INTUIT INC
SC 13D, 1997-02-06
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1





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


                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                   UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





                              Checkfree Corporation
                                (Name of Issuer)

                          Common Stock, $0.01 par value
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  162812 10 1
                                 (CUSIP Number)


    Catherine L. Valentine, Esq.                Kenneth A. Linhares, Esq.
             Intuit Inc.                           Fenwick & West LLP
         2535 Garcia Avenue                       Two Palo Alto Square
      Mountain View, CA  94043                    Palo Alto, CA  94306
            (415) 944-6000                           (415) 494-0600

  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
                              and Communications)

                                January 27, 1997
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

      If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box |_|.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the
Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.


<PAGE>   2


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

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

CUSIP NO.         162812 10 1
- ---------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
   1   S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       INTUIT INC.; 77-0034661
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP             (A)  |_|
   2                                                                (B)  |_|

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS     AF; 00 (1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                |_|

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   DELAWARE (USA)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     7   SOLE VOTING POWER
      NUMBER
        OF               12,600,000
                   ------------------------------------------------------------
      SHARES         8   SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY
       OWNED             NOT APPLICABLE
                   ------------------------------------------------------------
        BY           9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
       EACH
     REPORTING           12,600,000
                   ------------------------------------------------------------
      PERSON         10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH
                         NOT APPLICABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

       12,600,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
         |_|

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

       23.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
       CO

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

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

(1)  See Item 3 of this Schedule 13D.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3



ITEM 1.     SECURITY AND ISSUER

            This statement relates to the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per
share ("Common Stock"), of Checkfree Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"). The 12,600,000 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock which are the
subject of this statement will be referred to as the "Shares" throughout this
statement. The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 4411
East Jones Bridge Road, Norcross, Georgia 30092.

ITEM 2.     IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

            This statement is filed on behalf of Intuit Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Intuit"). Intuit develops, markets and supports personal finance,
small business accounting, tax preparation and other consumer software products,
and related electronic services and supplies. The address of Intuit's principal
business and its principal office is 2535 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View,
California 94043.

            The following is a list of the directors and executive officers of
Intuit:


                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                PRESENT PRINCIPAL
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS          OCCUPATION              CITIZENSHIP
- -------------------------          ----------              -----------
<S>                              <C>                       <C> 
Christopher W. Brody             Managing Director, E.M.   United States
E. M. Warburg, Pincus & Co.,     Warburg, Pincus & Co.,    of America
Inc.                             Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017

William V. Campbell              President and Chief       United States
2535 Garcia Avenue               Executive Officer of      of America
Mountain View, CA 94043          Intuit

Scott D. Cook                    Chairman of the Board of  United States
2535 Garcia Avenue               Directors of Intuit       of America
Mountain View, CA 94043

L. John Doerr                    General Partner, Kleiner, United States
Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield &     Perkins, Caufield & Byers of America
Byers
2750 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025

Michael R. Hallman               President, The Hallman    United States
The Hallman Group                Group                     of America
15702 NE 135th Street
Redmond, WA 98502-1756
</TABLE>


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                       <C> 
Burton J. McMurtry               General Partner of the    United States
Technology Venture Investors     General Partner of        of America
2480 Sand Hill Road, Suite 101   Technology Venture
Menlo Park, CA 94025             Investors
</TABLE>


                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS      PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(1)   CITIZENSHIP
- -------------------------      -------------------------------   -----------
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
Scott D. Cook                    Chairman of the Board of         United
2535 Garcia Avenue               Directors                        States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
William V. Campbell              President, Chief Executive       United
2535 Garcia Avenue               Officer and Director             States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
Eric C.W. Dunn                   Senior Vice President            United
2535 Garcia Avenue                                                States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
Alan A. Gleicher                 Vice President                   United
2535 Garcia Avenue                                                States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
William H. Harris, Jr.           Executive Vice President         United
2535 Garcia Avenue                                                States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
James J. Heeger                  Chief Financial Officer and      United
2535 Garcia Avenue               Senior Vice President            States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
Virginia L. Miller               Corporate Treasurer and          United
2535 Garcia Avenue               Director of Investor             States of
Mountain View, CA 94043          Relations                        America
                                                                  
John Monson                      Senior Vice President            United
2535 Garcia Avenue                                                States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
                                                                  
Greg J. Santora                  Vice President and Chief         United
2535 Garcia Avenue               Accounting Officer               States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
</TABLE>


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
Catherine L. Valentine           General Counsel and Secretary    United
2535 Garcia Avenue                                                States of
Mountain View, CA 94043                                           America
</TABLE>

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

(1) The present principal occupation of all executive officers of Intuit is with
Intuit.

            During the last five years, neither Intuit nor, to the best of
Intuit's knowledge, any person named in this Item 2 has been: (a) convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); or
(b) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction as a result of which it was or is subject to a judgment,
decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, Federal or State securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.     SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

            Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of September
15, 1996, as amended (the "Plan") by and among the Issuer, Intuit, Checkfree
Acquisition Corporation II, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Issuer ("Acquisition") and Intuit Services Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Intuit ("ISC"), Intuit acquired the
Shares from the Issuer in consideration for the merger (the "Merger") of the
Issuer's wholly-owned subsidiary Acquisition with and into Intuit's wholly-owned
subsidiary ISC in a reverse triangular merger, pursuant to which the Issuer
acquired all of the outstanding stock of ISC. The Merger became effective on
January 27, 1997 (the "Effective Time").

ITEM 4.     PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

            The purpose of the acquisition of the Issuer's Shares was the merger
of the Issuer's wholly-owned subsidiary Acquisition with and into Intuit's
wholly-owned subsidiary ISC, in accordance with the Plan. On January 27, 1997,
the Issuer's stockholders approved the terms of the Plan. No approval of the
Plan was required by Intuit's stockholders. On January 27, 1997, the sole
stockholder of Acquisition and the sole stockholder of ISC each approved the
terms of the Plan. The Merger became effective by the filing of a Certificate of
Merger between Acquisition and ISC with the Delaware Secretary of State on
January 27, 1997.

            Prior to consummating the Merger, Intuit provided electronic home
banking and electronic bill payment services and other related on-line services
through its ISC subsidiary. Intuit concluded that it was in its best long-term
interests to focus the efforts of its management on Intuit's core business of
developing and marketing "front-end" software products and services, rather than
devoting substantial management time and effort to building ISC's transactions
processing business. Accordingly, Intuit elected to dispose of the ISC business
to Checkfree in the Merger in exchange for the Shares in order to achieve this
objective while retaining an indirect interest in ISC's business through an
ownership stake in Checkfree Common Stock.

      (a)   To account for its investment in the Shares on the cost method of
            accounting, Intuit must ultimately retain less than twenty
            percent (20%) of the outstanding 


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

            Common Stock of Checkfree. Accordingly, Intuit currently intends to
            meet this requirement by selling approximately 2,000,000 Checkfree
            Shares within several months following registration of the resale of
            the Shares by Checkfree under the Securities Act of 1933, as
            amended. Such sales may be made through open market sales in
            accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
            amended, by the exercise of registration rights granted to Intuit by
            Checkfree in the Merger (see Item 6 below), through private sales,
            through broker-dealers, directly to one or more purchasers or
            otherwise. The exact number of Shares to be sold, and the price or
            manner of such anticipated sales, has not been finally determined.
            Further sales of Shares may be made by Intuit in the future, but no
            such sales are currently planned. Intuit does not have any plans or
            proposals which would relate to or would result in the acquisition
            of additional securities of the Issuer.

      (b)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in an extraordinary corporate transaction, such
            as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Issuer or
            any of its subsidiaries.

      (c)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in a sale or transfer of a material amount of
            assets of the Issuer or of any of its subsidiaries.

      (d)   Pursuant to the Plan, for so long as Intuit holds no less than 10%
            of the outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common Stock, the Issuer
            must permit one representative of Intuit to attend all meetings of
            the board of directors of the Issuer in a non-voting observer
            capacity.

            Intuit has made no changes to the board of directors or management
            of the Issuer and has no present plans or proposals to make any
            changes in the present board of directors or management of the
            Issuer, including any changes in the number or term of directors or
            the filling of any existing vacancies on the board of directors.
            Intuit may exercise its right pursuant to the Plan to send its
            representative to meetings of the Issuer's board of directors in a
            non-voting observer capacity.

      (e)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in any material change in the present
            capitalization or dividend policy of the Issuer.

      (f)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in any other material change in the Issuer's
            business or corporate structure.

      (g)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in changes in the Issuer's charter, bylaws or
            instruments corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede
            the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person.

      (h)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in a class of securities of the Issuer being 
            delisted from a national securities 


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
            
            exchange or ceasing to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer
            quotation system of a registered national securities association.

      (i)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in a class of equity securities of the Issuer
            becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to
            Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
            (the "Exchange Act").

      (j)   Intuit does not presently have any plans or proposals which relate
            to or would result in an action similar to any of those enumerated
            above.

ITEM 5.     INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

      (a)   As of the date of this statement, Intuit beneficially owns a
            total of 12,600,000 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock.  The
            12,600,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Intuit on
            the date of this statement represent a beneficial ownership of
            approximately 23.3% of the Issuer's outstanding shares of Common
            Stock, based upon the Issuer's statement in its Form 10-Q for the
            quarter ended September 30, 1996, as amended December 9, 1996,
            that 41,450,064 shares of Common Stock were outstanding on
            November 6, 1996 (to which were added the 12,600,000 shares of
            Common Stock issued to Intuit in the Merger on January 27,
            1997).

      (b)   Intuit has sole power to vote and to direct the vote of, and sole
            power to dispose or to direct the disposition of, all 12,600,000
            shares of the Issuer's Common Stock which it beneficially owns on
            the date of this statement.

      (c)   Except as set forth herein, Intuit has not effected any transaction
            in the Issuer's Common Stock during the past 60 days, and, to the
            best of its knowledge, no person named in Item 2 has effected any
            transactions in the Issuer's Common Stock during the past 60 days.

      (d)   No other person is known to Intuit to have the right to receive or
            the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from
            the sale of, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Intuit
            on the date of this statement.

      (e)   Not applicable.

ITEM 6.     CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH 
            RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

ESCROW AGREEMENT

            Intuit, the Issuer and Key Trust Company of Ohio, N.A., entered into
the Escrow Agreement dated as of January 27, 1997 (the "Escrow Agreement").
Pursuant to the Plan and the Escrow Agreement, until the first anniversary of
the Effective Time of the Merger (i.e., January 27, 1998), ten percent (10%) of
the Shares (i.e., 1,260,000 shares) will be held in escrow as security for
certain indemnification obligations of Intuit under the Plan.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT

            Intuit and the Issuer have entered into an Amended and Restated
Checkfree Corporation Stock Restriction Agreement dated as of September 15, 1996
(the "Stock Restriction Agreement"). The Stock Restriction Agreement restricts
Intuit's ability to sell and purchase the Shares, solicit proxies from the
Issuer's stockholders and initiate or participate in any group which has the
purpose of changing the control of the Issuer. The Stock Restriction Agreement
will irrevocably terminate at the first time that Intuit shall beneficially own
less than ten percent (10%) of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock.

            Under the Stock Restriction Agreement, Intuit may sell shares of the
Issuer's Common Stock:

            (a)   to any "Qualified Institutional Buyer" (defined as a person
                  who, assuming such person's ownership of five percent (5%)
                  or more of the Issuer's Common Stock, would be eligible to
                  file reports of beneficial ownership on Schedule 13G as
                  prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission
                  ("SEC") because such person fits the description in Rule
                  13d-1(b)(1)(i) under the Exchange Act (as such Rule was in
                  effect on September 15, 1996) so long as the Qualified
                  Institutional Buyer would own, after such purchase from
                  Intuit, not more than ten percent (10%) of the then
                  outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common Stock; except
                  that, in the case of a sale in accordance with sections (c),
                  (d) or (e) below and certain additional requirements, no
                  restrictions under this section (a) will apply;

            (b)   to any person who is not a Qualified Institutional Buyer
                  ("Other Buyer") so long as such Other Buyer would own, after
                  such purchase from Intuit, not more than five percent (5%)
                  of the then outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common
                  Stock; except that, in the case of a sale in accordance
                  with sections (c), (d) or (e) below and certain additional
                  requirements, no restrictions under this section (b) will
                  apply;

            (c)   in compliance with SEC Rule 144 under the Securities Act of
                  1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");

            (d)   pursuant to underwritten public offerings of the Issuer's
                  Common Stock in which the parties have mutually approved the
                  managing underwriters;

            (e)   pursuant to offerings of the Issuer's Common Stock that are
                  not underwritten but are registered under the Securities Act
                  pursuant to a shelf registration under Rule 415 of the
                  Securities Act that has been effected pursuant to the
                  Registration Rights Agreement described below; and

            (f)   in any other manner that the Issuer agrees to in advance in
                  writing.

            Pursuant to the Stock Restriction Agreement, Intuit has agreed that
it may purchase shares of the Issuer's Common Stock only where such purchase
would result in Intuit's 


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

beneficial ownership of not more than fifteen percent (15%) of the then
outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common Stock, except where Intuit has
received the prior written consent of the Issuer's board of directors or the
Issuer's authorized representative; provided, however, that Intuit may not hold
more than the number of shares of the Issuer's Common Stock issued to it in the
Merger so long as the Stock Restriction Agreement remains in effect.

            Under the Stock Restriction Agreement, Intuit agreed not to solicit
proxies from the Issuer's stockholders in opposition to any recommendation of
the Issuer's board of directors. Further, Intuit agreed not to initiate or
participate in any group which proposes, without the support of the Issuer's
board of directors, any change in the control of the Issuer, whether by tender
offer, merger, or otherwise. In any event, Intuit, itself, is permitted to make
such an offer or proposal to the Issuer's board of directors; provided, however,
that any such offer or proposal by Intuit shall be made on a strictly
confidential basis and shall not be publicly disclosed without the prior consent
of the Issuer's board of directors.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

            Intuit and the Issuer entered into the Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement as of September 15, 1996 (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") which provides, among other things, with respect to the Shares the
following (a) registration rights and (b) restrictions.

            As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger, the
Issuer is required to file a registration statement on Form S-3 for a continuous
registered shelf offering under Rule 415 of the Securities Act (the "Shelf
Registration Statement") covering all of the Shares. The Issuer agreed to
continuously maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement at
all times until the second anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger. For
as long as Intuit may be an affiliate of the Issuer as defined in the Securities
Act, the amount of Shares that may be sold by Intuit in each sale of Shares in
reliance on the Shelf Registration Statement, together with all sales of other
shares of the Issuer's Common Stock for the account of Intuit within the
preceding three months (excluding any sales of the Issuer's Common Stock by
Intuit pursuant to Demand Registrations (defined below) or Piggyback
Registrations (defined below)), shall not exceed the greater of (i) one percent
(1%) of the shares of the Issuer's Common Stock outstanding as shown by the most
recent report or statement published by the Issuer, or (ii) the average weekly
reported volume of trading in shares of the Issuer's Common Stock on all
national securities exchanges and/or reported through the automated quotation
system of a registered securities association during the four calendar weeks
preceding Intuit's delivery to the Issuer of the required prior written notice
of a sale of Shares in reliance on the Shelf Registration Statement. Shares sold
by Intuit in reliance on the Shelf Registration Statement must have a minimum
aggregate sale price of at least $250,000. For sales of Shares in reliance on
the Shelf Registration Statement, Intuit is required to bear all of its selling
expenses and the fees and disbursements of counsel for Intuit, while the Issuer
must bear all of the rest of the registration expenses.

            Subject to certain limitations, Intuit may also require the Issuer
to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the
Shares (a "Demand Registration"). Intuit may request only one Demand
Registration per calendar year and must 


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

request that at least 20% of the Shares issued to it in the Merger be registered
in such Demand Registration, except that (i) the first Demand Registration may
be for such lesser number of Shares as would reduce Intuit's ownership of the
Issuer's Common Stock to less than 20% of the outstanding shares of the Issuer's
Common Stock, and (ii) if Intuit is prevented by factors outside its control
from registering the minimum number of Shares required under the Registration
Rights Agreement, Intuit may nevertheless register such lesser number of Shares
as it is able to register. Intuit may request that the Shares registered in a
Demand Registration be offered by means of an underwriting. For an underwritten
offering of the Issuer's securities, the underwriters may reduce the number of
shares to be included in the Demand Registration, but shall not limit the Shares
to be included by Intuit unless all other securities are first entirely
excluded. For sales of Shares in reliance on Demand Registrations, Intuit is
required to bear all of its selling expenses and its "pro rata" share of
one-half of the registration expenses. Intuit's "pro rata" share is the
percentage obtained by dividing the number of Shares registered and sold by
Intuit in the offering by the total number of shares of the Issuer's Common
Stock sold in the offering by all parties other than the Issuer.

            If the Issuer proposes to register any of its securities under the
Securities Act, it must give prior notice to Intuit and permit Intuit, subject
to certain limitations, to include in such registration all or part of the
Shares (a "Piggyback Registration"). An underwriter may reduce the number of
Shares to be included in a Piggyback Registration, subject to certain
limitations. For sales of Shares in reliance on Piggyback Registrations, Intuit
is required to bear all of its selling expenses and the fees and disbursements
of counsel for Intuit, while the Issuer must bear all of the rest of the
registration expenses.

            For so long as it holds at least 5% of the Issuer's outstanding
voting equity securities and subject to certain other conditions, Intuit has
agreed, if requested by the Issuer or the underwriters managing an underwritten
offering of the Issuer's securities, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan,
grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any of its Shares
without the prior written consent of the Issuer or such underwriters for a
period not to exceed 90 days from the effective date of such registration.

            The Registration Rights Agreement will terminate (a) if all the
Shares issued to Intuit in the Merger have been registered and sold pursuant to
registrations effected pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (b)
after the fifth anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger (except that if
the Issuer deferred, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, a Demand
Registration, then this date shall be extended by one calendar year for each
such deferral).

ITEM 7.     MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

            The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

             Exhibit 7.1:   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
                            September 15, 1996, among the Issuer, Acquisition,
                            Intuit and ISC.

             Exhibit 7.2:   Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,
                            dated as of September 15, 1996, among the Issuer,
                            Acquisition, Intuit and ISC.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

             Exhibit 7.3:   Escrow Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1997,
                            among the Issuer, Intuit and Key Trust Company of
                            Ohio, N.A.

             Exhibit 7.4:   Amended and Restated Checkfree Corporation Stock
                            Restriction Agreement, dated as of September 15,
                            1996, between the Issuer and Intuit.
                                                    
             Exhibit 7.5:   Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement,
                            dated as of September 15, 1996, between the Issuer
                            and Intuit.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12



                                    SIGNATURE

            After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  February __, 1997


INTUIT INC.


By:  /s/ CATHERINE L. VALENTINE
    ----------------------------
     Catherine L. Valentine
     Secretary





<PAGE>   13



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Sequentially
  Exhibit        Document Description                    Numbered Page
  -------        --------------------                    -------------
<S>             <C>                                      <C>
  Exhibit 7.1:  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
                as of September 15, 1996, among the
                Issuer, Acquisition, Intuit and ISC.

  Exhibit 7.2:  Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan
                of Merger, dated as of September 15,
                1996, among the Issuer, Acquisition,
                Intuit and ISC.

  Exhibit 7.3:  Escrow Agreement, dated as of
                January 27, 1997, among the
                Issuer, Intuit and Key Trust Company
                of Ohio, N.A.

  Exhibit 7.4:  Amended and Restated Checkfree
                Corporation Stock Restriction
                Agreement, dated as of
                September 15, 1996, between the Issuer
                and Intuit.

  Exhibit 7.5:  Amended and Restated Registration
                Rights Agreement, dated as of
                September 15, 1996, between the Issuer
                and Intuit.
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   1



                   EXHIBIT 7.1 TO SCHEDULE 13D OF INTUIT INC.

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



<PAGE>   2



                                                                    Exhibit 7.1


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                                      AMONG


                              CHECKFREE CORPORATION

                      CHECKFREE ACQUISITION CORPORATION II

                                   INTUIT INC.

                                       AND

                           INTUIT SERVICES CORPORATION

















                         Dated as of September 15, 1996


<PAGE>   3


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   THE MERGER

<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
SECTION 1.01      The Merger                                                  2
SECTION 1.02      Effect of the Merger                                        2
SECTION 1.03      Consummation of the Merger                                  2
SECTION 1.04      Charter; By-Laws; Directors and Officers                    2
SECTION 1.05      Acknowledgement Regarding the Company's Assets              2
SECTION 1.06      Further Assurances                                          3


                                   ARTICLE II
                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01      Conversion of Securities of the Company                     3
SECTION 2.02      Merger Consideration Adjustment                             4
SECTION 2.03      Release of Escrow Shares                                    7
SECTION 2.04      Conversion of Acquisition Common Stock                      7
SECTION 2.05      Surrender and Exchange of Shares                            7
SECTION 2.06      Closing of Stock Transfer Books                             8
SECTION 2.07      Closing                                                     8
SECTION 2.08      Tax-Free Reorganization                                     8

                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 3.01      Representations and Warranties of Holdings and the Company  9
SECTION 3.02      Representations and Warranties of Holdings                 23
SECTION 3.03      Representations and Warranties of Parent                   25
SECTION 3.04      Representations and Warranties of Acquisition              30


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01      Conduct of the Company's Business                          31
SECTION 4.02      Registration Statement; Stockholder Approval, Etc.         33
SECTION 4.03      Access to Information                                      35
SECTION 4.04      Further Assurances                                         37
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
SECTION 4.05      Inquiries and Negotiations                                 37
SECTION 4.06      Notification of Certain Matters                            37
SECTION 4.07      Compliance with the Securities Act                         38
SECTION 4.08      Conduct of Parent's Business                               38
SECTION 4.09      Employment and Severance Liabilities                       39
SECTION 4.10      Contractual Obligations                                    39
SECTION 4.11      Indemnity                                                  39
SECTION 4.12      Agreements Executed                                        39
SECTION 4.13      Stockholder Agreements and Proxies                         39
SECTION 4.14      Revenue Make-Up                                            39
SECTION 4.15      Board Visitation Rights                                    40
SECTION 4.16      Reimbursement for Certain Charges and Costs                41
SECTION 4.17      Debt                                                       41

                                    ARTICLE V
                            CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

SECTION 5.01      Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger 41
SECTION 5.02      Conditions to the Obligation of Holdings and the Company
                  to Effect the Merger                                       42
SECTION 5.03      Conditions to the Obligation of Parent and Acquisition
                  to Effect the Merger                                       42

                                   ARTICLE VI
                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

SECTION 6.01      Termination and Abandonment                                43
SECTION 6.02      Effect of Termination                                      44

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 7.01      Indemnification by Holdings                                44
SECTION 7.02      Claims                                                     45
SECTION 7.03      Notice and Defense of Third-Party Claims                   45
SECTION 7.04      Settlement or Compromise                                   45
SECTION 7.05      Limitations on Indemnification                             46

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                            NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

SECTION 8.01      Certain Acknowledgments                                    46
SECTION 8.02      Noncompetition Agreement                                   46
SECTION 8.03      Exception                                                  47
SECTION 8.04      No Objection or Defense                                    47
SECTION 8.05      Enforcement of Noncompetition Agreement                    47
SECTION 8.06      Early Termination of Noncompetition Agreement              47
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
SECTION 8.07      Effect on Acquiror                                         47

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01      Survival of Representations and Warranties                 48
SECTION 9.02      Interpretation of Representations and Warranties           48
SECTION 9.03      Reliance by Parent and Acquisition                         48
SECTION 9.04      Expenses, Etc.                                             48
SECTION 9.05      Publicity                                                  49
SECTION 9.06      Execution in Counterparts                                  49
SECTION 9.07      Notices                                                    49
SECTION 9.08      Waivers                                                    50
SECTION 9.09      Amendments, Supplements, Etc.                              50
SECTION 9.10      Entire Agreement                                           51
SECTION 9.11      Applicable Law                                             51
SECTION 9.12      Binding Effect, Benefits                                   51
SECTION 9.13      Assignability                                              51
SECTION 9.14      Severability                                               51
SECTION 9.15      Variation and Amendment                                    51
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   6


                         INDEX TO SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Schedule                Description
- --------                -----------

<S>                     <C>
      1.05              Illinois-Located Assets and Properties Owned by Holdings
      3.01(c)           Capitalization/Stockholders
      3.01(e)           Certain Conflicts
      3.01(f)           Consents
      3.01(g)           Certain Liabilities
      3.01(h)           Certain Changes or Events
      3.01(j)           Litigation
      3.01(k)           Liens and Encumbrances
      3.01(l)           Real Property Interests
      3.01(m)           Intellectual Property Rights
      3.01(n)           Labor Matters
      3.01(o)           Severance Arrangements
      3.01(p)           Taxes
      3.01(q)           Permits
      3.01(r)           Employee Benefit Plans
      3.01(s)           Environmental Matters
      3.01(u)           Material Contracts
      3.01(v)           Insurance
      3.01(x)           Claims Against Officers and Directors
      3.01(y)           Customers; Suppliers, etc.
      3.01(z)           Improper Payments
      3.01(aa)          Brokers
      3.01(bb)          Accounts Receivable
      3.02(d)           Certain Conflicts
      3.02(e)           Consents
      3.02(g)           Brokers
      3.03(b)           Subsidiaries
      3.03(c)           Capitalization
      3.03(f)           Consent
      3.03(j)           Registration Rights
      3.03(k)           Brokers
      4.09              Employment and Severance Liabilities
      4.10              Contractual Obligations of Holdings
      4.16              Reimbursement Matters
      9.04              Expenses
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   7


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibits                Description
- --------                -----------

<S>                    <C>
      Exhibit A         Parent Tax Representation Certificate
      Exhibit B         Services and License Agreement
      Exhibit C         Assignment and License Agreement
      Exhibit D         Stock Restriction Agreement
      Exhibit E         Shareholder Agreement and Proxy
      Exhibit F         Escrow Agreement
      Exhibit G         Registration Rights Agreement
      Exhibit H         Opinions of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
      Exhibit I         Opinions of Fenwick & West LLP
</TABLE>

















<PAGE>   8


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 15, 1996 (the
"Effective Date"), among CHECKFREE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), CHECKFREE ACQUISITION CORPORATION II, a Delaware corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Acquisition"), INTUIT INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings"), and INTUIT SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"). The Company and Acquisition are hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Constituent Corporations" and the Company as the
"Surviving Corporation."

      WHEREAS, Parent, Acquisition, Holdings, and the Company desire that
Acquisition merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"), upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein and in accordance with the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware GCL") with the result that the Company
shall continue as the surviving corporation and the separate existence of
Acquisition shall cease; and

      WHEREAS, Parent, Acquisition, Holdings, and the Company desire that at the
Effective Time (as hereinafter defined) all outstanding shares of the capital
stock of the Company be converted into the right to receive fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of Parent ("Parent Common
Stock"), as hereinafter provided; and

      WHEREAS, Parent, Acquisition, Holdings, and the Company desire that,
immediately after the Effective Time and solely as a result of the Merger,
Parent will own all the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of
the Surviving Corporation; and

      WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"); and

      WHEREAS,  the  respective  Boards of Directors  of Parent,  Acquisition,
Holdings, and the Company, have approved the Merger;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained herein, and in order
to set forth the terms and conditions of the Merger and the mode of carrying the
same into effect, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:




<PAGE>   9


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

      SECTION 1.01 The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time, in accordance with this Agreement and the
Delaware GCL, Acquisition shall be merged with and into the Company, the
separate existence of Acquisition shall cease, and the Company shall continue as
the Surviving Corporation under the corporate name of "CHECKFREE SERVICES
CORPORATION."

      SECTION 1.02 Effect of the Merger. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger,
the Surviving Corporation shall succeed to, and assume all the rights and
obligations of, the Company and Acquisition in accordance with the Delaware GCL
and the Merger shall otherwise have the effects set forth in Section 259 of the
Delaware GCL.

      SECTION 1.03 Consummation of the Merger. As soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the obligations of the parties to
effect the Merger set forth herein, provided that this Agreement has not
previously been terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.01
hereof, the parties hereto will cause the Merger to be consummated by filing
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a properly executed
certificate of merger in accordance with the Delaware GCL (the time of such
filing being referred to herein as the "Effective Time").

      SECTION 1.04 Charter; By-Laws; Directors and Officers. The Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time
shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of Acquisition as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, until thereafter amended in accordance
with the provisions thereof and as provided by the Delaware GCL, except that, at
the Effective Time, Article I thereof shall be amended to read as follows: "The
name of the Corporation is "CHECKFREE SERVICES CORPORATION." The By-Laws of the
Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time shall be the By-Laws of
Acquisition as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, continuing
until thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and
as provided by the Delaware GCL. The initial directors and officers of the
Surviving Corporation shall be the directors and officers, respectively, of
Acquisition immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case until their
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

      SECTION 1.05 Acknowledgement Regarding the Company's Assets. For purposes
of clarifying the rights to be acquired upon consummation of the Merger, Parent
and Acquisition hereby acknowledge and agree with Holdings and the Company that
the assets set forth on Schedule 1.05 hereto, located at 2001 Butterfield Road,
Suite 700, 800 and 900, Downer's Grove, Illinois and 444 North Commerce Street,
Aurora, Illinois are as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, owned by
Holdings.

      SECTION 1.06 Further Assurances. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.05
hereof, if at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation shall
consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances
or any other acts or things are necessary,


<PAGE>   10

desirable or proper (i) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in
the Surviving Corporation, its right, title or interest in, to or under any of
the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of either of
the Constituent Corporations, or (ii) otherwise to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement, the Surviving Corporation and its proper officers and directors
or their designees shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and
on behalf of either of the Constituent Corporations, all such deeds, bills of
sale, assignments and assurances and do, in the name and on behalf of such
Constituent Corporation, all such other acts and things necessary, desirable or
proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or interest in, to or under
any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of such
Constituent Corporation and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall have no
rights under this Section 1.06 in connection with any of Holdings' assets,
properties, services, businesses or properties.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

      SECTION 2.01 Conversion of Securities of the Company. By virtue of the
Merger and without the need for any action on the part of the holders of the
capital stock of the Company, at the Effective Time, all outstanding shares of
the capital stock of the Company (excluding shares held in the treasury of the
Company, which shall be canceled as provided in paragraph (c) below, and subject
to Section 2.05(c) hereof) shall be converted into the right to receive fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Parent Common Stock on the following basis:

            (a) Merger Consideration. The shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par
value, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") that are issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the
right to receive 12,600,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, subject to the
potential adjustment set forth in Section 2.02 hereof, as follows (the "Merger
Consideration"):

                  (i) 11,340,000 shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued
      to the sole stockholder of the Company Common Stock at Closing (as
      hereinafter defined); and

                  (ii) 1,260,000 shares of Parent Common Stock (the "Escrow
      Shares") shall be issued to the sole stockholder of the Company Common
      Stock subject to Section 2.03 below. Upon any adjustment of the Merger
      Consideration pursuant to Section 2.02, the number of shares of Parent
      Common Stock that are Escrow Shares shall be reduced in proportion to such
      Merger Consideration Adjustment (as hereinafter defined).

If, prior to the Effective Time, Parent recapitalizes through a subdivision of
its outstanding shares into a greater number of shares, or a combination of its
outstanding shares into a lesser number of shares, or reorganizes, reclassifies
or otherwise changes its outstanding shares into the same or a different number
of shares of other classes or series, or declares a dividend on its outstanding
shares payable in shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into
shares of its capital stock (a "Capital Change"), then the number of shares of
Parent Common Stock constituting the Merger Consideration shall be adjusted
appropriately to reflect each such Capital Change.


<PAGE>   11

            (b) Company Common Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of
Company Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive that
number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing the Merger Consideration by the number of shares of Company Common
Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

            (c) Treasury Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of capital
stock of the Company that is then held in the treasury of the Company (if any)
shall be canceled and retired and no capital stock of Parent and no cash or
other consideration shall be paid or delivered in exchange therefor.

      SECTION 2.02 Merger Consideration Adjustment. In the event that, after the
date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, the Company incurs, realizes,
or otherwise experiences a Material Adverse Change (as hereinafter defined) in
its financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, Business (as defined
herein), operations, or results of operations, then at or prior to the Effective
Time, the Merger Consideration shall be adjusted as follows:

            (a) Change Notice. If Parent believes that the Company has incurred,
realized, or otherwise experienced a Material Adverse Change in its financial
condition, properties, assets, liabilities, Business (as defined herein),
operations, or results of operations and Parent desires a Merger Consideration
Adjustment (as defined below), then Parent must prior to Closing give Holdings
and the Company written notice of Parent's claim that such a Material Adverse
Change has occurred (the "Change Notice"), which Change Notice shall state with
specificity the grounds on which Parent contends that such Material Adverse
Change has occurred and Parent's proposal for a Merger Consideration Adjustment.
Parent may only make one (1) request for a Merger Consideration Adjustment.

            (b) Attempt to Agree. Following their receipt of the Change Notice,
Parent, Holdings and the Company will in good faith consider Parent's assertions
set forth in the Change Notice and will use their best efforts to in good faith
reach a mutual agreement, as promptly as practicable, as to the amount by which
the Merger Consideration shall be reduced by reason of the Material Adverse
Change described in the Change Notice (the "Merger Consideration Adjustment").
In attempting to reach an agreement as to the Merger Consideration Adjustment,
the parties will consider, among other things, the extent (if any) to which the
fair market value of the Company has been diminished by the Material Adverse
Change described in the Change Notice. If Parent, Holdings and the Company agree
to a Merger Consideration Adjustment, then they shall execute a written
agreement to such effect (the "Merger Consideration Agreement") setting forth
the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment they have agreed to.

            (c)   Dispute Resolution Procedure.

                  (i) Agreement on Material Adverse Change. If Parent, Holdings
and the Company agree that a Material Adverse Change in the Company's financial
condition, properties, assets, liabilities, Business, operations, or results of
operations occurred after the Effective Date of this Agreement and prior to the
Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), but are unable to mutually agree in
writing on the amount of a Merger Consideration Adjustment within


<PAGE>   12

ten (10) days after the date on which Holdings and the Company receive the
Change Notice (the "Receipt Date"), then the amount of the Merger Consideration
Adjustment (if any) shall be determined in accordance with the appraisal
procedure set forth in Section 2.02(c)(iii) below.

                  (ii) No Agreement on Material Adverse Change. If Holdings and
the Company do not agree with Parent's assertion in the Change Notice that a
Material Adverse Change in the Company's financial condition, properties,
assets, liabilities, Business, operations, or results of operations occurred
after the Effective Date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, and
Parent, Holdings and the Company have not agreed in writing on the amount of a
Merger Consideration Adjustment within ten (10) days after the Receipt Date,
then, within twenty (20) days after the Receipt Date, the parties shall submit
to mandatory binding arbitration the sole issue of whether or not such a
Material Adverse Change occurred. Such arbitration shall be conducted in
Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect, and shall be concluded within
thirty (30) days to the extent reasonably practicable. The arbitration will be
conducted by a single arbitrator, mutually selected by the parties, who shall
decide only the issue of whether or not a Material Adverse Change in the
Company's financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, Business,
operations, or results of operations occurred after the Effective Date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing Date in the manner set forth in the Change
Notice. The arbitrator's determination as to whether or not such a Material
Adverse Change occurred after the Effective Date of this Agreement and prior to
the Closing Date shall be conclusive, final, non-appealable and binding upon
each of the parties to this Agreement and judgment may be entered upon the
arbitrator's determination in accordance with applicable law in any court having
competent jurisdiction over the matter. In connection with the arbitration
proceedings, the parties will be entitled to conduct discovery in scope, timing,
types, and under such procedures as such parties would otherwise be afforded had
the dispute or controversy hereunder been subject to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure. If the arbitrator determines that no Material Adverse Change occurred
after the Effective Date of this Agreement, then no Merger Consideration
Adjustment shall be made; and if the arbitrator determines that a Material
Adverse Change has occurred after the Effective Date of this Agreement, then the
amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment shall be determined by the
appraisal procedure set forth in Section 2.02(c)(iii) below (unless the parties
otherwise agree in writing). The foregoing agreement to arbitrate shall be
specifically enforceable under the prevailing arbitration law.

                  (iii) Appraisal Procedure. When the appraisal procedure set
forth in this subparagraph is required to be used by the provisions of
subparagraph 2.02(c)(i) or (ii), then the amount of the Merger Consideration
Adjustment shall be determined as follows. Within twenty (20) days after the
Receipt Date (or within ten (10) days after the completion of the arbitration
referred to in Section 2.02(c)(ii) if such arbitration occurs) (A) Parent, on
the one hand, and Holdings and the Company, on the other hand, shall each select
one Qualified Appraiser (as defined below) (the "Selected Appraiser") to
determine the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment (if any) arising
from the Material Adverse Change set forth in the Change Notice; and (B) Parent,
on the one hand, and Holdings and the Company, on the other hand, shall each
give the other written notice (the "Appraiser Notice") of the identity of their
respective Selected Appraiser. Parent's Selected Appraiser is sometimes
hereinafter called the "Parent Appraiser" and the Selected Appraiser of Holdings
and the Company is sometimes hereinafter called the "Holdings Appraiser." The
Company shall provide each side's Selected 


<PAGE>   13

Appraiser with full access during normal business hours to the Company's
facilities, products, personnel, books, records and financial statements
(subject to the execution of reasonable confidentiality agreements by such
Selected Appraisers) solely for purposes of assisting the Selected Appraisers in
determining the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment. Each Selected
Appraiser shall attempt to determine the amount of the Merger Consideration
Adjustment, which, for purposes of such appraisal, shall be the number of shares
of the Parent's Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the
amount (if any) by which the fair market value of the Company was diminished
from the Effective Date of this Agreement to the Closing Date as a result of the
Material Adverse Change described in the Change Notice, by (ii) the average
closing price per share of the Parent's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market (the "Nasdaq NM") for the five (5) trading days immediately
preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement. Within ten (10) days after a
Selected Appraiser has been selected, the Parent Appraiser and the Holdings
Appraiser shall each deliver to Parent and Holdings a brief written report (the
"Appraisal Report") setting forth such Selected Appraiser's appraisal and
determination of the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment and, unless
the parties otherwise agree in writing to the amount of the Merger Consideration
Adjustment, the Parent Appraiser and the Holdings Appraiser shall select a third
appraiser (the "Determining Appraiser") which shall also be a Qualified
Appraiser. The Determining Appraiser will review the Appraisal Reports and the
amount of the Merger Adjustment will be the amount set forth in the Appraisal
Report which is, in the judgment of the Determining Appraiser, the most nearly
correct; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if there is only
one Selected Appraiser because Parent, on the one hand, or Holdings or the
Company, on the other hand, fail to select its Selected Appraiser, then unless
the parties otherwise agree in writing to the amount of the Merger Consideration
Adjustment, the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment shall conclusively
be deemed to be the amount thereof determined by such Selected Appraiser in its
Appraisal Report. Parent, on the one hand, and Holdings, on the other hand,
shall pay the fees and expenses charged by such party's Selected Appraiser and
shall share equally the fees and expenses charged by the Determining Appraiser.
As used herein, the term "Qualified Appraiser" means an investment banking firm
of national or regional reputation that is substantially experienced in
representing and valuing software companies in underwritten public offerings
and/or merger and acquisition transactions, provided that such investment
banking firm and its affiliates do not have a family relationship, or a
then-currently active significant business relationship with the party who
selected such appraiser, or advised or represented any of the parties in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.

                  (iv) Efforts to Agree. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent
the parties from further efforts to reach a mutual agreement on the amount of
the Merger Consideration Adjustment (if any) while the arbitration procedure
and/or the appraisal procedure described in Sections 2.02(c)(ii) and (iii) above
is pending and any mutual written agreement reached by Parent, Holdings and the
Company regarding the amount of the Merger Consideration Adjustment shall be the
conclusive, final, non-appealable and determinative resolution of the amount of
the Merger Consideration Adjustment, binding upon each of the parties hereto.

            (d) Material Adverse Change. As used herein, "Material Adverse
Change" means a material adverse change other than a change arising or
resulting, directly or indirectly, from industry conditions or the public
announcement of, or the response or reaction of customers, vendors, licensors,
investors, Company employees or others to, this Agreement, the


<PAGE>   14

Merger, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or entered into in connection with this Agreement or the Merger.

            (e) Meaning of Merger Consideration. From and after the
effectiveness of any Merger Consideration Adjustment in accordance with this
Section 2.02, the term "Merger Consideration" as used in this Agreement, shall
mean the reduced amount of Merger Consideration to be paid to Holdings as the
sole stockholder of the Company pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, as
modified by the Merger Consideration Adjustment.

      SECTION 2.03 Release of Escrow Shares. The Escrow Shares shall be released
from escrow and delivered to Holdings one (1) year after the Closing Date,
subject to the terms of the Escrow Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and the
provisions of Article VII. The rights of Parent and Acquisition under Article
VII shall not be in any manner limited to the Escrow Shares, but shall be
subject to the limitations set forth in Article VII.

      SECTION 2.04 Conversion of Acquisition Common Stock. At the Effective
Time, each share of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of Acquisition that is issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding
and, by virtue of the Merger, automatically and without the need for any action
on the part of the holder thereof, shall be converted into and become one (1)
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock of the
Surviving Corporation.

      SECTION 2.05 Surrender and Exchange of Shares.

            (a) At the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding certificate
or certificates that immediately prior thereto represented shares of the capital
stock of the Company shall surrender the same to Parent or its agent, and each
such holder shall be entitled upon such surrender to receive in exchange
therefor, without cost to it, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock into
which the shares theretofore represented by the certificate so surrendered shall
have been converted as provided in Section 2.01 hereof, and the certificate or
certificates so surrendered in exchange for such consideration shall forthwith
be canceled by Parent.

            (b) If a certificate representing shares of the capital stock of the
Company has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the holder of such certificate shall
submit an affidavit describing the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the
number of shares evidenced thereby and affirming the status of that certificate
in lieu of surrendering such certificate to Parent, which shall deem such
certificate canceled; provided that Parent may require the holder of such
certificate to provide Parent with a bond in such amount as Parent may direct as
a condition to paying any consideration hereunder. Until so surrendered, the
outstanding certificates that, prior to the Effective Time, represented shares
of the capital stock of the Company that shall have been converted as aforesaid
shall be deemed for all corporate purposes, except as hereinafter provided, to
evidence the ownership of the Merger Consideration into which such shares have
been so converted.

            (c) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of
Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of
certificates held by stockholders of the Company, and such fractional share
interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any


<PAGE>   15

rights of a stockholder of Parent. Each holder of shares of the capital stock of
the Company who would otherwise have been entitled to receive in the Merger a
fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock (after taking into account all
certificates surrendered by such holder) shall be entitled to receive from
Parent at the Effective Time, in lieu thereof, cash (without interest) in an
amount equal to such fractional part of a share of Parent Common Stock
multiplied by the average of the per share closing prices on the Nasdaq NM of
shares of Parent Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive trading days
immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement. It is understood (i)
that the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock is
solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to Parent of
issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration; and (ii) that no holder of shares of Company capital stock will
receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock in an amount
greater than the value of one full share of Parent Common Stock.

      SECTION 2.06 Closing of Stock Transfer Books. On and after the Effective
Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company or
Parent of shares of capital stock of the Company that were issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

      SECTION 2.07 Closing. The closing (the "Closing") shall be scheduled to
occur at the offices of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, Columbus, Ohio at 10:00
a.m. local time, on a date as soon as practicable (but in any event not later
than the third business day, unless otherwise agreed) after the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions to the obligations of the parties to effect the Merger
set forth herein. The Closing, and all transactions to occur at the Closing,
shall be deemed to have taken place at, and shall be effective as of, the close
of business on the date of closing (the "Closing Date").

      SECTION 2.08 Tax-Free Reorganization. The parties intend to adopt this
Agreement as a tax-free plan of reorganization and to consummate the Merger in
accordance with the provisions of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code by virtue of the provisions of Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue
Code. The parties believe that the value of the Parent Common Stock to be issued
to Holdings as the sole stockholder of the Company in the Merger is equal to the
value of the Company Common Stock to be surrendered in exchange therefor. The
Parent Common Stock issued in the Merger will be issued solely in exchange for
the Company's outstanding Common Stock, and no other transaction other than the
Merger represents, provides for or is intended to be an adjustment to, the
consideration paid for the Company's Common Stock. Except for cash paid in lieu
of fractional shares, no consideration that could constitute "other property"
within the meaning of Section 356 of the Internal Revenue Code is being paid by
Parent for the Company Common Stock in the Merger. The parties will not take a
position on any tax returns that is inconsistent with the provisions of this
Section. In addition, Parent represents now, and as of the Effective Time, that
it intends to continue the Company's historic business or use a significant
portion of the Company's business assets in a business. Concurrently herewith,
and again at the Closing, Parent shall execute and deliver to Holdings a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A. The provisions and
representations contained or referred to in this Section 2.08 and in Exhibit A
shall survive until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.



                                   ARTICLE III


<PAGE>   16

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      SECTION 3.01 Representations and Warranties of Holdings and the Company.
Holdings and the Company, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Parent
and Acquisition, except as set forth in the Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter
dated of even date herewith that is being delivered to Parent concurrently
herewith (the "Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter"), as follows:

            (a) Organization and Qualification. The Company is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own or
lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation
to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the
character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified
would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as hereinafter defined). As
used in this Agreement, the term "Company Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a
material adverse effect on the properties, assets, financial condition,
operating results or business of the Company, taken as a whole; provided,
however, that the term "Company Material Adverse Effect" shall not include any
such material adverse effect arising or resulting, directly or indirectly, from
industry conditions or the public announcement of, or the response or reaction
of customers, vendors, licensors, investors, Company employees or others to,
this Agreement, the Merger, or any of the agreements or transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or entered into in connection with this Agreement
or the Merger.

            (b) Subsidiaries. The Company does not have any subsidiaries or
ownership of any equity interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
or other business entity.

                  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "subsidiary," when
used with respect to Holdings or the Company, shall mean any corporation or
other business entity a majority of whose outstanding equity securities is at
the time owned, directly or indirectly, by either Holdings, the Company, and/or
one or more of their other subsidiaries.

            (c) Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 1,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share.
A total of 100 shares of Company Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of
which were duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable. No subscription, warrant, option, call, commitment, convertible
security, stock appreciation or other right (contingent or other) to purchase or
acquire any shares of any class of capital stock of the Company is authorized or
outstanding and there is not any commitment of the Company to issue any shares,
warrants, options, or other such rights or to distribute to holders of any class
of its capital stock any evidences of indebtedness or assets. Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.01(c), the Company does not have any obligation (contingent
or other) to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital
stock or any interest therein or to pay any dividend or make any other
distribution in respect thereof. Schedule 3.01(c) sets forth a complete and
correct list of the holders of record of the Company Common Stock and the
holders of all options or other rights, if any, to purchase 


<PAGE>   17

Company Common Stock, including by name of the holder the number of shares or
the number of shares obtainable on exercise of options or rights held.

            (d) Authority Relative to Agreement. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of
Directors and no other corporate approvals or proceedings on the part of the
Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, other than the approval and adoption of this Agreement by
the sole stockholder of the Company as required by the Delaware GCL. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, subject to
obtaining such stockholder approval, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effect, if any, of (a) applicable bankruptcy and other
similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) rules of law
governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies,
and (c) the limitations imposed by public policy on the enforceability of
provisions requiring indemnification in connection with the offering, issuance
or sale of securities. The Company's Board of Directors has by the requisite
vote (i) determined that this Agreement and the Merger is advisable and fair and
in the best interests of the Company and its sole stockholder and (ii) resolved
to recommend the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the Company's sole
stockholder and to submit this Agreement and the Merger to the Company's sole
stockholder for its consideration and approval when the Company is permitted to
do so by applicable law. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Company Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to approve this
Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

            (e) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not (i) violate or conflict with any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or (ii) except as set
forth on Schedule 3.01(e) hereof, result in any violation of, conflict with, or
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute
a default) or loss of a benefit under, or permit the termination of or the
acceleration of any obligation under, any material mortgage, indenture, lease,
agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which its
assets are bound, permit, concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the
business conducted by the Company (the "Business") or to the Company or their
respective properties, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any
liens, claims, charges, restrictions, rights of others, security interests,
prior assignments or other encumbrances (collectively, "Claims") in favor of any
third person or entity upon any of the assets of the Company, other than any
such violation, conflict, default, loss, termination or acceleration that would
not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

            (f) Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(f), no consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, any Federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authority
is required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the 


<PAGE>   18

consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for
(i) compliance by the Company with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"), (ii) the filing of a certificate of merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware GCL
and (iii) such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations which if not
obtained, or registrations, declarations or filings which if not made, would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect the
ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or the
ability of the Surviving Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to conduct the
Business after the Effective Time.

            (g) Financial Statements, Etc. The Company has furnished to Parent
the unaudited balance sheet of the Company of July 31, 1996 and the related
statements of operations for each of the two years ended July 31, 1996 and 1995,
certified by the principal financial officer of the Company. The foregoing
unaudited financial statements of the Company shall be collectively referred to
as the "Financial Statements." All such Financial Statements (including any
related schedules and/or notes, if any) have been prepared in a manner
consistent with the manner with which Holdings has prepared financial statements
for the Company and Holdings' other subsidiaries under accounting principles
consistently applied and consistent with prior periods, except that such
statements are subject to year end adjustments (which consist of normal
recurring accruals) and do not contain footnote disclosures. Such balance sheet
fairly presents in all material respects the financial position of the Company
as of its respective date, and such statements of operations fairly present in
all material respects the results of operations of the Company for the
respective periods then ended, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the
absence of footnote disclosures.

                  Except as and to the extent (i) reflected on the unaudited
balance sheet of the Company as of July 31, 1996 referred to above, (ii)
incurred since July 31, 1996 in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, or (iii) set forth on Schedule 3.01(g) hereto, the Company does
not have any liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature, whether known or
unknown or secured or unsecured (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise, and whether due or to become due) that would be required to be
reflected on a balance sheet, or the notes thereto, prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Between July 31, 1996 and the
Effective Date of this Agreement, the Company has not suffered any Company
Material Adverse Effect.

            (h) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.01(h) hereto, or as otherwise disclosed in the Financial Statements
of the Company, since July 31, 1996, the Company has not (i) issued any stock,
bonds or other corporate securities, (ii) borrowed or refinanced any amount or
incurred any liabilities (absolute or contingent) in excess of $50,000, other
than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, (iii) discharged or satisfied any claim in excess of $100,000 or
incurred or paid any obligation or liability (absolute or contingent) other than
current liabilities shown on the balance sheet of the Company as of July 31,
1996 and current liabilities incurred since the date of such balance sheet in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iv) declared or
made any payment or distribution to stockholders or purchased or redeemed any
shares of its capital stock or other securities, (v) mortgaged, pledged or
subjected to lien any of its assets, tangible or intangible, other than liens
for current real property taxes not yet due and payable, (vi) sold, assigned or
transferred any of its tangible assets, or canceled any debts or claims, except
in 


<PAGE>   19

the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as otherwise
contemplated hereby, (vii) sold, assigned or transferred any Intellectual
Property Rights (as hereinafter defined) or other intangible assets, (viii)
waived any rights of substantial value, whether or not in the ordinary course of
business, (ix) entered into, adopted, amended or terminated any bonus, profit
sharing, compensation, termination, stock option, stock appreciation right,
restricted stock, performance unit, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
employment, severance or other employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, fund or
other arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer or employee of the
Company, or increased in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any
director or officer of the Company, or increased the compensation or fringe
benefits of any executive officer of the Company other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices, or made any payment of a cash
bonus to any director or officer or to any employee of, or consultant or agent
to, the Company or made any other material change in the terms or conditions of
employment, (x) announced any plan or legally binding commitment to create any
employee benefit plan, program or arrangement or to amend or modify in any
material respect any existing employee benefit plan, program or arrangement,
(xi) eliminated the vesting conditions or otherwise accelerated the payment of
any compensation, (xii) suffered any damage, destruction or loss to any of its
assets or properties, (xiii) made any change in its accounting systems,
policies, principles or practices, (xiv) made any loans to any person, (xv)
incurred damage, destruction, or loss, whether or not covered by insurance,
affecting the properties, assets, or Business of the Company, (xvi) made any
change with respect to management, supervisory, or other key personnel of the
Company, (xvii) paid or discharged a lien or liability not appearing on the
Financial Statements, or (xviii) to the extent not otherwise set forth herein,
taken any action described in Section 4.01 hereof. Between July 31, 1996 and the
Effective Date of this Agreement, there has not been a Material Adverse Change
(as defined in Section 2.02(d)) in the financial condition, properties, assets,
liabilities, Business, operations, results of operations of the Company.

            (i) Certain Information. Provided that Parent allows Holdings and
the Company to modify any information regarding Holdings or the Company
contained therein, none of the information supplied by the Company for inclusion
in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as hereinafter
defined) will, at the respective times such documents or any amendments or
supplements thereto are filed with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that no representation is made by the Company with
respect to information supplied by Parent which relates to the Parent,
Acquisition, or any affiliate or associate of Parent for inclusion in the
Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Provided that Parent
allows Holdings and the Company to modify any information regarding Holdings or
the Company contained therein, none of the information relating to the Company
included in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that
has been supplied by the Company and/or Holdings will, at the time the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is distributed to the Company's and/or Parent's
stockholders, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.

            (j) Actions Pending. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(j) hereto,
(i) there is no action, suit, dispute, investigation, proceeding or claim
pending or, to the knowledge of 


<PAGE>   20

Holdings and the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, or its
properties or rights, or the Business, before any court, administrative agency,
governmental body, arbitrator, mediator or other dispute resolution body, and
the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances which are reasonably
likely to give rise to any such action, suit, dispute, investigation, proceeding
or claim, (ii) the Company is not subject to any order, judgment, decree,
injunction, stipulation, or consent order of or with any court or other
governmental agency, and (iii) the Company has not entered into any agreement to
settle or compromise any proceeding pending or threatened against it which has
involved any obligation other than the payment of money or for which the Company
has any continuing obligation, which (in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii) of this Section 3.01(j)) is reasonably likely to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect or which might materially and adversely affect the
ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or
materially and adversely affect the ability of Parent to conduct the Business
after the Effective Time.

            (k) Title to Properties. The Company has good and valid title to the
properties and assets reflected on the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as
of July 31, 1996 other than nonmaterial properties and assets disposed of in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such
balance sheet, and all such properties and assets are free and clear of Claims,
except (i) as described on Schedule 3.01(k) hereto, (ii) liens for current taxes
not yet due, and (iii) minor imperfections of title, if any, not material in
amount and not materially detracting from the value or impairing the use of the
property subject thereto or impairing the operations or proposed operations of
the Company (collectively, "Permitted Liens"). Such properties and assets
constitute all of the assets necessary to conduct the Business substantially in
the same manner as it has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

            (l) Real Property Interests. Schedule 3.01(l) hereto sets forth a
complete and accurate list of (i) the real properties owned by the Company (the
"Fee Properties") and (ii) the real properties leased by the Company (the
"Leased Properties"). The Company has good and marketable fee simple title to
the Fee Properties and good and marketable leasehold title to the Leased
Properties, listed on Schedule 3.01(l), free and clear of all Claims, tenants
and occupants except for Permitted Liens. Complete and accurate copies of all
leases or other agreements relating to the Leased Properties have been delivered
to Parent and there have been no material changes or amendments to such leases
or agreements since such delivery. The Company is the lawful owner of all
improvements and fixtures located on the Fee Properties and all moveable
fixtures located at the Leased Properties, free and clear of all Claims except
for Permitted Liens. Each lease or other agreement relating to the Leased
Properties is a valid and subsisting agreement, without any material default of
the Company thereunder and without any material default thereunder of the other
party thereto, and such leases and agreements give the Company the right to use
or occupy, as the case may be, all real properties as are sufficient and
adequate to operate the Business as it is currently being conducted. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.01(l), the Company's possession of such property has not
been disturbed nor has any claim relating to the Company's title to or
possession of such property been asserted against the Company that would have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.

            (m) Intellectual Property Rights. The patents, trademarks and trade
names, trademark and trade name registrations, service mark, brand mark and
brand name registrations, copyrights, inventions, know-how, trade secrets,
proprietary processes and information, software 


<PAGE>   21

source and object code, the applications therefor and the licenses with respect
thereto (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") listed on Schedule
3.01(m) hereto constitute all material proprietary rights owned or held by the
Company that are necessary to the conduct of the Business. Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.01(m), (i) the Company conducts the Business without any known
infringement or claim of infringement of any Intellectual Property Right of
others and the conduct by the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time of
the Business, in substantially the same manner as it is currently conducted,
will not constitute a breach or violation of any agreement relating to the
Intellectual Property Rights listed on Schedule 3.01(m) (other than as a result
of agreements to which Parent or any of its affiliates is a party); (ii) the
Company is, and after the consummation of the Merger will be, the sole and
exclusive owner of each Intellectual Property Right listed on Schedule 3.01(m),
free and clear of any Claims (other than Permitted Liens), and, to the knowledge
of Holdings and the Company, no person is challenging, infringing,
misappropriating or otherwise violating any such Intellectual Property Rights or
claiming that the conduct of the Business, infringes, misappropriates or
otherwise violates the Intellectual Property Rights of any third party; (iii)
the Company is not aware of any impediment to the registration of any trademark
that is the subject of any application for registration listed on Schedule
3.01(m) that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (iv) none of the
Intellectual Property Rights listed on Schedule 3.01(m) is the subject of any
outstanding order, ruling, decree, judgment or stipulation specifically binding
on the Company; (v) to the knowledge of Holdings and the Company, none of the
activities of any employee of the Company on behalf thereof violates any
obligations of such employee to third parties, including, without limitation,
confidentiality or noncompetition obligations under agreements with a former
employer; (vi) the Company is not aware of any unauthorized use by a third party
of any computer software programs or applications that the Company considers to
be a trade secret belonging to the Company; (vii) the Company has taken and is
taking reasonable precautions to protect all material trade secrets and other
confidential information relating to its proprietary computer software programs
and applications or included in the Intellectual Property Rights that are
material to the conduct of the Business; and (viii) the execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger will not
constitute a breach or default of any Intellectual Property Rights that are
material to the conduct of the Business.

            (n) Labor Matters. The Company is not a party to any collective
bargaining or union agreement, and no such agreement is applicable to any
employees of the Company. There are not any controversies between the Company
and any of such employees that might reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect, or any unresolved labor union grievances or
unfair labor practice or labor arbitration proceedings pending, or threatened
relating to the Business. There are no labor unions or other organizations
representing or purporting to represent any employees of the Company and there
are not any organizational efforts currently being made or threatened involving
any of such employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(n) hereto, the
Company is in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations
or other legal or contractual requirements regarding the terms and conditions of
employment of employees, former employees or prospective employees or other
labor related matters, including, without limitation, laws, rules, regulations,
orders, rulings, conciliation agreements, decrees, judgments and awards relating
to wages, hours, the payment of social security and similar taxes, equal
employment opportunity, employment discrimination, fair labor standards and
occupational health and safety, wrongful discharge or violation of the personal
rights of employees, former employees or prospective employees. The Company is
not liable for 


<PAGE>   22

any material amount of arrears of wages or any taxes or penalties for failure to
comply with any of the foregoing.

            (o) Severance Arrangements. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(o)
hereto, the Company is not party to any agreement with any employee (i) the
benefits of which (including, without limitation, severance benefits) are
contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of
a transaction involving the Company of the nature of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) providing severance benefits in excess of
those generally available under the Company's severance policies (which are
described on Schedule 3.01(o)), or which are conditioned upon a change of
control, after the termination of employment of such employees regardless of the
reason for such termination of employment, and the Company is not a party to any
employment agreement or compensation guarantee extending for a period longer
than one year. Schedule 3.01(o) sets forth all employment agreements and
compensation guarantees, regardless of duration, to which the Company is a
party. Except as a result of actions taken by Parent or the Surviving
Corporation, no amounts will be due or payable to any employee of the Company
under any such severance arrangement or otherwise by virtue of the refusal of
such employee to accept the offer of employment of the Surviving Corporation.

            (p)   Taxes.

                  (i) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(p) hereto, the
      Company or an affiliate on behalf of the Company has (A) timely filed all
      Federal and all material state, local and foreign returns, declarations,
      reports, estimates, information returns and statements relating to the
      Company's operations ("Returns") required to be filed by it in respect of
      any Taxes (as hereinafter defined), (B) timely paid all Taxes that are due
      and payable with respect to the periods covered by the Tax Returns
      referred to in clause (A) without regard to whether such Taxes have been
      assessed (except for audit adjustments not material in the aggregate or to
      the extent that liability therefor is reserved for in the Company's most
      recent unaudited financial statements), (C) established reserves that are
      adequate for the payment of all Taxes not yet due and payable with respect
      to the results of operations of the Company, and (D) complied in all
      material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating
      to the payment and withholding of Taxes and has in all material respects
      timely withheld from employee wages and paid over to the proper
      governmental authorities all amounts required to be so withheld and paid
      over.

                  (ii) The Company has no liability for the Taxes of any Person
      or entity other than the Company under Regulation 1.1502-6 of the Internal
      Revenue Code.

                  (iii) Schedule 3.01(p) sets forth the last taxable period
      through which the Federal income Tax Returns of the Company have been
      examined by the Internal Revenue Service or otherwise closed. All
      deficiencies asserted as a result of such examinations and any examination
      by any applicable state, local or foreign taxing authority which have not
      been or will not be appealed or contested in a timely manner have been
      paid, fully settled or adequately provided for in the Company's most
      recent audited financial statements. Except as set forth on Schedule
      3.01(p), no Federal, state, local or foreign Tax audits or other
      administrative proceedings or court proceedings are currently pending with
      regard to any Federal or material state, local or foreign Taxes for 


<PAGE>   23

      which the Company would be liable, and no deficiency for any such Taxes
      has been proposed, asserted or assessed or threatened pursuant to such
      examination of the Company by such Federal, state, local or foreign taxing
      authority with respect to any period.

                  (iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(p), the Company has
      not executed or entered into (or prior to the Effective Time will execute
      or enter into) with the Internal Revenue Service or any taxing authority
      (A) any agreement or other document extending or having the effect of
      extending the period for assessments or collection of any Federal, state,
      local or foreign Taxes for which the Company would be liable or (B) a
      closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Internal Revenue Code,
      or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of state,
      local or foreign income tax law that relates to the assets or operations
      of the Company.

                  (v) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(p), the Company is
      not a party to any agreement providing for the allocation or sharing of
      liability for any Taxes.

                  (vi) The Company has made available to Parent complete and
      accurate copies of all income and franchise Tax Returns pertaining solely
      to the Company and all material other Tax Returns pertaining solely to the
      Company filed by or on behalf of the Company for the taxable years ending
      on or prior to July 31, 1996.

                  (vii) The Company is not a "U.S. real property holding
      corporation" (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue
      Code), and neither the Company nor any stockholder of the Company is a
      non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership,
      or foreign trust.

                  For purposes of this Agreement, "Taxes" shall mean all
Federal, state, local, foreign or other taxing authority income, franchise,
sales, use, ad valorem, property, payroll, social security, unemployment,
assets, value added, withholding, excise, severance, transfer, employment,
alternative or add-on minimum and other taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts,
duties or other assessments, together with any interest and any penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority.

            (q) Compliance with Law; Permits. The Company is not in default in
any material respect under any order or decree of any court, governmental
authority, arbitrator or arbitration board or tribunal that is specifically
binding on the Company or under any laws, ordinances, governmental rules or
regulations to which the Company or any of its respective properties or assets
is subject. Schedule 3.01(q) hereto sets forth a list of all material permits,
authorizations, approvals, registrations, variances and licenses ("Permits")
issued to or used by the Company in connection with the conduct of the Business;
such Permits constitute all Permits necessary for the Company to own, use and
maintain its properties and assets or required for the conduct of the Business
in substantially the same manner as it is currently conducted. Each Permit
listed on Schedule 3.01(q) is in full force and effect and no proceeding is
pending or threatened to modify, suspend, revoke or otherwise limit any of such
Permits and no administrative or governmental actions have been taken or
threatened in connection with the expiration or renewal of any of such Permits.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(q), neither the 


<PAGE>   24

Company nor Parent or Acquisition will be required, as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, to obtain or renew any
Permits.

            (r)   Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (i) Schedule 3.01(r) hereto sets forth a complete and accurate
      list of each plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment that is
      an employment, consulting or deferred compensation agreement, or an
      executive compensation, incentive bonus or other bonus, employee pension,
      profit-sharing, savings, retirement, stock option, stock purchase,
      severance pay, life, health, disability or accident insurance plan, or
      vacation or other employee benefit plan, program, arrangement, agreement
      or commitment, including, without limitation, each employee benefit plan
      (as defined under Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
      Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") in which employees of the Company
      participate that is (i) maintained by the Company or any trade or business
      (whether or not incorporated) which, together with the Company, would be
      treated as a single employer under Title IV of ERISA or Section 414 of the
      Internal Revenue Code (collectively, the "ERISA Affiliates") or (ii) to
      which any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has any obligation to contribute
      to, or has or may have any liability (including, without limitation, a
      liability arising out of an indemnification, guarantee, hold harmless or
      similar agreement) (collectively, the "Plans"). Each Plan is identified on
      Schedule 3.01(r), to the extent applicable, as one or more of the
      following: an "employee pension plan" (as defined in Section 3(2)(A) of
      ERISA), an "employee welfare plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA),
      or as a plan intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
      Revenue Code.

                  (ii) The Plans have been, and currently are in compliance, in
      all material respects, with all laws and regulations applicable to the
      Plans under which noncompliance would have a Company Material Adverse
      Effect, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Internal Revenue
      Code.
                  (iii) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(r), no ERISA
      Affiliate has maintained, adopted or established, contributed to or been
      required to contribute to, or otherwise participated in or been required
      to participate in, any employee benefit plan or other program or
      arrangement subject to Title IV of ERISA (including, without limitation, a
      "multi-employer plan" (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), a multiple
      employer plan (as defined in Section 210 of ERISA) and a defined benefit
      plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA)).

                  (iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(r), the Company
      neither provides nor may be required to provide and no Plan, other than a
      Plan that is an employee pension benefit plan (within the meaning of
      Section 3(2)(A) of ERISA), provides or may be required to provide
      benefits, including, without limitation, death, health or medical benefits
      (whether or not insured), with respect to current or former employees of
      the Company beyond their retirement or other termination of service with
      the Company (other than (A) coverage mandated by applicable law, (B)
      deferred compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the books of the
      Company, or (C) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current or
      former employee (or his or her beneficiary)). No ERISA Affiliate maintains
      any Plan under which any employee or 


<PAGE>   25

      former employee of the Company may receive medical benefits which cannot
      be modified or terminated by the ERISA Affiliates at any time without the
      consent of any person, and no employees or former employees of the Company
      will have any claim in respect of such benefits as of the Effective Time.

                  (v) The transactions contemplated hereby will not result in
      (i) any portion of any amount paid or payable by the Company to a
      "disqualified individual" (within the meaning of Section 280G(c) of the
      Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), whether
      paid or payable in cash, securities of the Company or otherwise and
      whether considered alone or in conjunction with any other amount paid or
      payable to such a "disqualified individual," being an "excess parachute
      payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue
      Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) any employee of the
      Company being entitled to severance pay, unemployment compensation (other
      than payments by state unemployment compensation program), or any other
      payment, (iii) an acceleration of the time of payment (other than
      eligibility for a distribution from a defined contribution plan) or
      vesting or an increase in the amount of compensation due to any such
      employee or former employee of the Company or (iv) any prohibited
      transaction described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
      Internal Revenue Code for which an exemption is not available.

                  (vi) No ERISA Affiliates has incurred any material liability
      with respect to any Plan under ERISA (including, without limitation, Title
      I or Title IV thereof, other than liability for premiums due to the
      Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation which are current if applicable), the
      Internal Revenue Code or other applicable law for which the Company may be
      held liable, which has not been satisfied in full or been accrued on the
      balance sheet of the Company as of July 31, 1996 pending full
      satisfaction, and no event has occurred, and there exists no condition or
      set of circumstances, which could result in the imposition of any material
      liability on the Company not set forth in or reserved in the Company's
      unaudited balance sheet at July 31, 1996 under ERISA, the Internal Revenue
      Code or other applicable law with respect to any Plan.

                  (vii) With respect to each Plan subject to Section 412 of the
      Internal Revenue Code that is funded wholly or partially through an
      insurance policy, all premiums required to have been paid to date under
      the insurance policy have been paid, and, except as set forth on Schedule
      3.01(r), as of the Effective Time there will be no liability of the
      Company under any such insurance policy or ancillary agreement with
      respect to such insurance policy in the nature of a retroactive rate
      adjustment, loss sharing arrangement or other actual or contingent
      liability arising wholly or partially out of events occurring prior to the
      Effective Time.

                  (viii) None of the ERISA Affiliates has made any contribution
      to any Plan that may be subject to any excise tax under Section 4972 of
      the Internal Revenue Code for which the Company may be held liable.


<PAGE>   26

            (s) Environmental Matters. The Company is in compliance in all
material respects with all Federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, orders,
judgments, rulings or regulations relating to environmental pollution or to
environmental regulation or control. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(s)
hereto, neither the Company nor any of its respective officers, employees,
representatives or agents has treated, stored, processed, discharged, spilled or
otherwise disposed of any substance defined as hazardous or toxic by any
applicable Federal, state or local law, rule, regulation, order or directive, or
any waste or by-product thereof, at any real property or any other facility
owned, leased or used by the Company, in material violation of any applicable
statutes, regulations, ordinances or directives of any governmental authority or
court, which violations may result in any material liability to the Company,
taken as a whole. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(s), no employee of the
Company or other person has ever made a claim or demand against the Company
based on alleged damage to health caused by any such hazardous or toxic
substance or by any waste or by-product thereof. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.01(s), the Company has not been charged by any governmental authority with
improperly using, handling, storing, discharging or disposing of any such
hazardous or toxic substance or waste or by-product thereof or with causing or
permitting any pollution of any body of water. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.01(s), to the best knowledge of Holdings and the Company, the Fee or Leased
Properties and the Business are not subject to any pending or threatened
administrative or judicial proceeding under any environmental law and there are
no facts or circumstances known to the Company which are reasonably likely to
give rise to any proceeding. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(s), to the
best knowledge of Holdings and the Company, there are no inactive, closed, or
abandoned storage or disposal areas or facilities or underground storage tanks
on the Fee or Leased Properties.

            (t) Personal Property. The Company has provided Parent lists of (i)
all of the tangible personal property used by the Company in its business having
an original acquisition cost of $50,000 or more, and (ii) all leases of personal
property binding upon the Company having an annual rental in excess of $25,000.
All of such tangible personal property is presently utilized by the Company in
the ordinary course of its business and is in good repair, ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

            (u) Contracts. Schedule 3.01(u) lists all contracts and arrangements
of the following types to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound
and which are material to the conduct of the Business or to the financial
condition or results of operations of the Company, taken as a whole, including
without limitation the following:

                  (i) any contract or arrangement with a sales representative,
      distributor, dealer, broker, sales agency, advertising agency or other
      person engaged in sales, distribution or promotional activities, or any
      contract to act as one of the foregoing on behalf of any person, which is
      not terminable by the Company on 30 or fewer days notice;

                  (ii) any contract or arrangement of any nature which involves
      the payment or receipt of cash or other property, an unperformed
      commitment, or goods or services, having a value in excess of $100,000;

                  (iii) any contract or arrangement pursuant to which the
      Company has made or will make loans or advances, or has or will have
      incurred indebtedness for 


<PAGE>   27
      borrowed money or become a guarantor or surety or pledged its credit on or
      otherwise become responsible with respect to any undertaking of another
      (except for the negotiation or collection of negotiable instruments in
      transactions in the ordinary course of business) in excess of $50,000;

                  (iv) any indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, note,
      mortgage, security agreement, lease of real property or personal property,
      loan commitment or other contract or arrangement relating to the borrowing
      of funds, an extension of credit or financing;

                  (v) any contract or arrangement involving a partnership, a
      limited liability company, a joint venture or other cooperative
      undertaking requiring a sharing of assets or technology of the Company;

                  (vi) any contract or arrangement involving any restrictions
      with respect to the geographical area of operations or scope or type of
      business of the Company;

                  (vii) any power of attorney or agency agreement or arrangement
      with any person pursuant to which such person is granted the authority to
      act for or on behalf of the Company, or the Company is granted the
      authority to act for or on behalf of any person;

                  (viii) any contract not fully performed and relating to any
      acquisition or disposition of the Company or any predecessor in interest
      of the Company, or any acquisition or disposition of any subsidiary,
      division, line of business, or real property of the Company;

                  (ix)  any  contract  or  arrangement   with  a  customer  or
      financial institution;

                  (x)   all  such  contracts  and  arrangements   between  the
      Company  and  Holdings  or  its  affiliates  that  are  material  to the
      operations of the Company; and
                  (xi) any contract not specified above which the cancellation,
      breach, or nonperformance of would constitute a Company Material Adverse
      Effect.

The Company has delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of the
contracts and agreements set forth on Schedule 3.01(u), and each such contract
or agreement is a valid and subsisting agreement, without any material default
of the Company thereunder and, to Holdings' and the Company's knowledge, without
any material default thereunder of the other party thereto. Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.01(u), the Company has not received notice of any cancellation or
termination of, or of any threat to cancel or terminate, any of such contracts
or agreements required to be listed on Schedule 3.01(u) where such cancellation
or termination would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

            (v)   Insurance.


<PAGE>   28

                   (i) All policies of fire, liability, workers' compensation
      and other forms of insurance providing insurance coverage to or for the
      Company for events or occurrences arising or taking place in the case of
      occurrence type insurance, and for claims made and/or suits commenced in
      the case of claims-made type insurance, between the Effective Date of this
      Agreement and the Effective Time, are listed on Schedule 3.01(v) hereto,
      and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(v), all premiums with respect
      thereto have been paid, and no notice of cancellation or termination has
      been received with respect to any such policy. All such policies are in
      full force and effect, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(v),
      provide insurance in such amounts and against such risks as Holdings and
      the Company believe are customary for companies engaged in similar
      businesses to protect the employees, properties, assets, businesses and
      operations of the Company. All such policies will remain in full force and
      effect and will not be adversely modified or affected by, or terminate or
      lapse by reason of, any of the transactions contemplated hereby, except by
      reason of an insurer's assessment of Parent or the conduct of the Business
      after the Effective Time.

                  (ii) The Company has provided Parent information concerning
      all claims, which (including related claims which in the aggregate) exceed
      $50,000 and which have been made by the Company in the last two years
      under any workers' compensation, general liability, property, directors'
      and officers' liability or other insurance policy applicable to the
      Company or any of its properties. Except as set forth in written materials
      provided by the Company to Parent, there are no pending or threatened
      claims under any insurance policy, the outcome of which would have a
      Company Material Adverse Effect.

            (w) Pending Transactions. Except for this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, the Company is not a party to or bound by any
agreement, negotiation, discussion, commitment or undertaking with respect to a
merger or consolidation with, or an acquisition of all or substantially all of
the property and assets of, any other corporation or person or the sale, lease
or exchange of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any
other person.

            (x) Claims Against Officers and Directors. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.01(x), to the knowledge of Holdings and the Company, there are no
pending or threatened claims against any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Company which could give rise to any claim for indemnification against the
Company.

            (y) Customers, Suppliers, Etc. The Company has provided Parent
information concerning the 15 largest customers of the Company in terms of
revenue to the Company ("Major Customers") and the 10 largest suppliers in terms
of charges to the Company ("Major Suppliers") during the fiscal year ended July
31, 1996. Except to the extent set forth in Schedule 3.01(y), between July 31,
1996 and the Effective Date of this Agreement: (i) there has not been any
material dispute between the Company and any Major Customer or Major Supplier;
(ii) the Company did not receive notice from any Major Customer stating that
such Major Customer intends to reduce its purchases from the Company; or (iii)
the Company did not receive notice from any Major Supplier stating that such
Major Supplier intends to reduce its sale of goods or services to the Company.


<PAGE>   29

            (z) Improper and Other Payments. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.01(z), neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of Holdings and the Company,
any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Company, nor any
person acting on behalf of any of them, has (i) made, paid or received any
bribes, kickbacks or other similar payments to or from any person, whether
lawful or unlawful, (ii) made any unlawful contributions, directly or
indirectly, to a domestic or foreign political party or candidate, or (iii) made
any improper foreign payment (as defined in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).

            (aa) Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(aa), the Company
has not used any broker or finder in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, and the Company has not nor will have any liability or
otherwise suffer or incur any loss as a result of or in connection with any
brokerage or finder's fee or other commission of any person retained by the
Company or the sole stockholder of the Company in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (bb) Accounts Receivable and Advances. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 3.01(bb), (i) each account receivable of the Company (collectively, the
"Accounts Receivable") represents a sale made in the ordinary course of business
other than to affiliates and which arose pursuant to an enforceable written
contract for a bona fide sale of goods or for services performed, and the
Company has performed all of its obligations to produce the goods or perform the
services to which such Accounts Receivable relates, and (ii) no Account
Receivable is subject to any claim for reduction, counterclaim, set-off,
recoupment or other claim for credit, allowances or adjustments by the obligor
thereof, in an amount individually or in the aggregate that would have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.

            (cc) OCC Examination. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
("OCC") has not notified the Company of, nor imposed upon the Company, any
order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation, liability, obligation,
violation, fine, penalty, or burden that has material and adverse financial
consequences on the Company or its Business.

            (dd) Accuracy of Statements. Neither this Agreement, the
Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter, nor any schedule, exhibit, statement, list,
document, certificate or other information furnished or to be furnished by or on
behalf of the Company to Parent in connection with this Agreement, when read
together, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of
the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

      SECTION 3.02 Representations and Warranties of Holdings. Except as set
forth in the Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter, Holdings represents and
warrants to Parent and Acquisition as follows:

            (a) Organization and Qualification. Holdings is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware.


<PAGE>   30

            (b) Ownership. Holdings owns beneficially and of record 100% of the
Company Common Stock, free and clear of any liens, claims, charges,
restrictions, rights of others, security interests, prior assignments or other
encumbrances.

            (c) Authority Relative to Agreement. Holdings has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Holdings and the consummation by Holdings of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by Holdings' Board of Directors
and no other corporate approvals or proceedings on the part of Holdings are
necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings, enforceable against
Holdings in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect, if any, of (a)
applicable bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally, (b) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief
and other equitable remedies, and (c) the limitations imposed by public policy
on the enforceability of provisions requiring indemnification in connection with
the offering, issuance or sale of securities. No approval of the holders of any
class or series of Holdings' capital stock is necessary to approve this
Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

            (d) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Holdings and the consummation by Holdings of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not (i) violate or conflict with any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of Holdings or (ii) except as set forth on Schedule
3.02(d) hereof, result in any violation of, conflict with, or default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default) or
loss of a benefit under, or permit the termination of or the acceleration of any
obligation under, any mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument,
permit, concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute,
law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company's Business as
conducted by the Company or the Company's properties, or (iii) result in the
creation or imposition of any Claim in favor of any third person or entity upon
any of the assets of the Company or the Company's Business, other than any such
violation, conflict, default, loss, termination or acceleration that would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

            (e) Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.02(e), no consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, any Federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authority
is required to be made or obtained by Holdings or any of its subsidiaries in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Holdings or the
consummation by Holdings of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i)
compliance by Holdings with the HSR Act, (ii) filing with the SEC of such
reports, schedules, and information under Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
thereunder, as may be required to be filed by Holdings in connection with this
Agreement, the Merger, and other transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the
filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware in accordance with the Delaware GCL, and (iv) such consents, approvals,
orders or authorizations which if not obtained, 


<PAGE>   31

or registrations, declarations or filings which if not made, would not
materially adversely affect the ability of Holdings to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

            (f) Certain Information. Provided that Parent allows Holdings and
the Company to modify any information regarding Holdings or the Company
contained therein, none of the information supplied by Holdings for inclusion in
the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, at the
respective times such documents or any amendments or supplements thereto are
filed with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no
representation is made by Holdings with respect to information supplied by
Parent which relates to the Parent or any affiliate or associate of Parent for
inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Provided that Parent allows Holdings and the Company to modify any information
regarding Holdings or the Company contained therein, none of the information
relating to Holdings and its subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement
or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that has been supplied by Holdings or its
subsidiaries will, at the time the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is distributed to
the Company's and/or Parent's stockholders, be false or misleading with respect
to any material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

            (g) Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.02(h), neither
Holdings nor any of its subsidiaries has used any broker or finder in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither Holdings nor any of its
subsidiaries has or shall have any liability or otherwise suffer or incur any
loss as a result of or in connection with any brokerage or finder's fee or other
commission of any person retained by Holdings, any of its subsidiaries, or the
stockholders of Holdings in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

            (h) Accuracy of Statements. Neither this Agreement nor any schedule,
exhibit, statement, list, document, certificate or other information furnished
or to be furnished by or on behalf of Holdings to Parent in connection with this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

      SECTION 3.03 Representations and Warranties of Parent. Except as set forth
in the Parent Disclosure Letter dated of even date herewith, Parent represents
and warrants to Holdings and the Company as follows:

            (a) Organization and Qualification. Parent is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease and
operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted. Parent is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the character
of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (as hereinafter 


<PAGE>   32

defined). As used in this Agreement, the term "Parent Material Adverse Effect"
shall mean a material adverse effect on the properties, assets, financial
condition, operating results or business of Parent, taken as a whole; provided,
however, that the term "Parent Material Adverse Effect" shall not include any
such material adverse effect arising or resulting, directly or indirectly, from
industry conditions or the public announcement of, or the response or reaction
of customers, vendors, licensors, investors, Parent employees or others to, this
Agreement, the Merger, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or entered into in connection with this Agreement or the Merger.

            (b) Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.03(b) includes a complete and accurate
list of each subsidiary of the Parent, indicating the jurisdiction of
incorporation and the nature and level of ownership in such subsidiary by the
Parent, any subsidiary of the Parent and any other person. Complete and correct
copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Parent and of each
subsidiary of the Parent have previously been delivered to the Company. Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.03(b) hereto, neither the Parent nor any of its
subsidiaries owns of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, (i) any
shares of outstanding capital stock or securities convertible into capital stock
of any other corporation or (ii) any participating interest in any partnership,
joint venture or other noncorporate business enterprise. Each subsidiary of the
Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own or lease and operate its properties and
assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each
subsidiary of the Parent is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the character
of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. All the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Parent's subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.03(b), are owned
by the Parent or by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent free and clear of
any Claims, and there are no proxies or voting or transfer agreements or
understandings outstanding with respect to any such shares. Without limiting the
foregoing representations and warranties, Parent owns beneficially of record all
of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of Acquisition free
and clear of all Claims.

                  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "subsidiary," when
used with respect to the Parent, shall mean any corporation or other business
entity a majority of whose outstanding equity securities is at the time owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Parent and/or one or more other subsidiaries of
the Parent.

            (c) Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of Parent consists
of 150,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and 15,000,000 shares of Parent
Preferred Stock, and, as of August 31, 1996, 41,669,035 shares of Parent Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, all of which were duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and no shares of Parent Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding. As of August 31, 1996, Parent had outstanding
options to purchase up to a total of 3,387,803 shares of Parent Common Stock.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence or in Schedule 3.03(c)
hereto, Parent has, no subscription, warrant, option, convertible security,
stock appreciation or other right (contingent or other) to purchase or acquire
any shares of any class of capital stock of Parent that is authorized or
outstanding and there is not any commitment of 


<PAGE>   33

Parent to issue any shares, warrants, options or other such rights or to
distribute to holders of any class of its capital stock any evidences of
indebtedness or assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.03, Parent does not
have any obligation (contingent or other) to purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of its capital stock or any interest therein or to pay any
dividend or make any other distribution in respect thereof.

            (d) Authority Relative to Agreements. Parent has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent
and the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Parent, and except for approval by
the stockholders of Parent, no other corporate approvals or proceedings on the
part of Parent are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Parent and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent,
enforceable against Parent in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect,
if any, of (a) applicable bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the rights
of creditors generally, (b) rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief and other equitable remedies, and (c) the limitations imposed
by public policy on the enforceability of provisions requiring indemnification
in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of securities. The Parent's
Board of Directors has by the requisite vote of its Board of Directors present
(i) determined that this Agreement and the Merger is advisable and fair and in
the best interests of the Parent and its stockholders, and (ii) resolved to
recommend the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the Parent's
stockholders and directed that the Merger be submitted for consideration by such
stockholders. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Parent Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any class or
series of the Parent's capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement, the
Merger, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

            (e) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Parent and the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby
will not (i) violate or conflict with any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of Parent, (ii) result in any violation of, conflict
with, or default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute a default) or loss of a benefit under, or permit the termination of
or the acceleration of any obligation under, any material mortgage, indenture,
lease, agreement or other instrument to which Parent is a party or by which its
assets are bound, permit, concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Parent
or any of its subsidiaries or their respective properties, or (iii) result in
the creation or imposition of any Claim in favor of any third person or entity
upon any of the assets of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, other than any such
violation, conflict, default, loss, termination or acceleration that would not
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the ability of Parent
to consummate the Merger or any other transaction contemplated hereby.

            (f) Consents. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Federal, state, local or foreign
governmental or regulatory authority is required to be made or obtained by
Parent in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent
or the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby, except
for (i) compliance by Parent with the HSR Act, (ii) filings pursuant 


<PAGE>   34

to the Securities Act as contemplated by Section 4.02 hereof, (iii) the filing
of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
in accordance with the Delaware GCL, (iv) any licenses, permits, franchises or
other governmental authorizations pertaining to the Business that are required
as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) the
consents described in Schedule 3.03(f), and (vi) such consents, approvals,
orders or authorizations which if not obtained, or registrations, declarations
or filings which if not made, would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or
materially adversely affect the ability of Parent to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby or to conduct the Business after the Effective Time.

            (g) SEC Filings. Parent has filed all forms, reports and documents
required to be filed with the SEC since September 28, 1995, and Parent has made
available to the Company, as filed with the SEC, complete and accurate copies of
all reports, statements and registration statements (including Current Reports
on Form 8-K) filed by Parent with the SEC since September 28, 1995, in each case
including all amendments and supplements (collectively, the "Parent SEC
Filings"). The Parent SEC Filings (including, without limitation, any financial
statements or schedules included therein) (i) were prepared in compliance with
the requirements of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
(ii) did not at the time of filing (or if amended, supplemented or superseded by
a filing prior to the date hereof, on the date of that filing) contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

            The financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC
Filings have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") consistently applied and consistent with prior periods
indicated (except as otherwise noted therein or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly present (subject,
in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments
and any other adjustments described therein) the consolidated financial position
of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Parent and its consolidated
subsidiaries for the periods then ended. Since June 30, 1996, there has been no
change in any of the significant accounting (including tax accounting) policies,
practices or procedures of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries. Except for
liabilities or obligations that are accrued or reserved against in Parent's
financial statements included in the Parent SEC Reports neither of Parent or its
subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) that would be
required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet, or the notes
thereto, or which would have a Parent Material Adverse Affect.

            (h) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in the
Parent SEC Filings made through the date hereof, (i) Parent has not conducted
its business and operations other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices or taken any of the actions set forth in Section
4.02 hereof and (ii) there has not been any fact, event, circumstance or change
affecting or relating to Parent or its subsidiaries that has caused or is
reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Change in Parent's financial
condition, properties, assets, liabilities, business, operations, or results of
operations. As used with reference Parent, the term "Material Adverse Change"
refers to a material adverse change other 


<PAGE>   35

than a change arising or resulting, directly or indirectly, from industry
conditions or the public announcement of, or the response or reaction of
customers, vendors, licensors, investors, Parent employees or others to, this
Agreement, the Merger, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or entered into in connection with this Agreement of the Merger.

            (i) Certain Information. None of the information supplied by Parent
or Acquisition for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (as defined in Section 4.02 hereof) will, at the respective
times such documents or any amendments or supplements thereto are filed with the
SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except no
representation is made by Parent or Acquisition with respect to information
supplied by the Company which relates to the Company or any affiliate or
associate of the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information relating to Parent included
in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that has been
supplied by Parent will, at the time the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is
distributed to the Company's and/or Parent's stockholders, be false or
misleading with respect to any material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

            (j) Registration Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.03(j) and
except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Parent is not a party to any
agreement obligating or requiring it to register under the Securities Act any
Parent Common Stock or other security of Parent.

            (k) Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.03(k), neither Parent
nor any of its subsidiaries has used any broker or finder in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, and neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries
has or shall have any liability or otherwise suffer or incur any loss as a
result of or in connection with any brokerage or finder's fee or other
commission of any person retained by Parent or any of its subsidiaries in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (l) Title to Properties. Parent has good and valid title to the
properties and assets reflected on the audited balance sheet of Parent as of
June 30, 1996 other than nonmaterial properties and assets disposed of in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such
balance sheet, and all such properties and assets are free and clear of Claims,
except (i) as described in the Parent SEC Filings, (ii) liens for current taxes
not yet due, and (iii) minor imperfections of title, if any, not material in
amount and not materially detracting from the value or impairing the use of the
property subject thereto or impairing the operations or proposed operations of
the Company (collectively, "Permitted Liens"). Such properties and assets
constitute all of the assets necessary to conduct Parent's business
substantially in the same manner as it has been conducted prior to the date
hereof.

            (m) Intellectual Property Rights. The patents, trademarks and trade
names, trademark and trade name registrations, service mark, brand mark and
brand name registrations, copyrights, inventions, know-how, trade secrets,
proprietary processes and information, software 


<PAGE>   36

source and object code, the applications therefor and the licenses with respect
thereto (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") currently owned by, or
licensed to, Parent and its subsidiaries hereto constitute all material
proprietary rights owned or held by Parent or its subsidiaries that are
necessary to the conduct of Parent's business as currently conducted. Except as
set forth in the Parent SEC Filings, Parent and its subsidiaries conduct their
business without any known infringement or claim of infringement of any
Intellectual Property Right of others; (ii) to the knowledge of Parent, no
person is challenging, infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any
such Intellectual Property Rights or claiming that the conduct by Parent of its
business, infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates the Intellectual
Property Rights of any third party; (iii) none of the Intellectual Property
Rights currently used by Parent is the subject of any outstanding order, ruling,
decree, judgment or stipulation specifically binding on Parent; (v) to the
knowledge of Parent, none of the activities of any employee of Parent or its
subsidiaries on behalf thereof violates any obligations of such employee to
third parties, including, without limitation, confidentiality or noncompetition
obligations under agreements with a former employer; (vi) Parent is not aware of
any unauthorized use by a third party of any computer software programs or
applications that Parent considers to be a trade secret belonging to the
Company; (vii) Parent has taken and is taking reasonable precautions to protect
all material trade secrets and other confidential information relating to its
proprietary computer software programs and applications or included in the
Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct of its business;
and (viii) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger will not constitute a breach or default of any
Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct of Parent's
business.

            (n) Environmental Matters. Parent and its subsidiaries are in
compliance in all material respects with all Federal, state or local statutes,
ordinances, orders, judgments, rulings or regulations relating to environmental
pollution or to environmental regulation or control. Parent has not been charged
by any governmental authority with improperly using, handling, storing,
discharging or disposing of any such hazardous or toxic substance or waste or
by-product thereof or with causing or permitting any pollution of any body of
water. To the best knowledge of Parent no properties or facilities used by
Parent or its subsidiaries are subject to any pending or threatened
administrative or judicial proceeding under any environmental law and there are
no facts or circumstances known to Parent which are reasonably likely to give
rise to any proceeding. To the best knowledge of Parent, there are no inactive,
closed, or abandoned storage or disposal areas or facilities or underground
storage tanks on the properties or facilities used by Parent or its
subsidiaries.

            (o) Insurance. All policies of fire, liability, workers'
compensation and other forms of insurance providing insurance coverage to or for
Parent are in full force and effect, and provide insurance in such amounts and
against such risks as Parent believes are customary for companies engaged in
similar businesses to protect the employees, properties, assets, businesses and
operations of Parent and its subsidiaries. All such policies will remain in full
force and effect and will not be adversely modified or affected by, or terminate
or lapse by reason of, any of the transactions contemplated hereby, except by
reason of an insurer's assessment of Parent or the conduct of the Business after
the Effective Time.

            (p) Pending Transactions. Except for this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, Parent is not a party to or bound by any
agreement, negotiation, discussion, 


<PAGE>   37

commitment or undertaking with respect to a merger or consolidation with, or an
acquisition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of, any other
corporation or person or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all
of its properties and assets to any other person.

            (q) Claims Against Officers and Directors. To the knowledge of
Parent, there are no pending or threatened claims against any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company which could give rise to any claim for
indemnification against the Company.

      SECTION 3.04 Representations and Warranties of Acquisition. Acquisition
represents and warrants to Holdings and the Company as follows:

            (a) Organization and Qualification. Acquisition is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own or
lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted. Acquisition is duly qualified as a foreign corporation
to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the
character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operating
results or business of Acquisition.

            (b) Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of Acquisition
consists of 3,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value. As of the date hereof,
100 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which were duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and all such
shares are owned of record and beneficially by Parent free of all Claims, and no
shares of Common Stock are held in the treasury of Acquisition. Acquisition has
no commitments to issue or sell any shares of its capital stock or any
securities or obligations convertible into or exchangeable for, or giving any
person any right to subscribe for or acquire from Acquisition, any shares of its
capital stock, and no securities or obligations evidencing any such rights are
outstanding.

            (c) Authority Relative to Agreement. Acquisition has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Acquisition and the consummation by Acquisition of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Acquisition and by
Parent as its sole stockholder, and no other corporate approvals or proceedings
on the part of Acquisition are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Acquisition and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation
of Acquisition, enforceable against Acquisition in accordance with its terms
subject to the effect, if any, of (a) applicable bankruptcy and other similar
laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) rules of law governing
specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies, and (c)
the limitations imposed by public policy on the enforceability of provisions
requiring indemnification in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of
securities.

            (d) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Acquisition and the consummation by Acquisition of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not (i) violate or conflict with any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of 


<PAGE>   38

Acquisition or (ii) result in any violation of, conflict with, or default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default) or
loss of a benefit under, or permit the termination of or the acceleration of any
obligation under, any material mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement, license,
judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable
to Acquisition or its properties.

            (e) Consents. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Federal, state, local or foreign
governmental or regulatory authority is required to be made or obtained by
Acquisition in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Acquisition or the consummation by Acquisition of the transactions contemplated
hereby, except for (i) compliance by Acquisition with the HSR Act, (ii) the
filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware in accordance with the Delaware GCL, and (iii) any licenses, permits,
franchises or other governmental authorizations pertaining to the Business that
are required as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

            (f) Other Matters. Acquisition has been formed for the sole purpose
of effecting the Merger and, except as contemplated by this Agreement,
Acquisition has not conducted any business activities and does not have any
material liabilities or obligations.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    COVENANTS

      SECTION 4.01 Conduct of the Company's Business. The Company covenants and
agrees that, prior to the Effective Time, unless Parent shall otherwise consent
in writing and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or
by any other contract or agreement that the Company may enter into with Parent
and/or Holdings:

            (a) the business of the Company shall be conducted only in, and the
      Company shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of
      business consistent with past practice and the Company shall use its best
      efforts to preserve intact its present business organization, keep
      available the services of its current officers and employees, maintain its
      assets (other than those permitted to be disposed of hereunder) in good
      repair and condition, maintain its books of account and records in the
      usual, regular and ordinary manner and preserve its goodwill and ongoing
      business;

            (b) the Company shall not directly or indirectly do any of the
      following: (i) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any property or
      assets (including Intellectual Property Rights) of the Company, except
      inventory and immaterial assets in the ordinary course of business
      consistent with past practice; (ii) amend or propose to amend its
      Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws; (iii) split, combine or
      reclassify any outstanding shares of its capital stock, or declare, set
      aside or pay any dividend payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise
      with respect to such shares (except for any dividends paid in the ordinary
      course to the Company); (iv) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire
      (or permit any of its subsidiaries to redeem, purchase, acquire or offer
      to acquire) any shares of its capital stock; (v) incorporate or otherwise
      form or create any subsidiary; (vi) 


<PAGE>   39

      materially change the Company's equipment or technology; or (vii) enter
      into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to
      any of the matters set forth in this paragraph (b);

            (c) the Company shall not (i) issue, sell, pledge or dispose of, or
      agree to issue, sell, pledge or dispose of, any additional shares of, or
      securities convertible or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants or
      rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, its capital stock of any
      class or other property or assets; (ii) acquire (by merger, consolidation
      or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or other
      business organization or division thereof or any material amount of
      assets; (iii) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money other
      than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
      practices, or refinance any such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt
      securities; (iv) enter into or modify any material contract, lease,
      agreement or commitment, or permit or perform any act that would cause a
      material breach of any such contract, lease, agreement or commitment; (v)
      terminate, modify, assign, waive, release or relinquish any material
      contract rights or amend any material rights or claims; (vi) discharge or
      satisfy any material claim or settle or compromise any material claim,
      action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened against the Company (or,
      if the Company may be liable or obligated to provide indemnification to
      its directors or officers), against the Company's directors or officers,
      before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator; (vii) make any loans,
      advances or capital contributions to or investments in, any other person,
      except as may be required under agreements in effect as of and identified
      on Schedule 3.01(u) hereto and upon prior notice to Parent; (viii) alter
      through merger, liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or in any other
      manner the corporate structure or ownership of the Company; (ix) violate
      or fail to perform, in any material respect, any obligation imposed upon
      the Company by any applicable laws, orders or decrees, ordinances,
      government rules or regulations or conciliation agreements; or (x) to the
      extent not described herein, take any action described in Section 3.01(h)
      hereof;

            (d) the Company shall not grant any increase in the salary or other
      compensation of its directors, officers or employees, except reasonable
      salary increases for employees or executive officers of the Company, in
      the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or grant
      any bonus to any employee or enter into any employment agreement or make
      any loan to or enter into any material transaction of any other nature
      with any employee of the Company;

            (e) the Company shall not take any action to institute any new
      severance or termination pay practices with respect to any directors,
      officers or employees of the Company or to increase the benefits payable
      under its severance or termination pay practices;

            (f) the Company shall not adopt or amend, in any material respect,
      any plan for the benefit or welfare of any directors, officers or
      employees of the Company, except as contemplated hereby or as may be
      required by applicable law or regulation;

            (g) the Company shall use its best efforts, to the extent not
      prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.01, to maintain
      its relationships with its suppliers 


<PAGE>   40

      and customers, clients, and others having business dealings with it, and
      if and as requested by Parent or Acquisition, (i) the Company shall use
      its best efforts to make reasonable arrangements for representatives of
      Parent or Acquisition to meet with customers and suppliers of the Company,
      and (ii) the Company shall schedule, and the management of the Company
      shall participate in, meetings of representatives of Parent or Acquisition
      with employees of the Company for purposes of dealing with the transition
      issues related to the Merger;

            (h) the Company shall provide to Parent a draft of any Federal
      income Tax return pertaining only to the Company or material state, local
      or foreign Tax return (other than state or local sales and use taxes)
      pertaining only to the Company required to be filed on behalf of the
      Company between the Effective Date of this Agreement and the Effective
      Time at least 15 days prior to the date on which such return is due; and

            (i) the Company shall respond to inquiries of and shall consult with
      Parent as to the management, Business, and affairs of the Company;
      provided, however, that the final decisions as to the conduct of the
      management, Business, and affairs of the Company shall remain with the
      Company.

      SECTION 4.02  Registration Statement; Stockholder Approval; Etc.

            (a) Parent, Holdings, and the Company shall, in consultation with
each other, prepare a joint proxy statement pertaining to the Merger and
containing the recommendation of the Board of Directors of each of Parent and
the Company to approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger as promptly as
reasonably practicable after the date hereof. The Company's proxy or information
statement shall also constitute the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement to be filed by Parent pursuant to Section 4.02(b) hereof (the "Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"). Parent, Holdings, and the Company shall cooperate fully
with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any
amendments and supplements thereto, and Parent, Holdings, and the Company will
provide any audited and unaudited financial statements that may be required by
the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise to
be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus
shall not be distributed, and no amendment or supplement thereto shall be made
by Parent, Holdings, or the Company, without the prior consent of any other
party and its counsel. Each of Parent and the Company shall cause a definitive
Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be distributed to its stockholders entitled to
vote upon the Merger promptly following the effective date of the Registration
Statement.

            (b) (i) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof,
Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC under the Exchange Act and the
Securities Act, a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") with respect to the approval of the Merger and the issuance of the
shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, and shall use its best
efforts to have the Proxy Statement and Registration Statement declared
effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable. Parent shall also take any
action required to be taken under state blue sky or other securities laws in
connection with the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock in the Merger.


<PAGE>   41

                   (ii) As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective
date of the Registration Statement, Parent shall take all action necessary,
subject to and in accordance with the Delaware GCL and its Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, to obtain the requisite approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the Merger by the Parent's stockholders at a duly called meeting
pursuant to the Delaware GCL and shall take such other actions as may be
required by applicable law and the applicable rules of the Nasdaq NM. The Board
of Directors of the Parent has determined that the Merger is advisable and in
the best interests of the stockholders of the Parent and shall recommend that
Parent's stockholders vote to approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger
and any other matters to be submitted to Parent's stockholders in connection
therewith.

                  (iii) Holdings and the Company shall cooperate fully with
Parent in the preparation of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration
Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto and shall furnish Parent
with all information and shall take such other action as Parent may reasonably
request in connection therewith. Holdings and the Company shall provide Parent
with all pro forma financial information required by Regulation S-X to be
included in the Registration Statement or in any other filing that is required
to be made by Parent pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in
connection with the Merger. All such pro forma financial information shall be
prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X and shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

            (c) As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of
the Registration Statement, the Company and Parent shall take all action
necessary, subject to and in accordance with the Delaware GCL and its
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, to obtain the requisite approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by their respective stockholders at a
duly called meeting or by written consents pursuant to Section 228 of the
Delaware GCL and shall take such other actions as may be required by applicable
law. The Board of Directors of the Company and Parent have each determined that
the Merger is advisable and in the best interests of their respective
stockholders and shall recommend that their respective stockholders vote to
approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger and any other matters to be
submitted to such stockholders in connection therewith.

            (d) Parent shall notify Holdings and the Company of the receipt of
any comments of the SEC with respect to (and of any requests by the SEC for
amendments or supplements to) the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration
Statement, or for additional information within 24 hours after receipt thereof
from the SEC, and shall promptly supply Holdings and the Company with copies of
all correspondence between Parent (or its representatives) and the SEC (or its
staff) with respect thereto within 24 hours after receipt thereof from the SEC.
If, at any time prior to the approval of the Merger by Parent's or the Company's
stockholders, any event should occur relating to or affecting Holdings, the
Company, Parent or Acquisition, or to their respective officers or directors,
which event should be described in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statement, the parties shall promptly
inform one another and shall cooperate in promptly preparing, filing and
clearing with the SEC and, if required by applicable securities laws,
distributing to Parent's or the Company's stockholders, such amendment or
supplement.


<PAGE>   42

            (e) Parent shall cause the Parent Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger, to be listed on the Nasdaq NM, subject to official notice of issuance.

      SECTION 4.03 Access to Information.

            (a) Each of Parent, Holdings, and the Company shall, and shall cause
its respective subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, representatives,
advisors and agents to, afford, from the date hereof to the Effective Time, the
officers, employees, representatives, advisors and agents of the other party
complete access at all reasonable times to its officers, employees, agents,
properties, books, records and workpapers, and shall furnish each other party
all financial, operating and other information and data as Parent, Holdings, or
Company, through its officers, employees or agents, may reasonably request and
shall promptly furnish to the other monthly operating and financial reports in
such form as Parent, Holdings, or the Company shall reasonably request. For each
calendar month that ends between August 1, 1996 through the Closing Date, the
Company will within thirty days after the end of such month prepare and deliver
to Parent unaudited monthly balance sheets and statements of operations for the
Company, that shall fairly present the financial condition and the results of
operations of the Company in all material respects.

            (b) The Company, at least three business days prior to the Effective
Time, shall deliver to Parent a list setting forth the names and locations of
each bank or other financial institution at which the Company has an account
(giving the account numbers) or safe deposit box and the names of all persons
authorized to draw thereon or have access thereto, and the names of all persons,
if any, now holding powers of attorney or comparable delegation of authority
from the Company and a summary statement thereof.

            (c) Each of Parent, Holdings, and the Company shall, and shall cause
its respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, advisors and
agents to, afford the officers, employees, representatives, advisors and agents
of the other party with access to such information concerning Parent or the
Company as may be necessary for each party to ascertain the accuracy and
completeness of the information supplied by Parent, Holdings, or the Company for
inclusion in any pre-merger notification report filed under the HSR Act (and any
additional information or documentary material supplied in response to any
request pursuant to Section 7A(e) of the HSR Act and the regulations thereunder)
or in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

            (d) If this Agreement is terminated, each of the parties hereto
shall, and shall cause its officers, employees, representatives, advisors and
agents to, destroy or return to the other party all confidential documents, work
papers and other materials, and all copies thereof, obtained by it or on its
behalf from such other party as a result of this Agreement or in connection
herewith, whether so obtained before or after the execution and delivery hereof.

            (e) Each of the parties hereto and its officers and employees shall
not disclose or use any information so obtained, except as required by
applicable law or legal process or by any applicable rules or regulations of a
national securities exchange or the NASD upon the advice of counsel, without the
prior written consent of the other party; provided that any such information may
be disclosed to a party's financial advisors, accountants, counsel and other


<PAGE>   43

representatives, as may be appropriate or required in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, but only if such persons shall be specifically
informed by such party of the confidential nature of such information and agree
to comply with the restrictions contained herein. The agreements contained in
this Section 4.03(e) do not apply to information that (i) is or becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by a
receiving party or its representatives, (ii) can be demonstrated to have been
known to the receiving party on a non-confidential basis prior to its receipt,
(iii) becomes available to a party on a non-confidential basis from a source not
bound by any duty of confidentiality to the other party or (iv) is independently
developed by a receiving party without reference to any confidential
information.

            If any party or any of its respective representatives becomes
required by law (by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena,
civil investigative demand, or similar process) or otherwise become required to
disclose any confidential information or material the recipient party will
provide the disclosing party with prompt prior written notice of such
requirement so that the disclosing party may seek a protective order or other
remedy, or waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement. If such protective
order or other remedy is not obtained, or if the disclosing party is required to
waive compliance with the provisions hereof, the recipient party will furnish
only that portion of the confidential information or material which it is
advised by written opinion of counsel is legally required and exercise all
reasonable efforts to obtain assurance that confidential treatment, if
available, will be accorded such confidential information or material.

            (f) No investigation pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall affect, add
to, or subtract from any representations or warranties of the parties hereto or
the conditions to the obligations of the parties hereto to effect the Merger.

      SECTION 4.04 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions
herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its best efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as
promptly as practicable the Merger and all other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including, without limitation, using all reasonable efforts to
obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals and to effect all necessary
registrations and filings and to cause the conditions to Closing set forth in
Article V hereof to be promptly fulfilled; provided, that the foregoing shall
not require Parent to agree to make, or to require or permit the Company to
make, or require Holdings to make any divestiture of a significant asset in
order to obtain any waiver, consent or approval.

      SECTION 4.05 Inquiries and Negotiations. Neither Holdings, the Company nor
any of their subsidiaries, nor any of their respective affiliates, directors,
officers, employees, representatives, advisors or agents, shall, directly or
indirectly, encourage, solicit or initiate any discussions, submissions of
proposals or offers or negotiations with, or, subject to the fiduciary
obligations of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Board of Directors
of Holdings under applicable law as advised by counsel, participate in any
negotiations or discussions with, or provide any information or data of any
nature whatsoever to, or otherwise cooperate in any other way with, or assist or
participate in, facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by, any person,
other than Parent and its affiliates, representatives and agents, concerning any
merger, 


<PAGE>   44

consolidation, sale of substantial assets, sale of shares of capital
stock or other equity securities, recapitalization, debt restructuring or
similar transaction involving the Company, or any division of the Company (such
transactions being hereinafter referred to as "Alternative Transactions").
Holdings and the Company shall immediately notify Parent if any proposal, offer,
inquiry or other contact is received by, any information is requested from, or
any discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated or continued with,
the Company in respect of an Alternative Transaction, and shall, in any such
notice to Parent, indicate the identity of the offeror and the terms and
conditions of any proposals or offers or the nature of any inquiries or
contacts, and thereafter shall keep Parent informed of the status and terms of
any such proposals or offers and the status of any such discussions or
negotiations. The Company shall not release any third party from, or waive any
provision of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company
is a party. Nothing herein shall prevent Holdings from participating in any
merger or other business combination that does not involve the transfer of the
Company Common Stock or the Company's assets; provided, however, that any third
party acquiror of Holdings expressly consents to abide by the terms, conditions,
and obligations of this Agreement.

      SECTION 4.06 Notification of Certain Matters. Holdings and the Company
shall give prompt notice to Parent and Acquisition, and Parent and Acquisition
shall give prompt notice to Holdings and the Company, of (i) the occurrence, or
failure to occur, of any event that such party believes would cause any of its
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to the
Effective Time and (ii) any failure of Holdings, the Company, Parent or
Acquisition, as the case may be, or any officer, director, employee or agent
thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that failure to
give such notice shall not constitute a waiver of any defense that may be
validly asserted.

      SECTION 4.07 Compliance with the Securities Act. Prior to the Effective
Time, the Company shall deliver to Parent a list identifying all persons who
might, in its opinion, be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company for purposes
of Rule 145 under the Securities Act (the "Affiliates"). The Company shall use
its best efforts to cause each person who is identified as an Affiliate to
deliver to Parent on or prior to the Effective Time a written agreement, in such
form as may be agreed to by the parties, that he will not offer to sell, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Parent Common Stock issued to him in
connection with the Merger, except pursuant to an effective registration
statement or in compliance with Rule 145 or pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. Parent shall be entitled to
place appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing the Parent Common Stock
to be received by Affiliates pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to
issue appropriate stock transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Parent
Common Stock, to the effect that the shares received or to be received by such
Affiliate pursuant to this Agreement may only be sold, transferred or otherwise
conveyed, and the holder thereof may only reduce his interest in or risks
relating to such shares, pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act or in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of Rule
145 or pursuant to an exemption from registration provided under the Securities
Act. The foregoing restrictions on the transferability of Parent Common Stock
shall apply to all purported sales, transfers and other conveyances of the
shares received or to be received by such Affiliate pursuant to this Agreement
and to all purported reductions in the interest in or risks relating to such
shares, whether or not such 


<PAGE>   45

Affiliate has exchanged the certificates previously evidencing shares of the
Company's capital stock, into which such shares were converted.

      SECTION 4.08 Conduct of Parent's Business. Parent covenants and agrees
that, prior to the Effective Time, unless the Company shall otherwise agree in
writing, or as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement:

            (a)   the  business  of  Parent  and  its  subsidiaries  shall  be
conducted  only in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with  past
practice;

            (b) Parent shall not (i) amend its Certificate of Incorporation
(other than to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock of
Parent) or (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
payable in cash, stock or property;

            (c) Parent shall not authorize for issuance, issue or sell or agree
to issue or sell any shares of, or rights to acquire or convert into any shares
of, its capital stock, except for (i) the issuance of options or rights pursuant
to existing employee benefit plans or arrangements in a manner and in amounts
consistent with past practice, (ii) the issuance of shares of Parent Common
Stock upon the exercise of options or other rights to purchase Parent Common
Stock outstanding on the Effective Date of this Agreement or upon the exercise
of options or other rights described in the immediately preceding clause (i),
(iii) the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the agreements set forth
on Schedule 3.03(c), and (iv) the issuance of up to an additional 5,000,000
shares (as may be adjusted from time to time for stock splits or stock
dividends) of Parent Common Stock, or options or rights to purchase such shares
of stock, for any other corporate purpose, including acquisitions; and

            (d) neither Parent nor Acquisition shall take any action that would
jeopardize qualification of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

      SECTION 4.09 Employment and Severance Liabilities. Holdings covenants and
agrees that it will retain any and all employment and severance liabilities and
obligations for the employees and former employees of the Company specifically
listed on Schedule 4.09 hereof.

      SECTION 4.10 Contractual Obligations. Holdings covenants and agrees that
it will honor and comply in all material respects with any and all obligations
and/or liabilities that it is contractually bound to, or otherwise obligated for
under the contracts, agreements, and arrangements listed on Schedule 4.10 hereof
insofar as they involve the Business of the Company.

      SECTION 4.11 Indemnity. Parent agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
Holdings harmless from and against, any and all suits, claims, demands, actions,
causes of action, loss, damages, liabilities, cost and expense (including but
not limited to reasonably attorneys' fees and court costs and costs of other
professionals) arising in any manner out of any failure of Parent or the Company
after the Effective Time, to comply with or perform any contractual or other
obligation to which the Company is now, or hereafter becomes, bound or
obligated.


<PAGE>   46

      SECTION 4.12 Agreements Executed. Concurrently with their execution of
this Agreement, the applicable parties hereto shall execute and deliver to each
other: (a) that certain Services and License Agreement by and among Parent,
Holdings and the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B and
incorporated herein by reference (the "Services and License Agreement"); (b) an
Assignment and License Agreement by and between Holdings and the Company which
is attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by reference; (c) a
Stock Restriction Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit D and
incorporated herein by reference.

      SECTION 4.13 Stockholder Agreements and Proxies. Peter J. Kight and Mark
A. Johnson shall, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement by Holdings
and the Company, each have executed and delivered to Holdings (i) a Stockholder
Agreement and (ii) an Irrevocable Proxy, copies of which are attached hereto as
Exhibit E and incorporated herein by reference. Parent shall use its best
efforts to cause Tribune Company to also execute and deliver such a Stockholder
Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy as soon as practicable.

      SECTION 4.14 Revenue Make-Up.

            (a) As soon as reasonably practicable after July 31, 1997, Parent
shall deliver to Holdings the Company's unaudited statement of operations for
the twelve-month period beginning on August 1, 1996 and ending on July 31, 1997
(such twelve-month period being hereinafter called the "Revenue Period"),
prepared by Parent's auditors in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied and consistent with the Company's revenue
recognition policies for its fiscal year ended July 31, 1996 (such unaudited
statement of operations is hereinafter called the "Revenue Statement"). As used
herein, the term "Gross Revenues" means the Company's total gross revenues
derived during the Revenue Period determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied and consistent with the
Company's revenue recognition policies for its fiscal year ended July 31, 1996.
The Company and Parent shall maintain complete and accurate books and records
relating to the determination of Gross Revenues.

            (b) If the Company's Gross Revenues are less than Forty-Six Million
Dollars ($46,000,000), then, provided that (i) Parent and the Company have, at
all times after the Effective Time, used their respective good faith efforts to
maximize the Gross Revenues of the Company during the Revenue Period; (ii) the
Company has not discontinued or disposed of any material portion of its business
or assets (as such exist immediately prior to the Effective Time); (iii) Parent
has fully and timely paid to Holdings all fees required to be paid to Holdings
under Section 8.1.5 of the Services and License Agreement; and (iv) Holdings has
received from the Company the Revenue Statement stating that the Company's Gross
Revenues for the Revenue Period are less than Forty-Six Million Dollars
($46,000,000), Holdings shall, within sixty-five (65) days after its receipt of
the Revenue Statement, pay to Parent, in cash, a sum equal to Forty-Six Million
Dollars ($46,000,000) minus the amount of the Gross Revenues (the "Revenue
Make-Up Payment"), subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below.

            (c) Within thirty (30) days after it receives the Revenue Statement,
Holdings may request an audit of the Company's and Parent's records pertaining
to the determination of the Gross Revenues by Holdings' auditors (the "Audit")
by giving the Company and Parent written 


<PAGE>   47

notice (the "Audit Notice"). Upon timely submission of the Audit Notice,
Holdings' auditor may perform the Audit during business hours and the Company
and Parent shall cooperate in good faith in facilitating such Audit and promptly
making available all records necessary to enable Holdings' Auditor to perform
the Audit. The Audit shall be completed within sixty (60) days after Holdings
receives the Revenue Statement (subject to potential extension due to failure by
the Company or Parent to cooperate and provide records as required above). If
the Audit reveals that the Gross Revenues are higher than indicated in the
Revenue Statement, then the amount of the Revenue Make-Up Payment shall be
reduced to the sum equal to Forty-Six Million Dollars ($46,000,000) minus the
Gross Revenues as determined by the Audit.

      SECTION 4.15 Board Visitation Rights. So long as Holdings holds no less
than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of the Parent Common Stock,
Parent will permit one (1) representative of Holdings (the "Designee") to attend
all meetings of Parent's Board of Directors in a non-voting observer capacity.
Parent will also timely provide such Designee with copies of all notices,
minutes and other materials that it provides to its directors with respect to
such meetings. Holdings may change its Designee from time to time with the prior
written consent of Parent, which will not unreasonably be withheld. Holdings'
initial designee will be Eric C. W. Dunn. Nothing contained herein shall require
Parent to permit the Designee to have access to information, including Board
minutes, or to attend or to participate in meetings of the Board of Directors
which, in the reasonable judgment of Parent's Board of Directors, pertains to
matters with respect to which Holdings' interests may conflict with those of
Parent prior to public disclosure by Parent of such matters or which the
Parent's Board of Directors deems the presence of such Designee would unduly
prohibit the full discussion of any matter before Parent's Board of Directors.
In addition, the Designee would be required to first sign a reasonable
nondisclosure and confidentiality agreement as appropriate for a public company
and which would impose on the Designee the same confidentiality obligations he
would have if he were in fact a member of Parent's Board of Directors.

      SECTION 4.16 Reimbursement for Certain Charges and Costs.

            (a) Holdings covenants and agrees that it will reimburse Parent for
any charges, costs, or penalties associated with, or arising out of matters
listed on Schedule 4.16.

            (b) Reimbursements made pursuant to this Section 4.16 shall be paid
in cash and shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, and not set off against any
right of payment, by indemnification or otherwise, or Merger Consideration
Adjustment, required by any other provision of this Agreement.

            (c) Prior to any obligation on Holdings to reimburse Parent, Parent
must give notice of such right to reimbursement within six (6) months after the
Effective Time (except for Item G on Schedule 4.16 which shall be within
eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date of this Agreement) and shall
provide Holdings with reasonable documentation of Parent's reimbursement claim.

      SECTION 4.17 Debt. Holdings covenants and agrees that, at Closing, the
Company will have no debt and will have $3,000,000 in cash.



<PAGE>   48

                                    ARTICLE V

                            CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

      SECTION 5.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:

            (a) this Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved and
adopted by the requisite vote of (i) the sole stockholder of the Company and
(ii) the stockholders of Parent;

            (b)   the expiration or earlier  termination of any waiting period
under the HSR Act shall have occurred;

            (c) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or
ruling issued by any court of competent jurisdiction nor any statute, rule,
regulation or order entered, promulgated or enacted by any governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or authority shall be in effect that would
prevent the consummation of the Merger as contemplated hereby;

            (d) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective
and no stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect at the Effective Time;

            (e) the execution and delivery by Parent and Holdings of an escrow
agreement (the "Escrow Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit F and incorporated herein by reference; and

            (f) the execution and delivery by Parent and Holdings of a
Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit G and
incorporated herein by reference.

      SECTION 5.02 Conditions to the Obligation of Holdings and the Company to
Effect the Merger. The obligation of Holdings and the Company to effect the
Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of
the following additional conditions:

            (a) Parent and Acquisition shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with all their obligations, covenants, and agreements required
to be performed and complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior to
the Effective Time;

            (b) the representations and warranties made by Parent and/or
Acquisition in Sections 3.03 and 3.04 hereof (as qualified by the schedules
hereto and the Parent Disclosure Letter), shall not, as of the Effective Date of
this Agreement, have been incorrect, untrue or false in any respect that failed
to correctly state facts in existence on the Effective Date of this Agreement
that constituted a Parent Material Adverse Effect on the Effective Date of this
Agreement;

            (c) Holdings and the Company shall have received a certificate from
the Chief Executive Officer of Parent and Acquisition, dated as of the Effective
Time, to the effect that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b)
above have been satisfied;


<PAGE>   49

            (d) the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger
shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq NM, subject to official
notice of issuance; and

            (e) Holdings and the Company shall have received the opinion of
Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, counsel to Parent and Acquisition, with respect
to the matters set forth on Exhibit H and incorporated herein by reference,
subject to appropriate limitations and qualifications.

      SECTION 5.03 Conditions to the Obligation of Parent and Acquisition to
Effect the Merger. The obligation of Parent and Acquisition to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following additional conditions:

            (a) Holdings and the Company shall have performed and complied in
all material respects with all their obligations, covenants, and agreements
required to be performed and complied with by them under this Agreement at or
prior to the Effective Time;

            (b) the representations and warranties made by Holdings and/or the
Company in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 hereof (as qualified by the schedules hereto
and the Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter), shall not, as of the Effective Date
of this Agreement, have been incorrect, untrue or false in any respect that
failed to correctly state facts in existence on the Effective Date of this
Agreement that constituted a Company Material Adverse Effect as of the Effective
Date of this Agreement;

            (c) Parent shall have received a certificate from the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Holdings and the Company,
dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that the conditions set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) above have been satisfied;

            (d) Parent shall have received a certificate from the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Holdings and the Company,
dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that the Company has not incurred,
realized, or otherwise experienced a Material Adverse Change; provided, however;
the existence of such Material Adverse Change will not entitle Parent to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article VI;

            (e)   Parent  shall  have  received  the  consents   described  in
Schedule 3.03(f); and

            (f) Parent and Acquisition shall have received the opinion of
Fenwick & West LLP, counsel to Holdings and the Company, with respect to the
matters set forth on Exhibit I and incorporated herein by reference, subject to
appropriate limitations and qualifications.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

      SECTION 6.01 Termination and Abandonment. This Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether
before or after approval by the stockholders of Parent and the Company:


<PAGE>   50

            (a)   by  mutual  written  consent   approved  by  the  Boards  of
Directors of Parent, Holdings, and the Company;

            (b) by Holdings or the Company if the conditions set forth in
Sections 5.01 or 5.02 shall not have been complied with, waived or performed and
such noncompliance or nonperformance shall not have been cured or eliminated (or
by its nature cannot be cured or eliminated), by Parent and Acquisition on or
before March 31, 1997; or

            (c) by Holdings or the Company, if Parent's Board of Directors fails
to recommend approval of this Agreement or the Merger to Parent's stockholders
or recommends against approval of this Agreement or the Merger to Parent's
stockholders; or

            (d) by Parent or Acquisition, if the conditions set forth in
Sections 5.01 or 5.03 shall not have been complied with, waived or performed and
such noncompliance or nonperformance shall not have been cured or eliminated (or
by its nature cannot be cured or eliminated), by Holdings and the Company on or
before March 31, 1997; or

            (e) by Parent, if the representations and warranties made by
Holdings and/or the Company in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 hereof (as qualified by
the schedules hereto and the Holdings/Company Disclosure Letter), shall, as of
the Effective Date of this Agreement, have been incorrect, untrue or false in
any respect that failed to correctly state facts in existence on the Effective
Date of this Agreement that constituted a Company Material Adverse Effect on the
Effective Date of this Agreement; or

            (f) by Holdings or the Company, if the representations and
warranties made by Parent and/or Acquisition in Sections 3.03 and 3.04 hereof
(as qualified by the schedules hereto and the Parent Disclosure Letter), shall,
as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, have been incorrect, untrue or false
in any respect that failed to correctly state facts in existence on the
Effective Date of this Agreement that constituted a Parent Material Adverse
Effect on the Effective Date of this Agreement.

      SECTION 6.02 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to Section 6.01, this
Agreement shall thereafter become void and have no effect, and no party hereto
shall have any liability to any other party hereto or its stockholders or
directors or officers on account of such termination, and each party shall be
responsible for its own expenses, except as follows: (i) the obligations imposed
by Sections 4.03(d) and 4.03(e) hereof shall survive the termination of this
Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for
any willful breach hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

      SECTION 7.01 Indemnification by Holdings. Subject to the terms,
conditions, and limitations set forth herein, if the Merger is consummated,
Holdings agrees to indemnify Parent against, and agrees to hold Parent harmless
from, any and all actions, suits, losses, costs, claims, 


<PAGE>   51

damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) (the "Losses"),
incurred or suffered by them relating to or arising out of or in connection with
any material breach of, or any material misrepresentation or inaccuracy in, any
representation or warranty made by Holdings and/or the Company in Section 3.01
or Section 3.02 of this Agreement (as qualified by the Holdings/Company
Disclosure Letter and the schedules hereto) where such material breach or
material misrepresentation or inaccuracy existed as of the Effective Date of
this Agreement; provided, however, that the amount of Losses recoverable under
the indemnity provisions of this Article shall be reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by
the amount of any insurance proceeds paid to Parent and by the amount of tax
benefits realized by Parent in respect of such Losses. In addition,
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the term "Losses" shall not
include, and Parent shall not be entitled to indemnification for, any actions,
suits, losses, costs, claims, damages and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), to the extent that Parent has recovered or been compensated or
reimbursed therefor by virtue of (a) the Merger Consideration Adjustment
pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, or (b) a Revenue Makeup Payment made pursuant
to Section 4.14 hereof, or (c) a payment made pursuant to Section 4.16 hereof,
with the purpose and intent that Parent shall not receive a redundant or double
recovery of any Losses.

      SECTION 7.02 Claims. The provisions of this Section shall be subject to
Section 7.03. As soon as is reasonably practicable after becoming aware of a
claim for indemnification under this Agreement, Parent shall promptly give
written notice to Holdings of such claim and the amount Parent believes it will
be entitled to receive hereunder in indemnification from Holdings under this
Article VII in respect of such claim; provided, that the failure of Parent to
promptly give such notice shall not relieve Holdings of its obligations except
to the extent (if any) that Holdings shall have been prejudiced thereby. If
Holdings does not object in writing to such indemnification claim within 30 days
of receiving written notice thereof, Parent shall be entitled to recover, on the
60th day after such written notice was given, from Holdings the amount of such
claim, and no later objection by Holdings shall be permitted; if Holdings agrees
that it has an indemnification obligation but objects that it is obligated to
pay only a lesser amount, Parent shall nevertheless be entitled to recover from
Holdings, on the 60th day after such notice was given, the lesser amount,
without prejudice to Parent's claim for the difference. In addition to the
amounts recoverable by Parent from Holdings pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, Parent shall also be entitled to recover from Holdings interest on
such amounts at the rate equal to the published prime rate at The Chase
Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, from, and including, the 60th day after such
notice of an indemnification claim is given to, but not including, the date such
recovery is actually made by Parent.

      SECTION 7.03 Notice and Defense of Third Party Claims. Parent shall give
written notice as promptly as is reasonably practicable to Holdings of the
assertion of any claim, or the commencement of any suit, action or proceeding,
by any person or entity not a party hereto in respect of which indemnity may be
sought under Article VII of this Agreement ("Third Party Claim"); provided that
the failure of Parent to promptly give such notice shall not relieve Holdings of
its obligations except to the extent (if any) that Holdings shall have been
prejudiced thereby. If Parent does not promptly elect to defend or contest the
Third 


<PAGE>   52

Party Claim, then Holdings, at its sole option (i) shall be free to assume and
control the prosecution or defense of any such Third Party Claim in a reasonable
manner, (ii) may take all reasonably necessary steps to contest the Third Party
Claim or to prosecute such Third Party Claim to conclusion or settlement
satisfactory to Holdings, (iii) shall notify Parent of the progress of any such
Third Party Claim, (iv) shall permit Parent, at the sole cost of such Parent, to
participate in such prosecution or defense, and (v) shall provide Parent with
reasonable access to all relevant information and documentation relating to the
Third Party Claim and Holdings' prosecution or defense thereof. In any case, the
party not in control of the defense or prosecution of the Third Party Claim
shall cooperate with the other party in the conduct of the prosecution or
defense of such Third Party Claim. If, however, Parent reasonably determines in
its judgment that representation by Holdings' counsel of both Holdings and
Parent would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, then Parent may
employ separate counsel to represent or defend it in any such claim, action,
suit or proceeding and Holdings shall pay the fees and disbursements of such
separate counsel. Whether or not Holdings chooses to defend or prosecute any
such claim, suit, action or proceeding, all of the parties hereto shall
cooperate in the defense or prosecution thereof.

      SECTION 7.04 Settlement or Compromise. Neither party shall compromise or
settle any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of either
Holdings (if Parent controls and defends such Third Party Claim) or Parent (if
Holdings controls and defends such Third Party Claim), such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld (provided, that, in the case of Parent, such consent shall
be deemed to be unreasonably withheld if Parent will, as part of the terms of
such compromise or settlement, be fully released of liability arising from such
Third Party Claim). The person controlling the defense of such Third Party Claim
will give the other person at least 20 days' notice of any proposed settlement
or compromise of any Third Party Claim for which it is controlling the defense.

      SECTION 7.05.  Limitations on Indemnification.

            (a) Basket. Any indemnification pursuant to this Agreement shall be
subject to the requirement that no claim may be made until the aggregate amount
of Losses exceeds $500,000, after which time claims for indemnification may be
made for the aggregate amount of all Losses, subject to the terms, conditions
and limitations set forth herein.

            (b) Maximum Liability. Holdings' total and maximum aggregate
lifetime liability under this Article VII shall not exceed a dollar amount equal
to thirty-five percent (35%) of the Merger Consideration, as adjusted pursuant
to Section 2.02 hereof, multiplied by the per share closing price of Parent
Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq NM for the five (5) trading days
immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement.

            (c) Deadline for Indemnity Claims. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 7.01, Holdings shall have no liability with respect to any matter or
claim for indemnification hereunder, unless Parent notifies Holdings in
accordance with this Article VII no later than the close of business on the
first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Time of a claim for indemnification
hereunder; provided, however, that (i) claims of indemnification for Loss
suffered as a result of a material breach of the representations and warranties
under Sections 3.01(p) and (r) hereof (the "Tax Warranties") shall survive until
six (6) months after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations
with respect to Taxes, including any extensions thereof; and (ii) such
limitation shall not apply in any matter involving intentional misrepresentation
or fraud on the part of Holdings.


<PAGE>   53

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

      SECTION 8.01 Certain Acknowledgments. Holdings expressly acknowledges that
the noncompetition agreements set forth in this Article VIII are a material part
of this Agreement and are an integral part of the obligations of Holdings
hereunder; and the noncompetition agreements set forth in this Article VIII are
reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Parent
following the consummation of the Merger.

      SECTION 8.02 Noncompetition Agreement. Except as provided in Section 8.03
below, during the period beginning on the Effective Time and ending on the fifth
(5th) anniversary of the Effective Time, except with Parent's prior written
consent, Holdings shall not, directly or indirectly, own or operate a back-end
computer-based system for processing consumer or small business remote payment
instructions in order to generate remittance information and payment (via remote
check printing or electronic funds transfer) to merchants in the United States
of America (the "Competing Business"). The parties agree, without limitation,
that Holdings shall not be deemed to be engaged in the Competing Business by
virtue of, nor shall Holdings be at any time prohibited from: (a) developing and
providing client-software or web/Internet-based applications which create and
transmit payment instructions or remittance information to third parties; or (b)
developing and providing client-software or web/Internet-based applications
which facilitate the on-line purchase of goods or services.

      SECTION 8.03 Exception. The ownership by Holdings or any subsidiary or
affiliate controlled by Holdings of not more than five percent in the aggregate
of the outstanding securities of any public company shall not, by itself,
constitute a breach of the noncompetition agreement in Section 8.02, even if
such public company competes with Parent or engages in the Competing Business.

      SECTION 8.04 No Objection or Defense. Holdings expressly waives any
objection to or defense regarding the scope, duration or geographic area of the
restriction on competition set forth in this Article VIII.

      SECTION 8.05 Enforcement of Noncompetition Agreement. Holdings expressly
acknowledges that it would be extremely difficult to measure the damage that
might result form any breach of the noncompetition agreements in this Article
VIII, and that any such breach will result in irreparable injury to Parent for
which money damages could not adequately compensate. If a breach of the
noncompetition agreements in this Article VIII occurs, then Parent shall be
entitled, in addition to all other rights or remedies that it may have at law or
in equity. to have an injunction issued by any competent court enjoining and
restraining Holdings and all other persons involved therein from continuing such
breach. The existence of any claim or cause of action that Holdings or any such
other person may have against Parent shall not constitute a defense or bar to
the enforcement of any of the noncompetition agreements under this Article VIII.
If Parent must resort to litigation to enforce any of the noncompetition
agreements under this Article VIII that has a fixed term, then such term shall
be extended for a period of time equal to the period during which a breach of
such agreement was occurring, beginning on the date of a 


<PAGE>   54

final court order (without further right of appeal) holding that such breach
occurred or, if later, the last day of the original fixed term of such
agreement.

      SECTION 8.06 Early Termination of Noncompetition Agreement. In the event
that Holdings is merged or consolidated with, or a majority of Holdings' voting
stock or all or substantially all of Holdings' assets are acquired by, a person,
corporation or other party who, at the time of such merger, consolidation, stock
or asset acquisition, is engaged in the Competing Business, then upon the
consummation of such merger, consolidation, sale, acquisition or similar
business combination, all Holdings' obligations, duties and covenants under this
Article VIII shall automatically immediately terminate and expire.

      SECTION 8.07 Effect on Acquiror. In the event that Holdings is merged or
consolidated with, or a majority of Holdings' voting stock or all or
substantially all of Holdings' assets are acquired by, a person, corporation or
other party (the "Acquiror"), and the provisions of Section 8.06 do not apply,
then the Acquiror shall not be bound by or obligated under any of Holdings'
obligations or duties under this Article VIII; except that such Acquiror may not
utilize technology or personnel of Holdings to engage in the Competing Business
so long as Holdings' obligations, duties and covenants under this Article VIII
remain in effect.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      SECTION 9.01 Survival of Representations and Warranties. Except as
otherwise specified, the representations and warranties of Holdings and the
Company contained herein shall survive the Closing for a period expiring at the
close of business on the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Time;
provided, however, that the Tax Warranties shall survive until six (6) months
after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations with respect to
Taxes, including any extensions thereof.

      SECTION 9.02 Interpretation of Representations and Warranties. Each
representation and warranty made in this Agreement or pursuant hereto is
independent of all other representations and warranties made by the same
parties, whether or not covering related or similar matters, and must be
independently and separately satisfied. Exceptions or qualifications to any such
representation or warranty shall qualify, and shall be exceptions to, any other
representation or warranty.

      SECTION 9.03 Reliance by Parent and Acquisition. Notwithstanding the right
of Parent and Acquisition to investigate the business, assets, and financial
condition of Holdings and/or the Company, and notwithstanding any knowledge
determinable by Parent or Acquisition as a result of such investigation, Parent
and Acquisition have the unqualified right to rely upon, and have relied upon,
each of the representations and warranties made by Holdings and/or the Company
in this Agreement or pursuant hereto, as qualified by the Holdings/Company
Disclosure Letter and the schedules hereto, except to the extent that Parent or
Acquisition had actual knowledge to the contrary at the Effective Date of this
Agreement.


<PAGE>   55

      SECTION 9.04 Expenses, Etc. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement are consummated, neither Holdings and the Company, on the one
hand, and Parent and Acquisition, on the other hand, shall have any obligation
to pay any of the fees and expenses of the other incident to the negotiation,
preparation and execution of this Agreement, including the fees and expenses of
counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other experts and Parent shall pay
all such fees and expenses incurred by Acquisition. Holdings and the Company, on
the one hand, and Parent and Acquisition, on the other hand, shall indemnify the
other and hold it harmless from and against any claims for finders' fees or
brokerage commissions in relation to or in connection with such transactions as
a result of any agreement or understanding between such indemnifying party and
any third party. The Company represents that, in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company has committed to pay
only the fees and expenses set forth on Schedule 9.04 hereto.

      SECTION 9.05 Publicity; Confidentiality. Holdings, the Company, and Parent
agree that this Agreement and the exchange of information pursuant thereto is
confidential and they will not disclose or issue any press release or make any
other public announcement concerning this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby without the prior consent of the other party, which will not
be unreasonably withheld, except that Holdings, the Company, or Parent may make
such public disclosure that it believes in good faith to be required by law or
any applicable rules and regulations of a national securities exchange or the
NASD (in which event such party shall consult with the other prior to making
such disclosure).

      SECTION 9.06 Execution in Counterparts. For the convenience of the
parties, this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

      SECTION 9.07 Notices. All notices that are required or may be given
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
sufficient in all respects if given in writing and delivered by hand or national
overnight courier service, transmitted by telecopy or mailed by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given upon receipt, as
follows:

      If to Parent to:

            CHECKFREE CORPORATION
            8275 North High Street
            Columbus, Ohio 43235
            Telecopy Number:  (614) 825-3244
            Attention:  Peter J. Kight
                        Chairman

      with  copies to:

            CHECKFREE CORPORATION
            8275 North High Street
            Columbus, Ohio 43235
            Telecopy Number:  (614) 825-3244


<PAGE>   56

            Attention:  William C. Buckham
                        General Counsel

            and

            PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR
            41 South High Street
            Columbus, Ohio 43215
            Telecopy Number:  (614)  227-2100
            Attention:  Curtis A. Loveland, Esq.

      If to Holdings and/or the Company, to:

            INTUIT INC.
            2535 Garcia Avenue
            Mountain View, California 94043
            Telecopy Number: (415) 944-3060
            Attention:  William H. Harris,
                        Executive Vice President

      with a copies to:

            INTUIT INC.
            2535 Garcia Avenue
            Mountain View, California 94043
            Telecopy Number: (415) 944-6622
            Attention:  Catherine Valentine, Esq.
                        General Counsel

            and

            FENWICK & WEST LLP
            Two Palo Alto Square
            Palo Alto, California 94306
            Telecopy Number: (415) 857-0361
            Attention:  Kenneth A. Linhares, Esq.

or such other address or addresses as any party hereto shall have designated by
notice in writing to the other parties hereto.

      SECTION 9.08 Waivers. Holdings and the Company, on the one hand, and
Parent and Acquisition, on the other hand, may, by written notice to the other,
(i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
actions of the other under this Agreement; (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations or warranties of the other contained in this Agreement or in any
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) waive compliance with any
of the conditions of the other contained in this Agreement; or (iv) waive
performance of any of the obligations of the other under this Agreement. Except
as provided in the preceding 


<PAGE>   57

sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without
limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent
breach.

      SECTION 9.09 Amendments, Supplements, Etc. At any time, this Agreement may
be amended or supplemented by such additional agreements, articles or
certificates, as may be determined by the parties hereto to be necessary,
desirable or expedient to further the purposes of this Agreement, or to clarify
the intention of the parties hereto, or to add to or modify the covenants, terms
or conditions hereof or to effect or facilitate any governmental approval or
acceptance of this Agreement or to effect or facilitate the filing or recording
of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
hereby. Any such instrument must be in writing and signed by all of the parties
hereto.

      SECTION 9.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and its schedules and
exhibits, and the documents to be executed or delivered at the Effective Time in
connection herewith, constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, oral and written, among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof. No representation, warranty, promise, inducement or
statement of intention has been made by any party that is not embodied in this
Agreement or such other documents, and none of the parties shall be bound by, or
be liable for, any alleged representation, warranty, promise, inducement or
statement of intention not embodied herein or therein.

      SECTION 9.11 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to conflict of laws principles.

      SECTION 9.12 Binding Effect, Benefits. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Except for the provisions of Article VII hereof, nothing
in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person
other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns, any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.

      SECTION 9.13 Assignability. Neither this Agreement nor any of the parties'
rights hereunder shall be assignable by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of the other parties hereto.

      SECTION 9.14 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

      SECTION 9.15 Variation and Amendment. This Agreement may be varied or
amended at any time before or after the approval and adoption of this Agreement
by the stockholders of Parent and the Company by action of the respective Boards
of Directors of Holdings, the 


<PAGE>   58

Company, Parent, and Acquisition, without action by the stockholders thereof,
provided that after approval and adoption of this Agreement by Parent's
stockholders no such variance or amendment shall, without consent of such
stockholders, increase the consideration that the holders of the capital stock
of the Company shall be entitled to receive upon the Effective Time pursuant to
Section 2.01 hereof.



<PAGE>   59


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.


                              CHECKFREE CORPORATION



                              By:  /s/ Peter  J. Kight
                                 ---------------------
                                    Peter J. Kight, President



                              CHECKFREE ACQUISITION CORPORATION II



                              By:  /s/ Peter J. Kight
                                 --------------------
                                    Peter J. Kight, President



                              INTUIT INC.



                              By:  /s/ James J. Heeger
                                 ---------------------
                                    James J. Heeger, Senior Vice President



                              INTUIT SERVICES CORPORATION



                              By:  /s/ Catherine L. Valentine
                                 ----------------------------
                                    Catherine L. Valentine, Secretary




<PAGE>   1



                   EXHIBIT 7.2 TO SCHEDULE 13D OF INTUIT INC.

                AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



<PAGE>   2


                                                                    Exhibit 7.2


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1

                                       TO

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



         This Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (this
"Amendment") is made and entered into effective as of September 15, 1996 by and
among CHECKFREE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), CHECKFREE
ACQUISITION CORPORATION II, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Parent ("Acquisition"), INTUIT INC., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), and
INTUIT SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         A. The parties hereto have previously entered into a certain Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated as of September 15, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement")
providing for the merger of Acquisition with and into the Company. Unless
otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this Amendment will have
the same meanings given to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

         B. The Securities and Exchange Commission has declined to permit Parent
to register the issuance of the shares of its Common Stock that are to be issued
to the sole stockholder of the Company in the Merger, and the parties desire to
enter into this Amendment to amend the Merger Agreement in certain respects to
reflect this fact, in accordance with Section 9.15 of the Merger Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.    GLOBAL  CHANGES.  The  Merger  Agreement  is hereby  amended as
provided in the following provisions of this Section 1:

               (a)   all  references  in the  Merger  Agreement  to  the  term
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus" are hereby amended to read "Proxy Statement."

               (b) All references in the Merger Agreement to the term
"Registration Statement" (as that term is defined in Section 4.02 of the Merger
Agreement) and related phrases containing such term (such as, for example, the
phrase "the Registration Statement or", as such phrase appears in Sections
3.01(i), 3.02(f), and 3.03(i) of the Merger Agreement) are hereby deleted from
the Merger Agreement.


<PAGE>   3

         2.    NEW SECTION  2.09.  The Merger  Agreement is hereby  amended by
adding thereto a new Section 2.09 to read in its entirety as follows:

SECTION 2.09 Private Placement. The issuance by Parent of the Merger
Consideration to the stockholder of the Company pursuant to the Merger shall be
effected pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.

         3.    SECTION  3.02(a).  Section  3.02(a) of the Merger  Agreement is
hereby  amended by adding to the end of such Section a new sentence to read as
follows:

Holdings is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Regulation D
promulgated under the Exchange Act.

         4.    SECTION  4.02(a).  Section  4.02(a) of the Merger  Agreement is
hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

(a) Parent, Holdings and the Company shall, in consultation with each other,
prepare a proxy statement pertaining to the Merger and containing the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of each of Parent and the Company to
approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger as promptly as reasonably
practicable after the date hereof (the "Proxy Statement"). Parent, Holdings, and
the Company shall cooperate fully with each other in the preparation of the
Proxy Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, and Parent, Holdings
and the Company will provide any audited and unaudited financial statements that
may be required by the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or otherwise to be included in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy
Statement shall not be distributed, and no amendment or supplement thereto shall
be made by Parent, Holdings or the Company, without the prior consent of any
other party and its counsel. Each of Parent and the Company shall cause a
definitive Proxy Statement to be distributed to its stockholders entitled to
vote upon the Merger promptly following the date on which the Company may first
send such Proxy Statement to its stockholders in compliance with the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         5.    SECTION  4.02(b)(i).  The first sentence of Section  4.02(b)(i)
of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

(i) As promptly as possible after the date hereof, Parent shall prepare and file
with the SEC the Proxy Statement, and Parent shall use its best efforts to have
the Proxy Statement approved for distribution to the stockholders of Parent
under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as
promptly as practicable.

         6.    SECTION   4.02(b)(ii).    The   first   sentence   of   Section
4.02(b)(ii) of the Merger  Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety
as follows:

(ii) As soon as reasonably practicable after Parent may lawfully distribute the
Proxy Statement to its stockholders under the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, Parent shall take all action necessary,
subject to and in accordance with the Delaware GCL and its Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws, to obtain the requisite approval and adoption of this


<PAGE>   4

Agreement and the Merger by Parent's stockholders at a duly called meeting
pursuant to the Delaware GCL and shall take such other actions as may be
required by applicable law and the applicable rules of the Nasdaq NM.

         7.    SECTION   4.02(b)(iii).   The   second   sentence   of  Section
4.02(b)(iii)  of the  Merger  Agreement  is  hereby  amended  to  read  in its
entirety as follows:

Holdings and the Company shall provide Parent with all pro forma financial
information required by Regulation S-X to be included in the Proxy Statement or
in any other filing that is required to be made by Parent pursuant to the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act in connection with the Merger.

         8.    SECTION  4.02(c).  The first  sentence  of  Section  4.02(c) of
the Merger Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

(c) As soon as reasonably practicable after Parent may lawfully distribute the
Proxy Statement to its stockholders under the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, the Company and Parent shall take all action
necessary, subject to and in accordance with the Delaware GCL and their
respective Certificates of Incorporation and By-Laws, to obtain the requisite
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by their respective
stockholders at a duly called meeting or by written consents pursuant to Section
228 of the Delaware GCL and shall take such other actions as may be required by
applicable law.

         9.    SECTION  4.07.  Section 4.07 of the Merger  Agreement in hereby
deleted from the Merger Agreement in its entirety.

         10.   SECTION  4.12.  Clause  (c)  of  Section  4.12  of  the  Merger
Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

(c) an Amended and Restated Stock Restriction Agreement in the form of Exhibit D
to this Agreement.

         11.   SECTION 5.01. Section 5.01 of the Merger Agreement is hereby
amended by: (a) deleting subsection 5.01(d) (regarding effectiveness of the
Registration Statement) from the Agreement; (b) redesignating subsection 5.01(e)
of the Merger Agreement (regarding the Escrow Agreement) as subsection 5.01(d);
and (c) amending subsection 5.01(f) of the Merger Agreement to read in its
entirety as set forth below and by redesignating it as subsection 5.01(e):

(e) the execution and delivery by Parent and Holdings of an Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit G and
incorporated herein by reference.

         12.   SECTION  5.03.  Section 5.03 of the Merger  Agreement is hereby
amended by adding  thereto a new  subsection  (g) to read in its  entirety  as
follows:

(g) Parent shall have received an agreement reasonably satisfactory to Parent
and its counsel in which Intuit represents, warrants and agrees substantially as
follows:


<PAGE>   5

         (i) that the Parent Common Stock being issued and delivered to the
Company's sole stockholder hereunder is being acquired by such stockholder for
the stockholder's own account, for investment and not with a view to any
unlawful resale or distribution thereof;

         (ii) if such sole stockholder of the Company decides to dispose of the
Parent Common Stock, that it can do so only in accordance and in compliance with
the Securities Act and Rule 144 thereunder, as then in effect or through an
effective Registration Statement;

         (iii) that (A) such sole stockholder of the Company has been given
access by Parent to any and all documents which it deems relevant to the
acquisition of the Parent Common Stock; (B) Parent has made available to the
sole stockholder, during the course of the transaction and prior to the issuance
of the Parent Common Stock the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive
answers from, Parent and its officers concerning Parent, and to obtain any
additional information, to the extent Parent possessed such information or could
acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense, necessary to verify the
accuracy of information contained in the written materials delivered to the sole
stockholder by Parent and concerning Parent; and (C) the sole stockholder has
been given Parent's prospectus dated September 28, 1995 in connection with
Parent's registered initial public offering;

         (iv) that the sole stockholder of the Company understands and agrees
that (A) in reliance upon its representations, the issuance of the Parent Common
Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section
4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D thereunder; (B) because the Parent
Common Stock is not so registered, the sole stockholder must bear the economic
risk of holding the Parent Common Stock unless and until the Parent Common Stock
is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such
registration is available with respect thereto; (C) the sole stockholder
understands the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

         (v) that, subject to the provisions of this paragraph (v), the
certificates evidencing the Parent Common Stock shall bear a legend in
substantially the following form:

         THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
         ANY STATE, AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS FROM
         REGISTRATION THAT DEPEND IN PART ON THE INTENT OF THE PURCHASER TO
         ACQUIRE FOR INVESTMENT AND WITHOUT A VIEW TOWARDS UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION
         OF SUCH SHARES. THEREFORE, SUCH SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED
         EXCEPT UPON REGISTRATION OR UPON DELIVERY TO THE COMPANY OF
         COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND ANY
         STATE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES CONCERNED, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
         SATISFACTORY TO COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT
         REQUIRED FOR SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER.


<PAGE>   6

provided however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the legend set forth above
in this paragraph (v) shall be promptly removed by Parent and/or its transfer
agent from any certificate evidencing shares of Parent Common Stock upon the
earlier to occur of: (1) the registration of the Parent Common Stock (or the
portion thereof represented by such certificate) by Parent under the Securities
Act; or (2) delivery to Parent of an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory
to Parent, that a registration statement under the Securities Act is at that
time in effect with respect to the Parent Common Stock represented by such
certificate or that such Parent Common Stock can be freely transferred in a
public sale without such a registration statement being in effect. In addition,
notwithstanding anything to the herein to the contrary, no registration
statement or opinion of counsel shall be required to be provided to Parent in
order to permit any transfer of any Parent Common Stock in compliance with SEC
Rule 144 or Rule 144A, unless required by Parent's transfer agent.

         Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.03(g) shall
affect or alter the obligations of Parent under the Registration Rights
Agreement.

         13. EXHIBITS. The parties hereby amend (a) Exhibit D to the Merger
Agreement to read as set forth in the Amended and Restated Stock Restriction
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 2 and (b) Exhibit G to the Merger Agreement
to read as set forth in the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit 3.

         14. EFFECT OF AMENDMENT. The Merger Agreement, as amended by this
Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect as so amended. In the event of
any conflict between this Amendment and the Merger Agreement, this Amendment
shall govern and control. This Amendment will not become effective unless and
until it is signed (in counterparts) by Parent, Acquisition, Holdings and the
Company.

         15.   COUNTERPARTS.  This  Amendment  may be  executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an  original  hereof  and all of
which together shall be deemed to be one instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment No.
1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

CHECKFREE CORPORATION                  INTUIT INC.

By: /s/ Peter J. Kight                 By: /s/ James J. Heeger
   -------------------------          ----------------------------
    Peter J. Kight, President          James J. Heeger,  Senior Vice President


CHECKFREE ACQUISITION               INTUIT SERVICES CORPORATION
CORPORATION II

By: /s/ Peter J. Kight             By: /s/ Catherine L. Valentine
   -------------------------          ----------------------------

    Peter J. Kight, President          Catherine L.  Valentine, Secretary




<PAGE>   1



                   EXHIBIT 7.3 TO SCHEDULE 13D OF INTUIT INC.

                                ESCROW AGREEMENT



<PAGE>   2
                                                                   Exhibit 7.3


                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

        This Escrow Agreement is made and entered into this 27th day of January
1997, (the "Effective Date") by and among:

                KEY TRUST COMPANY OF OHIO, N.A. ("Escrow Agent")

                INTUIT INC. ("Intuit")

                      and

                CHECKFREE CORPORATION ("CheckFree")

        WHEREAS, Intuit and CheckFree, together with CheckFree Acquisition
Corporation II and Intuit Services Corporation, have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated September 15, 1996, as amended (the "PLAN"), pursuant
to which CheckFree will acquire, by merger (the "MERGER"), Intuit Services
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intuit;

        WHEREAS, the consideration to Intuit for the Merger is shares of
CheckFree's common stock;

         WHEREAS, Article VII of the Plan provides for indemnification of
CheckFree by Intuit under the circumstances described therein against certain
losses, costs, claims, damages, penalties and expenses (collectively referred
to herein as "CLAIMS"); and

        WHEREAS, Escrow Agent is willing to act as escrow agent on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Escrow Agreement

        NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED THAT:

        1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW FUND. Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges
receipt from CheckFree of CheckFree Common Stock Certificate No. 25671 for an
aggregate of 1,260,000 shares of Common Stock of CheckFree, registered in the
name of Intuit (the "ESCROW SHARES"), together with stock powers executed by
Intuit with respect thereto, to be held as provided in this Escrow Agreement,
CheckFree and Intuit acknowledge that the Escrow Shares are being issued in
connection with the Merger.

        2. DISPOSITION OF ESCROW SHARES BY ESCROW AGENT.

           (a)  PURPOSE. This Escrow Agreement supplements the indemnification
provisions set forth in Article VII of the Plan.

           (b)  CLAIMS BY CHECKFREE. If, on or prior to the first (1st)
anniversary of the Effective Date of this Escrow Agreement, CheckFree claims to
be entitled to indemnification for any Claims pursuant to Article VII of the
Plan and CheckFree seeks to recover for such

<PAGE>   3
indemnification by having Escrow Shares cancelled and returned to CheckFree
pursuant to this Agreement, then CheckFree will, in addition to giving Intuit
written notice of such Claim as provided in Sections 7.02 and 7.03 of the Plan
(a "CLAIM NOTICE"), promptly notify the Escrow Agent in writing of the Claim and
of CheckFree's intention to have Escrow Shares cancelled in satisfaction of
CheckFree's rights to indemnification under Article VII of the Plan. CheckFree
will also notify Intuit and the Escrow Agent in writing (the "ESCROW SHARE
NOTICE") of the bona fide number of Escrow Shares that CheckFree in good faith
believes should be cancelled and delivered to it as a result of the Claim
(which number of Escrow Shares (the "CLAIMED ESCROW SHARES") shall be
determined by dividing the amount of the Claim by the Average Share Price (as
defined below). The "AVERAGE SHARE PRICE" means the average per share closing
price of CheckFree Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the
last five (5) trading days immediately preceding the effective date of the
Plan, as adjusted from time to time to reflect any Capital Change (as defined
in Section 2.01 of the Plan) occurring subsequent to the effective date of the
Plan. Unless Intuit shall notify Escrow Agent and CheckFree, within thirty (30)
days after Intuit's receipt of both the Claim Notice and the Escrow Share
Notice, of Intuit's objection to the delivery to CheckFree of the number of
Claimed Escrow Shares, the Escrow Agent shall, promptly following the
expiration of such thirty (30) day notice period, deliver to CheckFree stock
certificates for the number of Escrow Shares equal to the Claimed Escrow
Shares, with related stock powers transferring the number of Claimed Escrow
Shares to CheckFree. To the extent that Escrow Shares are so delivered to
CheckFree, the Claim and CheckFree's right to indemnification therefor, shall
be satisfied. As used herein, the term "CONTESTED CLAIM" means any Claim of
CheckFree for indemnification under Article VII hereof that is contested by 
Intuit.

                (c)  CONDITIONS TO RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2(d) of this Escrow Agreement, in the event that Intuit
shall notify the Escrow Agent of its objection to the delivery of Escrow Shares
to CheckFree as provided herein, the Escrow Agent shall continue to hold such
Escrow Shares until the earlier of: (i) the date Escrow Agent receives written
instructions signed by both CheckFree and Intuit to deliver to CheckFree or
Intuit, as applicable, a specified number of Escrow Shares (the "AGREED
SHARES"), upon receipt of which instructions the Escrow Agent shall deliver the
Agreed Shares to CheckFree or Intuit, as provided in such written instructions;
(ii) the date the Escrow Agent receives a copy of the award of the arbitrator
as to the disposition of a Contested Claim as a result of an arbitration
pursuant to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement; or (iii) the date Escrow Agent
receives instructions pursuant to a final order of a court of competent
jurisdiction with respect to the disposition of such Escrow Shares; provided
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to the provisions of
Section 2(d) below)), upon the first anniversary of the Effective Date of this
Agreement (the "RELEASE DATE"), the Escrow Agent will release from escrow to
Intuit the stock certificates for all of the Escrow Shares then held in escrow
hereunder less (i) any Escrow Shares previously delivered to CheckFree or
awarded (but not yet delivered) to CheckFree in satisfaction of a Contested
Claim pursuant to an award of an arbitrator rendered in an arbitration pursuant
to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement; and (ii) any Escrow Shares that are
potentially subject to delivery to CheckFree as a result of any then pending
but unresolved arbitration of a Contested Claim pursuant to Section 3 of this
Escrow Agreement. Any Escrow Shares held as a result of clause (ii) of this
sentence will be released to CheckFree or Intuit, as applicable, in accordance
with the resolution of such Contested Claim or Claims by (i) an arbitration
award of an arbitrator


<PAGE>   4

in accordance with Section 3 hereof; or (ii) a written settlement agreement
executed by CheckFree and Intuit regarding the disposition of such shares as
provided in Section 3(l) of this Escrow Agreement.

                (d)  INTUIT OPTION TO PAY CLAIMS IN CASH.  Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement requiring or permitting CheckFree to satisfy Claims
by obtaining the cancellation of Escrow Shares, if CheckFree for any reason
becomes entitled under this Agreement to receive and cancel any Escrow Shares
in satisfaction of a Claim, then Intuit, at its sole option and discretion, may
instead elect to satisfy all or any portion of such Claim with a cash payment
to CheckFree in lieu of such forfeiture of Escrow Shares (a "CASH PAYMENT
ELECTION"), in which case Intuit shall, at least one (1) day prior to the date
the Escrow Agent releases and delivers Escrow Shares to CheckFree: (i) deliver
to CheckFree a check for the amount of cash equal to the number of Escrow
Shares which CheckFree is entitled to cancel to satisfy its Claim times the
Average Share Price pursuant to such Cash Payment Election, and upon receipt
thereof, CheckFree shall execute and deliver to Intuit a written receipt for
such cash payment signed by CheckFree (the "RECEIPT") and (ii) give written
notice to the Escrow Agent of Intuit's Cash Payment Election and a copy of the
Receipt. Upon receipt of the Cash Payment Election and the Receipt, the Escrow
Agent shall retain, and not release to CheckFree on account of such Claim, a
number of Claimed Escrow Shares equal to the amount of the cash payment
evidenced by the Receipt divided by the Average Share Price. CheckFree shall
cooperate with Intuit and the Escrow Agent to facilitate Intuit's exercise of
the Cash Payment Election.

                (e)  RECOURSE TO ESCROW SHARES NOT REQUIRED.  Nothing contained
in this Escrow Agreement or in the Plan shall be construed to require CheckFree
to seek recovery of a Claim, in whole or in part, from Escrow Shares. CheckFree
shall have the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to pursue its rights
under Article VII of the Plan without reference to such rights as it may have
under this Escrow Agreement, as it may elect; provided, that (unless Intuit
consents otherwise), any Claim by CheckFree to recover Escrow Shares must be
resolved by arbitration pursuant to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement  or by a
written settlement agreement executed by CheckFree and Intuit.

        3.  ARBITRATION OF CONTESTED CLAIMS.

                (a)  CONTESTED CLAIMS.  Each Contested Claim for which
CheckFree seeks recovery from the Escrow Shares shall be promptly settled by
mandatory binding arbitration as provided herein. The final decision of the
arbitrator will be furnished to the Escrow Agent, CheckFree and Intuit in 
writing and will constitute a conclusive determination of the issues in
question, binding upon CheckFree and Intuit. The Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility or obligation to participate in any such arbitration as a party
thereto. 

                (b)  ARBITRATION.  Each arbitration conducted pursuant hereto
shall be conducted in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the commercial
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA RULES") then in
effect. However, in all events, these arbitration provisions will govern and
supersede any conflicting rules which may now or hereafter be contained in the
AAA Rules. Any judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof.
<PAGE>   5
                (c)  COMPENSATION OF ARBITRATOR.  Any such arbitration will be
conducted before a single arbitrator who will be compensated at a rate to be
determined by CheckFree and Intuit or by the American Arbitration Association
("AAA"), but based upon reasonable hourly or daily consulting rates for the
arbitrator in the event the parties are not able to agree upon the rate of
compensation. 

                (d)  SELECTION OF ARBITRATOR.  The AAA will have the authority
to select an arbitrator from a list of arbitrators who are lawyers experienced
in the representation of software companies; provided, however, that such
arbitrator cannot be the legal counsel to CheckFree or Intuit and CheckFree and
Intuit will each have the opportunity to make such reasonable objection to any
of the arbitrators proposed by the AAA as such party may wish and that the AAA
will select the arbitrator from the list of arbitrators as to whom neither
party makes any such reasonable objection. In the event that the foregoing
procedure is not followed, CheckFree, on the one hand, and Intuit, on the other
hand, will choose one person from the list of arbitrators provided by the AAA
(provided that such person does not have a conflict of interest), and the two
persons so selected will select the arbitrator from the list provided by the
AAA. 

                (e)  PAYMENT OF COSTS.  CheckFree and Intuit will bear the
expense of deposits and advances required by the arbitrator in equal
proportions, subject to recovery as an addition or offset to any award.

                (f)  BURDEN OF PROOF.  For any Claim submitted to arbitration,
the burden of proof will be as it would be if the claim were litigated in a
judicial proceeding.

                (g)  AWARD.  Upon the conclusion of any arbitration proceedings
hereunder, the arbitrator will render findings of fact and conclusions of law
and a written opinion setting forth the basis and reasons for any decision
reached and will deliver such documents to each party to this Agreement along
with a signed copy of the award.

                (h)  TIMING.  CheckFree and Intuit will use their best efforts
to conclude each arbitration pursuant to this Section 3 within 120 days after
the date of the giving of the Claim Notice giving rise to such arbitration.

                (i)  TERMS OF ARBITRATION.  The arbitrator chosen in accordance
with these provisions will not have the power to alter, amend or otherwise
affect the terms of these arbitration provisions or the provisions of this
Escrow Agreement or the Plan.

                (j)  EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.  Except as specifically otherwise
provided in this Escrow Agreement or the Plan, arbitration will be the sole and
exclusive remedy of the parties for any Contested Claim that seeks recovery of
Escrow Shares. 

                (k)  RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES PURSUANT TO ARBITRATION AWARD.
Upon the arbitrator's issuance of a final award in such arbitration, the
arbitrator will immediately deliver a copy of such final award to the Escrow
Agent, CheckFree and Intuit. Upon its receipt of a copy of the final
arbitration award, the Escrow Agent will immediately release from escrow and
transfer to CheckFree for cancellation that number of Escrow Shares equal to
the amount of
<PAGE>   6
Losses (as defined in Article VII of the Plan), if any, awarded by such final
arbitration award, divided by the Average Share Price.

                (l) SETTLED CLAIMS. If a Contested Claim is settled by a
written settlement agreement executed by CheckFree and Intuit, then CheckFree
and Intuit will promptly deliver such executed settlement agreement to the
Escrow Agent with written instructions signed by CheckFree and Intuit to
release to CheckFree for cancellation the number of Escrow Shares stipulated in
such settlement agreement, and upon its receipt of such written instructions,
the Escrow Agent will immediately release from escrow and transfer to CheckFree
for cancellation and/or transfer to Intuit (as applicable under the provisions
of such settlement agreement) that stipulated number of Escrow Shares.

        4. TERMINATION; RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES TO SELLER. This Escrow
Agreement shall terminate upon delivery of all of the Escrow Shares to
CheckFree pursuant to Section 2(b) or shall terminate and the Escrow Shares, or
any balance of the Escrow Shares remaining after delivery of Escrow Shares to
CheckFree pursuant to Section 2(b), shall be released and delivered to Intuit
promptly upon the later of (1) one year from the date of this Escrow Agreement,
and (2) notification to Escrow Agent of final resolution of any dispute
regarding delivery of Escrow Shares to CheckFree pursuant to Section 2(b).

        5. LIABILITY OF ESCROW AGENT. Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or
liable in any manner whatsoever for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness
or the validity of the subject matter of this Escrow Agreement of any part
thereof, or for the identity or authority of any person executing any document
in connection herewith. Escrow Agent shall not be liable to CheckFree or Intuit
for any loss or damage if Escrow Agent acts upon any written notice or other
written document which Escrow Agent, in good faith, believes to be genuine. The
other parties hereto shall indemnify and hold Escrow Agent harmless against any
claims, liabilities, or expenses arising in connection with the performance by
Escrow Agent of its services under this Escrow Agreement, other than any
grossly negligent or intentional breach of the terms of this Escrow Agreement
by Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent shall indemnify and hold harmless the other
parties hereto against any claims, liabilities or expenses arising in
connection with the grossly negligent performance, or intentional breach, by
the Escrow Agent of its obligations hereunder.

        6. DISPUTES. In the event of any disagreement between the parties to
this Escrow Agreement resulting in conflicting claims or demands being made
upon the Escrow Agent, Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or
to any person for its failure or refusal to act, unless such failure constitutes
gross negligence or willful misconduct of Escrow Agent, and Escrow Agent shall
be entitled to continue to refrain from acting until (a) the earlier to occur
of (i) the full and final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of
the rights of all interested parties, or (ii) final agreement among all of the
interested parties which resolves all questions regarding any controversy among
them with respect to their rights or obligations hereunder, and (b) Escrow
Agent shall have been notified thereof in writing signed by all such parties or
by a court of competent jurisdiction.

        7. COMPENSATION. Escrow Agent shall perform the services required
hereunder in consideration of its selection by the other parties hereto to hold
the Escrow Shares and the Stock

<PAGE>   7
Powers, and Escrow Agent shall receive compensation for its services from
CheckFree in accordance with the following:

        (a)  An initial fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), which shall be
due and payable upon execution of this Plan, and a fee of seven hundred and
fifty dollars ($750.00), which shall be due and payable on each anniversary
date of the Effective Date thereafter;

        (b)  CheckFree shall reimburse Escrow Agent for any of its reasonable
out of pocket expenses incurred in fulfilling its obligations hereunder within
five (5) days of receipt of a written request therefor accompanied by such
supporting documentation as CheckFree may reasonably request.

        Any amounts due from CheckFree to the Escrow Agent under this Section 7
which are not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 1% per month from
the date due until the date paid.

        8.  RESIGNATION OF ESCROW AGENT. Escrow Agent may resign from its
duties under this Escrow Agreement at any time prior to the termination of this
Escrow Agreement, as provided in Section 4 hereof, upon giving at least 30 days
advance written notice to Intuit and CheckFree. If Escrow Agent gives notice of
resignation hereunder, CheckFree and Intuit shall have the right to relieve
Escrow Agent of its duties hereunder and to advance the resignation date set
forth by Escrow Agent's written notice. Upon resignation under this Section 8,
Escrow Agent shall reimburse CheckFree the pro rata share of any compensation
paid to Escrow Agent under the terms of this Escrow Agreement.

        9.  ASSIGNMENT. No party hereto shall have the right to assign this
Escrow Agreement to any other person or entity without the express written
consent of the other parties hereto.

       10.  NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to be given if sent by United States mail, postage
prepaid and registered or certified with required return receipt, or otherwise
personally delivered and receipted therefor, and addressed as follows (or at
such other address as may be specified by notice given pursuant hereto):

                (a)   If to CheckFree:

                      CHECKFREE CORPORATION
                      8275 North High Street
                      Columbus, Ohio 43235
                      Attn: Chief Executive Officer

                      with copy to:


<PAGE>   8
                CHECKFREE CORPORATION
                8275 North High Street
                Columbus, Ohio 43235
                Attn: General Counsel

                and

                PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR
                41 S. High Street
                Columbus, Ohio 43215
                Attn.: Curtis A. Loveland, Esq.

        (b)     If to Intuit:

                INTUIT INC.
                2535 Garcia Avenue
                Mountain View, CA 94039
                Attn: Chief Executive Officer

                with copy to:
                FENWICK & WEST LLP
                Two Palo Alto Square
                Palo Alto, California 94306
                Attn: Kenneth A. Linhares, Esq.

        (c)     If to Escrow Agent:

                Key Trust Company of Ohio, N.A.
                127 Public Square
                Trust Escrow Department OH-01-27-1509
                Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                Attn: Ms. Barbara A. Dawson, Trust Officer

        11.     CAPTIONS. The captions at the beginning of the several sections
of this Escrow Agreement are not a part of the context hereof, but have been
inserted to assist in locating and reading those sections. They shall be
ignored in construing this Escrow Agreement.

        12.     LAW APPLICABLE. This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without regard to its conflict of law principles.

        13.     SEVERABILITY. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Escrow Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof. It is the
intention of the parties that if any provision is held to be invalid, illegal, 
or unenforceable, there

<PAGE>   9
shall be added in lieu thereof a valid and enforceable provision as similar in
terms to such provision as is possible.

        14.     DUPLICATE ORIGINALS. This Escrow Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate
original, and all counterparts taken together shall constitute duplicate
originals of one and the same agreement.

        15.     BINDING EFFECT. This Escrow Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
successors, permitted assigns, or other legal representatives.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Escrow Agreement to be
executed by their duly-authorized officers as of the date first set forth above.



CHECKFREE CORPORATION                           INTUIT INC.

By:  /s/ Mark A. Johnson                        By:  /s/ James J. Heeger
     ------------------------------                  -------------------------
Its: President of Business Services             Its: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer


KEY TRUST COMPANY OF OHIO, N.A.

By:  /s/ Terrence J. Stone
     ------------------------------
Its: Vice President


<PAGE>   1



                   EXHIBIT 7.4 TO SCHEDULE 13D OF INTUIT INC.

    AMENDED AND RESTATED CHECKFREE CORPORATION STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT



<PAGE>   2
                                                                    Exhibit 7.4


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                              CHECKFREE CORPORATION

                           STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT

      This Amended and Restated Stock Restriction Agreement (this "Agreement")
is made as of September 15, 1996 by and between Checkfree Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("Parent") and Intuit Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings").

                                    RECITALS

      A. Parent and Holdings, together with Checkfree Acquisition Corporation
II, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and Intuit Services Corporation, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings, have entered into a certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of September 15, 1996, as amended (the "Plan"), pursuant
to which, by merger (the "Merger"), Parent will acquire the business of Intuit
Services Corporation.

      B. In connection with the Merger, Parent will issue to Holdings that
number of shares of the common stock of Parent ("Parent Common Stock") specified
in the Plan, subject to adjustment as provided therein ("Merger Securities"),
and the parties hereto have entered into a certain Stock Restriction Agreement
dated as of September 15, 1996 (the "Previous Agreement") to express their
agreement with respect to certain limitations on the actions which may be taken
by Holdings with respect to the Parent Common Stock issued to Holdings in the
Merger. The parties have also entered into a certain Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 15, 1996, pursuant to which
Parent has agreed to register the Merger Securities under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

      C.    Parent and  Holdings  now desire to amend and restate the Previous
Agreement in the form of this  Agreement,  which shall  supersede  and replace
the Previous Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
hereinafter and therein contained and for other good and valuable consideration
(the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), the parties
hereto agree as follows:

      1. Restrictions. While this Agreement remains in effect, Holdings shall
not sell, assign, or otherwise transfer or purchase any shares of Parent Common
Stock except as specifically permitted hereunder and shall be subject to the
following restrictions with respect to the taking of certain other actions with
respect to Parent Common Stock.

      1.1.  Sales.


<PAGE>   3

            (i) Sales to Qualified Institutional Buyers. Holdings may sell
shares of Parent Common Stock to any Qualified Institutional Buyer, as defined
herein, where such Qualified Institutional Buyer would own, after such purchase
by it, not more than 10% of the then outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock.
"Qualified Institutional Buyer," as that term is used herein, means any person
who would be eligible, under Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), if such person owned 5% or more of the
then outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, to file reports of beneficial
ownership on Schedule 13G as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), because such person both:

                  (A)   is acquiring shares of Parent Common Stock in the
                        ordinary course of his business and not with the purpose
                        nor with the effect of changing or influencing the
                        control of the issuer, nor in connection with or as a
                        participant in any transaction having such purpose or
                        effect, including any transaction subject to Rule
                        13d-3(b); and

                  (B)   is (i) a broker or dealer registered under Section 15
                        of the Exchange Act, (ii) a bank as defined in Section
                        3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act, (iii) an insurance company
                        as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act, (iv)
                        an investment company registered under Section 8 of the
                        Investment Company Act of 1940, (v) an investment
                        advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment
                        Advisers Act of 1940, (vi) an employee benefit plan, or
                        pension fund which is subject to the provisions of the
                        Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
                        ("ERISA") or an endowment fund, (vii) a parent holding
                        company, provided that the aggregate amount held
                        directly by the parent, and directly and indirectly by
                        its subsidiaries which are not persons specified in Rule
                        13d-1(b)(ii)(A)-(F) promulgated under the Exchange Act,
                        does not exceed one percent of the securities of the
                        subject class, or (viii) a group, provided that all the
                        members are persons specified in Rule
                        13d-1(b)(ii)(A)-(G) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

            (ii) Sales to Other Buyers. Holdings may sell shares of Parent
Common Stock to any person who is not a Qualified Institutional Buyer ("Other
Buyer") which Other Buyer would own, after such purchase by it, not more than 5%
of the then outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock. Holdings shall notify
Parent in writing of its intention to sell Parent Common Stock in advance of any
sale to an Other Buyer, and Parent shall have the right, during the five
business days following the receipt of such notice, to purchase such shares for
the price at which Holdings has agreed to sell the shares to such Other Buyer.

            (iii) Sales Pursuant to Rule 144 and Public Offerings. Holdings may
sell shares of Parent Common Stock (a) in compliance with SEC Rule 144 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (b) pursuant to
underwritten public offerings of Parent Common Stock in which the parties have
mutually approved the managing underwriters 


<PAGE>   4

and (c) pursuant to offerings of Parent Common Stock that are not underwritten
but are registered under the Securities Act pursuant to a shelf registration
under Rule 415 under the Securities Act that has been effected pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement. Any sales of Parent Common Stock by Holdings to
Qualified Institutional Buyers or to Other Buyers, if made pursuant to this
Section 1.1(iii) (a) through an underwriter, broker, market maker or similar
intermediary without Holdings' direct selection of or direct negotiation with
the ultimate purchaser of such Parent Common Stock, or (b) in any manner
permitted by the "manner of sale" provisions of Rule 144(f) under the Securities
Act, or (c) in any manner that would be permitted by Rule 145(d) under the
Securities Act if such Rule 145 applied to the issuance and resale of the Parent
Common Stock, shall be exempt from the restrictions set forth in Section 1.1(i)
and Section 1.1(ii).

            (iv) Other Sales. In addition to sales permitted under the foregoing
subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 1.1, Holdings may also sell
shares of Parent Common Stock in other ways, provided that Parent agrees to such
sales in advance in writing.

      1.2. Purchases. So long as this Agreement is in effect, Holdings may
purchase shares of Parent Common Stock only where such purchase would result in
its beneficial ownership of not more than 15% of the then outstanding shares of
Parent Common Stock, except where Holdings has received the prior written
consent of Parent's Board of Directors or its authorized representative;
provided, however, that Holdings may not hold more than the number of shares of
Parent Common Stock constituting the Merger Securities so long as this Agreement
remains in effect.

      1.3.  Solicitation of Proxy and Other Matters.

            (i) Solicitation of Proxies. Holdings will not solicit proxies from
Parent stockholders in opposition to any recommendation of Parent's Board of
Directors.

            (ii) Takeover Bids. Holdings will not initiate or participate in any
group which proposes, without the support of Parent's Board of Directors, any
change in the control of Parent, whether by tender offer, merger, or otherwise.
In any event, Holdings may, itself, make such an offer or proposal to Parent's
Board of Directors; provided, however, that any such offer or proposal by
Holdings shall be made on a strictly confidential basis and shall not be
publicly disclosed without the prior consent of Parent's Board of Directors.

      2.    Legend.  The  certificates  representing  shares of Parent  Common
Stock beneficially owned by Holdings shall bear the following legend:

      THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
      AN AGREEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 1996 BETWEEN INTUIT INC. AND CHECKFREE
      CORPORATION IMPOSING CERTAIN TRANSFER AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE HOLDER
      OF SUCH SHARES.


<PAGE>   5

Holdings shall deliver all shares of Parent Common Stock purchased hereunder to
Parent or its transfer agent to have this legend affixed to all such shares.

      3. Termination. This Agreement and the restrictions imposed hereby will
irrevocably terminate at the first time that Holdings shall beneficially own
less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, and this
Agreement shall not be revived by any subsequent transaction that results in
Holdings owning 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock.

      4.    Governing   Law.   This   Agreement   shall  be  governed  by  and
interpreted  in  accordance  with the law of the  State of  Delaware,  without
reference to its choice of law rules.

      5. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective estates, heirs, legal
representatives, successors, and assigns; provided, however, that no assignment
of any rights or obligations shall be made by any party hereto without the
written consent of each other party hereto.

      6. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to be given if sent by United States mail, postage
prepaid and registered or certified with required return receipt, or otherwise
personally delivered and receipted therefor, and addressed as follows (or at
such other address as may be specified by notice given pursuant hereto):

            (a)   If to  Checkfree:

                  CHECKFREE CORPORATION
                  4411 East Jones Bridge Road
                  Norcross, Georgia 30092
                              Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

                  with copy to:

                  PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR
                  41 S. High Street
                  Columbus, Ohio 43215
                               Attn.:  Curtis A. Loveland, Esq.

            (b)   If to Intuit:

                  INTUIT INC.
                  2535 Garcia Avenue
                  Mountain View, CA 94039
                               Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

                  with copy to:


<PAGE>   6

                               FENWICK & WEST LLP
                               Two Palo Alto Square
                               Palo Alto, California 94306
                               Attn: Kenneth A. Linhares, Esq.

      7.    Captions.  The captions at the  beginning of the several  sections
of  this  Agreement  are not a part  of the  context  hereof,  but  have  been
inserted  to assist in  locating  and reading  those  sections.  They shall be
ignored in construing this Agreement.

      8. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect
for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provisions hereof. It is the intention of the parties that if
any provision is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, there shall be
added in lieu thereof a valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to
such provision as is possible.

      9.    Duplicate  Originals.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in one or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate  original,
and all counterparts  taken together shall constitute  duplicate  originals of
one and the same agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


                                  CHECKFREE CORPORATION


                            By:   /s/ Peter J. Kight
                            Its:  President   and   Chief    Executive Officer


                           INTUIT INC.


                            By:   /s/ James J. Heeger
                            Its:  Senior Vice President and
                                  Chief Financial Officer



<PAGE>   1



                   EXHIBIT 7.5 TO SCHEDULE 13D OF INTUIT INC.

              AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

<PAGE>   2



                                                                    Exhibit 7.5

              AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


      This Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement")
is made and entered into as of September 15, 1996 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") by and
between Checkfree Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and
Intuit Inc., a Delaware corporation ("INTUIT").


                                    RECITALS

      A. Intuit and the Company have entered into a certain Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated as of even date herewith (the "PLAN"), pursuant to which
Checkfree Acquisition Corporation II, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company ("NEWCO"), is to be merged with and into Intuit
Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Intuit ("SUB") in a statutory merger (the "MERGER").

      B. Upon consummation of the Merger, Intuit, as Sub's sole stockholder,
will receive shares of the Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of
the outstanding stock of Sub in the Merger. As a condition to the consummation
of the Merger, the Plan provides that Intuit shall be granted certain
registration rights with respect to the shares of the Company's Common Stock to
be issued to it in the Merger, all as more fully set forth herein.

      C. This Agreement amends, restates, and supersedes that certain
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 15, 1996 previously entered
into by the parties (the "PRIOR REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT").

      1.    REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

            1.1   Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 1:

                  (a) Registration. The terms "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and
"REGISTRATION" refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a
registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "SECURITIES ACT"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
registration statement.

                  (b) Registrable Securities. The term "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES"
means: (1) all the shares of Common Stock of the Company issued to Intuit in the
Merger pursuant to the Plan, and (2) any shares of Common Stock of the Company
issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or
other security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, or in exchange for, or in replacement of, all such shares of Common Stock of
the Company described in clause (1) of this subsection (b); excluding in all
cases, however, any Registrable Securities sold by a person in a transaction in
which rights under


<PAGE>   3

this Section 1 are not assigned in accordance with this Agreement or any
Registrable Securities sold to the public or sold pursuant to Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act.

                  (c)   SEC.  The term  "SEC" or  "COMMISSION"  means the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  (d) Effective Time; Nasdaq NM. The terms "EFFECTIVE TIME" and
"NASDAQ NM" shall have the same respective meanings that are given to such terms
in the Plan.

            1.2   Demand Registration.

                  (a) Request by Intuit. If the Company shall receive at any
time after the closing of the Merger a written request ("REQUEST") from Intuit
that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering
the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.2, then
the Company shall effect, as soon as practicable, the registration under the
Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which Intuit requests to be
registered in the Request, subject only to the limitations of this Section 1.2;
provided, that the Registrable Securities requested by Intuit to be registered
pursuant to such request must be at least twenty percent (20%) of the
Registrable Securities issued to Intuit in the Merger; provided, however, that
the first such request for registration under this Section 1.2(a) ("FIRST
REQUEST") may be for such lesser number of shares of Registrable Securities as
would reduce Intuit's ownership of the Company's Common Stock to less than
twenty percent (20%) of the shares of the Company's Common Stock outstanding
after such sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if due to action by an
underwriter as provided in Section 1.2(b), or for any other reason beyond
Intuit's control (including, but not limited to, actions by Checkfree or any
Checkfree stockholder, or any agreement to which Checkfree is a party), Intuit
is prevented from registering the minimum number of Registrable Securities
required for Intuit to request a registration of Registrable Securities under
this Section 1.2, then Intuit shall nevertheless be entitled to have registered
pursuant to this Section 1.2, such lesser number of Registrable Securities as it
is able to register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the First Request may be
given by Intuit to the Company prior to the Effective Time, and if the First
Request is given to the Company prior to the Effective Time, then the Company
shall (i) immediately begin preparation of the registration statement to be used
to register the Registrable Securities to be covered in the registration that is
the subject of the First Request (the "FIRST REGISTRATION"); and (ii) use its
best efforts to file the registration statement for the First Registration with
the SEC as soon as practicable after the Effective Time.

                  (b) Underwriting. The Registrable Securities covered by the
Request may be offered by means of an underwriting if Intuit so requests, and
Intuit shall so advise the Company as a part of its Request. If an underwriting
is requested by Intuit in its Request, then Intuit and the Company shall enter
into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter
or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the mutual agreement of the
Company and Intuit; provided, that neither the Company nor Intuit shall
unreasonably refuse to agree to a managing underwriter selected by the other,
but shall in good faith attempt to select 


<PAGE>   4

mutually agreeable managing underwriters. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Section 1.2, if the underwriters advise the Company in writing that
marketing factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be
underwritten, then the Company shall so advise Intuit, and the number of
Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be reduced
as required by the underwriters; provided, however, that the number of shares of
Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting and registration
shall not be reduced unless all other securities of the Company and any other
selling securityholder are first entirely excluded from the underwriting and
registration. Any Registrable Securities excluded and withdrawn from such
underwriting shall be withdrawn from the registration.

                  (c)   Maximum  Number of Demand  Registrations.  The Company
is  obligated  to  effect  only one (1)  such  registration  pursuant  to this
Section 1.2 per calendar year, commencing with 1997.

                  (d) Expenses. Intuit shall bear all discounts, commissions or
other amounts payable to underwriters or brokers with respect to the sale of
Registrable Securities by Intuit in such offering, as well as Intuit's Pro Rata
Share (as that term is defined below) of one-half of all other expenses incurred
in connection with a registration pursuant to this Section 1.2, including
without limitation all federal and "blue sky" registration and qualification
fees, printers' and accounting fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and for Intuit. As used in this Section 1.2(d), Intuit's "PRO RATA
SHARE" with respect to an offering, means the percentage obtained by dividing
(i) the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock registered and sold by
Intuit in such offering by (ii) the total number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock sold in such offering by all parties (including Intuit) other than
the Company.

                  (e) Rights of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 1.2 or otherwise in this Agreement, the Company shall
not be obligated to take any action to effect any such registration pursuant to
this Section 1.2 as follows:

                        (i)   In any  particular  jurisdiction  in  which  the
Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in
effecting such registration unless the Company is already subject to service in
such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;

                        (ii)  If the  Company,  within  ten  (10)  days of the
receipt of a registration Request of Intuit under Section 1.2, gives written
notice to Intuit of the Company's bona fide intention to effect the filing,
within thirty (30) days of receipt of such Request, of a registration statement
with the Commission for the sale of securities by the Company (other than with
respect to a registration statement relating to a Rule 145 transaction, an
offering solely to employees or any other registration which is not appropriate
for the registration of Registrable Securities), in which event, (x) Intuit
shall be entitled to exercise its piggyback registration rights under Section
1.3 hereof with respect to such registration, (y) the Company shall be required
in good faith to employ all reasonable efforts to cause its registration
statement to become effective and to give prompt written notice to Intuit if the
Company abandons its effort to file or causes its registration statement to
become effective, and (z) in the event the Company gives notice that it 


<PAGE>   5

has abandoned its registration statement efforts, the Company shall promptly
renew its best efforts to register the Registrable Securities that were the
subject of Intuit's demand registration Request if so requested in writing by
Intuit within ten (10) days after Intuit's receipt of notice that the Company
has abandoned its registration efforts;

                        (iii) During  the period  starting  with the filing of
and ending on the date ninety (90) days immediately following the effective date
of any registration statement pertaining to securities of the Company (other
than a registration of securities in a Rule 145 transaction or with respect to
an employee benefit plan), provided that the Company is actively employing in
good faith all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective;

                        (iv)  If  the  Company   shall  furnish  to  Intuit  a
certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company it would be seriously
detrimental, for the specific reasons stated in such certificate, to the Company
or its shareholders for a registration statement to be filed in the near future,
then the Company's obligation to use its best efforts to register under this
Section 1.2 shall be deferred for a period not to exceed one hundred and twenty
(120) days from the date of receipt of the written Request from Intuit; provided
that the Company may not exercise this right with respect to the registration
requested by the First Request if such First Request is received by the Company
on or before March 1, 1997; or

                        (v)   Unless at least one  hundred  and  eighty  (180)
days shall have expired from the effectiveness of a previous registration of
Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.2, or pursuant to a previous
registration under Section 1.3 below in which Intuit was given the opportunity
to include in such registration at least the lesser of (i) five percent (5%) of
the Registrable Securities issued to Intuit in the Merger, or (ii) all
Registrable Securities then owned by Intuit.

Subject to the foregoing clauses (i) through (v), the Company shall file a
registration statement covering the Registrable Securities so requested to be
registered as soon as practicable after receipt of the request or requests of
Intuit.

            1.3 Piggyback Registrations. The Company shall notify Intuit in
writing at least twenty (20) days prior to filing any registration statement
under the Securities Act for purposes of effecting a public offering of
securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, registration
statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Company, but
excluding registration statements relating solely to any registration under
Section 1.2 of this Agreement or any employee benefit plan or a Rule 145
transaction) and will afford Intuit, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or
any part of the Registrable Securities then held by Intuit. Intuit shall, within
five (5) business days after receipt of the above-described notice from the
Company, so notify the Company in writing, and in such notice shall inform the
Company of the number of Registrable Securities Intuit wishes to include in such
registration statement. If Intuit decides not to include all of its Registrable
Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, 


<PAGE>   6

Intuit shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable
Securities not included in such registration statement in any subsequent
registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by the Company
with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions
set forth herein. If Intuit is given the opportunity to include in any
registration statement filed under this Section 1.3 at least the lesser of (i)
five percent (5%) of the Registrable Securities issued to Intuit in the Merger,
or (ii) all Registrable Securities then owned by Intuit, then Intuit shall not
make a request for registration under Section 1.2 hereof for at least one
hundred and eighty (180) days after the earlier of the termination of such
offering or the effectiveness of such registration statement.

                  (a) Underwriting. If a registration statement under which the
Company gives notice under this Section 1.3 is for an underwritten offering,
then the Company shall so advise Intuit. In such event, Intuit's right to
include Registrable Securities in a registration pursuant to this Section 1.3
shall be conditioned upon Intuit's participation in such underwriting and the
inclusion of Intuit's Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent
provided herein. Intuit shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary
form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such
underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the
managing underwriter determines in good faith that marketing factors require a
limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the managing
underwriters may exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the
registration and the underwriting, and the number of shares that may be included
in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the
Company, and second, to Intuit; provided, however, that the right of the
underwriters to exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the
registration and underwriting as described above shall be restricted so that:
(i) the number of Registrable Securities included in any such registration is
not reduced below twenty percent (20%) of the shares included in the
registration; and (ii) all shares that are not Registrable Securities and are
held by other shareholders of the Company, (except those shareholders with
registration rights that, as of the Effective Date of the Plan, are senior to or
on a pari passu basis with those of Intuit and are disclosed to Intuit in the
Plan or any disclosure letter delivered to Intuit pursuant to the Plan), shall
first be excluded from such registration and underwriting before any Registrable
Securities are so excluded. If Intuit disapproves of the terms of any such
underwriting, Intuit may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the
Company and the managing underwriter, delivered at least ten (10) business days
prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable
Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and
withdrawn from the registration.

                  (b) Expenses. Intuit shall bear all discounts, commissions or
other amounts payable to underwriters or brokers with respect to the sale of
Registrable Securities by Intuit in any offering registered under this Section
1.3 and fees and disbursements of counsel for Intuit in connection with such
offering. All other expenses incurred in connection with a registration pursuant
to this Section 1.3, including, without limitation all federal and "blue sky"
registration and qualification fees, printers' and accounting fees, and fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be borne by the Company.


<PAGE>   7

            1.4 Shelf Registration. As soon as practicable after the Effective
Time (but not later than ten (10) business days after the Effective Time), the
Company shall file a registration statement on Form S-3 for a continuous
registered shelf offering under Rule 415 of the Securities Act (the "SHELF
REGISTRATION STATEMENT") covering the registration of all Registrable Securities
(the "SHELF REGISTERED SECURITIES"). The Company shall use its best efforts to
cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the registration of the Shelf
Registered Securities thereunder to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as
practicable following the Effective Time, and shall continuously maintain the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement at all times following the
Effective Time until the second (2nd) anniversary of the Effective Time.
Intuit's right to offer and sell Shelf Registered Securities pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the following limitations:

                  (a) Limitation on Amount of Securities Sold. For as long as
Intuit may be an affiliate of the Company as defined in the Securities Act, the
amount of Shelf Registered Securities that may be sold by Intuit in each sale of
Shelf Registered Securities in reliance on the Shelf Registration Statement
under this Section 1.4, together with all sales of other shares of the Company's
Common Stock for the account of Intuit within the preceding three months
(excluding any sales of the Company's Common Stock by Intuit pursuant to
registrations filed pursuant to Section 1.2 or 1.3 of this Agreement), shall not
exceed the greater of (i) one percent (1%) of the shares of the Company's Common
Stock outstanding as shown by the most recent report or statement published by
the Company, or (ii) the average weekly reported volume of trading in shares of
the Company's Common Stock on all national securities exchanges and/or reported
through the automated quotation system of a registered securities association
during the four calendar weeks preceding Intuit's delivery to the Company of the
notice required by Section 1.4(b).

                  (b) Notice of Proposed Sale. Intuit shall give the Company
written notice of its bona fide intention to sell Shelf Registered Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement at least seven (7) business days in
advance of the proposed date of sale, and the Company shall act as soon as
practicable to make any necessary filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and regulatory bodies as may be necessary to permit the sale of the
Shelf Registered Securities in accordance with Section 1.4(a).

                  (c) Minimum Amount of Securities Sold. Each request to sell
Shelf Registered Securities under this Section 1.4 shall be for such number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock having an aggregate sale price of at least
$250,000.

                  (d) Expenses. Intuit shall bear all discounts, commissions or
other amounts payable to underwriters or brokers and fees and disbursements of
counsel for Intuit in connection with sales of Shelf Registered Securities by
Intuit. All other expenses incurred in connection with a sale of Shelf
Registered Securities pursuant to this Section 1.4, including, without
limitation all federal and "blue sky" registration and qualification fees,
printers' and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company shall be borne by the Company.


<PAGE>   8

                  (e) Curative Measures. If for any reason the Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the second
(2nd) anniversary of the Effective Time, then the Company shall use its best
efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement (or a new shelf registration
statement conforming to the provisions of this Section 1.4) to be declared
effective by the SEC and remain effective until the second (2nd) anniversary of
the Effective Time.

            1.5 Obligations of the Company. Whenever required to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities under this Agreement, and except as
otherwise provided in this Section or otherwise in this Agreement, the Company
shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

                  (a) Prepare promptly and file with the SEC a registration
statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts
to cause such registration statement to become effective, and, keep such
registration statement effective (i) with respect to a registration statement
filed pursuant to Section 1.2 or 1.3 hereof, for ninety (90) days (or until the
earlier sale of the Registrable Securities covered thereby), and (ii) with
respect to a shelf registration statement filed pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof,
until the second (2nd) anniversary of the Effective Time, which registration
statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses
contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were
made, not misleading.

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

                  (c) Furnish to Intuit such number of copies of a prospectus,
including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the
Securities Act, and such other documents as it may reasonably request in order
to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by it that are
included in such registration.

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

                  (e) In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter
into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and
customary form, with the managing underwriters of such offering.

                  (f) Notify Intuit at any time when a prospectus relating to
the Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act
of the happening of any


<PAGE>   9

event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration
statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances
then existing.

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

                  (h) Make generally available to its security holders as soon
as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period
covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of
Rule 158 promulgated under the Securities Act) covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the effective date of any registration statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto.

                  (i) Make available for inspection by Intuit, any underwriter
participating in any underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by Intuit or any such underwriter
(collectively, the "INSPECTORS"), all pertinent documents of the Company
(collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable each
Inspector to exercise its due diligence responsibility, if and to the extent it
has any such responsibility under the Securities Act, and cause the Company's
officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector
may reasonably request for purposes of exercising such due diligence; provided,
however, that each Inspector shall hold in confidence and shall not make any
disclosure (except to Intuit) of any Record or other non-public information
relating to the Company received by such Inspector unless (i) the disclosure of
such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any
Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to
a subpoena or other order from a court or government body of competent
jurisdiction or (iii) the information in such Records has been made generally
available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any
other agreement; and provided, further, however, that in the event Intuit
obtains material nonpublic information concerning the Company pursuant to this
Section 1.5(i) or Section 1.5(a) or (f) or otherwise, such Inspector shall not
purchase or sell or otherwise trade in any securities of the Company in
violation of applicable law until such information is made public by the
Company. The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential
information in such Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector
shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement (in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company) with the Company


<PAGE>   10

with respect thereto, substantially in the form of this Section 1.5(i). Intuit
agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in
or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, give prompt notice
to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate
action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the
Records deemed confidential.

                  (j) Use its best efforts either to (i) cause all the
Registrable Securities covered by any registration statement to be listed on a
national securities exchange, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is
then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure the quotation of
the Registrable Securities on the Nasdaq NM if such quotation is then permitted
under the rules of the Nasdaq NM.

                  (k) Provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be a
single entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date
of any registration statement.

                  (l) Cooperate with Intuit and the managing underwriter or
underwriters of any offering involving Registrable Securities, if any, to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any
restrictive legends) representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to
a registration effected hereto, and enable such certificates to be in such
denominations or amounts as the case may be, and registered in such names as the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Intuit, may reasonable request.

                  (m) Take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite
and facilitate disposition by Intuit of the Registrable Securities pursuant to
the registration statement.

            1.6 Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 1.2, 1.3, or
1.4 that Intuit shall furnish to the Company such information regarding it, the
Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of
such securities as shall be required to timely effect the registration of its
Registrable Securities.

            1.7 Indemnification. In the event any Registrable Securities are
included in a registration statement under Sections 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4:

                  (a) By the Company. To the extent permitted by law, the
Company will indemnify and hold harmless Intuit, officers and directors of
Intuit, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for Intuit and each
person, if any, who controls Intuit or such underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
ACT"), against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to
which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the 1934 Act or other
federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the
following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a "VIOLATION"):


<PAGE>   11

                        (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
            a material fact contained in a registration statement filed pursuant
            to this Section 1, including any preliminary prospectus or final
            prospectus contained therein or in any amendments or supplements
            thereto;

                        (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in a
            registration statement filed pursuant to this Section 1 (including
            any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or
            in any amendments or supplements thereto), a material fact required
            to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein
            not misleading; or

                        (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company
            of the Securities Act, the 1934 Act, any federal or state securities
            law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act,
            the 1934 Act or any federal or state securities law in connection
            with the offering covered by such registration statement;

and the Company will reimburse each of Intuit, such officer or director,
underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them, as incurred, in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.7(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such
case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection
with such registration by Intuit, or by such, officer, director, underwriter or
controlling person of Intuit.

                  (b) By Intuit. To the extent permitted by law, Intuit will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who have signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any
underwriter, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or
several) to which the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person
or underwriter may become subject under the Securities Act, the 1934 Act or
other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by Intuit expressly for use in connection with such registration; and
Intuit will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained
in this subsection 1.7(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected
without the consent of Intuit, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
and provided, further, that the total amounts payable in indemnity by Intuit
under this 


<PAGE>   12

Section 1.7(b) in respect of any Violation shall not exceed the net proceeds
received by Intuit in the registered offering out of which such Violation
arises.

                  (c) Notice. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
under this Section 1.7 of notice of the commencement of any action (including
any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim for
indemnification in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party
under this Section 1.7, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of
the commencement of such an action and the indemnifying party shall have the
right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires,
jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the
defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided,
however, that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if
representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the
indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflict of
interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the
indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section
1.7, but the omission so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party
will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under this Section 1.7.

                  (d) Defect Eliminated in Final Prospectus. The foregoing
indemnity agreements of the Company and Intuit are subject to the condition
that, insofar as they relate to any Violation made in a preliminary prospectus
but eliminated or remedied in the amended prospectus on file with the SEC at the
time the registration statement in question becomes effective or in the amended
prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to SEC Rule 424(b) (the "FINAL
PROSPECTUS"), such indemnity agreements shall not inure to the benefit of any
person if a copy of the Final Prospectus was furnished to the indemnified party
and was not furnished to the person asserting the loss, liability, claim or
damage at or prior to the time such action is required by the Securities Act.

                  (e) Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which
either (i) Intuit (and/or any officer, director, underwriter or controlling
person who may be indemnified under Section 1.7(a)), makes a claim for
indemnification pursuant to this Section 1.7 but it is judicially determined (by
the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and
the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that
such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact
that this Section 1.7 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii)
contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of Intuit
(and/or any officer, director, underwriter or controlling person who may be
indemnified under Section 1.7(a)) in circumstances for which indemnification is
provided under this Section 1.7; then, and in each such case, the Company and
Intuit (and/or such other person) will contribute to the aggregate losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution
from others) in proportion to their relative fault as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that in no event (i) shall Intuit be
responsible 


<PAGE>   13

for more than the portion represented by the percentage that the public offering
price of the Registrable Securities offered and sold by Intuit under the
registration statement bears to the public offering price of all securities
offered and sold under such registration statement and (ii) shall Intuit be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all
such Registrable Securities offered and sold by Intuit pursuant to such
registration statement; and in any event, no person or entity guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

                  (f) Survival. The obligations of the Company and Intuit under
this Section 1.7 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable
Securities in a registration statement, and otherwise.

            1.8 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits
of certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit
the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, for
so long as Intuit owns any Registrable Securities, the Company agrees to:

                  (a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times;

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

                  (c) So long as Intuit owns any Registrable Securities, to
furnish to Intuit forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company as
to its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144, a copy of
the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other
reports and documents of the Company as Intuit may reasonably request in
availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to
sell any such securities without registration.

            1.9 Termination of the Company's Obligations. The Company shall have
no obligations to register Registrable Securities held by Intuit (i) if all
Registrable Securities have been registered and sold pursuant to registrations
effected pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) after the fifth anniversary of the
Effective Time of the Merger; provided, however, that if the Company defers a
demand registration pursuant to Section 1.2(e)(iv), then the expiration date
under this clause (ii) shall be extended for one year for each occasion on which
the Company has exercised such rights.

            1.10 Preference to Outstanding Registration Rights. The Company has
previously entered into agreements dated as of May 6, 1996 granting to certain
holders of Common Stock of the Company issued in connection with the acquisition
of Security APL, Inc. registration rights with respect to such securities that
provides, that until May 9, 1998, the Company shall not enter into any agreement
granting any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company
registration rights with respect to such securities unless such new 


<PAGE>   14

agreement specifies that the rights of such holders under the May 6, 1996
agreements shall have preference to the holders of such new registration rights.
Accordingly, Intuit acknowledges that its registration rights under this
Agreement are subordinate to the registration rights granted under the May 6,
1996 agreements.

            1.11 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights. From and after
the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written
consent of Intuit, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective
holder of any securities of the Company which would allow such holder or
prospective holder (a) to include such securities in any registration filed
under Section 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 hereof, unless under the terms of such agreement,
such holder or prospective holder may include such securities in any such
registration only to the extent that the inclusion of his securities will not
reduce the amount of the Registrable Securities of Intuit which is included, or
(b) to make a demand registration which could result in such registration
statement being declared effective (i) during the effectiveness of any
registration statement effected pursuant to Section 1.2, or (ii) within one
hundred twenty (120) days of the effective date of any registration effected
pursuant to Section 1.2.

      2.    ASSIGNMENT.

            2.1 Assignment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
registration rights of Intuit under Section 1 hereof may be assigned only to (a)
a party who acquires a number of shares of Company Common Stock equal to at
least fifty percent (50%) of the shares of Common Stock that constituted the
original number of Registrable Securities (as such number may be adjusted to
reflect subdivisions, combinations and stock dividends of the Company's Common
Stock) or (b) any party who acquires ownership or control of Intuit through a
merger, consolidation, sale of assets or similar business combination; provided,
however that no party may be assigned any of the foregoing rights until the
Company is given written notice by the assigning party at the time of such
assignment stating the name and address of the assignee and identifying the
securities of the Company as to which the rights in question are being assigned;
and provided further, that any such assignee shall receive such assigned rights
subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without
limitation the provisions of this Section 2.

      3.    GENERAL PROVISIONS.

            3.1 Standoff Agreement. Intuit agrees, so long as it holds at least
five percent (5%) of the Company's outstanding voting equity securities, that,
upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing an underwritten
offering of the Company's securities, Intuit will not sell, make any short sale
of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any
Registrable Securities (other than those included in the registration) without
the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may
be, for such period of time (not to exceed ninety (90) days) from the effective
date of such registration as may be requested by the underwriters; provided,
that if any officer or director of the Company who owns at least one percent
(1%) of the outstanding voting equity securities of the Company does not agree
to such restrictions, then Intuit shall not be required to do so either; and
provided that the foregoing 


<PAGE>   15

provisions of this Section 3.1 shall not apply to any sale of Registrable
Securities by Intuit pursuant to the registration requested by the First Request
if such First Request is received by the Company on or before March 1, 1997.

            3.2 Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if personally delivered or if deposited in the U.S. mail by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:

                        (a)      If to Intuit, at:

                        Intuit Inc.
                        2535 Garcia Avenue
                        Mountain View, CA 94039
                        Attention: Chief Executive Officer

                     with a copy to:

                        Fenwick & West LLP
                        Two Palo Alto Square, Suite 800
                        Palo Alto, CA  94306
                        Attention:  Kenneth A. Linhares, Esq.

               (b)   If to Checkfree:

                        Checkfree Corporation
                        4411 East Jones Bridge Road
                        Norcross, Georgia 30092
                        Attention: President

                     with a copy to:

                        Checkfree Corporation
                        8275 North High Street
                        Columbus, Ohio 43235
                        Attn:  General Counsel

                        and

                         Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
                         41 South High Street
                         Columbus, Ohio 43215
                         Attention: Curtis A. Loveland, Esq.


<PAGE>   16

Any party hereto (and such party's permitted assigns) may by notice so given
provide and change its address for future notices hereunder. Notice shall
conclusively be deemed to have been given when personally delivered or when
deposited in the mail in the manner set forth above.

            3.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, constitutes and contains the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence,
agreements, understandings, duties or obligations between the parties respecting
the subject matter hereof, including but not limited to the Prior Registration
Rights Agreement.

            3.4 Amendment of Rights. Any provision of this Agreement may be
amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a
particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the
written consent of the Company and Intuit (and/or any of their permitted
successors or assigns).

            3.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
exclusively in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware as
applied to agreements among Delaware residents entered into and to be performed
entirely within Delaware, excluding that body of law relating to conflict of
laws and choice of law.

            3.6 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, then such provision(s) shall be
excluded from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such provision(s) were so excluded and shall be enforceable in
accordance with its terms.

            3.7 Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties hereto and their
successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement.

            3.8 Successors And Assigns. Subject to the provisions of Section
2.1, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall
be binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.

            3.9 Captions. The captions to sections of this Agreement have been
inserted for identification and reference purposes only and shall not be used to
construe or interpret this Agreement.

            3.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date and year first above written.


<PAGE>   17

CHECKFREE CORPORATION                      INTUIT INC.

By:   /s/ Peter J. Kight                   By:   /s/ James J. Heeger

Title:  President and                      Title:  Senior Vice  President and
      Chief Executive Officer              Chief Financial Officer








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