with its
terms; (b) are not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or
remedies hereunder, except for the rights of the Target Stockholders and
optionholders to receive the consideration set forth in Article I of this
Agreement and the provisions of Sections 5.11, 5.15 and 5.18.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
    8.5  Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or 
         ------------                                                   
the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such
provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as
reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further
agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a
valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the
economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

     8.6  Remedies Cumulative.  Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all
          -------------------                                                   
remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with
and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon
such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the
exercise of any other remedy.

     8.7  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
          -------------                                                       
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to applicable
principles of conflicts of law.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents
to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court located within the State of
California, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this
Agreement or the matters contemplated herein, agrees that process may be served
upon them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of California for
such persons and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection that
they might otherwise have to such jurisdiction and such process.

     8.8  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests 
          ----------                                                    
or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto
(whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent
of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will
be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties
and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     8.9  Rules of Construction.  The parties hereto agree that they have been
          ---------------------                                               
represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding
or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other
document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or
document.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub have caused this
Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.


                                 QUALIX GROUP, INC.



                                 By: /s/ Richard G. Thau
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Richard G. Thau
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.



                                 By: /s/ Louis C. Cole
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Louis C. Cole
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 HAT ACQUISITION CORP.



                                 By: /s/ Louis C. Cole
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Louis C. Cole
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer



           SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
<PAGE>
 
                           SCHEDULE 6.3(C)--CONSENTS

None





















<PAGE>
 
                                SCHEDULE 6.3(f)
                   EMPLOYEES EXECUTING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS


David R. Malmstedt
George Symons























<PAGE>
 
                                SCHEDULE 6.3(g)
                   EMPLOYEES EXECUTING SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

Richard G. Thau


























<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                             CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

                                       OF

                             HAT ACQUISITION CORP.

                                      INTO

                               QUALIX GROUP, INC.

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 251 OF THE GENERAL
                    CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

          Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Hat"), and Qualix
Group, Inc., a Delaware Corporation ("Qualix"), do hereby certify as follows:

          FIRST:  That the name and state of incorporation of each of the
constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:

          NAME                              STATE OF INCORPORATION

          Hat Acquisition Corp.                   Delaware

          Qualix Group, Inc.                      Delaware


          SECOND: That an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Merger
Agreement") dated October 25, 1998, by and among Legato Systems, Inc., Hat and
Qualix setting forth the terms and conditions of the merger of Hat with and into
Qualix, has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each
of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of
subsection (c) of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

          THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation (the "Surviving
Corporation") of the merger shall be FullTime Software, Inc.

          FOURTH: That pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Hat shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.

          FIFTH: That pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Bylaws of Hat
shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

          SIXTH:  That pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the directors and
officers of Hat shall be the directors and officers of Surviving Corporation.
<PAGE>
 
          SEVENTH:  That the executed Merger Agreement is on file at the
principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation located at 3210 Porter
Drive, Palo Alto, California.

          EIGHTH:  That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by
the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost to any stockholder of any
constituent corporation.

          NINTH:  That the Merger shall become effective upon the filing of
this Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Qualix and Hat has caused this Certificate
of Merger to be executed in its corporate name on the  ____ day of ____________,
1998.

QUALIX GROUP, INC.



By:
   ----------------------------------
   Richard G. Thau
   President and Chief Executive Officer


ATTEST:


By:  
   ----------------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------------
Title:
      -------------------------------


HAT ACQUISITION CORP.



By:
   ----------------------------------
   Louis C. Cole
   President and Chief Executive Officer


ATTEST:


By:  
   ----------------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------------
Title:
      -------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------

                           VOTING AND PROXY AGREEMENT

          THIS VOTING AND PROXY AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into
as of October 25, 1998, between Legato Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Acquiror"), and the undersigned stockholder (the "Stockholder") of Qualix
Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company").

                                    RECITALS

          A.  Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Acquiror,
Company and Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly
owned subsidiary of Acquiror ("Merger Sub"), have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization, dated October 25, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), which
provides for the merger (the "Merger") of Merger Sub with and into the Company,
and the cancellation of each outstanding share of the Company's common stock.

          B.  As a condition to its willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement, Acquiror has requested that the Stockholder agree to certain matters
regarding the retention and voting of the Shares (as defined in Section 1.1
below) in connection with the Merger.

          The parties agree as follows:

          1.  Transfer of Shares.
              ------------------ 

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

              "Shares" shall mean all issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock of Company owned of record or beneficially (over which beneficially-owned
shares the Stockholder exercises voting power) by the Stockholder as of the
record date for persons entitled to (a) to receive notice of, and to vote at the
meeting of the stockholders of Company called for the purpose of voting on the
matter referred to in Section 2, or (b) to take action by written consent of the
stockholders of Company with respect to the matter referred to in Section 2.

              "Subject Securities" shall mean:  (i) all securities of Company
(including all shares of Company Common Stock and all options, warrants and
other rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock) beneficially owned by
Stockholder as of the date of this Agreement; and (ii) all additional securities
of Company (including all additional shares of Company Common Stock and all
additional options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares of Company
Common Stock) of which Stockholder acquires ownership during the period from the
date of this Agreement through the Expiration Date.  As used herein, the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the earlier to occur of (i) such date and time as
the Merger shall become effective in accordance with the terms and provisions of
the Merger Agreement and (ii) the date on which the Merger Agreement shall be
terminated in accordance with Article 7 thereof.
<PAGE>
 
              A person shall be deemed to have effected a "Transfer" of a
security if such person directly or indirectly: (i) sells, pledges, encumbers,
grants an option with respect to, transfers or disposes of such security or any
interest in such security; or (ii) enters into an agreement or commitment
providing for the sale of, pledge of, encumbrance of, grant of an option with
respect to, transfer of or disposition of such security or any interest therein.

              "Opposing Proposal" shall mean (i) any proposal made in opposition
to or in competition with consummation of the Merger; (ii) any merger,
consolidation, sale of assets, reorganization or recapitalization, with any
party other than with Acquiror and its affiliates; or (iii) any liquidation or
winding up of the Company.

              1.2 Additional Purchases. The Stockholder agrees that any shares
                  --------------------
of capital stock of the Company that the Stockholder shall purchase or with
respect to which the Stockholder shall otherwise acquire beneficial ownership
after the execution of this Agreement and prior to the Expiration Date ("New
Shares") shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the
same extent as if they constituted Shares.

              1.3 Transferee of Subject Securities to be Bound by this
                  ----------------------------------------------------
Agreement. Stockholder agrees that, during the period from the date of this
- ---------
Agreement through the Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not cause or permit any
Transfer of any of the Subject Securities to be effected unless such Transfer is
in accordance with any affiliate agreement between Stockholder and Acquiror
contemplated by the Merger Agreement to which such Stockholder is bound and each
person to which any of such Subject Securities, or any interest in any of such
Subject Securities, is or may be transferred shall have: (a) executed a
counterpart of this Voting Agreement and Proxy (with such modifications as
Acquiror may reasonably request); and (b) agreed in writing to hold such Subject
Securities (or interest in such Subject Securities) subject to all of the terms
and provisions of this Agreement.

          2.  Agreement to Vote Shares and Grant Proxy. At every meeting of
              ----------------------------------------
the stockholders of the Company called with respect to any of the following, and
on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of the
Company with respect to any of the following, the Stockholder agrees to vote the
Shares and any New Shares in favor of approval of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger and any matter that could reasonably be expected to facilitate the
Merger. In order to effectuate the foregoing, the Stockholder does hereby
constitute and appoint Acquiror, or any nominee of Acquiror, with full power of
substitution, from the date hereof to the Expiration Date, as its true and
lawful proxy, for and in its name, place and stead, including the right to sign
its name (as stockholder) to any consent, certificate or other document relating
to the Company that the laws of the State of Delaware may permit or require, to
cause the Shares and any New Shares to be voted in the manner contemplated by
this Section 2. The parties and proxies named above shall not exercise this
proxy on any other matter except as provided above. The parties acknowledge that
the proxy provided for here is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. This
provision shall not in any manner limit the Company's ability through its
officers and directors, including without limitation, the Stockholder, to take
action consistent with the provisions of Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 of the
Merger Agreement.

          3.  Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Stockholder.
              ------------------------------------------------------------
The Stockholder represents, warrants and covenants to Acquiror as follows:
<PAGE>
 
              3.1 Ownership of Shares. The Stockholder (together with such
                  -------------------
Stockholder's spouse, if applicable) (i) is the sole beneficial and record owner
and holder of the Shares, which at the date hereof and at all times up until the
Expiration Date, will be free and clear of any liens, claims, options, charges,
security interests, equities, options, warrants, rights to purchase (including,
without limitation, restrictions on rights of disposition other than those
imposed by applicable securities laws), third party rights of any nature or
other encumbrances, and (ii) does not own any shares of capital stock of the
Company other than the Shares (excluding shares as to which Stockholder
currently disclaims beneficial ownership).

              3.2 Authority; Due Execution. The Stockholder has full power and
                  ------------------------
authority to make, enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement. The
Stockholder has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and (assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror) this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder.

              3.3 No Proxy Solicitations. The Stockholder will not, and will not
                  ----------------------
permit any entity under such Stockholder's control to (i) solicit proxies or
become a "participant" in a "solicitation," as such terms are defined in
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), with respect to an Opposing Proposal; (ii) initiate a
stockholder's vote or action by consent of the Company stockholders with respect
to an Opposing Proposal; or (iii) become a member of a "group" (as such term is
used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities
of the Company with respect to an Opposing Proposal. This provision shall not in
any manner limit the Company's ability through its officers and directors,
including without limitation, the Stockholder, to take action consistent with
the provisions of Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 of the Merger Agreement.

          4.  Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Acquiror.  Acquiror
              -----------------------------------------------------           
represents, warrants and covenants to the Stockholder as follows:

              4.1 Due Authorization. This Agreement has been authorized by all
                  -----------------
necessary corporate action on the part of Acquiror and has been duly executed by
a duly authorized officer of Acquiror.

              4.2 Validity; No Conflict. This Agreement constitutes the legal,
                  ---------------------
valid and binding obligation of Acquiror. Neither the execution of this
Agreement by Acquiror nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will result in a breach or violation of the terms of any agreement by
which Acquiror is bound or by any decree, judgment, order, law or regulation now
in effect of any court or other governmental body applicable to Acquiror.

          5.  Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate and shall have no
              -----------                                                   
further force or effect as of the Expiration Date.

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

              6.1 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
                  ------------
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
void or unenforceable, then the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants
and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
<PAGE>
 
              6.2 Binding Effect and Assignment. This Agreement and all of the
                  -----------------------------
provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but, except as
otherwise specifically provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations of the parties hereto may be assigned by either
of the parties without prior written consent of the other. This Agreement is
intended to bind Stockholder as a stockholder of the Company only with respect
to the specific matters set forth herein.

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

              6.4 Specific Performance; Injunctive Relief. The parties hereto
                  ---------------------------------------
acknowledge that Acquiror will be irreparably harmed and that there will be no
adequate remedy at law for a violation of any of the covenants or agreements of
the Stockholder set forth herein. Therefore, it is agreed that, in addition to
any other remedies that may be available to Acquiror upon any such violation,
Acquiror shall have the right to enforce such covenants and agreements by
specific performance, injunctive relief or by any other means available to
Acquiror at law or in equity.

              6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed
                  -------------
and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware as
such laws are applied to contracts entered into and to be performed entirely
within Delaware.

              6.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
                  ----------------
understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof, and
supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.

              6.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
                  ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

              6.8 Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for
                  ------------------
convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.


                           [Signature Page Follows.]
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed on the day and year first above written.

                                 LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.


                                 By: ___________________________________________


                                 Name: _________________________________________


                                 Title: ________________________________________


                                 STOCKHOLDER


                                 By: __________________________________________


                                 Name of Stockholder: _________________________


                                 Name of Signatory (if different from name of
                                 Stockholder): ________________________________


                                 Title of Signatory
                                 (if applicable): _____________________________


Number of shares beneficially owned by Stockholder subject to this Agreement:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Common Stock                                   ___________




                          VOTING AND PROXY AGREEMENT
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT D-1
                                                                     -----------
                                                     TARGET AFFILIATES AGREEMENT

                              AFFILIATES AGREEMENT

        THIS AFFILIATES AGREEMENT (the "Affiliates Agreement") is entered into
as of October 25, 1998, between Legato Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Acquiror"), and the undersigned securityholder (the "Securityholder") of
Qualix Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

        A.  The Company, Acquiror and Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror ("Merger Sub"), have
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated October 25, 1998 (the
"Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged into the
Company (the "Merger"), and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Acquiror.

        B.  Upon the consummation of the Merger and in connection therewith, the
undersigned Securityholder will become the owner of shares of Common Stock of
Acquiror (the "Acquiror Shares").

        C.  The parties to the Merger Agreement intend to cause the Merger to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements, provisions and covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement and in
this Affiliates Agreement, it is hereby agreed as follows:

        1.  The undersigned Securityholder hereby agrees that:

            (a) The undersigned Securityholder may be deemed to be (but does not
hereby admit to be) an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 145
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and
Accounting Series Release No. 130, as amended, of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC') ("Release No. 130").

            (b) The undersigned Securityholder, will not, beginning on the
commencement of the thirty (30) day period prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger as determined in Acquiror's reasonable discretion, sell, exchange,
transfer, pledge, dispose of or otherwise reduce the undersigned
Securityholder's risk relative to the Acquiror Shares or any part thereof until
such time after the Effective Time of the Merger as financial results covering
at least thirty (30) days of the combined operations of Acquiror and the Company
after the Effective Time of the Merger have been, within the meaning of said
Release No. 130, filed by Acquiror with the SEC or published by Acquiror in an
Annual Report on Form 10K, a Quarterly 
<PAGE>
 
Report on Form 10-Q, a Current Report on Form 8-K, a quarterly earnings report,
a press release or other public issuance that includes combined sales and income
of the Company and Acquiror. Acquiror agrees to make such filing or publication
as soon as practicable after the end of the next fiscal quarter of Acquiror
which includes such thirty (30) days of combined earnings consistent with
Acquiror's past practice.

            (c) Subject to paragraphs (b) of this Section 1, the undersigned
Securityholder agrees not to offer, sell, exchange, transfer, pledge or
otherwise dispose of any of the Acquiror Shares unless at that time either:

                (i) such transaction is permitted pursuant to the provisions of
Rule 145(d) under the Securities Act;

                (ii) counsel representing the undersigned Securityholder,
reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror, shall have advised Acquiror in a written
opinion letter reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror and Acquiror's counsel and
upon which Acquiror and its counsel may rely, that no registration under the
Securities Act is required in connection with the proposed sale, transfer or
other disposition;

                (iii) a registration statement under the Securities Act covering
the Acquiror Shares proposed to be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of,
describing the manner and terms of the proposed sale, transfer or other
disposition, and containing a current prospectus, is filed with the SEC and made
effective under the Securities Act; or

                (iv) an authorized representative of the SEC shall have rendered
written advice to the undersigned Securityholder (sought by the undersigned
Securityholder or counsel to the undersigned Securityholder, with a copy thereof
and of all other related communications delivered to Acquiror) to the effect
that the SEC will take no action, or that the staff of the SEC will not
recommend that the SEC take action, with respect to the proposed offer, sale,
exchange, transfer, pledge or other disposition if consummated.

            (d) All certificates representing the Acquiror Shares deliverable to
the undersigned Securityholder pursuant to the Merger Agreement and in
connection with the Merger and any certificates subsequently issued with respect
thereto or in substitution therefor shall, unless one or more of the alternative
conditions set forth in the subparagraphs of paragraph (d) of this Section 1
shall have occurred, bear a legend substantially as follows:

        "The shares represented by this certificate may not be offered,
        sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of 
        except in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act 
        of 1933, as amended, and the other conditions specified in that 
        certain Affiliates Agreement dated October 25, 1998, a copy of 
        which Affiliates Agreement may be inspected by the holder of 
        this certificate at the offices of Acquiror, or Acquiror will 
        furnish, without charge, a copy thereof to the holder of this
        certificate upon written request therefor."
<PAGE>
 
Acquiror, at its discretion, may cause stop transfer orders to be placed with
its transfer agent with respect to the certificates for the Acquiror Shares but
not as to the certificates for any part of the Acquiror Shares as to which said
legend is no longer appropriate when one or more of the alternative conditions
set forth in the subparagraphs of paragraph (d) of this Section 1 shall have
occurred.

            (e) The undersigned Securityholder will observe and comply with the
Securities Act and the general rules and regulations thereunder, as now in
effect and as from time to time amended and including those hereafter enacted or
promulgated, in connection with any offer, sale, exchange, transfer, pledge or
other disposition of the Acquiror Shares or any part thereof.

        2. Reports. From and after the Effective Time of the Merger and for so
           -------
long as necessary in order to permit the undersigned Securityholder to sell the
Acquiror Shares pursuant to Rule 145 and, to the extent applicable, Rule 144
under the Securities Act, Acquiror will file on a timely basis all reports
required to be filed by it pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act (or, if applicable, Acquiror will make publicly available the
information regarding itself referred to in paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 144), in
order to permit the undersigned Securityholder to sell, pursuant to the terms
and conditions of Rule 145 and the applicable provisions of Rule 144, the
Acquiror Shares.

        3. Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of any condition or of any
           ------
breach of any provision of this Affiliates Agreement shall be effective unless
in writing.

        4. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications that
           -------
are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Affiliates Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by
hand or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows: 

           (a) If to the Securityholder, at the address set forth below the
Securityholder's signature at the end hereof. 

           (b) If to Acquiror:

               Legato Systems, Inc.
               3210 Porter Drive
               Palo Alto, CA  94304
               Attention:  Louis C. Cole
               Facsimile No.: (650) 812-6032
               Telephone No.: (650) 812-6000
<PAGE>
 
               with a copy to:

               Gunderson Dettmer Stough
                Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
               155 Constitution Drive
               Menlo Park, California  94025
               Attention:  Robert V. Gunderson, Jr., Esq.
               Fax: (650) 321-2800
               Tel: (650) 321-2400

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate for itself by notice
given as herein provided.

        5. Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
           ------------   
Affiliates Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same document.

        6. Successors and Assigns. This Affiliates Agreement shall be
           ----------------------
enforceable by, and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon, the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. As used herein, the
term "successors and assigns" shall mean, where the context so permits, heirs,
executors, administrators, trustees and successor trustees, and personal and
other representatives.

        7. Governing Law. This Affiliates Agreement shall be governed by and
           -------------     
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.

        8. Effectiveness; Severability. This Affiliates Agreement shall become
           ---------------------------    
effective at the Effective Time of the Merger. If a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Affiliates Agreement is
unenforceable or enforceable only if limited in time and/or scope, this
Affiliates Agreement shall continue in full force and effect with such provision
stricken or so limited.

        9. Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience
           ------------------ 
only and shall not effect the construction or interpretation of this Affiliates
Agreement.

        10. Definitions. All capitalized terms used herein shall have the
            -----------
meaning defined in the Merger Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein.
<PAGE>
 
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Affiliates Agreement
to be executed as of the date first above written.


LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.                       SECURITYHOLDER


By:_____________________________________   _____________________________________
   President and Chief Executive Officer   (Signature)
 
                                           _____________________________________
                                           (Print Name) 

                                           _____________________________________
                                           _____________________________________
                                           _____________________________________
                                           (Address) 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     Exhibit D-2
                                                                     -----------
                                                   Acquiror Affiliates Agreement

                              AFFILIATES AGREEMENT

        THIS AFFILIATES AGREEMENT (the "Affiliates Agreement") is entered into
as of October 25, 1998 between Legato Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Acquiror"), and the undersigned securityholder (the "Securityholder") of
Acquiror.

                                    RECITALS

        A. Qualix Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Acquiror
and Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Acquiror ("Merger Sub"), have entered into an Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization dated October 25, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to
which Merger Sub will be merged into the Company (the "Merger"), and the
Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror.

        B. The parties to the Merger Agreement intend to cause the Merger to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements, provisions and covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement and in
this Affiliates Agreement, the undersigned Securityholder hereby agrees that:

        1. Pooling Requirements. The undersigned Securityholder, will not,
           --------------------
beginning on the commencement of the thirty (30) day period prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger as determined in Acquiror's reasonable discretion,
sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, dispose of or otherwise reduce the undersigned
Securityholder's risk relative to any Acquiror capital stock until such time
after the Effective Time of the Merger as financial results covering at least
thirty (30) days of the combined operations of Acquiror and the Company after
the Effective Time of the Merger have been, within the meaning of said Release
No. 130, filed by Acquiror with the SEC or published by Acquiror in an Annual
Report on Form 10K, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, a Current Report on Form 8-
K, a quarterly earnings report, a press release or other public issuance that
includes combined sales and income of the Company and Acquiror. Acquiror agrees
to make such filing or publication as soon as practicable after the end of the
next fiscal quarter of Acquiror which includes such thirty (30) days of combined
earnings consistent with Acquiror's past practice.

        2. Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of any condition or of any
           ------
breach of any provision of this Affiliates Agreement shall be effective unless
in writing.

        3. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications that
           -------
are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Affiliates Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by
hand or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
<PAGE>
 
        If to the Securityholder, at the address set forth below the
Securityholder's signature at the end hereof.

        If to Acquiror:

                        Legato Systems, Inc.
                        3210 Porter Drive
                        Palo Alto, CA  94304
                        Attention:  Louis C. Cole
                        Facsimile No.: (650) 812-6032
                        Telephone No.: (650) 812-6000
 
        with a copy to:

                        Gunderson Dettmer Stough
                         Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
                        155 Constitution Drive
                        Menlo Park, California  94025
                        Attention: Robert V. Gunderson, Jr., Esq.
                        Fax: (650) 321-2800
                        Tel: (650) 321-2400

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate for itself by notice
given as herein provided.

        4. Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
           ------------ 
Affiliates Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same document.

        5. Successors and Assigns. This Affiliates Agreement shall be
           ----------------------
enforceable by, and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon, the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. As used herein, the
term "successors and assigns" shall mean, where the context so permits, heirs,
executors, administrators, trustees and successor trustees, and personal and
other representatives.

        6. Governing Law. This Affiliates Agreement shall be governed by and
           -------------
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.

        7. Effectiveness; Severability. This Affiliates Agreement shall become
           ---------------------------
effective at the Effective Time of the Merger. If a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Affiliates Agreement is
unenforceable or enforceable only if limited in time and/or scope, this
Affiliates Agreement shall continue in full force and effect with such provision
stricken or so limited.
<PAGE>
 
        8. Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience
           ------------------
only and shall not effect the construction or interpretation of this Affiliates
Agreement.

        9. Definitions. All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning
           -----------
defined in the Merger Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein.
<PAGE>
 
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Affiliates Agreement
to be executed as of the date first above written.


LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.                      SECURITYHOLDER


By:____________________________________   _____________________________________
                                          (Signature)
 
 
                                          _____________________________________
                                          (Print Name)          
                                      
                                          _____________________________________
                                          _____________________________________
                                          _____________________________________ 
                                          (Address) 
                                     
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

          THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT dated as of October 25, 1998 (the
"AGREEMENT") is entered into by and between Qualix Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("TARGET") and Legato Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("ACQUIROR").  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement (as defined
below).

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

          A.  Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
Target, ACQUIROR and Hat Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of ACQUIROR ("SUB"), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"), which provides that, among other
things, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Target and
ACQUIROR will enter into a business combination transaction (the "MERGER").

          B.  As a condition to ACQUIROR's willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement, ACQUIROR has requested that Target agree, and Target has so agreed,
to grant to ACQUIROR an option to acquire shares of Target's Common Stock,
$0.001 par value, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.  GRANT OF OPTION.

          Target hereby grants to ACQUIROR an irrevocable option (the "OPTION")
to acquire up to a number of shares of the Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of
Target ("TARGET SHARES"), including the associated rights (the "RIGHTS") to
purchase shares of Target Preferred Stock pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
dated as of July 31, 1997, between Target and ChaseMellon Shareholders Services,
L.L.C., as Rights Agent (the "RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), equal to 19.9% of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of Target as of the first date, if any,
upon which an Exercise Event (as defined in Section 2(a) below) shall occur (the
"OPTION SHARES"), in the manner set forth below by paying cash at a price of
$5.73 per share (the "EXERCISE PRICE").  All references in this Agreement to
Target Shares issued to ACQUIROR hereunder shall be deemed to include the Rights
(subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement).


          2.  EXERCISE OF OPTION; MAXIMUM PROCEEDS.

              (a) For all purposes of this Agreement, an "EXERCISE EVENT" shall
have occurred upon termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(e) thereof.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
              (b)  ACQUIROR may deliver to Target a written notice (an 
"EXERCISE NOTICE") specifying that it wishes to exercise and close a purchase of
Option Shares upon the occurrence of an Exercise Event and specifying the total
number of Option Shares it wishes to acquire (i) upon public disclosure of an
Acquisition Proposal for an Alternative Transaction with respect to Target, with
any party other than ACQUIROR (or an affiliate of ACQUIROR), (ii) upon the
commencement of an election contest within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the
Exchange Act with the purpose of seeking to effect a Change of Control of the
Target Board of Directors, or (iii) upon termination of the Merger Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(e) thereof (the events specified in clauses (i), (ii) or
(iii) of this sentence being referred to herein as "CONDITIONAL EXERCISE
EVENTS"). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" of the Target
Board of Directors shall mean a change in the composition of such Board as a
result of which fewer than a majority of the incumbent directors are directors
who either (A) had been directors of Target at least eighteen (18) months prior
to such change or (B) were elected or nominated for election to the Target Board
with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the directors who had been
directors of Target at least eighteen (18) months prior to such change and who
were still serving as directors at the time of the election or nomination. At
any time after delivery of an Exercise Notice, unless such Exercise Notice is
withdrawn by ACQUIROR, the closing of a purchase of Option Shares (a "CLOSING")
specified in such Exercise Notice shall take place at the principal offices of
Target upon the occurrence of an Exercise Event or at such later date prior to
the termination of the Option as may be designated by ACQUIROR in writing. In
the event that no Exercise Event shall occur prior to termination of the Option,
such Exercise Notice shall be void and of no further force and effect.

              (c)  The Option shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) the 
Effective Time, (ii) 12 months following the termination of the Merger Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(e) thereof, or (iii) upon termination of the Merger
Agreement for any reason other than pursuant to Section 7.1(e) thereof;
provided, however, that if the Option is exercisable but cannot be exercised by
- --------  -------
reason of any applicable government order or because the waiting period related
to the issuance of the Option Shares under the HSR Act shall not have expired or
been terminated, or because any other condition to closing has not been
satisfied, then the Option shall not terminate until the tenth business day
after such impediment to exercise shall have been removed or shall have become
final and not subject to appeal.

              (d)  If ACQUIROR receives proceeds in connection with any sales 
or other dispositions of this Option (or any rights hereunder) or Option Shares,
plus any dividends received by ACQUIROR declared on Option Shares (including by
exercising the ACQUIROR Put described in Section 6(a) hereof), of more than the
sum of (x) $1,500,000 plus (y) the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of
Target Shares purchased by ACQUIROR pursuant to the Option, then all proceeds to
ACQUIROR in excess of such sum shall be remitted by ACQUIROR to Target.


          3.  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

          The obligation of Target to issue Option Shares to ACQUIROR hereunder
is subject to the conditions that (a) any waiting period under the HSR Act
applicable to the issuance of the Option Shares hereunder shall have expired or
been terminated; (b) all material consents, approvals, orders or authorizations
of, or registrations, declarations or filings with, any Federal, 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
state or local administrative agency or commission or other Federal state or
local governmental authority or instrumentality, if any, required in connection
with the issuance of the Option Shares hereunder shall have been obtained or
made, as the case may be; and (c) no preliminary or permanent injunction or
other order by any court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting or otherwise
restraining such issuance shall be in effect. It is understood and agreed that
at any time during which ACQUIROR shall be entitled to deliver to Target an
Exercise Notice, the parties will use their respective best efforts to satisfy
all conditions to Closing, so that a Closing may take place as promptly as
practicable, and in any event, upon the occurrence of an Exercise Event.


          4.  CLOSING.

          At any Closing, (a) Target shall deliver to ACQUIROR a single
certificate in definitive form representing the number of Target Shares
designated by ACQUIROR in its Exercise Notice consistent with this Agreement,
such certificate to be registered in the name of ACQUIROR and to bear the legend
set forth in Section 10 hereof, against delivery of (b) payment by ACQUIROR to
Target of the aggregate purchase price for the Target Shares so designated and
being purchased by delivery of a certified check or bank check in immediately
available funds.


          5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET.

          Target represents and warrants to ACQUIROR that (a) Target is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has the corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder; (b) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Target and consummation by Target of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Target and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Target are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby; (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Target and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Target and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of ACQUIROR, is enforceable against Target in accordance with its
terms; (d) except for any filings required under the HSR Act, Target has taken
all necessary corporate and other action to authorize and reserve for issuance
and to permit it to issue upon exercise of the Option, and at all times from the
date hereof until the termination of the Option will have reserved for issuance,
a sufficient number of unissued Target Shares for ACQUIROR to exercise the
Option in full and will take all necessary corporate or other action to
authorize and reserve for issuance all additional Target Shares or other
securities which may be issuable pursuant to Section 8(a) upon exercise of the
Option, all of which, upon their issuance and delivery in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(e) upon delivery of the Target Shares and any other securities to ACQUIROR upon
exercise of the Option, ACQUIROR will acquire such Target Shares or other
securities free and clear of all material claims, liens, charges, encumbrances
and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever, excluding those imposed
by ACQUIROR; (f) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Target do not,
and the performance of this Agreement by Target will not, (i) violate the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target, (ii) conflict with or violate
any order applicable to Target or any of its subsidiaries or by which they or
any of their property is 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
bound or affected or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or
an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any
property or assets of Target or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any
contract or agreement to which Target or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
by which Target or any of its subsidiaries or any of their property is bound or
affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for violations,
conflicts, breaches, defaults, rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation, liens or encumbrances which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Target; and (g) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Target does not, and the performance of this
Agreement by Target will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Entity except
pursuant to the HSR Act.

          6.  CERTAIN RIGHTS

              (a)  ACQUIROR Put. ACQUIROR may deliver to Target a written 
                   ------------
notice (a "PUT NOTICE") at any time during which ACQUIROR may deliver an
Exercise Notice specifying that it wishes to sell the Option, to the extent not
previously exercised, at the price set forth in subparagraph (i) below (as
limited by subparagraph (iii) below), and the Option Shares, if any, acquired by
ACQUIROR pursuant thereto, at the price set forth in subparagraph (ii) below (as
limited by subparagraph (iii) below) (the "PUT"). At any time after delivery of
a Put Notice, unless such Put Notice is withdrawn by ACQUIROR, the closing of
the Put (the "PUT CLOSING") shall take place at the principal offices of Target
upon the occurrence of an Exercise Event or at such later date prior to the
termination of the Option as may be designated by ACQUIROR in writing. In the
event that no Exercise Event shall occur prior to termination of the Option,
such Put Notice shall be void and of no further force and effect.:

                   (i)    The difference between the "MARKET/TENDER OFFER 
PRICE" for Target Shares as of the date ACQUIROR gives notice of its intent to
exercise its rights under this Section 6(a) (defined as the higher of (A) the
highest price per share offered as of such date pursuant to any Alternative
Transaction which was made prior to such date and not terminated or withdrawn as
of such date and (B) the highest closing sale price of Target Shares on the
Nasdaq National Market during the twenty (20) trading days ending on the trading
day immediately preceding such date) and the Exercise Price, multiplied by the
number of Target Shares purchasable pursuant to the Option, but only if the
Market/Tender Offer Price is greater than the Exercise Price. For purposes of
determining the highest price offered pursuant to any Alternative Transaction
which involves consideration other than cash, the value of such consideration
shall be equal to the higher of (x) if securities of the same class of the
proponent as such consideration are traded on any national securities exchange
or by any registered securities association, a value based on the closing sale
price or asked price for such securities on their principal trading market on
such date and (y) the value ascribed to such consideration by the proponent of
such Alternative Transaction, or if no such value is ascribed, a value
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Target.

                   (ii)   The Exercise Price paid by ACQUIROR for Target Shares 
acquired pursuant to the Option plus the difference between the Market/Tender
                                ----
Offer Price and

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
such Exercise Price (but only if the Market/Tender Offer Price is greater than
the Exercise Price) multiplied by the number of Target Shares so purchased.


                   (iii)  Notwithstanding subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above, 
pursuant to this Section 6 Target shall not be required to pay ACQUIROR in
excess of an aggregate of (A) (x) $1,500,000 plus (y) the Exercise Price paid by
                                             ----
ACQUIROR for Target Shares acquired pursuant to the Option and put to Target
pursuant to Section 6 minus (B) the gain received by ACQUIROR on sale(s) of this
Option (or any rights hereunder) or Option Shares to third parties. The parties
intend ACQUIROR profit received pursuant to this Option and the Option Shares
not to exceed $1,500,000 in the aggregate and Section 3(d) and Section 6(a)(iii)
shall be read collectively to achieve such purpose.

          (b)  Payment and Redelivery of Option or Shares.  At the Put Closing, 
               ------------------------------------------
Target shall pay the required amount to ACQUIROR in immediately available funds
and ACQUIROR shall surrender to Target the Option and the certificates
evidencing the Target Shares purchased by ACQUIROR pursuant thereto.

          7.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS

              (a)  Following the termination of the Merger Agreement, ACQUIROR 
(sometimes referred to herein as a "HOLDER") may by written notice (sometimes
referred to herein as the "REGISTRATION NOTICE") to Target (the "REGISTRANT")
request the Registrant to register under the Securities Act all or any part of
the shares acquired by such Holder pursuant to this Agreement (the "REGISTRABLE
SECURITIES") in order to permit the sale or other disposition of such shares
pursuant to a bona fide firm commitment underwritten public offering in which
the Holder and the underwriters shall effect as wide a distribution of such
Registrable Securities as is reasonably practicable and shall use reasonable
efforts to prevent any person or group from purchasing through such offering
shares representing more than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Registrant on a fully diluted basis (a "PERMITTED OFFERING"); provided,
                                                                  --------  
however, that any such Registration Notice must relate to a number of shares
- -------
equal to at least 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
on a fully diluted basis and that any rights to require registration hereunder
shall terminate with respect to any shares that may be sold pursuant to Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act. The Registration Notice shall include a
certificate executed by the Holder and its proposed managing underwriter, which
underwriter shall be an investment banking firm of internationally recognized
standing reasonably acceptable to the Company (the "MANAGER"), stating that (i)
the Holder and the Manager have a good faith intention to commence a Permitted
Offering and (ii) the Manager in good faith believes that, based on the then
prevailing market conditions, it will be able to sell the Registrable Securities
at a per share price equal to at least 80% of the per share average of the
closing sale prices of the Registrant's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market for the twenty trading days immediately preceding the date of the
Registration Notice. The Registrant shall thereupon have the option exercisable
by written notice delivered to the Holder within ten business days after the
receipt of the Registration Notice, irrevocably to agree to purchase all or any
part of the Registrable Securities for cash at a price (the "OPTION PRICE")
equal to the product of (i) the number of Registrable Securities so purchased
and (ii) the per share average of the closing sale prices of the Registrant's
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market for the twenty trading days
immediately preceding the date of the Registration Notice. Any such purchase of
     
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Registrable Securities by the Registrant hereunder shall take place at a closing
to be held at the principal executive offices of the Registrant or its counsel
at any reasonable date and time designated by the Registrant in such notice
within 10 business days after delivery of such notice. The payment for the
shares to be purchased shall be made by delivery at the time of such closing of
the Option Price in immediately available funds.

              (b)  If the Registrant does not elect to exercise its option to 
purchase pursuant to Section 7(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities,
the Registrant shall use all reasonable efforts to effect, as promptly as
practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of the unpurchased
Registrable Securities requested to be registered in the Registration Notice;
provided, however, that (i) the Holder shall not be entitled to more than an
- --------  -------
aggregate of two effective registration statements hereunder and (ii) the
Registrant will not be required to file any such registration statement during
any period of time (not to exceed 40 days after a Registration Notice in the
case of clause (A) below or 90 days after a Registration Notice in the case of
clauses (B) and (C) below) when (A) the Registrant is in possession of material
non-public information which it reasonably believes would be detrimental to be
disclosed at such time and, in the written opinion of counsel to such
Registrant, such information would have to be disclosed if a registration
statement were filed at that time; (B) such Registrant is required under the
Securities Act to include audited financial statements for any period in such
registration statement and such financial statements are not yet available for
inclusion in such registration statement; or (C) such Registrant determines, in
its reasonable judgment, that such registration would interfere with any
financing, acquisition or other material transaction involving the Registrant.
If consummation of the sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to a
registration hereunder does not occur within 180 days after the filing with the
SEC of the initial registration statement therefor, the provisions of this
Section 7 shall again be applicable to any proposed registration, it being
understood that neither party shall be entitled to more than an aggregate of two
effective registration statements hereunder. The Registrant shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause any Registrable Securities registered pursuant to
this Section 7 to be qualified for sale under the securities or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as the Holder may reasonably request and shall continue such
registration or qualification in effect in such jurisdictions; provided,
                                                               --------
however, that the Registrant shall not be required to qualify to do business in,
- -------
or consent to general service of process in, any jurisdiction by reason of this
provision.

              (c)  The registration rights set forth in this Section 7 are 
subject to the condition that the Holder shall provide the Registrant with such
information with respect to such Holder's Registrable Securities, the plan for
distribution thereof, and such other information with respect to such Holder as,
in the reasonable judgment of counsel for the Registrant, is necessary to enable
the Registrant to include in a registration statement all material facts
required to be disclosed with respect to a registration thereunder.


              (d)  A registration effected under this Section 7 shall be 
effected at the Registrant's expense, except for underwriting discounts and
commissions and the fees and expenses of counsel to the Holder, and the
Registrant shall use all reasonable efforts to provide to the underwriters such
documentation (including certificates, opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters
from auditors) as are customary in connection with underwritten public offerings
and as such underwriters may reasonably require. In connection with any
registration, the Holder and the Registrant agree to enter into an underwriting
agreement reasonably

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
acceptable to each such party, in form and substance customary for transactions
of this type with the underwriters participating in such offering.

              (e)  Indemnification
                   ---------------
 
                   (i)    The Registrant will indemnify the Holder, each of its
directors and officers and each person who controls the Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, and each underwriter of the
Registrant's securities, with respect to any registration, qualification or
compliance which has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, against all
expenses, claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any
litigation, commenced or threatened, arising out of or based on any untrue
statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any
registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, incident to any such registration,
qualification or compliance, or based on any 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, or any violation by the Registrant of any rule or regulation
promulgated under the Securities Act applicable to the Registrant in connection
with any such registration, qualification or compliance, and the Registrant will
reimburse the Holder and, each of its directors and officers and each person who
controls the Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, and
each underwriter for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or action, provided that the Registrant will not be liable in
any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
expense arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission, made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Registrant by such Holder or director or
officer or controlling person or underwriter seeking indemnification.

                   (ii)   The Holder will indemnify the Registrant, each of its
directors and officers and each underwriter of the Registrant's securities
covered by such registration statement and each person who controls the
Registrant within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against all
claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof),
including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation,
commenced or threatened, arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or
alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any such registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document, or any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by
the Holder of any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act
applicable to the Holder in connection with any such registration, qualification
or compliance, and will reimburse the Registrant, such directors, officers or
control persons or underwriters for any legal or any other expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such
claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent, but only
to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or
omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Registrant by the Holder
for use therein, provided that in no event shall any indemnity under this
Section 8(e) exceed the gross proceeds of the offering received by the Holder.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                   (iii)  Each party entitled to indemnification under this 
Section 7(e) (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall give notice to the party required
to provide indemnification (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") promptly after such
Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be
sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any
such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the
Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or litigation,
shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense at such party's expense; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party
                                 --------  -------
shall pay such expense if representation of the Indemnified Party by counsel
retained by the Indemnifying Party would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between the Indemnified Party and any other party
represented by such counsel in such proceeding, and provided further that the
                                                    -------- -------
failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 7(e) unless
the failure to give such notice is materially prejudicial to an Indemnifying
Party's ability to defend such action. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of
any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does
not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect
to such claim or litigation. No Indemnifying Party shall be required to
indemnify any Indemnified Party with respect to any settlement entered into
without such Indemnifying Party's prior consent (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld).


          8.  ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION; RIGHTS PLANS

              (a)  In the event of any change in the Target Shares by reason of
stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers (other than the
Merger), recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares and the like, the
type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option and the Exercise
Price shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the
agreements governing such transaction so that ACQUIROR shall receive, upon
exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other securities or
property that ACQUIROR would have received in respect of the Target Shares if
the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event or the record date
therefor, as applicable.

              (b)  At any time during which the Option is exercisable, and at 
any time after the Option is exercised (in whole or in part, if at all), Target
shall not amend its Rights Agreement nor adopt a new stockholders rights plan
that contains provisions for the distribution of rights thereunder solely as a
result of ACQUIROR being the beneficial owner of shares of Target by virtue of
the Option being exercisable or having been exercised (or as a result of such
other party beneficially owning shares issuable in respect of any Option
Shares).


          9.  RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS

          Each certificate representing Option Shares issued to ACQUIROR
hereunder shall include a legend in substantially the following form:

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN 
     REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS 


                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     AMENDED, AND MAY BE REOFFERED OR SOLD ONLY IF SO REGISTERED OR 
     IF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION  IS AVAILABLE.  SUCH 
     SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON
     TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE STOCK  OPTION  AGREEMENT DATED 
     AS OF OCTOBER 25, 1998, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 
     THE ISSUER.


          10.  LISTING AND HSR FILING

          Target, upon the request of ACQUIROR, shall promptly file an
application to list the Target Shares to be acquired upon exercise of the Option
for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market and shall use its reasonable efforts
to obtain approval of such listing as soon as practicable.  Promptly after the
date hereof, each of the parties hereto shall promptly file with the Federal
Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of
Justice all required premerger notification and report forms and other documents
and exhibits required to be filed under the HSR Act to permit the acquisition of
the Target Shares subject to the Option at the earliest possible date.


          11.  BINDING EFFECT

          This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Nothing
contained in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever by reason of
this Agreement.  Certificates representing shares sold in a registered public
offering pursuant to Section 7 shall not be required to bear the legend set
forth in Section 9.


          12.  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

          The parties recognize and agree that if for any reason any of the
provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific
terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and irreparable harm or injury would
be caused for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy.  Accordingly,
each party agrees that in addition to other remedies the other party shall be
entitled to an injunction restraining any violation or threatened violation of
the provisions of this Agreement.  In the event that any action shall be brought
in equity to enforce the provisions of the Agreement, neither party will allege,
and each party hereby waives the defense, that there is an adequate remedy at
law.


          13.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT

          This Agreement and the Merger Agreement (including the appendices and
exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements
and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          14.  FURTHER ASSURANCES

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


          15.  VALIDITY

          The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this
Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.  In the event any
Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction holds any provision of this
Agreement to be null, void or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate
in good faith and shall execute and deliver an amendment to this Agreement in
order, as nearly as possible, to effectuate, to the extent permitted by law, the
intent of the parties hereto with respect to such provision.


          16.  NOTICES

          All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial delivery service,
or sent via telecopy (receipt confirmed) to the parties at the following
addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such other address or telecopy numbers for
a party as shall be specified by like notice):

          (i)  if to ACQUIROR, to:
          
               Legato Systems, Inc.
               3210 Porter Drive
               Palo Alto, CA  94304
               Attention:  Louis C. Cole
               Facsimile No.: (650) 812-6032
               Telephone No.: (650) 812-6000

               with a copy to:

               Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
                 Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
               155 Constitution Drive
               Menlo Park, CA  94025
               Attention:  Robert V. Gunderson, Jr.
               Facsimile No.: (650) 321-2800
               Telephone No.: (650) 463-5200


                                      10
<PAGE>
 
          (ii) if to Target, to:

               Qualix Group, Inc.                      
               177 Bovet Road, Second Floor                    
               San Mateo Road, CA  94402                       
               Attention:  Richard G. Thau                     
               Facsimile No.: (650) 572-0200                   
               Telephone No.: (650) 572-1300                   
                                                               
               with a copy to:                                 
                                                               
               Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. P.C.          
               650 Page Mill Road                              
               Palo Alto, CA  94303                            
               Attention:  Jeffrey D. Saper                    
               Facsimile No.: (650) 493-6811                   
               Telephone No.: (650) 493-9300                    



          17.  GOVERNING LAW

          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be
performed entirely within such State.


          18.  COUNTERPARTS

          This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but both of which, taken together, shall
constitute one and the same instrument.


          19.  EXPENSES

          Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Merger
Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses.


          20.  AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

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


          21.  ASSIGNMENT

          Target may not sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any of
its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Option created hereunder
to any other person, without the express written consent of ACQUIROR.  The
rights and obligations hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon any successor of a party hereto.


                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.

                                 QUALIX GROUP, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ Richard G. Thau
                                     --------------------------------------
                                      Richard G. Thau
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ Louis C. Cole
                                     -------------------------------------
                                      Louis C. Cole
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer


                                      12

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           EDITORIAL CONTACT:
                                                Suzan Woods
                                                Director of Marketing
                                                (650) 812-6112
                                                [email protected]


                                                INVESTOR CONTACT:
                                                Stephen C. Wise
                                                Chief Financial Officer
                                                (650) 812-6102
                                                [email protected]

            LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO
                        ACQUIRE FULLTIME SOFTWARE, INC.

    PALO ALTO, CA, October 26, 1998--Legato Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:LGTO), a
leader in the enterprise storage management software market, today announced
that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire FullTime Software, Inc.
(Nasdaq: FTSW) in a transaction valued at approximately $69.4 million. The
transaction is expected to close by, or shortly after, December 1998, and is
subject to the satisfaction of standard closing conditions, including regulatory
approval and the approval of FullTime's stockholders. The acquisition is
contemplated to be a tax-free reorganization in which Legato will issue
1,721,000 shares of its stock in exchange for all of the stock and options of
FullTime Software. The transaction is expected to be accounted for as a pooling
of interests. Legato intends to integrate the complete FullTime product
portfolio into the Legato product line following the acquisition. The
transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings for Legato's 1999 fiscal
year.

    FullTime Software, Inc., formerly known as Qualix Group, Inc., is the market
leader and leading developer of distributed, enterprise-wide, cross-platform, 
adaptive computing solutions that enable customers to proactively manage 
application service level availability. Its products help customers to optimize 
IT resources while maximizing reliability, accessibility, and efficiency of 
applications across a continuum of business events. FullTime Software products 
have ensured the availability of business-critical applications at more than 
17,000 installations around the world, including government organizations and 
many Fortune 1000 companies in telecommunications, finance, retail, high 
technology, and other industries.


                                      1
<PAGE>
 
Legato Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire FullTime Software, Inc.,
Page Two

    Located in San Mateo, CA, FullTime Software provides enterprise and 
departmental solutions that ensure applications, data, and system resources are 
available to users on a "full time" basis. FullTime's solutions are the 
industry's first to enable service level availability during planned computing 
events, such as operational maintenance or installations, application tuning, 
upgrades and configuration changes. By expanding its solutions to cover 
unplanned computing events, such as system, application and network failures,
FullTime addresses the larger, more challenging and growing problem of 
eliminating downtime for Fortune 1000 customers.

    Louis C. Cole, president and CEO of Legato Systems, Inc., said, "The 
combination of FullTime Software with Legato Systems fits perfectly with our 
expanded Enterprise Storage Management Architecture (ESMA) announced on August 
17, 1998. FullTime Software's high availability, clustering, and service level 
availability products will give us a significant market advantage in answering 
the data accessibility needs of our customers."

    According to Richard G. Thau, CEO of FullTime Software, Inc., "We are very 
excited about the combination of FullTime's market-leading technology and 
products with Legato's industry-leading sales and distribution channels."

ABOUT LEGATO SYSTEMS
- --------------------
    Legato Systems, Inc. develops, markets, and supports an integrated set of 
enterprise storage management software products for heterogeneous client/server
computing environments. Large customers around the world select the Company's 
solution because of its reliability, platform independence, and ability to 
seamlessly integrate with existing and future computing environments. Legato's 
storage management software has become the recognized de facto standard with the
largest installed base, representing over 37,000 customers, protecting more than
4,000,000 systems. Twenty-four of the world's largest system and applications 
vendors have chosen Legato's software as their preferred storage management 
solution for their customers, including Banyan, BMC Software, Compaq/Digital, 
Compaq/Tandem, Data General, Fujitsu/Amdahl, Fujitsu/ICL, Groupe Bull, 
Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Informix, NEC, Netscape, Network Appliance, 
Nihon-Unisys, Oracle, Siemens Nixdorf, Silicon Graphics, Sony and Sun 
Microsystems. The Company's NetWorker, BusinessSuite, SmartMedia, and GEMS 
products are also licensed, resold, or endorsed by other major vendors, 
including Computer Associates; Tivoli, an IBM company; Microsoft Corporation; 
MTI Technology; Novell; and SAP. Legato's home page address on the World Wide 
Web is http://www.legato.com.


                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Legato Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire FullTime Software, Inc.,
Page Three

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of 
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements 
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results 
to differ materially from historical or anticipated results in such statements. 
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, 
risks associated with acquisitions generally, including integration of 
operations, diversion of management's time and attention, risk of a downturn in 
FullTime's results of operations during the period the merger is pending, and 
other risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Report on 
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 1998, and 
in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Report on Form 10-Q filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission in August, 1998, copies of which are 
available on request from the Company. This public announcement contains 
information that is accurate as of October 26, 1998, the date of this public 
announcement.


                                      ###


Legato Networker and Legato SmartMedia are registered trademarks, and NetWorker 
Archive, NetWorker HSM, ClientPak, SmartClient, StorSuite, BusinessSuite, Power 
Edition, Legato GEMS, and OpenTape are trademarks of Legato Systems, Inc. in the
U.S. and/or other countries. All other products, trademark, company, or service 
names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                       [LOGO OF FULLTIME APPEARS HERE]

Contact:  Bruce C. Felt
          Chief Financial Officer
          FullTime Software
          650-572-0200 x3422
          [email protected]

For Immediate Release
- ---------------------

           FULLTIME SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH LEGATO SYSTEMS

SAN MATEO, CA OCTOBER 26, 1998  FullTime Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTSW), 
formerly known as Qualix Group, Inc., announced today that it has agreed to 
merge with Legato Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: LGTO). Pursuant to an agreement and 
plan of reorganization dated as of October 25, 1998, each holder of an 
outstanding share of FullTime common stock will receive a fraction of a share 
of Legato common stock equal to the exchange ratio. The exchange ratio is 
determined by dividing the numerator, which is 1,721,000 shares of Legato 
common stock, by the denominator, which is equal to the sum of the aggregate 
number of shares of FullTime common stock outstanding at the effective time of
the merger and the aggregate number of shares of FullTime common stock 
issueable pursuant to outstanding options.

As of October 22, 1998, FullTime had outstanding approximately 10.7 million 
shares of common stock and 1.4 million shares of FullTime common stock 
issuable pursuant to outstanding options. For example, at Friday's closing 
price of Legato stock at $40.31, one share of FullTime common stock would be 
valued at $5.73.

The combination, which is expected to close in late December 1998 or early 
January 1999, will be accounted for as a tax-free pooling of interests and is 
subject to the approval of FullTime's stockholders. Legato has received the 
agreement of certain Company stockholders holding approximately 20% of the 
Company's common stock to vote in favor of the transaction.

Further details regarding this announcement are contained in Legato's press 
release dated October 26, 1998.

ABOUT FULLTIME SOFTWARE

FullTime Software, Inc., formerly known as Qualix Group, Inc., is a leading 
developer of enterprise-wide, cross-platform adaptive computing solutions that
enable customers to proactively manage application service level availability.
Its products help customers to optimize IT resources while maximizing 
reliability, accessibility and efficiency of applications across a continuum 
of business events. FullTime Software products have ensured the availability 
of business-critical applications at more than 17,000 installations around the
world, including many Fortune 1000 corporations in the telecommunications, 
finance, retail, high technology and other industries. The company is 
headquartered in

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
San Mateo, CA, with 22 sales offices worldwide and distribution across more than
70 countries. Effective July 7, 1998, Qualix began conducting business as 
"FullTime Software, Inc.," and trading in the Company's common stock commenced 
on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol "FTSW." For more 
information contact FullTime Software at (650) 572-0200, e-mail 
[email protected] or visit http://www.fulltimesoftware.com

The statements contained in this news release, other  than historical financial 
information, may consist of forward-looking statements that involve risks and 
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with acquisitions
generally, including integration of operations, diversion of management's time 
and attention, and a risk of a downturn in results of operations during the 
period the merger is pending. Consequently, the Company's actual results could 
differ materially from expectations. The various factors that could cause the 
actual results to differ from the expected results are detailed in the Company's
recent Report on Form 10-K dated September 28, 1998 filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, the "Risk Factors."

                                       5


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