ROSS SYSTEMS INC/CA
S-3, 1998-07-07
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 7, 1998
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                           --------------------------
 
                               ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
                      CALIFORNIA                                               94-2170198
            (State or other jurisdiction of                                 (I.R.S. Employer
            incorporation or organization)                               Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                         2 CONCOURSE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                                 (770) 351-9600
   (Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                 DENNIS V. VOHS
                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                               ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
                         2 CONCOURSE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                                 (770) 351-9600
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
                               agent for service)
 
                           --------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                              ROBERT B. JACK, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                            PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1050
                                 (650) 493-9300
                              FAX: (650) 845-5000
 
                           --------------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time as the several selling shareholders may decide.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
- ----------
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
- ----------
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
- ----------
 
                           --------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
               TITLE OF EACH CLASS                    AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE PER  AGGREGATE OFFERING      AMOUNT OF
         OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED              REGISTERED(2)          SHARE(1)            PRICE(1)        REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, no par value.......................      1,995,510            $5.0625           $10,102,270            $2,981
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the Registration
    fee pursuant to Rule 457. Based on the last reported sale price for the
    Company's Common Stock on July 2, 1998.
 
(2) Shares issuable upon conversion of subordinated debentures (and interest
    accrued thereon) in the principal amount of $4,000,000 issued by the
    Registrant to certain accredited investors in a private placement
    transaction. See "Selling Shareholders" for a description of certain
    assumptions made by the Registrant to determine the number of shares of
    Common Stock to be registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the
    Securities Act of 1933, any additional shares of Common Stock issued either
    as a result of the provisions of the subordinated debentures pursuant to
    which the Common Stock will be issued or by reason of a reduction in the
    conversion price of the subordinated debentures in accordance with the terms
    thereof are deemed to be registered herewith.
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JULY 7, 1998
 
PROSPECTUS
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                               ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
    This Prospectus relates to the offering by certain investors (the "Selling
Shareholders") of (i) shares (the "Conversion Shares") of common stock, no par
value (the "Common Stock") issuable upon conversion of convertible subordinated
debentures in the principal amount of $4,000,000 (the "Debentures") issued by
Ross Systems, Inc. (the "Company" or "Ross") and (ii) an additional
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock (the "PIK Shares") that may be
issued as interest accrued on the Debentures. The Conversion Shares and the PIK
Shares collectively are referred to herein as the "Securities." The number of
Conversion Shares and PIK Shares offered for resale hereby will be determined by
formulae set forth in the Debentures (see "Selling Shareholders").
 
    The Securities may be sold from time to time through brokers, to dealers
acting as principals, directly to purchasers in negotiated transactions, or any
combination of these methods of sale. In addition, shares may be transferred in
connection with the settlement of call options, short sales or similar
transactions that may be effected by the Selling Shareholders. Sales may be made
at prevailing market prices at the time of such sales, at prices related to such
prevailing prices, at fixed prices that may be changed or at negotiated prices.
See "Selling Shareholders" and "Plan of Distribution."
 
    None of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the Selling
Shareholders will be received by the Company. The Company has agreed to bear all
expenses (other than selling commissions) in connection with the registration
and sale of the Securities being offered by the Selling Shareholders. The
Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Shareholders against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act").
 
    In connection with any sales, the Selling Shareholders and any brokers
participating in such sales may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. See "Selling Shareholders."
 
    On July 2, 1998, the last sale price of the Company's Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $5.0625 per share (symbol ROSS).
 
    THE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS," COMMENCING
ON PAGE 4.
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
           THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
              SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
                    OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
                         REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                          IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS       , 1998.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    As used in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms
"Ross" and the "Company" mean Ross Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The
Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith,
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports and proxy statements and other
information filed with the Commission pursuant to the informational requirements
of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission:
New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048; and Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a World Wide
Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that filed electronically with the Commission.
The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
    The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. Reports
and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006.
 
    This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(herein, together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For
further information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement,
copies of which may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the
fees prescribed by the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or any other document filed, or incorporated by
reference, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, are qualified in all
respects by such reference.
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents, previously filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated by reference, except as
superseded or modified herein:
 
    The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed March 22, 1991.
 
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, as
amended by the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on April 30, 1998
(collectively, the "Form 10-K Report").
 
    Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended September 30,
1997, December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998 (the "Form 10-Q Reports").
 
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 1998.
 
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1998.
 
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 6, 1998.
 
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 2, 1998.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    Each document filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus and shall be part hereof from the date of filing of such
document. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such
person, a copy of any document described above (other than exhibits). Requests
for such copies should be directed to Ross Systems, Inc. at its principal
offices located at 2 Concourse Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia 30328,
telephone (770) 351-9600, attention: Chief Financial Officer.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    An investment in the shares being offered by this Prospectus involves a high
degree of risk. The following factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere
in this Prospectus, should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company and
its business prospects before purchasing shares offered by this Prospectus. This
Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth in the following risk factors and elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
    HISTORY OF LOSSES.  In each of fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 the Company
incurred operating losses and net losses. In the third quarter of fiscal 1998
and for the period from July 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998, the Company operated
profitably. There can be no assurance that the Company will be profitable in the
future. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations-- Results of Operations" in the Company's Form 10-K Report
and Form 10-Q Reports.
 
    FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS.  The Company has experienced significant
quarterly fluctuations in operating results and anticipates that such
fluctuations may occur in the future. See quarterly financial information
contained in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K
Report. Quarterly revenues depend on the volume and timing of orders received
during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. The Company generally ships
orders as received and, as a result, typically has little or no backlog.
Historically, the Company has often realized a substantial portion of its
software product license revenues in the last two weeks of a quarter. Due to the
Company's relatively low cost of incremental software product license revenues,
any shortfall or delay in software product license revenues has an immediate and
substantial impact on profitability in the quarter. Operating results may also
fluctuate due to factors such as the demand for the Company's products, the size
and timing of customer orders, the introduction of new products and product
enhancements by the Company or its competitors, changes in the proportion of
revenues attributable to software product licenses versus consulting and other
services, changes in the level of operating expenses, and competitive conditions
in the industry. Many of the factors that could result in quarterly fluctuations
are not within the Company's control. Fluctuations in operating results may
result in volatility in the price of the Company's Common Stock. During the
period including fiscal 1997 and 1998 through the date of this prospectus, the
market prices of the Common Stock have ranged from a high of $9.75 to a low of
$1.75.
 
    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES.  In fiscal 1996 and 1997 and for the period
from July 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998, the Company used cash of $12.4 million,
$7.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for operations and for investments
in capitalized software, property and equipment. At June 18, 1998, the Company
had cash deposits of $1.4 million and total borrowings of $1.1 million against a
$15 million revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit
facility are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company
and availability is based on eligible accounts receivable, as determined in the
lender's sole discretion. Based on eligible accounts receivable at June 18,
1998, the Company's borrowing power under the revolving credit facility,
combined with the Company's cash and cash equivalents, was $10.4 million.
 
    In fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Company issued equity securities to
finance its operations. These issuances have increased the number of Common and
Common equivalent shares outstanding by approximately 53% since the end of
fiscal 1995. On February 6, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with the
Selling Shareholders relating to a private placement of the Debentures in the
aggregate principal amount of up to $10,000,000 pursuant to Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Selling
Shareholders invested $6,000,000 at the closing on February 6, 1998, and
invested $4,000,000 on June 16, 1998. Substantially all of proceeds from the
Debenture financing have been used to improve the Company's balance sheet and
lower its debt service expense. Because the number of Securities to be issued by
the Company is based on conversion formulae which are set forth in the
Debentures issued
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
on February 6, 1998 and June 16, 1998 (collectively, the "Aggregate Debentures")
and therefore is not fixed, it is not possible to determine the increase in the
number of shares of Common and Common stock equivalent shares outstanding as a
result of the issuance of such shares of Common Stock. However, the percentage
increase could be greater than 20%.
 
    INTERNATIONAL SALES.  The Company derived approximately 33%, 31%, 33% and
33% of its total revenues from international sales in fiscal 1995, 1996, 1997
and for the period from July 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998, respectively, and
expects that such sales will continue to generate a significant percentage of
total revenues. Pacific Rim software product license revenues were $4.1 million
and $3.2 million for fiscal year 1997 and the period from July 1, 1997 to March
31, 1998, respectively. Pacific Rim software product license revenue is heavily
concentrated with one distributor in Japan. There can be no assurance that this
distributor will continue to distribute the Company's products beyond fiscal
year 1999. To date, the Company has not sought to hedge the risks associated
with currency fluctuations, but may engage in such transactions in the future in
order to reduce its exposure to currency fluctuations. The Company is also
subject to other risks associated with international operations, including
tariff regulations, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, longer
accounts receivable payment cycles, potentially adverse tax consequences,
economic and political instability, restrictions on repatriation of earnings,
and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws. There can be
no assurance that such factors will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's future international sales and, consequently, on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. See
"Business--Marketing and Sales" in the Form 10-K Report and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Results of Operations" in the Form 10-K Report and the Form 10-Q
Reports.
 
    RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; PRODUCT TRANSITIONS.  The market for the
Company's products is characterized by ongoing technological developments,
evolving industry standards and rapid changes in customer requirements. As a
result, the Company's prospects depend upon its ability to continue to enhance
its existing products, develop and introduce in a timely manner new products
that take advantage of technological advances, and respond to new customer
requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
developing and marketing enhancements to its existing products or new products
incorporating new technology on a timely basis, or that its new products will
adequately address the changing needs of its markets. If the Company is unable
to develop and introduce new products, or enhancements to existing products, in
a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer
requirements, the Company's business and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected. From time to time, the Company or its
competitors may announce new products, capabilities or technologies that have
the potential to replace or shorten the life cycles of the Company's existing
products. There can be no assurance that announcements of currently planned or
other new products will not cause customers to defer purchasing existing Company
products. Delays or difficulties associated with new product introductions or
product enhancements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. Software products as
complex as those offered by the Company may contain undetected errors when first
introduced or as new versions are released. There can be no assurance that
errors will not be found in new products after commencement of commercial
shipments, resulting in a loss of or delay in market acceptance. See
"Business--Competition" in the Form 10-K Report.
 
    COMPETITION.  The business applications software market is intensely
competitive. Due to the breadth of the Company's product line, it competes with
a broad range of applications software companies. The Company's primary
competitors include the following: business application software providers which
offer products on multiple platforms, such as Baan Company NV, Oracle
Corporation, PeopleSoft, Inc. and SAP AG; and business applications software
providers in vertical markets that offer products that compete with the
Company's process manufacturing products, such as J.D. Edwards & Company, Marcam
Solutions, Inc., QAD, Inc. and System Associates, Inc. Additionally, the Company
faces competition from third party business application processing providers
operating on minicomputers such as the IBM AS/400.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
Many of the Company's competitors have substantially greater financial,
technical, marketing and sales resources than the Company. See
"Business--Competition" in the Form 10-K Report.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON AND RELATIONSHIP WITH MICROSOFT.  A significant portion of the
Company's total revenues are derived from business application software products
and related services for users of client/server computers. The Company's
business therefore depends to a large extent on the success of client/server
computers in the commercial marketplace. In particular, the Company believes
that Microsoft's NT operating system plays and will continue to play an
important role in the client/server market as the operating system secures a
majority of new installations in the client/server environment due to its low
cost and ease of use. The Company's business would be materially and adversely
affected if commercial market share for client/server computers declined or if
their installed customer base in this market eroded. The Company considers its
close relationship with Microsoft in software product development activities to
be strategic to the Company's business. The Company would be materially and
adversely affected if Microsoft decided to terminate or significantly reduce its
cooperation with the Company in these development activities, or to market
products competitive with the Company's products.
 
    KEY EMPLOYEES.  The Company's success depends on a number of its key
employees, most of whom are not subject to employment contracts. The loss of the
services of these key employees could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. The Company believes that its future success will also depend in large
part on its ability to attract and retain highly-skilled technical, managerial
and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel in the software industry
is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
attracting and retaining such personnel. See "Business--Employees" in the Form
10-K Report.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; RISK OF TECHNOLOGY LITIGATION.  The
Company's success is dependent upon its proprietary technology and products. The
Company regards its software as proprietary and, to date, has relied principally
upon copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and contractual restrictions to
protect its proprietary technology. The Company currently has no patents. The
Company generally enters into confidentiality agreements with employees and
confidentiality and license agreements with its distributors, customers and
potential customers, and limits access to and distribution of the source code to
its software and other proprietary information. Under some circumstances, the
Company grants licenses that give limited access to the source code of the
Company's products which increases the likelihood of misappropriation or misuse
of the Company's technology. Accordingly, despite precautions taken by the
Company, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy certain
portions of the Company's technology or to obtain and use information that the
Company regards as proprietary. There can be no assurance that the steps taken
by the Company will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of its technology or
to provide an adequate remedy in the event of a breach by others. In addition,
the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary
rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
 
    There has been substantial industry litigation regarding intellectual
property rights of technology companies. Although the Company is not aware of
any infringement by its products of any patents or proprietary rights of others,
patent protection for software is still a developing area of law. The Company
has, in the past, been subject to litigation related to alleged infringement by
the Company of a third party's rights, which resulted not only in the Company
incurring significant legal fees and settlement costs but also in a substantial
diversion of management attention and a loss of software product license
revenues due to prospective customer concerns related to such litigation. In the
future, the Company may be subject to additional litigation to defend the
Company against claimed infringement of the rights of others or to determine the
scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation
could be costly and cause diversion of management's attention, either of which
could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition. Adverse determinations in such litigation
could result in the loss of the Company's proprietary rights, subject the
Company to significant
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
liabilities, require the Company to seek licenses from third parties or prevent
the Company from manufacturing or selling its products, any one of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that any
necessary licenses will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. See
"Business--Proprietary Rights and Licenses" in the Form 10-K Report.
 
    SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  Depending upon the date on which the
Aggregate Debentures are converted and the market price for the Common Stock on
such date, the number of Conversion Shares and PIK Shares issuable under the
Aggregate Debentures to the Selling Shareholders could represent a significant
percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Sale of the Conversion
Shares and PIK Shares issuable under the Aggregate Debentures or the sale of
shares of Common Stock after this offering in the public market could materially
adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
    ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS AND DELAWARE
LAW.  The Company is in the process of reincorporating from the State of
California to the State of Delaware (the "Reincorporation"). Following the
consummation of the Reincorporation, certain provisions of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may have the effect of making it more
difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from
attempting to acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions could limit the
price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of
the Company's Common Stock. Certain of these provisions allow the Company to
issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock without any vote or further
action by the stockholders, eliminate the right of stockholders to act by
written consent without a meeting, specify procedures for director nominations
by stockholders and submission of other proposals for consideration at
stockholder meetings. In addition, the Company will be subject to certain
provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203, which prohibits a Delaware
corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested
stockholder for a period of three years unless certain conditions are met. The
possible issuance of Preferred Stock, the elimination of the right of
stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting, the procedures
required for director nominations and stockholder proposals and Delaware law
could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the Company, including without limitation, discouraging a proxy contest or
making more difficult the acquisition of a substantial block of the Company's
Common Stock. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might
be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
    ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  The Company has never declared or paid any cash
dividends and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information as of June 30, 1998 with
respect to the beneficial ownership by the Selling Shareholders of shares of the
Company's Common Stock. The Selling Shareholders purchased the Debentures from
the Company in a private transaction in June 1998. The Securities offered by
this Prospectus will be acquired by the Selling Shareholders upon conversion of
the Debentures and as interest accrued on the Debentures. The Debentures are not
convertible prior to October 14, 1998.
 
    The Debentures issued by the Registrant to each of the Selling Shareholders
set forth the terms for conversion of the Debentures into the Conversion Shares
and the terms of conversion of the interest accrued on the Debentures into the
PIK Shares (the "Conversion Formulae"). A form of the Debentures has been filed
as Exhibit 4.7 hereto. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion and in connection with payments of interest in shares of Common Stock
depends upon the "Market Price" of the Common Stock. "Market Price" is defined
as the lesser of (i) the Maximum Conversion Price and (ii) 101% of the average
of the two lowest closing bid prices of the Common Stock as reported by the
Bloomberg Service for the thirty trading days immediately preceding the
conversion date. The "Maximum Conversion Price" is defined as (a) $7.00 per
share for the period ending on December 31, 1998 and (b) for the period
beginning on January 1, 1999, 115% of the average closing bid price of the
Common Stock over the 1998 calendar year, in each instance subject to certain
adjustments. There is no maximum or minimum number of Conversion Shares or PIK
Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Debentures. If the aggregate number of
Conversion Shares and PIK Shares to be issued to the Selling Shareholders were
to increase above the aggregate number of shares set forth in the table, this
Prospectus will be amended to indicate the increased number. The Selling
Shareholders may sell all, less than all or none of the shares of Common Stock.
No Selling Shareholder is an affiliate of the Company or has held a position,
office or had any other material relationship with the Company or any of its
affiliates within the past three years except as a security holder of the
Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SHARES OWNED BEFORE
NAME                                                                         OFFERING(1)(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>
Leonardo, L.P. ..........................................................         642,986(3)
c/o Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P.
245 Park Avenue--26th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Attn: Gary Wolf
 
GAM Arbitrage Investments, Inc. .........................................          85,937(4)
c/o Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P.
245 Park Avenue--26th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Attn: Gary Wolf
 
AG Super Fund International Partners, L.P. ..............................          85,937(4)
c/o Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P.
245 Park Avenue--26th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Attn: Gary Wolf
 
Ramius Fund, Ltd. .......................................................         349,643(5)
c/o Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P.
245 Park Avenue--26th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Attn: Gary Wolf
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SHARES OWNED BEFORE
NAME                                                                         OFFERING(1)(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>
The Tail Wind Fund, Ltd. ................................................       1,172,044(6)
Windermere House
404 East Bay Street
P.O. Box SS-5539
Nassau, Bahamas
 
AGR Halifax Fund, Ltd. ..................................................       1,164,096(6)
c/o Citco Fund Services (Cayman Islands) Ltd.
Corporate Centre, West Bay Road
P.O. Box 31106 SMB, Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands, B.W.I.
Attn: Patrick Agemian
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Each Selling Shareholder has the right to acquire the Conversion Shares and
    may acquire PIK Shares. The number of Conversion Shares shown in the table
    for each Selling Shareholder has been calculated assuming a conversion
    Market Price of $4.009 per share (101% of the Market Price assuming a
    conversion date of June 18, 1998) multiplied by a factor of two, because the
    number of shares issuable on conversion may increase without limit depending
    on the Market Price of the Common Stock at the time of conversion. If the
    Market Price on the relevant date(s) of conversion is greater than $4.009,
    fewer than half of the number of shares shown will be issued to the Selling
    Shareholders. The Company also has registered for resale an indeterminate
    number of shares of Common Stock which have been and may be issued as the
    PIK Shares.
 
(2) Assumes that all shares offered hereby are sold by the Selling Shareholders
    to non-affiliates of the Selling Shareholders.
 
(3) Includes 365,844 Conversion Shares and 311 PIK Shares being offered pursuant
    to this Prospectus.
 
(4) Includes 49,888 Conversion Shares and 42 PIK Shares being offered pursuant
    to this Prospectus.
 
(5) Includes 199,551 Conversion Shares and 170 PIK Shares being offered pursuant
    to this Prospectus.
 
(6) Includes 665,170 Conversion Shares and 566 PIK Shares being offered pursuant
    to this Prospectus.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 37,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, no par value per share, (35,000,000 of which are designated as
"Common Stock" and 2,000,000 of which are designated "Non-voting Common Stock")
and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share. As of June 30,
1998, 21,174,467 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, held of record by
approximately 425 shareholders and no shares of Non-voting Common Stock were
outstanding. As of June 30, 1998, the Aggregate Debentures in the principal
amount of $8,481,000 were outstanding held of record by 6 Selling Shareholders
(convertible into 4,221,004 shares of Common Stock based upon the assumptions
set forth in footnote one to the table above). The interest accrued on the
Aggregate Debentures is convertible into an indeterminate number of shares of
Common Stock.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The sale of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby by
the Selling Shareholders may be effected from time to time at prevailing market
prices at the time of such sales, at prices related to such prevailing prices,
at fixed prices that may be changed or at negotiated prices. The Selling
Shareholders may effect such transactions by selling directly to purchasers in
negotiated transactions, to dealers acting as principals or through one or more
brokers, or any combination of these methods of sale. In addition, shares may be
transferred in connection with the settlement of call options, short sales or
similar transactions that may be effected by the Selling Shareholders. Dealers
or brokers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Selling Shareholders. The Selling Shareholders and any
brokers or dealers that participate in the distribution may under certain
circumstances be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any commissions received by such brokers or dealers and any
profits realized on the resale of shares by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The Company and
the Selling Shareholders may agree to indemnify such brokers or dealers against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement dated February 6,
1998 among the Company and each of the Selling Shareholders, the Company is
obligated to keep the Registration Statement effective for the period ending
thirty-six months after the initial effective date of the Registration Statement
(which period will be extended by the number of days dispositions of Conversion
Shares are suspended by the Company under the Registration Statement) or until
the holder of Conversion Shares has completed the distribution of the Conversion
Shares, whichever occurs first.
 
    There is no assurance that any of the Selling Shareholders will sell any or
all of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
    The Company has agreed to pay the expenses incurred in connection with the
registration of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. The Selling
Shareholders will be responsible for all selling commissions, transfer taxes and
related charges in connection with the offer and sale of such shares.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby has been passed upon for
Ross by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California. Mario M. Rosati, a Director and Assistant Secretary of the Company,
is a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation and
holds options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 and
the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and
cash flows for the years then ended, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and Registration Statement from the Company's 1997 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given upon the authority of that firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
    The consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the year ended June 30, 1995, and related schedule, have been
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors,
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION
WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DO THEY CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY
TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Available Information.....................................................    2
Information Incorporated by Reference.....................................    2
Risk Factors..............................................................    4
Selling Shareholders......................................................    8
Description of Equity Securities..........................................    9
Plan of Distribution......................................................   10
Legal Matters.............................................................   10
Experts...................................................................   10
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                        , 1998
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimates
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the Nasdaq
National Market listing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee................  $   2,576
Nasdaq National Market listing fee.................................     17,500
Printing and engraving expenses....................................      5,000
Legal fees and expenses............................................      4,500
Accounting fees and expenses.......................................     18,000
Miscellaneous......................................................      5,000
                                                                     ---------
    Total..........................................................  $  52,576
                                                                     ---------
                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnity to directors
and officers who are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any
proceeding (with certain exceptions) by reason of the fact that the person is or
was an agent of the corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements
and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the
proceeding if that person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation. This
limitation on liability has no effect on a directors' liability (i) for acts or
omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable
violation of law, (ii) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be
contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) relating to
any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv)
for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to
the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was
aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a
director's duties, of a risk of a serious injury to the corporation or its
shareholders, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of
inattention that amounts to an abdication of the directors' duty to the
corporation or its shareholders, (vi) under Section 310 of the California
General Corporation Law (concerning contracts or transactions between the
corporation and a director) or (vii) under Section 316 of the California General
Corporation Law (directors' liability for improper dividends, loans and
guarantees). The provision does not extend to acts or omissions of a director in
his capacity as an officer. Further, the provision has no effect on claims
arising under federal or state securities laws and does not affect the
availability of injunctions and other equitable remedies available to the
Company's shareholders for any violation of a director's fiduciary duty to the
Company or its shareholders. Although the validity and scope of the legislation
underlying the provision have not yet been interpreted to any significant extent
by the California courts, the provision may relieve directors of monetary
liability to the Company for grossly negligent conduct, including conduct in
situations involving attempted takeovers of the Company.
 
    In accordance with Section 317, the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended (the "Articles"), of the Company limits the liability of a director to
the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent
permissible under California law, and authorizes the Company to provide
indemnification to its agents (including officers and directors), subject to the
limitations set forth above. The Company's Bylaws further provide for
indemnification of corporate agents to the maximum extent permitted by the
California General Corporation Law.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
    Pursuant to the authority provided in the Articles, the Company has entered
into indemnification agreements with each of its officers and directors,
indemnifying them against certain potential liabilities that may arise as a
result of their service to the Company, and providing for certain other
protection.
 
    The Company also maintains insurance policies which insure its officers and
directors against certain liabilities.
 
    The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of the
statute, the Articles, the Bylaws and the agreements referred to above and are
qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<C>           <S>
      4.2(1)  Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended
      4.3(2)  By-Laws of Registrant, as amended
      4.4(3)  Form of Convertible Securities Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and
              each Selling Shareholder.
      4.5(3)  Form of Subordinated Debenture Due February 6, 2003 issued by the Registrant to
              each Selling Shareholder on February 6, 1998.
      4.6(3)  Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and each Selling Shareholder.
      4.7     Form of Subordinated Debenture due February 6, 2003 issued by the Registrant to
              each Selling Shareholder on June 16, 1998.
      5.1     Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
     10.1(4)  Subscription Agreement dated December 29, 1995 between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
     10.2(5)  Subscription Agreement dated June 28, 1996 between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
     10.3(5)  Amendment No. 1 dated July 8, 1996 to the December 29, 1995 Subscription Agreement
              and the June 28, 1996 Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
     10.4(6)  Amendment No. 2 dated June 10, 1997 to the December 29, 1995 Subscription Agreement
              and the June 28, 1996 Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
     10.5(7)  The Ross Systems, Inc. 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan
     10.6(8)  Warrant Exercise Notice between Registrant and Fletcher International Limited dated
              April 23, 1998
     10.7(8)  Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Notice between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited dated April 24, 1998
     10.8(9)  Lease Agreement dated January 9, 1998 for Registrant's facilities at Two Concourse
              Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia
     23.1     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Accountants
     23.2     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Auditors
     23.3     Consent of KPMG, Independent Auditors
     23.4     Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
     24.1     Power of Attorney (included at page II-3)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Registrant's December
    31, 1995 Form 10-Q Report, as amended by the exhibits filed by the
    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 13, 1996.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
(2) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Registrant's Annual
    Report on Form 10-K filed September 27, 1993.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1998.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1995 filed
    February 14, 1996.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996 filed
    November 8, 1996.
 
(6) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual
    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997 filed September 29,
    1997.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit D of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy
    Statement filed October 8, 1997 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
    on November 19, 1997.
 
(8) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Registrant's
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 6, 1998.
 
(9) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998 filed May
    15, 1998.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    1.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
        (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sale are being made, a
    post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
            (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
       Securities Act;
 
            (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
       the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
       post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
       represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
       Registration Statement;
 
           (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
       distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or
       any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
 
    provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraph (i) and (ii)
    above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
    post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
    reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
    Securities Exchange of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
    reference in this Registration Statement.
 
        (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
    new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and
    the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
    initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
        (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of the offering.
 
    2.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    3.  Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    4.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
    the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
    Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
    prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
    497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
    Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
    be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
    offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
    deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on July 6, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                By             /s/ ROBERT B. WEBSTER
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                 Robert B. Webster,
                                     VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
</TABLE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints, Dennis V. Vohs and Robert B. Webster, jointly
and severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Amendment, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully as to
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
 
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                  DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  ---------------
 
                                Chairman of the Board and
      /s/ DENNIS V. VOHS          Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Executive       July 6, 1998
       (Dennis V. Vohs)           Officer)
 
                                Vice President, Chief
    /s/ ROBERT B. WEBSTER         Financial Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and   July 6, 1998
     (Robert B. Webster)          Accounting Officer) and
                                  Secretary
 
    /s/ J. WILLIAM GOODHEW
- ------------------------------  Director                     July 6, 1998
     (J. William Goodhew)
 
     /s/ MARIO M. ROSATI
- ------------------------------  Director                     July 6, 1998
      (Mario M. Rosati)
 
- ------------------------------  Director
       (Bruce J. Ryan)
 
    /s/ J. PATRICK TINLEY
- ------------------------------  Director                     July 6, 1998
     (J. Patrick Tinley)
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<C>           <S>
      4.2(1)  Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended
 
      4.3(2)  By-Laws of Registrant, as amended
 
      4.4(3)  Form of Convertible Securities Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and
              each Selling Shareholder.
 
      4.5(3)  Form of Subordinated Debenture Due February 6, 2003 issued by the Registrant to
              each Selling Shareholder on February 6, 1998.
 
      4.6(3)  Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and each Selling Shareholder.
 
      4.7     Form of Subordinated Debenture due February 6, 2003 issued by the Registrant to
              each Selling Shareholder on June 16, 1998.
 
      5.1     Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
 
     10.1(4)  Subscription Agreement dated December 29, 1995 between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
 
     10.2(5)  Subscription Agreement dated June 28, 1996 between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
 
     10.3(5)  Amendment No. 1 dated July 8, 1996 to the December 29, 1995 Subscription Agreement
              and the June 28, 1996 Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
 
     10.4(6)  Amendment No. 2 dated June 10, 1997 to the December 29, 1995 Subscription Agreement
              and the June 28, 1996 Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited
 
     10.5(7)  The Ross Systems, Inc. 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan
 
     10.6(8)  Warrant Exercise Notice between Registrant and Fletcher International Limited dated
              April 23, 1998
 
     10.7(8)  Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Notice between Registrant and Fletcher
              International Limited dated April 24, 1998
 
     10.8(9)  Lease Agreement dated January 9, 1998 for Registrant's facilities at Two Concourse
              Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia
 
     23.1     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Accountants
 
     23.2     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Auditors
 
     23.3     Consent of KPMG, Independent Auditors
 
     23.4     Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 
     24.1     Power of Attorney (included at page II-3)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Registrant's December
    31, 1995 Form 10-Q Report, as amended by the exhibits filed by the
    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 13, 1996.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Registrant's Annual
    Report on Form 10-K filed September 27, 1993.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1998.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1995 filed
    February 14, 1996.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996 filed
    November 8, 1996.
<PAGE>
(6) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual
    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997 filed September 29,
    1997.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit D of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy
    Statement filed October 8, 1997 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
    on November 19, 1997.
 
(8) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Registrant's
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 6, 1998.
 
(9) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998 filed May
    15, 1998.

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.7


PURSUANT TO A DEBT SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 6, 1998, IN FAVOR OF
COAST BUSINESS CREDIT, THIS DEBENTURE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE COAST DEBT (AS
DEFINED IN THE DEBT SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT).

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SAID
ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

No. CSD-98___                                                    $_____________
                                          
                                 ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.

              CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 6, 2003

      THIS DEBENTURE ("Debenture") is one of a duly authorized issue of
Debentures of Ross Systems, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of California (the "Company"), designated as its
Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due February 6, 2003 (the "Debentures").

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company promises to pay to ________________, the
holder hereof, or its order (the "Holder"), the principal sum of
________________________________ United States Dollars (U.S. $____________) on
February 6, 2003 (subject to extension as provided herein, the "Maturity Date")
and to pay interest on the principal sum outstanding under this Debenture
("Outstanding Principal Amount"), at the rate of 4% per annum for the period
commencing on the date of issuance and ending on the date six months therefrom,
and at the rate of 6% per annum thereafter, in all cases due and payable semi-
annually in arrears on the last day of June and December of each year (each an
"Interest Payment Date"), with the first such payment due on June 30, 1998. 
Interest shall be calculated based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. 
Accrual of interest shall commence on the most recent date on which interest has
been paid, or if no interest has been paid, on the first business day to occur
after the date hereof and shall continue until the following Interest Payment
Date.  The interest so payable will be paid to the person in whose name this
Debenture (or one or more predecessor Debentures) is registered on the records
of the Company regarding registration and transfer of the Debentures (the
"Debenture Register") at the close of business on the record date for interest
payable on such Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that the Company's
obligation to a transferee of this Debenture arises only if such transfer, sale
or other disposition is made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Convertible Securities Subscription Agreement dated as of February 6, 1998
between the Company and the Subscriber named therein (the "Subscription
Agreement").  The principal of 

                                       
<PAGE>

this Debenture is payable in such coin or currency of the United States of 
America as of the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and 
private debts, at the address last appearing on the Debenture Registrar of 
the Company as designated in writing by the Holder hereof from time to time.  
The interest on this Debenture for each Interest Payment Date shall be 
payable in shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value ("Common 
Stock"), valued at the average of the two lowest closing bid prices for the 
Common Stock as reported by the Bloomberg Service for the thirty (30) trading 
days immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date ("PIK Interest"). The 
Company shall deliver to the Holder within five (5) business days after the 
applicable Interest Payment Date a statement in the form of Exhibit 2 hereto 
("PIK Statement").  The Company shall cause such shares of Common Stock 
representing the PIK Interest to be issued and delivered within 10 calendar 
days following the applicable Interest Payment Date. The record date for any 
interest payment shall be the tenth (10th) day prior to the applicable 
Interest Payment Date.  Payments shall be sent by overnight courier or 
two-day courier to such Holder at the last address appearing on the Debenture 
Register for such payments.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the 
Outstanding Principal Amount and interest due hereunder shall bear interest, 
from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of a default 
hereunder, at the rate equal to the lower of twenty percent (20%) per annum 
or the highest rate permitted by applicable law to be charged on commercial 
loans.  In the event the Company pays any interest on the Debenture and it is 
determined that such interest was paid at a rate in excess of the legal 
maximum rate, then that portion of the interest payment representing an 
amount in excess of the legal maximum rate shall be deemed a payment of 
principal and shall be applied against the principal of the Debenture.

            This Debenture is subject to the following additional provisions:

            1.    EXCHANGE.  The Debentures in minimum principal amount of
$50,000, are exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of Debentures
of different denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 
No service charge will be made for such registration or transfer or exchange.

            2.    [Intentionally Omitted]

            3.    TRANSFERS.  This Debenture has been issued subject to
investment representations of the original purchaser hereof and may be
transferred or exchanged in the United States only in compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and applicable state securities
laws.  Prior to due presentment for transfer of this Debenture, the Company may
treat the person in whose name this Debenture is duly registered on the
Company's Debenture Register as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving
payment as herein provided and all other purposes, whether or not this Debenture
be overdue, and the Company shall not be affected by notice to the contrary.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>

            4.    DEFINITIONS.  For purposes hereof the following definitions
shall apply: 

                  "CLOSING DATE"  shall mean the date of original issuance of
this Debenture and "SECOND CLOSING DATE" shall mean June 15, 1998.

                  "COMMON STOCK"  shall mean the Common Stock, no par value, of
the Company.
                  
                  "CONVERSION DATE MARKET PRICE"  shall mean, unless 
otherwise specified herein, an amount that is equal to the lesser of (a) the 
Maximum Conversion Price or (b) 101% of the average of the two lowest closing 
bid prices of the Common Stock as reported by the Bloomberg Service for the 
thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the Holder Conversion Date, 
subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in Paragraph 8 hereof 
and/or in the Subscription Agreement and/or Registration Rights Agreement (as 
defined in the Subscription Agreement).

                  "CONVERSION DEFAULT" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 10(b).

                  "CONVERSION NOTICE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 6(c).

                  "CONVERSION RATE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 6(b).

                  "HOLDER CONVERSION DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 6(c).

                  "MARKET PRICE FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK" shall mean the price
of one share of Common Stock determined as follows: 

                    (i)       If the Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq, the
closing bid price as reported by the Bloomberg Service on the date of valuation;

                    (ii)      If the Common Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange, the lowest reported sales price on such exchange on the
date of valuation;

                    (iii)     If neither (i) nor (ii) apply but the Common Stock
is quoted in the over-the-counter market on the pink sheets or bulletin board,
the lesser of (A) the lowest sales price or (B) the mean between the last
reported "bid" and "asked" prices thereof on the date of valuation; and

                    (iv)      If neither clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above
applies, the market value as determined by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm or other nationally recognized financial advisor retained by the
Company for such purpose, taking into consideration, among other factors, the
earnings history, book value and prospects for the Company, and the prices at
which shares of Common Stock recently have been traded.  Such determination
shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>

                  "MAXIMUM CONVERSION PRICE" shall mean (i) for the period
commencing on the date of original issuance of this Debenture and ending
December 31, 1998, the amount of $7.00; provided, however, that in the event
that during the period expiring ninety (90) days following the Closing Date, the
Company offers, sells, contracts to sell or otherwise issues or agrees to issue
any securities of the Company, convertible or otherwise, in a private placement
financing transaction (other than pursuant to any existing plans or obligations
of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.4 attached to the Convertible
Securities Subscription Agreement between the Company and the Holder), with a
maximum conversion price per share of Common Stock of, or in the case of a
Common Stock offering a purchase price per share equal to, an amount less than
$7.00, then the "Maximum Conversion Price" for such period ending December 31,
1998 shall mean such lower conversion price or offer price per share; and
provided further, that in the event of any stock split, subdivision,
combination, reorganization, exchange, substitution or reclassification, such
Maximum Conversion Price shall be equitably and appropriately adjusted to
reflect such change; and (ii) for the period commencing January 1, 1999, 115% of
the average closing bid price of the Common Stock as reported by the Bloomberg
Service over the 1998 calendar year.

                  "PARAGRAPH 5 TRANSACTION" shall mean a merger, consolidation,
or other transaction referred to in Paragraph 5.

                  "POST-DEFAULT CONVERSION" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 10(b).

                  "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set
forth in the Subscription Agreement.

                  "SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth on
page 1 of this Debenture.

                  "UNDERLYING SHARES" shall mean (unless otherwise indicated
where used) the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture and the
Common Stock issued as PIK Interest.

            5.    PARAGRAPH 5 TRANSACTIONS.  If at any time (i) there occurs any
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or
other entity or person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation)
or there occurs any other corporate reorganization or transaction or series of
related transactions, and as a result thereof the shareholders of the Company
pursuant to such merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction own
in the aggregate less than 50% of the voting power and common equity of the
ultimate parent corporation or other entity surviving or resulting from such
merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction, (ii) the Company
transfers all or substantially all of the Company's assets to another
corporation or other entity or person or (iii) the Company shall fix a record
date for the declaration of a material special distribution or dividend, whether
payable in cash, securities or assets (other than shares of Common Stock) (a
"Paragraph 5 Transaction"), then subject to the Company's prior redemption
rights as provided in Paragraph 

                                       -4-
<PAGE>

5A below, the Holder of this Debenture, at its option, (a) may participate in 
any such transaction as a class with common stockholders on the same basis as 
if the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Debenture had been converted one 
day prior to the announcement of such transaction, provided that in the event 
of a transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) of this Paragraph 5, the 
Holder elects to convert (which election may be made contingent on the 
consummation of such transaction); or (b) may require that the Company redeem 
this Debenture at a redemption price equal to 115% of the then Outstanding 
Principal Amount of the Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest on the 
Debenture.  Notice of the Holder's election under this Paragraph 5 shall be 
given not less than five (5) days prior to the effective date of such 
transaction.

            5A.   REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY.  This Debenture may
not be redeemed or prepaid by the Company at its option except in accordance
with the terms of this Section 5A.

            (a)   (i) At any time during the period ending 180 days after the
Second Closing Date ("Initial Redemption Period"), the Company may, at its
option and for any reason, redeem any part of this Debenture which is then
outstanding, in whole but not in part, for cash at a redemption price equal to
(x) during the first 90 days of the Initial Redemption Period, 104% of the then
Outstanding Principal Amount of the Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest
on the Debenture, and (y) during the period from day 91 of the Initial
Redemption Period through the end of the Initial Redemption Period, 108% of the
then Outstanding Principal Amount of the Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid
interest on the Debenture; provided that the Company shall have funds legally
available for such redemption and that the notice provisions of paragraph
5A(b)(i) have been complied with.

                  (ii) If at any time during the period commencing 181 days
after the Second Closing Date and ending, to the extent this Debenture remains
outstanding, on the last day prior to the Maturity Date ("Special Redemption
Period"), there may occur a transaction described in clause (i) of Paragraph 5,
the Company shall have the right to redeem any part of this Debenture which
shall remain outstanding on the effective date of such Paragraph 5(i)
transaction for cash at a redemption price equal to 120% of the then Outstanding
Principal Amount of the Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest on the
Debenture; provided that the Company shall have funds legally available for such
redemption, that the notice provisions of paragraph 5A(b)(ii) have been complied
with, and that the Holder may elect to convert all or any part of this Debenture
prior to such redemption date at a conversion date market price equal to the
lesser of (x) the Maximum Conversion Price or (y) 101% of the average of the two
lowest closing bid prices of the Common Stock as reported by the Bloomberg
Service for the sixty (60) trading days immediately preceding the date of the
public announcement by the Company of such Paragraph 5(i) transaction, which
conversion may, at the Holder's option, be conditioned upon the effectiveness of
the Paragraph 5(i) transaction.

            (b)   (i) Notice of the Company's intention to redeem this Debenture
during the Initial Redemption Period pursuant to paragraph 5A(a)(i) above, shall
be given not less than twenty (20) days prior to the date of redemption of this
Debenture by personal delivery or by 

                                       -5-
<PAGE>

facsimile, followed by two-day courier to the Holder of this Debenture at the 
address of the Holder provided for such notices.  Each such notice shall 
state: (I) a redemption date not less than twenty (20) days following the 
date of mailing of the notice; (II) the place or places where this Debenture 
is to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (III) that interest 
on this Debenture will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (IV) that 
the Holder may elect to convert such Debenture prior to such redemption date 
to the extent otherwise convertible.

                  (ii) Notice of the Company's intention to redeem this
Debenture during the Special Redemption Period pursuant to paragraph 5A(a)(ii)
above, shall be given not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of
redemption of this Debenture by personal delivery or by facsimile, followed by
two-day courier to the Holder of this Debenture at this address of the Holder
provided for such notices.  Such notice shall state:  (I) the circumstances
giving rise to the Company's redemption; (II) a redemption date not less than
sixty (60) days following the date of mailing of the notice, which sixty (60)
day period shall be extended by that number of days following the date of
mailing the notice during which a Blocking Notice is in effect pursuant to
Section 5A of the Registration Rights Agreement; (III) whether such redemption
is conditioned on the effectiveness of the Paragraph 5(i) transaction giving
rise to the redemption right; (IV) the place or places where and the date on
which this Debenture is to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
(V) that interest on the Debenture will cease to accrue on such redemption date;
and (VI) that the Holder may elect to convert such Debenture on or prior to such
redemption date pursuant to the special conversion terms specified in paragraph
5A(a)(ii), above.

            (c)   Notice having been mailed as aforesaid, from and after the
redemption date (unless default shall be made by the Company in providing money
for the payment of the redemption price) interest on the Debenture so called for
redemption shall cease to accrue.  Upon surrender in accordance with such
redemption notice of this Debenture, this Debenture shall be redeemed by the
Company at the redemption price.

            6.    CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.  The Holder of this
Debenture shall have the following conversion rights.

                  (a)   HOLDER'S RIGHT TO CONVERT.  This Debenture shall be
convertible at any time on or after one hundred twenty (120) days after the
Second Closing Date (unless previously redeemed), in whole or in part, at the
option of the Holder hereof, into fully paid, validly issued and nonassessable
shares of Common Stock.  If this Debenture is converted in part, the remaining
portion of this Debenture not so converted shall remain entitled to the
conversion and other rights provided herein.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

                  (b)   CONVERSION PRICE FOR HOLDER CONVERTED SHARES.  The
Outstanding Principal Amount of this Debenture that is converted into shares of
Common Stock at the option of the Holder shall be convertible into the number of
shares of Common Stock which results from application of the following formula:
                                          
                                        P+I

                            ----------------------------
                                          
                            Conversion Date Market Price

     P = Outstanding Principal Amount of this Debenture submitted for conversion
      
     I = accrued but unpaid interest on P as of the Holder Conversion Date

                        The number of shares of Common Stock into which each
$1,000 principal amount of this Debenture hereto may be converted pursuant to
this paragraph hereof is hereafter referred to as the "Conversion Rate."
                        

                  (c)   MECHANICS OF CONVERSION.  In order to convert this
Debenture (in whole or in part) into full shares of Common Stock, the Holder
shall surrender this Debenture, duly endorsed, by either overnight courier or 
2-day courier, to the principal office of the Company, and shall give written
notice in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto (the "Conversion Notice") by facsimile
(with the original of such notice forwarded with the foregoing courier) to the
Company at such office that the Holder elects to convert the Outstanding
Principal Amount (plus accrued but unpaid interest) specified therein, which
such notice and election shall be irrevocable by the Holder, subject to the
conditional conversion rights afforded the Holder in paragraph 5A above and
subject to the second paragraph of this paragraph 6(c), PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares
of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless either the Debenture
evidencing the Outstanding Principal Amount is delivered to the Company as
provided above, or the Holder notifies the Company that such Debenture(s) have
been lost, stolen or destroyed and promptly executes an agreement reasonably
satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss incurred by
it in connection with such Debentures.

                        The Company shall use its best efforts to issue and
deliver within three (3) business days after delivery to the Company of such
Debenture(s), or after receipt of such agreement and indemnification, to the
Holder of such Debenture(s) at the address of the Holder, or to its designee, a
certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which
the Holder shall be entitled as aforesaid, together with a calculation of the
Conversion Rate and a Debenture or Debentures for the principal amount of
Debentures not submitted for conversion.  In addition to any other remedies
which may be available to the Holder, in the event the Company fails to effect a
delivery of such shares of Common Stock within five (5) business days after
delivery to the Company of such Debentures for conversion, the Holder will be
entitled to revoke the relevant Notice of Conversion by delivering a notice to
such effect to the 

                                       -7-
<PAGE>

Company whereupon the Company and the Holder shall each be restored to their 
respective positions immediately prior to delivery of such Notice of 
Conversion.  Unless otherwise specified in this Debenture, the effective date 
of conversion (the "Holder Conversion Date") shall be deemed to be the date 
on which the Company receives by facsimile the Conversion Notice, and the 
person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable 
upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder 
or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date.

            7.    CONVERSION UPON MATURITY.  At the Maturity Date, the 
Outstanding Principal Amount of Debentures outstanding (plus all accrued and 
unpaid interest) at such time shall be automatically converted into shares of 
Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Debenture, 
the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, without 
notice. The Company shall use its best efforts to issue and deliver within 
three (3) business days after delivery to the Company of this Debenture, or 
after receipt of the agreement and indemnification described in paragraph 
6(c) above, to the Holder of the Debenture at the address of the Holder, or 
to its designee, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of 
Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled hereunder, together with a 
calculation of the Conversion Rate.  The person or persons entitled to 
receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be 
treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of 
Common Stock on the Maturity Date. The Maturity Date shall be a "Holder 
Conversion Date" for purposes of this Debenture.

            8.    STOCK SPLITS; DIVIDENDS; ADJUSTMENTS; REORGANIZATIONS.

                  (a)   STOCK SPLITS AND COMBINATIONS.  The Company shall not 
effect any stock split, subdivision or combination with an effective date 
within thirty (30) trading days of the Maturity Date.

                  (b)   CERTAIN DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  The Company 
shall not make, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of 
Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in 
additional shares of Common Stock, with an effective date within thirty (30) 
trading days of the Maturity Date.

                  (c)   ADJUSTMENT FOR DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. If at any 
time not prohibited by paragraph 8(a) or (b), the number of outstanding 
shares of Common Stock is changed by a stock split, subdivision, combination 
or stock dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of 
Common Stock, and if the record date for such change occurs during a period 
that is used to determine the number of shares of Common Stock into which the 
Debenture is converted, then and in each such event the formulae set forth 
herein for conversion shall be equitably adjusted to reflect such change in 
number of shares.  In the event the Company at any time or from time to time 
after the Closing Date makes, or fixes a record date for the determination of 
holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution 
payable in securities of the Company other than shares of Common Stock, then 
and in each such event provision shall be made so that the Holders of 
Debentures shall receive upon conversion thereof pursuant to Paragraph 6 
hereof, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock 

                                       -8-
<PAGE>

receivable thereupon, the amount of such other securities of the Company to 
which a Holder on the relevant record or payment date, as applicable, of the 
number of shares of Common Stock so receivable upon conversion would have 
been entitled, plus any dividends or other distributions which would have 
been received with respect to such securities had such Holder thereafter, 
during the period from the date of such event to and including the Holder 
Conversion Date, retained such securities, subject to all other adjustments 
called for during such period under this Paragraph 8 with respect to the 
rights of the Holders of the Debentures.  For purposes of this Paragraph 
8(c), the number of shares of Common Stock so receivable upon conversion by 
the Holder shall be deemed to be that number which the Holder would have 
received upon conversion of the entire Outstanding Principal Amount (plus 
accrued and unpaid interest) hereof if the Holder Conversion Date had been 
the day preceding the date upon which the Company announced the making of 
such dividend or other distribution.

                  (d)   ADJUSTMENT FOR RECLASSIFICATION, EXCHANGE AND 
SUBSTITUTION.  In the event that at any time or from time to time after the 
Closing Date, the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Debentures 
is changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or 
classes of stock, whether by recapitalization, reclassification or otherwise 
(other than a subdivision or combination of shares or stock dividend or 
reorganization provided for elsewhere in this Paragraph 8 or a merger or 
consolidation, provided for in Paragraph 5), then and in each such event each 
Holder of Debentures shall have the right thereafter to convert such 
Debenture into the kind of stock receivable upon such recapitalization, 
reclassification or other change by holders of shares of Common Stock, all 
subject to further adjustment as provided herein.  In such event, the 
formulae set forth herein for conversion and redemption shall be equitably 
adjusted to reflect such change in number of shares or, if shares of a new 
class of stock are issued, to reflect the market price of the class or 
classes of stock (applying the same factors used in determining the Market 
Price for Shares of Common Stock) issued in connection with the above 
described transaction.

                  (e)   REORGANIZATIONS.  If at any time or from time to time 
after the Closing Date there is a capital reorganization of the Common Stock 
(other than a recapitalization, subdivision, combination, reclassification or 
exchange of shares provided for elsewhere in this Paragraph 8) then, as a 
part of such reorganization, provision shall be made so that the Holders of 
the Debentures shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion of the 
Debentures the number of shares of stock or other securities or property to 
which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon 
conversion would have been entitled on such capital reorganization.  In any 
such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the 
provisions of this Paragraph 8 with respect to the rights of the Holders of 
the Debentures after the reorganization to the end that the provisions of 
this Paragraph 8 shall be applicable after that event and be as nearly 
equivalent as may be practicable, including, by way of illustration and not 
limitation, by equitably adjusting the formulae set forth herein for 
conversion and redemption to reflect the market price of the securities or 
property (applying the same factors used in determining the Market Price for 
Shares of Common Stock) issued in connection with the above described 
transaction.

                                       -9-
<PAGE>

                  (f)   In the event of a dispute between a Holder of 
Debentures and the Company with respect to any of the adjustments required 
pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph 8, then the Debentures shall be 
converted in a manner consistent with the Schedule of Computations delivered 
as set forth in paragraph (g) below.  Such Holder of Debentures shall then be 
entitled, within 60 days of receipt of the Schedule of Computations, to 
submit such dispute to the American Arbitration Association for resolution 
according to then applicable rules thereof, which determination shall be 
final and binding.  If it shall be determined that a Holder of Debentures 
should have received additional shares of Common Stock upon such conversion 
(the "Undelivered Shares") then, within three trading days of receipt of 
written notice of such determination, the Company shall issue to such holder 
that number of additional shares of Common Stock as shall have a value, based 
upon the then Market Price for Shares of Common Stock, as shall equal the 
Undelivered Shares times the Market Price for Shares of Common Stock on the 
date of conversion.  The cost of such proceeding shall be shared 50% by the 
Holder or Holders of Debentures involved in such dispute and 50% by the 
Company, except that the prevailing party, as determined by the arbitrator 
presiding over the arbitration, shall be entitled to recover reasonable 
attorney's fees, in addition to other costs and expenses and any other 
available remedy.

                  (g)   The Company shall notify, in writing, the Holders of 
the Debentures of all adjustments pursuant to this Paragraph 8 within three 
(3) trading days of the occurrence thereof and such notice shall be 
accompanied by a Schedule of Computations of such adjustments.  If so 
requested by a Holder of this Debenture, the Company shall provide to such 
Holder within ten (10) trading days of its request therefor a certificate of 
concurrence to the Schedule of Computations by the independent public 
accountants of the Company.

            9.    FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No fractional shares of Common Stock or 
scrip representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issuable 
hereunder.  The number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon any 
conversion shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share.

            10.   RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION.

                  (a)   RESERVATION REQUIREMENT.  The Company shall reserve 
and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights shares of Common 
Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy any obligation to 
issue shares of its Common Stock upon conversion of all of the Debentures 
pursuant hereto.

                  (b)   DEFAULT.  If the Company does not have a sufficient 
number of shares of Common Stock available to satisfy the Company's 
obligations to a Holder of Debentures upon receipt of a Conversion Notice or 
is otherwise unable to issue such shares of Common Stock in accordance with 
the terms of this Agreement and such condition shall remain unremedied for a 
period of thirty (30) days after the Company's receipt of a Conversion Notice 
(a "CONVERSION DEFAULT"), then from and after the fifth (5th) day following a 
Conversion Default (which for all purposes shall be deemed to have occurred 
upon the expiration of the applicable cure period following the Company's 
receipt of the applicable Conversion Notice), each Holder 

                                       -10-
<PAGE>

of the Debentures shall have the right to demand from the Company immediate 
redemption of the Debentures in cash at a redemption price per Debenture 
equal to 120% of the then Outstanding Principal Amount of the Debenture 
(including Debentures for which a Conversion Notice has not yet been sent), 
plus accrued but unpaid interest on the Debenture.  Within three days of the 
occurrence of a Conversion Default, the Company shall notify each Holder in 
writing of such occurrence.  No notice of redemption may be delivered by a 
Holder subsequent to receipt by such Holder of notice from the Company (sent 
by overnight or 2-day courier with a copy sent by facsimile) of availability 
of sufficient shares of Common Stock to perfect conversion (a "POST-DEFAULT 
CONVERSION") of all the Debentures; PROVIDED FURTHER that such right to 
demand redemption shall be reinstated if the Company shall thereafter fail to 
perfect such Post-Default Conversion by delivery of Common Stock certificates 
in accordance with the applicable provisions of Paragraph 6(b) hereof and 
payment of all accrued and unpaid interest in cash with respect thereto 
within five business days of delivery of the notice of Post-Default 
Conversion.  In addition to the foregoing, upon a Conversion Default, the 
rate of interest on all of the Debentures (including Debentures for which a 
Conversion Notice has not yet been sent), shall, to the maximum extent 
allowed by applicable law, be permanently increased by two percent (2%) per 
annum (i.e., from 6% to 8%) commencing on the first day of the thirty (30) 
day period (or part thereof) following a Conversion Default; an additional 
two percent (2%) per annum commencing on the first day of each of the second 
and third such thirty (30) day periods (or part thereof); and an additional 
one percent (1%) per annum on the first day of each consecutive thirty (30) 
day period (or part thereof) thereafter until such securities have been duly 
converted or redeemed as herein provided; provided that in no event shall the 
rate of interest exceed the lower of 20% or the highest rate permitted by 
applicable law to be charged on commercial loans.  Any such interest which is 
not paid when due shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, accrue 
interest until paid at the rate from time to time applicable to interest on 
the Debentures as to which the Conversion Default has occurred.  In the event 
the Company pays any interest on the Debentures and it is determined that 
such interest was paid at a rate in excess of the legal maximum rate, then 
that portion of the interest payment representing an amount in excess of the 
legal maximum rate shall be deemed a payment of principal and shall be 
applied against the principal of the Debenture.

            11.   NO REISSUANCE OF DEBENTURES.  No Debentures acquired by the
Company by reason of redemption, purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be
reissued, and all such Debentures shall be retired.  No additional Debentures
shall be authorized or issued without the consent of at least 66 2/3% in
interest of the Holders of Debentures outstanding immediately prior thereto.

            12.   NO IMPAIRMENT.  The Company shall not intentionally take any
action which would impair the rights and privileges of the Debentures set forth
herein or the Holders thereof.

            13.   HOLDER'S RIGHTS IF SHARES ARE DELISTED OR IF TRADING IN COMMON
STOCK IS SUSPENDED.  In the event that at any time on or after the date hereof,
and prior to the Maturity Date, trading in the shares of the Company's Common
Stock is suspended on the Nasdaq 

                                       -11-
<PAGE>

National Market (and the Company's Common Stock does not contemporaneously 
commence trading on a national securities exchange system) for a period of 
five consecutive trading days, other than as a result of the suspension of 
trading in securities in general, or if such Shares are delisted from the 
Nasdaq National Market then, at a Holder's option, the Company shall redeem 
such Holder's Debentures at a redemption date designated by such Holder, and 
at the redemption price equal to 120% of the then Outstanding Principal 
Amount of this Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest on this Debenture.

            14.   LIMITATIONS ON HOLDER'S RIGHT TO CONVERT.  (a) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, each Conversion Notice shall contain
a representation that, after giving effect to the shares of the Company's Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion notice, the total number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock deemed beneficially owned by the Holder
(excluding shares that might otherwise be deemed beneficially owned by reason of
the conversion right in the Debentures owned by the Holder), together with all
shares of the Company's Common Stock deemed beneficially owned by the Holder's
"affiliates" as defined in Rule 144 of the Act, will not exceed 4.9% of the
total issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.

                  (b)   In the event that upon presentation of a Conversion
Notice, the Company would be obligated to issue an amount of shares of Common
Stock which, when aggregated with all shares of Common Stock issued on
conversion of all Debentures, would exceed 19.99% of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on February 6, 1998 (such amount to be proportionately
and equitably adjusted from time to time in the event of stock dividends,
subdivisions, combinations, reclassifications, capital reorganizations and
similar events relating to the Common Stock) (the "Exchange Cap"), and such
issuance would constitute a breach of the Company's obligations under the rules
or regulations of Nasdaq as they apply to the Company, or any other principal
securities exchange or market upon which the Common Stock is or becomes traded
(the "Cap Regulations"), the Company shall not be obligated to issue any such
shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap.  Instead, the Company
shall immediately give notice of these facts to all Holders of outstanding
Debentures and shall within twenty (20) days of the Conversion Notice, commence
taking all steps reasonably necessary to be in a position to issue shares on
conversion in accordance with this Debenture without violating the Cap
Regulations, which steps shall include (but not be limited to) (i) the immediate
preparation of all necessary proxy solicitation materials for a meeting of the
shareholders; (ii) best efforts to obtain a waiver from the Cap Regulations for
the issuances hereunder; and (iii) the filing of such preliminary proxy
solicitation materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission within such
twenty (20) day period.  If within ninety (90) days of such Conversion Notice,
the Company still may not issue such shares without violating the Cap
Regulations, the Holder may elect to require the Company to redeem the Debenture
by providing the Company written notice which shall require redemption within
twenty (20) days at a redemption price equal to 115% of the Outstanding
Principal Amount which, if converted, would result in the issuance of shares of
Common Stock exceeding the Exchange Cap.  The Exchange Cap shall be allocated
among all outstanding Debentures pro rata based on the total Outstanding
Principal Amount of all Debentures then outstanding.

                                       -12-
<PAGE>

            15.   REGISTRATION SUSPENSION.  In the event that at any time or
from time to time any registration statement with respect to the Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of this Debenture is suspended or trading in the Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market System is suspended for a period of time
("Blackout Period"), the Maturity Date hereunder shall be extended for a period
equal to 1.5 times the number of days in such Blackout Period.  Furthermore,
additional provisions pertaining to the suspension of effectiveness of such
registration statement set forth in Paragraph 5A of the Registration Rights
Agreement shall be applicable in the event of a Blackout Period, and are
specifically incorporated by reference herein.

            16.   OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.  No provision of this Debenture, other
than conversion as provided herein, shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, and
interest on, this Debenture at the time, place and rate, and in the manner,
herein prescribed.

            17.   WAIVERS OF DEMAND, ETC.  The Company hereby expressly waives
demand and presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of
protest, notice of dishonor, notice of acceleration or intent to accelerate,
bringing of suit and diligence in taking any action to collect amounts called
for hereunder and will be directly and primarily liable for the payment of all
sums owing and to be owing hereon, regardless of and without any notice,
diligence, act or omission as or with respect to the collection of any amount
called for hereunder.

            18.   REPLACEMENT DEBENTURES.  In the event that any Holder notifies
the Company that its Debenture(s) have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the
Company will issue replacement Debenture(s) identical in all respects to the
original Debenture(s) (except for registration number and Outstanding Principal
Amount, if different than that shown on the original Debenture(s)), provided
that the Holder executes and delivers to the Company an agreement reasonably
satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss incurred by
it in connection with such Debenture(s).

            19.   PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.  The Company agrees to pay all reasonable
debts and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, which may be incurred
by the Holder in enforcing the provisions of this Debenture and/or collecting
any amount due under this Debenture, the Subscription Agreement or the
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Subscription Agreement).

            20.   DEFAULTS.  The following shall constitute "Events of Default":

                  (a)   The Company refuses at any time to honor any Conversion
Notice issued in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 6 hereof; or

                  (b)   The Company shall default in the payment of (i) interest
on this Debenture, and such default shall continue for three (3) business days
after the due date thereof, or (ii) the Outstanding Principal Amount of this
Debenture; or (iii) the redemption price on the applicable redemption date as
herein provided; or

                                       -13-
<PAGE>

                  (c)   Any of the representations or warranties made by the 
Company herein, in the Subscription Agreement, or in any certificate or 
financial or other statements heretofore or hereafter furnished by or on 
behalf of the Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this 
Debenture or the Subscription Agreement shall be false or misleading in any 
material respect at the time made and such condition (to the extent capable 
of being cured) shall continue uncured for a period of ten (10) business days 
after notice from the Holder of such condition; or

                  (d)   The Company shall fail to perform or observe in any 
material respect any covenant or agreement in the Subscription Agreement, or 
any other covenant, term, provision, condition, agreement or obligation of 
the Company under this Debenture and such failure shall continue uncured for 
a period of ten (10) business days after notice from the Holder of such 
failure; or

                  (e)   The Company shall (1) become insolvent; (2) admit in 
writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they mature; (3) make an 
assignment for the benefit of creditors or commence proceedings for its 
dissolution; or (4) apply for or consent to the appointment of a trustee, 
liquidator or receiver for it or for a substantial part of its property or 
business; or

                  (f)   A trustee, liquidator or receiver shall be appointed 
for the Company or for a substantial part of its property or business without 
its consent and shall not be discharged within sixty (60) days after such 
appointment; or

                  (g)   Any governmental agency or any court of competent
jurisdiction at the instance of any governmental agency shall assume custody or
control of the whole or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of
the Company and shall not be dismissed within sixty (60) days thereafter; or

                  (h)   Any money judgment (including any arbitration award, but
only if reduced to a judgment), writ or warrant of attachment, or similar
process in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) in the aggregate
shall be entered or filed against the Company or any of its properties or other
assets and shall remain unpaid, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of
sixty (60) days or in any event later than ten (10) days prior to the date of
any proposed sale thereunder; or

                  (i)   Bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or liquidation
proceedings or other proceedings, or relief under any bankruptcy law or any law
for the relief of debt shall be instituted by or against the Company and, if
instituted against the Company, shall not be dismissed within sixty (60) days
after such institution or the Company shall by any action or answer approve of,
consent to, or acquiesce in any such proceedings or admit to any material
allegations of, or default in answering a petition filed in any such proceeding.

Unless an Event of Default shall have been waived in writing by the Holder
(which waiver shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent default) at
the option of and (except in the case 

                                       -14-
<PAGE>

of clause (i) above) on notice by the Holder and in the Holder's sole 
discretion, the Holder may by notice to the Company declare the Debenture 
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice 
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything herein or in 
any other instruments contained to the contrary notwithstanding, and the 
Holder may immediately, and without expiration of any period of grace, 
enforce any and all of the Holder's rights and remedies provided herein or 
any other rights or remedies afforded by law.  In such event, the Debenture 
shall be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 120% of the Outstanding 
Principal Amount of the Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest on the 
Debenture.  In the event of a Default hereunder, the Company agrees to use 
commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy its senior lender (Coast Business 
Credit) to enable Holder to exercise all its rights and remedies hereunder.

            21.   SAVINGS CLAUSE.  In case any provision of this Debenture is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise
invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided,
if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the
validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Debenture will
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

            22.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Debenture and the agreements referred
to in this Debenture constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement
between the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject hereof.  Neither
this Debenture nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or
terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the Company and the
Holder.

            23.   ASSIGNMENT, ETC, The Holder may, subject to compliance with
the Subscription Agreement and to applicable Federal and state securities laws,
transfer or assign this Debenture or any interest herein and may mortgage,
encumber or transfer any of its rights or interest in and to this Debenture or
any part hereof and, without limitation, each assignee, transferee and mortgagee
(which may include any affiliate of the Holder) shall have the right to transfer
or assign its interest.  Each such assignment shall be in the minimum principal
amount of $50,000, or shall be all of the Holder's interest in the Debenture. 
Each such assignee, transferee and mortgagee shall have all of the rights of the
Holder under this Debenture.  The Company agrees that, subject to compliance
with the Subscription Agreement, after receipt by the Company of written notice
of assignment from the Holder or from the Holder's assignee, all principal,
interest and other amounts which are then and thereafter become due under this
Debenture shall be paid to such assignee at the place of payment designated in
such notice.  This Debenture shall be binding upon the Company and its
successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Holder and its successors and
assigns.

            24.   NO WAIVER.  No failure on the part of the Holder to exercise,
and no delay in exercising any right, remedy or power hereunder shall operate as
a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Holder of any
right, remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any
other right, remedy or power.  Each and every right, remedy or power hereby
granted to the Holder or allowed it by law or other agreement shall be

                                       -15-
<PAGE>

cumulative and not exclusive of any other, and may be exercised by the Holder
from time to time.

            25.   MISCELLANEOUS.  Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice
or other communication to a party hereunder shall be sufficiently given if in
writing and personally delivered or sent by facsimile to said party, followed by
two-day courier service, at its address set forth herein or such other address
as either may designate for itself in such notice to the other and
communications shall be deemed to have been received when delivered personally
or, if sent by facsimile, then when actually received by the party to whom it is
addressed.  Whenever the sense of this Debenture requires, words in the singular
shall be deemed to include the plural and words in the plural shall be deemed to
include the singular.  If more than one Company is named herein, the liability
of each shall be joint and several.  Paragraph headings are for convenience only
and shall not affect the meaning of this document.

            26.   CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THIS
DEBENTURE SHALL BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW OR CHOICE OF LAW.  The Company hereby
agrees that all actions or proceedings arising directly or indirectly from or in
connection with this Debenture shall, at the Holder's sole option, be litigated
only in the Supreme Court of the State of New York or the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York located in New York County, New
York.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company consents to the
jurisdiction and venue of the foregoing courts and consents that any process or
notice of motion or other application to either of said courts or a judge
thereof may be served inside or outside the State of New York or the Southern
District of New York by registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to
the Company at its address set forth in this Debenture (and service so made
shall be deemed complete five (5) days after the same has been posted as
aforesaid) or by personal service or in such other manner as may be permissible
under the rules of said courts.  The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a
jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Debenture.


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

                                        DATED: ____________________________

                                        ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                        By: _______________________________

                                        Print Name: _______________________

                                        Print Title: ______________________
ATTEST

______________________

                                       -16-
<PAGE>

                                     EXHIBIT 1

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

                                 CONVERSION NOTICE
                                        FOR
                     CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 6, 2003

The undersigned, as Holder of the Convertible Debenture Due February 6, 2003 of
Ross Systems, Inc. (the "Company"), No. CSD-98___, in the outstanding principal
amount of U.S. $_____________ (the "Debenture"), hereby irrevocably elects to
convert U.S. $__________ of the outstanding principal amount of the Debenture
into shares of Common Stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company
according to the conditions of the Debenture, as of the date written below.  The
undersigned hereby requests that share certificates for the Common Stock to be
issued to the undersigned pursuant to this Conversion Notice be issued in the
name of, and delivered to, the undersigned or its designee as indicated below. 
If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned,
the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto.  No
fee will be charged to the Holder for any conversion, except for transfer taxes,
if any.

The undersigned represents that, after giving effect to the shares of the
Company's Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion notice, the
total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock deemed beneficially owned
by the undersigned, together with all shares of the Company's Common Stock
deemed beneficially owned by the undersigned's "affiliates" as defined in Rule
144 of the Act, will not exceed 4.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares
of the Company's Common Stock.

Conversion Information:                    NAME OF HOLDER:


                                           By: ______________________________

                                           Print Name:

                                           Print Title:


                                           Print Address of Holder:
                                           __________________________________
                                           __________________________________

                                           Issue Common Stock to: ___________
                                           at: ______________________________

                                           Date of Conversion
                                           __________________________________
                                           Applicable Conversion Rate

                                       -17-
<PAGE>

                                     EXHIBIT 2

                                   PIK STATEMENT

Date: _____________

To:  [Name of Holder of Debenture] ("Holder")

RE:   CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 6, 2003 ("DEBENTURE") OF ROSS SYSTEMS,
      INC. (THE "COMPANY") NO. CSD-98___, IN THE FACE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF US
      $_____________.

            In payment of interest on the Debenture, for the Interest Payment
Date indicated below, the Company hereby certifies to the Holder that the
average of the two lowest closing bid prices for shares of the Company's common
stock, no par value ("Common Stock"), as reported by the Bloomberg Service for
the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date
indicated below was $______.  The Company further represents and warrants to the
Holder that _____ shares of Common Stock will be issued by the Company's
transfer agent to and in the name of the Holder and delivered to the Holder
within three (3) business days of the date hereof.  Capitalized terms used in
this PIK Statement and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in the Debenture.

      Interest Payment Date: _________________

      Outstanding Principal Amount on
      which interest is being paid:             US$___________
            
      PIK Interest:                             US$___________
            
            
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this PIK Statement has been duly executed and
delivered on the date first written above.

                                          ROSS SYSTEMS, INC.
                                          
                                          By: _______________________________
                                          Print Name:
                                          Print Title:

                                       -18-

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                  [LETTERHEAD]
 
                                  July 6, 1998
 
Ross Systems, Inc.
Two Concourse Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
 
  RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
     ------------------------------------
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Ross Systems,
Inc. (the "Company") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Registration Statement") on or about the date hereof, in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an offering by the
Company pursuant to Rule 415 of shares of the Company's Common Stock (the
"Shares").
 
    It is our opinion that upon issuance of the Shares by the Company in
accordance with the pertinent enabling resolutions of the Board of Directors of
the Company, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
 
    We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
                                          WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation
 
                                          /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement
of Ross Systems, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated August 21, 1997 on our
audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule
of Ross Systems, Inc. as of June 30, 1997 and 1996 and for the years ended June
30, 1997 and 1996, which report is included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption
"Experts."
 
/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Atlanta, Georgia
June 30, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
Ross Systems, Inc.:
 
    We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-3 of Ross Systems, Inc. of our report dated August 18, 1995, except as to
Note 14, which is as of September 18, 1996, relating to the consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year
ended June 30, 1995, of Ross Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries, and the related
schedule, which report appears in the June 30, 1997, annual report on Form 10-K
of Ross Systems, Inc., and to the reference to our Firm under the heading
"Experts" in the registration statement.
 
                                                       /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Mountain View, California
July 1, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
The Board of Directors
Ross Systems, Inc.
 
We consent to incorporation by reference this registration statement of Ross
Systems, Inc. ("the Company") on Form S-3 of our report dated September 26, 1996
relating to the combined balance sheets of Ross Systems (UK) Limited, Ross
Systems France S.A., Ross Systems Deutschland GmbH, Ross Systems Europe N.V.,
and Ross Systems Netherlands BV as of June 30, 1996 and the related combined
statements of operations and stockholders' equity for the year then ended and
the related schedule, which report appears in the June 30, 1997, annual report
on Form 10-K of the Company.
 
    Our report dated September 26, 1996 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company declined to present a statement of cash flows for the
year ended June 30, 1996. Presentation of such statement summarising the
Company's operating, investing and financing activities is required by generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
/s/ KPMG
 
KPMG CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
REGISTERED AUDITORS
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM
July 1, 1998


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